Showing posts with label Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction. Show all posts

Friday, August 27, 2021

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Sgt. Griff McKay ~ in ~ SOWN IN PEACE ~ by Joy Avery Melville ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIP!

Joy says my story is celebrating a birthday. It's hard to imagine it's been a year since my heart was opened to the public and readers.

I'm Sgt. Griffin (Griff) McKay. I'm a retired Army guy. I worked as a Military Dog Handler/Trainer of other MWD handlers. When it came time to reenlist, I had a struggle over the decision for the first time in my career. You see, I saw men come home wounded while I was stationed in Texas, and the dogs they'd been trained with were turned over to another soldier. Broke my heart when I saw how callous the Army was at severing ties, the bonds, that were stronger due to the life or death situations over there in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

I became an angry soldier. I could sense the damage I might do in working with the men and dogs who were being prepared to go serve in ways that could mean crippling or death to one or both of the team. It became clear to me I'd have to resign my position. Since working with those dogs and the men who were to handle them was all I was really trained for, I chose to retire and go home. To what? I could not imagine myself in a regular day-job. 

I'd become less than pleased with God during the building up of my anger. I contacted a realtor in the area of Michigan where my sister, JJ Russell, lived, and I asked him to find me a property. A secluded, out of the way place. I planned to move there and pretty much crawl away and live as private a life as I could. 

Funny, isn't it, how God moves us, sometimes without us realizing He's putting things in place for His glory and our good? Even when we are displeased with Him or disappointed in what He's allowed in our lives and those we care about.

Months later...

I came to Three Rivers and to the property I'd purchased without having stepped foot on the land.  I was absolutely thrilled by the amount of privacy it granted me... seclusion at its best, yet easily within five miles of Three Rivers
THEN
One afternoon, I was outside, ready to walk down to the very large pond across the driveway and away from the roomy cabin. As I stepped onto the gravel, something drew my attention. A young golden retriever was slowly moving my direction, working its way up the long, curving drive, dragging a large-linked chain hooked to its collar. Matted and dirty, the poor thing appeared to have been abused. As I approached the dog, it cowered and lay down, covering its muzzle with both front paws. My heart broke for the animal.

Now, you've got to realize I was all done with dogs. Too many memories had plagued me, since I'd worked with multiple breeds as an Army Military Dog Handler. Here I was, faced with a dog in need of care... urgent care... and I had no idea who to call. So, I phoned my sister, who worked in town and had for some time. As soon as I told her about this shaggy, miserable dog, she laughed. That's right! Laughed at the irony of it all.

I want you to read SOWN IN PEACE to find out what I decided to do with that poor canine and how God used it to bring me into Joy's novel. I'm so glad she was led to include me.. let's just say, I benefitted in many ways for her having done so. 

Oh, and by the way, Joy is gifting a signed copy to someone who leaves a comment below - don't miss this opportunity to find out what she did with me in Sown In Peace!

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My Story Title:   Sown In Peace

My Story Genre:  Christian Contemporary 
                                Women's Fiction

My Story Released:  August 27, 2020 
                                    Happy Birthday

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The Author of My Story:   Joy Avery Melville


Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.

Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.

The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of nearly 48 years and their almost 3-year-old Yorkie, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.

Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond!
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Thursday, May 20, 2021

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Amy ~ in ~ IMPACT ~ by ~ Audra Sanlyn

My name is Amy and I’ve found myself in quite a predicament. I’m alone. Scared. Angry. No one in this obscure town will understand if I tell them what’s happened, least of all Momzilla. There are two people I might be able to confide in. But I don’t want to let them down. I’m always letting people down, most of all myself. But I have a big decision to make.

Why do I feel so alone, you ask?

Well, let’s start with one of my earliest memories. I was five and Mom and Dad were still living together. My teacher let us each choose a coloring sheet and told us to do our best work. I picked one with a rainbow over a field of butterflies because Mom likes pretty things. Trade in the Crayolas for paints, and I could’ve been Picasso. Or so I thought. I was so excited when I got home and handed it to her.

Most moms light up with a wide-eyed grin and gush out something like, “That’s beautiful! Thank you!”

Right?

Not my mom. She wrinkled her nose and said, “Well, you did the best you could, I guess,” before tossing it on the kitchen table.

I ran to my room and hid the rest of the evening. When I came downstairs the next day, I found it in the trash.

Stuff like this happened over and over as I grew. I want to be a fashion designer, yet every outfit I put together is “hideous.” And I could stand to lose a few pounds. Apparently, 110 pounds is too much for my five-foot-four frame.

My dad isn’t terrible, but he’s never really around, either. Even after the divorce, when I spend weekends at his drab little bachelor pad, he doesn’t talk to me much and has no idea how to convey any type of emotion.

Then there’s Jenna and her mom, Lisa. Jenna’s my Day One. My best friend. She’d never in a million years judge me, but depending on how I make this monumental decision, it could affect her and Lisa, too. And they don’t need any more stress in their lives. Lisa works multiple jobs to make rent, (most months. I think their landlord is getting impatient), and anything other than rice and ramen has become more of a luxury than a necessity.

I’m not sure where God is in all of this. Jenna and Lisa are Christians and I’ve gone to church with them in the past. If He was going to drop this bomb on me, you’d think He’d at least give me a mom who doesn’t despise me. Or a dad who listens. I’m not sure if God and I are on speaking terms right now.

But even if I did ask for forgiveness, I’m not sure He would, no matter what I choose.

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Audra is offering a signed copy in US or an ebook of IMPACT to one reader.
Winner's choice after drawing Wednesday evening, May 26, 2021!

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My Story Title:   IMPACT

My Story Genre:  Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction

My Story Released:   May 7, 2021

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The Author of My Story:    Audra Sanlyn





Audra Sanlyn is a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia Chapter and serves as Webinar Coordinator for Capital Christian Writers Fellowship. 
Audra writes a monthly encouragement blog and uses her platform to advocate for the rights of the unborn. 
When she’s not homeschooling her crazy kids, she enjoys music and woodburning and leads the youth ministry with her husband at their home church.

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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Thursday, August 27, 2020

Our Story BEFORE The Story ~ Characters of SOWN IN PEACE (Operation Return To Peace Bk 1)

Hello,
We're so glad you've visited us here at Journeystojoy.net. Our author, Joy Avery Melville has given us life in her latest release ~ SOWN IN PEACE ~

My name is Tori... well... it's Victoria Kinsey Archer, but other than my battle buddies I've served with, I'm Tori. Oh, wait! To my dad, I'm Torrent, 'cause he says I have gone through life torrentially. O... kay, maybe I have. I've served in the Army for nearly ten years and ended up in an IED bombing at our U.S. Army Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan. Would you believe that was on July 4, 2014. Changed my life in huge ways... Ever hear of PTSD? Might want to see what that's all about. Sure has done a number on me. Not just me, though. Some of my buddies have suffered, too. There's a tag our author wrote for ACFW FICTION FINDERS... pretty much fits my story before the story. Check it out below ~
The war she was forced to leave behind 
was nothing compared to the battle she faces within and at home

Hi, there. My name is Griff McKay. I'm a MWD (Military Working Dog) and handler trainer. I was before I retired from the Army about five or six years ago. I had some major issues with anger over how things were being dealt with, concerning returning veterans and the dogs they'd bonded with. My sister helped me through some major issues with anger when I returned to Three Rivers, Michigan.

I'm his sister, JJ Mckay Russell... actually it's Dr. Russell. I've worked hard to achieve degrees in psychology and physical therapy in order to work with wounded warriors, specializing in PTSD and the physical wounds as well. I'm married to a driven guy, Ethan Russell, and we live in Three Rivers, Michigan. I opened a practice in Three Rivers in January of 2015 and have been working with those with other psychological needs, while I establish the wounded warrior platform. My brother, Griff, has been working out at his farm, to get a therapy dog program going for veterans. He's had two successful matchings of dogs to vets, training both the dogs and the vets in handling them. It's been hard work, but he's seeing how beneficial his new program, Paws That Care, is. He's had a lot of help getting buildings ready. A contractor by the name of Rex Archer has been busily making Griff's goals come to fruition as far as housing vets during training.

Rex Archer here.  You may remember me from a few weeks back here at Journeystojoy... I kind of spilled my gut, concerning the things I did to dig a ditch... deep and wide... between me and my daughter, Torrent. I won't repeat all I said in that other post, but know, I've got more work cut out for me in filling in that ditch than anything I've been doing out at the Paws That Care therapy dog farm. If you read our story, you'll meet some other mighty fine people... Marty and Pam Douglas... they were there for me when I was floundering in grief. You'll meet Deana Kinsey Langford... I'll let you get to know her on your own. The less I say here, the better. Let me see... without spoiling any of the new novel Joy Avery Melville has written, I think I'll just recommend you read it for yourselves.

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 Our Story Title:   Sown In Peace  (Operation Return To Peace ~ Bk 1)

Our Story Genre:  Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction ~ Romance

Our Story Releases:   TODAY! 
   Thursday ~ August 27, 2020


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The Author of Our Story:    Joy Avery Melville

Joy Avery Melville's heart’s desire is to be the author God has called her to be by sharing Him with readers in such a way they long to have a deeply committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord.
Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.
Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.
The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of  47 + years and their 23 mo-old Yorkie, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.
Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond!

~ ~ ~ ~

  Get Connected:

~ ~ ~ ~


WHERE can the book be purchased? 

(Both formats available)

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The author will be honored to gift a winner a signed copy of
SOWN IN PEACE
(U.S. ONLY)
Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.
DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ Sept 1, 2020

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Thursday, March 19, 2020

SPRING HAS SPRUNG ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ~

HAPPY SPRING ~

Although our temperatures and scenery doesn't depict it yet here in Michigan, I've seen pictures on Facebook that show daffodils and crocus just bursting with blooms.


CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY ~ March 19th ~ 

I want to gift SOMEONE with a free copy of MEANT FOR HER          
  ~ or ~ 

If you already own a copy of the book ~             I will gift you one of my very unique bookmarks









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My Story Title:   Meant For Her

My Story Genre:  Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction with Romance 

My Story Released:   November 14, 2019

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Author of my Story: Joy Avery Melville



Joy Avery Melville’s heart’s desire is to be the author God has called her to be by sharing Him with readers in such a way they long to have a deeply committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord.

Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she didn’t want to deviate from that. God had different plans for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.

Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.

The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of 46 years and their 18 month-old Yorkie, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.

Joy loves to hear from readers.

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Get Connected:

~ ~ ~ ~

WHERE can the ebook and paperback be purchased?

~ ~ ~ ~


I look forward to gifting one of you a free signed copy of
MEANT FOR HER
or
One of my very unique BOOK MARKS

Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ March 25, 2019.

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Thursday, November 14, 2019

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Candi Reynolds ~ Meant For Her

Hello, my name is Candi Reynolds, and My Story BEFORE The Story may be a bit more than you can deal with. It might possibly trigger something in you that would be best left unread. Read with caution.

Although, I had some things happen when I was younger that I've managed to push out of my mind, my big brother, Cam, helped me move on and we lived together at what used to be our parents' horse farm until I graduated from Schoolcraft High School and entered Western Michigan University.

In my Freshman year, I met a guy there, and his name is Harper Davis Bryant III, and we dated the entire four years there, and we became engaged after graduation.

Harper's father, a senator, purchased a house for us in Bloomfield Village near Detroit, MI. A large, multi-million dollar home, in fact.

My home had been with Cam before I started at the University and during school breaks. Since it was close to a three hour drive between the two cities, Harper and I decided I'd move into the house and work on redecorating it, so it'd be ready to live in as soon as we married in December of 2014.

Harper wasn't pleased about me doing the work myself for fear too many people would find out and feel he and his father couldn't afford to hire everything done. That would never do, since it made them look bad in the eyes of their peers. I explained it was more like a labor of love than sheer hard work, and he finally agreed. I just wasn't to go around telling people. He had nothing to worry about on that point. I didn't know anyone in that area, except the few I was introduced to at the country club or church he and his parents attended.

He also made it difficult for me to keep him at arms' length when he visited, once I'd moved in. I insisted, and he complied, more for the sake of his reputation and the political name he held than for the sake of his spiritual or moral values. That was something I was struggled to come to terms with  way too often.

One night, he was supposed to be picking up his mother at the local country club and joining his father at a campaign rally. Since I hadn't been invited along, I stayed at the house and continued working on painting an upstairs bedroom.

I heard someone at the door, and I thought it was Harper stopping by the house to surprise me before going to get his mother. I went to let him in. I checked the peep hole first, even though I had to stand high on tiptoes to look out. I couldn't see him there, so I thought he was playing a trick, and I opened the door. Probably the worst mistake of my life.




Two men pushed their way into the house,  searched for anything they could sell or use, and  literally kidnapped me.

They hauled me out to a decrepit, old car and made me lie down with my face shoved into the backseat of the stinking vehicle they drove for a very long time.

I couldn't tell where they'd taken me, until we arrived, and they led me into a remote cabin.


What happened next is much too sordid for me to share with you. In fact, I find... it's much easier to push those memories into a closet in someone else's home rather than deal with them myself.

I only know, I was left to die a cold and horrific death... until...




Well... you'll have to get a copy of Meant For Her to find out what happened to me NEXT!

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My Story Title:   Meant For Her

My Story Genre:  Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction

My Story Releases:   November 14, 2019
(TODAY)

~ ~ ~ ~
The Author of My Story:    Joy Avery Melville



Joy Avery Melville’s heart’s desire is to be the author God has called her to be by sharing Him with readers in such a way they long to have a deeply committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord.

Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.

Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.

The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of nearly 46 years and their one-yr-old Yorkie pup, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.

Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond!

To enter the drawing for a copy of Meant For Her  - Please answer the following question:

What does Candi do whenever something traumatic happens to her?

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Get Connected:

~ ~ ~ ~

WHERE can the book be purchased?

~ ~ ~ ~

I will be honored to gift a signed copy of Meant For Her  to one who comments, leaving the right answer about Candi and/or her situation above. Each one who comments correctly gets their name in the drawing. 
ALSO:
For anyone who signs up for my NEWSLETTER (see right side bar) and CONFIRMS SUBSCRIPTION when you receive an email requesting it,  AND INFORMS ME BEFORE DRAWING IS HELD ... gets your name in a second drawing - 
That person will receive an unique gift  - either a treasured bookmark - or - a uniquely wrapped pen with MEANT FOR HER on a bed of fall leaves - done in bead work.....both prizes work perfectly! *smile*
Be sure to leave  an email address in your comment where you can be reached should you win.

I WILL NOT USE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ November 20, 2019.

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