Margaret Daley, a USA Today’s Bestselling author of over 110
books (five million plus sold worldwide), has been married for over forty-nine
years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling or
being with her two granddaughters, she’s writing love stories, often with a
suspense/mystery thread and corralling her cats that think they rule her
household.
When two young girls go missing, Dr. Emma Reichs, a child
psychologist who worked with the two teens, turns to Brody Taylor, an ex-Green
Beret, who founded the Pals Center, a safe haven for kids, to help her find the
girls. Brody along with his retired military canine, Charlie, is determined to
find the people behind the kidnapping of young people in his community.
In the midst of the search for Piper and Maria, more
children are taken. Brody and Emma realize they’re fighting against a ticking
bomb to find the teens before they disappear for good. Their partnership brings
them closer and awakens feelings for each other, but can they stay alive long
enough to end the nightmare for the kids and still have a future together?
Book: Inspired Artistry Author: Pamela Poole Genre: Non-fiction, Devotional Release Date: March 30, 2020 Spirit-filled creative expression is an outreach for Christians to be ambassadors of the Kingdom. This insightful devotional explores how the imprint of our Creator on all mankind makes it natural for Christians to embrace their unique gifts. Through Scripture, true stories, prayer, and study questions, readers will explore how every person born has a meaningful gift to contribute joy and beauty in the world. Led by the Holy Spirit, believers can live higher than the corrupting influences that distort Christ’s intent for our personal Inspired Artistry. The pages of Inspired Artistry contain delightful illustrations and pages for readers who journal to write their own “Inspired Musings.”
As an artist, this devotional hit home for me and deeply touched me. I've always felt that my artistic ability was a gift from God. The author encourages the reader to dig down deep and find the creative talents God has given us and use it to bring beauty into the world to honor HIM. She reminds us that creativity has many forms and each form is unique to the person. To connect with God in a personal way brings that out in us.The devotional is unique and wonderfully written. It speaks from years of the author's experiences and her insightful words are backed up with scripture. Some of my most loved scriptures were included. A very encouraging and uplifting devotional with lessons in ethics.I loved her addition of drawings which can be used for coloring. I highly recommend the book and thoroughly enjoyed it.I received an updated version of the book from Celebrate Lit. and voluntarily choose to review it. My opinions are my own
About the Author
Pamela Poole’s love for the South inspires all her books and paintings. She and her husband Mark currently live in Raleigh, NC, but she’s hoping to get back home to the Lowcountry of SC someday. If making her fictional stories public was a step of faith, writing her first devotional was a leap! Believing all Christians have a sphere of influence, she wanted to be certain that sharing her views was a process grounded in Scripture. Pamela believes nothing is wasted for a child of God. Using examples learned through challenging experiences, she reveals accounts of true events that only her family knew about before. Years of teaching art, teaching Bible Studies, leadership roles, membership in guilds and associations, mentoring, painting, exhibiting, and writing books has provided her with a wealth of hard-won lessons to share. Pamela lives life loving Jesus and her family as a wife, mother, and Gigi, and she is blessed with true friends. She is a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and PaintNC. Readers and art enthusiasts alike can enjoy her Youtube channel for painting demos, art history lessons, and projects, and peeks into an author’s life. Her blog can be found on her art and publishing websites. Her illustrations for FREE coloring pages are her contribution to a cause she cares about, the healing that happens through art, and they can be downloaded on her websites. To enjoy the latest content, sign up for her newsletters and follow Pamela Poole, Artist and Author, and Southern Sky Publishing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
More from Pamela
“I don’t have a talented bone in my body.” “I can’t even make stick people.” “I’ve never taken art classes.” As an artist, teacher, author, and craft lover, I’ve heard statements like these all my life. My favorite is when my art students came to the first class saying, “I can’t even draw a straight line!” Flashing them my most engaging smile, I would respond brightly, “Me, either! I always use a ruler.” Every person on the planet has a special gift of creativity. It is the stamp of our Maker, in whose image we are made. From the opening verses of the Bible, creativity is the first attribute that God reveals about Himself to mankind. Christians have talents, but they do not think of them as creativity or as having any value in their faith or outreach to the world. Inspired Creativity—Embracing the Creative Calling is my first devotional, written to encourage my sisters and brothers in Christ to discover and develop their unique gifts. I base the book on the authority of Scripture, and I use personal stories to apply the biblical principles to real situations. Many people shy away from their talents because of the rejection and ridicule they could face from those whose tastes run differently. I understand this well and have the scars to prove it after decades of participating in professional organizations, art exhibitions, classes, art galleries, and the online book market. Readers can look at any author’s reviews and see they will range from mean and scathing to helpful and glowing. By publishing this devotional, I have set myself up for criticism by sharing what I’ve learned and how it all fits into a biblical Christian worldview. Knowing how vulnerable creative Christians feel, I point out in this book that if we are abiding in Christ and following His lead, our work is inspired as both a healing, spiritual growth activity for our souls and something He may call us to share. We must get past our dread and remember we work to please Jesus, not mankind. Since when did Christ’s enemy not attack those who talk about Him or reach out in His name? When writing Inspired Artistry, I faced a few scary moments when relating experiences in my creative life that only my husband and son knew had happened. But nothing is wasted when believers walk with Christ, and I obeyed the tug on my heart and the spiritual certainty that I traveled those roads for such a time as this. It is my prayer that readers will discover and embrace their creative gifts for their role as ambassadors of the Kingdom to come! Note to readers who color and journal: the print version of this devotional has coloring and journaling pages.
To celebrate her tour, Pamela is giving away the grand prize package of Inspired Proverbs Coloring Journal, Tin of Colored Pencils, and a print copy of Inspired Artistry – Embracing the Creative Calling!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
My main hope for my readers is that they will feel whole and refreshed after reading Healing Their Hearts. It isn’t just a fluffy story because it does deal with fostering a child, possibly past secrets, and family struggles, but it is a light read because I love including humor, faith, and fun into my novels.
With his back pressed snug up against the wall in the narrow hallway, Mark knocked on the door. “Lainee? I need you to respond to me. I won’t hurt you, I promise. My name is Mark. Remember me? Can you say something for me?”
The three-year-old remained silent. Mark tipped his head back against the ramshackle wall and sent up a silent prayer. So far, he wasn’t getting anywhere, and they’d arrived on the scene well over an hour ago.
A neighbor had reported that Steve was being belligerent, and Brenda had been spotted with a fresh purchase of booze. Though both had denied it, the last straw had been drawn, and that was the end of it.
"...at its heart, this book is about family—the family you’re born with and the one who surrounds you when you marry and the ones you work and live the day in and day out with.
Overall, this sweet read is one that left me feeling happy and hopeful and there’s plenty of potential for more to come with the residents of Believe."
“Believe’s biggest weekend is upon us, ya’ll,” Noah declared, gesturing to the normal amount of traffic on Main Street. “As you can see by all this traffic.”
Liam paused with his paint roller dangling off the ground, squinting into the early morning sun. “You do realize it’s just you and me listening, right? Also, quit yakking and start brushing. This needs to dry sooner than later.”
“Maybe you should’ve painted the giant red BerryPepper smack dab in the middle of Main Street a little sooner than the Friday of BerryPepper days.”
“I’d like to be able to talk to all five of you, but this will do for now. First of all, as your father, I’m proud of all of you. Liam, you impress me every single day with your bravery and loyalty to both your family and your job. You work hard to support your wife and children, and I’m proud of you for it. To my youngest sons, I’m impressed by your drive and devotion to this ranch. It’s not a small undertaking. Luke, I’ve seen you come a long way in the past year, and I have no doubt that you’ll be a wonderful father come September. I can see how happy you make your wife, and that’s all the indication I need to know how loved your daughter will be. Noah, you’ve had a lot thrown at you these past months—a little bad with a lot of good. You’re a hardworking young man, and you’re going to be a fine husband. All I’m saying is that I’m proud of you. All of you.”
“Aw, Dad.” Noah offered a goofy grin. “Who knew Allen McKay was such a softie?”
“Your mother,” Dad teased. “Why do you think she married me?”
It was evenings like this that made Emma wish Liam had a different career of choice. Yes, he was safe at home and they were safe up here at the river, but she longed for her husband to be here enjoying the weekend at the river. Playing cards, sitting around the campfire, going for a family pontoon ride at sunset.
But then her thoughts would rationalize because she knew how much he loved his police work. And even with lonely hours, she would never truly wish for him to work elsewhere.
Emma quietly eased out of the bed she was sharing with Ava, grabbed her phone and a blanket, and slipped out of the trailer into the cool evening air. The breeze had died down to nothing and locusts and crickets created an ambience of night sounds as Emma tiptoed down to the pontoon, the flood light illuminating her way.
"If you’re looking for a sweet story that makes you smile, and brings hope, then this is the book for you. All the characters are relatable, and I felt as if I could become friends with any of them. Even the town itself was one I could find myself either visiting, or possibly even living there!"
Eva didn’t reply, her gaze falling to her coffee mug. She couldn’t really talk, because it was rare that she let people in. Even simply talking to Mark was way outside of her comfort zone.
“I’m sorry if I—”
“What? No.” She bit her lip. “I just don’t really—I’m not accustomed to people, um, caring about me. Not that you, you know, care about me. I mean—that doesn’t…” She finally stammered to a stop, her cheeks hot.
A hand on hers made her look up. “I do care about you, Eva, contrary to what you might think,” he said softly. “So does everybody in this town, whether you’ve been here forever or not. And to prove just how much, may I ask you out for supper Saturday night?”
"I really did enjoy this sweet family story. And I love and appreciate the [way] this author weaves the Christian life and faith into her characters. The wedding scene was so sweet it brought tears, and it was just a joy to read a book like this about family. If you love a sweet family story set in a neat little town, this is one you need to read."
“You like her.” Sam pointed her spoon at him. “You like Evangeline!”
He let his shirt fall into place and crossed to the freezer. “You’re off duty and it’s past your bedtime. Stop throwing accusations around.”
“Mark Bryant MacLaughlin, you’re in denial.” Sam shut the freezer door before he could grab his ice cream. “Admit it. You. Like. Evangeline. Taylor!”
“Could you not yell in my face?” Using his height to his advantage, he blocked her with his shoulders, then grabbed the butter pecan gelato. “I didn’t say I like her, and I haven’t given you cause to think that. Now, if you could excuse me, I’d like to enjoy my ice cream before work.”
"Healing Their Hearts is a light, gentle read that follows 4 main characters through the ups and downs of daily life in a small Nebraska town. . . . The theme of family – the circle you’re born into & the circle you intentionally gather around you – is sweetly presented, with a maturity beyond the author’s years. This is the kind of book that leaves you with hope in humanity and confidence in the grace of God, as well as a smile on your face and in your heart."
"Healing their Hearts is a story full of friendships, family, and more. Liam and Emma was an amazing couple. . . . I loved all the children in the book. . . also a lot of surprises with Eva’s family."
“Good.” Mark set his things down and took the bait from Lainee. “Okay, Lainee, can you wait for a second while I help Eva bait her hook?”
“That be ’kay.” Lainee pointed to a white butterfly. “Fly!”
“Pretty butterfly, huh?” Eva asked. “Just as pretty as Lainee.”
Lainee giggled and squatted down to examine a rock several feet back from the creekbank. Mark kept his eye on her as he tied a hook onto Eva’s fishing line, then opened the container of bait from the gas station.
“Under normal circumstances, I would require you to bait your own hook,” he told Eva. “That was Dad’s rule growing up—for boys and girls. But because of your wrist, I’ll make an exception.”
"I enjoyed reading this story with all the friendships and love. I like the town of Believe. The community is close and I love the way they have faith.
The characters are many and each on is well-developed and easy to love. It is also easy to feel their emotions. . . . I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy good romance and friendships."
I don’t know how I’m going to do it, bro.” Luke dropped his forehead against the window. “Katie is going to be a tiny little human and I’m supposed to, well, basically prevent her from dying?”
Liam’s brow furrowed and he leaned around the cab of his truck. “Where did that come from?”
“Liam, it’s, what? June eleventh? That means we’re about three and a half months from Rae’s due date. What if I fail?” His face paled. “Would you charge me with murder?”
“Nope. I’d have Cam do it.”
Luke threw a sponge at him. “That’s not funny!”
Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...
Healing Their Hearts
(Faith to Love, #6)
By Cleopatra Margot
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 302 Pages
June 21, 2020
After spring's many trials, Knox County Sheriff Liam McKay is ready for a season of restoration. He needs time to grieve the loss of his grandmother and work on becoming a better husband and father. Liam learned the hard way that life is fragile, and he doesn't want to miss out on any precious moments.
Emma McKay loves her role as a wife and mother. After she lost her parents, the McKay family became her saving grace. Being married to a police officer brings both challenges and adventures into her life, though, and when something hits on a more personal level, will her past be brought into the light?
Officer Mark MacLaughlin is motivated by two things: his family and his job. Add a beautiful stranger to the mix, and Mark can't help but want to get to know her better. But when he takes on fatherhood for a three-year-old girl, he has to learn how to blur the lines between his personal and professional life too.
Evangeline Taylor was on the way to confront her past, until her plans came to a grinding halt. Now injured and stranded in a tiny Nebraska town, Eva's heart opens up. The town, the people, and maybe one handsome police officer in particular help her to heal...but will they be enough to make her stay?
Cleopatra Margotresides with her family and their golden retriever in small town, rural Nebraska. Inspiration for her novels comes from both real life + fictional characters and storylines in her brain. The town of Believe is based on her own hometown, but with embellishments. She and her two younger siblings are homeschooled, and enjoy traveling with their parents and the dog. When she’s not writing, Cleopatra enjoys Bible journaling, time with family and friends, playing cards, being outside (when it’s not subfreezing temps), laughing, singing, and enjoying life.
1 winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Healing Their Hearts by Cleoptatra Margot, a vinyl sticker, bookmark, and free shipping coupon (for a future purchase through the author)
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
First, I hope readers will find a sweet romance at the center of the story. I enjoy writing about two people who don’t want to fall in love but who fall in love anyway. Second and most important, I pray that readers will take one step closer to God because of something they find in How Sweet It Is.
"Another story about some broken people finding their way.
A story about trusting, forgiveness, and love. . . . Robin Lee Hatcher writes sweet romances that show us God’s love. This book is an excellent [example] of this."
"Robin Lee Hatcher’s books have always been an automatic read for me. Her Legacy of Faith series has certainly been very heartwarming and poignant, this book pouring many blessings into my heart. . . . So many precious nuggets were found in this book. Highly recommended."
"When you pick up a Robin Lee Hatcher book you know it's going to be good! . . . Hatcher has done a nice job in tying the past with the present together once again. . . . I highly recommend this book because you'll not want to put it down until you finish. This book will leave you feeling full and satisfied after a good read. Kind of like a wonderful dessert."
"This novel was a nice way to round out the Legacy of Faith series. I believe that it can be read and understood without reading the first two books in the series. However, I feel that I had a greater appreciation for the historical portion of the novel because I have read the entire series.
I thought that Jed and Holly’s relationship growth throughout the story felt realistic."
"There was a beautiful layer of faith presented, and hope for those facing family conflicts. I can imagine a lot of people will enjoy this as a light read. I would highly recommend reading the whole series to get the full impact of Andrew's story."
"I loved this book! It made me want to bake a million things! . . . The family aspect was also super interesting! If you are looking for a great contemporary, then I suggest this one!"
"The story is one of healing and love and family and belonging. You go on the journey with Holly and Jed, two people who are dealing with their own set of struggles of trust, hurt and wanting something more. Along with their story, is the story of Jed's grandfather, Andrew. Popping back and forth from present day to Grandpa Andrew's day, the story of family and legacy is told. It was a heartwarming story that slowly took you from one place to the next with each chapter."
"How Sweet It Is is just as sweet as its title suggests! It’s a clean, inspirational romance that will challenge you to trust that God has your future in His hands. . . . The characters and the love that develops between them are very believable. But I think that the best part of the book is watching God’s plan unfold. . . . I have always loved Robin Lee Hatcher’s books, and How Sweet It Is is no exception."
"How Sweet It Is was a book that had me hooked from the very first word. I love reading books that connect with two time periods.
I loved Andrew and Helen’s story that was set in 1969 to 1970. They had such a fantastic love story. . . . The characters were so real to me. I could visualize what they were doing."
"As can be expected, How Sweet It Is uses Andrew’s bible to once again bring a family member back to their walk of faith. . . . It was encouraging to read about how seeming coincidences actually became evident as the obvious leading of the Lord.
A sweet romance, How Sweet It Is was easy to read and enjoyable. Although filled with scripture references, the faith element was not intrusive and did not detract from the story."
"There was many beautiful lessons and truths in this story that pulled at my heartstrings. I enjoyed watching each of the people grow into better versions of themselves as they took away lessons from their ancestor Andrew Henning. This was a beautiful story of family and their legacy of faith and what that can mean for generations."
"I have read many of Robin Lee Hatcher’s books and love them all, and was excited to read and review this one. There is so much in this story, twists and turns that surprise you, making it a wonderful and entertaining read. If you enjoy a good clean Christian fiction, you don’t want to miss How Sweet It Is. Because Jed and Holly’s story truly is a really sweet story."
"This is a really nice love story, within a love story. . . . The characters were all portrayed well and very endearing. Although this [drama] was very predictable, it was very well written and inspiring."
"I was elated when I found that I'd get to read the third book of this series. I had read book two at its release last year and was eagerly waiting to read this one. I am happy to say that it lived up to my expectations. . . . All in all, I enjoyed this last book and it was definitely the uplifting read that I had been craving."
"I loved this sweet and delightful read. I adored Jed and Holly. They had perfect chemistry, making the book fun and entertaining. There was a little twist and turn I did not expect which made the story quite unpredictable. . . . I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean and inspiring romance."
"I loved returning to the Hennings family as this book continues to follow Andrew and Helen decades previous, while also catching up with their descendants in the present. The dual timelines are well written and complement each other well. I loved the themes of faith and commitment, as Jed takes time to consider things he hasn't had time for the in the past. A heartwarming and enjoyable read about family, faith, new opportunities, and lasting love."
"This was a sweet romance. I liked the chemistry between Holly and Jed. . . . I would recommend this as a quick clean inspirational romance. This is the third book in the series. It reads well as a stand alone."
His smile made a shiver run down her spine. A pleasurable kind of shiver. One of anticipation. Something flickered in his eyes. Understanding, perhaps. With it, his smile faded. His eyes seemed to darken as he gazed intently into hers. His right hand rose to cup her cheek, the flat of his hand gentle against her skin. She couldn’t help but press into it. She was tempted to close her eyes, but she didn’t want to break the look passing between them. His face drew closer. Was this happening?
“Holly.” He whispered her name, as soft as a caress.
She feared her knees would buckle. Breathe, she reminded herself. Just breathe.
"How Sweet It Is is a sweet story from Robin Lee Hatcher indeed . . . As romance and understanding grow, the present timeline complements Andrew’s one in the past to deliver a valuable message about trusting God through the good and the bad. Readers who have enjoyed the Legacy of Faith thus far are sure to enjoy this book; it is a satisfying conclusion."
"How Sweet It Is has some light-hearted moments that made me smile and some tougher moments that had me reaching for the tissues. Throughout the book, the message of the power, importance, and comfort of spending time digging into God’s word and building a strong relationship with Him rings through. This is an excellent end to the series, and like the author, I am sad to say goodbye to Andrew and his descendants."
"I love authors who can hook us into the emotional framework of a character immediately after we've started to read their story. With Hatcher, you don't have to wait long, as even within the Prologue of How Sweet It Is - you are rooted into the emotional heartache and anguish of Jed. . . . What I enjoyed the most though - is seeing how two ordinary people who weren't expecting anything extraordinary to happen to them suddenly find themselves in the middle of their own romance story! And that dear hearts, is why I kept turning the pages. . ."
"Lovers of more serious stories with the light of faith shining through will want to be sure to read How Sweet It Is. And while it easily stands alone, it builds on the events of the previous books of the Legacy of Faith series, so you’ll want to be sure to read them as well."
"As with the previous books in the Legacy Of Faith series, Robin Lee Hatcher presents a sweet romance combined with the reality of the messiness of family. . . . As much as I enjoyed the romance between Holly and Jed . . . it was still the sections with Andrew that I most looked forward to. Across three books he's gone through tragedy and triumph from young manhood to retirement age. He has faced each struggle with love and a faith that is to be admired. . . . It was just as wonderful, and bittersweet, as its predecessors. It is very much a book that you shouldn't miss."
Inside, Pumpkin welcomed her home with a loud meow. After setting aside her purse, Holly picked up the cat and buried her face in the feline’s long hair.
“Sweetheart, what am I going to do?”
Pumpkin answered with a purr.
“You never lie to me, do you? You’re just who you say you are.”
She carried the cat with her into the living room, stopping long enough to turn on the lamp before settling onto the sofa.
“I’m at the end. I don’t know what to do. God, I need Your help. There’s no hope without You.”
"This is the first book I’ve read by author Robin Lee Hatcher. And, it is a wonderful, sweet, darling, inspirational, and beautifully written story for the most part. The short chapters make it an extremely quick read. . .
The biggest message I loved from this book was in practicing grace when dealing with family and friends when it comes to conflicts and reconciliation.
Readers of the previous books in the series as well as fans of the author will more than likely enjoy this story."
"How Sweet It Is the third book in the Legacy of Faith Series by Ms. Hatcher and I will say that it truly is a sweet, endearing novel. I absolutely adore a dual timeline and the author certainly had me engaged in the family saga from start to finish. . . . I thought this book was beautifully crafted with charming characters and one that will make you cry at times and one that will stay with you after you have finished reading it."
Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...
How Sweet It Is
(Legacy of Faith, #3)
By Robin Lee Hatcher
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 304 Pages
July 14th, 2020 by Thomas Nelson
He lost his brother. She lost her dream. Together, they might find what they’re really looking for.
Jed Henning has done well with his new company despite his prodigal brother’s behavior. When Jed‘s father, the controlling member of the board of directors, temporarily suspends operations until his sons work out their differences, Jed resentfully chases his brother, Chris, to Boise. There Jed rents a basement apartment from Holly and hopes to convince Chris to get his act together before their company collapses.
Unaware that Holly is the one person who can help him get through to Chris, Jed starts the tough work of reconciliation armed with little more than a few family photographs, a stack of old letters, and a Bible that belonged to his great-grandfather, Andrew Henning. And as romance blossoms between Holly and Jed, the story of Jed’s great-grandfather highlights the power of God across the generations and the legacy of a family’s courageous faith.
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.
Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver — Hanady's planning her dream wedding, but her injured best friend Keenan isn't the groom. If she can't see she's marrying the wrong guy soon, his leg won't be the only thing broken.
All the Moore by Toni Shiloh — Leilah Anderson has been living behind the screen to hide her disability, then she meets Reggie Moore face-to-face. Can their relationship survive the truth and distance between them?
Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger — When not-so-merry mishaps threaten wedding planner Cate Forsyth's holiday wedding and reputation, will her own happily ever after with sweetheart Noah Bennett melt away?
A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd — Lydia Osborn hasn't heard from her ex in ten years, so imagine her surprise when he shows up proposing marriage. Tis the season for love?
Wife of one, mother of three, and grandmother of nine. I
live and write in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. My journey to publication
began in the stacks of our local library where I devoured fiction as a young
girl and created small books out of construction paper.
When I'm not writing or reading, you will find me combing
through antique shops, walking in the woods with my faithful Labrador Zeke, or
sipping a Creme Brulee latte with friends.
The release of my first novel All That Glitters fulfills a lifelong dream of sharing the characters in my head with you, dear reader.
Enjoy!
A Rocky Mountain logging camp may be just the place to find
herself.
To escape the devastation caused by the breaking of her
wedding engagement, Isabelle Franklin joins her aunt in the Rocky Mountains to
feed a camp of lumberjacks cutting on the slopes of Cougar Ridge. If only she
could outrun the lingering nightmares.
Charles Bailey, camp foreman, and Stony Creek’s itinerant
pastor develops a reputation to match his new nickname — Preach. However, an inner battle ensues when the
details of his rough history threaten to overcome the beliefs of his young
faith.
Amid the hazards of camp life, the unlikely friendship
growing between the two surprises Isabelle. She’s drawn to Preach’s brute
strength and gentle nature as he leads the ragtag crew toiling for Pollitt’s
Lumber. But when the ghosts from her past return to haunt her, the choices she
will make change the course of her life forever—and that of the man she’s come
to love.
Wife and mother of 6, Rita Peterson is an ambitious woman. Along with enjoying time with family, she spends her time reading, writing, homeschooling, maintaining a small hobby farm, and sharing knowledge on her YouTube channel, Everything Homemade.
Rita loves to laugh and live life to the fullest on her property in northern Alberta, Canada.
Tell me about yourself. What got you
started writing?
I’m a wife and
mother to 6 children. I reside in northern, Alberta, Canada, and live a very
busy fulfilling life. I’m a self-motivated individual with a passion to never
give up no matter how hard it gets! I believe you can achieve what seems to be
impossible with hard work and determination.
This is how I’ve learned to
overcome dyslexia and make my dreams of writing come true. I’m a successful
YouTuber, the owner of Kitties Home Away From Home cat boarding business, published
author to A Heart’s Journey Series, and an animal and nature lover.
I have a passion
for writing since I was about 8 years old. It has always been my dream to be an
author. I’ve always had stories in my head, but it wasn’t until senior high that
I noticed I could move my English teachers emotionally with my essays or story
assignments that I really thought I could have a chance at writing.
I was
teased and bullied a lot at school because I didn’t fit in. So for a while, I
let the dream of writing fade. Then I married a wonderful man who encouraged me
to follow my dreams and the rest is history.
How did you come up with your book
idea? What inspired you?
Life inspired me. Heart’s Cry came from a passion I have inside me for labor
and delivery. I enjoy the medical field and the challenges doctors/nurses face.
The story around it comes from the love of the north mixed with my creative
imagination. A lot of the characters showcase bits and pieces of myself along
with personal struggles that I’ve faced.
What was the most difficult part of
writing this book? How did you overcome this difficulty?
The most difficult part was making the hospital chapters realistic and
possible. I overcame this with tons of research and watched many hours of
YouTube documentaries especially around the topic of opioid-addicted babies and
mothers and rare cases of pregnancies and emergency surgeries. The second difficult part was creating the
Kangaroo Babies-n-Teens program. The kangaroo program exists around the world,
but I wanted to take it a step further. This took many hours of thinking,
planning, and writing.
Who is your favorite character from
the novel? What about them makes them your favorite?
In all honesty, I can’t pick a favorite character. I enjoy all of them as
each one expresses their own individuality, as well as mirroring some part of
me.
Do your characters (or message) ever
seem to have a life of their own or agenda?
Absolutely. I loosely sketch out my character's description, occupation,
some quirks…etc. But when I’m writing is when the characters really come to
life and evolve as I go. Their emotional mindset and reaction to circumstances
grow as I write the book.
How has writing this book impacted
you personally?
I have proved to myself and to others, who know me well, that with hard
work, determination, and dedication, you can achieve your dream, and in my
case, overcome dyslexia to be an author.
How many books do you currently have
published? What genres?
Currently, I have published Heart’s Cry, the first book in the series A
Heart’s Journey. The second book, Heart’s Courage, comes out next month, August
2020. I also have an action short story, Impeccable Timing, in an anthology
called Little Bits. As for genres, I’m
definitely an adventure, romance, contemporary writer.
What is your favorite thing about
writing? Your least favorite?
My favorite thing about writing is escaping to another world and taking a
quiet break from the events of my day. My least favorite thing about writing is
picking names for the characters.
What authors in your genre inspire
you most?
I grew up reading Lurlene McDaniel. Janette Oak, Susan May Warren, Sherri Stewart are authors
that inspire me.
What would you tell a beginning author who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
Cynthia Hickey, the publisher of Winged Publications, gave me some sound advice, even though she rejected my first manuscript she saw potential. She said, 'Writing is a learnable craft. Very few writers are naturally gifted. Find joy in the learning.' This for me spoke to my heart.
Anyone with dedication, commitment, and perseverance can learn to write. The biggest advice I can give is to sit down and write and be open to constructive criticism.
Hearts Cry
Courageous
Actions...
True
Perseverance...
Unconditional
Love..
Lily Ann
MacBride, an accomplished and respected OB/GYN, is forced to transfer from
Seattle, Washington due to the jealousy of an overbearing boss.
On arrival in
Anchorage, Alaska, she meets a handsome rustic doctor, Clyde Nelson, who stirs
up all kinds of emotions, she would rather remain buried.
Both doctors
find themselves captivated with each other, but are unwilling to let their
guard down. Lily Ann’s internal battle with her own self-worth and personal
acceptance, mixed with past rejections, prevents her from falling in love.
Clyde, conversely, longs for a woman’s love, but needs to mentally and
emotionally move on from his tragic past.
Can Clyde
and Lily Ann overcome their barriers? Is true love right around the corner?
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