Author: Dora Hiers

Thanks givings

/ Dora Hiers / 6 Comments
“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV


This was the theme at our community group get-together on Sunday. Now I generally consider myself a joyful, thankful person. A glass full kinda gal. Maybe that’s where I made my mistake. As we were talking about different situations that people were going through, and how hard it was to be thankful, maybe I was, um, shall we say, too self-righteous. Patting myself on the back.

I can tell you that was the wrong response. God has smacked me in the face this week. My attitude is a little different this morning, thanks to a little one-on-one time with Him.

Allow me to share my thanks givings for this week:

~the cute way my two-year-old grandson says “I love you.”

~watching my hubby eat a bucket of seafood. I adore the concentration on his face as he breaks apart crab legs. He was so proud of himself for not getting anything on his shirt. Why didn’t I take a picture?? 🙂

~even though the screen on my cellphone shattered this morning, it still works AND the contract expires this month, so I can get a new one.

~an updated prescription for contact lenses. I can see again!

~a busy season with my writing.

  • I entered a short romance (1000 words) in the Create Romance Contest for Family Fiction, and it PASSED to the second round! Yay!! Check it out, would you? Vote UP if you like it. You can vote UP or DOWN for as many stories as you want to, but only once for each entry. http://www.familyfiction.com/short-stories/create-romance-2012/a-forever-love/
  • My publisher, White Rose, contracted with Goddess Fish to promote my Marshals of Journey Creek series. Goddess Fish set up blog stops at six different sites, so I’ve been frantically writing blog posts for each hostess. What a blessing!
  • A hugely successful fundraiser for CVAN last Saturday. Shoppers purchased enough items to fill up the back of an SUV and many donated funds to supplement CVAN’s needs! And I got to meet Lynette Eason and Amy Clipston!! Check out this great group of ladies!! What an honor to be part of the Carolina Christian Writers!
  • I have lost count of how many library presentations I have done this summer. I’m so thankful for the libraries, the friendly staff, and new readers. I surely couldn’t do this without the support and encouragement of my hubby, who never complains about spending his evenings in the libraries. Quite a feat for a non-reader!

~my younger son is moving into an apartment this weekend. He’ll be a senior and this will be his first move off campus. I’m excited for him, but a little sad at the same time. He hasn’t lived with us in so long, we’re already “empty nesters,” but this time he’ll be taking his furniture and we’re donating some of ours. This move seems so permanent…

Love you, Scott!

“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

Yep. Next time I won’t be so cocky. 
What about you? Care to share your thanks givings?

Sharing my Review of GROOM WANTED by Debra Ullrick

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments

The Blurb:
It’s a perfect plan—best friends Leah Bowen and Jake Lure will each advertise for mail-order spouses in the papers, and then Jake will help select Leah’s future husband, while Leah picks Jake’s bride-to-be! Surely the ads will find them what they seek: a wife who’ll appreciate Jake’s shy charm and a groom who’ll take Leah away from the Idaho Territory she detests. When the responses to the postings pour in, it seems all Leah’s and Jake’s dreams will soon come true. But the closer they each get to the altar, the less appealing marrying a stranger becomes. Is it too late to turn back—or to turn around and find the happiness they truly seek together, at last?

My Review:

Leah rejected best friend Jake’s “marriage of convenience” proposal, intent on finding a husband from New York so she could leave behind the awful nightmares of her father’s death. She didn’t consider that those bad memories would follow her. Jake’s ad garners more responses, but Leah figures she hit the jackpot when wealthy Fitzwilliam Barrington and his sister arrive to determine if Leah is suitable marriage material. Jake and Leah’s friendship evolves into something stronger and deeper as they recognize and appreciate the endearing qualities in one another.

Historicals aren’t typically my genre of choice, but Debra Ullrick’s turning me into a historical lover. I enjoyed getting to know Leah and Jake, real next-door-neighbor-type characters, and journeying with them as they discovered who their hearts belonged to. At times, I wanted to have a serious talk with Leah. How could she be so willing to marry a snobby, arrogant Fitzwilliam when sweet Jake was right there in front of her? Ms. Ullrick crafted a book with great conflict and a powerful, timeless message, that God’s plans are so much better than we could ever imagine. I would have liked more physical tension throughout the book, but that’s just me. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!

Purchase Link ~ Love Inspired Historical Available August 2012

Debra Ullrick is a multi-published, award-winning author. For years, Debra has lived on a working cattle ranch in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with her husband of thirty-seven years and her daughter, which brings authenticity to her books that are set in the country and in the historical West. Besides following Christ, her passions include: reading, writing, drawing Western art, feeding wild birds, animals, and watching Jane Austen movies, COPS, Little People, Big World, and Castle. She is also a ginormous fan of classic muscle cars, mud-bog racing and monster trucks.

Debra loves to hear from her readers. You can find her online at: Facebook, Twitter and Shoutlife. Or you can contact her through her website at http://www.debraullrick.com. While there, check out Debra’s other available titles.

Disclosure: I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.