Good morning, dearest reader! I’m excited to start a new series I’ve titled Women of Faith and Fiction.
I don’t know about you, but I love to know the story behind the story or song. If I know the heart of the writer, I’m more likely to read or sing their story. I hope you will join me on the third Tuesday of each month to find out more about the authors who weave truth in the parables they write.
Let’s get started, shall we?
This morning I have the privilege to welcome author and cover designer, Lynnette Bonner. Lynnette has written a slew of books you can find here: Amazon Author Page
Thank you for joining us this morning, Lynnette! Tell us a little about yourself.
I am the daughter of missionaries to Africa, so I was born and raised in the small country of Malawi, without electricity or TV. I was a reader from my very early years. I loved to immerse myself in the story and sometimes wouldn’t reemerge for hours. Eventually, my love of story turned the bend to me beginning to pen my own stories. I would read a book and think “it could have been so much better if they’d done it this way.” I started several books but never finished one until I was doing some research about the town I lived in at the time and found some fascinating facts from history that I knew had to be told. That research turned into my first published novel, Rocky Mountain Oasis. Find out more here
Wow! Malawi. Sounds like you had an exciting childhood! This month’s theme is hope. Please share your thoughts with our readers.
Hope is the heart of the good news Jesus came to earth to share with us. We are hopeless without Him. But with Him, there is nothing we can’t overcome. We can even rejoice when we are suffering because we know that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:3-4)
Yes! Loved that. Life is a continual journey of learning, applying, and transforming. Have you ever experienced a season when you found it difficult to hope?
Oh, for sure. As a Christian mom, I’ve always told my kids, I don’t care what they “become” (as in do for a job/living), I just want them to serve the Lord, because I know that’s the only way they will ever find true happiness. I have one son in particular who challenged that hope of mine for several years. It was very hard to see the end of that tunnel. My heart hurt day after day after day. I fasted one day a week for him and cried out to God daily for his soul. One day as I was praying the Lord impressed on me this question, “Even if he never repents and serves me what will YOU do?” My knees nearly buckled. I knew my answer. “I will always serve you, Lord, even if those closest to me never decide the journey is worth it.” A great burden was lifted from me that day. God was reminding me that my hope was in Him, not in anything I could do to convince my son that faith was the best way to walk. I was able to release a little of my worry and anxiety, and trust that God loved that boy even more than I ever could. (And I’m happy to say all these years later that my son made it out the other side of that dark path, and is now starting on his own faith journey.)
Thank you for sharing that testimony with us. I’m sure it touched hearts, today. Now, tell us in what genre do you write and how does your faith influence your writing?
All of my writing is in the Christian Fiction genre, except for one devotional that my husband and I wrote together. Faith, for me, is actually a very big part of why I write. Jesus used stories to make points to those listening to him. I hope to bring His light into the world with each story I write. Each of my stories has a spiritual message in it, that I hope encourages the readers on their own faith journeys.
Your faith shines through in every story, Lynnette. I love the way you incorporate scriptures throughout your books. Not in a preachy way, but through the lives of your characters as they face the everyday struggles of life.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Lynnette’s latest book, Not A Sparrow Falls!!
Or click on the book to purchase the Kindle edition.
Click here to purchase paperback.
You can connect with Lynnette here:
Twitter
Facebook Author Page
Pinterest
Website
IndieCoverDesign
Thank you for your testimony about I have four older siblings who have chosen this life rather than The Lord and I remember God asking me the same question for a couple of years till I made the decision to serve him no matter happened to them.
God is faithful and able to bring them back if he wants so I trust him !!
Yes! “God is faithful and able to bring them back if he wants so I trust him!!” What a beautiful testimony. Thank you for sharing with us! 🙂
Excellent interview! It’s always interesting to read how an author’s past influences what the write about. When Lynette wasn’t subjected to “all the decadent comforts of home” like television she developed a fantastic imagination! Her love for God transcended her writing which now goes on to inspire others. Sure wish I could design beautiful covers like she does, wow! Hope it’s a million seller. Blessings back to you both, ❤
Thank you, Ellie. She is a gifted designer. Blessings to you, my friend!
Great interview! We had a missionary on Sunday, who talked on hope. He talked about grabbing hold of hope, from Hebrews 6:18-19 “…we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in LAYING HOLD OF THE HOPE set before us. This HOPE we have as an ANCHOR of the soul, a HOPE both sure & steadfast…” He said it is HOPE that anchors us, that encourages us not to give up when everything is NOT awesome. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for sharing that, Becky. That is one of my favorite verses!! Yes!! You’ve blessed me, today. ❤
Well, your blog blessed ME today! Thank you!!!!
I loved this! Thank you for telling me about it!
You’re welcome, Jenna! So glad you came by to see us! 😊
Thanks for stopping by!
Wonderful interview. Would love to win a copy of the new book.
Thank you for coming by for a visit, Ann! Lynnette will add your name to the drawing!
Thanks, Ann. Wishing you all the best!
Wonderful interview. Enjoyed learning more about you!
Thank you for stopping by, Linda!
Hey lady! Thanks for stopping by. ❤
Great interview! I love hearing more from the heart about why writers write what they write. Thanks for sharing!
I do too, Sonja! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks, Sonja. Abundant blessings to you! ❤
Gail and Lynnette, what an encouraging post for my mother-heart. And I love the title and cover of your book too; I have a huge affection for birds and the color green. 🙂
Blessings ~ Wendy
So glad you stopped by, Wendy! Thank you. ❤
Thanks, Wendy. Wishing you all the best!
Wonderful interview.
Oh, Lynette, I can feel your pain, I’m still walking that journey. So happy for you and your son!
Gail thanks for the spotlight post.
Blessings~
Thank you, Robbye Faye for being a sweet friend! Praying for you and your family. ❤
Aww, you are so welcome! The same to you my friend ❤
Have a great week!
Blessings~
Robby, prayers lifted for your child. Glad you stopped by.
Thank you so much! Lynette, I so appreciate all prayers.
I enjoyed the interview!
Blessings~
What an interesting life Lynette! Thank you for being here and sharing with us.
I have been blessed, for sure! Blessings to you!
Thank you for stopping by, Mimi! ❤
Great interview, ladies, and thanks for sharing your burden for your son, Lynnette. I can relate. Happy Tuesday!
Thanks for dropping by, Tori. Wishing you all the best!