The Great War brought the horrors of an entire world at war and a global pandemic that killed more young adults than the war that spread it. The Shadows Come details the impact of this crisis on one small tight-knit community — the town and citizens of Wakita, Oklahoma, whom we came to know and to love in No Longer Alone. The Shadows Come is the sequel. You can help bring to life this story of love, loss, and faith. Come and visit the project at Patreon here.
So far, I’ve shared several sneak peeks into The Shadows Come. If you missed these, come discover the heart of the story. Check out these sneak peeks: Look at peek number one, peek number two, peek number three, and peek number four.
So, what’s happening now? Here’s the update:
$1503 has been pledged so far of the $3,250 needed! Each donor will receive a free copy when we near the publication date!
The amount pledged at this point will cover the cost of the professional editing. This leaves remaining the cost for the book cover design, the design of the entire inside content of the book itself, the purchase of the ISBN number and barcode, costs for the final proofreading, and the preparation for distribution.

Since the February campaign push, there has been a lot of work behind the scenes. Rather than paying the publisher I’ve worked with each time, I’m looking into more affordable options that allow me to act as the main contractor of the project. In other words, if I don’t receive the total, I’ll be the publisher. I’ll hire the individual editors and designers or do the work myself.
Because of my health, this will be a challenge. Please pray with me for the Lord’s provision for this project. This powerful story of God’s tender care during war and loss needs to be shared.
In the meantime, I’ve been taking bids from editors, and I’m in communication with several book cover designers. We’re discussing how to integrate the book cover of this sequel with the cover of the first book, No Longer Alone, so it’s clear that they’re a series. We hope to start work by April. I’m also investigating Vellum, a computer program for Mac that allows an author to complete his or her own internal book design, and I’m looking into how to obtain my own ISBN number, the bar code, and all of those essentials.
The manuscript is ready for professional editing. I hope to begin soon.
But the process can’t start until the total needed is pledged. I’ve promised my donors that their pledge will be a one-time gift to the project, so I must await the total before the funds are withdrawn for work to begin. Many have contributed, and everyone’s excited about this project.
After reading the peeks and hearing more about the story, if you think you might like to join us, come on over to Patreon and take a look by clicking HERE.

Praying for you and your health, Melinda. And praying over this project/book for God’s favor, blessing, anointing, provision…and most of all for His glory to be seen in it and you!
Love your quote, “Focus on what you can control. Release what you can’t to God.”
Karen, thank you so much for your prayers! So needed on everything you mentioned. I so appreciate your prayers!
Melinda, I’m rooting for you! Every word, every step, every reader. I’m praying for you even now. May the Holy Spirit send a fresh wave of health, strength, energy and heart to accomplish all that is ahead, one step at a time. May He open doors for you that no man can shut. May lives be touched and drawn to Jesus through this project. Blessings and love to you!
Amen! Melissa, thanks so much for coming alongside me in prayer as I wait for him on this project! Amen and amen!
Praying for you and this project Melinda.
Thanks, Melissa! I appreciate your prayers!
Praying for you and for the project
Thanks so much, Yvonne!
Praying for your health and your book ventures! Even though these types of circumstances aren’t fun to walk through, I love how God reveals Himself to us and reminds us of His power.
True! He really does! He’s providing behind the scenes away from the campaign. It’s exciting to see him working! Thank you so much for your prayers!
God bless you, Melinda, and carry you through this journey to your goal!
Thank you, Nancy!
This is so hard! I am sorry for your health issues, and the money needs. Being an author these days is tough. But it sounds like you have come up with some good options, and I am praying those options pan out well for you, if need be. You are talented, godly and faithful. Be patient in preserving, and I hope to see a blog post someday of how this all worked out!
Lisa, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! By the grace of God, I press on. You’re right. He IS bringing details together behind the scenes, and there probably will be a blogpost about it at some point in the process. Please, keep praying for me! Thank you, sister!