Intersection Column | How Far Would You Go to Protect Your Greatest Treasure?

by Connie Mann

I love asking writers how their stories came to be. Everyone’s process is so different! Though I wish stories appeared in my mind’s eye in one nice, neat package, God’s creative gift doesn’t work that way in my brain. It’s a much more messy, layered process, like a mental crock pot into which I toss unrelated, interesting tidbits of information. After everything simmers a while, I start asking: what if? What if this place could be tied to this fact, could intersect with this character…

On the surface, The Liar’s Treasure is an exciting treasure hunt, complete with exotic locales, dangerous escapes, and various factions vying to get their hands on it. Think Clive Cussler, but with a team of women leading the charge. But this story goes much deeper than that, testing the limits to which Speranza team member Camille and her friends will go—and the risks they’re willing to take—in order to protect Camille’s daughter. The daughter Camille unquestionably regards as her greatest treasure.

Treasure and Treasure Hunts

As I was thinking about what items people deem valuable, this verse mentioned in both Matthew and Luke’s gospel echoed in my heart: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

That sent me down the research rabbit hole into the ways people have hidden and protected their “priceless” treasure. Some of the legends, trap doors, and secret rooms I discovered were ingenious, and also downright scary, but fascinating nonetheless.

Ananias and Sapphira

All of that got me thinking about the biblical story of Ananias and Sapphira, told in Acts 5:1-11.  The couple sold a piece of land and decided to keep part of the money for themselves and give the rest to Peter and the apostles. But when Ananias presented the money, he said they were giving all of it. When Peter called him on the lie, Ananias fell down and died on the spot, was carried out and buried. Several hours later, Sapphira told the same lie. She, too, died on the spot, was carried out and buried. The fact that they both died for lying has always fascinated me.

So I started wondering, what if a legendary treasure could judge motives? How would the characters react to this idea? Dismiss it? Believe it?

Symbols, Emblems and Boots

I also love secret codes, symbols, and the emblems which, historically, have been their own kind of secret treasure. Not always to guard an object, but often used as a way to define, identify, and protect a group and their mission. Like the cross or fish symbol Christians wear. Or the Speranza team’s emblem of hope—an anchor with a feather across it—that helps members identify and protect each other. Their worldwide mission of women helping women runs through both The Liar’s Treasure and The Crown Conspiracy.

But deeper still and underlying all the other symbols used in this story is a pair of combat boots that belonged to Camille’s Gramps. He kept them, he said, because they reminded him that “We have to put feet to our faith.” For Camille and Cass—and the whole Speranza team—his other favorite saying: “Faith is easy when you’re standing on familiar ground,” encourages them to take necessary risks and hold fast to faith, especially when circumstances turn scary and uncertain.

My hope for everyone who reads this story is not just that they enjoy a fun adventure. More importantly, I hope it reminds them of what—and who—their greatest treasure is and also that walking out our faith requires both courage and risk, ideally taken surrounded by our own supportive Speranza team.

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About the Author

Connie Mann loves taking readers on heart-pounding, suspense-filled adventures featuring strong, determined women who fight for what they believe—and for those they love. She is the author of the Speranza Team novels, the Florida Wildlife Warriors series, the Safe Harbor series, and several stand-alone titles. She is also a USCG-licensed boat captain and gets to introduce Florida visitors to dolphins and manatees, which is as much fun as it sounds. Visit her online at: www.conniemann.com.

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About the Book

Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. To keep her daughter, Cass, safe, Camille sets out on a globe-trotting journey, chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas. Along the way, Camille receives unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from her past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.