Hi, readers, please welcome author Kelly Goshorn as she share a beautiful love story turned into fiction.
Writing my Real-Life Romance
Honestly, God had whispered in my heart a
long time ago that I would share our story, but I assumed I’d give my testimony
in a ladies Bible study or something. I never imagined I’d share some of the
most painful moments of my life with the world in written form. However, the
more I thought about it, the more I agreed that our story had all the elements
needed for a great romance—interesting characters, a strong spiritual arc, and
enough conflict to drive a Mac truck through the hardest of hearts.
Like
my full-figured heroine, Ruth Ann, I’ve struggled with weight issues my entire
life. I’ve
had cruel things said about my appearance. Oftentimes by people who were
supposed to love me.
Boys don’t date chubby girls.
With those broad shoulders and hips, you
wouldn’t be petite even if you lost weight.
You have such a pretty face, you really
should do something about your figure.
Men don’t marry overweight women.
But their insensitive words failed in
comparison to the ugly way I spoke to myself.
You’re fat.
You’re ugly.
No one likes you.
No man…will ever…love you.
I’d become
so defined by the negative comments and opinions of those surrounding me, I no
longer saw anything to esteem. I’d allowed my self-worth to be determined by a
yardstick that measured my value according to the size of my waist or the
flatness of my stomach, always coming up short.
Then
one night the unthinkable happened. Mike, the man I’d previously been dating
told me the real reason he ended our relationship weeks earlier. “I made a vow
that I wouldn’t marry a woman who was overweight.” My mind spiraled out of
control recalling every unkind that myself or others had spoken about my appearance.
Within an hour I was curled up on my bathroom floor contemplating swallowing an
entire bottle of ibuprofen.
Thankfully,
that is not where the story ended. Weeks earlier, knowing I was sad about the
breakup with this man, my pastor’s wife asked if I had been thinking about
suicide. Shocked, I told her no. Prompted by the Holy Spirit the two of us
prayed against the spirit of suicide and that no harm would come to me by own
hand. I firmly believe those prayers saved my life in that dark moment when the
voice of the enemy was silenced, and I chose to live.
Although
I learned that God loved me in a way no man ever could, he brought a soul mate
into my life. A loving husband who, despite my fuller figure, often greets me
in the morning with a loving salutation, “Good morning, Beautiful.”
Mike
and I celebrated twenty-eight years of marriage in 2018.
Yes,
the same Mike whose other words had sent me into a life-threatening tailspin.
God
had to purge those negative thoughts from the minds of both Mike and me. We had
to experience the fullness of God’s love for us before we could give and
receive love unconditionally in marriage—to anyone. He could have decided to
bring us new relationships, start over with a clean slate. Instead, He taught
us about forgiveness, trust, and unconditional love.
He had
not only chosen to heal, but to restore.
Our
journey to unconditional love and acceptance is told through my characters in A Love Restored. At its core, A Love Restored is not only a story of
love, romance, heartache and restoration, but also a story about the power of
words over our lives. It is a story about the struggle each of us faces to take
our thoughts captive to the truth of Scripture so we may experience the
fullness of God’s unequivocal love for us. As my husband and I discovered, it
is only then that we are truly able to give and receive love, unconditionally.
My prayer for you and your lovely
readers is that you will not allow the enemy to steal the joy that is
rightfully yours as a child of God. Speak the truth of the gospel over yourself
every day and ask God to give you His eyes to see yourself as He does (1 Samuel
16:7b).
About the Book:
She was nothing like the woman he’d envisioned for his
bride, but he was everything she’d ever dreamed of—until a promise from his
past threatened their future.
With pert opinions and a less-than-perfect figure,
Ruth Ann Sutton doesn’t measure up to society’s vision of a perfect lady. When she
accepts a position teaching in a Freedman’s School, it threatens the only
marriage offer Ruth Ann is likely to receive. She’s forced to choose between
life as a lonely spinster or reinventing herself to secure a respectable
proposal.
Determined
to rise above his meager beginnings, Benjamin Coulter’s reputation as a fast
learner and hard worker earn him the opportunity to apprentice with a surveyor
for the railroad—a position that will garner the respect of other men. After a
chance encounter with Ruth Ann Sutton, Benjamin is smitten with her pretty
face, quick wit, and feisty personality.
When
others ridicule his choice, will Benjamin listen to his heart or put ambition
first?
About Kelly:
Kelly Goshorn weaves her
affinity for history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love,
faith and family set in nineteenth century America. She is a member of American
Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Kelly has been
enjoying her own happily-ever-after with her husband and best friend, Mike, for
28 years. Together they have raised three children, four cats, two dogs, a
turtle, a guinea pig, a gecko, and countless hamsters. Thankfully, not all at
the same time. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys spending time with her
young adult children, scrapbooking with friends, board gaming with her husband,
and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi. Her debut novel, A Love Restored,
released June 29th from Pelican Book Group.
Purchase on Amazon https://amzn.to/2J2wBAz
Barnes and
Noble Barnes & Noble https://bit.ly/2KhDiCE
You can connect with Kelly
on:
Her website:
http://kellygoshorn.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.j.goshorn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.j.goshorn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellyGoshorn
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KellyGoshorn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyjgoshorn/
About the Giveaway:
Kelly is giving away a $5 Amazon gift card and a charm with a quote from A Love Restored. You won't want to miss out on this one!
Kelly writes ... Your Turn: Have you ever been plagued by self-doubt? If so, in what area of your life? How did you overcome it?
To be entered in the drawing is easy: Just leave a comment with your name and email contact info (in case you're the winner) and respond to her question ... this part is optional, but it would be great to share. Our readers can encourage you.
Giveaway ends one week from today on Thursday, July 12, at MIDNIGHT CDT.
Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your beautiful romantic story with our readers.
Hi Peggy, Thanks for hosting me on your blog today!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Kelly. I loved reading your own love story. Blessings.
DeleteWhat a touching story, Kelly. Thank you so much for sharing both your hurt and your joy. But mostly, thank you for allowing the Lord to shine through you into your novel. Blessings on your writing journey!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Cynthia. Kelly's story touched me, too.
DeleteHi Cynthia! God has used this experience to strengthen my husband and myself in so many ways. I truly love that in His wisdom He chose to teach us about healing and forgiveness!
DeleteI have struggled with self image, weight and fear. It is something I continually have to surrender to the Lord, renewing my mind in Jesus and His words of hope…..remembering my identity is in Him and that's what really matters! I also am blessed with a wonderful, godly husband who lovingly affirms me. I am so thankful for him!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful story, Kelly! I am really looking forward to reading ‘A Love Restored’! And thank you for the opportunity of this giveaway! :)
~ Alison Boss
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much for visiting. Allison, and for sharing your own 'victory' over those insecurities. You've been entered in the drawing.
DeleteHi Alison, so many of us can relate to this struggle. The Bible tells us in John 10:10 that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
DeleteHere are just a few things the Bible has to say about you:
1 Thes.1: 4 You are chosen and dearly loved of God.
Ps. 139:14 You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Zech. 2:8 You are the apple of God’s eyes. (I just love that one!)
2 Cor. 5:17 You are a new creation in Christ.
John 1:12 You are a child of God.
Col. 1:14 You have been forgiven.
Rom. 8:1 You are free forever from condemnation.
Eph. 2:6 You are his masterpiece. (Can you just imagine?)
Blessings!
Cynthia, did you want to be entered in the giveaway? I've got your name in the hat :)
ReplyDelete