ALABAMA DAYS ~ Daphne Self ~ What's New Wednesday

Please Welcome author Daphne Self to What's New Wednesday as she talks about herself, her writing, and her new book ALABAMA DAYS.

Take it away, Daphne!

Of all the times in the past when I wrote guest blogs, I’ve never had difficulty in finding something to write about. Yet this time I find it not quite as easy as before. Yes, I can write about my new book, Alabama Days. It’s the second book in the Southern Saga series.

I can explain why my name is different on this book compared to the first book, Mississippi Nights. Yes, I can talk about the faith element in the book. But all this doesn’t seem “new” to me. Maybe it will be new to you?

Alabama Days was a book I started shortly after writing Mississippi Nights. This was way back in 2013. At the time I was still a widow with two young sons. Life, as it always, found a way to interfere with my writing dreams and everything was set to the side for a long, longtime.

In 2018, I finished a children’s book and sent it to my publisher. By then, I had already remarried and didn’t want to use my old name. To me it is an honor to share my husband’s name and I wanted to give it the recognition, so I moved from D.M. Webb to Daphne Self.

It was then, after The Case of the Missing Firehouse Dog was published, that I decided to bring Alabama Days from the “box”. Within a couple of months, I finished the story (it was already 2/3 written) and sent it in.

What is the story about? Other than what is written on the back cover, the story centers around two people: Scott and Angela. Scott experiences a trauma that has him questioning God and, in his anger, he turns to prescription drugs to drown his pain. Angela is a reporter whose path crosses Scott’s in many ways. Soon they are embroiled in the town’s corruption.

I wanted to show a story that highlighted how far a person will try to run from God, yet soon learn that he was actually running to God. Anger, pain, heartache, and grief color a person’s thoughts and behavior and I wanted to show how Jesus Christ can offer the peace and salvation needed to heal a heart.

Alabama Days is my newest book, which released on June 16, 2020. And yes, I did draw from some of my own personal experiences to write this. I know the overwhelming grief death can bring (which in my case was two, barely three, months apart). And though I had Christ who brought me through it all, I’ve always wondered about what would a person who didn’t have Christ do in a situation similar to mine? Thus, Alabama Days was born.

This is my first true romantic suspense novel. And it won’t be my last. I plan to have a few more to round out the Southern Saga.

What else is new? This fall will be another book release: Journey On. Not a novel, but a journal of sorts where I chronicled the ups and downs of being newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. It started as a personal journal where I had 29 verses sent to me from various women when I had reached a low point in my life (chronic illnesses is notorious for causing depression). While on the “something-teenth” verse, it dawned on me that if I felt like this, what about those who have it even worse than me? So I finished the journal and sent it in to my publisher. It’s my prayer that the book will help others navigate a “new life” and “new normal” that chronic illnesses cause.

Well, I guess I did find something to talk about after all!

Before I end this post, though, I want everyone to know that it is only through the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that has brought me this far and I continually rely upon Him to carry me through the rest. And may His Peace be a blessing to you.

From the back Cover:

How could a loving God hurt so many people?

Paramedic Scott Wilson believes he can chase death away, but his spirit is shattered when people he loves are taken from him. As a paramedic, Scott sees every day the pain that people suffer, and he wants no part of a God that would allow bad things to happen to good people. As a result, he hides behind his work and addiction to ease the pain within his soul.
But once newspaper reporter Angela Mabry and her son, Max, move into town, Scott can’t help but notice the feisty redhead. Angela is determined to uncover the town’s seedy underbelly and reveal the strange coincidences of so many car accidents at one location.
When a prominent city official dies in a car wreck, Scott and Angela find themselves tangled in intrigue and deception. Together they search for the truth and discover that not all is what it seems.

Purchase links: https://ambassador-international.com/books/alabama-days/

https://www.christianbook.com/2-alabama-days-a-southern-saga/daphne-self/9781620207123/pd/207125?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alabama-days-daphne-self/1136957218?ean=9781620207123

About Daphne:

"I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me" (Psalm 119:119). This verse is Daphne's life.
"Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm" (Mark 4:39). This verse is the promise made to Daphne.

Daphne Self, formerly published under the name D.M. Webb, resides in Iowa. As a Mississippian transplant, she spends her days in the Midwest state writing, editing, reading, antiquing, and planning adventures with her husband and sons. She pursues her dream as an editor and author with one goal in mind: To Glorify His Name. Daphne is also an avid reader who devours books in many genres. As a long-time member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), she volunteers her time helping published and unpublished authors.

Where to connect with Daphne:

• FB: www.facebook.com/authordaphneself
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/authordaphneself
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4325821.Daphne_Self
• Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/daphne-self
• website: www.authordaphneself.blogspot.com 

FINDING REST ~ Leslie L. McKee ~ Devotional ~ Faithful Friday

Image courtesy Pixabay.com

Finding Rest

By Leslie L. McKee

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

This verse paints such a vivid picture. And it is one that I am very familiar with. Perhaps you are, too.

I battle chronic illness and chronic pain on a daily basis. I know all too well how it feels to be weary, overburdened, and in need of rest. My mind and body are not always in sync, and it is a struggle on some days to do the simplest of tasks. And if I am dealing with increased stress or anxiety, my situation can go from bad to worse quite quickly.

Jesus understood what I’m going through. He understands what you may be going through, as well. And He wants to take on those burdens and, in return, He offers peace and rest.

True peace and rest only come through Jesus. We can try to achieve them on our own, but they tend to be just beyond our reach. There are some things we are unable to do on our own, and this is one of those situations.

Life is full of trials, and it can be exhausting. The good news is that we weren’t created to do things on our own. Today’s verse is a reminder of that.

Jesus puts out a call to those who are weary. He offers up his yoke, which is light, for our heavy one. In Jesus’s time, His teachings were in stark contrast to other leaders. Jesus invited others to learn from Him. His message was one of weakness and humility, as well as a submission to God, the Father. Jesus asks the same of us today. He asks us to trust.

How do you become qualified for this peace and rest that Jesus is offering? In short, we need to be weak and trust in Him. We don’t need to feel discouraged about illness and pain or feel like they are holding us back from what the Lord has planned for our lives. This is the pathway to true rest. So embrace those areas you view as weaknesses, and turn them over to Jesus.

Lord, thank you that I do not have to be perfect. You can and will use my weaknesses for your perfect plan for my life. Amen.

Leslie L. McKee

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ALLLISON WELLS ~ When Waves Break

Hi, everybody! Please welcome author ALLISON WELLS who has graciously gifted us with an interview and a spotlight of her new release WHEN WAVES BREAK. So grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy!

How do you go about finding names for your characters?

I am a HUGE name nerd. I adore names, symbolism and meaning behind names, and just the sound of names. So when it comes to the characters in When Waves Break, I wanted names that were distinct. When dealing with twins, especially twins born in the late 1940s, matchy names were very en vogue, but I wanted to get away from that.

Eve is the older of the twins, and the Biblical Eve is the first woman, so that’s why I chose the name for her. The name means to breathe or live, and Eve has need to take a lot of big breaths in this book - she’s in for a rollercoaster.

Juliette is the younger twin, and she’s the one who has it in her head that the free love movement is the way to go, though it conflicts with her Christian upbringing. Of course, we are all familiar with Romeo and Juliet, and that romantic background is why I chose this name for her.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how did/do you overcome it?

My biggest obstacle, I think this is true for most writers, is time. I have four very active children, so finding the time to sit down and focus on the story before me is hard. Not only from the standpoint of distraction but the ability to actually be in front of my computer. I think I spend ⅓ watch my children participate in their respective sports and activities.of my life in the car! Of course, my kids and husband come first, so they are a welcome diversion, but that is certainly my biggest obstacle.

Besides writing, what other hobbies do you enjoy?

Well, I love to read! Who doesn’t? I also enjoy baking, it’s a great way to spread love. Bible study groups are a wonderful way to enjoy fellowship and dig into the Word, so I relish my time in my group. I also love to

When reading, what is your favorite genre?

I think Christian romance is my favorite, but I will read just about any fiction. I really love Steampunk and wish there were more Christian books in that genre. I wish I could write it - but alas, it is not my forte. I will read most any fiction, especially if it has a strong female lead.

Is research something you enjoy? To what extent do you go to find answers?

I love to do research. I think you have to love it if you’re a writer. I find myself looking up the strangest things. For When Waves Break, I was trying to figure out how someone would do a pregnancy test in the late 1960s. This was before at-home tests, and I discovered they would use rabbits, and if the rabbit died, the woman was pregnant! What a shock. I’ve also researched how refrigeration worked at the time of a book, when a variety of things were invented, and the common slang of the time.

Now let’s talk some about the book. Give us:

Title: When Waves Break

Author: Allison Wells

Publisher: Ambassador International

Release Date: Feb 18, 2020

Genre: Women's Fiction

Series/Stand-Alone: It is a sequel, but you don’t have to read the first one to read this one.

Target Audience: Women 18+ (might not be suitable for young teens due to adult situations)

From the Back Cover:

Set during a time of racial instability, When Waves Break sheds light on the equality and redemption we all have in Christ.

One summer, one night, one mistake, and everything changes for Eve and Juliette Nicholas.

For the Nicholas twins, life is just beginning, until one summer of misguided love forces the twins to doubt everything they've ever believed. Eve and Juliette are the daughters of a preacher, raised to hold love in high esteem, although they may disagree on how to share it. As high school graduation looms, they must question the cost of love, and what it may mean for their futures.

The summer of 1968 is one of change for both the Nicholas twins and the nation. With Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech fresh in everyone's minds, racial tensions are high and threaten to shake the very foundation that once held the twins together. Through it all, will the bond that Eve and Juliette share be broken? Can love truly endure all things? Or will their mistakes always haunt them?

What take-away value do you want readers to gain from your novel?

I really want the reader to know that no matter what happens in your life. what mistakes you might make, what trials may come your way, God loves you. And you can overcome anything as long as you have God in your heart.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Later this year I will have a new novel come out called Bell of the Night. This is a stand-alone book that takes an honest look at how a hard life doesn’t mean God has turned His back on you. Be looking for it in late summer/early fall!

About Allison:

Allison Wells is a graduate of Clemson University. She is a wife, mother of four blessings, and loyal friend. She became a believer at the age of sixteen and never looked back. Allison's motto is "Life is short, eat the Oreos."

Purchase Links for When Waves Break:

https://www.amazon.com/When-Waves-Break-Allison-Wells/dp/1620207214/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1581694497&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-waves-break-allison-wells/1135985186?ean=9781620207215

Where to find Allison “Out There”

·       facebook.com/allisonwellswrites/

·       www.allisonwellswrites.com

·       Twitter & Instagram: @OrangeAlli

·       https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18239522.Allison_Wells

·       https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allison-wells

Thank you, Allison, for being my guest today.

May God continue to bless you write for Him.

WATERLOO AND THE CRUCIFIXION ~ Rose Spiller ~ Faithful Friday

Waterloo and the Crucifixion 

Hope When it Feels Like All is Lost

by Rose Spiller 

Pixabay.com

On June 18, 1815, the 68,000-man British army, commanded by Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, went up against Napoleon Bonaparte, self-proclaimed emperor of France and his army of 72,000 troops near the village of Waterloo. The Brits had everything on the line in this battle. If they defeated Napoleon, it would be an end to his reign of terror; but if they lost, Great Britain would become yet one more European country taken over by Napoleon.

Knowing the entire country was anxiously waiting, the army devised a system to communicate the results of the battle as quickly as possible. A man was situated in a boat off the shore of Waterloo. When he saw the results of the battle, he was to signal a man in a church tower who would signal someone else, who would signal someone else, and on and on until the results reached the people of Great Britain. When the battle was over, the man in the boat was able to signal 2 words before a heavy fog rolled in, “Wellington Defeated.” This message was passed on down the line until it reached the people of Great Britain. The Brits were devastated. They had put all their hope in the Duke of Wellington, and he was defeated. What hope was there for them now?! Three hours later, though, the fog cleared and the man in the boat was able to get the rest of his message through, “Wellington Defeated the Enemy.” As the completed message was passed on, you can imagine the joy and elation the people of Great Britain felt! History says Napoleon rode away from the battle crying.

When Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday, it was like Waterloo for His followers. They had put all their hope in Jesus, and now the message they received was “Jesus Defeated.” I can’t imagine the devastation and hopelessness they felt that Friday and Saturday. But on the third day, the fog rolled out and they were able to get the complete message – “Jesus Defeated the Enemy!” Can you imagine the elation and relief they felt?! 

Many of us have had times where we have felt devastated by circumstances in our lives, maybe some of you are going through something right now. While we are not minimizing the pain you may be experiencing, you are not without hope; you are not stuck in Good Friday. We have the complete message – Jesus has defeated Satan, Sin, and Death! If we belong to Him, His victory is ours! As 2 Corinthians 4: 6 – 9 tells us,” For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

L-R: Rose Spiller - Chris Paxson

Rose Spiller is one half of a writing team. She and her co-author, Christine Paxson are the founders of Proverbs 9:10 Ministries. Find out more at:

Website: https://proverbs910ministries.com

Link to Proverbs 9:10 FB: https://www.facebook.com/pg/prov910/posts

Link to “No Half-Truths Allowed” FB page: https://www.facebook.com/NoHalfTruths/

You can also find us on Instagram: proverbs910ministries and on Twitter @prov_910

Our podcast “No Trash, Just Truth!” can be found on all major podcasting sites, or here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/615385

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 1, when Whispers in Purple will be spotlighting their new book and sharing an in-depth interview with these interesting ladies.

TREASURE IN OUR HANDS ~ Malinda Fugate ~ The Other Three Sixteens

Treasure in Our Hands

A Spotlight on “The Other Three Sixteens” by Malinda Fugate

Image courtesy Pixabay.com

The Word of God is a treasure.

            2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scripture comes from the breath of God. Isaiah 55:11 promises that the Word of God will not return empty. Matthew 24:35 declares that even though heaven and earth are temporary, God’s Word is forever. Hebrews 4:12 explains that it is alive and active, while Psalm 119:105 describes it shining like a lamp on our feet and light on our path. The descriptions continue from the words on the holy pages to the testimony of saints past and present. The Bible is a precious book with worth beyond all the gold in the world.

            So what do we do with a treasure?

            We seek it. Our eyes are wide open at the mere possibility of treasure to be found. Like a pirate searching for a chest of jewels, we are driven by the promise of a magnificent prize- except our reward is not hidden in a dark, distant cave. God makes His Word accessible and available, waiting for us to excavate gems of His wisdom and love. The remarkable thing is that our passionate thirst for Scripture inspires our enthusiasm to increase with every divine treasure we uncover.

            We sacrifice for it. In Matthew 13:44-46, a man finds a treasure in a field, then sells everything he owns in order to buy the field and claim his prize. Jesus says this is like the kingdom of heaven, and it also describes our willingness to trade less valuable things for what is most precious to us. We sacrifice our time to spend our mornings in the Word. We give up watching episodes of television or the latest film in exchange of a few more moments with the Lord. We build our schedules around Sunday morning worship services and midweek study groups. The worth found in the Word of the Lord is beyond compare.

            We value it. We hold our treasure close to our heart. We treat it with great care. We do not allow it to become lost, misused, or cast aside. It’s kept safe and handled gently. So too it is with the treasures in God’s Word that we hold safely in the deepest places of our hearts and minds.

            And we share it. Fine china lives in a display cabinet, used on the most special of occasions. We don our heirloom jewelry when we want to look most beautiful. Monetary treasure is spent on luxuries and fun. We even give away our treasure to bless those in need. Likewise, we share our treasured Word of God with those around us, marveling at how the blessings multiply the more we give, never leaving us empty-handed.

            A new approach to Bible study, The Other Three Sixteens is more than a book; it’s a treasure hunt. Embark on an expedition, diving deep into the familiar pages to discover fresh, new truths about God’s love. Examine the third chapter and sixteenth verse of each book of the Bible, uncovering pearls of wisdom and gems of revelation. Hold them up to the light to reveal the many ways God loves you and how He is actively working in your life.

            Let us never become weary of seeking God’s Word. May we continue pursuing His grand adventure, ready to discover the treasures He has in store for us!

Synopsis of The Other Three Sixteens

"For God so loved the world . . . "

Many of us could finish that sentence in our sleep. John 3:16 is a beautiful Scripture that neatly and simply sums up the message of the Gospel. But what do all the other 3:16s in the Bible have to tell us?

The words of the Bible weave a tapestry of love, particularly the love that our Heavenly Father has for His children. But a love so deep and so wide cannot be contained in one memorized phrase. It takes multiple authors of sixty-six individual books to begin to explore the mystery of God's care for us.

The Other Three Sixteens by Malinda Fugate examines each third chapter and sixteenth verse in the Bible and invites a fresh, new perspective to help readers uncover surprises or remind them of forgotten truths of a faith that has become routine.

Through Genesis to Revelation, we can soak in its depth, wonder at its intricacies, and be moved at how much the Lord truly does lavish upon us. Together, we discover God's love under the weight of Eve's sin in the garden. It's there in front of Moses, burning in a bush that is somehow not consumed. God's love sits in the dark with Job, rebuilds a wall with Nehemiah, and encourages a young pastor named Timothy. Together we will find a deeper understanding of the way our Heavenly Father cares for each of us today.

On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Other-Three-Sixteens-Malinda-Fugate/dp/1935507141

Malinda Fugate Bio

Malinda Fugate grew up in children's ministry. Now, after two decades of dedicated volunteer service, she now serves full-time as the Children's Education Director at a church in Southern California. Malinda studied communications and theatre at Azusa Pacific University, then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA. Her writing includes The Other Three Sixteens, Bible Time for Active Kids, commercial copywriting, various faith-based stage and screen plays, as well as co-producing A Single Girl's Guide To, a lifestyle blog and web series. Her lifelong study of God’s Word continues to reveal more about the Lord every day. She lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi.

Facebook.com/malthewriter 

Twitter.com/malthestar

Instagram: @malthewriter

malindafugate.com

           

THE BODYGUARD: Reflections about God's Protection ~ Alexis A. Goring ~ Devotional

The Bodyguard: Reflections about God’s Protection

A devotional by Alexis A. Goring

“You have made the Lord your defender, the Most High your protector,
and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home.
God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go.”

–Psalm 91:9-11 [GNT]

This devotional is based on my observations on the commute I took via Metro Rail to work one morning.

A tall, dark, handsome, fit and strong man dressed sharply in a black suit and shiny black shoes skillfully guarded a little girl who appeared to be no older than five. He was five times her height and looked very much like he was her bodyguard. Looking back, I realized that he could have been her biological dad too. Nonetheless, he clearly had one objective: keeping his little girl safe. 

I watched as he scoped out his surroundings inside the train car, even moving to a more secure seat with his little girl as more people filled the train. He was actively alert, listening and watching everyone who may pose a threat to his child. She looked perfectly content, focused on her own little world. She appeared to have no worries because she knew she was in good hands with this man. It was clear that he would protect her at all costs. Then I started wondering about their story. 

We took the same train to the same stop in Northwest D.C. so I speculated if this young girl was a princess from another country, a dignitary’s daughter, or the child of some other high profile person like a politician. Regardless of to whom she belonged, it was clear that she was safe and loved, and needed not to worry about anything because he would protect her from all harm. 

These observations caused me to think about my God as our Heavenly Father. He is a Good Father who wants to protect us at all costs, even if that meant sending His Only Son (Jesus Christ) to this world to show us the way to Him. Jesus lived, ministered to hurting people on this Earth, then died and rose again to complete the plan of salvation that gives us hope of eternal life.

Read the story in John 3:16. Jesus didn’t stay dead in the grave forever; on the third day after his death, He rose again! He is working on our behalf, interceding for us before His Father (God) in Heaven. Thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, we have the hope of eternal life when the final curtain closes on human history! Meanwhile, God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are here to help us survive this human experience on Earth.

With God, we are always safe. He sends His Angels from Heaven to protect us. It is the common belief that God assigns a guardian angel to each of us to protect us from the time we are born until the time we die. Why? Because God loves us! He doesn’t want anything to happen to His children. 

Just like that little girl clearly belonged to someone important, we belong to God who is the King of the Universe, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Most importantly, He is our Heavenly Father who loves us with all of His heart. God wants to save your life. Will you trust Him to be your bodyguard?

Author Bio: Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.