ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I never planned to be a writer. In fact, it took me a while to finish college. But I did, and here I am. And I now I can’t imagine not being a writer.
By day, I am an English Instructor at MATC, Marketing Manager for Degnan Design Builders, Inc., mother to four amazing children, wife to an eternally patient and supportive husband, and Worship Leader for Living Hope Fellowship in Sun Prairie, WI. In the evening, when I can squirrel away some quiet time, I read and write historical fiction.
I have a B.A. in English Lit. from UW Whitewater and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.
If you have a question for me, or if you are local and would like me to stop by your book club or writer’s group, please drop me a line via the “Ask the Author” tab. I always love the opportunity to meet with others who share my love of books.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Chicago – 1890
Miriam watches the people jostle their way below the windows of her warehouse home, never thinking to look up at her as she paints their faces. But Miriam's gift as an artist goes beyond a mere recording of what is: Miriam paints their futures. Only once was she wrong. One woman doesn't match the future Miriam saw. The bright girl was supposed to grow into a respected businesswoman. Instead, Ione disappears nightly into the shadowed alley next to the cathedral with the other prostitutes. Then one night, while walking through the city fog, Miriam finds Ione broken and beaten. Miriam is forced to open her home to the stranger whose face she knows so well and open her life to change she never could have foretold. Women are missing—some found floating in the river, some never seen again. The deacon from the cathedral is the first to help. Soon Miriam’s solicitor, Michael, aids her in rejoining society so they might uncover the evil at work in the corrupt city...and awakens feelings she had never considered before. Finally engaged with the world she has so long observed, finally stirred by love and friendship, Miriam realizes the responsibility of her gifting. No longer can she just paint what will be. She must now help Ione find the future she is meant to have...and find her own along with it.
My Thoughts:
“Sometimes, I think
God has plans for us we can’t even imagine.
Maybe, though, when we don’t have enough faith to see us how He sees us –
through His grace – then He lets us borrow it from someone else.” (p. 213)
Miriam spoke truth into a broken life with these words. She had already brought life and light to so
many lives at this point through both her actions, and her words that the
landscape of her own life had changed dramatically! Set in
1891, Soul Painter, is a story
that took me totally by surprise. Miriam
and John’s characters seemed rather straightforward at first, but within just a
few pages, it became clear that the depth of these characters was special, and
their hearts were pure and true.
And then there is Michael.
Precious Michael. I am so
thankful for Michael!! I never imagined
the role he would play in this complex plot!
And I really never expected such a good mystery to unfold within the
pages of this story! The process of
finding the culprit behind the evil threatening the community kept the pages
turning at a rapid pace! The resulting message
of grace and mercy was SO POWERFUL!!
This book totally surprised me in every way!!
I HIGHLY recommend Soul
Painter to everyone! Romance, mystery, intrigue, and mercy all blended
together in an unforgettable portrait of grace!! I loved this book!! You will too!
If you would like to read the first chapter of Soul Painter, go HERE.
1 comment:
Thank you for the wonderful review. I thought I would let you know that the working title for this novel was "Portrait of Grace." I can't tell you how happy it makes me that that message came through.
Cara
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