Shannon here: Caryl McAdoo shares her inspiration for her latest Historical Romance, Celia. Comment or answer the question in any post dated May 2nd – 16th to enter the drawing for a digital copy plus 3 other titles. Deadline: May 23rd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Caryl:
I always want to say thanks first to the Inkslinger, Shannon, for giving me this opportunity to be here today! I’m excited to share a little bit about my newest release, Celia, book sixty, of the Prairie Rose Collection, in its 8th Annual series. Each story is a standalone with a strong heroine making a covered wagon journey.
At sixteen, my Celia is one of my youngest Prairie Roses—I have written eight Roses stories in the collection—and was quite the spoiled daddy’s girl who became her brother’s ward on Papa’s unexpected demise. Adamantly protesting any journey to California, she begs, cajoles, and threatens, debating Cameron’s decision. She wants to be left in Boston!
When I started writing her story, I have to admit—with a smile on my face—I didn’t like her so much. The young lady was a little over the top, but I had a daddy’s girl myself, so I understood many of her attitudes. Celia grew on me though. It didn’t take long at all for us to become friends, and as the journey progressed, she matured quickly.
In large part due to the things God allowed, hard things for her on the trek west, but He used every single one of them for her good! Her character grows. The reason? Because she got in the Word and sought to add souls—one in particular—to the Kingdom. She maintained a clutch on the past though.
As soon as she gets to California, she plans to go straight back home to Boston, but are those God’s plans for her? Will she listen to Him? Will we?
I love that we can trust our Father in Heaven to guide our paths. It says so right in Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Praise the Lord! Our Father is altogether trustworthy.
If only we could release whatever comes along to trouble us and give it to Him. He tells us He’s willing to carry the load. His burden is easier for us. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Again, He tells us in 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” My Celia does learn to humble herself . . . which is often a hard lesson for any of us but was especially difficult for her.
In the end, no matter what is going on around us, we must get in line with God’s plan for our lives as
Celia does. His is always the best plan, right? I mean, He is our Creator, and Jeremiah 29:11 affirms that.
I think most of you know my author’s moto is “Praying my story gives God glory!” I hope every book I write will draw its readers closer to the Lord, show how great He truly is, and reveal the truths Holy Spirit has shown to me personally. I also pray CELIA will bless its readers as I am blessed of God to have written it.
Did you know our testimonies are pivotal in overcoming? Revelation 12:11 says “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, andby the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
God bless you & yours!
Reader Question: Can you share an instance where God came through for you?
May Book Bundle #1
Unintended Hero by Becky Van Vleet, World War II Historical Romance, winner’s choice print or digital
A Texas Bond by Shannon Taylor Vannatter, Contemporary Romance, print
Celia by Caryl McAdoo, Historical Romance, digital
Project Sentinel by Elle E. Key, Romantic Suspense, digital
About Caryl: Award-winning, hybrid author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory. Her best-selling novels garner thousands of 5-Star reviews from readers around the world. While Caryl’s popular historical Christian romance family sagas top the favorites list, she also writes Christian contemporary romance, Biblical fiction, historical mystery, and for young adults, mid-grade booklovers, and preschoolers with her picture books . Fans often count Caryl’s characters as friends. The prolific writer also loves singing new songs the Lord gives her as much as penning tales—hear a few at her YouTube channel! Married to Ron almost fifty-seven years (in June—the 22nd), she has four children and THIRTY grandsugars, ten of which are great grands! 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 and connect: Caryl’s Website
About the book – Celia (Book 60 -Prarie Rose Collection):
Driven from Boston toward the promise of California’s gold fields, sixteen-year-old Celia must survive a brutal frontier trek, tangled loyalties, and heartbreaking loss—learning that the hardest journey isn’t east to west, but from clinging to the past to trusting God with her future.
Worried you won’t win the drawing? Interested in Caryl’s other titles? Need extra books for gifts?
Get your copy/copies now!
Come back May 14th for Elle E. Kay!
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