Shannon here: Jennifer Slattery shares an excerpt from her latest Contemporary Romance, Dancing in the Rain. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an e-copy. Deadline: July 14th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jennifer:
His throat tightened. “You mean . . .You mean she’s blind?”
Kai nodded and handed over an application form with Loni Parker’s name typed on it. She’d listed a Boone number as her contact.
Boone. Loni Parker. Blind. He swallowed. “How old is she?”
Kai tapped her pencil against her bottom lip. “Second row down on the form. She’s in her senior year at ASU.”
The last thing they needed was to get the rumor mill churning. How many financial supporters would that cost him? Please let her be a different Loni. Please.
But the woman couldn’t see. Surely she wouldn’t want to come out here in the woods, around horses, water, and snakes. It’d be too dangerous. “What’s a blind girl doing coming to camp?”
“My thought precisely.” She pushed away from the desk and stretched her legs. “But hey, why not? Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior, right?” She laughed.
“I’ll tell you why not. She can’t climb the rock wall or use the zip line. Probably wouldn’t even be safe to ride the horses.”
“So we find other things for her to do or provide some extra help. I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
“Did she submit a photo?”
“No.”
What if this was the Loni Parker? She could stir up a real mess among camp supporters. Word traveled fast in these parts. How would the board feel about a scandal? Would they regret hiring Michael?
He attempted a casual shrug, his shoulders stiff. “Sorry, Kai. I got to do what I believe is best for everyone.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You can’t turn her away. Not for being blind. Unless you want a major lawsuit slapped on us.”
He closed his eyes and rubbed them. “I get it. But we need to let her know we aren’t prepared to accommodate her unique challenges.”
She held his gaze for a moment, as if she could see past his words to the motives that lay within.
Breaking the non-verbal standoff, he walked to his desk to gather his thoughts—and courage. An old slogan, spoken by the counselors at one of his very first summer camps, echoed in his brain. “Jesus never turns anyone away.”
Oh, Lord, have mercy.
About Jennifer: Jennifer Slattery is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church
groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels maintains a devotional blog found at Jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/. She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Learn more & connect: Jennifer’s Facebook or Jennifer’s Instagram
About the book – Dancing in the Rain:
On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains.
Unbeknownst to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.
Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now! Dancing in the Rain – Amazon
Question for Readers: Have you ever been to a summer camp or camping? If so, share a fun experience with us. If not, tell us why you’re not a camper.
Come back July 10th for Laura V. Hilton!
I used to go camping a lot with my parents but just lost interested since they passed away
Sorry I’m so late to the party! Hi, Shelia! I’m sorry your parents are no longer with you. That’s hard. Did you have a favorite place you all used to go camping at?
I never went to summer camp even though I was offered the opportunity. However, I have been a counselor at a couple different ones and had a blast. Made me wish I had gone as a camper.
Very cool! Our daughter went as a counselor once, and it really helped grow her! It was awesome to see her take ownership of her faith and share that with others!
The only time I got to go to summer church camp was when I was in a youth ministry team. Those people I spent the summer with were family. I regret that I’ve lost contact with all of them. Church camp was camping in cabins. And I found as I got older that’s the kind of camping I like.
I would enjoy cabin camping also. I just can’t sleep on the ground anymore. My bones don’t accommodate. haha! Very cool how your camping experience was so bonding!
I went to a camp called Riverside Bible Camp as a young girl. I loved the big chapel there and was very impressed with the Bible studies.
Hi, Beth,
Riverside California? We used to live in Alta Loma, CA. 🙂 That’s great that the camp you went to was strong biblically! That’s so important!
I’ve never been camping. Why you ask? Because I do not rough it and I don’t have an RV or a cabin. Until I get one or the other, I will continue to not camp 🙂
I have a winner! Nicole House won the drawing. I appreciate Jennifer for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.