ECHOES FROM THE PAST - June Foster - One Free Book

Welcome back, June. Tell us about your salvation experience.

I was raised in a family that went to church but never talked about Jesus, never read the Bible, and only prayed at mealtimes saying memorized prayers. We attended a liberal denomination and as a child, I don't remember ever hearing about salvation through Jesus Christ. So I headed off to college with a marginal moral compass, worldly goals, and little direction. Ten years later and the mother of two children, I still floundered in a confusing world, knowing my life was empty. Finally, our neighbors began taking my two girls to church. One Sunday, I decided if those two little girls could attend, so could I. I began to go to church at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Main Post chapel. Later, a secretary at my husband's work befriended me and asked me to go to a praise service at her church. Then, when we got home, she asked me if I wanted to ask Jesus into my life and I remember saying no, that I wasn't ready. A couple of months later, I watched an old movie And The Next Voice You Hear. Somehow the message touched my heart and for the first time in my life I realized God was real. I joined a Bible study and learned about Jesus and his offer of salvation. Finally, I prayed over the phone with one of my co-workers to ask Jesus into my heart. My life has never been the same. To follow up, both my daughters and my husband now know the Lord as well.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

Mildred Colvin, because I love her sweet, historical romances and would like to spend time with her. Francine Rivers. I'd pick her brain about what it's like to be a successful Christian author. Frank Peretti. I'd ask him how his imaginative ideas form in his brain. Jerry Jenkins. I'd schedule him to talk about the techniques he uses in writing stories that grip a reader, not setting him/her free until they've finished the book.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

I actually don't get to speak very often. I've given my testimony at church on Sunday morning, and many said they were truly blessed by it. I've been fortunate to appear on my local Birmingham television station and appear on blog radio from time to time.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

Once I walked into the wrong restroom at Walmart. When I came out of the stall, I saw a man washing his hands. Fortunately he was just leaving, so I washed my hands and tiptoed out of there. As I walked out the door, I looked up and down the aisles to see if anyone noticed where I came from. I don't admit this very often.

I’ve also had an experience where I accidentally went into the wrong restroom. It is an uncomfortable situation, but I’m sure there are more people who have besides you and me. People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

First, a person must have a story to tell, one that insists on being told. If she is truly passionate about her story, learn the craft of writing and go for it. But most importantly ask: Is God nudging you to tell this story?

Tell us about the featured book.

Echoes From the Past is book 2 in the Almond Tree Series. The hero and the heroine in this story were supporting characters in Book 1 For All Eternity.

When Dave Reyes, senior pastor of New Life Fellowship discovers he has a six-year-old daughter, his life changes forever. He must reveal the truth to the congregation, but will they fire him and send him away in shame?

Social worker Betty Ann Johnston still grieves over the death of her police officer husband. But when he returns from the grave to torment her, she struggles to maintain her sanity. Witnessing Dave's faith is her only source of strength. Will ghosts from her past destroy her, or will she find hope in the God of the Bible?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Fatigue robbed Dave of the last ounce of energy. Though his stomach growled, he'd resort to the same menu as last night, some delectable dinner in a cardboard carton from the freezer—probably spaghetti and meatballs again. He plopped down on the couch under the picture window and released a long breath. In the cool April mornings, the shrub outside had already flowered with purple blossoms.

The spacious three-bedroom home the congregation provided was plenty comfortable, just too big for a bachelor. At the last elders' meeting, he didn't miss Mr. Crenshaw's implication, though cloaked in polite wording. Most pastors of a church the size of New Life had a wife and children.

Then the man's words had turned caustic. "Humph. If you want to know the truth, I question whether a twenty-nine-year-old single man can be equipped to effectively serve. How could you possibly understand parishioners who struggle with marriages or problems with children?" Mr. Crenshaw's language drilled into Dave like a dentist's tool. Thank the Lord the other elders seemed to ignore him and breezed right through the rest of the meeting.

Dave raised his hands in the air. He didn't have a woman in his life now and hadn't found the desire to go on the hunt for one. After that year in Los Angeles, God probably decided he couldn't be trusted with a relationship again, at least not anytime soon.

Sounds interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.junefoster.com

http://junefoster.blogspot.com

http://infinitecharacters.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/junefoster

https://twitter.com/vjifoster

https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster

http://whitefire-publishing.com/wordpress/authors/june-foster/

http://desertbreezpublishing.com

http://pinterest.com/junefoster

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5755395.June_Foster

Thank you, June, for sharing this new book with us. I'm sure my readers will want to read the story. I know I will.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Echoes From the Past (The Almond Tree Series Book 2)

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