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 was as excited as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that encouraging other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it is my hope you are blessed with a message of grace as I was, through the words of authors featured here. Please join me in welcoming writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories as they share their work. 

Autumn and Thanksgiving 2020 will soon be a fleeting memory, but I still think of curling up with a cup of hot tea or cocoa, and delving into a good book. 

📖 🍁 🍂 ☕ 

To complete this November's family reading series I'd like to welcome author Melissa Lea Leedom with her Christian romance, "To Forgive, Divine"...

To Forgive, Divine

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Melissa Lea Leedom

Publisher : iUniverse, Inc. (October 27, 2003)

Since the accident that killed her husband two years ago, Bonnie Callaway has had no room in her heart for new love. She certainly didn’t plan to fall for her also-widowed pastor!

Jeff Wells can’t wait to see Bonnie again. But nosy neighbor Clara Adkinson informs him that he isn’t the only man in Bonnie’s life! Who is this other guy?

As their story unfolds in To Forgive, Divine, close friends (and closer enemies!) realize that things aren’t always as they appear. Even when they discover the truth, feelings of betrayal and distrust seem to destroy any hope of rekindling the love Bonnie and Jeff had started to feel for each other.

Enter a young boy who desperately needs help that only Bonnie and Jeff can give him, an embittered young woman who learns about forgiveness from these two people who can’t seem to forgive each other, and an estranged couple who need just a little push from reluctant lovers Bonnie and Jeff to re-write their own ill-fated love story. Bonnie and Jeff can’t avoid seeing each other even when they try!

As Bonnie and Jeff watch lives transformed all around them by the love and forgiveness of Jesus, they must confront their own failure to forgive. How can they recommend Christian love to everyone else and deny it to each other?

Melissa Lea Leedom ~ Author

And if you enjoy cooking or needle work of any kind, visit her website for a lot of fun and prizes during the holiday season...

~ Melissa's Website - www.forgive490.com - has a page with discussion questions for book club group and a page of recipes for dishes that appear in the story.

~ There's both a free knitting and crochet baby blanket pattern on the "Blankets for Romania" page.

~ Kindle Edition will be 99c until the end of the year. Also, Melissa will be the author guest host on the "Loves to Read" Facebook group page on Dec. 25. There will be a To Forgive, Divine trivia contest (with questions from the story), with the questions being posted on Christmas Eve. Prize to the first person to get all answers correct is a $25 Amazon card.

Twitter @MelissaLeedom and Goodreads - if you are inclined to leave a review, Melissa would appreciate it if you leave them on Amazon AND Goodreads.

...And if you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a prize drawing at the end of this month: A 25.00 gift card and your choice of one of the books featured in November! (Drawing for U.S. addresses only, please).

• Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Charlotte Lighthouse, Rochester N.Y. at sunrise was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. 
  
  
  “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).  
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                                        Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired!

Janice Cantore ~ Romantic Suspense Author

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.

This beautiful short story written by suspense author Janice Cantore hi-lights her relationship with her Dad, through a mutual love for the game of golf. It offers insights into parenting, and our bond with the Lord. Please stop in to say hello, and let us know if you have a particular memory of your parents, especially during the holidays...

The Love of Golf

I’m not a parent, I was never blessed with children. The only knowledge I have of parenting is how I was parented. I’m sure my parents were like most, flawed. They had their strengths and their weaknesses, but they did the best they could with what they knew. My mother gave me a love of reading and writing. She read voraciously and when she wrote letters, she told a story. As I write my novels, I think of her, would she like this story? Yeah, she would, because I wrote it. Thanks, Mom.

One thing my father gave me that I will forever be grateful for was a love of golf. He bought me a couple of lessons when I was in high school and after that took me out to play occasionally. I think we played from time to time until I graduated college. After that, I didn’t have the time to play, and he had an injury that kept him from playing, and eventually I gave my clubs away. It was about twenty-five or so years before I picked the game up again. Dad passed on in 2012.

How could you really love the game if you didn’t play it for twenty-five years, you ask. The most astonishing thing happened when I did start playing again. All these great memories of playing with my father came flooding back. I remembered shots he’d made, shot’s I made, his encouragement, his correction, stopping for a hot dog at the little shack at the tenth hole, and flying over the course in the little cart, loving the breeze on a hot Southern California afternoon.

In everyday life my father could be a difficult, unpredictable man. But never on the golf course. When we played golf, my father was just dad. He was helpful, insightful, and fun to play with. And when I play today sometimes, I often imagine him beside me saying, “Good shot!” or “Keep your head down”. The time we spent together on the course was good. The memories are golden and precious to me.

So, if it’s not too presumptuous for a non-parent to give parenting advice, here goes. Parents give your kids a love of something. It doesn’t have to be golf, but it has to be something that involves both of you and good quality one on one time. Maybe your child will eventually drop it and not pick it up again for years and years after you are gone. The memories made will bring you back to them in living color. So, take the time to make them good, golden, precious memories.

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. She has penned ten romantic suspense novels: the Cold Case Justice series, the Pacific Coast Justice series, Critical Pursuit, and Visible Threat. Crisis Shot and Lethal Target are the first two books in the Line of Duty series. Cold Aim finishes out the series

Janice lives in Hawaii, so this gorgeous golf course setting has palm trees and the ocean.

Author Janice Cantore

And Janice's latest novel Breach of Honor (July 6, 2021) is now

available for pre-order!

Breach of Honor 

Publisher : Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 6, 2021)

As a police officer in Table Rock, Oregon, Leah Radcliff puts her life on the line to help others every day. But at home, Leah’s battling her own personal nightmare: Brad, her abusive husband, a fellow officer, celebrated hero, and beloved son of a powerful prominent family. Brad’s violent outbursts and suspicious activities have left Leah physically and emotionally scarred, until one desperate action to put a stop to his abuse results in deadly consequences.

Though public opinion seems ready to convict Leah, Officer Clint Tanner is one of the few to believe she acted in self-defense. As he works with Leah’s attorney to produce the evidence they need, new truths about Brad’s dark side come to light―and reveal a deep-rooted problem in Table Rock. There are some who have breached their sworn duty to serve and protect . . . and they’ll do anything to keep their secret safe.

Reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment to be included in a drawing for a signed copy of a book by this week's featured author.   

                                             

...And if you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a prize drawing at the end of this month: A 50.00 gift card and your choice of one of the books featured in November! (Drawing for U.S. addresses only, please).

• 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. 
  
  
  “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).  
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                                        Thank you...may you all be blessed and inspired!

Marcus Constantine

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. 

...Finally got one of my former students (from Vacation Bible School at least!) on HIStories! His mother and I have been Sisters in Christ for many years, and I am so happy to present this charming book for children during this time of year celebrating our Thanksgiving to the Lord and the love and gathering of families! Thank you, Marcus!  

• Author: Marcus Constantine
• Illustrator: Brianna Heraly
• Publisher: Independently published (February 29, 2020)
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Ramuel is a creative and imaginative sheep with a nagging question... He just can't help but wonder what is on the other side of the fence! Journey with Ramuel and his friends as they discover the power of boundaries and the loving heart of their Shepherd.

Most of us have stories to share and scars to show from the times we’ve tried to jump over the fence and cross the boundaries that our Good Shepherd has graciously given us...

This parable for the whole family was created to be a catalyst for meaningful and spiritual conversations about healthy boundaries, obedience, and following in the footsteps of our Good Shepherd!

The afterword includes a simple, powerful tool for family worship called Discovery Bible study, helping our kids and families understand, obey, and share God's Word together as disciples of Jesus who multiply!

...What other authors are saying about Marcus Constantine's work:

“Marcus is one of the most creative people I know. Now he has turned his mad skills to providing a simple explanation to one facet of obedience-based disciple making. Using a universal metaphor, he gives clear explanation to why God’s heart for us matters more than anything.”
~Roy Moran, author of "Spent Matches," roymoran.com

“A fun story for families, illustrating the wonderful truth of our need to trust and obey our heavenly Father who loves us beyond measure and always knows what is best for us.”
~Larry Filbert, Disciple Making Movement Trainer & Coach, Pioneers.org

"This story about sheep obeying their Shepherd is a great example of how critical obedience is to our spiritual well being."
~Kurt Olson, Founder of the International Disciple Making Initiative, theIDMI.org

“This delightful illustrated story introduces families to the value of obedience-based Bible interaction. My nine-year old grandson and I enjoyed reading this story to each other, and it accomplished exactly its goal. It opened a simple conversation about the goodness of God and the reason why reading and discussing the Bible together can be so life-giving. Thanks, Marcus and Brianna!”
~Jim Egli, author of "Groups That Thrive," jimegli.com

Marcus Constantine ~ Author

Reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment to be included in a drawing for a signed copy of a book by this week's featured author.                                                

...And if you become a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a prize drawing at the end of this month: A 25.00 gift card and your choice of one of the books featured in September! (Drawing for U.S. addresses only, please).

• 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. 
  
  
  “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).  
• 
  

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