I am humbled and proud at the same time. Is that even possible? Well, when you’re a writer, it’s a huge blessing to know someone actually likes your stories. Writing is hard work. You never know how it’s going to be received.
Along with Annabelle’s Ruth, which won in the General Fiction/Women’s Fiction category, five other books won their categories. I’ve read a couple of these, and they’re excellent. I’m humbled to be mentioned alongside them. Congratulations to all the winners!
So if you’re looking for a good read this summer, these are a good place to start. And you can order Annabelle’s Ruth by clicking the bookcover over there ⇒ ⇒ (in the side margin). And don’t forget my latest release, Carlotta’s Legacy, Book 2 Legacy Series. Now Available on Kindle! Both books are only $4.99 each on Kindle.
NEXT UP – Stop back by next Tuesday for an update on our mission trip to Cuenca, Ecuador. There are some exciting things in the works for this trip. I can’t wait to tell you about it…
What is the greatest legacy you can leave to your children? In my opinion, it’s love. I grew up knowing my mom and dad loved me. Though she grew up in the lap of luxury, Rebecca Lewis, the main character in my latest release, didn’t always know her parents cared for her.
The story opens in the days following the stock market crash of 1929. Once again, Rebecca will need to adjust her expectations. Her life has been on hold so long, she’s weary of the fight. And that Italian count she’s had an on-and-off engagement with? Probably off again.
And then her father dies.
So what now?
Her life is in a downhill plunge.
Will marrying an Italian count bring
Rebecca the love she’s dreamed of?
Rebecca Lewis is a reluctant bride-to-be. Marrying Riccardo Alverá, a young Italian count, may seem like a dream come true—an instant answer to her family’s dire straits. But it also means she must leave American soil, possibly forever.
Riccardo is relentless in his pursuit of Rebecca. After her father’s death, she and her mother set sail for Italy. Though Rebecca is still plagued by doubt, Riccardo’s warmth and humor soon melt the icy frost encasing her heart. But as Rebecca settles into his Italian villa, her questions and fears return.
His mother, Carlotta Alverá, is dedicated to strict Roman Catholic beliefs. Will she ever accept Rebecca, who has no real faith? After Rebecca’s mother decides to pursue life on her own terms, peace comes to the villa. But not for long.
Trouble finds Rebecca, even in the tranquil heart of Italy. As political unrest shakes the core of Italian society, a dark shadow falls over Riccardo’s beautiful estate. In her deepest despair, Rebecca confronts her past, finds forgiveness, and finally … the love and acceptance she’s always longed for.
If you live your life for yourself alone, never reaching out to others, it is as though you sleep. It’s a great waste of a life.
Opportunities arise, just to be ignored because you just want to be left alone, to live your life and be comfortable.
I want that, too, but I can never be comfortable with that itch irritating me.
The itch to do something real.
To reach out to others and help them past a difficult time.
Mothers know how it is. Once that tiny creature is in your care, you know you’re locked in for a certain number of years and maybe, forever. All your life, you will be Mother. Whether it’s the middle of the night, or halfway through your workday, when they call, you have to answer. You have to go and see to their needs.
I made it past some obstacles in life. I made it through because of God’s grace. First, there was grace, then there was faith. And I overcame through that faith because I found the strength to move beyond my past. I, who am forgiven, found strength to forgive others, and to forgive myself.
And now I have the opportunity to help others do the same. It was like being awakened in the dead of night by a child’s cry. My mother’s heart said yes.
In less than eight weeks, I’ll step onto a jet that will set me down in Ecuador–into the direct path of God’s call. Not that I am anything. He could speak through a donkey, or an alpaca, for that matter.
The opportunity came, and I will go.
My life will change and probably never really be the same afterwards. That could be a good thing. When you get too lazy, you end up wasting your life. Yes, I’m writing words on paper and cluttering your screen with ‘isms, but my life is a blank sheet. I’m hoping to end up with a page filled with life-giving words. A story well told. A life well lived.
I would appreciate your prayers over the next few weeks, as I prepare my heart, mind, and spirit for the task God has placed upon me. I want to carry the good news of His forgiveness and grace to those whose hearts are in deepest need. And I want to be a vessel He can use. Just an ordinary vessel, prepared and ready.
There, when needed.
To encourage those who need strength to believe in themselves, that they can accomplish what may seem to be impossible. A dream? Perhaps, but we must dream in order to achieve. I dare to dream and even if my dreams never come true (to the extent I dream them) I want to be able to say I ventured.
Nothing ventured. . . nothing gained.
I am especially grateful to all of those who have sent funds to help us on our way. You’ve pledged your thoughts and prayers and the wish to be a part of the call. I can’t really put into words how grateful I am for your faith in us and in the God who called us. I pray God’s blessing over your life.
Below these photos, you’ll find links to several places you can go to help. Some of these are long-term missions–in it for the long haul. They need strong shoulders to help them bear up under pressure. Even if you can’t help them financially, maybe you can commit to pray, or just help them by publicizing their presence and what they do.
El Conejo has returned! AKA Brer Rabbit or maybe it’s Sis Rabbit. Whatever, this hare is a grownup. Big and hungry.
I’ve already started the battle in my flowerbed. I’ve sprinkled “stinky stuff” around my lily.
My neighbor has a whole flowerbed filled with lilies and this critter never touches them. I have ONE itty-bitty lily and that rotund Leporidae (scientific name for Bugs Bunny) eats it to the ground! I call that prejudice, my friend.
When it’s not noshing on my flowers, the thing is sunbathing. Preening it’s paws and spindly ears and looking oh-so-cute (according to my wildlife-loving neighbor). With two barking dogs and a chain-link fence, she isn’t concerned about her zinnias and marigolds.
Ever heard a rabbit laugh? I’m certainI have. The thing actually chuckles at my elaborate attempts to deter its overactive appetite. Once again, I’ll be finding plants rabbits don’t like. The good news is, many of the plants I bought last year came back on their own. The dusty miller looks great. The purple stuff is up and spreading. It’s some kind of cane, but I’ve forgotten what it’s called. 🙂
What I did last year. Rabbit didn’t like these.
I’ve got St. John’s Wort and Coral Bells. Last year, brilliant coleus replaced blooms. I really didn’t miss the zinnias and the marigolds. So look out, Bugs, you’re gonna have to find a new breakfast cafe!
Have you had to deal with pets in your garden? What’s your answer? I’d love to hear from you!
It’s raining as I write this, washing away the green dust that coats every outdoor surface. I call it “oak dust.” It makes me sneeze. Makes my eyes water.
I’m happy for the rain. My flower garden was a bit too dry, and I’ve a bumper crop of iris blooms. Gerbera daisies, red geraniums, roses, and sage are open for business. I love this time of year.
This is Derby week where I live. Many of my friends already bought their hats. I don’t go to the Derby–I watch it on television. I love to see the horses run, and oh, those hats! If you’re anywhere near Louisville, Kentucky on Derby Day, you’re bound to see women decked out in colorful hats, on their way to Churchill Downs.
For my husband, Derby Day means golf. For me it means I can plant annuals without fear of frost killing them. Both of us have our priorities well in place.
As the excitement of spring fades into ordinary days, I turn my attention to summer. Instead of our usual vacation this year, we’ve opted to spend our time serving others on a mission trip. I’m writing this post just a few days after the devastating quake that hit the coastal region of Ecuador. We may see some of the damage as we leave Guayaquil, but our travel plans will send us into the Andes mountains, to Cuenca, Ecuador.
For a writer, every new scene in life is an opportunity to tell a story. I assure you, my eyes will be wide open, and my imagination will be well engaged. I hope the beautiful sights and sounds of Ecuador will inspire a story or two. The long journey may provide plenty of time for contemplation. If I’m awake. In which case, my eyes will not be wide open.
I have several friends who are full-time in the mission work of Ecuador. Some of them trek into the Amazon region, carrying gifts from the outside world, along with the message of the gospel. Yes, this is the region where several missionaries were killed in the last century.
One thing these men and women share is a call. They’ve turned their backs on the world and its desires to fulfill the call on their heart. A purpose they believe is God-given.
There’s nothing ordinary about that.
Have you ever experienced what you believe is a call from God to leave your home and family and go to another place? If so, did you heed the call?
Whether or not you accepted that call, I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a comment here or on my Facebook page. If you’d like to help with the mission efforts in the Amazon region, check out the links below.
BRIDGE OF FAITH by Catherine West – Romance/Historical Romance
TRIAL BY TWELVE by Heather Day Gilbert – Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller/Historical Suspense
STORMING by K.M. Weiland – Speculative Fiction
TO GET TO YOU by Joanne Bischoff – Young Adult
So if you’re looking for a good read this summer, these are a good place to start. And you can order Annabelle’s Ruth by clicking the bookcover over there ⇒ ⇒ (in the side margin). And don’t forget my latest release, Carlotta’s Legacy, Book 2 Legacy Series. Now Available on Kindle! Both books are only $4.99 each on Kindle.
Betty Thomason Owens 