Everyone's Story welcomes back Carole Brown. The theme of this blog is encouraging others, especially sharing the love of God, and seeing how the power of uplifting others through hope and faith can do wonders. I think this week's guest, multi-published author and sweet lady, Carole Brown, does a pretty excellent job at cheering us all along. What do you think? Both Carole and I look forward to hearing from you. Also, check out Carole's BookGiveaway!
***I'll love for you to take a moment and take the short poll on the right-hand sidebar of how far you're willing to read before deciding the book isn't for you. Thanks so much.
Carole is offering 1 copy of WITH MUSIC IN THEIR HEARTS, either print or e-version--winner's choice, although US only for print--to 1 winner. The winner will be announced here on Friday, March 6th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment.
Blurb of WITH MUSIC IN THEIR HEARTS:
Angry at
being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the
call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from
Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans
for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI
cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman
is involved.
He’s
instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely,
spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly
between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other
is not on the up and up.
Will
their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path
of true love?
Stick It
Out by Carole Brown
She wished she could
go away. Papa had always told her she needed to broaden her horizons. But now,
at the beginning of war?
No, she couldn’t
leave the boarding house to Papa and her sisters to run. She would have to
stick it out. –from With Music in
Their Hearts
Have you
ever wanted to run away?
Stick
your head in the sand?
Wished
for yourself to be somewhere else?
Or cried
out for “it would all to go away?”
Of
course, most of us has! But life doesn’t usually happen that way. Most of us
have to live through it, get by, or stick it out. And that’s not easy.
Let me
give you three possible scenarios:
When
you’re young and in love and perhaps married before finishing school or ready
to take on family life, and you suddenly are faced with multiple bills that
pile up and you can’t meet the deal lines of payment, what do you do?
--Buckle
down, reduce your expenses if you can and cut, cut, cut. Hubby and I
married. He had a good job and I was teaching, but we had a house payment,
utilities and other normal expenses. Was it easy? Nope. We cut the thermostat
back to what I now consider “COLD” at nights. We existed on hamburger and
prayed in the rest. Lol now, but not then. We know God cares about even our
simple little needs.
And what
if your husband, or you, lose that wonderful job--your security to all the
things you’re used to for a good life? How embarrassing and how scary!
--Yes,
but how real! In today’s world, with businesses downsizing and closing, with
the economy as it is, and some careers overloaded with younger applicants, it’s
a horrible position to find oneself. When it was no longer an option for
hubby to work with his uncle, he decided to branch out on his own. Scary? Yes!
Lean years? Yes! But we’ve gotten through it, and our faith is stronger because
of it.
And one
more example . . .
Horror of
horrors, what if you’re suddenly placed in the position of a single parent? My
advice:
--Seek
help. There are plenty of government programs that can help tide you over if
you need assistance.
--Begin
immediately to look for work if you’ve been a stay-at-home person. If you don’t
need the money, join some groups in your neighborhood for the fellowship.
Participate or volunteer. Keep your mind busy and your hands active.
--And
don’t forget to give yourself room to mourn, to recover, and to relax. Your
body and soul needs it.
--Pray
often and remember that God is LOVE. He cares about your hurting heart.
How can
we get through the hard places?
--Realize, God won’t allow more than you can bear. Easy to
say/read; harder to accept. But it’s true nonetheless.
--Accept that there’s always a reason. Granted we may not know,
may never know, but God does.
--Take the Job-mindset. “Though he slay me, still I’ll
trust in him.” No matter what happens, determine you will serve God.
--Pray and lean on God. He’s your source of help and
strength. Only God can see us through the rough patches.
Just as
Emma Jaine, in my WWII novel: With Music in Their Hearts, had to come to terms
with her situation and make the decision to STICK IT OUT, so sometimes in life,
we have to do the same. Emma Jaine found her solution when she turned her heart
and wishes over to God. He provided her answers for her problems and life.
He’ll do
the same for you.
Carole's previous appearance's on Everyone's Story:
Stirring Readers To Act With A Heart
Why Learning New Things Is Well Worth The Trip
Carole's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Author's Bio:
Why Learning New Things Is Well Worth The Trip
Carole's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Rough
patches in life? Author Carole Brown @browncarole212 has advice. (Tweet This)
Everyone’s
Story with Carole Brown @browncarole212 : 8 Ways To Stick It Out (Tweet This)
Like WWII
fiction? Check out Carole Brown’s #BookGiveaway (Tweet
This)
Author's Bio:
Brown not
only has her award winning (Nominated for an Epic Award, RWA International
Digital Awards finalist in Inspiration, Laurel Award finalist, Selah finalist;
Genesis semi-finalist) debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman,
available for purchase now, but a companion book called West Virginia
Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman, filled with tidbits of
information about West Virginia, quotes, recipes from West Virginia and from
Caralynne’s life, pictures and discussion questions for the novel.
November,
2013, the first book in her mystery series, Hog Insane, released,
followed in November 1, 2014 by the first book in a new WWII romantic suspense
series: With Music In Their Hearts
Besides
being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown
enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but
have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they
enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and
did she mention their grandsons?
Places to connect with Carole:
