Author: Regina Rudd Merrick

Welcome...

To Hope-Inspired Stories, for anyone who'd like to discover more about books and stories that uplift and encourage.

Several years ago, while teaching high school art, I found out I was as thrilled as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that promoting other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it's my hope you are blessed with a message of grace through the words of authors featured here. 

Please join me each week as writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories share their work.

My guest this week to celebrate August's contemporary women's fiction and romances is Regina Rudd Merrick, author of the Southern Breeze Series, her second and most recent entitled, Carolina Mercy.  It's Regina's hope and mine that you'll find words of encouragement in her stories.

Carolina Mercy ~ Book II: Southern Breeze Series 
Publisher:  Mantle Rock Publishing LLC

She’s always gotten everything she’s wanted. 

He thinks he has to give up everything.

Her best friend’s wedding is foremost on Lucy Dixon’s radar. Her biggest concern is once again meeting Tom Livingston, who has ignored her since an idyllic date on the boardwalk of Myrtle Beach the previous summer.

At least, it is her biggest concern until tragedy strikes. Where is her loving, merciful God, now?

When Tom Livingston meets Lucy, the attraction is instant. Soon after, his mother is diagnosed with an untreatable illness, and his personal life is pushed aside. His work with the sheriff’s department, his family–they are more important. He knows about the love of God, but circumstances make him feel as if God’s mercy is for everyone else, not him.

Can a wedding and a hurricane–blessing and tragedy–bring them together?

Author: Regina Rudd Merrick

Carolina Dream ~ Book I: Southern Breeze Series 
Publisher:  Mantle Rock Publishing LLC (March, 2017)

Sarah Crawford wants more from life than to attend the wedding of her ex-fiancée. An unexpected inheritance in South Carolina comes at the perfect time, just as Sarah is willing to use any excuse to get out of town. When she meets potential business partner Jared Benton and discovers that a house is part of the inheritance, she is sure that God has been preparing her for this time through a recurring dream. 

But will a dream about an antebellum mansion, many rooms to be explored, and a man with dark brown eyes give her the confidence to take a leap of faith, leaving friends, family, and her job behind?

A reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment. You will be included in a drawing for a book by the author featured during that week. 

...And as a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a multiple-prize drawing at the end of this month. August's giveaway: a pretty tote filled with gifts that include this month's DVD--the Hallmark movie, "Bound by a Secret," starring Leslie Ann Warren, a journal, a 25.00 gift card, lovely organic handmade bath soap and more, all reflecting this month's summery romantic mood. 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).

Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Sodus Bay, N.Y. during a particularly harsh storm on Lake Ontario earlier this year was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. Note the courageous lone seagull taking flight in the upper right corner of the photo.   

Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired! 
Pat Iacuzzi