The Storyteller | Mary Vee

This coming weekend I am blessed to host author and agent Linda Glaz. Linda is a member of my local ACFW chapter and has helped our group by giving presentations that update us on current market trends. She is a gifted speaker, a great friend, and now I've had a chance to see she is also a fabulous writer. The Preacher's New Family was released March 2014. Linda had a second new release in June 2014. Be sure to join Linda and me this weekend! Life couldn’t have been any more perfect for T.J. O’Brien. Surely God rescued him from the cramped big city apartment by calling him to become a frontier circuit rider. The deliciously sweet air, mixed with a peaceful life free from burdens to find a roof over his head or food for his table settled well in his soul. Nothing could pull him away from this perfect life. So he thought, until the day the beautiful young widow, Sarah Anne Rycroft greeted him with a shotgun. Frontier life in 1881 came packaged with trials and troubl...

Photo Courtesy In a hotel breakfast area, a boy and his mother chose food to put on their plates. The mom said, "How do you work this waffle maker?" She had turned in my direction. Thinking she threw out the question to anyone who stood nearby, I pointed to the little cups and said, "Fill this one with batter." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her son. He looked about eleven-years-old. His mouth was partially opened as if ready to say something, but he didn't.  Aha. I thought. This is a respectful young man. He knows the answer but is choosing not to say anything because I had offered help first. I turned to him and said, "You know how to do it right?" He smiled. "Then you should teach her." I stepped back to let him take over.  He smiled again and showed his mom what to do. Every moment of the day there are zillions of God jobs to be done. He could handle each one by Himself and do a perfect job. Yet, because of His lo...

I am happy to welcome  author G.E. Hamlin  as my guest today I have been in a critique group with Ginny. Our time included her work on Marriage Takes Three . I must say, her writing is intriguing. Today we are talk about her book. Below I have my review.   Ginny passionately writes about broken marriages and the restoration power of Jesus Christ.  I hope her ministry will be a help to you or someone you know. Restored Marriages G. E. Hamlin’s debut novel , Marriage Takes Three  is a stirring read filled with real issues, great characters, and hope. While these specific issues may not rattle every marriage, the struggles, heartache, friendships, and path to resolution will ring true. Darla’s marriage is teetering on the edge of a cliff. Her husband Randall is a recovering alcoholic who suffers from temper issues.  Darla’s high school sweetheart, Jack Collins, drives to her town, stops by her office and hires her to be his ...

Photo Courtesy Sometimes we don't appreciate the things God has given us.  I went to the grocery store and paid for my groceries. As I rolled the cart toward the exit, a young man hurried from the self check out. In his rush he spilled a handful of coins, probably his change, on the floor. He raised his arm, frustrated at what happened.  I stopped my cart and waited, wanting to give him the space and a chance to pick up his coins.  Instead he walked to his friend standing at the frozen coke machine. While his friend filled his cup with a drink, the two appeared to talk. The friend nodded at the coins and when the first young man made no effort to retrieve his spilled change, the friend shrugged. Neither picked up the change. A choice now fell on me. I could push my cart past the change, knowing it would either stay there until a custodian cleaned it up or someone else would pick up the coins. I chose to pick up the coins. I held them in my ha...

photo by Mary Vee Take a trip down memory lane and the successful moments you've had. There are thousands. Yes, everyone has so many.  Learning to walk Saying your first words Getting a good grade on a test Learning to play an instrument or a sport Graduating Getting a job Having friends Think of the moments when you said, "Look!" These are grand moments God reminded you how very special you. He put in your heart to call your success to others to strengthen and encourage you.  We've received certificates of accomplishments Licenses diplomas/GEDs And the successes continue. Today's successes are different from yesterdays, still they are a moment, purposely designed by God to remind you how very special you are to Him. He created you with the best in mind. God wants us to enjoy our life.  Sometimes we don't notices the successes until years later when someone points them out to us. Do you recall a family member or friend saying, ...

Today I welcome author:  Laurie Alice Eakes Enter to win Laurie Alice' s book ,  A Lady's Honor Scroll to the end of the post  to see how to enter. Laurie Alice was so sweet to instantly agree to join us here on Let's Talk when I asked. I have been enjoying the opportunity to get to know her. I asked Laurie Alice how God led her in her writing journey. This is what she told me: Surrendering If I were to sum up how God works in my heart through my writing career, that word would be “surrender”. Early in my writing, I had to learn, accept, and put into practice the notion that my writing does not belong to me. Any kudos, accolades, or just plain contracts I gain do not belong to me. They are the Lords. I am merely the mouthpiece—er—the fingers on the keyboard, the conduit, through which the Lord works, whether to bring me to my knees and trust Him more deeply, or to reach the heart(s) of readers. In 2007, I sold one book...

Photo Courtesy The first item on the list after Israel crossed the Red Sea was to celebrate their freedom.  Exodus 15: 1,2 tells of the Israelites singing, dancing, rejoicing, playing of instruments, and enjoying an all out praising of God for His protection, guidance, and love. God wanted the people who experienced the crossing of the Red Sea to tell their children what happened over and over until the little ones remembered. Those children were to teach their children. God set up celebrations throughout the calendar year to help the people remember what He had done for them. He knew we'd forget so easily. Rather than taking a textbook and drilling the information into our heads until it's time to take a test, after which we immediately forget the information, God planned parties.  Photo Courtesy Lots of food Dancing Singing Laughing Praising God Retelling stories Gathering together with friends The result?  Hearts so full of joy the me...