Carol here! It is my great pleasure to welcome the lovely Katie Ganshert to the InspyRomance blog! I’ve been friends with Katie for a couple of years now and she gets better and better with each book! I read A Broken Kind of Beautiful earlier this monh and it’s a great read! Wonderful gal that she is, Katie is offering a copy to one lucky commenter today!! (US Residents only.) So read on for Katie’s take on the most romantic tale of all time :).
The Most Romantic Tale of All Time
Romance. We all love it, right?
A story about the guy with the killer dimples who pursues the girl at all costs.
A story about the dashing hero who makes these grand, romantic gestures to show his woman that she is HIS and that she is LOVED.
A story about the prince who moves heaven and earth (and maybe slays a dragon or two), all to rescue his princess.
Perhaps the guy rescuing the gal isn’t a popular notion these days, but I can’t help myself. It makes me swoon.
And I don’t think I’m alone in that.
I think there is something in our hearts—a seed planted inside most women—that longs for that same rescue. I have to imagine it’s one of the reasons why the romance genre is the most popular one around.
We get wrapped up in a novel, we live vicariously through the heroine, because we want that to be us. We want to be pursued at all cost. We want someone to point to us and call us lovely and beautiful and worth it. We want to be cherished and desired and fought for. Not half-heartedly, but with a passion that leaves us breathless.
Well you know what?
We are.
That longing we have is not a fluke. It’s not an accident or some evolutionary byproduct. It was placed there by a God who not only created the universe, but fashioned each one of us—intimately. And there is nothing and no one who can satisfy that longing but Him.
He pursues us. He fights for us. No matter who you are. No matter what you’ve done. No matter what you look like. He desires you more than you could ever imagine. More than any man ever could. He’s jealous for you. He’s intensely passionate about you. He calls you beautiful and lovely and worthwhile.
It’s the most romantic tale of all time.
That while we were battered, bruised, and broken. Marred by scars. Covered in filth. Jesus laid down His life to rescue us.
And the best part of all?
It’s a romantic tale that is true.
A Broken Kind of Beautiful
Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong
Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.
If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?
Carol again! Katie’s so right, isn’t she? She hit the nail on the head! What do you think?
On an unrelated topic, Katie and her husband have adopted the most adorable little girl from the Congo. She’s legally a Ganshert already but for reasons far too numerous and complex to go into here, they are unable to bring her home at this time. If they – and the many other families in similar situations – cross your minds, would you whisper a little prayer? For God’s unmistakable peace to invade the hearts of all involved. For the hearts of those in power to be softened and allow these children to finally go home. And for wisdom on the part of the families, the agencies, the government officials both here and abroad. And for those children to know they are loved unconditionally – both by the parents struggling to bring them home and the Creator of the Universe who knows them better than those parents ever will and Who loves them more than any of us can ever know.
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband and four kids in the big yard of their southwest Missouri home, teaching American Government at a community college, reading, or watching NCIS. She's a member of ACFW and RWA, President and founding member for the MozArks ACFW group, and a category coordinator for ACFW's First Impressions.
Oh dear! Now I have another book to add to my TBR pile! What a wonderful problem. :) Sounds like a great read, Katie!
Thank you, Jen! I hope you enjoy the story!
Loved your post, Katie! And your book looks awesome, too! So grateful our Ultimate Hero pursues and rescues us, motivated by the purest love. Praying for you and your sweet family! :)
Thanks for those prayers, Cathy!
What a beautiful blog, and yes, how true it is that the Lord’s passion for us is truly the MOST beautiful story of all time. I’ve been praying for Katie and her precious family, and will continue to do so. I’ve also ordered her book from my local Family Christian and basically told them they NEED to stock her books. I’ve heard how fabulous the new book is and can’t wait to read it. They have substance and meaning, and a message that so many women truly need to hear. Blessings, ladies, and thanks for the terrific interview.
You are my new best friend, JoAnn! I’m so grateful you have recommended your local store stock my books! THANK YOU! And thanks for those prayers for our sweet girl.
Katie, what a lovely article! Love the truth it holds. We are all loved so greatly by our Creator. Remembering that in our darkest moments is hard sometimes, but it’s that truth, that love that draws us back out of the dark cave we find ourselves in and into the Light.
Blessings, and I hope and pray you get to bring your little girl home soon!
Andrea
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
Thank you for the prayers, Andrea! And you are so right….only in Him do we find light.
Katie,
The cover of your book is just beautiful
I would love to read this book
oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
Kelly Howard designed it and did such a fabulous job! I hope the story blesses you, Danie!
Loved your post Katie! I really do get into my books when I read , the story just takes me away! LIKED, SHARED FB, TWEETED AND PINNED ON PINTREST.
So glad you enjoyed the post! I hope Ivy’s story blesses you!
Great post! I would love to win….thanks for the chance :)
Glad you enjoyed the post, Michelle!
Katie, the book sounds beautiful. We have two adopted girls … so I’ll be praying extra hard for you … remembering your sweet family. I know you can’t wait to get her home. Blessings, Shelli
I can’t wait to read the new book! Praying your little one comes home soon.
My favorite verse on the subject is Zephaniah 3:17: The Eternal your God is standing right here among you, and He is the champion who will rescue you. He will joyfully celebrate over you; He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband. (VOICE)
That gets me every time.
I am looking forward to reading this newest novel. I very much enjoyed Katie’s first 2.
I can’t wait to read this book! And sending prayers for you and other families that your little one will get to come home soon!!! HUGS!
Praying for you. We have been there with our youngest we adopted. The mom left with her. But we prayed and prayed. I felt she was part of the family. It took us till she was 18 months to get her. Now we have all three siblings together. It will happen, some times your prayers take lots of time. We also prayed for one and almost got 3 right after each other. Sometimes if you pray too hard he really answers. Thinking and praying for you. Good luck on your book.
I would love to read Ivy and Davis’ story. Prayers for Katie and her family that their precious girl will be with her forever family soon. Our God is a God of miracles.
Looking forward to reading this new book from Katie. I have seen so many wonderful reviews. ;-)
I’d love to win a copy of the book! I’ve read another of Katie’s and was very impressed.
Hoping to get to read Ivy’s story.
Loved your post , Katie, and would love to read “A Broken Kind of Beautiful”!! Thanks, Katie and Carol – for the opportunity to win a copy!! You and your family are in my prayers, Katie!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
P.S. Shared post on Facebook and subscribed to blog!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you all for stopping by today!!!! Between my sister moving last weekend [and me helping with some other related stuff today] and recovering from being sick yesterday, I haven’t been online much. We’ll announce the winner in this week’s Sunday Edition :).
It’s so worth the read! Even if you don’t win :D.
I know Katie appreciates all of your prayers! Thank you all!
This was an absolutely wonderful book! I think it is a book that every single lady could benefit from, no matter your age. Seeing your beauty through the eyes of your Creator will give you a whole new outlook on life.
I would love to win and read this book.Sounds great.Thanks for the chance.Will definately put it on my TRL.jackie_tessnair{at}yahoo{dot}com
Beautiful post. I’d love to read this book!
Great blog post! I totally agree with what is being said, here. It’s all for naught, without Christ. HE is our first love, and what makes all our other relationships better. Thanks for the book offer, also. someone will be very lucky!
Wonderful post!
i would love to win this book!
What a thoughtful post! I’ve heard such wonderful things about this book- thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Katie, Thank you for such a lovely and truth-filled post. Always a good reminder and when so eloquently told — it feels like a romance just in the telling alone. Well done :) Can’t wait to read your next book and to meet your daughter!
This is a beautiful post. Thank you. I just wanted to mention that I did write my senator and my congressman about the situation with the Congolese children, who are already adopted by Americans. I hope in some way it might help a little. I am praying.