Guest Blog: Ashley Thompson and His Liberating Flame *Free Life-Coaching Session to Chosen Commenter **Winner: Debra Pruss

Dear Readers, I hope you are all well. Isn't it wonderful how we get to meet all these authors? People who choose to write about the Lord and share. I hope you all are enjoying this process as much as I do, plus there's the super bonus of getting to know all of you as well. God bless!

Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you.

My name is Ashley Thompson. I am a best-selling author, certified life breakthrough coach, and certified New Testament Leader. I have been a Bible, English, History, Science, and dance teacher (specializing in liturgical worship dancing). I was born on the tropical island of Nassau, Bahamas, by the Atlantic Ocean, but I grew up in a picturesque Mediterranean beach town by the Pacific Ocean. To my heart, I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I reside on a forest mountain with an ocean view. Deer, otters, squirrels, seagulls, seals, whales, geese, butterflies, and many other welcome species dwell here in abundance. Every spring, the beach becomes vibrant with coastal flowers that can be seen from an airplane.

One of the first things people tend to compliment me on when they meet me is my smile. I’ve introduced myself to people many times and heard, “You have a beautiful smile.” I think the thing people notice is the amber shade of my eyes.

Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.

I’m so excited to release my first full-length romance novel, His Liberating Flame (Book 1: Escaping the Past)!

I fully believe that God writes the most beautiful love stories. As his children, we can trust him with the deepest places in our hearts. This book highlights the importance of putting God first and trusting in his good nature. When I was 16 years old, I gave my love life to Jesus. I waited for 7 years before I met my husband. God blessed beyond my prayer list through my husband, Stephen. I never dated any other man besides my husband. He is my 1st kiss. This August, we will celebrate 10 years together. We have two beautiful daughters and have seen the miraculous goodness of God. When I was engaged, God gave me the wedding dress of my dreams, absolutely free. The woman who sold us our wedding rings received the love of God as we prayed for her. My husband and I have traveled, spoken on the radio, started an in-home church, and witnessed the gracious hand of God in our lives many times. I am praying this book will encourage others to give their love life to God and to walk away from the corrupt version of “love” that has infiltrated our culture.

Back Cover-

Noble has been anything but what his name implies. As a popular male model since adolescence who's dated his fair share of influential women, he’s spent a decade living a financially lucrative and infamously party lifestyle. But the glamor of stardom has tarnished, and the taste of self-indulgence has soured in his stomach. The drugs and fame cannot appease the growing emptiness gnawing at his soul.

On the brink of imploding, he seeks respite from his cunning agent and intoxicating girlfriend. Noble takes a spontaneous trip to his conservative hometown, where he’s left behind an estranged relationship with his parents. There, on a cold, snowy night, he encounters a captivating light in a modest barista, Trisha, who breathes hope into his soul and helps him unravel the gilded cords that once ensnared him tightly.

Their fateful rendezvous is the catalyst that ushers him on a redemptive path. But Noble’s dark past pursues him ardently, and his former addictions begin to weaken his will.

Will the celestial light he experienced withstand the encroaching darkness that threatens to engulf him?

Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.

His Liberating Flame has stretched me as a writer more than any book I’ve written. The main character is a famous, rich, young man with addictions (my complete opposite). Writing from his perspective was challenging because I had to broaden my perspective and see the world through a different lens. This caused me to study the lives of famous musicians, movie stars, and influencers who gave their lives to Christ after living through extreme difficulty. I spent months researching and speaking with people in recovery groups to get an understanding of the challenges many people face in their pursuit of sobriety. Noble’s story is not a cozy or clean one. Writing from his view was difficult, but I’ve grown in my craft. I also have several people to thank for their input in enhancing this story.

Share an excerpt.

Excerpt from chapter 3:

Noble couldn’t take his eyes off the woman across the cafe. Everything about her seemed to glow. Her thick auburn hair with honey-gold highlights cascaded down in lush waves, reaching her tapered waist. Her lips were painted with cool lavender lipstick. Plum blush lightly colored her cheeks. The hue complemented her vibrant, sun-kissed skin. She read a recipe book, drank coffee, and ate pumpkin pie.

A deep purple scarf wrapped elegantly around her neck, striking against her white, flowery blouse and brown fur-trimmed jacket.

He was surprised to find that instead of pants, she had on a pleated, white skirt. He guessed she must have leg warmers or thermals underneath. Knee-high, amber-colored boots snuggled her feet and lower legs.

Her eyes intently scanned the pages of her book. On her left ring finger was a golden band inlaid with aqua rhinestones. Noble sighed heavily as his attention rested on her ring.

She set her book down and took a bite of pie. Chewing slowly, she lifted her hand and rested her chin on it. She stared toward the kitchen doors with a forlorn expression. The flickering candlelight illuminated the beautiful maple syrup color of her eyes. Noble grinned, drinking in her image.

As if sensing his stare, she looked directly at him. She smiled in greeting. Noble averted his eyes, nonplussed she caught him spying. When he turned back toward her, she had returned to reading her book.

Why didn’t I wave or say hello? 

Noble rubbed his palms against his pants, befuddled by his unexplainable reaction.

Wasn’t he just acclaimed for having “the public aura of alluring sophistication, subtle seduction, stylish wealth, and effortless class” in one of L.A.’s top tabloids?

Yet, for all his seasoned years, he was flabbergasted by her little smile.

Perhaps I’m still disoriented from Alyssa’s mixture?

There was no telling what she had put in it.

Noble tapped his fingers on the polished wooden table and studied the ruby walls of the café—decorated with paintings of lattes, bakeries, roses, and snowy hills with pine trees—in a failed attempt to get his mind off her.

Steam wafted in from the busy kitchen as the double doors flung open. Noble swung his attention toward the disturbance and picked up the acute fragrance of onion and ginger. A frazzled-looking woman hustled into the dining area and slumped against the wall. Her coily hair stuck to her smooth, sweaty, dark skin. Her chestnut-colored eyes were moist from the seasonings flying about in the kitchen behind her. She brushed her hair back with a slender hand, running her fingers through her tight curls.

Noble’s heart went out to her. He saw she was dreadfully tired. She looked his way in a daze, and without thinking, he smiled at her, lifting a hand in greeting. To his surprise she waved back.

She began inching her way toward him.

He sat up in his chair, his shoulders tightened. I hope she’s not one of my crazy fans. He gave a wry grin and made a mental note to remember to disguise himself for the remainder of his travels. Normally, Alonzo catches these things…

Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two.

What’s the most embarrassing or funny thing you’ve ever done in front of strangers?

-I attended a fancy church dinner with my parents as a teenager. The tables were extravagantly decorated, and I didn’t know anybody. As I sat among well-poised adults, I reached for a tray of desserts near the center of the table and knocked over a candle, which promptly began to burn the white tablecloth. Thankfully, my dad quickly put it out before it got out of control.

·         What’s the most unexpected (but funny) thing your spouse or a family member has ever done to you?

-During my first year of marriage, my husband and I used to run around the house like kids playing pranks on one another. After an intense game of tag, I swatted him on the arm and darted off to hide (lol, we were so mature). I hid for several minutes before I realized he wasn’t coming after me. So, I cautiously approached our bedroom. My husband stood innocently by the door and gently opened his arms as if to call a truce. I believed him and went in for a hug. He caught me and then dumped water over me (so sneaky)! 

Share your social media and buy links!

"His Liberating Flame is set to release on June 30th. It will be available for purchase on Amazon and at www.NourishmentThroughWords.com."

Website: www.NourishmentThroughWords.com

Instagram: ashley.thompson.author

Nourishment Through Words (@ashley.thompson.author) • Instagram photos and videos

Facebook: Nourishment Through Words Press

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Review by Kathy Yoshimi (a reader):

"I just finished His Liberating Flame, written by Ashley Thompson. It was hard to put down as the struggle from ‘salvation to sanctification’ was so amazingly described. From the main character, Noble, who comes out of a totally self-indulgent lifestyle, to saying the prayer to receive Christ, but then living as a carnal Christian, unable to free himself from the bondages that still hold him captive.  

Another quote spoken to him kept coming to mind when he would once again lose the fight: “The moment you surrender to His Lordship, these shadows that keep pulling on you will have no power over you.”  

Trisha who was living a totally surrendered life to Christ but when not listening to the gentle voice of the Spirit would sometimes allow herself to be put in compromising situations which so easily could have been disastrous was such a good reminder of the war for our souls until we meet Him face to face and to always put on our armor.

I loved the quote “God's super meets my natural”.  How often do we try to resist and flee with only our natural ability?  Only by drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us continually can we be spared of our fleshly desires taking over.  I was also so encouraged to continue with renewed hope to pray for my Prodigals and ask for those close to me to pray.  Another quote: “Patience isn’t the ability to wait, Patience is the ability to have a good attitude while you wait.”

Over the years, I have often grown weary when it seems my prayers are hitting a wall and my prodigals are further away than before. I know the power of a praying grandma brought me to my knees, along with a sister and a brother who now pastor a large church and have led many to the Lord. This story highlights the saints going to war on their knees, getting actively involved in Noble’s life, and loving him unconditionally, even though he repeatedly rejected them." -Kathy Yoshimi

Thank you, Ashley, for being a guest and for sharing some beautiful pictures! Blessings, Christina