Tuesday, February 24, 2015

GUEST BLOGGER! Cheryl's Farm Fresh Wisdom!

      Well, yeehaw and slap your grandma! We got us a guest blogger here at the Mine and we’re plum tickled pink from our boots to our suspenders! This is gonna be a regular segment, entitled, Cheryl's Farm Fresh Wisdom. She’s a dear friend who truly tries to help others find the “Upper Pasture,” if ya get my meaning. She’s a farmer, so is her better half and her near grown son as well. She’s got so many cattle, you can’t shake a stick at ‘em. Then there's goats, chickens, kittens, a one-eyed rabbit, and even some honery longhorned cattle.So pull up a bale a straw, grab a good green foxtail to chaw on, and settle in to Cheryl’s Farm Fresh Wisdom. (Did I mention ya'all might win a $10 buck gift certificate? I didn't?! Well, bless my soul, 'tis true!) Without further ado . . .

Welcome~
   
     My name is Cheryl. I'm 50 years old. I live on a cattle farm with my 15 year-old son, Matthew, and my husband of 5 years, Darrel; whom I married after being widowed for 8 years. We own several farms and raise 300-400 head of cattle for beef purposes, 30-50 head of goats and 200-300 chickens for my son’s egg business. Needless to say, we are always busy and forever in a hurry. We normally don’t hire for help. We farm corn, soybeans, wheat and mostly hay in addition to our livestock.

     Our farms are located in Southern Indiana, where one thing is for sure, the weather is always changing. Just this week we received almost a foot of snow. My son missed 3 days of school due to the severe weather. This morning was -5 degrees with a wind chill of -15 to -25 degrees Fahrenheit. So keeping these animals warm and dry, fed and watered becomes a challenge. Just getting dressed to go out requires an act of Congress! LOL I start with wool socks and a long-sleeved undershirt. Then comes the insulated jeans, heavy sweatshirt, bib overalls, heavy winter coat, sock hat, gloves, and hand warmers. And finally, insulated green rubber boots. This mental image is killing you, right?

     Well, I usually get about half the way to the chicken yard when the blast of cold air convinces me I need to use the restroom. So back in I go, only to undo all I’ve just described. What an ordeal just to do my daily activities!

     Since patience is not one of my main virtues, I thought I could just skip the hand warmers. This was not a wise move while trying to water animals in sub-zero temperatures. Our barn is about a fourth of a mile away from our house, not an easy distance to run back home. So half way through my chores I scurried back to the house, seeking shelter and crying like a baby. My fingers were frozen and oh, they hurt so very badly. It was at this precise moment when our Glorious God decided to teach me a lesson that I should have already learned.

     He brought it to my attention that if I was going to do his work in a hostile environment, then I had better dress for the occasion. I still remember my Dad getting ready to work in the coal mines. He always wore a long-sleeved denim welding shirt, hard hat, steel-toed shoes, and carried a thermos of coffee and a lunch bucket. 

     Why is it then we go about God’s business ill prepared? Why do we fail to be fully prepared for the work ahead of us? God told us to, ‘ready ourselves!’  How often do we stop at the door, TV, or computer screen and put on the Armor of God before we step into the hostile world? 

     There is no way I'd go out in this frigid weather virtually naked! So I am taking extra steps to ready myself by putting on the full Armor of God.  Ephesians 6:10-18 tell us to put on:

1. The Belt of Truth
2.  The Breastplate of Righteousness
3.  Shoes of Peace
4.  Shield of Faith
5.  Helmet of Salvation 
6. The Sword of the Spirit-which is God's Word!

Maybe by readying myself with the Armor of God, this will prevent me from having to turn tail to the devil, running and crying and injured into my Heavenly Father’s arms. I know I will be fully equipped by putting on the full Armor of God to be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. It is cold and brutal out there!!! Dress Accordingly and ready yourselves!

Here’s some references for you to study on: 

Ephesians 6:10-18
Matthew 24:44
Ezekiel 38:7
Jeremiah 1:17.

May the Lord bless ya, and keep ya,
~Cheryl 

Now we done been to church! Thanks Cheryl! You're the best!  We'd love to hear from ya'all. Leave a comment and one blessed person will receive one of them fancy certificates, fer 10 bucks to your local department store. Thank ya fer stoppin' in, and don't forget to, "be ready!"

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Racing Around with Author Caryl McAdoo!

And she's coming around the track! Caryl McAdoo in the lead, with one, no, five, no TEN books! Look at her go!

Okaaaaay . . . . So maybe there's not an actual race for turning out the most books in a year, but if there were, Author Caryl McAdoo would be right there at the photo finish! So grab your pony and mount up.  Let's meet her in the starting gate.

PT:  Well, hi, howdy Caryl McAdoo! Not sure you have time to pause with us with your racing writing schedule, but let me grab the reins for just a quick Q and A.  Would you give us a quick pedigree?

CM:  Well, first, thank you so much Peggy, for having me at the Diamond Mine! In 2012, I discovered, 'Christian Fiction,' as a genre.  Granted, I should have known, but with rearing four grandsons and writing, I hadn't been reading much, and my mentors at the DFW Writers' Workshop forever cautioned me about putting in too much, 'Christian.'  But an agent asked me to write her a historical Christian romance set in the 1800's and said she'd sell it.  And she did . . . to Simon and Schuster's Howard Books.
         I haven’t looked back, not even a quick glance. I’ll never write anything again that doesn't give God glory. He is my everything, the air I breathe, my daily bread, my all in all. This is what He wants me to do for the Kingdom, well, sing, too. He gives me the most beautiful songs. I wish there was some way for me to sing one for you! I imagine it would resonate beautifully in the mine. J I also enjoy painting, but nothing fancy. I do love painting on my walls!
       My background is fun, met my husband when we were sixteen, reared four children, have fifteen grandsugars and reared four of those, except now I’m down to two. I got gloriously saved at the age of nine and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1975 (25 years old). But what is exciting is what’s ahead. He even gave me a new song about it!
     
  ♫♪*`•. I'm just so EXCITED.•*♪¨*•♪♫ ‘Bout what the Lord is doing!!♪♫•*¨♪ I'm just so EXCITED.♪♫¸¸.•*♪*•.¸ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸Of what I know He will do!•*º° I'm just so EXCITED!•.¸.•ڿڰۣ and He is delighted(̆̃̃ڿڰۣ♫♪*with my anticipation`º°¨•.¸.•*♪♫• of what He’s going to do!!♪♫¸•*♪♫♪*¨*♥•♪♫       
 - - - - 2nd VERSE - - -
        ♫♪*`•. And I get to be a part.•*♪¨*•♪♫ of what the Lord is doing!!♪♫•*¨♪ I get to be a part.♪♫¸¸.•*♪*•.¸ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸Of what I know He will do!•*º° I get to be a part!•.¸.•ڿڰۣ and He has a GOOD plan(̆̃̃ڿڰۣ♫♪*He’s called me for His purpose•.¸.•*♪♫• I have a role to play!!♪♫¸•*♪ ♫♪*¨*♥•♪♫  

PT:  Incredible! We've never had anyone sing here at the Mine, and you're right. The resonation in here is terrific, and that was beautiful! But I'm right with you as far as researching for historicals. Sometimes searching makes you chase bunnies, and you never get back to the topic at hand! LOL Or at least that happens to me. (Ooopsie) Whoa! don't run off yet!  I know you've got more books to write, but I've got more questions!  Like how prolific you are!  Could you please tell us about all the novels you have coming out this year?

CM:  A part of what was the two year period it took from VOW UNBROKEN’s contract to shelf, and six months after before I could sell another book, I think I wrote six new titles in those years. And another part is my husband the challenger. Just like the other day. He said, “Well, I think if we’re going to publish TEN, we might as well publish Eleven!” Yeah, right, says I! J
       I’m writing July, August, and September now – the earlier ones are written and in various stages of edits and proofs, formatting, and cover design. I list them in the back of the books with titles, a short blurb, and their debut day. Ron thinks we ought to put out a non-fiction on top of these that I started a while back about writing - - - tips on creating great fiction stories, where to open the curtain, characters who steal hearts, and satisfying endings.
       So Here’s the ten: 3 historical romances, 4 contemporary romances, and 3 Biblical fictions; one every month except June and December. All Christian, of course: 

January 9: Hope Reborn, historical Texas romance, Book Three /  February 2 : The Preacher’s Faith, contemporary Red River Romances, Book One /  March 6: Then The Deluge Comes, Biblical fiction, The Generations series, Volume Two /  April 17: Sing a New Song, contemporary Red River Romances, Book Two /  May 3:  Sins Of The Mothers historical Texas romance, Book Four /  July 7: Token Of The Covenant  Biblical fiction, The Generations series, Volume Three /  August 13: Acquiring A Wife, contemporary Red River Romances, Book Three /  September 1: Daughters Of The Heart historical Texas romance, Book Five / October 7: Untitled, contemporary Red River Romances, Book Four /  November 2: Promise of Blessings  Biblical fiction, The Generations series, Volume Four.

PT:  So let’s latch onto Hope RebornIt’s part of a series which you just released last month. Is this the final book, or is there more to this Western Adventure series?

CM:  Oh, I’m so glad you asked this question. A fan the other day was saying she didn’t want Hope Reborn to be the end, but it definitely is not! Besides Sins of the Mother, and Daughters of the Heart, this year, I’m planning at least five or six more. I’m writing toward one of the very first titles, The Chief Of Sinners (1929-1950), in which the hero is the grandson of four- year-old Charley in book two, Hearts Stolen, and book six, Son Of Many Fathers

PT:  You seem to have so much time tied up in your family, especially your grandchildren. How do you have time to squeeze in so much writing and releasing of new books?

CM:  Outwardly, they don’t like me being an author, but I think inwardly, they’re a little proud sometimes. It is hard to balance, especially being so old – officially in May--65! But with the exception of the two still living with us, (I’ll be 70 when the baby graduates), the other dozen are growing up and busy getting their lives started. They come visit now and then, but it stays pretty quiet out here in the woods.

PT:  So tell us about your latest title.

CM:  I really enjoyed writing The Preacher’s Faith. I intended to write a novella, and maybe it is one at 47, 938 words—50K being a bona fide novel, I think—but it got longer as I went.

PT:  Let's take a sneak peek:


A black sedan rolled across the main entrance cattle guard. Faith sat a little taller in the saddle. Shame it wasn’t a new truck pulling a full Featherlight horse trailer, but hey, any new business would be a Godsend. Instead of coming to the barn though, the car stayed right and went up to the house. New nurse, maybe?
Whatever. The gelding needed at least another fifteen minutes. She worked him hard—several times around with a right front lead, turn around the other way on a left lead, backed him one complete lap—then took him into the wash stall. She’d never known a horse who loved baths better than the beautiful paint, and so intelligent, almost too smart for his britches. Definitely one she wouldn’t mind calling her own.
Halfway to having him brushed out, the barn’s main-door opened.
“Miss Johnson?”
She looked over the gelding’s back. The form of a man stood in the doorway silhouetted by the late afternoon sun. Tall with broad shoulders, he filled the opening. She couldn’t see if he looked like money or not, but hey, even poor guys needed their horses trained. “Yessiree, that’d be me. How can I help you?”
“I came about the position.”
“You’ve come to the wrong place. I’m not hiring.”
The guy stepped in and closed the door, his face still dark and undistinguishable. “That isn’t what your Aunt Iris said.”
“Bless Auntie’s heart, I don’t know what she’s thinking, but she’s just wrong. I’m not hiring. Sorry you came all this way for nothing.”
Her eyes started adjusting, and the man, maybe a few years older than her, came into view. A sort of good-looking type in a townie kind of way, but… “Maybe you need to come tell her yourself, Miss Johnson.”
Oh no, the place was a wreck. Faith needed to get in the house and stop the old dear. “Auntie’s here?” The perfectionist would have herself a heart attack for sure.
“Yes, ma’am. She rode out with me.” A sly grin etched the man’s face.


PT:  Fabulous!  Absolutely fabulous! I know our readers can't wait to snuggle up in the loft with that little jewel! (Caryl tosses her silver mane and prances on anxious toes.)

CM:  Thank you again for inviting me to the Diamond Mine! I thoroughly enjoyed visitin’ and will be looking forward to sending a book to your winner this week! 

PT:  Hey! Waitoh, never mind.  She's off galloping after the next novel. Wow, she's amazing! But worry not, my dear readers.  You can catch up with her on these websites:

All Books   -        http://tinyurl.com/CarylsAmazonPage
The Preacher’s Faith      http://tinyurl.com/PreachersFaith
Website       -        http://www.CarylMcAdoo.com    
                                     (All First Chapters are offered here)
                                     (Get FREE books for subscribing!)
Blog            -        http://www.CarylMcAdoo.blogspot.com
GoodReads -        http://tinyurl.com/GoodReadsCaryl
Google+       -        http://tinyurl.com/CarylsGooglePlus
Twitter        -        http://www.twitter.com/CarylMcAdoo
Pinterest     -        http://www.pinterest.com/CarylMcAdoo

PT:  (Hollering) Thanks for joining us Caryl McAdoo!

Bio: With sixteen titles released by six publishers, Simon & Schuster’s hybrid author Caryl McAdoo is excited about her newest Biblical fiction, volume two of The Generations series, THEN THE DELUGE COMES. The novelist also edits, paints, and writes new songs. In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-five years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fourteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God glory, she hopes the books will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to all their readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State. 

You, yes, YOU can win one of Caryl's novels! Simply leave a comment below to be entered!!! DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT!!!! Lol.  And as always, thanks for stopping by at the Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction!!! Announcer out.  Load up the trailer.  J

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Let's welcome Christine Lindsay to the Mine this week!!


 

 


 

 Could you tell us a little about yourself?

 

One of the things I’m proud of is that I was once patted on the head by Prince Philip (Queen Elizabeth’s husband) when I was a baby, right outside the Belfast City Hall. I was born in Ireland so a lot of British-ness is in my novels. My great-grandfather and my grandfather—yes father and son—were riveters on the Titanic, but as a family we accept no responsibility for the sinking of that infamous ship.

 

That last bit is said tongue-in-cheek. Seriously though, I’m happily married to David for the past 35 years, and we have three grown children and currently 4 grandsons. I’m also a happily reunited birth-mom—meaning I relinquished my first child to adoption in 1979 when I was an unmarried mother, and my birth-daughter and I were reunited 20 years later in 1999. Today, my birth-daughter Sarah is part of our extended family.

 

So I understand—like my readers do—what suffering is, and all my novels take those readers through dark valleys but always bring them out in a wide plain of joy in the Lord.

 

 

What genre do you write under, and what made you choose it?

 

I found my niche in historical fiction. I’m not a romance writer exactly, because my stories don’t just focus on the romance but on much more. I prefer to say I’m a historical author with Big Love Stories.

 

I think it all started with my desire to show how the Lord can heal a broken heart and fill it with scintillating joy. But I have one contemporary romance out called Londonderry Dreaming.

 

 

What made you decide to be a writer?

 

It was back in 1999 when I was first reunited with my birth-daughter, and the reunion had not been as joyful as I’d hope and prayed for 20 years. My husband caught me crying one day over my renewed loss of my daughter. He went out and returned a while later with a brand new pen and journal, and said, “Here, honey, write it.”

 

That journaling of my broken heart was the beginning. A few years later I felt the Lord encourage me to put what I had learned through that experience and the healing He had given me into fictional novels to help others with their broken hearts.

 

 

What advice would you give to those out there still striving to achieve their dream of being a writer?

 

I started writing in 1999 and it wasn’t until 2011 even after winning the ACFW Genesis that my first novel Shadowed in Silk was published. Even after that novel won a few more awards and my second book Captured by Moonlight won awards too, I still wasn’t selling a lot of books. My publishers were small press, but I have learned that the Lord isn’t just interested in the big and fast way to a writing career. Not all of us will big splash in the world of novels in a fast way.

 

However, if He has called you to write, remember this word PERSEVERANCE. After all this time, almost 16 years since I started, am I just starting to see my writing get noticed. Here’s another phrase, HANG IN THERE. As I’m looking at book 6 being published this year by a small publisher, I’m thrilled with what God has done.

 

Don’t underestimate THE SMALL THINGS.

 

 

What book are you planning to give away this week, and could you give us a little preview?

 

I want to give away a paper-back copy of my latest novel Veiled at Midnight which is the Explosive and Passionate Finale to the series Twilight of the British Raj, following the multi-award-winning Books Shadowed in Silk and Captured by Moonlight.



 

I’m including the link here to read the first chapter. Chapter One Veiled at Midnight

 

 

VEILED AT MIDNIGHT

The British Empire is coming to an end. As millions flee to the roads, caught up in the turbulent wake is Captain Cam Fraser, his sister Miriam, and the beautiful Indian Dassah.

 

Cam has never been able to put Dassah from his mind, ever since the days when he played with the orphans at the mission as a boy. But a British officer and the aide to the last viceroy cannot marry a poor Indian woman, can he?

 

As this becomes clear to Dassah, she has no option but to run. Cam may hold her heart—but she cannot let him break it again.

  

Miriam rails against the separation of the land of her birth, but is Lieutenant Colonel Jack Sunderland her soulmate or a distraction from what God has called her to do?

 

The 1947 Partition of India has separated the country these three love…but can they find their true homes before it separates them forever?

 

 

 

 

Do you have a family, and if you do, what do they do that helps toward your goals?

 

I have a wonderful family of 3 grown kids, and the best husband in the world. They all have been supportive of my writing since 1999. In fact my birth-daughter Sarah is the model on the front cover of Shadowed in Silk, and my daughter Lana is the model on Captured by Moonlight.

 

My husband helps me with my historical research, and my mother is one of my first readers, and is almost like an assistant, especially when I speak in public. I couldn’t do my writing without them.

 

 

 

What do you have coming up for your readers in the near future?

 

Now that the series Twilight of the British Raj is complete, I am currently writing a non-fiction book for WhiteFire Publishing. It’s about the relinquishment of my birth-daughter and our painful reunion 20 years later. This book also includes other adoption reunion stories to show a balanced view. In weaving these true-life stories together the book will take the reader on a journey to discover a fascinating aspect to the heavenly Father’s love for us—His El Shaddai love.

 

I also have a historical romance coming out with Pelican Book Group called Sofi’s Bridge. This book is strictly a romance, and it’s spiritual theme is that we cannot save the ones we love—only Christ can do that.

 

 

 

What role does your faith play in your writing, and what do you hope to convey to your readers?

 

I write only to express my faith and the love relationship I have with the Savior. If it were not for this, I simply wouldn’t write.

 

I want to convey that God is in the business of healing broken hearts and broken lives through His son Jesus Christ. He is an amazing God who is at the very heart of romance—His romance with us.

 

 

 

One of my favorite things to ask each person I interview is: Do you have a favorite book? A favorite character? And if so, what makes them stick out in your mind?

 

Jane Eyre. In my opinion there is not greater example of a Christian love story. And of course my heroine is Jane Eyre herself. She stood up for her Christian beliefs and did not give in to her human passion for Rochester, and God rewarded her in the end with the man she loved, but all in God’s timing and in purity.

 

 

 

 

Lastly, what is your main goal for writing, and have you achieved it? If not, what do you plan on doing to further that goal?

 

Goals are so fluid. I find it better for me to just take one day at a time and trust God with the details. However, I found Him to be so faithful. I asked Him way back in 1999 if I could be a Christian author and encourage others through my stories, and He has allowed that to happen. As to how far He wants my writing career to go, I leave that in His hands. I’m a very happy and satisfied woman.  The joy of the Lord flows through my veins.

 

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing with us this week, Christine. I hope you’ll come back and visit with us again soon. J

 

If you’re interested in any of Christine Lindsay’s books, here are the purchase links.
 
 
 





 




 




 




 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Interview and Book Giveaway with Lee Carver!



Volunteering in the Amazon to escape a broken heart, an American nurse re-examines her life’s calling as she confronts hijackers, malaria, and her attraction to a certain missionary pilot.


Today on The Diamond Mine, we're welcoming author Lee Carver. Hi Lee! It's great to have you with us. You’ve said this book is the book of your heart. You lived in Brazil for more than twelve years, and as a missionary in the Amazon for six. Did you have a specific purpose in writing this story?

My eyes were opened to a new world as a volunteer missionary in retirement. We gave a few years of service whereas the others in the missionary group gave their entire lives. I came away with a huge respect for them, and at the same time an appreciation for them as real people with conflicts, dealing with their doubts and difficulties, and even marital problems. I wanted to write a fictional story which portrayed these remarkable servants of God.

What struck you most about your time in Brazil? 

I hardly know where to start on this question, because our lives spun on a different axis. The heat, humidity, and disease contrasted with jungle beauty, tight friendships, and the joy of being on God’s mission. The very most? How much I loved the people and felt loved and accepted by Brazilians and expats alike. Brazilians come in all colors, shapes, and sizes, and accept others openly and freely.

They sound wonderful. In Love Takes Flight, you painted some very vivid images of Brazil. How would you describe the culture there?

The culture in the Amazon is even more casual than in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. People function on “rubber time.” Manaus has some wealthy people, but many of its nearly two million inhabitants live in DIY shacks of found materials. Beggars and street vendors abound. Traffic is terrible, with scrambled one-way streets. Outside of the Christian context, Americans are assumed to be rich and easy prey. One has to be wary and take reasonable care.

How has the experience affected your perspective on life and faith?

Our years in Brazil were the hardest and best of our lives. My husband Darrel often described it as the dessert of our lives. We saw God working every day making His mission possible and answering prayers continually. My resulting perspective became that only what is done for the Kingdom of God is lasting. Nothing builds more faith like stepping out on your confidence in God and feeling that support and answered prayers.

Well said! That's encouraging to hear. What takeaway value were you going for in this novel? 

One buried message is, How can you know if you’re called to the missionary life? Such a decision refutes every desire for self-importance and material gain, and thus, deep in the gut, seems unwise. How can you be sure this call is real?

Are your characters anything like missionaries you knew in Brazil?

Some of the characters are combinations of specific people we knew. The history of the pilot, Luke Strong, would probably be recognized as a certain person. The teenager Jessica, who volunteered on the early missions in the novel, is ever so real. I love this precious woman, who has grown up, become an RN in the US, and is about to return to the farthest reaches of the Amazon with her husband and baby son—as yet unborn. Part of the message of the novel is that dedicated missionaries come in all personality types.

What do you miss most about Brazil? 

The people. Those in the mission, those in our church, and all the volunteers who lodged in our home on the way to and from missions into the jungle.

What advice do you offer to people going on a foreign mission?

Be flexible, pray a lot, and especially pray aloud every day with your spouse. Cast all your fears on God and leave them there.

Beautiful advice.  What was your most memorable experience or experiences as a missionary? 

The week I served as translator for American college kids on a large mission ship plying the Rio Negro. For the complete picture, go to my website and download a free PDF copy of  Flying for Jesus. It’s also available in print and Kindle without profit added on Amazon.com.

What are you working on now?  

I’ve found novels with a foreign setting to be hard to sell, which was a major disappointment. Currently, I’m writing a contemporary romance set in a small Texas town, a fun story that’s relatively easy after the WWII and Brazilian novels. As always, it has an inspirational thread and is based within the Christian worldview. I’m also collaborating with five other authors on a romance novella set, as yet unnamed, which should be out in June.

Lee, thank you so much fro spending time with us at The Diamond Mine. It's been inspirational to learn about you and your experiences. 

Okay readers, don't forget to leave a comment for Lee, and you'll be entered in the free drawing for a copy of Love Takes Flight! Now, here's an excerpt from it. This excerpt of Love Takes Flight comes from the fifth chapter, after you’ve gotten to know the main characters and the situation:

Morning broke bright and hot. When Luke came to haul a barrel of medicines to move the clinic to the next village, Camille approached him with a frown.
“I’ve been thinking all night about Pedro. I need to stay here. Any number of things might still go wrong with his leg.”
“You can’t stay if Dr. Flavio goes with us. You’re only legal to practice medicine in Brazil as his assistant.” Luke mopped his face with a worn bandana. Camille didn’t seem to understand the laws they had to obey.
 She planted her feet apart, hands on her hips. “I’m not practicing medicine. I just want to stay with Pedro long enough to make sure the artery holds and he doesn’t contract a massive infection.”
“That would still be illegal. Pedro looks good. He’ll be okay.”
Camille shook her head. “The pregnant woman, Josamil, had light contractions yesterday, and the baby is transverse. Dr. Flavio wasn’t able to turn it. If labor doesn’t push the head down, she could die screaming for help.”
Luke tracked on a boy carrying a load down the bank to the plane. “You have to stay with the team. How are you going to get back if we leave you here?”
“Josamil’s husband can deliver me to the next village by boat.”
Luke snuffed a laugh. “It would take two weeks.”
“I thought you said it was only fifteen minutes away.”
“By air. It’s on the other side of this finger of land. Going around by boat in dry season takes forever.”
“Can’t you stop back here on the way to Manaus?”
Luke could, but he didn’t want to admit it. Leaving a volunteer—one who didn’t speak the language—involved unnecessary risk.
The social worker, Angela, was team leader for this mission. He found her packing hygiene instruction posters. “We’ve got a problem. Camille wants to stay here by herself while we go on to the next village.”
Camille followed him over, and he fell into a pattern of translating between her and Angela. As he explained the nurse’s concerns, he watched Angela’s resolve melt.
She waffled. “We can’t take Pedro back to Manaus with us. There wouldn’t be any way to return him for months.”
“I’m not suggesting that. I just want to keep treating him here. The antibiotic doesn’t prevent all the possible infections.” Tenacious as a junkyard dog, Camille uncrossed her arms, hands up as if insisting Luke agree with her reasoning. “He may need a different type. The wound will probably have to be debrided—trimmed and cleaned—or he may develop gangrene. And if he doesn’t stay in bed, his artery stitches may not hold.”
Angela rolled her big eyes.
Camille jumped back into the space. “And then there’s Josemil.”
Sensitive to the whole idea of motherhood, Luke winced. “But we don’t know when she’s due. It might be another week.”
Camille shaded her eyes from the brilliant sun. “I don’t think so. The baby had dropped before we arrived. If it doesn’t move into the correct orientation, her labor will be rough. Maybe deadly.”
“Doesn’t the village have a midwife?” Luke looked to Angela for the answer.
“They do, but what they call a midwife out here is usually only someone who’s been around for a few births. She’s not necessarily trained and wouldn’t observe proper sanitation.”
He translated to Camille, beginning to understand the danger.
“Lucas, you come back in two days?” Angela used two fingers and bits of English. “When we return to Manaus?”
He sighed, shoved his hands in his pockets, and glanced at kids playing with a small monkey.
Camille assumed victory without his confirmation. “I’d better pull out the medical supplies I’ll need. And unpack my hammock.”
“How are you going to communicate?” Surely she realized the impossibility of her proposal.
“I’ll use the books I brought. I’m learning more words every day.”
Maybe she had a gift for languages. Some people did.
Camille dashed a few yards away toward the pharmacy and equipment tent still set up under a palm tree. “Jessica, wait a minute. I need some supplies.”
Decisive and aggressive, this woman. A Brazilian nurse would never do that.

Now, here's a short bio about Lee and some of her social and purchase links:

Lee Carver lived in the Brazilian Amazon for six years, the hardest and best years of her life. She and her husband served in retirement as volunteer missionaries with a Brazilian organization, Asas de Socorro (Wings of Help), formerly MAF-Brazil. Her husband flew the amphibious ten-seat Cessna Caravan over jungle area half the size of the United States. Their home in Manaus—the largest city in the world with no road to it—was a free guesthouse for missionaries, pilots, mechanics, and medical volunteers. She went on missions, speaks the language, and knows the people whose story she tells.
Lee lived in Brazil a total of twelve years, including two transfers to São Paulo while her husband worked for Citibank. Other foreign postings were Greece, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Indonesia, and Spain. She studied nine languages and visited over forty-five countries. The Carvers now reside in Texas and are still active in Brazilian aviation missions.
Lee is a member of ACFW and president of its local chapter, DFW Ready Writers.

To locate the book on Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/12nRfpk
Lee says:
It's available in both print and Kindle version at this address. I do hope you'll enjoy the novel, and even return to Amazon and post a comment about it. Those reviews are so important to its success. And if you use FaceBook or other social media, sharing this release with your friends would be tremendous support. Thank you for your consideration.

To locate the book on Goodreads.com: http://bit.ly/15mjTrv
https://www.facebook.com/lee.carver.507
www.amazoncurrents.homestead.com
  (Hundreds of photos of missions in the Brazilian Amazon)