Heather Greer's Blog, page 34

Best Laid Plans

You know what they say about best laid plans. Or if you’re
like me, you have to google the rest of the saying because people stopped using
the complete phrase. It’s actually, the best laid plans of mice and men often
go awry. That was my weekend.

The main character in my work in progress owns a cupcake
truck. Rural southern Illinois is not known for its food truck options. The closest
place for sampling the fare is St. Louis, Missouri. I researched to find one
with great reviews and my husband and I left Friday night. We would spend the
night and be at the food truck when it opened on Saturday.  The day would give me valuable insight into
locations, ability to operate in the cold winter months, and the food truck
atmosphere.

While enjoying the botanical gardens Saturday morning, I
checked Facebook every hour for the food truck to post the day’s location. When
opening time came and went without a post, I messaged them. The return message
was prompt and disappointing. They were closed for Labor Day weekend! I tried
to find other trucks, but none really appealed to me. I couldn’t find locations
for the couple that we agreed sounded okay. I couldn’t keep searching because
reading in the car was making me sick. We stopped looking. My research trip was
suddenly research-less.

Choosing to stay positive, we visited an antique mall we’d
seen. We were unimpressed. Everything on our list of things to do was failing
to deliver. We were having a pleasant time and enjoying the time spent
together, but our plans weren’t working out as we’d hoped.

On a whim, I found a used bookstore since Andy and I love
the one we go to in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  We stopped. Like everything else, we enjoyed
ourselves, but it probably won’t receive a return trip. It did, however, give
us the prompting we needed to take a less familiar way home, off the
interstate.

While we drove the highway through forgotten small towns, we
decided to pull over if anything we saw looked good for lunch. If not, we’d
just wait until we got home. That’s when I saw the sign for Eckert’s orchard.
We have several orchards in our area, but even the most commercial ones are not
like this. It was home-grown fun for the entire family. Eckert’s boasts a
restaurant, custard stand, country store, garden center, and U-pick apple and
pumpkin fields complete with tractor pulled wagon rides to the trees or
vines.  They even had a carnival area for
the kids.

Our first stop was the country store filled with products
made from the produce of the farm. The store contained everything a small
country market would have along with gifts and home décor. We quickly had more
on our list of things we’d like to try than we guessed possible and decided to
eat first, shop second.

We weren’t sure what kind of quality could be expected at an
orchard restaurant, but we were pleasantly surprised. The portions were good, and
the food was too. The service was excellent. Everyone we met at the restaurant
and in the store was pleasant and helpful, taking the time to chat with us. With
our hunger satisfied, we went back to the store and spent way more than we
should have on fudge, cider, pancake mix and syrup, flavored coffee, cider
doughnuts, and grilling sauces.

Eckert’s orchard wasn’t on our list of things to do when we
set out for the weekend, but it was the highlight of our trip. On the way home
we talked about how we would have missed it had the food truck been open or if
we hadn’t veered off course to find the used bookstore. We wouldn’t have seen
it if we’d taken the interstate as originally planned or decided to call the
trip done and wait to eat until we arrived home. So many things in our plans
had to go wrong for us to end up in the one place that turned into the most
memorable part of our weekend.

How many times do we gripe and whine to God when things
don’t go the way we planned? How many times do we pout over missed
opportunities and unexpected twists in our lives? We lay out great plans for
our marriages, families, careers, and ministries only to lash out at God as if
He’s betrayed us when something we didn’t plan and don’t like enters into our
carefully constructed pictures. We intended to go through life on the
fast-moving interstate only to find ourselves on the backroads of a country
highway. And I can’t help but wonder how many times we’ve missed the times of
joy, redemption, and restoration God has for us around the next bend in the
road because we’re too busy focusing on how all our best laid plans have fallen
apart.

There Goes My Groove

I know I usually start with a quote from a children’s book or about writing or reading, but this one is from a children’s movie. That counts, right? Besides, this quote sums up my current life situation. Let me explain.

For the last several years my husband has worked two jobs, not including pastoring and teaching martial arts. This has been difficult on the family in many ways, but we’ve made it work. God recently opened up the opportunity for a new job which allowed him to quit his part-time position. Yay!

I’m thankful for this change. I’ve been praying for this change. I know it will open him up for more time with ministry and family. It will reduce his stress levels. It will allow him to do things around the house that have been neglected for far too long.

It’s been a while since he was home regularly at night, and a lot has changed. We have only one child still living at home. He is the one child we’ve never had to do extra running for, no practices and no volunteer hours. We joke that all you have to do is occasionally throw cheese crackers into his room to keep him happy. The stress of the previous years of running has dissipated as our empty nest grows closer.

Another major change is my writing. In the last few years, I’ve moved from struggling writer to, well, still struggling writer. But now I’m a struggling published writer. With two published books and a third due to release in June 2020, I’ve added a slew of new activities to my writing resume.

No longer do I simply write and research markets. I have to do those things, learn more of the craft of writing, grow my presence in front of my intended audience, learn marketing information and techniques I never cared about before, and take care of the business side of writing. It’s a tall order, especially when I just quit my full-time job as a receptionist to help provide at-home care for my grandmother with dementia.

I had gotten into a groove. I knew when I needed to write on my manuscript. I understood when that had to be put aside to finish the day’s blog post. Research, classes, and business development all had their places. I came home from my day job tired, but most nights, I could focus and get done what needed doing. Then came the change.

With my husband home, everything is different. He asks what’s for supper. He never did that before because he got home late enough that he didn’t eat. If I suggest leftovers, he asks me if it’s because I “have to write or just because”. Does it matter? But now supper is on my to-do list.

He’s home before I am in the evenings. I feel like I should be spending time with him. But if I do, I won’t get my writing or anything else writing related done. It’s a tricky situation without a clear answer. He’s not against me writing. He’s my biggest supporter. But I struggle with drawing that line now that he’s home.

Add to this the mental and emotional strain of caring for someone with dementia, and I find myself without motivation at the end of the day. Making dinner, spending time with the husband, and needing a mental break form a perfect cocktail of reasons to choose the living room sofa instead of the office chair each night.

I’ll be honest. I don’t know the answer to my current situation. Time? It’ll probably help. Long talks about what is expected with my husband? That would probably help too, though I know it’s not high on his list of things to do! Prayer? Always a great place to start. And so I ask you to pray with me. Pray God shows me how to handle this new stage in my writing life. Pray He helps me find my groove again so I can get back to doing this thing He’s put in my heart to do.

Cast of Characters

Faith’s Journey and Grasping Hope focus on the lives of two
people, but the cast of supporting characters is large. From family members and
friends to co-workers and customers, the list of people waltzing through the
pages of my books is long. It has to be. You can’t tell a person’s story
accurately without acknowledging the people they come in contact with. It’s
these interactions that give readers insight into who our main characters are
at their core.

While you may not need to name the guy at the movie theater
who takes a ticket or the girl who hands your main character their sweet tea in
the drive through, a short glimpse of some of the lesser seen characters adds
depth and realism to the story. To discover a slice of a character’s past helps
readers understand and relate to the main character on a deeper level.

In Faith’s Journey, Katie returns to the church from her
childhood. In the pews she sees the people who play a part in her memories from
attending as a child. Not every person is named, but a few snapshots let the
reader have a more intimate view of Katie’s life growing up in a country church
in southern Illinois.

Naming and writing the characters becomes a challenge at
times. None of my characters are real. They are the products of my imagination,
but there are times when real life has given inspiration. When naming my main
character, I chose a name I love dearly, the name of my great-grandmother.
Katherine Angeline Winterstein Robinson McGowan and I spent many days together
when I was a little girl. She taught me to embroider, quilt, and a few other
sewing related crafts. She told me stories of when she was a little girl. I
loved my granny, and I wanted to name this character after her.

However, Katie McGowan is not my great-grandma. Katie’s
choices, reactions, and personality in my books is nothing like the person I
knew growing up. She looks nothing like my great-grandma. I’ve simply honored
her with the same name.

I also knew a Cal growing up. I don’t believe the man I knew
ever had the blessing of being a father in his life, but he was the type of man
who would be a father to many who needed one. He isn’t the character in my
book, but he’s the type of person I wanted in Katie’s life. Cal was the perfect
name for Katie’s father who she adores.

Sometimes it’s a familiar action that makes it between the pages.
Growing up, there was a couple I loved to sit with through Sunday services. My
mother never minded as long as I was quiet. The man always had a peppermint in
his pocket, and I always ended up with it. The memory is a sweet one that I’ve
learned is similar to the experience of many who grew up in country churches.
Though the character doesn’t return for any other scenes, I gave Katie a
similar memory as she surveys the familiar faces in the pews upon her return to
her home church.

One of my favorite characters to write was Gigi B. Readers
can meet her in Grasping Hope and see her again in Relentless Love when it
releases in June 2020. Of all of the characters I’ve written, she is the one
most closely inspired by someone in my life. I have an adopted aunt, really my
mom’s best friend I’ve been close to my whole life. She’s not nearly as old as
Gigi B, and she doesn’t quite have Gigi B’s flair for the dramatic. But I’ve
always seen her as stylish and funny and sassy and wise. It’s a unique
combination that picked me up when I wrestled with my first broken heart as a
teenager, and it was that type of person Katie needed in her life as well.

Gigi B’s life experiences and the words she speaks in my
books are all her own. They aren’t life memories placed inside the pages of
fiction. But who the character is to the ones she loves is a picture of who my
aunt is to me and, I’m sure, other in her life.

By the Book: Creating a great cast of fictional characters
adds realism and depth to a story. The characters in your own life do the same
for you. They provide comforting memories for the future, encouragement for
today, and, sometimes, even challenge us to grow in faith. Just as they are
characters in your life, you are a character in theirs. Measure each day’s interactions
using 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to determine whether or not you’re allowing God’s
love to flow through you to the characters He brings into your life.

What I’m Reading: An Aria for Nick

At the risk of sounding like I’ve become the president of the Hallee Bridgeman fan club, today’s review is for An Aria for Nick. (I’m not sure that’s a thing but wouldn’t it be great if your favorite Christian authors had fan clubs? Someone should look into that.) Other than Kristen Heitzmann, I don’t think I’ve reviewed any other author’s books as frequently, but I’m always looking for a good deal and a great story. Hallee’s books often fit both categories. Besides, I’ve reviewed books one and three in the series. It only makes sense that I should go back and take care of book two! Let’s take a look at An Aria for Nick.

Sometimes life doesn’t go like we planned. Events beyond our control seem to conspire against us, or our own choices land us in the middle of consequences we never imagined. Aria and Nick understand this better than most.

Aria’s love for Nick never got a chance thanks to Nick’s stubborn refusal to entertain the idea that a girl like Aria could be interested in a boy like him. He makes sure of it when he enlists in the military.

Aria is just as headstrong. She pursues friendship with Nick throughout their school years and through letters during his time in the military. Maybe one day, Nick will see how much she cares for him. Only that day doesn’t come. Instead, Aria is met with the news that the man she loves has been killed in the line of duty.

She’s lost her hope of love with Nick, but her losses keep coming. Aria’s dream of playing piano professionally are lost when her wrist is injured. The situation leaves her no choice. Aria must find and live a new dream. This new direction puts her in contact with brilliant scientists as she works to develop nuclear technology. It also puts her in the crosshairs of the enemy when she discovers a plot to use her technology in a terrorist attack on the United States.

Aria doesn’t know who to trust. When the man she loved comes back from the dead as the one entrusted to protect her and stop the attack, Aria’s world is turned upside down. Aria and Nick must work together and trust each other in order to prevent nuclear destruction. This is made more difficult as their insecurities and the hurts of the past wreak havoc in each personal interaction. Though the feelings they shared in the past are reawakened, Aria and Nick have to choose whether to embrace those feelings or ignore them without the assurance of what each choice will bring to their futures.

Nick and Aria aren’t that different from me and you. Sure, our one true love probably didn’t come back from the dead. And most of us are probably not brilliant nuclear scientists. But when you remove all the physical trappings of the story, you find a reality that speaks to each of us. We love to plan what our futures will look like. We’re encouraged to do it from the time we are young. Don’t believe me? Did you ever have to write a “what I want to be when I grow up” essay? Our childhood is all about preparing us for the future, and we are pushed earlier and earlier to decide how we want that future to look.

Sometimes that life doesn’t go like we think it should. Events beyond our control throw us off our path and onto other foreign ones. Choices we’ve made have consequences with far more impact than we imagined possible. Even in the times when we end up at our originally planned destination, a look at the path that brought us there shows a drastically different road to success than we dreamed we would take.

When we realize this, the temptation is strong to give in to fear, doubt, hurt, and anger. As believers, we have a different option. Trust. We can’t trust things will work out the way we want them to. We can’t trust that the hurt is finished. But we can trust that God is in control. He knew the path our life would take, the good and bad choices we would make, and the ending destination before we were even born. The Psalms tell us He had every one of our days written in His book before we’d even lived one of them.

He doesn’t promise to end all the bad or surprising things in our lives. We live in a decaying, sin-marred world. Horrible things happen. The unexpected happens. But God does promise that He will be beside us in each thing we face. He will give us strength and peace and hope. The hope is that whatever happens, He will make us more into His image as we go through it with Him leading the way.

Fear and doubt no longer color our decisions. Instead, we move forward in confidence knowing God is by our side no matter what the future holds.

Different Voices

“The baby owls thought (all owls think a lot) – ‘I think
she’s gone hunting,’ said Sarah. ‘To get us our food!’ said Percy. ‘I want my
mommy!’ said Bill.” – Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

 All parents of small
children know there are some nights you dread story time. When your little
angel asks you to read Elmo Blows His Nose (I made that title up, but you know
they publish things like this all the time) or some other equally unimpressive
and unimaginative story for the thousandth time, all you can do is suffer
through. You remind yourself that you’re spending time with your child and
instilling a life-long love of reading (at least that’s what the research
says).

But there are those nights when the book really is a
wonderful story and a joy to read. I always felt that way about Owl Babies. The
premise is simple and taps into every young child’s need for family and
security. The illustrations are dark and earthy, perfect for a story about owls
in the woods. But what I really loved about reading Owl Babies to my children
was the fun I got to have playing with voices.

Sarah, Percy, and Bill are siblings as unique as my own
children. Each has a different personality and way of relating to the news of
their missing mother. Sarah always sounds so grown up in my head. I give her a
steady, logical tone. Percy jumps on whatever bandwagon of thought Sarah
voices, only he is a little younger and more excitable. That always factors
into the way I read his lines. Then there’s Bill. Poor little, nearly
hysterical Bill. The baby of the owl family. Each consecutive “I want my
mommy!” gets a little more desperate when I read his lines. And their
differences each spoke to my children in different ways. Each child had an owl
sibling they related to most because the author took time to make them unique.

They may be owls in a children’s book, but what made it a
joy to read Owl Babies to my children is something we need to remember in our
own writing. Each character has their own personality, their own sound. The
rhythm and speed with which they speak is unique. Even the area they came from
plays a part in how they sound. (I can’t help but think of the line from Sweet
Home Alabama. You know the one. “Honey, just cause I talk slow doesn’t mean I’m
stupid.”) And a character’s actions before, during, and after they speak can
highlight their differences even more.

It’s important to consider all of these things when writing
dialog for a character. If something they say is out of their norm, it’s
important to note the difference and give clues as to why it happened. Is the
uneducated, poor serving girl trying to impress the rich, handsome duke? Her
speech will be different when addressing him than when she is in the privacy of
her own hovel.  Is the bear of a lawman
dealing with a small, frightened child? He may lower himself to the child’s
level and speak in softer, easier tones to coax the child into doing what is
needed. But when he’s interrogating the culprit, he’s back to barking orders,
red face and all.

When authors take the time to understand their character’s
way of speaking and interacting with the world around them, the reader gets a
more well-rounded, relatable character. It works whether that character is a
person or a baby owl. By leaving the cookie cutters behind and letting each
character be their own person, we give our readers more to relate to in our
story. The more they relate, the more the pages will turn, and the more the
messages of our stories will be heard.

By the Book: It’s important to remember God gifted each of
us with unique personalities, interests, and experiences. Sometimes it’s hard,
but try to take time to appreciate these differences I the people you interact
with each day. When it’s especially hard, make it a practice to think about the
difference you are having trouble with and turn it around. When could that
trait come in handy? What situation might benefit from having that personality
type? Thank God for His foresight to make us each uniquely suited for the
purpose He has for us.  

What I’m Reading: Just the Way You Are

I’m from small town southern Illinois. Though Carbondale has Southern Illinois University to make it more recognizable, the small village of Makanda can only boast of being one of the places where the 2017 eclipse could be seen for the longest amount of time and for Vulture Fest. Yes, Vulture Fest. No, I’ve never been. Though that’s really not surprising. Makanda is actually very large in area, and as most residents do, I end up in Carbondale more often than the tiny strip of eclectic stores making up Makanda’s business district.

Being from a small, rural town surrounded by other small, rural towns has its advantages. It also has drawbacks. One of these is the country drawl prevalent in the area. It’s not a pretty southern drawl or the twang of the southwest. It’s less refined. Hick is the term most often used.

As a kid I fought that way of speaking. I worked hard to make sure my pronunciation and vocabulary were not filled with the southern Illinois vernacular. I thought I was doing a great job, until I went to summer camp in Peoria, Illinois. Peoria is about 4 hours north of where I live. Kids came from all over Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, and other states for camp.

Imagine my surprise when all the work I’d done to distance myself from the southern Illinois sound was repeatedly met with, “Are you from the south?” Every northerner I met decided I was not just from the south, but from the deep south. Over and over I explained I was not from Mississippi or Alabama or any other southern state. I was from Illinois just like most of them. So much for my efforts to conceal my vocal heritage.

Adulthood has brought perspective. I’m more appreciative of the benefits of small town life, and the downsides don’t bother me as much. (I admit I still cringe when I hear myself say “fer” instead of for, but I’m working on it!) I love where I grew up, bad grammar and all. I try to bring that to my writing (the love, not the bad grammar!). That same attitude is part of the reason I enjoyed Pepper Basham’s Just the Way You Are.

Eisley Barrett grew up in the Appalachian region, but the story starts with a trip to England to find answers to a family mystery. In addition to meeting wonderful new friends,Eisley has a real life adventure on her quest to find answers her dying uncle needs to finish the book he’s writing.

Though initially drawn to her due to a cynical nature that insists Eisley is a gold digger out to take his family fortune or ruin their good name, Wes Harrison finds he’s drawn to her for other reasons as well. As their friendship progresses, Wes enjoys the opportunity to solve the mystery with Eisley.

As their relationship progresses, it’s time for Eisley to return home. She and Wes have enough emotional baggage from the past to make the distance between England and Virginia seem like child’s play. This baggage comes back to wreak havoc on their relationship and threatens to tear them apart.

This is the first book by Pepper Basham I’ve read. She does a wonderful job of telling an entertaining story. The differences in how Eisley and Wes were raised and currently live are explored and alternately provide helpings of drama and comedy for the reader.

Respect for both ways of life are easily seen. Pros and cons of each are laid out for the reader to enjoy. In the end, it’s a great reminder that our differences can bring us together or tear us apart. It’s all in how we want to look at them.

By the Book: We’re all different. Think of someone you’ve had trouble working or ministering with and pray for God to show you how to celebrate your differences to make the job/ministry stronger.

Praying for You

Prayer has always been an important part of my life as a
believer. I wouldn’t necessarily classify myself as a prayer warrior. And I’m
probably not going to be the one who stops to pray with you in the middle of
Wal-mart when we run into each other, unless you ask. Then I will. Otherwise,
I’ll take your concern home with me and include it in my daily times of prayer.
But despite these shortcomings in my praying, I know how vital prayer can be in
our lives.

I’ve seen God work through prayer time and again in my own
life and the lives of those around me. I’ve seen God change circumstances. I’ve
seen God heal. I’ve seen God provide, lead, and strengthen through prayer. More
often than not, I’ve experienced God changing my heart and mind about things
through prayer. I’ve drawn close to Him through worshipful prayer. I’ve cried
to Him in my darkest times. I’ve surrendered my dreams, my desires for my
family, and my will to His many times through prayer. Prayer is powerful.

Prayer is also a gift. It’s our way to come to our heavenly
Father with the good, the bad, and the ugly and watch what He does with it. And
it’s a gift we’re meant to share with others. Scripture tells us to bear one
another’s burdens and to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who
mourn. One of the best ways we can do this is by taking one another to God in
prayer. Consider how often Paul spoke of keeping fellow believers in prayer. It
was important then, and it is important now.

Prayer isn’t like wishing on a star or rubbing the genie’s
lamp. We don’t throw out everything we want and sit back and watch it fall from
the sky. God’s hears and answers the prayers of those who follow Him. Scripture
promises that. What it doesn’t promise is that our prayers will be answered
exactly how we think it should be done. It says if we ask anything according to
His will God hears us. That’s probably the hardest part of prayer. Telling God
what our very human selves want out of a situation but accepting the attitude
of “not my will but Yours be done” in our hearts. Those are some of the times
when God’s answer might be a change of heart instead of a change of
circumstance.

Another time we might require an attitude check is when
God’s plan takes time. My mother and I have met daily for almost a year for
prayer together. There was a family situation that came up that drove us to our
knees. There was nothing we could do to change it, and the throne of God was
the best place for it anyway. Like I said, it’s been almost a year. We’ve seen
God moving in the situation through that time, but we’ve only recently seen
more substantial change in what’s happening. We continue to pray trusting it to
work out God’s will, God’s way. We’ve grown a lot through the year. So has our
list of people and situations to pray for. Even when this situation is fully
resolved, we will continue praying for the needs of our friends and family and
praising God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in the future.

As a writer of faith, I covet your prayers for my writing ministry.
I desire to do only what God would have me do in the way He would have me do
it. But I also want to encourage and lift up my readers, both of my blog and my
books. To do so, I’m going to ask for prayer requests during the last week of
each month. I will use whatever prayer requests and praises you pass on in my
prayer times during the next month. I will start with the month of August. You
can put your requests and praises in the comments, or you can message me with
them anytime. I look forward to praying for you!

Full of Character Author Interview with Misty Phillip

I had the pleasure of meeting today’s guest at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in May. I got to know her through some shared workshops, and I enjoy following her posts on social media. I hope we have the opportunity to get together again at next year’s conference.

This being my first non-fiction author interview, I tweaked my questions a bit. I hope this interview gives you a little peek into Misty’s heart for God and the ministry He’s blessed her with.

1. As a non-fiction writer, you are the character readers want to know. Tell us a little about yourself.
First and foremost, I am passionately in love with Jesus! I have an amazing husband Peter, who is my best friend. We have three sons who have grown up way too fast! I am so thankful I left my corporate career from a Fortune 2 company to raise and homeschool my boys. Next year is our final year to homeschool after twenty years! 
When my eldest son started college, I began praying about what I would do once we finished homeschooling. After the painful loss of a child and a bicycle accident that  broke both of my arms I felt God calling me to write and speak. I surrendered to that call in 2016 and started a blog, and began writing and speaking. Which led to a podcast called BY HIS GRACE that launched on January 1, 2019, and a Bible Study entitled The Struggle is Real: But So is God launched in May 2019.
2. Everyone writes for someone. Can you describe the person you write for and why it’s important to you to write for them?
Knowing your audience is so important, and it took me a little bit of time to hone in on this. What I have discovered is I write for the person who has experienced difficult trials and is weary. Women that need encouragement and to be reminded that God has good for them and that He is with them in the battle. After many difficult years of back to back traumatic events, I began to feel discouraged, but I knew Jesus came that I would have abundant life. I started pouring over the scriptures, and the WORD OF GOD became my lifeline for hope. I don’t want anyone to feel discouraged and alone. I want them to know that through Jesus, anything is possible and that He is trustworthy.  
3. Can you think of a fictional character from books you’ve read that has impacted you more than any others?
Christianna deeply impacted me from Kay Arthur’s book, With an Everlasting Love. Christianna has to choose between living for today and trusting in the promise of enduring love. As a young person, I lived for myself and looked for anything but God to satisfy the longings in my heart that only He could fill, but God so rich in mercy in grace loves us with an everlasting love. 
4.Scripture is full of real people who had character to spare. Which one do you most relate to or enjoy reading about?
The Samaritan women at the well was a mess, but once she receives the living water from Jesus, her life is radically transformed. She immediately goes to everyone about her encounter. Jesus knew her sin, and he knows our sins too. Yet, He chooses to use flawed, sinful individuals to share his love with the world. No one is beyond His saving, and He will use us despite our past mistakes, and that gives me hope.
5.If someone wrote a movie about you, who would you like to play your character? Why?
I love this question, and I would like to answer by saying something like a beautiful brunette like Julia Roberts, but the truth is our outward beauty is fading. Only the things that are done for Christ will last, so I would want someone to play me that was passionately in love with Jesus! Because when people see me, I want them to know a woman who has been radically changed by the love of Jesus. 

I’d like to thank Misty for showing us a little bit of her world today. My interviews are conducted through email and reading Misty’s answers made me wish I was interviewing by phone! There were so many times I wanted to make comments or ask for further information. Her Bible study is definitely being added to my TBR list.

If you enjoyed this interview and would like to know more about Misty, head over to her website at MistyPhillip.com. You’ll find links to her podcast, blog, and Instagram. Plus, you can learn more about her Bible study, The Struggle is Real but So is God.

Win Doughnuts, Coffee, and a Good Book

I’m hosting a contest, open to those in the United States, on my Facebook page. You can find me by searching Author Heather Greer. Follow the directions in the contest post and you’ll be entered to win one of six e-book and gift card prizes![image error][image error]

What I'm Reading: Courting Calla

The sun is shining and the blue sky is dotted with fluffy white clouds. After what seems like endless rain in southern Illinois, it is finally a beautiful summer day. Of course the sun brings heat, which I’ve never dealt well with. Maybe that’s why I favor autumn. There is one thing I enjoy about summer. It’s not the beach. I don’t go swimming very often. It’s not hiking. I’ll wait until cooler weather when stepping on a copperhead is less of a possibility. It’s not even grilling out. We don’t save that for summer in my house. We grill all year long.

In summer, the one perk that comes with the heat is that it’s the perfect weather to enjoy a tall glass of ice cold lemonade. There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than the sweet, tanginess of lemonade. It doesn’t have to be fresh, but it does have to be good. No canned lemonade. If I’m not making it myself, I’ll spring for the good stuff. My absolute favorite is Simply Lemonade’s Raspberry Lemonade. One glass has the perfect balance of flavor for cooling off during the hot summer days.

There are days I need a lemonade type book to read. Long, tiring, stressful weeks cry out for a quick, refreshing dose of fiction with just the right amount of sweet and strife. As I’ve been trying to adjust to a new schedule and job, it’s definitely been one of those weeks. I wanted a refreshing story to help calm my mind and entertain me. God blessed me by bringing Courting Calla by Hallee Bridgeman to my attention.

Calla’s crush on Ian has gone unnoticed in the years they’ve worked for the same company. Though in the same business, one is high up the ladder of executive success while the other struggles to make ends meet with her clerical job.  It’s not hard to understand how she’s seen him but until her broken down car forces the issue, he’s not seen her.

Misunderstanding and embarrassment bring Ian and Calla together. Shared interests and easy conversation keep them coming back to each other. The dark clouds on the horizon of their summer sky are those that come from two ends of the social spectrum coming together and a secret shame Calla has shared only with her closest friend.

Calla’s own step-mother has been using her identity for years, piling up debt in Calla’s name. Grief and embarrassment have kept Calla from having the funds to pursue her culinary education while enslaved to bills she should never have been responsible for. Just as she’s ready to handle the situation, the truth comes out in a devastating way.  Her predicament is hard enough to face, but when it leaves Ian wondering if she thought he was her ticket out of trouble instead of the love of her life, things go from bad to worse.

You’ll have to read Courting Calla for yourself to find out if blue skies return for Ian and Calla. You won’t be disappointed. In fact, I think you should enjoy it this summer with a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade for a refreshing afternoon all around.

By the Book: Great stories and cool drinks are wonderful for refreshing yourself after a long week. But don’t forget you need times of spiritual refreshing too. While you may enjoy the ministries God has brought into your life, they still demand time, energy, and focus. Giving without taking time to recharge isn’t good for you or for those you’re ministering to. Find a quiet place to meditate on a favorite Psalm. Follow it up with your favorite praise music and a time of thankful prayer.

Check out Courting Calla for yourself: