I’m excited to welcome back Carol James, a fellow author at Pelican Book Group. I’ve read several of Carol’s books, and they are wonderful. She’s here to share a devotional, and also to talk about her new Christian novel, No Longer a Captive. You can find my review at the end of the post.
Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She loves creating Redemptive Romance. She lives in Lilburn, Georgia, a small town outside of Atlanta, with her husband, Jim, and a perky Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe.
Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she’d been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction.
Her debut novel, Rescuing Faith, was an Amazon number one best-seller. Visit her website to sign up for her newsletter to be the first to learn about new releases: www.carol-james.com
Just recently, Carol allowed Zoe to start an instagram page with two of her dog friends. Follow them at 3DogsandtheirAuthors to learn the behind the scenes info about being a writer.
Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling with friends, and serving in the production department at her church. And most days, in the late hours of the night or the wee hours of the morning, she can be found bringing her newest novel to life.
Carol, can you tell us a little bit about where you got the idea for your latest novel?
Karen, thank you so much for letting me visit your blog and share about No Longer a Captive.
People often ask where I get the ideas for my books. Ideas are everywhere. The idea behind this novel came from a statement our pastor, Buddy Hoffman, made in one of his sermons.
Buddy was unlike any pastor I had ever heard. He had a folksy manner, and he loved tripping all over the English language. Once he told us about his recent mission trip to Asia where he saw Kubotas (i.e. pagodas) dotting the landscape. All I could picture was a hill covered with riding mowers and tractors.
One Sunday morning, he was preaching about forgiveness. Ten years later, I don’t remember the scriptures he chose or the major points of the sermon. I remember only one statement he made. “Unforgiveness is a prison.” My English-major self tensed, knowing unforgiveness wasn’t even a word. It was what my husband and I called a “Buddy-ism.” But it didn’t matter that it wasn’t listed in the dictionary, that spell-check would underline it. His brief statement carried a depth of meaning that entire books might not.
That day when we left church, I new Buddy’s comment would be the central idea of one of my upcoming novels. And No Longer a Captive was born.
It’s always amazing (a word used often in No Longer a Captive) to see how simple phrases can grow and develop into full-length novels! Thanks for sharing. Can you tell us a little more about the theme of your book and what we as Christians may learn from it?
The Stains of the Past
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
My dog and I enjoy a walk most mornings in our city park on trails that run parallel to Camp Creek and meander through lush tree-shaded paths. While I strive to move enough to get my heart rate up and burn a few calories, Zoe stops every few feet to explore new sights and enjoy new smells, reminding me that walking is all about experiencing the moment. And as I slow down and drink in the beauty of creation, God often speaks.
One summer morning I noticed a leaf stain on the path. It was early June. It wasn’t autumn when you’d expect to see leaves scattered over the ground painting the path with their silhouettes before the winds blow them away. I wondered, when had the leaf fallen? How long had the stain been there? Days? Weeks? Months? How much longer would the stain be visible?
I’d probably never know the answers. The only thing I could know for certain was the stain marked the path because it was hidden from the sunlight and rain. And that’s when God spoke. “What stains are hiding in your heart?”
How often do we store up wrongs and injustices others commit against us? How often do we let the stains of our pasts be shaded by darkness rather than expose them to the Light? How often do we fail to give them to the only One who can truly remove them and cleanse our hearts? We may think we’ve forgiven someone only to realize we’ve hidden the offense away rather than brought it out into the open.
In No Longer a Captive, Ethne and Daniel both struggle with forgiving family members who’ve hurt them. Ethne’s forgiveness is conditional—she’s willing to forgive only if the other person changes. But Daniel knows true freedom to forgive can come from only one place and realizes her inability or unwillingness to forgive has stolen her freedom, making her a captive to her past.
Christ directs us to forgive as we have been forgiven. To go above and beyond the law—seventy times seven. True forgiveness demands sacrifice on our part—not only feelings, but actions—and so changes us.
Don’t let past hurts stain your heart.
Just as the leaf stain must be exposed to the sunlight to be cleansed away, so must our spiritual stains be offered to God for us to be able to experience, and give, true forgiveness.
So, a big thank you to Zoe for slowing me down to see the message in the leaf stain.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
Isaiah 1:18
That’s beautiful, Carol. Thanks for the reminder about the power of forgiveness. I love how all your books teach us more about the heart of God and help us grow closer to Him. And now, let’s hear more about your latest book!
When Ethne O’Connor’s brother, Sean, tells of her father’s unexpected death, he asks her to do something she promised herself she’d never do. Come back home.
A victim of childhood abuse, Ethne left her father and the small Texas town of Crescent Bluff ten years ago on the night of her high school graduation. She’s determined to end the cycle of abuse and believes the only way to do that is remain single. If she has no husband, she’ll never have children that can be abused.
Then she meets Daniel Spenser, a handsome doctor with chocolate-kiss eyes. Daniel understands her past in a way no one else does. He’s lived it.
Will Daniel be able to help Ethne break the chains of captivity around her heart?
And now, for an excerpt from No Longer a Captive!
The gravel crunched beneath the tires as Ethne O’Connor steered the box truck onto the shoulder of the narrow country road. Today would be a scorcher. The clock hadn’t yet reached nine in the morning, and already the numbers on her dashboard read ninety-two. The birth of another lovely summer day in Central Texas.
The heat waves rising from the pavement in front of her mirrored the waves of nausea that had steadily intensified since she’d left Fort Worth. She shifted the truck into park, flipped on the emergency flashers, and turned the air conditioning on high. Closing her eyes, she pushed her head back against the seat and begged the cold air to rush across her face and relieve her churning stomach.
She couldn’t believe she was doing this. One May evening ten years ago, with her suitcase already packed in the trunk of her car, she walked across the stage in the high school auditorium, received her diploma, and made a promise to herself, a vow that had never been broken…until today. Sean’s pleading phone call on Monday had changed everything. She was returning home.
The nausea somewhat under control, she shifted the truck into drive, pulled back onto the roadway, and turned off the emergency flashers. One last mile to go. Anticipation was a funny thing. When she wanted something to happen, it took forever to come. If she dreaded an event, it arrived before she knew it. These last several days had gone by way too fas
Slowing the truck, she turned left and began the journey down a meandering river of asphalt. As she rounded the final curve and her childhood home came into view, she gasped. In the ten years she’d been gone, absolutely nothing had changed. The two-story farm house was still painted white with black shutters. Large Boston ferns hung from under the edges of the front porch and swayed in the ever-present Texas wind. Even the flowers waving in the pots beneath them were the same—purple petunias.
Nine o’clock and no Sean, but she wasn’t surprised. Punctuality had never been expected of him. On the other hand, Vaughn had always demanded she be on time. Even early. That requirement had served her well over the years, birthing in her the organizational skills that helped her successfully start and run her business.
She parked the truck at the top of the circular drive, and despite the heat, slipped on her sweater, and inched across the pavement and up onto the porch. She grasped the doorknob. As she expected, it was locked, and she didn’t have a key. Years ago, she’d thrown hers away because she would never need it again. If she’d kept it, she could have at least gone inside and escaped the heat.
She turned and walked toward one of the rocking chairs. A forgotten green turtle with a chipped front leg smiled at her from underneath one of the pots of flowers. She picked it up and slid back the door on its belly. A key fell out into her hand. When she was a little girl, she always believed the key was there for Sean and her—in case they got locked out and Vaughn was still at the office. That was certainly one of the reasons, but when she was eleven, she’d discovered another.
She returned the oblivious little turtle to his home and then inserted the key into the lock. Taking a deep breath, she turned the key and pushed the door open. Cool, silent darkness greeted her as she stepped into the spotless—Vaughn would have it no other way— foyer.
She set the key on the console table beside the door and then tiptoed, for some unexplainable reason, further in. She paused and glanced first toward the living room to her right and then toward Vaughn’s home office to her left. There was only one choice to make. She headed right and walked to the wingback chair next to the fireplace. Sitting, she nestled into the cushions. She pressed her nose against the fabric. Even after all these years, she could imagine the soft fragrance of Mother’s perfume lingering in the ivory brocade.
Heavy draperies hung closed over the living room windows. A shaft of light shot out from the middle space where the panels failed to meet completely and illuminated a flock of dust motes as they floated in the bright morning sun. When she was five, Mother told her the particles were tiny fairies dancing in the sunshine, but they were usually invisible. Only the magic of the sun unveiled them
One day, Ethne had asked Vaughn if she could borrow his magnifying glass to see the fairies, but he’d refused, saying Mother had filled her head with nonsense. Fairies weren’t real.
Turns out, that was one of the few truthful statements he’d ever made to her. She now knew the ‘fairies’ were nothing more than a combination of dead skin cells, fabric fibers, pollen, and dirt. He was right. Nothing magical about that.
As she walked over to the window and threw open the curtains, the fairies disappeared.
“So, the prodigal sister hath returned.”
She jumped and spun to face the foyer. Her little brother spanned the doorway. He had grown up. The last time she’d seen him at his college graduation three years ago, he was at that stage where the calendar said he was a man, but his body was trying to catch up. He had certainly filled out, and he now sported a short, precisely-trimmed, chestnut beard. His hair, unlike hers, had deepened from bright copper to rich auburn.
“Sean. You’re late,” she snipped. This was not the way she’d envisioned their first meeting after all this time. She took a deep breath, reined in her emotions, and smiled. “Or maybe I’m a little early. I have a reputation for that.” She pulled him into a sisterly hug.
His grin answered hers. “Early, late, whatever. I’m just glad you came. I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see you again.”
“The road runs both ways, you know.”
“Yeah. Sorry.” He held up the key she’d placed on the console table. “I see you remembered the turtle. I figured I’d find you sitting on the porch in one of the rockers.”
He set a small, black gym bag on the floor. “Where’s your suitcase? Need me to get it out of the truck?”
“I’m not staying here. I’ve got a room in town.”
“Eth, I can see how hard this must be for you.” Tears filled his eyes. “Believe me. I know.”
He really had no idea. The man he knew as Dad was not the same one she knew as Vaughn.
Thanks for sharing, Carol!
Readers, see below where to purchase No Longer a Captive and learn more about Carol and her other books.
Carol’s Website www.Carol-James.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/CarolJamesAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroljamesauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolJamesAuth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19149238.Carol_James
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-james
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3duHqKc
Newsletter Signup: https://www.carol-james.com/staying-in-touch.html
Book Links: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/56pdpzmy
Pelican: https://bit.ly/3lve7NN
B&N: https://tinyurl.com/4jnj8u7p
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/no-longer-a-captive
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/no-longer-a-captive-by-carol-james
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58857487-no-longer-a-captive
I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read by Carol James, and No Longer a Captive is no exception. I loved Ethne, the heroine. She’s a strong, independent woman who has to deal with overcoming the pain of her past. The theme of God’s goodness and forgiveness run through the novel. The characters are realistic and believable, and you’ll find yourself rooting for Ethne and Daniel to find happiness.
Karen, thanks for letting me share about my new release today.
This book takes the characters to very realistic depths and lets us see them rise again. I found myself really pulling for them. I highly recommend this novel.
Suzy, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words.
Great interview Ladies!
Good luck and God’s blessings with your new release, Carol.
PamT
Thanks, Pam. Appreciate your visit.
Congratulations on another winner, Carol.
Barbara, thanks for stopping by.