DREAMING OF TOMORROW - Michelle De Bruin - One Free Book

Welcome back Michelle. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? I am working on a new series about people who choose to live in the small town of Oswell City and end up finding a home there because of the love of a special person in their lives, healing that takes place, or refuge from dangers.

 

Tell us a little about your family. My family is my husband, Tom, and my two sons, Mark and John. Mark is a college student, and John is a junior in high school.

 

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? Writing requires me to have a website, and my website has a blog, so I use it to post book reviews. This means that I read with the goal of my own enjoyment of a story added to the wish to provide helpful information to my blog readers. Before I started writing, I read only for my own enjoyment.

 

What are you working on right now? My current work in progress is my fourth book. It will be the first book in a new series called the Coming Home series. The working title of this work in progress is Coming Home to Mercy. In this story, we will get to know the mother of the heroine in the book we are featuring today. Her name is Margaret. She meets the doctor of the small town she visits in the story. His name is Dr. Matthew Kaldenberg.

 

What outside interests do you have? I garden and play the piano. 

 

How do you choose your settings for each book? This is an easy part of drafting a story. I choose locations that I love. Open country with rolling hills of crops or pastureland, small towns with brick buildings along the main street, and places where still waters of quiet and rest can be found.

 

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why? I would want to spend an evening at dinner with George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon. I’d want to know their thoughts and feelings about the Revolutionary War, the beginnings of our nation, the other world leaders of the era, and the ins and outs of running a plantation.

 

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? I wish I would have known more about cover design. I didn’t know a thing about color schemes, fonts, or photo stock. One book cover turned out exactly as I envisioned, another turned out close to what I envisioned, and another turned out nothing as I envisioned. The covers all look great, but at the same time, I wish I would have known how to contribute more to the process. 

 

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now? He is teaching me to trust my ability to hear him accurately. I know that God is faithful in his communication to my heart and that his word to me is trustworthy. The question is if my obedience is faithful and my interpretations of his word are trustworthy. 

 

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful? Take the time to discover and develop your own voice. You don’t have to sound like anyone else. There is a time and purpose for each one of us who has a message to share, and we must be ready when our turn comes to speak. 

Along those lines, know who you are. Your voice comes out of that to give integrity to your writing. Do the work of discovering your own unique identity in Jesus and the calling he has given you. Then when the days of silent waiting and rejection come, you’ll look in the right place for affirmation. 

Last, be a friend. Writing is relational. Invest in people around you locally. Invest in people on your professional journey. The friendships come first. Sales and interest in your work will follow. That’s been true in my experience in leadership doing ministry, and I’m finding that it is also true in the writing world. Love. Give. Serve. You’ll never go wrong doing that.

 

Tell us about the featured book. Dreaming of Tomorrow is the third and last book of the Tomorrow series. It is set in the fictional town of Oswell City on the Iowa farmland during the years of 1912-13.

Here is the summary from the back cover:

Popular and eligible, Logan De Witt must convince the women in town that he is engaged to be married. A quiet, simple ceremony is what he has in mind for his wedding day, but when the date and time of his bride’s arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town joins in the celebration proving to Logan and his new wife their sincere friendship and support. Added to the excitement of Logan’s marriage is the question of what the congregation should do with the unexpected donation of an orchard. 

Karen Millerson is counting the days until her long-distance engagement comes to an end and she may travel to Oswell City to marry Logan. More than anything, she wants to share in his life as a help and support, but keeping a house and finding her place in the community requires much more work than she ever expected. 

Learn, laugh, and love with Karen and Logan as they start a new marriage and work together ministering to the citizens of their small town.

 

Please give us the first page of the book. 

“You must wear these at all times.” Dr. Kaldenberg tucked the curved ends of a new pair of spectacles around Logan De Witt’s ears.

The world came into sharp focus. Each vial on the shelf behind the doctor stood out in stark relief. Logan could even read the fine print on the labels.

Dr. Kaldenberg scooted away to jot a few notes in a folder. “Give these new glasses a try for a month and then come back for a follow-up appointment.”

Dizziness swarmed around Logan when he stood. His new and refined depth perception would take some getting used to.

The doctor handed him a slip of paper. “Your new spectacles will help you with reading and also with seeing objects in the distance.”

Both of those activities had grown more challenging since his return to Oswell City.  No longer would he need to squint to make out the faces of those seated in the back pews on Sunday morning. Enjoyment should also return to his study time. He’d sure appreciate the change if it meant he no longer had to crouch over his books to make out the words.

“Thank you, Doctor.” He shook hands with the doctor and headed out into the summer day.

Oswell City’s main street bustled with activity as Logan followed the sidewalk to the church. He waved at Alex Zahn who placed a supply of pastries in his bakery’s display window. A whiff of sweet dough fresh from the oven carried into the street.

Walter Brinks swept the wide steps of his father’s hotel. “Hey, Pastor Logan! Nice glasses,” he called when Logan walked by.

“Good  afternoon.” Artie Goud leaned against the second story of his jewelry store from the top rungs of a ladder where he worked to fasten a red, white, and blue striped bunting to the brick wall. “Fourth of July sales begin tomorrow. Stop in if you need a special gift.”

Logan smiled up at the man. He’d already spent an impressive sum of money in Mr. Goud’s store last Christmas when he bought Karen’s engagement ring. The businessmen downtown knew their pastor would do anything to support them, but a man also had to keep a little something in his savings. Mr. Goud would have to wait awhile before he saw Logan in his store again.

Passing the bank and the Koelman Law Firm, Logan turned the corner onto Fifth Street. The change in direction affected his balance, making one of his legs feel shorter than the other. The rounded curb of the asphalted street was all it took for him to trip and fall. Catching himself on a tree trunk, Logan barely prevented a sprawl on the ground.

He stood still for a moment and sucked in a deep breath. Wearing these new spectacles every minute of the day would require his full attention for simple tasks he’d never given thought to in the past. Straightening his tie, Logan dared to take another step. He managed to place one foot in front of the other as he crossed the lawn and entered the church. The door of his study hung open. He never left the door open when gone from the building. Maybe someone in need of their pastor was in there looking for him. He hastened down the hall.

Someone for sure had come looking for him, but she didn’t look one bit in need of a pastor. Her blue dress clung to her figure and the neckline scooped quite low. The day was warm, but no one needed to expose that much skin to stay cool. Dark brown hair smoothed away from her fair forehead and full red lips pouted at him. His restored vision was working far too well at the moment.

“Florence Mae Hesslinga.” The sight of this young woman in his study opened the gate on a store of memories from seminary days. “What are you doing here?” He couldn’t decide if he should celebrate the reunion or let his nerves take over at the way she strutted in front of him with her fingertip trailing across his chest.

“I need your help.” The invitation lingering in her words made his heart pound.

 

How can readers find you on the Internet? They are welcome to visit my website where I post devotional writings and book reviews to my blog. On my website is more information about all of my books, a place to subscribe to my newsletter, and a place to join Michelle’s Boek Vrienden, which is my street team. In English, it translates to Michelle’s Book Friends.

Website:  https://michelledebruin.com/

Readers are also welcome to follow me on social media. These links are below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDeBruinsAuthorPage/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/MichelleDB40/boards/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18522892.Michelle_DeBruin

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MichelleDAuthor

Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michelle-de-bruin

Thanks for hosting me today, Lena. It has been such a good time! 

And thank you, Michelle, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I know we will all love it. 

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3lkmzOe 

https://amzn.to/3kfzorT

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.) 

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws. 

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book. 

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com  

PROMISE FOR TOMORROW - Michelle De Bruin - One Free Book

BioL Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015. Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.

Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. The sequel, Promise for Tomorrow, released November 2019. The third book in the series, Dreaming of Tomorrow, releases November 2020.

 

Welcome back, Michelle. Why do you write the kind of books you do? 

I write Christian fiction because I want to illustrate how God works in a person’s life healing and restoring. I write historical fiction because I enjoy history. I like learning about beginnings and why things are the way they are. I write fiction because story communicates to us in ways that make possible the understanding of truth, similar to the parables Jesus used in the New Testament to help listeners understand the deep truths of what the Kingdom of God was like. I write romance because the church’s relationship to the Lord is a love story. Seeing it play out in a wholesome way between a hero and heroine helps us understand God’s passionate, unending, faithful love for us.

 

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

 

I can’t narrow it down to one. I have four happiest days of my life. The first one was my wedding day. The second one was the birth of my first son. The third one was the birth of my second son. The fourth was the day I graduated from college.

 

How has being published changed your life?

 

Good, question, Lena. The changes that result from publication aren’t sudden. They sort of sneak up on you like a shift in the weather or a change of season. You don’t notice it day to day, but at some point you look around and realize that the swimsuits are put away, school has started, the leaves have fallen off the trees, and snow is predicted for overnight. How did that happen?

 

I would say that the biggest way my life has changed is in becoming more conscientious of how I use words, both on and off the page. What am I posting on social media? How do I sound in conversation with a friend? What is the tone of my blog posts? Do I share truth in my role of teaching Bible studies and leading retreats? I don’t want to squander the opportunity an author is handed to influence others for good. Publication has offered me this and I want to make the most of it in a way that glorifies the Lord.

 

What are you reading right now?

 

I review books for Celebrate Lit. I love doing this because I get to sample good books from so many talented authors, and then help support them by sharing their work with others. I just finished reading To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck. This week I received the Net Galley copies for An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen, and To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano. I will start on both of these books soon.

 

What is your current work in progress?

 

My current work in progress is my fourth book. It will be the first book in a new series called the Coming Home series. The working title of this work in progress is Coming Home to Mercy. In this story, we will get to know the mother of the heroine in the book we are featuring today. Her name is Margaret. She meets the doctor of the small town she visits in the story. His name is Dr. Matthew Kaldenberg.

 

What would be your dream vacation?

 

Oh, wow. I dream of going to Europe to tour cathedrals and country estate homes in England, see the grounds where David Austin roses are grown, take tea in London, and then hop over to Holland and hunt up the provinces and towns my ancestors immigrated from.

 

How do you choose your settings for each book?

 

This is an easy part of drafting a story. I choose locations that I love. Open country with rolling hills of crops or pastureland, small towns with brick buildings along the main street, and places where still waters of quiet and rest can be found.

 

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

 

I would really love to have a conversation with Tim Keller sometime. He is an excellent preacher, and I appreciate his writing. I’d want to ask him all about doing ministry in a large city, which is much different from my context, so I’m sure there is much I could learn from him.

 

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

 

My hobbies include gardening and playing the piano.

 

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

 

The most difficult obstacle is finding credible resources to use for research of historic eras, the inventions and progress made during the era, and the perspectives and world views of people during those times. I overcome this obstacle by visiting living history farms whenever I can, reading biographies, and finding instruction manuals for certain inventions. So interesting!

 

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

 

Take the time to discover and develop your own voice. You don’t have to sound like anyone else. There is a time and purpose for each one of us who has a message to share, and we must be ready when our turn comes to speak.

 

That is so true. Tell us about the featured book.

 

Promise for Tomorrow is the second book in the Tomorrow series. These books are inspirational, historical fiction set in an Iowa farming community in the year 1910.

 

This book continues the story of Logan De Witt, the pastor who took time off to work his family’s dairy farm, and Karen Millerson, the teacher from Chicago who is boarding with Logan and his family.

 

Here is the summary from the book’s back cover: 

Karen Millerson dreamed of teaching high school but now finds herself boarding with a farm family and teaching country school. She is engaged to marry Logan De Witt and is getting prepared to share in ministry with him. But when she gets blamed for the tragic fire at the school, Karen’s future grows uncertain.

 

Logan De Witt is working to clear his family’s name with the bank. But when he breaks his leg, hindering his ability to work the farm, Logan is faced with life-changing decisions. When his best friend can’t offer the help he requested, can Logan find a way to care for his family and court Karen at the same time before his love for her destroys all of them?

 

Please give us the first page of the book.

 “You know I’d do anything to help you.” Pete’s words rang with the brand of loyalty found in friendships that deepened over time and encouraged through the darkest of days.

A grin spread across Logan De Witt’s mouth.

“But I can’t. Not this time. Sorry, buddy.”

“Wh . . . what?” Logan stifled a groan. Stuttering again. That irritating stutter had left him alone for months. He sure didn’t want it returning now. Not when his fiancée needed a place to stay, and fast. He’d barely survived these three days following his Christmas proposal. Gulping, he tried again. “What do you mean?” Much better. He drew in a slow breath.

A smile burst onto Pete’s face. “Anna is expecting a baby. Due in July.”

“Wow. Congratulations.” Pete’s news blew air into Logan and sucked it out of him all at the same time. His friend was going to be a father. How terrific for Pete and Anna. And yet Logan still waited for his turn. It would come someday, someday soon now that Karen had agreed to marry him.

“We’re making preparations for our extra room to get remodeled.”

Logan glanced through the shadowed doorway of the Silver Grove parsonage’s spare bedroom. A ladder filled one corner of the room.

“The bed and one chair will need to go back to Anna’s mother so we can make space for a cradle.” Pete’s grin threatened to split his face. He turned serious as he refilled his cup with coffee. “Why do you want Karen to move out of your house?”

He should’ve known Pete would ask. If he hadn’t been so distracted caring for a sick cow this morning, he may have come up with a decent answer. “I . . . uh . . . well.” If he could just lose that ridiculous stutter once and for all. He cleared his throat. “Boarding the teacher hasn’t worked out . . . uh, like I thought.”

The statement might sound a little vague, but at least it was true. Boarding the teacher hadn’t gone at all as he expected. Miss Karen Millerson lived at the De Witt farm so his grieving sister could have a friend. But what happened instead? Tillie fought with Karen while Logan fell in love with her. The girls had since made up and were pretty good friends, but Logan’s heart hadn’t improved one bit. And now he had a mammoth problem on his hands.

 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

 

They are welcome to visit my website where I post devotional writings and book reviews to my blog. On my website is more information about all of my books, a place to subscribe to my newsletter, and a place to join Michelle’s Boek Vrienden, which is my street team. In English, it translates to Michelle’s Book Friends.

Website:  https://michelledebruin.com/ 

Readers are also welcome to follow me on social media. These links are below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDeBruinsAuthorPage/ 

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/MichelleDB40/boards/ 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18522892.Michelle_DeBruin 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MichelleDAuthor 

Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michelle-de-bruin

 

Thanks for hosting me today, Lena. It has been such a good time!

 

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/33ICIqx

https://amzn.to/34GfWin

 

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

 

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

 

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

 

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

HOPE FOR TOMORROW - Michelle De Bruin - One Free Print or Ebook

Bio: Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015. Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story. 

Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. The sequel, Promise for Tomorrow, released November 2019. The third book in the series, Dreaming of Tomorrow, releases November 2020.

Welcome, Michelle. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t intend to write myself into my characters. Instead, I try to create characters that I can identify with. If they were real people in my neighborhood or church family, they would be people that I would have much in common with. If readers who know me happen to detect my personal characteristics shining through a character in my books, then it is coincidence instead of intentional.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Nothing came to mind when I first read this question, so I asked my family. They couldn’t think of anything either. I guess that means I’m not very quirky unless you count the one time I let someone talk me in to going on the Tower of Terror ride at Disneyland. This is the building with the elevator that free-falls down through many stories, and it goes fast, picking up speed the closer it gets to the ground level. After this ride, I was so dazed that I had to take a break from exploring the amusement park with the rest of the group and lay down on the sidewalk in order to restore my equilibrium. This was the first time, and most likely the last that I will venture into the realm of quirkiness. 

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I first discovered I was a writer in grade school when I would be one of the students chosen to attend writer’s workshops and other local events that helped to develop writing skills in children. 

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I’m very selective in what I read. Books must help grow my faith or teach me new insights about the Lord and His ways or working in a human life. Books must also have a thread of humor or light-heartedness running through them. This narrows the range, I’m afraid, to Christian fiction and also to non-fiction consistent with credible interpretations of Scripture. 

At least there a lot of Christian novels available now. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

The first thing that I don’t do is run. I gave up long ago trying to keep up with the pace at which the world thinks we need to be living. The best I can, I let the Holy Spirit set my pace. For me, this starts with observing a Sabbath day of rest in my schedule. Beyond the physical ordering of my schedule, I rely on the writings of teachers like Ruth Haley Barton, James Bryan Smith, and Adele Ahlberg Calhoun to maintain the disciplines of soul care. 

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Characters’ names are chosen based on what the common names were of the time period, as well as what is authentic according to the cultural context in which the story is set. 

For example, the hero in this story is of Dutch descent, so he, his family, and his best friend required surnames that reflect this heritage. That is why the farm family featured in this story has the name De Witt, and the hero’s best friend has the name Betten. 

For first names, I tried to choose names that were consistent with how immigrants would name their children born in America, and also was easy to spell and understand for a reader. Children were given a family name, a popular first name, or a Bible name. 

For example, the best friend and his wife have the names Peter and Anna, both Bible names. Peter” also has the Dutch spelling Pieter, but I Americanized the spelling for simplicity in reading. 

The name Logan is popular today, and was also used in Dutch communities as a name for boys. The mother, Cassandra, and the sister, Matilda, have names that were common for women in that era. 

The heroine, Karen, has a name that wasn’t so familiar in the early 20th century, but I wanted to use it anyway because of its meaning, which is: pure. 

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

The accomplishment I am most proud of would have to be completing my bachelor’s degree in religion at our local liberal arts college while my children were grade-school age. I was able to schedule my classes during the day while they were in school and ended up getting my degree completed in two years. 

Good for you. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would probably be a rabbit. They are curious, fast, and go into hiding whenever danger is near. They also stay as cute fully grown as they do when they are young. I would like to think this is true of me, but you’ll have to confer with my husband and the people who have to live with me to get the real story on that.

 What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is pie. Strawberry pie and lemon meringue pie in the summer. Pumpkin or apple in the winter.

 My favorite pie is Pecan. When I was growing up, it was called Karo Nut Pie, because of the corn syrup used in the filling. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

The problem is the marketing and getting my name out as someone who has quality books that I know many people will enjoy. I’m not sure that I have overcome it yet. That is why I am so grateful for opportunities to appear on blogs like this one. Thank you for hosting me, Lena.

 ell us about the featured book.

The featured book, Hope for Tomorrow, is my debut novel. It is inspirational, historical fiction set in an Iowa farming community in the year 1910. 

Here is the description from the back cover:

A young man leaves his career to care for his family and agrees to board the school teacher who offers him a priceless gift. 

When Logan De Witt learns of his father’s sudden death, he returns home to the family’s dairy farm. During his stay, he discovers his mother’s struggle with finances and his younger sister’s struggle with grief. Concern for his family presses Logan to make the difficult decision to leave his career as a pastor and stay on the farm. As a way to make some extra money, he agrees to board the teacher for their local school. 

Karen Millerson arrives from Chicago ready to teach high school but her position is eliminated so she accepts the role of country school teacher. Eager to put her family’s ugly past behind her, Karen begins a new career to replace the trust she lost in her own father who had been in ministry when she was a child. 

Logan and Karen both sense a call from the Lord to serve him, but neither of them expected that one day they would do it together. 

Can Karen learn to trust again? Will Logan lay aside his grief in exchange for God’s purpose for his life?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Oswell City, Iowa

August, 1910

“The Lord bless you and keep you.” A tremor shook Reverend Logan De Witt’s outstretched hand as Walter Brinks entered the church. 

The teenage son of the family who managed the hotel carried a white slip of paper and paced the back of the sanctuary. The Oswell City Hotel was the only place in town with a telephone. Someone in Logan’s care was about to receive bad news. 

He swallowed and attempted to finish the blessing. “The Lord make his face to shine upon you—” A drop of water from above splattered his sermon notes. He wrestled with the longing to move them out of harm’s way, but a full sanctuary waited on him to finish the benediction. “—and be gracious to you.” 

A second fat drop fell, headed not for all those well-chosen words from hours of study, but for his nose. It rolled off the tip and spilled onto his Bible. 

His chest tightened at the audacity of these shameless drips. A little water damage to his sermon he could deal with, but spoiling his Bible was another matter entirely. He lifted his gaze to the vaulted ceiling above just in time to watch a third drop plummet from the heights. More followed. Splat. Splat. Splat. All over the eighth chapter of Romans. 

Pews creaked. Someone in the front row coughed. The time had come to wrap up the service, but Walt chose that moment to stride down the aisle and join him at the pulpit. Two more drops splashed his nose. He snatched up his Bible. 

Walt nudged him. “Pastor Logan, I’ve got a message for ya.”

Bad news had no place in the benediction.

“This is for you.” Walt laid his slip of paper on the pulpit and ran out as quickly as he’d appeared. 

A sour taste filled Logan’s mouth, making speech even more difficult. “The Lord lift his countenance upon you . . . and . . . and give you p . . . peace.” He’d come so close to getting through the service without a stutter. He fled the pulpit to read the note while everyone sang the Doxology.

Reverend De Witt,

A man named Vern Patterson called here. He says your mother wants you to come home as soon as possible. Your sister found your father on the floor of the barn at milking time this morning. The doctor said he suffered a heart attack. I’m sorry you have to find out about your father’s death like this. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.

George 

A heavy weight sank in his stomach. His tall, strong father was dead. Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes while the truth pierced his heart. 

How can readers find you in the Internet?

They are welcome to visit my website where I post devotional writings and book reviews to my blog. On my website is more information about all of my books, a place to subscribe to my newsletter, and a place to join Michelle’s Boek Vrienden, which is my street team. In English, it translates to Michelle’s Book Friends.

Website:  https://michelledebruin.com/

Readers are also welcome to follow me on social media. These links are below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDeBruinsAuthorPage/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/MichelleDB40/boards/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18522892.Michelle_DeBruin

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MichelleDAuthor

Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michelle-de-bruin

Thanks again, Lena, for hosting me today. It has been such a good time!

It was my great pleasure to introduce you to my blog readers. I know they will be as eager to read your book as I am. 

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/32TIeF7 - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3gQjGBW - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. If the winner is in the US, it will be a print book. If the winner is foreign, the book will be an ebook. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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