Christmas on Main Street’s Miracle Book Signing

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of being back in Stanford, Kentucky. I signed my book Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky as part of the town’s Christmas on Main Street celebration. Miracle, as I explain in my story, is the rural area outside of Stanford, but it’s still considered part of the community.

On Main Street there was a Jiggle Jog in the morning to raise money for charity and that evening at 6pm there was a parade. The rest of the day dedicated to shopping!

The store that hosted my book signing was called Kentucky Soaps and Such.

It’s the most charming store that sells handmade soap and candles in a variety of tantalizing scents and fragrances and they’re all made from goat’s milk which is delivered to the shop by a local farm.

Above is a collection of the store’s handmade soap. Among a few of the bars I purchased are Geranium and Kentucky Mint Julip.

Kentucky Soaps and Such sells other products too, like Sally Arias’ Hot Pepper Jelly which is a favorite among the locals. Sally lives in the area and grows her own hot peppers. But the curious thing is the green jelly isn’t hot at all and tastes actually quite sweet with only a hint of spice. It’s delicious poured over a block of cream cheese and spread on crackers.

Kentucky Soaps and Such is also known for its amazing gift baskets. To find out more about this quaint country store, log onto: http://www.kentuckysoapsandsuch.com The owner, Gail Perrin, said she’ll ship anywhere!

But I digress…back to my book signing. I set up my table and books in a corner of the shop near the front door.

It wasn’t long before I had a stream of customers.

I really enjoyed meeting everyone. Like Nancy, who is the real owner of the house that appears in my book’s video trailer, and Sandy, who works in Mayor Miracle’s office and answered questions for me during the writing process.

The above picture is of me and my new friends: Sandy (on the left) and Mayor Bill Miracle.

Overall, the book signing was a success and I had a blast. It encouraged me to see how many people in the area are so excited about my novel – and the entire Love Finds You line of books!

That night as my husband Daniel and I walked along historic Main Street, waiting for the parade to start, we admired the light decorations in the store fronts and all around the stately, brick Lincoln County Courthouse. We watched the residents standing on the walks, sipping hot chocolate, talking and laughing together. We almost felt like it was our hometown.

It was a special day to be sure.

And for now, Daniel and I wish all the Summerside editors, authors, and readers a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

See the video trailer for “Love Finds You In Miracle, Kentucky”!

I’m so excited that Books-in-Motion put together a video trailer for my upcoming release. You can view it on GodTube at the link below.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=db8862c850f345fcbea8

ENJOY!

And be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the trailer.

Blesings, all!

Andrea

Pictures from Miracle, Kentucky

My husband Daniel and I took a brief Fourth of July getaway weekend and toured Miracle, Kentucky (or “Merkel” as the locals say). It’s a rural area south of Stanford. To get there, we drove down a steep, winding two-lane highway. My ears actually popped. To me, Miracle looks like a basin of pastures surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachians. It’s very peaceful and its residents are kind and helpful — especially to lost tourists.

But I’ll let my character, Meg, tell you more about it. She just moved there from Chicago to teach school in Stanford. Everything my character describes (see pictures below) is in my story.

Will love find her in Miracle, Kentucky?

This is the Bayers’ place in Stanford.

Here’s Grams’ house in Miracle. I love the wrap-around porch and the magnolia tree.

This is the view of my grandmother’s property in Miracle.

This is Tom’s place. He’s my grandmother’s neighbor and best friend.

This is what my dad’s house looks like in Miracle.

Like so many people in Kentucky, my dad owns horses.

This picture is overlooking Cedar Creek Lake at dusk and after thunderstorms rolled through the area. The lake is located between Miracle/Stanford and Crab Orchard. The Owens’ farm is nearby and it was at a picnic on the farm that Vance and I got acquainted.

Here’s the Depot Restaurant where Grams and Tom like to eat every Friday night and this is where I met Vance and Cammy Bayer for the first time. On the menu: deep fried catfish, deep fried shrimp, sweet potato fries and cornbread that’s shaped like pancakes.

Grams’ quilts (as well as other crafts) are on display and for sale at the Depot Restaurant.

It’s only a 5 mile drive into Stanford, but it seems longer because of the steep, winding roads leading in and out of Miracle. Just out of town, there’s a Wal-Mart, a Food Lion, and a 24-hr McDonalds — among other businesses.

This is the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington (about 45 minutes from Miracle) where Vance and I took Cammy for an evaluation to see if she’s a candidate for an experimental surgery that could enable her to walk.

Do You Believe In Miracles?

While writing my novel “Love Finds You In Miracle, Kentucky” I experienced a very personal miracle.

A year ago, doctors suspected I had MS (multiple sclerosis). The diagnosis caused me a lot of anxiety. I didn’t want to babysit for my grand kids, thinking I could lose the use of my arms or legs and be unable to care for them. I didn’t want to drive long distances, fearing I might lose my sight. I also found myself fretting that I’d be unable to write.

I prayed about it and gave it over to the Lord so many times, but always seemed to take it back again. Then one day my friend, Holly, a nurse in a busy emergency room, suggested that I see a different neurologist. Holly offered to come with me.

I made an appointment and having a RN along was great because Holly knew the right questions to ask the neurologist. Meanwhile I could tell this doctor was caring and competent. He ran more tests on me, including blood work and an MRI, and finally concluded the lesions in my brain were NOT MS lesions. They’re not even “lesions,” they are “spots.” The neurologist said that anyone of us could have spots on our brains from any number of things. It’s a mystery. But those spots were not causing my symptoms.

Then he informed me of the real problem: Osteomalacia, or low vitamin D levels. My family doctor had told me my level was low a year ago, but just told me I needed to take over-the-counter supplements, so I did. But they didn’t help. What I needed was prescription-strength vitamin D supplement–which is what I’m taking now. I still have fibromyalgia, but I’m praying for complete healing. With God anything is possible. 

The miracle: God used my friend Holly to convince me to see another neurologist who made the correct diagnosis for me. God now has me on the road to reclaiming good health.

Comparitively, In my story “Love Finds You In Miracle, Kentucky,” my character Cammy always believes she’ll walk again after a tragic accident rendered her legs useless. Her father never thought it could really happen. But God uses the town’s newest resident, Meg, to convince him to see a surgeon who can possibly help his young daughter. Will he be open to the miracle of healing and the miracle of love?

The book will be released in October.

Are you open to miracles in your life? Sometimes they’re not the magic wand miracles we think of–presto-chango, now you’re healed. Sometimes miracles are just opening the door of our hearts to Jesus and allowing Him to come in and take His place in our lives.

What a miracle when it happens!

I’d love to hear about your miracles! Leave me some comments.