Michelle Lynn Brown's Miracles in Disguise

Michelle Lynn Brown is giving away a copy of Miracles in Disguise. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses.

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Back Cover Blurb:

What do you do when the pain of your past leaves you feeling so unworthy, that any hope of a future crumbles right before your eyes?

Since Kristina Talbot can remember, she’s tried to earn the love of men in her life, only to be hurt in the process. On the heels of her abusive husband’s death, Kristina Talbot leaves New York and heads to New Mexico to try and get her life headed down a new road – one that doesn't include a man.

Even before she reaches her destination, Nathan McKinley sets up a roadblock to her plan. His charming and gentle personality is no match for her love-starved heart. And when Nathan shows her God in a new light, and how to place her trust in Him and not her circumstances, she begins to hope…

When Kristina’s past collides with her present, and tragedy strikes close to Kristina’s heart, her fears and distrust come flooding back, threatening to sweep away her newfound hope. Can Nathan help her hold on to her new relationship with God, or will she allow her dark and troubled past to pluck out the tiny bud of hope that is beginning to blossom within her heart?

Book Excerpt:

Prologue

Kristina heard the rattle of keys in the door, and hurried to put the last of the dinner on the table.  She rotated the meat platter just a hair, tucked the oven mitt in the drawer, smoothed a non-existent wrinkle from her dress, and went to greet her husband.

   She plastered a warm smile on her face, and met David just as he walked in the door.  His steel-gray eyes pierced her, tracking her slightest movement as she came toward him. 

“How was your day, darling?”  She leaned up on her toes to kiss him.  After five years of marriage, she had become an excellent actress. 

   Her stomach flipped-flopped as he pulled off the jacket of his suit, not saying a word.  She could tell it had been a long day; irritation was etched into the lines on his handsome face.  He tossed his suit coat on the back of the couch, and stared down at her with his penetrating stare that never failed to engulf her in fear.

   “I’ve spent the day listening to the welcoming committee argue about what color the visitor cards should be, the financial committee argue how much should be spent on them, and the fellowship committee complain that there is not enough fellowship with the visitors once they receive the cards.”

   The tension left her body as he pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin and wrapping his arms around her.  “My sweet angel,” Kristina felt his words against her hair, “You are the perfect medicine on days like this.”

   David pulled away just enough to gaze down at her, and Kristina remembered when words like these had sounded sweet to her hungry heart.  Tears stung the back of her eyes, and she tried to avert them so he couldn’t see.

   But it didn’t work.

   “Tears?”  His questions were always laced with a threat.

   Tucking her emotions firmly away, she twined her arms around his neck. “After all these years, your love still brings tears to my eyes.  I am so blessed.”

Or cursed!  The thought scurried across her mind, but she wrestled it down.  David could read her so easily. 

   There was a hint of skepticism in his eyes, but he said, “You are my miracle, sent down from Heaven when I needed you most.  Don’t ever forget that.”

   Those words used to thrill her, but the days of longing for the charming, loving and romantic husband of her past were gone.  Now she knew the truth; he never existed.  Those words were spoken to remind her of her place. 

   David took her hand and led her to the dining room.  “Beautiful dinner, as always.”  He reached out and turned the meat platter a hair, looking across the table with a raised eyebrow.

   After he prayed over the meal, he asked, “Did you tell Lisa that you wouldn’t be returning this year?”

“Yes,” she hoped he didn't notice her hesitation.  No matter how vigilant she was, he could still trip her up with a well-timed question or a cold, piercing stare. 

   “You hesitated; is that because you’re lying, or because you have reservations about being obedient to your husband?”

   Get into it, Kristina!  

   “Neither, I’m….I’m just going to miss the girls." 

   She focused on cutting her meat, but she could see that his hands had stilled over his plate.  After a moment’s pause, he threatened, “I hope so.  My sweet angel needs to remember who God sent her to."

   “I loved teaching,” she stressed the past tense of the word, hoping this would ease his mounting anger.

  “Naturally, I am going to miss my students.  But not teaching this year will allow us to have our own children.”

  She searched for something to get him off this track, “I was thinking I could homeschool our children.  What do you think?"

    “I’ll think the matter over,” he said as he pushed away from the table.  Coming to stand behind her, he bent down and brushed his lips on the side of her neck.

  "But first we must conceive these children.”

It took every ounce of control not to shudder as he ran his hands lightly down her arms, “Come with me, my sweet angel.”

   Get into it, Kristina! Just three weeks!

Author Bio: 

When Michelle Lynn Brown was a teenager, her mother used to take her to used books stores at least once a month. It was there she fell in love with the written word. As a writer, she uses this passion to share with others the joy of having a personal and intimate relationship with Christ.

She is a housewife, mother of three, military spouse, writer, blogger, hopeless romantic, and a cuddly lap for one very large cat. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, but raised in El Paso, Texas. And since she married her husband, the military has blessed her with the opportunity to live in many locations, from Germany to Pennsylvania, where she now resides.

Like the flawed characters that grace her books, she’s had many stumbles and struggles in her life.  God’s grace and mercy through these trials have kept her on her knees.  It is from this humble position that she seeks to minister through her writing – not as someone who has it all figured out, but just someone who has figured out how wonderful and awesome God is.

You can find Michelle at her website, on facebook, and twitter

You may purchase Miracles in Disguise at:

Amazon

Or ask your local library to order it in for you!