Readers' Pick # 1 – Dec 2011 – Feb 2012

Shannon here: Readers loved Lillian Duncan’s story of how her real life romance took years to come together on God’s timing. Comment for a chance to win a copy of my newest release, Rodeo Ashes (once I get my author copies). Deadline: Sept 8, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Lillian:


I can’t remember a time of not knowing my husband. His family and my family are connected in more ways than I have time to explain. 
When we were young, I found him irritating. When we hit the teenage years, I found him cute and sweet. He graduated before I did and in the way of silly young teen-age girls, I decided I was in love with him. And I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. 
Time marched on. 
It didn’t work out for us for a variety of reasons. Again, I don’t have the time or the inclination to explain it all. But he went his way and I went mine. I will say that I took the time to cut him out of every picture I owned that he happened to be in. 
Time marched on and on and on… 
I had my life and he had his. No problem. But there was this tiny corner of my heart where thoughts of him still lived. Yes, one of the titles of my books is In A Corner Of Her Heart. 
I’d always believed God had a plan for the two of us. But I decided I was mistaken. Time to let it go. God had no such plan, just the silly yearnings of a teen-age girl who couldn’t let go of the first man she loved and the first to break her heart. 
So, I wrote the book to exorcise him from that tiny corner. Funny thing happened as I was writing the book. He was definitely going to be the bad guy. When the book was finished, I’d be able to kick him out of that corner, but…. 
Almost thirty years later, our paths crossed again. 
But I was ready for him. I had a plan to tell him just how much he hurt me and how I didn’t appreciate the way he’d treated me. And be done with him—forever. Within five minutes of meeting with him, all my resolve crumbled and I’d forgotten I was ever mad at him! 
That was almost twelve years ago, we’ve been married for ten. And without a doubt, they’ve been the best ten years of my life. 
God did have a plan for us. 
Now, I know He was just waiting for the right time. Time for both of us to grow up and become the people we are today. So, that each of us could learn what was really important in life. So, that we could learn to treat each other with kindness, respect, and love—all the time, not only when we feel like it.
About Lillian: stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem. Lillian Duncan lives in Ohio with her husband, four parrots, one Jack Russell, and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She’s been a Speech Pathologist for over thirty years.
She writes the types of books she loves to read, suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word. To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net. Her blog—Tiaras & Tennis Shoes can be found at www.lillianduncan.wordpress.com.
About the book: Deception
Twins are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, but Patti and Jamie have serious “relationship issues.” Patti hasn’t seen Jamie since her twin ruined her upcoming nuptials years before. When a niece she knows nothing about calls, Patti must unravel the yarn of Jamie’s life and her disappearance. 
Detective Carter Caldwell takes his job seriously, and it’s his job to keep Patti and her adorable niece safe. But Patti is determined to help find her sister. Each step brings her closer to the truth, but pulls her further into a web of danger and deception. 
They must find the courage and faith to continue the search for her sister. Her journey will take her down a road of deception where they will have to fight for her life and the lives of countless Americans.
Come back Aug 29th for my favorite pick!