About this item
Twenty-eight-year-old Emma Browning has experienced a good deal of life in her young age. Proprietor of Emma's Boardinghouse, she is "mother" to an array of beefy, unkempt, often rowdy characters. Though many men would like to get to know the steely, hard-edged, yet surprisingly lovely proprietor, none has truly succeeded. That is, not until the town's new pastor, Jonathan Atkins, takes up residence in the boardinghouse, affecting not only her with his devout faith and strong convictions, but her clientele as well. Emma clings desperately to her stubborn ways, refusing to acknowledge God's love until all of Little Hickman witnesses a miracle - the conversion of her abusive and alcoholic father, Ezra! Only then will Emma begin to experience God's transforming power at work.
About the Author
BIOGRAPHY/AWARDS & ACCOLADESBorn and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating with an education degree in 1971, she taught second grade for two years then accepted an invitation to travel internationally for a year with a singing ensemble. In 1975, she married her childhood sweetheart. Together they raised two lovely, wonderful daughters, both of whom are now happily married and enjoying their own families. Retired in 2003 from 31-years of teaching, "Shar" loves to read, sing, travel, and spend time with her family, in particular, her wonderful, adorable grandchildren! A Christian for 45 years, and a lover of the English language, Shar has always enjoyed dabbling in writing--poetry, fiction, various essays, and freelancing for periodicals and newspapers. Her favored genre, however, has always been romance. She remembers well the short stories she wrote in high school and watching them circulate from girl to girl during government and civics classes. "Psst," someone would whisper from two rows over, and always with the teacher's back to the class, "Pass me the next page." In recent years, Shar felt God's call upon her heart to take her writing pleasures a step further and in 2006 signed a contract for her first faith-based novel; thereby, launching her writing career with Through Every Storm. With a dozen books now gracing store shelves nationwide, she daily gives God all the praise and glory for her accomplishments. ?? Shar has done numerous countrywide book-signings, television and radio appearances, and countless interviews. She loves to speak for women's organizations, libraries, church groups, women's retreats, and banquets. She is involved in Apples of Gold, a mentoring program for young wives and/or mothers, and is active in her church as well as two weekly Bible studies. She and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with their beautiful white collie, Peyton and their rag doll cat named Blue.Awards and Accolades: 2006 Through Every Storm - American Christian Fiction Writers" Book-of-the-Year (now Carol Awards) finalist 2007 Loving Liza Jane - Road to Romance Reviewer's Choice Award 2008 Sarah, My Beloved - Inspirational Readers' Choice Award (3rd Place) 2008 Sarah, My Beloved - Road to Romance Reviewer's Choice Award2009 Courting Emma - Inspirational Readers' Choice Award (3rd Place) 2010 Hannah Grace - Inspirational Reader's Choice Award (2nd Place) 2011 Abbie Ann - Inspirational Reader's Choice Award (3rd Place) 2011 Tender Vow - Retailers' Choice Award Finalist
