GIVEAWAY: Fallen Beauty Queen - Merciful God

I'm honored to host my aunt Beverly Turner whose debut memoir, FALLEN BEAUTY QUEEN, MERCIFUL GOD, just released. This is a book that offers needed strength for those who feel hopeless and trapped in sin.

Fallen Beauty Queen, Merciful God unravels the secrets of the past, the struggles to stay married, and the changes in the hearts and lives of the whole family.

Many people feel they have gone too far to be forgiven. This story of redemption reveals the depths of Jesus’ unending love and His pursuit of one who wandered away.

Review from an Amazon Customer:

Wow! What a powerful life-changing story. Two brave souls willing to tell about their most intimate struggles. It’s truly a miracle that they did not end in divorce. Only God could heal their broken lives and restore the whole family. If you’ve ever been molested, experienced tragedy, feeling alone, unloved, rocky marriage, money troubles, family secrets, or struggle with breaking free from giving into temptation and addictions, this book is for you! No matter what you are going through, Fallen Beauty Queen, Merciful God will give you insight in turning lives around. If you feel you have sinned too much to be forgiven, there is always hope. With God, nothing is impossible!

Beverly was born in California three years after World War II ended. Economy was booming and people were influenced by greater opportunity for higher paying jobs, new homes, vacations and entertainment. Singers and movies stars lured Americans into a fantasy world.

Adored and pampered by family, Beverly often received praise for her beauty, even by strangers which eventually led to a distorted need for approval, acceptance, and a hunger for love that the world cannot give. Saved as a child, molested, and later raped, she came into marriage a broken woman hiding those secrets deep inside. Seven years of rocky marriage and three children later, she entered and won a beauty pageant for the world’s largest flying association, known as the Experimental Aircraft Association and fell hopelessly into sin. The fame tantalized every pore of her being, filling her with pride. Deception became her way of life, and hopelessness flooded her soul, leaving her to believe she had sin too great to be forgiven. The Lord knew the cry of her heart and what it would take to set her free. In Beverly’s deepest valley came God’s beautiful story of redemption. Not only did her life and marriage change, but that of her entire family, each serving in ministry today.

Beverly has been married forty-eight years, is the mother of four, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of one. She owned and operated a sign shop for twenty-eight years and retired in 2011. She is treasurer of the non-profit organization - Uzima Outreach and serves on their board. Her hobby is acrylic painting. She has a passion to encourage women to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind.

Beverly had two stories printed in the Good News Northwest, an article in The Spokesman-Review, and a short story in Guidepost’s Angles on Earth.

Please leave a comment below after the interview, and you'll be entered to win a free signed copy of FALLEN BEAUTY QUEEN, MERCIFUL GOD. This giveaway only applies to those within the United States. 

What motivated you to write this book?

After sharing my story with a ladies group, several of the women made the comment, “You need to write a book. It would help so many people.”

What do you want people to take away from your story?

Hope!

How has writing this book changed your life?

Healing for me and closer relationships with others.

You talk about ‘keeping secrets.’ How did this impact your life?

It put a wall between me and others.

Which is harder, keeping shameful secrets or bringing them out into the light?  Why?

Keeping the secrets, because walking in truth has set me free.

Can you describe what it felt like when you hit the bottom?

Desperate and hopeless.

You state that Jesus called you back to Him in a very vivid manner.  If someone is at the bottom, should they expect a similar experience?

Yes, He did. He will always be willing to receive us when we call on Him, but He uses different ways to reveal His calling on our hearts.

Do you think that it can just be too late for some people?  If there is hope, what should a person do?

I felt that way for a long time, but I believed a lie from the pit. Hope is found in Jesus.

Describe what it felt like when you knew Jesus had forgiven you.

Like the weight of the world was taken off my shoulders. I felt joy and peace.

What has been the impact of making public your story?  In your marriage, your family, your church and amongst your friends?

Healing in my marriage, the family has become very close, and our church and friends we have been able to minister to hurting people.

What advice would you give families who have daughters affected by the kind of trauma you experienced? 

Most kids keep the secret when abused, and it is very hard to have them break their silence. They need to know, no matter what, you will always love them, and find godly counsel.

You describe how wonderful it is that all of your children and their children are serving the Lord.  Can you explain how that is possible after all your family went through?

The mercy of God,.

Answer this one summary sentence: Today what do you think of Jesus?

He is my Redeemer, Savior, Counselor, Teacher, my Friend, Healer, Provider, Deliverer, my Song in the Night, He is Faithful and Kind, a Lamp unto my feet, my Strong Tower, The Way, The Truth and Life, my Shepherd, Promise Giver and Keeper, the Lover of my Soul, and He even engraved my name into His hand.

Thank you, Aunt Bev, for joining us today. It was a pleasure to have you on my blog.

Here's where you can purchase Fallen Beauty Queen, Merciful God: 

PRINT VERSION

EBOOK

To those who would like to win a free, signed copy of Fallen Beauty Queen, Merciful God, please leave a comment below with your email address (like this, sandirog at gmail dot com), so I can contact the winner. 

Blessings!

Sandi