About the Book:

Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.

On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.

After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.

As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.

About the Author:

Kathleen Denly writes historical romance to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.

 

Kathleen lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, one dog, and nine cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting

The Power of Words

by Kathleen Denly

1 Peter 3:8 NIV
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8 ESV
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

1 Peter 3:8 NASB
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, [b]loving, compassionate, and humble;

1 Peter 3:8 KJV
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 Peter 3:8 MSG
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. 

Above you see one verse from Scripture translated in four different versions. 1Peter 3:8 is the theme verse I had in mind while writing Harmony on the Horizon. It best sums up the lessons my main characters learn over the course of the story and, during the brainstorming and plotting of this novel, I spent a good deal of time studying not only this verse but the entire chapter and book in which it is found. 

If you have the chance, I strongly encourage you to read the book of 1 Peter for yourself, and if possible, read it in more than one version. Compare the subtle differences in translations and how the nuance of word choice affects the meaning you derive from what you read. These differences were another source of inspiration for my novel. 

Have you ever stopped to ponder the power of words? Whether written or spoken, the words we use have the power to change who we are, how we are perceived, our relationships, and even our community. Yet, too often, we speak without forethought, react without caution, and hurl words like weapons without consideration of the consequences. This applies to yelling at the driver who can’t hear you, typing that rash reply on social media, and arguing with that family member who just said something completely offensive. 

What would happen if we all learned to pause, reflect, and carefully choose the words we use to communicate with strangers, with God, and with loved ones? How might the world change if each of us put as much forethought into our words as God put into each bit of Scripture? Would there be peace on Earth? Could humans truly live in harmony with one another?

Clearly, we are not God and therefore not perfect. Yet Scripture exhorts us to strive to be more like Christ, right? Surely that includes choosing our words with care the way that He did. Because our words have the power to either build up or tear down those to whom we speak. And sometimes knowing which words will accomplish which goal isn’t as easy as it seems. Sometimes, our first thought–first word choice–isn’t what’s best, even when our heart is in the right place. Sometimes what we first thought to say won’t come across to the person we are speaking with in the way that we intend. Sometimes what we want to say isn’t meant to be said at all. 

The truth is that only through prayer and divine discernment can we be certain that we are communicating in the best way possible. This is something I am still working on in my own life and something which the heroine of Harmony on the Horizon must learn over the course of the novel. Like me, she fails. Repeatedly. But God doesn’t give up on her the same way He hasn’t given up on me and won’t give up on any of His children. With His help she grows and comes to find hope that someday there will be harmony.

Have you ever spoken words you wish you could take back? Have your words ever been misunderstood? What ways have you found to restore harmony among your friends and family?

In celebration of my latest release, Harmony on the Horizon, book 3 in my Chaparral Hearts series, I am offering a giveaway! 

One winner* will receive:

• 1 “Just as I am” Bracelet 
• 1 pack of Christian Stickers
• Sing in the Sunlight Bookmark 
• Harmony on the Horizon Sticker

To enter, leave a comment on this blog and sign up for Kathleen’s Readers’ Club here: http://bit.ly/KRCMemberSignUp  

Deadline to enter is 11:59pm February 28,, 2022. Winner will be announced in the comments for this post and contacted via email. *Must have a U.S. Mailing address to win. Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.