On "Coming Home"

Revolving door image from Flickr

With three big trips since April, I was starting to feel like my front door was a revolving door! Mind you, I had a wonderful time on my travels to Europe on the dream of a lifetime Rhine River Cruise, our family "Bucket List" trip to Yellowstone where I finally got to see Old Faithful, and then a trip to Michigan. This last trip my time was spent mostly on Mackinac Island rather than in Mackinaw City, where I've spent the past several summers. I got some great research in on my next two books! But I wasn't in one place and ended up with revolving door syndrome on the last trip going from place to place to place. Great to see old friends and family members even if for shorter time this visit.

Beautiful Lake Michigan

In preparing for the coming home, I visited Fort Michilimackinac, the setting of my latest story  Mercy in a Red Cloak. The image above is right inside the fort. And for my readers I bet you'll recognize the image below as a similar door that frames Mercy on my cover!

Gate out of Fort Mackinac

Unfortunately, before I left Michigan, I had to visit the hospital in St. Ignace, for an Urgent Care exam due to extreme heel pain. As I'd stepped into a carriage on Mackinac Island, it felt as though something tore apart in the bottom of my left heel. I can tell you it hurt like crazy. I was told I hadn't broken anything and fortunately for me I had scheduled a visit with my orthopedic doctor for when I came home.

Pelston Airport

After having a wonderful visit with a dear friend from my hometown, I left the next morning from a small nearby airport. The decor there is so quaint--I love it. See a picture above. I got there early as I knew I'd need extra time walking with my very painful foot. I sure was looking forward to getting home and getting some help! Although I was reassured nothing was broken, I knew that something pretty bad had happened in my heel.

Coming home meant I also got to get back to my home church, Northside Christian Church. My fantastic orthopedic doctor (who had a character named after hime--Dr. Michael Potter--in my novella "Shenandoah Hearts" in the Backcountry Brides collection) quickly diagnosed a tear in my fascia and put me back in a boot. Part of my overcoming journey has been getting out of a boot as I spent almost five years in one with my Achilles tendon problems. Big sigh. But the boot (and my knee roller) will hopefully resolve my issue. We also did a PRP procedure to help that troublesome Achilles (painful but in the past it has been very much worth it.)

My guys were here, my hydrangeas were blooming, and I've gotten to see a few dear friends since I've been home. And I've been getting to spend time with my daughter who will soon be a beautiful bride! Now to try to get myself and my son, who has been suffering with ongoing pain issues, both in a little better shape before school starts. And we know who we can look to, because with God, we can overcome.

Question: As you are waiting on God to help you overcome something, what has helped you most?

Bookish Blessings!

This past week I've had a number of bookish blessings! My new release, Mercy in a Red Cloak, is now out in paperback and I got my first copies! It is price low for July, below its regular retail price--only $3.99, a bargain!  Also available in Kindle. Currently has a 4.5 Star rating, praise the Lord!

Also, it is the two year anniversary of the release of My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island. What a delightful surprise to learn that my Maggie Award Winning novel and Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick was available at the ultra low sales price of 99 cents!!! That's a steal. A lovely benefit was that Maude's story then went into the top 100 Inspirational Romances on Amazon (that's a high category even than the Inspirational Historical Romances, so a huge blessing!). As of right now (you need to check if it is still on sale) you can still purchase the ebook for only 99 cents!

I also got a proposal out to my agent and it's ready to go to the publisher for possible approval. And for another proposal, for a Women's Fiction novel, my friend Diana Flowers, a former contributor to this blog, brainstormed some great tweaks to my story. And she's agreed to be a Beta Reader!

I sure miss my PA, Regina Fujitani's help with my newsletters but I did finally get one out this week. IF you aren't a subscriber, be sure to send a request through my sign up form (click here.)

I'm visiting on a couple of blogs, including the sweet Chappy Debbie's blog and we have giveaways of my new book. Click here to visit Chappy's blog. Be sure to leave a comment to enter. I've also visited on the HHHistory blog, taking Kathleen L. Maher's spot this month, and I also have a giveaway there.  Click here to read my post about the Siege of Detroit and leave a comment. Watch for an upcoming review by Tina Rice and giveaway on Colonial Quills blog, too!

I leave for Michigan on Wednesday and have a busy two weeks planned. I have a book signing scheduled at the Island Bookstore on Main Street on Mackinac Island on Thursday, July 18th, from 1-3 pm.  I would love to see you there! I'm researching two novels while I am there, one set in the Straits and the other on Lake Superior.

Giveaway: A paperback or kindle copy of Mercy in a Red Cloak. Leave an encouraging comment to enter!

Empty Nests & New Release!

When we returned from Europe recently, we soon found that a mother Robin had made a nest atop our front entryway light! An unconventional place for our yard (we have lots of nests in various huge mature trees we have in our yard) and I wasn't real happy with mama bird!

She had already deposited three beautiful blue eggs into her nest. I gave a big sigh and told my husband. We ordinarily go out the back of our house. Now going out our own front door was an issue because it scared mama bird off the nest. Another big sigh.

And if I accidentally came out the front door they started squawking as if I was mama bird and gonna give them some yummy worms to eat. Ummmm, not!!! The one on the right always had his or her little beak open when I accidentally exited through my very own front door.

Then I got this rather sweet sigh-worthy shot! The baby robins were maturing! They were getting ready to fly on their own! This was so cool!  Meanwhile, I had my very own book baby trying to make its way finally into the world.

Mercy in a Red Cloak is a story I worked on for almost a decade. Unlike these robins, the hatched notion for my baby took a long time from egg to flight! I feel like my hero, Shadrach Clark, has finally flown off on his own!

Then, one day recently when I took a picture of the nest with my iPhone, look what I found! The nest was empty! I told my husband. Shortly thereafter, my own book baby took flight off to Kindle world. I don't know where the robins are, but I do know that my story is now out there ready to fly all over the world!

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Giveaway: A Kindle copy of Mercy in a Red Cloak to one of my readers. Answer this question: Have you had a transition or a nest that has emptied recently? What kind of situation was it?

Changes are in God's Hands -- and Reflect His Plans

Cameo Courtships from Barbour Publishing June 2019

You might be wondering what this cover form Cameo Courtships, by Susanne Dietze, Debra E. Marvin, Jennifer Uhlarik, and Kathleen Y'Barbo has to do with my topic of change. You see, this collection was originally pitched in a proposal that included me and several other authors. Barbour Publishing had been putting out amazing, and great value, collections with seven to nine novellas in each one. I've been in some of those collections, myself, and was blessed by it. You can imagine how expensive it must be to print those large (over 400 good-sized pages) with the beautiful deckle edges they had on them. Then things were changed up and the new collections were determined to have only four authors in them. So the leads for each proposal had to make adjustments. In this case, lovely Susie Dietze had to figure out how to go forward. This was not the only proposal that I was part of where the lead had to make corrections. I volunteered out of another, which will be published later this year. And I had one of my own (Lessons on Love) which will be published in October with three other authors including the fabulous Rita-finalist Susanne Dietze, who was the lead on the Cameo Courtship collection.

Change in life is inevitable, isn't it? Right now one of my author friends and I are working with four different possible proposals, multiple authors. We've already had two authors opt out of one of the collection ideas and another author join us. One thing that hasn't changed is that all of the authors serve God and all write for His glory. And that's what matters. Change will happen, but it's all in God's hands. We don't always like the changes that life brings, but when we trust God's provision, we'll be headed in the right direction.

Giveaway: I'm giving away a copy of this beautiful new release -- Cameo Courtship. Answer this question to enter: Are you surprised by changes or are you more likely to keep rolling on?

Dreams Come True -- God's Mercies

Carrie Fancett Pagels on board the Emerald Dawn

Above is a picture of a dream coming true! That's me holding a copy of my novel, Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter (Pelican), which released in 2016.  When I was researching and writing this book, I prayed that I'd someday get to go to Europe and to the Palatinate of Germany and to France, where this story was set. Fast forward in time, and that hadn't happened but my book baby had received a starred Romantic Times Book Reviews review when it released. Then this winter, my in-laws offered to bring my husband and I on their Rhine River Cruise in Europe, which was such an unexpected blessing. And the wonderful cruise director, Michael, on the Emerald Dawn, allowed me to leave a copy of my book for their library in the lounge!

A trip like this was on my bucket list. Don't you love it when God is merciful and gives you these opportunities? We had satan throwing all kinds of obstacles in our way after my in-laws graciously gave us this offer. But the Lord made a path so we could go. Multiple problems were addressed. Then one of my dear friends, Rosemary, came and stayed with our son for the twelve days we were gone. I'd always dreamed of taking a copy of my novel with me when I went to the setting of the story. I'd never been to Europe and almost all of my stories are set in locations that I knew well. I only knew Suzanne and Johan's "world" from doing diligent research. Now I was getting to see it!

One of the places I most wanted to visit was Cologne Cathedral (Koln, if you are in Germany). Here's a picture of me with Joan and Don Pagels in front of this gorgeous building.

Joan, Don, & Carrie Fancett Pagels in front of Cologne Cathedral, Germany, April 2019

When I was going some genealogical research on Johan Adam Rousch, my ancestor, I learned some earlier ancestors studied there. I read about the massive statue figures embedded in the exterior walls of the soaring cathedral. I wondered what they would look like in person. I stood and gaped at them, when we got there. I was dumbstruck by the beauty of them. Check out some distance views and other aerial pictures on Wikipedia (click here.) The cathedral is stunning and I could have spent days here and at the other cathedrals on the trip. Here are a few pictures of the exterior statues of which there are many:

I'd also hoped to make it to Aachen Cathedral, which is included in my story (and is not on the Rhine River). Another dream for another day and more of God's mercies to come!!!

Giveaway: Take your own trip to Europe and the Rhine River by reading my novel Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter! I'm giving away a gently used copy to one of my commenters, USA only. Answer this question: When has God given you an unexpected blessing?

Marjorie Vawter Top 100 Promises of the Bible & Giveaway

Author Marjorie Vawter

Top 100 Promises of the Bible

Over the years, I’ve written several devotional books. I wrote Top 100 Promises of the Bible in the middle of a move from SW Missouri back to Colorado. It was difficult to write, mostly because of not having our own home at the time. Friends opened their home to us, and for four and a half months we searched for a house to rent. (The housing in the Denver area is SO expensive and ridiculously out of line, but God provided.) The more I wrote, the more I realized how many of the promises we’d chosen to write about were being fulfilled each day. God truly revealed Himself as I struggled to find time to write. 

The back cover of the  Top 100 Promises of the Bible copy says, “The Bible is full of thousands of God’s promises, and here are the top 100 most powerful, challenging, and encouraging guarantees in scripture. These brief devotional readings provide thought-provoking inspirational takeaways and will encourage you to deepen your faith in God’s provision and steadfastness. Concise entries provide biblical details such as the circumstances surrounding the promise, the fulfillment of the promise, and how it applies to our lives today. Ideal for readers of all ages, The Top 100 Promises of the Bibleis perfect for personal reading or group study.”

God opened up an opportunity for me to teach the material to a small group of ladies at my church after I wrote the book. It was a perfect way to solidify His promises to each of us during the discussion time.

Bio:

Marjorie Vawter is a full-time freelance editor and writer. She is the author of many published devotionals, several devotional books, articles, and book reviews, plus five novellas and several nonfiction books. As the recently “retired” assistant to the conference director for the Colorado and Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conferences, Marjorie has had the opportunity to work with publishers, editors, agents, and publicity directors, as well as other writers. An avid reader, she also judges for several prestigious awards in the inspirational and indie-publisher marketplace. Marjorie currently lives in the Denver, Colorado, metro-area with her husband, Roger, and cat, Sinatra, son, Randy, daughter-in-love, Nikki, and two grandchildren, Peyton and Jackson. You may visit her at www.marjorievawter.com

GIVEAWAY: Marjorie is the author of many other books, too, including Encouraging Thoughts for Women, now re-released with a lovely imitation leather cover. Check out Marjorie's Amazon Author Page for all of her releases. We're giving away a copy of winner's choice of one of Marjorie's devotionals.

Overcoming Setbacks and Attacks in the Christian Writer’s Life -- By Author Kathleen L. Maher

Author Kathleen L. Maher

Overcoming Setbacks and Attacks in the Christian Writer’s Life

Guest Post 

By

Kathleen L. Maher 

D i s c o u r a g e m e n t

We all know the writing life promises glamour, recognition, accolades, and if you’re really good, a movie contract or two…. Oh, wait. Did I just hear the record scratch as all that romantic music was reaching a crescendo? 

I hope you’re laughing with me (and not at me—haha). You either laugh or you cry some days when the rejection letters are thicker than your billfold. When you’ve been giving it all you have, even for years, and nothing seems to be moving, it can get mighty discouraging. But that’s just it—if our expectations are set in God’s promises, we don’t have to be disappointed. He promises to give us what we need. 

Need…. Hmm. Maybe God knows best when he withholds multiple huge contracts in the midst of a crazy-busy season. Maybe we need to build some resilience first. Thick skin. We can practice sharing the truth and hope He has shown us to more intimate venues. We mustn’t despise the day of small beginnings. But I get it. Small beginnings can be a hard consolation when writing is both a ministry and a business. We do live in the real world, and there are real bills to pay. 

Good news. We have an even more real God who says, “before you cry, I answer you.” He says, “Let God alone be true and every man (and circumstance, and obstacle) a liar.” He says, “When we are faithless (full of doubt and unbelief and worry), I remain faithful.” What amazing promises! And this principle is also true—"Give and it shall be given, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and pouring out all over.” Whatever our expectations and motivations for writing, when given over to God, they will be sifted and refined until they come out pure. And our offerings given to God will land on good soil and produce a harvest in His perfect time. 

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie. Though it tarry, wait for it, for it shall surely come to pass.” Habakkuk 2:2-3

C H A O S  a n d D I S T R A C T I O N

One of the enemy’s tactics, at least in my home, is the little destructive foxes in the grapes. Do you know what I mean? The computer crashes not once, but five times in one day. Then when finally it decides to work, the dogs get into the garbage, or the phone rings with something urgent, or a meteor streaks down from the blue sky…. Constant interruptions. There is a real enemy who roams about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. There will be opposition to the work of the Lord. 

Sometimes it’s a crisis. Like a loved one in an emergency. Or a battle over finances, health, relationships… Times that try the soul and make you believe writing is the least of your priorities. Yes, there are moments when we must triage, but don’t put down your pen altogether, warrior, because it is a sword. 

We are not those who shrink back—we are overcomers! Sometimes you have to call in the troops and request prayer. Sometimes you have to play praise and worship and create an atmosphere where those trouble makers MUST FLEE at the name of Jesus. Take oil and anoint the doorposts (and keyboard—very lightly) and declare, “as for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord.” 

And then, press on. Sit in the chair and write, trusting that the words will bring the breakthrough to whoever reads them. In fact, after all that warfare, you can be certain you’re carrying something vital—from the very heart of God—that must be released. 

I’ll leave you with a song that kicks opposition square in the pants:  Rend Collective, Every Giant will Fall. 

Write on, my friend! Nothing is impossible with Him.

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Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. “Love Brick by Brick,” a novella with her hometown’s history, appeared in BARBOUR’s 2018 Victorian Christmas Bridescollection. Her Civil War romance The Abolitionist’s Daughterreleased six years after winning the ACFW Genesis Award. Another novella of hers will be in Barbour’s schoolteacher collection Lessons on Love in Oct 2019. And Book 2 in her Civil War series, The Chaplain’s Daughter, is now available on Amazon. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo.

New Release by Kathleen L. Maher

Come join us at Kathy's New Release Facebook Party for The Chaplain's Daughter on May 25th at 4:30 PM. (Click here for the Event page.)

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GIVEAWAY: Winner's choice of ebook or paperback of either of Kathy's Sons of the Shenandoah novels or a paperback copy of The Victorian Christmas Brides collection which includes Kathy's novella. Answer this question: Have you ever faced spiritual attack for doing what God has asked you to do?