Pearl Girls and Free Books!

Watch Jesus Christ turn the grit of life into pearls of great worth!

Before highlighting today's book and author, I want to announce that the winner of the drawing for Gayle Roper's novel A Stranger's Wish, is:

rebornbutterfly@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right in order to participate in future book give-aways!

For today I wanted to draw your attention to Margaret McSweeney, General Editor of the story compilation, Pearl Girls (Moody Publishers, 2009).

After experiencing the death of both parents, Margaret McSweeney recognized the importance of community like never before. Through these difficult times in life, she learned how God uses gritty circumstances to conform us to the stunning image of Christ.

McSweeney also realized that she was not at all alone. It is for this reason that she decided to compile essays into an inspiring book: Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit Experiencing Grace.

Through this collection, readers will be encouraged by the heartfelt writings that deal with loss and hardship in a real and honest way. Respected authors such as Shaunti Feldhahn, Melody Carlson, Debbie Macomber, Robin Jones Gunn and others help remind every woman that they are not alone and that no circumstance is beyond the grace of God.

McSweeney uses the metaphor of a pearl in order to better describe the situations that ail us all. When an oyster takes in a piece of sand in order to create its coveted masterpiece, it is initially painful to the soft flesh of the creature. But after the pain, appears a clean, white symbol of simplicity, purity, and endurance that any woman would be proud to wear. McSweeney believes that each woman is a pearl and together, form a necklace of great worth. In this book, readers will discover community and encouragement: women are alone in neither their pain nor victories in life.

* Every Pearl Girl story holds a message of hope and grace. God isn't finished with us yet! - Karen Kingsbury, America's inspirational novelist and bestselling author of the Above the Line series

* The stories inside the pages of this Pearl Girls book will warm your heart and remind you about the strength and presence of God’s grace in our lives. - Emilie Barnes, author of Meet Me Where I Am, Lord: Devotions for Women Harvest House

As one of the authors in this collection, I have a copy to give away to one of my subscribers or commenters. If you'd like to have your name entered in the drawing, leave a comment below.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.