Abigail Monroe arrives in town and the only thing on her mind is opening a library, but a moody young doctor and a heroic deputy sheriff have other ideas. Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of any four of my novels is:
igottawrite@ . . .
Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways!
Now let's revisit novelist Martha Rogers, author of Winter Promise.
Martha Rogers is a free-lance writer and the author of the Winds Across the Prairie series as well as the novella, Key to Her Heart in River Walk Christmas. Summer Dream and Autumn Song, the first two books in her new series, Seasons of the Heart are now available. She was named Writer of the Year at the Texas Christian Writers Conference in 2009 and writes a weekly devotional for ACFW.Martha and her husband live in Houston. In addition to her works of fiction, Martha has stories in a number of compilations as well as devotional contributions to several anthologies and writes the weekly Verse of the Week for the ACFW Loop. She is a retired teacher and lives in Houston with her husband, Rex where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and attending football, baseball, and basketball games when one of them is playing
Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.
--Well, I was quite the prankster my first two years of college at Baylor University, and that followed me into adult life in working with the youth of our church and the Student Council in high schools where I taught.
--I was a Home Economics teacher of Home and Family Living, Child Development and Home Management before I began teaching English.
--After I earned my MEd, I began teaching English at a private Christian high school and then at the college level.
--I’m still a kid at heart and love going to Disney World and circuses and carnivals.
--I’ve lived in the same house for 36 years and have attended the same church for 53 years.
Tell us more about Winter Promise, Martha.
Single, educated, and looking for a new start, Abigail Monroe decides to join her brother and his wife in Porterfield, Texas. Near her twenty-fifth birthday and without a suitor, she fears she will become a spinster if she stays in Briar Ridge, Connecticut. A sprained ankle sends Abigail to the new doctor in town, Elliot Jensen. He is smitten, but tragedy in his past has left him bitter, guilt ridden, and afraid to fall in love again.
When the town’s deputy sheriff rescues Abigail after a robbery, Elliot’s feelings for her grow stronger. He is jealous of the attention Abigail is getting, but he fears he can’t compete with the handsome deputy sheriff and his heroic deeds.
Has he waited too long to share his feelings for her? Or will Christmas bring them both the gift they seek?
Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.
What is it about your lead character that will make your readers care about him?
As the readers come to know the young doctor and the tragic event in his past, they empathize with him and want him to come to terms with it and believe God has greater plans for him.
Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …
I would not have been so discouraged and disappointed when my contract was not renewed at the private school where I taught. I wasted a year on resentment, anger, frustration, and grief.
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
The last four or five books were Christmas ones. My favorite of them was Love Finds You on Christmas Morning. Yes, you are one of the authors, but I loved the two stories because they took me back to a time of good memories and reminded me why I loved my grandparents so much.
Aw, that's very sweet of you, Martha. I'm so glad the book impacted you that way. What are you working on now?
I’m working on a Christmas book for next year, Christmas at Holly Hill.
Exciting! Where else can readers find you online?
www.marthawrogers.com
The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:
CBD.com
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Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?
In my book, Elliot has trouble dealing with a tragedy in his past and it pulls him away from God and his faith. He has trouble now trusting God and fears caring for Abigail because she too may be taken from him. As a Christian, how would you help someone cope with a tragedy in their lives and help them maintain their faith in God?
Thank you, Martha, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Martha has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 16. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Martha's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.
Be sure to check out my interview with Jill Williamson, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.
And I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.
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.
25 comments:
As a Christian, I think that when people face tragedies...the most important thing is not to try to explain WHY to them, but to comfort them and give them hope for God's enduring love, so that they (and we) can know to trust Him even in those times.
paleface(dot)lu(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd pray for them and when they're ready to talk or just hang or ask why would God allow bad things to happen. I'd explain that that God still loves you very much just like your parents love you very much. Bad things happen to you under your parents care but you still love them. satan like when we turn away from God.
Only when they're ready otherwise I'd just keep them company and listen.
jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com
What a tough question!
When I've experienced tragedies, the best gift people gave me was to just sit and mourn/grieve with me...without offering platitudes. So, I would sit and "feel" with them.
This looks like a great read. (As a librarian myself, I am interested in that angle of the story.)
laurelprincess12 at gmail dot com
I would pray for them and try to be there for them. I also would try to not pry into what they are thinking or feeling and let them share and show what they need to. I would also when the time is appropriate to try to use my own periods of tradegy to help them.
Jen.whitney08 at gmail dot come
Wow..that's a touch question. First off, I would pray for them. I would try to be there for them if and when they needed someone to listen or to be company for them. I would hope that by living my faith, they, too would "refind" their faith in God.
lgm52(at)hotmail(dot)com
I give them the best spiritual and emotional support I know how and moost importantly I'd pray with them and for them.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
wrensthoughts.blogspot.com
My son died June 3 after having three glorious days with him over Memorial Day Weekend. I spoke with him on the phone June 1. We loved each other very much as my firstborn 19 years apart. I can tell you firsthand what the Lord did through our church body. On June 5 after the morning service the Pastor called us forward and asked our church to come up and pray for us. One woman told me later, "It was like your sadness was transferred to me. I had never experienced that before." It was so healing for those who love us to envelop us in prayer and embrace. God is so good to meet our need. I trust Him. He indeed is love. Several year ago, He gave me, "You gave him as a child, I hold him as a man." I take that literal today. God bless each of you. Michael had a heart attack in the night, but the Lord knew. We were told there was no stress on his face and he died peacefully. Kathleen
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
i grew up in a home that dealt with death on a regular basis (my father was a funeral director) and i was always impressed how people said that the best thing we had done for them was just to sit and mourn with them, not try to tell them anything, so i try to do that, and prayer is the most anyone can do, not the least.
mitzi[underscore]wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com
As a Christian who has walked through tragedy and situations, I would suggest to just pray and be there to listen. Support is what they need. Do Not preach at them.
jrs362 at hotmail dot com
I have not read any books by this author.
That's a tough one, Martha! I would certainly spend time in prayer for, and with, them. What I wouldn't do is quote Scripture. Not that the Truth isn't appropriate but I know when my mom died, as a Christian I knew the Truth but what I really wanted more was silence with a nice bear hug and a shoulder to cry on. When they were ready to talk I would encourage them to seek the Lord through prayer and bible reading.
I've read the others in this series and would love to read this one! I signed up for the FIRST tour to review this book but it was postponed.
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
Sounds very interesting!
My name is Abigail too.
I haven't read any of your books yet but Ihave them on my wishlist. They all look very interesting!
richmond[dot]abigail[at]gmail[dot]com
I lost my husband in 2003 to a brain tumor. I didn't have very much support during his illness from my church family. I hopefully have helped a few people since my husbands passing by being an example to them that while the road is rough God is only a prayer away...and if you can't pray I can! Sometimes we are so exhausted being a caregiver that we can only rely on the prayers of others!
It helps to remind others that God loves us, he is there for us, and even though we don't always understand his ways, because we want it OUR way that we miss the blessings he is giving us.
Blessings!
judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com
Listening and loving another through a tragedy is a good way to help the healing. People don't need words as much as they need understanding and empathy. Avoid being judgmental and extend a lot of grace.
twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com
I'd listen and validate their reaction to the tragedy--so often people need someone to listen and understand. And I'd ask God to tell me when to share either how He helped me in a similar situation, or related Scripture. After all, THAT is what will not return void. I'd hope to help them focus on God's unfailing presence with us and His character.
This year, my word from God is "rest." Not as in sleep or vacation, but to lean on Him in everything, knowing His plans and purpose are always for the good. I look forward to reading how God helps Elliot regain his trust.
Blessings,
Mary Kay
mary [at] marykaymoody [dot] com
As a Christian, I think it is important that we not be too trite in our responses to tragedy. Most of the time, the people grieving have already heard all the "Biblical" answers way too many times. I think it is more important to jut be there for that person in their grief and be prepared to support them for a long time to come. Tell them you're praying for them and then do so constantly.
Sorry, my email is amiller[at]usermail[dot]com
i would pray w/ them...and for them.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
The best thing is let them talk and just be there as a sounding board. most times they just need to talk. pray with them if at all possible.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I have to agree that when one is grieving, simple companionship means more than words of sympathy. And several people I know have commented about the fact that people scatter shortly after a loss, assuming the survivor has moved on. Sometimes that person needs to hear from you again after some time has passed. The loss lingers well after all ceremonies have been performed.
Good question, Martha. It's helpful to hear the various answers from people who have gone through loss.
Wonderful comments from everyone. Silence is golden and most times the only thing needed is our presence with a listening ear.
Mary Kay, I love your word, "rest". In the Bible another word for rest is "abide" and when we abide in Him, we are leaning, trusting, and obeying Him.
You will never be able to explain "why". None of us understand why. The only thing you can explain without actually explaining it (if that makes sense) is that God is good ALL the time. He will work everything for good, even the things that hurt and anger us. That statement may not comfort someone who has just experienced tragedy but it will offer them hope. Hope is the most important thing to keep in your heart. Hope will not disappoint us.
I would definately pray that God heals their heart and eases their doubt and fear. We all fear loss in some way. It's getting past that and embrasing what God has given us that gets clouded sometimes.
Salena
srstormo at yahoo dot com
Letting someone know that you love them and care enough to be there for them anytime is one way to help. And one thing that is so difficult to accept is that God never makes a mistake. Even though we know how much God loves and how much we trust Him, when we are put to the test ourselves, its sometimes not easy. And that is when we have to trust His love and control of our lives.
Blessings
ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com
When tragedy hits, I feel like there is nowhere else to go but to God. There is not comfort, not really, outside of Him. He is the only One who can truly ease our pain.
Ann_Lee_Miller[at]msn[dot]com
Just yesterday I attended the funeral of a wonderful man in our church who suffered from ALS. When I saw his wife, it was hard for me not to cry, but I hugged her and told her I loved her. She responded with the statement, "Jim is dancing his way across heaven shouting hallelujah."
What a wonderful response.
You all are a wonderful group of people. It's been nice hearing from you.
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