Under My Skin, page 22
Morgan laughed. It didn’t. On a day like today she could go anywhere. With a spirit full of peace, a heart full of love, and body filled with confidence, the sky was the limit. And unlike before, she couldn’t wait to see what the future would hold.
Author’s Note
When I was fifteen years old I was sitting on a crowded bus when a man leaned over me and told me to give him my ring. I ignored him, hoping that if he thought I didn’t hear him he would go away. He then half-pulled a small bottle out of his pocket and whispered if I didn’t give him the ring he would throw acid on me. A crowded bus, no way of escape, a bottle with an unknown substance in it and a threat that may or may not be valid. I gave him the ring. Fifteen years later and I have never forgotten that moment. I have wondered if I was stupid to give up my jewellry without trying to say some thing. I have wondered whether there was really acid in that bottle. I wondered if I had been with friends instead of with strangers if it would be different. I don’t know. All I know is that I do not have acid burns and I am grateful.
Though I don’t know anyone personally who has experienced acid burning, I know of people who have gone through it and I have seen the images. Most victims are women. I can’t imagine how psychologically damaging that is to daily wear that scar. To daily question your beauty.
Unfortunately many women who are not acid burned still daily walk around with internal scars and question their beauty and worth. And as much as the self-help books tell us we should believe we are beautiful and affirm ourselves, the truth is that so many of us are haunted by the words of others who tell us that we are not pretty enough and not worthy enough. But the real truth is that we are all created beautiful because we are all made by God who can only produce good things. And though he allows ugly experiences to sometimes come into our lives he often uses them to transform us and to bring out the real beauty inside us. And when we choose to connect with Him, that is when he does His best work in us, healing our scars, binding up our hurts and opening our eyes so we can see how beautiful and precious we are in his sight.
As you read Morgan and Derek’s story I hope you were reminded that God wants to have a living connection with you. His plan is not to arbitrarily direct our lives from a distance. Instead He wants to be close to us, talking and walking with us each day, experiencing our hurts with us and leading us through his perfect plan for our lives. If you haven’t yet, I hope you will take the time to connect with Him today.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...” Isaiah 61:1-3
About the Author
Rhonda Bowen knew she would be a writer as early as eighth grade when she wrote her first novel with a classmate in a dollar notebook. While waiting for the day to come she completed a degree in Communications and spent a few years working in Public Relations and Event Planning. Throughout this time however, her desire to write stayed alive. She eventually completed her first novel, Man Enough for Me, which was released under Kensington Books’ Dafina imprint in February 2011.
Several years, a stint in Asia and a career change to youth work finds her still writing. She has written four romance novels and her books have been featured in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and LIBRARY JOURNAL. When not writing or engaging her youth, she enjoys spending time with her family, trying on shoes she can’t afford and enjoying the great outdoors. Visit her online at www.rhondabowen.com , www.facebook.com/RhondaBowenBooks or drop her a note at rhondakbowen@gmail.com.
Other Books by Rhonda Bowen
City Girls Series
Under Covers
March 2015
Naomi Savoy is five days away from marrying Jordan Lennox, the man of her dreams, when she is faced with her worst nightmare. Her sister is missing. When her search for her sister sets her on a path into her past, she is forced to ask for help from the last person on earth she ever wished to see again - Garth Duhaney - a man she has both loved and hated for most of her life and whose power over her she has never been able to break.
Jordan Lennox knows his wife-to-be is hiding things in her past. But his love for her keeps him believing that one day she will come clean. But when the secrets force him on a trip across the ocean only days before their wedding, he begins to question whether love is really enough.
Will love keep them together or will it all fall apart when everything is uncovered?
Isaacs Family Series
Get You Good
March 2013
Sydney Isaacs has two priorities: her family, and Decadent, the gourmet pastry business they founded almost three generations ago. But both are in jeopardy when her brother, Dean, marries conniving Sheree Vern. Worse, when Dean inherits ownership of Decadent he and Sheree decide to sell it to finance his dreams of becoming a music producer—or so Dean believes…
Thanks to Sheree, Dean’s plans, the business, and his marriage, soon implode in ways he never expected—leaving Sydney determined to salvage whatever she can. Her only solace is her romance with Hayden Windsor. But Hayden is Sheree’s half brother, and Sydney can’t help wondering if Hayden knew about Sheree’s scheming all along? Soon Sydney carries out a deception of her own to discover the truth—until the consequences threaten to destroy everything she values most—including her faith. Overcome with guilt, can she make things right with her brother, with Hayden, and with God?...
Hitting the Right Note
March 2014
JJ Isaacs' dream of becoming an R&B star has come true, and it's all thanks to Rayshawn, her amazing producer--and secret lover. But as JJ enters the spotlight, the relationship gets harder to disguise. And the more she hides the truth, the more distant she feels from her faith, and from her family's approval. But support may come from an unexpected place...
When JJ finds herself helping her estranged sister-in law, Sheree, through a difficult pregnancy, she discovers a surprising ally. But she also becomes enthralled with Sheree's doctor. Simon Massri is world renowned--and scheduled to leave the country. The more time JJ spends with Simon, the more she questions her choices--in love and in work. Now she'll have to face some tough decisions. Can she make peace with an uncertain future--if her heart is in the right place?...
Rhonda Bowen, Under My Skin
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