Once Upon a Truth

Welcome to my very first “Once Upon a Truth” post! I’m excited to share two authors with you today. Check out what Kathleen Kovach and Paula Moldenhauer have to say about their book, Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal. They’ve generously offered one digital copy of their book for one “blessed” commenter, so be sure to leave one! Enjoy!

A secret. A key. Much was buried when the RMS Titanic went down, but now it’s time for resurrection.

April 1912 – Olive Stanford boarded the Titanic determined to protect all she held dear. Her secret will go with her to the grave—but how can she face the afterlife carrying the burden of her actions?

April 2012 – Real estate agent, Ember Keaton-Jones distrusts men. Ever since her great-great-grandfather, Thomas, deserted the family after the sinking of the Titanic, every Keaton male has disappointed. Ember is on the brink of a huge sale when a stranger shows up with a key to a century-old secret challenging everything she believes. She meets forward-thinking Jeff Dawson and finds an unexpected ally in unlocking the mystery of her past. But can they undo the legacy of Thomas Keaton’s betrayal?

What truth or spiritual theme does your book convey?
From Paula: When Kathy and I started writing Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal, we knew we were called to write real, to share our hearts without Christian verbiage. In the novels I’d written before Titanic I knew the spiritual thread even before the plot. This time all I knew was that I wanted readers to think about God by the end of the book. As I got deeper into the project I felt God whisper, “Do you see what we’re doing now?”

He wanted us to show we don’t have to live under the bondages of the past, the junk passed down by those who came before us. Our heroine, Ember, distrusted men—for good reason. Her journey requires her to step outside her walls and prejudices. She had to see her life through a different lens.

When Jesus stood up in the Hebrew synagogue and declared Himself the Savior, “the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-19; 21, NIV)

Some of us are in a prison of pain, blinded by our past, or even the past of our ancestors. We’re oppressed by things that were set in motion before we were old enough to make choices for ourselves. But these generational strongholds can be broken. We don’t have to live in the same dysfunction and patterns of our past or the past of our parents or grandparents.

Jesus came to give freedom. (“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1, NIV) He wants us to live a full, satisfying life. (“My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT)

There are far-reaching consequences of sin. It can affect us and those who come after us. But we are not without hope, thanks to Jesus and His willingness to take our sins upon Himself at the cross. We can live free.

From Kathy: I would just add, even though the hero, Jeff, isn’t professing Christ at the moment, he does come from a grounded family. You’ve heard the phrase “you may be the only Jesus some people may see.” I believe in this case, Jeff and his family live their faith resulting in showing Ember how a family loves, nurtures, and sacrifices for each other. Just as Jesus did those things for us.

What Scripture or part of the Bible is most meaningful to you right now?
From Paula: For some time I’ve clung to this simple statement from Jesus, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” I do believe in the long run God works things for my good, that He has hope and a future for me. But in the middle of difficult seasons, when I have a hard time seeing that hopeful future, what I cling to is the promise that my Lord is there. He loves me and won’t leave me. I can trust Him. My pastor says it this way, “Lean your life on Jesus.”

From Kathy: Through tough times, I continue to get the instruction to “keep my eyes on Jesus.” That reminds me of when Peter walked on water and succeeded as long as he focused on Jesus. But when the boisterous wind frightened him, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30.) It can get pretty gusty in my life, and when the waves threaten to overtake me, I try to remember to do as the song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Kathleen E. Kovach lives in northeast Colorado where she leads a critique group and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, serving as Rocky Mountain Zone Director. An award winning author of Christian romance, she presents spiritual truths with a giggle, proving herself as one of God’s peculiar people. Visit her at www.kathleenekovach.com.
Author, speaker, and mom of four, Paula Moldenhauer has published over 300 times. Her first two novels release in 2012. She serves as the Colorado Coordinator for the American Christian Fiction Writers and homeschools. Paula loves peppermint ice cream and walking barefoot. Her greatest desire is to be close enough to Jesus to breathe His fragrance. Visit her at www.paulamoldenhauer.com.