Katherine Robles is here to tell us a bit about her new book, Falling For Forever – which releases today! Welcome, Katherine!
Years ago, when my kids were little, I went from working part-time at the Y, to part-time at a school cafeteria, to full-time as a school paraprofessional in the span of three years. Each job change added more hours and higher pay. One memory stands out vividly from my first week at the paraprofessional job. I was in the staff lounge with my new co-workers, feeling rich because I was making $8 an hour more than I had been three years before, and listened in shock as they complained that we don’t make enough money! No matter how much we earn, there will always be someone earning more.
Is It Wrong To Want Success?
Is it wrong to want success? A promotion, a raise, accolades for a job well done? Of course not. But that desire needs to be balanced with submission to God’s sovereignty and gratitude for God’s provision.
In Falling For Forever, Hillary aspires to climb the corporate ladder and have an influential life. But her dissatisfaction with her circumstances causes her to judge those around her harshly and almost costs her the love of her life. In Philippians 4:11, Paul says that he had “learned to be content whatever the circumstances”. Did you catch the keyword there? He learned contentment. Which means that we can learn it too. A great way to start practicing contentment is by giving thanks.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Father, thank you for providing for my needs. Help me work heartily to please You and not man. You cherish and value me, and that is enough. Amen.
A Bit About Falling For Forever
Hillary is stifled by an entry level IT job in the Virginia suburbs and longs to move to Washington D.C. where she can make a difference in the world. When Javier comes to her rescue in Great Falls National Park, Hillary likes everything about him except for the gorgeous fiancee hanging on his arm. But things are not as they seem and he enlists her help to renovate a homeless shelter. Romance blossoms over paintbrushes and pipes until a career launching opportunity arises. Hillary can chase her dreams, but they might cost her Javier’s heart.
Today’s post comes from author Susan Spess, and Susan touches on the difficulty of naming her new book and her love for the “golden rule” in Matthew 7:12. Welcome, Susan Spess!
I had a difficult time naming my storybook town. First, I thought, Skinner, and then another unworthy suggestion, but my critique partners weren’t pleased with the names. So, I threw out “Jordan Valley.”
Yes!
They loved it.
But the name wasn’t original to me. It’s what my hometown was called a long time ago.
From okhistory.org: Before the Cherokee Outlet Opening on September 16, 1893, John W. Jordan as well as other Cherokee had taken allotments in the outlet. Soon after the opening, Jordan and others formed the Jordan Valley Townsite Company.
I’ve lived here (off and on) since I was five years old. I’ve read that my town had tons of saloons and brothels before statehood when oil was discovered, and men flocked in to work in the oilfields.
My hometown isn’t like that anymore. We have very few bars and no brothels! And we have lots of churches.
In ROUNDUP, Mitch puts his life on the line when Jessie’s horse, Buck, falls, and her foot is stuck through the stirrup. Afterward, his family takes Jessie home with them and gives her a place to live and work while Buck heals.
While she’s there, they introduce her to Christ by living for Him.
That always makes me think of the first scripture (or partial scripture) I learned. “Do unto others . . .” The Golden Rule says:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12, NIV
I really like how The Message translates the Golden Rule: Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets, and this is what you get.
Mitch Tanner, his red-headed brothers, and his mother live as true Christians, doing what Jesus said. Loving and sharing, they gently lead Jessie to Jesus, but they don’t force her.
That’s the essence of the Christian life, isn’t it?
Check out Susan Spess’s book, Jordan Valley Roundup!
While barrel racing to earn enough to pay her uncle’s debts, Jessie Cobler’s horse falls. She cries out to God, certain she’s about to die, but the quick action of Mitch Tanner saves her life. She accepts an offer to stay on the cowboy’s family’s ranch so she and her horse can rest and heal. It’s the perfect place to hide from those who threaten to tear her dreams apart.
Bull rider Mitch Tanner is determined to earn professional status to honor his deceased father, but running a ranch and helping with his younger siblings leaves time for little else. Having Jessie on the ranch is a distraction he can’t afford. After all, he doesn’t have time for love.
As Mitch and Jesse work together to rescue abused animals will Mitch discover there’s more to life than earning a status? Will he be able to help heal Jesse’s broken heart and spirit and lead her to the Lord?
Today’s guest post comes from author M. Jean Pike. It’s a delight to hear about her love for the parable of the Prodigal Son and learn a bit about her upcoming book release. Welcome, Jean!
Think you’ve run too far away for God to find you? Think you’ve messed up too badly this time to ever be forgiven? Think you’ve come to the end of God’s grace? Sweet friend, you haven’t. All those sins and shortcomings, all those terrible mistakes? Jesus paid the price for every one of them. Because his love for you is unfathomable.
I’ve always loved the parable of the Prodigal Son. I love the father, watching and waiting for his son to return home, and finally, seeing him far off in the distance, he runs to meet him. That’s how our heavenly Father is. As badly as you want to reconcile with Him, he wants that even more.
So, I wanted to write a story on this theme, a story that would offer hope to God’s wayward children. And hopefully, in some small way, encourage them to come home.
he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103: 10-14
Lord, help me to be mindful of your unfathomable love. Help me to live in a way that honors and glorifies You. And when I fail, give me the courage to seek Your forgiveness and start again. In Jesus name.
A little about M. Jean Pike’s new book, The Little Things
A decade ago, Rochelle Delany made a decision that changed her life forever. Wanting more than just football games and potluck suppers, she boarded a bus for California and didn’t look back. But instead of a glamorous life, she became trapped in a nightmare of labor trafficking. Now, she’s made a daring escape and returns home to Ohio.
Sandy Fairbrother has a problem with trust. Twice betrayed, he now puts his faith only in God. He’s a single dad doing his best to grow his construction business and raise his young son. But haunted by an impulsive kiss Rochelle gave him fifteen years ago, her unexpected return has him rethinking things. He’s been given a second chance to win her heart. And this time, he plans to succeed.
Safe for the first time in years, Rochelle slowly begins to rebuild her life. But when her past catches up with her, she finds herself desperately in need of help from the man she rejected, and the God she’s forgotten how to pray to.
A little more about M. Jean Pike:
Changing seasons. Unexpected blessings. Love that lasts forever. These are a few of M. Jean Pike’s favorite things. With a writing career that has spanned two decades, Jean combines an insatiable curiosity about humans and why they do what they do with a keen interest in the quirky and offbeat things in life to bring readers unforgettable tales of life, love, and the inner workings of the human heart. You can find M. Jean Pike on her website. You can order her book on Amazon or directly from the publisher, Pelican Book Group.
You only have to watch the news once to know that we live on a fallen planet, a planet filled with darkness and suffering. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of evil in the world, especially as it seems to be flourishing. So, what are we to do? Stop watching the news is one way to combat the “darkness fatigue,” and that’s not a terrible strategy. If you’re like me, however, you want to keep up with world events. Personally, I have compromised by cutting back on the number of times I watch news programs, from every day to only a couple of times a week.
Another strategy is to watch the news with a different perspective—to observe events unfolding and consider how they might line up with Biblical prophecy or God’s unfolding plans for humanity. And to watch with a deep desire and commitment to pray for the people involved in the stories being told—both victims and perpetrators—as well as for wisdom for world leaders and all those in authority. Ultimately, we pray for peace and justice, even as we know that perfect peace and justice will only be achieved when Christ returns.
My latest romantic suspense series, two sparrows for a penny, delves into one of the darkest issues prevalent today—human sex trafficking. Although this is a difficult topic to read—and write—about, it is an important one for us to be aware of and to be thinking and talking about. After all, unless we acknowledge the existence and extent of the darkness, we cannot comprehend the healing, redemptive power of the light.
The series title comes from Matthew 10:29, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” And that is the theme of these books, that God sees these precious women (and some men and children). He has not abandoned them. He loves and cherishes them and, one day, He promises that perfect judgment will be meted out against those who perpetrate such evil against the weak, the vulnerable, and the exploited.
Join me in praying for that day, and for all those caught up in this heinous practice, that they might personally experience the truth of John 1:5, that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Sara Davison is a Word, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner of romantic suspense. She resides in Ontario with her husband, Michael, and their three mostly grown kids. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better at www.saradavison.org
I have a confession to make. I’m a mean person. Yup, it’s true. And you’re probably thinking that being mean is nothing to boast about, especially at Christmastime, when little elf ears might overhear and put me on Santa’s naughty list. But I’ve got to tell you, I’m proud of how hard I’ve worked to cultivate my mean streak. I had to!
After all, no one wants to read about perfect characters that nothing bad ever happens to. We might want to read books with a happy ending, but first, we want the characters to earn the right to get there.
That was the most important lesson I had to learn when I started writing for publication. I had to force myself to be really, really, really mean to my characters.
Of course, ultimately, my goal in making my characters’ lives miserable is to bring them out the other side as better people. There’s a reason why James instructed believers to consider it pure joy when we face trials and tribulations. Because the testing of our faith helps us to mature.
So, if I have such good intentions for my created characters, how much better must the intentions of God—the author and perfector of our faith—be for us?
Now, unlike me, God’s not deliberately being mean.
Even if it can feel that way sometimes.
In a novella I recently finished, my characters were missing out on their happily ever after because of their fears of being hurt. Or at least that was their problem as I—the character’s creator—saw it!
But hey, what do I know?
I came to realize, thanks to Stacey’s insight, that what was really going on is something that happens to a lot of us when our life derails and we get hurt. We attempt to control everything within our power as a means of coping with our fear of the future.
And that quest for some semblance of control can usurp God’s rightful place in our heart and become the thing we cling to instead of God, because we’re no longer willing to trust Him with our future.
Granted, it’s easier for me to tap a few keys on my keyboard to compel my characters to not let fear rule their lives, than it is for us to do it in real life. But if you’re feeling in a dark place this Christmas season, I urge you to trust that God still has an amazing story to tell with your life.
The angels’ proclamation to the shepherds that first long ago Christmas is good news, precisely because our salvation through Jesus is a gift, not something to be earned.
Speaking of gifts, it’s tempting to think if I just had—fill in the blank—I’d be happy. Children sure think that way when they eagerly write a Christmas gift wish list.
Yet, oftentimes, when the stuff we think we want is stripped away is when we finally see what we truly need. For myself, I’ve noticed that when I don’t spend time with God, dissatisfaction can quickly seep into my days. Have you ever had that happen and found yourself blaming your job, or spouse, or children, or the state of your home, or whatever?
The glorious news of the Christmas story is that you were created by a God who loves you. A God who sent his Son in the form of a precious babe to deliver us from the sin that separates us from Him. And finding our hope and purpose in Him alone is the best gift we can unwrap this Christmas.
Jillian Green’s holiday cheer nosedives when her great aunt’s friend, Herbert, is killed while helping them decorate for a fundraiser. But the case is more tangled than a strand of twinkle lights, and if Jillian can’t uncover the killer, Herbert’s night might not be the only one silenced this Christmas.
At the time of posting, Boughs of Folly is part of a three-book bundle. This set of three hardcover books, currently on sale for $9.95 USD at Annie’s Catalog, would make a great gift for the cozy mystery reader on your Christmas list.
Sandra Orchard writes fast-paced, keep-you-guessing stories with a generous dash of sweet romance. Touted by Midwest Book Reviews as “a true master of the [mystery] genre,” Sandra celebrated the publication of her 25th novel, Boughs of Folly, in 2022. Her novels have garnered numerous Canadian Christian writing awards, as well as, an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, a National Readers’ Choice Award, a Holt Medallion and a Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. She writes for Love Inspired Suspense, Revell, Annie’s Fiction and Guideposts. Connect with Sandra through her website (SandraOrchard.com) or Facebook.
Can you believe Christmas is almost upon us? Didn’t we just put it away? I love this time of year, and when you come to my house, you can tell. I have decorations in almost every room. Yes, it takes lots of time to decorate, but it’s so pretty when it’s finished!
Is it just me, or does Christmas seem to come earlier every year? People start putting decorations up even before Halloween is over. Don’t get me wrong, I love decorating, but the season comes and goes too quickly. I want to savor every moment. Isn’t Christmas the most wonderful time of the year? What’s not to love? Watching Christmas movies, colorful lights flickering under a fresh blanket of snow, spending time with family and friends, etc.
Some would disagree—for one reason or another.
In Explosive Christmas Showdown, Olive Wells is thrust into the season by having to save everyone she loves from the dangerous Jingle Bell Bomber. Everywhere she goes, she’s reminded of the season—one she’d rather sleep through after a tragic event stole her joy years ago on Christmas day. The circumstance also dimmed her light of celebrating Christ’s birth and put doubts in her mind about His sovereignty. She doesn’t feel God is in control any longer.
However, by the end of the story, Olive’s spirit of Christmas is restored, and she’s decorating a tree with those she loves. She’s thankful for her amazing family, but most of all—her renewed trust in Jesus.
It doesn’t matter when we put up our decorations as long as we remember why we celebrate. Like Olive, let’s not forget why we give our houses the “Festive Touch.” Jesus is the reason for the season!
Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year!
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:10 (KJV)
Merry Christmas, everyone! Have a precious time with your family and friends.
A bomber brings terror to Christmas as the presents go tick…tick…boom.
With criminal investigative analyst Olive Wells at the center of a bomber’s dangerous game, she’ll do anything to catch the culprit—even work with her ex-fiancé and his K-9 detector dog. But with the Christmas rampage drawing ever closer, Zac Turner’s convinced the attacks are personal. Can they piece together their ties to the bomber…before another gift explodes?
Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene through her website, where there’s suspense beyond borders. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Goodreads, and Amazon.
