WHAT I SAW IN THE THORNS ~N~ THISTLES - Shirley Kiger Connolly - Free Book

Today, we're featuring a nonfiction book by an author who hasn't been on the blog before. Welcome, Shirley. You are writing nonfiction. Do you also write fiction?


I write both, so for me it is like wearing two hats. I love sharing my thoughts and reflections in my nonfiction writing, but I take great delight in using my creativity and spending time in research for the historical work I do. Both reflect who I am.

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

Let’s see. Many might have read already about much about my personal life, so I think for you, Lena, I will share something different. Although my husband and I, at the time of this writing, live on the Southern tip of Oregon, here at the coast, we both are avid travelers and vagabonds, of a sort. Since we married (over 100 years ago, it sometimes seems) we have lived and traveled in some of the most amazing places. I have been blessed to have lived in North Queensland, Australia, and we have also spent some time over in Grenada, over in the West Indies. I’ve lived from here in Oregon, down to California, over to Indiana, and all the way across the US to New York, and had the pleasure of visiting many states in between. Right now we are praying about where the Lord would have us go once this house sells. We are open to anything. (I guess you would say we are somewhat gypsies more or less!)

Tell us about your family.

My husband and I have three children, all grown, and four grandchildren, three grandsons and one step step-granddaughter. One of my sons is an officer in the US Military, while the other lives with his wife here in Oregon. My daughter is praying for a husband.

I have a grandson who who is active military right now. Have you written other nonfiction books?

The book we are talking about today, I See God in the Thorns n Thistles, is the second of a three-book series. The first was I See God in the Simple Things and I have another coming out next spring, I See God on That Narrow Road.

What other books have you written, and where can the readers of the blog find them?

Flame from Within and It Happened Near the Cliff Rock and I have one is in the oven! Readers can find all my books at http://www.amazon.com/  or http://www.bn.com/ , http://www.booksamillion.com/ , http://www.vrpublishing.com/ and Target Stores. They can also be ordered at any bookstore if they don’t happen to be in stock. (But I guarantee, most can get the best deal probably at Amazon.)

Actually, I went to Amazon just now and didn't find the featured book there. Your others were though. Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I told you the third devotional, but there is something else in the works that I’m not yet supposed to discuss.

Sounds intriguing. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Please tell the readers to come visit me at http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/  or at http://shirleykoinonia.tripod.com/  or they can drop me an email at shirleylovestowrite@gmail.com  I am good at responding.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I love walking. I also love to play my piano and sing, but I don’t have time much on my piano lately. And when it’s raining and dreary outside and I’m sitting by my fire in the evening, I love needlework, or reading, or watching old classic movies on TBN or just plain vegging out.

Why did you write the featured book?

This devotional (as well as the others I am writing) came by way of simple reflections on my heart that I used to share only with my Koinonia Community (a very large group of readers, writers, and women who love the Lord). Each month I would send out a Koinonia Update, and in it I would pass along a reflection of my heart—something God showed me that day about life in general ,and how He could minister to us in any circumstance…whether it was in a simple situation we were in, or some thorny issue we were involved with, or even perhaps something poignant having to do with the seriousness of our personal walks with Him. The responses I continued to receive from my readers drove me to compiling these together into devotionals that could be available for anyone, saved or unsaved, who just needed a pick-me-up at that perfect moment. I hope all that makes sense, Lena.

Yes, it does. What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

How God can be with us no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, no matter how we feel. It is so easy to take Him for granted. He shows us through the simplicity of these devotionals, that this is not His hope for us. He wants to be real to us 24/7. It’s up to us to allow Him that privilege and blessing.

Thank you, Shirley, for spending this time with us. I'm partial to your name. My younger sister was named Shirley, and she's gone on to be with the Lord.
 
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