STELLA, my mother

I want to celebrate Stella Violet Kinnear, my darling mum, on Mother's Day. She is now with the Lord but still remains in my heart.

Did I receive my writing abilities from her? No. Stella was one of those active on-the-go wives and mothers who didn't have all that much time for reading. But she soon realized I loved reading and encouraged me.

Her mother, Beatrice, was a real dreamer and always to be found with her nose in a book. Oh, yes many a time wisps of smoke came from the kitchen where a nice dinner was sacrificed to the arts. Thinking back, I wonder why my mum didn't resent that and make sure her daughter would follow a more practical turn of mind.

Stella was also an artist (from her father, Harrie Mackie Kinnear, a Scot.) It came to the fore when, during the Second World War with Dad in the RAAF, money was scarce. She hand made jewelry from bread! Beautiful little flowers coloured and baked in the oven. She also designed patterns for Patons Knitting Company and I was the recipient of lovely little jumpers, cardigans and hats. All this was enough to make a deposit on a small house.

By that time she'd become a savvy business woman and some years later she sent me to art school and began a ceramics studio in our backyard named Gymea Pottery. Dad cast various shapes of clay, and we two women decorated it with Aboriginal Art and Australian flowers and fauna. Then it would be fired to the bisque state, glazed and fired again to 1,000 degrees Centigrade. It was a real hit with American business folk who were involved in the Kurnell Oil Refineries at the time. Many would come to buy and ask about the stories behind each piece. I loved telling those stories!

But similar to the book business today, the markets became flooded. How could we compete with cheap pottery from China? Never mind that it wasn't authentic Australian Art.  We closed up and gave the big kilns to Gymea Technical College. (They had the expense of hiring a crane and removing one of the walls.)

Full book cover

My darling mother was never able to read even one of my books, because she'd gone before they were published. Oh, that still hurts me, because in her later years, she too had taken up reading. But there's a lot of my life with her and Nan among the Aboriginal folk in my first book, Fire in the Rock. All changed of course in its fictional sense. And now my new book, The Tie That Binds, is a stand-alone, but it follows on from Signed Sealed Delivered.  I became aware that the heroine's longing to find her mother is a part of my longing for my mum who has gone to be with her Lord.

My book's theme is: Everything can change in a heartbeat.  This statement has now become my brand and logo represented by the little open heart of  Rita Stella Press  soon to go online.

That is such a truism in all our lives. We are all just one heartbeat away from changed circumstances whatever they happen to be - wonderful or tragic. Is there any one of you who have been estranged from your mother? Please dear ones, change that situation before you'll have to live with regrets for the rest of your life. Forgiveness comes from God.

THE TIE THAT BINDS

This is a cover for my latest book, an inspirational historical romance.

The Victorian Era fascinates me.
Everything about its customs and the real life stories from that age is enough to inspire me to write fiction about what could have been.

Arranged marriages were often quite acceptable. But what would happen to a young woman if that was not the case? So this is what my story, The Tie That Binds, covers.

It hasn't come off the presses yet, but in several days I hope to hold the very first proof copy in my hand. All the hard work has been done now I wait. I know many folk have been waiting for this second book of a trilogy. And the next book, A Parcel of Promises is being edited as of now. It will follow this soon after.

Everything can change in a heartbeat.

Mayfair London, 1859
All is well in the well-to-do Cantrell household until its scheming mistress begins to act on her self-serving plans.
Forced into the security of an arranged marriage and an uncertain future of eloping with her heart's desire, Charlotte Cantrell's faith and integrity are tested to the limit. Either choice threatens dire consequences to everyone she holds dear, and even as she hovers over her decision, she knows that once made it will affect the entire course of her life.

Only an unforeseen event can rescue Charlotte from personal tragedy and forsaken dreams.
 

Whether you want to add spice, develop intimacy, or revive your union, The Tie That Binds shows you how. Turning traditional marriage concepts upside down, Debra White Smith shares how she and her husband went from an okay marriage to a dynamite relationship full of high-level attraction, terrific communication, mutual respect, tons of laughter, and great romance.

Their revolution began when Debra quit waiting for results. She began to romance her husband with gusto, and soon he returned the favor! As they explored their marriage, they overturned notions of hierarchies, equality, and cultural ideals to...

 

* put Jesus and His teachings first in their lives
* synthesize and apply biblical teaching
* serve each other enthusiastically

* make all major decisions jointly
* set aside time for romance and fun

 

You’ll find hope, enthusiasm, and excitement as you take this fresh look at your marriage and dare to explore God’s original design for marriage. Debra's first goal as an author and speaker is to be real--to deal honestly with real issues and show God's grace in the midst of everyday life. She possesses a passion to apply the whole Bible to ordinary life and inspire people to encounter God's revolutionary power in every aspect of their lives. When she ministers, through hilarity or tears, her goal is to encourage people to cling to God and implement practical, vibrant biblical truths that will empower them and change their lives.

 

Since 1997 Debra has been blessed with over 1

million books in print. She grins when she tells us she has a Ph.D from the school of hard knocks.

Her award winning writing, humour and biblical knowledge have made her a much sought-after conference speaker.

* If you are looking for that extra edge in your marriage, why not search out The Tie That Binds?

I confess I was curious to discover a book with this title as I have just written a historical romance novel with the same name, but though based on many true happenings it is fiction. Thanks for sharing such sanctified commonsense with us Debra. As my aunt would have called it...santifigumption!