A Three-in-One Book Recommendation

by Suzie Johnson

Sometimes I have a hard time making up my mind. This month I read three different historical novels that I wanted to recommend, but I couldn’t choose between them. So I decided to tell you a little bit about all three, and hopefully you’ll find yourself wanting to read at least one of them.

These books are as different from each other as could be; different eras, different authors, different styles, but three novels that succeeded in sweeping me so totally into their world that I found myself wanting to stay a bit longer than the pages allowed.

Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser: Told in the first person, this book is an inside view of the life of Martha Custis Washington before and after she married her tall, handsome colonel. Widowed at age twenty-six, with two children, Martha Custis had experienced more than her share of grief.  Now, as the wealthiest widow in town, she had several men interested in marrying her. But she isn’t interested in marrying again, for any reason but love. And that love can only be found with Colonel George Washington. Not interested in Martha’s money, George’s love for Martha is unbelievable true. And he dotes on her children almost as much as she does. Together, while the colonists find themselves in the precarious position of declaring freedom from a tyrannical king, George and Martha must give up their dreams of a quiet life because their fellow colonists depend on George to lead them toward that freedom.

This book is a love story between a man and woman, as well as a love story between two people of faith and their young country. George and Martha make incredible sacrifices of love for the people of an emerging new nation. Nancy Moser puts a personal face on two historical figures that inspire others to take risks and follow dreams that seem unreachable.

To read more about Nancy Moser and her true-to-life books, you can visit her website at: http://www.nancymoser.com/.

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner: From the author of the phenomenal book, The Shape of Mercy, is a wonderful novel set in two different eras, about two women who share the same name. This book seamlessly gives readers the present day story of Jane Lindsay and a fascinating version of the historical story of Lady Jane Grey.

Antique collector Jane Lindsay finds a beautiful antique ring shortly after her marriage begins to fall apart. Seeing the name Jane inscribed in the ring gives her a sense of connection to its original owner. Perhaps as a way to avoid dealing with her heartbreak, or because of it, Jane sets about on a mission to find out the history of the ring and ends up finding out a great deal about herself.

Lady Jane Grey’s dressmaker, Lucy Day, effectively lures the reader in as she narrates the story of Lady Jane and how she came into possession of the ring. But it’s what happens next that will keep readers turning the pages, hoping innocent young Jane can avoid tragedy and find true love as she steadfastly stands up for what she believes.

This book is an amazing story of faith and inner strength amidst the two vastly different settings. And as a delightful bonus, readers are treated to Lucy Day’s story as well.   

Right now I’m reading Susan Meissner’s latest book – A Sound Among the Trees. As expected, it is excellent. You can visit the author’s website at: http://susanmeissner.com/.

Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews: This is the story of Job, as never before imagined. Mesu Andrews did a lot of research before writing this, her first published novel. Not only did she carefully research the Bible, but she also researched historical texts of the time. What she read fueled her imagination, and she penned Job’s story as only she could tell it. Also because of her research, Mesu merged the lives of Biblical characters Jacob, Isaac and Esau with the life of Job.

This is also the story of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, after she was rescued from Shechem by her brothers and brought home to live in disgrace. When her grandfather Isaac insists she marries a man from her Uncle Esau’s clan, Dinah is sent off to the land of Uz with Job, her distant cousin, with the expectation that she will marry Job’s son.

What follows is an incredible story of faith that will touch readers on the deepest level.

Is it possible that these two Biblical characters’ lives intersected? Once you read Mesu Andrews’s book, you’ll not only imagine it, you’ll be driven to your Bible to research for yourself, and you’ll undoubtedly put her March 2012 release, Love’s Sacred Song, on your TBR list. You can visit her website at: http://mesuandrews.com/.

Suzie Johnson has won several awards for her inspirational novels (writing as Susan Diane Johnson), including the Maggie, Lone Star, Heart of the West, and Beacon awards, as well as finaling in the Touched by Love, Finally A Bride, Linda Howard Award for Excellence, and Virginia's Fool For Love contests. She is a member of ACFW, RWA, and is a cancer registrar at her local hospital. The mother of a wonderful young man who makes her proud every day, she lives with her husband and little kitten on an island in the Pacific Northwest. And although the beaches are rocky instead of sandy, lined with Madronas and Evergreens instead of Palm trees, and the surf is much too cold for wading, it is still the perfect spot for writing romantic fiction. You can visit her blog, Suzie's Writing Place at http://suzieswritingplace.blogspot.com/. 

Getting a grip on the holidays

by Niki Turner

The dishes are done. The leftovers have been packed away. And as we unload the dishwasher, thoughts turn to Christmas, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, shopping lists and Christmas cards and candy canes and decorating ... not to mention a December calendar filled with kids' Christmas programs and office parties and church events.

Added to lives that are already busy, budgets that are already strained, and the impossibility of living up to everyone's expectations, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. So here are some suggestions for easing our way through the season with greater peace and joy, and less distress.

1. Obliterate obligation.

Paul wrote in Romans 13:8, "owe no man anything but to love one another..." Yet we often, especially at this time of year, start functioning out of obligation. There's pressure to do things, buy things, and go places we'd rather not go in an attempt to please others, satisfy some unspoken requirement, or live up to expectations.

Doing things out of obligation isn't Christian (it's religious), nor is it satisfying for anyone involved, so we might as well lay it aside in favor of things done from a motive of love.

2. Corral competition.

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Phil 2:3-4  

Whether it's bringing the best treats to the classroom holiday party, having the most popular dessert at the church potluck, making sure your Christmas decorations are the best on the block, or getting your kids the best presents, competition neutralizes the very atmosphere of the Christmas spirit. Yes, we probably all have the relative who gloats because he bought grams or dad the best or biggest gift, but let's not join in!

3. Plan on purpose.

Take a few moments to consider your purpose this Christmas, and how you plan to pursue it. What memories do you want to create this year? Is it quality time with your kids, one-on-one? Sit down with a calendar and plan it now. If your heart's desire is to serve and give to others, figure out what you can do and when, and set that time aside. If you have filled your calendar with things that matter to you, when something else comes up you'll be able to say, in honesty and without guilt, "We've already got plans that day." (Note, don't forget to set aside time for prayer and personal time, too! And don't violate it!)

4. Give from the heart, not the head.

The best gifts are the ones that come from the heart, gifts we're inspired to give, not gifts we randomly fling into a shopping cart to satisfy a list. This year I'm going to try something new ... I'm going to pray over my gift-giving list and ask God how to be a blessing to those names on the page. It might be a gift, or a hand-written note, or something else entirely. 

However you celebrate, whatever traditions you have, or want to create, I hope and pray this will be the best Christmas season yet for you and yours, one that will always remind you of the goodness of Christ and the reason for the season.

Mother of four and grandmother of one, Niki Turner is an only child, wife of a former pastor, and writer of fiction, blog posts, Facebook status updates, a tweet here and there, and lots of long grocery lists. She also writes, copyedits, and proofreads for the local newspaper. Her first completed manuscript was a finalist in the 2009 Touched by Love contest.  

And to all of our Inkettes and Families too!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations

Although Anita Mae celebrated her Thanksgiving Day in October, I'm sure she joins with us on this most American of holidays in wishing you an amazing day with family, food and an overwhelming thankfulness for the many blessings we have. In the middle of worries and sorrows and setbacks, we, as Americans have a strong heritage of liberty and the intent to be a good neighbor. And, as Christians, we have the greatest joy of knowing we are His.

Don't let anyone eat dinner alone on this day!