Praise is already coming in for author Lorna Lewis’ latest release, which officially releases June 1. I recently spoke with her about A Sky Full of Love, which already has close to 4,000 reviews on Amazon.
Tell me about your latest book.
A Sky Full of Love is about Nova Lefleur, who was kidnapped and held captive for 15 years. When we meet Nova, she’s still in captivity. But not for long. A life-altering event sets her free and leads to a long-awaited reunion with her family. Nova’s return is just the beginning. Most of the story centers on her journey toward healing and rediscovering who she is in a world that moved on without her.
Nova’s sister Leah is also a central character. Leah has always admired Nova. She was Leah’s shero, her role model, the sister she loved more than words could express. That love never faded, but over time, Leah’s feelings for Nova’s husband, Quinton, shifted. Through shared grief, Leah and Quinton formed a bond that eventually turned into love. Now that Nova is back, they’re forced to face an impossible truth: Their love may come at the cost of losing Nova all over again. The question is, can Nova ever forgive them?
Nova and Quinton share a daughter, Skye, who is seventeen and nearly grown. Not only must Nova adjust to a world that’s changed drastically since 2003, but she also has to face the heartbreak of seeing the man she never stopped loving married to her sister, and the baby she left behind nearly a woman.
As Nova is eased back into a life, both familiar and unfamiliar, she and her family must confront their deepest fears, the choices they made, and the choices to come that will reshape each of their lives forever.
How long did it take you to write it?
I’ve been working on this book off and on since 2016. I pitched the idea to a few editors in 2020, and that’s when I got serious about finishing the story. Because the book focuses heavily on Nova’s journey after captivity, I spent a lot of time researching what that kind of healing might look like. I wanted to portray her experience as authentically as possible, even though I realized everyone’s journey to healing was just as different and unique as they are.
Which character could you relate to the most and why?
Even though our lives are nothing alike, I relate to Nova the most. Like Nova, I understand what it means to survive during a storm. I understand how life can throw some unexpected blows. I also understand what it feels like to be in a season of rediscovery. Trying to figure out life after the pain. Nova’s journey of healing, forgiving, and standing strong in the face of adversity resonated with me in a very real way.
How are you celebrating the book’s release?
My celebration will be very low-key. I may go out to eat with my family, or we’ll cook out and invite some friends over. I feel like I’ve already been celebrating with the success of the Amazon First Reads downloads and reviews. I’ve held quite a few private dance parties.
Who is your author best friend (either in your head or in real life)?
I have three author besties :). They’re my tribe and the best hype women ever. I’m not sure how I would’ve finished this book without the encouragement and motivation from Nicole Bird-Faulkner, Gina Johnson, and Keleigh Hadley. They’re all amazing writers, and I can’t wait until the world gets to meet their book babies.
What is the most valuable piece of writing advice you’ve received?
The best piece of writing advice I received was to write the story I wanted to read. There are so many rules when it comes to writing, and sometimes we focus more on following them than actually telling the story. I won’t say I’ve mastered it, but I’m learning to silence the outside noise and just tell a good story. If I’m enjoying the characters and plot, there’s a good chance my readers will too.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I read and absolutely loved Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray (my soror and literary role model). Once I finished with Victoria’s book, I went on a Mary Monroe binge. I read: Bent Not Broken, Lost Daughters, The Neighbors series, and the God Don’t Like Ugly series.
What books are you excited to read?
I’m excited to read The Best Man: Unfinished Business and A Summer for Books by Michelle Lindo-Rice
What’s next for you?
My next novel, The View from Upstairs, is set to release in September 2026. This story has the deep emotional and psychological layers that I loved exploring in A Sky Full of Love, but it goes even deeper. It follows two women whose lives become intertwined by grief, guilt, and the need to find purpose again.
The View from Upstairs is about one woman, in the depths of grief, who believes kidnapping her neighbor will help save them both. In this story, we learn that good intentions born from a broken mind never end well.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I just want to thank every reader who’s taken a chance on A Sky Full of Love. This story means so much to me, and I hope it stays with you long after the last page. If it moved you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or connect with me on social media. I love meeting and chatting with readers. And if you’ve ever felt like life pulled you away from who you are, I hope Nova’s journey reminds you that healing is possible, love is still out there, and your story isn’t over yet.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction to purchase your copy of A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis. (If you have Amazon Prime, you can nab your copy before May 31, 2025, for free as part of its First Reads program.)
To learn more about author Lorna Lewis, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlalewis
Goodreads: Lorna Lewis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlornalewis/
Website address: https://www.lornalewis.com