Looking Out the Window: An Elaine Marie Cooper Devotional and Giveaway

I'm so happy to have Elaine Marie Cooper here with an inspirational devotional, "Unwrapped Hearts," and a giveaway for February. She'll also tell us about her new book, The Road to Deer Run, and share some of her reviews. Be sure to leave a comment with your email address (name at address dot com) for a chance to win a copy. I'll draw a name and announce a winner on Monday, February 7th.

UNWRAPPED HEARTS

Don’t you love those bright, beribboned heart boxes of candy that appear in the stores in February? You hope against common-sense hope (how many calories in those sweets?? Oh my…!) that maybe you will be one of the lucky recipients this year.

But imagine receiving such a heartfelt gift from someone you love…only to discover that someone had been poking around in there beforehand, leaving undetected holes in the bottom of each candy. I would personally be hurt and more than a little disappointed. No one wants such a special gift to be ruined by someone’s selfish act. It would, at the very least, make us question the sincerity of the giver.

I can only imagine what my Savior thinks when my gifts from the heart to Him are filled with finger pokes of selfishness, pride, and other seemingly undetectable sins. He can see past the wrapping straight through to my heart that is so easily prone to wander from His perfection.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (NIV)
“Wellspring” is defined as “an abundant source or supply of anything.” It could be a source of compassion, a source of forgiveness, a source of real love—the kind of love that Jesus poured out for us on the cross when His heart stopped beating for us.

As we celebrate love in this season of Valentine’s Day, let’s be diligent about keeping our hearts safely wrapped and untampered by that which so easily distracts us from the purity of God’s love. Let’s be HIS wellspring!

ABOUT ELAINE MARIE COOPER: Elaine Marie Cooper lives in the Midwest with her husband Steve, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandbabies, who are often referred to as “the most beautiful grandbabies in the world.” Elaine’s only daughter, Bethany, passed away in 2003 from a brain tumor.

A retired registered nurse, Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is currently a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (http://www.thebarndoor.net/) She is also the author of her debut novel called “The Road to Deer Run.”

About The Road to Deer Run

The year is 1777 and the colonies of America are at war with England. In the midst of this fierce and painful conflict, two enemies—a wounded British soldier and a colonial farmwoman—are brought together through circumstances that challenge their fortitude, their faith and their ability to forgive. In the struggle comes healing and love. But as their destinies become intertwined, so do the forces that oppose them.

What Are Reviewers Saying about The Road to Deer Run?

“A heartwarming love story, sensitively written and a well-researched bit of American history. The book has a solid faith-based perspective that sets it apart.”
— Jean LemMom, former Editor, Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

“A captivating tale of love, honor, redemption, and patriotism….Cooper breathes life into her characters and their world in an entertaining way with generous details and facts.”
— Wanda Ventling, Editor in Chief, Life: Beautiful Magazine

“With subplots as appealing as the main story, the book is well researched, well written, and well worth the purchase price. Ready for the sequel.”
— Kirkus Discoveries Reviews

“The Road to Deer Run” is available at:
http://amazon.com/
http://barnesandnoble.com/
http://iuniverse.com/
http://www.deerrunbooks.com/

Elaine Cooper can be reached on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000997223171 or visit her website at: http://www.deerrunbooks.com/