Annabelle's Joy by Betty Thomason Owens

What a blessing to share about Betty Thomason Owens and her new story "Annabelle's Joy". Read on and enjoy.

Betty Thomason Owens considers herself a word-weaver, writing stories that touch the heart. Besides her work on the KCWC planning committee, she also leads the Louisville Area ACFW group and is a co-founder of the multi-author Inspired Prompt blog. Married forty-four years, she’s a mother of three, and a grandmother of eight. A part-time bookkeeper at her day-job, she writes for Write Integrity Press, and has seven novels in publication. You can learn more about her at BettyThomasonOwens.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

About the story

Annabelle Cross is almost a legend, at least to me. I first created her in Annabelle’s Ruth, the first book in the Kinsman Redeemer series. If you’re not familiar with this series, its title is a clue to its story. I was inspired to write the first book after completing a study of the biblical book of Ruth. I love Ruth’s story and I’ve read it many times but this time, a story idea began in my imagination. What if?

I wrote the story and Annabelle’s Ruth was picked up by my publisher. However, she wanted a series. I made something up, she liked it, she accepted it. The first two books were easy to write. The central character, Connie Cross, was Annabelle’s daughter-in-law. Annabelle was the Naomi character, Connie was her “Ruth,” who left her home out of devotion to her mother-in-law.

Sutter’s Landing is the sequel to that story, as Connie sets out to begin a new life with her “Boaz,” Alton Wade. The story could have been complete at the close of book two. However, my readers wanted to know what happened to Annabelle. After all, in Sutter’s Landing, she had a would-be suitor. Would she be able to let go of her painful past, cast her fears aside, and love again?

With that question, I began writing Annabelle’s Joy. By this time, I knew Annabelle’s character inside and out. I knew she had a strong faith, and she would not compromise. The man who loved her didn’t go to church. She liked him, so she hoped he’d change, but she’d learned a lesson with her first husband. You can’t change them. Only God can change a heart.

Sometimes the change must happen not in those around us but in our hearts first. When Annabelle comes to the realization that joy is a choice, she’s able to let go of the paralyzing fear of loss.

Annabelle’s Joy is a story of recovery, forgiveness, and love.

Questions and answers from Melissa to Betty Thomason Owens

Why do you write? I love to make things up. Besides that, I feel compelled to write. An empty file open on my laptop beckons to me with endless possibilities. I can’t NOT write something there. But honestly, my greatest hope is to inspire my readers and make a difference in their lives.

Is there a favorite time of day or night you enjoy writing? Mornings are best, with a view of my backyard where flowers bloom and birds squabble with the squirrels at a feeder. Since I work part-time, sometimes I need to sandwich writing in between chores and my various jobs and other pursuits.

Who are some of your favorite authors? I was a classics reader in my early twenties. I devoured all things Alcott, Austen, Bronte, and Dickens, with an occasional du Maurier and Mary Higgins Clark thrown in for good measure. These days, I love to read Ann Gabhart’s books, anything written by Linda Yezak, Nike Chillemi, and Sandra Ardoin. There are so many good books!

What advice do you have for someone looking to be published? If you’re serious about it, never give up. Prayerfully pursue publication. Even when the rejections pile up. Keep learning and perfecting your work. Attend writers’ conferences and meetings. Do whatever it takes to keep your dream alive.

What is your favorite season and why? Spring, though here in Kentucky, it’s fleeting. If you blink, you may miss it. Spring holds promise. I’m a big fan of sunshine and blue skies.

Official Book Blurb:

She's waited too long. When Tom proposed last year, Annabelle wasn't ready to open her heart to another man. Pain still held a thin crust around it. Time has healed her heart, but with a new woman in town, one who clearly has her sights set on Tom, does it matter if Annabelle's heart is ready to love again?

Folks in town are keeping a close eye on their pharmacist, hoping to be the first to hear the good news. He’s been courting the widow Cross for nigh on two years now. Annabelle Cross better wake up and put her dancing shoes on. Mr. Tom is prime real estate.

Drift back into the simple, country life of Tennessee in 1957 with this sequel to award-winning ANNABELLE'S RUTH.

“A 1950s Clean & Wholesome Romance”

Annabelle’s Joy – Kinsman Redeemer, Book 3

Genre: historical romance

Author: Betty Thomason Owens

Release Date: August 7, 2019

Amazon Buy-Link: https://www.amzn.com/B07TXQRKG3/