Memorial Spotlighting Stacy T. Simmons and David Parks, plus a Giveaway
In 2022, two of my online author friends left this world too soon. To honor them, I’m sharing a tribute, along with their new releases. I’m offering a copy of each of their books in paperback or ebook format as a giveaway. Comment below by January 24 for a chance to win.
Stacy T. Simmons wrote uplifting fiction to delight the reader’s romantic sensibilities. Her debut novel, A Promise for Faith, was published in January 2022 and her novella, Christmas in the Cotswolds, was published in the Keeping Christmas collection one week before her untimely passing in October 2022.
A multi-year president of the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Stacy was an inspiration to many fledgling and aspiring writers. Her determination helped her to finally realize her dream of becoming a published author at the age of 56. As the title of her blog indicates, Stacy was indeed “Fueled by Faith and Caffeine.” She was often found working on her manuscripts with a piece of dark chocolate and a cup of coffee nearby.
Married to her best friend Michael for thirty- five years, Stacy raised two grown daughters and had a menagerie of pets she liked to call “Noah’s Ark.” She was a beloved member of the women’s Christian fiction writing community and will be sorely missed.
Stacy’s husband and family are seeking to carry on her legacy by promoting A Journey for Hope and are maintaining her social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, as well as her blog, Fueled by Faith and Caffeine. More information can be found at www.stacytsimmonsauthor.com.
I had the privilege of hosting Stacy on my blog through a Zoom interview on January 12, 2022. She was such a joy to speak with, and her Texas charm shone through everything she said. Her sweet personality was unmistakable. Check out our conversation here. I think you’ll agree with my impressions of Stacy.
Please consider honoring Stacy’s memory by helping launch her new book with a bang!
A Journey for Hope by Stacy T. Simmons
Click the book cover for purchase link
With one “yes” everything Hope Fuller has sought could be hers.
Hope Fuller has life all planned out. Following a short trip to Briar Creek, North Carolina to help her sister, Hope will return home to Florida and begin her teaching career. Alas, keeping her trip short proves challenging after she sees someone from her past—a handsome lawyer who makes her heart want to plant itself within the community.
Dylan Gaines is just starting out his small-town legal practice and has his own plans for life. However, his reunion with Hope just might change some of them. Then again, their last attempt at romance ended up straining their friendship.
What will it take for Dylan and Hope to strike out on a different journey this time, one where love takes the wheel and leaves solitary plans in the dust?
David Parks was a graduate of Spring Arbor High School and Michigan State University with a masters in Art and doctorate in Philosophy. David’s teaching career lasted well over 40 years, beginning with Jordan College in Cedar Springs, Michigan. The majority were spent teaching in sunny California while with his wife Delphine, and finally his last 5 in China, where he and his wife Vickie taught English in both Chungching and Beijing.
In retirement, David greatly enjoyed engaging with others, gardening and traveling. After 11 years of this sweet, simple life, he came out of retirement to passionately pen what would become a Christian novel series.
I had the privilege of hosting David on my blog on October 6, 2021, where he shared about this debut novel, The Boy Who Closed the Sky. You can check out the interview here.
Book Two in his series, Friend of the King, Enemy of the Queen, released December 18, 2022, just six days before his death.
I hope you will considering honoring David’s memory by purchasing one or both of his books.
Friend of the King, Enemy of the Queen by David Parks
Click the book cover for purchase link
As close as brothers, young Obadiah and Ahab race stallions and dodge Syrian arrows together. They throw fists but always have each other’s back. When Ahab becomes king, Obadiah manages everything from the stables to the royal olive oil business. As a team, these buddies plan military strategy and, when Syria invades, drive chariots into battle side-by-side.
But King Ahab marries Jezebel, who kidnaps children from distant back yards and shoves them into brothels. The queen kills anyone who speaks out against her. When her thugs murder Obadiah’s dear friend, anguish moves Obadiah to act. Yet, Jezebel’s spies lurk everywhere. How can the friend of the king save fugitives from the queen?
Rescue the perishing… He who holds your life in his hand, doesn’t he know? Proverbs 24:11-12
Comment on this author memorial post honoring @StacyTSimmons and David Parks by Jan. 24 for a chance to win a copy of their recent releases. #giveaway #amreading
TweetJoin the conversation. Stacy and David wrote very different genres, Romance and Biblical Fiction. Which is your favorite? Have you read Stacy and/or David’s novels? Do either of their recent releases sound like books you’d like to read?
Be sure to comment below by January 24 for a chance to win a copy of both books.
Please share this post on social media to help me spread the word about Stacy and David’s books.
If you missed last week’s interview with Stephen Zimmerman, find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
25 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Laura DeNooyer, the winner of Stacy and David’s books! Look for an email soon.
Jeannie Holderfield
I got an email saying I had won and requesting phone number and address. Is this for real? If so, how exciting!
Jackie L
I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing about their books. I’m off to go look them up on Amazon!! Thanks for the chance!!
Deena Adams
Thank you, Jackie. Good luck in the giveaway!
Jeannie Holderfield
These are not my typical book choices but I am intrigued by your words. I would love to honor them by reading their works and maybe finding a new favorite!
Deena Adams
Hi, Jeannie. I hope you’ll enjoy Stacy and David’s books if you get a chance to read them. Thanks so much for reading this post and joining the conversation!
Jeanette Davis
So sorry Deena it is hard when people leave too soon (always hard to lose someone close). So wonderful to have the hope of a reunion in Heaven. This is not the end of the line for Christians. Praise God!
What a wonderful tribute to honor the memories of your friends.
Deena if I am choosen paperback books please thank you for this opportunity
Deena Adams
Yes, praise God we will see our loved ones again, Jeanette. That’s such a comfort. Good luck in the giveaway!
Laura DeNooyer
This is a beautiful way to honor and memorialize these two authors, Deena. Thank you for doing this. I knew Stacy but not David. Stacy was certainly a kind, encouraging soul.
Deena Adams
She most definitely was, Laura. A beautiful, godly woman. She is truly missed by many.
Jeanette Davis
Congratulations!! Enjoy your book!
Paula Shreckhise
That is such a mice thing to do. I had heard about Stacy back when she was ill. But was not aware of David. The books both look interesting. I have not read anything by either of them yet.
Deena Adams
I hope you will get to read Stacy and David’s books one day soon, Paula. Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the conversation!
Dana Boersma
I am sorry to hear about the loss of these authors. It is very nice of you to honor them in this way. I tend to be more of a romance reader, but do like to try everything. I recently finished reading The Hobbit at the request of my teenage son. I have not read either of these authors, but I will need to add them to my list. Thank you!
Deena Adams
Thank you for your comments, Dana. I hope you’ll get a chance to read Stacy and David’s books.
Heidi Mitchell
I’m so glad you are honoring each of them with this blog post, Deena. Dave was such a fun critique partner. He was the inspiration for one of my middle-grade adventure characters, and he graciously consented to let me name the character after him: Prof Parks. Both Dave and Stacy are missed greatly.
Deena Adams
I totally agree about Dave being a fun critique partner, Heidi. He always made me laugh. How cool that you named a character after him!
Faith Cox
Hi Deena,
I’m sorry for the great loss of your friends. Thank you for your heartfelt kindness in honoring Stacy T. Simmons and David Parks both of whom I’m sure had more wonderful words to share with the world. I haven’t read books from either of them, and I would love to win complimentary paperback copies!
May your day be filled with blessings!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, Faith. They were both special people for sure. I know they are rejoicing in heaven, so that helps ease the loss. Best of luck in the giveaway!
Penny McGinnis
Deena-How kind of you to honor both of these fellow authors. Staci was such a sweet and encouraging person. David always asked great questions. I don’t need to be entered to win, I just wanted to say thank you.
Deena Adams
My pleasure, Penny. It’s a small way I can honor them and help keep their memory alive. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Lual Krautter
Hi, Deena. Thanks so much for honoring these wonderful authors! There lives were so interesting and I’m sure much of what they experienced in life, and their faith in the Lord, came across in their books. Although I really like the genre of CF Romantic Suspense, I do enjoy Biblical fiction as well, (especially since I’m a pastor’s wife) 🙂 Would love to win a print copy of both, if that works out 🙂 Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to enter a giveaway, in their memory. God bless! Lual Krautter
Deena Adams
Hi, Lual. It’s my privilege to honor these two friends and keep their memory alive through promoting their books. I’m also a pastor’s wife. 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
Dana McReynolds
I’m so sorry to hear about these tragic losses. What a special way to honor their memories. I haven’t read their books and would enjoy either although I would probably lean toward romance.
Deena Adams
Thanks you for your comment, Dana. My prayer is that this memorial post will reach lots of people and help keep my friends alive in people’s hearts through their books.