Authors speak of hope and redemption

An appreciative audience turned up at Paulina Springs Books on Saturday evening to hear two authors whose works reach beyond entertainment into the emotional and spiritual realms of hope and redemption.

First-time author and Eugene resident Shelley Houston and beloved local writer and horsewoman Kim Meeder read from their most recent books. Houston has penned "Julia, Coming Home," a novel based in Sisters Country, though the town is called Sage Meadows in the book. Meeder's work, "Fierce Beauty," comprises more powerful stories from her life and ranch experiences, expanded into encouragement for women to "stand for what matters most."

Although Houston lives on the wet side of the Cascades, Sisters holds a special place in her heart. Her closest friend lives here, and Houston lived and worked in Bend for several years. She'd written non-fiction for many years and decided to explore fiction as a way to get her message of  hope across without being "preachy." The novel, about a woman finding a new start in a small and idyllic town peopled with quirky characters, has elements of suspense throughout. Readers will find apt descriptions of many familiar locales.

Houston owns an independent publishing business, Just Dust Publishers. This allows her the freedom to choose her authors, and publish her own work.

"We focus on works of redeeming value," she said. Her novel is the first in a three-book series.

Meeder's gift is to bring her stories to life orally. She began her presentation with an exhortation that it's time for us to "take off the little crown of entitlement and take up God's sword of encouragement and give hope."

This message tied in with the well-known story of a horse called Hero, who was found shot and abandoned in the Deschutes National Forest. Meeder recalled his rescue and subsequent recovery, a story that rarely fails to move audiences. As she read some of the account, Meeder herself wiped tears from her eyes.

"Every wise and wonderful thing I've ever learned, I learned from the horses and children I work with," she said.

Those lessons are powerfully summed up in Fierce Beauty. Each story, told in Meeder's descriptive, hard-to-put-down style is wrapped up with a spiritual application that's equally compelling. Meeder doesn't mince words even as she is dispensing hope in the midst of some really dark situations.

The two authors address issues of relevance and their books are available at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters and Redmond.