Category: Uncategorized

It’s Always Been You…FREE to subscribers

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that the last novella in the Seasons of Hope series is almost here! 

If you’re a subscriber to my newsletter, you’ll be receiving it for FREE! It’s scheduled for November but you just might get it before October is up! 

I’m so excited about this story and this series. It’s been a fantastic ride and I appreciate the support of all you friends who are Patched In. You’ve really been a huge encouragement to me. Your positive feedback has been a boost of confidence, and I thank you. Sincerely.

If you haven’t subscribed (above right corner on the sidebar), you can now and receive this novella for FREE! The other books are available on Amazon at an affordable price! SEASONS OF HOPE SERIES. The first book is a Christmas book, so grab it up as the holidays are a-comin’! 

So here is the back cover blurb for the final novella: 

Successful bistro owner and worship leader, Sierra
Bradley appears to have it all together, but inside she’s a hot mess. Often
dictated by fear, Sierra regrets not eloping with high school sweetheart, Ezra
Alcott. Now he’s returned to Mistletoe to sketch behind-the-scenes portraits
for his sister’s wedding and Sierra has agreed to cater the event. With no
escape from crossing paths, she has to deal with the heartache of what might
have been.
Ezra Alcott left for France to make his mark on the
art world and nurse the pain of rejection. But somewhere along the way he lost
sight of the kind of man he wanted to become. Back in his sleepy hometown, he
realizes God might be giving him a blank canvas to start over.

If Ezra can find the strength to ask for a second
chance, and Sierra can trust God with the things she can’t see, they might be
able to paint a lifetime together. 
If you’ve read the prior novellas, I’d love for you to leave a short (doesn’t have to be a professional) review on Amazon and Goodreads. You can simply copy/paste the same review on both sites! This would really help this ole girl out! Thank you!
So tell me, what is your favorite season?

A Prayer for ACFW Attendees

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I’ve got my worship music blaring as I’m sweeping my kitchen floor and I’m praying for those attending ACFW, but I wanted to put it in words. You might be reading this and have no clue what ACFW is. It’s the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference and the largest Christian writers conference out there. I won’t be going this year and will miss it terribly. But I want to pray for those of you who are. 

For First-Time Attenders:
I pray for each one you. God, I ask that you will give them peace as they travel. As they go over their proposals, pitches and samples chapters for the 9 millionth time and wrestle with if it’s good enough, if their writing is good enough. If they are good enough. Help them to trust you and the calling you’ve placed on their lives. Help them go in and feel not self-confidence, but the confidence that comes in knowing to whom they belong. To you, Jesus. I pray that they’ll make new friends–not for connection sakes–but for their soul’s sakes. Friendships that will last throughout a lifetime. Iron sharpening iron. I do pray for divine appointments and industry connections. And I pray when those connections open doors, that they will never forget it is by your hand alone that has brought it to pass. I pray that you would relax them and put them at ease in the company of others. No fear. Only faith. That the only overwhelming feeling they have is the overwhelming emotion of feeling your Presence in a tangible way. I pray they’ll walk away knowing that you have ordained this weekend. Maybe not at all to secure an agent or a contract, but to establish a friendship or two, a mentor, a critique partner or group. To be refreshed. To feel confirmation that the road ahead may be long but not in vain. I pray they remember if their appointments don’t garner a yes, that HOPE doesn’t disappointment. They were successful because they were obedient. They were brave. They were courageous. And a few no’s doesn’t mean they’ll never hear a YES. Let a holy YES reverberate in their souls. And bring your sweet comfort.

For Regular Attenders:
I pray for each one you. Thank you, Lord, for their excitement and passion to see friends they’ve made throughout the years past. Thank you for relationships and godly friendships and mentorships. I pray that they continue to strengthen those bonds at conference, but let each one remember that not everyone there has those connections. Some are lonely. Alone. Afraid. Anxious. I pray that all the hoopla and laughing with good friends doesn’t blind them to see the possibility of new relationships. New mentorships. I ask for peace in pitches. It’s never easy. Never a piece of cake and God help us if it is. Humble us. Lord, I pray for refreshing for parched souls. Weary souls. Regular attendance means regular rejections. Remind each one of their destiny and calling. Strengthen them. Use them to pour into others. I pray the restless will find rest. The confused will find clarity. The broken will be mended. The dry will be watered. The depressed will be filled with joy. The unsure will find certainty. And the hopeless will redisover hope. 

For Agents and Editors:
Lord, let each one remember how nervous these writers are. Show them grace so they can extend grace. Lavish them with love so they can show kindness. Even in rejections, especially in rejections. Lord, maybe the work isn’t good enough. Maybe that writer isn’t ready for publication, but there is life and there is death in the tongue. May each agent and editor remember that and use words that will breathe life and renewed determination into each writer’s spirit. May new friendships develop, even if contracts do not. Give them strength and stamina to endure every pitch whether scheduled or in the elevator or hallway (Lord Jesus, not the bathroom!). Refresh their souls. Give them rest even when things are chaotic. Lead them to the right writers. Help them to discern. Aid them in their decisions by pouring your wisdom liberally upon them. May your Spirit guide them. 

For Staff:
Lord, thank you for raising up staff and volunteers–those what seek to present fiction filled with the message of the gospel, messages of hope. Of Christ. May they work in unity–even when they’re tired, frustrated or a glitch happens. Praying glitches don’t happen, but if they do…God you are in control. Aid presenters, remove jitters. Give them an ear attuned to you and if the presentation takes a turn, it just does. Keep them strong and energetic. Fill them with your passion and remind them that all they do, they do for your glory. Strike down pride and cultivate hearts of humility. Use them to pour knowledge and wisdom into writers who are seeking to learn. If their room isn’t packed, don’t let them stew or feel like they’re unpopular or a failure. The right people will be there. Period. Praying Lord, for a smooth schedule. Everyone to be well and healthy and able. Bless the worship team, to come in humility with anointing more than anything else, with bowed hearts and prepared minds, full of the Spirit. For the speakers and keynote speaker. Anointing. Power. Passion. Strength. Wisdom. Discernment. Guidance. Let their words be your words. 


For everyone:
God, there are going to be so many opportunities available to be your hands and feet…and heart. Let them not be so busy or self-absorbed that they miss the chance to show your love to hotel staff, cafe staff, and even other guests at the hotel. Divine appointments wait. Discouraged souls abound. Lost souls wander. Let your people plant and water seeds sown through love and may you give the increase! Give everyone safe travels, and calm anxious travelers–those who fear flying or traveling alone. Let them feel your Presence until they nearly lose their breath! You go with them. You are for them. You have good plans and a hope for a future. Give them all open hearts and minds, as you may change their course on a dime. Man plans his way in his heart, but you O Lord, direct their steps.  

In Jesus’s mighty name and for his glory alone,


So be it, amen.


If you have a specific prayer request, leave it in the comments and I promise to pray for you! Enjoy your time. God go with you. See you next year, Lord willing! Love ya’ll,

Jess

photocredit: freedigitalphotos(dot)net/DavidCastilloDominica

Friend With Benefits? Uh…Yes, Please!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

A friend WITH benefits. Kind of a no-brainer, right?  No strings attached. Just a solid good time and you can walk away. 

Negative. 

I’m watching a show right now and the female character has decided she wants a friends with benefits relationship and the male has agreed. Guess what? It’s caused all sorts of issues. 

Because emotions get tangled up when intimacy is involved.  I turned the show off and thought about this whole “friends with benefits” thing. A movie was made about it for crying out loud. Many movies actually, and it never stays that way “no strings attached.” Oh, in a perfect movie world, they end up falling in love and then commit (which is backwards) but not before wave after wave of disasters happen. And sometimes it ends terribly. 

But there is one no-brainer friend-with-benefits I’m all over, and no it doesn’t involve anyone on the silver screen or TV. 

It begins with wooing…then a commitment on my part (because He’s already been committed) then intimacy comes. 

I’m talking about Jesus. Yeah. We can be friends with benefits. 

“A person who has friends may be harmed by them,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 NET

I’m all for a friend who won’t harm me, betray me, leave me or treat me without dignity. Now, I know we’re human and we’re going to make mistakes even in friendship, but there is Someone we can be vulnerable around, Someone we can be fully “naked” or transparent, if you will, with. Someone who won’t mishandle our hearts. A Friend who will stick closer than a brother. I’m all for that friend. 

And we reap all the benefits which He is totally okay with!

“My soul, praise the Lord,and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:2-3 HCSB

Two are right there in the verse. Here’s just a few more:

Compassion that never fails
Faithfulness even when we aren’t faithful
Hope 
Grace
Provision
Strength
Unending and unconditional love
True intimacy
Commitment 
Loyalty
Kindess
Discipline (yes, it’s a benefit)
Purpose/Destiny
An advocate
Intercession on our behalf
Guidance
Wisdom
Joy
Peace
Comfort
Freedom

You can fool yourself all you want for temporary pleasure, but you can’t be friends with benefits and truly be free to come and go. You can’t have true intimacy without commitment and commitment comes first. It should anyway. 

We can never create a list, a truthful list, of benefits, by the world’s standard, for the whole Friends with Benefits idea. Maybe a few good times. Temporary pleasure. Sooner or later it will and does fall apart.

I’m all for something that’s eternal. Truth is, I think we’re all looking for an unconditional, eternal love. We’d be stupid not to want that! 🙂 

So, Friend with Benefits? Yes, please! Give me Jesus. 

If Jesus said, “I’m going to come down from heaven just for the day, and we can go wherever you want”…where would you go, and how would you spend your day with Him?” 


I’ll be back to regularly posting in the fall. Have you signed up for my newsletter? More Than Words will be hitting inboxes in just another week, FREE to subscribers only. So what are you waiting for?

photocredit: freedigitalphotos/stuartmiles 

Gone without a Trace Giveaway!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
Welcome back Patricia
Bradley to the blog today. She and her characters are playing Would You Rather
and she’s giving away a copy of her newest Logan Point series book: Gone without
a Trace! Yay! You can enter to win below.
Would You Rather…  
…be shot or stabbed? (Hey it’s suspense so…)
Alex: Uh, neither? But
if I have to choose…I guess be stabbed.
Livy: I’m with Alex for
once—neither. But I’d rather be shot.
Patricia: I can’t stand
the thought of a knife slicing me, so to be shot.
…be happy because you’ve been lied to or feel emotional pain
knowing the truth?
Alex: Since I don’t like
to be lied to, I’d rather feel emotional pain knowing the truth.
Livy: Hmmm. I can’t
believe I’m going to agree with him again.
Patricia: Lie to me.
…fall in love but lose it or never fall in love?
Alex: Where do you get
these questions? I want to fall in love and keep it.
Livy: Why does he always
get to go first? He stole my answer.
Patricia: For once, I
agree with both of them.
Thanks for playing! Tell
us what you’re working on right now.
I’m working on a
Christmas anthology with several Harlequin Heartwarming authors and at the same
time I’m laying out the plot of my next series, Cold Cases set in Memphis. The
first book is due October 1.
Here is Gone
without a Trace back cover blurb:

The past is
repeating itself—and time is running out
It’s been more than two years since
homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike
most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left
voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her
concerning a senator’s missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point,
Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt
plaguing her after killing a teenager in the line of duty and an almost instant
dislike of the self-assured PI, she’s finding this investigation an uphill
battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she’ll have
to find a way to work with Alex—before it’s too late.
Patricia Bradley lives in North
Mississippi and is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To
Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum. But her heart is tuned to suspense.
Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series—Shadows of
the Past, A Promise to Protect, and Gone Without a Trace. Her
workshops on writing include an online course with American Christian Fiction
Writers and workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference in
Collierville, TN. When she’s not writing, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and
see what happens.
Connect
with Patricia:
Website:
www.patriciabradleyauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PTBradley1
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/
More books by Patricia Bradley:
Shadows of the Past: CBD; Amazon; B&N; Books A
Million
A Promise to Protect: B&N; CBD; Amazon; Books A Million
Gone Without a Trace: Amazon;
CBD; B&N; Books A Million
Matthew’s Choice:  to buy a paperback—Harlequin: http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=53665
For an e-book: B&N, Kobo Amazon
Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect
and Matthew’s Choice can be found at my Author Page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FFR8T1U

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Would You Rather with Keli Gwyn! Plus, a Giveaway!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I’m excited to host one
of the sweetest women on the planet today! The kind and lovely Keli Gwyn is in
the house and we’re playing a few rounds of WYR with her and her characters in
her newest novel through Love Inspired Historical. Let’s get right to it. Also,
you can enter to win a copy of Family of Her Dreams (US residents only). See how below!

Would you rather…
…fly or read minds?
Spencer: Fly. I’d like
to get a bird’s eye view of my ranch.
Tess: I’d love to read
minds, especially Spencer’s. I’m eager to find out what goes on in his head
because very little of it comes out of his mouth.
Keli: I’m with Tess. I’d
love to read minds. Learning how different people think would make it easier to
get into my characters’ heads.
…fall in love and have your heart broken or never fall in
love?
Spencer: I did fall in
love. My heart was broken when my wife was taken from me, but I kept going. I
had to. I have two small children to care for, but now I have the help of my
headstrong housekeeper, Tess. She’s brought light and laughter back into my
life.
Tess: Having been raised
in an orphanage, I long to love and be loved. I dream of the day I have a
husband and children of my own. Even though I could get hurt in the process,
the rewards far outweigh the risks.
Keli: I’m all about love
and romance. Loss and broken relationships are an inevitable part of life, but
the pain eases over time, enabling a person to experience love anew.
…be wealthy and successful but never find love or find love
and live meagerly?
Spencer: I’d choose love
and a modest life. The pursuit of wealth robbed my father of happiness, and I
want no part of that.
Tess: Love is essential.
With it, one is rich even if she has little.
Keli: What a timely
question. Gwynly retired just last week. As a teacher’s family, we’ve lived
modestly, but we’ll be cutting down even more now. I’m up for that. My guy and
I have a wonderful marriage, and I’m dearly loved. Talk about being blessed.
That’s me.
Keli, tell us what inspired this story?
I love California’s Gold
Country where I live. There’s a wealth of history here, which fascinates me.
When I learned that the sleepy Gold Rush-era town of Shingle Springs nearby was
once home to the busiest rail station in the state, my curiosity was piqued. I
imagined what life would have been like for the stationmaster, and Spencer introduced
himself. A grieving widower, he needed help. Who better than Tess, a confident,
outspoken woman who has a heart overflowing with love she’s eager to shower on
two motherless children—and their handsome father?
What are you working on currently?
I’m writing a story set
in my historic hometown of Placerville. Once again I’m working in local
history, which I love to do. I’ve fallen hard for my hero and heroine. Flynt
and Jessie are bright, determined people eager to overcome their shameful
pasts. When they’re forced to spend time together both on and off the job,
secrets come to light. Secrets that could destroy everything.
Thanks for hosting me,
Jess. It’s great to be here. I have a question for your blog’s readers.
 Since
I’m learning to live on less, what is one money-saving tip you’d recommend?
(Jess here) I’ll chime
in with my answer. I’ve discovered that if I create the weekly menu, then go
through the pantry to see what I’ve got and only add to the grocery list what I
need, I save money. I also include a snack or two for the kids but they know
when it runs out, it’s out until I hit the grocery store the following week!
Award-winning author Keli Gwyn, a native Californian,
transports readers to the early days of the Golden State. She and her husband
live in the heart of California’s Gold Country. Her favorite places to visit
are her fictional worlds, historical museums and other Gold Rush-era towns.
Keli loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style
cyber home at www.keligwyn.com, where you’ll find her contact information.
Here’s a look at Keli’s
novel Family of Her Dreams: 

Buy Now! 
A Family to
Cherish 
Headstrong Tess Grimsby loves her new job caring for the
children of a recently widowed man. But she never imagined that she’d fall for
her handsome employer. Yet Spencer Abbott is as caring as he is attractive, and
Tess can’t help but feel for him and his family. Though, for the sake of her
job, she’ll keep any emotions about her boss to herself.
Between his stationmaster responsibilities in a gold-rush
town and trying to put his family back together, Spencer has his hands full. He
soon finds his new hire’s kind personality warming his frosty exterior. But
could he ever admit to seeing her as more than just an employee?
Copyright © 2015 by Harlequin
Enterprises Limited
Cover and cover copy text used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises
Limited.
® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
or its affiliated companies, used under license.

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Gilmore Girls or From the Start with Melissa Tagg!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
I am beyond stoked for today’s post. The fantabulous
Melissa Tagg is here and if you know anything about her, she’s a huge fan of
Gilmore Girls. So we’re going to play a few rounds of Would You Rather with her
and she has to choose from Gilmore Girls or her newest novel, From the Start! Oh yeah, it’s a blast! PS, I’m over on her blog today sharing comparisons in relation to my newest novella, Just the Way You Are, so hop over ther next! CLICK HERE.
Let’s do this!
Would You Rather…
…live in Stars Hollow (GG) or Maple Valley (FTS)?
ACK that’s so hard. But I’m going to go with Maple
Valley and here’s why: It’s in Iowa. As quirky and wonderful as Stars Hollow
is, it’s in Connecticut and I know no one there.
Then again, if Jess was there…
…go canoeing with Luke Danes (GG) or your very own star, Colton Greene?
Luke! I love Colton, I do. But he’s got this bad
shoulder from a football injury so what if we get stuck in the middle of a
river and he can’t row and the current is crazy and I’m too wimpy to get us
back to shore? Luke, to my knowledge, has no such injury so I feel confident in
his rowing abilities.
Plus, he could entertain me with one of his
anti-Taylor Doose rants. Plus, I appreciate his style—flannel shirts and that green
army-ish jacket. So that gives him an edge.
…sit in a town meeting under Mayor Taylor Doose (GG) or the Mayor of
Maple Valley who, if I remember correctly, used a megaphone in one of the town
meetings?
I like my mayor, I do. But other than his megaphone
scene, he’s a pretty brief shadow in From the Start. So I’m going to go with
Taylor because I would get immense enjoyment out of listening to him talk about
the dangers of ticks or the need for better leash laws or his intense
competition with the farmers market people in the Town Square.
…have a first kiss with Jess (GG) or Colton (FTS)? Oooooh! That’s gonna
be tough for you, isn’t it since you’re such a big Jess fan?!
Honestly, this is not even hard for me. I would
absolutely pick Jess. Thing is, I LOVE Colton. I really do. But he is so firmly
connected to Kate in my mind that I’d feel like a cheater if I kissed him.
Whereas Jess, last we heard from him, is happily unconnected. (Because stupid
Rory doesn’t know a good thing when she has it.) So I would feel zero guilt
about kissing him.
 
…hang out for a day with Lorelei Gilmore or Kate Walker (FTS)?
Kate Walker. I think Lorelai is awesome…we have some
striking similarities. But Kate…Kate would get me. Kate would understand my
deepest emotions and shallowest quirks. And she would talk about writing and
watch old movies with me. We’d totally bond.
…be best buds with Rory Gilmore or Hailey (FTS)?
Hailey, no question. Here’s the thing with Rory: By
the end of Gilmore Girls, she’s kind of an idiot. I’m sorry, but she makes the
most ridiculous decisions from season 5 on. Now, if we were talking strictly
early seasons Rory, I might have a different answer.
But the great thing about Hailey in FTS is that she
isn’t afraid to challenge Kate. We see it early on in the book and we see it
later on at the end of the book. She’s hugely influential in Kate’s life and
she’s wise. So I’d definitely go with her.
…have Richard Gilmore as a father figure or Kate’s dad, Case Walker.
Kate’s dad! Not hard at all to decide on that one.
Richard Gilmore is a wonderful character and we definitely get to see his
loving, caring side in Gilmore Girls. But…we also know he wasn’t all that
emotionally available or understanding as Lorelai’s father. And a lot of
Lorelai’s mistakes in the show are side effects of feeling unaccepted or
misunderstood by her family.
Case Walker on the other hand is, of course, not
perfect. But he is a wonderful listener. He’ll challenge his daughter, but
always from a place of love. He somehow manages to be stern and gentle at once.
And he sees past the fronts his adult kids put up.
…go to a Gilmore Friday night dinner or a Friday night football game in
Maple Valley?
Gilmore Friday night dinner! I’m sure a football game
would be fun, but a Gilmore dinner would include crazy amounts of wit and
banter and snark. And I would highly enjoy the awkward moments…highly.
…erase Logan Huntzberger from Rory’s life and make sure Jess stays in
the picture or go on romantic date with Logan Walker which includes a glorious
kiss at the end? (I’m torn here so I’m personally not answering ha!)
Oh my gosh! When I first read this, I thought the
second option was a romantic date with Logan Huntzberger and I was like, “Why
would you even ask me this? Logan Huntzberger is so far from my type it’s
hilarious. There’s not even a decision to be made here!”
Then I realized you said Logan Walker…my Logan. And
things got DIFFICULT. Because I adore Logan Walker and have an amazingly
unreasonable crush on the guy who portrays him on my cover (that I wish so
badly I could share!).
And yet, I love Jess…I will love him forever.
But you know, in my imagination, Jess DOES stay in the
picture for Rory. And Logan Huntzberger may not be my thing—not even a little
bit—but he does have his good moments and there are ways Rory does grow (I
suppose) from her relationship with him. (Even if mostly he just encourages her
stupid decisions and spends the bulk of his time on screen whining.) I don’t
think he needs to be entirely erased from her life.
So my choice is a romantic date with Logan Walker
which includes a glorious kiss at the end.
And now I realize half of this post has been talk of
kissing fictional people. I’m not sure how I feel about this…lol!
(Jess here) Well, I feel good about it so that’s what
counts, right? Great answers, Melissa! This was so much fun!
Okay,
friends, are you a Gilmore Girls fan? If so, we’d love for you to answer a few
of the questions in the comments. If not, who would you share a fictional first
kiss with?

Visit Melissa on Facebook, Twitter @melissatagg and her blog! 
Take a peek at From
the Start then go buy the book! I loved it!

Buy the book!

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily
ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn’t
kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays…until a
major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running
back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is
temporarily hiding out in a friend’s hometown to avoid the media and the
reminders of all he’s lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn
how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he’s never really done normal
before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand
gestures, they both get what it’s like to desperately need direction in life.
An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives,
but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn’t part of
the plan, but could it be the best thing that’s ever happened to them?

A Taste of Texas w/ Julie Jarnagin

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
I am
so excited today to have my good friend Julie Jarnagin here. Julie is one of my
favorite authors too! And today she’s talking about her novella. Take it away,
Julie!
Hi,
everyone. Julie Jarnagin here. I’m so excited to be on Jessica’s blog today.
Jessica is one of those friends who can always make me smile even when I’m
having a bad day!
Do
y’all love comfort food as much as I do? When I think of comfort food, the first
thing I think about is the potlucks we used to have in the basement of my small
hometown church. The entire table would be covered in fried chicken, ham,
broccoli and cheese casserole, deviled eggs (someone always brought deviled
eggs), and more delicious dishes than I can list. And then there was the
dessert table! Coconut cream pie, Texas sheet cake, banana pudding…yum!
My
goal in writing my latest series, Taste of Texas, was to give you that same
feeling that I got at those potlucks full of great food and warm people. And
I’m having a blast writing them. These books are all set in central Texas and
have plenty of good food and cute cowboys. What could be better? 🙂
I
recently released the first book in the series, a novella titled The Art of Falling where you’ll meet
Heather, a cautious art museum fundraiser, and Wyatt, a bull rider with a big
heart. I actually wrote my upcoming novel Kiss the Cowboy first, but as I was
working on it, I realized that two of the secondary characters, Heather and Wyatt,
had their own story to tell. That’s where the idea for The Art of Falling was born.
What are some
of your favorite kinds of comfort food?
Below
is my mother-in-law’s famous chocolate sheet cake recipe.
Pat’s
Chocolate Sheet Cake
2
cups sugar
2 cups
flour
1
stick oleo
1/2
cup shortening
1
tsp salt
1
tsp vanilla
4
Tbsp cocoa
1
cup water
2
eggs
1tsp
soda
1/2
cup buttermilk
Mix
flour and sugar in a bowl. Bring oleo, shortening, cocoa and water to a boil.
Add hot mixture to sugar and four, mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix
well. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes in an 18x12x1 inch pan.
Icing:
1
stick oleo
6
Tbsp milk
1
Tbsp cocoa
1
box powdered sugar
1
tsp vanilla
Bring
oleo, milk and cocoa to a boil. Then add powdered sugar and vanilla. Frost cake
while still hot.
Here’s a peek at The Art of Falling
Heather Tornsten needs a man…a celebrity,
more specifically, for a fundraising gala for the Dallas art museum, where she
works. And what better headliner than bull rider Wyatt Lawrence? Although why
people idolize grown men who make their living falling off animals, she’ll
never understand.
When his mom was diagnosed with cancer,
Wyatt determined to focus on doing what she wants—like visiting some art
museum. But when his mom teams up with Heather Tornsten to get him involved in
a fundraiser, he knows he’s been set up. The more involved he gets with the
pretty events coordinator, the more he realizes falling off a bull is far
safer. Because falling for Heather–who has made it clear that she won’t risk her
heart on any man who courts danger–might break a whole lot more than his bones.
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Julie Jarnagin is a multi-published author of inspirational
romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and
ranched. These days she lives in a not-so-big city with her amazing
husband and two young sons who tolerate all her nerdy
quirks. Julie earned a B.A. in Journalism / Professional Writing from
the University of Oklahoma and is a member of American Christian Fiction
Writers.  www.JulieJarnagin.com

Why We Left Our Church: The Simple Truth

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

When you leave a church sometimes the following questions are asked and statements are made: “They must be mad or holding a grudge.”
“Who do you think offended them?”
“I bet they didn’t get their way on something and called it quits.”
“I guess they weren’t happy so…”
“Well, something must have happened and ticked them off or they wouldn’t have left.”

Something did happen. It had nothing to do with a feeling. It had to do with a holy stirring.

In Mary Poppins, Burt is playing along in his one man band, entertaining the crowd. Happy. Routine. And something breaks his “day as usual.” 

The winds changed. 
The atmosphere around him stirred. 
He pressed pause, and looked UP.

In wonder, anticipation, and maybe even a bit of confusion, he slowly sings, “”Somethin’s ’bout to begin. Can’t put my finger on what lies in store…” Then he goes back to singing, “Step in time…step in time…”

 

 

That’s what happened to us. Something in our spiritual atmosphere stirred and we knew something was about to begin, though we couldn’t quite put our finger on it. So we went back to stepping in time, all the while, waiting…watching…praying for clarity and direction. We looked UP–to Jesus. We did this for over a year. 

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

Some seasons are relatively short. And some…some are long. We spent fifteen years in the church we left. I grew up spiritually there, we dedicated our children, watched them get saved and baptized there. I stepped into all kinds of ministry and stretched…grew. We poured our hearts, our service, our time into the people of this church. We don’t regret a minute of ministry. We cherish those memories. Every. Single. One.  

 

But God began to place the direct community we do life in on our hearts. He strategically placed us in areas of the west end of the county where we have unique opportunities and great relationships. He opened our eyes to see things here we haven’t seen before. 


We knew where God was calling us to focus ourselves. Here. Living #thewestlife (as I like to call it).

God’s timing has fallen perfectly into place. One small step at a time. From an established church accepting God’s call to Go West with a 3rd campus to my book contract coming exactly when it did, to snow days that moved dates around to help me finish out my committment to people and God, with grace in a class I love to teach. I could go on and on about things that were divinely set up, but it wouldn’t be a blog. It’d be a book.  

My son, front and center, about to be baptized! Good times.

Not only God’s timing, but His fingerprints, blessings, confirmations constantly reminded us that we were in the center of His will. And that’s a peaceful, joyful, wonderful place to be. If we were leaving over hurts, disappointments, anger, bitterness, offense, name the poison, God wouldn’t be showering blessings. He’d be laying on conviction for us to repent. To say we’ve never been angry or upset, disappointed, let down, or frustrated would be a lie. In fifteen years that’s to be expected. For anyone. I mean, good grief I get irritated with the people who came from my body. You think I’d never get miffed at someone who didn’t? 

But it’s not a reason to leave a church. If you’ve been in my F.O.R.W.A.R.D. class, you’ve heard me say that. If you know Tim and I well, then you know the kind of people we are, and our hearts, and it wouldn’t cross your mind that we might leave because we’re bitter or angry.  We’re not quitters. So right here, right now, if you’re reading this and your feelings have been hurt and you’re considering leaving your church over it, DON’T. Go to that person. In love. Talk about it. Forgive. Always forgive. Make things right. You’re a family. Family should love each other. The Bible says, “They  (the world) will know us (the church) by our love for one another.”  

On a Missions trip in Thailand. We had lunch at the governor’s home
in Chaing Rai, but here we are at her office. Good times.

A few questions that might need answered:
Does that mean we don’t love the people in the church we left? No. Does it mean we love the people in our new church more? No. Because guess what? At the end of the day, we’re all ONE BODY. Church #1 isn’t a body. Church #2 isn’t a body. Church #3, 4, 5, and 6, aren’t a body. They are all PARTS of ONE body and Christ is the head. In fact, gospel preaching churches ought to be working together not competing for who can have the coolest programs, biggest attendance, and more photos on Instagram to brand them, but that’s another post for another day. And thank you so much for those of you who wrapped your arms around me at book club and last night after F.O.R.W.A.R.D. who have cheered us on and are excited for us. It. Meant. Everything!!

Does this mean when we champion our new church and post updates on how amazing the preaching is, the worship is, the events/LifeGROUPS, Youth is that we’re slighting the church we left or other churches in general? NO. If you personally take it that way, then you need to personally deal with it. Sheesh, my most favorite female voice on the planet is still singing on stage at church #1. Waves to my BFF Heather Williams! Will she take offense if I post how beautiful another woman’s voice is that sings on Sunday? No. Because she’s secure enough and knows me well enough to know I’m not slapping her in a passive aggressive way by saying something nice about someone else or the fact that I can be moved by someone else’s voice and anointing. I doubt Beth Moore gets upset when folks talk about how great Priscilla Shirer is. She’s probably overjoyed because that means a woman is getting the Word into her soul. And really…isn’t that what we should be doing as well? Being excited about people growing and maturing in Christ wherever God chooses and by whomever God uses. As I’ve matured in Christ, I’ve come to realize this more and more. 

Does this mean we have to stop doing life with the people in Church #1 because we’re not sitting in a Sunday service with them? NO. Faith Readers book club isn’t a leisure group under church #1 anymore, but it is a community Christian women’s book club that meets at the Southaven library. Love you, ladies, and appreciate your amazing outpouring of love and support! Anyone can come and I hope they do! From churches all over the county. We’re all sisters in Christ. Aren’t we? It means I still go to movies and dinner with couples from church #1. It means I still ask them to pray for me. We still go to lunch, shopping, and the zoo. We text and talk over the phone. It means you don’t have to dodge me, hide from me behind Walmart or Target end caps, or pretend you don’t see me in the grocery store (not that you would but just in case). It means you can still send me that invite to lunch you promised and text to check in on me. It means you can still love me.  You don’t have to feel awkward around me. I’m still me. I still love the same Jesus. I still care about you.  Because we’ve established a friendship over faith, not over a building we attend two or three times a week. And this goes for anyone leaving a church or for those who haven’t left. Love each other. Don’t let awkwardness or “territorialness” (is that a word?) keep you from continuing to be friends. Love. Love. Love one another. Even if someone DOES leave over anger or bitterness…those who stay behind, LOVE them, text them and tell them that but mean it. Those who left under those circumstances, pray about that heart condition. Those who stay behind, give a call or text those who have left due to God’s leading and say, “Hey, we love you no matter what and we’re glad about what God is doing in your life. Can’t wait to see how He uses you to reach others. We’re proud of you. We appreciate all you’ve done in this season with us and if you ever need anything…we’re here. With open arms. Always. (cue Journey). And if you can’t say those things, if you don’t feel those things…you should pray about that heart condition. 

Okay so I might look angry here, but I’m not! I’m flipping cold! This is the BBQ team serving at Springfest. Good times.



Does it mean that we’re going to secretly try and get members from Church #1 to come to our new church? NO. Sadly, that happens all too often in churches and it shouldn’t. But not with us. This isn’t about trying to take our friends where we’re going. It’s about reaching out to the West end of the county and seeing lives changed for Christ. Seeing broken hearts mended, wounds healed, marriages restored, crime rate dropped because people are coming to know Jesus! It’s not about manipulating already-Christ-followers into coming to a different church. That’s shallow and ridiculous and if you know Tim and I we are not shallow. Sometimes we’re ridiculous–in a good way, though! 🙂 

Does it mean we are over-the-moon excited to be where we are and making new friendships, ministering with new people and sitting under new leadership? YES!!! We are thrilled to be a part of Life Fellowship WEST (I only mention the name because many of you either already know or are going to ask anyway, and we’re proud to be there). We are committed and on board with their vision! We have no clue where God will place us as far as ministry. We didn’t walk into the church saying, “Well, we are gifted in XXX areas so we need to do XXX and XXX.” No. I may never teach another F.O.R.W.A.R.D. class again (until it’s published and I have to have DVDs recorded, gulp!) But maybe I will. Or  maybe I’ll work the cafe and put a little cup of chocolaty goodness into the hands of an eager child who needs to hear and know that Jesus loves him/her. That’s the thing about God’s plan. You don’t have every detail when you want it. You have to take steps of faith.  Will I miss ministering with those of you who I’ve been in the trenches with? YES! Am I anticipating getting in the trenches with new friends? YES!  

This is the first Trunk or Treat event we ever did. I had a blast working
with my BFF Melanie to organize one of the largest outreaches we’ve ever done! Good times.

This is a good thing for our family. Part of God’s purpose and plan. So we celebrate it. We love you, Church #1 and hope you’ll celebrate it with us as many already have. 


It’s time for us to move forward. And this is the next step. 

 
We’re excited about a new START at a  new place. God is doing a new thing Waves at Amanda as I see you, girl! 

“My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” 1 Cor. 16:24 NKJV

photocredit/freedigitalphotos(dot)net

It’s Been Awhile…Coffee with Jess A VLOG!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey everyone! It’s been a long time since I’ve done a vlog and today I want to share the inspiration behind the Seasons of Hope novella series that I’ve been working on. 

As of right now book 1 & 2 have been FREE (limited time) to subscribers, so if you haven’t subscribed to the Patched In newsletter, do it now and you’ll be receiving 2 more novellas for FREE this year. Right now both books, Hope Under Mistletoe and Just the Way You Are are available for purchase at Amazon. 

I say “know-vella” and I think up north it might be pronounced “nah-vella.” Well…I live near Memphis so it’s “know-vella.” Also, be aware, this is totally off the cuff, no retakes. Um…sorry? Not sorry. Okay, let’s chat about the inspiration behind the series. Get your coffee…settle in for just a few moments and let’s do this! 

What’s your favorite season and why?