Monday, November 29, 2010

Cheri Hardaway's "Worth Every Tear"


We're happy to have Cheri Hardaway with us today talking about her book, Worth Every Tear. To learn more about Cheri and her book, read on!

Title: Worth Every Tear ~ Forever and for Always
Publisher: Xulon Press.


Cover blurb: Most parents have heard of the prodigal son, but few expect their precious child – the one who wraps himself around their hearts and them around his little finger – might one day make them doubt themselves at every turn.
This book is for any parent who has ever gazed into a child’s eyes and fallen in love . . . who has poured heart and soul into that child, that he might have the best in life. It is a book for parents who have stared into their own tortured eyes in the mirror and asked, “Why?”

“In a day when ‘expert’ advice about parenting abounds, Cheri Hardaway’s Worth Every Tear is a gem. It’s an honest story of Christian parents who try hard and feel failure. Yet God leads them back, so beautifully, to an understanding that He is as sovereign in the lives of their children as He is in their own. Worth Every Tear will bring tears to your own eyes, as it encourages parents who struggle with doubt and disappointment.”
—KAREN DEIKUN, fellow parent and contributing author to FaithWriters anthologies

1) How did this story come to you?
Five years ago, in an interview with FaithWriters, I stated that I felt like I was born with a pen in my hand. I’ve kept a journal for as long as I can remember; writing is my way of processing life’s ups and downs. Fifteen years ago, I had the distinct impression that God had a purpose for my writing, and that one day I would write something for Him. As the years of our lives unfolded and we lived our story, my husband and I had a growing conviction that we were supposed to share our testimony with other parents, to share with them the same hope and love God had so graciously poured into our family. Worth Every Tear is the culmination of that conviction, the true story of our family’s journey with God. Though the book is non-fiction, I chose to write it like a novel, changing the characters’ names for privacy’s sake. Readers have shared that they were hooked by the story line and found the book difficult to put down. For a sneak preview of the prologue and Chapter One, you can go here: http://blog.cherihardaway.com/p/our-book.html.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I worked on the book, I also researched publishing options. The market for memoirs is a bit different than most; the plain fact is that traditional commercial publishers are reluctant to take a chance on an author who is relatively unknown. I did learn, however, that little known authors have been known to find a traditional commercial publisher, if they have a remarkably unique story. I struck out on both counts; I’m not well-known, and a family impacted by drug addiction isn’t a new or unique phenomenon in this day and age. Yet, every person has been created a unique individual by God, with a purpose in life and a story to tell. And my husband and I still had the conviction that our story needed to be told. For that reason, we researched the avenues of subsidy and self-publishing and chose to publish our own book with Xulon Press, trusting that God would see that it gets into the hands of those readers who need to hear His message of grace and hope.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1.) I hate to be the center of attention, yet I’ve written an entire book which shares the intimate details of my life.
2.) I am actually a fan of the “blind date,” having met my husband on one. In fact, my daughter met her husband on a blind date arranged by me and “his” mom.
3.) During my college years in Texas, weekends usually found me in a “kicker” club, garbed in cowboy hat and boots, two-stepping to the latest country-western hits.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
In December 2008, while the writing of Worth Every Tear was in progress, my husband and I began a blog called Glass House Ministries, as a vehicle to connect us with others who could use some hope and encouragement. As the blog has grown, God has also used it to develop a ministry of prayer. My current focus is on keeping the blog up-to-date and on being faithful to wherever else God may take the Glass House ministry. At some point, if God opens the doors, hubby and I are open to accepting invitations for speaking engagements; our desire is to pass along to others the same hope and peace we’ve found with God.

5) Parting comments?
God is faithful. If you are feeling hopeless, He can bring hope to the bleakest of circumstances. During the writing of my book, I had several titles in mind. During my quiet time one morning, I came across Psalm 126:5: “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” As I meditated on the Scripture, I found myself thanking God for the path we’d taken as a family, telling Him that it was “worth every tear” to be where we are today. It was then that He whispered to my heart that He had just given me the title for my book. My life’s journey as a woman … as a wife … and as a parent has forever etched the hope and love of God in my heart, and it’s my desire to share that hope and love through the pages of Worth Every Tear.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I can be found on my website: www.cherihardaway.com, or on the Glass House Ministries blog: http://blog.cherihardaway.com/. I’m also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Cheri-Hardaway/728073316, and Worth Every Tear has a fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Worth-Every-Tear/343241642931.

16 comments:

  1. Would love to win this book!!
    Sounds great!!
    k_hanns@yahoo.com

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  2. Wonderful interview would love to win.

    Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

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  3. Would love to read the book! Great interview.

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  4. Cheri,
    I am so proud of you! Your family's testimony has and will continue to help many families! May the Lord bless you through this holiday season. I would be blessed to win a copy of your book! God bless ! Robin
    rwalters7@rochester.rr.com

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  5. Yes, this interview was inspiring and she remained faithful. I also love nonfiction but wrote it as a novel. Keep the faith and would love to review/read this book. If you need to share your testimony, we have Dream Moments on Dream4More Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/Dream4MoreRadio and doing one this first Sunday, Dec. 5th. 5pm CST

    www.dream4more.us for Dream Interview process and subject to change for 2011.

    Put me in the drawing, adriennaturner@earthlink.net

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  6. I would love to win this book!!

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  7. Like 2 Cor. 1, you will be comforting others with the comfort you received from God. What a great book to minister to others. Thank you for your transparency.
    I would love to win your book to help other families.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  8. Would love to read this book. I have met people who have had so much love poured into them and it is impossible understand why they are the way they are so I know this happens.

    I would really like to read this book, since touches on some very serious issues.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. Hi, everyone! You have all blessed me so much with your comments and support! It means the world to me to know that my husband and I have obeyed God by sharing our story, and that others are being blessed by that obedience.

    Sorry for the "late" replies to your comments. I started a part-time job a couple months ago, after being out of the workforce for over two decades, and I am still making the adjustment to not having as much time to spend on the computer as I used to have!

    Karla, Lourdes, Brenda, Crystal... thanks for reading and participating in the drawing!

    Robin, I miss you, and I was excited to see your comment! Hope all is well with you and yours. I know you are busy with the Care-A-Van ministry and that God is moving mightily through your work.

    Adrienna, I would love an opportunity to share my testimony. Let's talk more about that. You can drop me an email at: cheri@cherihardaway.com, and I'll check out the website.

    Linda, that Scripture has been one of my husband's and my sources of inspiration in the sharing of our story. Thanks!

    Carol, thanks for your comment. Yes, addiction is serious, and way too prevalent. It is our prayer that others find deliverance through the power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

    God bless you all!
    Cheri

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  10. I cant wait to read your book. My great Aunt wanted to read your book but she just passed this week so I will make sure I read it for her and to her. Im sure she is here and will love to hear it.
    Thanks for a great interview..
    Heidi
    heidijohnjeff@verizon.net

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  11. Heidi,

    I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your great Aunt, and it touches my heart that she wanted to read our book. I trust she will hear it through you :)

    Thanks for participating in the drawing and for reading the interview!

    Blessings and prayers,
    Cheri

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  12. Relating to Cheryl and the topic of her book is a familiarity of mine also. I am very excited to read her book. It would be a wonderful experience to talk with her and about our experiences with our addicted children and how God brought the glory to himself when recovery began. Congratulations, Cheryl, you have written a very good thing. I pray it will be helpful to many who share like situations. Thank you for your giveaway and the chance to win this personal story. I pray I do!

    To God Be The Glory,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  13. This story sounds very interesting & I would very much like to read the entire story/book; and possibly some other writings of yours. Just the little bit I've ascertained from your interview, etc. has touched my heart in a nearly inexplicable way. I can relate to your story. I would love to win the copy of this book that you intend to give away.
    Sincerely
    SweetThot@tds.net AKA ALF (believe it or not, I am not an Alien Life Form...!) :-)

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  14. Barb,

    Thank you for your interest in our book and for participating in the drawing. I'm sorry to hear that your family has been impacted by addiction, but happy to learn that there has been recovery. Please feel free to contact me anytime at cheri@cherihardaway.com; it would be a blessing to hear your story.

    Blessings,
    Cheri

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  15. ALF,

    You are not an alien, but we are peculiar people (Deut. 26:18; Titus 2:14; 1Peter 2:9). I am blessed that the interview touched your heart, and thank you for participating in the drawing.

    God bless,
    Cheri

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  16. Heidi,

    Yours was the name drawn from the "hat" by my hubby. [In actuality, we used a bowl... :)] Look for my email, so I can send you your book.

    Blessings,
    Cheri

    ReplyDelete

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