Kathy Harris's Blog, page 9

Elaine Stock ~ We Shall Not Shatter

Elaine Stock writes historical fiction that explores the themes of home, family, and friendships. Although multi-published in award-winning inspirational fiction, Elaine now writes novels for the general market.

We Shall Not Shatter is Book 1 of the Resilient Women of WWII Trilogy. Elaine’s grandparents, on both sides of her family, narrowly escaped World War II by immigrating from Poland and Austria to the US. Other extended family members remained in Poland to lose their lives in the Holocaust.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Elaine now lives in upstate, rural New York with her husband. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and a good book.

. . .

If someone asked you to describe yourself with one word, what word would that be?

Hopeful. At times, especially during recent years with what is happening on a world-level, it’s been discouraging, to say the least. Yet, I find it more difficult to surrender my hope in not only my efforts and dreams, but to believe in a better tomorrow because I know God is behind me all the way and at all times.

You’ve been writing since junior high school. How does your writer’s journey through the years look different than your writer’s dream? What has kept you on that journey?

During my school years I didn’t have a writer’s dream. I wrote because I enjoyed it. It was during my late twenties (after the passing of my mother, when for several reasons, I was saddened that she never accomplished anything more than personal gratification because she was a very talented and spirited woman who died quite young) that I learned that if I have a dream that I want to make happen, I had to begin a new phase, a journey, that would get me to my next goal of a pastime to publication on a professional level. That journey to publication was a long one! I believe it’s daily changing, still. What keeps me on the journey is that there are more stories waiting for me to share with others, plus, I admit, I enjoy challenging myself with creativity and learning.

Let’s talk about your new book, We Shall Not Shatter (Amsterdam Publishers, May 2022). Please tell us about it.

We Shall Not Shatter takes place in Brzeziny Poland in 1939 on the eve of WWII. It’s about two women, friends from the age of five. Zofia is Catholic and hearing and Aanya is Jewish and deaf. As the political climate is changing in Europe, society deems it’s not acceptable for people of two vastly different backgrounds to befriend each other. What more, being Jewish as well as deaf is seen by the growing Nazi influence as having two major strikes against you, tossing one into the category of sub-human. Tragically, we all know that in September of that year Germany invaded Poland; Brzeziny was no longer the mostly Jewish town and tailoring center of Europe. Its people were carted off to first ghettos and then the notorious butchering camps. However, I want to emphasize that the focus of We Shall Not Shatter centers around the friendship of these bold and courageous women who refuse to give up their dreams, and what they are willing to do for their families’ future.

Although fiction and non-autobiographical, the story was inspired by my own paternal heritage from Brzeziny. My grandfather, with his parents and (with one exception) siblings escaped the Holocaust by immigrating to New York. My grandfather was hearing, yet had several deaf siblings. The oldest child—my great aunt—was a teen at the time. In those years, because the US officially saw the deaf as a liability to the country, this child wasn’t permitted to enter the US whereas the other children, who were quite young, managed to circumvent the health inspections. My aunt remained in Brzeziny with older family members who didn’t immigrate. Sadly, she perished in the Holocaust. We Shall Not Shatter is my love-letter, my tribute, to one of the many towns and people who were destroyed during this tragic time.

What is the significance of the title?

Without giving too much away, because the title comes from a very poignant, crucial scene in the story, We Shall Not Shatter refers to a vow that Zofia and Aanya pledge each other and reflects the broken glass and lives, homes and businesses shattered and lost during Kristallnacht in 1938. It was during this time in Germany and Austria that the Nazis concerted violence and destruction against Jews.

Thanks, Elaine! It’s great to have you back at Divine Detour.

I thank you, Kathy, for inviting me back! I wish you the very best in the continued success of the publication of your novels, which I’m so happy for you.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Elaine, visit her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter .

To order We Shall Not Shatter, go to:

Janyre Tromp ~ Shadows in the Mind’s Eye

Janyre Tromp (pronounced Jan-ear) is an historical suspense novelist, who is no stranger to detours. She loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. She’s the author of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye and coauthor of It’s a Wonderful Christmas.

A firm believer in the power of an entertaining story, Janyre is also a book editor and published children’s book author. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband, two kids, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog.

. . .

What started you on your writing journey ?

Growing up I loved to read, and I was creative, but I wasn’t one of those kids that always wanted to be a writer. In fact I started college as a Chemistry major. I ended up changing my major to English basically because I hated labs and my mom suggested I do what I loved . . . and I love to read. True story.

Then I took a job in the marketing and publicity department of a publisher and kind of fell into editing. Now I’m a developmental editor for my day job. And one day my boss told me I should try my hand at writing. So I did and quickly published my three kids books. I took a few years’ break from writing after that to raise my kiddos. One night I quipped to my husband that I’d have to write a best-selling book so we could do all the things we wanted to do.

He laughed and said, “If you want to do it, you should.” So I wrote a book that still isn’t published and seven years later, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is making its way into the world.

Just as all good novels include a plot twist, the Author and Creator of our lives often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour” in your life?

Oh heavens. Have I ever experienced detours…

There have been long stretches of my life where I was all too familiar with debilitating fear. I still have occasional flashes from my childhood, the rush of adrenaline causing my pulse to pound and hands to shake. I was terrified to have kids, to be the one responsible for their physical/mental/emotional wellbeing. The last thing I wanted was for them to have the same problems I had. But, as one of my characters Dovie May says, “The best place for miracles is where we don’t fully believe, where our believing has run out.”

My husband, Chris, and his family, as well as my good friend, Sarah De Mey, and my mom (who worked hard to get help), have been amazing role models for me as I navigate what it looks like to raise emotionally healthy kids. And we were doing quite well.

Until in about eighteen month’s time, I had a major medical issue requiring surgery, my daughter tore her ACL, my son had recurring pneumonia, my husband had spinal surgery, the docs thought I had lupus, and then to cap it off, my daughter became increasingly ill. After months of visiting doctors to find out why my thirteen-year-old daughter was experiencing increasing abdominal pain, she collapsed at school. What followed was a living nightmare. Doctors found her abdominal cavity full of a fungal infection that quickly went septic. That was the first time we almost lost her. She was hospitalized seven times over a few months’ time and the doctors had no idea what caused her illness.

Months later, she’d lost more than forty pounds, and both she and I were wracked with nightmares, an inability to drive anywhere near the hospital, or be in a room with needles. To this day, I can’t smell rubbing alcohol without my body responding with panic.

On paper she should not have survived, and I can’t describe the immense fear that comes from the Pediatric ICU or a parade of doctors. My girl is doing great now, and she is one of the toughest kids I know. But boy does she have a soft heart for other kids who are suffering, and I can fully understand why someone might struggle with faith in a loving, all-powerful God.

Honestly I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I was a little more than halfway through finishing Shadows in the Mind’s Eye when my girl got sick. I don’t know that I could have done justice to my characters until I’d found the path to hope after my daughter had walked out of the hospital for the last time.

I’m enormously grateful for EMDR, my therapist, and the grace of God that much of my fear is gone.

Let’s talk about Shadows in the Mind’s Eye (Kregel Publications, April 2022). Please tell us about it.

A reviewer recently called Shadows in the Mind’s Eye a lyrical suspense, which kind of made me laugh because those two descriptions shouldn’t go together. But that’s actually a really good explanation of my style. It’s kind of Hitchcock mixed with book club fiction (complete with deep topics, beautiful writing, and a bit of romance).

The book is just post WWII about a husband and wife—Charlotte Anne and Sam Mattas. They were kind of that perfect, hardworking couple before Sam left their farm for the war in the Pacific. And all either of them wants is to go back to normal. Sam used to be the protector—secure and stable for Annie, who’d experienced some pretty terrible things. But when Sam arrives home in Spring of 1946, his battle fatigue has everyone questioning his sanity and her safety… especially after he nearly kills his brother, then claims to see men on the mountain where no else has seen them.

Are there really dangerous men on the mountain or is his twisted mind conjuring things that aren’t there?

In the tradition of Hitchcock with a hint of psychological thriller, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye explores the illness we now call PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and persistent love in a world determined to destroy it.

What led you to want to write this particular story?

This story actually began while talking to my grandparents over a glass of lemonade. My U.S. History professor had given us an assignment to talk to family about the Depression and/or World War II. Until that point, I’d had no real concept of what the war was like, either for the soldiers or their families back home. I guess I’d thought that the greatest generation slid back into life and easily became the loving people I knew my grandparents were in their 70s. When I discovered that wasn’t the case, I wondered how they had survived the fear and drastic changes.

Even though the book idea started with wondering how my grandparents’ marriage survived the pressure of war, the book isn’t biographical. So, I needed a setting other than my grandparents’ hometown. For the characters that I was building, I needed a small town. When one of my good friends told me she had an entire book of stories from her family in Arkansas, I jumped at the chance to read first-hand history.

Amongst the Hughes family stories, I acquired the basis for Dovie May and Hot Springs, Arkansas—home to the largest illegal gambling racket in the country.

Well, I don’t have to tell you that mobsters and illegal activity are an excellent backdrop for a story with a bit of suspense. The book The Bookmaker’s Daughter by Shirley Abbott confirmed that Hot Springs mobsters operated with full permission of the authorities. In Shirley’s stories, I also discovered the foundation for Charlotte Anne’s father. All of which gave me a location and a cast of characters that could stoke Sam’s fears and make everyone (including the reader) wonder whether or not he was crazy.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

My family loves Thai food. So that means there’s no complaining (a definite bonus when you have kids). But in general, there’s something for everyone and it can be spicy or tame depending on your preference. And there’s something fresh about the way my local place makes it.

What Bible passage or story best describes your journey of faith?

I’ve always had an affinity for Jeremiah. I wish I didn’t. He’s known as the weeping prophet. But there’s something so powerful about his doggedly searching for the truth regardless of what it costs. It encourages me in my journey to find truth and speak it.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I think I’m all of the above at different times. Because of my creative side, I tend to be a little bit of a chameleon—not in an “I’m trying to hide my true self” kind of way. More of a recognition that sometimes I need to kick tail and sometimes I need to take a back seat, acknowledge that I don’t know everything, and listen so I can learn. Usually this happens when my kids are studying algebra or precalculus. They are now officially smarter than me.

Seriously though, my kids will tell you that I’m pretty chill unless someone threatens them. Then I definitely slip into Terminator mode. But mostly I’m chill.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

I have an entire menagerie of pets. I ADORE critters of all kinds. Right now we have a Shetland Sheepdog, Odie, who was a rescue. He was two when we got him and was afraid of grass. Poor puppers hadn’t been outside much and still has some eccentricities from his probable abuse.

We have a bunch of saltwater fish in the basement right next to my desk. Those are mostly my husband’s. But I get the beautiful reef view.

Then we have two Balinese cats—Brave and Hope. These two adorable troublemakers came to us during my daughter’s illness. Both my kids are allergic to cats, but my daughter needed something to get her through a particularly awful medical test prep. She’d always wanted a cat. And Balinese cats are hypoallergenic.

They’re also typically hard to find with a huge waiting list. But we were able to pick them up on the way home from the hospital. My daughter named one Brave and my son named the other Hope. I’d say those are pretty appropriate names. Yes?

Thanks, Janyre! It’s nice to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.

Thank you for having me!

~ ~ ~

For more information about Janyre, visit her website and/or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

To order Shadows in the Mind’s Eye , log on to:

 

Danielle Grandinetti ~ A Strike to the Heart

For the first two decades of her career, Danielle Grandinetti worked in education, first as a piano teacher and then as a writing coach for middle and high school students. Her educational background includes an M.A. in Communication and Culture from Trinity International University, a B.A. in Communication from Louisiana Baptist University, and an A.A. in Biblical Studies from New Tribes Bible Institute, as well Apprentice, Journeyman, and Craftsman Level certifications from the Christian Writers Guild.

Reading and writing aren’t the only ways Danielle has experienced adventure. Short-term missions work has taken her to various countries—from Bolivia, Italy, and England to Uganda. And volunteer work with middle schoolers has taken her outside of her comfort zone, with activities that include whitewater rafting and zip lining.

The best adventure of all, according to Danielle, took her to eastern Wisconsin, where she lives on the shores of Lake Michigan with her husband, her two boys, and a Labrador puppy.

 

What started you on your writing journey?

I began writing in grade school. I vividly recall writing my first short story in second or third grade and I never stopped. I’ve always been an avid reader and loved the power of story.

Great novels almost always have a plot twist that makes the story even better. Have you ever experienced a real life “plot twist” or Divine detour that made your life better?

Most definitely. I was headed to Italy as a full-time missionary when God sent a plot twist. At a loss for direction, God flung open the doors to study writing in a cohort format. I’m still friends with my fellow writers from that time.

God threw another plot twist at me after my second child was born in early 2020. After twenty years in education, I couldn’t keep up with being a mom of two young boys, health issues, and the challenges facing students & teachers that year. A few months after I left my job, once again, God threw open the doors to writing when I received the contract for A Strike to the Heart.

Let’s talk about your new book, A Strike to the Heart (Heritage Beacon, April 2022). Please tell us about it.

She’s fiercely independent. He’s determined to protect her.

Wisconsin, 1933 — When a routine mission becomes an ambush that kills his team, Craft Agency sniper Miles Wright determines to find the persons responsible and protect the woman he rescued. But the fierce independence that led Lily Moore to leave her family’s dairy business for the solitary life of a dog trainer and the isolation of her farm don’t make that easy. Neither does his unwanted attraction to her. Meanwhile, escalating incidents confirm that she’s far from safe.

Lily fears letting the surprisingly gentle retired marine into her life almost as much as she fears whoever is threatening her. As Wisconsin farmers edge toward another milk strike, one that will surely turn violent, it becomes clear that the plot against Lily may be part of a much larger conspiracy. When the search for her abductor leads close to home, she must decide whether to trust her family or the man who saved her life.

A Strike to the Heart has two related novellas: To Stand in the Breach is the prequel novella and is currently available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other e-book retailers; As Silent as the Night is the Christmas novella, which will release in September 2022 and is now available for pre-order.

What was the inspiration for the main story?

A Strike to the Heart began as a contemporary romantic suspense, but when Wisconsin farmers were recently faced with low milk prices, I learned it wasn’t the first time that happened. The 1933 milk strikes provided the perfect setting to bring Lily and Miles’s story alive.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Dark chocolate. The darker the better and if it happens to have peppermint or candy cane chunks mixed in … it’s a piece of heaven.

Stories and/or parables are an integral part of both the Old and New Testaments. Is there a Bible story, parable, or passage that has been particularly important to you and/or describes your personal journey of faith?

I love how story plays such an important role in the Bible! For me, I often find myself in the Psalms because the authors echo so much of what is in my own heart at various times in my life.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I’ve always felt that I’m the girl next door, the friend who is the sounding board (which I’ve never felt to be a negative thing). But, when the popular boy wanted to marry me, I felt like my life turned into a real-life romance story.

Thanks, Danielle! It’s nice to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Danielle, visit her website and follow her on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram.

To order A Strike to the Heart, go to:

 

Shelia Stovall ~ Every Day Filled with Hope

The Making of a Novel

by Shelia Stovall

My new novel, Every Day Filled with Hope, is the second book in my Weldon, Kentucky series. The first reviews are in, and readers are delighted to reconnect with the locals in Weldon.

The main character in this book is former runway model Casey Bledsoe. For an exciting twist, I took the readers from the make-believe small town of Weldon to Niger, Africa, and back to Weldon. It was fun to put the most unlikely person on the mission field in one of the poorest countries in the world.

I’ve traveled to Africa seven times in the last decade, and most of those trips were to Niger. Like Casey, I’m probably the worst missionary ever, but I’ve learned that God can still use me if I’m willing to surrender and go. Each trip to Niger changed me and removed scales from my eyes. When I first went to Africa, I thought God’s purpose for sending me was to tell the Nigerians about Jesus. Perhaps God’s reason for sending me to Niger was to change me.

The news media paints West Africa as a hostile place. And perhaps it is, but I’ve never experienced hostility. Sadly, terrorists have spread throughout Niger, and today, it’s not safe for Westerners to travel outside the capital city of Niamey. However, the people I’ve met in the villages were kind and generous. When I stopped to visit, the women pulled out a mat and offered me a place to sit in the shade.

Something I noticed about the African women is they are always working. Their daily tasks include pounding millet, cooking over an open fire, and walking to the river or to a well to collect water. Usually, this is done with a baby strapped to their back. Still, they never rush, and as the women work together, there is much laughter.

While launching my new book and juggling my career and family demands, I felt like I was drowning. Sadly, I didn’t spend as much time with the Lord as is my normal habit, and that’s probably why I’m feeling more stressed than ever.

As I fretted about what I might share with you, this morning, these are the words that Jesus spoke to my heart. I hope they touch you as much as they did me.

Why are you fretting?

Peace, be still.

Your thoughts are streaming in many directions.

Peace, be still

You can’t fathom how much I love you, but you know I’m right beside you.

Peace, be still.

Breath in deeply and let My goodness push out all your worries.

Peace, be Still.

Trust me. All will be well.

Peace, be still

Sing praises to my name and I will lift you to the heavens.

Peace, be still.

My peace is there for all.

Peace, be still and know that I am God.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

About the Author

Shelia Stovall is the director of a small-town library in southern Kentucky, and it tickles her to see shocked expressions when folks learn she’s traveling to Africa—again. She’s the worst missionary ever, but God continues to send her to the ends of the earth. She and her husband, Michael, live on a farm with their two dogs. Spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, is her all-time favorite thing. The only hobby Shelia loves more than reading uplifting stories of hope is writing them.

For more information about Shelia, visit her website and follow her on Facebook.

To order Every Day Filled with Hope, go to:

 

Michelle Shocklee ~ Count the Nights by Stars

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Award finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two grown sons, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about .

. . .

If someone asked you to describe yourself with one word, what word would that be?

Adaptable. My husband and I work as estate caretakers, which means we’ve got to be ready and willing to do just about anything and everything the property owners ask of us. Over the years that has included taking care of llamas, sheep, horses, cattle, donkeys, and chickens. We’ve been cooks, chauffeurs, traveling companions, and provided guest services for dozens and dozens of visitors from around the world. We’ve stocked wine cellars, moved insanely valuable artwork, and hunted wild hogs, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. Our job occasionally requires moving to new locations when the need arises, which we’ve done five times in the past ten years. But we’re empty nesters, so we’re enjoying the adventure. I’m sure I’ll write a book about it all someday!

What started you on your writing journey? What has kept you on your writing journey?

My parents instilled a love of reading in me from an early age. Mom was an elementary school teacher and Dad loved history. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone when I discovered I enjoyed creating my own stories. Knowing that God gives each of us gifts to use for his purposes is what has kept me on the writing journey, especially during the years before any of my books were published. I remember working on my stories, wondering if anyone would ever read them besides me. I’ve completed at least six novels that will never be published and that’s okay. God used them to help me learn the craft of writing. Nothing is wasted when we give it over to Him.

Let’s talk about your new book, Count the Nights by Stars (Tyndale, March 2022). Please tell us about it.

Count the Nights by Stars is a time-slip novel set in 1961 and 1897 Nashville. Both storylines take place at the famed Maxwell House in downtown Nashville, and I had great fun researching the historic hotel and bringing it to life for readers.

In 1961, Audrey Whitfield finds an old scrapbook among the possessions of reclusive resident Priscilla Nichols, a woman who’s lived at the hotel for decades but who has recently suffered a stroke and is hospitalized. Throughout the colorful pages of the scrapbook, Audrey discovers unmailed postcards from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition with love notes written on the backs describing a forbidden romance. She also finds old newspaper clippings with troubling stories about human trafficking during the 1897 expo. With the help of handsome law student Jason Sumner, Audrey will not only learn more about Priscilla and the secrets hidden in the pages of the memory book, but she’ll also come away with a new perspective on her own fears and regrets.

Priscilla’s story takes readers back to 1897 Nashville when the Tennessee Centennial Exposition took place. My research into the expo was fascinating, and I tried to bring the excitement, sounds, and tastes of this world’s-fair type event to life. Many of the exhibits featured advancements in the technology of the day, women’s accomplishments, and even offered a glimpse into the first kindergarten class. Vanity Fair, the amusement section of the expo, presented visitors with experiences from around the world, including a Chinese Village, the Streets of Cairo, and authentic Italian gondola rides.

Library Journal gave Count the Nights by Stars a starred review, saying “Shocklee’s novel is like the coffee at the Maxwell House: good to the last drop.” I hope readers agree!

Those who “create” usually tap into a personal “toolbox” of elements to define their style. For example, a painter might use color, light, and/or shadows in a certain way to “sign” his work. A musician might use syncopation, key changes, and/or vocal intonation to set herself apart. What two or three elements most define who you are as a storyteller?

As an author of historical fiction, I know that research breathes life into my books. So for me, taking what could be boring facts from a history book and turning them into a story filled with love, mystery, and adventure is very much like an artist painting a picture. The “colors” I use are little details about places and people from long ago, sprinkling them throughout the book as I go. For instance, while attempting to bring the Maxwell House Hotel to life through the pages of my novel, I studied pictures and read countless descriptions—personal and historical—in order to get it right. But what makes the hotel become a real place to readers (at least I hope so!) is when the characters experience the setting. Priscilla takes us through the grand lobby, the elegant ballroom, and the cozy confectionary where she enjoys a certain dessert that gets the attention of a handsome Italian man. Including various foods, scents, and even music in the story also adds “colors” to the portrait I’m trying to create.

As a Nashville resident, I’m excited to read the book! What contemporary and historical settings do your characters “visit” in this story?

The most famous building from the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition—the full-scale replica of the Parthenon—still exists. When the expo buildings were constructed, temporary materials were used. After the six-month run of the expo, nearly all the buildings were torn down or moved to other locations. Only the Parthenon was left standing. In 1920, the city took measures to permanently preserve the awe-inspiring building, replacing deteriorating temporary materials with concrete. Today, it is the magnificent centerpiece of Centennial Park, right in the heart of Nashville. Readers of Count the Nights by Stars can stroll around Lake Watauga just as Priscilla and Luca did on that fateful starry night in 1897.

Although the Maxwell House Hotel is no longer there, the Noel Hotel—or Noelle, as it is now called—stands in the same place it did when Audrey and her family lived at the Maxwell. Most of the downtown Nashville shops and businesses from 1961 are long gone, but visitors to the city can still walk down the streets and along Printer’s Alley and imagine how it might have looked a week before Christmas, with colorful lights crisscrossing overhead.

Thanks, Michelle! It’s great to have you back at Divine Detour.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Michelle, visit her website and follow her on Facebook .

To order Count the Nights by Stars, log on to:

 

 

Melanie Dobson ~ The Winter Rose

A winter rose scarfed in snow, pushing through a seam of stone. That was the picture that I clung to as I began pouring out the story for my latest novel.

As our world was wrestling through the pandemic, this rose in my mind—an exquisite, determined, seemingly fragile flower—was undaunted by the wind and cold. It kept growing in spite of the storms, unwavering in its stand against the elements. And the simple strength of it filled me with hope.

During the pandemic, I wanted to—needed to, really—search for beauty in the brokenness of life. As I began writing my book, I invited readers to summit the most difficult of mountains with me, in the most arduous of conditions, and see what we could find together on our journey.

We’ve all faced impossibilities over the past two years. Most of us have experienced the deep loneliness that comes from isolation and grieved milestone events as we’ve missed celebrating with family and friends. Many of us felt excruciating pain as we lost loved ones and livelihoods and often our own health, all while tumbling through the emotional turmoil of the unknown.

That’s where I wanted to go in this story. Not into a pandemic—we’ve already been there—but I wanted to step into the hardest of places and find the beauty growing there. Discover the miracles, God’s gifts, among the stones.

During the COVID crisis, I spent time each week writing down the things that brought joy into my life. Even though it was easy to ruminate over the difficulties, I discovered that it was hard for me to remember the many roses growing in the midst.

As I struggled to mentally unwrap the gifts in my world, the most wonderful thing started to happen. I began looking for roses everywhere! And as I searched for them, words of thankfulness flowed from my pen. I recorded dozens and then hundreds and finally a thousand God gifts. While I still saw the boulders in my path, I also saw the flowers. And some days, when I was focused intently on the roses, the stones in my mind faded away.

The Winter Rose eventually became the title of my novel, and the story is all about restoring and repurposing the brokenness in our life into something beautiful. It’s about discovering God’s goodness in the midst.

My heart is overflowing today as I remember how God loves to give gifts to His kids. I’m so thankful to be on this journey along the rugged path of life with Him.

ABOUT MELANIE DOBSON

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of more than twenty historical romance, suspense, and time-slip novels. Five of her novels have won Carol Awards; Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were nominated for a Christy Award in the historical fiction category; Catching the Wind won an Audie Award in the inspirational fiction category; and The Black Cloister won the Foreword magazine Religious Fiction Book of the Year. Melanie is the former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and owner of the publicity firm Dobson Media Group. When she isn’t writing, Melanie enjoys teaching both writing and public relations classes. Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters and live near Portland, Oregon.

For more information about Melanie, visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Dixie’s Southern Fried Chicken

 

PrintDixie's Southern Fried ChickenDixie adds custom spice to her best chicken recipe.Course Main CourseCuisine AmericanKeyword fried chicken, SouthernEquipmentcast iron skilletIngredientsSEASONING MIXTURE1 tsp paprika1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried ground sage1 tsp dried ground oregano1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp ground black pepper1 tsp salt more or less, to taste1/2 tsp dried ground ginger1/2 tsp grated nutmeg1/2 tsp onion powder1/4 tsp dried ground basil1/8 tsp ground cayenne more or less, to taste FOR CHICKEN BREADING1 tsp chicken seasoning (above)1/2 cup general purpose flour1 Tbsp yellow corn mealCHICKEN PREP1 lb. chicken Use the kind of chicken you prefer. Bone-in with skin, boneless skinless, white meat, dark meat, tenders, or a combination.1 cup buttermilk Use the amount of milk it takes to cover chicken.InstructionsTo make seasoningMix spices together. Seal in a glass jar. Use as needed.To prepare chickenWash chicken pieces and soak in buttermilk for several hours or overnight.To cook chickenAdd cooking oil or shortening to cast iron skillet. You will want to use a good amount of oil—maybe 1/2-inch, depending on the depth of your skillet—but not too much. You're frying not deep-frying. If you chose to use the deep frying method, use the proper tools, which includes a deep fryer. After oil has heated, add chicken pieces. Some people like to leave a lot of room between pieces, but I've always found that chicken placed single layer in the skillet and reasonably packed will brown better.

Simply Delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

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PrintSimply Delicious Chocolate Chip Banana BreadA very moist banana bread that's loaded with chocolate chips!Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, SnackEquipmentLoaf pans or bundt pan, metal is preferredIngredients1 18.25 pkg. yellow cake mix (Make batter per package directions. Some box mixes require melted butter, eggs, and milk.)2 overripe bananas1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1/4 tsp ground nutmeg1/8 tsp ground cloves1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chipscooking sprayflourInstructionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking pan by spraying with cooking spray, then coasting lightly with 1/8 - 1/4 cup flour. Set aside.In a large bowl, prepare cake mix per package directions. (A gluten free yellow cake mix will work well for this recipe.)Mash or puree bananas. Add mashed banana and spices to cake batter. Mix well.Gently fold in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Don't overtake. Bread will be done when a knife or toothpick inserted into the center will come out clean.Remove from the pan while still warm. Serve warm or cold. If desired, serve with a dollar of whipped cream and/or chocolate syrup.

Kathy Howard ~ Deep Rooted (Growing Through the Book of Acts)

Guest DevotionalStep Back to See the Big Picture

by Kathy Howard

Mosaics grace the ceilings, walls, and floors of cathedrals, homes, and buildings all over the world. Skillful artists create them by arranging small bits of colored tiles, glass, or other material into patterns or images. The oldest known mosaics, discovered in a temple in Mesopotamia, date back to the 3rd millennium BCE.

In the 1990’s, photo mosaics developed as a modern twist on this beautiful ancient artform. In a traditional mosaic, one large image is created by combining small colorful pieces. But in a photo mosaic, these small colorful pieces are also individual images. Many small photos join together to form one big picture.

Stephen, a deacon in the first-century church, tried to help the Jewish leaders who arrested him see God’s big story of salvation. Stephen responded to the Sanhedrin’s charges against him with a mosaic type narrative. He skillfully combined individual stories of Israel’s history to tell them one big story. Reciting Israel’s history to make a point was a common practice, but Stephen used it to encourage his accusers to pull back from their micro-focus and see God’s greater plans and purposes for Israel.

Accusations of false witnesses reflected the Jewish leaders’ small-picture thinking. According to their testimony, Stephen claimed Jesus would destroy the temple and change the customs of Moses. The council would have considered this particularly blasphemous. In their minds, God resided in the temple and His salvation came through the Mosaic Law. Everything they held dear and hoped for revolved around these two things. But, their narrow focus caused them to miss the big, glorious truth of God’s eternal redemption.

“Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.” (Acts 7:5)

So, Stephen took them back to the beginning. He reminded them of their calling through Abraham. He recounted God’s faithfulness to keep His promises. He illustrated God’s power and sovereignty through the life of Joseph. And Stephen highlighted God’s presence with His people – inside and outside the Promised Land. He showed them how the pieces fit together to form the big picture. They’d seen the colorful pieces but they’d missed the glorious beauty of the complete redemption picture. They’d missed Jesus.

Like the Jews who saw the colorful pieces of God’s salvation story but missed the Savior, we sometimes get stuck on the smaller pieces in our own story. The tiny piece that’s captured our attention may be a past failure, a difficult trial, or even a victory. But, God is working through every event and experience in our lives, arranging them into a work of art. Step back to see how the small pieces fit into God’s eternal plans and purposes. Don’t miss the beautiful, big picture.

Father, I know that sometimes my focus gets stuck on one event or problem. Help me to see the bigger picture of the ways you are working. Show me how I can best cooperate with what You’re doing in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* This post is adapted from “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts.”

 

More about “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts”

Pack your bags and join Kathy Howard for the journey of a lifetime. You’ll experience the powerful arrival of the Holy Spirit, witness the birth of the church, and walk the dusty roads alongside those first missionaries as they boldly share the Gospel of Jesus with the world.

This volume of Deep Rooted — 50 devotions through the book of Acts — will show you how to interact with and apply Scripture, not just read it. These meaty daily devotions use a simple study framework designed to help you:

Develop a regular habit of spending quality time in God’s WordLearn how to dig into Scripture on your ownFoster a desire to share the gospel with othersDepend on the Holy Spirit as you follow Jesus

Finally, a devotional with some meat on its bones!

Available now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rEiYRf

Find free discipleship resources at www.KathyHoward.org . You can also connect with Kathy on Facebook and Instagram .

Kathy Howard is a treasure hunter. She hunts for the creamiest chocolate, richest coffee, and cherished stories of faith. She also digs deep into Scripture, mining God’s eternal truths. Kathy has a Masters in Christian Education and has taught the Bible for more than 30 years in a wide variety of venues. Kathy is the author of eleven books, including “ Heirloom: Living and Leaving a Legacy of Faith ” and the “meaty” devotional series “ Deep Rooted .”

Kathy and her husband live in north Texas. They have three married children, six grandchildren, and two accidental dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

Francine Rivers ~ The Lady’s Mine

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers has published numerous novels—all bestsellers—and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the world. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for many honors, and in 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, s he was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame.

In 2015, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her novels have been translated into over thirty different languages with bestseller status in a number of foreign countries.

Francine and her husband, Rick, enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

 

Your books encourage and inspire others. What encourages and inspires you?

Scripture! Rick and I read through the Bible each year as well as two devotionals. I always glean encouragement and inspiration each morning from those readings. Whatever work-in-process I may be tackling, scripture applies. God knows us better than we know ourselves and the Word of God does cut through to the heart and soul of us. Another source of inspiration I’ve found is being outside in the fresh air and tending our small vineyard. There are so many spiritual lessons in nature.

Those who create usually tap into a personal toolbox of elements, which ultimately define their style. What one element or theme in your books has become your personal signature as a writer?

I would say the message I want most to convey in my work is our past doesn’t define us. God does. Most of my primary characters are deeply wounded and searching for God’s perspective. If we want to know who we are and what our life-purpose is, we need to learn how God sees us and ask for Him to guide us into the work He laid out for us before we were even born. Life is an adventure best and most richly lived by following Jesus.

If someone asked you to describe yourself with one word, what word would that be?

Focused.

Let’s talk about your new book, The Lady’s Mine (Tyndale House, February 2022). What motivated you to return to the California frontier, and what about that setting intrigues you?

I’m a native Californian, and I’ve always loved our state history, especially the gold and silver rush periods. Redeeming Love takes place from 1849 to 1851.

The Lady’s Mine jumps forward to the 1870s silver rush. Men from around the world and all walks of life poured into the state, hoping to strike it rich. A few women came—some by wagon train, some by ship, some willing, and some not. It was a time of high drama, boom and bust. I think that’s what appeals to me most—the dreams that brought people, the grueling hard work that awaited them, the myriad stories of success and failure.

You have said that your stories often begin with a question. What question prompted this particular story?

There were several questions. How does a person cope with being cast out of a family? Do we determine the course of our lives, or is there a plan already in place? Can one person change the character of a town? How can we offer a hand up rather than a handout to those in desperate need?

What do you hope your readers will come to know about God through this story?

Broken relationships don’t have to mean broken lives. Let (agape) love be the motivation for what you do and how you live. God can mold the most unlikely people into wise and gifted leaders. One person can change the course of a community. The Lord can make beauty from ashes.

Thank you, Francine! It’s always a pleasure to have you visit at DivineDetour.

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For more information about Francine Rivers, visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram. 

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