I am pleased to feature a new book by fellow Scrivenings Press author, Kimberly Banet on my blog today. Although this is a fictional story, the topic is so important. Many children and teens are forced into a sad living situation by the difficulties their parents face.
Today, on my blog, the main character of this book shares the story that will touch your heart.
Read all the way to the end for more about this author, and a chance to win your own paperback copy of “Just Another Home”.
Today, on the blog, our guest is Abbie Grayson.
Jenny: Thanks so much for stopping by today. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Abbie: Thanks so much for having me, Jenny. Well, I’m 56 years old, have been married to the love of my life, John, for over three decades, and we have two grown children, Kyle and Hannah. I have a great part-time job at Franklin Community Church here in our beautiful town of Franklin, Tennessee.
Jenny: Sounds like a wonderful life. So what’s new? Anything exciting happening?
Abbie: Funny you should ask that question. John and I recently opened up our home to foster care, and we just received our first placement last month. His name is Sam, he’s sixteen, and it’s been both exciting and challenging.
Jenny: Who’s the person in your life that is providing the most surprises?
Abbie: Oh my, no question about it, my husband John. You see, at first he didn’t want to foster at all, but he gradually warmed up to the idea as long as we only accepted little kids, no teens. But our first call was about a teen who needed emergency placement in the middle of the night, so what was I supposed to do? John wasn’t very happy about it, but he’s since warmed up to Sam. It was actually John’s idea to let Sam stay when our social worker had trouble finding a longer-term placement for him. It’s been a month now and it has warmed my heart to see John interact with him.
Jenny: That’s a happy surprise for sure. What is the biggest challenge for you right now?
Abbie: That’s a tough question because I feel there are several challenges right now. I guess the biggest one is not knowing what all he’s been through, what kind of trauma he’s faced. We get glimpses of sadness and anger, but without knowing where those are coming from, it’s hard to know how to help him. The other big challenge is not knowing when he’ll be moved again. He could be sent back to his biological father at any time or sent to another foster home. We just never know, and that’s hard. John and I pray a lot.
Jenny: Praying is always the best strategy. This next part is just for fun. Tell us about your favorites:
Food: Anything John cooks on the grill! We love eating outside on our deck this time of year surrounded by all the blooming trees and flowers. Sam likes it too, so that’s a plus.
Quote or Scripture: Roman’s 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Sound: The sound of a child in the house. I honestly hadn’t realized how much I missed it until Sam came. The sounds of music, conversations, I love it all.
View: Beach and mountain views are my favorite getaways, but my favorite view here at home is from our back deck: spacious green fields, trees, and even a horse farm. There’s truly no place like Franklin.
Jenny: Abbie, it’s been a pleasure to talk to you today. I agree that the best views are from home. So, do you have any parting words for our readers today?
Abbie: Thank you all for reading this and thank you, Jenny. This was fun!
Note to readers: Now, meet the author of this wonderful book. Don’t forget to answer this question in the comments- “What award or recognition are you most proud of in your life?” You will be in the drawing to win a paperback copy of Just Another Home.
Kimberly Banet stepped out of the corporate world and into the world of writing in 2020 and has never looked back. Her passion is to write faith-based and hope-filled stories that deal with worldly issues through the lens of God’s grace and mercy.
Her favorite things to do when not writing are spending time with her family, friends, and dogs, reading, crafting, drinking coffee, and watching Hallmark movies.
Kimberly resides in beautiful southern Indiana with her husband of nearly 36 years, Jeff. Together they raised two children Nicole and Brandon, and they have two spoiled dogs, Daisy and Winnie.
Here’s more about this great new book:
Sixteen-year-old Sam Keller has lived in foster homes and group homes most of his life and has long ago given up on the dream of a stable, forever family. Adults have always let him down and so has God, and he has no use for either.
John and Abbie Grayson are a respected, successful couple in their fifties with two grown children. They live in their dream home in Franklin, TN, an idyllic suburb of Nashville, where John is a successful college basketball coach, and Abbie works part-time at their local church. But Abbie feels something is missing from her life and convinces John they should become foster parents.
Their worlds collide when Sam is placed in the Grayson home for a few days. Days turn into months, and Sam thrives with the Graysons and allows himself to dream of a forever family, while John and Abbie realize the teen has found his way into their hearts.
As the Graysons begin to investigate the possibility of adopting Sam, an evil agenda emerges, and a secret past is revealed. Nothing short of a miracle can save Sam from a harrowing ordeal and keep the Grayson family together.
Remember that question about awards and recognition? Here’s the badge that Kim Banet proudly displays. It’s not easy to be a finalist in ACFW’s Genesis contest.
Don’t forget to tell us about your proudest accomplishment or recognition. Here are the links you can follow to stay in touch with Kim and her writing:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyBanet.Author
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimbanetauthor2023/
Twitter https://twitter.com/kimbanet_author
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49394730.Kimberly_Banet
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