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Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Guest Blogger Tina Pinson and To Carry Her Cross

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TINA PINSON resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of thirty plus years, Danny. They are blessed to have three sons, and six grandchildren, with another grandchild on the way.

Tina started her writing in elementary school. Her love of writing has caused her to seek creative outlets be it writing poetry, songs, or stories. Her WWII story Trail of the Sandpiper won third place in the Genesis in 2003. In the Manor of the Ghost and Touched By Mercy and When Shadows Fall (Book 1 in the Shadows Series) are available through Desert Breeze Publishers.

To Catch a Shadow, the next installment of the Shadow Series about the civil war and the Oregon Trail, will be available June 2013. To Carry her Cross released January 2013 and Then There was Grace, a September 9/11 type story, will be available Sept. 2013 and Christmas in Shades of Gray, an offbeat Dickens type tale, releases December 2013.

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TO CARRY HER CROSS
by Tina Pinson
Published by Desert Breeze Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

Matthew has braved the war and near death with one thought in mind… Rebekah. He won her hand in marriage, and now he has a few short months to make her see how much he loves her. How much he needs her. Given the wall she's put up between them, he prays he'll have enough time.

After fleeing the war, Rebekah is determined to go west to Oregon, only to be turned down when she tries to join the train. Matthew's proposal of marriage, in name only to help her west, becomes the miracle she needs. Loving him as she does, she dreads the idea of letting him go once they reach Oregon, but how can she ask him to stay with her, to love her? How could he love her once he's found out her secret? She must guard her heart and his.

Readers, buy your copy of To Carry Her Cross today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Write Where He Wants Me

As a writer, I've been known to ask some pretty strange questions, write some unusual story lines, have some quirks, and drive people half-insane with my pentagon-type briefings about my stories, characters and information, by useful and useless, I've learned doing research.

Concerning my research, I've taken road trips for research, and interviewed morticians, lawyers, other writers and people in general. Given some of the topics I've delved into, I'm quite surprised the Homeland Security hasn't come for me yet. I'm a people watcher and some who know I'm a writer are afraid they'll become a serial killer in my next novel.

I'm a writer!

As a writer, I've also heard strange questions, received some unusual looks and have to sit through long thesis type dissertations from someone who found out I was a writer and needed to let me know about the story they've been carrying around for years, meaning to write. If they'd only sit down and do so, they'd have a best seller on their hands. Maybe I could help them.

Hmm...

I've also been told by some well meaning people, who after hearing I'm a Christian Fiction Writer, tell me I should be using my talent to glorify God more. If I'd only find myself a minister, a missionary or someone who is truly a man or woman of God and write their Real Life story instead of some fiction piece, I would truly be serving the Lord. And then, I'd give away everything I made to further the cause of Christ.

While I think those types of stories are important and can be used to reach the masses for the Lord, I don't they all do. I also don't believe those are stories I've been called to write either.

One wonders how people who say that would feel if someone mentioned that being a doctor or a banker or a mother, or a singer or whatever is not really using your gift for the Lord? You have to camp out at the church and wait for the real men and women of God to show up so you can serve them and let others know about them.

While everyone is not called to be a writer, be it fiction or nonfiction, we aren't all called to musicians, or poets or singers or lawyers… you get the gist. We are told to do what we do to the Glory of the Lord. And bloom where we are planned. We all have something we are called to do. Now, trust me, I don't always get right, and might complain over some of the paths I find myself on. But I know it's still the right one.

I feel I'm Write Where I Want to Be. Or more to the point, I'm right where I feel God wants me to be.

Fiction writers may seem a touch odd. And yes, we have been known to take day trips down the imagination freeway. But I pray about my stories. I cry and laugh over my stories. I am amazed by where this awesome imagination God has given me takes me sometimes. And hope and pray my stories touch someone's life, changes them, and helps them see God. Even mine.

I may never have a best seller. I may never make enough to retire on my writing alone, but having a love for words and stories as I do, and feeling that God blessed me and wants me to use this for his glory, I would go insane if I couldn't write. And quite honestly, I'd feel guilty for not using my gift for the Lord.

It is my hope that whatever God has given you to do, you will use it to the best of your ability to plant seeds to his glory.

I'll leave you with a couple of questions:

Reader Question: When you don't use the gift and talents God has given you how does that make you feel? OR How has Christian fiction touched your life?

Blessings on your journey. Remember wherever it takes you, you don't walk alone when you walk with Christ.

* * * * *

Thank you, Tina, for sharing with us today.

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name [at] domainname [dot] com) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a free eBook copy of Shadowed Dreams. And to celebrate the release of To Carry Her Cross, Tina is also giving away a cross pendant and earring set. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the drawing is open to anyone worldwide, but the cross is for USA residents only. If you aren't a US resident, you will receive a gift card for one of Tina's books.

23 comments:

apple blossom said...

thanks for the nice giveaway

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Tina Pinson said...

Hello, Apple Blossom,

You're most welcome, and thank you for coming by.

blessings
Tina

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Hey Tiff and Tina! Thanks for the great post. I love you question. I think when I am not doing what I know God has called me to do I feel restless. But when I am doing what I know I should be, there is a peace and feeling of being where I know I should be.

Tina Pinson said...

Hi Debbie,

that is so true, we should feel at peace when we know we're doing what God called us to do.

although this last few weeks has left me somewhat restless even though I know I'm doing what he wants.

I know that sounds funny, but I hurt my back and couldn't do the things I wanted so I've been spending a lot of time on my back and thinking. I know the Lord is talking with me, but I'm restless to get a move on. So much so, I feel better and take off again only to pull something else and end up on my back again.

I've come to the conclusion it is okay to just lay here and now I think I'm truly on the mend. Not going to jump up and test the theory though, plan to take it slow and wait on the Lord.

Thank you for coming by.

blessings

Tina

joye said...

Reading Christian fiction just reinforces my faith.
I live in Mesa too and have for many years.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

Tina Pinson said...

Hi, Joye, and welcome. Reading Christian fiction does reinforce and sometimes walk us through some thing as well. Christian Fiction has come a long way.

I am going on my second year in Mesa. I'm a Colorado girl, came from Mesa County in Grand Junction, where we lived for the last twenty years. So Mesa AZ has been a touch different that's for sure.

Thank you for stopping in.

blessings

Tina

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

When I don't use my gifts and talents and God has asked me to do so, I feel bad because I am not walking in God's will! Best wishes with this new release, Tina! I've enjoyed seeing you in the Civil War Yahoo group. Blessings! cfpagels (@) aol (dot) com

spangldlady said...

Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway. I loved the snippet of the book--great genre! When I am not in line with God's will for my life and the gifts He has endowed me with I am most unhappy and quite restless. As someone above said reading Christian fiction keeps me aware of His abiding love and direction. Blessings! Darlene
spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

Jasmine A. said...

How has Christian fiction touched your life?

I have a lot of health problems and I don't have the energy to do much, not fun when you are in your mid-twenties. Christian Fiction has opened up new worlds for me and for awhile I can go anywhere and do anything.
Jasmine A.
montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancee said...

Tina, your second question regarding how reading Christian fiction has touched my life has been on my mind for some time now. My life has been powerfully altered through Christian fiction. I have been reading only Christian fiction for about 2 years, and I have learned so much about faith, assurance, and how to listen for God. My faith has been increasing during this time. My desire to know more and become even closer to God has grown through Christian fiction. It's like a door has been opened for me and by walking through that door I feel God's presence so much more. Thank you for the opportunity to express my reaction to your question. God directed me to this blog for that very reason. God bless you!
Nancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Tina Pinson said...

Hello Carrie,

I enjoy the Civil War group, I learn interesting things. Sometimes I think we give ourselves a bigger guilt tripthan we should. It is important to it's God's will and not what we or well meaning people think his will is. I remember running myself ragged trying to meet the latter.

Good to visit with you
Blessings
Tina

Tina Pinson said...

Hi.Darlene,
I quite agree that reading Christian Fiction keeps one aware. We are supposed to take in good things in every aspect of our being, body mind and spirit. I surewant my stories to touch lives and leave a lasting impression for Christ.

Thank you for sharing
Blessings
Tina

Tina Pinson said...

Jasmine, how wnderful that you stopped in. I so understand how issues of health can not only zap your strength but your spirit as well, your situation is a great reminder of how God takes our gifts and touches people I never could. What are some of your favorte genres for your trips?

Blessings
Tina

Jo said...

G-d has given us gifts and talents for a reason. For a very long time I didn't think that I had any which of course I really know better about. If I don't do what He wants me to do, He keeps nudging me until I listen and do it.

I am also a Arizonian but I am in Southern Arizona.

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

Jasmine A. said...

My favorite is Suspense, any location. I also love Historical especially ancient Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Amish is great. Pirate stories are fun, gotta love the warm Caribbean when its about 10 degrees here in MT. Old West. Wow, I think I only take time to read, LOL.
Jasmine A.

Dawn M Turner said...

I spent most of my adult life NOT using my gifts and talents for God and in the way He was calling me to. Nothing but misery down that path. Being a writer has challenges, frustrations, and times where I think I must be out of my mind to even go there, but at its worst, it's not as hard as NOT writing.

xandert (at) cableone (dot) net

Tina Pinson said...

Nancee, how awesome that God has touched your life through the written words as he has. He loved to teach with parables as well. And I think Christian fiction really teaches some great life lessons. Yes it gives an escape but it also gives insight.

I am honored that God led you to this sight to share.

blessings

Tina

Tina Pinson said...

Jo,

Greetings from just a touch north of Southern Arizona. Yes God did give us talents and gifts for a reason and of course we are to use them for him. I think some times we get scared and hide them, other times we get confused because others think they know what they think our gift should be or not be. It's a good thing God is so patient with us and continues to work with us. Appreciate your insight.

blessings

Tina

Tina Pinson said...

Dawn, it is so true how strong discouragement and frustration can be when we know exactly what we should be doing and don't. I understand completely. And so get the whole writing and being ready to throw in the typewriter (towel) only to pull it back out of the trash because I know writing is like breathing to me. I've worked through so many things with the Lord and through my own stories and again I just hope my words though probably inadequate touch lives because Christ can use them more eloquently than I ever could.

Blessings

Tina

maudemaxine@gmail.co, said...

Altho I do not do ebooks, I wanted to tell you Tina that I really enjoyed reading this. And thank you Amber for inviting Tina here today.. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

Tina Pinson said...

Maxie, ebooks or not, I'm honored you stopped in to say hello and enjoyed the post. Thank you.

Blessings

Tina

Judy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Martha A. said...

If I don't use the gifts and talents God gave me, I feel somewhat useless! How Christian fiction has touched my life? Christian fiction changed my life in more ways that I can count! It helped me gently be able to believe in God's love so many times, when I didn't believe He could love me anymore! martha(at)lclink(dot)com