Today I welcome guest blogger Mary Felkins as she shares her writing journey, a God moment, and her books.

The Author’s Voice

After I received the galley copy of my manuscript from the publisher, my brain suited up in “search and destroy errors” mode.

I started reading through ... word by word, line by line. All looked good until about midway when, senses heightened, I tripped over a phrase that, well, wasn’t my voice.

My voice.

I don’t use the word “lovelier.”

The hot dog man spoke with greater aggression than that.

The stalwart cop hero says “vehicle” not car.

As an author, I know my unique voice and am obligated to be true to it so it won’t confuse my readers. And I know when someone has messed with my work.

Throughout the exhausting process of editing the galley, I considered the power and significance of knowing Jesus’s voice.

The Author.

The sheep of his pasture follow him out past the gate because they “listen to his voice” (John 10:3). Sheep aren’t all that bright. These woolly creatures need guidance. They are easily tricked into listening to counterfeit voices such as wolves who dress as sheep and baa like sheep but aren’t sheep. Similarly, I need to be an avid student of God’s word in order to readily distinguish his voice from all others. “[Sheep] will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice” (John 10:5).

The well-known account of trusting the wrong voice occurs between Eve and Satan. She didn’t know God’s voice well enough to recognize Satan’s crafty little truth twist. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1).

But God’s precise words to Eve were, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:16–17).

Eve’s inability to distinguish the Author’s voice forever changed the course of human history, necessitating God’s deliverance of his people (Romans 6:23). Unfamiliarity with God’s word and his distinct voice puts my mind at risk for attack. Lies seep in like water soaking into a sponge. Before I know it, I’ve convinced myself it’s OK to do or say something that, according to the Author, is not okay.

How well do you know the Author’s voice? Would you be able to discern if someone messed with his work? When have you listened to the wrong voice? What happened?

Getting to Know Mary

Unique things about me:

1. I’m a devoted wife to Bruce Felkins and mother of our 4 young-adultish children but still not fully recovered from the day I learned of Donny Osmond’s engagement.
2. For several years, I worked as a Registered and Licensed Dietitian before staying home with my children, investing 19 consecutive years home educating those precious rascals.
3. In 2012, my husband and I were in the midst of a woeful conversation about our finances when I blurted out, “I know. I’ll write a book.” Apparently God was unimpressed with my BS and MS degree in Nutrition and handed me a holy mandate to write fiction. Three books later, he wasn’t kidding—and this is just the beginning.

What can readers expect next?

In January 2021, I contracted with Elk Lake Publishing Inc for a 3-part contemporary romance series, The Heart of Moreland Manor. In May, I released This I Promise You, (https://amzn.to/3IRUSsN) a prequel just ahead of book #1, You Are the Reason, (https://amzn.to/3AYMp55) which released in June. Next up? Book #2, Sweeter With You. Expected release early 2023.

What can readers do to help make books successful?

Until I heard the humble pleading in Lisa Carter’s voice at a writer’s retreat, I hadn’t realized how very crucial reviews are to an author. If you liked the book, please consider writing a brief, kind and honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/Bookbub. Enthusiastic sharing, literally and vitually, is also appreciated!

About Mary

Mary A. Felkins is an inspirational romance author and blogger. Her debut novel, Call to Love (https://amzn.to/3B2b4pn), is set in Hickory, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband. She is a member of ACFW and My Book Therapy. The unmerited gift of a large, unopened bag of Peanut M&Ms® will lure her from her writer’s desk.

Connecting Online:

Mary A. Felkins’ books on Amazon https://amzn.to/3cxll0d

Website: https://www.maryfelkins.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/503598793529007

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryafelkins/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryAFelkins