It is an honor to introduce Rachel J. Good as a guest blogger today here at my author blog, "Inspirationals!" Wow, what a gorgeous cover for her book "Angels Unaware!" I love the story line and the name of her series is so beautiful--: Hope Chapel. For a giveaway, she wants readers to know her book is only 99 cents for the next few weeks-- so be sure to get your copy while it is fabulously discounted!
Right off the bat, I have to say how wonderful it is that the blurb for "Angels Unaware" (below) mentions chocolate chip cookies! I told readers (teasingly) there might be chocolate giveaways or chocolate connected somehow in these author interviews/guest blogger posts. What a delightful surprise to discover that chocolate connected two of her characters! Chocolate can always make our hearts sing... we are creatures who love chocolate! Way to go Rachel!
I also grew up near 'Amish Country' in the Ohio valley and find it beautiful that much of Rachel's writing is about the wonderful Amish people. In my devotional "Arise Princess Warrior," I share about an encounter with an angel; so the premise of her story and title caught my attention right away! I'm wondering if any of you have had an encounter with an angel? If so, feel free to tell us about it in the comments.
Here is her guest post and author interview. Thank you so much for guest blogging today Rachel! Please leave her a comment below and some likes at her links (at the bottom of this post)--:
ANGELS UNAWARE by RACHEL J. GOOD
https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Unaware-Novella-Hope-Chapel-ebook/dp/B01MXVQPKL/
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Heb. 13:2 KJV
Sometimes angels come into our lives in unlikely disguises. Those of us who have had brushes with angels don’t always realize it until after those heavenly helpers disappear. Looking back, we see that God sent help and encouragement when we needed it most.
BOOK BLURB for Angels Unaware
Sometimes God sends angels into our lives...
Chocolate chip cookies are the perfect way to make friends. At least, Mark Daniels thinks they are. He hopes to forget his painful past and start over in new neighborhood. Everyone is warm and welcoming—everyone that is, but the dragon lady next door. She rebuffs all overtures of friendship and declines Mark’s invitations to church.
Jasmine Avery doesn’t trust men, especially not handsome ones who come bearing gifts. She’s been badly hurt and has walled herself off from love. Reluctantly, she agrees to attend church with Mark on Easter Sunday, not realizing how it will change her life and her future. But soon after she discovers the secret to a happy life, her whole world turns upside-down. Will these unexpected changes prove Mark can’t be trusted either? Or can she and Mark overcome their past heartbreaks to forge a new life together?
PRAISE FOR ANGELS UNAWARE
“Angels Unaware by Rachel Good is an absolutely delightful contemporary Christian romance that really spoke to my heart.”
“Angels Unaware is delightful on two levels - on the surface it is a wonderful story, underneath it is the heart of God.”
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: RACHEL J. GOOD
Tell readers something about you that they don't know.
Most people don’t know that I spent my early childhood in West Africa.
Tell us about your author journey.
I began writing when my children were small, mainly children’s books and articles for Sunday School papers. I also wrote some inspirational stories and devotionals for Christian magazines. Around that time, I took the Institute of Children’s Literature course, which helped me improve my writing.
After I discovered SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), I attended their conferences and joined a critique group to learn even more about writing. One of my critique partners was multi-published, and she had a lot of deadlines. Once when she was swamped with work, she asked one of her editors at an educational publisher if I could write some of her articles. They agreed, liked my work, and contracted me. Later, when that editor moved into book editing, she asked if I’d write books for them. I began writing educational books and then later moved into editing and also writing fiction.
One summer when I spoke at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference, I met Mary Sue Seymour, who later became my agent. She encouraged me to try Amish fiction because I’d lived near Lancaster, PA, for many years. I was thrilled that she sold my Sisters & Friends novels to Charisma House in 2015. Unfortunately, Mary Sue passed away right before the first book in the series, CHANGE OF HEART, came out in May 2016, so my launch day was bittersweet.
I’m very grateful to Nicole Resciniti, who took over as my agent. She helped me with publishing and marketing advice, and also sold my Love & Promises Amish series, which will be coming out in 2018. Meanwhile, I’ve been working on other books, including some new Amish Quilts Coloring Books, two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series, and the Hope Chapel series, which are contemporary romances.
What inspires you to write inspirational romance?
I’m a romantic at heart, but I like clean romance with Christian values.
What inspired you to write your most recent novel/book?
Most romances are written from the woman’s point of view. I thought it would be interesting to reverse that. I also think so often we ignore miracles that are all around us and fail to see the angels we meet every day. I combined those ideas into one story.
Tell us about some of the characters in your newest book?
The two main characters are Mark and Jasmine. Mark is new to the neighborhood and tries to make friends by baking chocolate chip cookies. Most of his neighbors are thrilled with his gift, but not Jasmine. Although Mark is put off by her prickly behavior, he senses God wants him to befriend her and share God’s love.
Oh, and of course, there’s an unlikely angel...
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
So often what we think are dark times lead to wonderful blessings. I’ll never forget hearing Corrie ten Boom speak. She’d lived through a terrible concentration camp experience, but she was one of the most joyful and upbeat ladies I’ve ever met. She gave an illustration I’ve never forgotten: she said our lives are like tapestries. God is working on them up above, but we only see the underside, with dangling threads and dark spots that make no sense from our point of view. But if we could see from His viewpoint, we’d understand that each of those threads and stitches are part of a beautiful design. When we get to heaven, we’ll see the tapestry in its entirety, and it’ll be breathtaking. For now, all we can do is trust that God’s in control, and that He is working all things out for our good.
What are you writing now?
I always write many books at one time. I’m editing another book in the Hope Chapel series, HER WEIGHT IN GOLD, which will be out later this year. I’m designing a new Amish coloring book, and writing several Amish novels and a story for an Amish anthology coming out in May. I’m also editing the third book in the Sisters & Friends series, GIFT FROM ABOVE.
About Rachel J. Good
Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – Sisters & Friends series, Love & Promises series, and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. Rachel also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. She loves reading (of course!), traveling, and spending time with her five children and three grandchildren. Visit her at her website, Facebook, author page, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. You also can sign up for her quarterly newsletter here.
Thank you so much for having me, Lisa!
To purchase "Angels Unaware" for only 99 cents for the next few weeks, here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Unaware-Novella-Hope-Chapel-ebook/dp/B01MXVQPKL/
Ways to connect with Rachel and show her some love! --:www.racheljgood.com
https://www.facebook.com/racheljgoodnovels/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-J-Good/100009699285059
https://twitter.com/RachelJGood1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661177.Rachel_J_Good
https://www.pinterest.com/racheljgood1/