Wounded Heart, by Jennifer A Davids - FREE BOOK

Tell us about your book.

Wounded Heart is set in 1866 Ohio just after the end of the Civil War. It’s the second in a three book series published by Heartsong Presents. The third book, Restored Heart is due to be released this June.

     Jonah Kirby returned from the Civil War with a shattered faith and haunting memories of battle. His family wants to send him to an asylum but Adele Stephens, the widow of his best friend, disagrees. She talks him into marrying her and now Jonah must wrestle not only against her strong faith but his feelings for her, feelings he’s always kept hidden.

     Adele is certain with God’s help she can rebuild Jonah’s faith and find the man she once knew. Although it’s an uphill battle, Jonah’s heart finally begins to heal and Adele’s feelings of friendship begin to turn into something deeper.

     But all is threatened when Jonah is accused of a horrible crime. To prove his innocence Adele has to prove how much God has done to heal her husband. And she must also prove to him that their marriage of convenience is now a marriage of love.  

Can you give us a sneak peek?

It was well into dusk when Jonah got back to the farm. The first few stars of the night had come out by the time he’d put the wagon away and tended to the horses. He saw the light shining from the parlor window and knew Adele had waited up for him.

He walked into the house and stepped into the parlor, ready to apologize for the way he left and for staying away so long. But he stopped short as he saw she had fallen asleep on the high backed sofa. Softly, he walked over and knelt in front of her.

What should he do? She couldn’t stay here all night. His palms began to sweat as he realized he would have to carry her upstairs. He shifted his weight, and a board in the floor creaked, waking her.

Her eyes flew open. “Jonah!” she exclaimed, and before he could stop her, she had wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him.

He froze for several seconds before slowly returning the embrace. Her scent of lavender surrounded him, and her hair was soft against his neck. He closed his eyes. A lifetime of love for her rushed at him all at once, and he thought his heart might burst it pounded so hard. Had Pa felt like this for Ma? Had Nate loved her this much? Thoughts of his best friend caused him to back away and stand up.

What inspired this book?

Lee Strobel’s ‘A Case for Faith’ which asks a lot of valid questions about faith in God especially when that faith is challenged by life altering experiences. It was instrumental in creating Jonah. Wounded Heart sprang from the first book in the series, Yankee Heart. Adele is a secondary character in that book and as I worked through her back story, I knew it would be a great idea for the second. I liked writing Adele. She’s scrappy in ways I’m definitely not.  

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?

Trying to meet a deadline while and still stay creative and make the writing fresh. That and balancing what I do with my other jobs of wife and mom. J

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?

Faith or a set of beliefs that is being challenged is a concept I like to explore. For example, the story that I’m researching right now involves two main characters that have to let go of what they’ve always believed and come to a faith in God.  

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

That we can still have faith in God despite what He allows to happen in our lives. God’s ways are not our ways. We have to trust He knows what He’s doing even when it seems everything is out of control. I know that sounds trite but I’ve seen it in my own life. Some things God has giving me understanding about but others will just have to wait until Heaven.

What is your favorite color?

Purple! As Will Farrell says in ‘Elf’ it’s very purple-ee! J

Do you have a favorite recipe?

There is a slow cooker recipe that is very popular with my family right now. It’s a Martha Stewart recipe I found on Delish.com called Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Country Ribs. Don’t let the name fool you – it’s really BBQ Country Ribs. Now take note, I use boneless ribs instead of the bone-in it calls for and crushed red pepper instead of cayenne.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Country Ribs

·         1/2 cup(s) ketchup

·         1/2 cup(s) packed light-brown sugar

·         1/2 cup(s) cider vinegar

·         1 tablespoon(s) mustard powder

·         1/2 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper

·         Coarse salt and ground pepper

·         4 pound(s) country-style pork ribs, separated into single ribs

·         Barbecue sauce, for serving (optional)

Directions

1.      In slow cooker, whisk together ketchup, sugar, vinegar, mustard powder, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

2.      Add ribs to slow cooker, and toss with sauce. Arrange ribs, bone side up, in a single row. Cover; cook on high, 6 hours (or on low, 10 hours).

3.      Serve ribs drizzled with pan juices and, if desired, barbecue sauce.

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

Oh my, so many places and so…well, I guess I can’t say ‘so little time’ since I clearly have access to a time machine. There are several times and places which come to mind but I have to say that going back to listen to the Sermon on the Mount would be a thrill. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to go back and actually see Jesus. Going to Israel one day is something I do have on my bucket list.

What project are you currently working on?

I’m doing research for a book I’ve wanted to write for years and years set in World War II Germany. I started on it but set it aside to write my Heartsong books. I do have to give myself little breaks though. Reading about that time period can obviously be very emotionally and spiritually draining.

You can visit my website at www.jenniferadavids.com and/or connect with me on Facebook.

Jennifer has offered to giveaway a copy of Wounded Heart. At least 10 people need to leave comments WITH emails for there to be a contest. OR you can email me at srstormo@yahoo.com and put "contest - heart" in the subject line. Winner announced 3/18-12.