The Best Love Story
A Personal Essay by Paula Mowery for “14 Days of Sweet Stories”
The editor-in-chief at Prism Book Group put out a call to the authors through our private Facebook group for submissions to a series based on The Love Chapter, First Corinthians 13 (in The Holy Bible).
A Personal Essay by Paula Mowery for “14 Days of Sweet Stories”
The editor-in-chief at Prism Book Group put out a call to the authors through our private Facebook group for submissions to a series based on The Love Chapter, First Corinthians 13 (in The Holy Bible).
She figured the group of stories would be nice releases for Valentine’s Day. She printed out the passage and basically, the different phrases were up for grabs as to be the theme for the story. I had my eye on one phrase but missed out on that one when another author beat me to it. I decided that I could come up with a story based on the section: “Love does not dishonor.”
God brought to mind my time living in Maryland near the Amish and their honorable ways. This is when my story started to take form. I began with some “what if” questions. What if someone with Amish ties were to bring dishonor to the family? What if the supposed dishonor actually revealed long-concealed lies?
My next thought was about an unexpected pregnancy being the ultimate dishonor in the story. I recalled my time as a devotional leader at our local Pregnancy Crisis Center. Conjuring bitter feelings to portray through my characters wasn’t difficult. When God afforded me the opportunity to serve at the pregnancy center, I was definitely conflicted. These girls had become pregnant, many by accident. As a young woman, I struggled with infertility and harbored ill feelings toward those who found themselves in unexpected pregnancies. But as I got to know these women and heard their stories, I realized I was wrong. What I needed to show them was God’s unconditional love, available to all.
Thus, within the pages of The Crux of Honor, the reader will encounter some Amish parts, as well as a precious Pregnancy Crisis Center, ran by loving Christian women. There are also some medical conditions that reflect research into the Amish community. Of course, a romance buds within those pages of the reunion/second chance type.
Naturally, I enjoyed creating the romance between the heroine and hero. A good love story is still my favorite to read as well as to write. But my ultimate hope is that the reader will encounter an unconditional love available from God, which is the best of all love stories, within the pages of The Crux of Honor.
~*~
Author bio:
God brought to mind my time living in Maryland near the Amish and their honorable ways. This is when my story started to take form. I began with some “what if” questions. What if someone with Amish ties were to bring dishonor to the family? What if the supposed dishonor actually revealed long-concealed lies?
My next thought was about an unexpected pregnancy being the ultimate dishonor in the story. I recalled my time as a devotional leader at our local Pregnancy Crisis Center. Conjuring bitter feelings to portray through my characters wasn’t difficult. When God afforded me the opportunity to serve at the pregnancy center, I was definitely conflicted. These girls had become pregnant, many by accident. As a young woman, I struggled with infertility and harbored ill feelings toward those who found themselves in unexpected pregnancies. But as I got to know these women and heard their stories, I realized I was wrong. What I needed to show them was God’s unconditional love, available to all.
Thus, within the pages of The Crux of Honor, the reader will encounter some Amish parts, as well as a precious Pregnancy Crisis Center, ran by loving Christian women. There are also some medical conditions that reflect research into the Amish community. Of course, a romance buds within those pages of the reunion/second chance type.
Naturally, I enjoyed creating the romance between the heroine and hero. A good love story is still my favorite to read as well as to write. But my ultimate hope is that the reader will encounter an unconditional love available from God, which is the best of all love stories, within the pages of The Crux of Honor.
~*~
Author bio:
Paula Mowery is a published author, acquisitions editor, and speaker. Her first two published works were The Blessing Seer and Be The Blessing from Pelican Book Group. Both are women’s fiction, and their themes have been the topics of speaking engagements.
Be The Blessing won the Selah Award in 2014 in the novella category. In November of 2013 her first romance released in the anthology, Brave New Century, from Prism Book Group. This book went to number five on Amazon’s bestseller category, historical Christian romance. Legacy and Love was her first solo romance and was a finalist in the Carolyn Readers Choice Awards in 2015. Her other titles include a Christian romantic suspense called For Our Good, a Christmas romance called Love Again, and a romance inspired from the Love Chapter called The Crux of Honor.
Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blogs, Full Flavored Living and Putting on the New. She wrote a section for Join the Insanity by Rhonda Rhea. She has devotionals included in several collaborative books.
She is a member of ACFW and also on the faculty for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.
Learn more about Paula at her blog as well as find other links to connect with her at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com.
Be The Blessing won the Selah Award in 2014 in the novella category. In November of 2013 her first romance released in the anthology, Brave New Century, from Prism Book Group. This book went to number five on Amazon’s bestseller category, historical Christian romance. Legacy and Love was her first solo romance and was a finalist in the Carolyn Readers Choice Awards in 2015. Her other titles include a Christian romantic suspense called For Our Good, a Christmas romance called Love Again, and a romance inspired from the Love Chapter called The Crux of Honor.
Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blogs, Full Flavored Living and Putting on the New. She wrote a section for Join the Insanity by Rhonda Rhea. She has devotionals included in several collaborative books.
She is a member of ACFW and also on the faculty for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.
Learn more about Paula at her blog as well as find other links to connect with her at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com.
~*~
Blurb for Paula's book The Crux of Honor:
When Chelsea’s baby displays life-threatening symptoms, Chelsea must face her mother. Secrets unfold about Chelsea’s parents.
Chelsea Wilson’s life is a constant reminder of what living dishonorably looks like. At every turn she continues to prove her mother’s shunning must be deserved.
Dr. Kevin Alley returns to the old home place to establish his medical practice. After running into Chelsea, he knows his love for her is still strong.
Chelsea is ousted from her small rented room when her mother bursts in, proclaiming Chelsea’s pregnancy.
Kevin takes Chelsea in, giving her space to live on the upper level of his house.
When Chelsea’s baby displays life-threatening symptoms, Chelsea must face her mother. Secrets unfold about Chelsea’s parents.
Can Chelsea and Kevin uncover the secrets linked to Amish heritage in time to save the baby? Can the two find love together despite their history?
~*~
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Secrets can be devastating. Especially when family and love are involved. I resonated with how Paula was able to dig deep into her own feelings and use them to enrich the lives of her characters.
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