In a word, because the Lord called me. Yes, I realize that
sounds cliché, but I asked for confirmation. He gave me three undeniable indications,
and I was convinced. Too, the desire was so strong, I knew that I couldn't not write.
If you weren’t an
author, what would be your dream job?
I thought about this question for several minutes, and I
could mention many. A tour guide in Israel, a makeup artist, a chef, a dog
trainer. But the one that stood out is: I'd like to be a young mother again,
this time knowing the Lord and living for Him.
Very good. If you
could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
I think I would like to have lived at the time of Christ—to
experience the Holy Land as it was then, but with knowledge of the Savior. I
would like to see Jesus as the first century Christians did.
What place in the
United States have you not visited that you would like to?
My husband and I traveled for quite a few years in our RV.
We saw much of the US with the exception of the northeast. I'd love to see the
New England states in the fall and the national parks in that area.
How about a foreign
country you hope to visit?
I'd love to visit Israel. Since I can't travel back in time
to actually see Jesus, I'd like to see the area as it is today. To bask in the
many spots described in the Bible—the Sea of Galilee, Jesus's birthplace, the
Garden of Gethsemane.
What lesson has the
Lord taught you recently?
We had an amazing revival at our church recently, and the
Lord showed me I need to give over more and more of myself to Him. To love
others as He loves us.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Jada Atwood, a registered nurse midwife, is on her way to a
medical conference in Queens. If only she could live up to her father's legacy
at the hospital where she works, she could prove worthy of his reputation.
Marriage awaits yet her fiancé has yet to offer a ring.
When the Uber driver must make a stop to pick up a passenger
at a Queens shopping center, two men who robbed a nearby bank commandeer the
Ford as a getaway car. But when they discover two passengers, they have to get
rid of the extra baggage.
After the kidnappers murder the Uber driver, David and Jada
fear for their lives. Will they find their way home or die in a Pennsylvania
forest?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Ask, and it will be
given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to
you. Matthew 7:7
If David Maguire wouldn't look like an idiot, he'd kneel
down and kiss the hot, well-traveled sidewalk outside the airport. Finally, he
stood on U.S. soil. A new beginning awaited, and God willing, a new job after
his interview next week. The thought thrilled him more than Christmas morning
as a kid.
The silver Ford sedan described on the Uber app inched up
behind a line of cars at passenger pickup. He stood on tiptoes and waved at the
driver who neared the curb. Then David moved his thumbs over his cell's screen.
Mom. Just landed. Can't wait to see you guys. Got a flight from JFK to
Birmingham tomorrow.
The driver stopped and jumped out. "Lieutenant
Maguire?" His accent hinted of Middle Eastern origins. "I'm Hadjira
Khan, your driver." He whipped off his ball cap, wiped his brow, and
plopped his hat on again. "Let me get this." The driver grabbed David's
duffle bag and set it in the trunk next to a light pink suitcase.
"Appreciate it. I'm going to the Rockford Hotel in
Queens."
"Yes, sir. I have two more passengers besides
you."
"No problem." The cheaper fare suited David just
fine. He couldn't be too extravagant since his army pay would end soon. He sure
didn't want to sponge off of Mom and her new husband. "However I can get
there is fine. I'm just glad to be home." He opened the door, tossed his
backpack in, and sat.
A woman with long, dark hair and dressed in white jeans and
a tight filmy blue blouse sat on the other side. She looked up, nodded, and
then continued tapping her cell's screen.
David smiled then focused on his text when his phone dinged.
I can't wait to see you. Let me know what time to pick you
up from the airport. Mom
Tomorrow at 3:13. See you then. Love you.
No matter how hard he tried to disguise his smile, the wide
grin stretched his lips. He'd be in Oak Mountain soon.
The Uber driver pulled from the curb. "You two
comfortable back there?"
"Yeah, sure." David took a deep breath and glanced
toward the woman again. He tried to identify the aroma emanating from her. It
wasn't likely Hadjira that smelled like roses.
"Yes, thanks." She peered at the driver then cast
a quizzical look to David.
He gave her a weak smile and turned to face the front of the
car, mentally kicking himself for staring too long.
Hadjira pulled off on a main thoroughfare and lifted his
chin to glance into his rearview mirror. "We stop at a strip mall off
135th for one passenger. Then I take you to Rockford Hotel, sir, and you to
Regal Gardens, ma'am."
"No problem," David mumbled, trying not to draw
out the words into multiple syllables as his southern drawl tended to do, worse
when he got nervous.
So the woman was staying at a hotel in Queens as well. He
cleared away the hesitation that impeded his question. "Where you coming
from?" Ugh. The most uninspired conversation starter
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Thank you, June, for
sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.
Readers,
here’s a link to the book.
The Long Way Home
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