Thursday, April 19, 2012

Welcome Debut Author Jessica Nelson!



Today we welcome Jessica Nelson to the Inkwell! Her debut novel, Love on the Range, is available now from Love Inspired Historicals.


Deserving the F-Word; It Just Can’t Be Done
 
Forgiveness….it’s a big thing. Easy to say, hard to do. Maybe we think we’ve forgiven someone and then ugly feelings rise when we least expect it and we’re back at square one, asking God to help us again.


Sometimes I think it’s easier though to forgive someone than to feel forgiven. To forgive someone is an act of will. We’re doing something. But when we feel guilty, how do we get someone else to forgive us? And what if they can’t? What if they’re in a different country or we don’t know where they live—or maybe they’re dead?

The hero in Love On The Range, Trevor Cruz, carries a bunch of guilt. He has a job that emotionally took more from him than he expected and while doing that job, an accident happened. Something he can never, ever undo. So he is burdened, his heart heavy beneath the weight of his guilt.

As I wrote a scene near the end of the book, a realization poured through me and I put the words right into my heroine’s mouth. She and Trevor are discussing a villain and the topic of forgiveness comes up. He wants to kill the villain, believing the action to be just and what he deserves. But Gracie (the heroine) stops him, telling him that even killers need forgiveness. At which point Trevor asks bluntly if she thinks a killer deserves forgiveness.

When I was writing this, it was like a light bulb popped on in my head. Or maybe it just grew brighter, since I’ve all ready known this, but forgiveness, by definition, is undeserved. Pardon is neither earned nor merited.
 
That was a sweet moment for me and for my rugged yet tender-hearted hero. He needed to know that even though there was nothing he could do to change the past, absolution could still be his. He couldn’t pay for it, work for it or earn it, but he could still have it, and the peace that comes with it.

And that to me is the beauty of Forgiveness.

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Have you ever extended forgiveness (for a debt, a wrong, etc) knowing the other person could never repay or fix what they’d done? How do you handle being on the receiving end of unforgiveness? Have you ever felt that something you’ve done is too horrible for even God to forgive?


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Want a peek at Love on the Range?

 Any other socialite would view being packed off to a remote Oregon ranch as a punishment. But Gracelyn Riley knows that this is her opportunity to become a real reporter. If she can make her name through an interview with the elusive hero known as Striker, then she'll never have to depend on anyone ever again.

Rancher Trevor Cruz can't believe his secret identity is being endangered by an overly chatty city girl. But if there's one thing he knows, it's that Gracie's pretty little snooping nose is bound to get her in trouble. So he'll use her determination to find "Striker" to keep an eye on her…and stick close by her side.

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Jessica Nelson, in keeping with her romantic inclinations, married two days after she graduated high school. She believes romance happens every day, and thinks the greatest, most intense romance comes from a God who woos people to himself with passionate tenderness. When Jessica is not chasing her three beautiful, wild little boys around the living room, she can be found staring into space as she plots her next story. Or she might be daydreaming about a raspberry mocha from Starbucks. Or thinking about what kind of chocolate she should have for dinner that night. She could be thinking of any number of things, really. One thing is for certain, she is blessed with a wonderful family and a lovely life.
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Jessica has gracious offered a copy of Love on the Range to one lucky commenter today. If you'd like to be entered into the drawing, please leave a comment with your name and email addy (safely, to avoid spammers.)

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Visit Jessica!
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaNelson

23 comments:

  1. Thanks ladies. Welcome to the inkwell Jessica. You were the first of my on-line writing co-horts that I met in person...on the shuttle from the Denver airport to the ACFW conference. I recognized you from your blog photo, so we know photos are important. (Though I didn't recognize those who no longer looked like theirs!)

    I love that moment when a truth about God comes up so clearly for a character when it is actually for ourselves. Only when we have the AHA moment can we explain it so well

    Congratulations on your debut and enjoy this busy month!

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  2. Hey Jessica,
    Thanks for stopping by. What a wonderful, poignant point. I find it to be such a privilege to write in the CBA and be able to share our spiritual epiphanies!

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  3. What great thoughts, Thanks Jessica! And I just finished your book last night:-) Great story!

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  4. Hi ladies! Thank you so much for having me, Susie.

    Debra, it was so fun to meet you too! And the photo you're using now looks more like you than the other one did. :-) Very pretty.

    Naomi, so glad you enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to reading yours next.

    Hi Lisa, yep, I love being able to write God stuff. Or just life stuff, you know, from a Godly perspective.

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  5. Good morning! We are so pleased to have you here on the Inkwell, Jessica. Thanks for sharing with us.

    I, too, love it when characters nudge me toward a greater understanding of one of God's truths. What a privilege to write CBA.

    How cool that Deb and Jessica met on the shuttle! I can't wait for RWA--not only to learn from the workshops, but to meet friends, old and new!

    Congratulations on your debut, Jessica. I'm reading it now and thoroughly enjoying it.

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  6. Jessica has kindly offered a copy of the book! Don't forget to enter the drawing :)

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  7. Nice. Forgiveness plays a major role in my current novel as well.

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  8. Oh, I think I would love Trevor! And, yes, forgiving oneself is the hardest thing.

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  9. Dina, forgiveness plays a big role in my novel, too. It's definitely a theme we can all relate to.

    DeAnna, I hope you enjoy the book!

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  10. I think I better get out and pick this up at the store ASAP. the month is fading fast! Not that I mind getting it on Kindle, but it's fun to buy a book by someone you've met and go through the checkout line with it. (No, I don't brag that I 'know the author' , but I think it!)

    I'm very happy that the LIH releases increased. I don't read them all by any means, but it just gives so much more opportunity for more of these great stories from excellent writers!

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  11. Welcome to the Inkwell, Jessica and congrats again on your debut release. I just bought it a week ago and am looking forward to reading it.

    And I'm with the rest when I say forgiveness plays a big part in many of my mss.

    To answer your questions:
    1. Yes
    2. I hand it over to God
    3. Not too horrible, but yes. Although I know I'm forgiven, I still regret doing it.

    Glad you're here today. :)

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  12. A wonderful posting...and thank you, jessica, for the opportunity to read your fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  13. Deb, it is pretty cool to buy a book by someone you know, isn't it? I have a special shelf on my bookcase of books by friends. Looking at them makes me happy!

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  14. You're in for a treat, Anita--Jessica's book has won rave reviews. I can't wait to finish reading it and write one myself.

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  15. Hi Karenk! I've got you entered into the drawing for Jessica's book! Thanks so much for coming by.

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  16. Well, I made a major decision and decided that I would give away my fiction collection. Those beloved books need to be out in the world rather than in my office. I am keeping Inkie books but I'm giving away others. Even the signed ones. I want to do a book exchange for women at my church. I've been blessed with winning books online and freebies and it's time I shared them.

    I'm in pare down mode. Cleaning, painting and saying goodbye to 'stuff'. Feels Great!

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  17. Debra, I bet a bunch of people will be blessed by your decision. :-) I force myself to do the same, otherwise I'd hold onto all my books! lol

    DeAnna, I love Trevor too. *grin*

    Susie, don't play up the book too much! LOL I don't want to disappoint. Thank you so much for having me here today. I appreciate it. :-)

    Hi Anita!! *waving*

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  18. Jessica, welcome to the Inkwell and congratulations on your debut. I'm sorry I'm late to the party. I've been late all week. I did leave a message a bit ago, but it went away.

    I'm so glad you talked about forgiveness. It's such an important theme to our Christian walk. Thank you!

    Your book sounds wonderful, and I can't wait to read it.

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  19. Jessica
    late to the blog, but wanted to note that i can so relate to the forgiveness thing. i'm looking forward to getting your book and reading it because your blurb really has me hooked.
    Trevor sounds (as my toddler likes to say) 'Lish-us'.

    i love the fact that the Inkwell introduces me to so many different authors i might miss because i'm not looking in the right places.
    Congrats on your debut book!!!!!

    nm8r67 at hotmail dot com

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  20. Hey Suzie! I'm running late all week, too. Hopefully life settles down soon! Nice and boring, that'd be swell.

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  21. Hi DebH, I am so glad you stopped by. You're entered into the drawing!

    I love learning about new books, too. Sometimes a friendly recommendation is a huge help. :)

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  22. Jessica's book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the info and the lovely post on forgiveness. It's something I need to remember often. :)

    Thanks and blessings,
    Karen
    klange61AThotmailDOTcom

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  23. Congratulations, KarenK! I'll forward your info to Jessica. Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing!

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We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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