Author Miralee Ferrell & The Harm a Mother Can Do

Miralee-2

My guest today is historical author Miralee Ferrell who shares the stress that can occur between mothers and daughters. I found it thought-provoking. Again Miralee is offering a giveaway so be sure to leave a comment. Here’s Miralee:

“Even the strongest of women can break under the right, or should I say, the wrong kind of pressure. I’m a certified counselor with The American Association of Christian Counselors, and it’s something I’ve seen far too often with women who’ve visited my office. So many times I end up praying with women about old emotional wounds, and a large percentage of those wounds deal with family issues—often times stemming from a mother.

My editor for Blowing on Dandelions, Ramona Tucker, expressed it this way after she read my book:  “When I was the head of Today’s Christian Woman Magazine, this subject of stress between a daughter and her mother was one of the HUGE relational issues that caused women pain across the years…I was struck by the power and transformation this story can and will have in women’s lives—healing of the generations. And tears flowed…that a writer like you would have the heart, the passion, and would listen to the Lord to address this difficult subject for the world to read in a form (fiction) that they will accept. Healing will happen. I am convinced.”

With God, all things are possible. He can take the worst of situations, the most hopeless, and turn them around, even if that only happens within your own heart. God is able to transform lives and heal hurts, whether ones that occurred a decade or more ago…or ones that are still happening now.

Blowing Dandelions
To purchase, click here. Blowing on Dandelions: A Novel (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series)

While Blowing on Dandelions has a strong romance thread, it also tackles a subject not often shown in fiction—the hurt inflicted on Katherine by her mother, even when Mama believes she’s being helpful or instructive. In the 1800’s, even grown children respected their parents and didn’t answer back, no matter how harsh a parent’s treatment might be. Katherine is no exception, and she works hard to keep her temper intact while teaching her daughters how to relate to their grandmother in the proper way. She has no expectation that her relationship with her mother will ever change, and she is faced with daily challenges, but her quiet strength shines throughout the story.

I’ve been blessed over the years to be part of God’s healing, transformational power in women’s lives—both through counseling and prayer—and now, God willing, through the words He directs me to write. And my prayer will always be that He’ll direct my books to the women who will benefit most from them—whether for healing or simply entertainment. He has a purpose and a plan for each of us, and I’m proud to play a part in whatever He might choose.”–Miralee

You can find Miralee at:

Web site:  www.miraleeferrell.com

Blog:   www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com

Facebook Author page:  www.facebook.com/miraleeferrell

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/miraleeferrell

As a mother and a daughter myself, I understand how intense and layered the relationship between a mother and daughter can be. As the mother of an adult daughter, I have prayed many times that God would show me when to speak and when to keep silent. When in doubt, I bite my tongue.

Question: As a mother, what do you find difficult to get right with your daughter? As a daughter, what do you wish you could tell your mother? Loaded, fearless questions, ladies!! Leave a comment and be entered in the drawing–Lyn

BTW, the winner of Laurie Kingery’s book is Cheryl Baranski!

 

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Book Giveaway, Mothers-Mentors, New Book Release | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Lyn Cote Interviews Historical Author Laurie Kingery

Laurie web

I have the pleasure of interviewing Love Inspired Historical author Laurie Kingery today. She’s also offering a book giveawy so be sure to leave a comment!

Tell us a little about your writing and your real life, Laurie.

–I’m a Texan-in-exile living in rural central Ohio. I met my husband via eHarmony—it works! I’m a mother of two daughters, grandma of ten (with one more on the way!) I have three dogs, a collie, a sharpei-pitbull mix and a Bernese Mountain dog. In my “other life” outside of writing, I’m an emergency room RN of 42 years (4 more years to retirement, halleleujah! ?)
I’ve been published since 1987, having written my first 16 historicals in the general market as Laurie Grant. I switched to writing Christian fiction under my own name and have written eight books for Love Inspired Historicals with more on the way. Due to working hours at the other job being at night, I write in the afternoons, though of course at deadline time I’m writing more or less nonstop.

Was there a time in your life when you think God challenged you to become stronger? Please share.

There have been many challenging times—I think none of us through life without that, but I think the hardest one was when my previous husband left me for another nurse in the same ER I worked in. The Lord was very present and real to me during that time of heartbreak, and He sustained me during those years alone, enabling me to take care of a two-acre rural home by myself. I became stronger and more self-reliant during that time. Then He guided me to Tom, and “restored the years that the locusts have eaten” to use a Bible verse found in the book of Joel. Today, life is truly good and we are blessed.

What is special about your most recent book to you?

I enjoy writing “fish out of water” and “clash of culture” stories, and HILL COUNTRY CATTLEMAN is certainly both of those. Violet Brookfield is a disgraced English aristocrat, sister of a viscount, and must flee England just ahead of scandal when a libertine lord nearly ruins her good name. She thinks to bide her time with her brother and his wife in the hill country of central Texas where he has resettled, gathering material for the western novel she aspires to write until she can return to her earl, whom she believes will wait for her. She never counts on meeting her true love in the form of a real Texas cowboy, Raleigh Masterson—nor does Raleigh think an English noblewoman could ever fall for a landless fellow such as himself.

HILL COUNTRY CATTLEMAN
To purchase, click here. Hill Country Cattleman (Brides of Simpson Creek)

Violet thinks of religion as just another social duty, while Raleigh has recently come to faith during a near-disaster. But they have a love of horses in common, and when she discovers a way for Raleigh to win a ranch of his own in a horse race, she’s compelled to help him. And he helps her find her way to the Lord. I enjoyed writing this story because I believe that with God’s help, love will always find a way. And of course every Christian novel contains some sort of faith journey, and watching Violet come to faith on the screen before me was very rewarding.
Thanks, Lyn, for this opportunity to talk about HILL COUNTRY CATTLEMAN. I hope your readers will leave lots of comments for me to respond to, and or course one lucky commenter will win a copy of the book.” Blessings, Laurie Kingery

I love how candid my guests are about their struggles. And I love a happily ever after ending. And now we know eharmony.com works! Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered into the book drawing.

QUESTION: Has anyone ever betrayed your trust? You don’t need to go into details, but please share any insight you gained from this dreadful event.–Lyn

www.lauriekingery.com       @LaurieKingery on Twitter

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Author Interview, Book Giveaway, New Book Release | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

My Sister Carole, The Smiling Cat Quilter!

Daisy-An Appliqué Cat

Hi-My name is Carole, and I’m so happy to be a guest on my sister’s blog. Though a longtime quilter, I only recently began writing a quilting & general sewing blog, where I share my projects. You can look me up at: The Smiling Cat. 

I only get to see my big sis, Lyn, once a year, usually in the summer, at her lovely home in upper WI.

Biennial Quilt Show–serendipty?

Last summer we spent an afternoon at a quilt show in nearby Eagle River. The Trees for Tomorrow Park provided the perfect setting for the Cranberry Country Quilt Guild’s ‘Walk in the Woods’ Quilt Show. Beautiful quilts displayed informally outside on clotheslines between the trees.

Along with the quilts were lots of vendors, such as Laura Krasinski, who was representing Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. She was also selling her first original pattern, Daisy, a raw-edge, appliqué cat pattern. My sister bought the pattern and I promised to make it for her. She wanted to have something made by me to hang in her office, she’s such a sweetie. When she asked me to be a guest on her blog, I thought it would be the perfect project to share.

The ‘Daisy’ Pattern can be found at Craftsy.

Daisy kit preview

Daisy pattern

This is not a pattern for beginners;

at least intermediate appliqué skills are needed. The pattern includes a layout guide and three sheets of fusible web with the pattern pieces already printed on them. The instructions are very general, leaving most decisions up to the quilter.  It’s designed to use up small scraps of favorite fabrics. The original Daisy pattern was fused, raw-edge appliquéd and then simply quilted. I decided to loosen up and see where the pattern would lead me.

Daisy materials

First, I got out my rayon machine embroidery thread, and started matching fabrics with the threads. I tried to choose a nice variety of colors and since the pattern pieces where small, I stuck to mostly solid fabrics.

Daisy layout

The first step of the pattern is to stitch together the cat.

I decided to make a black & white cat to match my cat,

“Miss Cookie.” (See Below)

(Somehow Miss Cookie does NOT look very happy!  NOT MY SISTER’S DOING–she’s a catlover like me :-)

Daisy helpful cat

I found that my blog didn’t like too many photos! To see how this all comes out, you need to click here to go to my sister Carole’s quilting blog:

www.thesmilingcat.com

So go see what my sis made me! I can’t wait to hang this heirloom on my office wall. I love you, Carole!–Lyn

PS- Nat won Kathleen Fuller’s Letters to Katie! And AmyC won Danyelle Scroggins’s Destiny’s Decision. Congrats!

 

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Personal story | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Author Danyelle Scroggins & The She-Ro in You

DanyelleP(1)

My guest today is Author Danyelle Sroggins. I discovered her through Shades of Romance. And as I read her post, I decided she’s my–OUR–kind of woman! Daneylle is offering a book GIVEAWAY, so remember to leave a comment. Here’s Danyelle:

“The She-Ro (She-Hero) in You

All my life I’ve thrived off action women who were able to make or be the difference in someone’s life. Normally, it is inevitably difficult not to build a drive to thrive at being the woman you admired, so I like many of you found myself striving hard to become that woman. In all my life adventures whether horrible, painful, or just plain ole’ bad, I found out that I just could not Wonder Woman my way over them or Bewitch myself out of life’s difficult situations. I also found out that I never needed a magical source or fictitious strength anyway because the source and strength of what I needed was always spiritual from the start.

So what are these spiritual sources that can propel one over mountains

of tribulations and wipe out the darkest of evils in spite of their strong chains of bondage and in one word with five letters and one word with four, I present to you FAITH and LOVE. Faith can produce Wonder in any Woman and can definitely give any woman all the power she needs to speak to any mountain that has positioned itself to block her, hinder her, or cover her from her goals, aspirations, or destiny; and it shall be removed! Love is the twinkle that can make a multitude of faults disappear, bound people who are miraculously connected, and be the motivational factor that causes us to become the She-Ro of every situation. Definitely my grandmother the late L.B. Ford and mother Helen Quaker Hall have been the prime example of women of faith and love and as I have witnessed the She-Ro in them, I too live a life of faith and one filled with love in order to be that same woman in the lives of my children, Raiyawna, Dobrielle, Dwight, Gabriel, and Reynard II.

Destinys-Decision-Front-Cover(1)
To purchase, click here. Destiny’s Decision

In Destiny’s Decision, I present a woman who is filled with love

and has allowed her mustard seed of faith to produce the She-Ro who could expect goodness from the things she could not change, envelope the people around her in love, embark upon new directions, and embrace it all as a gift from God. So as you woman discover faith and love, you will discover the She-Ro in you and the omnipresent ONE who is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless will cover you in all of you endeavors. Be blessed and remember a She-Ro lies in you, and she was there when God created you.”–Danyelle

BIO:

Danyelle Scroggins is the Assistant Pastor of New Vessels Ministries in Mansfield, Louisiana. She is Psychology major who is presently studying at Liberty University to achieve a Masters in Psychology and Minor in Biblical Studies. Danyelle is the author of Not Until You’re Ready, His Mistress or God’s Daughter, Destiny’s Decision, and The Power of Pain (eBook).

Find out more about Danyelle by going to

www.danyellescroggins.com,

twitter PastorDanyelle,

or connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordanyellescroggins

or www.purposeprevailspublishing.com.

Thank you, Danyelle. Your words are powerful and spirit-filled. Please leave a word of encouragement for Danyelle to be entered into her book drawing.--Lyn

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in A Fruit of the Spirit, New Book Release | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Amish Author Kathleen Fuller & Finding Strength Within

kathy pic 2 bw

My guest today is Amish Author Kathleen Fuller who is offering a GIVEAWAY and speaking to us about something we all find necessary to do. Here’s Kathy:

“Finding The Strength Within

In my latest release, Letters to Katie, the heroine, Katherine Yoder, may seem weak on the surface. At times she even considers herself weak, unable to free herself from her attraction to Johnny Mullet, a man who has never returned her affections. Throughout the story, Katherine is faced with several challenges that cause her to examine her faith and identity. Through those trials and by trusting God, she finds the strength she’s always possessed.

To purchase, click cover.

Women all over the world face a variety of challenges and trials that push them to the breaking point. At times these women need outreach, not only to help them become independent, but to discover the God-given strength within.

Zimele is such an outreach program.

Their mission is “To confront the root causes of poverty and remove the barriers to self-sufficiency by working with one woman and one community at a time until we reach all of South Africa, through the empowerment of these women with the skills, resources, and support networks to start businesses and social service projects to sustain not only themselves, but their families and communities.”

The scripture at the core of Zimele is 2 Corinthians 5:17-18—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

According to volunteer Tera Moore, she works with Zimele “because

of my love, appreciation and respect of women. All the women of Zimele want is an opportunity to be self-sufficient and support their community for themselves and future generations. Due to circumstances beyond their control, the ability to do that has been stripped away from them and we have an opportunity to help them get it back.”

Independence. Respect. Strength. These are qualities God has given us, and as Christians we are to support and care for one another. We see examples of that in our society, in Amish culture, and in other world cultures. But there is more work to be done, and we can accomplish it through the power of Christ and our love for others.

For more information about Zimele, visit their website at http://zimelecommunity.org/about-us/

Blessings,”– Kathleen

Website: www.kathleenfuller.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathleen-Fuller/81836200502?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter: @TheKatJam

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kathyfuller/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/90423-q-a-with-kathleen-fuller

Blog: www.amishliving.com

Thanks, Kahtleen, I had not heard of Zimele before but it sounds like a worthy cause.

To enter the drawing, click the link to Zimele and find out one fact such as what Zimele means and post it here. Also if you scroll down, you’ll see Compassion International that I strongly support.

PS-Melanie Pike and Jane B won Jan Drexler’s Amish book!


 

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Book Giveaway, Cause or Charity, New Book Release | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

A Celebration of Mothers and Daughters Begins with a Reader Story-An Easter Egg Hunt to Remember

Girl giving mom flowers.

Every May I encourage readers to send me stories of not only their mothers but women important in their lives. I have received the most touching stories and poems over the past three years. Do you have a poem or story you’d like to share? If so, please click the Contact button above and send it to me. I’ll be happy to post it. Susan Faloon gave me permission to share this email she sent me when thanking me for a book she received through the 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt by Love Inspired Historical group on GoodReads.

Here’s Susan:

“I think you may get a smile from what I was allowed to do last night. I’ve been without my father for 30 years but my 81-year-old mother is still quite active. The two of us sat in her living room for about an hour filling over 175 plastic eggs with candies. She had already fill nearly 100 in my sister’s car on her way home from a chemo treatment in her eye for macular degeneration.

Then, by moonlight we spread the eggs

all over my youngest sisters yard for my niece who is 25 and still can’t let Mamie’s Easter tradition go. It was funny to watch my mother sneaking around. This is the first time I’ve been allowed on this secret mission which she usually does for her grandchildren at 3 houses,( my two sisters and I).

 
After I got back home it really hit me what a gift I’ve been given.

I still get to have my mother who has had cancer, polio, survived a bad car accident and much more.  Despite knowing she is going blind she still did all of this for those she loves.  I got to share it with her.
 That was my Easter gift from God this year!
 
Hugs and prayers,” — Susan

Well, do you think that story was worth sharing? Do you have any memories of ways your mother or grandmother or aunt made a holiday special?  Please feel free to share.

REMEMBER: EVERY MAY I DO A WHOLE MONTH DRAWING OF THOSE WHO LEAVE COMMENTS. IN ADDITION TO REGULAR BOOK GIVEAWAYS, THERE WILL BE ONE BIG GIVEAWAY TO ONE PERSON. SO DON’T MISS ONE GREAT INTERVIEW OR STORY THIS MONTH AND BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT.–Lyn

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Mothers-Mentors, Personal story | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

What to Do When Google Reader is Gone

I don’t know if any of you noticed

but one othe major RSS feed services, Google Reader will cease to exist in July of this year. So how will you receive your subscription to this blog and any others you follow. Here’s the info.

 

March 19, 2013 · by Paul Chaney

“Google announced last week that it is retiring Google Reader, its longstanding RSS feed reader application, citing a decrease in use. The announcement created a furor across the Internet.

The article goes on to give 6 Alternatives to Google Reader

http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/3952-6-Alternatives-to-Google-Reader

Of these suggestions, I chose Rolio

and have successfully signed up to receive this blog and about 4 others that I follow. I didn’t find it difficult to do. I just needed to enter the URL’s or web addresses (links) of the blogs I wanted to continue following.

I’d like to offer you another way to continue to follow this blog. Would you like to receive it as an email? If so,………..

please type your email into the top left slot where it says:

Subscribe to Receive Blog Updates by Email

Also notice the Send to Kindle button below. If you’d rather read my blog on your kindle, just click that button. BUT that won’t send it to you automatically. You must come each time to make the switch.

Also I’m just starting an occasional enewsletter. Look to the top right in the banner. In the red frame, just type in your email address and I’ll add you to my subscription list. I don’t send out a lot of e-newsletters, just when I have something my readers would like to know–such as a new book coming out or any special offers.

I’ve noted a drop off of comments and I think the end of Google Reader has already separated me from some of my readers. So I hope this helps us keep in touch. !–Lyn

 

 

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Event | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Debut Amish Author Jan Drexler & Grandma was a Fighter

My guest today is a brand new Love Inspired author Jan Drexler who has begun her career with an historical Amish story set in the Depression. Sounds interesting? Does to me. She’s also offering two copies of her book so be sure to add a comment at the end. Here’s Jan who is sharing the story of her grandmother, what a woman:

Grandma was a fighter.

The oldest of five girls, Grandma was the one who bore the brunt of the farm chores in 1918 when both parents became ill with the Spanish Flu.

Grandma was the one who kept the girls working when their mother became so crippled with rheumatoid arthritis that getting out of bed in the morning was an agony.

Grandma was the one whose dream to marry her college sweetheart and work beside him as a missionary in Nigeria was shattered when he went away to seminary and the relationship cooled.

Grandma was the one who left college to marry a troubled young man who lost his mother at an early age and had grown up in a home for the orphan poor.

Grandma faced the Great Depression

They set up housekeeping on a rented farm. The year was 1928. Their oldest son was born in May, 1929, and by fall of that year, the economic collapse leading to the Great Depression had begun.

But Grandma was a fighter.

That troubled young man loved the Lord, the church, and his family. Together they raised five children before his early death in 1951, leaving her with three young teenagers still at home.

She went back to college, earned her teaching certificate, and began supporting her family. She made a life for herself for twenty-five years – widowed, alone, and always finding ways to serve others.

Second Chance for love

And then one day she received a letter. It was her college sweetheart. He had married a wonderful woman, gone to Nigeria as a missionary, and had returned to make a life for himself and his family in California. But he was now a widower, and had learned she was also alone. Would she like to correspond?

Grandma was a fighter, but she also knew how to wait on the Lord, accepting the gifts He provided for her from His hand. She said yes, and romance blossomed once more.

Grandma married her college sweetheart at age 74, in a small ceremony attended by their families. Her two sons – both ordained ministers – officiated. They lived in California for ten years before spending the rest of their lives in her home town of Goshen, Indiana.

Grandma was a fighter and a storyteller, and I grew up listening to her stories.

In The Prodigal Son Returns, I took a snippet from Grandma’s life, and it became the story of Ellie Miller. Ellie is a young woman, widowed at an early age. In the middle of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl years, she fights impossible odds to achieve the dream her husband had for their children – a home of their own. A farm to last for generations.

And like Grandma, Ellie discovers romance where she least expects it – but does she trust God enough to reach out to take the gift He’s giving her?”–Jan


To purchase, click here. The Prodigal Son Returns (Love Inspired Historical)

 This is what I love about inviting authors to guest on my blog. I hear such great stories. 

Question: Do you have any family stories about the Depression or WWI or the Spanish flu?

My great aunt Carrie died in that 1918 pandemic. Leave a comment to enter the drawing for one of the two books Jan is offering.”–Lyn

Website: www.JanDrexler.com

Fun blog: yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com (I post there on Mondays)

Twitter: @JanDrexler

Facebook: Jan Drexler (author)

Our latest winners!

Katie J. won Connie Mann’s book Angels Falls.

Shirley Blanchard won Merrillee Whren’s book A Place Called Home.

 Jodie won Suzanne Young’s Murder by Mishap.

 

 

 

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Author Shares Story of Strong Woman, Book Giveaway, Interesting History, New Book Release | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Lyn Interview Mystery Author Suzanne Young

Something I really enjoy about my kindle is being able to surf books that are bargains. And to me a bargain is not something cheap, but something of value for an enticing price. In this case, 99 cents. I discovered Suzanne Young’s books after reading Sarah Shaber’s Simon Shaw mystery series. Amazon suggested I would like Suzanne Young’s EDNA DAVIS MYSTERY series. And Amazon was right! I found Suzanne on GoodReads and invited her to be my guest and I’m reading and reviewing her mysteries. Here’s the interview:

(BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE ENTERED INTO THE BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Share one fun or interesting fact about your life or books.

Suzanne: Occasionally, my protagonist will help me out when I’m writing a story. For example, in “Murder by Yew,” Edna was at her daughter’s condo in Boston when she spotted something in one of the photographs on Starling’s wall. I didn’t see it coming–it was a complete surprise when the words just seemed to type themselves. Edna, however, was unwavering. Her discovery led the story in an entirely different direction from my original plot, and, in my opinion, created a more satisfactory conclusion.

Why do you write?
I write for the pleasure of it. I’ve been an avid reader from the time I could hold a book, and I enjoy “word play.” As I approached mid-life and began to think about what I would do when I retired, I thought it would be fun to try my hand at fiction. I’d written non-fiction articles and technical manuals for various jobs I’d held over the years, but fiction was what I read. When I discovered my first Agatha Christie novel, I became hooked on mysteries. Being a life-long games enthusiast and after thirty-some-odd years working as a computer programmer analyst, my mind was geared to writing in a genre in which “what if” and following clues are main driving forces. Additionally, I’ve always been interested in “what makes people tick,” a trait that I feel helps me to create believable characters. Basically, I write for myself, but if my stories bring pleasure to others, that’s an added bonus.

In what ways does your heroine show strength? And where does she draw this strength?

I believe Edna has strength of character (if you’ll pardon the pun). She shows her strong points through caring and concern for others. When a family member or friend is in trouble or has been hurt, Edna steps forward, seeking truth and justice.”–Suzanne

Website: SuzanneYoungBooks.com

To purchase, click here. Murder by Mishap (Edna Davies mysteries)

Blurb for “Murder by Mishap”:
Edna Davies is heading for the Providence Art Club when she spots a brooch in the newly-tilled soil of a friend’s yard. Her discovery solves a 50-year-old mystery but precipitates a murder. As she tries to make sense of the killing, Edna matches wits with someone who may be hiding behind a false identity. She must determine who is friend and who is foe before another person dies.

So far I’ve read Murder by Yew and Murder by Proxy, books 1 and 2 in the series and right now I’m reading Murder by Mishap. I’ve already posted my review of Murder by Yew. And I will be posting my reviews of 2 and 3 soon.

To purchase click covers.

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENT TO BE ENTERED INTO BOOK DRAWING–EITHER PRINT OR EBOOK YOUR CHOICE. 

QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE COVERS OVER SUZANNE’S BOOKS? WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST?

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Author Interview, Book Giveaway, New Book Release | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Author Merrillee Whren & A Place to Call Home

My guest today is a friend Merrillee Whren and she has a story to tell, a new book to share and one to give away! So don’t forget to leave a comment. Here’s Merrillee:

Three Strong Women

“There are any number of strong women in our family. I’d like to mention three today with an emphasis on my mother-in-law, Mary Whren, who passed away this past December. She was strong for her family and herself, as she fought against many health issues in her last days.

I believe my two daughters inherited their strength, in part, from their Grandma Whren. My older daughter battles Crohn’s disease, but she doesn’t let the disease keep her from leading a busy and fulfilling life. My younger daughter juggles family and work while she travels away from home for her job. My daughters loved their grandmother, as did all who knew her.

A Poem about a Grandma by a Granddaughter

Here is a glimpse into my mother-in-law’s life in a poem written by my younger daughter.

“Whether you knew Mary as sister, mother, aunt, Gram or friend

It certainly didn’t matter as her love knew no end.

There are so many stores and loving memories to be shared

It will never be a wonder of just how much she cared.

From bridge, to poker, to rummy of any kind

There wasn’t a card game that Mary wouldn’t find.

Always the life of the party

A laugh so fun and hearty

The love and light of her sons, granddaughters and family

She loved us all so lavishly

Mary will never be forgotten, just like her Irish roots

Now, reunited in heaven, May you Rest in Peace, Goots.”

In case you are wondering about that last word, Goots was Mary’s nickname—a strong name for a strong woman.

Merrillee’s New Book: 


To purchase, click here. A Place to Call Home

BLURB:

Molly Finnerty, the heroine of my latest book, A Place to Call Home, also has Irish roots. She is strong as she works to help abused women, but she grows stronger when she finally learns to forgive herself.

QUESTION: Do you ever find it hard to forgive yourself for something you’ve done? Why?”–Merrillee

Website: http://www.merrilleewhren.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to leave a comment. Merrillee has asked you a question.

Forgiveness is something we discuss often here. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS–WHAT MAKES FORGIVENESS SO IMPORTANT?”–Lyn

Send to Kindle
Share
Posted in Author Shares Story of Strong Woman, Book Giveaway, Mothers-Mentors, New Book Release | Tagged , | 19 Comments