Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 23

The Benefits of Seeking God

The past couple of weeks have been a doozy.

We spent a week travelling to and from Arkansas for the purpose of trying to find our next home. On the way back, I started to feel that tell-tale tickle in my throat that turned into a nasty chest cough. We also hit a snowstorm that stranded us in Oklahoma for a few days. Finally we arrived home to preparations for the CROSSROADS Cover Reveal Party and another showing of our current house to prospective leasers/buyers, as well as a couple of family mini-crises.

The whole situation once more reminded me of this journey we call life. But more than that, it reminded me that for those who place their lives into the hand of God in whole-hearted seeking of Him with extreme trust and obedience, we do not walk alone.

The great I AM is with us.

The following verse–though short in verbiage–is grand in scope:

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. ~Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

Our Goal is to Please Him

First and foremost on this journey, we simply must make it our life’s purpose to please Him. He is our Lord and Master; we are His servants. In our particular situation, it would be so easy to take matters into our own hands. Like Abraham and Sarah, we are at that in-between place of a yet-unrealized promise.

The promise is there, but the events to make the promise a reality have not yet fallen into place. That golden carrot is dangling before our nose as a test to see if we will wait on God or try to do it ourselves. (Our DIY mentality is a whole other blog post!)

Also as a test of our ability to wait on Him are the expectations of others. One of my particular personality traits is that of people-pleaser. I want to meet the expectations of others. I want them to like me. Though this can be a very good thing, it can also be a test to see if pleasing God means more than pleasing man. That’s why this verse has always been one of my personal favorites: For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

To Please Him Requires Faith

While our God deals in possibilities rather than impossibilities, there is one thing that is impossible. Without faith, we cannot please God. In fact, it is so important that Hebrews 11:6 contains two key phrases to reiterate this truth. The first is straight and to the point: “without faith it is impossible to please Him.”

The second just rephrases this truth: “must believe that He is.”

Further reading of Hebrews 11 gives example after example of patriarchs of the faith who demonstrated trust in God–Abel, Noah, Abraham, Enoch, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel–with many more since then who have followed in their steps.

There is no other way to please Him but a life of complete faith in Him to hear and answer our prayers, to move in His will and timing, to provide for our needs, to use our puny lives to bring honor and glory to Himself.

To Have Faith Requires Seeking Him

To claim God as the object of our faith and then spend no time seeking Him is pure foolishness. In fact, I believe with all my heart that He puts in tight places at times to monitor our response.

Are we truly willing to live by faith in Him when we see no current evidence that He’s working? Will we wait for Him to move instead of taking matters in our own hands? Will we be obedient to what we sense Him telling us to do? Will we seek Him and His ways rather than our own selfish desires? Will we worry and be anxious and afraid, or will we rest in Him?

And how we seek Him is important as well. God has given us His Word to reveal Who He is and to strengthen our faith. Through searching Scripture we are also seeking God.

Another avenue He has given us is prayer. The older I get, the more I realize the joys of not just praying to make my wants known, but earnestly seeking what He wants. To spend just as much time (if not more!) listening as I do talking.

What a beautiful pleasure and treasure we miss when we don’t take the time to ask, seek, and LISTEN!

Seeking Him Requires Extreme Obedience

In my personal quiet time with the Lord each morning, I am currently reading through the account of the wilderness wanderings of the young nation of Israel. Page by page and story by story, I’m reminded that our obedience to God is not only important, but critical.

To say we believe Him and put our trust in Him to lead and provide, but then turn around and do our own thing is dangerous! For instance, how many times did God punish the people for grumbling and complaining? And yet words of complaint often take root in my heart and thoughts and leak out in my words.

Even Moses–the  patient saint that he was–stumbled. He struck the Rock (who was Christ; see 1Corinthians 10:1-4) in anger, and it cost him the opportunity to enter the Promised Land with the people he put up with for over forty years.

Over and over in these stories about the nation God had delivered from slavery, God patiently teaches His children about His holiness and His expectations for behavior.

Our obedience is obviously important to God, so in seeking Him, it should also be important to us.

Seeking Him Brings Reward

Hebrews 11:6 concludes with these words: “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” This is yet another facet of faith. We not only believe that He is, but that He rewards those who seek Him.

How does He reward us?

First, He rewards us with a closer relationship to Him. If we truly seek Him with all our hearts, we can’t help but draw closer to Him. His words to Abraham in Genesis 15:1 confirm this truth: “I am your shield and exceeding great reward.” This is also confirmed in Jeremiah 29:13, which stresses the importance of whole-hearted seeking: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Secondly, I believe He answers us by moving on our behalf to bring about deliverance for us and glory for Himself. God has always been about redeeming mankind. That doesn’t stop with us. He saves. He delivers. He sees. He knows. He remembers. He moves.

In short, He is able.

In Conclusion

In summary, here are the key points of this devotional post:

Life is a journey, and God walks with those who put their faith in Him.Our life’s purpose is to please God.Pleasing God requires faith.Faith requires that seek after God and His way.Seeking Him requires our desire for extreme obedience to our holy God.Seeking Him brings reward from the very hand and heart of God.

Lord God, thank You for who You are. Thank You for dwelling among us and drawing us into closer relationship with You. Thank You that even our faith is a gift from You. Help us seek You with all our hearts, live our lives for the purpose of pleasing You, and accept Your plan for our lives with complete trust and obedience. We love You, and thank You for loving us first and best. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Story Behind the Cover of CROSSROADS (& a Limited-Time Special Offer)

In case some of you were unable to attend the CROSSROADS Cover Reveal Party, here’s the cover for the next Miller’s Creek novel!

How I Arrived at This Particular Cover

I lucked into the picture for the cover.

A friend sent photos that a friend of hers had taken and wondered if I could use them for a cover. As soon as I saw the church steeple in one photo, I knew that it perfectly fit the storyline for CROSSROADS.

I contacted Debbie King (the lady who took the original photo), and she was kind enough to give her consent to use the photo for a book cover.

As we know, a crossroad can be a place where believers lift high the cross of Jesus and bear it in following Him. It can also be a place of decision where one makes the choice to accept by faith the work of Jesus on the cross as the payment for their sin.

Both of these scenarios take place within the story.

I superimposed a road map of Texas to further carry through the idea of crossroads.

For the title, I chose a blood red to signify the shed blood of Jesus, and the font for the title is very uneven and jagged. I tried ‘prettier’ fonts, but they just didn’t seem to fit the story as well.

I created a jigsaw puzzle of the book cover. If you’d like to try your hand at the puzzle, you can find it at: http://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0a9dfdfd125f 

Free Sample Download

I’ve shared the first chapter in other blog posts, but thought I’d also make it available to you as a free PDF file download. To download the first chapter, click here: CROSSROADS Chapter 1 (PDF file).

Ridiculously-Low Pre-Order Price (Limited Time Offer)

In case you missed the party, I wanted to let you know that for a brief time you can pre-order the Kindle version of CROSSROADS for only 99-cents! Here’s the link to snag your copy while the price is low: http://bit.ly/CRKAA

My purpose for pricing the book low to start off with is not only to give my reader friends the chance to buy the book for a low price, but also to catapult the book into best-seller territory to improve its visibility in the marketplace.

This means taking a lower paycheck, but it’s totally worth it to the get this story into the hands of readers.

As I write this post, CROSSROADS is on the Amazon Kindle Best-Seller list, on the Amazon Hot New Releases list, and in the top hundred in three different categories. When that happens, Amazon makes the book more visible to potential customers.

(Sorry for that lengthy and boring description, but hopefully it gives you an idea of just how difficult it is for a book to get noticed in a never-ending sea of books!)

Thanks so much for your support of me and the Miller’s Creek novels. Praying you’ll receive a blessing from the story.

Happy Reading!
Cathy

P.S. Stay tuned for news about the upcoming blog tour and launch party for CROSSROADS. More free books, other prizes, and even a Kindle Fire HD6 giveaway!

Which CROSSROADS Character Are You?

I used a new-to-me site called Qzzr to create this quiz for the CROSSROADS Facebook Cover Reveal Party (March 5, 2015; 7:00-8:30 p.m. CDT; RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/14015...). I decided to share it on the blog since I needed to have a place to embed the quiz.

So if you’re arriving via blog e-mail or RSS feel free to enjoy the quiz, but I hope you’ll also come to the party!

If you’re arriving from the party, take the quiz, note your results, then head back to the party to let us know which CROSSROADS character you are!

Don’t Miss This Party

Hi everyone! Just wanted to send out a quick reminder about Thursday night’s Cover Reveal Party for CROSSROADS. The party takes place on Facebook from 7:00-8:30 Central time. The evening promises lots of fun with games and prizes, which include: Amazon gift cards, autographed print copies of the Miller’s Creek novels, eBooks of the MC novels, as well as Miller’s Creek t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, pens, and bookmarks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven’t RSVPed for the party yet, you can do so here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1401546230148550/

I’ll reveal the cover of CROSSROADS, the next Miller’s Creek novel, which tells the story of a bitter single mom and atheist and the ex-soldier who battles for her soul. You can find out more about the book here: http://www.catbryant.com/books/crossroads/

At the time of the party, the Kindle version of the book will also be made available for pre-order for a ridiculously low price of 99-cents. I’m not sure how long I’ll leave the price so low, so snatch up your copy ASAP. Please feel free to share this special pre-order price with others who also enjoy Christian romance. And while you’re at it, invite them to the Cover Reveal Party. One of the prizes is for the person who invites the most people in attendance.

See you there!

Do You Mind Sharing?

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you’re staying warm. As I write this post our current temp is around 13 degrees–brrrrrr!

As we gear up to make a move across four states at the same time that I hope to launch the next book in the Miller’s Creek novels, I have a HUGE favor to ask.

One of the most difficult parts of my job as an author is to spread the word about upcoming book releases. Alone my efforts are pretty puny, but with the help of other folks the news gets spread a lot further.

So if you get the chance would you mind sharing some of the following on your social media channels? (And if these don’t suit you, please feel free to adapt these or create your own.) I greatly appreciate your help!

Pins and Pics

Here are a few pics to pin on Pinterest. The easiest way to make sure you get the pin you want is to right-click the picture, save to your computer, then download directly to the site. You can also click the Pinterest share button below this post. As we get closer to book launch day and as early reviews start to roll in, I’ll create some more of these pics to share. (BTW, these can also be shared on Twitter, Facebook, Google , Tumbler, LinkedIn, etc.)

Tweets and Updates

Rather than use my normal ‘Click to Tweet’ boxes, I decided to just write a few sample tweets below for you to copy and paste. Again, feel free to adapt them as needed. (I would’ve used the ‘Click to Tweet’ boxes, but they automatically put a link back to this particular post. Instead, I’ve used a shortened URL that leads them directly to the books page on this website. Some tweets may also have a Twitter pic about the book as a second link.) If you’ll tag me in your tweets (@Cathy_Bryant), I’ll definitely re-tweet! (Just a reminder: if you put my name at the front of the tweet, it will go only to me. To fix this, simply add a ‘.’ to the beginning of your tweet before my handle.) These can also be posted to Facebook, Tumbler, Google , etc.

CROSSROADS-new #MillersCreek book-releases April 2015. #ChristianRomance Read free chapter: bit.ly/CRcatbry pic.twitter.com/30wW994ret

Bitter atheist vs ex-soldier who battles for her soul. CROSSROADS #ChristianRomance #MillersCreek Free chapter: bit.ly/CRcatbry

CROSSROADS Cover Reveal Party w/$50 Amazon GiftCard #ChristianRomance RSVP/Enter: bit.ly/CrossroadsCRP pic.twitter.com/xPnkdGiuF5

Christian bloggers – CROSSROADS virtual book tour. #ChristianRomance #MillersCreek novel by @Cathy_Bryant Apply here: http://goo.gl/forms/PajxvYGsOQ

CROSSROADS Book Launch Party Apr30 on FB. #ChristianRomance #MillersCreek RSVP/Enter: http://bit.ly/CrossroadsLP pic.twitter.com/gjAxAMlmKK

Free chapter of CROSSROADS #MillersCreek #ChristianRomance at bit.ly/CRcatbry What will it take to turn her back to God?

Videos

If you’re into videos, I have four links below that lead to YouTube videos. The first one is a video invite to the CROSSROADS Cover Reveal Party. The other three go hand-in-hand with some blog posts I wrote as I did the spiritual study for the book. They all ask (and answer) questions Christians often hear from non-believers. You should be able to share these links across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google , etc. (NOTE: I hope to add to the PROOF videos eventually. If I get that opportunity, I’ll update this post with the links.

Cover Reveal Party Invite Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcpzgFjumh4

PROOF: Why Does God Allow Evil?:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsjwCarM4ZU

PROOF: How Do You Know the Bible is True?:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YptMZYZC1U

PROOF: Does God Really Exist?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7fjhMWnHiM

CROSSROADS Post Links:

Here are a few blog post and website page links you can use as well:

http://www.catbryant.com/books/crossroads/

http://www.catbryant.com/contests/

Thank You!

Your help means so much. You are greatly appreciated!

Sneak Peek at the New Book

Every day brings us one-step closer to the launch of the new book, CROSSROADS (sixth stand-alone book in the Miller’s Creek novels).

Update on the New Book

Beta readers and editors have the manuscript in hand. Some have already sent their suggestions, and changes have been made. In addition, advanced reader copies have been sent to reviewers. I still have a few digital review copies available, so if you’re interested in potentially reading and reviewing the book, please fill out this Google Form.

On March 5, 2015 we’ll celebrate the book’s cover reveal with a Facebook party. Click HERE to join the fun, RSVP, and enter the drawing for a $50 Amazon Gift Card. The book will also be made available for digital pre-order at that time, and a special giveaway for the book’s launch will be announced.

Next will come the book’s virtual tour through cyberspace April 7-30, 2015, culminating with a ginormous Facebook Launch Party. (You can RSVP for the fun and games and prizes HERE.) If you’d like to host the book on its virtual tour, please fill out this Google Form. (After contacting more potential reviewers, organizing the tour is my next order of business.)

Whew! Makes me tired just thinking of all the work that still has to be done!

And now–without further ado–here’s a sneak peak at the new book with the first chapter below. (Please remember that the book is still undergoing minor edits.)

Sneak Peak at the New Book – Chapter One

Out of pure reflex, Mara stiffened her right leg and stomped the brake pedal to the floor, tires a-screech against the asphalt as the undeniable odor of burning rubber reached her nose. She gritted her teeth, her breath in rapid spurts, and yanked the steering wheel hard to the right. Her clenched jaw relaxed just enough to spout words that had conglomerated in her sour-tasting mouth. “Please don’t let me run over this stupid animal.”

Just who did she think she was talking to? She shrugged. No one. Nothing. Thin air. Her salty lips had simply taken on a life of their own without permission. The new-to-her Cadillac Escalade finally bounced to a halt, and her body echoed the move.

Once her brain stopped sloshing around in her skull, Mara jerked her head to the left to see the armadillo–almost the exact color of the pavement–waddle nonchalantly through the bar ditch and under a barbed-wire fence. The squatty body animal disappeared behind the thick growth of mesquite, cedar, live oak, and clumps of prickly pear cactus.

She brought a trembling hand to her throat and willed her shallow breaths and racing heart to a slower pace. Yet another thing to adjust to in the small back-roads country town of Miller’s Creek.

Critters.

She sniffed at the still form of a black and white pile of fur in the road next to her. The rancid smell of squished skunk–who hadn’t fared as well as the armadillo–stung Mara’s nostrils, bringing tears to her eyes and wrinkles to the bridge of her nose.

Yeah, she’d experienced rural Texas before, but it had been years, her childhood a murky fog that took up residence in the distant recesses of her mind. Had she blocked out painful memories by imprisoning that part of her life behind lock and key?

Her gaze flitted to the dashboard clock, and set her into instant motion. “Oh no. Please no.” This couldn’t be happening. Not on a day when she actually had a prospective customer to help pay her bills and feed her family. She quickly released the brake and pressed the accelerator, the horses beneath the hood rapidly roaring to life and charging down the road.

Now she’d never make her four o’clock appointment with Carter Callahan. Of course it wasn’t as though he’d given her ample time to find him a house. He’d called right before lunch and said he needed a house, and then promptly ended the call with some mumbled excuse about being on duty and without giving any details as to what kind of property he wanted. Fearful that as a policeman on duty he had more important matters to deal with, she’d opted not to call back. Instead she’d spent her afternoon viewing possible properties to show him.

Mara quelled her anxious thoughts with a sip of warm and non-fizzy Diet Coke, the flat and tepid liquid leaving the after-taste of artificial sweetener on her tongue. She made a face and clunked the can into the console drink holder. Was this her third one today, or her fourth? She inched the accelerator closer to the floor.

At five minutes after four, she pulled up outside the building she’d leased from Otis Thacker, more proof of the number one rule in real estate. Location, location, location. Nestled between recently-renovated turn-of-the-century buildings on the picturesque town square, and boasting creamy-white Austin stone, cinnamon-colored cedar posts, and rustic tin roof, the place screamed central Texas. The perfect store front for her new business, one that needed to turn a profit. And soon.

The unlocked seat belt slipped from her fingers and clanked against the door as she scooped up her purse and manila file folders. She climbed from the SUV, glanced down the thick slab of elevated sidewalk, and slammed the door.

No sign of Carter Callahan.

Had he come and left already? More than a little disgruntled at the missed appointment and chance at a potential sale, she trudged to the door. At some point, she’d just have to bite the bullet and hire a receptionist for times like these, but with money so tight, it was hard to justify the expense.

Mara moved across the large open space dotted with office furniture she’d purchased at a hotel sale, and into her office, where she plunked the folders atop the granite-looking counter top behind her desk. Next she slung her suit-case-sized purse–an ironic microcosm of her hectic life–onto the desk, contents spilling from inside. She snatched up her eBay iPhone, and fingers ablaze, punched in Carter’s number, scrawled on a nearby pink sticky-note. The electronic beeps from her phone bounced off walls and oak floors.

“Police department.”

A disgusted sigh whooshed from her lungs. Not exactly who she’d hoped for. “Ernie? Is that you?”

“Yep. This Mara?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Sorry to bother you. I’m trying to reach Carter Callahan. Is he there by any chance?”

“Nope. Just left. Said he had a couple of errands to run.”

Hope ignited in her chest. Good. Hopefully he hadn’t forgotten her. But how much longer would she have to wait? “Did he happen to say what errands?”

“Something about paying the electric bill and stopping by the post office to mail a package.”

Her spirits instantly deflated. Okay, so maybe he had forgotten her. “If you happen to see him would you have him call me at the office?”

“Okey-dokey.” Ernie drawled out the words, Texas-style, right before the line went dead.

Mara eyed the clock. How could he be so inconsiderate of her time? Yeah, she’d been late too, but she’d dropped other things to get there as soon as possible. As the second hand of the clock ticked off the ever-fleeting time, she ticked off her to-do list for the rest of the day. Pick up Ashton from the daycare by five. Cram down a few bites of leftover goulash before the Miller’s Creek Talent Show rehearsal. Follow up on a few leads and hopefully line up showings for the next day. The rehearsal should be over by seven or seven-thirty, which would give them ample time for outdoor play, Kindergarten homework, and Ashton’s nightly bath before story time and bed. Then…

Her thoughts strayed to yet another evening by herself, and unexpected loneliness landed like a lead blanket. A solitary sigh escaped. She’d known being a single parent would be difficult. Had known moving to a new place to start a business would be challenging. But one thing she hadn’t taken into consideration was the mind-numbing isolation of interminable nights.

Mara gave her head a gentle shake, careful not to dislodge the rock hard hair-sprayed bun she’d crafted early that morning to keep her naturally curly hair in check.

Snap out of it, Mara.

Life in Miller’s Creek was certainly better than living with the man who no longer loved her. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. No use dwelling on it. Giving in to the Black Abyss would be counter-productive and foolish. She had to find a way to distract herself from the depression that threatened to swallow her alive.

From outside her office the front door bell buzzed, announcing a visitor. Carter hopefully?

Mara stood, wiped sweaty palms against her polyester skirt, pasted on her most brilliant business smile, and moved to the main office, her high heels clicking against the wooden floors. She extended a hand toward the larger-than-life man silhouetted against the backdrop of front plate-glass windows. “Hi, Carter. I’m Mara Hedwig. So nice to finally meet you in person.”

He engulfed her hand with both his bear paws, an equally large grin splayed on his scruffy-but-handsome face. “Hey, Mara. Sorry I’m late. Blame it on my crazy life.”

His crazy life? He had no idea what crazy was until he’d experienced just a fraction of the la vida loca she lived. She bit back a retort. “Well, we’d best get a move on it if we’re going to get to these houses I’ve lined up for us to see. Let me get my things.” She clicked back to her office, sipped a quick drink of her fourth Diet Coke, and grabbed the folder with Carter’s name scribbled on it, along with her purse and keys.

A few minutes later they stood outside on the sidewalk in the humid-hot dog days of a sizzling Texas summer as Mara locked up the building and moved toward the driver’s side of the Escalade. “We’ll go in my car.”

Carter released a low whistle as he folded his over-sized frame into the leather passenger seat. “Business must be good.”

Not exactly. But definitely the impression she wanted to make, and the reason she’d purchased this way-too-expensive gas-guzzler. According to the latest real estate how-to book she’d read, potential clients were drawn to perceived success.

Rather than responding to his comment, Mara smiled politely, clicked her seatbelt into position, and cranked the engine to a gentle purr. Two minutes later they pulled up outside the first place, a tiny frame house within easy walking distance of the town square and Miller’s Creek police department. She glanced at her expensive-looking knock-off wristwatch as she parked. If she could get him in and out of here in five to ten minutes, she might just be able to keep her five o’clock deadline. “Here’s our first listing. A one-bedroom, one-bath, detached home with a carport.”

Carter’s dark eyebrows met in the middle. Not a positive sign. “Don’t think this one will be big enough for me and my daughter.”

“Daughter?” Mara’s frozen smile melted from within, her stomach churning up bitter acid in response. “Sorry. You didn’t really give me a chance in our phone conversation to find out what you were looking for. I assumed you wanted a place for just you.”

He shook his head. “No. My teenage daughter Chloe lives with me now. The apartment complex we’re in isn’t ideal, and we’re beyond over-crowded.” His gaze focused somewhere down the street. “Didn’t know one teen-age girl came with so much paraphernalia.”

“Oh.” Mara pursed her lips, her brain clicking through options like a line of people at a Six Flags turnstile. “Well, if this one’s too small, we won’t even bother with it.” At least that would save some time. She opened his client folder and whisked through a few papers, quickly spotting the information she sought. “The next house I lined up is a two-bedroom, two-bath, probably more suited to what you’re looking for.”

Carter grinned to reveal even white teeth that practically sparkled against his tanned skin. He scratched his chin whiskers. “Sounds more like it. Definitely don’t enjoy sharing a bathroom with a teen-aged female. Don’t get a whole lot of mirror time anymore.”

Mara laughed as she pulled away from the curb. Like he needed mirror time. “Just so you know, I’m pretty sure the teenage girl doesn’t like sharing a bathroom anymore than you do.”

His charming smile and deep chuckle set off a strange twist in her stomach.

Okay, back to business. Now would be a great time to ask a few questions. “Other than the two beds and two baths, is there anything else you’re looking for?”

“Not really. All comes down to space and budget.”

Mara released a semi-silent sigh of relief as she turned a corner. Good. He’d brought up the money issue first. “How much are you wanting to spend?”

“I’d like to keep it close to what I’m paying for the apartment. Seven hundred a month.”

Quick calculations erupted in her head. Thirty year mortgage, twenty percent down. He’d be able to afford over a hundred thousand with no problem. A smile flickered inside and worked its way to her face. Which meant that after splitting realtor’s fees with the listing agent she could plop at least three grand in her almost-depleted bank account. “I’m sure we can find you something very nice for that amount.”

Carter’s eyes widened. “Really?” His tone held shocked surprise.

“Really.” Mara pulled up in front of house two and grimaced inwardly. Ugh. The old bungalow had definitely seen better days and was well under what he could afford. But this wasn’t a good way to impress a new client. Oh well, at least she could see what he liked and disliked about the place, info that would make further research all the easier.

They stepped from the vehicle at the same time and made their way down the narrow and crumbling sidewalk to a small stoop of a porch. Mara retrieved the key from the lock box with fumbling fingers, painfully aware that Carter used the time to scan the declining neighborhood. Rats! Yet another minus to add to his list of negatives about the place.

He stepped up beside her. “Well-established neighborhood. I like that. We don’t get too many calls from this part of town. I like that even better. Mostly older folks around here.”

Mara swung the front door open, filing his comments within compartments in her brain to add to her files later that night. “So you’d rather have friends for your daughter in the neighborhood?”

Carter’s face took on an indiscernible look. “Not really, but I guess it depends on the friends.” His tone held a trace of sarcasm.

Her eyebrows climbed despite her attempt to keep them down. Over-protective dad? Poor Chloe. Mara held one hand toward the tiny living space. “This, of course, would be your main living area, and it leads to an eat-in kitchen.”

Carter sauntered across the stained and tattered carpet to the kitchen, his eyes roving over every square inch. “More outdated than what we’re used to, but it’ll do.”

This time Mara locked her eyebrows in down position and forced her lips into a placid smile. Hello. Could he not see how horrible this kitchen was? No telling how many layers of grease coated the mustard-gold stove or what kind of creepy-crawlies lurked in darkened crevices. Not to mention the musty smell. Yeah, time to move on. “The bedrooms are this way.” She took off down the hallway, then flattened herself against the wall to allow his brawny build to pass by. “The first doorway on the left is the second bedroom, and across the hall is a bath.” If you could call the postage-stamp-sized bath a room.

He poked his head around the door frame of the pink-tiled bathroom and grimaced. “It’s a bit tight for me. And pink’s definitely not my color.” His gaze roved to the low shower head. “I’d have to chop myself off at the knees to fit under that thing.”

“This isn’t the master bath. Maybe it’s more your size.”

He scratched his head. “Maybe, but I’ll probably give Chloe the master. Trust me, she’ll need it for all her stuff.”

Mara traipsed to the master bedroom with the en suite bath. It wasn’t much bigger than the first.

Though Carter didn’t speak, she could tell by the turn of his lips that it wasn’t to his taste. “How big is the back yard?”

“Fairly large, actually.” She moved to a window and peered out the dust-covered blinds, then stepped aside for him to look. “It would give you plenty of space for entertaining.”

One side of his upper lip curled. “Ugh. Yard work. And just so you know, I’m not much into entertaining. Just need enough space for the dogs.”

She should’ve seen that one coming. He was definitely the dog type, which meant he definitely wasn’t her type. Not that she was on the market anyway. “So you’d rather have a small yard?”

“Definitely. Don’t mind yard work, but my free time is next to nil.”

She nodded. “I totally understand.” Understatement of the millennium. “Are you interested in this one at all?”

“Maybe. How much?”

“Well under budget at fifty-five.”

A puzzled expression clouded his face. “Fifty-five?”

“Yes. Fifty-five thousand. Is that a problem? I’m sure you’re pre-qualified for more than that.” She hesitated. “Aren’t you?”

His chuckle broke lose along with a sheepish grin. “Uh, I’m looking for a place to rent. Not to buy.”

Steam built in her ears and threatened to explode out the top of her head. Well. He could’ve at least asked if there were rentals available when he called. All this time she’d assumed he was looking to buy. And she’d make next to nothing on finding him a rent house. Her smile slipped, but she ducked her head and headed to the front door without comment.

Once she’d turned off the lights and secured the house, Mara hurried to the SUV with Carter right behind. She inched the speedometer needle a hair above the speed limit as they made their way to the final house for the day. What was the best way to broach this subject of rental houses? She cleared her throat and assumed her best business voice. “You should know that the next house I have lined up is also for sale. Sorry about the miscommunication, but my business revolves around sales. Since you didn’t mention rent houses, I assumed you wanted to purchase a home.”

“You don’t do rentals?”

She sent an apologetic smile. “Not at this point. And quite honestly, I think you might have trouble locating a rent house in a place the size of Miller’s Creek. Most people only rent when they become desperate and can’t sell their house.” She peered in the rearview mirror as she slowed to a stop at an intersection.

A heavy sigh sounded from the other side of the car. “Problem is, I don’t wanna buy. Chloe graduates next May, so I’ll more than likely move to a bigger place where there’s better pay. Need the extra income to send her to college.”

Mara pulled the SUV onto the shoulder of the road and braked to a stop, then turned to look at him squarely. Might as well end this now so she could get on with the next portion of her day’s crazy agenda. “So you don’t want to see the next house?” She sent a quick glance to the dashboard clock. Hopefully he’d take the hint. Already she was late in picking Ashton up from the daycare.

“You need to be somewhere?” One dark eyebrow cocked upward, reminding her of the furry caterpillars that had already made their appearance in the trees outside her front door.

“Not if you’re interested in buying this house.” Sometimes bluntness was the only thing that got through to this kind of guy. She bit back the urge to tell him how he’d wasted her time. Time she wanted–and needed–to spend with her daughter.

He considered her words. “I have an idea. Let’s swing through the Dairy Queen drive-thru so I can pick up a burger. I missed lunch, and my stomach thinks my throat’s been cut. Then we’ll hop on over to that other house. Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and buy a house.”

His first words had generated an automated response of ‘you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me’ in her brain. Had he not followed them with the hint of a possible purchase, she’d be dropping him off and pronto. She gulped deep breaths of air to squelch her growing frustration at his devil-may-care attitude. Okay, she could do this. After all, she was a mom, right? She’d grab some chicken nuggets for Ashton at the DQ to save time. Not the healthiest meal, but on their tight time frame it would have to work. Another plan hatched in her mind, and a triumphant grin landed on her lips. And the daycare was on the way to the next house, so she might as well pick Ashton up on the way.

Ten minutes later, the SUV now flooded with the smell of fast food–Mara pulled back onto the highway as Carter noisily dug around in the bulging white paper sack. He pulled out a small white box with red lettering and sat it on the console between them. “Here’s your chicken nuggets.”

“Oh, they’re not for me. They’re for my daughter. Her day care is on the way to the next house, so I’m going to pick her up. Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” He spoke the words through swollen cheeks, much like a squirrel during nut season, his voice muffled by the wad of burger in his mouth. As they pulled up outside the daycare, Carter stuffed in the last morsel of his double-patty burger with bacon and cheese and licked his fingers with a slurping sound.

Mara ignored his caveman manners, put the vehicle in park, and killed the engine.

Carter lifted his gaze. “Hey, this is Mama Beth’s daycare.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Mind if I go in with you?”

A wild chase of panic and frustration erupted inside. Would they ever get through this house showing? “Sure. Why not?” A dead-pan tone crept into her voice as she exited the Escalade and hurried to the front door to punch in her security code. A second later they entered the sprawling ranch house which had been converted to a daycare, each room set up for various activities especially geared to preschool-aged children.

Dani Miller rounded the corner of the hallway, a baby on her right hip. “Hi, Mara.” Then she looked past her to Carter. “Well, what are you doing here, big guy?” She eased around Mara to give him a sideways hug.

Carter laughed, a rich melodious sound that echoed through the space. “Mara’s showing me some houses, but wanted to stop and pick up her daughter. So I thought I’d come in and say hi.”

A strange calculating twinkle developed behind Dani’s big blue eyes. “Ah, I see. Y’all follow me. The kids are outside.”

A minute later they stood in the fenced-in play yard beside Mama Beth, who looked out over the handful of children yet to be picked up. Ashton leaned against the elderly woman’s right side.

Mara knelt in front of her daughter and enveloped her in a hug. “Guess what I have waiting for you in the car?”

Ashton smiled a tiny smile, the fatigue of the day resting in her eyes. “What?”

“Chicken nuggets from Dairy Queen.”

Instead of being happy about the uncommon treat of fast food chicken nuggets, her daughter pointed to Carter. “Who’s that?”

Mara latched on to her daughter’s finger and pulled downward, then rose to her feet. “Don’t point, sweetie. It’s impolite. I’m showing Mr. Callahan some properties.”

Mama Beth made eye contact. “Can I speak with you just a moment before you go?”

Did these people not realize her stretched-to-the-max schedule? “Certainly. Go get your things together, Ashton. I’ll be inside in a second.”

“I’ll help.” Carter winked at Ashton and elicited a contagious giggle from the little girl. The two headed inside where Dani still cared for the bed babies.

Concern hovered in Mama Beth’s blue eyes as she laced her fingers in front of her. “I don’t mean to make you worry, Mara, but I’m a little concerned about Ashton.”

Mara’s heart stopped momentarily, then resumed beating at a quicker pace. “Why?”

“She’s just been so tired when she gets off the school bus. Today she curled up in a corner and went to sleep, even with the other children playing and making noise.”

Mara kept a straight face. “Kindergarten’s a big change for her. I’m sure that’s all it is.”

“Well, you’d be the one to know.” The woman didn’t sound convinced. “I just wanted to make you aware.”

“Thank you.” Mara laid a hand on Mama Beth’s arm. “I appreciate you looking after her so well. I’ll definitely keep an eye on her.”

This seemed to satisfy the older woman, so Mara said her good-byes and hurried inside.

Carter and Ashton stood near the front door, unaware of her approach. With her typical child-like curiosity and grown-up demeanor, Ashton cocked her head to one side and looked up at Carter. “Are you going to be my new daddy?”

“Ashton!” Mortified, Mara hurried down the hallway to her daughter’s side, grabbed the heavy backpack from her arms, and took hold of her hand. “Sweetie, let’s not ask people that question, okay?”

“Why not?”

Mara stepped outside to the vehicle, then opened the back door for Ashton to crawl in. “Because it’s not polite or relevant.” Once her daughter was securely buckled in, Mara slid into the front seat, unnervingly aware of Carter’s amused gaze latched onto her every move. Without giving him the satisfaction of acknowledging his amusement, she handed the box of chicken nuggets to the back seat, started the car, and backed out of the parking lot.

The car grew more quiet and awkward with each passing moment. And even worse, it was becoming all-too-apparent that she was hopelessly lost. On today, of all days. Had she missed a turn?

“Where is this place anyway?” Carter whispered the words, almost as though afraid of igniting her already-short and frazzled fuse.

Mara yanked the steering wheel sharply to the right, careened the car off into the grass at an intersection in the middle of nowhere, threw the gear shift into park, and reached for her county map. How could she have been so stupid not to get the location firmly fixed in her mind before bringing a client? “I think we’re on the right road. And why are you whispering anyway?” The words belted out of her mouth as she slid her right index finger across the map to locate the road she needed.

“Ashton’s asleep.” His voice still in whisper mode, he nodded his head and left thumb toward the back seat.

She pulled down the rear view mirror. Sure enough, Ashton’s head lolled to one side, eyes closed, the unopened box of chicken nuggets clutched in her hands.

Alarms rang in Mara’s head and heart, but she quickly pounded them into submissive silence. Nothing to be overly-concerned about at this point. She sent a weak smile Carter’s way. “Must’ve had a busy day at school. Probably just missed her nap.” Without waiting for his response, she turned her attention back to the map.

“What road are you looking for? Maybe I can help.”

Mara checked the folder for the address. “Um…County Road 2142.”

A cheeky grin appeared on his face. “Other side of town.” He pointed to the map. “We should’ve turned left instead of right.”

Ugh. Fifteen minutes in the wrong direction? Mara semi-folded the map and tossed it to the floorboard. “Sorry. I’m still learning these back roads.” She adjusted the rearview mirror to check for traffic, put the car in gear, and whipped around to drive the other direction, still battling panic at the sight of her sleeping daughter’s paler-than-normal face.

“No prob. Maps can be confusing.” Carter’s sincere tone calmed her frayed nerves.

Twenty quiet minutes later, they drove onto a dirt driveway of a small rock house. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed what Mara expected.

Ashton was still asleep.

Now what should she do? “Um, I can let you in the front door to look at the place while I stay outside with her.”

A frown pulled his dark brows together. “Why don’t you just let me carry her? I don’t mind.”

Mara nodded her okay and moved to the back door to release Ashton’s seat belt. Carter leaned in from the other side, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. He easily lifted her little girl from the seat. Ashton stirred momentarily, then rested her head on Carter’s thick shoulders, her strawberry blond waves bright against his dark shirt.

Mara swallowed back a sudden onslaught of emotions and hurried up the front porch. Thankfully the lock box cooperated, and in a minute’s time they entered the house, soft snores sounding from Ashton. The living room, though large, smelled of dust from months of disuse. Mara wrinkled her nose. “A little smelly.”

“Just needs to be aired out.” Carter’s dark eyes scanned the space as he carefully cradled her daughter in his arms. “Really hadn’t thought about a house in the country, but I like the space. And the peace and quiet.”

“If your daughter drives, it would mean extra gas money each month.” She clasped her hands in front of the electric blue business skirt she’d donned early that morning. The one she couldn’t wait to exchange for a pair of sweat pants.

He nodded. “Good point. But let’s go ahead and check out the rest of the house while we’re here.”

“Of course.” Mara hurried him through the rest of the house, discreetly checking her watch as they entered the last bedroom. “You could use this for guests or a home office.”

“You need to be somewhere?”

Man, nothing escaped this guy. He must have eyes in the back of his head. “We have an event this evening, but business comes first.” She injected a happy sing-song to her words.

Carter’s jaw clenched and pulsed. “Uh, no. Your family comes first.”

“I know that, but this is more important than what we have scheduled for this evening.” Sort of.

Without another word, and with disapproval oozing from his face, Carter strode from the room and down the hallway toward the front door, the old floors squeaking beneath his weight.

Questions rolled in her mind, but Mara followed and quickly locked up the house as she glanced over her shoulder toward the SUV.

With a soft tenderness Mara hadn’t expected from this over-sized, always-aware mixture of handsome jock and caveman, Carter gently set Ashton into the seat and secured her seat belt.

Unwanted feelings unleashed inside, wreaking havoc with her stretched-out nerves. In many ways, Carter was exactly the kind of man Mara would’ve wished as a daddy to her little girl. Not that it mattered. Life had proved that road a dead-end.

The trip back into Miller’s Creek was even more quiet than the trip out, this time with the added burden of Carter’s obvious disapproval sucking the oxygen from the vehicle. Anxiety-ridden thoughts pelted Mara’s brain, not just about Ashton, but about Carter Callahan. Had she somehow offended him?

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Special Deal on Amazon Kindle eBook

Of all the Miller’s Creek novels I’ve written–six to date–by far the most difficult to write was THE WAY OF GRACE. I agonized over the book, mainly because grace is just too important of a concept to mess up.

Difficult to Write, But Great Characters

In spite of the writing difficulty, the book remains one of my favorites–mainly because of the two main characters. Of all my Miller’s Creek heroes, Matt Tyler is hands’ down my favorite because he reminds me so much of my true-life hero. Laid back and easy-going, with a quick wit and heart of gold, Matt just latches on to reader’s hearts.

And I have to say that of all my characters, male or female, Gracie is the one who changes the most through the course of her story. Though searching for her definition of the perfect life, reality soon deals her a blow that can’t help but change a person.

And the villain of the story still creeps me out.

Follow Cathy Bryant, Christian writer’s board THE WAY OF GRACE on Pinterest.

The spiritual themes of all the Miller’s Creek novels are precious and special to me, but none so much as the theme of grace that winds through the ages like a scarlet thread in a God-woven tapestry.

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about the story: “A mark of great Christian fiction, is to not just tell a story, but to get across some truth or encouragement, and this book did just that in a great way. Grace is in the title of the book, and is a major theme of the book. Woven throughout the book amid dialogue and interactions, the message of grace came through loud and clear, and in a non-preachy way.”     –Mark B.

Details About This Special Deal

The special deal, effective February 16-22, 2015, is that you can get the Amazon Kindle version of the book for only 99-cents.

For those of you who haven’t yet read THE WAY OF GRACE, a Christian romantic suspense rated at 4.7 stars by Amazon reviewers with over 80 five-star reviews, here’s the synopsis:

Gracie Soldano, a justice-seeking perfectionist fresh out of law school, dreams of a perfect life in her hometown of Miller’s Creek, Texas. How could it be possible that the perfect man–who just happens to be her handsome colleague–expresses an interest in someone like her? But then an old boyfriend shows up with his kind heart and less-than-perfect persona, warning her away from the new love interest and meddling with her notions of perfection.

In a cruel twist, a fall at the hands of manipulative people leaves Gracie teetering between vengeance and grace. In an attempt to help those who seek her destruction, she’s inadvertently caught in the cross-fire of a personal vendetta, and in a split-second her perfect dreams disintegrate in a heap of ashes. Can she–especially in the face of life-altering circumstances–bestow on her enemies the grace and mercy God has lavished on her?

Click Here to Read or Download the Prologue & First Chapter

 

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Love Letter From Father God

(I don’t know who originally compiled this. I’ve had a copy in my Bible for years and decided to share it with you. There’s no attribution on my copy, though the words come from God. I found several videos with mostly the same text on YouTube, one of which I shared at the bottom of this post. Hope this blesses your heart! He loves us!)

The words you are about to experience are true.

They will change your life if you let them, for they come from the very heart of God.

He loves you, and He is the Father you’ve been looking for all your life.

This is His love letter to you.

My child,

You may not know Me, but I know everything about you. -Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. -Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. -Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. -Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in My image. -Genesis 1:27

In Me you live and move and have your being. -Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. -Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. -Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. -Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book. -Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. -Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. -Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. -Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. -Psalm 71:6

I’ve been misrepresented by those who don’t know Me. -John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. -1John 4:16

And it is My desire to lavish My love on you. -1John 3:1

Simply because you are My child and I am your Father. -1John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. -Matthew 7:11

Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand. -James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. -Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. -Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. -Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. -Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. -Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. -Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul. -Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. -Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me. -Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in Me and I will give you My desires. -Psalm 37:4

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. -Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. -2Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. -2Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. -Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. -Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. -Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you’ve suffered on earth. -Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My Son, Jesus. -John 17:23

For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed. -John 17:26

He is the exact representation of My being. -Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. -Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. -2Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. -2Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you. -1John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved for you. -Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of My Son, Jesus, you receive Me. -1John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from My love. -Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party Heaven has ever seen. -Luke 15:7

I have always been and will always be Father. -Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is, will you be My child? -John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. -Luke 15:11-32

Love,

Your Father

Why Reviews Are So Important to Authors (And a Call Out to Bloggers/Reviewers)

Whew! I’m breathing a bit easier now that I’ve completed all my rounds of edits and re-writes to CROSSROADS, the next story in the Miller’s Creek novels. The book is now in the hands of beta readers/editors, whose eyes will catch those ‘oopsies’ my weary brain skimmed over.

That doesn’t mean my work is over. Not by a long shot.

As I make corrections and consider suggestions, I’m also very much in what I call book pre-launch mode. This involves many things (especially in the face of an upcoming move)–creating blog tour materials, setting up the cover reveal party and the book launch party (including prizes, writing the script, fun games/party ideas, etc.), formatting the book for print and eBook, writing the companion Bible study (tentatively called PROOF: KNOW & BELIEVE), submitting CROSSROADS for pre-order, and the most important of all, rounding up bloggers/reviewers.

Why is that the most important part of the pre-launch process? Because reviews are critical to the success of a book, especially at launch time.

Reviews – The World We Live In

As more and more people do their shopping online, product reviews are more important than ever. When I’m in consumer mode, I strongly rely on the ratings and reviews of a product in purchasing decisions. And I have the feeling I’m not alone.

It’s not just the reviews themselves, but also the quality of reviews and ratings for the book, that are a make-it or break-it proposition.

I’ve learned that one bad review at the wrong time of the book launch process can seriously hinder not only sales, but also whether or not publicity-type websites will accept the book for promotion spots.

Reviews – My Tips on Writing Reviews

One of the first things I did when launching into the wonderful world of writing was to set up a book review and author interview site. That blog, WordVessel, is no longer in operation, but holds a special place in my heart for teaching me so much about blogging, reviewing, and writing. Here are the ‘writing reviews’ tips I picked up along the way:

Be honest.
Be kind.
Tell what you liked about the book, and how it helped you.
Tell what you didn’t like about the book.
Don’t over-sell with too much hype and too many exclamation points. (This can make a review appear unbelievable.)
Tell why you would or wouldn’t recommend the book.
Realize that your review is your subjective opinion.
Post the same review in multiple places (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc. Books need all the publicity they can get to compete in a glutted market.)

I know some of these bullet points might surprise you, especially the one about telling what you didn’t like about the book. Here’s why I think that’s important. First of all, even on books we love, there is usually something we wish had been more pronounced in the story. Maybe it’s an unlikable character whose motives we don’t fully understand. Maybe it’s a thread in the story that never was wrapped up. The list could go on and on.

Honestly, those negatives not only help potential readers/buyers, but they also help authors improve their craft.

BUT…please be kind in how you express those things about the book that you didn’t like. Authors spend hundreds (if not thousands) of hours on planning, writing, re-writing, and editing a story. One unkind and thoughtless review can negate all those hours of hard work.

Bloggers/Reviewers – Want a Chance to Review Crossroads?

I’m getting ready to send out Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) of CROSSROADS to bloggers/reviewers. Please understand that ARCs are NOT the final copy of the story, and minor errors should not negatively affect your review. With beta readers/editors (and me!) still at work polishing the story, an ARC just gives authors the chance to get reviews for the book before the launch so buyers can read reviews once the book is available.

Here’s a little about the book for your consideration to see if it’s one you might be interested in reviewing:

CROSSROADS – (the sixth stand-alone novel in the Miller’s Creek novels; Christian contemporary romance)

After a devastating divorce, a bitter single mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. And her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her beliefs about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?

An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house-search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?

I’m inviting up to 50 bloggers/reviewers to review CROSSROADS on their blog and receive an extra copy they can give away to their readers. (NOTE: Because of costs involved, I only have a limited number of print copies for reviewers and giveaways, and these are only available to the blogs with the highest traffic and readership. In addition, print copies are only available for those in the US. On the other hand, I have an unlimited supply of digital copies of the book available, and in whatever format you prefer–Kindle, Nook, PDF, etc.–and these are available internationally.)

Here’s how you could win two free copies of CROSSROADS:

Apply here via the form below by February 28, 2015. ( You can also click this link to apply –same form, but in a separate window.)
Agree to review the book between when you receive it and April 30, 2015. (If prior commitments won’t allow you to review the book by April 30th, please fill out the form anyway, and just leave your explanation in the appropriate text box.)
Don’t have a blog? No worries. You can still be added to the list of possible reviewers by filling out the form below.

I’ll review the entries, select the bloggers/reviewers who’ll receive copies of CROSSROADS, and contact them via e-mail. Please note that I will also be reaching out to bloggers and reviewers who have reviewed prior Miller’s Creek novels, as well as blogs with large readerships, but I will also ask them to fill out this form.

NOTE: For everyone interested in serving as a blog tour host, please fill out the separate Google Docs form found here. (I’ll have a separate blog post for the Virtual Book Tour of CROSSROADS at a later date.)

OOPS! I almost forgot to mention that all blog tour hosts and reviewers will be entered in a separate drawing for a $15 Amazon gift card (NOT to influence your review or post, but as my way of saying ‘thank you’ for all you do not just for me, but several Christian authors).

Thank you all so much! Words can’t express my gratitude at your willingness to read and review CROSSROADS. I appreciate you!

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The Remarkable Journey of Life

The older I get, the more I’m reminded that life isn’t static. Instead it’s like a river–constantly moving, constantly changing–always moving forward.

It’s a journey.

Photo via Wikipedia

All the Miller’s Creek novels bear witness to life’s ever-moving journey, with words like roads, path, way, pilgrimage, and bridge. And journeys always require faith, especially when we can’t see the way, but sense God calling us onward anyway. Remember the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where he has to cross over a deep ravine? What looks like a plunge to certain death is really a bridge that tests his faith.

Examples of Remarkable Journeys of Faith

Thankfully, God’s Word also bears witness to the remarkable journey of faith.

The examples that come most readily to mind are the journeys of the young nation of Israel (probably because my daily Bible reading plan has me in Exodus at the moment).

First of all, they had to leave in haste to follow an adopted son of Pharaoh-turned-murderer-and-escapee who insisted God told him to lead them out of slavery. Then they’re sandwiched between the quickly-advancing Egyptian army and the Red Sea, and witnessed once again the unstoppable power of God. They eventually arrived at a new land full of giants, but took on the grasshopper mentality of the majority, which resulted in a wilderness wandering for the next forty years.

Undoubtedly, life is a journey, and one that requires complete faith in God and obedience to Him if we are to maneuver successfully.

The ‘No Sense’ Aspect of Faith

What makes the journey of this earthly life especially remarkable is that often the step God calls us to make makes no sense according to worldly standards.

The Bible is full of example after example of this kind of faith.

Moses was called to return to a land where he was wanted for murder. Abraham was called to leave his father’s land and all he’d ever known to strike out for an unknown land of promise. Noah was called to build a humongous boat for a cataclysmic rain storm and flood when rain had most likely never been seen by earth’s inhabitants at that time. The disciples left their jobs and all they knew to follow a man who claimed to be the Messiah, but whose earthly life ended at a cross rather than a crown. Ananias was told to visit a man by the name of Saul (later Paul)–a man responsible for the arrests and deaths of those who followed the Way. (There are many more such examples, but for brevity’s sake I’ll stop for now.)

Our Current Step of Faith in Life’s Journey

I write all this to lead into my own remarkable journey. For several months now, Hubby and I have sensed God leading us back closer to family. We’ve prayed through and talked through this, and have finally reached a place of decision. He is stepping down from his position at the church we’ve been serving in Santa Fe, and in the next few weeks, we’ll make the move back closer to our family.

There are many things about this chapter of our journey that call for our utmost faith and obedience. First off, because our hearts’ natural desire is to be closer to family, we had to make absolutely certain that this was God’s plan and not our own. Secondly, because our house hasn’t sold, leased, or rented at this point, we have to make sure we’re not getting ahead of God. Another point of concern is Hubby taking early retirement to make this move when we’re both fifty-something.

From outward and earthly appearances this move makes no sense. Trust me, I get that in a very real and personal way. In searching for an analogy, I immediately thought of a diving board above the deep end of the swimming pool. But that analogy really doesn’t serve well in this case because of the buoyancy of the water and our ability to swim.

No. This is more like that deep chasm Indiana Jones faced. It’s a nerve-wracking, faith-testing, heart-pounding, blood-pumping, breath-stealing step of faith.

But it’s also what adds ‘remarkable’ to the journey.

We’ve been invited to a front-row seat to watch God work in remarkable ways. Already we see glimpses of confirmation that this is the move He is leading us to make. Fear of the unknown is replaced with calm assurance, peace, and joy. Our prayer lives, both individually and together, have grown by leaps and bounds as we seek Him and His way.

Don’t get me wrong. We don’t expect easy.

But we do expect God’s Presence with us. He whispers that and more to my heart on a regular basis.

I AM is with us. He loves us. He cares for us. He provides.

Please Keep Us in Your Prayers

Listed below are several prayer points. Thank you for interceding for us and others as we make this move.

Pray that we’ll keep our focus on God, not circumstances.
Pray for the precious people of the church we’ve been serving, that they’ll stay strong in the Lord and continually seek Him on their own remarkable journeys of faith.
Pray for the precious people of the church to which we’re returning, that together we might impact the world for Christ and encourage one another in the faith.
Pray for our current house to sell, lease, or rent according to God’s plan.
Pray for God’s wisdom in finding a new place to live. There are many factors involved in this decision, so pray for His will to be done.
Pray for all the details of a move like this, including timing and logistics. (Hint: 10 chickens, 3 rabbits, and a 75-pound German-Shepherd-who-thinks-she’s-a-Chihuahua who’d like to snack on afore-mentioned chickens and rabbits.)
Pray for my writing and launching a new book during this same time frame.

Dear Father, thank You for who You are–Sovereign LORD God Almighty, the great I AM–who leads us through this remarkable journey of life toward Your Heavenly Promised Land. Your plan and way is perfect. May we all keep our eyes firmly fixed on You in complete trust and obedience. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.