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Near Tragedy on the Farm
A horse isn’t like any other animal on the farm. The relationship between these huge critters and people run pretty deep. Yesterday, as I gazed out my window, I saw something frightening. My oldest daughter’s horse, Bella, stumbled to the ground. The family sprung into action but there didn’t seem to be much we could do. I was able to halter her and walk her a short distance before she again became weak and toppled to the ground. It looked like it was going to be over, and all I could think about was my daughter. How her heart would be so broken and how she’d cry for many months over this lost friend.
A quick call to Bella’s vet found that they were out of town and at least three hours away, so we called another. They arrived shortly, and by then Bella was standing.
Here’s an amazing thing. As we waited for help to arrive, my daughter didn’t want to come near the horse. She was far to upset. I finally convinced her to come over. She cried and rubbed Bella’s neck. Within a couple of minutes the silly horse started to perk up. She even nibbled at the grass.
Well, the vet got there and didn’t have a lot of good things to say. But after the examine he changed his tune a bit. Her heart rate was not elevated and her feet were in good shape. They sedated her and filled her belly with mineral oil then gave her meds for pain and swelling. Poor Bella got a nasty bloody nose from the tube they used, but other than that, she did very well.
Her vet will come out at the end of the week and draw blood. We’re praying for good results which mean no damage to the heart.
So, for now, all is calm on the Nelson farm. May it stay that way!
I’d love to add a picture here, but WordPress doesn’t seem too fond of me today, so you’ll have to get by with only my words. Thanks for listening.
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The Dawn of a Dream
From the back cover:
Luellen O’Connell is stunned when her husband of just one month tells her he is leaving – and his reason devastates her. Deeply wounded by his betrayal, Luellen decides to follow her dream to become a teacher, a desire she had set aside when she married. But can she truly hide her past? Or will it destroy her ambitions forever?
The Dawn of a Dream confirmed Ann Shorey as one of my favorite historical writers. From the first page, I was hooked into a story that stayed strong through the entire book. Luellen faces a new set of struggles at every turn, and I was never sure which way she’d go. In fact, even the ending caught me by surprise. I love that!
The setting was unique, making this historical really stand out. Romantic and inspirational themes flowed through the story in a natural way. Be prepared to read this one quickly. It’s hard to put down.
This is the third book in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, though any of the books could be read as a standalone. I recommend all three, but I have to say, The Dawn of a Dream was my favorite. Ann’s next series releases later this year, and I will first in line to get my copy.
Click here to purchase.
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Writing Courses
Here’s an opportunity for the other writers out there.
Want to learn how to write? Interested in making money with your writing? Check out these work-at-your-own-pace courses from author Janice Thompson: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/. Whether you’re interested in fiction, non-fiction, magazine articles, public speaking, editing or teaching, these courses will meet your need. Best of all, you can make money doing the thing you love to do…write!
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An Interview with Jill Williamson by Guest Blogger, David.
Welcome to David, my first ever guest blogger. He is 14 and a student in my writing class. David loves computer and video games, but isn’t too fond of Taylor Swift music. Since the age of seven, he’s been hooked on Legos and Star Wars. When he grows up, David would like to be a Lego designer.
David had the chance to ask author, Jill Williamson, a few questions.
1. What got you interested in your career?
I’ve always been a creative person. I started sewing in the fourth grade. I remodeled my clothes and dreamed of a career in fashion design. After years of that, I tried to start my own businesses. I made jewelry, handbags, and wedding gowns. I even tried quilts. I kept asking God, “What do you want me to be when I grow up?” And I hoped that it would somehow involve my creative side.
Around the time I became fed up with anything related to fashion, I was working part-time as the secretary at my church. Since my husband was a youth pastor and I spent a lot of time helping him, I felt God wanted me to use my story to reach teenagers. I spoke to our youth group often, but I figured if this was going to work, I needed to get in front of more teens somehow. So I researched being a speaker. I learned about “putting in time” or speaking for free to build my name. Still, I had two small children and not a lot of time to dig up speaking engagements.
I discovered that organizations sometimes hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. The idea of writing an article appealed to me—I could do that from home—so I looked into writing articles. Then a new Harry Potter book came out, and another barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether or not the books were acceptable for Christians to read. The debate inspired me to write my own teen novel that all Christians would love. Yes, I was a bit naive. I have since learned that no one likes every book. But that’s how I got started writing fiction.
2. Do you have any fears about your writing?
Sure. I worry that people won’t like my next book and that my career will end. The publishing industry is a business, so if books don’t sell well, publishers tend not to buy more books from those authors.
I also worry that I’ll make a huge mistake in my story, that I will miss something important in my research. I try to take care when I research things, but sometimes it’s hard to find the right information.
3. How many books have you written?
I’ve written nine books, five of which have been sold.
4. What’s your favorite book that you’ve published?
To Darkness Fled (Blood of Kings, book 2)
5. What do like about that book?
I love Achan. He stands up for what’s right, even if it gets him hurt. He’s sarcastic and heroic. And I love Vrell. She is smart and an emotional basket case. I love the tension in that story, how it keeps going. How things unfold. How everyone is dying for Achan to find out Vrell’s secret. And I love how it all comes out. I even love the agony of the ending.
6. Have you gotten any awards for books that you’ve published?
I have. My first novel By Darkness Hid (Blood of Kings, book 1) won a Christy Award, an Epic Award, and it was also named as one of Voice of Youth Advocates Best Science Fiction Fantasy and Horror Novels of 2009.
Thank you to Jill Williamson for being part of this project. Please check out her website by clicking here.
