Never Say Hopeless

 

I was stunned to see that it had been almost a year since I last wrote a blog post. Really???

Then I reflected on the past year and realized that if I had not been forced to stay home and be productive, this book probably would not yet be released. No one has ever experienced a year quite like 2020, and I hope and pray that 2021 is not more of the same. The most difficult part has been not being able to travel to see family and friends, but it also made me thankful for the dear friends who have been part of our limited circle during these pandemic months.

Never Say Hopeless was in the works for several years, put on indefinite hold by having the privilege of spending quality time with my mom before her passing in 2018. When she went to heaven, I had difficulty generating enthusiasm for returning to this project. She was my biggest cheerleader, and losing her was huge. I spent time traveling, thinking that would fill the void, but then I was stuck staying home I began digging back into the manuscript. And, finally, here it is! Available on Amazon in paperback and in e-book on Kindle. It will also be available on Nook soon, I hope. The Barnes and Noble website was hacked recently, and they are rather backlogged in processing the new Nook e-books.

The setting is predominantly the coastal town of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It happens to be just up the road from where I live. This area is a hidden gem, but I believe that it has been discovered by those of us who exited the Northeast in search of snowless winters and lovely beach walks. The story incorporates a few of the local restaurants and locations that we enjoy, so it is a fun read for residents who like to have some familiarity with the setting.

The story began with my first book, Eyelash, which I call my experiment in writing. I then took the time and effort to truly study how to write fiction and penned Never Say Perfect. The story ends with Never Say Hopeless, and while I originally thought there might be a fourth book in the series, I wrapped up the story in this final release. I tried to write each book as a stand alone novel, but reading them all in order is probably somewhat advantageous. 

In Never Say Hopeless, Laina's friend, Connor Blake (whom we met in Never Say Perfect) is a Private Investigator and asks Laina to go to Pawleys Island to spy on a client's husband. Her assignment was to live in a rented beach house next to the subject and report back on his activities. It sounds fairly simple, but what she uncovers is far more than a case of infidelity. I don't want to say too much more at this time and spoil the suspense and shock of what she finds.

I write to entertain and inspire, so there is always the theme of how our faith can get us through whatever we have to face in life. This year is a great example. I keep calling 2020 The Lost Year. I can hardly wait to pack some luggage and go visit family, but it takes faith that this will all be possible sooner than later. 

So, dear friends, I trust that you will enjoy Never Say Hopeless. I thank you for your patience in waiting for this book's publication to become a reality! I always love to hear from readers at the following email address: info@awriterspresence.com. Please visit https://www.awriterspresence.com for more information.

May God bless you all and keep you safe!

Much love,

Mary Anne Benedetto

Books by Deborah Heal

Time and Again-I have often said that my computer seems to have a mind of its own. Without a doubt, the domino effect of Internet browsing that leads to hours ticking by in a flash can be a true adventure. Therefore, this book which combines time travel, history and inspiration, brought to mind how (in the wide, wide world of fiction) a computer program could literally transport one to another time and place.

Abby has many challenges ahead with a summer of overseeing young Merrideth, who resents everyone and everything except her snacks and a new computer. Abby hoped to be able to positively influence this young lady and give her a gift of faith to get her through the tough times in life. But was Merrideth even reachable?

Time and Again is the first book in a trilogy written by Deborah Heal. The following will guide you through the latest and greatest by this author:

Deborah Heal’s New Rewinding Time Series: inspirational novels of history, mystery & romance

Deborah Heal’s new Rewinding Time Series features some of the same characters from her Time and Again trilogy, but it takes place fifteen years after that amazing summer Abby came to tutor Merrideth.  (Note: You can snag Time and Again FREE for Kindle. OR get the whole boxed trilogy at a discount.)

It is not necessary to read the trilogy in order read the new Rewinding Time Series, but those who did will enjoy revisiting Merrideth Randall, who is all grown up with “history mysteries” of her own to solve. Her day job is teaching history at a small college. But after hours she turns to her first love, historical research. And she has a tool other historians can only dream of—a computer program that rewinds time! 

Once Again (book 1)

FROM PROFESSOR RANDALL’S NOTEBOOK…

Field Research Location:

Columbia and Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois.

Goals:

Discover where Fort Piggot was located on the Kaskaskia Trail, whilestaying clear of attractive, single colleagues (ie. Brett!) so as not to commit career suicide, while also keeping the "rewinding time" program secret, so Uncle Sam doesn't turn into Big Brother. 

Merrideth makes a virtual visit to the 1780s, hoping to be the first to locate an ancient pioneer fort. Along the way,she gets a first-hand look at the lives of the courageous settlers of the Illinois Country, who withstood Indian attacks, hardship, and loneliness to settle the rich land.

One of the settlers is James Garretson, who risks his life to take the Gospel to the very tribe that wreaked havoc on his family. Merrideth is amazed that he could forgive a crime so huge. Hero or fool, James Garretson is the ancestor of her colleague Brett, a physics professor at her college

With her findings, Merrideth is able to help Brett with his genealogy, but she can’t tell him everything she learned—like that he inherited his black hair and green eyes from James Garretson, or that his aunt’s poetry is eerily similar to the verse Garretson’s wife Isabelle used to compose at her spinning wheel.

Brett has rock-star status on campus, but amazingly enough, he seems to be pursuing Merrideth—in spite of her firm policy against dating co-workers. She would love to tell him about her amazing program, but discretion is not his strong suit. She has secrets about herself that she’d just as soon he didn’t find out either. One virtue Brett does have is patience, and he’s quite willing to wait for Merrideth to figure things out.

CLICK TO READ A FREE EXCERPT OF ONCE AGAIN.

Only One Way Home (book 2)

from Professor Randall’s Notebook…

FIELD RESEARCH SITE: Golconda, Illinois. 

GOAL: Trace client’s Frailey ancestors—back to Scotland if possible—and get home in time for dinner.

NOTE TO SELF: Do NOT fall in love with Matthias Frailey—even though he is was quite wonderful. Remember, idiot, he’s been dead for over 175 years. 

Professor Merrideth Randall’s latest after-hours genealogy consulting gig takes her and friends Abby and John to the small southern Illinois town of Golconda on the Ohio River. She expects to have to research the old-fashioned way at the courthouse. But thankfully, her client’s ancestor Matthias Frailey once hung out in Golconda’s ancient Ferry House Inn, and that means Beautiful Houses, Merrideth’s time-rewinding software, will work after all. 

It doesn’t take Merrideth and her friends long to time-surf back to find out what they need to know about Matthias Frailey and his family. But when they become eyewitnesses to the arrival of the Cherokee on the Golconda Ferry on December 3, 1838, they cannot tear their eyes away from the tragedy that unfolds—nor from Matthias Frailey’s heroic response to it. The people are herded down Main Street on their Trail of Tears, bound for the Oklahoma Country, while the townsfolk only watch, or even cheer. But not Matthias Frailey. He does what he can to help them, especially a very spirited—and very pregnant—woman named White Dove who insists on walking so others may ride in the wagons.

Spending so much time inside Matthias’ head, Merrideth has no doubt that he is the kind, selfless man he appears to be. It’s impossible not to fall a little in love with him—despite the fact that he’s from another century. Meanwhile, in the here and now, handsome Golconda historian Aaron Landis is doggedly pursuing her. And back home her colleague Brett Garrison keeps calling while he waits for her return. But are they—or any man—worthy of her trust? Too bad there isn’t a way to time-surf in their heads. Now that would be a dating tool she could really put to good use.

CLICK TO READ A FREE EXCERPT OF ONLY ONE WAY HOME.

 

Deborah Heal

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE: www.deborahheal.com

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Hoping you will take some time to become familiar with this author, her website and her work!

See you again soon. In the meantime, stay warm and God bless you and yours,

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect, From Italy with Love & Limoncello and Write Your Pet's Life Story in 7 Easy Steps!

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com

Introducing On Higher Ground

Author Paula Hrbacek is pleased to announce the release of her new Christian romance novel, On Higher Ground, a sweet romance about finding the courage to change.

The story features three humans and two angels.  The angels have been assigned to help the humans find God’s will for their lives.  They offer inspiration, good luck, divine intervention, and at times, appear in human form.

“One review of the book didn’t like the angels,” comments the author.  “She said that everything I had to say about a ‘still small voice’ should have been attributed to the Holy Spirit, instead.  She’s right.  It could have been the Holy Spirit, but I had to use angels in order to create a dialogue.  Characters speak when they don’t understand or don’t know something.  The Holy Spirit doesn’t need to explain anything to the rest of the Trinity, because they already agree with each other.  So, instead, I made one angel an apprentice, and one a supervisor, so that they would have something to talk about.”

At the end of each chapter, the angels discuss why God has answered one prayer with a no, and another with a yes.  The angels take a look at why bad things happen to nice people.  It also discusses why good things happen to not so nice people and why bad things happen to bad people.

The main character is a young adult woman, Melanie Worlds, who has run out of luck; no job, no friends, no future.  Desperately wanting to replace the middle class life she once knew up on “the Hill,” her faith is being tested to the limits.  JT, her newest friend, is up to something, but Melanie isn’t sure what it is.  And then Brad, her high school crush, comes back to town.  She can’t let him know how bad it is, or he’ll lose all respect for her.  And, to make matters worse, someone is trying to break into her apartment. 

None of her prayers are getting answered, and she feels all alone.  But she’s not.  Two guardian angels have been assigned to help these three humans.  The angels know God’s plan, and it’s going to take everything they’ve got to pull it off.  To battle temptation, the angels will need to instill courage; courage to dare, courage to dream and most of all, courage to love one another.

Personal thoughts from Mary Anne Benedetto:

 

Mary Anne Benedetto

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book of Christian fiction. I felt that the use of interaction between the two angels who are assigned to the young people in the story was incredibly clever and effective. I was reminded by the multiple times in my life when I have no doubt that I was being spoken to either by the Holy Spirit or angels or by God Himself, but that “voice” tells you something. It warns you or causes you to pause and make a better decision or washes you with peace.

I love to read books that take me to a place about which I am completely unfamiliar, and On Higher Ground succeeded in teaching me what it is like to financially live one day at a time and have to stretch every single penny. The story provides a clear picture of the challenges faced by countless numbers of people every day, and if we’ve never been in their shoes, we have no idea.

This book also reminded me that we are to offer our time and talents for His glory, that we need to listen to that small voice that plants thoughts in our minds about ways in which we can help others--not for our benefit or recognition, but as a part of His plan for our lives. One small kindness that may not seem all that significant to us could be a life saver to someone else.

People are definitely brought into our paths for a reason. I know this through personal experience. When we are sincerely willing to turn to God for direction, He opens gigantic doors, He orchestrates “chance” meetings, and He paves those steep, winding trails.

For a book that is a bright spark in your reading life, add On Higher Ground to your list and devour it for a sweet blessing.

  Mary Anne Benedetto

Paula Hrbacek is the author of On Higher Ground, Stars Shine After Dark and four non-fiction craft books.  She won first place in an international writing contest sponsored by Echoes of The Right to God in 2011.  She majored in journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and writes two newspaper columns for The Examiner, an online newspaper. 

Paula Hrbacek

On Higher Ground is available in paperback, Kindle and Nook from Amazon and B&N.

Author website: http://paulahrbacek.weebly.com/

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and wonderful New Year!

Lovingly presented to you by,

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author and Certified Lifewriting Instructor

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect and From Italy with Love & Limoncello, Write Your Pet's Life Story in 7 Easy Steps!

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com