Summer Stories: To Claim Her Heart

Dealing with Bitterness
A guest post by Jodie Wolfe

"Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many." ~Hebrews 12:14-15 (HCSB)

There’s a good chance that at some point in your Christian walk, you’ve struggled with disappointment and hurts which if unchecked, led to bitterness. Perhaps you’ve been treated poorly by others, you were blamed for something you didn’t do, someone said hurtful things about you or treated you unfairly, maybe you never measured up to your family and their expectations of you, someone didn’t listen to you or said things behind your back, or maybe you’ve had a friend who betrayed you by going against their word. There’s a myriad of situations that can lead us into bitterness if we don’t make a conscious decision to root it out.

There have been several times throughout my life when I’ve suffered blows that have rocked me to the very core. I believe women especially deal with holding onto our hurts, bringing them out on various occasions to remember how we’ve been wronged, only to stuff them back down inside us again until we feel the need to repeat the process.

When we’ve been hurt, we must make every effort to forgive and move on. Satan loves to have us recall the hurts and fall into bitterness because it keeps us focused on ourselves. It limits our chance to be effective as a Christian when our eyes are on us instead of the Lord.

Letting go of the bitterness isn’t always easy and may not be a once and done type of thing, especially since the devil loves to bring things up to us multiple times. Sometimes we need to continue to pin that bitterness to the foot of the cross, over and over again.

This struggle is what my heroine faces in my newest release, To Claim Her Heart. Elmer Smith (Elsie) is suffering after the loss of her father and childhood home. The Christians in her church weren’t there when she needed them the most to come alongside and assist her. In turn, she’s bitter about life and takes it out on those around her.

She participates in the Cherokee Strip Land Run to find the land her father wanted her to claim. She does so, as a way to honor him. Sparks fly when she finds out that she’s claimed the same land as a preacher. It takes a while for her to learn the important lesson of releasing the bitterness that has claimed her life.

I love this quote from my hero, Benjamin David. He tells Elsie, “You can’t keep holding on to the bitterness, or it’ll eat you alive. Don’t allow Satan to win. He desires for you to be discouraged, defeated, and unforgiving, but God has better things in store for you, if you’ll allow Him to work in your life again.”

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather choose to walk the road of forgiveness instead of stumbling along on the thorny path of bitterness.

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Author Bio:

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. 

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and  Romance Writers of America (RWA). She has been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. 

A former columnist for Home School Enrichment Magazine, her articles can be found online on Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She's a contributor for Putting on the New and Stitches Thru Time blogs. 

When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. 

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Blurb for To Claim Her Heart:

In 1893, on the eve of the great race for land, Benjamin David prays for God to guide him to his 'Promised Land. Finding property and preaching to the lost are his only ways of honoring his deceased fiancée. 

He hasn't counted on Elmer (Elsie) Smith claiming the same plot and refusing to leave. Not only is she a burr in his side, but she is full of the homesteading know-how he is sadly lacking. 

Obtaining a claim in the Cherokee Strip Land Run is Elsie Smith's only hope for survival, and not just any plot, she has a specific one in mind. The land's not only a way to honor her pa and his life, but also to provide a livelihood for herself. She's willing to put in whatever it takes to get that piece of property, and Elsie's determined to keep it.

Her bitterness is what protects her, and she has no intentions of allowing that preacher to lay claim to her land . . . or her heart.

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Buy Jodie's book on Amazon

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Connect with Jodie:
Website: https://www.jodiewolfe.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jodie-Wolfe-553400191384913
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JodieAWolfe
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JodieAWolfe
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15220520.Jodie_Wolfe
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2JZZcqw

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:  

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Book Boyfriends: Cynthia's hero

Interview with Lance, hero of Hillbilly Cinderella by Cynthia Hickey:

Cynthia: The town calls you the town prince. How do you feel about that?

Lance: Cindy Lou calls me that. Not many other people would dare.

Cynthia: But you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.

Lance: That wasn’t by choice, by I’ll gladly say I’m not opposed to having money.

Cynthia: Cindy Lou Hopkins is well below your station in life. What attracted you to her?

Lance: Below my station? It isn’t the middle ages. She’s the sweetest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met and she makes me feel good. Like I’m just an ordinary guy. I’m free to love anyone I choose.

Cynthia: Love? 

Lance: Yeah. I love her. I plan on asking her as soon as I can get her away from her stepfamily. Her stepmother does seem to keep a close eye on her. That woman has a devious plan. I just know it. A plan that doesn’t bode well for Cindy.

Cynthia: Are you going to ride in on your white steed and rescue her?

Lance: In a manner of speaking, yes.

Cynthia: I’ve heard the barn dance your father is putting on is to find you a wife. How are you going to handle that?

Lance: When the masks come off, I’ll reveal the woman I’m going to marry to the entire town.

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Author bio:

Multi-published and Amazon and ECPA Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey has sold over a million copies of her works since 2013. 

She has taught a Continuing Education class at the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers conference, several small ACFW chapters and RWA chapters. 

Cynthia and her husband run the small press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA’s best well-known authors. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs, one cat, and three box turtles. 

She has eight grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”.

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Book Blurb for Hillbilly Cinderella: When Cindy Lou Hopkins turns twenty-five life will get better. She knows it. She'll no longer be under the thumb of her stepmother Geneva or tormented by her stepsisters. She just has to stay alive that long. 

The only kink in her plan for independence is the handsome, Lance Moore, she jokingly calls the town prince. A man who wants to get to know her better. A man Cindy isn't worthy to be in the same room as.

When Lance throws a barn dance, Cindy is determined to have one night with him that will carry her through the rest of her life. Can she set aside prejudices from a bygone time and embrace her happily ever after?

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Buy Cynthia's book on Amazon

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Connect with Cynthia:
Amazon Author Page- http://amzn.to/2DSopo7
Facebook - http://bit.ly/2DQdNBS
Twitter - https://twitter.com/cynthiahickey
Website - www.cynthiahickey.com

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Love is in the Air: Author interview with Katy Lee

If you like romantic suspense stories, you're going to love author Katy Lee! 

Welcome Katy to the blog today. She's here to tell you all about her journey as an author of romantic suspense stories.

Enjoy the interview! :)

*Words written by Alexis in bold, words from Katy not in bold*

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Alexis: You’re a romantic suspense author. What does that mean to you?

Katy: That means I tell a story that offers a happily-ever-after, but first the characters have a lot to prove before they earn it…if they survive.

What makes your stories fun and exciting?

I look for unique settings/situations that will coincide with the message of my stories. For example, in my new series, starting with Silent Night Pursuit, coming out in December, the family owns a speedway. The three books will delve into the “checkered pasts” of each of the siblings. They will be “tracked” down and have to look for “ten-second windows” to “break away” from the pact gaining on their “tail ends.”

Who are your main characters of your current release, Permanent Vacancy? What is the book’s summary?

When Gretchen Bauer begins renovating an old Victorian house to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she barely escapes several dangerous "accidents" at her home. Colm McCrae, host of the home improvement TV show helping her renovate, refuses to believe these aren't on purpose. Could this be a harmful ploy by his boss to boost ratings? Yet with Colm's smooth-talking Irish brogue, Gretchen wonders whether he could be involved. But with a whole town full of neighbors disgruntled about the inn bringing strangers to their shores, Gretchen has a list of more likely suspects. Now she must trust Colm if she wants to keep her new business venture from turning into a five-star death trap.

What was your greatest challenge in character creation for your latest series?

My hero is an Irishman, and I spent a lot of time researching Dublin lingo so I could pepper it throughout the story.

What did you find most rewarding about writing your new series?

In the research of any of my books, I study real-life people and how they overcame similar experiences. For example, my December book, Silent Night Pursuit, my hero is a soldier with PTSD and has a service dog. Spending time with these real-life heroes and their dogs was amazing.

How does your faith in God play into your storytelling?
NEVER stop studying His Word. It helps me first in my own life to have His answers to my life’s problems. I can only offer what I know and have experienced myself.

Are you traditionally published? If yes, share the elevator pitch that landed a book deal for you.

Yes, I write for Love Inspired Suspense (LIS), a line of Harlequin.

Here’s my pitch that helped me sell my first book in 2012, Warning Signs.

Pitch: When DEA Agent Owen Matthews arrives on Stepping Stones Island to investigate the school's recent drug activity, he doesn't expect Miriam Hunter, the beautiful, funny, deaf principal. His own son is deaf, due to an accident for which Owen blames himself. Owen doubts Miriam’s secret to success will work for his son. When deadly pranks prove Miriam plays a larger role in the criminal activity, he realizes someone wants her—and her secrets—silenced for good. Will resurfacing her past, cost them their future together? Or will Owen learn to hear with his heart before time runs out?

FYI: My editor almost passed on it because “pranks” are not enough suspense for LIS. So glad she asked to see it anyway!

And here’s the back cover once it went to publication:

When a drug-smuggling ring rocks a small coastal town, the DEA sends Agent Owen Matthews to shut it down. A single father with a deaf son, Owen senses that the town’s number one suspect—the high school’s new principal—doesn’t fit the profile.

Miriam Hunter hoped to shrug off the stigma of her hearing impairment when she returned to Stepping Stones, Maine. But her recurring nightmares dredge up old memories that could prove her innocence—and uncover the truth behind a decades-old murder. Yet Owen’s help may not be enough when someone decides to keep Miriam silenced—permanently.

What is your go-to food or drink when on deadline?

Reese’s Pieces or Chocolate Mint Tea

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Join a professional writer’s organization that works with you on your road to publication. Keep your ears and eyes and mind open to all they have to teach you.

I belong to RWA and ACFW.

Describe your writing space. What makes it special to you?

I write mostly in a rocking chair. There is something relaxing about the back and forth motion that allows my mind to wander where it just won’t go at a desk.

Who is your favorite Christian author? Why?

Lynette Eason. Her faith comes through her stories and inspires me.

Who is your most encouraging cheerleader for your creative endeavors? What do they say to motivate you?

My children. They read my stories and are so helpful with promotion during release week.

What are your writing and publishing dreams for 2015 and beyond?

Just keep writing. Just keep writing. Just keep writing.

And write stories that impact readers.

Complete this sentence: My favorite feature about springtime is __________________ because ___________________.

My favorite feature about springtime is low humidity because my hair frizzes up come summer.

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Author bio:

Katy Lee is the author of five published novels. She likes to say she writes higher purpose stories at high speed because her suspenseful romances thrill, inspire, and satisfy the reader—from the edge of their seat. 

A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. 

A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on. 

Her Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, Grave Danger, is both a RITA and Daphne Du Maurier finalist. 

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Buy Katy’s books:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1Fzmiec
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1Fzml9Z

*See the full listing of Katy's books on Amazon Author Central, http://amzn.to/1dVisW3

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Connect with Katy:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KatyLeewriter
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KatyLeeBooks
Website - www.KatyLeeBooks.com