Linda Brooks Davis's Blog, page 17
July 4, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Jennifer A. Davids
Welcome, Readers! And Welcome, Jennifer!
Jennifer A. Davids (otherwise known as Jen Cvelbar) is dropping by this week, and I’m tickled pink. Jen writes inspirational historical romance and is currently releasing her latest, A Perfect Weakness, which is set in the Victorian era. Check out the cover below. Is that yummy or what?
Jen is offering a print copy of A Perfect Weakness to someone who comments below. So don’t miss out. Join the conversation.
How it All Began for Jennifer A. Davids
Hello Dear Readers! My name is Jen Cvelbar. I write as Jennifer A. Davids but you can call me Jen. I write inspirational historical romance and I was born and raised in Central Ohio. I had a challenging childhood. My parents divorced when I was ten, but even before all that happened God was laying the groundwork for what I would need to get through that.
He blessed me with a very wise mother. When one of my elementary teachers told her I wasn’t reading enough she took me to the library and we found the book that planted the seed for my love of reading: Eddie and Gardenia by Carolyn Heywood. I read and re-read that book which led me to finding other books like The Wizard of Oz and the Nancy Drew series and so many other books. The Bible provided much needed solace when my father left. God knew his daughter would need a place to go and provided it.
God Works Out a Plan for Jennifer A. Davids
I didn’t know it at the time, but all that reading would bear fruit when I was a freshman in high school. We were given a creative writing assignment and I remember pounding out the final draft the night before on an old typewriter my mom had borrowed from her job. (I guess God was also giving me a taste of what it was like to write on deadline. LOL!) When I turned it in, I was just hoping for a decent grade. What I got was the top score in my class and thus began my writing journey.
Jennifer A. Davids Begins Writing in Earnest
I majored in English Education at The Ohio State University and after I got married I would write here and there. Finally, I got really serious with it in 2008 and 2009 and wrote my first full length book. It was terrible. Just terrible. It is now filed away somewhere on my hard drive where it will never see the light of day again. LOL!
However, what I learned from that experience led me to write the next one, Yankee Heart. Then at the end of February 2010, I got the best email ever, Heartsong Presents offered me a contract which I instantly accepted.
A Debut Experience for Jennifer A. Davids
At the time, I had no platform, had no blog or social media account and hadn’t even heard about ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) until my acquisitions editor mentioned it. When I got my author copies, I handed them out to friends who also had no social media presence or blogs. Yeah. Big time newbie. (You have my permission to cringe.)
But I have learned since then. I got myself on social media and I have formed friendships and writing ties to some of the most wonderful people thanks to ACFW. I wrote two more books for Heartsong, Wounded Heart and Restored Heart and Barbour released them as a three-in-one called Brides of Ohio a couple of years ago.
And the Journey Continues
I kept writing. It was a challenge with two teenage kids (one of which has now graduated high school) but I wrote another book. This one was actually supposed to be another Heartsong title but sadly the line shut down and the story had become much too long for their guidelines anyway. It went through pitches to agents and editors who turned it down, a contest where it didn’t final and several title changes before it came to rest in Pegg Thomas’ inbox.
Pegg is the fantabulous managing editor of Smitten Historical Romance, a line of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (LPC). In July 2017, I got a call from her at my part-time job as a page at my local library. Let me tell you, hearing that contract offer never gets old. Never. I was so thrilled I wanted to Snoopy-happy-dance right there in the stacks!
What’s up With Jennifer A. Davids Today?
Now, almost a year later that book, A Perfect Weakness, will soon be in your dear readers’ hands. It took a lot of hard work to get it to where it is now and it has been so worth it. I pray you love John and Penelope’s story as much as I do. And I cannot be happier with LPC. My experience with them has been fantastic and I am proud to be a Smitten author.
What’s Next for Jennifer?
Right now, I am working on the monumental task of trying to write while moving house. We’re staying local to our area but it’s still crazy. While A Perfect Weakness has a Victorian setting, the one I’m working on now is set in the days preceding the American involvement in World War II. I’ve wanted to write this one for a long time but life has gotten in the way. I’m praying this is finally it’s time.
How to Connect With Jennifer and Her Books
We can connect in lots of ways! And I also have a pre-order link for A Perfect Weakness included in there too!
A Perfect Weakness Pre-Order Link
A Final Note
So who would like a chance to win a paperback copy of A Perfect Weakness? Leave a comment and Linda will pull a name in about a week.
Dear Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! We praise and laud and magnify You as the One and Only God. And we thank You for blessing sweet Jen with the gift of words and story and love. We pray You’ll bless every single word she writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Author Jennifer A. Davids appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
June 27, 2018
Let’s Chat! Rome: Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
I thought of Rome, Italy today.
I peeked in on an online “party” sponsored by CelerateLit Publicity for authors and readers. And found this discussion question:
Have you ever been unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?
I‘m sharing my wrong place/wrong time experience. And I’d love to hear yours. Anyone who shares below will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card!
My Wrong-Place/Wrong-Time Story
Rome, Italy. July 1973. Hot. Muggy. And noisy. Traffic in Rome … Well, it defies description. My family had traveled miles in a cramped little Fiat. We were hot and tired. But mainly, we were hungry.
The hotel I’d found in a travel brochure boasted fine beds that turned out to be marginally acceptable. The “toilet” was a shared affair down the hall. Of course, no air conditioning, so we flung our windows open. Beneath us, Rome’s traffic was something out of a stock car race nightmare. Hoping the noise would decrease toward bedtime, we figured we’d find something to eat. Let the traffic die down a bit.
We hadn’t a clue about Rome or her traffic.
With our hands over our ears, we gathered in the open-air lobby that edged the Roman stock car race. Shouting which direction we’d likely find our supper, we paused at the street corner. Our heads wheeled side to side, and our eyes strained to follow the flow. Whiplash in the making. Not a single pedestrian crosswalk in sight. Did Romans not believe in traffic lights? It was every man and woman for themselves.
And Then It HappenedI caught movement out of the corner of an eye. Had a big black bird fallen from the sky?
Twirling around, I discovered … ready for this? … a man. A little old man dressed in a black, three-piece suit had jumped out of a doctor’s office window, missing me by inches.
With a collective gasp, we on the busy sidewalk backed up, creating an open-mouthed circle around the poor fellow. He was alive, thank God.
Someone ran inside to call an ambulance. I inched toward him, wondering what I might do to help. I found a set of false teeth at his side. My first thought: If he lives, he’ll want his teeth, for heaven’s sake. So I ran around the circle asking (mainly signing) for a handkerchief.
A gentleman figured out what I was asking and handed me his. I wrapped up the poor man’s teeth and stuck them in his coat pocket. As the ambulance pulled up, and a team carted the man away, I prayed he’d recover.
Looking Back on Rome
I never dreamed I’d find myself in such a position. How often does a person witness such a desperate act, much less stand only inches away? Forty-five years later, I still have questions:
What was so terrible the man chose not to face another day?
Did he survive the fall? If so, with what injuries?
What if he’d fallen a few inches to the left? Would I have sustained injuries?
Did he know Jesus?
And did he ever wonder if the wild-eyed woman dancing circles around him was an apparition? Or really that crazy?
Lord, only You know the twists and turns of each of our lives and the places they’ll take us. Only You have the answers to all our Whys. I’d like to think a boy standing beside his mother on the sidewalk that day is now an emergency room physician. I pray You straightened the kinks in that man’s life and gave him peace before he died.
~ For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Rome: Wrong Place, Wrong Time appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
June 20, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Toni Shiloh
Welcome, Readers and Toni Shiloh!
This week we’re chatting with Toni Shiloh, author of eight novels. The latest is a yummy-looking Christian contemporary romance, Enduring Love.
Toni is giving away a digital version of Enduring Love to someone who joins our chat circle below. So pull up a chair, ya’ll!
Take it away, Toni!
Life, Toni Shiloh Style
I’m a happy mom of two and a wife of thirteen years. Our family makes our home in Virginia and has for the past six years.
Prior to becoming an author, I served 6 years in the military. Afterward, I decided to get my bachelor’s in English and after taking a few creative writing classes, I knew what I wanted to do.
Toni Shiloh’s Debut
My first book was the novella, A Life to Live. I decided to write the novella because I felt like the word goal was something I could achieve for first time writing. Unfortunately, the company I wrote it for—who had an open call for submissions—declined my manuscript.
After much thought and prayer, I decided to Indie publish it. From there, I made the journey to become traditionally publish which has now lead me to be a hybrid author—publishing traditionally and independentaly.
What’s up With Toni Shiloh Now?
Right now I’m preparing for the launch of my eighth book, Enduring Love. It’s book three in my Maple Run series, which is published by Celebrate Lit Publishing. I’m excited to hear what readers think because I poured a lot of my heart into this one.
Maple Run Series, Books 2 & 3
The first book in the Maple Run series is Buying Love . And the second is Finding Love .
How to Find Toni Shiloh and her Books
To purchase:
Social media links:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest
Instagram
Goodreads
BookBub
Newsletter
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Lord, You are Love. You are the Author of romance. We’re grateful as readers for authors like Toni who write stories showcasing the purity of Your style of romance. Bless every single word Toni writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake ~
The post Let’s Chat! Author Toni Shiloh appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
June 13, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Becky Melby
Welcome, Everyone!
This week Becky Melby is treating us with a visit. Becky writes cozy mysteries, and I just know you’re going to love her.
Becky is offering a print copy of Family Secrets to the winner of this week’s drawing (U.S. resident), so join the chat below to enter.
Becky Melby’s Roots
I’m a Midwest girl–born in Minneapolis. I’ve lived in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. I married my high school sweetheart 46 years ago. We just celebrated 50 years since our first date! We have four sons, all married, and fifteen grandchildren.
My writing career began at the age of eight when I started writing stories on anything I could get my hands on. In fifth grade, when my teacher put my bunny poem (with a red “A+ Very Good!” on it), on the bulletin board, I knew I wanted to grow up to be an author. In high school I had a poem published in the local newspaper. That was a huge moment.
I was married with three kids by the time my first short story was published. I still remember dancing around my kitchen like a crazy lady with the acceptance letter in my hand.
A Debut for Becky Melby
Twenty-seven years ago I was a stay-at-home homeschooling mom. In the midst of the busyness of raising four boys, my writing dream was a fuzzy, distant memory. Then one day my friend Cathy Wienke called and told me she’d just literally thrown a book at the wall because of its trite dialogue and predictable plot. “We should write our own,” she said. And so we did.
A Surprising Turn of Events
Nine months from that conversation, we had a finished manuscript. This was back in the old days before the internet and email. We used Writer’s Market to find publishers that accepted unsolicited manuscripts and started sending out proposals.
Then, after a few rejections, we received a positive response from Barbour Publishing. They were interested in our story for their Heartsong Presents line. There was just one small problem: Their word count limit was 50,000 and our manuscript was 75,000! We faced the bird-in-the-hand dilemma. After a few days of prayer, we decided to go ahead and start slashing. As it turned out, what we thought would feel like lopping off body parts without anesthesia became a hilarious time of “Why did we write that?”
What’s Up With Becky Melby Now?
Cathy and I wrote eight other Heartsong titles and a novella together. I have also written a full-length three-book series called the Lost Sanctuary Series. (Out of print now, but watch for the series re-release later this summer.) I have two novellas in collections with Cynthia Ruchti, Rachael Phillips, and Eileen Key. A Door County Christmas and Cedar Creek Seasons are both set in my home state of Wisconsin.
Family Secrets by Becky Melby
Family Secrets, my recent release is the first in a series of Guideposts cozy mysteries called Secrets of Wayfarers Inn. In the series, three retired school teachers find an old warehouse that had once been an inn and hope to restore it to its former glory as a B&B and soup café.
In Family Secrets, someone (or something!) is out to stop them. The inn was once a stop on the Underground Railroad and each of the books in the series will contain a contemporary mystery as well as a glimpse into the life of Prudence Willard, a former slave who became a conductor on the UR and hid people escaping to freedom in the inn’s secret rooms. I am one of eight authors working on this series. One will be released every month. I just finished the manuscript for Book 9 which will come out in February.
Insight from Becky Melby
Tess, LuAnn, and Janice, the three main characters in Secrets of Wayfarers Inn have become my good buddies after all the time we’ve spent together. I love “watching” how they strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus while sleuthing around the beautiful riverside town of Marietta, OH.
I look back at the editing required for that first book as the greatest editing lesson I’ve ever had. Cathy and I basked in the joy of holding that first book baby in our hands. Back then, our readers sent actual handwritten snail mail. To know that our story was touching someone enough to motivate them to sit down and bless us with a letter was such a humbling experience.
Where to Find Becky Melby
Family Secrets can be purchased from Guideposts .
You may reach me on my website is www.beckymelby.com.
I’m also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/becky.f.melby and my author page, https://www.facebook.com/Becky-Melby-Author-Page-147542291976020/
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Lord, what a privilege and blessing it is as authors to realize our words encourage others and bring them closer to You, the Word. From all points in our great country and across the world readers are finding Your messages of hope and encouragement in stories you’ve given authors like Becky Melby. Please bless every word she writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ Sake
The post Let’s Chat! Author Becky Melby appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
June 6, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Caryl McAdoo
Welcome, Caryl McAdoo!
What an honor to pull back the curtain and announce, “Ta da! The one and only Caryl McAdoo!“
First and foremost, Caryl prays her stories bring God glory. A quick scroll through her novels’ rankings by Christian readers attests to the Father’s faithfulness. You see, she loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs He gives her. So look her up on YouTube to hear a few. Her high school sweetheart husband won her heart fifty-one years ago. Now they share four children and seventeen grandsugars. Ron and Caryl live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.
Now that you know a bit about Caryl, you’ll be excited she’s guest blogging this week. Prepare yourself for a one-of-a-kind. 
May 30, 2018
Wisdom, Forrest Gump Style
Wisdom, Forrest Gump Style
This week I’m blogging, and our “guest” is good ol’ Forrest Gump.
Gather ’round, and we’ll see what our adventurer friend has to share.
~ ~ ~
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding and must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
Psalm 32:9
My husband can imitate Forrest Gump to a T, so when he came in with the latest Gump joke (origin unknown), I knew I had to share it. Goes something like this …
Forrest Gump died and went to heaven.
St. Peter met him at the Pearly Gate.
“Heaven’s getting a bit crowded, Forrest, so we’ve decided to give a test before letting folks in.”
“Hope it’s not too hard.”
“Oh, you’ll do all right,” St. Peter replied. “What two days in the week start with the letter T?”
“Today and tomorrow.”
“That wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but I guess it’ll do. Try this one: How many seconds are in a year?”
“Twelve.”
St. Peter frowns. “Twelve? How’d you get twelve?”
“Well, there’s January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …”
St. Peter scratches his head. “You’ve got a point there. I guess I’ll accept it. Does God have a first name?”
“Yes. First name’s Andy.”
“Where in the world did Andy come from?”
“Well, my mama and I used to sing a song in church. Went somethin’ like this: ‘Andy walks with me. Andy talks with me …'”
Forrest, the Philosopher
Renowned English philosopher, William Ockam, is known for coming up with a problem-solving principle (Ockam’s Razor) that has withstood the test of time: The simplest answer is generally the best answer.
So were Forrest’s simple-as-can-be responses that far off?
Might the questioner have asked more specific questions?
Unfortunately, life often asks complicated questions, but Forrest Gump was able to use Ockam’s Razor to pare down even the most intricate issues to simple truth.
Most of us would have considered both the simple and more complex possibilities before answering St. Peter’s questions. But not Forrest. Occam adherent to a very simple T, Forrest was too literal for weighing more than one possibility against another.
In the grand scheme of things, is that so bad?
To some, Forrest is a goofball (or the mule King David describes). But to others, like myself, Forrest Life Wisdom 101 is spot on: (Tweet That!)
(1) Life’s a marathon. Just run.
(2) Life’s a box of chocolates. Enjoy what you get.
(3) Life’s all about love. So love.
(4) Life has a guide book. Read it.
(5) Life’s hard. Deal with it.
P.S. King David, the Psalmist, penned a verse 8 before the verse 9 above:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
But the psalmist didn’t stop there. He added a verse 10:
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
The hero of our story trusted his closest advisor—Mama—who pointed him to hers: God. Mama’s love never failed Forrest–from a simple park bench at home to the jungles of Viet Nam and along roads, streets, and highways all over the country.
But God has Mama beat, hands down. Check it out.
The post Wisdom, Forrest Gump Style appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
The Wisdom of Forrest Gump
Wisdom, Forrest Gump-Style
Listen up, Forrest Gump!
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding and must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
Psalm 32:9
My husband can imitate Forrest Gump to a T, so when he came in with the latest Gump joke (origin unknown), I knew I had to share it. Goes something like this …
Forrest Gump died and went to heaven.
St. Peter met him at the Pearly Gate.
“Heaven’s getting a bit crowded, Forrest, so we’ve decided to give a test before letting folks in.”
“Hope it’s not too hard.”
“Oh, you’ll do all right,” St. Peter replied. “What two days in the week start with the letter T?”
“Today and tomorrow.”
“That wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but I guess it’ll do. Try this one: How many seconds are in a year?”
“Twelve.”
St. Peter frowns. “Twelve? How’d you get twelve?”
“Well, there’s January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …”
St. Peter scratches his head. “You’ve got a point there. I guess I’ll accept it. Does God have a first name?”
“Yes. First name’s Andy.”
“Where in the world did Andy come from?”
“Well, my mama and I used to sing a song in church. Went somethin’ like this: ‘Andy walks with me. Andy talks with me …'”
Forrest, the Philosopher
Renowned English philosopher, William Ockam, is known for coming up with a problem-solving principle (Ockam’s Razor) that has withstood the test of time: The simplest answer is generally the best answer.
So were Forrest’s simple-as-can-be responses that far off?
Might the questioner have asked more specific questions?
Unfortunately, life often asks complicated questions, but Forrest Gump was able to use Ockam’s Razor to pare down even the most intricate issues to simple truth.
Most of us would have considered both the simple and more complex possibilities before answering St. Peter’s questions. But not Forrest. Occam adherent to a very simple T, Forrest was too literal for weighing more than one possibility against another.
In the grand scheme of things, is that so bad?
To some, Forrest is a goofball (or the mule King David describes). But to others, like myself, Forrest Life Wisdom 101 is spot on: (Tweet That!)
(1) Life’s a marathon. Just run.
(2) Life’s a box of chocolates. Enjoy what you get.
(3) Life’s all about love. So love.
(4) Life has a guide book. Read it.
(5) Life’s hard. Deal with it.
P.S. King David, the Psalmist, penned a verse 8 before the verse 9 above:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
But the psalmist didn’t stop there. He added a verse 10:
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
The hero of our story trusted his closest advisor–Mama–who pointed him to hers: God. Mama’s love never failed Forrest–from a simple park bench at home to the jungles of Viet Nam and along roads, streets, and highways all over the country.
But God has Mama beat, hands down. Check it out.
The post The Wisdom of Forrest Gump appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
May 23, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Denise Weimer
Welcome, Everyone!
Denise Weimer honors us with her presence this week. She is a hybrid author of historical and contemporary time-slip romantic suspense. Denise loves to write dual time-period stories where modern characters learn life lessons as they uncover a mystery from history.
Denise holds a journalism degree with a minor in history from Asbury University. A former magazine writer, she works as a substantive editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She has authored The Georgia Gold Series, The Restoration Trilogy and a number of romantic novellas. She is represented by Hartline Literary Agency. A wife and swim mom of two daughters. Denise always pauses for old houses, coffee, and chocolate!
Denise is offering a giveaway via Rafflecopter that will run the month of May. Just click here and scroll down to Denise Weimer. Choose to sign up under your Facebook or Twitter account. And you’re entered.
Denise Weimer’s Birth as a Writer
My life before writing consisted of 11 years. As an only child born near Atlanta, Georgia, I traveled with my parents to historic sites. I sat in the back seat and scribbled stories into spiral-bound notebooks about the people who might have lived there. My mother listened to every word and encouraged me to keep writing.
Denise Weimer’s First Steps as an Author
By the time I graduated with a journalism degree and minor in history, I had a Civil War-era trilogy ready to go. In those days, I was able to approach publishers directly, without an agent or prior publishing experience.
Following a string of rejections, my dream publisher called. My heart felt like it would beat out of my chest! This was it! My sample chapters had progressed to the final review committee. But alas … they had just committed to a similar series by another gentleman. (Probably Gilbert Morris. LOL.)
So I concentrated on my public relations job, independent editing, and layout as we started a family. God removed my pressing desire to write so I could focus on our two baby girls.
A Debut for Denise Weimer
When my younger daughter took naps, I wrote a novella. Redeeming Grace’s publisher set the price so high I LOST money when I placed it in a store. That venture looked like a failure. But it led to an introduction to John Kollock, a prominent regional artist who lent me his family letters and diaries . His endorsement and cover art opened doors for my Georgia Gold Series (historical romance with a touch of mystery, set from the Georgia Gold Rush through Reconstruction).
The publisher for that series went under just as book one released. A dreadful and embarrassing situation and six months of hemorrhaging money as I attempted to keep book one, Sautee Shadows, afloat, led me to put my writing on the altar. I was willing to do something different if God wanted.
After a move and another year, I found another traditional, independent publisher, Canterbury House. This time, things went smoothly!
Next Steps for Author Denise Weimer
I followed Georgia Gold with The Restoration Trilogy, time slip romantic suspense. The modern characters uncover stories from three different centuries as they restore a historic property. But someone does not want them at work.
While promoting Restoration Trilogy, I learned the importance of networking with readers via social media and other authors via blogging. My dear friends at Colonial Quills blog invited me to join them in the Backcountry Brides collection. The eight Colonial romances in one volume release this month with Barbour Publishing.
My heart-pounding story, Across Three Autumns, features a strong heroine who doesn’t think she’s worthy of love. However, the swoon-worthy Scottish scout might be stubborn enough to convince her otherwise.
What Denise Weimer Sees for the Future
I have several stories out to publishers via my agent. I pray they’ll invest in an emerging author! I’m also helping out with editing at Lighthouse Publishing. Being an editor was always a secondary dream, a package deal with being an author.
The latest collection, the agent, and the editing position all came about thanks to my Colonial Quills connections. I’ve learned writing is NOT a solo endeavor. In the community of faith, we all need each other. So thank you, Linda, for hosting me today! And thank you, readers, for stopping by.
How to Find Denise and Her Books
Website
Facebook
Twitter @denise_weimer
Amazon
Backcountry Brides Collection – Colonial America
P.S.
On our recent 25th!! anniversary (I was a child bride), I enjoyed three favorites—hot tea, cheesecake, and truffles. But I had to fight off husband Wayne. Guess who won?
~ ~ ~
How fascinating, Lord, the myriad ways You call writers to pen Your stories. Then You bring them together as community in support of one another. You’ve written Your history on the hearts of writers like Denise whose passion is sharing Your story. We treasure books like hers that tell of Your goodness through all generations. We pray You’ll bless each word Denise writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake ~
The post Let’s Chat! Author Denise Weimer appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
May 16, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Elaine Manders
Welcome, Everyone!
Elaine Manders delights readers with her historical romances. This week Elaine tells us about her latest release, Revealed, Book 3 in her Intrigue Under Western Skies series. Be sure to check out her giveaway offer below.
Revealed by Author Elaine Manders
I wrote Revealed to answer an unresolved mystery from Books 1 and 2. What happened to Rhyan Cason’s mother? And to give Colt Holliman (Rhyan’s friend) a love interest. The spiritual themes are judgment and forgiveness.
As with most of my stories, unseen enemies, physical and spiritual, hound the protagonists, but they aren’t revealed until the end.
The Story Begins
The story opens in Charleston, South Carolina, where Katherine Levinson has led the idealistic life of a post-civil war Southern belle until her father dies unexpectedly.
Katherine and her gravely ill mother lose their home, and, behind her mother’s back, she contacts the brother she’s never met, Rhyan Cason, the famous cattle baron.
The Story Unfolds
When they move to Nebraska and Rhyan’s sprawling ranch, Sollano, questions arise over Katherine’s legal status as an heiress to the Cason estate. Old sins are uncovered, turning the townfolk against Katherine and her mother.
No one understands Katherine’s resentment and confusion except Colt. His modest horse ranch, the Double Bar H, appeals to her more than Sollano’s opulence.
Love and Faith Bloom
Their attraction grows, and Colt finds himself spiritually conflicted. He has promised to wait for another woman to finish her contract with the Wild West Show to announce their engagement. Following his heart would require him to break that commitment, but a sense of honor holds him back. In time, he realizes withholding his true feelings is a form of dishonesty that leads to dire consequences.
I can’t go any further into Revealed or I might give the plot away. I will say, Colt and Katherine are drawn together and face an unexpected danger that tests their love and their faith in God, and a prairie fire is a part of that danger.
Insights From Elaine Manders
One of the greatest joys of writing a new book is discovering a new spiritual truth—something that jumps out at me unexpectedly. This is the lesson I found in Revealed. Katherine is explaining to her friend, Maggie, why she won’t judge others, even those misjudging her. “We don’t have the ability to judge others, Maggie. When we do, we’re playing God, and that’s a dangerous thing to do.”
That was a real eye-opener for me. Yes, I’d always known it was wrong to judge others, even though we have to consider their fruit, but I never asked, “why?” It’s obvious, isn’t it? We can’t see into a person’s heart. We don’t know their background—and more important—we don’t know God’s purpose for them. In other words, we can’t play God. And it is dangerous, because the Bible says we’ll be judged by the same measure we use to judge others.
A Giveaway from Elaine Manders
Join our conversation below, and you’ll be entered in Elaine’s drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card. We’re looking forward to your comments!
How to Find Elaine Manders
Amazon
Facebook
Twitter @ehmanders
Website
Book 1: Intrigue Under Western Skies series by Elaine Manders 
Book 2: Intrigue Under Western Skies series by Elaine Manders
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Father God, You are the Creator, the Sustainer, and the only wise Judge. We confess we often attempt to act as judge in Your place. For this we ask Your forgiveness. We’re thankful for Elaine’s novel, Revealed, which entertains, enlightens, and convicts. Please bless every single word she writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Author Elaine Manders appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
May 9, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Sinmisola Ogunyinka
Welcome, Everyone!
Sinmisola OgunyinkaSinmisola Ogunyinka joins us as our honored guest this week. (Click to Tweet!) I met Sinmisola several years ago at a writers’ retreat and was instantly impressed with her beauty and warmth. She has written over forty books, including a collection of short stories, contemporary romance, historical, and now a Young Adult African Suspense Thriller.
Sinmisola hails originally from Nigeria but resides now in the USA. Her life story, as you can imagine, is out of the ordinary—like her. (Click to Tweet!)
**Sinmi’s offering a giveaway, so check it out below.**
Sinmisola Ogunyinka’s Early Life
My name is Sinmisola Ogunyinka. I ask people to call me Sinmi (See-me). Sinmi means “Rest” in my local language, Yoruba. The whole name means “Rest in wealth.” I am originally from Nigeria, West Africa. I emigrated to America January 2017.
Born and raised in the Western parts of Nigeria, I speak the Yoruba language, besides English. I am the sixth of six children, and my parents were quite enlightened and educated in the society, so we grew up “privileged.” I attended the best available schools and even got to go for vacation outside the country.
Sinmisola’s Education and Work Experience
I majored in Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, and later got into the Jerry B. Jenkins’ former Christian Writers’ Guild courses. I have worked in accounting, office and human resource administration, property management and facility management.
Sinmisola’s Marriage and Family Life
I married my college sweetheart, Afolarin, who studied civil engineering but later became a pastor full time. We lived in Calabar in the Southern part of Nigeria for about sixteen years, had four kids, and several foster kids.
Then we moved to Pretoria, South Africa to plant a church, and now we are in the United States. My husband is an ordained apostle and a church planter.
Sinmisola’s Writing Journey
“I started writing at the age of ten.” ~ Sinmisola OgunyinkaI started writing at the age of ten but in my country, writing is not seen as a career but rather a hobby. So for a long time I had no training and no form of encouragement. I quickly realized that if I wanted to have a career in writing, especially Christian fiction, I’d have to be a pioneer.
So, I decided to self-publish in 2003. My first book titled, Sister Minister, is a book with ten short stories followed by Bible passages and a devotional of sorts. I was afraid it would not be well-received if it was just fiction. Only foreign bestselling authors wrote Christian fiction! So I added Bible commentaries at the end of each story! Lol. It worked!
The book sold all of the one thousand copies I printed, and I did a reprint the following year, and a devotional and workbook for the book! Since then, I have self-published forty more books. Established in my country as a Christian fiction writer, I even won an award for Faith-based Writer from a secular organization.
Sinmisola’s Insight
It’s been a long journey with many disappointments, and giveaways, but it’s been well worth it. I became one of the pioneers of Christian fiction in my country (Click to Tweet!).
Today, I celebrate the release of my first traditionally published novel, Under a Red Delta Sun.
Sinmisola’s Goals
I keep writing. My mother, who is an author of educational books back in Nigeria, encourages me to keep writing. Since my first book, I have written forty more books with four series, and a family saga, ranging from contemporary to romance to historical. I have an agent now, Cyle Young, and I have a few books being pitched to several publishers.
I am working on my first novel set in Manhattan. It’s the very first novel I will write that is set completely in the United States. And it’s a contemporary women’s fiction.
I plan to be a bestselling international author. It is another daunting task, but I believe God will make it come true. I hope to make some of my books into movies. That’s my big plan for the future, with God’s hand working!
How to Connect with Sinmi
My books are on Amazon.
Twitter : @sinmisolaog
Sinmi’s Giveaway Offer
I would love to give three digital copies of my new novel, Under a Red Delta Sun.
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Lord, we continue to be amazed at how You bring Your righteous plans to fruition. You set Sinmi into her family at just the right time. You brought her and Afolarin to OAU at just the right time. And You laid their children in their arms at just the right. Thank You for leading Sinmi into writing for a time such as this. We pray You’ll bless each word she writes for You and that You will enlarge her territory to Your glory.
~ For Jesus’ sake
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