Shannon here: Caryl McAdoo shares insight into her latest Historical Romance, Nora from her Prairie Rose Collection. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy of REMI, her first Prairie Rose Collection story. Deadline: May 25th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Caryl:
Plans and Purposes
Nora Chambers, the heroine of NORA, my newest Prairie Roses Collection story, trusts God. Determined to be content in her widowhood, she considered the very idea of becoming the bride of a stranger out west to be ludicrous! Who needed that? Being surrounded by family and long-time friends kept her happy enough.
Her three younger cousins though, one a war widow herself and the other two single with few options in their heavy hit community after the Civil War, seem set on having her respond to an ad for several brides in the newspaper. There are hardly any eligible men in Concord! They want to go but only if Nora agrees to go with them—if they’re even chosen.
Of course, Nora prayed about it and subsequently agrees to at least write a letter, believing God will
open or shut the door according to His will and purposes. Nora had known true love and wasn’t looking to find it again, but God had His plans and she wanted to be obedient to where He led. Jeremiah 29:11 had always been one of her favorite Scriptures.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Plus, the man who placed the ad, a Jericho Jones, purported to be a preacher . . . Let’s let her tell you herself.
“My cousins and I met the Reverend Jericho Jones Ogallala then traveled with him by covered wagon to the town he and his brother founded. The man proved kind and compassionate, ever aware of our needs, but in the pit of my stomach I experienced unrest and caution. Surely not of the Lord as I had that sweet peace from knowing He opened the door… still… marrying a man I didn’t even know?
I felt a little better on discovering once we arrived in Jonestown—quite the adventure in itself—that Jericho planned to give us the opportunity to meet the single men in his congregation, get to know them, and only then choose if we wanted to marry at all and which one we would wed if we did.
God’s plans for our lives aren’t always expected. His ways are not our ways, but He loves us above anyone—so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us—so much that we are continually in His thoughts. John 3:16 was the first verse I ever memorized as a child.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Because I prayed and the doors were open, I trusted that He led me to that litlte community and had a plan for my life there, a purpose I didn’t know about yet, but I trusted Him, and I obeyed to show Him my love by making the journey. John 14:15 is a Scripture I live by.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
To show our love, we just need to surrender to His will, but knowing exactly what His will is . . . that’s often the hard part, isn’t it? It comes with praying and trusting.
Reading His Word and trusting Him. After all he’s done for us, don’t we want to show Him we love Him by doing His will? Obeying Him?
Granny always told me, Nora Jo, your actions speak louder than your words. It’s easy to say the words, I
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love You, Father, but what do our actions show?
So, I took that step of faith to follow where He led. I wanted to be in His will more than I wanted to stay in Concord where I was comfortable. I want to fulfill His plan and purpose for me, and I believe a part of it that was to go with my cousins so that they could find husbands and know love, raise families with a good man.
God led us and kept us.
If you trust Him and walk in His way which isn’t always easy. Follow wherever He leads then you will know true peace and joy and all of His blessings!”
Question for Readers: Would you ever consider being a mail-order bride?
About Caryl: Caryl McAdoo, praying her story gives God glory, loves God, her husband of fifty-plus years Ron, five sons and six daughters (birthed and in-loves), and twenty-seven grandsugars—then writing stories and singing the new songs God gives her. (Hear at YouTube.) Readers love her historical Christian romance family sagas with their characters who become friends. She also writes contemporary romance, Biblical fiction, historical mystery, and for young adults and mid-grade booklovers. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville—seat of Red River County in Northeast Texas—waiting expectantly for God to open the next door. Learn more & connect:
Caryl’s Website Caryl’s Newsletter Signup Caryl’s Bookbub
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About the book – Nora:
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? His hand is stretched out, who shall turn it back?
Nora almost hates the idea of traveling across the country, much less to marry a stranger, but with men in Concord so scarce after the war, her younger cousins are determined. She can’t blame them any more than she could let them go alone. The extra lady who travels with the cousins puts Nora on edge. The lady doesn’t seem to be who she says. On the covered wagon journey west, dangers, mishaps, and raging storms delay them and cast plenty of doubts for Nora whether or not she’s in God’s will, but the man who invited them, pastor Jericho Jones, gets them safely to their destination where the men are waiting. Let the courting begin!
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Caryl’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
Come back May 17th for Donna Schlachter!
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I have a winner! Beverly Duel Moore won the drawing. I appreciate Caryl for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.