In the Cool of the Evening

This week's featured title is:

In the Cool of the Evening by Janet Spaeth

978-1-61626-243-3

HP 941
Romance

Can they rebuild after devastating loss?

Although massive flooding nearly destroyed the town of wildwood, ND, youth minister Ric Jensen is determined to bring it back to life. He turns the extra rooms in his church into a daycare to help parents get back on their feet, but he finds it a daunting job. When he meets Lily Chamberlain and her son, Todd, at a church retreat, she seems to be the answer to his prayers.

But Lily and Todd have suffered their own losses - from the accident that took her husband and father away years ago, to the recent loss of her job and comfortbal existence, to a ruthless and crooked employer. Maybe she can run a daycare, but can she overcome her past? Or will her past catch up to her and destroy the dreams that grow in Wildwood?

Key Verse

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Isaiah 43:2

Book Excerpt

"Mom?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Do you like Ric?"

She stopped, her hand frozen on the light switch. "Yes, Todd. I think he's very nice."

"Nice enough to kiss him?"

Her hand jerked, and the light came back on. "What on earth - ?"

He grinned at her. "Just checking. I know you wouldn't kiss him. And he wouldn't kiss you, either. No matter what."

Her heart flipped. "Why do you say that, Todd?"

His answer was short and to the point: "Cooties."

About the Author

For as long as she can remember, Janet Spaeth has loved to read, and romances were always a favorite. Today she is delighted to be able to write romances based upon the greatest love story of all, that of our Lord for us. When she isn't writing, Janet spends her time reading a romance or a cozy mystery, baking chocolate chip cookies, or spending precious hours with her family in North Dakota.

Have you ever experienced a devasting loss? If so, what did you do to overcome the devastation?

...And The Winner Is...

photo © 2008 Jean-Etienne Minh-Duy Poirrier | more info (via: Wylio)
The winner of this week's random drawing is Amber S!

Congrats, Amber! Just send us an email at heartsongblog[at]gmail[dot]com and let us know if you would like a copy of Dinner at the St. James, The Columns of Cottonwood or ten Heartpoints to be put toward a future shipment of Heartsong books!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Happy Friday!

From the Vault: The Columns of Cottonwood

This Week's Book from the Vault is:

The Columns of Cottonwood

978-1-60260-486-5

HP919

Historical

Cottonwood was supposed to be hers.

She grew up there; she lived through the war there; she lost her parents there. Even in it's burned-out condition, it's still home to Savannah Carmichael. But now it belongs to a stranger - a foreigner! - who paid the back taxes on it and bought it right out from under her.

Dante Rinaldi never expected the culmination of his dream - to own some of Alabama's rich farmland - would mean the destruction of someone else's. He hasn't done anything illegal; in fact, he's worked hard for the privilege of land ownership. So why does Savannah Carmichael's plight affect him on such a deep level?

Both of them believe in the sovereignty of God but how can this situation be orchestrated by Him? Can they find a solution. . .a compromise to benefit both?

Have you ever had a dream come true at the expense of someone else's?

Day Two With Sandra Robbins

Wings Like a Butterfly

Yesterday I told you about my brush with death, and how God brought me through it. In the days and months following my experience, I began to ask myself if God had a purpose in sparing my life. Was it possible that He wanted me to do something for Him?

When my heart attack occurred in July 2005, I had just begun to write. I had written one novel and was working on two others. From the beginning I knew that I wanted to write for the Christian market, but so far nothing had happened.

In September 2005, I attended my first American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Nashville. There I met woman who would buy my first manuscript seven months later. When I sold the book, I knew that God wanted me to do it. He wanted me to write the words He put in my heart. Now with six books released and five more to release over the next year, I've tried to use those words to give hope to the women who read my books.

Another blessing that came from my heart attack was that I decided to retire from my job as an elementary school principal and write full time. But I had learned something from talking with young mothers during those years I was in education. I realized how many women suffer with heartache and difficult situations in their everyday lives. In researching a book I came across something that has helped me to share hope with those who are overwhelmed by life.

The message I want to convey is that God is with us, no matter what adversity comes our way, and the butterfly is used as the example. The powdery scales that cover the colorful wings of the butterfly are sensitive to any contact, and the wings lose these scales when touched. With the loss of the powdery covering, the wings become drab and dimmed, but the ability to fly is not affected. When problems cause us to become discouraged and at times without hope, God still waits to soothe our battered souls and give us wings that will lift us like eagles to face whatever comes our way.

So, if you are struggling with problems in your life, I pray that you will let God put his arms around you and lift you high. One of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Day One With Sandra Robbins!

The San Antonio Riverwalk

My Birthday Wish

Today is my birthday, and I'm thrilled to be celebrating another one. A few years ago I thought I had probably seen my last one. I, like so many people, had taken the great gift of life for granted until I came face to face with my own mortality.

I'll never forget how hot it was that July day. I had brought one of my granddaughters and two of my nieces to San Antonio to visit my daughter and her family. On that particular afternoon she and I decided we would take her two teenagers and the three I'd brought with me to the San Antonio Riverwalk. We planned to have dinner at a restaurant and then take a boat ride through the city.

All went fine until almost time for us to board the boat. I noticed some discomfort in my chest, but not wanting to cause a problem, I boarded the boat and set sail down the river. Within minutes I realized I had done the wrong thing. My daughter had the driver of the boat put us out beside the river, and we called 911. When EMTs arrived, I was having a heart attack.

As I look back on that day, I realize how God performed a great miracle and provided me with blessings like I would never have expected. I was loaded into an ambulance and rushed to a major medical center that was less than five miles from where I had gotten out of the boat. When we arrived, the doctor in the ER told me that a cardiologist was in the cath lab and had just finished with another patient. So within minutes of leaving the boat I was in surgery and having a stent implanted in an artery.

The next day the ICU nurses told me how fortunate I was to have had the doctor who performed my surgery. They said people came to San Antonio from all over the world to him for treatment and that he wrote for all the major medical journals. Only later did it occur to me that if I had wanted an appointment with him, I probably would have had to wait weeks. But that night God had made me an appointment that saved my life.

Spokespersons who wish to educate women all the time about having a healthy heart tell us that women are quick to deny they are having a heart attack. Perhaps, like me, they want to believe it's indigestion and don't want to interrupt what's going on in the life of their family. I was that way until God slowed me down.

As I blow out the candles on my birthday cake today, my wish is that you will educate yourself about the risks of heart disease for women. It's killing women all across the country, and I don't want you to experience a wake-up call like I did.

Let's all wish Sandra a happy birthday!

Dinner at the St. James

This Week's Featured Title is:

Dinner at the St. James by Sandra Robbins

978-1-61626-222-8

HP940

Historical

Daniel is sure he's not good enough for Tave.

Tave Spencer has lost her heart to Daniel Luckett, but he is determined to run from their love.

Knowing that he can't provide her the luxury-filled life Matthew Chandler offers, Daniel decides to leave town, telling Tave that someday she'll realize he is right. She should marry Matthew and join the social elite who dine at the exclusive St. James restaurant. But as Daniel prepares to go, Tave suggests that his real problem is that he can't love anyone because his heart is so filled with hate toward those who have wronged him.

Will Tave find healing for her broken heart as the wife of Matthew and mistress of his plantation home? Will Daniel find the peace that he so desperately seeks? And will Tave and Daniel discover the plans God has for them together - or will they wait until it is too late?

Key Verse:

Mark 11:26--But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Book Excerpt:

"I'm not the man for you, Tave."

She straightened to her full height. "Don't I get to decide that on my own?"

Daniel shook his head. "No. I'm going to decide it for you. I'm a drifter with no money or family. I want you to understand I have nothing to giver you."

She stared at him. "Can you give me love?"

His eyes grew wide. "Wh - what?"

She squared her shoulders and clenched her fists at her side. "Savannah told me she could tell that you're in love with me. As embarrassing as it is for me to ask, I have to know. Do you love me?"

He hesitated for a moment, and she held her breath. His shoulders drooped as if his whole body had deflated. "Yes, I love you. More than I ever thought it was possible to love someone else."

Her heart pounded, and she frowned. "Then what's the problem? I've fought my feelings for you, but I can't anymore." She stepped closer. "I love you, too, Daniel."

He held up his hands as if to warn her to stay back. "No, I won't saddle you with a man who can't give you everything that Matthew can."

"Matthew?" she gasped. "What does he have to do with this? I don't love him. I love you."

He reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. "It doesn't matter. I won't keep you from the life you deserve." He released her with such force that she stumbled back. "I have to leave."

Icy fear gripped her. "Leave?"

"Yes. When I'm gone, you'll know I was right."

SANDRA ROBBINS and her husband live in a small college town where she grew up in Tennessee. Until a few years ago she was working as an elementary school principal, but God opened the door for her to become a full-time writer. It is prayer that God will use her words to plant seeds of hope in the lives of her readers. To find out more about Sandra and her books, go to her website at http://sandrarobbins.net/.

Have you ever had something you loved that wasn't the best thing for your life?

Drum Roll, Please...

photo © 2006 Rona Proudfoot | more info (via: Wylio)

The winner of this week's random drawing is...

Jackie S.

Congrats, Jackie! Just email us at heartsongblog[at]gmail[dot]com and let us know if you would like a copy of Romance at Rainbow's End, Romance Rides the Range or ten Heartpoints to be used toward a future shipment of Heartsong books!

Thank you Colleen for joining us this week! I hope everyone has wonderful weekend!