#3: Gift of Grace

Sharlene MacLaren was born and raised in west Michigan and attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating in 1971 with an education degree, she taught second grade for two years, then accepted an invitation to travel internationally with a singing ensemble for one year. In 1975, she came home, returned to her teaching job, and married her childhood sweetheart. Together, they raised two lovely daughters, both of whom are now happily married and enjoying families of their own. Retired in 2003 after thirty-one years of teaching, "Shar" loves to read, sing, travel, and spend time with her family—in particular, her adorable grandchildren!
A Christian for over fifty years, and a lover of the English language, Shar always enjoyed dabbling in writing. She remembers well the short stories she wrote in high school, and watching them circulate from girl to girl during government and civics classes. "Psst," someone would whisper from two rows over, always when the teacher’s back was turned, "pass me the next page."
In the early 2000s, Shar felt God’s call upon her heart to take her writing pleasures a step further, and in 2006, she signed a contract for her first faith-based novel, Through Every Storm, thereby launching her writing career. With eighteen published novels now gracing store shelves and being sold online, she daily gives God all the glory. She dedicated her last novel, Their Daring Hearts, to Jesus.
Shar has done numerous countrywide book signings and made several television appearances and radio interviews. She loves speaking for community organizations, libraries, church groups, and women’s conferences. In her church, she is active in women’s ministries, regularly facilitating Bible studies and other events. She and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan, with their beautiful white collie, Peyton, and their ragdoll cat, Blue.

Gift of Grace leaves you breathless. A gifted storyteller, Sharlene MacLaren skillfully weaves together history, romance, and God’s divine plan. You can’t help but care about her characters, and the romantic tension will have you turning pages until the end. Well done!
—Sherry Kyle, Author, Watercolor Dreams

Although some of the backstory involves adventure and intrigue, it is pure love that drives the plot, with emphasis on a biblical-style union. In Sharlene MacLaren’s Gift of Grace, there’s some anguish in the romantic journey.
—Alan Daugherty, Columnist, Angelkeep Journals, Bluffton (IN) News-Banner, Author, THE flood: A Bluffton History Novel

Sharlene MacLaren brings the late nineteenth century to life as she creates a dilemma for her characters that will keep the reader turning the pages. This is a book you don’t want to miss.
—Merrillee Whren, Author, A Place to Call Home

Sharlene MacLaren has created a story with great characters, plenty of action, and a whole lot of heart. This emotionally rich read will have you alternately reaching for a tissue, laughing, and getting so angry that you want to jump into the pages of the book and give a certain character a piece of your mind. Treat yourself to a gift and open the pages of A Gift of Grace. You’ll be glad you did.
—Keli Gwyn, Author, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California

Yet again, the amazing and talented Sharlene MacLaren has created a story that will touch every emotion in your heart and soul. A word to the wise: Set aside plenty of time when you pick up Gift of Grace, because you won’t want to put it down until you’ve reached the last, sigh-inducing, satisfying page.
—Loree Lough, Award-winning author of 100-plus books, including Currency of the Heart (book one, Secrets on Sterling Street)