What would you do if you were falsely accused? Would you defend yourself … or pray for your accuser?

About the Book

Book:  Winning Miss Winthrop

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Regency Historical Romance

Release date: March 2018

Catherine Winthrop is almost at her last prayers, rejected years ago by the man who stole her heart. When tragedy brings him back into her life, she must suffer further grief in silence, amid her family’s pain and hostility, which eventually sends her to seek solace in Bath. 

Jonathan Carlew might be wealthy, but the mystery surrounding his birth has shadowed his life, bringing fresh challenges as he takes on the Barony. Caught between appeasing the Winthrop family’s concerns and doing what he could to salvage their failing estate, he must also weigh the echoes of the past with the demands of his new responsibilities.

Two hearts must decide whether present speculation will condemn them to the dust of their memories, or if the whispers of forgiveness can provide freedom for the future.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher. 

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena’s Secret, The Making of Mrs. Hale, A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, Underestimating Miss Cecilia, and Misleading Miss Verity, all available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Koorong, etc.

More from Carolyn

In 2015 I was fortunate enough to visit England and see my sister who was living there at the time. What followed was three weeks of visiting parts of England, Ireland and Scotland in a whistle-stop tour of some of the places I’d long dreamed about visiting, but never thought I’d get the chance: London, Brighton, the Blarney stone in an Irish castle, Chatsworth in the Peak District, Loch Ness and Culloden in the Scottish Highlands, the gorgeous grounds of Dunrobin Castle, and the beautiful Cotswolds of England, which includes World Heritage-listed Bath.

I’ve used many of the places I’ve visited as inspiration behind my historical stories, but none as much as the places I visited while in Bath. Pretty much every place I visited – Sydney Gardens, Bath Abbey, the Pump Room, The Assembly Rooms and more – were mentioned in my story Winning Miss Winthrop, which I view as my homage to Jane Austen’s Persuasion, which vies with Pride and Prejudice as my favorite Austen novel.

I loved my all-too-brief time in Bath, and I love this story, with its depiction of two people learning to overcome the misunderstandings of the past in order to find a future. Winning Miss Winthrop is the first book in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series, and has the attention to period detail, romance, banter, and faith threads that readers in the Regency Brides series have come to expect. I hope readers enjoy Catherine and Jon’s story.

My Winning Miss Winthrop:

This author tells a tale of healing, forgiveness, grief, and grace. Anyone who enjoys historical books will enjoy this one. Catherine and Jonathan, while set in a regency time period, explore feelings and emotions we’re needing to examine in our own lives today. Telling a story that keeps the reader wanting more, this author combines a rich history with a great storyline and characters that leap off the page. I was so glad to find out this is the first in a new series by this author so I can read more. And I loved how other characters from her other series popped up as well. That, to me as a reader, is icing on the cake.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

Thanks for stopping and connecting here at Spoken from the Heart: If you want to subscribe to my email to receive the latest updated information or to just be encouraged, sign up here: www.cheriswalwell.com

As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a free eBook – Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace

Just sign up at: www.cheriswalwell.com

Don’t forget to check out the other blog spots listed below for your convenience.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17

lakesidelivingsite, February 17

For Him and My Family, February 18

Texas Book-aholic, February 19

Labor Not in Vain, February 19

KarenSueHadley, February 20

Woven by Words, February 20

Artistic Nobody, February 21 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

deb’s Book Review, February 22

Mia Reads, February 22

Inklings and notions, February 23

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 25

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 26 (Author Interview)

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, February 26

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 27

Connie’s History Classroom, February 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 28

Spoken from the Heart, February 28

Simple Harvest Reads, March 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Hallie Reads, March 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon prize and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1074d/winning-miss-winthrop-celebration-tour-giveaway

Do you like Christian fiction with real-life people and real-life situations? Pre-order Trail to Forgiveness and sign up for your FREE Pre-Order gift, my way of saying “thanks!”

I read this phrase a few years ago when it was trending on Facebook … and a few months ago it reappeared.

Living life unoffendable. What does that mean to you?

Walking around pretending you’re okay with everything said and done to you?

Pasting a smile on your face when comments or statements make your blood boil?

Or … choosing to acknowledge what someone did or said upset you and in spite of that initial reaction, making the choice to let it go and think the best of the person instead?

I decided to try that approach this year … and within 24 hours of making that decision, I was given multiple opportunities to try out my new approach.

What was the verdict? I realized there were many blessings as a result of choosing to live that way.

I was more peaceful. When I didn’t spend my time focused on how someone wronged me, but instead had to let it go because that’s what I had previously decided, I was left with peace. My mind wasn’t preoccupied with replaying the offense over and over; instead, if I happened to think about what happened, I stopped because going there again wasn’t an option.

When I chose to not give in to the temptation of focusing on how someone hurt me, I was able to ask for God’s blessing and favor over his or her life. It’s nearly impossible, in my opinion, to ask for God’s blessing in someone’s life if I’m holding on to resentment or anger.

It kept walls from building between me and others. If I’m not letting myself get offended, then there’s no room for anger, resentment, or unforgiveness to creep in.

What does living life unoffendable mean to you? Is that a daily habit you want to try on for size?

© Cheri Swalwell 2020; re-posted for encouragement

I’ve been speaking about my prayer life lately and how I’ve changed my approach to my Heavenly Father. Another area I’m working on being more consistent about this year is how I speak about myself.

God has been nudging me to be more kind and gentle with the words I use in my inner dialogue as well as speaking out loud over myself. Our pastor had a sermon in January which further reinforced ways that will help me succeed in this area I’m working to reset in my life.

The best way to overcome negative speech is to read God’s Word, the Bible and declare what God says about us over our lives. For instance, instead of calling myself stupid for making a mistake, I can remind myself I’m a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17) and learning from my mistakes. If I’m dealing with financial issues, I can remind myself Jesus is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and will take care of our needs.

During the sermon in January, I had a conversation with God about a particular area in my life I was struggling with. I told Him I trusted Him and instead of worrying and trying to fix things myself, I would sit back and let Him take over.

It wasn’t two hours later when God literally showed me the answer for my dilemma on a billboard! Yes, on a billboard! I talked to my husband about it, we took the necessary steps and this month we took the first step to fixing a mistake I made the year before … learning from it instead of staying stuck in the “I’m a failure mindset” I was starting to believe.

Living from a mindset of trusting God, thanking Him ahead of time for His answers, and then sitting back and waiting to see how He’s going to fix things I’m worried about in life is a great way to live. He wants to be in charge, He wants us to surrender control to Him and He wants to bless us when we obey and live according to His Word.

I’m still practicing speaking life over myself but giving myself grace is coming easier and the word stupid or failure when referring to myself is being spoken less often.

Do you struggle with speaking life over yourself and your circumstances or have you mastered trusting God for all things and extending grace?

© Cheri Swalwell 2020; re-posted for encouragement

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

In my early to mid-20s, I got mixed up in a relationship which I thought was God-honoring, but ended in abuse. In order to break free from that cycle, I was given the blessing of a fresh start.

The relief I felt being freed from that relationship gave me a new appreciation for life. Trees and grass again showcased multiple hues of green, fall (which is my favorite season anyway) was brighter and more colorful that year and I even reveled in the beauty of the snow-covered tree (while nestled safely at home – long before I was married with children of my own and the fear of winter driving had seeped in).

Then life hit hard and as I described previously, Tigger moved out and Eyeore tried to take up residence. However, God is sad when we choose to live life as Eyeore, focused on the negative instead of with an attitude of joy.

In Spoken from the Heart: Choosing a Faith-Filled Adventure, I share how God healed me of many different layers I had been existing under: fear, depression, anxiety attacks, emotional eating (still a work in progress) and holiday depression.

As God has been peeling back the layers of onions, I’ve noticed a wonderful side effect. Joy has been coming back, similar to how it felt years ago when I was freed from the abusive relationship.

The multiple shades of green in the trees have reappeared, the colors of fall are more vibrant and breathtaking than they have been for years, and I truly am delighted with the laughter of my family and the warm smile of my husband.

In fact, in September my husband and I attended a health conference and I signed up for a free health scan. As the expert was reading the results, she was shocked to see I had no “adrenal fatigue,” a symptom she sees patients regularly suffering from in our stress-out, chaos-filled world.

Her question to me was, “Do you live a life you enjoy? You must not have much stress in your life.”

I had to laugh because only a few days earlier, a client I work with said to me, “You must be living the life you love” in response to a comment I had made to her.

In all honestly, I’m not in my sweet spot yet because I’m still waiting patiently for God to reveal His dreams for my life, which I believe are coming soon. However, because I have chosen to trust God, surrender to His plans, and wait for His timing, joy has returned.

With that joy, my ability to love has grown as well. Love as Christ loves. Love those around me – whether or not they are difficult to love or easy to love, my capacity to love has grown along with my joy and gratefulness to be alive.

What about you? What stage do you find yourself in life? Are you struggling to kick Eyeore out? Have you always been a Tigger? What brings you joy and does that increase your capacity to love? Please share with me your examples. I love learning from you.

© Cheri Swalwell 2018; re-posted for encouragement

About the Book

Book:  The Moonlight School

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Haunted by her sister’s mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?

As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn’t expected: love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carol award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, Suzanne is the best-selling author of more than thirty books, ranging from non-fiction books, to children’s books, to novels. She lives with her very big family in northern California.

More from Suzanne

I’m Suzanne Woods Fisher, the author of The Moonlight School. This historical fiction will release on February 2, 2021, and is based on a true story featuring Cora Wilson Stewart, a Kentucky educator way ahead of her times. In 1911, Cora had a crazy idea—to open rural one-room schoolhouses in her county on moonlit nights to teach illiterate adults how to read and write.

So what happened next? Well, it’s so astonishing that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Instead, I hope you’ll read the book and find out for yourself.

In the meantime, this infographic provides a fascinating look at illiteracy THEN…and NOW. Makes you want to thank your teachers, doesn’t it?

My Review of The Moonlight School:

I love this author and all the genres that she writes. And this book I love more than all the others. I love when authors take a piece of history and fictionalize it, bringing it to life. I fell in love with Lucy, and the whole region. I love how the author allowed me to experience firsthand the struggles, trials and triumphs of the story. This is one that was so deep, it’s hard to put into words except, you will be better for reading it!

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

Thanks for stopping and connecting here at Spoken from the Heart: If you want to subscribe to my email to receive the latest updated information or to just be encouraged, sign up here: www.cheriswalwell.com

As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a free eBook – Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace

Just sign up at: www.cheriswalwell.com

Don’t forget to check out the other blog spots listed below for your convenience.

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, January 30

Batya’s Bits, January 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 30

CarpeDiem, January 31

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 31

A Novel Pursuit, January 31

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 31

The Avid Reader, February 1

Bliss Books & Jewels, February 1

lakesidelivngsite, February 1

Connie’s History Classroom, February 1

She Lives To Read, February 2

For the Love of Literature, February 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 2

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 3

Through the Fire Blogs, February 3

Texas Book-aholic, February 3

Inspiration Clothesline, February 3

Fiction Book Lover, February 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 4

Blogging With Carol, February 4

Lis Loves Reading, February 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 5

Simple Harvest Reads, February 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

HookMeInABook, February 5

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 6

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, February 6

Artistic Nobody, February 6 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

For Him and My Family, February 7

EmpowerMoms, February 7

The Write Escape , February 7

Mary Hake, February 7

Older & Smarter?, February 8

deb’s Book Review, February 8

Splashes of Joy, February 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 9

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 9

Beauty in the Binding, February 9

Blossoms and Blessings, February 9

Remembrancy, February 10

Bigreadersite, February 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 10

By The Book, February 11

Wishful Endings, February 11

Vicky Sluiter, February 11

Pause for Tales, February 11

Spoken from the Heart, February 12

Hallie Reads, February 12

To Everything There Is A Season, February 12

Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1068a/maryann-s-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

“All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.” Psalm 30:4-5 (The Message)

Joy. Usually when I think about this word, I think about Christmas. “Comfort and Joy,” “Joy to the World,” as well as “peace, joy, and love.”

However, when I think about this word recently, I start singing in my head the new song out on the Christian radio station, from a group my daughter and husband had the privilege of meeting this past fall, and I start dancing and “air” playing the instruments (not nearly as good as they do in reality) because the tune is so catchy. It seriously puts a smile on my face no matter what kind of day I’m having.

Joy. It can be contagious … but to someone who is struggling with learning to trust our Heavenly Father, being thankful, or learning to live without fear, joy feels out of reach.

Life is like an onion with many layers. While we may want God to fix everything at once or instantly make us happy (joyful), our Father knows it’s a process that takes time … and unless completed in the right order, will result in a temporary Band-Aid instead of a permanent change.

For me, I had to give God permission to teach me how to trust Him. Then He taught me how to look for the blessings even during difficult circumstances, then I was able to live a life of thankfulness in my everyday life, even when it looked nothing like I envisioned. Next, He was able to take fear out of the equation for me and then, after working with me on several other layers I needed help with, joy started returning.

As with the blessings/thankful lifestyle, it started small and gradually grew. I wrote Spoken from the Heart: God’s Joy Lasts a Lifetime which helps share the journey God took me on to reclaiming to an extent the Tigger attitude, replacing the downcast Eyeore who had come to visit, seeking a permanent residence.

For me, joy takes on many different forms. Sometimes it’s enjoying a cup of flavored coffee, loving the way it brings comfort through smell, warmth and taste but more importantly remembering the gift of love from whom I received it.

Other times it’s much simpler: enjoying a laugh with my husband and best friend, sharing a joke with one of my children or a walk with a friend.

Sometimes it overtakes me when I think about the vast love God has for me and He shows me a glimpse of the dream He’s making a reality in my life and that of my family’s.

What about you, friend? Do you feel joy on a regular basis and if so, what are some things that bring you joy? If not, is that something you want to ask God to bring into your life? Are you brave enough to ask God to start peeling away the layers of your life so that you can experience His full joy too?

Please reply in the comments below. I’d love to have a conversation with you.

© Cheri Swalwell 2018; re-posted to offer encouragement

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Without bragging, I’d say I have the art of multitasking down to a science. I have been a work-from-home mom for the past 15 years with a variety of jobs – sometimes more than one at a time – from owning my own daycare, to transcription work, to administrative assistant, to writing. I have had to learn how to tune things out while focusing intently on editing, proofing and also sometimes writing clear, concise ideas that don’t sound like gibberish to the tune of music blaring, dogs barking, and children crying.

However, even the best of multitaskers have a point where one more noise, intrusion, or event tips the scales in the wrong direction and everything comes crashing down.

One spring I had overestimated my ability to multitask. In the span of two months, we were approaching the end of the school year and the many additional activities associated with that along with additional ministry opportunities, additional sports activities, graduation and subsequent planning and executing of a graduation party, and helping to care for an ill relative. Some of the additional output was mental, some spiritual and some physical but it all took its toll and tipped my multitasking ability completely over. I ended up crabby and far from calm, despite good intentions.

This summer I chose to spend three weeks fasting and praying, seeking God’s will for my schedule for the remainder of the year. I wanted to write what He wanted written, participate in activities He invited me to, and life my life according to His dreams, not mine.

The answer I received was I felt a nudge to focus more on work and my jobs in this upcoming season and less on other pre-scheduled activities – good activities, but to stick closer to home and finish strong these commitments.

Because I had asked for His guidance, I chose to obey that nudge. I made myself available for various activities I thought He wanted me to do, and He slowly closed some of the doors and opened others. The activities that He kept on my agenda are small commitments – a few hours for one day here or there instead of weeks or months in length.

This has made me available to help family more, be available for my kids who still need me, and take advantage of the last year our oldest will be living at home full time under our roof.

Sitting here today I realize something else. The period from April through June, earlier this year, was so busy I didn’t have time to think, relax or look up and enjoy the moments that were speeding by in a blur while I rushed from one activity to another.

However, as I looked back that September, we have been out of state two weekends out of four, I’ve been working on getting a book ready to be published before the end of the year, we’ve adjusted to the beginning of a new school year and had many doctor appointments in between, as well as car shopping, scheduling a tour at a university, and other out-of-the-ordinary activities.

However, this time, I’ve been able to keep calm. While still busy, allowing God to adjust my schedule has made all the difference. I’ve had time to take care of myself physically, spiritually and emotionally, the ability to work during the day so every night isn’t spent playing catch up, and making time to spend with my husband and kids regularly.

The ability to multitask is great. However, in order to multitask to one’s best ability, it’s better to ask God ahead of time what activities He wants you to multitask with instead of continuing to add more and more until calm has left the building and you’re left wondering what happened to your peace.

Have you ever had that problem – where you overschedule to the point where all calm goes out the window? How do you get back to the place of “keeping calm” in your life?

Please respond in the comments below so that I can learn from you and your life.

© Cheri Swalwell 2018; re-posted to offer encouragement

“It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (The Message)

Our family used to like to watch a TV show titled “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction.” My husband and I would keep track of the four to six mini stories told throughout the hour-long show and then at the end when the answers were revealed of which stories were fact and which were fiction, we would compare our guesses, seeing who was better at telling the difference between the truth and a lie.

One of the reasons the show was so appealing was because it was very difficult to tell the difference between something that happened in history and something a clever writer made up to throw the audience off.

Our enemy, the devil, is very similar to that TV show. He takes the Bible, the inerrant word of God (meaning it’s without error, completely true) and subtly twists a little bit here or a little bit there until he gets what he wants – human beings who are believing that his lies are fact and God’s word is fiction.

I struggled with believing many lies before I asked God to teach me how to trust Him. Part of learning how to trust Him was asking for help distinguishing between His truth and the enemy’s lies.

I wrote Spoken from the Heart: Choosing a Faith-filled Adventure and share in there how God counteracted the enemy’s distortions with His absolute truth.

I’ve found, for me, the best way to combat the enemy’s lies is to initiate a conversation with God about a specific issue I want to overcome.

Why, God, do I struggle with emotional eating? I know I need to take care of my body and when I get stressed, I run to food for comfort. Could you show me the lie I’m believing so I can overcome this issue and live in obedience to You instead?

God takes our honest conversations with Him and answers them in ways we can’t possibly imagine. Sometimes He answers immediately, other times it’s a slower process, but He always answers.

Is there an area of your life where you’re struggling to find the truth? Maybe it would be helpful for you to initiate a conversation of your own with our Heavenly Father – asking if there is a lie you’re believing. Then once He identifies it for you, ask Him to replace it with His truth and remind yourself of that truth until you believe it as strongly as you did the original lie in the first place.

If this is something you chose to do and God has been speaking, I’d love if you would share that experience with me. I’d like to rejoice with you.

© Cheri Swalwell 2018; re-posted to bring encouragement