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| www.paws4prayer.com |
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About Me:What can I say? I'm a "Jersey Girl" at heart, born and raised in a small town that's halfway between the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike. I've been writing poetry since I was seven (not the-cat-in-the-hat variety but apparently some pretty dark stuff that my mother desperately hoped I'd grow out of – happily, I did); love songs for the piano and guitar since I was twelve, and short stories since my professors at the University of Miami insisted we learn how to write micro-fiction as well as the sweeping sagas we all thought we were ready to write (and clearly weren't).About My Writing:I married my college sweetheart at 24 and wrote my first novel, a historical romance, at the age of 26 on a first-generation word processor that I thought was better than chocolate covered pretzels and uninterrupted sleep (which became a distant memory with the birth of our first and only daughter). Several years later, I wrote a Christian historical romance titled The Legacy of Ruby Sanchez, which won second place in the 2006 Genesis Contest sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers and is soon to be published. I also continued to write short stories, one of which, The Perfect Pup, took first place in the American Kennel Club's annual (2006) Short Story Contest (my college professors would be proud!). In March 2008, after spending a few years on the road in street outreach and in local soup kitchens ministering to homeless and working poor people, I finished writing Saints in the City. True to its name, it's a mystical love story that bridges heaven and earth and is my witness to the biblical precept: do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it. If you're wondering if this book is for you, you can download and read the first chapter here.About my Faith Journey:I was raised a Catholic, fell away from my faith, and returned to it as my daughter prepared to receive her first Holy Communion. My amazing husband, raised in the Jewish faith, followed in our footsteps and we became a family united in Christ's love. My "re-version" experience has been profound, and in its lovely wake, my greatest desire is to write for God's glory. It is an impossible goal, for God needs nothing from me to be glorified, yet I pray that He takes pleasure in my work which I undertake in a spirit of loving obedience and deep joy. I feel blessed to be able to write for Him -- and for you, dear readers, who give writers the gift of your time, open minds, and tender hearts.
When I'm not at my desk writing, you'll find me one of three places: in the backyard playing with my dogs (an English Setter and a Cav. King Charles Spaniel), assisting homeless people and advocating for their compassionate care, or dancing around the living room to my daughter's soulful music (check it out at www.jillianvalentine.com). It's a small life -- but a wonderful one. :)Oh, and if you're a fellow dog lover, please stroll on over to my "other" website where I've written a series of faith-based meditations on our relationship to our animal companions and our call to love and care for all of God's creatures: www.paws4prayer.com.Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. I hope you'll take a moment to leave a comment or dash an email and introduce yourself – I'd love to get to know you better!
Peace & blessings ~ Andie
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