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Terri J. Haynes joins me on the podcast this week, and boy, did we have a fun chat! We talked about her dual timeline novel, Passages of Hope, which is part of Barbour Publishing’s “Doors to the Past” series. It’s a wonderful book about the Underground Railroad and its legacy. She tells us more about William Still, a very important man with he Underground Railroad in Philadelphia and how they discovered his house while she was writing the book.

We also chat about her dream when she was in elementary school to get locked inside a library for the night. Doesn’t that sound like fun? She almost pulled it off! There was so much more we chatted about. Be sure to take a listen. 

Passages of Hope by Terri J. Haynes

Gracie Kingston begins renovations on the Philadelphia house inherited from her grandmother and finds a secret room. It is connected to a house nearby, the home of William Still, the man known as the father of the Underground Railroad. As she researches, she discovers a mystery in her house’s ownership. In 1855, Olivia Kingston helps a mother and her young child by hiding them in a secret room in her home. As she helps, she learns that there may be an impostor conductor in their community. As Gracie’s and Olivia’s stories intertwine, they learn the meaning of sacrifice and love.

What people are saying about the book:

What a beautiful story! Passages of Hope not only illuminates the fascinating and dangerous work of the Underground Railroad but tells of the longing for family and home. Separated by time, Gracie and Olivia are both intriguing heroines, strong but vulnerable. Terri J. Haynes’s writing brings these women and their trials to life, using a poignant ribbon of the search for belonging to tie it all together. I couldn’t put this novel down! 
— Sarah Sundin, bestselling and award-winning author of Until Leaves Fall in Paris

Terri Haynes has written an extraordinary story of family, freedom, and forgiveness in her newest novel, Passages of Hope. The painful aspects of what it means to become family are beautifully knit together with a liberation story from the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia. Haynes ensures that her main heroine, Gracie, must learn what it means to be knit in her mother’s womb and that God has fearfully and wonderfully made her to learn about her heritage and love. Well done! 
— Piper Huguley, author of By Her Own Design

Get your copy of Passages of Hope  by Terri J. Haynes

Terri J. Haynes, a native Baltimorean, is a prolific knitter and owner of a hand-dyed yarn company, freelance graphic artist, and former Army wife (left the Army, not the husband). She loves to read, so much that when she was in elementary school, she masterminded a plan to be locked in a public library armed with only a flashlight to read all the books and peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She is a storyteller at heart. Her passion is to draw readers into the story world she has created and to bring laughter and joy to their lives.

Terri’s non-fiction publishing credits include Cup of Comfort for Military Families, Urbanfaith.com, Publisher’s Weekly. Her traditionally published credits include four novellas and one full-length novel. Terri has also self-published one full-length novel and six novellas. 

Terri holds a Master’s degree in Theological Studies and a certificate in creative writing and graphic design. She and her husband pastor a church where she serves as executive pastor and worship leader. Terri lives in Maryland with her three wonderful children and her husband, who often beg her not to kill off their favorite characters.​

Visit Terri J. Hayne’s website.

Don’t miss other great books in the Doors to the Past series:
The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman
Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham
Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse
Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Behind Love’s Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels
High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt
Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik
A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma
Laura’s Shadow by Allison Pittman
In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel
The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson