About the Book

Book: A Vanishing Act

Author: Edwina Kiernan

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale retelling

Release date: May 2, 2023

Hollywood legend Kent Selwood isn’t happy sharing the limelight with rising star Stella Sanders. Tired of Stella’s drama, Kent makes it clear—he wants Stella gone.

Seamstress Bonnie Roseland is practically invisible to everyone at the studio, except for slick actor, Jerry Jackson. He’s the one man she wishes would leave her alone. Her deep-rooted faith helps her see beyond the glitz and glamor to the broken realities and dysfunctional atmosphere at the studio. She sometimes wonder if God has a purpose for her there or if she should just move on.

When the studio receives blackmail letters, Kent’s attitude makes him the prime suspect, and he’s swiftly banished from the lot, despite insisting that he’s been framed. Only Bonnie believes him, and she’s confident she knows who the real culprit is.

But when a ransom note arrives after Stella goes missing and evidence is discovered that clearly implicates Kent, will Bonnie help him uncover the truth in time to save his career… and Stella’s life?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Edwina Kiernan is the Christian author of the Amazon bestseller, Ruby’s Redemption. Her Inspirational Regency romance series, Gems of Grace, explores how God’s grace can heal hurts, establish faith and renew hope.

An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination and research in hope-infused tales set in times past. A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood, and is never too far from a pen and paper.

When she’s not writing, Edwina loves spending time with her dashing husband and lively little son, reading and studying the Bible, getting lost in a captivating novel and drinking more types of tea than most people realize even exist.

Visit her website at EdwinaKiernan.com for more information, and to join her mailing list for free gifts, updates and lots of classic and historical fiction goodness.

More from Edwina

Glitz and glamor, sunshine and smiles — is that what you first think of when you hear the word, ‘Hollywood’? It seems like a whole other world, full of sparkle and shimmer.

But what’s beneath the surface?

In A Vanishing Act, Bonnie Roseland is about to find out…

Every book I write has a key verse from the Bible. A verse that anchors the message or theme of the story. A Vanishing Act’s verse is 1 Samuel 16:7: “…man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart”.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of judging people on their appearances. And there’s a lot of that going on in the book. But there’s also a lot of revelation, of realization, and of redemption.

It’s my prayer that as you read A Vanishing Act, you’ll enjoy the twists and turns of the tale, but that you’ll also embrace the truth of Bonnie’s words to Kent: “I know Hollywood seems like a place where God isn’t welcome, but He’s here, too. And He loves you.”

So grab your copy and join Kent, Bonnie and a cast of varied characters as they work hard, take risks and solve a dangerous mystery.

And remember… Things aren’t always what they seem.

Interview with Edwina

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope (which may technically be more of a novella…). It’s such an exciting and witty tale, but I haven’t come across too many people who know or appreciate it. I have it in paperback and audiobook and absolutely love it.

How do you select the names of your characters?

First, I’ll look at the names that would have been period-appropriate (Regency, Victorian, 1940s, etc.), and from there, I’ll look at the meanings of the names. I tend to name characters based on their qualities or personalities. Sometimes, though, a character’s name will have a nod to either an author or story that I admire. For example, Pearl Acton in my Regency novel, Pearl’s Promise, was given that surname as a nod to my favourite author, Anne Bronte, whose pen name was Acton Bell. In A Vanishing Act, Kent’s surname — Selwood — is a blend of Selden and Lockwood — as in Kathy Selden and Don Lockwood from one of my favourite classic movies, Singin’ In The Rain. I always have a lot of fun naming characters!

What is your favorite childhood book?

One of my absolute favourites (which I’m looking forward to revisiting soon with my son) was George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl. I completely lost track of how many times I re-read it! And I always wanted to have a go at making some homemade ‘medicine’ like George’s… though, it’s probably a good thing that I never did!

If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

I would choose not to take on board the negativity and naysaying that discouraged me from viewing being a writer as a viable option for so many years. I would have spent more time honing my writing skills instead of pursuing other career avenues that I was told were more secure or stable (when in fact, they didn’t come with any guarantees either). The bottom line is: if God has created you to be a writer, then He will provide all that you need as you write for Him in obedience to His calling. If writing is the way He has designed you to glorify Him, then don’t listen to the people telling you that you can’t or shouldn’t do it. Write for His glory, and trust Him with it all.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

My favourite thing to do is to spend time with my husband and son (and our rescue cat). Whether we’re playing games or creating things or just watching a movie, I love living life with them. I also enjoy graphic design, reading and spending time with our church family and friends.

Thank you for letting us get to know you better!