Friday, August 23, 2013

Interview with Tanya Eavenson - and giveaway!!!!

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36 





 Be sure to leave a comment with contact information to be entered to win a copy of Sweet Freedom! 

Today I have Tanya Eavenson with us to share a little about Sweet Freedom, a new anthology released last month.

Thank you, Laura, for having me. Sweet Freedom as you mentioned is an anthology about being free in Christ. Within these pages are real stories about fear, bitterness, and emotional wounds that will touch your heart as they did mine.

How did you come up with the idea for Sweet Freedom?

Actually it wasn’t my idea. =) Last fall I was sent an email from a dear friend, Jennifer Slattery, about a project I might be interested in, an anthology about being free in Christ. I loved the idea so I sent my reply, “Of course!”

Since Sweet Freedom is a compilation of works, I wanted to invite several authors to join me, and to tell you a little about their stories, poems, or devotions.


Jennifer Slattery: I like to contemplate things past--most specifically, what God has done in my life. He's done a lot, but perhaps what I'm most grateful for is the continual progression toward emotional freedom He has provided. It's funny, each year it seems God shows me a new area of bondage--to fears, pride, negative patterns of behavior, whatever--and then He patiently, gently works in my heart and life to free me from those things. And that is the beauty of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It's so much more than a question of salvation. It's a question of life abundant--which is exactly what He promised to those who choose to follow Him. And that is why I wanted to create this compilation. I wanted others to understand the freedom that is available to them through Christ. And I wanted to encourage those who are currently on a freedom journey by helping them see that God does indeed come through in His time and His way, which is always perfect. http:lljenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com 

Gail Pallotta: All of the characters in “Stitches in Love” are kind, loving people. They want Grandma Jackie to have a happy, healthy life, but they’re busy and pre-occupied. I wanted to show one who took the time to realize Grandma Jackie’s grief affected her health. Then three pitched into to help Grandma Jackie cope, and it costs each of them only a little effort. As a result Grandma Jackie returned to enjoying something that interested her and started spending time with a good friend. I hope the story illustrates how people can lift up someone in times of need. To read Gail’s debut novel Stopped Cold, a best seller on All Romance eBooks, is at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Stopped-Cold ebook/dp/B00CBAT37I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369669132&sr=1-1&keywords=stopped+cold

Kelly Anne Liberto: My story in Sweet Freedom is called Hidden Memories. When I was nine years old, a family friend sexually abused me. The reason I wrote this story is to show others who have gone through the same tragedy that God can set them free from the fear that often comes along with being violated. There is no need to live as a victim to the lies and lack of self-worth that one feels after experiencing this trauma. It is true that we need to forgive those who abuse us. Because when we do, we are free to live a life that God has designed specifically for us. In my case, the experience did nothing to take away my voice as a writer, it only instilled the desire in me to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. I have a heart and a passion in particular to see the victims of sex trafficking given the opportunities through counseling and training to live the lives they were meant to have. Visit me at: www.kellyliberto.com

Beth Farley: There was a time in my life where I wrote a lot of poetry to heal my soul. I wrote Give the Savior a Call (pg. 15) when my dad was dying with cancer. I was terrorized with the thought of losing my dad and yet I was captivated with the visions of heaven awaiting my dad. I pictured my dad letting go of the “smoking” trap and sitting on the Saviors lap and resting. It did not take away the pain of losing my father, but it did give me hope that my dad was resting with Him. It was such a wonderful experience writing with the group of gals. I was humbled and blessed to partake in Sweet Freedom. If you would like to learn more about me, you can visit my blog at http://firsthalfday1.wordpress.com.

Tanya, would you like to leave us with an excerpt?

I’d love to, Laura! This is a devotion I wrote for Sweet Freedom.

Burned
By Tanya Eavenson

Have you ever felt burned by a loved one, a friend, or a church member? Sometimes those closest to us are the ones that hurt us the most. Rejection and betrayal are two words most of us know from experience. In our story, Julie had been unsuccessfully holding on to her tattered life with her own strength. She couldn’t see a way out of her hurt. She was in prison, chained by the pain and the reminders of what should have been.

During these times in our lives, God comes near. He reminds us who He is, how much He loves us, and reassures us He has a plan for our lives. But we have to be willing to allow Him to break those chains of hurt and grab hold of the future God has in store for us.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

Do you want to be free, truly free? Stop holding on to the hurt. Give it to the One who broke the chains that bind us to the pain and heartache from the past. He calls us to start anew. He calls us to live a life of freedom. Freedom in Christ.

Tanya Eavenson and her husband have been involved in ministry for fifteen years teaching youth and adults. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes for Christ to the World Ministries sharing the Gospel around the world.

To connect with Tanya Eavenson:





4 comments:

Gail Pallotta said...

Thanks for having Tanya and sharing something about the stories in Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler.
It was such a privilege for me be included in the anthology, to meet the wonderful contributors,and to read their uplifting stories.

Tanya Eavenson said...

I know what you mean, Gail! It's wonderful to know God brought us together for His glory and to reach others with our stories.

Thanks for stopping by!

Unknown said...

This sound like a great book. A lot of these issues are taboo in the church. Thank God these ladies were brave enough to write about these issues. www.gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Laura, loved Tanya's interview. :) Love her, too! And loved, loved, loved her debut novel, "Unconditional!"

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