My guest today is Author Victoria Bylin and she discusses Living with Mistakes. Here’s Victoria:
“I want to thank Lyn for inviting me to participate in her blog. It’s a joy to talk about strong women, and it’s particularly fitting for The Outlaw’s Return. The heroine, Mary Larue, is a woman with a secret. She’s also a brand new Christian. When a man from her past walks into her life–the outlaw who once left her pregnant and unmarried–Mary is faced with a challenge. That challenge isn’t forgiving the man who hurt her. She forgave J.T. Quinn the day she become a Christian. Mary’s challenge is living with her mistakes.
She’s a lot like the Samaritan woman in the Bible, the one who meets Christ at the well. When Jesus asks the Samaritan women if she has a husband, she rightly says that she’s never been married. They talk for a bit, and she leaves with her sins forgiven. Mary Larue has had a similar experience.
That’s what I love most about this heroine. She’s been forgiven and she knows it. More than anything, she wants to make good choices. The problem is reconciling her present with the past, especially where it concerns outlaw J.T. Quinn. She’s attracted to J.T. but she doesn’t trust him. She’s terrified of losing her good name again, and she has an enemy who wants to manipulate her. No one in Denver knows that she was once with child. She wants to keep it that way, but above all else, she wants to honor God and the gift of a clean slate.
It takes courage to deal with the wreckage of the past. Mary finds that strength, and her faith grows as she steps up to an assortment of problems. I admire her! It was pure pleasure to give this strong woman a happy ending that includes a family, hope and the man she’s always loved. J.T. is a lucky man!”–Victoria
Thanks so much for being my guest, Victoria. And if you want to know more about her and her writing, drop by these sites:
Great post. I enjoy you books. I have ordered it and waiting for it to arrive.
Hi April! Thanks for stopping by and saying hello. I hope you enjoy the full story!
I just bought The Outlaw’s Return and can’t wait to read about Mary. Love strong heroines. Never could abide the whiny, wimpy ones, LOL!
Hi Vicki,
Sounds like a wonderful heroine I can totally relate to. I love, love, love flawed characters (especially heroines) who come to a new revelation of the redemptive power of Christ. And J.T. sounds like a great, multi-layered hero. Talk about the power of forgiveness in action. This books has it all! Can’t wait to read this one!
~Renee~
Hi Debbie, Mary definitely has a backbone! That’s what made her such fun to write. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Victoria! Great post! I, too, love the power of strong heroines (and heros). : )
Vicki, first I LOVE the cover of OUTLAW’S RETURN! Mostly, however, I just wanted to comment that one of the reasons I love your books is because you know how to develop character, with the gift of compassion and “Christian realism with integrity.” May God continue to richly bless your writing.
Sara
Vicki, this is a great thought provoking post. I’m looking forward to reading “The Outlaw’s Return”. Thanks for directing me this way. Phyliss
Great post Vickie. Your heroine sounds like a great character – can’t wait to read her story!
Sounds like a great theme and a great book, Victoria! I think a lot of times people do forget they’re forgiven and let the pasts dictate too much of their future. It’s great to see a heroine who understands that and doesn’t repeat her mistakes.
I’ve read “The Outlaw’s Return”. What is so great about the story is how it focuses on our relationships and choices–the most important relationship being that with Jesus Christ. J. T. continues in a world of darkness and he wants to continue his relationship with Mary Larue but as a new christian, she realizes they can’t pick up where they left off–that there are consequences for wrong choices and wrong relationships. She loves J.T. but she loves the Lord more. If you are struggling with choices and relationships, bitterness over the past and a need for forgiveness or to give forgiveness–reading about the struggles of Mary and J.T. is well worth your time and investment! I love how Victoria entertwined the web of her story with her climatic finish. I highly recommend all her books!
Hi Susan, It’s wonderful when a reader sums up a book better than I could have. Relationship…forgiveness…choices…that’s exactly what the book is about.
Thanks for being my guest, Vicki. Great post.
Thank you all for commenting! Sorry to disappear . . . My husband borrowed the computer “for just a few minutes,” then my son and his fiance came to dinner after their pre-marriage meeting with the pastor. I appreciate all your comments and insights.