INTRODUCTION
Melissa Wardwell debut "What God Brings Together wasn't written in a day. As many new authors start out, they find out they have to fix mistakes. She is not alone and this is not to make her look bad either. It is my privilege to review this book. She didn't gift me this book either. I borrowed it through KU (KIndle Unlimited) ad let me tell you, it is worth every cent of the royalty she will get. While this is her first book, she has a second one out and a third one she is working on. And yes, I'm bias because I designed her last two covers (and redesigned her first) but my review below is fair. Fair meaning, I will give her an honest review.

THE REVIEW  Five stars
Melissa has done a  fine job of portraying the emotions of  both her main characters. She shows the readers what each of hem are feeling and thinking and God brings out the reconciliation of each of them. She gives hope to anyone has ever experienced  hurt and resentment in a marriage. She makes you fall in love with their characters and puts you right into the story.

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog for authors.   Today I feature Melissa Wardwell, the author of What God Brings Together and her upcoming book Finding Hope in Savannah

 

1.     Tell us a little about yourself – 
I was born and raised in a small farming community in mid-Michigan. I married my high school sweet heart October of 1999 and have three children. Two boys, 13 & 12, and a little girl who is 9. After nine and a half years of working in bridal, I left the work force and became a stay at home mom six years ago. During that transition, we also made the choice to pull our boys from public school and teach them from home. I am active in my church and homeschool community. I enjoy reading, taking pictures, and motorcycle rides with my husband.

2.     When did you first realize you want to be an author? – 
Honestly, I never really wanted to be a writer. I enjoyed writing, but for private uses only. After a lunch date with a high school friend, whom I had not seen in ten years, she convinced me to just “Start writing” and see what develops. So August of 2014, I sat down and began writing my first novel

3.     Who is your favorite author (Indie or Traditional published author)? – Oh lordy, that is quite the list. I would have to say, at this moment, my favorite authors are Chautona Havig, Christina Corylle, T.I. Lowe and Becky Wade. These ladies write from the heart and keep it real.

4.     How long does it take you to write a book? – 
My first book, “What God Brings Together” only took 3months. Unfortunately it was rushed and it took 2 more months to fine tune it as I continued to find issues or readers found issues. It was a true test in humility. My second book, “Finding Hope in Savannah”, has clearly taken longer. It has taken me eight months to write that one.

5.     What do you like to do when you’re not writing? –
READ, READ, and READ some more. That’s what I like to do, but what I really do is brush my daughters hair, check school work, have play days with friends, spend time with my grandmother, clean house, spend time with my darling husband, and get groceries. Reading sounds better though.

6.     What does your family think of your writing? – 
My husband thinks it’s pretty amazing. He steps right up when I give the warning that I am “Going to work” and he keeps kids clear from me.  The rest of my family thinks it’s pretty great too. I have a ton of support and it amazes me. My kids are ready for me to take some time off and I promised them I would once “Finding Hope in Savannah” is released.

7.     When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grow up? – I wanted to be a number of things, like most kids. A singer, an actress, and then a teacher. Once I met my husband, though, it all changed. I then wanted to just become a mother and a wife. Considering I was in a couple of plays with our local theater group, I sang on the church worship team for 15+ yrs, I home school, and I am still married- I would say I have achieved my dreams. I guess it is time for some new ones. 

8.     What kind of books do you like to read? – 
Anything faith based or clean. Mystery & suspense, Romance, Historical, some Amish (only Beverly Lewis). I really like anything that deals with Mail Order Brides. I like the mystery of not knowing what you’re getting yourself into.

9.     What advice would you give to anyone who wants to publish a book? – Just write. Then be ready to learn, commit, and spend late hours. Read the blogs and learn from advice people give. I have an entire blog on my website (in the Blogger drop down) that touches on this. There is so much to consider. I was able to just sit down because my children are a little older. If my kids were little, I wouldn’t have even tried.

10.  If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? – 
I will be really honest, I don’t wish for anything. I take what comes and I follow God’s lead in my life. I don’t like some of the paths I have had to go down, but that is where I have learned my greatest lessons. There are things that would be nice, but it would require calling those who are dead and gone to come back here from heaven, and I wouldn’t wish that on any one. I guess I figure that if I don’t ask and wish for much, I won’t be too disappointed when it doesn’t happen. 
 
That's all. Be sure and check out her book at Amazon.com. On sale for pre order at .99 cents. Thank you, Melissa for the opporunity to get to know you. Check out her website at 
http://www.melissawardwell.com