WHEN IT RAINS by BETTIE BOSWELL

WHEN IT RAINS by BETTIE BOSWELL
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: Hoping for Treasure

AUTHOR: Bettie Boswell

PUBLISHER: Mt. Zion Ridge Press

GENRE: Split-time Christian Romance

SERIES OR STAND ALONE: third book in a series

TARGET AGE: Adult

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOM AUTHOR BETTIE BOSWELL TO PATTI’S PORCH. BETTIE SHARES THE EBB AND FLOW OF HER WRITING CAREER, REMINDING US THAT WE ALL EXPEREINCE DRAUGHT AND FLOODS IN OUR WRITING JOURNEYS.

BETTIE IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR A PDF COPY OF HOPING FOR TREASURE.

WHEN IT RAINS

Bettie Boswell

When it rains it pours is an old saying with a current truth flooding into certain parts of our country at the moment. For some areas, where crops are dry, the moisture is a blessing. For others, torrential rain creates floods that overwhelm normal life. Life is full of blessings to enjoy and rolling rivers to overcome. This has also been true of my writing life.

It took a long time for me to write my first book, On Cue, about a Christian woman named Ginny who wrote a musical. My hopes of trying to get it published were like a dry desert with no rain in sight. I loved that book about musicals, falling in love, and overcoming the past with forgiveness. I drew from some of my own experiences as a musician to nourish the story. Like a dry house plant, I watered and pruned the words into a novel that touched hearts and finally found a publisher who welcomed it into their net. That was three years ago.

A year later another book, Free to Love, flowed out through my trickling stream of stories. There was no river of manuscripts to choose from in my boat, but my split-time tale about Ginny researching her musical and discovering a couple on the Underground Railroad flowed out as a prequel to the first book. The freedom seekers' journey took them across rivers and streams in hopes for freedom.

I paddled down my creek filled with ideas and enjoyed floating along, angling for new ideas and catching a few big and little fish along the way. Then it poured. I'd written a few children's manuscripts and cast my hooks into the sea, hauling in a couple of contracts for a picture book called Lucy and Thunder and chapter book about Dottie's Dream Horse. Being an author and an illustrator threw me into an ocean full of waves that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Doubts overwhelmed and threatened to sink my ship as I fought against feeling like an imposter when it came to creating art. My publishers threw me a life line, encouraging my talents, helping me stay afloat.

Little did I realize a flood was rolling my way. Like a spring flood or ocean tsunami, publishing dates washed over me and I realized that within the tidal pool of about two months, three books were born. I came up gasping for air as I tried to let the world know about my three ships setting sail.

Lucy and Thunder came first with a roll of thunder on May first, scaring poor little Lucy to pieces. Only God could help her with her fears and keep Thunder from drowning her sweet spirit.

Dottie's Dream Horse galloped into the sea for a swim, less than a month later, with the family mule dumping the elementary aged Dottie into a creek, which didn't help her fear of heights. She blamed her brother for that problem, but he was taking his own ship overseas during WWII. Forgiveness would come hard for Dottie, who dreams of having a horse instead of a mule.

The third book for Ginny, Hoping for Treasure made its appearance last, on July first, bringing a boatload of trouble for the newly married main character's dreams of starting a family right away. This second split-time novel also featured finding a hidden manuscript about her great-grandparents' WWII romance and more information about a mystery connected to the Underground Railroad stop in Ginny's town.

Meanwhile, I am swimming in a sea of trying to advertise three books at once. I think when I contacted Patti about this blog, I only knew about May first and July first. I love my readers and hope they can catch up with this hurricane of new tales. I'd love for some of you to check one of these sweet stories for several different age groups, from picture book, to chapter book, to Romance novel and share a review somewhere. All of my stories are steeped with words of God's hope and forgiveness. The children's books overflow with activities for parents, teachers, and homeschoolers.

Please remember that everyone will experience dry spells, floods, and perfect seas. Look to God for help and peace to endure the best and worst of times. In each situation it is possible to keep afloat, if your eyes are on the Lord.

Blessings, Bettie Boswell

Blurb for Hoping for Treasure:

Shortly after Ginny and Scott's marriage begins, tragedy strikes when a miscarriage dashes their hopes of starting a family. As Ginny seeks comfort through a manuscript about her great-grandparent's post-WW 2 romance, will she discover secrets about her family and more about the Woodson House's hidden room?

Buy Link

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A PDFCOPY OF HOPING FOR TREASURE BETWEEN NOW AND FRIDAY, AUGUST 4^TH AT MIDNIGHT MT.

BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.

Bettie Boswell always loved to read and create stories for family and friends. In 2016 she began writing and illustrating stories to share with the world. She is now an author/illustrator of both children and Christian adult fiction and non-fiction books. Her efforts include contributions to educational works, leveled readers, magazine articles, and devotional and short story anthologies. Bettie has two grown sons, one daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and a busy minister husband. Learn more about Bettie and her work at her website.

SUBSCRIBE TO PATTI’S BLOGS HERE

Comments

Jean Alfieri From colorado springs At 7/29/2023 12:21:28 PM

Congrats, Bettie - what a wonderful flood of blessings. Instead of calm float down a lazy river you're white-water rafting. Enjoy the ride!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Jean. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your words of encouragement for Bettie.

Becky Van Vleet From Colorado Springs At 7/26/2023 12:48:30 PM

Bettie, my goodness--you are right in saying when it rains, it pours! Three books out so close together--amazing. Keep up the good work. God will help you traverse the waters of it all.

Reply by: Patti Shene

HI Becky. Thank you so much for commenting on Bettie's post and leaving words of congratulations ad encouragement for her.

Katherine Pasour From North Carolina At 7/26/2023 9:54:45 AM

Bettie, you've had an amazing writing journey thus far. I'm so improessed with the number of books you've been able to write and publish. Congratulations and best wishes as you continue the journey.