The Inner Views of Martha Jane Orlando & A Giveaway

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

I can't recall when or how I was introduced to the author I am interviewing today, but through our mutual blogging journeys, she and I have become friends. We have prayed for one another and supported one another along the way, and it is with a thankful heart that I share her Inner Views with you!

The

of

Martha Jane Orlando

Cheryl:  Please tell us about your childhood. What was life like for you growing up? 

Martha: When I reflect upon my childhood, the one word that comes to mind is idyllic.  My dad and mom had a strong bond that was palpable and made my brother and I feel safe, even in the harrowing times of bomb drills, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  My brother, Bill, and I often played imaginary games with our collection of “Little Animals,” stuffed Steiff gifts given by parents and grandparents.  We would create our own fantastical world with these iconic characters, one of whom, of course, was a squirrel.  But the leader of this family of animals was Hootie, the wise old owl.  He always had the answers when the others had questions.   I truly believe to this day that our innocent role-playing led to the eventual creation of all the Old Ones in The Glade.

Cheryl: How has your walk with Jesus evolved over the years? What does He mean to you today?

Martha: I was encouraged to love and embrace the church, but never guided into having a personal relationship with Jesus.  My dad was raised in a strict, evangelical household, and struggled with assimilating those teachings with his work as a scientist.  My mother attended the Episcopal church, and that’s where we went to church when she decided to go.  I recall, as a small child, that Mom only had one suitable dress for church.  She was ashamed to show up in that same dress Sunday after Sunday.  I wish that she could have realized that Jesus doesn’t care about your status, but about your heart.  Now that’s she has passed, I’m sure Jesus has set that record straight.

I had fallen off the wagon during my teens and twenties when it came to loving and honoring the Lord.  Call it the influence of secularism that bombarded my world, but looking back, there was no excuse for it.  It’s so true that hindsight is 20/20.   When I turned 30, the route I took from home to the railway to go to work in downtown Atlanta, took me by Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.  Upon a tall steeple stood a cross.  Inevitably, my eyes would be drawn to it every single time.  In beholding it repeatedly, I realized with conviction that I was empty, forlorn, lost.  I knew I had to return to the church and find my way back to Jesus.  And when my son, Daniel, was 13-months-old, I took the plunge.  As I walked into the nave, I heard a voice profound and clearly in my head: “Welcome home!”  God spoke, I listened, and I never looked back.

Cheryl: When did you first realize God had given you the gift to write? 

Martha: I first realized that God had given me the gift for writing when I was about eight/nine years old.  I recall getting excited beyond belief when my fourth-grade teacher, Miss Ratcliffe, showed us a picture from a magazine and instructed us to compose a story around the scene we saw.  I couldn’t wait to use my imagination based on the images I beheld.  Later, she gave me genuine praise for my interpretation.  I’ve never forgotten her faith in me.

Cheryl: What inspired you to write the wonderful "Adventures in the Glade" book series? Were there real-life people you know or have known whose characteristics and personalities are reflected in the characters of your books?

Martha: Being a step-parent is never easy.  You are chosen in marital commitment in which the children have no say.  You pray that you can be the best you can be for them, no matter what.  And too often, step-parents get a bum rap.

I divorced my children’s husband due to physical and emotional abuse.  It pained me to be such a failure, in my own eyes.  But when John showed up, in God’s time, we knew we had something lasting and special.  Much of Davy’s relationship with Jim in the novels is based on my son, Daniel’s, tentative relationship with John.  He loved him but was also wanting the same affirmation from his biological father that just wasn’t forthcoming.  I made that transition easier in the books by simply removing the obstacle of whom one should love first, in order to make Davy’s path a more positive and hopeful one.  

John involved himself with Daniel’s scout troop, and willingly went on weekend trips as Daniel’s “Dad.”  The one that cemented the relationship between John and Daniel was the rifle shooting outing.  John was a sharp-shooter bar none.  Daniel and his peers were so impressed, and it was at that time that John first heard Daniel call him “Dad.”  That simply had to appear in my novels.

The idea for the Glade Series and the following Adventures were birthed in the relationship I saw play out between Daniel and his step-father.  Those were the roots planted that would bear much fruit.

When John died in 1997 from a freak accident, our family was devastated.  It took years for my children and me to heal from this utterly unexpected turn of events.  But God did see us through the pain and sorrow, and eventually, led me to meet Danny via EHarmony, if you can believe it.  I like to call it “God-Harmony” because that is precisely what it is.

We married in 2005, and our honeymoon was spent in the spectacular Nantahala Mountains of North Carolina. The ancient stones and forests, the rivers that have run time out of mind, gave me the perfect backdrop for stories my heart had been longing to tell.  Where else could you meet God face to face, and know that anything is possible; even talking animals from the Ancient of Days?

And what better place to heal all regrets, disappointments, and heartaches?  Through Davy, Racer, Reverend, and all the other characters in The Glade, I most of all wanted to show how good will ever triumph over evil in God’s time.

Cheryl: Will there be any future sequel books?

Martha: Are there any plans for future books?  Not until the Holy Spirit moves me to go in that direction.  I feel, for now, that the story God placed upon my heart has been told.  I did leave the last book with the possibility that more adventures could follow, but for now, I’d be gratified if folks would read my novels and, if they enjoy them, recommend them to others.  Word of mouth is the best advertising there is, and I would be grateful beyond measure for the blessings other readers would bestow upon them.

Cheryl: Any parting words for Homespun Devotions readers?

Martha: Please know, readers, that anyone who comments on Cheryl’s blog will be in my prayers.  I do keep a prayer journal and care so very much about how God is working in the lives of others.  And, if you would like to keep up with my bi-weekly writings, you can follow my blog at Meditations of My Heart where I offer personal insights for the day-to-day in our lives. Thank you, Cheryl, for allowing me to be a part of Inner Views!  God bless you!

A BIG thank you to you, Martha, and may God bless you! I am so thankful you shared your heart with us!

Now for that giveaway!

Martha is generously giving away one whole six-book signed set of her amazing books! Here is what the winner will receive ~

Book One

Book Two

Book Three

Book Four

Book Five

Book Six

To enter the giveaway, just leave us a comment below! Make sure you identify yourself - anonymous and unknown commenters will not be entered, as we have no way of getting in touch with you. The giveaway is open to everyone, including readers from countries outside the U.S.

The giveaway will end one week from tomorrow on Wednesday, 9/8/2021.

If you don't win the giveaway and would like to purchase Martha's books, just click here!

Bio:  Martha Jane is a grateful wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoys writing, reading, and being with family.  She and her husband, Danny, live in Kennesaw, Georgia.