Shannon here: Cindy Bonds shares a short excerpt from her latest Romantic Suspense, Rainstorm along with a devotional, and chance to win a copy. Heads up, this is one of my editing babies. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: May 15th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Cindy:
Excerpt from Rainstorm by Cindy Bonds:
“But God was waiting on you.”
“Waiting?” Her jaw dropped. “He was waiting? If God was there, He could’ve fixed it, right? That’s what He is, mighty and all powerful. So why didn’t He? As soon as my dad started drinking, he started hitting, throwing, shoving. Why didn’t God stop him?”
Dev swallowed. “I don’t know.”
“Then you don’t have a right to talk about how much I need God. I did need Him, a long time ago when I couldn’t defend myself, when I didn’t have the ability to defend myself. I can now, and you think I still need Him?”
“Laurel, I don’t know why you had to go through all that. I hate the fact that you did. But your dad made a choice, a bad choice, to drink and to hurt.” Dev paused, fully expecting her to lash out. But she just stood there, her breaths heavy as her jaw twitched. “I can’t give you those answers. But I do know that God can make something good come from all that.”
As you can see, Rainstorm pushes those questions of why and steps into this fallen world we live in.
Hi all! It’s Cindy Bonds here on Shannon’s blog!
My new novel Rainstorm is coming out May 4th and I wanted to share a devotional that ties into the theme of hope and promises.
As Laurel and Dev work through their trials, each one has to deal with a world that they don’t like. Dev’s world is filled with criminals, where the innocent are caught in the middle. Laurel’s world encompasses hate and anger, physical and emotional pain.
In the book of John, Jesus’s words fill the pages with red as He talks about the way, the truth, the light, the Holy Spirit and the world.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus promises us that we will have tribulation- trials, sadness, temptation, heartache. This world holds tribulation for all of His creation. Being a Christian doesn’t take it all away but being a Christian does give us a hope.
Jesus is our rescue, our cornerstone. As the world rages around us; chaos, anger, violence, Jesus holds us close and gives us shelter. Right now, wherever you are, there is unrest. Too many things are raging around us to count! But take heart, Jesus promises us peace.
Only a few chapters later does Jesus really show how badly this world has fallen as He is arrested, beaten and tortured, then nailed to a cross. An innocent man that was traded for a criminal.
Not only does Jesus overcome the world, but He lives today and has defeated death so that we might live.
I want to leave you with a favorite verse of mine that I use often. It seems to follow me around, tugging on my brain at every turn and applies to any time in my life!
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Even in the hurt, in this fallen world, we know that there is a purpose. It might not ever be one we can understand or God might give us a glimpse later in life of the higher reason behind our heartache.
But God has given us a purpose here on this spinning ball and no matter how terrible things become, His purpose will be for good to those of us who He’s called.
About Cindy: Cindy Bonds lives in rural Arkansas where she works for an aviation insurance agency and spends her free time with her husband and children. In between ball games and gymnastics, she loves to read and work on her crafting skills. Writing has become an outlet for her creativity and she is excited for her second novel release on May 4th. Learn more, connect, & sign up for her newsletter:
Cindy’s Website Cindy’s Facebook
About the book – Rainstorm:
Can she calm a storm that only comes for her?
Laurel Ashburn has a scarred past, filled with corruption and pain. After an injury overseas sends her home, she moves back in with her foster mother and to a town that hates her. Being home puts her on a path to find a missing friend. But when she’s attacked over and over, who will be willing to help?
Detective Dev Hollister traded in the big city for a slower pace and less crime in rural Arkansas. After rescuing Laurel from an attempted kidnapping, he finds himself intrigued with this headstrong and stubborn woman.
While Dev’s job is to protect Laurel, he wants much more than to solve the case. He wants to give her a new life and reason to stay.
Laurel will have to push beyond her dark past to trust Dev with her life. But after losing so much, can Laurel survive one more storm?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Get your copy now:
Question for Readers: Can you describe a time when your trial was turned around and used for good? A sadness, a hurt or situation that changed your life or the life of someone else for the better?
Come back May 7th for Janalyn Voigt!
Using experience from being molested to help friend handle the news her daughter was being molested. She was able to stop the abuse and guide child to healing.
Kathy, you are one of the kindest speaking people I know, you don’t push, prod or pester but you let others speak. I’m certain whatever words you used to help in that situation were needed. Thanks for sharing something so personal!
Thank you for the post. Journey through cancer wasn’t easy but it opened the doors to support and encourage others and bring praise to the Lord <3
Wow! It’s so amazing that you can now use your journey to help others! Thanks for sharing!
I have a winner! Kathy Vernich won the drawing. I appreciate Cindy for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.