by Stacey | Feb 28, 2019 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
I recently learned from my publisher that I am 17 book sales away from a new milestone for Fatal Homecoming, so I decided to offer a last-minute contest to boost purchases and to thank those who have brought me this far!!
Comment on this post (those receiving it via the newsletter, visit the blog post to comment) and I will enter you into a draw for the stone pendant Jessie wears in Fatal Homecoming. You will earn one entry for the comment, a bonus entry if you have already purchased the book (tell me in the post), and two bonus entries if you purchase it between today and March 4th. Make sure you tell me when you bought the book to earn your extra entries. I am going on the honor system here, so don’t worry about finding that receipt if you purchased it on release day.
If you enjoyed reading Fatal Homecoming, can you recommend it to a friend? And if you haven’t read it yet, scoop it up and see for yourself why others are calling it a “riveting, absorbing, action-packed read that will keep you guessing until the end.” Buy links are at the bottom of this post.
As usual, when I release a new novel, I write about the themes explored in the story and how they relate to our faith. This devotional is a reminder for you and for me that we do not have to face the trials of life alone.
In Psalm 84:6-7 the Psalmist speaks of a valley. I think he mentions the valley because the valleys always come. Valleys and hardships are part of the path we travel as Christ followers. I know this, yet a part of me wants some sort of guarantee that faith in God will detour me around the valley, but verse 6 is clear. The pilgrims don’t arrive in Zion by traveling around the valley. They go THROUGH it.
Psalm 84:6-7, “As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs: the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength each one appears before God in Zion.”
Note the pronouns in Psalm 84: 6-7. They go through the valley… they make it a place of springs… they go from strength to strength. THEY. Plural. In the utter exhaustion of life, when logic dictates we should quit, when it makes no sense to get back up and keep putting one foot in front of the other, God designed us to draw strength from one another. I stumble, and you steady my feet. The weak collapse, so the strong carry them. When despair hits hard, we collectively worship our way through the Valley of Baca. Our eyes fixed on the finish: standing before the Lord.
As Jessie Berns slogs through dangerous valleys in Fatal Homecoming, she comes to realize that a community of faith is a gift. She does not have to endure her valleys alone. Despite the absence of her physical family, God has provided a friend. Rick Chandler will not only walk with her, but he will face death to protect her.
I don’t know what kind of valley you face, and I cannot speak into how God might resolve things for you. But I do know that God will not leave you to travel alone. The Israelites traveled together, and the God who walked with them also walks with you. He is sovereign over your circumstances.
Resist the lie that you must endure your hardship alone. Find your people. Find the faith community that will walk with you, encourage you, and prepare you to stand before the Lord.
Photo credit: Nick Bolton. Used with permission. Unspalsh.
What people are saying about Fatal Homecoming:
“Kept me guessing” ~ Mary
“A riveting and absorbing page-turner!” ~ Jennifer
Action-packed romantic suspense that will keep you guessing until the end.” ~ MJSH
“Weeks masters the art of a spell-binding story.” ~ Patti
“I could not put it down. I stayed up late to finish.” ~ Beth
“Weeks is now on my list of favorite authors.” ~ Karla
Read more reviews on the Celebrate Lit Book tour.
Get your copy today! Fatal Homecoming is available in paperback or ebook.
Amazon.com or Amazon.ca
The contest closes March 4th at midnight EST.
Winner will be chosen random draw.
The contest winner’s name will be posted on in the comment section of this blog post on Tuesday, March 5th. The winner will have one month to provide me a mailing address.
by Stacey | Feb 14, 2019 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
To celebrate the upcoming release of Fatal Homecoming, I’ve invited author Fay Lamb to share her thoughts about the novel’s themes. Fay is the only daughter of a rebel genius father and a hard-working, tow-the-line mom. She is not only a fifth-generation Floridian, she has lived her life in Titusville, where her grandmother was born in 1899.
Since an early age, storytelling has been Fay’s greatest desire. She seeks to create memorable characters that touch her readers’ hearts. She says of her writing, “If I can’t laugh or cry at the words written on the pages of my manuscript, the story is not ready for the reader.” Fay writes in various genres, including romance, romantic suspense, and contemporary fiction. Don’t miss her social media links at the bottom of this post (and a free short story from me to celebrate Valentine’s Day). Welcome, Fay!
In Stacey Weeks’ novel, Fatal Homecoming, I was struck by the truth that in all things God is the One who levels the playing field. Romans 8:28 declares. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” That’s about as level as it gets.
What does it take for God to level that field?
In Weakness, God Brings Strength
The heroine of Fatal Homecoming is Jessie, a young woman who almost lost everything before leaving her hometown. Her attempts to move forward in life in her own strength have actually brought her home again, right back where she started. This time, though, she’s lost even more. She questions God and struggles to cling to her faith as even the man she trusts seems to let her down.
How refreshing is it for us to know that God is our strength, that in Him our weaknesses build muscle. We might almost call this Scripture cliché, but truly there is no Scripture that can be called old-hat. Truly, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
In Chaos, God Brings Order
When our hero and heroine meet, there is disorder—or conflict. There has to be. Without it, there is no story. Their world is turned upside down by events that disrupt their lives, which were already somewhat chaotic.
One of the characteristics of God is that He is orderly. One only has to look at the detailed instructions God gave for the building of the Tabernacle and His Temple, even the priestly robes. Every detail is described. When Moses spoke with God about the events prior to the Exodus from Egypt, nothing was left to chance, especially not the Passover. And how detailed was God with Moses about the Law?
In life, sometimes God’s detailed-oriented character is forgotten, and He is thought of as a God of chance. By chance, maybe He will take care of this prayer request or He’ll resolve this problem. It isn’t until the end of a sequence of situations that the order of events reveals that God was all over the solution from start to finish. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints,” says 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Into Darkness, God Brings Light
God does bring light into the dark corners of our lives because in His presence the darkness of sin cannot exist. It must flee His holy face, and those who seek Him can rest in that light. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
It is no secret that evil dwells in darkness, and it is no secret that the hero and heroine of a romantic suspense are going to have darkness come into their lives. In Fatal Homecoming, such is the case with Rick and Jessie. They weave through an incredible story of intrigue and mystery that will captivate the readers’ attention and share the light of God’s love with the reader while doing so, and this is one read that I can wholeheartedly recommend.
It was murder. She was sure. And that assurance could cost her life.
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Author Fay Lamb
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorFay/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FayLamb
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/c6m7DX
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1482814.Fay_Lamb
Amazon Central: www.amazon.com/author/faylamb
Check out two of Fay’s books below.
STORMS IN SERENITY / Fay Lamb
Serenity Key, Florida, has seen its share of hurricanes, but this time, one foul weather system is about to collide with another storm, and this one has nothing to do with atmospheric pressure.
David New has guarded his secrets for years, but when two brothers, John and Andy Ryan, arrive in town and he gets news that the daughter he’s never told anyone about has disappeared, possibly the victim of a heinous crime, and the lives of many of the town residents begin to unravel in the gale force consequences of David’s past, he has nowhere else to turn.
God is the only one Who can calm the storms, but can David and the good folks of Serenity Key survive until He does?
A tempest has been brewing for thirty years, with only one island town in its path.
Storms in Serenity: http://bit.ly/StormsNSerenity
DELILAH / Fay Lamb (RELEASING APRIL, 2019)
Calling a truce with the man you love? What’s the fun in that?
Newly elected judge, John M. Turner, tries his best to call an end to his war with former Circuit Judge Delilah James, the woman he bested in the election by only a narrow margin. Delilah refuses to accept his flag of surrender. Worse yet, a vengeful assistant state attorney, the other candidate whose entry in the race actually handed the win to John, is seeking to have them both removed from the Florida Bar, and the game Delilah has forced upon him has given their enemy ammunition for his disbarment.
Delilah likes the give and take she shares with John. What fun is there in surrender? She is trying to make amends, though, but she makes a mess of every attempt. Added to her foibles, life has become complicated: John’s teenager sister hates her, Libby Carter, has been arrested for battery on a police officer and has embroiled Delilah in the plight of the homeless. Her past has returned to haunt her, and if that’s not enough, she’s deep into the one experience in life she never thought would happen to her. She’s fallen deeply in love.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Don’t forget – today at 9:00 A.M. a free Valentine’s Day story is available on my Facebook author page and Twitter.
F: www.facebook.com/writerSWeeks
by Stacey | Feb 5, 2019 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
Happy book birthday Fatal Homecoming!
I am excited that Jessie and Rick’s story is finally available for you to read. Feb 5th only, the e-book is .99 cents (Amazon.com). If you send proof of purchase to freebookforpreorder@gmail.com on Feb 5th, my publisher will send you a FREE bonus short story. Paperback copies are also available.
The Inspiration
Joshua 4 describes the pile of stones the Israelites built as a memorial to God. Those stones were evidence of the Lord’s provision for them. The memorial was a reminder to future generations that God had delivered his people.
In Fatal Homecoming, Jessie needed to remember God’s provision. As I wrote her story, I made my own pile of stones. They gave words to my faith and helped me remember that God is a God of action.
I set a goal to gather ‘one stone’ each day for one year. One acknowledgment of God’s goodness, His mercy, and His unchanging dependability affirmed that God hears and answers prayer.
I placed a jar on my kitchen windowsill to hold these reminders. They were a collection of answered prayers ready to remind the future generation that my God is good. These were proof of God’s action, even if His answer to my request was no. They were more than words on paper, and they were more than a pile of rocks by a river. They were a reference point. They mark where God met me and gave me a story to share so that others may also know and believe.
Story Goals
My goal in writing is to glorify God. It is my prayer that Fatal Homecoming not only entertains you but also stirs you to draw closer to the Father and trust His will for your life. I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to gather your own pile of stones and remember to believe that your God is good. Always.
Reviews Bless Authors
If you love reading Fatal Homecoming, please leave an online review. You can order your copy here: Amazon.com or Amazon.ca
Fatal Homecoming:
Travel writer, Jessie Berns, returns to her hometown to find answers about her brother’s suspicious death. With the help of an old friend, Detective Rick Chandler, they pursue a truth that someone is willing to do anything to keep hidden—even kill again. They uncover decades-old secrets that expose hidden sins and threaten the lifestyles of high-powered people in their small community. As they close in on the devious mastermind manipulating the town, it becomes frighteningly clear to Rick that Jessie is not the one calling the shots in her private investigation. She is the killer’s new target.
by Stacey | Jan 24, 2019 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
To celebrate the upcoming release of Fatal Homecoming, I’ve invited author Lisa R Mayer to share her thoughts about the novel’s themes. Lisa’s debut novel, The Aletheian Journeys: The Arrow Bringer, releases March 19, 2019, through Write Integrity Press. Welcome, Lisa!
Fatal Homecoming by Stacey Weeks is a fast-paced mystery thriller packed with intrigue, danger, romance, and, yes, even some life lessons. It’s a much-needed reminder that no matter how tough life gets, our God is tougher.
Jessie Berns and Rick Chandler are good people who experience bad things. And before the end of Fatal Homecoming, they will experience many more difficulties. The thing about Jessie and Rick, though, is that they never lose sight of God. They never stop trusting Him or loving Him, and that’s an inspiration for all of us.
Bad things happen to good people, but that doesn’t mean our God isn’t good, or that He doesn’t care. It’s an easy thing to say, but it’s a hard concept to grasp until it happens to us. When we are forced to face hardships, we ask: Does God care? If He does, why didn’t He stop it? Where is God when bad things happen?
God has been by our side the entire time.
We hold on to the truth that God never leaves us, even when it’s a hard truth to hold. No matter what happened, Jessie and Rick persevered; they kept fighting, and they kept hoping and waiting on God. They didn’t give up. They believed that things could be better. They believed that God was going to get them through it.
We all need to hear that truth. God will get us through. We may not understand how He’ll do it, or why He does it a certain way, but He always, always, always provides perfectly for His children.
We are Overcomers
Jessie and Rick eventually overcome their battles. How about you? Are trails testing your faith? What have you overcome? Addiction? Grief? Mental health issues? Do you feel unloved? Are you fighting personal demons? Just like Jessie and Rick, you are stronger and more capable than you realize if you have God because His strength is perfect. No matter what, no matter how you suffer, I promise that God loves you fiercely.
Jessie and Rick experienced danger and mystery in Fatal Homecoming, but it is their pasts, their hardships, their human failings, and everything that makes them who they are that resonates with us. They show us that life is about growing closer to God, even when it’s hard, even when we lose faith, even when we think that He doesn’t care.
It’s about turning to God and knowing that nobody has ever cared more.
Fatal Homecoming releases on Feb 5th and those who purchase ON THE RELEASE DATE can receive a free short story, The Girl He Never Knew. Email proof of purchase to freebookforpreorder@gmail.com and the publisher will send you the short story on the next business day.
Subscribers to Stacey Weeks’ newsletter and followers of this blog will receive a reminder email.
Photo by Lorna Scubelek on Unsplash
Lisa R Mayer is excited to be part of the Write Integrity Press family. She is beyond thrilled for her first book, The Aletheian Journeys: The Arrow Bringer, to be released on March 19, 2019. She has anxiety and OCD and is a proud mental health warrior. In her free time, Lisa enjoys hanging out with her husband, Rich, and her fur-baby, Scooby, catching up on her reading list, watching her favorite shows and movies, bike-riding, traveling, and going on adventures. Stay up to date with Lisa and her publishing news at the links below.
Website:www.lisarmayer.com
Twitter @LisaRMayer2019
Instagram: author_lisa_r_mayer_2019
Facebook: Author-Lisa R Mayer.
by Stacey | Jan 10, 2019 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement, For Writers
What does success in 2019 look like for you? I’ve been thinking about the word, and how I wouldn’t define it as an author.
- Is it making the best-seller list?
- Is it becoming an in-demand speaker?
- Is it increasing the traffic on my website, the number of likes on my author page, or my amount of Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest followers?
Before I wrestled with this word, I would have defaulted to defining it in those measurable ways. But success as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ has to be more than popularity and numbers.
The better question to ask is how does God define success?
Pastor Crawford Loritts referenced this verse in a conference session I was privileged to attend. He broke it into three applicable parts, which I have applied to my career to create a New Year’s Resolution of sorts.
I will consider 2019 successful if:
- God’s Word marks my writing ministry. My ministry is not a platform to share my words or ideas; it is first and foremost about sharing the truth of God. I cannot yank verses from their context to support my point of view. If I am going to quote Scripture, I better do the work of understanding the meaning of the passage, what it meant for the original audience, and how the cross of Jesus affects the application of it today. That involves work, but it is the work that matters.
- I know Truth. If I am going to share the Word of God, I must know it. To understand the Word, I must be in it. I must love it and live it faithfully. It is not enough to listen to gifted preachers exposit the Word, although that is a good thing. I must also learn to handle it responsibly and with integrity for myself.
- I obey the Word. It’s not enough to know the Word. Faith without works is dead. I must obey what I learn and put it into practice.
If I do these things, I am – by God’s definition – successful. The freeing reality of this definition is that my success does not hinge on an Amazon rank, bestseller list, or social media followers. I am to represent God and His Word accurately and let the sales fall where they may. I will seek the Lord and leave the path of my career to Him.
What does success look like for you in 2019?
by Stacey | May 31, 2018 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
We’ve all heard the popular saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” It is a caution against risking everything on one plan or one endeavor. It’s an encouragement to diversify and learn many skills. In many ways, this is good advice, but when it comes to eternity, our faith, and our hope for the future all those eggs belong in one basket: Jesus Christ.
The church is in a crisis much like the church in Galatia when false teachers added back old rules and restrictions to salvation. They were trying the blend an old system of belief with the new system of belief. In Galatia, false teachers were telling the believers they needed Jesus PLUS circumcision.
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Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no other, there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.”
Ephesians 4:21-24, “assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Jesus PLUS a checklist?
I spent some of my early ministry years trying to justify myself before God by following extra rules. They were weighty and exhausting and I was unable to keep them. I tried to do everything perfectly, trying to earn the favor of demanding people as if pleasing them was congruent to pleasing God. Here is a sample of the checklist I tried to follow to earn God’s favor:
- Sing loud enough for people on the other side of the church to hear.
- Teach in Sunday school
- Play the piano
- Lead women’s craft nights
- Be a best friend to anyone who desired it
- Become a counselor
- Be a great problem solver
Believers in Jesus already have God’s favor
Your hope for the future is not connected to your ability to lead a craft night or deliver a meal. Just like the hope for the people in Galatia was not in circumcision. Your hope is in one thing: Jesus resurrected. When God looks at those who have trusted in Christ, he sees Christ, who is the perfect image-bearer of God.
When you believe in Christ, He covers your sin with his holiness, and God sees you as holy. For God’s chosen ones, those cleansed and made pure by the blood of Christ, our present identity in Christ is holy. Col 3:12, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved…” 1 Pet 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” We are holy, not because we have earned it or completed a checklist, we are holy because those adopted into the family of God are made holy by Christ.
Put your eggs in that basket.
