Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Don’t Miss the Moment!

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Please welcome author Catherine West to Inspired by Life…and Fiction today!  This month, Cathy is celebrating the release of her first traditionally published novel.  Many of you may have already read her independently published books, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Hidden in the Heart, and Bridge of Faith.  Glad to have you here, Cathy! -Becky

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The release of a new book comes with anticipation, excitement, anxiety, joy and a host of other emotions that can quickly get out of control if you don’t keep things in perspective. I admit to being a bit of a worrier, always thinking too much, imagining the worst instead of the good. And I’m sure I’ve missed a lot of good things because I’ve been too busy worrying about other things that I have no control over.

But I’m learning. Life is too short.

With the recent release of The Things We Knew, my potential anxiety was thwarted by my amazing husband, who, about a month and a bit prior to the release date, informed me that he had planned a family trip to Nantucket (where the story takes place), and that I would be doing a book signing on release day! Well, that kind of surprise doesn’t leave much room for panic! Since everything was all arranged, I had little choice but to put away my nerves and simply enjoy this incredible gift.

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Credit: Sarah E Photography

How often do we miss moments of pure joy when we’re caught up in the business and worry of day-to-day living? I was reminded of this so many times last week, as my family and I enjoyed each other’s company and celebrated together in one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever visited.

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Cathy (on the far left) surrounded by her family. Credit: Sarah E Photography

How amazing it was for me to be able to walk the cobbled streets of the town I’d previously only been able to see through Google Maps . . . I can’t really describe the overwhelming moments, the beauty of the hydrangeas and roses, the peacefulness of white sails dotting blue waters . . . it was all as I had imagined. Better.

And for those few days, I simply drank it all in. I didn’t worry about book sales or my to-do list or the edits for my next book that were waiting for me . . . I purposefully lived in the moment of each day. That’s freedom. That’s the way I wish I could live every day. But I know – we get busy, we get overwhelmed . . . I’m already feeling it again. And that’s when I need to step back, take a breath, and remember to enjoy it all.

Because I don’t want to miss a thing.

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Gorgeous Nantucket. Credit: Sarah E Photography

*** If you’d like to see more photos from our amazing trip, check out my daughter’s blog HERE.  It’s nice to have a photographer in the family! ***

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INSPY Award-winning author Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors. She and her husband have two grown children. Catherine’s novel, Bridge of Faith, won the 2015 Grace Award. Her new novel, The Things We Knew, released July 12th, 2016, through Harper Collins Christian Publishing.

Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com

Catherine’s Website | Facebook | Twitter

GoodReads | Pinterest |Google +

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Cathy'sPrizePackThe above giveaway has now closed.  Congratulations to ‘Caroline says’!  You’re the winner of the above prize pack.  Many, many thanks to those of you who left a comment for Cathy!  -Becky

Have you had a ‘don’t miss it’ moment lately?

 

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Becky Wade

Author at Bethany House
Becky makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children. She absolutely loves writing funny, heartwarming, and inspirational contemporary Christian romance.
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Comments

  3. yes,getting to see my grandkids have fun at the local splash pad,,i just sit and smiled the whole time

  5. Can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for a chance to win. Great giveaway!Good luck with the book launch.

  8. Congrats on your new book debut! This story seems interesting and since I’ve never been to Nantucket, I’ll have to read all about it in your new book.

  11. There are thousands of don’t miss it moments. But the one I have had most recently was when my family was altogether.A few of my siblings live away so it isn’t often when we all get together. So yeah, my don’t miss it memory was when we were altogether.;)

  12. Cathy, your husband is a sweetheart! What a special gift, not just the signing, but a family trip to spend time with each other! Thanks for sharing your trip with us through this giveaway!

  14. This book looks so interesting! I hope to read it soon whether or not I win. Thanks for the opportunity!

  16. Fun ‘meeting’ you! It is hard to live in the moment. Since I live far from my precious mom when I an able to visit her I try to enjoy each moment. We have the best times. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  17. I’ve never been to the NE part of the states but hope to go someday!Thanks for sharing a little of your trip.

  18. My husband and I went to Cape Cod and visited Nantucket for our 20th anniversary, 19 years ago. It remains one of our favorite trips. I would love to go back. I am looking forward to reading your book.

  19. I’d love to visit Nantucket. I made my first trip to the New England states last fall but there wasn’t time for Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard!

  20. What a sweet husband! It sounds like he knew just what to do to ease your anxiety and make your book release day special! Good man. 😉

  21. What a wonderful trip you were able to enjoy with family & make beautiful memories! Anxious to read your book & thanks for the chance to win the Nantucket Prize Pack!

  22. My husband and I are expecting our first child and the other day I thought I don’t want time to get away from us and not enjoy each day,so I don’t want to miss any moment! Thanks for the give away.

  23. What a neat trip your husband plans for you !

    I tend to worry too, thanks for the reminder to live in the moment .

  24. That was sweet of your husband to plan that for you. It looks like you had a wonderful time. Your book looks like one I would love to read. Thank you for the chance to win these prizes.

  25. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! I’d love to go to Nantucket someday… 🙂
    And I love the book cover! It’s so pretty! Sounds like a great read!

  26. Your trip sounds great and congratulations to your husband for being so thoughtful! Would love to win this prize and thank you for the chance.

  27. I’ve never read your books, but I’m definitely adding this one to my must-read. Thank you! (And having a rising first-grader and a rising second-grader, I think every moment of summer is to be cherished . . . summer goes by toooooo quickly!)

  29. I think we deny ourselves finding joy in just the everyday simple things in life by allowing our schedules to become to full.I know I get stressed out about the dumbest things sometimes.Life is to short.I am reminding myself to enjoy every day and be thankful for my family,pets and blessings.Looking forward to reading your new book.

  32. I would Love to win this prize/giveaway!
    I am always on the lookout for a new author to follow/to read.
    That was a wonderful thing that your husband did for you – the trip to Nantucket (& setting up the book signing)!
    Thank you.

  34. Wow! That sounds like it was a great trip! I’m always so excited to find new authors! So, thanks for the chance to win! And congrats on the new book release! 😁

  36. Yeah! A new author to fill my bookshelves! Congratulations on the new book- it definitely sounds like a great read! The trip to Nantucket looked like loads of fun! Thanks for the opportunity to win! Blessings on your future works!

  37. Hi! The photos from your trip are amazing!! Looks like a fabulous place for a book setting. Thanks for the chance to win your new book!

  38. I don’t have children of my own, so I have always spoiled my sister’s children. Now that the first two are 20 and 15, I miss our times together when they were still kids. I try to cherish every moment with the seven and four year old because I know these days will not last forever, and all too soon, they will be teenagers and heading to adulthood.
    Thank you for the opportunity to enter the contest.

  40. Great photos! What a great suprise from your hubby! I love Bridge of Faith. I look forward to reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win and have a great week!

  41. I couldn’t think of a “don’t miss it” moment, but my 11 year old son reminded me of this. We recently went to a local amusement park which is owned and run by an Italian family. After my Italian husband spoke with one of the owners for a while, the owner went to the office and brought back three free all day passes for us!
    Thanks so much for the chance to win this amazing prize 🙂

  42. I am always looking for new(to me) and good Christian authors and if Becky recommends you, you must be amazing! It would be an honor and joy to win!

  43. What a thoughtful husband! The pictures are awesome. I’d love to take a trip to Nantucket sometime. Thanks for sharing your experience and for the fun giveaway.

  44. Congrats on your first traditionally published book! Looking forward to reading your books.

  45. Yes, we just returned from a trip to Bar Harbor – one of our favorite places to go.

    Thanks for a wonderful giveaway – so exciting!

  46. I had not heard of you before, but I would love to win your book! I clicked over to read the description on Amazon and it looks good!

  48. I grew up in Florida near beaches and lakes, so any book with a water theme attracts me!

  49. I love finding new authors! What a wonderful gift pack! A great way to spend a relaxing weekend….good book, relaxing tea, and yummy cookies! Nantucket looks like a relaxing spot for a much needed vacation getaway! I hope to visit there one day!

  50. I enjoyed reading this blog, especially when you say ” I simply drank it all in. I didn’t worry about”…”to-do list”. ” I purposefully lived in the moment of each day. That’s freedom. That’s the way I wish I could live every day. But I know – we get busy, we get overwhelmed . . . I’m already feeling it again. And that’s when I need to step back, take a breath, and remember to enjoy it all.”
    It seems that to-do list seems to grow each day, and I am retired, hahaha. I have learned that it is the small stuff that make us the most joyful.
    Congratulations on your new book.

  51. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading about your trip as well as looking at the beautiful photos. I am having many “don’t miss” moments this summer as I am taking care of my 8-month-old granddaughter, Emma (my first grandchild!) and she is just getting to the stage of trying to walk and talk. I feel so fortunate that I get to be a big part of her summer and not miss out on some of her firsts!

  53. My “don’t miss them” moments lately have been to step out of my comfort zone and encourage others, which really turns around and encourages me! Amazing how God works!

  54. I’ve never read any of your books; however they do look good. Would love to win and read one of your books. Will be glad to leave reviews on Amazon, Good Reads, Deeper Shopping, B&N & Christian Fiction. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your contest.

  55. I have not read any of your books, but plan to correct that! I had this one on my wish list and would love to win it here! Thanks!

  56. This book looks like a wonderful read. Thank you for the opportunity.

  57. I think at times we all worry more than we should about things we have no control over. Your new book sounds very interesting. Would live to read it . Thanks for the giveaway.

  58. Nantucket looks like a beautiful place! Can’t wait to read your new book!

  59. The Nantucket location of the book sounds so idyllic. Perfect for summer reading! I am sure that living in Bermuda will inspire lots of great stories to come too! Sounds like the perfect place to write!

  61. The Things We Knew sounds like a book I’d really enjoy reading. Nantucket looks really beautiful. I’ve never visited a seaside village but books and photos make it seem very appealing.

  62. I need to learn this lesson about living in the moment. I can worry myself to death every which way possible. Then when things turn out right, I can’t enjoy it. I’m glad other people share their issues. Thank you. Be thankful in all things. Thanks for sharing with the giveaway.

  65. Enjoyed this post! I would love to win! I added The Things We Knew to my goodreads list.

  67. Love all these wonderful comments! Thank you all! Just about to get on a plane for Canada but wanted to make sure you all knew I was seeing them! 🙂

  68. Catherine, I recently subscribed to “inspiredbylifeandfiction.com.” I am looking for authors who write books I like to read. Today I read your post. It would be nice to win one of your books. I am looking forward to learning more about your writing. Have a good day! Jamey

  69. i have lived on the Cape my whole life and only just went last year to Nantucket for the first time. It is so pretty.

  71. I was on the way out to pick blueberries the other morning and looked out at the sunflower field. The sun was hitting the flowers at just the right angle and glinted off the golden petals. It was an ahh moment. I just stood a moment and took in the view.

  72. Yes, I have. Those moments usually have to do with my nieces and nephew. I react to bad behavior instead of showing them calmly why they need to do to something the right way. For instance, I became upset with the children because they went in the cupboard and opened the jar of mayo. I had a jar that was just opened recently in the fridge. I said something nasty to them instead of explaining to them why they should always look in the fridge first. I missed an opportunity to teach them and mad them feel upset cause I was upset.

  73. It looks like you had a beautiful trip. I’m usually the one with the camera in my family. Now, as an I’m getting older, I’m regretting not getting in any of the pictures. I’ve never been to the Northeast, it sounds very nice.

  74. I’m looking forward to reading this–I’m adding it to my Book Request list for when my County Bookmobile comes to my town! (the list is now over 3 pages in a Word document–so many books, so little time!)

  76. So glad you had a wonderful trip! It sounds like fun! Can’t wait to read your books!Thanks for this chance to win a giveaway!

  77. Always happy to find new authors. We all have those moments if we look back once in a while. Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for this opportunity.

  78. The pictures are so beautiful. I have always wanted to visit there. It looks like you and your family had a really good time. I’d love to be the lucky winner so I can enjoy your book.

  79. I would love to visit some of these places I read about but reading a great book about the places is pretty neat too. I would love to win this book, I’m trying every place I see that they are giving it away. Thanks for the contest!

  80. Cathy, your husband is a keeper! What an amazing trip! These photos are wonderful! So many precious memories to enjoy.

    Congratulation on your release of The Things We Knew. I can’t wait to read it! 🙂

  83. The Things We Knew sounds like a wonderful book to read. Thank you for this chance. Keep up the wonderful writing.

  84. I can not wait to buy a copy of the book! It looks and sounds fantastic :)! Thanks for the chance to win such a fab giveaway.

  85. This book sounds great! I’ve always wanted to visit Nantucket – it looks lovely in the summer.

  87. Tea, Cookies, and a Book, be still my heart!
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.

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