Joi is offering one copy of her novella CHRISTMAS RAYNE to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, December 27th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
Blurb for CHRISTMAS RAYNE:
Rayne Adams loves
Christmas time. While shopping for a Christmas tree, she runs into a love from
the past. With a possible new love forming on the horizon, will the past
continue to haunt her or will she be able to let it go and move on? Or is there
room in her heart for her former love?
Justin Thomas made the
biggest mistake of his life three years ago. Now, finding himself face to face
with the one he hurt the most, can he regain her trust and her love? Or will he
lose her to another? Find out in Christmas Rayne!
On Hold but Moving Forward by Joi Copeland
Much to my sadness, my two
works in progress, Sunshine in Spring and When Mercy Found Me, are on hold. I
truly do not like this new stage where I don't have time to write. I have
several book ideas floating around in this head of mine, yet I am unable to
even finish what I've started for now. It hurts my heart to put these
characters on the back burner of my life, but I know the day is coming when I
will be able to catch up with them again, have a cup of coffee, and dive into
their lives once more.
I know many people say,
“You have to make the time for writing. If it's important to you, you'll do
it.” For me, that isn't so. Writing is very important. I want to be used for
God's glory through my writing. I love sitting down, turning on my laptop, and
creating story lines that, I pray, will affect the hearts and lives of others.
However, God has shaken my
family up with a new direction for our lives. Never in a million years would I
see God doing this. But isn't that just like our Lord? To push, pull, and
stretch us? To turn our heads in a whole different direction?
That's what He did for me
and my family. We are headed to the mission field! I still shake my head and
say, “Really?” every so often.
When my husband, three
boys, and I moved to Colorado, it was for the intention of living here for the
rest of our lives. I love Colorado and its beauty. Yes, the temperatures have
been colder than normal, but I love it! My heart found a place to call home
here. It's not the house we live in, but truly seeing God's beauty on a daily
basis that enthralls this heart of mine.
So, over the summer when
God placed it on my husband and my hearts to look overseas, I was shaken.
Excited, nervous, and saddened by how quickly our life went from 0 to 60 in 2.1
seconds. We literally hit the ground running. And haven't stopped since.
We aren't headed to
unreached people groups or poverty stricken countries. No. Our hearts are
directed to Europe, specifically Ireland. Weird, huh? Moving to a place that is
predominantly Catholic? What we've found is that while that is true, it is only
true in the sense of nationalism, not a “living faith”' as we've had some
friends say.
And so, while my writing
career is put on hold for a short season, I look forward to moving ahead and
going overseas. I do believe I will pick up my writing after the New Year. I
long for that day, and look for it with anticipation. It will be a blessing to
say hello to dear friends I haven't seen in quite a while (my characters, of
course).
When I do get to the
mission field, I am thrilled to be able to write from a different country first
hand. One where I can delve into the culture and incorporate that into my
novels.
During this Christmas
Season, I see Jesus moving in hearts and lives around me in ways that are
unexpected. What about you, dear readers? How is God moving in your hearts and
lives and causing the unexpected to become a reality?
Visit with author Joi
Copeland on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
Win Joi Copeland’s #BookGiveaway of Christmas Novella CHRISTMAS RAYNE. (Tweet This)
Author's Bio:
Joi Copeland is married
to a wonderful man, Chris, and has three amazing boys, Garrison, Gage, and
Gavin. She is living the dream in beautiful Denver, Colorado. Joi loves being a
wife and mom! She enjoys spending time with her sister Steffanne, and loves to
sit and have a cup of coffee or tea with friends! She's been a Christian for
over twenty years. Following Jesus has been the best decision she has ever
made. Joi's other books are Hope for Tomorrow, Hope for the Journey, Christmas
Rayne, and Sheriff Bride Rob's Story.
Find Joi on the Web:
I know you are so excited about going to Ireland, and maybe an Ireland series will come from it, Christmas Rayne sounds like a great novella. pat at ptbradley dot com
ReplyDeletePat, thanks for your visit this evening, especially during the busy holiday season. What a great suggestion for Joi--an Ireland series. I hope she'll think about that!
DeleteChristmas blessings.
Hi Pat! I am very excited to write when time permits! Truthfully, I have already thought of a series based in Europe. My main characters will have names based on countries. Ireland, Germany, and England were my names. What do you think?
DeleteI like that! While Susan May Warren didn't name her characters based on where she was, she did start writing while she and her family were on mission in Russia. Her first books were based in Russia.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best as you start a new adventure!
Thank you, Pat! I look forward to this crazy adventure God has placed me! Being a homebody, this is definitely an adventure! I feel like Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit. :)
DeleteIt's been so neat to watch this unfold in Joi's life. She is in our critique group and although I miss reading her works in progress, I'm more excited to see her being obedient to His call.
ReplyDeleteJulie, thanks for your visit to Everyone's Story. I agree. I can only hope I'm not misinterpreting what He wants for me to do in obeying Him.
DeleteChristmas blessings.
Thank you, Julie! I am so blessed to have the critique group in my life! I adore all of you and am thankful for your friendship and prayers!
DeleteIn answer to Joi's question: I do see God moving in my life, mainly in forming my personality and views of others. A painstaking process. As Jesus said, faith as a mustard seed can command a mountain into the sea - but I think moving hearts is a greater feat than moving rocks. I can also sympathize with her lack of time to write. I write mainly on college breaks and during the summer, while during the fall and spring semesters I have to pour all my energy into reports and essays. Sometimes I'm dismayed to see a month pass when I hardly write my own material!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Anthony. Oh, do I ever hear what you're saying, though my college days are long behind me. Working full time, and at the odd hours I do, challenge me in my writing time. And as I said above, I can only pray that I am indeed answering His call.
DeleteI commend Joi in her family's decision. And as you start out in life I wish and pray for you that you will always put Him first… which I wished I knew to do years back.
Christmas blessings.
Such a truthful reply, Elaine! Your advice is solid. I wish I had been more 'focused' in my youth, as well. I wonder, though, if it was a path I had to take in order to be who I am today. Hmmm. It certainly wasn't easy, searching for meaning in all the wrong places. God is wonderful for seeing me through it.
DeleteYou know, Sara (and I'm glad to see you again!!), on one hand I can only wonder about my yesterdays and on the other hand, I'm realizing that God knew all along what was behind me, in front of me presently, and what waits ahead. And I know He knows what He's doing… so all my looking back may only serve the wonder-angst-demons of mine while I'm rethinking so many things. Am I late bloomer because I didn't do this or that or am I right on time because it's His time? Am I in the right place, doing what He wants me to? I can only hope, pray, and believe that on the day I stand before Him He will be proud of me, and you, and all of us.
DeleteChristmas blessings, my friend.
Hi Anthony! I know it is hard to set aside our characters and writing to do what we need to do. Keep plugging away. You'll get there! :)
DeleteElaine, it's hard putting God first, isn't it? I've come to realize He has to not only be first, but at the very center of all I am and all I do. Only then, can I reach out with His hands, feet, eyes, ears, and heart!
Sara, how exciting! How do you like London? We look forward to visiting Ireland this Spring, and you bet! I would love to join the group! :) Exciting!
Excellent words, Joi.
DeleteJoi, I commend you for taking on the challenge in Ireland. I'm from New York and am currently living in London. Once you get settled in abroad, I welcome you to join ACFW Beyond the Borders yahoo group! I'm the Zone Director, and I have to say we're a fun, supportive community for writers living overseas!
ReplyDeleteWow, Joi, this is such a beautiful testimony of surrendered obedience. May God bless the work of your hands, and may He surround your family with love, joy, and peace as you step out to serve him. And if you and Elaine maybe worked something out so you can revisit with pics for us to see, that'd be awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, your visits always make me smile. That's a wonderful idea--a lovely followup appearance with Joi from the mission field. If Joi is up to this, I'll see what we can arrange.
DeleteChristmas blessings.
Thank you, Jennifer! I would love to once we get over there (a few years at least). :) I did hear they are having 80 mph winds today in Galway, Ireland. I can honestly say that does not thrill me in the least! One of the things I cringe the most about is wind! Ay-yi ay-yi yi, Lord, what are You doing? :)
DeleteWhat a lovely way to spend Christmas week on a writing/reading oriented blog with an author turning missionary. Thanks so much, Joi, for spending time with my viewers on Everyone's Story, for giving of yourself during what many view as a chaotic time of the year. Quite a lot of viewers have seen your segment and like me, I'm sure they're praying and wishing for you and your family the very best. May you be blessed and be a blessing to those who He puts in your path.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks too for your sweet giveaway of your Christmas novella, CHRISTMAS RAYNE. The lucky winner of your book is…
Sara. Yea, Sara! Both Joi and I will be in contact with you via direct email.
May His peace be with everyone during the New Year.