Writing is really who I am. It’s an extension of myself almost like my arms and legs. And the ability to see scenes in my head, hear characters in my ears, and then translate their stories to text is probably my favorite thing about writing. My heart’s desire is for the characters, the scenes, the situations to truly come to life for the reader.

I had absolutely no clue when I wrote The Choices She Made and began pitching it to agents and publishers what would now be going in the U.S. with Roe v. Wade. All I knew is I wanted to tell one girl’s story about what she chose to do when faced with a life-changing trauma and result that no girl or woman should have to face.

This book was never intended to be a political statement. It was only meant to show how a character can lean into her faith and make decisions based upon biblical principles rather than secular ideals.

On the one hand, my goal for The Choices She Made is to entertain, to be an escape, but my hope is that it will impact lives and lead to compassion and empathy as well as healing. I also want readers to come away with the truth that God can bring good out of any situation, no matter how bad. But that we have to trust him, trust his plan, and allow him to work in our lives.

Release date: 10/18/22

Pre-Order at: https://www.endgamepress.com/store/p/the-choices-she-made or at your favorite bookseller

Author bio:

Felicia Ferguson is an award-winning freelance writer who holds master’s degrees in healthcare administration and speech-language pathology. A features writer for the national luxury lifestyle magazine, VIE, she was also the assistant publisher and lead writer for three N2 Publishing magazine products.

She joins End Game Press with her book The Choices She Made which follows the story of a rape survivor who now must confront that terrifying day to make sure her rapist doesn’t hurt anyone again.

Felicia spent her childhood on a horse and cattle farm. In high school, she had classmates who became teenage mothers. Her school was the first in the county to install a daycare for teen mothers to allow them the opportunity to continue their education and graduate. This all plays into her writing and reflects the truths of the world.

Word Weavers Chapter: Destin, Florida (current chapter president)

Many of us learned to order groceries online during the pandemic. You know how it works. First you make a list of what you want. Then you hit SUBMIT, sit back, and wait for your order to arrive.

Some days you open the box and find exactly what you ordered. Other days you get something similar. Every now and then, you get an item that bears no resemblance whatsoever to what you asked for. You order bananas and get Brussels sprouts.

For twenty years, my prayer life was a lot like online grocery shopping—frustrating and ineffective. I had so many questions. If God is in control, why bother praying? Is every promise in the Bible meant for me? How can I know God’s speaking to me? How much faith do I need for God to answer my prayers?

I went on a hunt to learn everything I could. I quickly discovered prayer wasn’t the monologue I thought it was. Instead, it’s a dynamic, faith-building two-way conversation with the God who created and loves us. Prayer is so much more than handing over my wish list and waiting for a delivery.

As my passion for prayer grew, I began leading seminars to help other women discover the joy and delight of talking with God. Many believers, I discovered, were as frustrated and confused as I’d been. I didn’t know everything, but I could be, as C.S. Lewis said, “one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread.”

After I wrote Refresh Your Faith, Our Daily Bread Publishing offered me the opportunity to write a companion volume. I chose Refresh Your Prayers. The book was the culmination of a 20-year journey, and one I couldn’t wait to share.

Instead of an instruction manual, Refresh Your Prayers is a collection of high-impact faith stories based on uncommon verses on prayer. I wanted the book to be both practical and dynamic, so I added an Uncommon Power Point, a Praise Prompt, and a Live It Out component.

My prayer is that those who feel stagnant in their prayer life will feel refreshed, and those who feel frustrated or disappointed will find new joy and understanding as they talk with God.

Lori Hatcher is an author, blogger, pastor’s wife, women’s ministry speaker, and proud member of two Word Weavers chapters, Lexington and Page 33. Her latest book, Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise, released this spring. Lori’s articles and devotions have appeared in numerous print and online publications including Our Daily Bread, Guideposts, Revive Our Hearts, and Crosswalk.com. A contest-winning Toastmasters International speaker (ACG, ALB), Lori uses high-impact stories to impart transformational truth. Find out more about Lori and her well-loved 5-minute devotions at LoriHatcher.com.

Blood poured between the tires of the semi-truck as I approached the alley where the accident occurred. The truck driver made a horrible mistake when he tried to inspect his tires without securing the emergency brake. Now, he was dead.

I had joined the police chaplaincy soon after my divorce. I figured helping others in need would help get my mind off my own troubles. Boy was I right! Every week in central Florida, I dealt with traffic accidents, shootings, robberies, home invasions, rape, suicide, or murder. Sometimes I prayed for and comforted a citizen. Other times I counseled cops, because they were victims too.

The police officers with whom I rode suffered from cynicism, fear, anger, depression, addictions, and more. Dealing with the lowest of humanity every day took its toll. I tried to instill hope and peace by initiating spiritual conversations. Sometimes it helped, other times, not.

A year later, I, too, became a law enforcement officer. I experienced firsthand the difficulties of the occupation. Eventually I remarried, left that career and went into full-time ministry. But my heart for law enforcement personnel stayed with me.

That was 20 years ago and not much has changed for first responders. If anything, the job is more difficult. Cops, corrections officers, dispatchers, fire fighters, parole officers, EMS personnel and others face a society that doesn’t see them as valuable and often assumes corruption.

Today a small portion of my ministry includes cops. As a volunteer for the Colorado Springs Police Department, the Lord uses me to bring the hope of Christ to officers. I see how they daily look for peace and answers that only God can bring. It can be difficult for them to balance their physical, emotional, and spiritual health, along with their social and family life. As they focus on their responsibility to protect the public, it’s easy to forget the bigger purpose God has for them.

Last week I was having coffee with Shawn, a young detective who confided in me a disturbing mindset.

“Tez, the Bible says thou shalt not lie, right?”

“Yes.” I responded, not knowing where he was going with this.

“I can’t be a Christian in this line of work. I have to lie every day to criminals in order to get the truth out of them. Not to mention, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’”

We continued the discussion as I tried to explain his misunderstanding of these commandments.

That’s why I wrote my latest book, Debriefing: Meditations of Hope for Those Who Protect and Serve. I saw the need for a devotional that could draw in first responders—something they could relate to.

I used twenty real-life stories from their various occupations and used those to point readers to the Lord. Each chapter ends with interactive elements called Dispatch (scriptures), Investigate (self-reflection), and Debrief (a prayer).

The stressful position of first responders is scary, unpredictable, and infuriating—I remember. They need something to help refresh and refocus their minds when the world expects them to be thick-skinned and independent. Similar to what The Single Dad Detour was for divorced fathers, I’m hoping this new gift book (available now for pre-order on Amazon) will be an encouragement to first responders everywhere.

A chaplain and previous law enforcement officer, Tez Brooks has a heart for anyone working in the first responder community. He was formerly a mentor for Word Weavers and led three other online groups before raising up new leaders so he could start more groups. Currently, he is the President for Word Weavers Pikes Peak chapter and Page 41.

As a multiple award-winning author, filmmaker, and international speaker, his work appears in Guideposts, The Upper Room, CBN.com, Clubhouse, Focus on the Family, and more. His editorials are featured regularly on Jesusfilm.org and seen by over 30k readers each month. 

In 2020 Tez’s book, The Single Dad Detour (Kregel) won Book of the Decade with Serious Writer Academy. He and his wife serve as independent full-time missionaries. They have four children and live in Colorado Springs. You can learn more at TezBrooks.com