Orphans

My sister recently commented that my books usually have a widow or widower who ends up getting married. When she said that, I started thinking. She’s right. I really do. Not only that, but I also usually have an orphan in my stories as well. When I started writing just over four years ago, that wasn’t my intention at all, but since then, I guess I’ve been interested in taking care of widows and orphans like James 1:27 says to do:

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (NASB)

Now all I have to do is do it more in real life. One way I can do that is by donating half my income from the Orphans of the West series toward supporting orphans through the organization World Orphans. Thank you in advance for helping me.

I guess you could say that orphans have been on my heart for quite some time. I don’t really know exactly when it started, but in the past two years I have especially been thinking about them. That desire to help has culminated in this book, the first in my Orphans of the West series, Savior, Like a Shepherd.

About the Book

The ground shook and a rumble sounded through the air as the train squealed to a stop. Maybe, just maybe, I could carry someone’s bags without the porter taking notice. And then there was the even bigger maybe: Maybe I could get enough money to at least buy a crust of bread for Trevor and Tabitha to share.

I hid behind the boxes in the freight yard and kept one eye on the porter, and the other on the second class passenger car. The porter had his attention on the first class car, so I slipped into the gathering crowd.

Titus Hine has always taken care of others. First in protecting his brother and sister from the men his mother entertained. Even more so after her death, when the townspeople refused to help the orphans of a town prostitute. He’s been protector and provider, despite the hardships. He’s learned that no one will help, no one cares and if he wants to survive he’ll have to rely on his own strength not just for himself but his family as well.

Then a stranger shows him the kindness and help no one else seems willing to. Between her kindness and the lecture she gives the Christian Leaders, Titus’s life takes an unexpected turn for the better. With help and provision from the local believers things should be easier, his burdens are lifted. So why does it feel like life is spinning out of control?

Can Titus learn that while man may fail him there is One who will never fail? Can he learn to allow God to be the Shepherd of his life and lead him? Or will life continue to push him every which way?

Buy now on your favorite eBook platform: www.books2read.com/saviorlikeashepherd

 About the Author

Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family.  She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.

Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you want to know when her latest book comes out, go to her website to sign up for her New Releases Newsletter so you can get an email when her next book in the series comes out. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her.

Giveaway

I am giving away EIGHT prizes! I have two paperbacks and two eBooks of Savior, Like a Shepherd up for grabs as well as one paperback and three eBooks of my Hymns of the West Novellas: Volume Two. The novella collection contains the novella that inspired my latest series as well as my new novel. Fill out the rafflecopter for the chance to win one of the prizes:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt

A few months passed by and I was improving in all areas: blacksmithing, writing, reading, and letting go of some of my responsibilities. I still had a lot to learn, but most of the work I did at the smithy I could do well.

One night when I got home, Tabitha ran out to pull me inside. “Someone’s here to see you.”

I stopped before going inside. “Who?”

“He said Miss Brown sent him.”

My lungs started letting air in again. “Lead the way.”

I followed her through the house to the parlor. A tall, muscular young man filled up the chair he sat in. His piercing blue eyes were the first thing I saw. I guessed they missed very little, if anything.

“Titus, you got home just in time,” Mrs. Barnes said. “This is Mr. Bradley Connor. He is a friend of Miss Brown.”

I held out my hand, but said nothing. In my short life, I had come to notice that a man with a weak handshake usually meant he was no good. Mr. Connor took my hand and gave me a firm, but gentle handshake.

“A pleasure to meet you, Titus,” he said. “Miss Brown has told me quite a bit about you. It seems you made a lasting impression on her.”

I settled into a nearby chair. “She made one on me, too. Why are you here?”

Mr. Connor chuckled. “Right to the point. I like that. I was in town for my job and Miss Brown asked me to check on you. She hadn’t heard from you and was rather worried.”

I grimaced. “I’m sorry. As you can see, we’re doing fine. I would’ve written, but I couldn’t. I just started learning how, though, so hopefully I can do that soon.”

Mrs. Barnes stood up. “I need to check on supper. Enjoy visiting.”

As soon as she had left the room, Mr. Connor looked around at the three of us. “Miss Brown told me a little bit about your situation, but not much. Do you mind sharing it with me?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because Miss Brown seems interested in you and I know she did not have much time to talk to you.”

“You want to make sure her interest is safe.”

He smiled. “Yes.”

I told him our whole story as I’d told it time and again the last few months. “Now that you know, you’ll probably decline supper here so you won’t be tainted by our presence. Don’t worry about it; we’re past being offended by it,” I finished bitterly.

Tour Schedule

Bonus Post from February 10

Petticoats and Pistols – The History of Paint (Note: the giveaway on that post is closed)

February 16

Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction

Peggy's Hope 4U- Character Spotlight of Titus

February 17

Leah's Bookshelf- Book Spotlight

Rebekah Lyn Books- Character Spotlight of Tabitha

February 18

Zerina Blossom's Books- Guest Post – About the Town

February 20

Sarah Allerding- Author Interview

February 21

Tara Ellis Author- Book Spotlight

Melanie D. Snitker, Author – Character Spotlight of Trevor

February 22

Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections- Character Interview

February 23

Reveries Reviews- Character Spotlight of Titus Hine

Kelsey's Notebook- Guest Post – My Kind of Romance

February 24

With a Joyful Noise- Book Review

February 25

Writing Dreams- Guest Post – Why Orphans?

Zerina Blossom's Books – Book Review

February 27

God's Peculiar Treasure Rae- Character Spotlight of Trevor Hine

February 28

Homeschooled Authors- Author Interview

Rachel Rossano's Words- Guest Post – What’s the Inspiration and song connection?