Please say hello to another guest author and this time it’s Vida Li Sik…
A Taste of Africa
Hello, everyone! I’m thrilled to be here today and have the chance to share a little bit about my writing journey. A huge thank you to Susan for this wonderful opportunity.
I’m Vida Li Sik, a wife and mother of two grown sons, and we call Johannesburg home. We live in the heart of sunny South Africa, in a city that’s affectionately known as Joburg. Nestled 7,000 feet above sea level, we’re blessed with sunshine almost year-round, though we do get some dramatic thunderstorms from time to time.
I’ve spent much of my career as a journalist, focusing on sports and news, but now I’m a content creator and an author. My writing spans across sweet romance, women’s fiction, Christian fiction, and non-fiction, especially devotions.
A Slice of Life in Africa
One of my greatest joys is sharing the beauty of Africa through my stories. I’ve lived in three of the continent’s fifty-four countries and travelled through several neighbouring ones. Although most of my books are set in South Africa—at the southern tip of this incredible continent—I also have stories set in West Africa and the tiny, mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. I always make an effort to weave the vibrant cultures of these places into my writing, whether through food, music, language, or the little quirks that make each country unique.
When I write, I also pour in a bit of my own passions. As an avid bird-lover, I often mention the hadeda ibis in my stories. Known for their distinctive “Ha-ha” call, these birds are a staple in the area, and while many love them, they do have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the residents due to their loud nature.
We’re also fortunate to live close to the bushveld, where it only takes about an hour to reach a game reserve and spot the iconic Big Five: elephants, lions, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards. Though we don’t have lions strolling through our neighborhoods (thankfully!), my characters often get to experience the awe of seeing these magnificent animals up close, along with all the delicious food, breathtaking hikes, and the warmth of the community that surrounds them.
A little over a month ago, I adopted a leopard tortoise, and let me tell you, I’m completely fascinated by her. I like to joke that tortoises, along with hadedas, crocodiles, and rhinos, are descendants of dinosaurs. She’s the perfect low-maintenance pet, but I do wish I could give her a hug. Still, I can’t help but admire her hydraulic system, her scaly skin, and that ancient, wise-looking face. She’s expected to live between 80 and 100 years, so she’ll definitely outlive all of us!
Glimpses of Reality
In my stories, the characters face the ups and downs of life—everything from the struggles of navigating relationships with parents to dealing with mental health challenges, all through the lens of strong, resilient women. Life can be hectic, and I know it’s hard to find time to read, so I write novellas that offer a quick escape—stories that can be devoured in just a couple of hours, with the added bonus of a happy-ever-after ending!
To give you a taste of what life in Africa—and my writing—is like, I’d love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. As a thank-you, you’ll receive my book Giving Heart, a novella set in the beautiful mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
Thanks again for joining me today, and I can’t wait to connect with you more!
Get a copy of Giving Heart books.vidalisik.com
Book description:
Can love heal past wounds this Christmas?
Hannah once dreamed of a white Christmas, but a painful breakup shattered her trust in love. Now, as a single mother, she’s determined to build a life with her daughter—one that doesn’t rely on the frailty of trust. But when a rare opportunity for a snowy Christmas in July arises in the breathtaking mountains of Lesotho, Hannah faces a choice: risk her heart again or guard it from more heartbreak.
Henri thought he’d left the desire for a family behind him. After moving to Johannesburg for work, he’s convinced that love and connection are things of the past. But when he invites Hannah on a work trip to the mountains, long-buried feelings begin to stir, rekindling hope for a future he thought he’d given up on.
Will their Christmas in July thaw the walls around their hearts or will the shadows of their past keep them frozen forever?
Giving Heart is the prequel to Aching Heart, the first book in the Heart series. Read as a standalone novella or enrich the emotional experience and follow the series.
Check out my writing at books.vidalisik.com or Amazon and follow me on Facebook, BookBub Goodreads and Instagram.