Marianne Evans
Enter to win
Marianne's book,
Devotion
Two winners will be chosen!
Marianne's book,
Devotion
Two winners will be chosen!
Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter.
While scrolling through FB one day, I happened to read about Marianne winning the ACRA trophy (Ancient City Romance Author's). I wrote to her and found out she had released several new books last year. And when I found she lived right here in my home state, I instantly knew she and I needed to connect. She has proven to be a godly, spirited, fun friend. I asked her if she could share with us how God had led her on her writing journey. After reading her words, so focused on glorifying God, I had to share with you what she said:
God's Plan Came to Fruition
My writing journey began in the lined pages
of a black-and-white spotted composition book. I was in the fifth grade, and
each time I handed it in for English, I received such wonderful words of
encouragement: You show depth of feeling,
so you drew me into your story. You utilize the senses very well. Readers love
that. Your word-use is fantastic.
My love affair with words continued into
the 8th grade, when I delivered hand-written stories to my friends
in a chapter-by-chapter progression. These were sweet little romances, because
even then, I was taken in by the notion of a butterflies-in-the-tummy explosion
of happiness when people found their way to one another. Added benefit? My
friends read, my friends enjoyed, my friends asked for more.
Given hindsight, I suppose those prompts
should have tripped a few wires about what I was meant to do, but I never
thought much about being ‘A Writer.’ I simply enjoyed observation.
Word-crafting. Some of my most productive creative moments are spent watching
the world around me, absorbing people and snips of conversation, and asking
myself the all-important question: ‘What if?’ I translate those scenes into the
written word because they come alive in my mind and refuse me peace until I’ve
somehow captured on paper what I see in my mind. I enjoy the process of taking seconds
in time and inking them into something that lasts (adding my own
interpretation, of course…)
Back then, though, the art of story creation
was no big deal. Believe me—if I could do it, anyone could do it. I didn’t recognize the gift, and God’s purpose
through it. At least, not yet.
Let’s fast-forward a decade or so. My love
of romance, along with the voices in my head and heart, led me to publication
in the traditional, mainstream romance market. Following three releases with
Kensington Publishing, an explosion in e-book publication led me to The Wild
Rose Press. I loved it, but I’ll be honest. I wasn’t fulfilled.
Oh, Kensington and Wild Rose were
wonderful. That wasn’t the issue. God kept tapping my shoulder, urging me
toward a different path. I longed to write Christian inspirational romance and
fiction but couldn’t quite come up with the right story to tell. Besides, I
thought, who was I to write stories from a Christian world view. I’m a sinner. I’m
not a theologian. I’m not worthy… (Ah…hello, Satan, you snake in the grass)
Fortunately, God is relentless. When He
puts forth a mission, there’s nothing that stops it. It was His will that I
move forward as a writer of Faith-Affirming
Fiction, and an opportunity presented itself. Pelican Book Group, an independent,
up-and-coming publisher of Christian romance and fiction, sponsored a contest
called Heart’s Crossing. A bare-bones story idea was given, and it was up to
the author/contestant to fill in the blanks. The victor would be awarded a
publishing contract.
I found out, just days before Christmas of
2009, that I won the contest. Want to read it? Heart’s Crossing is free, and
located at Amazon, right here: http://amzn.to/12BCHuM.
This novella led to nothing less than a
writing explosion in my life. God called, I did my best to follow, dedicating
each word, each character, each story to His glory. After Hearts Crossing came
the Woodland Series, the Sal’s Place Series among several others. Then, there
was Devotion, my “big book” as I like to say, which formed my Christian fiction
debt. My latest release, Jodie’s Song, part of four very special novellas being
released to celebrate the Easter season at Heart’s Haven, an apartment complex
in southeast Texas governed by loving angels and God’s miracles. In creating
these stories (this is the third set of Heart’s Haven stories) God also graced
me with the friendship and sisterhood of three precious writing partners, Delia
Latham, Mary Manners and Tanya Stowe.
God’s Plan came to fruition. I never could
have dreamed of contracting over twenty titles in a span of four years. I never
could have dreamed of sharing my stories with others in such a big way. God,
however, is faithful to His promises, and He exceeded my every prayer. Piecing
stories together, mixing words and emotion into the world of human experience
comes to me as a grace from Him, and I’m forever grateful!
~ ~
Marianne Evans is a multi-award-winning author of Christian romance and
fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love
through the stories He prompts her to create. Readers laud her work as:
‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’
Marianne’s Christian fiction debut, Devotion, earned the prestigious
Bookseller’s Best Award from Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America as well
as Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements from the Ancient City Romance
Authors (ACRA), also a chapter of RWA. Hearts Communion earned Christian Small
Publisher Book of the Year honors as well as Best Inspirational Romance from
ACRA. Her novella Finding Home earned the Selah Award for excellence in
Christian fiction and Evans has also earned acclaim in such RWA contests as The
International Digital Awards, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she
has been a finalist three times, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of
Excellence contest.
Happily married and the mother of two, Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan who is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network
Happily married and the mother of two, Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan who is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network
~
Blessings, friends, and please join me at the following sites—I
love connecting with readers!!
Website: www.marianneevans.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarEvansAuthor
~ ~
“How do you feel about God, Collin?”
“I don’t.”
Collin Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church of Christ, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.
Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God and the community of Woodland. But lately she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.
A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists—but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better.
Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.
Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?
“I don’t.”
Collin Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church of Christ, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.
Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God and the community of Woodland. But lately she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.
A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists—but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better.
Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.
Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?
Heart’s Crossing is free, and located at Amazon, right here: http://amzn.to/12BCHuM.
From This Day Forward
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now.
Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.
For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation? How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?
'Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now.
Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.
For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation? How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?
'Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.
To enter the contest for an autographed copy of
Marianne Evan's book: "Devotion":
leave a comment (and email address)
AND become a follower of this site,
if you aren't already.
TWO WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN!
Sorry US only
if you aren't already.
TWO WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN!
Sorry US only
Winner announced on my facebook page.
Thank you, Marianne, for Joining us This Weekend!
.
Sure sounds like Marianne is bursting with her good news. God is so very good!
How has God blessed you recently? Let's share what He has done for us.
How has God blessed you recently? Let's share what He has done for us.
Comments
I am so glad that you've joined us today. I'm waving to all of my friends to come meet you.
I wish both of you a very blessed Easter.
Connie
cps1950@gmail.com
I'm so glad you stopped back. I sent you an email with details.
She will need lots of grandma hugs and tons of spoiling. Oh the tales you will have. Better keep a journal. Hmm now that I think about it, wouldn't that be a great graduation gift for your granddaughter..to read your thoughts as she grew up?
Marianne - wow! That's a lot of writing and publishing. Congratulations!
Mary, thank you for your Friday interviews. You are so faithful. You are a blessing.
Cindy
Do you know what I saw this morning? Sunshine. Yeah. And green grass, birds singing and clear blue skies. Talk about a blessing. I'll ask God to send some your way :)
So God is good all the time and all the time God is Good.
Such sweet words. I'm sure your parents burst into smiles everything you call them wonderful. I have a feeling those sisters think the same good thoughts about you. :)
Yes. God is good…all the time.
Blessings on you.
Looking forward to your next visit.