Tag Archives: Inspirational fiction

My Friday Friend–Sara Foust

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And once again, my Friday Friend is not on a Friday–oh well. Anyway I want to welcome Sara L. Foust.

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers. Her debut novel Callum’s Compass won second place in Deep River Books’ 2017 Writer’s Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” appearing in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.

Blurb:

KAT WILLIAMS’S brother died in a gruesome accident in the mountains of East Tennessee. She blames herself.

RYAN JENKINS’S fiancée was murdered. He couldn’t protect her.

With the death of her brother, Kat believes she is unworthy of love from anyone—even God. When a good friend elicits a promise that she will stop living in the past and then leaves her clues to a real-life treasure hunt, Kat embarks on an adventure chock-full of danger. To find the treasure, Kat will have to survive wild animals—and even wilder men. Can she rely on Ryan, the handsome wildlife officer assigned to protect her . . . without falling in love?

Ryan swore off love when his fiancée was murdered, but feelings long-buried rise to the surface around Kat. He volunteers to help with her treasure hunt, vowing to keep her safe. Together they venture deep into caves and tunnels . . . and even deeper into the depths of their unplumbed hearts.

 

Amazon Link:    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B9PBZL

Thanks for stopping by, Sara.

GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

 

Wow! What a Revelation!

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Christian writers are different than secular writers.

Most of the ones I know or have contact with worry about whether their writing is truly a call from God or simply a selfish desire on their part. especially when they are pre-published, a sweeter way of saying not published. But the worry doesn’t necessarily go completely away after they get that first coveted contract.

After all, as much as I love reading and writing fiction. And believe me I do!  But it’s still fiction!

I spend months and months writing and rewriting a story and making it as exciting and as interesting as I can for my readers.  They read the book and that’s it! Finished! They close the book or most likely these days, hit the button on the e-reader of their choice and that’s the end.

Most likely they enjoyed it or so I hope, but….what then? Did it touch them? Did it make a difference in their life? Did it clarify something for them in their own daily walk with God?

Those are things I will probably never know on this side of heaven.

Well, anyway back to my awesome weekend revelation I had.

You may or may not know that I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors last year and have been having all sorts of issues because of them and their treatment. I am not and most likely will never be quite as healthy as I was pre-brain tumors–unless God chooses to intervene which I pray He will do. But that’s up to Him.

I’ve had memory issues all my life. It made school a bit more difficult for me than it should have been. I’ve always had problems with remembering names and even important life events. I once completely forgot about a trip to North Carolina and through the Smokey Mountains.

Now, it’s even worse! I have trouble remembering a specific word when I need it most. And forget about remembering what I need to do on any given day. Lists are my friends these days! I’m sure it’s noticeable to others, but maybe not as much as to me as I struggle to remember simple words.

Along with the memory issues, I spend a lot of time in a sort of far away being in a bubble feeling. It’s sort of hard to explain that symptom, but it’s there.

But an amazing thing happens when I sit down at my computer to write, whether it’s for a blog such as this or for the current story I’m working on. The fog clears–the words come-the details I need are remembered–most of the time! I feel like my old self as I write. I have clarity as well as vision to write the story God has put on my heart.

This weekend the reason why that happens came to me like a flash of lightning on a dark stormy night. It brightened up my spirit and showed be the blazing of God’s glory and His power.

I am still anointed by God to write!

What an amazing and awesome revelation that is for me or for any Christian writer!  I feel humbled and blessed that God still has a job for me to do in spite of all my health issues and my limitations.

Wow! God is so good!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

 

 

 

What is Christian Fiction?

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I’m a writer of Christian Fiction so it’s in my best interest to promote Christian Fiction as a genre and not just my books. But like so many, you may not completely understand what the genre includes. There are a lot of misconceptions about Christian Fiction.

Many people think Christian Fiction means sweet romances or Amish stories. But that’s only the beginning of what’s available. Do you prefer science fiction; fantasy; suspense; romantic suspense; horror; or literary fiction? As far as I know any genre other than erotica can be found under the umbrella term of Christian Fiction.

Another myth about Christian Fiction is that they are all evangelistic in nature, meaning that the writer’s goal is to convert the reader to Christianity.  There are some that are and they are wonderful books but that’s not the only style out there. Most Christian Fiction books today are written from a Christian worldview.

What’s that mean? It means the spiritual message is more subtle but still there. It’s not an in your face sermon but a sermon shown by the characters thoughts, choices, and actions. Much like real life!

When I started becoming more serious in my Christian faith, I knew my writing needed to change, but the truth was I didn’t have much of an understanding of Christian Fiction. But as a reader and writer of mysteries and suspense novels, I had tired of all the bad language and unnecessary sex scenes that can be found in mainstream books.  For me, my books have clean language, no explicit sex scenes, and characters who are at different points on their spiritual journey. Again, like real life. But my real focus when I write is to write an exciting story that my readers will enjoy.

I am almost positive some of my Jewish and/or nonreligious friends haven’t read my books because they are “Christian” fiction. But I don’t believe my books would offend them. My goal in writing is to entertain my readers, not preach to them. And that’s true for the great majority of writers in the Christian fiction genre.

If you’re looking for more Christian fiction novels, a great resource is http://www.fictionfinder.com/. It’s a free service but you do have to register. You can search a specific genre and find books that match what you like to read.

What’s your thoughts about the genre of Christian Fiction? Should they stick to the more traditional stories or is it a good thing that Christian writers are stretching their wings?

 

What is Christian Fiction Anyway?

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There’s been an explosion!! And its name is Christian Fiction.

The changes that have and are occurring in Christian Fiction is amazing. The variety of genres and the amount available are staggering and difficult to keep up with.  The question of what makes a book Christian Fiction could be debated and often is on a variety of writer’s sites.

Many people think Christian Fiction means sweet romances or Amish stories. But that’s only the beginning of what’s available. Do you prefer science fiction; fantasy; suspense; romantic suspense; horror; or literary fiction? As far as I know any genre other than erotica can be found in Christian Fiction.

Another myth about Christian Fiction is that they are all evangelistic in nature. There are some that are and they are wonderful books but that’s not the only style out there. Most Christian Fiction books today are written from a Christian worldview.

What’s that mean? It means the spiritual message is more subtle but still there. It’s not an in your face sermon but a sermon shown by the characters thoughts, choices, and actions. Much like real life!

Of course as with any change, there are growing pains. Some readers and writers feel that Christian Fiction should always show a “salvation scene” and that some genres can’t be written with a Christian message. Agree or disagree?

A great resource for finding the type of book you’re looking for is http://www.fictionfinder.com/  It’s a free service but you do have to register. You can search a specific genre and find books that match your needs.

To help, I’m going to be introducing some of my “writer friends” over the next few months at www.examiner.com/christian-books-in-cleveland/lil-duncan . And lucky you, they want to give away copies of their books—sometimes print—sometimes ebooks.

This week I’m giving away Hearts That Survive by Yvonne Lehman. All you need to do is go to www.examiner.com/christian-books-in-cleveland/lil-duncan and leave a comment. More free books to come…until then—God Bless and Good Reading!

What’s your thoughts about the genre of Christian Fiction? Should they stick to the more traditional stories or is it a good thing that writers are stretching their wings?

DECEPTION- SOMETIMES YOU DON’T GET A SECOND CHANCE.

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DECEPTION—Sometimes, You Don’t Get A Second Chance.

My latest novel—Deception is about to be released. And I’m soooooo excited about it. It’s a suspense story with a message.

This is a book that wouldn’t go away. I wrote it several years ago, but couldn’t find a publisher. I put it away and started working on something else but….the story nagged at me…pestered me…wouldn’t let me alone.

So, I started working on it again.

Got some nibbles on the rewrite. More than nibbles, really—some editors and publishers were very interested. But again, the deal fell through.

UGh..sigh…what’s a writer to do?

 I put it away and started another project. But….well, you get the point.

This story wouldn’t get out of my head and for a good reason.

I wrote it after the death of a dear friend with whom I was estranged. I’d always planned to reconnect with her—when the time was right.

But I’d waited too long.

Lesson learned. It was a painful lesson.

What was the lesson? In life, you aren’t guaranteed second chances.

So when an opportunity presents itself—you better take it. There may not be a second chance. Forgive the people you love and even the ones you don’t. Because again—there may not be a second chance. Go ahead and do those acts of kindness, mercy, and love when you get the opportunity. Because second chances aren’t guaranteed.

In DECEPTION, Patti is estranged from her twin sister. And with good reason, but as the story proceeds Patti comes to understand being right isn’t a good enough of a reason to be estranged from a loved one.

And I believe that’s why this story wouldn’t go away andleave me alone.

There’s a message to be learned and I’m sure each of us have learned it or need to learn it. I’m hoping people will read DECEPTION and decide to reconnect with that friend or family member before it’s too late. After all, there’s no guarantee we get a second chance.

To learn more about Lillian and her books visit: www.lillianduncan.net.

And to celebrate the release of DECEPTION, there’s a contest on my website. Grand Prize is a NOOK.