Regulars to the porch know already Beth Webb is the quintessential southern writer! She has that charm and “voice” I love so much about southern literature. And like our belle Lisa Wingate, she’s a fabulous wordsmith.
Like I did with Lisa’s book last week, let me share some juicy writing tidbits from Beth Webb. Any more of this and for sure I’m going to convert my iMac to a complete entertainment device and hang up my writing gloves. Julie, Shellie, you don’t have books coming out soon do you?
Here’s a scene with the heroine, Julia’s, friend Etienne:
“So, how often do you go back?” Etienne tore open a biscuit and Julie was mesmerized by the steam rising from it and the comforting smell of flour and butter.”
I’ll be right back. I’m off to make and devour biscuits! YUM.
Meeting a new character, Mary Ellen Duvall Bennett:
“It must have been at least seventy-five degrees already, and she could almost feel her hair frizzing.”
One simple line saying, showing, so much. I get this woman instantly. And I know there are women all over bobbing their heads!
Julia again:
“She breathe in the balmy Editsto air for what was likely the last time in a long, long time. It was thick and dense and salty just like she remembered it from all those summers ago. And it seemed both strange and true that nostalgia and longing and love and lose could coexist in the same space, in the same moment in the same… deep… breath.”
Wow. What a beautiful summary of those moments of saying hello or goodbye. All the senses are engaged.
Moon Over Edisto is a challenging and unique story of love and forgiveness. A really great read.
***
Rachel Hauck writes books. Her next release is Once Upon A Prince, May 2013. Visit her web site for more information.
WIN **** WIN **** WIN **** WIN
….. A COPY OF Moon Over Edisto! One given away each day this week!
To celebrate the release of Moon Over Edisto, Beth’s publisher is giving away 5 copies of the book (one each day)!
To ENTER: answer the question of the day: What about you?
Have you ever been forgiven a serious hurt or transgression?
18 comments
karenk says:
February 21, 2013 at 8:10 am (UTC -5 )
Rachel,
What a beauiful snippet from Beth’s latest masterpiece…so poignant.
To answer your question, I am certain that I have been forgiven by our God ‘seventy x seven’ for my shortcomings.
Can’t wait to read Beth’s novel.
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:09 am (UTC -5 )
Yeah, Karen, me too!
Beth Webb Hart says:
February 21, 2013 at 8:24 am (UTC -5 )
Thank you so much for this beautiful post, Rachel. It blesses me immensely.
Yes, I have been forgiven big, horrible transgressions by my Heavenly Father. It was through finally understanding that I was forgiven for something I could no longer live wtih , that I suddenly understood Grace and all that my parents and Sunday School teachers had been trying to teach me for so long became crystal clear.
It was life-changing and still is. I couldn’t keep going if I wasn’t clear and sure of His forgiveness and never-stopping love for me.
Thank you for the reminder, dear friend. And you better not EVER hang up the writing. I can’t wait for the next R. Hauck masterpiece!
Love,
BW
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:18 am (UTC -5 )
BW, my pleasure to showcase your talent. No vain compliments. I do think it’s powerful when we realize “we!” need to be forgiven and that we ARE forgiven.
Even more to realize HIs love is complete and unmerited!
Love you!
R
Lisa Wingate says:
February 21, 2013 at 8:52 am (UTC -5 )
Great post, Rachel! I know I’ve certainly been forgiven for things! For one thing, my parents forgave me for being a teenager =D
I love the word pictures in Beth’s book. With one sentence, she can encompass the feeling of a moment that is so complex. Masterful. I love being part of this talented group of writer-girls!
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:20 am (UTC -5 )
Lisa, LOL! I can’t image you being a wild teenager! I love this talented group of writers too! And being a belle with you all!
Rachel
sGailbk says:
February 21, 2013 at 9:20 am (UTC -5 )
I’m so thankful because my biggest transgression/sins have been forgiven by my Heavenly Father. Since then I’ve been so tremendously blessed by His love and grace, and He alone has carried me through the little hurts or disappointments life brings.
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:21 am (UTC -5 )
Me too! Isn’t it amazing to think the God of the Universe loves us personally!!
Rachel
Jorie says:
February 21, 2013 at 11:29 am (UTC -5 )
I always hope so,… as if we cause someone injury through misunderstanding or through anguished words said in haste + anger,… when we settle our minds and hearts back into peace, and we re-approach the person in apology, I would hope that our words hold true to them, knowing that we were sorry for the transgression and hope to move forward past the incident.
On our own personal sides of the ledger, we can only ask for forgiveness of the person we’ve wronged or injured, whether intentionally or not,… the greater lesson is our ability to recognise what happened, noting what caused us to react so forcefully, and to change our own behavior and actions when a similiar event occurs, so that we attempt to fix the mistake before it happens again. Not everything can be predicted and we surely cannot always feel enlightened all of the time, but if we endeavor to slow our reactions and take a step out to pause our words, perhaps, we can inflict less injuries on others that will cause less reasons to be in need of forgiveness?
Sometimes, the only time you know if you’ve been able to be forgiven, is how lighter you feel after you’ve prayed about what happened and found the peace in knowing you’ve acknowledged what you did wrong, and are taking steps to not let it happen again. Sometimes, we hurt people without knowing that we have, and sometimes, its hard to find the balance after someone has slighted you. Its a difficult road to walk at times, but if we all have the intention of being of love and light in all we do, the times we strike the imbalance of transgression is easier to accept, because we’re all only human afterall. We do the best we can, and we always have to remember to hold our chins up, and carry on.
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:23 am (UTC -5 )
Jorie,
Really sound thoughts! Appreciate your wisdom. Well said.
Rachel
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
February 21, 2013 at 2:51 pm (UTC -5 )
Me? I’ve been forgiven much. I’m being forgiven much and I will be forgiven much.
)) Great excerpts from a terrific book, Rachel. THX! (And, you, Missy may NOT hang up your writing gloves. So, there.) Oh, and to answer your question, I don’t have another release coming out until early 2014!
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:25 am (UTC -5 )
Shellie, girl, me too! Forgiven so much! Loved so much too.
And really, LOOKING FORWARD TO YOU NEXT RELEASE!!
Rachel
Claudia says:
February 21, 2013 at 3:05 pm (UTC -5 )
Forgiven? Yes, I remember one particular time I was forgiven for a misunderstanding – nothing done deliberately but it hurt a friend greatly. We have gotten past it and remain friends.
I know my God forgives me over and over – and I pray those I may unwittingly hurt or ignore or slight in any way, forgive me as well.
Forgiveness sometimes is easy – it’s the GRACE needed to go forward with the relationship that is hard – not meaning we have not forgiven, but wanting to steer clear of future hurts, even when innocents are involved, there is just no going back – but I believe there is, it’s just going to be God’s timing not mine!
God bless all of you ladies on the porch! Claudia
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:27 am (UTC -5 )
Claudia, you know, I think it’s that we have to realize we are already forgiven, you know. We just have to appropriate it and be confident in His love and forgiveness.
Rachel
Virginia Rush says:
February 21, 2013 at 3:33 pm (UTC -5 )
Rachel you have said what we all love about Beth’s writing….it grabs you from start to finish.
I’m so grateful my Heavenly Father keeps forgiving….I must be a real trial to Him….I can almost see Him shaking His head…but I love Him with all my heart…
great post Rachel….great book Beth….
Rachel Hauck says:
February 22, 2013 at 9:28 am (UTC -5 )
Amen Virginia!
Rachel
Brandi F says:
February 23, 2013 at 12:13 am (UTC -5 )
Rachel…forget the not writing thing…we’d just hunt you down and strap you to you iMac until you came up with something!
Have I been forgiven…boy have I!
By God of course…and that’s the biggie.
But I’ve also been forgiven for being a bride that knew next to nothing in the domestic relm.
I’ve been forgiven by my oldest son for being a first time mom and him being the guinea pig for all my decisions. (Of course it helps that he has 4 of his own now. LOL)
I’ve been forgiven by friends for being insensitive and thoughtless when I should have been otherwise.
My favorite lately is that I’ve been forgiven by my siblings and younger cousins for being such a bossy pants (yes they used those words!) when we were growing up! (Of course it probably helps that most of them have come and lived with us at one time or another.)
What I’m absolutely sure of is that I will need to be forgiven over and over again. And like Shellie said above…I’m pretty confident that my beloveds will do just that.
Velma says:
February 23, 2013 at 2:11 am (UTC -5 )
This is a lovely window into Beth Webb Hart’s beautiful prose. Her ability to appeal to the five senses is one of the reasons that I love her work.
Have I ever had to be forgiven? Oh my, there are so many times that I have found myself seeking forgiveness both from God and from my loved ones. I think my sweet husband has heard me apologize almost as much as God. Just through the daily process of marriage, there will be times that conflicts arise, and I hate to admit it, but I may not always respond the way I should. I feel that learning to admit when I am wrong and apologizing is one of the reasons that my husband and I have a strong marriage. He is a precious man, and I am thankful that he is quick to forgive me.