Today’s spotlight features

The Warrior and The Prodigal Daughter by Teresa Smyser.

About the Book

A Warrior . . .
A Prodigal Daughter . . .
A Scandalous Mistake . . .

1633 Scotland. The rules are clear. She breaks them all.

Sixteen-year-old Gillian dreams of adventure. After her twin’s wedding and before her parents arrange a marriage for her, she decides to accept an invitation to travel with Cameron Munro, a warrior ten years her senior. 

She plunges into a journey full of surprises, deceit, and tragedy. Each wrong decision she makes soon reveals how worldly pleasures can produce disastrous consequences.

When she’s accused of a crime against the crown, Commander Gabriel Mackintosh arrives to take her before the king. She realizes she trusted the wrong man.

Can her scandalous mistakes be rectified? Can God forgive her and bring healing and restoration? Follow Gillian’s journey to see how a second chance can far exceed one’s expectations.

About the Author

Teresa Smyser lives in Northern Alabama with her minister husband. They have two married children, two grandsons, and two granddaughters. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and now works as an accountant dividing her time between family, friends, church, and writing. Teresa’s prayer is for her novels to entertain and to point her readers to the love and the hope found in Jesus Christ.

Author Interview

What is something interesting readers would enjoy learning about you?

When I was a child growing up in KY, I was a bit mischievous. I did crazy things like ride my bike down a steep hill while standing on the seat or stepping in a frozen pool’s shallow end just to find out it wasn’t frozen solid. My parents never knew what I’d do next. Then I grew up, went to college, and married at 21. God has such a sense of humor. He provided a minister as my husband. Bless him! Now my husband never knows what I might do. haha

What does a day in the life of your characters look like?

In Book 4 of my Warrior Bride Series, sixteen-year-old Gillian is my main character. 1633 Scotland was a time when a woman was expected to learn needle point, how to run a castle, to read, domestic duties, and to marry well. However, for Gillian, she spent her days following her older brother in order to pull a prank . . . to make his life miserable. When her parents decided to arrange a suitable marriage match, she made plans of her own. You’ll need to read Book 4 to find out about her adventures and the consequences she reaped.

What was the inspiration behind your story?

With each of my novels, I start with a Godly principle that drives my character’s behaviors. For this novel, I chose the account of the prodigal son in Luke 15 except my story is about a prodigal daughter. Gillian isn’t called the prodigal daughter for no reason. She earns the name with every wrong decision she makes. As in Luke 15, God has a plan to rescue us from the messes we create. He’ll provide a way out. Until we breathe our last breath, we can be redeemed. However, as with Gillian, some consequences are forever. Find out how God unravels Gillian’s disasters and who He sends to help her in book 4.

What did you learn while writing this story?

Since all my books start with a Godly principle or Godly truth, God uses my writing time to teach and remind me what I need to do to be more Christlike. With this novel, God reminded me it’s best to fight my battles on my knees instead of relying on myself. Prayer is the most powerful weapon in my arsenal, and I need to use it faithfully.

What encouragement do you hope readers will take away from your story?

I hope my readers see that God can work through our adversities to produce a favorable outcome if we allow Him. That doesn’t mean all the hurts or terrible consequences disappear, but God has a better plan for each of His children for their good. When we rely on God instead of ourselves, we can achieve great things for His glory.

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