Exciting News & a Giveaway
This week I’m celebrating sending my complete, edited manuscript to my agent! I will also be sending her my proposal before this weekend, and she’ll start pitching the story to publishing houses. It’s been a long journey writing this book, which was inspired by my own personal experiences, and I’m excited to see what doors God might open.
I first drafted this story in the fall of 2019, and over the past year or so, I’ve feverishly edited every chapter, sending it to multiple critique partners and some beta readers. The second half is now completely different than the original, and I absolutely love the way it turned out.
Throughout this journey, I’ve relived some difficult days in our family’s history, but I can’t wait to share the lessons I’ve learned, and the refining work God has done in my own heart, with readers through these fictional characters.
My prayer is that any woman or couple struggling with a prodigal child, shame and guilt, marital problems, devastating secrets, or other hurts that have filled them with regret and unforgiveness will find hope and healing as they walk with the Holbrook family through the pages of this novel.
Here’s a peek at the story.
Weep No Longer by Deena Adams
The cover and book description are for my own purposes and likely won’t stay the same if a publishing house accepts my book.
A runaway teen. A wife’s devastating secret. A family’s reckoning.
When her teenage daughter runs away without a word, up-and-coming parenting expert, Beth Holbrook, assumes life can’t spiral any further out of control. She couldn’t be more wrong.
The icing on the cake this week is that Friday, October 4, is my sixty-first birthday. What a great gift to myself to complete this next step on my publishing path in time to celebrate big!
And YOU have a chance to benefit from my celebration, because I’m giving away a copy of one of my favorite Christian Women’s Fiction books, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox. (US winner only)
What I love most about this dual-timeline story is the multi-generational relationships between the daughter, mother, and grandmother and how they grow and change. My book also highlights relationship dynamics within three generations.
The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox
Click the book cover for purchase link
Present Day. After tragedy plunges her into grief and unresolved anger, Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home determined to finally follow her long-denied dream of running Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. But when she arrives, her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that the store is closing. Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a pact to save the store, but Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons–but she’ll certainly never reveal the real one.
1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she’s pregnant with her deceased fiancé’s baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve the family reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.
This dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth
To enter the giveaway, simply scroll down to the comments section and join the conversation no later than Tuesday, October 8. You can let me know if you’ve embarked on a new journey later in life, who your favorite Christian Women’s Fiction author is, your favorite Women’s Fiction book, or when your birthday is and how you plan to celebrate.
Comment on Deena’s #giveaway post by October 8 for a chance to win a copy of #TheSecretKeepersofOldDepotGrocery by @amandacoxwrites. #womensfiction
TweetIf you missed Barbara Britton’s spotlight on her new release, Escape to Whispering Creek, find it here.
35 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Jennifer Hallmark, winner of this giveaway! Check your email for how to claim your prize, Jennifer. Thanks to all who read and commented on my post, and for all your words of congratulations and encouragement!
Vickie Waters
Congratulations on finishing your book. There must have been so many emotions as you wrote this. Thank you for being so vulnerable.
The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery sounds so good.
Happy (belated) bifrthday! Hope you had a great day…and weekend.
Deena Adams
Hi, Vickie. Yes, lots of emotions in the story I wrote, but it’s good to look back and see how far God has brought us. Thanks for your birthday wishes!
Becky Lewis
Happy Birthday, Deena! And Congratulations!!
I’ve heard so many good things about The Secret Keepers of the Old Depot! It would be fun to win!
Deena Adams
Thank you, Becky! Best of luck in the giveaway!
Teresa Warner
Love finding new authors, sounds good!
Deena Adams
I highly recommend all of Amanda Cox’s books if you haven’t read them, Teresa!
Gwenn
Happy birthday, Deena! Your story sounds inspiring. I’ll be 61 in a few months, too. Not embarking on any new journeys that I’m aware of yet! So far my favorite CF authors have been Linda Nichols, Francine Rivers, and Terri Blackstock. Oh and Sarah Sundin and Karen Kingsbury! I can’t pick just one!
Deena Adams
Thank you, Gwenn! You have some great favorite authors! Thanks for reading the post and joining the conversation!
Barbara M. Britton
Happy birthday, Deena. Congratulations on submitting your manuscript to your agent. I know that’s a huge relief. You are one step closer to publication.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much, Barbara!
Jeanette Davis
Dear Deena
Congratulations and Happy Birthday (a day late) Please don’t enter me in the contest as I already read and LOVED this book. Am actually hoping for a sequel! Enjoy celebrating your sending your book to the publisher and your birthday quite a weekend.
Deena Adams
Thank you so much, Jeanette! A sequel to Amanda’s book would be great!
Melissa Fox
I would love to win a copy
Deena Adams
Best of luck in the giveaway, Melissa!
Teresa Bass
I am so proud of you! Congratulations and a very Happy Birthday to you my friend!
Traci Winget
So very happy for you, Deena!!!!
Deena Adams
Thank you so much, Traci!
Deena Adams
Thank you so much, my dear friend!
Melissa Fox
My birthday is November 21 and I just celebrate at home with my husband and children
I learned about this giveaway in an Avid readers of Christian Fiction group on facebook
Deena Adams
Happy early birthday, Melissa! Thanks for joining me on the blog!
SARAH TAYLOR
Wonderful News Congratulations Prayers coming
Deena Adams
Thank you, Sarah! I so appreciate your prayers.
Faith D. Cox
Deena, I’m very excited for you! Praying God continues to guide you and your agent with this endeavor.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement, Faith!
Penny McGinnis
I’m so excited for you, Deena! I’m praying God opens a door for this story. Can’t wait to read it.
Deena Adams
Thank you so much, Penny!
Melanie Rigney
Congrats, and may your work find the right home! I finished Secret Keepers last week and am now reading Amanda Cox’s Between the Sound and Sea… love her voice.
Deena Adams
Thank you, Melanie! I love Amanda, and all her books! She’s amazing.
Carla
Wonderful news! Congratulations! Prayers for this endeavor will continue.
Deena Adams
Thank you so much, Carla!
Jennifer Hallmark
Congratulations! So happy for you. 🎉🎉
Deena Adams
Thank you, Jennifer!
Priscilla Bettis
Your book has been on a 5-year journey. How exciting that you’re sending off the edited ms to your agent this week! This month is actually my birthday month.:-) I see a piece of chocolate cake in my future!
Deena Adams
Hi, Priscilla, Yes, I’m excited, and nervous, to send my manuscript out to publishing houses. Now the waiting begins. Happy birthday! Enjoy your chocolate cake! That’s one of my favorites.