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Tag: Capturing Beauty

Today we welcome Brenda S. Anderson, author of Capturing Beauty, a Where the Heart Is Romance. 

First Impressions

That initial reaction when you see, hear, feel, taste, smell, or sense something. As we all know, that first impression does not define what we’re sensing, but it does matter.

Think of a first date with someone. You want your date to see you at your best, so you spend extra time and special care in preparing.

Consider how you choose the books you read. Chances are, what initially drew you in was the cover—and many readers do judge a book by its cover—yet the cover is only a one-dimensional, often false, peek into the story inside.

I’d be remiss not to mention the latest political climate. A single headline will set people off. A headline only reveals the very tip of a large iceberg, but still spawns arguments.

Or take a look at an unpolished agate. At first glance, it looks like any other stone, but once smoothed and polished, the stone reveals multi-layered, multi-hued beauty.

People aren’t much different than agates, are we?

Everything—everyone—has an important story to tell if only we reign in our initial reaction and listen, learn. It’s always important to look deeper than that shallow first impression.

  • When you pass the homeless person begging for food, they have a story beyond living on the street.
  • When you watch a comedian perform, they are more than the jokes they tell.
  • When you see a model with the perfect face, perfect figure, know that they are more than skin deep.

They are all fiercely loved by God, and He wants us to see past the exterior, past the first impressions, into the heart He sees and loves.

What kind of first impression do you leave others?

  • When you nip at a store clerk for making a mistake.
  • When you cut someone off in traffic.
  • When you’ve just finished painting the house and haven’t had time to clean up.

Don’t you want the grace of having others see deeper than their initial reaction? I know I do.

And I’m beyond grateful that we have a Savior who knows every sordid, beautiful detail about us, yet is still wholly devoted to us.

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About the characters in Capturing Beauty:

Callie Beaumont’s job as a graphic designer is to create dazzling first impressions for her clients. She’s surrounded with what the world defines as beautiful. Her parents are popular TV news anchors. Her sister is a model. And she considers herself plain. People tend to look past her and see only her family. If anyone knows the value of first impressions, it’s Callie.

Then there’s Haven Carlysle. He’s a nature photographer on assignment to capture the north shore of Minnesota’s unique beauty. He’s challenged to see beyond the magnificent waterfalls and lighthouses and lift bridges others photograph and learns to find beauty in the seemingly ordinary, such as earth worms that help dirt breathe allowing vegetation to grow.

Their Story

He’s a nature photographer returning to make amends. She’s a camera-shy naturalist seeking privacy. Their love for a boy brings them together, but the camera could drive them apart.

Photographer Haven Carlysle is a changed man. Six years earlier, he had run from his tragedy-filled life in Duluth. Now he’s back in town to capture the North Shore’s beauty … and to recapture the love of his son. But that means making amends with his ex-girlfriend too. When camera-leery Callie Beaumont steps in to bridge the relationship between Haven and his former family, he’s wary, but she’s his only hope.

Callie Beaumont is surrounded by beauty. Her parents are local news celebrities. Her sister is a model. And Callie is … Ordinary. All her life, Callie has longed to work outdoors soaking up God-breathed beauty, and the opportunity is finally on the horizon. But being the liaison between the handsome photographer and his son has thrown her dreams, and her heart, into chaos.

Can Haven capture her heart when she won’t let him capture her image? And will his poor choices cost Callie her dream job and him the love of his son?

Purchase your copy: Amazon  iTunes   B&N   Universal link

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Brenda S. Anderson

Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is Past-President of the ACFW Chapter of the Year, MN-NICE, from Minnesota. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 29 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.

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