God's Home! by Linda Rondeau

Today we welcome Linda Rondeau to A Bed of Roses...Thorns Included.

Winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel The Other Side of Darkness/Harbourlight,  LINDA WOOD RONDEAU, writes stories of God’s mercies. Walk with her unforgettable characters as they journey paths not unlike our own. After a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Linda’s best-selling Adirondack Romance, It Really IS a Wonderful Life, is published by Lighthouse of the Carolinas and is available wherever books are sold.  Her next releases were her devotional book, I Prayed for Patience God Gave Me Children and Days of Vines and Roses.

Joy Comes to Dinsmore Street and A Christmas Prayer have been released in time for the Christmas as well as her mini novel, Jolly Angel.  Songs in the Valley/ Helping Hands Press. Will be released in late 2013 or early 2014.  

God’s Home!

By Linda Rondeau

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which mans, “God with us” Matthew 1:22 – 23.

The pastor made a habit to go to his church study in the early evening during the Christmas season. The four-year-old who lived across the street watched the tree lights come on with regularity at six o’clock. Each night he remarked to his mother, “God’s home.”

This time of year, I look forward to the decorations. In the evenings, I turn off all the house lights and bask in the golden glow of our Christmas tree.

I wonder how the shepherds must have felt when the night sky was filled with splendor and angelic beings heralded the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. “You will find him in a manager,” they said. They never questioned the heavenly visitors, but I imagine some were curious as to why God’s son was born in a humble stable.  “God’s home,” they said. “Let’s go and see what has happened.” They found the baby just as the angel described.

I wonder how the astronomers of the East must have felt when a brilliant star muted all the others and fixed itself over a small humble village. So curious was the event, they traveled many months to find the reason. “God’s home,” they said, “and we will find him where the star hovers.” So they left to follow the light.

I wonder, as a believer, whether anyone looking at my life would say, “God’s home.” Would anything they see in me be worth imitating? Would they see a reflection of the One who sent that star? 

Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com or email her at lindarondeau@gmail.com  or find her on Facebook, Twitter, PInterest, LinkedIn, Google Plus and Goodreads.

Thanks for joining us today, Linda. You gave us some very thought-provoking questions.

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Blessings,

Interview - Linda Rondeau, author of "The Other Side of Darkness"

Welcome Linda. Is there a story behind this book?

On June 21, 2000 I felt a definite call from the Lord to start writing professionally. I had no idea where the journey would take, so I sat down and wrote a poem of dedication to the Lord’s call, The Song of Peace. The poem has a line, “there is light on the other side of darkness.” Many times, I thought about giving up. Whenever hit by looming doubt, I revisited God’s call and that poem. I kept moving forward, studying my craft and networking, occasionally publishing an article or story and obtaining an agent. On June 21, 2011 I received a call from my agent that Harbourlights wanted to offer me a contract and I accepted. Unaware of my poem, the editor changed the title from the working draft, Dawn’s Hope, to The Other Side of Darkness. I am humbled in all things to realize that God knew what the title of my first published book would be even before I fashioned the idea. This debut novel is my ninth. 

We certainly serve a wonderful God, who happens to have a sense of humor. Share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to you (and why it's special). 

John 10:10b(NIV), “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This verse comforts me in times of turmoil to remember that nothing can happen to me here without God’s permission. If He permits it, it is for His glory and/or my ultimate benefit.

What a wonderful verse. Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?

I worked for nearly thirty years in human services as a social worker, caseworker, and counselor. My writing deals mainly with relationships and how our early years influence our later ones. Always, God uses the cracks and disappointments of our lives to fashion something beautiful.

This is so true? Why did you choose a moose for Samantha Knowles to hit?

The moose began as a plot device. I needed her to hit something larger than a deer that would total her car. I saw pictures of a moose accident and the whole scene took shape. Before the story was completed, I had a near run in with one. A writer friend thought the incident prophetic.

Scary, I certainly wouldn't want to be confronted with a moose in the road. What would you say was the major theme of The Other Side of Darkness?

The story is about forgiveness…not just for the wrong done to us by others but forgiving ourselves. Sadie Golden talks about a backpack of guilt we strap on ourselves, guilt that God has already forgiven us for and buried in the sea of His forgetfulness. Secondarily, the book is about finding good from the pain of our lives.

Beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning, as Isaiah says. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

What can I say? My life is in a whirlwind at the moment. Several months ago, I packed up what I could fit in my little Ford Focus and headed to Jacksonville, Fl. I didn’t know for how long. But, we sold our house in Malone and bought a house here. Now all that’s missing is my husband who can’t retire until June. It has been a growth experience for sure. I’ve been challenged in ways I never thought possible. Everything has become new…and God threw a book contract into the mix.

That certainly does sound like a whirlwind. You are the founder of Pentalk. Can you tell us what inspired you to start this particular group?

When talking to a writer friend at a local writer conference, I was hit with the concept of a mixed group. There are so many groups that are geared to a particular aspect of writing, such as marketing or craft development, genre, or religious or general market. Some groups deal more with critique or information. I wanted to develop a group where writers could support one another as well as learn about the craft, a place not only to “brag” or post their accomplishments, but a place to ask questions and receive guidance from writers who have traveled a little farther on the road. I thought of Walmart…a store that is a one-stop shopping place. I wanted to develop a writer group with that in mind. A place where writers can have it all. 

What advice would you give to a new author?

The best piece of advice I can give to a new author is . .

Be patient. Give yourself time to develop your voice and style. Too often new writers are in a hurry to get published. It’s like eating green bananas. Give yourself some time in the sun before you rush to get an agent or self-publish.

Wonderful words of wisdom. How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?

A friend, who does not profess Christianity, told me that who you are will subconsciously roar through what you write. I need to guard against making writing an idol, yet, at the same time, I worship when I write. I ask God to show me where He wants my stories to go. Sometimes, that direction is vastly different than my initial conception.

Thank you for joining us today, Linda, and giving us a small glimpse into your life.

You can find out more about Linda at her website: http://www.lindarondeau.com/index.html and if you're interested in Pentalk, you can find it here: http://pentalkcommunity.blogspot.com/.

To purchase The Other Side of Darkness, visit a bookstore near you, or click here and help support this blog.

Blessings,

Ginger

Review: "The Other Side of Darkness" by Linda Wood Rondeau

The Other Side of Darkness sounds sinister and evil, but in reality it is a very inspirational suspense story because on "the other side of darkness" is "a place where hope" dwells and that hope can only be found in Jesus.

Sometimes, you know you like a book, but can't quite put your finger on the exact reason, or reasons. That's where I am. I enjoyed every moment of reading the story. I didn't find it frightening, but definitely eye-opening. Haven sounded like a wonderful place to hide and recover and I, too, love the smell of hyacinths. It reminded me of my childhood home.

If you like suspense, with just a touch of romance, you will like The Other Side of Darkness.

The book blurb:

A Manhattan prosecutor is stranded in a remote Adirondack village and is drawn to the ancestral home of the town’s founding father as well as its brooding heir, a landscape artist. Is the estate cursed as legend says? Something she’d like to investigate if an escaped convicted murderer, bent on revenge, were not heading her way.

See the trailer:

Click here to purchase this excellent book and support this blog at the same time.

Blessings,
Ginger