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| Marianne Evans |
With many such parables,
He spoke the word to them as they were able
to understand it. ~ Mark
4:33
Know what
I love? I love the truth of Jesus being a storyteller. Isn’t it an awesome
image? As authors of Christ-centered books, we assume the same daunting but
blessed task of the earliest disciples. We are the word-weavers, the scribes,
the storytellers of our modern world. We are the keepers, and crafters, of our
era’s parables.
Wow. Think
about that—not in a prideful, self-righteous way, but in the context of a Christ-centered legacy. I read a devotional recently that shined a spotlight on
that fact and left me thinking long and hard about applying it to my writing
craft and ministry. Jesus’s favorite teaching technique was the use of short,
fictional stories that illustrate a spiritual lesson or truth. He shared his
mission, his ministry, through stories. Sound like a familiar occupation?
Taking a page
from the lesson plan of the Great Teacher, I find myself looking at each book I
create as a message. Not a sermon, nothing preachy or lofty, but something real
and relatable that just might touch people’s lives and hearts. Affirm faith, as
I like to say. That’s what Jesus did when he shared the Parable of the Talents,
The Widow’s Mite, The Prodigal. As authors, we entertain. As authors, we
illuminate by using our words, the story ideas given to us by Divine
inspiration. As authors, we carry on that legacy.
May I
repeat? Wow.
Now, let’s
take that a step further. What is the basic ‘teaching’ of your work? What is
the theme of your writing and/or ministry as an author? What is God prompting
you to share? What ways is He challenging you to move from familiar pathways
and explore other avenues, whether writing or life related?
Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's Association. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award, Then & Now for Best Contemporary Romance and Finding Home for Best Novella. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.
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Country music bad boy Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol addiction, and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up and comer, Pyper Brock, and instantly sparks ignite.
Pyper knows of Chase’s reputation, so despite a rampant attraction to the handsome and talented icon, she soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. Decades ago, her father, in a drunken rage, tossed her and her mother onto the streets. No way will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the bottle.
What happens when Chase’s quest to win Pyper’s love breaks down chains of resentment and eases the long buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pyper’s father shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize?
Can Pyper follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust Chase? Above all, can a sin damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?
Available in print and e-book formats:
