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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Welcome Martha Rogers and Autumn Song

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARTHA ROGERS is the author of the Winds Across the Prairie series which is four books about Oklahoma with a prequel, Amelia’s Journey coming in January. Her new series, Seasons of the Heart now has books one and two released. Not on the Menu, was part of a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y’Barbo; and River Walk Christmas, a novella collection with Beth Goddard, Lynette Sowell, and Kathleen Y’Barbo. A former schoolteacher and English instructor, Martha has a master’s degree in education and lives with her husband in Houston, Texas where they are active in the ministry at their church. When not writing, Martha enjoys spending time with her family which includes nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

AUTUMN SONG
by Martha Rogers
Published by Charisma Media

ABOUT THE BOOK

Why does everyone think a girl’s only lot in life is to find a husband and settle down?

Kathleen Muldoon is twenty-three and tired of ranch living. Fiercely independent and determined to become a nurse, she has left her family’s ranch to study medicine under Old Doc Jensen andlive in town with her Aunt Mae, who runs a boardinghouse.

Daniel Monroe has just arrived in Porterfield to set up his law practice. Sparks fly when he is introduced to Kate at the boardinghouse, but the initial attraction quickly dissolves into an argument—the first of many. Daniel is enamored with Kate but uncomfortable with her independent spirit and dreams of becoming a nurse.

When trouble erupts between the ranchers and lumberjacks over timber rights, Kate is furious to learn that Daniel has worked out an agreement she believes will destroy her father’s land. Can they overcome their pride and help each other become everything God wants them to be?

Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.

Readers, buy your copy of Autumn Song today!

Summer Dream and Autumn Song are now available from CBD, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Check with your local Christian book store for availability. E-book editions will also be available. These are available from the Realms fiction, a division of Charisma Media.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

What Does Age Have to Do With Anything?

We make so many excuses for not submitting our writing. I don’t have enough time. I have too many other obligations. I’m too young. I’m too old. I’ve got too many rejections. I don’t have an agent. Any sound familiar? If I had used the excuse of age, I would never have been published. My agent believed in me and kept submitting my manuscripts. When I wanted to quit, friends encouraged me to keep on.

When God calls us to a task, He expects us to finish it. If we’re obedient to that call, He will give us what we need to complete it because He who began the work in us will carry through until it’s completed. Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary when we’re doing God’s work because we’ll reap a harvest when God sets the time.

At one time I asked God if He’d forgotten how old I was getting and how time passed by. Of course He knows how old I am and how long I have on this earth. I just wished He’d let me in on His plans. With so many younger authors were getting contracts and having success, I began to think it would never happen to me, but I persevered, not ready to give up.

Well, God doesn’t forget. He doesn’t sleep. He never quits work. He’s always there willing to help us reach our goals when we call on Him for help. The Lord does expect us to do our part. That part is to put ourselves in that chair and write.

Whether you first contract comes at age twenty-three or seventy-three, God’s timing is always perfect. He’ll never let us down. The answer may not always be what we hoped and prayed for, but His answer is the best for us at that time. It always is.

I’ll be 75 in two months and by that time I will have five novels and one novella published with another five novels contracted. When God opened the door for me, He kicked it wide open. Prayer, perseverance and patience reaped the harvest at the time God ordained.

Do whatever it takes to write. Quit making excuses. If you’re serious, God will help you find the time, face rejection, find an agent, or create the stories. At other times He may tell you to wait a season and take care of other things first. Listen to His voice and calling. Write as much as you can when you can. Be patient, and pray for His guidance in all that you do. Jeremiah tells you to call on Him, and He will answer and tell you great things you do not know. Jeremiah also tells us that God has great plans for us, plans to give us hope and a future. So press on to what God has called you to do whether it is to wait for a season to begin or whether it is to work hard now. Pressing on will lead you where you need to go.

* * * * *

Thank you, Martha, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: So what excuses have you used to keep from submitting? And if you aren't a writer, what excuses have you used to keep you from doing what God is calling you to do in your life?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of the book featured above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

11 comments:

Jo said...

It looks like I am the first to post a reply. When I was younger, I wanted to be a writer but as far as I got with writing was to write letters. Fear, I think is the biggest factor in stopping me. Fear of being rejected which I know that most people fear. I would love to win this book.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara said...

What an awesome interview! I just didn't expect to cry. Martha's words are so encouraging..."So press on." How many times have I heard those words, but in her post, it seemed to have new meaning to me. Thank you so much for your precious insight into God's plans for our lives. You are such a blessing.

I'm a perfectionist. That is my excuse. "It's not ready" or "I could do so much more with it" or "Just one more month, and it'll be perfect" and so many other excuses. But I have just recently gotten one ms. ready and another very close, so hopefully, I am a little "past" the perfectionist stage and have transitioned into the "it's-okay-to-be-normal" stage. Thank you again for such a beautiful post.
Tamara

Tamara said...

I didn't leave my email address with my post, so here it is:
tamarawrites (at) hotmail (dot com

Vickie McDonough said...

Martha,

Your encouragement to stay the course and do what God set before you is very timely. I'm struggling to finish a book by tomorrow and still have a long ways to go. I needed to hear this. Thanks! I'm so happy to see you having so much success.

Vickie

fictionfan1 [at] cox [net]

Vickie McDonough said...

Ugh. I typed my email wrong.

fictionfan1 [at] cox [dot] net

Giveaway Lady said...

I would love to be entered for this book! I am a fan of Martha's novels and enjoy them:) I am not a writer but one excuse I use is that I don't have the time or money. Amazing how much we can free up when we want to:) Thanks for the chance at winning this book!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Martha is such a sweet heart. This book looks soooo good! Please sign me up!

Salena
srstormo at yahoo dot com

Bev Bender said...

My excuse: "too old" but I like hearing "stop with the excuses" and I need to do that. Thank you, Martha. I'd love a copy of your book.

bevbender10(at)gmail(dot)com

Merry said...

Often, it is a matter of how I redeem the time in each day. When I don't start my day, asking the Lord to direct my steps, I usually go astray or get lazy. Thank you, Martha, for the reminder that God will enable us to do what He wants us to do.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

Kim Jones said...

Amber,

Thank you so much for the wonderful post regarding Martha. I learned something new about her and I work at her publisher! Can I interest you in a manuscript for review of the next book in the series, Winter Promise? Email me if you're interested at:

kim.jones at charismamedia dot com

Kim Jones
Publicity Coordinator
Charisma House

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

I've been horrible at returning to post the winners selected. But having 2 little ones under the age of 3 takes its toll on my free time...and my brain. :)

Here is the winner for this drawing:

Tamara

Congratulations! I'll go now to post the winners of the other drawings up through current. Thanks for your patience.