“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)
Vanessa Richardson is an author, poet, and playwright. Vanessa has written several stage productions and have been blessed to perform them at various venues. Her stage productions includes: Someone To Love Me, Why Do Bad Things Happens To Good People?, Lord, I Don’t Understand, and The Fullness Of Time.
Vanessa wrote her freshman nonfiction inspirational novel titled, The Certain Ones. A spiritual impacting novel that inspires her readers to know that not everyone are called into greatness. Fact: Many can not handle the process that goes along with becoming great. Only the certain ones, who endures; can obtain destined greatness. She is currently working on the second installment of her, Inspirational Suspense Love Series titled, Love Lifted Me. Visit Vanessa online at vanessarichardson.net.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Mike Montgomery once lived the American dream. Gainfully employed, beautiful home, and a wonderful loving wife. Growing up in a loving family whose faith was unbreakable was his source of strength. Mike’s faith would one day be shaken after losing the love of his life in an unexpected tragedy. Mike thought he would never love again until he meets Sheila Lawson. Everything about Sheila made him want to love again. Could he risk his heart again?
Sheila Lawson, a woman’s health advocate was strong and independent, yet something was missing in her life. Immersing herself in her work, she vowed off any relationships. Sheila would find her self-made decree shaken when she meets tall, dark, and handsome Mike Montgomery. There is an evil lurking in the shadows. Mike and Sheila will have to unite to overcome evil forces trying to keep them apart. Will their love be enough to see them through the testing of their faith?
LOVE FOUND ME EXCERPT & DISCUSSION QUESTION
“Today, beloved, I want to speak to your heart. I pray that you allow me to do so. Allow me access to your spirit. I want to get past the many layers of hurt so you can hear me. Past the rejections so you can receive me. What you’re carrying is too heavy for you,” Pastor Bryan stated.
Sheila felt a stirring within. It felt as though he was talking directly to her. She was tired of being a carrier of rejection. She wanted desperately to be free, but how? She had been carrying this burden for so long, she did not know where to begin for the healing to take place. She saw something white out of her peripheral vision.
Turning, she saw Mike offering her his handkerchief. Sheila touched her cheeks. She was shocked to find them wet. Nodding her head, she accepted his offering. Straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin, she vowed she would not feel embarrassed. This was her moment of renewal, and she would embrace it.
Mike’s eyes moved over Sheila’s face. He could see the inward battle she was facing. Her face was just that transparent. He wanted desperately to take away her pain. Mike shook his head at that revelation. This woman was a stranger. Yet, he felt like he knew her somehow. Something about her was calling to him, and he wanted to answer the call.
Hazarding another look at Sheila, he was struck by how beautiful she was. Her skin was clear and healthy. Her hair was full and shiny, softly resting against slender shoulders. Yet, he sensed a hurt within her. Mike wanted to know what caused her hurt. He wanted to know the core of her. What was her love level for God? That was of extreme importance to him.
Realizing it was going to take patience and prayer on his part, he smiled. Mike quickly offered up a prayer for guidance to win the heart of Sheila. That acknowledgement caused Mike to briefly stop breathing. Where did that come from? Why would he want to win the heart of a stranger? It was strange, but he could have declared he’d met Sheila somewhere before. It felt as though he knew her. Expelling a shaky breath, Mike felt the need, and it was a need to pursue this lady next to him, and that he would.
He knew the exact moment Sheila won the battle over her inward war. She was a true warrior. Mike was proud of her, and wanted to tell her so, but felt that would only make Sheila feel ill at ease. Therefore, he did what he wanted to do most. Very gently, he reached out and held her hand and she let him. His heart soared. Hers rejoiced. They looked at each other and smiled in unison. Oblivious to the many stares cast their way. If they had looked around they would have noticed the frowns and scowls of saints and aint’s. Had they looked around they would have noticed the smiles of approvals from the mothers of the church. But they didn’t in truth maybe they didn’t need to.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Love is such a broad topic with many, many, many layers. The love of family, friends, self, relationships, God; and the battle to overcome evil- with good, makes for a delicious recipe in writing a novel. Sometimes we do not have to go in search of love. Love has away finding us at the opportune time. Although to the ones experiencing it, their feelings may feel otherwise. Smile. I think I can see you nodding your heads. Love is risky and scary. Especially when you didn’t grow up with it around you, such is the case with Sheila Lawson in “Love Found Me.” Unlike Mike Montgomery, our hero; who grew up in a loving family and was blessed to have married the love of his life. An unexpected tragedy occur challenging Mike’s faith, making it hard for him to love again. Which is better/worst: To never have loved or to have and lost love?
BOOK TRAILER
View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/LoveFoundMeBlogTour.
Hi Vanessa and welcome to RAWSISTAZ! It’s great to have you with us today.
To answer your question, I think it’s worse to never have loved…
-Tee
I think “Tis better to have loved and lost , than never to have loved at all.” This is one of my favorite quotes. I believe every one should have one great, magical unforgettable love in their life. That love when even for what ever the reason may be over the memories of it will bring a smile to your face and tears to your eyes.
Thank you for hosting Vanessa Richardson and the Love Found Me Blog Tour.
Hi Tee!
Thank you for hosting me and answering my question. Tee, honestly for me this is a hard question to answer.
It may seem lightweight– but it’s really a heavy weighted question. LOL.
To Never Have Loved.
Do you remember the movie with Drew Barrymore, Never Been Kissed? (Looking around) Pssst. I want to share something with you. As a young woman in my thirties– I confess that I have never really been in love, (one day soon) women are nurturers and we are innately designed to love and be loved. Remember the saying you can’t crave what you never had. Is there truth to that saying?
To Have and Lost Love.
To have and lost love due to unforeseen circumstances- has to be one of the most painful of experiences. I know some people (men and women) who experienced love and lost and have vehemently vowed to never love again. It was just too painful an experience to endure. Some people get back up again, where as others do not.
Which is better/worst: To never have loved or to have and lost love?
I’m passionate and I love being in love. But you’re right in that the pain of such loss, even just anticipating the pain of such loss, makes me decide that it may have been better to just enjoy good company and not get so tangled up in love. I can’t believe I said that.
I’m not talking about the pain of a broken relationship. I’ve never been dumped, so I don’t know that pain yet…but I’m talking about the pain of losing someone you love to death, illness, tragedy… If someone dumps me and it’s undeserved, I can only see counting my blessing that I didn’t waste more time on a person that didn’t appreciate me. But when someone you’re in love with is snatched from you unexpectantly…I can’t imagine.
I had a fear all my life of my daughter being abducted, to the point that I almost wished I hadn’t had children. It took me a long time and it was very difficult to conceive her. Then when she was born, I was almost insane with worry about her survival. I would get up and make sure she was breathing at night. Eventually, I learned to lay stuff on the alter, but I’m still trying to let her go and let her grow. I understand both perspectives.
“Don’t awaken love before its time.”-Song of Solomon 2:7 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”- Proverbs 4:23
I wish I really what those scriptures meant. I would have been saved alot of pain.
I hate to complicate things but this isn’t a question where I can just pick one or the other. What type of love are you talking about-the love of a parent, sibling, or the love people find in relationships with significant others. It is better to love and lose when the love is healthy, empowering, comforting, etc but that doesn’t have to only come from being in a relationship.But if you’re dealing with a tainted love, then you’re better off never being loved because it will only cause problems.
I have loved and lost. I am not feeling the love thing right now, haven’t in a LONG time. The right kind of love and being the a true lover is hard.
To never have loved is definitely worse…that is what makes us human…being able to love, me thinks…
angelia
.-= angelia´s last blog ..SOME DAYS =-.
Hi Shai
I am sorry for your loss. Love is a funny thing really. True family love and God’s divine love was a life line for me. Love– it has a way of finding us at the right time. I like your word choice. “The right kind of love and being the true lover is hard.” Agreed. I think it is safe to say that First Lady Michelle Obama would second me on this. But, anything that is true and self proven is worth having and is worth fighting for. Thanks for sharing that passage I would like to add on: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4.
For me it was finding the love of God. It is His divine love that has sustained my all these years. Especially coping with Catamenial Pnuemothorax at 28 years of age. Catamenial Pnuemothorax is a female health issue, affecting on 1% of women here in America. This is when a woman has her period and her lung collapses. I’ve had a total of seven chest tubes. Today it is all good. True and authentic love is a beautiul thing. Relationship, family, and or neighborly.
Vanessa,
Thanks. I think my problem started with not being truly loved by my parents. My father was not around and my mom neglected me. If it was for God and him putting my grandma in my life, I would be a basket case. I am slowly learning about history and how it has affected my behavior in relationships. My daughter is almost 20 and I am saddened that her father was not as active in her life. People change or don’t know they don’t know how to lover. He is not a bad person, just doesn’t get some things. I thought I picked a good guy, well at least one that wouldn’t let life overtake what he had.
Anyway, I am glad I am understanding more. It is a hard thing to admit when you are wrong or doing wrong things. I am learning the real meaning of love. It has been a long hard road. I pray my child learns it. I can say I gave her more than I got as a child.
Thanks for the encouragement. I never heard of your condition. God is good and I am glad He kept your here to help others. God bless.
Hi D J.
Yep, you said it. Love is a strange thing really. It has us acting and doing things we normally would not do. Lol. Children are truly gifts from God. I will shout this to the highest mountains. I have a wonderful testimony. I am saved, single, and not having sex. At an early age I vowed to wait until marriage to have kids. At 29 years of age; I had to have an emergency hysterectomy due to Catamenial Pneumothorax. I decided to empower myself. I would not be a victim but victor! I formed a “What a Lady” group where me and couple of phenomenal women meet and just have hours of power segments! It is simply delicious.
I have had the question posed to me. Which his worst to never be able to conceive or to have conceived and lose a child. My response: They are equally painful. You’ve been a gift in your daughter D.J. laying it all at the alter is a great step. Next will be to give your daughter her wings and when the time comes to do so, I think you’ll be ready.
I think so too. Thanks so much!
Hi Criss
No complication at all. I don’t want to box anyone in with their answers. But for clarification purposes– originally the question was based on the characters in my book “Love Found Me”. Mike Montgomery and Sheila Lawson. One experiences love and loss. The other has never experienced the love of family or with a significant other relationship.
Great answers you’ve provided. Tainted love…so not a good thing.
Well then.
In relation to the characters, it is absolutely better to have loved and lost. Losing someone isn’t easy at all but atleast you have their love to think about and help get you through the bad times. If you’ve never loved, you are missing out on wonderful experience.
I will have to dip into my budget and get your book now instead of later.
Good answer, Angelia! Thanks for sharing!
Chriss–
In Love Found Me, that was exactly what the family of Mike Montgomery was trying to convince him of!
As for Sheila being a novice to being loved by someone and showing her love. Was scary so much in fact it sent hurry running! Literally! I tell ya sisters…love is a funny, scary, and yet….wonderful thing. Sigh…..
Shai,
God has a way of placing people in our lives at the right time. His plans are not ours. To try to understand them leaves us with one BIG headache. I can tell you this…had you not experienced what you’ve had…you would not be the woman you are today. I know for certain–that had I not experienced; what I had…our paths would not have crossed via this venue.
I am glad to have met you!
Also, Shai and everyone else, here is a delight for you. On Amazon.com the cost of purchase is $15.00 for Love Found Me. My publishing house http://www.gshpublishing.com is offering a limited time only discounted rate for the spring/summer! Whoo hoo! Hope this helps.
You guys are the best! Truly…….xoxoxoxo.
Blessings,
Vanessa
Luke 1:49 “For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;. And holy is his name.”
I loved the promo for the book. I could never answer this question though. Sometimes I wish that I never loved at all but when I think back on the joyous moments, I’m glad that I did. It’s complicated.
I read this book and I really enjoyed it. You have a loyal reader in me. Thanks so much for allowing your work to be a tool for the Kingdom of God!!!
Hi Mary,
I agree–love can be quite complicated. I am glad you did experienced the joy of love.
I am reminded of that song. When it is your time to dance. I hope you dance.
Best.
Vanessa
C.M,
Thank you so much! I am happy you enjoyed the book.
Best,
Vanessa