The Books of Nancy Moser

Dear Reader:

Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts..." Some good parts and some bad. Some in public and some in private. The trouble arises when the distinction between our public persona and our private one is vast. At such times are we pretending to be something we aren't?

H. Jackson Browne said: "Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking." When the curtains are drawn who are we? What kind of person are we? Is it better or worse than the person we present to the world?

In Solemnly Swear I wanted to create characters who were playing parts—who were stuck in a part. Would they recognize they weren't being true to their real selves? Would they come to see that the part they were playing wasn't as satisfying as they thought it was? Would they discover that being honest with themselves about themselves offered release and freedom? Would they feel the need to seek out their true part and purpose?

The biggest consequence to playing a part is believing it's who we are. We hide within the role, sometimes not even letting God behind the curtain. We cover our eyes and think He can't see us, can't see what we're doing, or what's in our heart and mind. It's exhausting work, keeping all that a secret. Only when we let God in do we give Him the chance to direct the development of our character and mold it into something pleasing to ourselves, the world, and most importantly, to Him. He's the only one who can tighten the boundary between public and private, making us a stronger, unified person. I once wrote an article based on this phrase: "Characters live to be noticed, people with character notice how they live." Our best character is derived from and through Him.

I must admit the journey I took while writing this book was not always pleasant. Although Abigail, Ken, and Bobby behaved, Deidre and Sig did not. They kept hiding from me, teasing me with "This is who I am. Really. I'm not kidding this time" only to repeatedly lead me astray. Actually, unlike most characters (most people) they pretended to be worse than they really were. Stern and hard, needing no one. They had chips on their shoulder, daring me to knock them off.

When they were misbehaving like this, I didn't like them much, but finally, after fighting with them through many edits, I broke through their patina of toughness and found their softer, vulnerable cores. And when I did, I was allowed to show you, the reader, the private times when they weren't the mighty doctor and the assured socialite. I liked them with their masks off because I empathized with them and understood them better.

Can we be creating similar problems in our own lives? Do we keep our masks on, preventing our friends and loved ones access to our true self? And if our true self is devoid of admirable traits, shouldn't we do something about it?

The saving grace is that God knows us and loves us no matter what part we play. However, we will be able to love Him (and ourselves) better if we are honest and open, and let Him in. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. So do it. Honestly and candidly introduce yourself to the Almighty and see what happens. I promise you won't be disappointed.

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say." (II Thessalonians 2: 16-17)

Blessings on your journey as you let God cast you in just the right part.

"I just this moment finished Just Jane. I am astounded and deeply moved! How wonderfully you captured the essence of this beautiful woman!... This is one of the most powerful books I've read in a long time! I absolutely loved it!"

LaFayette, AL

"Just Jane was wonderful from start to finish. I felt as though you caught Jane Austen's personality perfectly…I wanted to tell you most of all that Just Jane encouraged me as a writer. I never imagined that Jane Austen had gone through so many of the same things I'm going through. I just assumed it was easy for her, that anyone who read a single page of her books would instantly recognize her genius. I felt blessed to know that she persevered and God finally made it happen for her. Thanks so much for writing this book. It was wonderful."

Alabama

"Just 10 minutes ago I finished reading Mozart's Sister. Fantastic, wonderful, brilliant do not adequately convey how great your book was. You deserve hearty huzzahs for such writing a compelling and moving portrait of dear Nannerl."

Washington D.C.

"The Good Nearby moved me to tears...of joy…It's the best illustration I've seen of how God takes our pain and makes beauty from the ashes of our lives." Arizona

Arizona

"I just finished your book Crossroads and got totally intrigued by the contents. In fact, I did not get any work done today as planned. I couldn't leave the book alone."

Grand Forks, ND

"I read The Invitation with more open-mindedness than I have ever read a book…after completing it my whole body felt numb…that's when I gave my heart, body, and soul to the Lord…that book changed my life."

Ocala, FL

For Time Lottery: "Too bad there's not a way to double rate this book, but suffice to say it should be a 10+. Nancy Moser hits another home run for me!"

Neenah, WI

For The Seat Beside Me: "WOW!! This book yanked me in and kept me spellbound until the very end. It took me through the whole gambit of emotions. Another great book Nancy!!"

Fergus Falls, MN

"I just finished The Invitation. It is one of those books you hate to put down. It makes you leave the dishes dirty, keeps the broom hanging, the clothes stay in the dryer, and who need to sleep anyway?"

Dayton, TX

"I have just finished all of your novels. I am sad to find out that this is all you are writing on the Sister Circle series. Please, please, please write some more. Peerbaugh Place has come to be a real place for me and the things I have learned about myself is astronomical. I just can't imagine not having anything else to read about things happening in this place and town. I started reading them in a time when I needed help and spiritual guidance. Thank you so much for these books."

Orlando, FL

"I just completed both A Steadfast Surrender and Ultimatum. I read them one right after the other. I feel as if I know the characters intimately because they seem so real."

Southern USA

"One of Nancy Moser's strengths is her creative ability to come up with some very thought provoking plots! I've read all of her books. Regarding her plots you first say, "That would never happen", but after reading for a while you say, "I wonder how people would react if it did happen that way." Crossroads may take you on a trip to Weaver, KS that you will never forget."

Liberty, MO

"I just finished reading Second Time Around and wanted to thank you for the inspiration your books have been to me. I started Time Lottery thinking this would be a fun, entertaining, and fluffy read and was surprised to find that the principle of choice found in the book has had a huge impact in the way I live my life - knowing that every choice I make has its consequences - and also choosing not to live with regrets but to take life as it is today and make the most of it."

Oregon