Lynn Donovan's Blog

A reviewer recently asked a valid question, or two. Since I’m addressing the Spiritual side of my story, The Wishing Well Curse, I thought I’d address his questions.
The reviewer said in the summary paragraph: 
“Speaking of the mystery. I wasn't offended by how you ended it, but to be honest, it felt... It felt like you took the easy way out. I'll tell you what I expected. I expected Zeke to die. Blood often foreshadows bloodshed, and every time Zeke went near the well, his tattoo bled. Somehow, someway, he would have to give his life to end the curse. Instead, all he had to do was lead a ghost to Christ, dump some ashes down a well, and read a prayer. If it was that easy, why couldn't his great-great-whatever have done it? Oh, that's right. The fourth generation thing. Never mind that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us or that Luther was a Spirit-filled believer. Until Zeke came along, His hands were tied. (Seriously, was that legend really more powerful than GOD?)”
Good question! 
Well, the reason Zeke didn’t die is because the story was about Zeke coming around to his own salvation. The blood shed by his tattoo represented Jesus’ blood reaching out to him to bring him back to the savior. He didn’t have to give his life (Zeke) because Jesus has already done that. His mission was to bring peace back to the people who had been held hostage by the curse (or by the guilt). 
Aren’t we all held hostage by our guilt when we do not repent and receive God’s forgiveness? The ghosts at the well were held hostage by the curse (as satan tries to make us believe), but also by love. They represent us letting the past dictate our present and our future. (I feel the Jabez Prayer releases us from that tie to the past.)
Now, the big question: 
"Instead, all he had to do was lead a ghost to Christ, dump some ashes down a well, and read a prayer. If it was that easy, why couldn't his great-great-whatever have done it? Oh, that's right. The fourth generation thing. Never mind that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us or that Luther was a Spirit-filled believer. Until Zeke came along, His hands were tied. (Seriously, was that legend really more powerful than GOD?)”
As I said in Christian2Christian Part 1, All my stories are wrapped around Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
The premise of this story is that God knew Zeke even before Uncle Luther was born. This entire scenario was all part of God’s plan to bring Zeke back to the family of God. This reviewer is right, “Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”  Exactly! Once Zeke acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he then (through God’s power) was able to overpower the bonds of the curse and release the family from the multi-generational curse, because God loved him long before he was a twinkle in his mother’s eye. This was Zeke’s pre-destined opportunity to reunite with the one who matters most, Jesus. The legend was NOT more powerful than God, the legend was how God reached out to Zeke.
The bottom line, as always, is: this is a work of fiction. I'm simply saying "what if..." It's not a work of theology. But I appreciate the reviewer's comments and the opportunity to sit back and think about what my intentions were when writing this story. And I appreciate this opportunity to share with you, my blogger friends. Leave me a comment is you wish, or share this blog on FB or Twitter. I write for God's Glory and pray seeds are planted for a harvest for His Kingdom. 

“The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them…This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”  Matthew 13:10-13
In my quest to be like Jesus, I write stories. He told parables to help the people understand the Kingdom of Heaven. My writing is my ministry. I write to glorify God. At least, that’s my goal, my intention. Every book I have published is a sermon, but I haven’t always shared what that sermon is. As a Christian, I assumed you recognized the message. And I’m sure you did. Others might recognize a descent story with some spirituality mixed in. 
Today, I begin a new Blog session: Christian2Christian where I will give you the sermon, the background of every book I have written. Just in case you didn't quite catch what I was aiming for, now you will know. And I hope it blesses you as it has blessed me.
The Series, The Spirit of Destiny Series, is based on Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” All three of the book in this series are wrapped around that idea: God cares about you and has for a long time, even before you were conceived. The things that happen to you are there to guide you not to harm you. Listen and grow from God’s lessons. He knows what He’s doing, even though we do not. We must trust Him, for this reason, and He will prosper us, as He has promised. 
In fact, ALL my books are built on this foundation. Because this verse dictates my own faith and trust.
But the first book, The Wishing Well Curse, is wrapped around 1 Chronicles 4:10, The Jabez Prayer. "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”  Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request."
The obvious reason is because the main character, Zeke Clayton, had a one hundred year old curse to destroy. But, Christian2Christian, the real reason, the real message is SO DID I. This tiny verse from the Bible set me free. Therefore I wanted to demonstrate through my parable how it could set you, the reader, free as well.

This story, The Wishing Well Curse, as I have told before in my many interviews, was inspired by the song “If You Could Read My Mind” by Gordon Lightfoot. 
And that’s true. 30 years ago, this song inspired the beginnings of The Wishing Well Curse. But when I finally sat down to write it, it was 1 Chronicles 4:10 that drove the curse breaking story. 
How did that happen?  It’s a simple story actually, I set out to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelations several years ago (which I did and have done several times over, by the way) after I had rededicated my life. So there I was reading along in 1 Chronicles…and I have to be honest, I was bored to pieces but I kept trudging along…when all of a sudden 4:9-10 pasted before my eyes and my brain went, “What!?!”
I have a negative history with my mother and have spent my entire adult life trying to come to terms with it, and her. Our history affected me deeply and dictated a lot of reactive situations in my life which were very hard to overcome. But, when I read this passage, a light bulb came one. Literally, I saw the light!  What I’m saying is this passage illuminated in my mind that I could pray, as Jabez had prayed, and I could be released from this dominating influence on my life. It gave me hope and a sense of freedom I had never had. I was so flabbergasted by it that I took it to my Pastors and discussed my epiphany with them.
They pointed me to several publications discussing The Jabez Prayer and how it had affected others as well.  So my epiphany was not universally astounding for the world, but it was for me. 
And so it was for my character, Zeke. That’s why Zeke went through what he went through and ended up where he ended up. This was my sermon, my parable to plant seeds of hope and encouragement to others who might be dealing with something in their lives that wasn’t necessarily their fault, it had to do with a generation before them or farther back. 
But God can hear your prayer and grant your request.
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:9 
Did you recognize the sermon when you read this book? Does the Jabez Prayer have a special meaning in your life? Leave a comment and let me know. I'd love to hear your testimony. Christian2Christian iron sharpens iron.
Next time, I’ll reveal the sermon behind Thorns of Betrayal. I hope you’ll be here when I share that one. Christian2Christian, we share the mysteries that have been stored FOR us, not FROM us. 
The Wishing Well Curse is free on Amazon (e-copy) and $14.99 in paperback.

by Lynn Donovan
The Abraham Project SeriesBook 1
Be sure to sign up for a possibility to win $20 gift card from Amazon.com 

Book Blurb:A mission of mercy, a mission of generational hope, six-hundred lightyears from Earth, until deception and greed leaves missionaries desperate to communicate The Abraham Project has been taken over by pirates. An overt message sent home by smuggling one female off-planet will hopefully start an investigation into the pathological profiteering when she arrives hysterical and claiming things that cannot be.
Enraged by the betrayal to her sister, Molly Jacobsen joins the next missionary installment—undercover. Her mission: to find who did this and stop the heresy. What she finds is so much more sinister than she ever imagined. Alone and without backup, Molly must determine who are her allies, and who are her enemies.
Dr. Deuce Abraham keeps showing up in Molly’s life—assigned to her sister’s case on Earth, best friends with her snitch, and enlisted on the next pilgrimage. Despite her abhorrence of him, the trainees take to him immediately, but how can she possibly trust the estranged son of the project’s leader. Yet, how can she deny his medical help with her sister’s case?
She’d do anything for her twin, but is this asking too much? Will the same thing happen to her? And, why does Dr. Deuce’s grey eyes throw off her equilibrium so easily? She must remain focused on her covert mission, or risk loosing everything, including her own fertility.

Synopsis:In the twenty-third century, six hundred light years away, in the constellation of Cygnus, there are two stars which comprise Deneb. Orbiting those solar orbs is a little planet called Omicron, which is home to a nearly extinct civilization of half wolf, half human beings. In desperation, they cry out to anyone in the universe who will help.A small band of faithful missionaries hear their plea and vow a life-long commitment to help these people by bringing reproductive technologies and the Christian gospel from Earth. Funded by philanthropist, Austin Abraham, the team includes scientists, medical personnel, humanitarians, and Abraham himself. It is called The Abraham Project, a mission of supreme sacrifice. The crusaders graciously give and give. But someone has taken too much. Pretense and piracy taints the mission and the self-sacrificing soldiers of God are trapped—until one is smuggled back to Earth.Molly and Kita, daughters of Pastor Levi Jacobsen, react to the initial humanitarian call with polar responses—one goes, one stays. But, when Kita miraculously returns hysterical, sterile, and clinging to a doll she claims was her baby, Molly goes undercover. Can she disguise her lack of faith well enough to fake a missionary spirit, or will she blow her cover and end up infertile too? Dr. Deuce Abraham, Kita’s doctor, is the last person Molly trusts. How can she possibly, he’s the son of Austin Abraham?  Worst yet, he has joined the next missionary team going to Omicron. The very one she is on as a covert operative. He has his reasons for going, and it all sounds legit, but how can she believe anything he says? Can she rely on what her mother calls her “gift of discernment,” or fall back on her tried-and-true gut instincts?  With help from Gordon, an inside mole; AF, a mysterious contact; and God’s divine favor, she might have a chance to end this cradle of deception and black-market racketeering, if she can keep her mind focused on the furtive mission and not her tenacious heart.


Excerpt: Finally, she, with her baby in her arms, were escorted by the mechanical assistant to the open pod. Pastor Oliver rushed in and offered his left hand, a gallant gesture of assistance, or was he hurrying her along? She accepted the steadying proffer as she stepped up on the lip of the vertical egg-like structure, and leaned back against the cushioned padding. Michael snuggled into her warmth at her right side. “You’re absolutely sure?” She held the pastor’s gaze with concerned focus. “Michael will be all right?”“Miss Jacobsen, I’m so sor—” He cleared his throat, his tone hurried. He glanced over his shoulder, fear tightened his face as he drew in a deep, resolute breath. A large hand gripped his shoulder and the pastor stepped back.Her eyes followed his movement. Dr. Stork’s neglected teeth, exposed by a broad, exaggerated smile gave his over-indulgent face an ominous appearance, as Pastor Oliver receded behind his superior.“I assure you,” Dr. Stork continued his mottled cheshire-cat grin as he twisted a valve on her IV line. “You and the child will be fine. You’ll arrive perfectly preserved as you are now. We anticipate no complications.” The Doctor glanced at the retreating pastor and continued. “I have seen to your medical file myself and promise you the healers on Earth will know exactly what to do for you when you arrive.”Was this reality, or were the pre-hibernation drugs causing hallucinations? A pins-and-needles sensation radiated through her limbs. She tightened her hold on Michael. “Um, thank you, Doctor.” New tears sprang to her eyes. Could she trust what she was hearing and seeing? Was the doctor truly helping her escape with her son? “And…” He turned away, but she shoved a dead arm toward him to draw him back. “Thank you…for helping me.” Her words seemed slurred. She turned her head to try to focus her vision from the corner of her eye. “…helpin’ me keeb Mighel…and fur ledding us…gaw home.”He tenderly patted her left forearm. “Of course, my dear. Any fertility assistance program must allow for a birth mother to have a…change of heart.”She tried to smile, but wasn’t sure her face responded, as she watched the attendant administer a syringe into her IV tube. A soft hum grew to a loud buzz in her ears. Perhaps, she had mistaken Dr. Stork’s true intentions with the project. Perhaps, he wasn’t such a tyrant to the cause, after all. Before she could allow these new thoughts a place to settle somewhere in her mind, she heard a distant mechanical voice. “Just relax, Kita Jacobsen,” the attendant coaxed. It paused over Michael’s IV tube, but leaned in close to her face. “Count backwards, Kita Jacobsen, from one-hundred. Go to sleep, now, Kita Jacobsen.”Concern filled her heart. Dr. Stork had promised Michael’d be all right. She was beyond the point of return now. She had to trust God, Pastor Oliver and Dr. Stork’s promise. Her eyelids, too heavy to remain open, drew closed. She pulled Michael in close to her side, at least, she hoped that was what she did, her arms were so numb now. She could feel the sedation’s pull on her conscience. The attendants continued to work like humming birds around her pod, flitting from one task to another. She swallowed hard and licked at her drying lips. She couldn’t move her head to look at Michael, but trusted he was still safely tucked at her side. “One-hunred…” Her tongue felt numb. “Niney-nine…” Her body seemed to float above the cushioned padding. Her heavy eyes, slow blinking eyes glanced over at the Doctor and Pastor. “Niney-eh…”Wait! Was Michael in Dr. Stork’s arms?All went black.
And now the moment we've all been waiting for:  The Cover
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you -- Fertility Pirates Cover
Graphics design by Cora Designs.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thank you for stopping by. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.  I appreciate your comments and your coming over to visit me today.

In light of everything that's going on in the world, right now, today, How could you?

Sure, Bruce Jenner is a mess. Earthquakes are devistating parts of our world.
My own first-born son and his family are battling his cancer and Chemo treatments. My daughter is having expensive-to-fix transmission problems. Our other house, in Kansas, has been delayed closing because of a horrendous  hail storm and needs roof, gutter, window, etc repair before the mortgage company can close on the sale. I'm sure our new owner is chomping at the bit to move. I'm sure she's given notice to her apartment and is now begging them to let her stay...one more week...one more week...I'm sorry, I need one MORE WEEK.

Yeah, we feel it.

Everything we want to do is on hold for the closure too. We preface everything with WTHS (When The House Sales)...

But...I fell in love with two chocolate and tan dachshunds and pledged by deposit to receive them when they are eight weeks old. How could I? You know, it's okay. Sometimes in the midst of worrisome events in our lives, we just have to do something that makes our heart glow with joy and lightens our spirit.

And, frankly, this is another one of those things I've wanted for decades and never could get before.

Which brings me to another point I voiced to my husband yesterday...I am in a season in my life that is so wonderful! God has enriched my life so much. I am learning more and more about God's love, mercy, righteousness, protection, power, etc, etc, etc. I have a steady routine of reading and learning from the Bible every day. I feel like I forgot to brush my teeth if I don't read the Bible first thing in the morning. I call it "Coffee with Christ."

My husband is so good to me. I feel loved by him all the time. I never question his feelings for me...and I couldn't have said that before. And because of him, I am able to fulfill dreams I have had for YEARS.

I am writing and publishing books.

I was able to care for my mother in her last four years of her life, and I have been able to take over guardianship of my special needs sister, LeeAnn.

All without worrying about how it will affect my marriage.

Because my husband loves me so much, he is willing to take my challenges on as his challenges.

We have moved to Colorado...something I've wanted since I was a kid. We have pets that we adore.



My children and grandchildren are welcome in our home anytime and my husband loves them as if they were fruit of his loin. (He's an amazing step-dad to them all.)





 We have enough. Not too much so that we remain humble. Not too little so that we become bitter.

And I have friends who are so dear to me....to us, who also know they are welcome in our home whenever they want or need to come.

And...soon our little Chocolate delights will come to live with us...and I cannot wait!  I'm so excited.
Nelli and Delli at 4 1/2 weeks
 I have gathered various (silly) things I think they will need in preparation of their arrival...well their being released from the breeder at eight weeks.

Janet Flick, Flick Kennels
She's so sweet to me too. Janet Flick of Flick Kennels in Westcliffe. She allows me to come see "the twins," as they refer to my Nelli and Delli, anytime I want, during their customer's visiting hours 2:00 - 4:00 pm.  She doesn't rush me. She sits with us and visits with us, answering our multitude of questions. And we discuss other things too. She is teaching a Fidget Quilt class at the Westcliffe college. That's a quilt with various textured fabrics, what nots sewn in for Alzheimer's patients to lay in their lap and "fidget" with. It's very soothing for the recipient and I wish I'd had one or two for Mom when she lived with us. (BTW Alzheimer's is a terrible disease!!!)



LeeAnn and Me at BBQ Weenie Race about to begin!
  I'm so obsessed with these baby dachshunds, I have scoured the internet for information on care, training, and feeding. I've Pinterest hundreds of things relating to dachshunds and pinned every picture taken of "the girls" during our visits. I even attended a Weenie Race at our local Holy Smoke BBQ last weekend.





So, here's what you're really waiting for.  Yesterday's photos of Nelli and Delli.  They are five and a half weeks old. Their ears have gotten longer than last we saw them, but they are entering the Pinnochio phase of their growth (as Janet calls it) where their noses will grow longer and their ears will get even longer.
Delli on left, Nelli on right
Delli on left, Nelli on right
Delli, not interested in camera
Delli, okay I'll pose.
My precious pups.
Delli on left, Nelli on right, me in the middle (LOL)June 21, they come home.  I'm so excited, I have labeled every day on the calendar with the countdown. 16 days from today (BTW).

What are you doing to make yourself happy? Do you delight yourself in the Lord? Please remember me when I say, Don't let the turkeys get you down! Do something that makes your heart glow with joy. GOD BLESS YOU!!!

How could you? How could I not?

As if I don't already have enough to do, I have fallen in love with two litter sisters.


Photo property of Flickennel.comNellie and Dellie are Chocolate and Tan Long Hair Mini Dachshunds. They were born April 26, 2015 to Flick Kennel Dachshund breeders in Westcliffe, Colorado, and will be able to come home to us June 21.
Photo property of Flickennel.com

We cannot wait!


Nellie is the first born of the litter. There was a sister (chocolate dapple) born next and then came little Dellie.
Dellie is the runt. They both have the sweetest personality, of course, but there's just something about that smaller size that makes my heart melt. In fact when we went out to the breeder, who lives outside of Westcliffe, Coloardo, and I held both of the two pups (as an effort to decide between the two) my heart fell hard for them both!!!



We anticipate Nellie will be around 11 pounds and Dellie may be 8 pounds when fully grown. They will look something like one of these two examples of Chocolate Long Hair Dachshunds:









Since it will be a month until we can bring them home, I have been like an expectant mother, preparing our nest.  



I have decorated their kennel with a pink and white polka dot ribbon, bought a purple bed, potty training pads, ribbons for their necks and/or ears (since they are both girls!) and dog collars with their names on each with Bling-Bling letters. I also got them harnesses that prevent them from pulling in anticipation of our exercise walks at the Arkansas Riverwalk, at which I will probably carry them because they are too small to walk that far!  HAHA!

I sit around watching Youtube videos every chance I get about training dachshunds and feel I am properly prepared for the day our doxies come home.

Ahem!  I hope.


They already have two older brothers: Binx and Charlie whom I hope and pray will welcome them into their pack (and not teach them all their bad habits!) and a niece: Honey (my daughter's dog, our "grand dog" as it were.)
I anticipate the older dogs will try to inhale the puppies at first (especially Binx), but then will accept them with open...paws.
More on that, after June 21.


HOW WE NAMED THE PUPPIES
I had two Aunties, who were my Great, Great Aunts. Nella Scott and Della Canning. (far right bottom two girls) These ladies were my grandmother's mother's sisters (far right top girl). They were two of nine children born to William and Mary Etta Canning (sitting center of portrait) who settled in Oklahoma in the Sooner's Land Rush of 1889. They came to Oklahoma in a covered wagon. Della and one other child was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma after the settlement. These two Aunts were know as either "The Aunties" or Aunt Scotty and Aunt Dellie. In honor of these amazing women, we are registering our puppies with AKC as Nella Scott and Delta Dawn, and calling them Nellie and Dellie. 
Oh, that seems out of context, doesn't it?  Well Delta Dawn is my most sung song when asked to pick a song and Nella Scott was her real name, so...(That's the plan, any way.) 


What's more? Most of you know me well enough to know I have a set of twin grandsons, Jace and Jacob: 




          ...and now I have a set of twin Doxies. Aww!  I made them some gruffle balls, even though they are not big enough to play with them yet, but they will be by the time they come home. And I will make them each a little quilted blanket from one of my old t-shirts and some other cute, soft material from Wal-mart. I'm going to embroider their respective names on the blankets, just for fun!

Well? I have to do something to make the time pass, and crocheting is normal for an expectant momma.  Right?




So, that's what's new in my world. What's new in yours? Have you done anything crazy lately? ...that you can share?  ROFL!  Come on, let me know I'm not the only one!  Leave a comment. And stay tuned to this blog for updates on the baby Doxies when they come home June 21!
(That's father's day, by the way!)

I am so excited to share with y'all this new author's book release!

May I introduce you to Aaron DeMott and his book: 

The Psygen Chronicles Series, Book 1: 
A New Threat


Book Genre: Science-Fiction

Release Date: April 21st

A simple diplomatic mission becomes a life and death struggle that could plunge the entire galaxy into a war…


Book Blurb: A simple diplomatic mission becomes a life and death struggle that could plunge the entire galaxy into a war...
When an alien ship lands unexpectedly in the middle of her clan's territory, Bast is sent to investigate as part of her scout trial. After an accident, she meets these new visitors. She and her senior scout Rrrark are invited to return with the aliens to their home planet to open diplomatic relations. What started out as a simple mission becomes complicated when they discover a pirate scheme that might be more than it seems. Are Bast, Rrrark, and two of the aliens called Psygens capable of stopping the pirates?








Mark your calendars and check out A New Threat April 21, 2015 at Amazon.com.


About the Author:
Aaron has had a few different jobs, ranging from computer tech support, to real-estate, and lawn and farm sales and service. He also enjoys photography and reading, and has been a Star Trek and Star Wars fan for as long as he can remember.



Here's how you can keep track of this Author. And believe me, you're gonna want to stay on top of his work! His stories are amazing.
Website: www.aarondemott.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAaronD... 
Twitter: @AaronJDeMott 
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aarondemott/

Secret Voices, by Lynn Donovan, is the third book in the Spirit of Destiny series. 
In the first book, The Wishing Well Curse, we meet Zeke Clay who realizes his last name is really Clayton and he is heir to an amazing fortune and opportunity, which leads him to his roots, solving the mystery of his bleeding tattoo, and rekindling his faith in God. Zeke's tale ends with the possibility of a beautiful women he saved from drowning, Rose Bauer, becoming part of his new-found life.  

Book two, Thorns of Betrayal, takes us into Rose's world as she and Zeke try to develop their relationship and resolve her parent's mysterious death/murder in order to help release her father's spirit from this world. Are they strong enough to bring her guilty uncle to justice, without him killing them first, and will their love survive the ordeal?

And now, Book Three: Secret Voices.  Rose's roommate, Keisha Moore, whom we met in book two, has her own burdens to bear, as she and Clifford, Zeke's cousin/best friend, moves to the next level in their relationship: engagement. But a selfish and evil philanthropist, Edward C. Montgomery has other plans for revenge against Clifford's Great Aunt Twyla Rivers, which involves kidnapping Clifford in order to get what he wants, no matter who or what he destroys.
The back cover blurb:

The voices in Keisha’s head know where her fiancé has been left for dead, but who will believe her?

Keisha Moore has a secret which has been kept hidden her entire life. But when her fiancé, Clifford Valdez, disappears and the authorities dismiss it as lovers’ remorse, she has to tell somebody. Can she make anybody understand the four voices in her head are real, and they know where Clifford has been taken? How can she save the man she loves without revealing her deepest secret?

And now, without further ado (as they say)...Here is the Cover, designed by graphic designer Marcy Rachel. (And may I say, she is an amazing design artist. I don't know what I'd do without her vision and talent!)



Book release date is MARCH 31, 2015.  Pre-orders are available NOW at Amazon.com. 


About Lynn Donovan:

Lynn Donovan spends her days chasing after her muses, trying to get them to settle down and behave long enough to write down their words and actions. The results have produced short stories published in anthologies: The Clockwork Dragon, Different Dragons II, and Supernatural Colorado. Lynn’s full-length novels include The Wishing Well Curse, Thorns of Betrayal, and Secret Voices. She has also published Rocking Horse Shadows, and Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds. Other stories are hovering out there somewhere, so keep a look out for Fertility Pirates, Echoes from the Loft, and White Blossom Cottage. Lynn enjoys reading and writing Christian, Paranormal, and Speculative Fiction. But you never know what her muses will come up with for a story, so you could see a novel under any given genre. All that can be said is keep your eyes open, cause these muses are not sitting still for long! Oops, there they go again…
You can learn more about Lynn on her blog, SittingOnThePorchWithLynn.blogspot.com, follow her on Twitter @MLynnDonovan, LinkedIn.com at M Lynn Donovan, Face Book at MLDonovan, her Face Book Author page at LynnDonovanFGG and her website: LynnDonovanAuthor.webs.com
To purchase Lynn’s books, go to her author page on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, and other online book stores.

Grace Avery's husband was her rock, the foundation to her faith and her life. Now a young, grieving widow, she longs to have his baby, but artificial insemination fails her again and again. How far will she go to have his baby? She cries out to God, but He isn't listening. When the Worship Team Leader asks her to come back and bless the congregation with her gift of sign language during the Christmas Eve Program, her stifling grief holds her back. Can sharing her gift be the seed needed to reap the harvest she so desperately wants? Is God's grace sufficient? Is there Christmas Grace?






Published by Astraea Press
Cover by Cora Graphics 

About this author:  Lynn Donovan spends her days chasing after her muses, trying to get
them to settle down and behave long enough to dictate their words and actions. The results have produced The Clockwork Dragon, a collection of nine short stories in which she wrote half (4.5 stories), The Wishing Well Curse, and Thorns of Betrayal, Rocking Horse Shadows, and Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds. A speculative fiction called Fertility Pirates is hovering out there somewhere. Lynn enjoys reading and writing Christian fiction, paranormal, and speculative fiction. But you never know what her muses will come up with for a story, so you could see a novel under any given genre. All we can tell you is keep your eyes open, cause these muses are not sitting still for long! Oops, there they go again…

You can learn more about Lynn on her blog, SittingOnThePorchWithLynn.blogspot.com, follow her on Twitter @MLynnDonovan, LinkedIn.com at M Lynn Donovan, Face Book at MLDonovan, her Face Book Author page at LynnDonovanFGG and her website: http://lynndonovanauthor.webs.com/


Sneak Peek:  "Well, hello!" Pastor Barbara greeted Grace at the front door of the church. Her slow, Southern accent drew out the salutation. The afternoon air had cooled enough for a jacket. The weather was unpredictable from one hour to the next, especially in December in south Texas.Grace stepped up behind her, staring at Barbara's hands turning the over-burdened key ring. "Hi, Pastor."She chewed on the inside of her cheek, mentally rehearsing her already worn-out speech. She hated what she had to do. Not that she regretted her reasons for doing it. Chris meant more to her than any activity in church. It was just that she knew how the pastor would react. It had been Barbara who had asked her to start signing with the praise team. She would be disappointed to have Grace leave the team. She hated disappointing anybody, especially Pastor Barbara.Barbara unlocked the doors and led the way to her office toward the back of the administrative area. "Come on in. You want a water or somethin'?""No, I'm good," Grace said softly."Wonderful!" Barbara's voice boomed in the empty silence. She rotated her shoulder to coax her heavy sweater off. It seemed to cling to her shimmering blouse. Eventually, she managed to move and shake her arm to get the sweater low enough so gravity could do the rest.She blew an exasperated sigh and shoved wiry black hair back into place. Her keys rattled as she set them on the corner of her desk. Her milk-chocolate skin was moist from her efforts. She flapped the collar of her blouse to cool her skin.Her eyes met Grace's. "How's Chris?""He's…" Grace choked. "He's not so good." She could barely get the words out."Oh! Oh honey. I'm so sorry." Barbara tossed the sweater at her chair, and then gathered Grace into her arms.She leaned down to bury her face against Barbara's shoulder and cried. The well-rehearsed speech escaped into a dark, hidden place in her mind.Barbara patted Grace's back while her tears flowed.She had not intended to break down like this. There was something about Pastor Barbara that allowed Grace to be vulnerable, to let down her armor. "I'm sorry."Grace yanked a tissue from Barbara's tissue box and wiped her eyes. "I didn't mean to fall apart like that.""It's all right. Burdens are not meant to be carried alone." Barbara pulled a tissue from the box and dotted makeup-beaded perspiration from her forehead. Sincere empathy glazed her dark-brown eyes."Now, tell me. Why this meeting? You wantin' ta take some time off ta spend with your hu-usband?" Barbara's accent over-emphasized the first syllable of the last word. Her unique pronunciation warmed Grace's heart.She nodded, her speech poking back into the lighted area of her memory. "Chris is so weak right now, Barbara. I need to spend more time with him. I've got to reduce my activities."Then her excellent speech fizzled away like an untied balloon. "I have two freelance contracts to wrap up, and then I'm going to hold off submitting anymore queries…for now. I've got some residuals to tie me over, and Chris has his disability."She just couldn't stop herself. Her mouth had a mind of its own. "We don't owe anything except our mortgage. We'll be fine until…" The words stuck in her throat. She forced herself to continue even though her voice pitched from the constriction."I feel like I need to spend all my time making him as comfortable as possible.""Well, now, let's not talk like that. Only the Good Lord knows our days. I understand, though. I'm sure you want to be with him as much as possible." Barbara clung to Grace's hand. "Have you prayed about this? We sure will miss your presence on the team, but we understand.""Yes. I've prayed 'til I'm blue in the face." Grace stared at the ground and swallowed hard, trying not to cry. She couldn't help but expose her frustration. Her faith was slipping through her fingers, and she knew it. Her armor had been completely discarded."Oh, Grace. Bless your heart. Let's pray now." Barbara took both of Grace's hands and bowed her head. She prayed for strength, healing, and protection for her and Chris. She thanked God for His wisdom and perfect timing. Finally she asked it all in Jesus's name, and they both said "Amen."Grace felt numb. Barbara's prayers usually gave her such peace. It was the words perfect timing that caught in Grace's heart. What if this was God's perfect timing? It did not reassure her that Chris would make it through this.Barbara squeezed Grace's hands one last time and then released them."Thank you." Grace sniffed. But she didn't feel grateful.Something stirred deep down in her gut. A longing, no, a need, to get to Chris. "I've gotta go.""Of course, God bless you." Barbara drew her into another embrace, but Grace pulled away. The odd feeling intensified and curled around in her gut like a knot of snakes. She absolutely had to get home.
Available at AstraeaPress.com, Amazon.com

Warning: This blog contains Ranting and Dramatical, Emotional Outburst!

Peace, Contentment: Concern vs Worry
I have sought peace and contentment my whole life. Don’t we all? Is anyone truly at peace in their daily lives? But I have to admit, I’m miserable when I’m not at peace. I can’t sleep. My blood pressure rises. My stomach hurts. I’m irritable. I’m sad. I’m…not myself. The self who is comfortable and relaxed.

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” ~Romans 8:25

Lately, I have ridden a roller coaster of emotions with complete melt downs. I turn to God and Prayer.  I cry. I talk to my Husband. I call upon my prayer warriors. I talk to my daughters (my best friends in the entire universe). I talk to my sons (second best friends in the entire universe). I stand at the alter in church and ask the Elders to pray for me or my situation.

Some of my “concerns” are self induced. We want to move to Colorado. There is a lot of detail to moving to another state.

Finding the area you want to live. Check.



Four years ago, we chose Canon City after asking friends who live in Colorado, “Where in Colorado would you recommend living? and why?”

We bought land and had a plan. (I laugh at myself…because I now know the next chapter in this plan)

Say: Do you know how to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans. Yeah, boy howdy is that the truth!

We scoured the internet for our dream home. A Log Home. We found a dealer, who was also a builder. We found the perfect piece of land! Beautiful meadow, rising to lovely hills—Mountains to me who has been raised her whole life in the flat, open plains of the Panhandle of Texas and now lives in South West Kansas. We perused the catalog, with a realistic budget in mind, we chose a home. Then we spent months sketching how we’d change the original kit to suit our needs. After several years, literally, of intense focus on this one house plan, we decided it would be cheaper to change plans, so we scoured the catalog again and found another, more suitable floor plan. OKAY!
Photoshopped version of how home
would look on our land.
As we reached the “It could really happen in a year” marker, we sat down and discussed our version of the house plan, paid for official drawings, and muddled through the three-opportunities-to-make-changes-for-free process. There! The plans were “Just right!” and ready for subcontractor estimates.

We waited patiently, even though this process took three or four months. Toward the last month, I have to admit, we were getting antsy!!! Then our worst nightmare in this whole dream/process:

The bid was so high, we couldn’t afford it.
~Insert needle scratching a record sound~ 
Melt Down!

In the mean time, real, life-and-death stuff was happening to be “concerned” about.

First: My oldest, thirty year old daughter became pregnant with baby number three. She has two boys by birth and one by relationship. (And my I say, we love them all the same) But THREE boys. She wanted a girl and so did the rest of the family! (Grandparents included!) So of course the babies turn out to be boys!

Did you catch that? Babies! Twins! 
She’s having twin boys! That's fine. I love my grandsons as much as my granddaughters. It was just wishful thinking…

But now she's not only thirty and pregnant, it’s a High Risk pregnancy and she’s a little bitty thing. Five foot, oneish. Barely pushes a hundred and twenty pounds. Where will she have room for two babies, and her youngest are three and four years old.  The older one is nearly eleven and in football. He's an AP student, very active! She has a non-stop lifestyle.

Not a melt down, but extreme CONCERN. Praying over these babies and her. A full-term pregnancy would be great, Lord! I”m just saying…

Second: August 10th, my oldest son had a roll-over accident and nearly lost his left arm and his life. (HORROR NUMBER 1) then while being examined for other internal injuries, the discovery of CANCER was found. WHAT?! Okay, the accident was a miracle, otherwise the cancer would not have been found…I get that. But…

MELTDOWN #2


The Patch/graph
from his thigh External apparatus
holding his arm togetherSo several operations, a graph from his thigh,  twelve days in the hospital, a $300,000 hospital bill (miraculously paid by a charity organization THANK YOU JESUS), and a trip to Houston, TX for THE BEST oncology clinic known to this modern mankind, he’s home. Chemo for 4.5 months is planned. Physical therapy for his reconstructed left arm.

Oh, did I mention he and his wife, had just had a baby boy? He was like six weeks old when the accident happened! And a two year old son, not to mention two older girls, thirteen and seventeen. 

Yeah. Major worries about them, during all this. Thank God for her parents and my son’s dad and step-mom who have pitched in and helped so much. They have an amazing cluster of friends who are also giving their time and resources to help daily!

Thank God, Thank God, Thank God. 
Sure. But…I’m eleven hours away…and—Concerned.

Third: My youngest daughter’s boyfriend (father of my granddaughter) did somethings that were stupid (sorry but it’s the truth) and caused himself to have TWO strokes. He’s recovering and going through physical therapy to regain use of his arms/hands. Actually, it was a wakeup call and he is really doing much better, mentally and physically. But a mother worries!!!


Prom 2014

And Fourth: My youngest is at the threshold of moving out and starting his life as an adult. (Just a whole ’nother wad of emotions and concerns) I know he’ll do fine…of course. My heart aches and yet it soars. He’s an amazing guy and I LOVE his girlfriend.








Let’s also remember, my mother died April 12th, in our home, after several years of battling Alzheimer's (dementia), and I am guardian of my forty-nine year old special needs sister who is blind, deaf and mentally challenged.

That’s my basket of worry!!!

My measly house-shattered-to-smithereens melt down seems pretty minor in comparison to all these real, life threatening concerns! I know.

SO…life goes on and we are rethinking our homestead plans. What to do? Find a different, smaller home to build on our land? Buy a house in town? What about Westcliffe? For that matter, what about a different area all together? Woodland Park is nice…  Love Boulder...

MELTDOWN #3

Did I mention, I hate not knowing what our general plans are? Country vs City, New Construction vs Resale, Canon City vs … God only Knows.

I don’t mind change. I love change. I don’t mind searching, I love perusing all resources and looking for just the right one. I HATE not know what our GENERAL PLANS are. Too many unknown variables became part of the equation and I had a melt down.

We have funds set aside for this move (thanks to death benefits from my mother) but suddenly, I felt like everything, including the funds, were slipping through my fingers and we were going to be destitute. Unrealistic, I know, but that was the elevator I was on while having my meltdown.

Okay. Take a deep breath. Pray. Pull yourself together. Pray. Trust in God. Pray. Be patient. PRAY!!!

What are our options?
The final answer is not in my grasp yet. (I hate to leave you hanging like this, but it is where I am too. Let’s chat while we are hanging on this cliff by the tips of our fingernails…So, how are you…)

I have sent four emails to different sources and are waiting replies to determine what options we actually have.
Buy resale in Canon City or Westcliffe (we like both towns and work is available in either one, PLUS my husband is fine with commuting either way.)
Buy resale in the area of our land.
Build new in Canon City. We have an actual site and builder as a potential here.
Build that same new house on our land.
Build something else on our land.

Which leads to Meltdown number 4! If we build new, either on our land or in town, we need to decide NOW because it will take four to six months. (And we all know construction is never under, it’s always over what is planned.)

If we buy resale, we shouldn’t do anything until after the first of the year because no one is going to accept a contract that says, We are moving to your area, no we don’t have a job yet, but we will, and we are selling our house here… Yeah that won’t fly.

OR if we can find a house at a price low enough, we can go ahead and buy it, pay two mortgages and treat it as a second home until we 1. obtain job in area, 2. sell home here, 3. move there. This would be nice! We wouldn’t be homeless for GOK how long until we get mortgage and housing.

OH WHAT TO DO!!!

In the mean time: 


My daughter is in her third trimester and so far so good. She’s holding up real good and the babies are healthy and staying put!

My oldest son has an amazingly positive attitude and is surrounded by Godly people who pray for and with him daily, hourly. He is facing this challenge/cancer head on and is going to have a powerful testimony one of these days.









The youngest daughter is holding up beautifully. Her significant other has actually impressed me with his diligence and determination to recover. He’s learned a valuable lesson and I pray he sticks with his new conviction to stay clean.









The youngest son has a good head on his shoulder. He has recently found a better paying job and will be building a savings before leaping out of the nest. He’s not overly anxious and I appreciate that. They are practicing cooking and gathering information for budgeting. 

AND he promises me he will stay in college until he has received a diploma. (So does his girlfriend!)






I am beginning to have peace with one of these homestead choices, but I will wait to see what the Lord and my husband have to say about it. In the mean time…

I know, I know…



Thank you for listening. Thank your for your prayers, positive thoughts, and “bubbles” as my dear friend always says. Does life cause you to have meltdowns? Since I unloaded on you, I certainly do not mind sitting back and hearing your story. Together we can empathize and pray for each other. I know God is in charge and His way is the better way. Now if I can just be patient while I wait.  

In the mean time...  God only knows.

Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds, a Christian Fiction Novella by Lynn Donovan, Published by Astraea Press. E-copy will be available soon.  But until then, I am SO excited to give you this little sneak peek:

Book Blurb:

Grace Avery's husband was her rock, the foundation to her faith and her life. Now a young, grieving widow, she longs to have his baby, but artificial insemination fails her again and again. How far will she go to have his baby? She cries out to God, but He isn't listening. When the Worship Team Leader asks her to come back and bless the congregation with her gift of sign language during the Christmas Eve Program, her stifling grief holds her back. Can sharing her gift be the seed needed to reap the harvest she so desperately wants? Is God's grace sufficient? Is there Christmas Grace?

Excerpt:

This would make four attempts this year. Was she out of her mind? Her husband’s dying wish was for her to have his baby. Of course, she shouldn’t call it a dying wish. He had been convinced he would not die. Her getting pregnant just gave him incentive to beat the cancer and live. But she didn’t get pregnant, and he didn’t live. What was wrong with her? Women she knew got pregnant at the drop of a hat. Why couldn’t she? Chris might still be here if…No. She wouldn’t do that to herself. The cancer killed him. That’s all there was to it. His death was beyond anything she could control. God couldn’t even save him from such an early demise. Or at least He didn’t.

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And now, the moment you have been waiting for.
Here it is.  
The Cover for Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds.
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Designed by
http://www.coragraphics.it/







To thank you for participating in this Cover Reveal, here is an opportunity to enter for a chance to win one of three great prizes.



Prizes include a Dessert Angel Figurine:Dessert Angel Figurine

1 E-copy of Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds (when released) and

$20 Amazon Gift Card


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Thank you for participating in my Cover Reveal. Release date for Christmas Grace Sighing Seeds will be announced soon.  Keep your eye on Facebook and Twitter and of course here on my blog for updates.  God Bless you all!!!