Book Giveaway & Guest Paula Mowery

Book Giveaway Wednesday! 

And welcome to my special guest Paula Mowery who has something to share about following God's will.

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.

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 blog, Full Flavored Living. She wrote a section for Join the Insanity by Rhonda Rhea. She has devotionals included in several collaborative books.

As an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group, Paula particularly looks for romance stories with Christian values at its core. She's especially attracted to those manuscripts that leave the reader mulling over the story long after turning the last page.

Having been an avid reader of Christian fiction, she now puts that love to use by writing book reviews. She is a member of ACFW and is on the author interview team. She was a member of the 2014 and 2015 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference faculty.

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.

Places to find Paula on the web.
 www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Mowery/175869562589187.
www.paulamowery.blogspot.com
www.christianonlinemagazine.com. 
www.ccwcu.blogspot.com.


Resisting the enemy's ploys.

At the beginning of May this year, I was in deep anticipation for the middle of the month for school to end and my teaching once again at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. One week before the conference, our landlord called me. She had decided to get out of the rental business and thus needed us to move out of our house in thirty days.

After that call, I slumped in my chair with my mouth hanging open. That announcement left me totally devastated. Where would we go? Could we locate something and be out in thirty days? Would I have to forfeit the conference?

My husband had the same disposition as I told him about our dilemma. He, my daughter, and I jumped into the car. My husband paused. “This catches us off guard, but it doesn’t catch God by
surprise.” He prayed for guidance, and we drove around the town, writing down possible houses to call about.

A tug-o-war began inside of me. Should I cancel my conference in light of what was happening?

When I would lean toward not attending the conference, I would become almost physically ill. I talked to my husband, and he said there was no reason for me to not attend.

Though I still had some conflicted feelings, I packed up and headed to Ridgecrest on Sunday afternoon. I hinted to my roommate that I had some guilt at leaving the house situation with my husband. But, I jumped into my classes and meetings with writers.

The first evening’s speaker was just for me. She spoke about pushing on no matter what the enemy throws your way. I began to get a little encouragement momentum from the Spirit.

Though a bit nervous, I entered the classroom to teach a different type of class than I had before. In this class I would share about writing devotionals and then the class would embark on composing their own. The end result of the two day class would be creating a devotional book from Christian writers to Christian writers in hopes of publication.

I had prayed that God would lead the people He wanted involved in this project as well as direct me to guide them in the process. He delivered. After each class session, I remarked that I felt like we “had church.” Then attendees started to share stories of how they had ended up in the class and how this venue gave them just the way to share certain stories and experiences.

I wouldn’t have missed that for anything! I’m so glad I resisted the devil’s pull. 

Turns out that on Monday evening when I called home, my husband had signed a rental agreement for a house we had looked at before I left. After the conference, we would still have three weeks to move.

The enemy can be so persuasive, making us feel any number of emotions to block us from following God’s will. He is the author of confusion, doubt, and guilt. His intent is to keep us from accomplishing something for God. Let me encourage you to resist his ploys and focus on God. Following the Lord’s plan always seems to bless the follower in some way.


I love this, Paula. It's in the day-to-day that the enemy tries to keep us from being blessed and from being a blessing to others. So often we don't see his devilish work until after we've walked through the experience.

Paula's new book.

Charlie Jarvis is haunted by loss that fuels her desire to rid the world of drug traffickers.When her next assignment takes her back to her hometown, she has to confront her painful past. She has no interest in a relationship since God seems to kill everyone she loves.

Colton Thomas appreciates material things and the status of being a corporate pilot. When someone approaches him to deliver a package for a large sum of money that could wipe out his debts, temptation knocks loud on his door even as his partner, Marshall, slams it shut.

Meeting Charlie challenges his non-committal stance with women. As he considers who he has become and the kind of man he would want to be for Charlie, he confronts his own shallow lifestyle and the fear that he would never be able to help her heal her wounds.

As Charlie pursues the man causing young boys to die of overdoses, she struggles with the secrets she keeps from Colton.

With people around them shining the light of God and encouraging their courtship, both Charlie and Colton have to face hard truths about life, death, love, and faith. And maybe find a fresh start for them both.

Paula is offering a FREE copy of For Our Good to one of you. Just leave a comment or a question and you will be included in the drawing. Don't forget to leave your email address so Paula can contact you.

Last week's winner of Jo Huddleston's book, Trust Me is Amy C. Congratulations, Amy!

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Steadfast - Guest Blogger Paula Mowery

I'm always excited for Wednesdays because it means I get to have a guest blogger. This week it's Paula Mowery and she has an insightful perspective on the valley of the shadow of death. 

Welcome, Paula.

Paula Mowery is an award-winning author, acquisitions editor, speaker, and pastor’s wife. Her published books include two women’s fiction titles and two Christian romances with two other contracted titles due out in 2015. She is a member of ACFW and is on their Featured Author interview team. Her devotions have been included in the published collections, Sweet Freedom A La Mode, Fear Not, and A Walk Through The Valley as well as various blogs. She writes for The Christian Online Magazine where she shares book reviews of her latest favorites in Christian fiction.
 You can connect with Paula through her blog, www.paulamowery.blogspot.com, where other social media links are provided.

Holding Steadfast With A Prayer

My husband is a pastor, so I am used to phone calls at all hours of the day and night. However, I wasn’t prepared for the call he received one Sunday afternoon as we were eating lunch. 

I thought the voice I could barely hear on the other end was my brother which was confirmed when my husband ended the cell phone call. He informed me that my father had suddenly been unable to speak right after their church’s worship service. He actually drove he and my mother home, not stopping for their normal restaurant lunch. 

When my mother questioned my father and found him unresponsive, she called my brother who advised her to rush him to the nearest ER and he would meet them there. 

I stayed home from church that evening awaiting word. I live an hour away from my parents but prepared to rush down if I was needed, but I held off. After praying for God to take care of my dad, I had a peace about waiting. 

Within two hours, my dad’s speech began to return. He was kept overnight and tests were run. The verdict was a bloodclot went directly to that speech center in the back of the brain. He had no lasting effects. 

Later that evening my dad talked with me on the phone. He described how strange it was to not be able to speak but be fully cognizant of what others were saying. He knew how he wanted to respond but just couldn’t vocalize it. 

I have often told others that I don’t know how unbelievers get through difficult or scary situations like this. I truly don’t. But, I knew that my prayers for my father were heard and just as effective whether an hour away or in the same room. Prayer allowed me to have a peace in Who was in control no matter the outcome. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I've had to build on my trust in God. But, He has always proved faithful. That is not to say that in every bad situation everything has turned out fine. Sometimes I’ve had to trust Him to bring a person through surgery, recovery, or even chemotherapy. Yet, He has never left me. I've always felt Him near, comforting and encouraging. 

The Psalmist tells us in the 23rd Psalm that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us. What does this show me? There’s going to be dark times we must endure. But, did you notice it is a shadow? I love this imagery. When was the last time a shadow did you any harm? We can get through because God has promised His presence and the Psalmist plainly states that we walk through. There’s no camping out in that dark valley. God sees us through to the other side. 

My dad is just fine and back to all of his normal activities which means I have another responsibility. Time to praise and thank God for bringing us through that short valley and for teaching me more about trusting Him.  


What a beautiful perspective. We really don't have to fear the shadows. Thank you, Paula.

Legacy and Love

Free to one of you!

The Prayer Shawl

Sean Holland is a magazine reporter always looking for the next story. Hope Weaver is a pediatric nurse who shares Christ through making prayer shawls. The shawls are just the touchy-feely story Sean needs, even though he’ll have to endure Hope’s strong Christian beliefs to get it. An unexpected connection brings them together as a couple. But, can they find love if they don’t share their faith?


Inheritance

Alex Lyndon’s life has been a series of fits and starts with no finishes. She finds herself jobless and divorced. Now her only family, Granny Olivia, is critically ill.

Chase Carson had to step into running the family business when his father died. The time is past due to visit Miss Olivia.

Alex and Chase must go on a treasure hunt. Will each find purpose and love for their lives in the process?

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of Legacy and Love just leave a comment and your email address so we can contact you. I'll draw the winner's name next Wednesday.

Last week's winner of On the Threshold is ... Shannon. Congratulations!

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie