Jeremiah 29:11
About the Author
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Quite a touching story of GOD'S love and that he is a waster of none. Olivia and Grady had everything planned out. But GOD had a different plan.
I really liked Olivia and felt so terrible for her. How do you let go of all the dreams you had? How do you grieve? No one can tell you how to do it. Grieving is personal. Olivia took tiny steps to healing.
Many lessons learned in reading this story. I thought of thIs one while reading Painted Memories.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I didn't expect the book to end like it did. It was touching and brought a tear to my eye. But it ended just like GOD intended it to be.
I received this ebook for free from Celebrate Lit to give a honest review.
Book: Painted Memories
Author: A.M. Heath
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: March 8, 2021
She moved on when the love of her life died in the war, but what will happen when she finds out he’s alive?
Olivia Jernigan never thought she’d get over Grady. But three years after his death, she’s on the verge of marrying Kenneth Wade when she receives a new painting by her deceased fiancĂ©. Olivia flees home to learn what really happened to the man she thought died in the Korean War. The man she thought loved her enough to come home for her.
Grady Barnes woke up three years ago in a hospital room with no knowledge of his identity. The only memory to resurface is the image of a woman he can’t stop painting. When she suddenly shows up at his painting class, she may help him discover where he really belongs or she may disrupt the life he was building for himself.
Olivia and Grady have a history. But now, they wonder if they still have a future … or perhaps, their love is just a painted memory.
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Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, children’s Sunday School teacher, sweet tea drinker, history fanatic, romantic, bubbly, lover of broccoli, and a retired cake decorator who has a soft spot for Christmas trees, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What I’m not is a laundress (or at least not one who keeps up very well), a duster, tall, or patient in a doctor’s office.
The Blessing of Unexpected Research
With any novel, there’s always a measure of research involved. While historical novels are more in-depth, even contemporary novels need research when the characters are involved in a job or a setting the author isn’t familiar with. Research can feel so random at times. It’s almost comical the strange topics you end up spending an hour or longer digging into online.
As I sat down to write Painted Memories, I was already well into the first drafts of Dance With Me and Yesterday’s Christmas, so the 1950s setting wasn’t as foreign to me as it once had been. But there were newer aspects involved.
For example, I recently found myself researching long-distance calls during the 1950s. And I often look up commonly misspoken phrases/words.
One of the ways I love to research is to imagine myself in the character’s shoes. Sometimes I have opportunities to play pretend. Maybe a little red lipstick or a new hairstyle to help me get into character. Visiting a historical home to get a feel for the lifestyle from long ago. A walk in the rain might be an opportunity to imagine the weary march of a soldier. A bad case of strep was once inspiration for a character on their death bed.
But, by far, the most memorable research experience was given to me by surprise. It was one of those things that I didn’t ask for and I wasn’t thrilled with when it happened but, even at that moment, I couldn’t help noticing the timing of it all and the big way God would use it for good.
I forgot the PIN to my debit card.
We all forget things from time to time. But this was a PIN that I used multiple times a week for nearly twenty years.
YIKES!
I was standing at the register when “poof” the code disappeared from my brain. I remember standing there in panic because nothing came to mind. I punched in a couple of combinations but neither was correct.
I spent the next couple of weeks trying to remember it but I never did.
It was confusing and scary. I remember searching my brain but there was only empty darkness. Yet, I could feel it. I could practically sense it right on the edge of my mind, but I never could bring it any closer.
I was amazed at my sudden connection to Grady. When I wrote for him, I put myself in his shoes and imagined what it would feel like. But when a small piece of my memory suddenly disappeared, I had a new understanding. When I wrote his scenes where he talks about sensing a memory close by but never being able to bring it any closer, I wrote that from experience. That’s exactly how it felt for me.
I had started the first draft about 2 weeks before I forgot my PIN. So instead of being angry, I couldn’t help being grateful. I thanked God and put my experience to good use. It was all I could do.
Sometimes we’re not dealt with the easiest hand. But if we’re willing to let Him, God can still use it for our good and His glory. In the book, Grady and Olivia talk about how God redeemed the time they thought was lost. That time when they thought everything was ruined and nothing was going right, God was using in a subtle but remarkable way.
The Christian life is often like that. We tend to think that something has lost all purpose but God is redeeming it and making it into something beautiful.
I’d love to hear from you. Is there a moment in your life when it seemed that all was lost but looking back you can see how God was using it for good?
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 9
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 10
Purposeful Learning, March 10
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 11
Texas Book-aholic, March 12
Blossoms and Blessings, March 12
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 13
Inklings and notions, March 14
Batya’s Bits, March 14
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 15
deb’s Book Review, March 16
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 16 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 17
For Him and My Family, March 18
Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 20
Mary Hake, March 20
Adventures Of A Travelers Wife, March 21
Connie’s History Classroom, March 22
Live. Love. Read. , March 22
To celebrate her tour, A.M. is giving away the grand prize package of a Grace is Sufficient mug and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/108d6/painted-memories-celebration-tour-giveaway
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of the Texas Dreams series, Christmas Roses, Summer of Promise, and Waiting for Spring. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards and the Booksellers Best. She lives in Wyoming.
Favorite Verse: Joshua 1:9 (KJV) Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Of course, Susanna was determined to live her life the way she felt she should. Throughout the book you can see the growth in Susanna as she found herself surrounded by the historical events during the War of 1812.
Sam, a mix-blood Cherokee, was caught between two worlds. He often found himself in turmoil.
Could Susanna and Sam have a life together despite their differences?
A love story that I could not put down. A historical delight that made my heart pitter patter every time Sam and Susanna were together!!
I received this book for free to give a honest review.
Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance and romantic suspense, mostly set in her home state of Georgia. She's authored a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas. As a managing editor for the historical imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, she also helps others reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.
This story is about The Wedding Planner on the island. Her name is Rachel. Rachel has suffered heartbreak in her early years. She thought she was over it but as the story unfolds she realizes she has much to learn about healing and forgiveness.
I was enjoying the story when it abruptly ends. What? I have to wait to the next book!! I will keep a look out for the next one as I have to find out if Rachel gets the answers she needs to move forward.
I received this for free from Book Sirens to give a honest review.
The theme of Forgiveness runs throughout this book. There were moments in the story that I was surprised forgiveness was given. It isn't easy to do. Carrying the anger and bitterness inside when you are wronged can eat you up. You are giving the other person too much power over them. Forgiving is freeing!
Believe me, I have been treated poorly in a past relationship. I could have used this to be bitter and suspicious of others. It would have been easy to put up an imaginary wall up and not let others in. But I would have missed much. I was not going to let this keep me caged up.
Jesus was nailed to the cross and said "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". Quite powerful.
You will love this book. I have received a copy of this book from Barbour Books and being a member of Wanda's Clippity Clop Club.
Clara kept to herself. She didn't let anyone in. She prided herself for being a good nurse and she loved her roses. Everything else she kept at a distance.
But was it enough? Clara's quiet existence was about to change. A new tenant has moved in the apartment building. And she had a young daughter!
A lovely story about Clara and how she "bloomed" and grew after Laurie and Rosalie moved in. Clare's story was quite touching. The relationship Clara shared with Laurie and her daughter, Rosalie, impacted the way Clara saw the world. With this change, Clara opened her heart to others and with GOD. What an impact this made in not only Clare's life but with so many others.
I received this book from the author, Jennifer Lamont Leo, to give a honest review. Thank you as this story touched me as well. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy.
This line drew me right in and well, hello, Moira and Sean did, too! I love books that are based in Great Britain. England and I have a relationship going. I love the history of the British Isles. I can't get enough of the Royal Family. My Mother was born there and I have visited at least 7 or 8 times. I long to go and travel throughout Great Britain as I have ties to Scotland and Ireland.
This book was just lovely. Moira's faith was tested over and over. She knew GOD was by her side and she got her strength from that. HE had a plan for Moira.
Sean was caring and very respectful to Moira. He learned so much from his boss and friend, Colm.
Peg and Colm were a lovely couple that practiced what they preached. They were just what Moira needed. They were supportive and did not judge others. There were others in their small community that believed the gossip about Moira and treated her poorly. I was stunned by the behaviors of some of the ones that Moira counted as friends.
Can Moira find happiness in Donegal? Is Sean part of her future? Will she ever feel part of the community? Will she get the answers to all her questions about her Mother?
Pick up a copy of this book. I loved this book. I know you will, too!
I received this book for free from Revell to review.
AUTHOR:
Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher and freelance writer. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic Magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona.
The book is based during WW II in England. I think of my mother while reading this as she was born in England and lived there during the wa...