It came as a shock, really. After writing my first
Christmas novella Bright Copper Kettles in
2013, I received a contract a few months later. In the story, the hero’s dad
suffers from a stroke at age fifty-five. My “word to live by” that year was
believe. I was challenged to believe God’s will is perfect, just like my hero.
During my first round of edits my dad suffered a severe stroke during a routine
back surgery. He was fifty-five.
In 2014, my word to live by was trust. After an unforeseen
set of circumstances knocked my world off axis, I clung to that word like a
life preserver. Later that year, I signed a contract for Silver White Winters, where the heroine must trust God to repair
the broken pieces of her life as she surrenders her talents and abilities to
Him.
One year later, those same unforeseen circumstances
returned to taunt me. As much as I wanted to take control, think I could fix
the situation myself, all I could do was let God lead and continue following
Him. In case you’re wondering, follow was that year’s word to live by. During
that time I was offered a contract for How
to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart. The novel is symbolic to the Israelites
wilderness journey to the Promised Land, as both characters experience times of
rugged, barren unknowns. My life, at that time, was grueling and seemed to
stretch in never-ending wilderness.
The great thing about my writing life is that I learn
and grow along the way. The bad thing is that I have to endure some tough
lessons. My Christian walk with Christ is better for it. Dan Balow said it best
with his blog post titled “Writing From Weakness.” (http://www.stevelaube.com/writing-from-weakness/)
He believes books written from pain and suffering have the biggest potential to
touch readers’ lives. I agree. Not because I think my books are better than
anyone else’s—or even comparable—but because it’s written from personal
experience. If one of my stories helps someone who’s hurting than it was worth
every tear.
Are you a writer? What stories have you lived? What
lessons have you learned through your writing?
Readers, what stories have ministered to your heart
lately?
Weddings are the last thing beekeeper Huck Anderson wants to
be associated with, considering his past. So when he inherits a building
occupied by a bridal boutique, he aims to evict the failing business and open a
sporting goods store. Until his tenant ends up being Arianne Winters, a woman
he’s indebted to from a mistake made years ago.
When a life-threatening injury derails Huck entirely, Arianne
offers a compromise to keep her boutique, and her life, out of
bankruptcy—she’ll aid in his lengthy recovery if he’ll allow her to remain in
his building. But nursing her adversary proves challenging when her adolescent
crush resurfaces.
Amidst a battle-of-wills, their lives intertwine in
unexpected ways, providing opportunity to overcome their pasts and start anew.
Will this confirmed bachelor consider holy-matrimony, or will Huck’s choices
sting them a second time?
Author bio:
Candice Sue Patterson studied
at The Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American
Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in southern Indiana with her husband and
three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending
to her chickens, splitting wood or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new
story. Candice writes Modern-Vintage romance--where the past and present
collide with faith. Visit her website at www.candicesuepatterson.com; Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Candice-Sue-Patterson-Author-420360958035447/; Twitter:
https://twitter.com/candicesue_patt; Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/CandiceSuePatterson
