INTRODUCING MY FRIEND AND AUTHOR, GRACE BURKE

Please meet my friend Grace Burke, wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, multi-published author, and so much more! Grace is a member of  our North Texas Christian Writer's edit group, The LifeSavers.

Grace, it's a pleasure to have you on the Diamond Mine today. Let's jump right into telling our readers a little about you~

When you were a teen, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a teen, I wanted to be either a medical doctor or a registered nurse. I became a registered nurse and a doctor of theology.

Do you have brothers and sisters? Children? Share a little about them if you do.

I have a brother who is a retired engineer who lives in California and a sister who is a college professor and lives in New York. We have a very close relationship and share a lot weekly via phone, emails or texts. We ask each other’s opinions and laugh a lot, especially about childhood memories.

I have 3 adult children-all of whom live in the DFW area. Among them, they’ve given me 7 grandkids and 2 great-grands. They are all a real blessing and very supportive now that I’m getting older. That makes me very happy and thankful.

 

As you look back on your life, what was the most challenging time you can recall?

Looking back, the most challenging time was raising our 3 adopted children. It was a struggle and a dance of “nature vs. nurture,” although each child was with us since infancy. We learned that adopted kids come with their own genetic backgrounds, tendencies, personalities and characteristics that may or may not blend well with your own beliefs and expectations. Thankfully, it all turned out well in the end for our family. 

 

How did you meet your husband and how long did it take him to pop the question?

I met my husband in church when I worked in the Caribbean. We were introduced by his cousin. Our chemistry was instant. Within 4 months we were “an item.” Two months later, he popped the question and we became engaged. One year after meeting, we got married.

 

What three things would you tell young wives to help them through those first few years of marital bliss?

a.       Try to stay the course. It’s not always easy but most things tend to work out, with time.

b.       Put God first in your life. Pray about everything. Let Him guide you. Read the Word. Stay in church. Be determined to be a godly couple and family.

c.       Don’t involve your friends and family in your marital problems, if possible, unless the situation is urgent or requires it. Seek godly counsel and put those suggestions into practice.

 

At what point in life did you know you wanted to write?

As a child, I really enjoyed writing. I liked to journal, kept a diary and loved writing book reports in school. During that period though, I didn’t envision myself as a professional writer.

In 1979, however, after experiencing the onslaught of Hurricane David on the island of Dominica in the West Indies, I wrote two articles for my job. I received high praise for the articles, they were published, translated into Spanish, and I knew then that I had a talent in writing. I completed 2 writing courses and began to publish short stories and articles.

I know it’s hard, but tell us about one or two important lessons God has taught you in the process of writing.

a.       To not get overly discouraged at rejections from editors, publishers and agents. Although it’s disappointing, get up and try again. When one door shuts, look for an open window. God called me to write and I’ve become confident that He will make a way.

b.       I need to keep my writing passion alive by reading, attending seminars, writers groups, entering contests, joining e-mail lists, being active on social media, etc., in order to stay abreast of trends and be relevant to my audience.

 

If you have a life verse from God’s Word, will you share that with us?

John 2:5: “Whatever He (Jesus) says to you, do it.” (NKJV).

 

What advice would you give beginning writers?

Take a writer’s course first before trying to publish. Fine tune your craft and learn the business of writing. Be sure you’re passionate about it and feel called to write. Be clear what your message is and to whom you are sending it. Take your writing seriously and stick with your instincts. Write down your thoughts as they come to you-for titles, snippets of ideas, names of characters, etc. Always pray and ask the Lord for guidance before starting a writing project.

Tell us about your new release.

My book is entitled Broken Pieces: Mending the Fragments Through Adoption. It’s based on the true story of the Bishop family’s joyful, yet traumatic, eye-opening adoption journey. Giselle, the mother, gives voice to their forty-year, multi-generational odyssey which begins on an idyllic, sun-drenched Caribbean island and continues for a time on the crime-ridden streets of New York City. 

 

 As the family struggles toward wholeness, Giselle’s amazing walk of faith enables her to become the anchor and stabilizer. Questions about foster care and adoption arise while the saga unfolds. What joys and risks can adoption bring? What do adoptive parents need to know? What do all adopted kids require? This riveting and engaging account of this family’s journey provides a message of hope and inspiration to individuals who adopt. It also serves as a guide to anyone involved personally, professionally or spiritually with adoptive and foster families.

 

 Broken Pieces: Mending the Fragments Through Adoption.

 Newest Release. Available in paperback print edition from my CreateSpace webpage:

https://createspace.com/5722842 or in Kindle edition from Amazon.com.

 Grace, has several other books:

Caribbean Adventure. Available in paperback print edition from my CreateSpace webpage:

https://createspace.com/3865528 or in Kindle edition from Amazon.com.

Delights by Daisy. Recipe book available from Grace Burke, Author, at PO Box 584, Prosper, TX 75078 or via email request at gray333@verizon.net.

The Stranger’s Son. Book available from Redemption Press website:                                         www.Redemption-press.com or at Amazon.com.

  And a final book... Couples of the Bible. Book available from Redemption Press website:                                                  

Her website is a work in progress, but you can reach her at: www.graceburkebooks.com or by email gray333@verizon.net

 

Thank you for being with us today Grace, and we wish you much success with your new release ... BROKEN PIECES!