Never, never give up! I am living my dream-come-true in my Destiny saga! Swept into Destiny was published in May 2017, and this is Destiny’s Whirlwind debut! Destiny of Heart is scheduled for late 2018, with Waltz with Destiny for spring of 2019.

Looking back, I can see the hand of God orchestrating the events leading up to this Destiny saga, and the people who helped make my dream come true.

I grew up with free technical apparatuses: black and white television set, no computers, no internet, and, would you believe—no cell phones. If I wanted three dimensional characters, I read a book. The rhyming sonnet of words and flowing musical notes of the written language captivated me, but I never dreamt I’d become a writer!

I entered the job force after high school and went to night-school for college, focusing on business. I acquired a secretarial position and worked my way up the corporate ladder to purchasing director. Meanwhile, I wrote stories. I was an avid Jesus follower. I never missed Billy Graham on television.

I married a wonderful man. Then three years later, became pregnant. While reading Decision Magazine one day, I noted a writing competition. I entered and won a trip to the Billy Graham headquarters, which was then in Minneapolis, MN., for the Billy Graham School for Christian Writers. My daughter was born four months later. I left my job to be a stay-at-home mom, planning to write the great American novel!

Then my grandmother came to live with us. Gran had severe rheumatoid arthritis. Later, she had a stroke, shingles, an amputation, and another stroke. My writing took a detour into the inner recesses of my file cabinet. Baby bottles, diapers, special care for Gran, and doctor visits took over.

Little did I know I was now enrolled in God’s School of Christian Learning. From those twelve years Gran lived with my family, the inspiration of this Destiny saga evolved, and the idea of writing a faith-based epic historical romance formed.

Beginning in the Antebellum Era this four book saga transports readers into the Civil War, Gibson Era, Spanish-American War, World War I, Great Depression, the Big Band Era, and through World War II.

My books did not arrive without conflict. I would often pray, arguing with God! I wanted my characters to be the perfect individuals like I wanted in myself, my husband, and my children. God let me know—that was not His plan.

Take courage! We serve an awesome God who carries my imperfect characters through their mishaps into a heart-wrenching climax!

What has been the outcome so far for Destiny’s Whirlwind?

Some of my readers have bought more than one book. One reader, when purchasing Destiny’s Whirlwind told me that her teenage son is reading Swept into Destiny for his history and literature class. She asked me if my publisher would consider making two different covers. Her teenager wanted to take it with him to class,but didn’t want to carry around a book that had a girl on the cover.

My readers are as diverse as my characters. And come back each time for my next book, like my Amish friend.

I am blessed by my publisher, Tamara Clymer; editor, Debra L. Butterfield; and agent, Cyle Young who have stood by me in this adventure to do God’s will. Yes, my characters are flawed, some more than others. I obeyed God and by writing of my characters’ constant failures, I witnessed—the love of an unfailing God!

  Destiny’s Whirlwind, Book 2: Bound by her words… Collina McConnell promises her dying father to uphold the legacy of their Kentucky estate. Rough Rider Franklin Long offers his help. War is declared and he leaves for Cuba. He holds the key to her heart, but will he return? As Collina fights to keep her promise to her father, the words of Esther 8:6 ring in her thoughts. “How can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people?” https://www.amazon.com/Destinys-Whirlwind-Destiny-Book-2-ebook/dp/B07C6NSCSZ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524488271&sr=8-2&keywords=catherine+ulrich+brakefield

Swept into Destiny Book 1: One brave decision leads to serious consequences. Maggie Gatlan is secretly educating the slaves at Spirit Wind Manor when she meets Ben McConnell, an Irish immigrant. Civil War erupts and Maggie must choose. Does she care more for Ben or for her beloved South? https://www.amazon.com/Swept-Destiny-Catherine-Ulrich-Brakefield-ebook/dp/B0719RRHXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524488327&sr=8-1&keywords=catherine+ulrich+brakefield

Wilted Dandelions The story begins in 1837. Rachael Rothburn is a high-spirited woman who feels she doesn’t need a husband. She wants to become a missionary and travel out west to share the salvation message with Native Americans. Jonathan Wheaton desires the same. They agree on a marriage of convenience and in the process of co-existing, they discover God doesn’t create coincidences—He designs possibilities. https://www.amazon.com/Wilted-Dandelions-Catherine-Ulrich-Brakefield-ebook/dp/B01349SZKA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1524488327&sr=8-4&keywords=catherine+ulrich+brakefield

Bio:

Catherine says, “My readers inspire my writing!”

Catherine is an award-winning author of faith-based historical romance Wilted Dandelions. Her new Destiny series begins with Swept into Destiny. The second of her four-book Destiny series Destiny’s Whirlwind has just been released.

She has written two pictorial history books: Images of America: The Lapeer Area, and Images of America: Eastern Lapeer County.

Her short stories have been published in Guidepost Books True Stories of Extraordinary Answers to Prayer,  Unexpected Answers and Desires of Your Heart; Baker Books, Revell, The Dog Next Door, Horse of my Heart, and Dogs/Rescue scheduled for October, 2018 publication; CrossRiver Media Publishers, The Benefit Package and Abba’s Promise; Bethany House Publishers, Jesus Talked to me Today.

She is a longtime Michigan resident; she enjoys horseback riding, swimming, traveling the byroads across America, and spoiling her two handsome grandsons and two beautiful granddaughters! She lives with her husband of 45 years and their Arabian horses in the picturesque hills of Addison Township.  Visit her at CatherineUlrichBrakefield.com; Facebook.com/CatherineUlrichBrakefield; and her blog; Hopes, Hearts and Hoofbeats.

www.CatherineUlrichBrakefield.com

Download a free bonus chapter from my publisher, CrossRiver Media.

Blog:  www.Hopes,HeartsandHoofbeats

Author Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/CatherineUlrichBrakefield

Twitter: www.cubrakefield.com

Linkedln:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-brakefield-4710b315/

I very much enjoy Catherine’s books and look forward to the next installment. 

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