Welcome to Wednesday's book giveaway! And I'm thrilled to have Johnnie Alexander as my guest blogger. She has a beautiful message to share.
Johnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011) and Golden Leaf Award (2014). The first of her three contemporary romances, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), releases from Revell in January 2016.
She also has won Best Novel and Best Writer awards (Florida Christian Writers Conferences), and Bronze Medalist (My Book Therapy Frasier Contest).
A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas.
Where to find Johnnie online:
Facebook Author Page
A Gentle Whisper
You see, Dad’s last request was that his body be donated to research.
About eighteen months later, the immediate family gathered around a cemetery plot to bury his ashes.
Mom had asked me, as the oldest, to say a few words.
In the weeks leading up to our private service, I agonized over what to say about the dearly loved father who’d lived a simple, unassuming life. A man who worked long hours, often six days a week or more, but was never too tired to play a game or go hiking. A man who didn't earn oodles of money but gave his family the precious gift of fond childhood memories.
This was almost twenty years ago. I vaguely remember sitting at my computer, playing with words, trying to make them fit the right way, the most honorable way, and praying for guidance.
Later, while I was writing a note to one of my brothers, God reminded me of the prophet Elijah.
I found my answer in II Kings 19.
Elijah didn’t see God in a fierce wind or in a powerful earthquake or in a blazing fire.
Elijah found God in a gentle whisper.
This was the kind of life my dad had lived.
He didn’t change the world. He wasn’t a VIP (except in our eyes) or a superstar. He didn’t blow people away with brilliant discoveries or rock the world with amazing insights or set the world on fire.
Here’s what he was: a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful friend, someone who didn’t know a stranger.
A man who was generous with his time and his talents.
A dad who could fix just about anything. A dad who sang. A dad who teased. A dad who laughed.
At the family memorial to bury Dad’s ashes, I talked about God’s gentle whisper and about Dad’s quiet ways. Then I gave each of his grandchildren a stone imprinted with a word that fit their grandfather’s legacy to them.
These words: faith, courage, humor, imagine, celebrate, peace, and play.
I placed the final stone in my mother’s hand.
Written on it is the secret of my parents’ blessed marriage, the guiding principle for raising their children, and their precious gift to their grandchildren.
This stone simply says love.
'What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this Johnnie. I wish I'd known your father. He sounds a bit like mine.'
Johnnie's New Book
Artist Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery, determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the Netherlands to America and back again. She's certain that true love will only lead to tragedy--that is, util a chance meeting at Waterloo station brings Ian Devlin into her life.
Drawn to the bold and compassionate British Army captain, Alison begins to question her fear of love as World War II breaks out, separating the two and drawing each into their own battles.
While Ian fights for freedom on the battlefield, Alison works with the Dutch Underground to find a safe haven for Jewish children and priceless pieces of art alike. But safety is a luxury war does not allow.
As time, war, and human will struggle to keep them apart, will Alison and Ian have the faith to fight for their love, or is it their fate to be separated forever?
Chapter One:
Where to find this book online:
Walmart
You can have a chance to win a FREE copy of Where Treasure Hides. All you need to do is leave a comment and make sure to include your email address so Johnnie can contact you.
We have a book to giveaway from last week. Renee Blare is giving away a copy of her book, To Soar On Eagles Wings. And this week's winner is Lyla Swafford! Congratulations!
See you all again, soon.
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
You can have a chance to win a FREE copy of Where Treasure Hides. All you need to do is leave a comment and make sure to include your email address so Johnnie can contact you.
We have a book to giveaway from last week. Renee Blare is giving away a copy of her book, To Soar On Eagles Wings. And this week's winner is Lyla Swafford! Congratulations!
See you all again, soon.
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
I am really excited to read this book. It sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeletecbechtel511@me.com
Hi, Bonnie. Thanks so much for having me as your guest and allowing me to share a little bit about my dad.
ReplyDeleteColleen, thank you for your comment. I loved all the research and the imagining and the reshaping of words that brought Where Treasure Hides to life. I hope you'll read the story and that you'll love it, too.
A wonderful post and tribute to your father, Johnnie. I wish I had known him. I'm sad that I didn't. All the best to you and your book, your writing career.
ReplyDeleteKim Jacobs aka...
That tribute to your father was lovely! Brought back some special memories of my dad.. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat?? the Dutch Underground.. This sounds like a story I'd enjoy reading, I haven't read much about that one :)
dkstevensne AToutlookD oTCoM
What a beautiful tribute! Don't enter me in the contest as I have 2 copies of the book! It is absolutely wonderful
ReplyDeleteNice tribute. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com. Kim
ReplyDeleteHi, Maddie/Kim. How sweet to bump into you here. Thanks! (Kim and I are somehow cousins, both writers, but I don't think we've seen each other since we were kids.)
ReplyDeleteDeanna, thank you. I'm glad you had special thoughts of your dad, too. And yes, there was a Dutch underground. I hope you enjoy the story.
Patricia, as always, thanks for the encouragement and support. (I love my critique partners!)
Oh Johnnie...The tribute to your Dad and your idea with the individual rock is so like you! What a sweet tribute to your Dad! Don't enter me either...I also have two copies.
ReplyDeleteClella
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Clella. Your words wrap me in love. :)
ReplyDeleteWe just had a family funeral this week, so your tribute to your father was especially touching, and it makes me think of Erma Bombeck's for her dad … he didn't do much around here, but …
ReplyDeleteYour book is already en route to me, Johnnie, so one of these other fortunate ladies will be the happy winner!
Keep writing!
That father sounds a lot like mine. I loved him so much and still miss him years and years later. The hope of seeing him again in Heaven is a wonderful gift. I appreciate those of you who can write so beautifully. Thank you. My email address is ranmarsmith@windstream.net and I am Marie
ReplyDeleteGail, I'm so sorry for your loss. That's so hard. I don't know if I've ever read Erma Bombeck's tribute to her dad, though she is a favorite. I laughed so hard reading her books when I was a young mom.
ReplyDeleteHi,Akaylee. I share that hope of seeing my dad again, too. God be with you.