An Inspiring Word with Author JoAnn Carter

Some of you guys know that aside from being an author, I also work as an editor for two publishing houses. I love what I do, but sometimes get a little frutrated at the lack of time it leaves me for reading what I want to read. This makes it all the more special when a book comes along that's not only a project, but something I can get lost in and truly enjoy. Well, I've had a slew of these privileges lately, and one of them came to me in the form of a sweet, novella-length story called Mercies in Disguise. I write 20th Century historicals, so I was especially delighted with this story's setting. It's my pleasure to introduce the author, JoAnn Carter, and let her tell you what inspired her to write this story.

I have to let you in on a secret... I've been having a blast with this project! I'm thrilled at the release of the second book in this series, Mercies In Disguise. I think what has made this particular book so special to me is the setting. You see the Pine Barrens of New Jersey was where I grew up.

I love the woods. I realize some city folks would get nervous following a seemingly never-ending dirt path, where every tree looks the same – tall and scrawny—but it's home to me. I've learned many lessons in the pines, but I think the most important is "looks can be deceiving." Now, I must admit, scrub pine trees aren't the most attractive trees in the world. In fact, they look as if a good wind could knock them over. However, it isn't what you see on the outside that's most important. Rather, it's what you can't see – their complex root system – which is crucial to not only their survival, but their ability to thrive.

The soil in this neck of the woods is pure sand. It gets very dry and fires can wipe out acres upon acres in mere hours. But these hardy little pines have an amazing resilience. It's all because of their roots. They get burned, totally scorched and you'd think nothing could ever grow back, but wait even just a few weeks and before you know it, little shoots are sprouting back up. Within a few years, you can't even tell there had been a fire. What an awesome object lesson God blessed me with in my own backyard!

We see this same kind of strength through the main character, Abigail, in this story. In the midst of disappointments, storms life sends her way, and the fears she needs to face, her "roots" in Christ keeps her grounded. I hope her story (as well has her hero's) will be an encouragement to you. No matter what you may be facing today, if your "roots" are grounded in Christ, He'll see you through.

Blessings, my friends! Until next time~

JoAnn

What's Mercies In Disguise is about:

Abigail Madison, a gentle quiet spirit, has always dreamed of a life away from her mother’s controlling ways. Even more than that, she’s dreamed of finding someone with whom she could share her life with. However, her shyness is often taken as aloofness and no marital prospects were anywhere to be found. What was to become of her hopes?

Stanley Fisher, the Steamboat pilot of the Ticonderoga, was drafted and fought in World War I. The experiences he lived though on the battlefield left him wounded -- but not in a way that the naked eye could see. Yet, when he meets Abigail, he yearns for a love like his best friend and Captain of the Ti, Philip found in Ellie. However, with his recurring nightmares from war, what does he have to offer to this special woman?

EXCERPT

Abigail's dark hair hung to her shoulders, framing her fair face in shiny curls and her green eyes sparkled when he asked if he could take her bag. A slight blush colored her high cheekbones. He was in trouble -- deep trouble. She was every bit as beautiful in person as she was in the photograph Ellie had given him earlier today when she asked him to pick up her friend at the train station. Like a magnet, the picture had held him captive. And now that he saw her in person... he gulped. As his fellow bell bottoms would say, she was a doll. And although she was very quiet, the longer they talked he couldn't help but notice her beautiful, expressive eyes. They held a sort of tempered peace, or perhaps it was contentment, which he found completely unattainable.

Never before had he been so enamored, nor had he ever had as much reason to keep far away from that allure. He needed to stay strong. The serenity in her eyes would vanish if she knew the sorrow buried within his heart and how it affected him. Granted, his war wounds didn't leave any scars on the outside, but they were too numerous to count on the inside.

Lord, help me overcome the past.

He took a deep breath and stepped back, widening the space between them. If he could just turn off his thoughts and stop dwelling on his recurring nightmares, he'd be great.

Time.

He was sure that's all it would take... time to put his experiences behind him. Meanwhile, he had God, work, friends, and most importantly, the determination to make it through -- somehow, someway -- without being a total killjoy and dragging a beautiful woman into the mess of his life.

Abigail finished the letter, tucked it into her handbag, and gazed trustingly into his eyes. "Will you please take me to the steamboat now?"

Stanley nodded and offered her his elbow. "I'd love to." To fill the time and keep his mind off her tiny hand warming not only his arm, but also a place in his heart, he asked, "Have you been on board the Ti before?"

Abigail nodded. "A time or two. My family and I once resided here in Vermont."

"Ah, so that's where you know Ellie from."

"Yes. We've been best friends since grade school."

Purchase Link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-262/The-Roarin%27-Twenties-Book/Detail.bok also available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as other e-book retailers.

--

About the author:

JoAnn Carter writes stories that will encourage your faith through her inspirational romances. She resides in Vermont with her wonderful husband and four children. JoAnn is available for speaking engagements to book clubs, reader groups, library groups, women's ministry events, school events and church retreats.

You can find her here:

JoAnn's Website
JoAnn's Amazon Author Page
Connect with JoAnn on Facebook