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Overview
That was how long privileged fledgling journalist Nikki Post had to deal with notorious radio personality Colin Wright and the staff on his eight-day fund-raising trek from New Mexico to Wyoming.
Yet instead of the immature prankster she'd been warned to expect, Colin was generous and handsome—with a smile that reached the depths of Nikki's soul. As the days counted down, he helped her write the article for her grandfather's newspaper—and a kiss shortened the distance between them.
But when trouble threatened to bring the trip to a premature end, would Nikki's role in Colin's life end, as well...or continue forever?
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781459203419 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Steeple Hill Books |
| Publication date: | 02/21/2011 |
| Series: | Love Inspired Series |
| Sold by: | HARLEQUIN |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 224 |
| File size: | 462 KB |
About the Author
Carol Steward never dreamed of becoming a writer. In fact, her career exploration choices in seventh grade were airline stewardess and forester. Well, she's far from either, but she's tried just about everything in between, whether in real life or in her books. She met her future husband in seventh-grade math class. He is five years older and was dating someone else at the time, but Dave was from that day on the one man to whom she compared all other suitors. So when their paths crossed in youth group at their church several years later, her dream of true love came to life.
From there came love, then marriage, and then the babies in the baby carriage. His geology career took them to Carol's home state of Wyoming for a short stay, then to North Dakota to ride out the oil boom of the early 80's, then back home to Northern Colorado where Carol convinced him to pursue his true love, teaching. Back to school he went while she spent the next twenty years in family child care. Raising over a hundred and fifteen children, changing diapers and singing childish ditties for two decades may seem slightly insane to many, but Carol felt blessed to do what she loved for as long as possible--be a mother. Everyone knows what teenagers think about being mothered, so the distraction of preschoolers in the house worked wonders for everyone. Now that her own children are grown and flying the nest, she has filled the house with dogs, cats and writing books, and working at the University of Northern Colorado helping young adults reach for their own dreams.
As if raising a family wasn't enough, she and her family spent years delivering newspapers in the middle of the night, which is far more entertaining than anyone in their right mind can imagine! They're proof that anything can be fun if you choose the right attitude. Again, most people thought not only Carol had lost her mind, but so had her husband. (Some insist he has, he's now a principal of a middle school.) Carol used that time listening to conference workshop tapes and plotting future novels. The opening scene in her second book was inspired from an experience on their route, where Carol came face-to-face with a car burglar, and thanks to her intervention, the police were able to arrest him for breaking into ten cars. Carol's law enforcement instincts are inherited from her father, who was a sheriff all of her growing years, so research for police books comes naturally.
Creativity has always been Carol's gift. Whether it be needlework, sewing or writing, there isn't much she hasn't dabbled in. When God called her to write, she moved from president to newsletter editor of the child-care association and even retired from her lucrative cake-decorating business to devote herself to His calling. Quietly, in the back of her mind, though, He weaved the plot of her first novel, There Comes a Season, the story of a child-care provider who must find God's plan for her life after her young husband passes away. After losing revisions made to that book not once, or twice, but three times during the process of learning to use a computer, Carol's persistence and patience paid off. The editor called April 15, 1997 and launched Carol's writing career.
Selling a book is much like riding a roller-coaster--every step of the process, every sale brings that exhilarating high. During the less exciting times, she's busy gathering ideas and refilling her cup. Carol's second book, Her Kind of Hero, contains a lot of information gathered while delivering newspapers, and was a finalist in the Holt Medallion Contest. While writing her series of the MacIntyre Brides, Carol lost her father, father-in-law and grandmother, but welcomed a daughter-in-law to the family. The same month as her son's wedding, Carol was involved in an auto accident, (sure to be a scene in a future book) and nearly lost her mother.
Throughout all of the different seasons, God has continued to teach Carol to turn to Him. She has also learned to simplify her life and appreciate her many blessings--His gift of creativity, sharing her love for God with readers and setting an example of what God can do when we say, "Yes, God, take me, shape me, use me." To find out more about Carol's slightly crazy life and her books, visit her web site at carolsteward.com.
Read an Excerpt
Journey To Forever
By Carol Steward
Steeple Hill
Copyright © 2005 Carol StewardAll right reserved.
ISBN: 0373873115
Colin loosened the knot of his tie and glanced around the elaborately decorated office, pacing the floor as if it were a bad day in the dugout. He couldn't imagine why his new employer wanted to meet him away from the radio station.
Ellis Chapman sauntered through the entrance and extended his hand. "Nice to see you again, Colin. How's the shoulder recovering?"
"I finished therapy last month. It will never be able to take the rigors of baseball again, but it's doing fine, thanks." He had met the staunch icon of the community at several media functions over the years, before the career-ending rotator-cuff surgery forced him off the field. From there, he had moved into a temporary sports-announcing job, where he'd discovered his life's dream -- spreading God's word over the sound waves.
"And the job? Is it what you thought it would be?"
When he became bored with sitting on the sidelines during the off-season of baseball, Colin had accepted Chapman's invitation to host a Christian radio show, where the spiritual and emotional challenges provided unexpected rewards on a daily basis. "I'm not missing sports nearly as much as I feared I might."
His boss grasped Colin's hand and enthusiastically pumped his arm. "Good," he said, motioning for Colin to follow him into his private office. Colin sank into the soft leather chair and waited for the point of the meeting to surface. "I've been meaning to talk to you about one of the topics you discussed on your show. We have a few skeptics in the community who think Christian broadcasting is no place for a retired baseball player. I think you've opened a lot of eyes to the fact that there are Christians everywhere, even in professional sports."
Feeling as if there was more Mr. Chapman had to say, Colin straightened his back, suddenly thankful for the privacy. If he was going to be fired, he didn't want an audience.
Before Colin could cut in Ellis added, "I have an interesting proposition for you."
That didn't sound too promising. Anything that started with interesting had to mean trouble. He was likely being demoted to the minor leagues of radio. Whatever that meant, Colin wasn't interested in another career change.
Mr. Chapman rambled on about needing to boost the ratings for the radio and the readership for the news-paper. Apparently advertising had dipped into the danger zones on both.
"We need to do something to grab the audience, and timing is critical. The board has been tossing about ideas, which brought you to mind."
Colin decided Mr. Chapman must have listened to his talk on "Financial Responsibility for Christians." He supposed he didn't blame him for doing what he had to do in order to keep his acquisitions in the black. Cutbacks were common with the economy in a slump. Three years ago, the Denver Gazette had been on the verge of bankruptcy. Ellis Chapman had bought it and turned it around, adding newspaper publishing to his communications conglomerate. Failure wasn't in Chapman's vocabulary and Colin highly respected him.
Chapman's assistant slipped into the room and quietly filled crystal goblets with sparkling water. "Pardon the interruption, Mr. Chapman. Miss Post's car broke down and she's going to be late. She sent her apologies."
Chapman shook his head, but his expression indicated he truly cared about the misfortune of the woman, whoever she was. "Thank you." He stood, stuffing his hands into his trouser pockets as he paced the room in silence.
Colin watched, his patience tested. How will I fit into Chapman's plan? He realized the world of Christian radio might not appreciate his unconventionality, from his shaved head to his high-profile and highly competitive career. He knew it seemed unlikely that a believer could remain faithful when hit with so many temptations in the limelight. He'd learned long ago that the best way to avoid false accusations was to keep focused on the Lord. He couldn't let doubt throw him a curveball now. "I have to admit, your call piqued my curiosity. Is there a concern with my work?" Colin's question caught Mr. Chapman's attention.
Was that humor Colin saw in Ellis's expression?
"Oh, no. As I mentioned, Colin, your show got me thinking about this younger generation. I listened to your discussion about commitment to giving in the community and took the tape to the board for their opinion. Which is why I've called you here today. I guarantee this is right up your alley." Chapman, who was nearly as round as he was tall, leaned against the giant desk in his office. "I recall your name being tied to several fund-raisers during your baseball career."
Colin tugged at his tie, recalling the antics he had performed to raise money for charity. "Sir, I don't follow you. Do those pose a problem?"
"If there is anyone who can make news out of something so prosaic, it's you, Colin. And what absolutely galls me is the success you have doing it." A smile crinkled his round face.
"Prosaic?" Not exactly a compliment. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Your stunts were absolutely mundane tasks anyone could do, yet you drew the audience right in with you.
Who would have ever thought pushing a peanut down the Sixteenth Street Mall with your nose or sitting in every seat of every professional ballpark in the country would bring in thousands of dollars? It shows that all of us can do something to help those in need."
"Has someone just found out about this? You had to have known my willingness to make a fool of myself for charity's sake before the board agreed to hire me. I happen to find helping others rewarding," he said, unable to keep the anger out of his voice.
"Calm down. You've got it all wrong. What we want to know is if you're ready for another stunt." He explained that the executive board had voted unanimously to ask Colin.
Relief washed over him. "That's what all of this is about?"
Continues...
Excerpted from Journey To Forever by Carol Steward Copyright © 2005 by Carol Steward. Excerpted by permission.
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