Here’s a bonus blog post this week as Rose McCauley and I share posts. Hers here on my blog and mine over on her blog. Plus, we’re both doing a giveaway. Rose has offered a print copy to a lucky reader who leaves a comment answering her question below. (USA only) Or she’ll send you a e-copy if you prefer that. Check out my post and leave a comment on her site to win a copy of These Healing Hills or if you prefer, your choice of one of my other books.
I met Rose years ago when she came to one of my book events. She’s a fellow Kentucky writer who is always ready to help out other writers or really anyone she meets. She has a sweet spirit and I think you’ll like getting to know more about how her new book came about. Welcome, Rose. So glad you stopped by to share with us.
How God answered a long-time dream to write a book with Kim Vogel Sawyer
Kim Sawyer and I met at the first ACFW Conference in 2002. It was then named American Christian Romance Writers, and neither of us had been traditionally published yet. We formed a close bond, and kept in touch and prayed for each other’s writing and cheered each other on with each success!
We both were teaching when we met, and both had three children. We usually just saw each other once a year at the conference, but still kept in touch throughout the year. Kim and I also had sent in several proposals for novella collections that were never published, but we still had that dream in mind. I had invited Kim to come to stay with us if she ever did some book signings in KY, and finally it worked out for Kim and her husband to come to stay six nights with us a few years ago.
Our husbands hit it off like we knew they would, and we had great times together and at her book signings in the area. One day they mentioned how Kim went on the K-Love cruise almost every year, and they wondered if we would want to join them sometime in the future. My husband Chester loves to listen to K-Love, and I love cruises, so we told them we would love to do that in the future.
A couple years later they called with sad news about some friends of theirs who had planned to go, but had to cancel for medical reasons. Would we like to take their place? Of course, we said, yes, so in January, 2016, we met Kim and Don in Florida for mine and Chester’s first cruise on K-Love.
There are lots of music concerts on the K-Love cruises, and one night while waiting outside and listening to the music, Kim and I jotted down some notes of possible story ideas. Kim’s story is set on the Sea Turtle Farm we toured on Grand Cayman, and mine is set on Jamaica where Chester and I went on a one day mission trip while on the cruise.
So, that is how God worked out for our dream to be published together in a book to come true. Kim and the rest of Wings of Hope Publishing decided to make it a five-book novella collection, and below are the synopses for all the stories. There are two historicals and three contemporaries, so you are sure to find a romantic location you will enjoy in one or all of the stories.
I am happy to give away a print (US only) or e-copy of this book to someone who leaves a comment about a dream God brought true in their lives, or one they are still asking Him to fulfill. Happy reading!
Destination: Romance
“Bare Feet and Warm Sand” by Kim Vogel Sawyer—Marine biologist Tamiera is determined to protect endangered sea turtles against man’s intrusion. When Joe arrives on the island of Grand Cayman with plans to build a resort near the turtles’ nesting grounds, will she be able to convince him to put the needs of God’s creatures above making money?
“A Shelter in a Weary Land” by Julane Hiebert—A cave in the Missouri hillside was to be a shelter from pillaging Union soldiers for Charlotte and her unborn babe. But will she be safe when a wounded enemy seeks the same place of refuge?
“Better Together Than Apart” by Rose Allen McCauley—On a K-Love cruise to Jamaica, Natalie re-connects with Ken, a boy she met six years earlier on a high school summer mission trip. Attraction stirs, but opposing goals threatens their romance. Will they listen to God’s leading for their best place of service?
“Sufficient Grace” by Constance Shilling Stevens—An abandoned Cherokee burial ground keeps secrets and draws a picture of deep, enduring love for Nora, but land surveyor Donovan threatens the place that holds sweet memories for Nora’s grandfather. Will Donovan follow his boss’s orders or follow his heart?
“Cotton Candy Sky” by Kristian Libel—When a Kansas girl falls in love with the ocean, she thinks nothing could be more exhilarating than life on a beach…except maybe falling for a traveling photographer who introduces her to more adventure than she’d ever imagined. But is their connection one that can last, or will their time together simply remain a fond memory as they go their separate ways?
Rose Allen McCauley is very thankful that Destination: Romance is her sixth book published. A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for over 40 years, she is also Mother to three grown children and their spouses and grandmother to five lovely, lively kids! You can reach her through these links: Website; Amazon Author Page; Facebook; Twitter; Goodreads; Instagram
As always, thanks for reading. Now you can hop over and read my post, An Imagination Circle on Rose’s blog site. Leave a comment on her blog and you will be in a giveaway there for one of my books. Deadline to enter is Thursday, October 19, 2017 at midnight EST.
Comments 29
I’m a day late and a dollar short (at least!), but I’m so glad I popped over and read Rose’s post. The K-Love cruise with Rose and Chester was a joy from start to finish. Thanks for sharing the story, Rose!
Author
Thanks for coming over to read Rose’s post, Kim, and it doesn’t matter if you’re late for the giveaway. I’m thinking you already have a copy. 🙂 Everybody enjoyed reading about how you and Rose came up with the idea for this book. On a cruise – now that’s the way to go.
Thrilled to read of dreams fulfilled. Mine is to finish a devotional book, I’ve been working on for quite some time.
Love hearing personal stories of other writers. If not for writers our lives would truly be bereft.
Thank you for encouraging words and vulnerability.
Author
I too enjoy reading other writers’ stories, Helen. And about their long time dreams as well. Hope you realize yours and get your devotional book finished. I’m thinking the writing of it is probably blessing you. I toyed with the idea of writing a hiking devotional book once. I did maybe twelve or thirteen pieces. Maybe someday I’ll go back to it.
that’s a great dream, Helen Lynn– a dream that will also help others! I love the name Helen since that was my dear departed mother’s name.
My dream is to see my great grandson born last March and I have not been able to see him in person, to hold him and give him smooches. I do see lots of pictures on FB. It helps, but just isn’t the same. I hope one of my Christmas gifts is to see and touch “my little guy”!
Author
I hope that dream comes true for you, Pat. It is great that we can keep in touch with all the wonderful electronic ways, but you’re right. That isn’t the same as holding that sweet guy in your arms. Hope that is a special gift you do receive very soon.
I am grateful to be living the dream!!! As a little girl, I wanted to be a stay at home mom because my mom had a full time job & was never able to pick me up after school or do things with me during the day!! I thought all my friends were so “lucky” but they were really living blessed lives!! I hated being in daycare & going there after school. When I was older, I didn’t enjoy walking home to an empty house!!! So I am very thankful that my husband was good with me being at home to take care of him & our daughters!!
Author
Sometimes our dreams do come true, Betsy. I’m glad you were able to be a stay-at-home mom and able to do all the things you wanted to do with your daughters. I was mostly a stay-at-home mom too although I did always peck away on my typewriter while the kids were young. But I was still available for all the special days since I was self-employed. I hope your girls know how blessed they are to have you for their mom.
I, too, am glad your dream of being a stay-at-home mom came true, Betsy! And like Ann I hope they realize what a blessing it was!
I always still pray that i can see my grandson who i haven;t seen in 7 years he used to live with my daughters friend then my daughter brought him here to live. At the age of 3 she said she had a place for both of them which she didn;t and she gave him to her friend again and she has him, I talk to him every week or so but i miss hugging him and holding him. I pray to God that they stay safe with the fires as it is right at their property line and i would just die if something happened and i hadn;t seen him. So i pray that one year we can afford a rental car and gas to drive to northern ca. to visit as being disabled it is almost impossible for me to fly alone there. I am sure my husband also wants to see so i include him in my prayers!
Author
Oh, Peggy, I do hope your prayers are answered and soon so that you can go see your grandson. It’s difficult being away from those you love. May he be safe from the fires too. Saying a prayer along with you right now.
I, too, am glad your dream of being a stay-at-home mom came true, Betsy! And like Ann I hope they realize what a blessing it was!
I, too, will join my prayers with you and Ann, Peggy, for you and your husband to get to see your grandson. What a blessing that would be for both of you! Thanks for sharing your dream with us!
Ever since I was a child I wanted to have a closer walk with Jesus. When I was growing up and in school it seemed like I had a charmed life and as so often happens, when everything is going right, God often takes a back seat. Then when I was twelve my grandmother died, when I was 29 my father died, when I was 42 my middle sister died and when I was 63 my mother died. Each time someone I loved died was a blessing in disguise. I turned to God and I finally have what I was longing for. My faith grew stronger each time I lost someone that I loved. Faith is found in the valleys not on the mountaintops.
Author
So true, Joy, but those valleys are sometimes hard to walk through. So glad you have, and did have all the time, Jesus to walk those valleys with you. May your faith carry you to a few of those mountaintops too where you can rejoice in your blessings and the love of your family.
Your post Joy, reminded me of the song”Just a closer Walk with Thee” and I am glad Jesus was always with you, even when you didn’t realize it. Then Ann’s post reminded me of the song “Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley” One of the verses says, “We must walk this lonesome valley,” but I believe Jesus always walks it with us!
I have never had the pleasure of reading any of these writers other than Kim, so will be great to win this. Nice that you and Kim saw your dream come true. I thought when my first hubby & I broke up that I would never find another good loving man but God brought Otto into my life. We only had 8 yrs and 3 months to the day. But they were wonderful years. He will be gone 22 yrs on 18th of Oct (day after my b’day==I will be 81) God bless all reading this.
Author
So glad the Lord gifted you with a loving husband and that you have beautiful memories of those good 8 years and 3 months together, Patti. And happy birthday month. It’s good to celebrate life.
I hope you can read this collection Patti as one of the ladies’ husband dies in one of the stories and God sends her a wonderful husband like he did you!
Fun to hear how you and Kim met! I’m sure as a writer it’s important to make friends with him have connections with other writers l.
Author
Connections are good, Patty, and it is encouraging to have writer friends who can understand the writing worries authors sometimes have. Friends, whether we are writers or not, can be such great support as we stumble along in life.
Yes, I love how Kim and I met, too, and Ann, and all the other wonderful Christian writers I have met. They are all so sweet and helpful, not competitive at all!
A dream God answered for me was to provide me with a loving and caring husband after being in an abusive marriage for 18 years. I’m thankful.
Author
So glad you are in a good marriage now, Lucy. Eighteen years is a long time to be in an unhappy situation. So I’m thankful with you and for you.
Another answer to prayer! You all have lifted my spirits tonight with all of your answered prayers and a chance to pray for those who have not had their prayers answered yet!
My daughter miscarried her first pregnancy. Her second baby was delivered but he had birth defects the doctors termed “incompatible with life”. We knew this was the case very early on in her pregnancy. She was encouraged to abort this child but she chose to let God make the decision for when his life would end. We prayed to be given some time to say hello and goodbye. Against all of the doctors predictions he lived for three days and for that we gave thanks. Two years later, almost to the day my daughter gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He is six year old now and we give thanks for him every day!
Wow, Ruth, those were some big time answers to prayer! Of course, our God is a Big-time God! When I read your story I wondered if you had ever read Karen Kingsbury’s book where one of the Baxter girls has a baby that lives less than a day, but the family all gather round, and much good comes from pain, as God intends when we obey. Happy reading!
Author
Your daughter surely has a strong faith to make it through some hard experiences, Ruth. So sorry for her and your sorrows. The Lord did bless you with those precious days and so glad you now have a healthy grandson. It had to take courage for your daughter to enter into that valley of unknown that could have led her into sorrow again when she became pregnant again. So glad the Lord blessed her with love and a sweet baby boy.