Meet Connie Arnold and get A Chance to Win

Abiding Hope and Love

When troubles and trials of life
Like winds are howling around,
A place that is quiet and sheltered
Is what needs to be found.

As in the hurricane’s eye
The destructive winds cease,
So also within the soul
Is a haven of calm and peace.

When the winds of fear and hatred
Rage and roar along their course,
Through prayer their strength is weakened,
As faith subdues their force.

There’s a safe, secure retreat,
A place down deep inside,
The center of life’s storms,
Where hope and love abide.

Beautiful words, aren't they? The above poem was written by Connie Arnold and is the title poem of her book, Abiding Hope & Love.





You will find words within this book even more beautiful than the cover. This poetry collection is filled with optimism, revealing hope and love that may be found throughout life. Included are poems about hope, love, children, music, the Bible and nature. Life is filled with difficulties and trials, and finding hope and love can help you to overcome these problems and find peace in your life.






Those are the words written on the back cover of Abiding Hope & Love. I would like to add that the words within this book will help you find a moment of calm in the chaos we know as life. You will find yourself in a place of beauty and serenity.






Let's hear what Connie has to say about who she is:

I was born in Texarkana, TX, and moved with my parents, Wesley and Lois Clark, and my sister, Kathy, to Anthony, TX when I was two. I grew up there until going away to college, where I met Tom (who is from Louisville, KY), stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. We were married the following year, and moved to New Orleans.

Our first house was in Slidell, LA, where our two children, Tom, Jr. and Lori, were born. From there we moved to Omaha, NE where our children finished middle and high school. After that, Tom & I moved to Winston-Salem, NC, where we still live. Both children are now married. Tom, Jr. & Kim live in Chicago. Lori & Josh are in Omaha and have three sons, Luke, 3 1/2, Noah, 2, and Jesse, born in June 2007. I have discovered the great joy of being a grandmother!

Music has always played a big part in my life. I was the organist/choir director at Christ Church in Slidell, then at St. Andrew's in Omaha was a substitute organist, choir member and children's choir director. I began writing music there, which was sung by both adult and children's choirs. That was how I began writing poetry, as text for music. Upon moving to Winston-Salem in 1996, I became inspired to write more poetry. Some of it has been shared at St. Paul's Church, and the young people recently sang an anthem I wrote. Another song I wrote was sung at Tom & Kim's wedding. Although most of what I have written is not set to music, all of my poetry has a musical, rhythmic quality.



In 1987 I was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic illness which forced a change in my life. The good that has come from it has been in being more open to God and being inspired, and in a greater understanding of the suffering of others. Many of my poems are influenced by that and express how important it is to rely on God and how God's love can sustain through the hardships of life. Having a book of my poetry published is a way to reach out to others in hopes of inspiring as I have been inspired, offering moments of beauty, as well as joy and peace.


Tomorrow, I will be sharing with you an interview I had with Connie. I know you will find her as pleasant as I do! I will also share her blog tour schedule with you tomorrow--so please watch for that. In the meantime, please leave a comment for Connie. I have an autographed copy of Abiding Hope & Love to give to one lucky winner. Not only does this make a wonderful book for yourself, but Mother's Day is just around the corner-and I can't think of a better present to give!


To order Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace or Abiding Hope and Love at a special discounted price using PayPal, with no added shipping, please visit the Web Store. Be sure to contact me with mailing address and how to personalize.





To order by mail, see below.



Order Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace from PublishAmerica



Order Abiding Hope and Love from PublishAmerica



Click here to order either book from Barnes & Noble.



Order from Amazon



To make a donation to the Lupus Foundation of America and receive a signed copy of either book, e-mail Connie or send a check for $14 for a signed copy of Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace, $15 for a signed copy of Abiding Hope and Love or $26 for a copy of each, made payable to LFA, Winston-Triad Chapter and mail to 4280 Mashie Drive, Pfafftown, NC 27040. Please be sure to include the name with which to personalize each book.



Request at your local bookstore:



Abiding Hope and Love by Connie Arnold, PublishAmerica ISBN 1604742321



Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace by Connie Arnold, PublishAmerica ISBN 1424168589



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