Writers with Dienece- Vida Li Sik
- Dienece Darling
- 14 hours ago
- 8 min read
Dear Readers, welcome back to Writers with Dienece!
Today, we are having a chat with a Christian author from the Our House on Jakaranda Laan. The lovely lady we are meeting this time wrote not one but TWO books in the series! And they are back-to-back books too.
While we'll only be talking about her first book in the series--a sweet, contemporary romance--who is this brave soul who took on two books at once?
I'd love to introduce you to Vida Li Sik from "The City of Gold, Johannesburg". Now, doesn't that sound like a lovely name for a town? The City of Gold.
Vida also writes Women's Fiction and Christian devotionals.
Welcome Vida! So pleased you could join us here today. Why don't you start things off by telling us something about you?
Vida: A bit about me... I’m the third-youngest of 11 children, all born at home with the help of a midwife.
Dienece: Oh, wow. I was one of 3 girls, and that got a bit chaotic at times. I'm having trouble imaging 11. Did you enjoy the big family atmosphere?
Vida: Growing up in such a big family meant there was always someone to play with, someone to help with homework, or someone to fight over the meat that disappeared from my plate.
[Dienece laughs] Food disappearing from your plate. I can totally see that happening. Siblings can be such "fun" that way. [Dienece winks] What's your family life like now?
Vida: I’m married to an amazing man I met at church who cooks, cleans, and irons far better than I do, and together we have two wonderful young-adult sons. I love hiking with family and friends, and chocolate is my favourite vegetable... it counts, right?
Dienece: Chocolate definitely counts, and church is a great place to meet a spouse! Although, I might be considered a bit biased over that as church is where I met my husband too.
Besides hiking and chocolate what else do you love?
Vida: I love birds. One of my favourite ways to start the day is by sitting on the back patio with a cup of coffee, admiring our Creator’s handiwork and listening to the beautiful chorus of birds in my garden. There are weavers, African hoopoes with their distinctive cinnamon-brown feathers and zebra-striped wings, grey go-away birds, and my absolute favourite—the hadeda.
Most people groan when a hadeda’s loud “ha-ha” shriek wakes them before sunrise, but I can’t help loving them. With their long beaks and slightly awkward bodies, I’m convinced they’re little relics from the age of the dinosaurs.
More than anything, though, the birds remind me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:26, where he tells us not to worry because our heavenly Father feeds the wild birds, even though they neither sow nor store away food. If God cares so faithfully for them, how much more does he care for us? Every morning, they remind me of his love, faithfulness, and his promise to provide.
Dienece: That is beautiful, and what a wonderful way to start your day! I love that.
I haven't had the pleasure of seeing or hearing a hadeda, but when I asked some South Africans about the sights, sounds, and smells of their homeland, that bird was up on the top of the list alongside mieliepap and the smell of your grass.
However, I'm not so sure the other people were as keen on the sound of the hadeda! [Dienece laughs] But thank you for explaining why you like them. My youngest son is going to love that image of them as a dinosaur, and I enjoyed getting to see them through your eyes.
Now, while we're all comfy on the back patio listening to the birds with a cup of coffee in hand, why don't you tell us about your first book in the Jakaranda Laan series? It's a sweet, second chance romance, I believe.
After years as a caregiver, putting her life on hold, Zahara is finally ready to reclaim her life. But first, she must keep the promise she made to her father: save the family wine estate from a powerful company closing in on Cedarfontein.
Then Leo arrives in town. He was the love she never forgot, and now he wants a second chance. But his career in American football is over, even if he refuses to accept it. Stripped of the game that defined him, Leo clings to the past and can’t imagine who he is without football.
As old feelings reignite, Zahara is torn between duty, faith, and the possibility of love again. And Leo must decide whether to face reality or keep running from it.
Can they trust God enough to rebuild what they lost and step into a new purpose together? Or will pride, grief, and the weight of the past destroy their future before it begins?
Dienece: That sounds awesome. I do love a good romance! It's my favourite type of book to read.
And Readers, I've just started the first few chapters of this book. I'm really enjoying it so far!
Vida, can you tell us if there was a particular reason you choose to write this story? Because I know your second book in the Our House series was actually going to be your first, and then when the opportunity arose for someone to write a second book, you grabbed it.
What was it about The Dreamer's Promise that just had to be told?
Vida: Looking back, I’ve realised that almost every book I’ve written explores some form of grief. Sometimes it’s the loss of a loved one or a relationship; sometimes it’s saying goodbye to a home or mourning a part of your life that you can never get back. In The Dreamer’s Promise, it’s about coming to terms with the loss of a career. I can relate to each of these different kinds of grief, and although I never set out to write about them, exploring them through my stories has been unexpectedly therapeutic.
Dienece: That's so true. I've worked out quite a few things through my writing. It can really be helpful, both for the authors and the readers as we witness someone asking the same questions we wrestle with.
I've read some of your women's fiction, Vida, and found them thought provoking and full of faith. I am really look forward to finishing this romance.
Just before we reach the end of our cuppas, I'd like to ask a few quick "get-to-know-you" questions.
First, do you have a favourite verse to share with us?
Vida: Psalm 73:25 states: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." This verse is a powerful declaration of total devotion to God, recognising him as the ultimate source of joy and satisfaction above all things in heaven and on earth. This verse has become an anchor for me, helping me guard my heart against envy and the temptation to compare myself with others. It reminds me that when Christ is enough, what others have or achieve no longer defines my contentment.
Dienece: Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I can see why you also write devotionals. That was such a rich nugget for us to feast on for a while. I'm definitely coming back to ponder this some more later.
Secondly, my readers love history and fun facts. Do you have one to share with us?
Vida: Did you know that an African elephant’s ears are shaped like the African continent, while an Asian elephant’s ears resemble the map of India? I love little details like that. They remind me of just how wonderfully precise and creative God is in everything he has made.
Dienece: You know, I remember learning that their ear shapes were different from each other, but I can't say I knew the Asian elephant's ears resemble the map of India. I only knew about the African ones. That is cool!
God is so creative, and I love how you're brought us back to God so often during this interview. It's been such a blessing to me to dwell on thoughts of Him and His faithfulness.
As we come up to the third question, it's a sensitive one! What is a book that made you cry?
Vida: Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It’s a story that reminds me just how powerful hope can be, and how it can sustain us through even the darkest and most difficult seasons of life. That’s why I so often encourage others with these simple words: There is always hope.
Dienece: Well said. I need a little emoji heart, but you'll just have to image one for me, Dear Readers!
Sometimes, we can forget that promise when things get dark. But there is always hope.
Last question, and it seems rather fitting with how often we've talked about God today. What is your favourite book in the Bible?
Vida: The book of Daniel is one of my favourites. Daniel’s life shows that it’s possible to live with integrity, even in the workplace and under immense pressure. I also love his unwavering commitment to knowing God more deeply, faithfully praying three times a day despite the cost. His commitment was rewarded —the archangel Michael came to answer his prayer as soon as he began praying—and I find his example both inspiring and deeply challenging.
Dienece: I have always liked Daniel too. Although I will confess that sometimes I found his standard of faith a little hard to live up to, but I love the way you've talked about him. It's made me see Daniel in a new light, an encouraging one. Thank you.
Just before we take our last sip of coffee and say goodbye, can you tell us where we can find you, Vida?
Vida: I’ll be spending most of my time over the next few months in the Our House on Jakaranda Laan Readers Group and would love to “meet” you there on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourhousereadersgroup
Dienece: Yes! That's a great point. All the Jakaranda Laan authors will be taking turns every week to talk about our books, and you have a full fortnight to chat with everyone. So, head on over, Dear Readers. I know I'm going to enjoy hanging out with Vida more after our chat today.
You can also find Vida at her website www.vidalisik.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/vidalswriter .
Thanks again for joining us here today, Vida. You've been a huge encouragement to me, and I loved our chat. It was such a blessing.
Dear Readers, this doesn't have to be goodbye. If you were blessed by Vida today too, tell us in the comments!
And, as usual, if you have any questions or words of encouragement for Vida, share them in the comments! And don't forget to check out her newest release, The Dreamer's Promise!
And, Readers, don't forget Vida's written a second book in the Our House Series as well, The Fixer's Release! I've read the book before this one, The Baker's Pickle, and I loved it so much. It was one of my top reads of that month, and I can't wait for the continuing story. Although, each one can be read as a standalone.
Photo credits
Collage of birds and Vida, created by Vida from personal images and images from Unsplash
The Hadeda image by itself is a Wix image
The other images are created by Dienece on Canva.
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