Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Finding Her Voice by Donna Gartshore, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Finding Her Voice
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Donna Gartshore lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. Donna now has three books published with Love Inspired and is working on three more. She has also published several short stories and poems with various literary publications and writes devotions. Donna loves family time, walks, coffee and movies with friends, serving in various capacities at the church she attends and talking about books and writing with her friends and the writing community.
Connect with Donna by following her on Instagram or Twitter.
GUEST POST
HOW I CAME TO WRITE FOR LOVE INSPIRED
I first discovered a Love Inspired book in a hospital waiting room while I waited anxiously for my late husband to go through the first of many heart surgeries.
With my mind whirling, I needed comfort and distraction and I just couldn’t concentrate on my Bible reading. I found that this small book offered me respite and a gentle message of hope, along with a well-written story,
I’ve always loved to write and, although I wasn’t finding much time for it, as my daughter – who was only seven years old at the time – adjusted to our `new normal’ after my husband passed, I still occasionally read Love Inspired books and began to imagine what it would take to write something that might bring someone else that kind of encouragement and comfort.
Flash forward many years: My daughter was now a confident young woman, with her career goals clearly in mind and a positive attitude that |I like to think she inherited from me. The years had been far from easy and we both missed – and still miss – my husband and her father. But, we clung to our beliefs and we both strove to look forward rather than to wallow in regret over what might have been.
One day I was perusing Facebook and I came across a contest that was closing in just a couple of days – Love Inspired was seeking new authors through their Blurb to Book contest. I didn’t let myself think twice; I clicked on the link and entered the contest.
Now, I can’t say that there are any other social media links I’ve clicked on that changed my life, but this one did!
With only a short amount of time to get in an entry I started with what I knew, being a single mom and a favorite summer holiday setting, and I jumped in with both feet.
As I moved through the stages of the contest, I had the sheer pleasure of meeting other authors who formed a community that I am still part of to this day. Ultimately, I did not receive a contract offer through the contest but I’m ever grateful to the editor who saw enough potential in my story to offer me an opportunity to revise and resubmit. With her sage assistance and guidance, this book became Instant Family, my first published novel.
When I say that clicking on a link changed my life, I don’t just mean because I ended up with a book contract. I mean that I found a community with whom I could share both creativity and faith, I rediscovered the joy of setting a goal and believing that, by being willing to accept advice, learn and grown, I could meet that goal. Each day, when I write, I am reminded that the best things do not come easy but they are so worth the effort.
Most of all, I know that God has been with us the entire time, through our grief journey, through our joys and new discoveries and will be with us whatever the next chapter brings.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(3) winners will receive print copy of Finding Her Voice, an adult inspirational coloring book, and a small devotion!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 22, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 29, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
