Stories that Matter
Happy Birthday Hidden in the Heart!!
The day has finally arrived!
My new novel, Hidden in the Heart, is OUT!!! It popped up on Amazon this morning, right on time! I couldn’t be happier about this particular book.
You know the saying, Write What You Know...well, I did. This story came out of a few years worth of tears, heartache, joy and more than one miracle along the way. When I began the search for my birth mother, over ten years ago now, I couldn’t have imagined I’d be sitting here today knowing what I know, having gone through everything I did. I couldn’t have imagined it because I simply didn’t know what lay in store. I didn’t know what I would find out, who would open the doors I knocked on or where the journey would lead.
God did.
Sometimes, when you’re not sure whether you’re doing the right thing, God makes it very clear. I have no doubt that I did the right thing. Was it hard, yes. Do I regret it? Not at all.
I’m not exactly sure what I was searching for. Answers of course, because after years of looking in the mirror not knowing who I looked like, I was certainly curious. Did I hope to spark a connection with the person who’d given me life? I suppose I did. I suppose, like all adoptees who search, the gnawing question of why was forefront in my mind. Why didn’t she keep me?
Be careful what you ask for. I learned that big time. But I’d rather know the truth than know nothing at all. And, as I said, God worked more than one miracle in my situation. Like Claire, in Hidden in the Heart, I got all the answers I needed, and I received the great blessing of being able to establish a profound connection with the sister I never knew I had. I gained a whole new family that I love to pieces and am so so grateful to have in my life. I was extremely blessed to be given two wonderful parents and a fantastic upbringing, but I still needed answers to those questions that kept me up nights.
I never thought I’d share my story with the world. And there are parts of it that will remain private, but I wrote this book because I needed to. Though it is a work of fiction, all the emotions that Claire goes through are exactly what I experienced. No, I never had a miscarriage and I’ve never suffered seeing a marriage fall apart, but I know what it’s like to lose a Mom. I know rejection. Heartache. Pain so deep you wonder if you’ll ever get through it. But I also know joy.
I live it every day. In Him.
And that is the greatest reward you can find in this life.
My prayer for this book is that it touches hearts, touches lives. Even if you’re not adopted or don’t know anyone who is, I think there’s something here for you. And I would love to hear from you after you’ve read it, if you do.
This one means a lot.
Happy Saturday!
With the plethora of books on the market these days, there are not many that I feel like I have to buy. What you have said above has captured my heart, and I definitely want to purchase your book. Though you are speaking above from the perspective of the search for your birthmother, some of the things you have said are quite similar to my own thoughts and experiences in our Nine Year journey. These are the quotes that particularly resonated with my own journey:
“Sometimes, when you’re not sure whether you’re doing the right thing, God makes it very clear. I have no doubt that I did the right thing. Was it hard, yes. Do I regret it? Not at all.”
…
“I didn’t know what I would find out, who would open the doors I knocked on or where the journey would lead. God did.”
…
“Be careful what you ask for. I learned that big time. . . . God worked more than one miracle in my situation.”
…
“I never thought I’d share my story with the world. And there are parts of it that will remain private, but I wrote this book because I needed to.”
Thank you for sharing about your story!
Blessings,
Delana
http://9yrpregnancy.com
By the way, I checked on Amazon for your book and it says that it is not in stock.
Thanks so much, Delana – I am so glad to hear this post resonated with you. The book just released today, so I imagine they will have that changed shortly – but you never know with Amazon. You can go ahead and order it and they won’t charge you until it’s sent. You can also find it at http://www.oaktara.com of if you are on Facebook, look for OakTara and they have a Facebook book store as well.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing your heart, Cathy. I look forward to reading the book. Bless you!
I actually love telling the story! It’s a long one though!! Ha.
What a beautiful post, Cathy! Thank you for telling us the background of your novel. It means even more to know that this story springs from such a very deep place in your heart. My family, for many generations, has been blessed with adopted children – a Native American tradition, and what a joy they’ve brought into my life and into our family circle. Your novel brought me to tears many times as I read it. Thank you for the blessing!
Oh, Sue, thanks so much! I had such a hard time writing it, and then we couldn’t sell it…but after all this time, here we are. God is SO good!! 🙂
By the way, love the cover art!!
I know!! Yvonne Parks at http://www.pearcreative.com is AMAZING!
OOOPS wrong link – http://www.pearcreative.ca 🙂
I echo your prayer, Cathy, that this book would touch lives. So many of us know “Heartache. Pain so deep you wonder if you’ll ever get through it” and need to “also know joy.” God is the most faithful and true companion on our difficult journeys…and He does bring joy. I am already touched and encouraged at this brief glimpse into your story and look forward to reading the book. Thank you for be willing to share your heart this way.
Grace,
Bernadette
Thank you, Bernadette. I hope you enjoy the book!
I have an amazing wife!!!
Congratulations! Will this one be available as an ebook?
The comment from your husband made me smile.
Yes, there will be a Kindle version. Unfortunately we are at the mercy of Amazon and whenever they decide to do that – for my last book I remember it took a couple of weeks. 🙁
Reblogged this on Sherri Wilson Johnson – Sharing Jesus In My Own Unique Way.
Thanks, Sherri!
You’re quite welcome!