Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (25 page)

S
hew, we made it through another book together! It was great fun for me to go back to Maine in this story. Have you ever been there? It's like stepping back in time, and I love that beautiful wild coastline.

I wanted to explore how often we try to earn the love of everyone around us. We get so focused on making sure people like us that we never relax and be ourselves. We often even apply that mindset to God and try to earn his love as well. Kate had a lot of growing to do in that area. She had to learn to spread her wings and dream a little.

I love hearing from you! I read and answer all my own e-mail, so let me know your thoughts anytime.

Much love,

Colleen

colleencoble.com

P.S. If you'd like to try Kate's okra brownies, here is the recipe:

4 ounces Lily's chocolate chips

¾ cup butter (1½ sticks)

¾ cup frozen okra

3 large eggs

½ cup xylitol

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 pinches mineral salt

¼ cup coconut flour

½ cup coarsely chopped black walnuts (or pecans)

Melt chocolate with butter on low heat. Meanwhile, put partially thawed okra in blender or food processer with eggs and blend until smooth. Add xylitol, vanilla, salt, and flour to chocolate mixture, then add okra/egg mixture and nuts. Stir together and put in greased 8 × 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

1. Have you ever had a serious illness? Did it change your priorities?

2. What is your view on discipline? Did you identify with Kate or Drake?

3. Kate always felt she needed to prove her worth because of the way she was raised. Is there anything in your uprbringing that has impacted how you relate to people?

4. Drake had a lot of things to juggle in his life. Do you think he had his priorities in the right order?

5. Trying to please other people seems to be a common trait with women. Is that good or bad?

6. Many of us have lost a loved one. What do you think is the most important thing to do to heal?

7. God gives all of us gifts and sometimes we don't notice. Is there any gift of yours that you're not using? If so, what's holding you back?

8. Have you ever been faced with leaving people you love behind in a move? How did you handle it?

I
'm so blessed to belong to the amazing Thomas Nelson dream team! I've been with my great fiction publishing house for fourteen years, and it's been such an inspiring time as I've learned more and more about the writing process from my terrific team. I'm blessed to work closely with my editor, Amanda Bostic, and publisher, Daisy Hutton. They are both dear to my heart and have taught me so much!

Marketing director Paul Fisher is my go-to guy for marketing ideas and has such a great grasp of how to get my books in front of new readers. Kristen Golden (Goldie) took over helping me with promotion and has fabulous ideas. Plus I just love her eidetic memory.
Fabulous cover guru Kristen Ingebretson works hard to create the perfect cover—and does. You rock, Kristen! And, of course, I can't forget the other friends in my amazing fiction family: Becky Monds, Jodi Hughes, Karli Jackson, Samantha Buck, Stephen Tindal, and Becky Philpott. You are all such a big part of my life. I wish I could name all the great folks at Thomas Nelson who work on selling my books through different venues. I'm truly blessed!

Julee Schwarzburg is a dream editor to work with. She totally gets romantic suspense, and our partnership is pure joy.
She brought some terrific ideas to the table with this book—as always!

My agent, Karen Solem, has helped shape my career in many ways, and that includes kicking an idea to the curb when necessary. And my critique partner, Denise Hunter, is the best sounding board ever. Thanks, friends!

I'm so grateful for my husband, Dave, who carts me around from city to city, washes towels, and chases down dinner without complaint. My kids, Dave and Kara (and now Donna and Mark), and my grandsons, James and Jorden Packer, love and support me in every way possible, and my little Alexa makes every day a joy. She's talking like a grown-up now, and having her spend the night is more fun than I can tell you. And you know how I love coffee! My son-in-law, Mark, has a coffee-roasting business now, CaptainDavysCoffeeRoaster.com, and he sends me the most fabulous IR roasted coffee. You'll notice my characters drink it!

Most important, I give my thanks to God, who has opened such amazing doors for me and makes the journey a golden one.

Photo by Clik Chick Photography

C
olleen Coble is a
USA Today
bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her romantic suspense novels, including
Tidewater Inn
,
Rosemary Cottage
, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.

* * *

Visit her website at
www.colleencoble.com

Twitter:
@colleencoble

Facebook:
colleencoblebooks

M
iriam knew, she
knew
tonight would be the night the Holy Spirit would anoint her. The tingling filled her chest and ran down her arms. “Shananamamascaca,” she whispered in prayer language, spinning to the pounding, driving music.

The Spirit was powerful in the church tonight. Around her, the congregation, led by Pastor Grady Maynard, danced, twirled, and praised the Lord in tongues. The bare lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling cast a harsh yellow light on the worshipers. The odor of candles, sweat, and musty carpet rose like incense. Arms were raised, voices lifted, eyes closed.

The burning power of the Holy Spirit rushed through Miriam's body. An indescribable sense of joy and peace filled her to overflowing. Time was meaningless. The music faded, singing muffled, shouts muted. Her lips moved in a prayer she could barely hear. “Shaaaanaamaascaca.” Tears slid down her face, pooling on her chin.

Pastor Maynard placed his microphone on the pulpit and reached under the pew in the front of the church. Sweat soaked his green dress shirt and streamed down his face.

Several men moved closer, arms raised and waving or hands clapping.

Pulling out a wooden box with a Plexiglas lid, Maynard reached inside. Louder shouts of praise erupted around him. Tambourines and cymbals joined the cacophony of sound.

Miriam took her place in the circle surrounding Maynard.

From the box came a slow
chchch
speeding to a continuous
cheeeeeheeeee
.

The pastor drew the giant timber rattler from the serpent box. The snake twisted and coiled in his hand, its flat, gray-black head darting from side to side. He draped the serpent around his neck and reached for more from the box.

Miriam moved closer.

Pastor Maynard raised several serpents overhead before handing them to the next man. Keeping the timber rattler around his neck, he lifted his voice in jubilant tongues.

The snakes passed around the circle. Worshipers would drape the snakes on their heads or cuddle them in their arms while spinning or dancing.

Miriam moved out of the circle and slipped next to Maynard. This would be the serpent she would handle. She reached for the rattler.

Pastor Maynard slipped the snake from his neck and into her hands. She lifted it over her head and closed her eyes. The Spirit's power over the serpent charged up her arm. She stomped her feet and whirled, the serpent held high. The Holy Spirit claimed overwhelming victory.

She lowered the serpent.

The snake whipped around and struck her wrist, sinking its fangs deep into her flesh.

Pain like a million bee stings coursed up her arm. Someone
snatched the serpent from her hands as she doubled over in agony and dropped to her knees.

The drumming music stopped. A chorus of voices rose, then faded.

Miriam gasped. Blackness lapped around her mind. The world retreated into velvet nothingness.