I’m happy to have my friend author Jennifer Rodewald back with us today at Inspy Romance. She has a new novel that will really leave you wrecked…but in a good way. It’s an honest and beautiful story that digs into when romance and marriage don’t go exactly the way we expect. That said, I’ll turn over this post to Jen.
“I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19, CSB
What is love?
Romance?
Is it a place we fall? Something that we do? Soft and tender? Fierce and strong?
Yes. To all of it, I think the answer is yes. Sometimes, though, we kind of forget the half of it.
I love me a good romance. The sigh worthy kind. The kind that makes you smile and feel gooey and warm and happy, as if all is right with the world. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that—I’ve written a couple of those hearts-and-flowers (and cupcakes!) stories—and I believe with all my heart that the God who inspires me smiles on those stories. He loves the emotion we equate as love—He made it (I am also firmly in the camp that claims that He loves laughter and humor as well. Why else would he have created the armadillo?)
Finding Evergreen, however, isn’t one of those kinds of romances. It is the other half—the one that in story we often leave out. It is the battle—the fierce fight to hold onto what was once the easy, gooey sort of love. A romance, yes, but one that is wrought with hard emotion—both good and bad. And one that once again begs the question, what is love?
I believe romance speaks truth at some level—and this one took me deep. What I found in the midst of an angry storm is precious and humbling, powerful and transformative. I found not just the redemptive tale of a marriage gone bad, but the beautiful truth of Love.
I am loved. I. Am. Loved.
The gentle hand of the Father surrounds me. The fierce and reckless love of His heart protects me. And from that place, this soil where I am rooting, growing, claiming His name, I can love like never before.
This is a new kind of romance. Deep and strong and unquenchable. Whirlwind? Yes—yet grounded. No, rooted. In His love.
From that place—the place of being loved—I can truly love. And so, the romance continues. Some days it will be light, full of smiles and sweet softness. Others, it will be fierce. Always, it is beautiful.
And evergreen.
So, now it is to you… what is love?
Thank you Jen for this inspiring post. Grab a hankie and get your copy of Finding Evergreen.
Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. The draw to fiction has tugged hard on her heart since childhood, and when she began pursuing writing she set on stories that reveal the grace of God.
Jen lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.
She would love to hear from you! You can find her at: https://www.authorjenrodewald.com
Jen’s Newsletter link: Sign up here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjenrodewald
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JRodes6
Purchase Finding Evergreen on Amazon Here
Jen has graciously offered not one, but two eBooks as a giveaway. Leave a comment by April 30th, 2018 to be in a drawing for one Kindle copy of Finding Evergreen, and for grins (and balance–the lighter romance with the heavy) a Kindle copy of The Cupcake Dilemma as well–to the same winner. (Void where prohibited.)
Sounds like a wonderful book! I would love a chance to read it.
Hi Pat! It is great!
Thank you, Pat! I’d love for you to read it. :)
Hi Janet and Jen, I don’t think anything needs to be added to your summation of love. Praise God for second chances, mercy and endurance- and the times when love is easy:)
Blessings:)
Well said! Yes, praise Him!
Indeed, praise God for all these! <3
Janet, thank you for the introduction to Jennifer’s books. I love angsty romances that deal with the hard stuff! Kudos to you, Jennifer, for taking that on.
Jen definitely takes on the hard stuff!
Thank you Lee! :)
Hi Janet and thanks for the delightful informative introduction to Jennifer and her romances. The stories are inspiring and thought provoking. Enjoy your weekend and best wishes.
Rebate, Thank you! Hope you have a good weekend ?
Thanks for stopping in, Renate.
Hey Janet and Jennifer. Finding Evergreen sounds excellent and powerful. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Very powerful!
Thank you Sherri. <3 Good luck in the drawing.
Thanks for the intro Jennifer is a new author for me.
You’re going to love her!
Hi Kim! Thanks for stopping in. :)
Without turning this into a Bible study ?, the Bible uses 3 different words for Love. What we think of as romance is one kind, and we’re supposed to enjoy that kind only in the marriage relationship. But love is so much more. Marriage should be so much more. In fact, it has to be more than the sigh-worthy, sappy stuff I love to read and write in order to last. We need the fierce commitment to each other even more to get through the hard times, which is what a truly Happily Ever After is going to include.
Amen! Thank you for the greT thoughts!
So true! I wish there were more books out there that stress this type of love.I mean novels.
Strong truths, there Lila. <3
Jen writes wonderful stories. I’d love the chance to read this one.
So true!
Hi Terressa! Thanks for that! Good luck in the drawing. :)
Thank you for the introduction! I look forward to reading!
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
Hi Paula! Hope you enjoy reading it when you get the chance. :)
Sounds great! In some book I read recently, the author stressed the idea that love isn’t a warm fuzzy feeling, but a choice.
Sounds great! What book?
I can’t remember! I’ve read a lot recently :-)
Love that, Margaret!
It sounds like a great book and needed in our world today.
Definitely needed!
Thank you, Tammy. <3
Hi Jenn,
I love your writing. It’s real and refreshing. This whole series is one I want to read. I’ve got the first two books on my TBR pile. I also love the covers!
They are so good!
Hi Marylin! Thank you so much for that! I hope you find time to read the series! <3
I’ve read a couple of Jen’s books before and it’s one of those books that even a few years later you still remembers details about it. I love the fact that her books are different and the storylines are so emotionally charged and realistic that you can relate or know someone who had been or is going through it. I look forward to reading her other novels.
So true! She doesn’t shy away from the emotion!
HI Colleen! Thanks for stopping in, and such encouraging words! Thank you! <3
Loved reading this and am looking forward to reading all of Jennifer’s books.
Hi, Becky! Have a great weekend ❤️
Thank you, Becky!
This seems like an interesting read! I believe I’d enjoy it! :)
You’ll love it, Hanna!
Awww… thanks Hanna! :)
This one is one I’ve been wanting! Would love to win it!
Hi Erin! Good luck!
Hi Erin… so glad to hear you’ve been wishing for Finding Evergreen. :) Good luck in the drawing.
I’ve been hoping a giveaway for this book would come along, as I can’t afford to purchase all the ones on my TBR list. I’ve been reading about it and the story sounds so moving!! I hope I win! :)
Great Emily! It’s a wonderful read!
Hi Emily… hope you get the chance to read it. :)
Wow!!! Sounds like a great book and would love the chance to read this book. Cover catches my attention, as well as the sayings.
It’s really great!
Thank you, Andrea!
I read the Red Rose Bouquet and would like to try another in the series. Especially one that is tougher going.
Hi Christine! We have you in the drawing!
Thanks for reading Red Rose Bouquet, Christine. This one is another angsty story. ;)
Hi Janet and Jen! I read Jen’s book a few weeks ago and loved it! It was one of those stories that totally tugs on your heartstrings and has you reaching for the tissues, but it was soooo good. I had to read a lighter story after it. :-D
Hi Winnie!! So great to hear from you! Ye,s have a tissue handy!
Hi Winnie! Thank you for reading (and reviewing!) Finding Evergreen! So honored by your time and encouragement!
I’ve actually read Finding Evergreen and still have book hangover from it. Love being evergreen is such a powerful image and thought. I’d love to read Cupcake Dilemma!
Ha! I love a good book hangover :) Cupcake Dilemma is sooo cute!
Awww… thanks! Yes, The Cupcake Dilemma was my balance book… something to help the heavy stories I write even out. ;)
Hi Janet and Jen. I wish I could have a a blessrd third chance let alone a not so great second chance so I would love to read this great book and get encouragement. All the best . Thanks
LOL, Yolanda! All the best sent back to you!
Good news. This big God of ours redeems. That’s what He does. <3 #thegospelisforeveryone #helovesevenme ;)
Yes! – This books sounds like a good read. Real love is love that has been tested and proved itself true.
So true, Kari!
thanks, Kari!
Ohh, I love the dilemma and look forward to seeing how they work things out!
Thanks, Candi! Enjoy reading. :)