The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Today I welcome an author who discovered her gift for writing Christian Fiction after speaking with her agent. What happened when Jen's heart was won over by godly advice?  Jen Turano Enter to win Jen Turano's  new release, A Most Peculiar Circumstance   Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter. I met Jen through the ACFW loop. What a great way to meet new friends. She mentioned her new June release, A Most Peculiar Circumstances . When I wrote to her, she shared the amazing writing journey God has led her on. I just had to ask her to share this with you: A Divinely-Led Transition from Mainstream to Inspirational Novels Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 Jen and her agent Mary Sue When I first began writing, my intention was not to write for the inspirational market.  I started with middle-grade stories meant for my son, a

My husband and I went to a diner. It wasn't a fancy one, but a grade above the greasy spoon type. We happened to arrive during a busy morning. Most of the tables in the double "L" shaped room had customers. A short staff bustled about and the manager manned the cash register. One waitress looked our way and turned to another. "Have you cleared off tables number...?"  "No, I haven't" The other waitress snipped. "I've been busy." Her grumpy day showed all to clear with the scowl on her face. The first waitress returned a few minutes later and led us to our table. She plopped down the menus and disappeared.  The conversation in the seated area seemed friendly. A family across the way spoke nice to their three little boys, one of which played the dropsy game with his bottle. My husband and I talked for a while then noticed a few groups of people who had been seated after us eating their served food. We still had not seen our

Many of us had an opportunity to go to church yesterday. Some might have attended Sunday School, too Due to situations, some could not attend a service during the weekend, but might have been able to listen to a service using the radio, TV, or Internet. Whether you had a chance to attend, listen, or reflect, what have you learned about God, recently? I will start.... Here is the scene: Elijah is camped by a brook that is shrinking over time. A raven visits him twice day, bringing Elijah bread and meat. One day he wakes and finds the ground dry where the brook once was. He doesn't whine. Cry out. Accuse God of only taking care of him for a short time. He waits.  The wait doesn't last long. God speaks to him, saying, "Go at once" and include directions where to go and what to do. Elijah didn't question the directions. The Bible says, "So he went." Plain and simple.  Just like that. The man is hunted by Ahab's soldiers.  Th

Today I welcome a NY best selling author who kept trying until she succeeded. She is a kind spirited lady who can warm your heart: Margaret Brownley Enter to win Margaret's  new release, A Bride for All Seasons   Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter. More Laughter and Love My writing career began, and ended, early.  I wrote my first book in fifth grade—a mystery without an ending.  I was on a roll until I reached eighth grade.  Unimpressed with my essay on why I wanted to be a writer my English teacher flunked me.  If that wasn’t bad enough, she further went on to suggest I not even think about becoming a writer. F or many years I didn’t.  School, work, marriage and motherhood commanded my attention and I made a gallant, though ultimately fruitless, attempt to ignore the voice inside that kept nagging me to write. The voice grew louder with each passing year and by the time my children were in middle school it became a deafening

I recently finished reading a fabulous new release, Stealing the Preacher by Karen Wittemeyer. I had no idea this was an old west type of story, and had I not promised to do a review, I might not have picked up the book. What a HUGE mistake that would have been.  I LOVED THIS STORY! Right from the beginning action leads the way and it doesn't stop unit the last word.  Crockett Archer knows the Lord called him to be a preacher. He gathers a few things and boards the train to the new church requesting his presence at an interview. Along the way bandits h0ld up the train refusing to take any money or jewelry. So what do they want? The new parson on the train. Hog tied and forced to ride to the hideout, Crockett watches time tick by with the movement of the sun, knowing he'd be late for his interview. Joanna Robbins asks her daddy to bring a preacher, but she had no idea he would don his old bandit clothes to deliver her birthday present. He orders his gang member

"God puts the statue into the marble, and artist merely cuts them loose."  Michelangelo   He then proceeded to chip away and released the work within. God begins His handiwork with us from the first day of our lives.  We are exposed to the world with our first breath. We hear sounds and over time connect meanings to the vibrations.  Words.  Phrases.  Idioms.  Tones.  Concerns.  Joy.  Rants.  Blessings. We see those who care for our needs and over time connect meanings to the actions.  Family Friends Neighbors God Love We read words in books and over time connect meanings to the ink.  Stories Instruction Deeper  Truth Lies Defining Enlightening And so much more. Take a moment and consider the work you have become over the years. Your loving Father has walked with you, guided you, directed you, so that no matter what came your way, He has insured you would see Him and His love for you. So, Reader, please

Today I welcome an author who discovered his gift for writing after an a crisis. His journey is one we can identify with: Daniel Patterson.  Enter to win an autograph copy of Daniel Patterson's book , One Chance   My Situation Made it Difficult to Surrender As I sat in that conference room chair, I couldn't help but look around the room at my colleague's faces. Were they feeling as shocked as I was? The news shouldn't have been a surprise since there had been much discussion about the company being sold, but when I heard the actual words, it was as if I none of the previous information had registered. After eight years at the company, in a few short weeks I would be out of a job.  For the past fifteen years, my world was computers. I went from being a web designer, to a creative director, and then to managing an entire IT Department, which also included the engineering and web development teams. I loved my career and thoroughly enjoyed the

No it isn't one of those special decade birthdays, or even an in betweener.  It's just have fun, go to the woods in Michigan with hubby and have fun on your birthday kind of day. If you are stopping by and haven't become a follower, would you?  I have set a goal.  To be reached by my birthday.  So, call your loved ones, friends, and neighbors and ask them to become a follower on Mary's website. Please?  Awww, thanks. And I will even have a book give away today.   To win leave a comment about your favorite birthday, and become a follower if you haven't already I love giving gifts. (U.S. residents only) winner announced on my  facebook page In the meantime, stay dry all ye in the path of the storm, and safe from the fires all ye in the path of the blaze. I look forward to each time we have a chance to talk.

Whatever you did for the least of these, you did it for me Matthew 25:40 Not long ago, I received a letter from a medical provider. It wasn't a form letter. Although it was typed, the message clearly came from him to his past patients. The letter said, "I am retiring."  The news bothered me. I had only seen this medical provider twice, yet felt confident in his competency and witnessed his heart in his work. Had I known he was retiring I would have found a way to convey my appreciation better.  Often we find the kind hearted worker in our daily walk who excels in their job. Sometimes a thanks is given. Sometimes there isn't time. I don't know about you but days, months, and in this case, years later the deed is remembered.  This is not a post about saying thank you or making a big deal about expressing appreciation, you already know that.  This post addresses the opposite. You have done many kind and wonderful deeds/tasks for others. Perhaps

As far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our sins from us Psalm 103:12...what an assuring verse. photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com Using the phrase "as far as the east is from the west" paints a great picture for us. We understand that to be the ultimate in distance. Not long ago, a massive earthquake in the Pacific triggered a tsunami in the far east. Towering waves roared toward the Japanese coast destroying life and property. Compelled by the plight, Americans along with other nations gathered funds and supplies and sent them to the victims. We followed the news stories longing to hear updates, many praying for those affected by the tragedy, their businesses, and families. Short term mission groups travelled to Kessennuma to help with the clean up and rebuilding. Time has trickled by for those in Japan. Businesses and homes have slowly been rebuilt. Companies reconfigured their businesses to enable more of their people to successfully be