Talking Love with Susan M. Baganz

 

Prism Book Group Releases Tenth Book in the

 

LOVE IS SERIES

 

 

 

 

You would think the author of countless romance stories would find it easy to write one out of her own life. But it’s not.

 Growing up, I would walk home and look up to heaven, spin around, and wonder if God was taking my picture. Did He care for my overly-sensitive, hurting and lonely heart? All a teacher had to do was look at me wrong and I’d burst into tears until sixth grade when I learned to hide my pain.

The sweetest love story is when, after years of sensing God’s call to me, I finally understood that I could respond. That he was waiting for me to do so! James 4:8 says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (NASB)” Really? He wasn’t some distant King high on a thrown beyond my reach. I first came to understand this at a Campus Life/Youth for Christ meeting.

 For weeks I had begged some friends to let me come to a meeting. They seemed happy. They had something I didn’t. And they would go to concerts for groups like . . . Petra, who I had never heard of. Finally, I was invited and we had a conversation about misconceptions people had about Christianity. I was raised knowing about God and taught to fear Him, so I was fully engaged in the conversation. Then the biggest misconception hit me—that people didn’t understand that they could have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 Whoa. Really?

 I prayed right then and there and my entire world shifted.

 I went out and bought a Bible and started devouring it. Opposition came but I clung to Christ. To a hurting, lonely fifteen-year-old, the fact that the God of the universe wanted me—Me?—was a huge revelation. When depression plagued me, I was told I was trying to manipulate people. The only reason I never attempted to take my life was because of the love of God.

 Thirty-five years have brought me through many trials and triumphs, deep pains and sweet moments. God has been there by my side through all of it. I wish I could say that I’ve been as faithful to Him as He has been to me. It’s hard when people have wounded me deeply to trust the God who allowed it to happen. Yet I wouldn’t be here without Him. He’s led me, grown me, matured me . . . and I’ve learned that in Him I have more strength than I could ever have on my own. Some trials I look back on in wonder at how I was able to respond the way I did. That couldn’t have been me, could it?

Only God.

 Through abuses, betrayals, heartache, He has been my constant. My one true love. When I write my romances my hope and prayer is that at some level the reader will understand the love of God that underlies the journey’s my characters take.

 God is faithful. He has never abandoned me. The fact that He gives me the opportunity to put some of those experiences into my stories to bless others is just another example of His love for me.

 Check out Susan’s contribution to Prism Book Group’s new Love Is series…

 

 

The Baron’s Blunder

“Love does not delight in evil …” 1 Corinthians: 13:6

 

Fighting evil has been a hobby, but fending off marriage-minded debutantes—a chore.

 

Lord Charles Percy fends off a land pirate robbing a carriage in broad daylight. Noting he has rescued a beautiful debutante, he lies about his title claiming to be a mere mister.

 

The Honorable Henrietta Allendale isn’t convinced Mr. Percy is who he claims to be. But after he admits to one blunder can she ever truly trust what he says? Especially about the evil threatening her? Who is the Black Diamond anyway and why would he be after either of them?

 

One intrepid debutant and one bumbling Baron soon join forces to defeat evil. But to do so might mean they have to sacrifice the one thing they’ve each held as most important—their single status.

 

Can the truth set them free to love? 

 

 

Readers Think This One Is Best!



Authors love reviews.

Especially five star reviews.

 

Numerous readers say Sarah & the Midnight Cruise to Catalina Island is their favorite.

 

These two booklovers have posted reviews for several of my books, and they like this one best.

 

 

3.99 on Amazon

 

available in eBook or paperback.

 

To date, this was the most difficult one to write.

Why, you ask?

 

Well, I enjoy writing about Sarah.  She's fun and goofy. She's also dyslexic and lacks confidence. She has so much to learn. In other words, she and I are similar.

 

The difficult part was writing about an unholy angel.

 

They exist, just as the holy ones do.

 

I don't like giving Satan fame, attention, or opportunities. He does okay without my help. He is not as powerful as God, but he is the prince of the air and seeks to devour us humans.

We battle him each day.

 

Talen is an unholy angel in this book and tries to thwart Sarah's attempts. He does some wicked things, but I think you'll laugh at some of his antics and root for Sarah at the same time.



 

3.99 on Amazon

 

Here's one reader review.

"Gay Lewis is a fantastic Christian writer. I have read most of her books but each time I read a book I think this is the best yet. SARAH AND A MIDNIGHT CRUISE TO CATALINA ISLAND really is the best. Sarah, the little angel, seems so human in all of her predicaments. Just like many of us she forgets to ask for help and tries to work things out for herself. Things would be so much easier for her if she would take time to seek help from the Almighty. Sarah reminds us in many ways to depend on the Lord. This book is a good reminder that the Savior is close and He would like for us to call on Him for all things. I never lost interest in trying to see who Carolyn would choose for her mate. In fact, I was somewhat surprised that the man she chose was the best choice. Judging from their appearance I thought he would probably be the most devious." Betty Wright

 

Here's another reader review

 "Sarah & A Midnight Cruise To Catalina Island made me think of my first cruise. Mrs Lewis perfectly pictured the beauty of the ocean and the distance shore lights. Her adorable dyslectic angel Sarah has a mission to bring two people together despite the interference of Talon, a clever angel from the lower realms. Sarah's antics, however unintentional, make for a thoughtful, yet halarious read. Good does eventually win over evil. This is my favorite of all the Sarah sagas!! Get it today!!!" Nancy Conner

Sarah & a Family Affair

 

 

                                                    Two books in one paperback

 

 

Sarah and a Date for Mackenzie

in eBook 2.99 on Amazon

 

 

Sarah and the Double Wedding Woes

in eBook 3.99 on Amazon

.

 





$11.99 in  Paperback On Amazon

 

My latest two are now in paperback!  Two novellas in combo. Same characters. The two Sarah mayhems make one complete story.

 

Sarah and a Date for Mackenzie
 

Merciful heavens! Getting acquainted with adult teachers in a high school is one challenge, but hang with the kids too? Sarah, heaven’s little love angel who is known for bungles, has dealt with children and enjoyed them, but teenagers? My stars! They are a different ballgame. She doesn’t understand their jargon, clothes or hairdos. And mood swings? Forget it. She knew nothing about them—nada —zippo. She’d seen and heard them from above—even wondered at times why they existed on the same planet as adults. They were unique and interesting, but to mingle with them? Not a chance would she choose to do so—well, not until her latest assignment. Why would the Superiors send a bumbling angel like her to help a shy teenager find a date for a high school prom? Poopty doopty! A nightmare is about to happen.

Sarah and the Double Wedding Woes

  A double wedding? Was it possible?  In this sequel to Sarah and a Dad for Mackenzie, Sarah must work with Mackenzie's mom and grandmother. The two older ladies love each other and won't marry for fear the other will be left lonely. The Superiors want Jessica and Robert to marry, but they throw in a twist--while seeing to their wedding, Sarah, Heaven’s Little Love Angel, must also find a mate for Bonnie, Jessica’s mom. Her orders are to bring about the two weddings simultaneously. Can Sarah pull it off? Or will her clumsiness destroy two romances in one shot?

http://cliparts.co/five-stars

 

 

Five Star Review from Betty Wright

For Sarah & A Family Affair

 

5.0 out of 5 starsSarah and a Family Affair was a fun book to read

 

By Betty Wright on August 9, 2016

 

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase 

    

"Sarah and a Family Affair was a fun book to read. I found that I kept rooting for Sarah to find a way to save Mackenzie from Pace before he involved her in mischief . I was afraid she would do something she would regret. She seemed vulnerable to pressure facing teenagers. I knew Ethan had a crush on Mackenzie but just didn't have the social skills to express his feelings. The book kept me wondering how Sarah would work these problems out. The next part seemed to give Sarah even more difficulty joining two older women to a mate. Both women were willing to sacrifice their own happiness for the people they loved. The book presented real life situations and problems for teenagers and for mature adults. As always Gay's books solve problems by relying on Christ through prayer. I would recommend this book for anyone 13 or older. It taught good lessons for teens. I'm 76 years old and I learned family values and reminded me putting others first usually brings happiness."

 

A One Star Review

I don’t usually post a one star review.

 

I’m blessed to not have any...until now.

 

 

I received one for Clue Into Kindness.

 

 

.99 on Amazon

 

 

Goes off sale today

 

 

Here's the review

11 1  1 out of five stars  "Stilted"

By chuck on August 1, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

"Writing was not realistic and a bit trite. My fault for not realizing it was fiction.

I wanted a how to not a story. Gave up after 3 chapters."

I received the one star rating and a review (see above) for Clue Into Kindness from a reader named Chuck. Even though, it is only a one star, I’m grateful for the review. I do wish he’d given an example of what he considers trite and unrealistic. I sometimes think my Christian stories are a bit unrealistic for the average person too. None of us can live the perfect Godly life, but fictional characters in stories can. The rest of us mortals merely try. Christian novels give examples of success and failures, but the happy ending is always success.

 Authors need reviews, and we especially want encouraging one. Honest critiques are a great benefit, especially when the reviewer tells us what they liked, what they didn’t care for, and how we can make a story better.

The only regret I have about Clue Into Kindness is that I didn’t make Georgia stand up for herself more than she did. Women in bad marriages can be kind yet firm, but it is a tightrope balance.

I wondered about Chuck when I read his review. He must have read blurbs or reviews about how Georgia was tempted to have an affair during her bad relationship.  He says he was looking for a “how not to” book and not a story. He didn’t realize my book is fiction. I’m going to pray for Chuck. I don’t know his need. Was he trying to figure out how to live with an abusive spouse? Was he trying to figure out how to prevent an affair? Did he hope to learn how to forgive an unfaithful spouse? And the questions continue, but my heart goes out to him and his need.

 Another reviewer, Susan B. left a four star review, and I include her comment.

 

"I like light-hearted stories and this was not one of them. But to shine a light on the subtle and yet devastating abuses that can take place even in a Christian marriage through verbal abuse is a good thing to explore. I still wish Georgia hadn't been so much of a doormat but maybe if it had continued, in time, she would have recognized it for what it was.

This story illustrates "Love is kind" from 1 Corinthians 13 and what better way to do that than set it up against someone so blatantly unkind and in a relationship that is hard to leave. Romance? Not so much, but a difficult story of loving in spite of another's choices, this book definitely hits the mark for that. It's a novella so it's short. A longer book might have explored this even further, but might have also been harder to read from an emotional standpoint."

Clue Into Kindness goes off sale today. If you don’t have it, please read it and offer your opinion. Chuck’s comment made seventeen reviews. The other sixteen reviews for this book are four and five stars, and readers liked the book. I’m definitely interested in your comments—even if you think the story worthy of one or two stars. I smile when I see four or five, and I want everyone to like my books. I hope my stories will cause a person to think.

Thank each of you for leaving a review.

Clue Into Kindness

 

 

 

On Sale Now

 

 

 

..99 on Amazon

 

Don't miss it. Three days only!

Review

Book Review

Reviewed by Julie Hodgson for Readers' Favorite

Gay N. Lewis' Clue into Kindness is a story about Georgia, a woman who loves her husband, but he often says things that make her feel sad. He doesn't think before he speaks; then situations arise where he does things that embarrass Georgia or her friends. Georgia is a kind woman and always tries to avoid situations where her husband verbally abuses her. Her kindness goes above and beyond to keep the peace with her husband, but she always feels like she is walking on egg shells! Even her friends do not like him.

Her life and situation change after attending a party at her father-in-law's house. Her husband Alan hears some home truths about his behaviour from his friends during the party. Hearing these things about his behaviour, he tries hard to mend his ways. But could it be too late for Georgia to accept his willingness to change? Especially after the years of verbal abuse she experienced? It is an arduous task indeed for her. Do we love unconditionally? Georgia certainly did, and even when temptation comes her way she is steadfast and loyal towards her husband. She firmly believes that kindness will overcome anything presented to her.

Gay N. Lewis' Clue into Kindness illustrates from Corinthians 1:13 that "love is kind." This is certainly not a romantic novella, but a story of the struggle of love and the power of love to overcome adversity, like a husband who can be cruel in what he says. Verbal abuse is not and should not be acceptable anywhere, and certainly not in marriage. Georgia shows utmost kindness to this, and Gay N. Lewis is adept at describing how Georgia feels and the ultimate changes that her husband would/should go through. A heartrending and well written story.

From the Author

My Sarah Series about a haphazard angel are light and funny. I was asked to write a novella about kindness based on I Corinthians 13:4. This assignment took me away from my customary genre of fantasy, humor, and romance. Clue into Kindness is not a preachy book. I wanted to record kindness by actions and not sermons. Some may think Georgia is a weak person because she didn't stand up to her husband with words. I consider her a strong woman who made choices based on her faith. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Georgia. What would you have done if you wore her shoes?