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08 September 2013

Interview with Ann Shorey: Overcoming after Losing the Love of Your Life


Anne Shorey


Ann Shorey is the author of Where Wildflowers Bloom and When the Heart Heals, the first two novels in the Sisters at Heart series for Revell. The third book in the series, Love’s Sweet Beginning, is scheduled for release in February, 2014. She’s also the author of the At Home in Beldon Grove series, also published by Revel.

Ann, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 
Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?
            In the late 1980’s, my husband of twenty-plus years was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer. He had recently taken early retirement, we moved to a new community (where we knew no one—although that wasn’t intentional!), and had many plans for a long future together. The book of James says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” (James 4:4:14a NIV) How true! We certainly didn’t know what awaited us soon after our move.
            Surgery was recommended following the diagnosis, and the surgeon found cancer cells had wrapped around his spine. The surgeon removed all that he could, but the surgery left my husband unable to sit upright or walk without wearing a clamshell-like body brace. He spent three weeks in a rehab facility where we were both taught how to maneuver him in and out of the brace, how to transfer him to a wheelchair, how he could shower—and on and on. As I learned to do things I never dreamed I’d have to master, the Lord was my constant companion.
            Once back home, my husband began radiation treatment and we settled into a routine. We’d been told that some patients with kidney cancer lived as many as thirteen years beyond the surgery. In our case, this was not to be. During his final hospitalization nine months after the initial surgery, one of the nurses asked me how we could show such strength in the face of our circumstances. Right there in the hospital corridor the Lord enabled me to share my faith with her. (Pausing here to re-group. This is hard to write about.)
            When my husband died, I believed my life was over. Instead, the Lord has opened doors that I didn’t know were there. I’d always wanted to write, and my first published article was for a bereavement magazine, telling of our last days together. Since then, so much has happened, immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine. God has given me grace to overcome, grace to persevere, and blessing upon blessing in my life.

When the Heart Heals
Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?
Unfortunately, none of my books are available in either large print or audio. They are all available in e-book format, however, which makes it possible to enlarge the font on an e-reader.
Where Wildflowers Bloom

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  
When the Heart Heals deals with the issue of forgiveness.
In Where Wildflowers Bloom, one of the main characters struggles with PTSD in the aftermath of the War Between the States. (An interesting note: in that time period, PTSD was called “Soldier’s Heart.”)

Thank you Ann for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

You can find Ann and her books at www.AnnShorey.com

Two Giveaways: Ann will give away reader's choice of Where Wildflowers Bloom or When the Heart Heals! International-ebook only. Carrie is also giving away a paperback copy of Where Wildflowers Bloom!

51 comments:

  1. Ann, thank you so much for being with us this week on OWG! I am so touched by your testimony. I can't even imagine nor do I even want to think about losing my spouse. I'm so glad you had God in your life to strengthen and help you through this dark valley. How do people who don't acknowledge Christ in their lives endure things such as this?

    We are so looking forward to sharing your books with our viewers this week!

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    1. Thank you, Diana! I was just telling a friend at church this morning that the time in my life when I felt closer to God than at any time since was during the months of my husband's illness and following his death. God truly does fill our empty places.

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  2. I was so touched by Ann's story and appreciate her sharing this inspiring interview. I thought of Psalm 91:4, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge”. How blessed we are to know we can find refuge in Him.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Bless you for commenting, Britney. Thank you for the Scripture! I also depend on Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." A Bible-study leader I once had told us that she wrote "T & P" (tested and proved) in the margins of her Bible next to verses that had most helped her. T & P is next to Psalm 46:1 in mine.

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  3. Thank you Ann for Sharing with us. I would love to win where wildflowers bloom, since I have my signed copy of when the heart heals ! I don't know how I'd get thru life without Mark, but I know God would see me thru.
    Blessings to you and Carrie, thank you.
    Linda Finn
    faithfulacres7@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Linda! God will indeed see you through anything as long as you depend on him. I'm happy to hear you have a signed copy of When the Heart Heals. I pray you enjoyed the story!

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  4. Thank you for sharing your testimony, Ann! Even from sorrow - comes joy, & the opportunity to witness to others, God is so faithful, & so good to us!

    I would love to read your books! Thanks for the opportunity to win them!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Bless you for your sweet assurance, Bonnie! I love to hear from readers who share my joy in the Lord. He is faithful indeed.

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  5. Thanks Diana for the interview with Ann. I don't have any of her books. Ann, I know how hard it is to deal with losing your spouse. Not easy. You definitely need GOD by your side. I also wonder how people who don't have a relationship with him make it through a time like this. And, with HIS help I've not been afraid to be alone at night, for we had just moved back to TX. to a big city life after many years of small town country life. But this is where the kids were. Ann, Glad GOD has blessed you with your writing. A good way to stay busy I'd say after meeting so many wonderful writers and listening to them. May HE continue to bless you. I would love to win one of your books. Thanks to you and Carrie for this chance. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Maxie, I've often wondered the same thing--how do people make it through hard situations without God to lean on? He's the only unchanging factor in any of our lives.
      So glad to hear you're overcoming your fear of being alone at night. You're not really alone, you know. The Lord is right there. Some of my closest moments with Him come during wakeful times in the night. :)

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  6. I really enjoyed When the Heart Heals! It's an interesting time period to read about, what it was like after the Civil War. Thanks for sharing your testimony. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Veronica! So glad to know you enjoyed When the Heart Heals. The years after the Civil War were fascinating to research.
      Many blessings to you!

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  7. Love reading interviews, love your books, would be thrilled to win this give away
    Shirley B jcisforme@aol.com

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    1. So glad you responded to this blog post, Shirley. Someone is going to win--why not you?
      Blessings,
      Ann

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  8. I can certainly relate to this interview. I lost the love of my life almost 4 years ago, but I'm still stuck in the stage of "my life is over." My husband had also recently retired at the time, and waiting for me to retire so we could move to our beach house and enjoy a long life together. But, God had other plans. I'm still waiting for doors to be opened.......My faith is very strong, and that's what gets me through each day. I'm being patient and waiting on the Lord to reveal his plans for me. My prayer life is strong and I know that one day his will for my life will be shown to me. Thanks for this interview.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. Ah, Susanlulu, my heart aches for you. I do know how you feel. In some ways we never stop grieving, but when the time comes in your life to move on the Lord will open just the right door. Until then, blessings and prayers to you.

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  9. Where Wildflowers Bloom and When the Heart Heals sounds wonderful. Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

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    1. So glad you took the time to comment, Emma. Many blessings on your evening!

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  10. Ann, thanks so much for sharing! I would love to read either of your books and certainly hope I have the opportunity one day!
    God bless, Betti
    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Blessings to you as well, Betti! Thank you for taking the time to comment.

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  11. Ann your story moved me. I am yet to read any of your stories. I hope to soon.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Mary, Thank you for your kind words about my testimony! I also hope you'll have the opportunity to read my novels soon. ;-) Bless you for commenting.

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  12. Thanks for sharing Ann. I would love the opportunity to read one of your books. I checked out your website and I don't think I've ever read any of them, but I love historical fiction!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for visiting my website, Patty! Hope you'll check back often for book news. :)

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  13. We are delighted to feature you on OWG, Ann. You are one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I had no idea you were widowed. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

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    1. Thank you for hosting me, Carrie! I look forward to seeing you soon. :)

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  14. I have Where the wild flowers bloom I think in my tbr stack. I would like to read WHen the heart heals
    jrs362 at Hotmail dot com
    came here from fb where you are my friend

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    1. Hi Jane! Yes indeed we are FB friends. Blessings on your day. :)

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  15. I didn't know that PTSD was called Soldier's Heart. That's fascinating! Thanks for the sweet interview!

    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. You're so welcome, Heidi. Thank you for visiting the blog. I loved the tidbit about Soldier's Heart when I learned of it. I think that term would make a great book title!

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  16. I'm in agreement with Carrie - you are one of the loveliest and sweetest people I've met (online) too! So glad to have you sharing your testimony with everybody here... although heartbreaking, it's also a great testimony of God's amazing grace during our darkest times.

    Looking forward to sharing the review for 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' with everyone later in the week! God bless you Ann!

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    1. Bless you, Noela! Can't wait to read your review (assuming you like the book!). :)

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  17. Thank you for your transparency, Ann. I've also experienced the Lord's presence and provision so profoundly in circumstances of great loss. While I would never want to travel those journeys again, I wouldn't trade the intimacy with Him during those periods for anything. I so enjoyed our time together 2 years ago at the ACFW Conf. and hope to see you again later this week.

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    1. You're so right, Janet. The intimacy we experience during trying periods is a precious gift to be treasured. I hope to see you later this week, too!

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  18. Ann, I cannot even begin to imagine what you went thru. I pray God continues to be by your side and lead you down these paths! You have a beautiful writing gift. I have read When the Heart Heals and fell in love instantly. I now need to go back and read the first one!
    Blessings to you!
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, Susan. The Lord continues to bless me every day, as He does all of us. I'm so glad you enjoyed When the Heart Heals! Blessings on your day.

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  19. would love to win. angelachesnut246@gmail.com

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  20. Wonderful giveaway! Ann thank you! :) I LOVED When the Heart Heals and I would love a chance to win Where Wildflowers Bloom and learn more about Faith's story! :) Many Blessings,

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)

    amada_chavez{AT}yahoo{DOT}com

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    1. Awesome, Amada! If u come back, give us the link to your review for our readers! Blessings!

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    2. What a pretty name you have, Amada! So glad you enjoyed When the Heart Heals.In Where Wildflowers Bloom, you'll have the opportunity to learn how Faith and Rosemary became acquainted.

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    3. Thanks Carrie! :) Here's the link: http://ascphotosanddesigns.blogspot.com/2013/02/when-heart-heals-review.html

      Ann thank you! It was my grandmother's name. :) That's great! I REALLY enjoyed Rosemary and Faith's relationship in When the Heart Heals (WtHH is actually on My Favorite Books list on my blog) and I couldn't wait to see when they first met after it was mentioned in When the Heart Heals! LOL!

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  21. I loved the interview. Thank you Carrie and Anne. Blessings, Susan Fryman

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    1. Bless you for your kind words about the interview, Susan! :) Thank you for visiting the blog.

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  22. I'm so sorry about your husband, Ann and yet so thankful you were able to share Christ through it! The same happened to us last year as our daughter was dying. We were able to share the gospel with so many people during those final four days. I would love to know the name of the bereavement magazine you published your article in. I've been working on one myself. Would love to read one of your books.

    Blessings,
    Anne

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    1. Oh, Anne, I grieve for you with the loss of your daughter. I'm so sorry.
      The name of the magazine was/is "Bereavement," address: 8133 Telegraph Drive, Colorado Springs, Co. 80920. Since my article was published over twenty years ago, I'm not sure whether they're still publishing. I wish you all the best in sharing your story with other families suffering losses.

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  23. Ann, Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I was saddened to hear of all you both went through, but it was wonderful to read about the testimony you were able to share because of it. Thank you so much for the giveaway. I loved your book, When the Heart Heals. Would love to win a copy of Where Wildflowers Bloom.
    God Bless,
    Brittany McEuen

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Brittany! I'm so glad to know you enjoyed When the Heart Heals.
      Blessings to you!

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  24. Thank You for sharing that part of your life with us. What a testimony.

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. Thank you, Melody! God will never fail nor forsake us--what a blessing to be assured of His presence!

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  25. Thanks for sharing your story Ann--what a blessing you are to others who may have to endure the same or similar situation. I have found that when we go through trials, there always seem to be a time when we can share with others going through a similar situation. God is so GREAT. I have not yet read any of your books, but would love to read them--they sound great & it would be an honor to be able to win one of them.
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for commenting on my post, Vicki! You're so right, we are comforted in order to be a comfort to others. God is Great indeed!
      Blessings to you.

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