The 30 Days 30 Authors event continues today with Ann Marie Bryan! Read about her journey in the literary industry as well as sample her latest book, A Place For My Heart.
Now, here’s Ann Marie! 🙂
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Ann Marie Bryan is a dedicated, graceful, multi-talented leader with a passion for excellence. She is the CEO & Founder of Victorious By Design, an organization committed to providing top quality professional writing services, comprehensive personal and professional development programs and exceptional performing arts services to meet the unique needs of individuals and organizations.
A Christian Fiction author, Ann Marie writes to educate, inspire and empower others. She desires to tell great stories with fascinating characters to show the awesome power of God in the lives of people and places. Shades of the Heart is the first book in her bestselling, Encounters of the Heart series. Book 2 – Mirrored Hearts: Sealed By Fire was released February 2016. Her new release, A Place For My Heart, is the highly anticipated third installment in the series.
Ann Marie’s greatest passion is to empower others to succeed by tapping into their God-given potential. She enjoys writing, reading, dancing, teaching, meeting people and traveling. With all the knowledge and experiences that God has so graciously blessed her with, Ann Marie is determined to make her life a ministry for the Lord.
LET’S STAY CONNECTED
Website: http://www.annmariebryan.com
Facebook Readers’ group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorannmariebryan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorabryan
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorabryan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorabryan
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bOw6sr
1. Besides writing, what else do you like to do?
My creativity fuels my enthusiasm not only for writing but also for training and the performing arts. I enjoy training, because it gives me great pleasure to impart knowledge into the lives of others. With respect to the performing arts, I appreciate all the categories but I have a special love for dance. As a result, I willingly share my time, talent, resources and expertise to the service and glory of God through the ministry of dance.
2. What inspired you to become an author?
I am an author. This is still surreal. Rightly so, because while I have always been an avid reader, writing a book never crossed my mind.
Why did I start writing?
After I got married, several of my friends and relatives wanted to know how I met my husband. So, I had to share my love story, over and over again. Of course, no one wanted to hear the short version of the story.
Six months later, I received a phone call from a friend whom I had not spoken with in a while. She too, wanted to hear my love story. After hanging up from my call, it hit me… write a book!
A long deafening pause ensued!
A book! A book!
Every reason not to write this book came to mind. Yes, every reason. But, I knew that I wanted to share my story. Further, I knew that if God called me to write this book, He would equip me and surround me with wonderful godly helpers.
So, like any well-thinking Christian woman, I took the matter to the Lord and felt the peace to proceed with this mission.
Approximately two years later, I published my first Christian Fiction, “Unforgettable, My Love has Come Along”, a love story based on real-life events. Two paths, destined to cross. Friendship, faith, and love are intertwined in ways neither could have imagined. Can love conquer all things? Find out in the heartwarming and humorous story, “Unforgettable, My Love Has Come Along”.
After the excitement of publishing my first book, my writing journey continued with my bestselling, Encounters of the Heart series, which is based on Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) –“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
3. What was your first reaction when your debut novel was published?
What a rush! I was super-excited when “Unforgettable, My Love has Come Along” was published.
4. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I am excited about my writing journey, and I am thankful for the opportunity to share with others. Therefore, I’m hoping to have at least five more books available in five years. Further, I believe in working together, the exchanging of ideas, and sharing of resources, so I’m hoping that my writing journey takes me all over the world to share at conferences, seminars and workshops.
5. Do you have any new projects that you are currently working on?
Currently, I am writing the fourth book in the “Encounters of the Heart” series. This novel will detail the love story of Tyler and Madison. It will be released in early 2018
6. What advice can you give to anyone who wants to become an author?
To move forward, ask yourself this question – Why am I writing?
After you have answered that question, jump into action by creating an outline of your ideas for your book. Of course, you will need to educate yourself about the publishing industry. Don’t be overwhelmed by your lack of knowledge. Select an individual, group or organization with the knowledge to help you succeed. Do research to obtain information on how you can best leverage your abilities to fulfill your dream of writing.
The entire process will be very exciting and you will learn many things about yourself. Your writing journey will inspire, empower, educate, and challenge you. The amazing thing is that God will continue to multiply what you have surrendered to Him.
Don’t delay. Start writing and watch God take you out of our comfort zone, stretch you, and show you that you can accomplish far more than you think.
Ready! Set! Go with God! Write your story and share it with the world.
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Crushed by heartache and desperate for an escape, he makes a life-changing choice.
When Chandler Peynard staggers into Sabrina Benjamin’s life, he is desperate for an escape route. Battling feelings of isolation, he has erected barriers around his heart, often times leaving a trail of broken dreams behind him.
Sabrina’s happily-ever-after was ripped away months ago, but she hasn’t given up on finding love. Still, she is caught off guard by her feelings for Chandler, a man who could hardly be described as a model man of God. As an unexpected bond develops between them, she wants more—a lot more than Chandler is prepared to give, because falling in love and putting down roots are not a part of his plan.
Touched by Sabrina’s kindness and faith, Chandler makes a life-changing choice; however, complication is inevitable when the past he’d thought was long buried, pushes him to confront matters he would have given anything to forget. As he struggles to release himself from his past and embrace the future, he offers Sabrina a place in his heart, but she demands all of it.
In a season that has brought so many changes, Chandler longs for peace in his soul and yearns for love. Will he trust God with all of his heart in order to overcome his past? Will he be able to testify that God’s grace wins every time? Will he find the strength to take a chance at life and love with Sabrina?
Standalone books in the Encounters of the Heart series:
Book 1 – Shades of the Heart (The story of Blake & Gabrielle Montgomery)
Book 2 – Mirrored Heart: Sealed by Fire (The story of Larry & Rozene Kanate)
Book 3 – A Place for my Heart (The story of Chandler Peynard)
An Excerpt from A Place From My Heart – A moment with Chandler & Sabrina
“Oh, great. Let’s go.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He fell in step beside her, looking curiously at the medium-size bowl she was carrying. “A bowl? The plot thickens,” Chandler said. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see in ten minutes.” She walked towards a four-seater electric cart that was parked on the driveway. “Hop in.”
He stalled, all kinds of emotions running through him. On top of his list—he hadn’t been driven by a woman in forever. He glanced at her and found her piercing him with her gaze.
“I know you’re not deliberating if I can drive this thing,” she argued. “I’ve been driving things like this since my teenage years.”
“Let me drive,” he said.
“Why? Stop being silly and hop in.” She turned on the ignition.
Oh God! This is weird. His feet refused to move.
“Are you coming?”
He dragged himself over to the cart and slid in beside her.
A grin covered her face. “You’re such a control freak.”
“I’m not,” he mumbled, as she drove off.
(Copyrighted. An excerpt – A Place For My Heart by Ann Marie Bryan)
Win Ann Marie’s eBook, along with books from each participating author during the 30 Days giveaway!
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