This past week I was at International Christian Retail Sales (ICRS) in Cincinnati,
Ohio. It was a l-o-n-g drive up, almost ten hours! And by the time we arrived it was pretty late at night. It was so good to get to bed and rest, but at the same time kind of scary knowing I had interviews and a book signing to face, plus a three-block walk to the convention center and back, multiple times a day. With hip problems, this worried me. Would I even be standing on my own power by the time of some of the afternoon appointments? I wanted to appear “normal,” not handicapped, but I determined to give it to God and prayed a wheelchair would be available if worst came to worst.
I woke up that next morning, raring to go. Steve had gotten up early and went down for breakfast, but my three girls and I joined him as soon as we were ready. Ah, fresh fruit in the breakfast buffet. Yogurt in fancy little glasses with a topping of granola and fruit. Heaven! Steve joined us for a cup of coffee since he’d already eaten.
We walked over to the convention center and the excitement was in the air. A Starbucks! Wow. Yes, I got myself an iced coffee, but not right then. Later in the day. We went to the main arena where publishers and Christian distributors from across the globe were demonstrating their products and giving away select items. Videos. Books, books, and more books. Water bottles. Balloons. And more!
I got in line at the first book and the author said, “I’m so excited! This is my debut novel!”
“Congratulations,” I reply. “How exciting!”
“What is your capacity?” she asks, peering at my name badge. “I mean, what are you here for?”
“I’m signing my book this afternoon,” I answer.
“Is this your first, too?” she asks.
“Um, no.” And whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to God for using me in the fiction category the way He has.
“What number is it?”
“Um, fifteen.” I mentally counted to be sure. It was if I didn’t count the ones waiting for editors, release, contracts, etc.
“Wow! You are where I want to be!”
I accepted the book and wished her the best, then invited her to my book signing. She said she’d be there but honestly, I have no idea if she was or not. There was a line when I arrived (early) to my table, and it didn’t break until after the signing ended. In fact, I signed longer than my allotted time. I have no idea the capacity that most of the people in my line were in, but I was invited to a bookstore someplace in Ohio for a book signing if I ever get that way.
The blessing was that God held my hand the entire way through: from the heavy traffic (which freaked me out) to the safe trip to the convention where I was able to interact and talk comfortably with people I didn’t know (way out of my comfort zone) to the fact that I was still walking at the end of the day. Admittedly my husband held my hand on my bad hip side and I wobbled a lot, but by the grace of God I was still walking.
Thank you, God, for hearing and answering prayers for little things, prideful things, and major things. And thank you for the courage to face the adventures that life brings. Amen.
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| Laura V. Hilton |
I woke up that next morning, raring to go. Steve had gotten up early and went down for breakfast, but my three girls and I joined him as soon as we were ready. Ah, fresh fruit in the breakfast buffet. Yogurt in fancy little glasses with a topping of granola and fruit. Heaven! Steve joined us for a cup of coffee since he’d already eaten.
We walked over to the convention center and the excitement was in the air. A Starbucks! Wow. Yes, I got myself an iced coffee, but not right then. Later in the day. We went to the main arena where publishers and Christian distributors from across the globe were demonstrating their products and giving away select items. Videos. Books, books, and more books. Water bottles. Balloons. And more!
I got in line at the first book and the author said, “I’m so excited! This is my debut novel!”
“Congratulations,” I reply. “How exciting!”
“What is your capacity?” she asks, peering at my name badge. “I mean, what are you here for?”
“I’m signing my book this afternoon,” I answer.
“Is this your first, too?” she asks.
“Um, no.” And whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to God for using me in the fiction category the way He has.
“What number is it?”
“Um, fifteen.” I mentally counted to be sure. It was if I didn’t count the ones waiting for editors, release, contracts, etc.
“Wow! You are where I want to be!”
I accepted the book and wished her the best, then invited her to my book signing. She said she’d be there but honestly, I have no idea if she was or not. There was a line when I arrived (early) to my table, and it didn’t break until after the signing ended. In fact, I signed longer than my allotted time. I have no idea the capacity that most of the people in my line were in, but I was invited to a bookstore someplace in Ohio for a book signing if I ever get that way.
The blessing was that God held my hand the entire way through: from the heavy traffic (which freaked me out) to the safe trip to the convention where I was able to interact and talk comfortably with people I didn’t know (way out of my comfort zone) to the fact that I was still walking at the end of the day. Admittedly my husband held my hand on my bad hip side and I wobbled a lot, but by the grace of God I was still walking.
Thank you, God, for hearing and answering prayers for little things, prideful things, and major things. And thank you for the courage to face the adventures that life brings. Amen.
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About the Author |
Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Lovefollowed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series withWhitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015. See below for information on Laura's latest, The Amish Firefighter. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ &http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or@Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
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| Amish Firefighter by Laura V. Hilton |
The Amish Firefighter
A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from HomeAbigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.
A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.
A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.
