Betsy St. Amant: A Facepalm Or Godsend?

Everyone's Story warmly welcomes this week's guest, author Betsy St. Amant. When I first read Betsy's contribution to this blog I was touched by a warm and tender smile, hope, and came away even more awed of the amazing God we have working on our behalf. This is what I hope each of my viewers experience when they visit here with my guests.  Please take the time to check out both the BookGiveaway offer and back cover copy of Betsy's LOVE ARRIVES IN PIECES, Betsy's uplifting words, and click onto the new survey on the right-hand sidebar. Both Betsy and I look forward to hearing from you.

BookGiveaway:

Betsy is offering 1 printed copy of her novel LOVE ARRIVES IN PIECES to 1 randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, June 12th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment.

Please check out the back cover copy for LOVE ARRIVES IN PIECES:

For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn’t trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn’t get another job soon, she’ll be stuck living with her parents.

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancée. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he’ll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town’s old theater and is shocked to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness—and their unresolved feelings for each other—until Chase discovers the hidden parts of Stella, while losing her trust in the process.

A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice—to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from their brokenness.

When God Places A Special Person Before You 

by Betsy St. Amant

I’d like to tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a frightened, yet determined girl with a dream—a dream that felt so big, it seemed almost foolish to even imagine it, much less pursue it.

But the young maiden took a brave step toward the unknown by attending a workshop on speaking and teaching. At this conference, there was a small sub-class offered on fiction writing. That insecure, uncertain girl sat in the class, hoping to blend in yet at the same time, desperate to shine.

The teacher of the class must have sensed the girl’s aspirations and hesitations. She took her under her wing and taught her great pearls of wisdom, including words that haven’t left the maiden’s mind even today. Words of creativity, inspiration, and hope. Words of warning and caution. Words that would translate over one day into other areas of her young life.

That girl was me.

That teacher was Gayle Roper.

And that conference was Florence Littauer’s “CLASServices” in Texas about thirteen years ago. 

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was such a newbie to fiction writing, I had no idea what I was doing, yet I wanted to do it so badly. I was so new to the entire experience, that after I left in awe of Gayle (who is an award-winning author of more than forty books, a Christy finalist, and a Holt Medallion winner) I went home and finished my novel.

And then, in a humiliating wave of newbie-ness, emailed her personally to ask if she’d read the entire thing and tell me what she thought.

I still get red thinking about that moment! But Gayle handled it, as always, with such grace and class. She explained that while she’d love to read it, her schedule wouldn’t allow her that kind of time, and had I ever considered joining the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) instead?

I think back to that email and am in awe. I marvel at how only God could take just a few simple words, typed in a very standard font, and use a single suggestion to literally change my entire life. I can honestly say I would not be where I am in my writing career, ministry, and life if it hadn’t been for God using Gayle and her prompting to join the ACFW.

I did join, of course, because who says no to Gayle Roper? J  I began attending conferences and workshops on fiction writing. I wrote book after book. Sought out critique partners. Networked. Pitched my work (way too soon!) to editors and agents. Wallpapered my home office in rejection letters. And tried again. All while writing, growing, learning, reaching, striving, surrendering, and writing some more.

After a few years, I acquired my literary agent, Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency, and she sold my first traditionally published novel to Love Inspired a few months later. I’ve since put out an average of two books a year, leaving me with twelve published novels or novellas to date and more on the way.

That intimidated young maiden has come a long way since those fledging, uncertain moments in a chilly classroom in Texas. She’s learned a lot about writing, and a lot about courage and faith, but most importantly, she’s learned the importance of listening to the promptings in our hearts.

The most amazing part of this story to me isn’t my progress, or how my goals that were reached, or the number of books I’ve had published (though I’ve grateful for all of those things.) No, the most amazing part is how God used Gayle Roper and her heart for Him to help propel me on the path He had for me.

God does that, you know. Uses people, usually in the moments where they think they have nothing to offer, or in the moments where they have no idea what’s happening, and they’re just being themselves and living their life. When that life is led seeking His heart and walking in obedience to Him, big things start threading together in ways we could have never planned.

What dream do you have today that needs some life breathed into it? Who might have been placed in your life to help you go for your goals, as unreachable as they seem?

Who might be the person in your life that you’re meant to encourage and uplift? Who can you be Gayle Roper to today?

Look for opportunities to share your own pearls of wisdom. You just might change a life.

Betsy's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Everyone’s Story newest feature: author Betsy St. Amant @betsystamant #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)

@Betsystamant: When God places a special person in front of you. Can you relate? (Tweet This)

Like to read #ChristianRomanceFiction? Win @betsystamant’s #BookGiveaway. (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:

Betsy St. Amant has a heart for three things - chocolate, new shoes and sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. She lives in Louisiana with her adorable story-telling young daughter, a collection of Austen novels, and an impressive stash of Pickle Pringles. A freelance journalist and fiction author, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is multi-published in Contemporary Romance. Her newest novel LOVE ARRIVES IN PIECES releases via Zondervan Fiction in June 2015. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to the Tangled soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing and can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha.

Places to connect with Betsy:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

***I'll love for you to take a moment and take this month's poll on the right-hand sidebar. Thanks so much.

Caryl McAdoo: Passion, You Gotta Have It!

Everyone's Story gives a big welcome to author Caryl McAdoo. This is Caryl's first appearance on this blog and I'm excited she's here and hope you are too. Actually, Caryl's the one who is super enthusiastic… about everything she ventures into, whether it's writing, her favorite color green, and May! Please settle back and read Caryl's excerpt of her newest release, one you can take a chance on winning as a BookGiveaway. I hope Caryl's energy spreads and you will be inspired to leave a comment since both Caryl and I look foreword to hearing from you.

**Caryl lives in Texas, and although she has escaped harm from this past week's storm, Praise God, please consider offering a prayer for those impacted in Texas and Oklahoma… thanks.

BookGiveaway:

Caryl is offering 1 copy of her newest release SINS OF THE MOTHERS, Book Four of Caryl's Texas Romances series, to 1 randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, June 5th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment.



Excerpt from SINS OF THE MOTHERS: 

SINS OF THE MOTHERS by Caryl McAdoo

With everyone on the porch for the clan’s sendoff, Mary Rachel decided for sure and for certain and could wait no longer. She took a deep breath and hugged his neck. “Daddy, I’m sorry. I really am, but I can’t go. No, I mean I’m not going. I can’t leave. I won’t.”

He leaned back and stared at her for too long a minute, his face suddenly stone cold. “What did you just say?”

She grimaced; steam rose to her cheeks. He softened just like he always had when her mother turned on him. Saying it aloud made it all the more real, strengthened her resolve. “I cannot be gone for seven months. I thought for a while maybe I could, but I can’t, Daddy.”

Her new mother stepped close. “But Mary Rachel, why? It’s the trip of a lifetime. I promise you’ll adore Europe.”

“It’s just Mary now, please. No Rachel. That’s what Caleb calls me.”

His voice lowered to almost a whisper, he slipped some of the steel back on. “So. This is about that boy.”

“He’s a man, Daddy, and you know it. We love each other.”

“If he loves you, baby, then he’ll wait. It’s only seven months. He should be thrilled you have this opportunity to travel Europe.”

“Well, I’ve made my decision, and I’m not going.”

“We’ve booked your passage.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner, but I knew you wouldn’t be happy about my decision.” She looked off at the tree line, hating the disappointment in his eyes. But that was a coward’s way, so she faced him again. “Like I said, I thought I could. Anyway, let Bonnie take my place.”

From somewhere, her youngest sister burst into the middle. “Can I, Daddy? Please take me! I’ll be good. Mama, tell him how good I’ll be.” She turned those doe eyes on him. “Pleeeease.”

* * * * *

Six miles, north by northwest as the turkey vultures soar from Clarksville, Texas, the very reason Mary stayed home, rode his best mule as he skidded the black walnut saw log back to his cabin. Caleb looked behind. “Slow, girl, almost there.” 

He nudged the animal a bit further, the timber only feet from his makeshift hoist. Two more steps, then he eased Harley Sue to a stop. He hopped down then rubbed the old girl’s near ear. “You sure are a good mule.”

The distant rattle of trace chains turned him east, for a minute he stared, then she waved. “Well, look here what the cat drug in.”

He unhooked the skid and led Harley Sue to the barn’s corral; got back before Lanelle had the brake set on her wagon. “She go?”

“Nope.”

He nodded. “You sure? Saw it with your own eyes?”

“Yep, he took the three younger girls, but not the princess.” She stood and threw him a smirk. “Help me down.”

“Sure.” He stepped toward her with his arms held out, she fell into them. He caught her then twirled her around as she wrapped hers around his neck. He set her feet to the ground then stepped back a bit. Business first. “Anyone see you turn on my road?”

“No, but what difference would it make? I’m only bringing supplies for my kin.”

“True, you get it all?”

“A pound of salt pork, two ounces of salt, and a pound of coffee, but you best get yourself to town. Old man Hobbs wants a word with you. Wasn’t too happy when I told him to put it on your bill ‘stead of Pappy’s.”

Caleb nodded toward his wagon. “I should have this lumber loaded by Saturday. I’ll see to him on my way to Jefferson.”

She shrugged then turned and moseyed toward the cabin. “That last batch any better?”

Heading the opposite direction to the well, he soon went to cranking; retrieved the jug, pulled the cork, and sipped a taste. When he didn’t follow, she looked around then trotted to him grinning. He extended his home brew. “You tell me.”

Always a sight to behold, she accepted the jug without an ounce of pretension. Licked her lips then took a short pull and wiped her mouth. “Boogers, Caleb.” She grinned then got herself a real drink. “Woo! I’d say that may be the best you’ve cooked yet.”

He took the jug back and sipped a few gulps more. Burned good all the way down. Replacing the cork, he nodded toward the cabin. “You got time?”

Passion! By Caryl McAdoo

It’s May! It’s May, the lovely month of May! That’s about as far as this Christian author can go singing that old Camelot song. J But I do love the month of May. Back in 1950, at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, California, I was born on the third day of May. So as I grew enough to become aware, the fifth month in the year became my favorite one.

Do you have favorites? I have favorite everythings! In VOW UNBROKEN, my first historical Christian Texas Romance, the heroine, Susannah Baylor is very passionate—about most everything, and that’s one of the reasons my hero Patrick Henry Buckmeyer loves her so much, even though she often takes her passion to the extremes and not always in a good way.

My poor husband Ron of almost forty-eight years and poor Henry, but they both desire to share their lives with a passionate woman. J Passion is a noun, an emotion described in dictionaries as strong and barely controllable, powerful and compelling. It’s used more specifically in relation to being amorous and also to describe the sufferings of Christ in His last days on earth as a man.

The Urban Dictionary says: ‘Passion is when you put more energy into something than is required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement, passion is ambition that is materialized into action to put as much heart, mind, body, and soul into something as is possible.’ So I don’t believe it’s a bad thing.

Acts 14:15 speaks of it: ‘We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God…’ And in the fifth chapter of James, seventeenth verse, ‘Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.’ Woo Hoo! Being passionate can be great. God can use my passions for His Kingdom!

I am passionate about bringing God glory! I have adopted a mantra for my writing: Praying my story gives God glory! And that’s the fourth sentence I’ve ended with an exclamation point. Tee hee hee My passion is showing. In my novels, I don’t, but in my life, exclamations come so naturally! I think that has to do with my passion.

So, one of my favorite things is the color GREEN, for as long as I can remember, emerald is the birthstone of May and my younger eyes were bright green. I have green rings, clothes, car, purses, sunglasses, towels, dishes, walls, furniture, sheets, roofs…need I go on? This has served me well, when I go out, strangers think I am so ‘together’ and if I should leave anything somewhere – like my brush at a baby shower, the hostess called and said, “I’m sure this is yours, Caryl. It’s green.”—I get my stuff back. And yet another benefit is that I get occasional little gifts when people I know are out and see something green J and they think of me.

I also have a favorite food in TACOS! Think about it, with a dollop of sour cream, they encompass all the basic food groups—and with a wallop when sprinkled with jalapenos. Praise and worship is my favorite music. Sweet tea is my favorite drink. Chocolate is my favorite flavor of anything!

My afore mentioned mantra and passion for God leads me walk in His Holiness and to be bold in telling others about the Truths His Holy Spirit has revealed to me. It causes some to think I’m being judgmental. I unintentionally hurt some people because of my passion and they don’t like being around me because of it. In my passion I am compassionate, and it hurts me to know I’ve hurt someone, but my passion will not allow compromise. Truth is Truth and right is right, and two wrongs never make a right!

So what are YOU passionate about?

Caryl's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

#ChristianFiction author @CarylMcAdoo shares true writing passion on Everyone’s Story (Tweet This)

#BookGiveaway of @CarylMcAdoo’s newest release of SINS OF THE MOTHERS (Tweet This) 

@CarylMcAdoo: should passion allow compromise in your writing? (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:

Christian, hybrid (Simon and Schuster; Indie) author Caryl McAdoo is currently writing three series, all from a perspective of faith: her historical Texas Romances; the contemporary Red River Romances; and The Generations, her Biblical fiction. The novelist loves singing new songs the Lord gives her, and she paints. In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-five years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fifteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying each story gives God glory, she hopes it will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

Places to connect with Caryl:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Pinterest

Amazon

Davalynn Spencer: On Writing and Control

Everyone's Story welcomes author Davalynn Spencer. I've had the privilege to get to know Davalynn the past couple of years and she has been a blessing and role model of inner strength. While you check out her excerpt for her upcoming novella and read her special message, and I hope will be uplifted by her words, would you please offer a little prayer for this very special woman? Consider sharing this post with others in hope of encouraging a friend, relative, or special someone. Davalynn and I look forward to hearing from you!

Davalynn's novella, The Columbine Bride, will be out in a Walmart's exclusive, Old West Summer Brides in stores July 15th, and in the ebook collection 12 Brides of Summer releasing September 1st. Enjoy this excerpt:

Excerpt from The Columbine Bride by Davalynn Spencer

Lucy lay awake between her children, their shallow breath rising together as one. She rubbed calloused hands over her face, her muscles aching from the unaccus­tomed work. But these moments of predawn peace were priceless, for in them she heard the Lord’s soft whisper again: “Trust me.”

The storms made it difficult.

Every afternoon for a week they had rolled in over the mountains, each thunder clap and lightning strike reminding her of what she’d lost and how. She could bear the hard work, her dried and cracked hands, even the pain in her neck. But the storms mocked her, delivering again the blow of losing William.

Slipping from the bed, she checked each angelic face before padding to the stove and stoking the fire for coffee. Water flowed freely into the pot, and Buck came to mind, his bulk filling the kitchen corner as he primed the pump. As he sat at the table’s head. As he chucked Elmore under the chin and tugged Cecilia’s braids. If a body were to judge by outward appearances, one would think Buck Reiter liked being around her family. If a body were to judge by hidden feelings, one would think Lucy liked having him around. Somehow his presence lessened the drudgery.

Thin light seeped above the eastern ridge, and she quickly dressed and pulled on her boots. As she tied off the end of her braid, a wagon rolled into the yard and stopped at the barn. Elmore would be thrilled.

After returning the second and third day as Elmore had requested, Buck had since been gone for four. Each morning the child hung from the porch railing, dangling his feet off the edge, waiting for the familiar wagon to drive up the road. And each morning it did not come he’d gone about his chores like a lost pup. Yes, Elmore would be happy. So would Cecilia.

Lucy’s insides fluttered as she ground the coffee and added it to the pot. Glancing at her sleeping children, she slipped out the back door, surprised that she hadn’t yet adjusted to the altitude. She couldn’t quite get her wind.

Control Freak or Freaking Out of Control By Davalynn Spencer

“If things would just go my way, I’d be fine!”

Years ago, my mother didn’t realize what she’d said, but I did. And I never forgot the overtones.

For the past five months, circumstances have gone anything but my way. I’ve been dealing with ramifications of a serious fall by a family member. Hospitalization, paralysis, confusion. Rehab, bills, the day job. Writing.

Really?

“Isn’t it stressful for you to keep writing?” a well-meaning friend asked.

“No, it isn’t. I have to write.”

She didn’t get it, so I explained. I have to write for the same reason I have to breathe, eat bacon, and sleep on flannel sheets in the winter. Writing is therapeutic. I can self-medicate with words.

You see, about the only thing in my day-to-day life over which I truly have control is my response to God, people, and situations. However, when I write, I am in complete control of everything. Every single detail can “go my way.”

That’s what we want, isn’t it. Just like Mom, we want everything to go our way. Yet as an author, I must remember that no one wants to read a story where everything goes the hero or heroine’s way. B.O.R.I.N.G.

As I’ve told my writing students, if there’s no conflict, there’s no story.

When I write—whether therapeutically or not—I get to decide what goes wrong and right in my characters’ lives. It doesn’t matter if what I’ve written wouldn’t make good shoe-box liner. I can edit later and I always do. What matters is that I’m getting a break from my life and all the necessary things that need to be done—things over which I have no control. I am escaping for a minute or two or ten, the same way readers escape when they pick up a book in their favorite genre.

What happens if I’m under a deadline? Contracts are signed and kept, regardless of what is going on in the real world. Unless I break all my fingers at once or fall over dead, I have to fulfill the agreement.

So during this season of heart-twisting grief and frustration, I’ve recommitted on that response thing I mentioned earlier, particularly where God is concerned.

Will I respond to Him with trust? Will I let Him do what He does? Will I spend time with Him, worship Him, and praise Him even especially when my real life isn’t so fun?

When it comes to problems, I doubt that Jesus would say, “I told you so,” though He could, you know. He told us we’d have trouble down here, yet he beat it. We can take heart.

He said He’d give us His peace—different from world peace.

He said He’d never desert us. Ever.

That’s where I am these days of writing-because-I-have-to and trusting God to take care of me. He’s the one in control.

How about you? What does God do for you when everything falls apart and nothing goes your way?

“The peace of God which surpasses our understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” –Apostle Paul

Davalynn's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Inspirational Western Romance author @davalynnspencer asks: control freak or freaking out of control? (Tweet This)

Everyone’s Story: @davalynnspencer Do authors self-medicate with writing? (Tweet This)

Author @davalynnspencer: how to keep writing when life gets tough. (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Davalynn Spencer writes inspirational Western romance complete with rugged cowboys, their challenges, and their loves. Her work has finaled for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the Selah, and the Holt Medallion. Davalynn teaches writing at Pueblo Community College and at various writing workshops. She and her handsome cowboy make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue.

Places to connect with Davalynn:
Website
Twitter
Facebook


***I'll love for you to take a moment and take this month's short poll on the right-hand sidebar. Thanks so much.