SOWN IN PEACE ~ Joy Avery Melville ~ The Story Behind the Story

SOWN IN PEACE

The Story Behind the Story

Joy Avery Melville

 

Sown In Peace would not be the story it is without some amazing input from two of America’s wounded warriors, but let me back up just a little. After God gave me the idea for this novel, and after I quit arguing with him about writing it, I did a mammoth amount of reading from non-fiction books I purchased at Amazon.com. I knew it wasn’t enough. There was a niggling within that had me sensing a need to dig deeper, which led me to pray for a human resource. Someone who’d been there and done the things I wanted to include in my novel. Someone who wouldn’t fear talking about their take away from their years of service.

 

Since I don’t believe in coincidences, I can say with all sincerity, God nudged two people to answer my prayers. Through an editing client, I met an extraordinary soldier… a wounded warrior. Then, God connected me with another outstanding, Army wounded warrior, through the editor of my books. These two men, Jeremy Rockstroph (Rock) of Indiana and Keith Youngblood (Big guy) of Texas have PTSD, and yet, were willing to open up and give me insight into that devastating result of their service to our country. They were able to share what no text book or reference source I’d been through had given me. These soldiers gave me what I needed so badly for the characters in the story.

 

When I first interviewed each of them, it was to gain information as to military terms, the types of vehicles and how they were used, base life, and the atmosphere. Then, as I spent time with them over the many months we talked, via email, FB Chats, by phone, email, and even in person with Rock, I learned they had so much more to say that would impact the novel. These men shared their very hearts with me, bringing so much more life to the novel and two very important characters.

 

I am grateful for the ideas God put in my head and heart, the strength He gave me to put them into book form, but my life has been changed for having known these men. I will be forever indebted to them… the heroes I am now privileged to call family!

Lest you think this story is all about military life and PTSD, I promise, there are emotional and romantic elements running through this novel. See below ~

 

From the back cover:

 

How much can one wounded soul take?

 

Victoria (Tori) Archer has the heart of a soldier. Taken down by an IED during her fourth deployment, she’s permanently separated from her military career and left with physical scars as well as PTSD. Moving back to her hometown of Three Rivers, Michigan, she’s forced by circumstances to live with an irascible and unsympathetic aunt. Tori’s battle with pain, horrific memories, and loss of independence creates a deep yearning for peace. Will God grant her even a small measure of it?

 

Retired Military Dog Handler Griffin (Griff) McKay turns to training dogs at his farm for wounded warrior therapy, desiring to bring former military men and women emotional and mental healing. Implementing his plan proves to be more difficult than visualized with the arrival of one stubborn soldier. Why has God placed that particular warrior in his path?

 

 

One thing God has allowed me, while writing the genre He nudged, pushed, and then affirmed I write, is a strong Romance thread and ultimately a sigh-worthy ending. Something my Advanced Readers have assured me, is there.

 

Keith Youngblood read the e-book format of Sown In Peace last week then left a comment on my Facebook page with five bright yellow stars. He said the following:

 

“Everyone needs to get a copy of this book!! It is a Faith Based Fictional, yet very realistic story about a Wounded Warrior (IED explosion) returning home after being medically retired from the Army. She has to learn to live with her physical and mental injuries.

I also have a personal connection to this book, as the author, Joy Avery Melville was initially put in contact with me in order for her to get technical info for the book. Well it turned in to much more than that. Throughout the process, I got to know Joy and got comfortable enough to start sharing stories about my life and my struggles in the Army and since retiring. We have now become life-long friends. I love you Ladybug.” (unedited)

 

Needless to say, my eyes leaked when I read that. I am indebted to both men, for their candor. I look forward to working with them each again as I begin Pursuit Of Peace in the next month or so.

 

About the author:

 

Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— Joy had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.

Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.

The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of nearly 47 + years and their 21 mo-old Yorkie, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.

Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond! 

• Email       joyjournaling@gmail.com
  
• Twitter    https://twitter.com/Journeystojoy 
• Website  https://www.joyaverymelville.com 
• Blog        https://www.journeystojoy.net 
• Facebook Author Page http://facebook.com/jamauthor 
• Facebook Personal Page http://facebook.com/joy.averymelville 
• Amazon:         https://www.amazon.com/author/joyaverymelville
•  Goodreads:     https://www.goodreads.com/joyjournalinggmailcom 
• Bookbub:      https://www.bookbub.com/profile/joy-avery-melville

 

 

 

 

 

DADDY,, I FELLED ~ Linda Wood Rondeau ~ devotional

It's time for this week's Faithful Friday devotional. 

Please welcome author Linda Wood Rondeau who also shares a peek into her brand-new release.

Welcome, Linda!

Daddy, I Felled

By Linda Wood Rondeau

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

In my social work career, I often came across families who taught me important lessons in my spiritual journey. Sometimes, in everyday occurrences, God enlightened me through a child’s eyes.

The two-year old darted around the apartment like a butterfly in a flower garden, touching this and climbing that.

“Kaylee, get down. You’re going to get hurt,” the father repeatedly warned.

Kaylee’s desire to explore her world proved insatiable, every chair and stool a challenge waiting to be conquered.

The father used diversion, stern threats, and still Kaylee refused to listen.

“Kaylee, sit down now while I fix your soup,” the father said.

Hungry and always asking for her favorite soup, the father hoped she would settle down. Kaylee scurried to her favorite chair. But while her father’s attention was turned away, she stood and rocked it, tumbling unto the floor with a loud bang. Her father rushed to her side, swooped her up and checked for injuries.

Tears streamed her cheeks as she sobbed, “Daddy, I felled.”

The father knew the fall was the child’s fault. In her stubbornness, she pursued the course of disobedience. But rather than chide, the father simply kissed her tears and said, “It’s alright, Kaylee. Daddy’s here now.”  

From that moment on, Kaylee sat in her chair as a proper young lady should.

As I witnessed this father’s tender interaction, I thought of how many times I’ve tempted God with my disobedience, even though He has repeatedly warned me that I will fall if I’m not careful. How many times, have I run to Him with watered eyes, “Daddy, I felled.”

Yet, whenever I seek Him in my contrition, He picks me up, wipes away my tears and reminds me with all the love a father has to give, “It’s alright, Linda. Daddy’s here now.”

SECOND HELPINGS is perhaps one of my favorite books to write. I can so relate to Jocelyn’s crazy world. My three children were close in age and their antics crowded our days. A veteran social worker, I have counseled many dysfunction families. Perhaps there is a little of me in my character Naomi. Written in a you-are -there mode, the first-person present tense point of view will allow you to journey with Jocelyn as she zips through her forty-fifth birthday. I trust you will identify with her dilemmas and perhaps laugh a lot. It’s okay. Jocelyn won’t mind.

Today is Jocelyn Johnson’s 45^th birthday. Unhappy with her marriage of 22 years, the parenting talk show host has planned a noonday tryst with her cohost. A phone call from her college daughter, a peek into her teenaged son’s journal, a sick preschooler, a Goth daughter’s identity crisis, a middle-school son’s prank, and her husband’s inflamed suspicions, not only interfere with her hopeful birthday plans but throw her family into more chaos than a circus on steroids.

In desperate need of counsel, Jocelyn invites a Christian to dinner, her guest from her morning talk show segment. However, the evening holds little promise of calm. In the midst of bedlam, a forgotten faith rekindles causing Jocelyn to rethink her life and her marriage.

You will laugh and you will cry from the first page to the last as you journey through the day’s events and Jocelyn’s search for Second Helpings.  

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Helpings-Humorous-Contemporary-Novel-ebook/dp/B087C744HZ/  e book

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Helpings-Humorous-Contemporary-Novel/dp/195197042X/

print

Social Media Links

• Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/lindawoodrondeau/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorlindawoodrondeau/
• Twitter  https://twitter.com/lwrondeau
• Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/lwrondeau/pins/

lLinda Wood Rondeau

A multi-published, award-winning author, I am the Managing Fiction Editor for Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. I live in Maryland with my spouse of over forty years, a patient man if ever there was one. I enjoy hearing from my readers. Contact me at lindarondeau@gmail.com

A LIFE RENEWED ~ Olivia Rae ~ Giveaway

Please welcome guest blogger author Olivia Rae and her new release A LIVE RENEWED, an Historical Romance set during the time of the Tudor's reign in sixteenth-century England. A time  when being a 'royal' wasn't always a good thing. Oh, there's a giveaway, too.

You Vs Me

by Olivia Rae

When I tell people I write romance novels, most think I write light fluffy happily-ever-after stories with little substance. Some inappropriate comments until they find out I write Christian romance. It’s easy to pigeon-hole people. In today’s society, we do it more than ever. How often have you heard groups screaming at each other all in hopes to prove the other group is wrong? We do this in our daily life too, with our spouses, children, coworkers, etc.

Recently, I heard a friend state there are really only two emotions, love and fear. The more I thought about this, the more I believe it. Fear can trigger so many dark feelings. I’m angry because I am afraid you want to ruin my way of live. I’m sad because I’m afraid you won’t like me. I’m mean because I’m afraid you might hurt me.

My new book, A Life Renewed, takes place in Tudor England. It was a time when you could be burned at the stake if you had a different religion than the Crown’s. (Or if you were a royal, beheaded.) Sad but true, we still see this in some parts of our world today. Fear propels us to do many evil things in the name of religion, progress, or revolution. Fortunately, love can do the same.

If we love our neighbor (who is everyone), we listen and respect them no matter what their views are. We have honest and open dialogues minus the hateful words. If we love, we help others in their sorrow. If we love, we will sacrifice our own needs for others.

My book does end with a happily-ever-after all because of respectful love and the realization that, in Christ, we are more the same than we are different. So, the next time you are ready to blast, criticize or just plain ignore someone, think of what Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”   

Go forth in love and turn you vs me into you and me.

In 1554, Lady Jane Grey, “The Nine Days’ Queen” was executed for high treason.

But what if, instead of feeling the blade on her neck she secretly survived?

Escaping execution, Lady Jane hides as a peasant girl in a principality in Germany. She loves the simple life and never wants to return to England. But her benefactor, a power-hungry German prince, wants to march on London and place her on the English throne again, thereby increasing his dominance in Europe. If she doesn’t agree to his plan, her beloved childhood nurse will be put to death. Desperate for help, Jane must put her trust in the mysterious spy Asher Hayes.   

Asher Hayes is done rounding up Protestants for “Bloody Mary” and wants nothing more than to live a quiet life as a farmer and expunge the blood of many from his hands. Except Queen Mary isn’t done with him yet. She throws his father, mother, and sister into prison on false charges in order to force him to accept one last mission – find and kill Lady Jane Grey. But when Asher discovers Lady Jane isn’t a threat to the throne as he believed her to be, he faces a devastating decision – does he sacrifice his family for the woman who reigns in his heart?

About the Author: 

Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.

Olivia is the winner of the Golden Quill Award, New England Readers’ Choice Award, Southern Magic Contest, and the American Fiction Award. She is an Illumination Award Gold and Bronze medalist. She has also been a finalist in many other contests such as the National Readers’ Choice Awards, and the National Romance Fiction Awards. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Website: http://www.oliviaraebooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliviaraeauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviaraebooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviaraebooks

Book Purchase Links: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Wa3LaS

B&N: https://bit.ly/39LWEJLApple: https://apple.co/3cXtKbI

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3aP2vOr

About the Giveaway: Olivia is offering an eBook copy of her new release - A Life Renewed - to one reader of this blog post who leaves a comment below with name and contact information (ao we can notify you if you're the winner).

Giveaway runs for one week from today ending on Wednesday, April 29, at Midnight, central time.

AN INTERVIEW WITH WENDY WILSON SPOONER ~ Once Upon an Irish Summer ~ Giveaway

Please welcome special guest

 Wendy Wilson Spooner who has 

graciously consented to an 

interview -- and a look at her debut 

novel Once Upon an Irish Summer.

AND...there's a giveaway, too!

Welcome Wendy! Thanks so much for spending some time with us and letting us learn more about you and your writing! 

Are you ready?

How long have you been writing?

I’ve kept a journal since I was thirteen years old. That’s when I began consistently writing. As an adult—and in my career as a professional Genetic Genealogist—I’ve written many professional articles and I’ve dabbled in poetry. I love to write. Period.

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

TIME. Finding the time to write is difficult. One thing I’ve recently implemented that works perfectly is doing writing sprints each evening with a group I belong to. We usually start at 9 or 10 pm by gathering in a Facebook Messenger group, then we sprint for 20 minutes, take a five-minute break, and repeat three times. Even if I’ve already written for several hours during the day, I’ll often still do sprints at night because it’s become a habit. And it’s very productive!

Besides writing, what other hobbies do you enjoy?  

I love so many things in life and the many opportunities this big beautiful planet has to offer that I sometimes have a hard time choosing. But my doable, go-to favorites are:

• ·       Painting. I’ve explored and love to paint in multiple mediums
• ·       Music. I'm a former piano teacher and it’s utter and complete therapy for me to just sit at the piano and play
• ·       Movies. I'm an insane movie buff and I’ve seen pretty much everything
• ·       Travel. Anywhere, anytime! From exotic countries to camping in the remotest of areas, I love to explore ghost towns, historic sites, museums, libraries, parks, rollercoasters, you name it!

If you could travel to any time or place, where/when would it be? Why?

I would travel back in time to Calcutta (now Kolkata), in India. My 4^th great grandfather was a Colonel in the British army and he lived in India with his family in the late 1700s to the early 1800s. He sent his daughter to Ireland to live with his sister—her aunt—to gain an education at his sister’s estate. This true story in my family is similar to that of the Secret Garden. I’ve traveled India three times already, but I’ve never been to Kalkatta. This trip is at the top of my bucket list because there is much that remains from the British Inidia time period all over India!

Let's talk about your book:

Title: Once Upon an Irish Summer

Author: Wendy Wilson Spooner

Publisher: Ambassador International

Release Date: April 3^rd 

Genre: YA/crossover historical fiction romance

Series/Stand-Alone: The first in a series

Target Audience: All girls and women from 10 years old to 110

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

I live for research. I am stopped dead in my tracks by old photographs, historical buildings, yellowed letters, and family heirlooms. I have to know the story behind the letter, or the people in the photo, or who it was that lived in a beautiful old building. I'm utterly compelled to find out. It's like nothing else in the world matters until I know. And then I must write about the discoveries—people’s stories from the past—because every life matters. And what we learn from those who came before has the potential to completely change our futures.

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

Emory University has released the results of a study conducted on teenagers knowing—or not knowing—their family history. The study was based on 20 questions. The results showed that kids who knew the answers to these 20 questions had a stronger sense of control over their lives, higher self-esteem, a greater belief in the successful functioning of their families, and they also proved to be more resilient to life’s challenges. So, the take-away from my book? I hope my readers feel inspired to delve into their own family trees to find the people who inspire them!

About Wendy:

My love of what we can learn from history compels me to write the true stories I unearth during research, and I've found that truth is indeed, much more exciting and inspiring than fiction!

I write about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we truly are—children of God, and the descendants of remarkable people who paved the way before us—even if they really struggled. I believe in learning from our ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become someone even better. I know that's what they want for us. How do I know? Because that's what I want for my own descendants, and how great would it be if every generation became just a little better than the one before?

Why I turned to novel writing

As an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, I've turned to novel writing to share the true stories I discover with a greater audience. The spark of the dual-timeline story of Once Upon an Irish Summer came about while I researched an ancestor on location in Ireland. When I unearthed his story and found out why he left his homeland, and then researched his life  after he came to the United States, I knew many readers would relate to what he overcame and feel inspired to successfully work through trials in their own lives.

I wrote the present-day timeline through the eyes of a struggling teenage girl, to show readers the impact of what can happen to us when we come to know our ancestors. It can literally change us.

The study that compels me to write

Emory University has released the results of a study they conducted on teenagers knowing or not knowing their family history. It was based on 20 questions. The results showed that kids who knew the answers had a stronger sense of control over their lives, higher self-esteem, a greater belief in the successful functioning of their own families, and they proved to be more resilient to life’s challenges.

So, this is why I write. To inspire readers—especially the rising generation—to know who they come from, to learn from them, and to stand on their shoulders to become someone even better.

https://wendywilsonspooner.com/

https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B084BPSQH4

https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner/?modal=admin_todo_tour

https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/

https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner

About the Giveaway:

Wendy is offering a gift eBook copy of Once Upon an Irish Summer to one of the readers of this blog post who leaves a domment below with name and contact information, and answers the (optional) question have you ever been to Ireland? I'd love to get a fun conversation going!.

Giveaway ends one week from today on Wednesday, April1--No fooling!--at Midnight O'Clock CDT. 

OH!! If you're not already a follower of this blog (see sidebar) please consider becoming one, mention it in your comment, and you'll receive one extra entry in the giveawy. What a deal, huh?

 A "two-for-one!"

Thanks, Wendy, for being my guest this week!

I ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE MYSTERY STORIES ~ Patrick Craig ~ Giveaway

I Always Wanted to Write Mystery Stories

Guest post by

Patrick E. Craig

WITH A Giveaway. 

Scroll down for details.

wir

As an author, I am recognized for my Amish books—seven altogether and an anthology of Amish stories coming out in June. But Amish fiction is a kind of detour for me. I never intended to write Amish books—I wanted to write adventure stories and mysteries.

When I was about twelve, I discovered Betty Zane, by Zane Grey. I was enthralled with it and still have my original copy. Then I got my first Hardy Boys mystery, The Tower Treasure, written by the enigmatic Franklin W. Dixon. I remember going down to Dan Reeder’s, a great little fun store in my hometown of Walla Walla with my brother whenever a Hardy Boys book came in and adding it to our collection. I still have sixty-eight Hardy Boy books on my shelf, right next to my fifty Zane Grey books.

When I retired from ministry, I decided to write fiction. I knew I wanted to write mystery stories and adventure stories. One night I had a dream. In the dream my favorite Aunt, who had always been a fan of my writing and a great encourager, walked into my bedroom while I was in bed. She pointed her finger at me, looked at me with that oh-so-familiar knit brow and said two words—“You write!” The next morning, I was thinking about the dream and reading the paper. I turned to the want ads and an interesting ad caught my eye—“For Sale, Ghost Dancer Ranch.”

The whole idea for the story came to me in a flash, and in a moment I had the story and the title—The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch.

I sat down that day to write it, and Franklin W. Dixon and Zane Grey began pouring out onto the page—mystery and adventure. I wrote the book in about two weeks. And as I wrote I discovered that it had all the elements of The Hardy Boys and Riders of The Purple Sage, with some Frank Peretti thrown in. Not long after my wife and I were vacationing on the Mendocino coast and the second book came—The Lost Coast. I started writing it at the little ranch in the woods where we were renting a cabin.

I used my two oldest granddaughters as the heroines—Jacie and Hannah, fondly know to us as Punkin and Boo, and the series was born—The Adventures of Punkin and Boo. That was in 2007. I tried to sell them, but had no luck. Then six Amish novels diverted me. I published the two books through a vanity press but that was like not publishing them at all. The Adventures of Punkin and Boo stories languished in a folder inside my computer for the next eleven years.

Then in 2019 I met Deb Ogle Haggerty, the owner of Elk Lake Publishing, on LinkedIn, and told her about my YA series. I sent her The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch and The Lost Coast and by the end of the year The Adventures of Punkin and Boo had come back to life in the welcoming environs of Elk Lake. When ELP released Ghost Dancer Ranch, it hit #1 in Children’s Detective stories on Amazon, my first #1. Now the second book, The Lost Coast is ready to go and it will be out this month—then on to The Hidden Gate and the twenty-six other story ideas I have in The Adventures of Punkin and Boo series folder.

If you haven’t read The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch, start there. Then read The Lost Coast. Both are available on Amazon. Someone asked Deb Haggerty what the age range was for the stories. She said, “Middle Grade, but I enjoyed them and I’m seventy-one.” I hope you enjoy them, too.

Patrick E. Craig is a traditionally published/independent author. In 2013, Harvest House Publishers published his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles and his own imprint, P&J Publishing, published the first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, in 2015. Heiress remained on the Amazon Top 100 best sellers list for seven months in two categories. The Amish Princess was released in 2016, enjoyed the same type of success, and will be followed by The Mennonite Queen in April, 2019. In 2017 Harlequin purchased the print rights for The Amish Heiress for their Walmart Amish series. It will be released under the Love Inspired imprint in April 2019. Recently Patrick obtained the rights to the Apple Creek Dreams series and re-released it through P&J Publishing. The series includes A Quilt For Jenna, The Road Home, and Jenny’s Choice. His latest romance release, The Journals of Jenny Hershberger, is a six book eBook anthology of all his Amish stories. All his books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, and other major retailers.   Patrick and his wife, Judy, make their home in Idaho. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

  

Where can readers find Patrick online?

www.patrickecraig.com  Webpage
https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig  Facebook

https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig  Twitter
Where can readers purchase my books?

http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg Amazon

About the Giveaway:

Patrick is generously offering a signed, print copy of both The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch, and The Lost Coast to one of my readers of this post. Wow, huh? TWO books for one entry! Be sure to leave your name and contact information in the comment section below with the initials of your state or province.

Giveaway runs for one week from today, ending on Thursday, March 26 at Midnight Central time.

PS: Want an extra chance to win? Become a 'follower of Whispers in Purple (see left sidebar) and you'll get a DOUBLE entry.