She is My Child Author Interview & Giveaway!

About the Book

Book: She Is My Child

Author: Tammy Coulter

Genre: Memoir

Release date: June 7, 2022

In 2007, fourteen-month-old Ava was diagnosed with Morquio Syndrome, a rare, progressive, genetic disorder for which there was no treatment. The jarring news left her mother Tammy reeling and wondering what the future held for her daughter. As the days following the diagnosis blurred together, Tammy saw two paths before her—fall apart or fall into the arms of the Lord. For a time, she did both, struggling with her emotions one moment, feeling God’s peace the next, all while continuing to care for her young family. Slowly, through near-constant prayer and Bible study, her burgeoning faith grew stronger than her fear and distress, leading her to a path she hadn’t seen—one that would test her even more and offer help for Ava. In She is My Child, Tammy Coulter shares her spiritual journey, alongside Ava’s physical one, from diagnosis to surgeries to a long-anticipated Morquio clinical trial that had them flying to Chicago every week for more than two years. She reveals the most difficult moments and the greatest victories, as well as the humorous situations she and her daughter so often encountered, while highlighting God’s provision and what He taught her along the way.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tammy Coulter graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a communication arts degree and a certificate in technical communication. She was a technical editor until the birth of her son, when she became a stay-at-home mom. After the birth of her daughter, her role expanded to include researcher, student of the Psalms, and full-time prayer warrior. In addition to writing, she enjoys quilting, reading cozy mysteries, and studying Bible prophecy and current events. Tammy lives in Madison, Alabama, with her husband, two children, and their Jack Russell terrier.

More from Tammy

When my daughter Ava was diagnosed with Morquio Syndrome, I was crushed and very frightened. Morquio is a progressive disorder and there was no treatment for it. How was my mother’s heart supposed to handle that? I’ll tell you how. By immersing myself in God’s Word. Only then did I begin to calm down and grow stronger in my faith, leaning on Him in ways I never had before. As I look back, I am still amazed at everything we went through and how God was present in all of it.

When we embarked on this trial, everything was new. The name of her disorder was new, seemingly constant doctor visits were new, and then, after four years of prayer for a treatment, a clinical trial for a new drug to treat Morquio was new. And so was the location. Chicago. That meant getting on a plane every week, also new, and flying there from Alabama, just me and my daughter who had just started kindergarten. It surely felt like God was doing a lot in such a short time. And He was. He took all the newness and turned it into both a testament to His provision and lasting memories for both of us. Not all of those memories are pleasant (the cab incident for one, though we joke about it now), but they remain as evidence of God taking care of us, bringing a sweetness to each remembrance. But, oh, so many of them are, and while we were going through something quite serious, the Lord, in His goodness, allowed us adventures, fun, laughter, and new friendships. Best of all, I had the most wonderful traveling companion who, at her tender age, taught me a thing or two along the way!

Just the other day, at a routine checkup, a specialist Ava sees said, “You just never cease to amaze me at how well you do.” I added that comment to so many other comments and experiences that have paved the path of my learning to turn to God first instead of immediately jumping into the quicksand of fear that will quickly suck me in if I let it. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Ava is now sixteen and the shy little girl I so worried over years ago currently wants to be a theater teacher.

I wrote this memoir to share how God provided for our family during a stressful period in our lives. It may make you cry some. I hope it makes you laugh a lot (let me tell you, Ava is a hoot). But the thing that would bring me the greatest joy is someone being encouraged in their own circumstances and life trials.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

Author Interview

  • Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

This is my first book, and it was released a few months ago, so I haven’t heard from a lot, but I had one reader who told me that she put the book down for a bit after the first couple of chapters because they made her cry. I encouraged her to keep going because it gets lighter and has humor throughout (Ava is quite funny). I just had to get some of the heavy stuff out up front. She picked it back up after a day or so and was glad she did. Others have gone right through it. In fact, one reader finished it in two days, which astounded me because it is not a short book. I am thankful that everyone I have heard from so far has said they were encouraged by seeing God’s hand on us in our journey, which was my goal in writing the book–encouraging others and sharing God’s goodness.

  • Do you read the genre you write? Why or why not?

So far, this is my only book, a memoir, which is a genre I really enjoy. I love getting more insight into people’s lives, how they think, and what motivates them. As I think about writing another book, I am considering a genre I rarely read–allegory. I have read a couple throughout my life, but it’s not what I normally reach for. I think it would be interesting to figure out how to apply the themes, ideas, and overall message that I want people to understand as they read.

  • How did you come up with the title for your book?

You would think that the title of my book She is My Child is obvious since it is about my daughter, but if you read it, you’ll find there is another reason I used that title.

  • Do you participate in writing challenges on social media? Why or why not?

I have never participated in writing challenges on social media. It might be good for me to challenge or stretch myself, but I have never felt the desire to do it. I’m such a recluse as far as writing goes. I just like doing my own thing with my own stories in my own time in my own way. I’ve never been to a writer’s conference either, though I’m sure that would probably be good for me at some point.

  • Is your writing space pristine or organized chaos?

I wish I could say I have a lovely, organized office with large windows to let in lots of sunlight, a comfortable writing chair for those long hours spent at my laptop, and a shabby chic desk with plenty of drawers for research material. As it is, I’m either in my recliner or on my bed.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 8

Texas Book-aholic, January 9

Artistic Nobody, January 10 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, January 11

Cover Lover Book Review, January 12

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 13 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, January 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 15

Beauty in the Binding, January 16 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 16

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18

Guild Master, January 19 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 20

A Baker’s Perspective , January 21 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tammy is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23643/she-is-my-child-celebration-tour-giveaway

1 comment

  1. Thank you for sharing the author’s interview, bio and book details, I have enjoyed reading this post and I am looking forward to reading this touching memoir

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