Author: Deborah Raney

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.

To close out the month of August, is well-known multi-published author Deborah Raney and her latest novel, Reason to Breathe, published by Gilead Publishing.  

Perfect for August's contemporary women's fiction and romances, it's a great beach read and will satisfy the tastes of many readers. Enjoy!

Reason to Breathe

Publisher: Gilead Publishing

October 23, 2018


At twenty-nine, Phylicia Chandler put her life on hold to help her sisters care for their dying mother. Now Mom is gone and their father shocks them all by running off with a woman young enough to be their sister. Life is moving forward all around her, but Phee feels stuck--until her father's protégé presents her with an intriguing business proposition.

When Quinn Mitchell offers to help Phee purchase and renovate three small lake cottages on the outskirts of Langhorne, Missouri, he doesn't count on falling in love with her. Yet here he is: head over heels. But how can Quinn declare his love for this beautiful, talented woman twelve years his junior when she's still reeling from her father's hasty remarriage to a younger woman? Can Quinn convince Phee that it isn't too late to see her dreams come true?

About the Author:

Deborah Raney's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Deborah and her husband, Ken, traded small-town life in Kansas--the setting of many of Deb's novels--for life in the city of Wichita. They love traveling to teach at writers conferences across the country and to visit their four children and a growing brood of grandchildren (who all live much too far away).

For this week only: if you sign up to become a follower, and win the multi-prize package, it will include the DVD "A Vow to Cherish" based on Deborah's book!

Author: Deborah Raney

Also hi-lighted this week is Deborah's Favorite Hymn....may it be as uplifting to you!

We actually sang my favorite song in church just this morning! "Holy, Holy, Holy." I just love the majesty of that hymn and its understanding of God’s glory and majesty. I first heard this song at my late Uncle Jim’s high school baccalaureate service when I was just a little girl. It brought tears to my eyes even then, especially “All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea." 

I deemed it my favorite hymn right then, and I’ve never changed my mind in all the years since. My husband has instructions that it’s to be sung at my funeral (hopefully many years from now!) My second favorite line of the song (maybe because I’m an early riser?) is “Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.” 

P.S. I don’t think I’ve EVER been asked that question in an interview before in all the 20+ years I’ve been doing interviews. I love it! 

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 week's DVD--"A Vow to Cherish," starring Ken Howard, 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