Two Books on Sale

When Winter Is Past and With Summer's Songs are on sale today on amazon for only 99 cents each. This is a great buy, for you can get both books for much less than one normally costs. So take advantage of this special offer to be sure you have good books to last you through the long Labor Day weekend. Here is what they're about and the link is below:

When Winter Is Past -

When Winter Is Past is set in Pennsylvania in 1739. Stanton Klein’s father had given up on life after his wife died, and he left Stanton orphaned to live with his grandparents. Stanton decides he'll never love like that. He and his first wife had fared well together, but she’d died in childbirth. Now he’s decided to find another woman to marry. After all, a farmer needs a wife and sons. However, with the changes come important lessons and dangers that Stanton never imagined.

Beth Evans has taken care of her father since he fell from a barn roof and can no longer walk. People, like Fiona, have always made fun of her, because she has a limp. When Stanton befriends her, she’s wary but also intrigued. Her father encourages her to give Stanton a chance, but how can she be sure of him?

With Summer's Songs - 

Tara Kildare’s sister gives her a cruise so she can escape her troubles for a while. Her husband had become abusive but was killed in Iraq. Now his parents are trying to gain custody of her son, Ricky. Tara knows she'll never trust another man, but would a husband help her court case as her lawyer says, and would she do even this to keep her son?

Sean Murphy might be impulsive, but he’s also an optimist. He’s had about enough of sailing around the world, and Tara might just be the woman to give him the home and family he wants. She’s certainly captured his interest and then his heart. Now he’ll need to convince the stubborn woman that they were meant for each other, and, with God’s help, he intends to do just that.

Although When Winter Is Past is historical fiction and With Summer's Song is contemporary, they do have a connection. Tara inherits Stanton's home place and begins to read Beth's journal, which gives her insight into her own situation and causes her to see that what she thinks is not necessarily God's will for her. Has she let her fears lead her instead of trusting God? Could she ever be a real wife to Sean?

(All profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

Type in the book or author's name on amazon or copy and paste the link  -

https://www.amazon.com/When-Winter-Past-Janice-Hopkins-ebook/dp/B01BLOKRSS
and
https://www.amazon.com/Summers-Songs-Janice-Cole-Hopkins-ebook/dp/B01IC5TF6E

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Civil War Forts at Hatteras

Early in the Civil War, the Confederacy built two forts, Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark, in Hatteras Inlet on North Carolina's strategically located Outer Banks. They hoped to protect the important activity of raiding Northern commercial ships to insure supplies to the Confederacy and the South.

However, North Carolina had problems properly staffing the forts. After being one of the last states to join the Confederacy, North Carolina had raised and supplied 22 infantry regiments, but 16 of them had been sent to fight in campaigns in Virginia. Only a part of the 7th regiment was available to defend the two forts. If needed, reinforcements would have to come from Beaufort, a distance to the south.


In the first combined efforts of the United States army and the navy, federal forces launched an attack on the lightly defended forts on August 28, 1861 and took them on August 29th.  In the battle, the navy used the first blockading techniques. The Union maintained the forts throughout the war, reducing raiding in the area and giving the folks at home something to cheer about after their demoralizing defeat at Bull Run.

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A Letter to America

Read Micah 6:1-8

Recently my husband preached a sermon on Micah 6:1-8. He said it was the first time  he ever remembers preaching from this prophet. While he was talking, I realized how appropriate this passage is to our nation today, and I wanted to see how it would look if it were directed at America instead of the Israelites. Here is what I felt inspired to write using these verses:

Listen now to what God says. Rise up and stand before all creation and hear. The Lord has a problem with His people and He pleads with America. "Oh, my people, what have I done to make you turn from Me? Are you tired of Me? Why do you speak against me, take My Name in vain, and even curse Me? I brought you from oppression and established a new nation for you where you could be free to worship Me. Remember when I saved you from a foolish king, from the curse of slavery, from a Nazi dictator, from the cold war, and from many aggressors. I am not pleased with people who just go through the motions of serving me, but their hearts aren't in it; their hearts must belong to Me. I have shown you what to do: follow My Word, be just, love mercy, and walk humbly with Me, your God."

What are we going to do, Christians?

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Characters Return

In Uprooted by War, the third book in my Appalachian Roots series, many of the characters from books one and two return. But Luke and Leah are torn apart by the Civil War, and it makes it hard on both of them. While Luke is in harm's way over and over again and struggles to cope with the horrific scenes of death as a soldier, Leah tries not to fall into despair and has nightmares for the first time in her life before she discovers that she's pregnant. However, the others at their mountain farm are depending on her, so she must lean on God and manage to stay strong.

Hawk is the first one to return. He was the Cherokee brave in book one who protected Emma, kept her safe, and made a tremendous sacrifice so she could be happy. Now in his seventies, he comes to the farm wanting to see Emma one last time, and both of them are in for some surprises.

Leah's sister, Ivy, married a plantation owner in book two and vowed never again to set foot in the mountains, which she hated. However, when her husband is drafted, he brings her and her son to Leah, saying they'll be safer there than leaving them alone on the plantation. War will bring both tragedy and unexpected happiness to their story.

Patsy, Ivy's former slave, has stayed at the farm, and Moses is a new character who travels there with Ivy. Moses can't talk, because a master cut out his tongue for supposedly "talking back." He's the son of Leah's old friend, Jasper from Gold Leaf plantation. Clinton, Luke's father, is also in the book.

Put all these together and add some interesting visitors and a couple of new romances, and you have a tale of war, sorrow, hope, and inspiration. If you like historical fiction, you'll be drawn into the story. One reader liked it so much she changed all her other reviews to four stars, so she could give one alone five, but please don't do that. LOL.

(All my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

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Watermelons 

Most people think of summer ending with Labor Day, but there's still time for that great summer treat - watermelon. Although today they're enjoyed throughout the world, they originated in Southern Africa. There has long been a controversy over whether the watermelon is a fruit, a berry, or a vegetable. Aside from the scientific definition and category, most people consider them a fruit.

Watermelons were in the Nile Valley before the time of Christ, and watermelon seeds were found in King Tutankhamen’s tomb. By the 7^th century, watermelons had made their way to India and then China. Moorish invaders carried them to Southern Europe, and from there they traveled to the other European regions. Explorers and colonists introduced them to the New World. In fact, with the push for colonization in the 16 and 1700’s, the plant spread over most of the world. Only those places where the climate was too cold for them to grow didn't cultivate them.

In some parts of the world, like Japan, growers sometimes place containers over the young fruit to make them into different shapes. By putting them in boxes, growers wanted to make them easier to ship and store. However the fact that these rectangular watermelons usually cost twice that of the naturally formed ones, made them less appealing to customers.

Over the years, botanists have propagated many varieties – over 2,000 of them. The largest watermelon ever recorded came from a Carolina Cross plant which produces the traditional red center and green rind and shell. This one weighed 351 pounds.

Nutritionists didn’t use to think watermelon had many nutrients. However, new research is proving this wrong. In fact, some sources put them on the list of “the world’s healthiest foods.” Besides vitamin C, they’re loaded with antioxidants, flavonoids, citrulline and lycopene, crucial in cardiovascular health and perhaps bone health, as well and the prevention of certain kinds of cancer. The riper the watermelon, the more of these beneficial substances it contains.

Watermelons like warmer climates and thrive best in daytime temperatures around 80 degrees. They can tolerate hotter climates better than colder ones. Growers in colder climates need to start the seeds indoors to make up for a shorter growing season. Most varieties take from 70 to 90 days to mature.

The center of the watermelon isn't the only edible part. Watermelon juice can be mixed with other fruit juices or made into wine. Their seeds can be dried and roasted or ground into flour. People also eat the rinds, which can be stewed or stir-fried and served as a vegetable. In the South, it’s also common to make watermelon rind pickles. Here is my favorite recipe for them:

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Take about a half a peck of watermelon rind. Peel off the hard outer covering and any pink flesh so that only white and light green rind is left. Cut into about one-inch chunks. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of picking lime in 2 quarts water and add rind. Add a little more water if needed to cover. Let set for 2 hours. Drain, rinse, and cover with cold water. Cook until just tender. Drain. Tie 1 tablespoon whole cloves, 2 pieces ginger root, and 3 sticks of cinnamon in a thin cloth. Add juice from 1 lemon, 1 quart water, 1 quart white vinegar, and 8 cups sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add watermelon rind and simmer until rind has a clear look. (Add a little water if syrup becomes too thick before rind is done.) Remove spices (add 1 – 2 drops of green food coloring if desired) and pack into quart jars leaving 1/4-inch space from the top. Cap with lids and rings and process 10 minutes in a hot water bath. Makes about 7 quarts.

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Waiting on God

My soul waiteth only upon God...(Psalm 62:1a).

Of all the things we need to do, most of us find waiting particularly hard. So when the Bible tells us we must wait on God with patience, many of us give a discontented sigh. We tend to know what we want, and we want it now. However, waiting on God has special benefits.

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me: for I wait upon Thee (Psalm 25:21).

By having things in God's timing makes it better and sweeter. Sometimes we have to do some growing and changing before we'll be ready. Waiting is also one of the best ways to grow closer to Him. When we're waiting, we're more conscious of his presence, and we might even pray more. We begin to see that our joy is found only in Him, and waiting becomes a blessing.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7).

Do you remember the ladies-in-waiting from history. They were special attendants to the queen, and it was a great privilege to be chosen. Although in reality they were servants or companions, because they waited at her beck and call. They needed to be proficient in things like etiquette, languages, dance, reading and writing, needlework, painting, music, horse riding, and fashion so they could serve well.

Wait on the Lord: be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yea, wait thou on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

We are privileged to be disciples and servants of Christ and to serve Him. We should be waiting for His call and His answers. But waiting doesn't mean sitting idly by. No, we should be serving Him with the gifts He has given us. This brings meaning and joy to life. What a privilege and joy it is to be linked in fellowship with such a marvelous, glorious God! What a joy to wait on Him!

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

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The Cover for Transplanted to Red Clay

I am excited to at last release the cover design for my new historical novel, Transplanted to Red Clay. This is the fourth and final book in the Appalachian Roots series. Below is the final concept design, which will be even clearer when I get the final copy from Hannah, but this is what it will show.

Here is the synopsis of the story:

When Rachel Moretz's Aunt Ivy invites her to come to the Whitley family's farm in Stanly County, North Carolina, Rachel jumps at the chance. She loves her parents' mountain farm, but she feels isolated there, and there're no other young people her age around.

She barely remembers her half cousin, Patrick, although he seems to have intriguing memories of her. He soon becomes Rachel's best friend, helping her to navigate many uncertainties while introducing her to Big Lick society. But, the extended visit will bring unexpected friendships, suitors, and dangers. Rachel finds she must rely on her family's support as she faces unexpected trials and prejudices. Throughout it all, she comes to realize that the best plan for her life is God's plan, and that forgiveness comes in many forms. And in the end, the Moretz family's story comes full circle -- a circle filled with love.

The ebook should be ready soon, and the publisher is estimating the print copies will be available September 30. All my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children. Although I hate to see this series come to an end, I can't wait to get my hands on the books. And of course, I always have others in the works.

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Cruising the World

I'm one of those people who's interested in about everything, and I'm never bored. I can always find something that interests me. The bigger problem is keeping up with it and finding time for everything. I thought about listing some of my hobbies, but the list would be too long, and I'd be sure to leave out some things.

One of the things I love to do is travel. I've been to all 50 states, and about 40 other countries. I've also been on 14 cruises. So, when I decided to set half of my latest book on a cruise ship, I had plenty of experience I could put to use. That's one of the things I love about writing. It allows me to pull from my many interests. (All my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

Especially when I was single, cruising was a convenient, safe way to travel. Everything is provided, and it felt more like a retreat. It's also economical when you consider you get your travel, accommodations, scrumptious food, and entertainment. But my husband enjoys it too now, and we can cruise the world together when he manages to find the time. I can write anywhere. In fact part of With Summer's Song was written on our Mediterranean cruise.

Here are the cruises I've been on, some of them more than once:

The Bahamas
The Eastern Caribbean (2)
The Western Caribbean
Southern Caribbean
Cozumel & Central America (2)
The Panama Canal
Alaska (2)
Hawaii
Bermuda
The Mediterranean
New England and Canada

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In Water, Wind, and Fire

In the Old Testament God often shows His presence in these three elements - water, wind, and fire. In Genesis 5:9, God destroys everything except the ark and it's passengers in a flood. He used wind and water to save the Israelites as they fled Egypt, but that same wind and water in the Red Sea destroyed the Egyptian soldiers. And, in 1 Kings 18, God used all three to show his power on Mt. Carmel with Elijah and the pagans and afterwards when the rains came to end the famine.

Fire demonstrates the presence of God even more. God spoke to Moses in a burning bush that would not be consumed (Genesis 3:2-6). He descended on Mt. Sinai "in fire" (Deuteronomy 4). He showed all those on Mt. Carmel who was God by sending down fire that devoured not only the wood on the altar and the sacrifice, but also the altar itself and all the water poured over it and in the trenches ( Kings 18:38). As many Bible commentators have pointed out, fire represents the presence of God. Malachi 3:3 tells us that God uses fire to purify His people. "And, we're told that the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel" (Exodus 24:17). Even John saw Jesus' eyes looking like a blazing fire (Revelation 1:14, 2:18 & 19:12).

But God presents Himself differently to us today. The work of His Son on earth changed things. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended in the wind and with tongues of fire on the believers, just as Jesus had promised (Acts 2:1-4). Now, God communicates with us by the Spirit. With His Spirit within us, we can always be close to Him. What a magnificent gift!

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With Summer's Songs

My print copies of With Summer's Songs came yesterday, and it's always so exciting to open that first case. I have published four inspirational, historical novels so far, but this is my first contemporary one. However, it does have a connection with When Winter Is Past, my last historical novel set in colonial Pennsylvania. Tara Kildare inherits Stanton and Beth's house, and Beth's journal helps Tara realize what God has been trying to show her. If you plan to read them both, I suggest you read When Winter Is Past first, because With Summer's Songs hints at some of its ending.

Here's the backcover copy for With Summer's Songs:

Tara Kildare’s sister gives her a cruise so she can escape her troubles for a while. Her husband had become abusive but was killed in Iraq. Now his parents are trying to gain custody of her son, Ricky. Tara knows she will never trust another man, but would a husband help her court case as her lawyer says, and would she do even this to keep her son?

Sean Murphy might be impulsive, but he’s also an optimist. He’s had about enough of sailing around the world, and Tara might just be the woman to give him the home and family he wants. She’s certainly captured his interest and then his heart. Now he’ll need to convince the stubborn woman that they were meant for each other, and, with God’s help, he intends to do just that.

I have loved all the heroes in my books, but Sean Murphy is delightful. He's an Irishman who can laugh at himself and doesn't let life get him down. His optimism and even his impulsiveness make him endearing, because he has such a loving, caring nature, while still being very competent. I think readers will love him and sympathize with Tara as much as I do.

(All profits from both books go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)
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First National KKK Rally

The first national Ku Klux Klan rally was held in Washington, D.C., on August 8, 1925, ninety-one years ago. It is reported to have started in Pulaski, Tennessee, in December 1865 as a social club by six former Confederates. Members met in Nashville in 1867 to establish rules and guidelines. However, it evolved into something more and was suppressed in the 1870's, because it wanted to overthrow Reconstruction governments in the South.Yet, although it dwindled, some believe that local pockets continued to operate in secret.

The organization regrouped and begin to flourish in 1915. This time, it spread into the Midwest and West. Now, it not only opposed blacks, but also Jews and Catholics. This group wore the standard white costumes and conical hats but added cross burning and parading in masses. The first national KKK rally in D.C. came under this group.

The last resurgence of the Klan came in 1950 and continued through the sixties to fight the new Civil Rights laws and desegregation. More than at any other time, local law enforcement often joined their ranks, making it hard to oppose them until federal marshals stepped in. 

Even in these modern times, the Klan still exists. It's estimated that there's about 150 chapters across the United States with around 5,000 members. Today, many consider them a terrorist organization. The city of Charleston, SC, declared them one in 1999. They appear in my fourth and final book in the Appalachian Roots series, Transplanted to Red Clay, which should go to the printer in a few days.

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Learning from Eagles

For thus saith the Lord; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings... (Jeremiah 48:40).

The eagle is a large bird with an expansive wingspan. Their nests are also large to accommodate their young. The babies are born with wings, but they have to learn to use them. When the time is right, the mother pushes a baby out of the nest, knowing it's going to fall. However, she swoops beneath it, catches it on one of her wings, and carries it back to safety. She continues to do this until it learns to fly. The eagle is a powerful flyer. It can fly about 45 mph when soaring and reach speeds of 75 - 100 mph when diving, but it has to be trained to fly.

Christians get their spiritual wings at rebirth, but they need training in how to use them. The Lord puts us into situations where, although we might fail a few times, we will learn. While we're learning, our confidence might falter, we might feel helpless at times, and we may grow tired, but God will never leave us. He'll spread His arms to catch us when we fall and stand beside us to give us strength when we need it.

Even though the young eaglets don't like leaving the security of their nests, their mother knows it is what's best for them. As we learn to depend on God, Christians learn that He has their best interests at heart. The more we allow Him to take over our lives, the more our trust in Him will grow, and the more we'll see his work within us. Step out in faith, and let God show you what great things He'll do.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

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The Author on Social Media

It recently came to my attention that a few friends and family don't think I should be using social media to get the word out about my writing and books. This shocked me. After all, this is what my publisher insisted that I do. He told me I needed a presence on social media, a website with regular blogs, and other efforts to grow a fan base. I complied and have seen great blessings and another ministry come from it.

It's also what all other authors I know do, and facebook has many pages designed just for this. The one person with a book I could name who doesn't put out information on social media doesn't view himself as a writer but a pastor, and his books haven't sold over a hundred copies in years. I have a personal example of this. Three weeks ago, I published an indie book, With Summer's Songs. However, I found too many mistakes in it and wanted to correct them before I announced its release. It has been on amazon and other sites for a little over three weeks now, and not a single copy has sold. It will begin selling when I announce it's release on social media after I get a clean copy.

Those who follow my writing and anticipate the books I publish love the fact that they can keep up with it all on social media. Instead of a nuisance, they see it as an opportunity to connect with a writer they enjoy. It's all in attitude, perspective, and a heart for people. I write this blog, hoping to encourage understanding and at least tolerance, if not support. I want my books to get in the hands of people and pray they'll encourage, inspire, and deliver God's personal message to each reader. I see writing Christian books as my calling, and all my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.

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