So grateful for my dad
You might remember that I was in Atlanta with my dad when I posted a month ago, and I’m back here again. I’ve been with Dad and Esta for about week now, staying with them as Dad’s been struggling with continuing nausea and sickness following a stroke and subsequent gallbladder surgery.
Dad had an upper GI last Thursday, and the doctor called us Friday saying the results were in but that she preferred to share them with us in person at our appointment originally scheduled for today. Admittedly, news like that makes your heart skip a tiny beat. But we were able to get an office visit yesterday and I’m so grateful.
Waiting is so hard, isn’t it? Especially when someone you love is hurting.
What we learned is that there’s a stricture in his esophagus. It’s serious, but fixable, with a slight increased risk of another stroke since a patient has to go off of blood thinners for surgery. But the risk of not fixing the stricture is far greater (he’s lost 15 lbs in the past three weeks due to inability to eat or keep food down), so the procedure will take place next week, providing all pre-op tests go well.
I’m so grateful to know what’s going on and to have a plan of attack. And am equally grateful for your prayers. Y’all are the best!
On a writing note, I recently shared the cover of my next book on my Facebook Page and want to share it here too. I really appreciate Harper Collins Christian Publishing for taking my vision for To Win Her Favor, the second standalone Belle Meade Plantation novel, and bringing it to life! They captured Maggie and her gorgeous thoroughbred Bourbon Belle so perfectly. I really love the painterly effect they used, too. What do you think?
To Win Her Favor is the second standalone novel in the Belle Meade Plantation series
To Whisper Her Name is the first
About To Win Her Favor:
A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse be a champion. But the one man who can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good.
An Irishborn son far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and start a farm. Yet starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he doesn’t dare accept. Yet, cannot possibly refuse.
Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the annual Peyton Stakes at Nashville’s racetrack—the richest race run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance, and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder, Maggie’s father—aging, yet wily as ever—makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail—Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.
Cullen and Maggie need each other in order to achieve their dreams. But their stubborn, wounded hearts—and the escalating violence from a “secret society” responsible for lynchings and midnight raids—may prove too much for even two such determined souls.
Jack and I are headed back to Nashville today…
I’m looking forward to the drive, and the time to pray for Dad. Do you enjoy driving by yourself? If you were traveling with me today, would you choose an iced caramel latte (like me at the moment) or a slushy cold Diet DP? And more importantly, is there something you’re waiting to receive an answer to in your life? If so, please share. I’d be honored to pray for you in return.
Much love and wish you were in the car with me,
Tammy
Yesterday, a reader alerted me to these two e-books currently being on sale at Amazon. It must be a sale Amazon is running alone, so who knows when it will end. But the e-books are discounted for now!
Tamera blogs every first and third Tuesday at Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction, a group blog she shares with a wonderful community of authors. If you'd like to join the conversation on this post, Tamera would love to see you there!