MaryLu Tyndall Character Interview - Charity Westcott, Lady Villemont

Charity's Cross by MaryLu Tyndall

Interview with the infamous murderer, Charity Westcott, Lady Villemont

By Franklin Morris of the Caribbean Chronicle

“Thank you for meeting with me today, Lady Villemont.” Mr. Morris takes a seat in the tiny cabin on board the Vintage.

Charity lifts her hands and jangles the irons binding her wrists together. “I don’t believe I had a choice, Sir.”

Franklin shifts uncomfortably in his chair and pulls out a pen, ink, and parchment. “Yes…well…Let me start with a simple question. You are…were married to Herbert Gregson, Lord Villemont?”

“I was, yes.”

“And his lordship was found shot to death in the parlor of his house nearly three months ago.”

Charity lowers her gaze and swallows a lump of emotion. “Is that a question or a statement?”

“A statement, I suppose.”

“’Tis why I am here as well you know, Sir.”

“Indeed.”  He nods and jots down something on his paper. “Then do enlighten us, Lady Villemont. Why did you kill your husband?”

Charity gazes out the porthole of the tiny cabin. “Whether I killed him or not is for the court to decide. But his death was an accident, if you must know.”

Mr. Morris snorts. “I suppose a pistol simply appeared in your hand?”

She faces him, annoyed at his impertinence. “In truth, I grabbed it to protect myself.”

“From what, pray tell?”

“From my husband, Sir.”

Mr. Morris’s eyes light up as he dips his pen in ink and scribbles across his parchment.  “Are you saying that Lord Villemont, the pillar of Portsmouth society, intended to harm his own wife?”

She raises her chin. “I am saying exactly that, Sir. He was a different man at home.”

“Indeed.” Mr. Morris gives a disbelieving smile. 

“Yet, I hear from his brother that you were not only a bad wife but unfaithful as well.”

Charity’s face heats as her breath comes hard and fast. “My husband was also a good liar.”

“Hmm.” Mr. Morris studies her. “Yet you left your dead husband on the parlor floor and fled England to embark on some grand adventure in the Caribbean with your lover…what was his name?”

He flips through his parchment. ”Ah, yes, Elias Dutton.” He chuckles. “Claims he’s a preacher!”

“He is a preacher and he is not my lover.” She places her hands in her lap, the clank of iron ringing through the room. “In truth, Elias is the kindest most honorable man I know. He helped me to see that God is not to blame for my misfortune.”

“He did, did he? Was this while you shared a cabin together on more than one ship?” He gives a cynical chuckle.

The ship rolls over a wavelet as Charity narrows her eyes. “’Twas necessary for our survival. And he never touched me.”

Shaking his head, Mr. Morris writes furiously on his paper. “What exactly did you blame God for, Lady Villemont?”

“For my marriage, my husband’s abuse…” She presses a hand on her stomach. “Other misfortunes.”

Mr. Morris frowns. “Since God is supposedly all-powerful and all-knowing, why shouldn’t we blame Him when troubles arise?”

Charity eyes him, sensing a sorrow hovering about him. “Because ofttimes our struggles are merely a result of our own actions. God warned me not to marry Lord Villemont and then once I had, God gave me opportunities to leave. I did nothing.”
 

“Humph. I never caused the problems which came my way.” Mr. Morris’s tone bore anger.

A spark of excitement rises within Charity at the opportunity before her. “Even if we didn’t bring on our misfortune, there could be a thousand reasons for it. The actions of others, a test, a chastisement, a device through which God changes our course or brings us closer to Him. Or the devil himself.”

He stops writing and gazes up at her, searching her face.  

She lays a hand on his arm. “One thing I have learned, Mr. Morris, is that God loves us, and if we allow Him, He will work everything out for our good, even those problems of our own making.”

His lips twist as doubt clouds his eyes. “And yet here you are in chains on a ship bound for trial in England.”

Charity sits back in her chair. “I am willing to face trial. Whatever comes of it, I have learned one thing. I will trust God.”

“Even if you hang?”

“Especially if I hang.”

Mr. Morris lays down his pen and gazes at Charity with a look quite different than the incriminating look of disgust he gave her upon entering the cabin. “I must admit, this interview didn’t go as I expected.  You, milady, are not what I expected.”

Charity smiles as Mr. Morris stands and gathers his things. “You have given me much to think about, Lady Villemont. I wish you the best.”

“As I do you, Sir. God speed to you.”

Author MaryLu Tyndall 

MaryLu Tyndall grew up on the shores of Southern Florida dreaming of romance and adventure upon the sea. She now lives with her husband, six children, and four cats in Northern California where she writes inspirational adventure romance novels. MaryLu's novels have been praised for their fast-paced action, strong inspirational messages, and incredibly vivid settings. Her first novel, The Redemption was nominated for the prestigious Christy Award for Best Christian Fiction. 

Jaime Wright Sundsmo Interviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

JAIME WRIGHT is the administrator of Coffee Cups & Camisoles and a member of the Christian Fiction Historical Society blog. She writes historical romance with a suspenseful slant and is a member of ACFW.

JAIME, 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? (transparency appreciated!)

Bringing out the big guns in the first question, huh? Well, there are a lot of trials I could draw from, but most recently it was the year 2012. Typically, the birth of a newborn is a good thing, but in April after my son was born, I was hit very hard with postpartum depression. I was a high risk case for it because my first three pregnancies ended up being miscarriages and my daughter was in the NICU for the first bit of her life. My son’s birth was 100% normal. The doctor said I’d probably be traumatized by normality and have a huge mood swing down from expecting and preparing for trauma. He was right. By the end of my son’s first week of life I was concocting ways to have my sister-in-law adopt him or even leave him on the hospital doorstep. I had no emotional bond to him whatsoever—he was an interruption, a betrayal of my affection to my daughter, and an exhausting addition to our lives. After my sister-in-law interpreted my emotion, my husband hurried me off to the doctor to get assistance and get me back on my feet. During this time, my husband was going through a bout of his chronic insomnia and average 8 hours of sleep a week. I was bit by a deer tick and contracted Lyme’s disease. My daughter went through major separation anxiety with the entrance of her brother and became prone to tantrums and long hours of tears.

It was a difficult year but a phenomenal one as well. The grace of God is exceptional and receiving nothing but support and understanding from a network of friends and family only bolstered the sense of humility in being able to receive help and love and assistance.

My Lyme’s disease is now cured. My son is a mommy’s boy and I can hardly be without him he’s so dear to my heart. My daughter loves on her brother and refuses to let anyone “be mean to him” and my husband has upped his weekly amount of sleep to ten hours (so we could still use prayer there!)

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

Sheesh. I have a lot but the most poignant one lately has been Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God”. I have a habit of talking my way out of problems, controlling, planning and KNOWING what I need to do. This verse has been a slap upside the head to shut up, sit back, and let God be GOD!

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your blogs and why?

I’d love for readers to connect with a healthy sense of community—the sort of fellowship that blesses and bolsters us on a daily basis. It’s been such a great place for me to find some rest and peace in the midst of a hectic life—I hope I can offer the same in return.

As you researched your manuscripts, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

Tons. Usually my research is very historically inclined, but along with it I put myself in the shoes of those who lived in that time and a million potential Spiritual themes arise. Those are always challenging for me because so often, I’m going through similar experiences.

In this latest work, do you have any topics that will be useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

Not so much medically, but Spiritually I’d say yes. My latest manuscript addresses the issue of extreme legalism and lack of grace that comes with a hard past. In an effort to protect from the bad choices we made or experienced, we create laws and rules while eliminating the grace of God. Hopefully, my readers (when I have them!) will be able to engage in growing in their Spiritual well-being through my books. While I write for entertainment, I also pray that each novel has a lesson and theme that can be applied to our Spiritual walk.

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

Find Jaime at: 
http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com
facebook.com/JaimeWrightBooks
twitter.com/jaime_wright

http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/jaimewright01/

GIVEAWAY: It is Karen Witemeyer week and we’ll be giving away the winner’s choice of any of Karen’s books, choice of format.

Interview with Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie has interviewed many authors on this blog. Now we wanted to turn things around and let Carrie tell us about herself. We’re looking forward to getting to know you a bit better, Carrie!

Carrie, please tell us about your upcoming releases.

I am a contributor to a Civil War anthology spearheaded by Murray Pura, with a focus on the year 1863. My story is set at Shirley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia and begins in the year 1862 and ends in early 1863. There are about a dozen contributors to the anthology, each section releasing as an ebook. The ebooks are supposed to also be put into an audiobook format. All of the stories will be bundled into a paperback for Christmas release. 

I am also a contributor to a nonfiction book compiled by Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy that releases May 1st through Lighthouse of the Carolinas entitled "God's Provision in Tough Times." 

  

We’d like to know more about your writing career. Tell us about the first time you realized you wanted to be a writer.

I was a child. I believe God called me to be a writer and kept trying to get my attention. Instead I became a psychologist but I believe God has used that experience to help my writing.

Who is your greatest literary inspiration?

Lucy Maude Montgomery and Margaret Mitchell. Although these two authors may have very different heroines (Anne of Green Gables, Scarlet O’Hara) their ability to capture a time and place as well as do fabulous characterization is admirable.

We know you love the Colonial era. What makes this time period so special for you?

I live in the historic triangle of Virginia. This time period riveted my attention when we moved here and about that time I discovered my family roots in Virginia, unknown to me prior to that time. As I researched one of my ancestors, Johan Adam Rousch, I was deeply touched by the accounts I read while researching—from testimony by American Revolutionary war soldiers and from colonial frontiers people as recorded in volumes I read at the University of Virginia in their rare book stacks. Their voices came alive, as did the people, when I read their accounts. Because I have a vivid imagination, their words nagged at me to tell their stories.

However, I do love many different times in history, hence my tagline "Overcoming Through Time." And I am happy about my inclusion in the Civil War anthology. I have other manuscripts set outside the 19th century but I prefer earlier times in America.

What is an experience God has brought you through where you’ve learned something invaluable?

Two years ago I was so ill I believed I might not get another year to live. I gave my entire will, my life, over to the Lord to the point of preparing for Him to take me home. I was in bed twelve weeks between 2009-2010 due to complications from a biologic I was on and illnesses from a suppressed immune system. I learned to trust Him to the point of death and to trust His will for my life.

Can you tell us a little about your salvation experience?

I gave my life to the Lord as a young person but I turned my back on God for a long time. I returned to Christ as an adult. At that time I asked Him to be Lord of my life. That is a key difference. When He is Lord of our lives we not only believe in Christ and all His promises but we want to obey Him and to please Him by giving our will over to Him. 

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

The 23^rd Psalm, which is not a verse, but the first verse in particular, is a favorite, among many. I was led to speak particularly on the 23^rd Psalm to residents of a local nursing home the Sunday before 9-11 happened. I believe God was preparing me. A friend, also, was convicted that she should immerse herself in this psalm during that same time. I was pregnant, at home alone, when the attack occurred and watched it happen on TV. I kept praying that if there was anyone still up there in those skies that God would give them bravery to deal with the situation. And some did. Some that gave their lives were saying the 23^rd Psalm before they made their move to disarm the attackers and bring the plane down. This psalm affirms that no matter what, even in the shadow of death, He holds us in His very palm and we should trust Him.

How do you tackle and overcome life’s stresses?

I find time in the Word and in prayer helps best. Also seeking out godly advice. And sharing with the OWG contributors!

What makes you smile?

Hugging my soon to be eleven-year-old son (birthday this week!) or my husband or my adult daughter!  I am a big hugger!!!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

God has blessed me so much. I am grateful for all He’s done for me. I pray that I am a blessing to others, too! I also have a contribution to a nonfiction book that will release in May. 

You are a true blessing to all of us on OWG!! Thanks, Marian!  I am the one blessed by my OWG "angels."

Carrie, thank you for answering these questions. We wish you all the best in your writing career, and we hope and pray to see your novels published soon!

Thanks, Marian, Diana, Teresa, and Noela!!!  God gave me SO much assistance with the novel I wrote in 2011-2012, that I believe He has a home for it. It is His and He will put it where He wants!  

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GIVEAWAY: A surprise basket of pink goodies and perchance a Kindle copy of Carrie's, Return to Shirley Plantation! 

TO ENTER: ‘like’ Carrie’s author page on Facebook—put CFP in your comment when you have done so. Extra entry for liking Cry of Freedom page and another for liking the Helping Hands page.  

Carrie Fancett Pagels Interviews Kathleen L. Maher

Kathleen L. Maher

Kathy, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.  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?

Thank you for having me, Carrie. I am the adult child of an alcoholic. My father was an immigrant from Estonia after World War II and never healed from the scars of his childhood as a displaced person fleeing war-torn Europe. As you can imagine, his self-destructive and violent behavior brought a lot of turbulence to my family. (Carrie—I’ll be specific if you want me to, if you think your readers can handle it—LOL He was a serial gambler, adulterer, and physically abusive to my mother and my siblings. He abandoned our family when I was three years old) But my mother held a fierce faith in the Lord, and her influence was enough to carry me and my four siblings through chaos and poverty into the hope and good future the Lord had for each of us. 

My mother worked as a clerk in a state prison to provide a roof over our heads, and always inspired in us a love of literature and learning. She gave us stability through church attendance and faithful daily prayer, introducing the Lord’s presence in our lives in her love and selfless care until we found our own relationship with God.

That relationship I found with the Lord has sustained me through many trials in my adult life, including the time my husband lost a job he loved, my son’s diagnosis with autism, and even a brief stint with homelessness. God has turned each of these painful experiences into tremendous blessing. We moved into our very own home within a year of landing in that homeless shelter, which can only be God’s miraculous provision. It is an old farmhouse with room for my gardens, my beloved dogs, and even a writing room—all of my heart’s desires. My son’s diagnosis has shed light on so much in my own life and revealed the amazing diversity with which God made each of us. My husband now has the best job he’s ever had, working with people with disabilities, which he may never have had unless we had gone on this journey. 

I can honestly say that these things really were used by God for our good, as it says in Romans 8:28

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

Another one in the same chapter. Romans 8:18: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” 

To me, it says that God is not only sovereign through our suffering, but also that while we are walking through that suffering, we can know there is glory on the other side. Both for ourselves and for those whose lives we will touch through it.

It’s like that scripture in Hebrews 12:2 where it says of Jesus: “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 
There is joy and glory on the other side, if we can embrace God’s will and strength through any trial.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your blogs and why?

I love to share the hidden treasures of history. Some call it HIStory—the chronicle of God’s merciful dealings with man—and I believe God wants us to herald it, whether in actual historical events or in stories of redemption set in historical settings.

The purpose of Fiction Addiction Fix is to make stories of hope and inspiration available to readers for free through giveaway contests. And my blog History Repeats Itself offers book reviews for select CBA releases, plus some historical tidbits about my local history in upstate New York.

As you researched your manuscripts, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

I am always touched by people of faith who endure hardship with ingenuity and strength. It seems that the Civil war was especially hard on families. Women raised children without their men at home, and that was something I could relate to, since my mother raised her family alone, with God’s help. I was also inspired by the way our divided country turned to God in their darkest hour. A great spiritual awakening took place during the Civil War with tent meetings and revivals, and many found the Light of Life. In so many ways, it is what our country needs now. There are great chasms in our land, like nothing since that time, and our only hope is to be reconciled to the God who promises to heal our land.

In this latest work, do you have any topics that will be useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

I am writing about a wounded Confederate captain who longs to be reunited with his daughters far away. His journey takes him through reconciliation with his own father before he can be the leader his family needs him to be. It deals with the healing power of forgiveness on mind, body and soul, and the reciprocity of grace and respect. As we give it to others, we receive it for ourselves.

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

I am so blessed to have been your guest, Carrie. I pray that sharing the things the Lord has brought me through will give your readers strength and courage to believe for the glory God will reveal in them through their trials, too. Praying God’s richest blessing to you and your readers.

Bio: Kathleen L. Maher is the administrator of History Repeats Itself  and of Fiction Addiction Fix. She writes historical romance set in the American Civil War and is a 2012 Genesis Winner for Historical fiction.  Kathy is a member of ACFW, 19^th Century Writers, and co-owner of CROWN fiction marketing and Civil War HIStory.

Glass pen and ink set

Giveaway:  We have a cool glass quill pen and ink set that we are giving away to one person who comments about Kathy's interview and leaves their email address.

Nora St.Laurent The Book Club Network

As you went about setting up your book clubs and The Book Club Network what challenges did you encounter and what did you learn that particularly touched your heart?
When my boss called me into the office and asked me to sit down because he wanted to talk to me about a few changes being made in the office, I didn’t have warm fuzzy feelings inside! He then told me,” We want to start a book club at our store, and we want you to run it!”

This was the second person within six months to ask me to start a book club. Was this a conspiracy? Didn’t these people know I didn’t read unless I had to? Reading wasn’t fun for me; isn’t that a requirement for being a book club leader – having fun reading?

I was terrified at the prospect of getting up in front of people and discussing a book. Just the thought of reading out loud to the group brought up bad memories of when I was in school and got made fun of every time I tried to do this because I never read the words that were on the page correctly. I’m dyslexic and didn’t get diagnosed until I was 26 years old.

I had my heart to heart talk with God. I felt like Moses going before God and telling him he couldn’t do what he asked because he didn’t talk so well. I pleaded with God: “You know I’m dyslexic. You made me this way. Reading and I don’t get along…remember? This is not funny, God.”

I heard Him say to me gently, “Nora, don’t be afraid. Let me ask you this: Can you love the people I put in your life the way I have loved you?”

What did I just hear? Love people He puts in my life the way He’s loved me? Is that what this is all about? It’s not about how many books I can or didn’t read? What a relief!

“Yes, I can do that. If this whole book club thing is about relationships, then I’m all about it whole heartedly.”

I felt a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders. I told my boss what was on my heart and what I experienced. He wanted the book club to be a way of giving back to the community. I started on a book club journey what would later lead to me becoming the ACFW On-Line Book Club Coordinator and creating The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org with my husband, Fred. I’m not sure what the future holds but I do know who holds my future. All things are possible with Christ who strengthens me!


Great giveaways all month long at TBCN!  Leave a comment here, too, for a special surprise OTT-WGN giveaway this week in honor of Nora and Fred!

Carrie Fancett Pagels interviews Nora St.Laurent, TBCN ANNIVERSARY

NORA ST.LAURENT – CEO of THE BOOK CLUB NETWORK

Nora is a column writer for Book Club Corner in the Christian-Fiction On-Line Magazine, also Book Club Talk for Novel Rocket and is featured in the Christian Retailers Magazine in a column she writes with her husband Fred St.Laurent called Join the Club, which featured book pick favorites that have been voted on through TBCN community and the book won the vote for Fiction or Non-fiction.

I met Nora through some online groups, including ACFW as she was the book club assistant for 2 ½ years and then became the ACFW On-Line Book Club Coordinator for 2 ½ years. She recently resigned her position as the Coordinator in March of this year as The Book Club Network has exploded book club giveaways and has over 2, 200 members.

Nora, welcome.  Can you share a way God has worked in your life?

I know God has a plan for us. We are wonderfully made. No part of us is a mistake. In our weakness He is strong. He’s made us to fit in a place where we can make beautiful music and sing His praises. I have to remember that as I face my own challenges in doing what the Lord has called me to do. He’s called me to run book clubs. Not hard you say? True, a piece of cake if you’re a reader and aren’t dyslexic.

I remember the first time someone asked me to run a small book club at church. I couldn’t believe my ears. Did I give this person the impression that I read? This person said I needed to pray about the calling. She felt I was the one for the task.  I went to the Lord. I got the strangest peace about leading this small group. I did work at a book store. It seemed a natural challenge to take on.

It was natural until my boss sat me down one day and said the whole staff was talking about me and that they wanted me to run a book club at the Christian book store I work at. I was petrified. I was reminded of Moses. God had asked him to go to Pharaoh and talk to him about His people. Moses didn’t speak well. He was asking me to run a book club and I didn’t read.

I was reminded of how God asks us to come to Him as small children. I was reminded of Isaac and his joy of facing the challenges before him. He knew God was with him so he ran on full steam ahead at the challenges in life. I on the other hand I reminded God that I was dyslexic and didn’t have much need for reading in my life. I had spent most of my life avoiding it. I read what I had to, but for me watching movies was a lot more fun.

The Lord told me to Fear Not He would be with me. He asked me this, “Nora can you love the ladies I put in your life the way I have loved you?”

“Is that was this is about God? If that’s the case and it had nothing to do with what I’ve read or haven’t read then count me in.”

“Yes, that’s all I’m asking you to do. I’m asking you to show the love of Jesus to the people I bring in your life.”

I went to my boss and shared the message I felt God was telling me. My boss affirmed me. He said that he saw it as an outreach to the community and a way of giving back to the customers. It was then that a book club was born.

Currently I’m running two face-to-face book clubs one at the Christian store where I work and one at my church. My husband and I also started The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org on line, connecting authors with book clubs and leaders.

We want The Book Club Network to be the place to find Christian Book events, book signings and other book fun. I’d never thought in my wildest dreams I’d be mixed up in all this. But I can see that if we walk in what He’s called us to do. He does far more than we could imagine. I’m still dyslexic and still face challenges like my son. But God has restored the bad memories of my past and brought amazing fun to reading and writing. I’ve learned that in my weakness He is strong and gets all the Glory!

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

"He said to me, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'

"Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said to them, “…….do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Thank you Nora for agreeing to this interview and sharing your writing experience with us.  

It’s been a Pleasure being here Carrie!! Thanks for asking me to share. I’m excited about The Book Club Network’s second year Birthday party in August where we’ll be giving away 10 books a day. Thanks for letting your readers know about this!!

Blessings

Nora St.Laurent

The Book Club Netowork

www.bookfun.org

Great giveaways all month long at TBCN! Leave a comment here, too, for a special OTT-WGH giveaway this week in honor of Nora and Fred!

Interview with Lynn Squire

Interview  by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Lynn Squire is the author of Joab’s Fire.

I met Lynn through American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy and have been privileged to have her as a critique partner through The Fellowship of Christian Writers. Lynn is also a member of Colonial American Christian Writers and is a contributor on Colonial Quills 

Lynn, welcome to Overcoming Through Time. 

Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

I look over my life and see time and time again God’s help in difficult situation. He is indeed faithful and merciful. About two years ago my eldest daughter, Chenisse, had a severe asthma attack. She was not responding to treatments on the nebulizer at home. We went through the night with her on what we call the breathing machine (nebulizer) several times. About 3:00 AM I considered taking her to emergency, but decided against it. In the fog of my mind I couldn’t see how I would get the other two kids to school if I was with her in emergency (duh, my husband could have taken them). If she could just hold out, I thought to myself, I’ll call the doctor when his office opens.

And, I confess, I also didn’t want to incur the expense of a trip to emergency. We’ve done this before. The doctors did nothing more than what I was doing at home except to prescribe medicine. I could get that from the doctor’s office, I thought.

What a fool. My sweet girl was suffering because I was too cheap and too obtuse to act on her best interests.

When I took Chenisse to the doctor’s office, he looked at her, put her on oxygen and called the ambulance. The doctor’s office is only two football fields away from emergency. I rode in the ambulance with her, and held her hand while sending up a brief, “Please Lord, don’t let her die”. For the better part of the day the doctors worked to bring her oxygen level up and stabilizer her so that she could be moved to the Oakland Children’s Hospital for further treatment. That hospital is about thirty miles away. I knew the prayers of family and friends were bolding approaching the throne of grace.

By the time we settled into the ICU at the children’s hospital, my daughter was miserable. She couldn’t breathe, the medicine was making her sick to her stomach, and she was utterly exhausted. In time, Chenisse improved enough to be transported to the Asthma Center, resulting in yet another ambulance ride. A couple of days later she was released and we returned home.

At the follow up appointment I asked the doctor how serious she was when she came into his office. I know, a rather dumb question, but I wanted to know at what point I should have seen the signs indicating she required an emergency visit. He turned gray and replied that just months ago a boy died because his mother hadn’t taken him to emergency soon enough for the doctors to help him recover.

My stomach hit the floor like a cannonball. I knew she had been bad, but I didn’t know I’d put my daughter at such risk all because I was too cheap to go to emergency in the middle of the night. Yes, I could say I just didn’t know the signs, but bottom line, money should never have factored into that decision.

God’s grace and mercy, however, is bountiful. Throughout the ordeal I didn’t find myself wringing my hands or worrying in excess. I knew God had a purpose. I had no doubt in my mind Chenisse would pull through that emergency. I can say with all honesty that He kept me in perfect peace through the trial. When we were in the Asthma Center I even had opportunity to share my faith. God is indeed so very good, even though I can be so very moronic.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?
Can I say the whole Bible? Through my life I have found that God provides different verses or passages to which I can cling at that time. Recently my meditation focuses on Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Executing the Joab’s Fire marketing plan means exposing myself to the public like never before. Some of those encounters will include mean-spirited people or those who take offense to the message. Coping with such will require me remembering that God goes with me, and He will not fail me nor forsake me.

What formats is your book available in? 

Joab’s Fire is available as an e-book. As far as I know, every e-book reader allows a person to enlarge the print to a comfortable size for him. It is also available in paperback. Eventually, it will be available in audio format, as will Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

 The most important thing would be acceptance of the Gospel message if a person is not saved, and for those who are, a deeper knowledge of God. I like how Paul puts it in Colossians 1:9b-11 “…that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

Those who have turned from their old beliefs, thoughts, and actions to believe in the death, burial and resurrection will encounter hardships. Generally hardships come as a result of sin, whether your own or someone else’s. At times in our life we suffer because of what we choose to believe.  I hope to direct my readers to God’s Word, where He tells us how to overcome every situation in which we find ourselves. Our faith, which is more precious than gold, will be tried and made more pure. Through trials we can gain a deeper understanding of God and His bountiful love and grace toward us.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

In researching for Joab’s Fire, I marveled at how my ancestors overcame such great hardships. While reading my great grandfather’s memoirs I could not escape the fact of his faith. Because of his trust in God he endured much and found his hope in eternity.

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


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