Mountain Brook Ink

[Starr Ayers] On the Way

Jun 20, 2020StarrA4 CommentsAuthor Posts, Devotional, Personal Stories, Starr Ayersdevotions, Light in the darkness, on the way, presence, Starr Ayers

Starr Ayers challenges us to be a light in someone’s darkness.

[Linda Thompson] Honoring Charles McGee and the Tuskegee Airmen

Jun 18, 2020LindaTAuthor Posts, Historical Sidenotes, Linda ThompsonLinda Thompson, Tuskegee Airmen, WWII

For Juneteenth, let’s honor outstanding American Charles McGee and reflect on the legacy of WWII’s tenacious Tuskegee Airmen, who fought and won a pitched battle against prejudice.

[Sara Davison] Overcoming Lockdown Brain

Jun 16, 2020SaraDAuthor Posts, Devotional, Encouragement, Sara Davison, Thoughts & Thingsanxiety, focus, lockdown, Peace, rest

Sara Davison offers advice on overcoming anxiety and lack of focus during lockdown.

[Heather L.L. FitzGerald] But God.

Jun 14, 2020Heather FitzGeraldAuthor Posts, Encouragement, Heather L.L. FitzGerald, Personal Storiesclarity, corona, current events, Fear, God's Calling, hope in troubled times, protests, Purpose

As the world seems to be burning down outside our front door… As fear grips our hearts as we watch from behind masks, hoping COVID keeps its distance… As neighbors report on neighbors (there’s an app for that)… As people die at the hands of both police and rioters… As respect for anyone in authority…

[Angela Ruth Strong] Save the Pets

Jun 12, 2020Angela StrongAngela Ruth Strong, Author Posts, Personal Stories, Story Behind the Story, The Stories We Livedogs, pets, The CafFUNated Mysteries, writing with pets

I have to admit I was a little surprised when a reviewer said Ranger was her favorite character in A Latte Difficulty since, you know, Ranger is a dog. But this made me think of all the pets I’ve written into books. Honestly, I added dogs to my CafFUNAted Mysteries for two reasons: 1.) I…

[Melanie Campbell] In God’s Timing

Jun 10, 2020MelanieC2 CommentsAuthor Posts, Melanie Campbell, Personal Stories, Story Behind the Story, The Stories We Liveanswered prayer, Family Stories, inspiration from family, music

This picture…it’s an answered prayer. A little over a year ago I began writing One Way Home, the second book in my Whispers of Grace series. In the story, Sharon, a recovering alcoholic, lives with her only daughter and granddaughter. Part of the story line is about their relationship. The character of Sharon is inspired…

[Jeanette-Marie Mirich] Peace From God

Jun 8, 2020Alyssa RoatAuthor Posts, Devotional, Encouragement, Jeanette-Marie Mirich, Power of StoryPeace, reflection, truth through storytelling

Wither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall…

[Bryan Davis] Fathers of Comfort

Jun 6, 2020BryanDAuthor Posts, Bryan Davis, Power of Story, The Stories We LiveChildren, Comfort, fatherhood, fathers day, Parenting, Trusting God

Fear of the unknown surrounds the young; strange shapes in the darkness, creepy sounds in the night, slithering creatures under the bed or in the closet. They all work together to make little hands clench the sheets and yank them over their heads until the dawn of the next day. The worries of the world—political…

[Susan Kimmel Wright] Somewhere a Cat Is Waiting

Jun 4, 2020SusanWPersonal Stories, Susan Kimmel Wrightcats, Hug Your Cat Day, pets

June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day (with your cat’s permission). I’ve always had pets and enjoy including them in my novels. As this important holiday approached, and my cat Cirrus scratched off the days in her litter, I started thinking about the cats I’ve shared my life with. In childhood, Puss trotted after me…

[Mary Davis] It All Began One Afternoon

Jun 2, 2020Alyssa Roat1 CommentAuthor Posts, Mary Davis, Story Behind the Storyhistorical fiction, Love in the West, new release, Short Story

Do you enjoy short stories? In The Damsel’s Intent, which just released June 1, the main character Nicole’s grandfather is mentioned often, but we never see him. I thought it would be fun to meet him and his soon-to-be wife. Not having known anything about Nicole’s grandmother before writing this, I see where Nicole got…