Yesterday was release day for Not Until This Day, book 6 in my Hope Springs series. And can I just say “Phhhheeewww!” In case you’re wondering, that is an exhale of relief because there were times when I felt like I would never finish writing this book.
I started it in early January—and then restarted it in late January. And then rewrote it again in March. And I kept wondering, why isn’t this book coming together?
But now I get it. I get that it was all part of God’s perfect timing. Because when I started writing this book, I had no way of knowing it would reach the world during a global pandemic. But God did!
He knew that what the world needs right now is freedom from fear. And though the characters in this book don’t face a pandemic, they do face a lot of fear, and they struggle to trust. Last month, I blogged here at Inspy about the inspirational verses I include at the beginning of each book. And I said I wasn’t yet sure what this book’s verse would be. Well, here it is:
Isn’t that a beautiful verse? It’s one I’ve been leaning on a lot lately. We have nothing to fear because God is our strength. And in his impeccable timing, God gave me the privilege of sharing this book and this message just when the world needs it most.
I have been amazed by how many advance readers have commented on that theme of fear:
“This book was a lesson to remember to let God to take my fear and fill me up with peace, every single moment of my life.”
“These characters have the same struggle that I have—the temptation to be driven by fear. Their remedy is my remedy—faith in Christ.”
“Not Until This Day is a story of faith triumphing over fear and trust winning out over worry…. A wonderful, life-like story that was just what I needed to be reminded of today.”
“Not Until This Day is a great story that reminds us not to live in fear and that our Heavenly Father is always looking after us. He cares about us no matter what. As things are rapidly changing in the world around us…we are once again reminded not to live in fear.”
Reviews like this make me just stand back and say, “This was not a ‘me thing,’ this was a ‘God thing.'” They make all the months of angst, all the wondering why this book was such a struggle and why I couldn’t just get it into the world according to my timing, totally worth it. I am so thankful to know that God knows what he’s doing in our lives even when we don’t.
I don’t know how things are where you live, but here in Wisconsin, we’re still under stay at home orders for the foreseeable future. Which means we haven’t been able to worship at our church building in weeks. At one point in the book, the characters can’t go to their church either (don’t worry, it’s not because of a pandemic!). And I wanted to share what their pastor, Pastor Dan, tells them, because it’s something I need to be reminded of during these times as well. (Don’t worry, I’ve removed any spoilers!)
“But here’s the thing God reminded me of,” Dan continued. “I don’t need this church. You don’t need this church. It’s just a building. What we need is the faith God has worked in our hearts. What we need is his love for us that is so great that he sent his Son into the world to die for us…. Nothing can take that away…. Because our refuge isn’t in a building. God is our refuge. He is our strength and our fortress.”
I pray that reminder gives you peace and encouragement today and always.
Right now, Not Until This Day is available for the special launch price of 99¢ (or free to read in Kindle Unlimited). Although it’s book six in the Hope Springs series, you can easily read it even if you haven’t read the other books first, as each features a complete romance with a different couple. And if you have read the other books in the series and need a little reminder of who’s who, you can check out this handy character map.
“A heartwarming story about fresh starts: about finding the courage to hope and trust again; the grace to forgive; and a faith not only for the future, but for ‘this day’ as well.” -Advance review
Three kids. Two broken hearts. One chance to become a family.
Isabel has three simple rules: Keep moving. No friends. No men. It’s the only way to keep herself and her daughter safe. But when she arrives in the small town of Hope Springs, she finds that she suddenly wants to break all the rules. Especially when it comes to a certain sweet single dad.
Tyler has one goal: Keep his boys from ever getting hurt again. That’s why he avoids dating, women, or anything having to do with love. So why does the mysterious single mother who works at his family’s orchard have him rethinking everything?
As Isabel starts to think of Hope Springs as home, Tyler starts to think of her as more than a friend. But when Isabel’s past comes to light, her fears and his doubts are tested in new ways. Will they give in to the fear and pain of the past—or can they turn it all over to God and trust him to give them a future?
Not Until This Day is an emotional story of faith, forgiveness, and most of all, trust in God’s perfect love.
GIVEAWAY: To celebrate the launch of Not Until This Day, I’m giving away a $5 Amazon gift card to a random reader who comments by April 22.
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
I love the cover! The colors are beautiful!
Valerie, I can totally relate to that feeling of wondering if a book will ever get written. The book I’m releasing on Monday, I started way back in August. Put it aside to start another book, had a few weeks (or was it months) of very little writing due to family circumstances, and finally, it’s ready. I can’t believe it took this long. Even my editing process was interruptive with being with my grandkids during this lockdown period. But, I know in my heart, this is all God’s timing. As you say, His message to the world during this time.
Freedom from fear is very important – especially now.
Psalm 27:1 is a reassuring verse for sure. Your new book looks good!
I love that verse, Valerie, and try to lean in it always! I am so looking forward to reading this book, I just got it and it is next on my TBR!
love the storyline.
I love what you’ve said!! I can’t wait to read it!! Yes, I’m behind! I love your books!! I’ve told many people, I’m not living in fear of this virus. I’m going to die of something sooner or later, unless the Rapture happens. If this is it, so be it. I know where I’m going! That said, I don’t want my mom to get the virus! Lol! However, if she did, God would see me through that, too, and I know where mom will be!! I take precautions, but I refuse to live in fear. I’ll God take care of it, and let Him do the worrying!
Valerie, thanks for sharing that verse.
This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy reading.
Thank you kindly for your words of faith.
Thank you so much! I owe that all to my talented cover designer (who also happens to be my husband 🙂).
Sometimes it’s a struggle, especially with the adjustments we’re all facing during the lockdown, but it’s all worth it in the end, especially when we remember that all things are in God’s hands and his timing. Excited to read your new book! Congrats!
So true! What a blessing that we have that freedom in Christ!
Thanks so much, Ellie!
Thank you so much, Paula Marie! I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you, Kim!
So true, Trudy! What a blessing that we don’t have to be afraid of even death because we know that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Hope you enjoy the book!
You’re welcome, Merrillee. There’s nothing like the comfort of Scripture.
Aww…thanks so much, Lori!
You’re so welcome, Kelley! What a privilege to share the comfort of God’s Word!
This book was truly one of my favorites! I have read the whole series and truly look forward to many more in the future.
Aww, thanks so much, Linda! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!
I love that verse! Thank you for sharing, and for the chance to win. Happy Book Release week!
Thank you, Megan!
It’s on my Kindle! It definitely sounds like a timely message.
I really do like this cover. And talk about perfect timing?….It is coming out at the perfect time.
I had the privilege of being one of the advance readers for this book. So many others have put it in better words (go check out the Amazon reviews!) but the story and the hope it contains are wonderful. With such a good read on so many levels, you should get out there and buy your copy already :):):) Thanks, again, Valerie, for sharing your gift.
You write fast! An average book takes me a minimum of three months. You book sounds great. Congratulations on your release!
Thanks, Valerie! Hope you enjoy it!
Aww, thank you, Cathy! I hope its message reaches people who need to know or be reminded of the freedom from fear we have in Christ.
Thank you for the awesome endorsement, Lincoln! And thanks again for being an advance reader–I so appreciate it!
Thanks, Kimberly! You know, looking back on it, three months really wasn’t that long–it was just longer than what I’d planned (which may have been unrealistic in the first place, lol). And then, when you’re struggling, it just feels longer too. For my next book, I’m going to try to be a little easier on myself as far as timeline and expectations, especially given current circumstances.
And he laughed when I said it was good! Here, a non-biased opinion. 😉
Valerie, I love that your characters seem real. The stories do touch my heart . With each story I’ve been sucked in and get anxious to know how their story unfolds to reach their ever-after. Thanks for sharing the stories God lays on your heart.
Thank you, Kathryn! I feel blessed to get to do what I love and share God’s love in the process!
This sounds like a wonderful book. It’s a crazy time for authors to be launching books. Good luck and congratulations to you!
Thanks so much, Winnie!
Sounds like a winner. Thank you for sharing.
The book sounds great! Can’t wait to get it. I’ve loved any book of yours I’ve read.
Your book sounds like a very good read, I love the cover! You are absolutely right, all in God’s timing, your book will make a lot of people feel much better especially in this crazy times. Your Bible verse is Beautiful and one we all need to hear. Thank you so much. Like the saying goes We plan and God changes our plans for the better and for our own good. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.
Thank you, Lelia!
Aww, thank you, Kathy! I hope you enjoy this one too!
You’re so right, Alicia! We can plan and plan, but thankfully God’s plans are so much better than ours. Blessings to you!
always a favorite verse
Agreed! So many of the Psalms provide such great reminders that our strength is in the Lord!
Love the verse and Love the cover sounds like such a great book!
Eager to read about small town Hope Springs :)
Hi Valerie,
I love the message in this book! I need to keep remembering that God will help us with our fears. He is always faithful!
Thanks so much, Sarah! I admit that I love the cover too. :)
Thanks, Natalya! Hope you enjoy your visit to Hope Springs!
Thanks so much, Jan! I need that constant reminder to turn my fears over to God too. :)
I just picked up a copy from Kindle Unlimited!
Sometimes I just need to read a nice calming story such as this. It’s the kind that puts a smile in my heart.
I agree entirely. We all have free will and when I remembered that I always have choice, then I could choose to stay safe at home instead of rebelling about being trapped. It transformed things for me and made it much simpler in dealing with other people’s fear as well. When we trust in God, the Universe or whatever people choose, isn’t it amazing what we accomplish! Congratulations on an amazing release!
Yay! I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks so much, Linda! I love to make readers’ hearts smile. :)
Thanks, Dianne. It’s a blessing to know that God can use even the hard things in this world for his glory. When we trust that he is our strength and our salvation, we know that there is nothing in this world that can separate us from his love, and therefore we have nothing to fear. He has given us the victory in Jesus!
It is a great story! And God had wonderful timing!
Looking forward to learning about Hope Springs. God’s timing is always perfect. Sometimes it takes me a while to figure it out though.
Looking forward to reading the rest of your books. Bible verses are so fitting. Thank you for being such an inspiration to a dark n fallen world with your writing.
Congratulations Valerie. So happy to hear that your launch is doing well. Perfect timing and may God bless you and your book launch. Good books are so important during these times of isolation.
Loved reading the book. I also love that you begin your books with a scripture. It was so appropriate for this book.
It’s neat the read the “back story” about the book being all in God’s timing considering the state of the world right now. Similarly, one Sunday we sang a song and the chorus kept repeating in my head for 2 weeks. On the third week is about when the pandemic started to affect life in the US. The words came back to my mind. From the song entitled Build My Life: I will put my trust in You alone, and I will not be shaken. I remember, sing, and whistle this phrase to keep the fear back and keep my trust in God.
I read Book 6 first and then went back and read Book 1. I also have Books 2 & 3 and your Christmas Book in my book list! I like that these are nice, clean romance and that God and faith are mentioned in them. I did find a discrepency, though. In Book 6 the names of Tyler’s twins were Jonah and Jeremiah, in Book 1, they are Lucas and William. I don’t know when they changed, but thought you might want to correct that disrepency.
Thanks so much, Melanie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m the same way, Charlotte. So often, I want things to go my way, and I lose sight of the fact that God has things perfectly in his hands. Hope you enjoy Hope Springs!
Thanks, Sharon! It’s a blessing to be able to share the light of God’s Word through my writing.
Thanks so much, Sandra! I’m grateful as both a reader and a writer that books can help people through times like this.
I’m so glad you loved the book, Ann! Isn’t it amazing how God gives us just what we need just when we need it? What a blessing that you had that song in your head to remind you to put your trust in the Lord!
Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed the book and that it led you to read the earlier books as well! And thank you so much for catching that discrepancy! Yikes! Not sure how I missed that. I will definitely get it corrected. :) Blessings!
How awesome that God is using your book to encourage so many people right now.
Thank you, Jessica! I feel so blessed that God is using my book in this way. He really is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine!
You know how much I loved this book, as I do all of them! I remember talking to you about your frustration while you were writing. If I remember correctly I told you it would be done at the time God wanted it to & it would be worth the wait. I never could have imagined how we would be in the middle of something like this but I do believe it was God’s perfect timing!!! Thank you for the opportunity to read your books in advance. A review seems like an awful small price on my part! The underlying messages always come as something I need so much to integrate into things that are happening in my life at the time. Thank you so much for using such a great gift of writing to serve the Lord through all of our lives!
Thanks, Deb! I so appreciate your encouragement through those days when I was frustrated with this book–and you were right about it being done in God’s perfect timing! Next time, I’ll try to remember that from the beginning (though you may need to remind me, lol).