| In a search for her future, Lacy Jones travels with a friend to a new town where a single dad shows her how to find meaning and lasting success. Lacy Jones, a graduate of her small high school, knows her whole world is about to change. She dreams of freedom from the struggles with her health, and of the independence that comes with a steady job. When her friend invites her to share the journey to visit the teacher from their country school days, Lacy finally gets the chance to chase her dreams. But when the girls get separated along the way, Lacy is left to make the trip alone. Arriving in a strange town, Lacy is reunited with old friends who introduce her to a new life, new relationships, and a new way of seeing herself. Conrad Van Drunen has spent the last four years developing his furniture business and raising his two children. He knows they need a mother, but he isn’t ready to talk of remarriage. When Lacy Jones falls across his path, Conrad is forced to make some changes. His brother and sister-in-law offer |  |
their assistance from babysitting and financial counsel to matchmaking, but Conrad has other plans. Losing hope of finding what he lost with his first wife, Conrad discovers the mother he’s been seeking for his children in the most unexpected place.
Journey with Lacy and Conrad through trials and joys where deception and the truth can sometimes look an awfully lot alike.
Journey with Lacy and Conrad through trials and joys where deception and the truth can sometimes look an awfully lot alike.
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction
Release Date: June 20, 2022
Release Date: June 20, 2022
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Michelle
1. How long did it take to finish this book?
Approximately nine months. I’d signed a three-book contract with a publisher, and this book was number two of the three, so I had to stay on time. I was also preparing to start Clinical Pastoral Education training for my job in chaplaincy, so I wanted to get this manuscript finished and sent to the publisher before my classes began.
Approximately nine months. I’d signed a three-book contract with a publisher, and this book was number two of the three, so I had to stay on time. I was also preparing to start Clinical Pastoral Education training for my job in chaplaincy, so I wanted to get this manuscript finished and sent to the publisher before my classes began.
2. How did you name your characters?
The hero has a Dutch background. He emigrated from Holland with his brothers at the turn of the 20th century, so I wanted to give him an authentic Dutch name someone of that era really could have had. Conrad Van Drunen comes pretty close.
For the heroine, I wanted to give her a name that was feminine, yet reflected her country girl roots. I wanted her to be ordinary, but not insignificant, and common, without any ties to money and fame. I wanted a wholesome, brave young woman who could represent a good number of us. Lacy Jones is what came out of that brainstorm.
The hero has a Dutch background. He emigrated from Holland with his brothers at the turn of the 20th century, so I wanted to give him an authentic Dutch name someone of that era really could have had. Conrad Van Drunen comes pretty close.
For the heroine, I wanted to give her a name that was feminine, yet reflected her country girl roots. I wanted her to be ordinary, but not insignificant, and common, without any ties to money and fame. I wanted a wholesome, brave young woman who could represent a good number of us. Lacy Jones is what came out of that brainstorm.
3. Tell about yourself and your family.
I am married to my husband, Tom. We celebrated 25 years this spring. Our oldest son is a master’s student in the meteorology department at the University of Nebraska. Our other son is a business student at Iowa State. I am one of the chaplains at our local hospital, focusing primarily on ministry to Hospice patients and their families. I enjoy writing, reading a wide range of books, kayaking, baking, and gardening.
I am married to my husband, Tom. We celebrated 25 years this spring. Our oldest son is a master’s student in the meteorology department at the University of Nebraska. Our other son is a business student at Iowa State. I am one of the chaplains at our local hospital, focusing primarily on ministry to Hospice patients and their families. I enjoy writing, reading a wide range of books, kayaking, baking, and gardening.
4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
The message is all about narrative. What story are we believing about our identities, our skills, and our character? Is it coming from the world telling us we’re too sick, too poor, or too ordinary to follow our callings? Or is the narrative we’re listening to coming from the voice of truth, (God’s Holy Spirit living inside of us) telling us we are beloved, beautiful, strong, and valuable?
Both Lacy and Conrad have to answer these questions for themselves. I hope that as the reader is watching the main characters make choices, they are taking a look at their own lives and believing the truth about identity, character, and calling.
The message is all about narrative. What story are we believing about our identities, our skills, and our character? Is it coming from the world telling us we’re too sick, too poor, or too ordinary to follow our callings? Or is the narrative we’re listening to coming from the voice of truth, (God’s Holy Spirit living inside of us) telling us we are beloved, beautiful, strong, and valuable?
Both Lacy and Conrad have to answer these questions for themselves. I hope that as the reader is watching the main characters make choices, they are taking a look at their own lives and believing the truth about identity, character, and calling.
5. Share a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I dedicate this book to young women on the adventure of discovering who they really are. No matter our age, we are all on the adventure of discovering our true selves. Each day is a revelation of our abilities, our influence, and our significance in the eyes of God. Sometimes it takes a high level of courage to accept the truth about ourselves. But the careful work of discerning the true from the false is well worthwhile because once we’ve done it, we know who we are supposed to be, the direction we need to go, and the difference we are intended to make. I encourage readers to keep listening to the voice of truth, and then to make the necessary adjustments to align our lives with it.
I dedicate this book to young women on the adventure of discovering who they really are. No matter our age, we are all on the adventure of discovering our true selves. Each day is a revelation of our abilities, our influence, and our significance in the eyes of God. Sometimes it takes a high level of courage to accept the truth about ourselves. But the careful work of discerning the true from the false is well worthwhile because once we’ve done it, we know who we are supposed to be, the direction we need to go, and the difference we are intended to make. I encourage readers to keep listening to the voice of truth, and then to make the necessary adjustments to align our lives with it.
More from Michelle
Coming Home to Truth is the second in a trilogy of books set in a small Iowa town during the years 1913 through 1918. This is the second series of books I have written. The Tomorrow series is the first set, and if you’ve already read it, you will recognize characters that appeared in Hope for Tomorrow, Promise for Tomorrow, and Dreaming of Tomorrow.
This book is a delightful story of Conrad, a single dad, and Lacy, a young lady searching for a place to belong. Conrad would like to find a mother for his two school-age children but feels that the risks are just too high. Lacy wants to prove that she can support herself and can use her talents in photography to establish a new career.
In this story, Lacy’s friends see her differently than she sees herself. It causes her to take a second look at her life to decide what is true and what isn’t. This book takes us on a journey with Lacy and Conrad through trials and joys where deception and the truth can sometimes look an awfully lot alike.
Thank you for joining me on this tour. I hope you enjoy the blog posts and enter the drawing for the giveaway. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my newsletter at https://michelledebruin.com/.
Grace and peace,
Michelle De Bruin
This book is a delightful story of Conrad, a single dad, and Lacy, a young lady searching for a place to belong. Conrad would like to find a mother for his two school-age children but feels that the risks are just too high. Lacy wants to prove that she can support herself and can use her talents in photography to establish a new career.
In this story, Lacy’s friends see her differently than she sees herself. It causes her to take a second look at her life to decide what is true and what isn’t. This book takes us on a journey with Lacy and Conrad through trials and joys where deception and the truth can sometimes look an awfully lot alike.
Thank you for joining me on this tour. I hope you enjoy the blog posts and enter the drawing for the giveaway. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my newsletter at https://michelledebruin.com/.
Grace and peace,
Michelle De Bruin
 Michelle De Bruin | Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband of 25 years and two young adult sons who are college students at Iowa State. She has a bachelor’s degree in religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle serves as a chaplain for Pella Regional Health Center. She writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website: michelledebruin.com |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of
a $50 Amazon gift card & copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon gift card & copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
An Author’s Take, September 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2
Texas Book-aholic, September 3
Lighthouse Academy Blog, September 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, September 5 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 5
lakesidelivingsite, September 6
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 8
Connie’s History Classroom, September 9
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 10
For Him and My Family, September 11
Cover Lover Book Review, September 12
Karen Baney Reviews, September 12
Holly’s Book Corner, September 13
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 14 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, September 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2
Texas Book-aholic, September 3
Lighthouse Academy Blog, September 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, September 5 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 5
lakesidelivingsite, September 6
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 8
Connie’s History Classroom, September 9
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 10
For Him and My Family, September 11
Cover Lover Book Review, September 12
Karen Baney Reviews, September 12
Holly’s Book Corner, September 13
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 14 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, September 14