SWEET FREEDOM A LA MODE - Jennifer Slattery - One Free Ebook

Dear Readers, we’re featuring a compilation of short stories written by several authors. Jennifer Slattery is the author who compiled it, so she’s the one I’m interviewing.

Welcome back, Jennifer. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Although this wasn’t intentional, I’ve noticed all my novels touch on surrender. But then, I think that’s a posture (or attitude?) God continues to lead me toward.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My fourth novel, a women’s fiction, releases in March. I’m really excited about this one because it’s set in Seattle, one of my favorite cities and one that has rich history for me personally. I’ll share the back cover text:

Sometimes it takes losing everything to grab hold of what really matters.

Women’s ministry leader and Seattle housewife, Alice Goddard, and her successful graphic-designer husband appear to have it all together. Until their credit and debit cards are denied, launching Alice into an investigation that only leads to the discovery of secrets. Meanwhile, her husband is trapped in a downward spiral of lies, shame, and self-destruction. Can they break free from their deception and turn to the only One who can save them? And will it be in time to save their marriage? 

Sounds interesting. I’ll want to feature it here on the blog. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Hm … Since I’m assuming my husband falls under the family category … Does it have to be someone famous? Probably Kelly Klepfer, the editor of Novel Reviews, because she is hilarious! And she may be as addicted to coffee and books as I am. In fact, every time we meet for coffee, she brings a bag of books, often written by authors I’ve never heard of previously. I love learning of new authors! 

My blog readers do, too. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Harriet Beecher Stowe. She was a woman of courage who helped to change the world for the better. She saw an evil and wasn’t afraid to call it evil, nor did she just throw her hands up and say, “Well, this is how things have always been.” Instead, she used the gifting God had given her—writing, to do what she could to leave a lasting impact. I find that incredibly inspiring, and her work reminds me that books matter; books indeed help impact culture.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

It might sound cliché as they’ve probably heard this so many times, but so often, the greatest lessons come from the journey. God did so much in my heart, developed so many necessary character traits, through all the struggles and set-backs I encountered in my journey to publication. In the waiting, He helped me develop perseverance. In rejections, He grew my obedience and listening ear. He connected me with others, taught me to lean on Him, and reminded me again and again who He’d called me to write for—Him and Him alone. I’m so very grateful for every disappointment and difficulty I faced because God used every moment to equip me for future ministry. It’s a big responsibility to write for Christ, so we should expect some extensive training. I often say, “The greater the call, the harder the journey and the more intensive the training.”

All that to say, keep stepping, and with every step, keep your eyes and ears tuned to Christ. Center your every thought on Him and what He’s called you to do, focus on that very next step, and leave the rest to Him.

Very good advice at the beginning a new year, a blank slate. Tell us about the featured book.

Today I’m sharing a compilation I did with a group of authors. Here’s the back cover text:

For some, the fourth of July is a celebration of freedom; for others it is a reminder of bondage. Of pain. Of fear. Of hopelessness. But there is a hope that is deeper, a love that is truer, and a freedom that no one can ever snatch away.

How can one take a step toward that freedom when the road appears shrouded with insecurities and doubts? These pages contain numerous stories: a woman longing to start again but bound by the failures of her past; a young man who, upon reaching adulthood, must face his fears of death; a woman offered a chance of true love but held back by crippling insecurities.

Is God even there? Does He care … enough to reach down and pull these men and women from the messes they’ve landed in, some of them by their own hand?

Freedom. Peace-saturated, joy-infusing freedom.

We pray our stories demonstrate what it looks like in the day-to-day … and provide a little insight into how one grabs hold of that treasured state of heart and mind.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Since this is a compilation filled with numerous stories, how about I give the first page of the story I wrote?

“To Be Loved”

Jennifer Slattery

Maddie stared at the cold, business-like faces gathered in Uncle Claude’s living room. Word by word, argument by argument, her calloused family members were turning her aunt’s funeral reception into an estate planning meeting. It soured her stomach and filled her heart with a heavy ache. Where was their tact? Their compassion? Clearly, the large doses of wine they all drank weren’t helping.

“Well, Uncle Claude certainly can’t stay here. Not by himself.” Mom clunked her soda onto the coffee table. “The man can’t remember to eat half the time, let alone take his medicine.”

Heat rushed to Maddie’s face. “Mom! Now is not the time.”

Her mother stared at her. “Really? And a better time would be…? These things must be discussed, and the sooner the better.” She glanced at Uncle Claude and raised her Coke to her mouth before setting it down again. “Besides, what if he fell? You know as well as I how unstable he can be, especially when his arthritis kicks up. He could be lying on the floor for days—weeks even, before anyone found him.”

An interesting subject that every family will have to face at some time. How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can visit my personal blog at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com or at the group blog I manage at http://faithfriendschocolate.com. They can also connect with me at Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this book with us. A lot of readers love short stories, because they can finish one in the in-between times during the day. 

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Sweet Freedom A La Mode (Give God Glory Book 2)

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