Not a Story I Intended to Write-A Guest Blog by Joy Avery Melville & Giveaway

MEANT FOR HER: NOT A Story I INTENDED To Write!

Joy Avery Melville

The premise of the novel is based on Genesis 50:20.

My chosen genre to write was Historical Romance, and I had written one and started another when I attended the ACFW September 2011 Conference in St. Louis, Mo.

Sorry – got a bit ahead of myself there. I actually got a nudge from the Lord in August 2011. Standing in my kitchen, handwashing some dishes, I overheard a local TV newscast. I didn’t stop what I was doing, but I did ask my husband to turn the television up some.

A young woman had been abducted, and they could find no trace of her. Taken from her home, her family pleaded with the public for help in finding her.

My heart was wrenched as all kinds of ‘what-ifs’ went through my mind. In fact, that news story would not leave my mind or heart, and I felt led to pray earnestly for her and the family.

I went to that writer’s conference and pitched the first Historical Romance I’d written to agents and publishing acquisition editors. Two rejected it outright, saying it wasn’t historical enough, but one agent went through the one-sheet (or sales-sheet as some refer to it) and told me what she especially liked. She suggested I come home and make a contemporary story out of it.

I did, but in doing so, much of the conflict and tension no longer were strong enough, due to the fact technology had advanced well beyond the story.

In the meantime, I heard more about the missing woman. She had a fiancé they were looking at as a person of interest, and other things that had come to the surface, but no sight of her. I kept praying for them all.

God nudged me… a bit at a time… reminding me of those “what-ifs”, and I thought He was just telling me to keep praying. WRONG!

His nudges got stronger toward putting her story to the page. I argued… I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT… He won!

Change in genre writing was a MUST. He asked me to write about a young woman who’d been abducted, and to use each of those “What-ifs” I’d been mulling after each time I prayed for her and her loved ones.

What if she were still alive… it’d been weeks… what if she were found alive, but close to death… what if she had been a victim of rape and/or beatings… what if she became pregnant with a rapists’ child… and what if her fiancé abandoned her at her weakest moments?

We found out later, the woman in the newscast had, indeed, been found, but she hadn’t survived the elements where she’d been left.

Meant For Her, though based on that first news story I heard in August, has a decided turn from the actual events, but with each sentence, paragraph, chapter I wrote, the sense I was writing in obedience got stronger and stronger.

God gave me ideas I knew I’d never have come up with, and He brought all the right people to me when I needed to do research on several of the topics addressed in the novel.

The actual writing of the 100,000+ word novel took me six weeks. In the writing, God moved me to bring in subplots I was totally unprepared for. In doing so, He gave me two more books.

Considering I hadn’t intended to write Contemporary… certainly hadn’t intended to write Women’s Fiction… I find the choice of title for the entire series ironic, to say the least, and it didn’t occur to me until the writing of this post just how ironic.

Joy Avery Melville’s heart’s desire is to be the author God has called her to be by sharing Him with readers in such a way they long to have a deeply committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord.

Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.

Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.

The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of nearly 46 years and their one-yr-old Yorkie pup, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.

Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond! You can connect with Joy at her website: http://www.joyaverymelville.com/.

Meant for Her can be purchased on Amazon now in eBook and paperback.

Had it all truly been ~ MEANT FOR HER?

Kidnapped, raped, brutally beaten, and left for dead, Candi Reynolds becomes a prisoner of fear. Faced also with the impact of the unexpected break-up with her fiancé, and an unwanted pregnancy resulting from the attacks, she believes God has forsaken her. Choosing to move back to the Michigan horse farm, owned by her older brother, Dr. Cam Reynolds, Candi essentially goes into seclusion.

Dr. Patrick (Mack) MacKevon, long-time friend of Cam’s, watches from the sidelines at the farm, w here his horses are stabled, while Candi struggles to regain a sense of normalcy. His own big-brother tendencies develop into a much deeper emotion over the months he prays for her.

Is it possible for Candi to put all of the pain and trauma behind her and renew her former relationship with the Lord? Will she allow her heart to open enough to discover authentic love, while making decisions of victory on her personal journey to joy?

Joy has graciously agreed to give away a signed copy of her debut novel! To be entered to win, simply leave a comment below. Winner will be drawn on Wednesday, November 27th, 2019, and announced here (and contacted by email). Good luck, and thank you, Joy!

THE FINE PRINT: CONTEST VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ONLY US RESIDENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A PAPERBACK COPY OR EBOOK COPY FOR THIS DRAWING. EACH COMMENTER IS ASSIGNED A NUMBER AND THE WINNER IS DRAWN USING RANDOM.ORG. WINNERS WILL HAVE TWO WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF THE DRAWING TO CLAIM THEIR PRIZE.

OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN GUEST BLOGS ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINION OF SARA L. FOUST, NOR AN ENDORSEMENT FOR GUEST’S BOOKS. I AM HAPPY TO HELP FELLOW AUTHORS GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THEIR BOOKS, BUT HAVE NOT NECESSARILY READ ALL OF THE ONES THAT APPEAR ON MY BLOG. HOWEVER, GUEST’S BOOKS THAT APPEAR ON MY BLOG HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED TO ME AS BEING IN THE CLEAN-READS/CHRISTIAN GENRE.

52 thoughts on “Not a Story I Intended to Write-A Guest Blog by Joy Avery Melville & Giveaway”

  2. joymelville says:
    Reply

    Trudy, thank you for commenting. I do hope you have an opportunity to read Meant For Her whether you win it here or are able to purchase it. I pray it touches your heart.

    Like

  3. joymelville says:
    Reply

    Thank you, Sara, for hosting me on your blog – I sincerely appreciate it and all you’ve done to make the book the best it can be!

    Blessings with Hugs,

    Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Reneela2000,

      The book has a bit of suspense, but it does not fall into the Romantic Suspense or Suspense genres.

      I hope you find it a satisfying read.

      Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Michael,
      I have never been nudged so strongly as when God nudged me to write this novel and the ones He’s given me since.
      It has been hard work, but each time, He’s given me exactly what I’ve needed to get a story told, and He’s blessed me for obedience and perseverance.

      Thank you for your comment!

      Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      I am praying you get the opportunity to read Meant For Her, Deborah D.

      One of the characters in Meant For Her is named Debbie and her middle name is Diane. 🙂

      Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Bev, oh, how I agree with that.
      My personal library and basement bookshelves attest to the fact.

      I am waiting for the chance to kick back and read those in my BIG BOX of To Be Read books!

      Like

  12. Linda Palmer says:
    Reply

    It’s always interesting to hear how a book came about. And it speaks to the heart of the author. Love this story! The book sounds great!

    Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Your comment means a great deal to me, Linda. My heart has been wrung at times in the writing of this story, because my research led me to people who’ve experienced Candi’s turmoil.

      I pray the novel lives up to your expectations! Thank you for taking time to express that.

      Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Thank you, Sandy.
      The gal who does my graphic design work – read the story in its early stages and then sent me some of her ideas – between the two of us we saw to it the book is well “illustrated” by its cover.
      I hope you get to read it soon!

      Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Sarah, it’s nice to meet you, too.
      Thanks for the comment here – I and do hope and pray you get a chance to read Candi’s story.
      Thanks so much for your heartfelt blessing!

      Like

  17. Kim Reinhardt says:
    Reply

    I love Sara’s books and her blog led me here to a book that sounds equally good! I will be adding this book to my wishlist as well even if I don’t win. Thank you for the giveaway!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Marilyn R says:
    Reply

    Meant for Her sounds like an intriguing story to read with all the nudges and inspiration God gave you to write this story.k Thank you for sharing and the opportunity to win a copy. Blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Marilyn R
      You’re welcome for the ability to share Meant For Her – I thank Sara for her willingness to share her blog with me and my story with you.
      I’d love for you to have a copy and to read this particular story.

      BLESSINGS,

      Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      Once you read the novel, Grace, let me know if it is indeed a Fantastic Read.
      Praying it is for all who read it!

      Have a wonderful weekend.

      Like

  26. joymelville says:
    Reply

    Thank you, Peggy, for commenting.
    I pray your heart is touched by Meant For Her when you get a chance to read it.
    I love connecting with the readers here as well.

    Have a blessed day!

    Like

    • joymelville says:
      Reply

      BN100 – there are definitely some emotional parts in the story, but there is a little humor, and some great characters who bring the novel to life.

      I pray you get to read the book!

      Like

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