Guest Blog: Sarah Hanks and Whatever It Takes *Prize of Audiobooks for the Series!

Dear Readers,

I hope you're enjoying summer wherever you are! I met Sarah Hanks when we were both speakers at ACFW's At-Home conference last year and were the only two who showed up for the Question and Answer session. She knows her stuff, y'all!

Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you.

Hi, Sarah Hanks here. I’ve lived in Missouri all my life, mostly around the St. Louis area. One thing people notice about me is that I smile a lot. A big, corny smile. I’m naturally animated and generally have a positive outlook.

Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.

Whatever It Takes is the third and last book in the Sisters in Arms Collection. These split-time novels can be read in any order. They all have the common thread of a secret female Civil War solider in the historical timeline.

Here’s the blurb:

At the brink of the Civil War, Henrietta Frontenac is a fierce protector of her five younger sisters. As poverty and despair threaten their survival, Henrietta takes a bold step to protect her family. She disguises herself as a man to find work at the docks and is soon swept into the ranks of the Confederate army. Facing unimaginable risks, will she maintain her secret identity, or will unexpected love unravel all she’s worked for?

In the present, Everly Moore, a former wild spirit turned compassionate chiropractor, has spent fifteen years trying to redeem her past. When her beloved sister Ivy faces the heart-wrenching challenge of infertility, Everly finds herself at a crossroads, unsure if she can confront her own trauma and step up as Ivy’s surrogate. After Everly and Ivy stumble upon the story of their brave relative Henrietta, they are inspired to confront their own fears. But will they make the difficult choices that could change their lives forever?

Dive deep into this intertwined narrative where past and present collide, showcasing the unyielding strength of sisterhood. A story of love, resilience, and the battles that unite us across generations.

Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.

Whatever It Takes deals with surrogacy. While I’ve never gone through that experience, I am currently carrying a baby via embryo adoption. I “got to” experience much of the process Everly goes through in the novel (like progesterone shots and an embryo transfer). Still, I can’t fully imagine what it would be like to go through all that pain and stress and not get to hold my baby in my arms at the end of it. I had to rely on many surrogates’ stories as they shared their point of view. In doing so, I found that many times their attitude and experiences were vastly different. In the end, Everly’s story shows one way a surrogate might feel. It fits her backstory and personality, showcasing the resilience and sacrifice of many surrogates.

Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two?

Do you have a sister? If so, are you close? If not, did you wish for one growing up or were you content?

I do not have a sister, and my only brother was born when I was fifteen. So, I basically grew up as an only child. I always wanted siblings, and a sister specifically. I thought it would be wonderful to not have to play on my own all of the time. My experience growing up lonely is probably a main reason why I always wanted a lot of children—ten to be exact. I’m currently pregnant with #10, so I guess some dreams do come true.

Share your social media and buy links!

Website: www.sarah-hanks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahHanks

Instagram:: https://www.instagram.com/authorsarahhanks

Amazon buy link: https://a.co/d/8lkvbgr