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:
