Welcomes Cathy Bryant of "Texas Roads"

My Writing Journey with TEXAS ROADS
By Cathy Bryant © 2010

The journey of writing a book is a long process that can easily be equated with the journey of life. But never would I have guessed that both journeys would take me down a road so near and dear to my heart.

I’m a Texas gal by birth, have lived in small-town Texas my entire life, and come from a long line of Texans. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m more than a little proud of my heritage. I’ve visited many states and a few countries. Though each one is beautiful in its own way, none capture my heart the way this state’s rugged beauty does.

Honestly, I didn’t set out to write a book about my home state. I’d always heard the old adage to “write what you know,” so what better for me to write about than small town life in Texas? Little did I know that the main character’s desire to find home would mirror my own so closely.

City gal Dani Davis longs for a place to call home. With quaint country charm, quirky residents, and loads of business potential, Miller’s Creek, Texas seems like the perfect place to start over…except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town. Then malicious rumors and a devastating discovery propel her down a road she never expected to travel.

Cowboy mayor Steve Miller is determined to rescue his dying hometown. When vandals jeopardize the Miller’s Creek renovation, he can’t help but suspect Dani, whose strange behavior has become fodder for local gossips. Can Steve and Dani call a truce for a higher cause, and in the process help Dani discover the true meaning of home?

For years my family and I moved from one small Texas town to the next. Just about the time I’d start to feel at home, God moved us elsewhere. I yearned for a place to put down roots, and I questioned why God didn’t give me my desire. As it turns out, He had something to teach me. What I learned through this process is that for Christians, only one place is home—Jesus. (Once I learned that lesson, we stopped moving around and have now been in the same town for the past fourteen years.)

I hope when others read TEXAS ROADS they realize the importance and joy of making Christ their home. In addition, I want readers to feel like they personally know the characters in the story. I hope they have the sensation that Miller’s Creek is vaguely familiar and the kind of place where they want to kick off their shoes and stay a while.

God has used TEXAS ROADS to bless my life in ways I never expected. Throughout the process of writing the story and having it published, I’ve met the most wonderful new friends (including Linnette!). I was honored to be a finalist in the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis contest, and I’ve been awed by the overwhelming response of those who’ve read the book. God is good…all the time. What I meant as a way to bring Him honor and glory has brought me great blessing.

I’m currently working on Book Two in the Miller’s Creek, Texas series and hope to have it in print by the end of the year. In the meantime, I’m continuing to teach private music lessons and keep up with the maintenance on my fixer-upper, a century-old Texas farmhouse (which also plays a part in TEXAS ROADS).

If you’d like to give the story a test drive, you can check out the TEXAS ROADS blog at: http://TexasRoadsbyCathyBryant.blogspot.com. You can also read reviews and endorsements at www.CatBryant. The book is available in both print format at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Roads-Cathy-Bryant/dp/0984431101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267824883&sr=8-1) and e-book format at Smashwords.com (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8963).

Thank you, Linnette, for the opportunity to talk about how TEXAS ROADS came to be, and I’d love to share an autographed giveaway copy with one of your readers!

Thanks for joining us today, Cathy!

Readers, Cathy has graciously offered an autographed copy of her book to give away. For those interested in reading "Texas Roads" simply leave a comment on this post or email me from my website by Saturday, May 8th and I'll put your name into a drawing for the book.

Don't forget to check out the Cathy's book trailer below. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!

Blessings,

~Linnette

10 comments:

  1. Hello there,

    I would really love to read this book, sounds very good!

    ~Lauri
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

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  2. Yes, I would like an autographed copy of her book to read. Thanks.

    gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

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  3. This book sounds fantastic. I would love to enter this giveaway!

    Many Blessings,
    Ashley

    i95fahrenheit[at]ymail[dot]com

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  4. Thanks, Ladies! I'll add your name to the hat!

    ~Linnette

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  5. Thanks for the chance to win this book....I have been so anxious to read it! Thanks!!!
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

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  6. sounds like a wonderful read..thanks
    sunny{at}avirtuouswoman{dot}org

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank You!
    I would love to receive the autographed copy of Texas Roads. I follow Cathy Bryant on Facebook!
    Maureen

    alekee02@yahoo.com

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  8. Would love to add this to my library. : )

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  9. Lil Kim, I need your email. Otherwise, I won't be able to contact you.
    ~Linnette

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  10. I have a great admiration for Cathy Bryant and I would be ecstatic to win a copy of her book. I would like to be entered in this giveaway. Thanks!

    janmarien@embarqmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and chatting with me! I hope you enjoyed your time here and will come visit me again! :D

Linnette R Mullin