Joy K. Massenburge looked to the Bible for inspiration for her latest release, A Heart Surrendered.
Tell me about your latest book.
A Heart Surrendered is my latest work. It’s my play on the Rich Young Ruler from the Bible. I believe everyone has that one thing God is asking them to deal with but for whatever reason we are not willing to. For my heroine Sharonda Peterson is the one night she slept with Carl Ray. And she has no regrets.
Why did you decide to write it?
Sharonda looks at everyone else and sees what she doesn’t have. Her sister got the body. Sharonda is blessed with more. Her brother got all the music and singing talents. She is good at doing the biddings of her pastor father. I want women to appreciate the bodies and the original creation package God gave them and not settle for less. There is someone created for them that likes them just the way they are, for who they are.
What do you want readers to learn from the story?
God’s plan is better. We don’t have to understand how He is going to do a thing, but He wants us to trust Him with the desires of our hearts. Sometimes, we don’t know what’s best for us. I want the reader to walk away ready to look at the thing in their past they are not willing to deal with. For too long, we have allowed our past decisions to rule our futures. I want it to stop.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
I love speaking. A full-time professional speaker. Getting in front of an audience and motivating creatives to walk in their God-given talents would be a dream come true. A talk show would be awesome.
What’s the best part of being an author?
I went to college on a full scholarship for theater. Traveling is hard on a family girl, though. Now my characters use the pages as a stage and play out the stories in my head. Best of both worlds.
What’s the worst part of being an author?
When I fail to fully bring the characters to life on paper. It’s heartbreaking. The editing part is what I dread most, but I’m developing a discipline to get it done thoroughly despite my feelings. LOL.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working with writing coaches on a series that is dear to my heart. The Wounded Lamb series. Book 1 has been rejected several times. However, I am grateful now. I see how I needed to grow as a writer for a story with so many layers and heavy topics.
I love for people to connect with me on my social media platforms as their source of motivation. Instagram is my home for “Psalm 119 morning”. They run a little over a minute to boost your day. Then there is Joyful Moments with Joy on YouTube for my ladies who read romance looking to experience the relationships they are reading about. That show offers giveaways every fourth Thursday of the month at 6 pm. It airs on my Facebook page. Prizes are won by answering questions over the last YouTube video. So watching them helps to obtain the prize. LOL.
Use Black Fiction Addiction’s affiliate link to purchase your copy of A Heart Surrendered.
To learn more about author and speaker Joy K. Massenburge, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjoymassenburge
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwLR179ejdvuK056W6yWySQ