Facts, Fiction, and Friends ~ Karen H. Richardson

Good morning!

I want to introduce you to Karen H. Richardson. Karen and I met while writing for Betty Thomason Owens’ and Jennifer Hallmark’s blog Writing Prompts, Thoughts, and Ideas. If she is a new author to you, I hope you’ll check out her books. Let’s get started.

Facts

Tell us about yourself.

Summer or winter?

Summer

Log cabin or castle

Log cabin

Sunflowers or roses

Sunflowers

Mornings or nights?

Night

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

Share your favorite book facts.

Historical or contemporary?

Historical

Are your books shelved or scattered?

Shelved

Novel or novella?

Novel

Do you prefer to keep or gift books after reading them?

Keep

Bookstore or online?

Bookstore

Share your writing secrets.

Writing or editing?

Writing

Pantser or plotter?

Pantser

Music or silence?

Music

Office or everywhere?

Everywhere

Fiction or nonfiction

Fiction

Fiction

Maggie Nelson lost her identity. Nora St. Claire lost her husband. And Jen Stephens changed jobs. The three friends from college, now in their forties, rediscover a special part of themselves that time and relationships have stolen.

To rediscover who she is, Maggie revisits a passion from her past. Something that was her own—acting. With this, her family begins a season of their orderly, planned, and scheduled lives becoming not so orderly. How can Maggie regain her identity without losing her husband?

Nora is an interior designer whose husband was killed in the line of duty. After years of mourning, she is ready to rebuild her life. Her career launches when she wins over a difficult client for the firm. And in her social life, she finds herself volunteering alongside a man who sparks her interest. Work, friends, dating—what will the design of her new life be?

Jen is a free-spirited personal trainer who never expected to find herself as an assistant manager at the gym. The role is a stretch, but it includes all the components of healthy living that she believes in. The rest she can learn. The transition has a few twists and turns Jen navigates well with the full support of her husband, and her two friends. And yet … is it the best fit for Jen?

Their path is a messy one, but isn’t that true about life? Along the way, each woman discovers that she is more precious than rubies. Even in her imperfection.

Amazon Link

Friend

Karen H. Richardson is a life-long learner. During the pandemic, through YouTube videos and reading, she learned how to propagate plants. Like her mother and grandmother, Karen loves time in her garden. It’s a peaceful place that draws her close to the Creator. To continue the generational green thumb, Karen took clippings from her mother’s garden to add the plant in her own garden. Her mother has gone to be with the Lord, but the flowers continue to spread and bloom.

She sees the world and her interactions with others as fodder for building her stories. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and has several certifications in project management. In addition to her novel, she has had several magazine articles published. Her blog, KK’s Candor, boasts slice of life posts meant to encourage the reader. Karen and her family live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Online: www.KHRAuthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khrauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khrauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/khrauthor

Thank you for joining us today!

Facts, Fiction, and Friends ~ Jennifer Hallmark

Good morning!

Welcome back to Facts, Fiction, and Friends, where we learn fun facts about our favorite authors, discover their latest Christian Fiction, and meet new friends.

With me today is Jennifer Hallmark. Jennifer is a YA author and a podcaster!

Facts

Tell us about yourself.

Coffee or tea?

Tea with honey

Extrovert or Introvert?

Introvert

Sweet/Salty/Savory?

Salty

Mornings or nights?

Night owl extraordinaire

Cats or dogs?

Dogs (Corgis)

Share your favorite book facts.

English mystery or cozy mystery?

English mystery

Series or stand-alone?

Series

Novel or novella?

Novel

Fantasy or science fiction?

Fantasy

Big city or small town?

Small town and rural settings

Share your favorite writing habits.

Settings or characters?

Characters

Writing or editing?

Editing

Pantser or plotter?

Pantser

Music or silence?

Silence

Pen/pencil/keyboard?

Keyboard

Adult/YA/children?

Young Adult

Fiction

Almost nineteen-year-old Reed Anderson wants to belong in a world where he hasn’t always fit. Three days after graduation, he decides to ride a bus back to Louisiana and deal with the events of his thirteenth summer once and for all. Back then, he’d stood up to his abusive Pa, protecting Momma and his sister, taking control of his life. But who was the faded image of the child he saw that day? Aunt Lula predicted his life would shift and change. Something about space-time-continuum and the fourth dimension. He tucks her words in his heart. If he survives the shift, this could be his chance to start over. But the ghost child haunts his dreams. Even though six years have passed, does he want to confront the lies he’s always believed?
Amazon link

Friend

Jennifer Hallmark writes Southern fiction with a twist. Her website and newsletter focus on her books, love of the South, and favorite fiction. She loves reading and streaming science fiction, fantasy, and mysteries or her favorite subject—time travel.

Her latest novel, Smoking Flax, was released on January 16th with Elk Lake Publishing. She creates stories with unforgettable characters—her stories are a little eerie and otherworldly but
with a positive turn.

Learn more about Jennifer Hallmark

Website
Facebook 
X/Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram

Wonderful Peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (KJV)

Legacy of Peace

Why should I worry?
Why should I fear?
Why be discouraged,
When Hope is so near?

Why not surrender?
Trust and release.
Rest in His promised
Legacy of peace.

~ GJ © 2019

Many things threatened to steal my joy and peace the year I wrote this poem. I don’t have to tell you about 2020. Truth is, so many things can discourage and rob us of our peace if we allow it to invade our hearts. But Jesus said, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Christ’s peace isn’t the peace of this world. His peace penetrates the heart and soul because it is a gift purchased with his blood.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

So how do we, as children of God, remain calm in a world gone mad? Paul tells us in Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

In addition, we should fill our hearts with His Word, pray, and keep our minds filled with His promises.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9 (KJV)

Something that helps keep my mind free from turmoil and allows me to rest in peace is shutting down the computer and my phone. Spring is the perfect time to get alone with God in His creation. Beginning in May, I am taking a break to spend time with the Lord. I also need to finish a few projects.😊

In the meantime, if you are struggling to find peace of mind, I pray you look to the Author of Peace.

The Song

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; in celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above; sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, buried deep in the heart of my soul; so secure that no power can mine it away, while the years of eternity roll.

I am resting today in this wonderful peace, resting sweetly in Jesus’ control; and I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, now His glory is flooding my soul.

And I know when I rise to that city of peace, where the Author of peace I shall see. That one of the anthems the ransomed will sing, in that heavenly kingdom shall be:

O soul, are you here without comfort or rest, walking down the rough pathway of time? Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark; O accept this sweet peace so sublime.

Rev. Warren D. Cornell and Rev. William G. Cooper, Public Domain

The Video