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?

First Love Forever -- More Reviews from Andrea Stephens

First Love Forever Romance Collection By Susanne Dietze, Cynthia Hickey, Marcia Gruver, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Martha Rogers, Lorna Seilstad, Connie Stevens, Jennifer Uhlarik, and Erica Vetsch

I was very touched by each of the novellas in this 5 Star book. Each story tells of a couple separated by time for varying reasons, being reunited in unique circumstances.

-Weeping Willow by Marcia Gruver

Willow, Julian, and Hiram. Childhood friends and semi-rivals Julian and Hiram both love Willow. Willow's heart belongs only to Julian. The men go off to fight in the Civil War. Hiram returns wounded. Julian is not heard from for two years. Willow is pressured by her mother to marry Hiram. Can Willow put her grief and love for Julian aside?

I admired Willow's faith and seriously disliked her mother n this story of true love and faith.

I loved the authors' way of saying things. Example: “freckles so dense they looked blasted on with a scattergun”

-After The Ball by Martha Rogers

Chase and Susannah have loved each other since childhood summers spent together on his grandfather's ranch. Chase is unhappy working for his father, he longs to be on the ranch with his grandfather and Susannah. Chases mother wants him to marry a Dallas society woman. He takes Susannah to the ball honoring his father some women say she is not good enough for Dallas, but the truth was Chase wanted her and that's all that mattered. Being true to yourself and what you want for your life is the heart of this sweet story.

-Lighter Than Air by Lorna Seilstad

Ella and Titus. For school principal Ella Mason there is nothing like having her first love literally drop out of the sky onto the school property. A difference of minds separated them six years prior to the crash landing. Titus is injured and must stay at the school to recuperate much to Ella's dismay. Eventually, Titus is allowed to give some science lessons to the girls during his recuperation. One snooty mother does not think it is appropriate to have a man at a girls boarding school. She threatens Ella. Ella sees changes in Titus and his beliefs. This is an action-packed, second chance at first love story. After a fire and tornado, the balloon gets repaired, does the relationship?

-In Due Season by Connie Stevens

Leah and Gareth. There is so much hurt to overcome. Gareth left Leah the day before their wedding. Fifteen years later, he returns to sell his late father's property. Holding on to hurts from the past, Leah struggles to forgive Gareth after he tells her the truth of why he left, not what his father told her and the town. She still loves him, he's never stopped loving her. My heart hurts for these two as they go back and forth searching for the path to forgiveness. Gareth leaves town again to care for his recently found mother, she is dying in a hospital. Can Leah and Gareth overcome all that has passed between them?

-A Most Reluctant Bride by Cynthia Hickey

Maggie and Zach. Maggie fell in love with Zach when she was a teen, too young for him. After her father dies, her mother wants to marry her off to the highest bidder and move back east. Maggie only wants to save her father's ranch. Trapped in a storm overnight, they return only to find Maggie's mother insisting they marry to save her reputation. They enter into a marriage of convenience. Zach sees Maggie as a feisty woman now and has feelings for her. Maggie loves him even more after seeing him take control of the ranch. The playful, teasing banter between the two is sweet. After Maggie is put in a dangerous situation, their feelings get real. For me, the message is trust and truth.

-Heartfelt Echos by Jennifer Uhlarik

Travis and Millie fell in love at the school for the deaf. They are separated by time and circumstance. Victoria, Millie's mother is very ill and sends for Travis to get and break a horse for Millie's birthday, (I think she wants him to be the real present). This is a very suspenseful story! Millie's step-father is not so nice. There is beating, kidnapping, a fire and more. There are also many surprises. Restoration, reuniting, and true love.

-Prescription for Love by Erica Vetsch

Natalie and Phin. Oh my, this is such a tragic story! Nurse Natalie Morrison, the almost fiancee of Dr. Phinias Mackenzie, has just recovered from Yellow Fever and is assigned to be his nurse in New Orleans. Natalie feels she is supposed to return to missionary work in Panama because it was her father's deathbed wish. Phin is drawn to New Orleans with his new mobile doctor office to reach those people that would never go to the doctor.

There is a deadly Yellow fever outbreak in the city. Natalie and Phin work very closely together, while the love they had for each other in the past simmers beneath the surface. Phin's brother Michael, sees it as he is being treated for the fever. He tells each of them they need to talk things out. Can Phin forgive Natalie for leaving him without explanation? Will Natalie realize her own calling for her life? Is there a chance for a happy ending?

This is such a wonderful, love filled collection. I highly recommend it to everyone.

We also have a Rafflecopter giveaway going on through April. 

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Be sure to enter to be one of the winners of the MANY great gifts we have!!!

Purchase links:

Christian Book Distributors  

Barnes & Noble   

Amazon 

Check at your local Christian bookstores, e.g., Lifeway, to see if they have copies, too! 

Giveaway: An autographed copy of First Love Forever. Leave a comment to enter.