New Release: BURK'S SURRENDER, a Christian Romance Book

Happy Book Birthday to Burk's Surrender,

the third and final book in the Harmon Heritage series, 

where three siblings struggle to find healing and peace after their father's tragic death. 

Purchase Link ~ Available now

with Pelican Book Group

Deputy City Manager Burk Harmon has always been the strong one for his family, but recently those responsibilities have dwindled. When Lacie Heatherton, Assistant Director for Parks and Recreation, ropes him into a city-sponsored trip to the mountains with fifty seniors, Burk has two things on his mind: considering a possible promotion and wooing Lacie past friendship and into a future. Lacie has emotional scars and a thirteen-year-old daughter to remind her that men can be cruel and unforgiving. Can Burk convince Lacie to relax her "no dating" policy or will he surrender his dreams of family and love?

Harmon Heritage, available with Pelican Book Group

Rori's Healing ~ available now

Beck's Peace ~ available now

Burk's Surrender ~ available now!

Meet Lacie Heatherton from BURK'S SURRENDER, a Christian Romance Book

Tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.

Hi guys! I’m Lacie Heatherton. Oops, I mean Lacie Harmon. Burk and I have only been married a few weeks, so I still haven’t adjusted to my new name. My thirteen-year-old daughter, Violet, lives with us along with my grandma Wilma. But I suspect Grandma won’t be here too much longer. Monty’s been coming around every night. Can you believe she finally ditched the baggy sweatpants? :)

Tell us about where you live and why you choose to live there.

We live in Harrison, North Carolina, in a Craftsman home I saw online. I’d bookmarked it, thinking I could scrounge up enough savings to buy it for Violet and me. But, then I almost lost my job and Violet needed braces. And, well, you know how it is being a single parent. Of course, the listing expired, but Burk’s twin brother, Beck, remodels and stages homes for a real estate company. His company picked up the listing for the tiny house. He added a bunch of square footage and transformed it into a gorgeous home. We snapped it up. It’s perfect for our family, and I love it!

What is a quirk of your personality that most people wouldn’t know?

Burk couldn’t stand that the number four by the front door at Grandma’s house hung crooked. Every time he came over, he straightened it. What he didn’t know was that I twisted it just to mess with him. He never found out!

What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your happily-ever-after?

I had to harness the fear that rose up like a tidal wave and threatened to drown me. Fear that he would hurt me just like all the other men in my life. Fear that a man in Violet’s life would hurt her and complicate our lives. I had to trust him and trust that our ten years of friendship meant something, that it proved he was a man I could depend on and that he would never hurt us.

Tell us about your knight in shining armor. What makes him special?

Like I said, he would never hurt us, and his friendship has never wavered. Even when we went through a rough patch and I told him to leave, he didn’t. He’s been my friend since practically the day I met him. Part of my job was to take the Parks and Rec collections to him every day. After a few months of doing that, I started to plan my visits for late afternoon, after everybody had gone home, so we could chat uninterrupted. He was always kind, never complained that I took up too much of his time, and he seemed genuinely friendly. He never tried to push my buttons or ask me out. One night I complained that our washer had kicked the bucket. He offered to fix it. That was the first of many fixes and dinners that I cooked in trade. So, when Renee left me in the lurch with the senior trip, I knew I could count on him to go with us if I asked. Nicely. Which I did. And can you believe he accused me of batting my eyelashes?

But you know what really lights up my heart about my husband? His faith. It’s quiet, but steady and sure. Just like him. And he’s a family man. After his faith, he puts his family first. Always has.

The first time you saw him, what did you think? Did you like him immediately, or did he have to grow on you?

Oh, I liked him. With his friendly smile and that incredibly deep voice, how could I not? But the first time I saw him, he was a college intern and I was…pregnant. I didn’t introduce myself. What was the point? Dating was not on my agenda. I had more important things to worry about. Like how to keep my job when I spent every morning running to the bathroom or where I would sleep that night.

But then he became Finance Director, and I finally had the chance to really get to know him. I thought he’d arrange for me to turn in the collections to someone else, being so busy and all, but he didn’t. Our conversations started veering to personal things, and we became friends more than business associates.

And he’s over six feet of gorgeous! But like him? Not a chance! Not after being beaten by Violet’s father when I told him I was pregnant and then being kicked out of the house by my stepfather. Poor Burk had his work cut out for him. I’m so glad he didn’t give up!

COMING SEPT 18
With Pelican Book Group

Deputy City Manager Burk Harmon has always been the strong one for his family, but recently those responsibilities have dwindled. When Lacie Heatherton, Assistant Director for Parks and Recreation, ropes him into a city-sponsored trip to the mountains with fifty seniors, Burk has two things on his mind: considering a possible promotion and wooing Lacie past friendship and into a future. Lacie has emotional scars and a thirteen-year-old daughter to remind her that men can be cruel and unforgiving. Can Burk convince Lacie to relax her "no dating" policy or will he surrender his dreams of family and love?

Meet Burk Harmon from BURK'S SURRENDER, a Christian Romance Book

Tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.

I’m Burk Harmon, City Manager for Harrison, North Carolina. People around here like to tease that I look a lot like Drew Scott from the Property Brothers. I actually do have a twin brother, Beck. He just moved back to Harrison and married his high school sweetheart.

Tell us about where you live and why you choose to live there.

Harrison is a sleepy suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. We moved here after our father’s death. He was a popular golfer, and the sports community and media blamed my mom for his suicide. Neighbors here tend to protect each other. They rallied around my family so I was proud and honored to come to work for the city. I interned here during college, and then I was offered the Finance Director’s job when I graduated. My old boss finally convinced me to apply for the City Manager’s job when he retired, and …here I am.

What is a quirk of your personality that most people wouldn’t know?

I like my clothes pressed, even my jeans.

What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your happily-ever-after?

The biggest obstacle was convincing Lacie to relax her “no dating” policy. But then it was risking a decade long friendship to woo her into a future together as man and wife, as family. It was a challenge to show Lacie that all men were not created equal, but I think I finally did it. Not sure what swayed her in my favor. Maybe it was agreeing to escort her and fifty seniors on their trip to the mountains? Or the private picnic lunch I arranged? Or tutoring her daughter with her math homework?

Tell us about your special lady. What makes her special?

She’s beautiful, on the inside as well as the outside, and strong yet gentle. She’s a single parent and a wonderful mother to Violet even though she didn’t have the best example. As Assistant Parks and Rec Director, she works with the seniors, and she treats them all with respect and dignity, with as much tenderness and affection as if they were all her grandparents. The men in her life, men who should’ve loved and protected her, taught her that she couldn’t depend on us, so she covers a world of hurt with that make-my-heart-stop smile.

The first time you saw her, what did you think? Did you like her immediately, or did she have to grow on you?

I met Lacie after I officially came on board after graduation as the Finance Director. Lacie worked in Parks and Rec and used to bring in the cash they collected late in the afternoons. Her visits were the highlight of my days, still are, and I always made time to talk. Seemed like she needed a friend. Back then, she was only twenty one, a single parent of a toddler. It took a while before she took me up on my offer to fix some things around her Grandma Wilma’s house and to help Violet with math homework. It took her Grandma Wilma even longer to come around. Good thing Violet was in my corner.

Coming SEPT 18 with Pelican Book Group

Deputy City Manager Burk Harmon has always been the strong one for his family, but recently those responsibilities have dwindled. When Lacie Heatherton, Assistant Director for Parks and Recreation, ropes him into a city-sponsored trip to the mountains with fifty seniors, Burk has two things on his mind: considering a possible promotion and wooing Lacie past friendship and into a future. Lacie has emotional scars and a thirteen-year-old daughter to remind her that men can be cruel and unforgiving. Can Burk convince Lacie to relax her "no dating" policy or will he surrender his dreams of family and love?

Reviewers and Bloggers Needed for Christian Romance Book

“I won’t let you down.” His fingers fanned out to her cheek, his giant palm cupping half her face, his gentle touch sending quivers of delight to skip up and down her arms. A tremor rocked her torso.


“Cold?” Cinnamon flavored breath puffed so close to her lips, she could almost taste the candy herself.

Uh…no.

Definitely. Not. Cold.

She shook her head, only a slight wag. Because if she moved anymore, his hand might drop away from her skin, dragging his warmth with him. Her heart practically thumped out of her chest.

What was wrong with her? Why was her heart betraying her?

“Lacie—” his voice came out hoarse and ragged, so unlike his typical confident tone, and she witnessed the vulnerable little boy in his eyes, the one he might’ve been before the world took his dad away too soon, before he was forced to become the head of his family prematurely.

Instinctively, her hand covered his fingers. Maybe he needed someone to protect him, too.

“Lacie, I want to talk about—”

He wanted to talk? She gulped, embarrassment heating her neck. Talking wasn’t what she had on her mind right now.  

Like that little goodie? Hope so! I'm looking for reviewers and bloggers to help spread the news about the release of Burk's Surrender on Sept 18. Interested in reading and leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads or any of your other favorite online sites? How about featuring on your blog? 

Here's the back cover blurb:

Deputy City Manager Burk Harmon has always been the strong one for his family, but recently those responsibilities have dwindled. When Lacie Heatherton, Assistant Director for Parks and Recreation, ropes him into a city-sponsored trip to the mountains with fifty seniors, Burk has two things on his mind: considering a possible promotion and wooing Lacie past friendship and into a future. Lacie has emotional scars and a thirteen-year-old daughter to remind her that men can be cruel and unforgiving. Can Burk convince Lacie to relax her "no dating" policy or will he surrender his dreams of family and love?

I have a handful of pdf review copies available. Interested? Message me here or email Dora(at)DoraHiers(dot)com. Thank you!

In Case He Missed This...

My Dad

My dad is my real life hero and an inspiration for many of the heroes in my books. He may not track down criminals or rope cattle like my book heroes, but he's strong and solid, and always there when I need him. He's an anchor, a trusted adviser, a dependable friend, and a great listener who never judges or berates my mistakes. And I've made plenty of them! 

I'm sure I'm not the only offspring to confess that our relationship hasn't always been this way. You see, I was a rebellious teenager, definitely not a model child. The grief I gave my dad is probably the reason he doesn't have much hair left. Or maybe the hair loss had more to do with my parents birthing three daughters spaced just seventeen months apart. What were they thinking trying for that precious boy?? :D

My dad raised us to be independent. He volunteered our services mowing all the lawns in our neighborhood at a dirt rate price, which I'm sure broke all the child labor laws at the time. lol. He made us change tires until he was confident we wouldn't be stranded on the side of the road with a flat. Dad modeled a strong work ethic, encouraged us to play sports as well as any guy and with the guys, and challenged us to always keep learning. 

But he was also over-protective. What happens when you mix Overprotective Dad with three Missy Independents? A tumultuous household, that's for sure. I really don't know how any of us survived our growing up years, including him. 

I didn't truly appreciate my dad until I moved out of the house. After graduation at the mature age of seventeen, I knew it all. By eighteen, I was married, within four years had my first child, and was divorced at twenty two.

Do you think I learned to appreciate my parents then? Oh yeah.

Especially the occasional respite from single parenthood, which allowed me a few days of absolutely wonderful and desperately needed peace considering my toddler son's dispensation towards daredevil escapades. And what about the few times my dad plucked who-knows-what remains from the back of my car, remnants of the frantic pace of a single woman balancing a demanding career with a Houdini-wannabe child. At the time, I was convinced that my dad did it because he was a neat freak. But later, I realized that's how he shows his love. Just like the countless times my parents pitched in to help me move, both while I was an apartment manager, and it came with the territory, and even after Ernie and I married. But believe me when I tell you, that debt's been repaid. :) An avid DIY'r, he's helped us with numerous home improvement projects, including hanging drywall, room additions, replumbing, crawling in attics, you get the idea. 

Love in action. That's how my father demonstrates his love for me. Much like our heavenly Father, don't you think?

I know there will come a day when my dad isn't around anymore, and every time I think about it, my heart feels like it is being ripped out of my chest. How I will miss seeing his face light up as he starts to tell a story, only to laugh so hard that he has to pull out a hanky and blow his nose before he can finish. And he's a huge NASCAR fan. It's hilarious the way he's always pacing the floor, chomping at the bit to hit the road at least thirty minutes earlier than planned. I will miss our driving vacations and our cruises, but I will always cherish the precious memories.

My Dad and Hubby headed to a NASCAR race, their favorite hobby

My dad. My hero. 

Death strikes all of us eventually. We're either standing at the graveside, staring into a cavernous hole about to say goodbye to our loved one, wondering how people can go on as if nothing had happened...or we're the ones driving by, sorrow welling up for the people clustered around a graveside, a heavy cloud of sadness hovering over them.

Life goes on. For the ones who live. 

Life begins for the ones who die. Eternal life.

I love you, Dad.