Guest Author: April W Gardner

I am thrilled and delighted to welcome this wonderful author to Chirp 'N Chatter! I consider April W. Gardner a dear friend, and I'm honored to showcase her latest novel. Her thoughtful post gave me plenty to think about...and I'm sure many others will be pondering her message for a while.

Mercy and Justice, a True Balancing Act

April W. Gardner

Have you ever taken one of those spiritual gifts tests? They’re quite revealing, but I’ve never needed one to know I score a big, fat zero in the mercy department. Justice though... I’m all about justice. Poor choices deserve the burn of consequences.

A kid lies? Bam! Restriction.

A driver speeds? Caught ya, sucker! Ticket for you.

Employees steal? They’re fired. Boom!

It all sounds peachy to me!

My poor children. When they step outside the lines, it is an active effort on my part to show compassion and be understanding toward their weaker natures. My knee-jerk reaction is to pull out the whip of the law.

Justice! One of my favorite words.

When God impressed on me the themes of my most recent novel—mercy and justice—I figured I was the least qualified person to broach the topic. However, in His perfect way, He knew exactly where I needed to be stretched, and over the seven months He used me to craft the story, He poked and prodded at my flaws, making them large in my mind, and reminding me that no one deserves any quantity of mercy, grace, or forgiveness, and that He alone is righteous enough to wield the gavel of justice.

My character, Marcus Buck, learns the same lesson. Because of wrongs committed against him, he drives through life seeking justice against those who hurt him—all in accordance with the law, of course, but swift, fierce justice nonetheless. The same story’s female lead, Lillian McGirth, knows beyond a doubt she deserves the most righteous justice there is—an eternity apart from God. Mercy is only for the deserving, she says. There will be none for her, an unwed mother with the label “traitor” hovering over her head.

What neither of these characters at first realizes is that God doles out mercy and justice as a packaged unit and in bountiful, equal measure. In our finite human minds, we tend to separate these two qualities, but God cannot give one without the other. More than that, He cannot be one without the other. He is all mercy and all justice in one perfect being.

Thomas Aquinas said, “Mercy without justice is the mother of dissolution; justice without mercy is cruelty.” I don’t know about you, but I scratched my head at the word “dissolution.” Come to find out, it’s a form of the verb “to dissolve” and an old way of saying “falling apart.”

In other words, those who pardon without also delivering some form of consequence are creating destructive situations for themselves and for those they’re forgiving. Conversely, those who dispense penalties that aren’t regulated by mercy are cruel.

You know which of those two stings my heart. Ouch! Do you identify with either of them? If so, in what practical way can you adjust so that your behaviors and reactions reflect Christ’s perfect character?

We’ll end on a beautiful piece of advice about balancing mercy and justice, given by God through the prophet Zechariah. “This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” (Zech. 7:9)

About the book:

A man of abiding honor tested
by a woman of ruinous passion. 

A woman of unspeakable sins pursued 

by a God of unquenchable mercy.

For those who enjoy saga-length Christian historical romance. Bitter Eyes No More is a single, complete story. It is book four in the Creek Country Saga.

A man of abiding honor, tested by a woman of ruinous passion. A woman of unspeakable sins, pursued by a God of unquenchable mercy.

Spanish Florida once sheltered Lillian McGirth from her fears. Now, it feeds them. Mercy is for the deserving; for Lillian, an unwed mother accused of treason, there is only battering and defeat, but her fall breaks softly in the arms of an unexpected arrival, a man too beautiful of soul to stain with her lost character.

Captain Marcus Buck sails in on a pledge to save Miss McGirth from herself and from her child's father, a ruthless don. All the while, he’s to regard her as virtuous and worthy of protection and to guard said virtue from pilfering. But the terms are flawed since he must first guard her from himself. Regardless, he is determined. He will free her, repair her name—simple labor compared to dodging the army’s noose, mending wounds three years deep, and navigating a host of rebel Natives bent on inflicting more.

Through the steady crumble of his pledge, their friendship becomes a consolation, for she knows his pain as no other can or will. Their scars are one; their paths, however, might irrevocably become two…

Purchase Bitter Eyes No More

About the Author:

APRIL W GARDNER writes history with a Christian perspective and a little imagination. She is a copyeditor, military wife, and homeschooling mother of two who lives in Texas. She writes Christian historical romance with a focus on our Southeastern Native Tribes. In no particular order, April dreams of owning a horse, learning a third language, and visiting all the national parks.

April loves to hear from her readers at:

https://www.facebook.com/AprilGardnerBooks/

www.aprilgardner.com

Guest Post: Kathleen Friesen

Stories of Redemption

^“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7(ESV)

I love stories of redemption, don’t you? Stories of I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see make my spirit soar and my heart sing. Whether it’s the Biblical story of Zaccheus, the historical narrative of John Newton, or even fictional tales, I love them all.

Redemption’s Whisper is my latest love story, and I’d like to share a wee bit about Hayley. When we first meet Hayley Blankenship, she is almost beyond hope. Ready to give up. End it all. Almost.

Then comes grace, that God-touch that sets in motion His plan for her, a plan to give her a future and a hope.

Isn’t that what we all need? Even those of us who’ve known God for a long time often find ourselves in need of His touch, His redeeming grace. Time after time. When I worry myself into a dark pit, when the world seems out of control, or as health problems debilitate, I need His gracious touch.

And every time, “according to the riches of His grace,” He gives what is needed. Redemption whispers, “Come. Be healed, be saved.”

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin has lost its crimson stain; He washed me white as snow. (Elvina M. Hall; Public Domain)

About Redemption’s Whisper:

Desperate to escape her past, Hayley Blankenship flies from Toronto to the Saskatoon home of Pastor Dave and Lydia Harris, the only people who may be able to help her. If she doesn’t find a reason to hope, she may give in to the temptation to end it all. If only someone could love her, in spite of what she’s done.

Trevor Hiebert aces the interview for his dream job in Toronto, but he’s torn. His beloved parents need him, and while he doesn’t want to let them down, he craves the affirmation he hopes to find in the big city. But on the flight home to Saskatoon, he meets an intriguing, gorgeous redhead with dark secrets of her own. Can these two troubled souls gain the peace they need—and in the process, find love?

Purchase Redemption's Whisper:

http://amzn.to/2fjxMM8

http://amzn.to/2gD5GBx

About the Author:

Kathleen Friesen writes contemporary stories of faith that overcomes tough trials and deep heartaches. Her desire is for her readers to see themselves in the characters of her stories, and to realize that Jesus Christ is the true hero.

Kathleen spent her childhood in the Pacific Northwest and, after marrying the man of her dreams, survived the first thirty years of married life on the Canadian prairies, where they raised three fantastic children. Now she and her patient husband, Ron, live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

Author Interview: Gail Kittleson

What inspired you to write With Each New Dawn?

This book continues the story of Addie and Kate, two young World War II women from Iowa. Their saga simply couldn’t stop at the end of the first book, so I kept writing. I couldn’t stop!

Which character in your new release did you most enjoy writing? Why?

I’d have to say Domingo, the Basque shepherd-turned guide and French Resistance saboteur. Domingo had no desire to do anything but spend his life at his ancestral home near a small French village. The work he inherited from his papa and grandfather, caring for a flock of sheep on the beautiful meadows and hills of the Department of Lot in Southern France brought him satisfaction.

Besides that, his commitment to Sancha, his betrothed, included dreams of a family and a quiet life. But Sancha’s murder by Nazi oppressors changes Domingo’s plans. He learns the meaning of revenge, and deepens in his concept of mercy. Still grieving his loss when he meets Kate, he has no idea how much more the war will change his life.

What I like best about Domingo is his humble attitude—he does what he can to aid the Resistance, seeks no glory, and longs for the return of the simple, beautiful way of life the war threatens to destroy.

What, if anything, do you and your heroine have in common?

Kate is much more of a risk-taker than I am. Probably I’m more like her best friend, Addie, with far too much fear. But Kate and I do share the propensity to ask questions. Oh my...yes!

Experience has taught me that our doubts and questions fail to alter God’s love for us, that His commitment to carry us through goes far deeper than our mental and emotional ups and downs. We’re human, so we fluctuate, but our Creator remains constant. No matter what.

Kate has been through so much grief and loss. An orphan from childhood, she also grieves her aunt, her husband, and during the first part of With Each New Dawn, her firstborn.  But most of all, an insistent desire to know more about her parents haunts her. What were they like and why did they die so young?

I’ve never experienced orphanhood, but have longed to make sense of things for many years. Back to Kate and me sharing a questioning mind.

What spiritual theme does this book include? How did it come to be a part of this story line?

Most people would agree that war brings out the worst in society. But conflict seems an inevitable part of history. The World War II era had lived through World War I, knew its horrors, and yet found themselves plunged into another terrible series of battles spread all over the world.

Both Kate and Domingo deal with spiritual questions—and so does another character, a wily Catholic priest active in the Resistance. He suffers great loss as well, when the Waffen S.S. ravages his hometown. Vulnerable and mourning, he finds Kate’s questions very much like his own. Where is the Almighty in all this?

As these characters grapple with impossible circumstances, their faith grows. Seems highly unlikely, but don’t we all grow through the worst of times?

What household task do you most dislike? Which do you most enjoy?

I’ve never liked to vacuum. Actually, I don’t like housecleaning at all, but at least there’s the satisfaction at the end, when things look their best for a while. Maybe it’s the fleeting nature of that state that makes cleaning seem such a futile use of valuable time. Let’s see, I must enjoy something…I don’t mind doing dishes. There’s something relaxing about that task.

What makes you laugh out loud?

Things my husband and grandchildren say. My husband’s quiet, wry sense of humor and his love of language leads to some hilarious quips. Our grandchildren are always coming up with actions or stories that make me laugh, too.

What smell do you love most, and why?

I love the clean pine scent of the forest, with snow run-off flowing over rocks in the background.

What book are you currently reading?

Queen Victoria, by Cecil Woodham-Smith. My husband read this and since we’ve been watching Victoria on television, the relationship between the Queen and Prince Albert intrigues me.

Do you usually insert a spiritual theme into your books? If so, do you have a favorite?

Because my heroines, so far at least, operate from a Christian-Judeo foundation, spirituality enters naturally. I think the concept of God being there for us through thick and thin is my favorite. Makes sense, because that’s always been the toughest one for me to embrace—and the most comforting.

Ponderosa Pine Forest, where Gail walks in the winter.

Where do you hide away when you want to pray, meditate, read, or just cuddle up with God?

I absolutely love to walk in the woods. Some people need ocean time, or love their cabin on the lake, but towering pines and a mountain in the distances do it for me.

Please share a verse of scripture that is especially meaningful to you, and why it is special.

Isaiah 63:9—In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. (NASB)

We all suffer in ways unique to us. The idea that our Lord shares our afflictions seems incredibly beautiful. He who created the universe and sustains life, deems to suffer when we suffer. How amazing is that?

Please share your conversion experience, if you’re comfortable doing so.

Faith grew in me before I even realized it. All the doubts and questions of my youth culminated in crying out for deliverance in several areas between high school and college. Answers came to me through Catherine Marshall’s book Beyond Ourselves.

Suddenly, spiritual things began to make sense.

Of course, I had SO very far to go on this journey, and I’m still at it. It’s not what I do, but what God does...ahh, heavenly!

About With Each New Dawn

In war-torn London, American Kate Isaac grieves her husband, awaits their child’s birth, and welcomes her best friend Addie. But after her miscarriage, a meeting with mysterious Monsieur le Blanc launches her into Britain’s Secret Operations Executive(SOE). In late 1943, Kate parachutes into Southern France to aid the Resistance. 

Domingo, a grieving Basque mountain guide-turned-saboteur, meets her parachute drop, tends her injured ankle, and carries her to safety. Reunited a few months later, they discover the injured Monsieur le Blanc who with his dying breath, reveals his familial connection to Kate. 

In the shadow of the Waffen SS, Domingo and Kate find his younger brother Gabirel missing. While Domingo seeks Gabirel, Domingo’s parish priest, Père Gaspard, creates a new identity for Kate. 

United once again, Kate and Domingo subject their mutual attraction to the cause. But can mere human will and moral courage change the war’s tide and forge a future for them?

Preorder info:  http://tinyurl.com/jmvc36a

About the Author:

Gail Kittleson taught college expository writing and English as a Second Language. Now she writes memoir and women’s fiction, and facilitates writing workshops and women’s retreats. In northern Iowa, she and her husband enjoy grandchildren and gardening. In winter, the Arizona mountains provide new novel fodder.

Contact links:

http://www.gailkittleson.com/

www.facebook.com/GailKittlesonAuthor

http://amazon.com/author/gailkittleson

www.twitter.com/GailGkittleson @GailGkittleson