by Mary A. Felkins, @MaryAFelkins
For my Dad’ 94th birthday this year, my siblings all agreed it was beyond time for Dad to have a new recliner. The one he presently enjoys is the same he purchased for Mom during her final months battling Alzheimer’s Disease.
For obvious reasons he favors the chair. It’s soft, strong, upholstered and allows him to prop his swollen ankles, Houston Chronicle within reach.
Problem is, when he puts the whole of his weight into the arm rest to hoist himself to stand before transferring a grip to the walker at his feet, the arm rest wobbles.
Badly.
It’s seen better days. Thus, the time had come to part ways with it.
When my brother investigated replacement, he found a suitable one with sturdy arm rests to match Dad’s strength.
The overall purchase with shipping came to about $650, so he wisely offered the rest of of us to give any amount we could.
My husband and I chipped in an affordable portion, but the goal was still far from reach.
By sundown, another sibling contributed, shaving the total down a little bit more. Days later, we’d all contributed.
Working together, the otherwise daunting and costly goal was achieved and a wonderful recliner was purchased.
Writing is like that.
My goal is to reach the world with inspirational romance, truth that transforms wrapped in stories that stir the soul. Hilarity, passion, truth.
I’m called to this. There’s no going back. But I also can’t reach everyone alone.
Pride would tempt me to think otherwise, that I could pay the total cost involved in this career without asking for help.
Peter’s two letters in scripture are transformational and, yet, he wrote them…
With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother. I Peter 5:12 (NIV)
It doesn’t matter if the help Silas gave was some measure of content editing for readability, delivering the message on foot or praying in earnest as Peter, led by the Spirit, penned his letter.
The point is he didn’t do it alone.
The scripture we enjoy today that’s been made widely available and continues to reach unreached people groups, wasn’t a one-writer-show.
Peter needed Silas. Writers need writers.
And the purchase a costly recliner for our dad required group effort to achieve the same end goal. Blessing the reader with entertaining and transforming truth.
In my career, I need you and maybe you need me to…
Be on your launch team?
Give scene feedback?
Pray faithfully as you plot out your next brilliant novel?
Be a coveted “verified purchaser” and review your book across all platforms where readers gather.
Because our community and readers around the world need Jesus. And Jesus invites us to partner with our fellow writing community who help breathe life and hope into our stories.
Who’s your Silas?
Tracy Cassidy, a self-reliant ED nurse, must choose between her dream job or staying in her hometown to help support her mother’s faltering ministry. Even if it means falling in love with the kind of man she said she’d never marry. Why risk being Laurelton’s next cop widow?
Tom DeLaney, a hyper-vigilant cop and new hire from Texas, is wearied by failed rescue attempts to save his marriage. After he moves to the foothills of North Carolina, he hadn’t expected to fall for Tracy, but when Tom’s adolescent son is diagnosed with a chronic illness, he faces the risk of loving another woman with keep-out issues.
Fears related to the death of Tracy’s cop father and Tom’s inability to forgive the past threaten to sabotage any chance at love.
To trust again means surrender. Will they risk their hearts and answer the call to love?
Mary A. Felkins is an inspirational romance author, administrator for Seriously Write writer’s blog, and contributor to Refresh, an on-line Bible study magazine. In 2015, she was awarded a bronze medal winner for her scene submission to My Book Therapy’s Frazier contest. Her debut Call to Love (Pelican Book Group) is set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy.
Raised in Houston, Texas (and forever a Lone Star girl), Mary and her husband Bruce moved to Hickory, North Carolina in 1997. They have four young adult children. She can be lured from her writer’s cave if presented with a large, unopened bag of Peanut M&Ms or to watch an episode of Fixer Upper. A surprise appearance by her teen idol, Donny Osmond, would also do the trick, although she’d likely pass out.
If, upon introduction, she likes your first or last name, expect to see it show up in one of her novels.
To receive Mary’s weekly story-style devotions via email, along with quarterly book news offering book-related giveaways, subscribe at www.maryfelkins.com