Historical Suspense author, Donna Schlachter shares the inspiration behind her latest releases, Christmas Under the Stars and The Mystery of Christmas Inn, Colorado. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to get your name in the drawing for a free copy, winner’s choice. US only for print or digital, digital for international. Deadline: Dec 2nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Donna:
Ministry In What We Do by Donna Schlachter
When we hear the word “ministry”, we probably think about church, missionaries, and foreign countries. Around this time of year, we might think about feeding the homeless, working in a soup kitchen, buying gifts for kids of incarcerated parents, or even how lonely this season will be because a loved one is absent.
True ministry doesn’t have to be for special events, or a once-a-year undertaking. True ministry doesn’t even have to involve traveling to a foreign country where the people and language are different.
True ministry is really about how we live our lives.
In my two Christmas-themed releases, The Mystery of Christmas Inn, Colorado and Christmas Under the Stars, we meet conflicted characters who are much like us. In the first book, Matthew wonders why God doesn’t hear his prayers, while Edith wonders what God’s plans are for her. In the second book, Tom is heading for California to take up a pastorate, while Edie wants nothing to do with a man of the cloth.
Needless to say, along the way, all four characters meet God in a new and exciting way. They have all their questions answered, and they resume their lives with a new love interest and a new love for God because He meets them where they are and ministers to them in their need.
And isn’t that what ministry is really all about? Identify a need and meet it.
During this season, perhaps we can change our mindset about how to minister, and understand it really is a lifestyle, not a date on our calendar.
About Donna: Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid publisher who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own name. Her recent releases include The Mystery of Christmas Inn, Colorado and Christmas Under the Stars. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction, and judges in a number of writing contests. Donna loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. She is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management. Learn more and connect:
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About the book – Christmas Under the Stars:
November 1858, Utah Territory
Edie Meredith strives to keep her temper and her tongue under control as she heads west with her brother to California. Raised in an itinerant preacher family, she promises she will never marry a man of the cloth.
Tom Aiken, drover of the wagon train, longs to answer his true calling: to preach, and while he realizes not every woman would choose a preacher for a husband, he hopes to soon find his help-meet.
Suspicious ‘accidents’ plague their journey. Is someone trying to keep them from reaching their destination? Or will misunderstanding and circumstances keep them apart?
About the book – The Mystery of Christmas Inn, Colorado:
1921, Colorado
Matthew returns to Christmas Inn to celebrate his fortieth anniversary alone, intending to take his own life so he can join his beloved Sarah, who passed on to glory the previous January. Not certain how—or if—he will go on without her, Matthew learns on his arrival that the old inn will close its doors on New Year’s Eve. A developer has purchased the building and intends to tear it down and put up a chain hotel. Determined to keep his memories and his connection to Sarah alive, Matthew embarks on a harebrained scheme to keep the inn open.
Edith Cochrane, a widow, comes to Christmas Inn because she has nowhere else to spend the holidays. Her children are angry with her because she refuses to choose to live with one of them. Edith and her husband enjoyed a long marriage and a long mission-field ministry, but ever since his passing the previous year, Edith has found herself at loose ends. She comes to Christmas Inn to spend some time thinking about her options.
Can Matthew and Edith save the old hotel—and themselves—or will they run out of time?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copies now: Amazon
Question for Readers: What plans do you have to minister to others during this season?
Come back Dec 1st for Anne Mateer!
i give to the blessing boxes here at home to help the poor!
I’ve been ministering to others in the church library and have for almost 40 years. Even when I’m not in the library, I take “work” home with me.
I have a winner! Shelia Hall won the drawing. I appreciate Donna for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.