About The Book
Book: Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place
Author: Tracy L. Smoak
Genre: Non-Fiction
Release Date: September, 2023
“This book is a life-saving manual meant for any soul who has bottomed out and can only look up for help.”
— George Firehammer
Need a stronger connection with God? A safe place?
Anyone hoping for straight talk to bring Jesus close will find refreshment in Refuge of Grace. Learn from a fresh look at 22 little-told Bible passages via Tracy L. Smoak’s engaging storytelling and vivid imagery.
These scriptures offer true comfort in your everyday struggles. From hearing Gomer’s perspective about shame to imagining Jesus arriving in a Rolls Royce for the family reunion, you will know God’s working on your behalf-right now.
Click HERE to get your copy.
About The Author
A native Floridian, Tracy L. Smoak grew up riding horses and climbing citrus trees. Her passion is to encourage others in their faith journey. Smoak writes for Guideposts. Ambassador International released her debut novel, Who Brought the Dog to Church?. Bold Vision published her Bible study about encouragement titled Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place.
She loves photography and authored two hardcover devotionals with her original nature art (Living Water to Refresh Your Soul – tranquil lake scenes; and Arranged with Love– floral landscapes).
Smoak holds a master’s in Education and a bachelor’s in Communication. At her church home, she leads small-group Bible studies. She is an active member of Word Weavers International.
More from Tracy
When life knocks you down, where do you go for hope?
We all want to be brave, but sometimes circumstances overwhelm us. Health declines, bank accounts empty, and friends disappear. No matter the disappointments, one absolute certainty we can count on is God. He will stand with us through every adversity.
Ideas for Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place began at 3 a.m. on a January workday in 2021. I tossed and turned in bed, wondering how I could continue teaching in a public school under all the pandemic constraints. We wore masks, developed lesson plans for both in-class instruction and online modules, and juggled a revolving door of student quarantines with absences.
Fear surrounded us on all sides.
Others also struggled. My older son managed an emergency department in a large city and had to find ways to supply unprecedented needs. My younger son worked in the financial industry and watched markets reel. Neighbors lost jobs and income.
How could we model resilience and move forward?
I turned to the Bible for inspiration and studied stories about how believers overcame hardship. Six months and 22 chapters later—all the while teaching full time—this collection renewed hope and kept me going.
My prayer is that reading these Bible promises of God’s faithfulness also will empower you.
Q & A with Tracy L. Smoak
Many authors say that they have always been a writer. When did you come to realize this?
In school, I got nice feedback from teachers that I wrote well. Later, as a teacher myself, colleagues gave feedback that I had talent. But it wasn’t until I got a scholarship grant through my school district to attend the Northern Writing Project at George Mason University that I actively pursued publication.
Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?
For 12 years, I tried to get a book contract. There was some interest, but starts fizzled. Told God I was tired of pursuing the dream and quit writing for nine years. The advent of this nonfiction caught me by surprise. Random ideas surfaced, but I didn’t realize there could be an actual book until 20,000 words in rough drafts grew in a three-month period. I am grateful for Bold Vision believing in a new voice and giving the opportunity to share.
What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?
Early morning is my most productive time for creating. Later in the day, after the ideas have had time to marinate, I go back with an eye to edit and see where there is confusion or wordiness to revise.
How long does it usually take to write your books — from first outlines/ drafts to final edits?
This book took close to three years for the full process of brainstorming to final layout.
Please include any personal information you would like to share (family, hobbies, etc.)
My two-year-old granddaughter calls me “Mimi.” Her parents are doing a great job introducing her to the love of reading, and she has shelves of books in her bedroom. I hope one day while she holds one of my books, long after I am gone, that she feels God closeness and understands the eternal legacy of His love.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 9
Artistic Nobody, February 10 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 12
Fiction Book Lover, February 13 (Author Interview)
Girls in White Dresses, February 14
Its Mama Safe, February 15
Beauty in the Binding, February 16 (Author Interview)
By The Book, February 17 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, February 17
Cover Lover Book Review, February 18
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 19 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, February 20
Simple Harvest Reads, February 21 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 21
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 22
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Tracy is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy each of Who Brought the Dog to Church? and Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/29c57/refuge-of-grace-celebration-tour-giveaway
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