Monday, February 23, 2015

CFBA: Seek and Hide by Amanda Stevens

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Seek and Hide
David C. Cook (September 15, 2014)
by
Amanda Stevens




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


As a child, Amanda G. Stevens disparaged Mary Poppins and Stuart Little because they could never happen. Now, she writes speculative fiction. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and has taught literature and composition to home-school students. She lives in Michigan and loves books, film, music, and white cheddar popcorn. Amanda's first novel, Seek and Hide, will be available September 15, 2014 from David C Cook.








ABOUT THE BOOK



Six years ago, the government took control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and other regulations. Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, will do anything to protect his church family from imprisonment--including risk his own freedom to gain the trust of a government agent.

Aubrey Weston recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. Now released, she just wants to provide for her son and avoid government notice. But she's targeted again, and this time, her baby is taken into custody. If only she'd never denied Him, maybe God would hear her pleas for help.

When Aubrey and Marcus's lives collide, they are forced to confront the lies they believe about themselves. And God is about to grab hold of Marcus's life in a way he'd never expect, turning a loner into a leader.




If you'd like to read the first chapter of Seek and Hide, go HERE.



Saturday, February 21, 2015

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Why Working Moms Need to Read Stupidparty Math V. Myth: Unmasking the Destructive Forces Eroding American Democracy by Patrick Andendall


Stupidparty Math v. Myth: Unmasking the Destructive Forces Eroding American Democracy relies on publicly available facts, resources and tools to deconstruct and relentlessly drill down on the numerous misconceptions held by too many Republicans.

Why Working Moms Need to Read Stupidparty Math V. Myth
 by Patrick Andendall

I’m excited to write for the The Busy Mom’s Daily about why it is important for working moms to read my book. Recently, the new Republican Congress passed a sweeping anti-abortion ban on the anniversary of Roe V. Wade. And the end of January marked the 6th anniversary of the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Nevertheless, for every one dollar I make, women still make 78 cents.

In President Obama’s State of the Union address, he emphasized a need for a bill to complete the progress of getting equal pay for men and women. Congress has attempted to improve the law but to no avail because of Republican obstruction. Even though legislation has addressed the wage gap, there remains an overall systemic problem: when women negotiate their salary, they use previous salary history.

It is worth mentioning to readers that my book does not tell you who to vote for. In the book’s introduction I point out that I owe much of my early success to conservative economic principles. In fact, there are some components of conservatism that seem naturally feminist: keeping the government out of the choices women should be left to make on their own, business friendly policies that empower women entrepreneurs, etc. In other words, the purpose of my book is not to tell women that Republicans have to be anti-women and they should always vote Democratic. By definition, a Conservative tends to be behind the curve on social issues and new ideas. Rather, working women should read my book to understand the ways that the “Stupidparty” has hijacked today’s Republican Party, and in the process painting the entire Republican Party anti-women on many of these issues.

Conservative does not mean freedom from government overreach in the Stupidparty. In fact the reverse in the case. Conservatism in the Stupidparty reflects reactionary principles from a bygone era that work distinctly against working women. My book equips voters to combat this kind of political rhetoric by pointing them to publicly available facts using more than 1,500 hyperlinks (the eBook is free for anyone that buys a print book).

The Supreme Court is about to clarify the law on pregnancy discrimination. Women are making significant strides for equality in the workplace, and in the military. But this should not be incremental progress, or a gift. It should be a right granted to all women.

Read Stupidparty Math v. Myth and discover the facts for yourself, and then decide.



Patrick Andendall has always had an interest in politics and, being multicultural, he views issues from a more international perspective. In 2004, five days before the election, he flew to Cleveland and pitched in to help with the political process. What he discovered was the dissolution of the American Dream, which he writes about in his book, Stupidparty.

Educated at English boarding schools from the age of seven, Andendall went on to graduate from Lancing College. He started by sometimes working three jobs at once, trainee Underwriter/claim broker at Lloyd’s of London, his own one man cleaning Company (cleaning the very offices of a Reinsurance Company he would transact business at) plus doing seasonal work on various farms.

Having made some windfall profits by borrowing money in order to be a “Stag” to take advantage of opportunities created by Margaret Thatcher’s de nationalization policies of the mid 1980′s, Andendall evolved into an entrepreneur with a core specialty in Reinsurance in London and New York where he looks for patterns in numbers. Self-employed in a field not normally conducive to self-employment, he is able remain in control, juggle different jobs, travel and pursue his various interests.

Ending up in New York via romance in the African bush, Andendall now lives on Long Island with his wife, two children and two dogs.


For More Information



Tuesday, February 17, 2015

As a Busy Mom Thinks - Later School Days



Yesterday, I stumbled across this article on research that suggests benefits to later school days. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to adjust for the natural sleep cycle of teens.

Parents are evenly divided on the issue, with half supporting the change and the other half expressing concern about a conflict with after school activities and issues with transportation.

I know both of my daughters would support such a change. It wouldn't make much difference to me except that I would become responsible for driving our middle school age daughter in each morning, since her father would be at work by that time.

What do you think?

CFBA: Wisdom Tree by Mary Manners

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Wisdom Tree
White Rose Publishing (September 19, 2012)
by
Mary Manners




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


A Word from the Author:

I live in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with my husband, Tim, and our teen-aged daughter, Danni. Also with us are Lucky and Gus - the two cherished cats we rescued from local animal shelters.

I'm a member of the Romance Writers of America and Smoky Mountain Romance Writers.

During the school year, I teach middle-schoolers reading and Algebra. When I have free time, I love to garden, take long walks with my husband, and read romance novels in a hammock beneath century-old shade trees.

I write romance novels for White Rose Publishing. If you'd like to visit, I have an author page there, as well. That's where you'll find everything there is to know about my books.

I also have author pages at the following locations. Do come by and spend some time with me there!



ABOUT THE BOOK



Sometimes the last thing we think we need is exactly what God has planned

After the death of his parents, Jake Samuels has enough on his plate—including a fledgling church to lead and a mischievous younger brother to raise. The last thing he needs is a rambunctious woman to contend with.

Carin O'Malley is dealing with the death of her brother and a new job as an English teacher at East Ridge Middle School where Corey Samuels reigns as King of Chaos. The last thing she needs is to fall in love...especially with a handsome and complicated preacher like Corey’s brother Jake.

But when Corey's antics toss Carin and Jake together, the two must draw from God’s wisdom to find refuge in His perfect plan.



------------------------------------------------
Discover your own wisdom tree with the included one-month devotional.




If you would like to read the first chapter of Wisdom Tree, go HERE.


Monday, February 16, 2015

Mailbox Monday - Feb 16

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Happy Monday. Hope you are all dug out if you got any snow. We were blessed with only four inches. I had houses to show all day yesterday, so I was very grateful.

One of my online writing chums has a new cozy mystery out, so I picked up a copy last week.


Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but she always solves the case. With the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, the business is flourishing.

Pauline Jones is confused why her boyfriend took off without telling a soul where he was going. But that isn’t all. Sam Whitaker is accused of stealing a valuable porcelain doll from the museum. His disappearance makes him look guilty, but Pauline is convinced he is innocent. When Amelia finds Sam, she realizes they need to prove his innocence. Where is the antique doll and who has taken it?

The next few books I got for free at church. A friend donated some of his older books and I got to reap the rewards.


In this follow-up to the bestselling Simply Jesus, Joe Stowell says that loving Jesus is all about loving people. We never love Him more than when we involve ourselves in the lives of men and women, boys and girls. The highest form of love for God’s Son is pouring out our very lives for His sons and daughters. The Lord Himself teaches that when we touch others, when we encourage others, when we help others—"one of the least of these brothers of mine"—we are touching, encouraging, and helping Him. Through the tender story of Peter’s restoration on a beach in Galilee, we learn about proving our love for Jesus by caring about what He cares about most.


I was thinking of my son when I took this one, but not sure he will read it.

This is a book about how a boy―and a man―becomes a man.

It's a guide to the process of masculine initiation, that ancient path every boy and man must take if they would become the man they long to be. The path whereby they come to "know" they are a man, and are able to live and love from a deep, centered strength.

We live in a time where most men (and boys) are essentially fatherless. Whatever their circumstance, they have no man actually taking them "through" the many adventures, trials, battles and experiences they need to shape a masculine heart within them. They find themselves on their own to figure life out, and that is a lonely place to be. Their fears, anger, boredom, and their many addictions all come out of this fatherless place within them, a fundamental uncertainty in the core of their being.

But there is a way.

"We aren't meant to figure life out on our own," says John Eldredge. "God "wants" to father us." In "The Way of the Wild Heart," Eldredge reveals how God comes to a man and takes him on the masculine journey, how nearly all the events of a man's life can come togther to provide the initiation he never received. And how parents can offer that initiation to their sons. Whatever your age may be, your Father is ready to take up your journey. For you "are" his son.






I have always wanted to read this book. It was the first one in the pile that I scooped up.

A #1 New York Times bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life will help you understand why you are alive and reveal God's amazing plan for you both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal forty-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and most important, prepare you for eternity.


What was in your mailbox last week?




Sunday, February 15, 2015

Bargain Kindle Book: Red Gold by Sandy Nadeau


Mandy Phillips loves life with her husband running an adventure ranch in the Colorado mountains, but when Mr. Shonee, their crotchety old neighbor, tries to stop them from building a kid-size old west town their dreams of expansion are crushed.

Is Shonee just being a difficult neighbor, or is something more sinister going on? A discovery on the property of Colorado's state mineral leads to more mysteries for the ranch, and then a teenage guest finds herself thrust head first into danger.

Mandy will have to rescue her, but who will rescue Mandy? Her faith in God is her only source to keep the guests safe, solve the mysteries surrounding her ranch, save her neighbor from himself, and discover the secrets of the Red Gold.

File Size: 3366 KB
Print Length: 201 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group - Harbourlight Books (March 20, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00J50N0A8


Purchase at Amazon for only 99 cents!

As a Busy Mom Thinks - Foreclosures and the Housing Market



Published on economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg’s blog on February 3rd:

In 2015 about 500,000 households that lost their homes to foreclosure or a short sale back in 2007 will, if their finances are sufficiently solid, be able to again qualify for a conforming home loan. In all, over seven million such households will be added back to the pool of potential home buyers between now and 2022, with more than a million households being added in years 2016 through 2019. 

I’ve had a chance to meet with many people in the short eight months that I have been working in real estate. Good people who had some financial trouble in the past face a challenge in getting back on track. Eisenberg’s blog, along with what we are seeing in our local market right now, gives me hope that circumstances for many are improving.

How is the economy doing in your part of the country? Do you think it is better or worse than it was a year ago?  

Friday, February 13, 2015

The Friday 56 - Week 214

Welcome to Week 214!

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post to the Linky at Freda's Voice. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

I was excited to win a copy of this novel. Cozy mystery remains one of my favorite genres. I might try writing one some day, but I'm not sure how successful I will be.


There was a long pause on the other end. I was so disappointed. I didn't know what to add, so I simply said goodbye and quickly disconnected. 


What book are you reading right now?

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Book Spotlight: Unlocking the Mystery of You: The Pinnacle of Purpose by D. L. Anderson

Title: Unlocking the Mystery of You: The Pinnacle of Purpose
Author: D.L. Anderson
Publisher: Author House
Pages: 195
Genre: Self-Help
Format: Paperback/Kindle

Purchase at AMAZON


Do you know who the most important person in your life is? Just look in the mirror and you will see – it’s you. Whether you’re a college student, a housewife, a salesman, or the president of the United States of America, the most important person in your life is and will always be you.

That being said, your primary objective in life should be to know who you are so that you can position yourself to succeed in offices aligned with your purpose. After all, your purpose is the collective reasoning behind your existence. As one philosopher puts it, “Purpose is the only real reason you are here, for you exist because your purpose exists. Thus apart from purpose, you have no authentic motivation for living. You may very well exist, but when you’re gone, very few will ever know that you were here.”

Now for some of us discovering our purpose is simple. We understood it long before we ever became adults. For others it is not so easy, and for more reasons than I can gather. This is why the process of personal discovery is so critical; for not only does it allow you to discover your purpose. It also positions you to persistently follow the evolution of your purpose.

This is important because we are all changing every day. Consequently, our purpose will also change contingent to the season of life we are in. Still, in spite of this inevitable change and all the complexities which make understanding your purpose difficult, you will always be able to detect your purpose simply because it is the source of your fulfillment. So if you’re in a job, relationship, or any office which is persistently unfulfilling, odds are it is not aligned with your purpose – and unless you are willing to concede the awesome measures of fulfillment you would experience otherwise, you need to start thinking about making a change so that you can both enhance your life and have profound impacts in the various groups and societies you are in.

“Unlocking the Mystery of You” champions this cause focusing first and foremost on purpose and the crucial role it plays in achieving personal fulfillment and setting the stage for the individual to be a catalyst for group fulfillment. It accomplishes this goal by utilizing a purposeful roadmap designated as the Pinnacle of Purpose. The Pinnacle of Purpose is a progressive path illustrated by 7 ascending levels which, if followed sequentially, not only have the power to transform your life. It will provide you with the greatest measures of fulfillment and success life can offer. All you have to do is follow the crucial, yet simple order of purpose, beginning with confidence and concluding with peace. 

So if you’re ready for a change; if you’re ready to stop sleeping on your dreams and your truest passions; if you’re tired of the status quo and living a life which feels incomplete; if you’re tired of wishing your life was better and are now prepared to do something about it; if you’re finally ready to take that ever-difficult leap of faith, then this is a book you must read. Because in this book I show you how to take that leap of faith without falling, for when you leap towards your purpose, you will always land squarely on your feet.

This is true first and foremost because your purpose is what makes you unique to every other individual in the world today, a premise which thoroughly validates the existence of every man and women on the earth. The problem is that many don’t understand their purpose. Once upon a time I didn’t either. That is until I got serious about life. It was then that I realized what purpose is.
It is the collection of all your authentic desires; it is your passion. It is your North Star and your direction; it is your life-long teacher – and above all else, it is that which causes you to press through any form or measure of adversity until you unleash your maximum potential, for it gives you the strength to hold on when you have no strength left within you to hold on.

Book Excerpt:
THE ANSWER IS YOU

Do you know what the world’s greatest mystery is? No; it’s not the Pyramids, Stonehenge, Area 51, or cafeteria meatloaf. The world’s greatest mystery is you. That’s right – you. Regardless of what anyone says or thinks, you are the world’s best kept secret. The answer is you.

Now it is worth mentioning that you didn’t start out this way. That is to say, you were not always a mystery. At birth you inherited a clean slate which clearly identified your destiny in life. Twas a perfect blend of dreams, desires, and purpose at the forefront of your soul all waiting to be expressed.

Nevertheless, as straightforward as this progression is, many of us will never see this evolutionary expression; for whether it is in our own life or in the life of one of the many individuals we know, this authentic manifestation of the soul will never transpire. Thus regardless of the obvious nature of our destiny, many of us will never find it. Be it disenchantment, chronic cynicism, or excess distractions, many diverse factors will cause for our clear conduit to fulfillment to morph into a complex network of conflicting purposes and broken paths. To put it quite plainly – in time things changed. They always do.

Certainly there is a great deal I could say regarding this untimely change. Yet to sum it up in 2 words, I would simply state that you changed; specifically when you began the figurative yet inaccurate process of growing up.

Believe you me, growing up is not what it’s all cooked up to be. Why not? Quite simply it’s because growing up has unfortunately relapsed into a defective process in which many of us are actually growing away from our destiny. This ill-fated departure transpires as we are adversely influenced by family members, so-called friends, and the world at large.

It’s a tragic disappearing act to say the least; the end results of which are always devastating, for the combination of these adverse influences causes for our initial blend of dreams and purpose to be buried beneath conflicting factors such as expectations, individuality, and control. Inopportunely these opposing factors work to perpetuate immense personal disillusionment; hence the great mystery of you.

Not convinced yet? How many times have you asked yourself, “Why did I do that?” Or how many times have you looked back on a poor decision you made and shook your head as you wondered, “What was I thinking?”

If you’re like me, you’ve asked these questions more times than you can easily count. See our realities are sure. We only know ourselves in part for a good portion of our early lives. Due to a steady inundation of contradictory influences, we will find ourselves investing a great deal of energy and time in sifting through a great many ambitions, intentions, and the like.

The problem is many of these motivations are not in line with our destiny. Consequently our decisions in life will be heavily influenced by factors which do not reflect who we really are, factors which will fail to transform us into the person we were originally designed to be.

Now you are not just a mystery. You are no longer you. You, my friend, are an imposter. Many of us are or have been.

2 PATHS TO TAKE

Have I gotten your attention? If so, you are probably asking yourself questions like “what should I do” and “where should I go from here?” Classically there are only 2 paths to be taken at this juncture (which in my estimation is the most crucial crossroad in life).

Now the first path is an unfruitful attempt to go through life in the afore-described model of the self-impostor. Chances are you may very well find your destiny in the end and after all. However, in the off-chance this does occur, the path you take will be filled with missed opportunities, meager levels of contentment, and several regrets.

Moreover, these several disappointments may cause you to deviate from all worthwhile pursuits altogether and settle for an existence void of self-actualization (self-actualization being the activation of your full potential).

As for the second path, it is the good path. I know because I’ve followed this path as well as others who I’ve personally mentored, and yet others all over the world who are just like us. On this path you will embark upon an internal quest to sift through your personal minutia to differentiate your truest purposes in life from your secondary goals.

You will also address all those ambitions which you’ve somehow acquired yet do not correspond to your destiny whatsoever. We generally refer to these unfulfilling ends as “baggage” or “dead weight.” Customarily they are some of the greatest deterrents to finding fulfillment. Hence they are factors you must deal with in your quest and you will.

Not only these; but you must eventually overcome all things to fulfill your destiny. All you have to do is follow the guidelines associated with the Pinnacle of Purpose, a combination of 7 unique steps which will not only unlock the “mystery of you.” In dedicated fashion, the 7 levels of purpose will progressively transform you into the person you were originally destined to be from your beginning.

D. L. Anderson is a speaker and life trainer whose goals are centered on helping others live a life of
purpose, excellence, and balance. Drawing on 15+ years of experience in various fields including information technology, consulting, and business management, D. L. Anderson is very excited to be able to effectively teach others the same principles which have made his life both fulfilling and successful.

His latest book is the self-help book, Unlocking the Mystery of You: The Pinnacle of Purpose.
For More Information


Giveaway Details:

D.L. Anderson is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter.
  • This giveaway begins January 5 and ends March 27.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on Monday, March 30.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!




a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wordless Wednesday


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

This Day in History - February 10


I haven't posted one of these for a while, so it is long overdue. This information comes from HISTORY®'s This Day in History.

On this date in 1763, the French and Indian War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by France, Great Britain, and Spain.

This seven year conflict came about as a result of France's expansion into the Ohio River valley, bringing the country into armed conflict with the British colonies. Britain officially declared war in 1756.

Though early in the conflict, Britain suffered a series of defeats, by 1760, the French had been removed from Canada. By 1763, all of France's allies in Europe had either made a separate peace with Prussia or had been defeated. In addition, Spain's attempts to help France in the Americas failed.

As a result of the Treaty of Paris, France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain, while Britain received Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and various French holdings overseas. Not only did the treaty ensure the colonial and maritime supremacy of Britain and strengthen the 13 American colonies by removing their European rivals to the north and the south; it also led the French to intervene on the behalf of the Patriots during the American Revolution.


Monday, February 9, 2015

Mailbox Monday - February 9

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Guess what? It is snowing again. The kids are home again. The hubby is home again. Can I just say something? I am ready for spring! I love my family being home, but the kids have had only one full week of school since Christmas break ended. It is getting a bit crazy.

Good thing the mailman is still able to get through. Here's what he brought me. The first one is for a virtual book tour. The second is something I won.


Combining the best of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Rolvaag's Giants in the Earth, and Moberg's The Emigrants, Lindberg's saga spans nearly a millennium beginning with the last of the Crusades... nineteenth-century Norse immigrants to America...cultural acclimatization...struggle to maintain their faith in an increasingly hostile climate... A connecting thread throughout the saga...three interlocking golden Rings... (from the Forward by John Eidsmoe)


The owner of the Novel Idea Literary Agency is thrilled when former local boy and popular television show host Damian York returns to Inspiration Valley, North Carolina, to launch his new gardening book. But Lila is less than excited about the hubbub when she sees her mounting to-do list. Between planning York’s gala and sprucing up her yard for another event, she’s spread too thin—especially after she finds a skull buried in her flowerbeds.

As Lila’s macabre discovery leads to other secrets hidden in Inspiration Valley’s past, a member of the local garden club is found slumped over her prize roses—murdered. Now it’s up to Lila to dig through old mysteries and new clues to unearth a murderer before someone else is found pushing up daisies…

What did you receive this week?

CFBA: Devotion by Marianne Evans

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Devotion
Harbourlight Books (September 19, 2012)
by
Marianne Evans




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




A Word from the author:

My career began at Kensington Publishing, then Wild Rose Press released what will likely be my last secular novel, With This Kiss. This book is very dear to my heart, because, in a way, it memorializes the life of my grandmother, Rachel Alfano. She was a feisty, loving Italian. Back in the day, folks came to her deli in East Rutherford "from the City" (New York, of course!) to get her pepperoni, or purchase her hand-made sausage and pastas. Life and times at 82 Mozart Street are engraved upon my heart, and precious to me. What better place to set a romance?

Now, I'm called to write 'Faith-affirming fiction' (TM). Christian inspirational romance, and Christian themed fiction, is something that both as a reader, and writer, I feel called upon by God to enjoy and create.

This segment of my journey began when I was lucky enough to win a writing contest sponsored by White Rose Publishing that led to the publication of my Christian inspy debut, Hearts Crossing. This humble, heart-felt novella went on to become a series...and an Amazon best seller! A Face in the Clouds, a short story spin-off of Woodland, is also part of my 'best seller' portfolio. What a blessing!




ABOUT THE BOOK



Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now. Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.

For Better or Worse

But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation? How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?

'Til Death Do Us Part

When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Devotion, go HERE.




Saturday, February 7, 2015

Google Honors Laura Ingalls Wilder's 148th Birthday


Google is honoring the 148th birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder on their homepage today. Check it out: https://www.google.com/

Happy birthday to everyone's favorite country girl.

Friday, February 6, 2015

The Friday 56 - Week 213

Welcome to Week 213!

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post to the Linky at Freda's Voice. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

I'm not sure if I requested this book or if it came unsolicited. It sounds really good. You can find more details on Goodreads.


Cole will escape, I think. Cole is away from here. But he knows what happened that night.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

As A Busy Mom Thinks - School Projects


Let’s talk school projects. Some of us hate them. Some of us enjoy them. Some of us might even be indifferent to them. Right now, the Lil’ Princess is in the middle of her latest book project: a story map, an index card filled with important details, and a facial mask she must make of one of the characters.

This year, procrastination has been her approach to things. I had to push her to finish reading the book on time. Once that was done, I had to nag her to start each phase of the project. She didn’t used to be that way but she is right now.

In all fairness to her, I’ve been so busy with my job that it took me until this week to begin searching for a facial mask mold. Thank you, Amazon (the local craft stores were out).

Tonight, I helped her roll out the molding clay so she could put it over the mold. We will let it dry overnight before she finishes completing the mask tomorrow night. Hopefully we have all the supplies she needs because I have no idea what she has planned.


How do you feel about school projects? What has been your favorite one so far?

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Kindle Freebie: The Life and Prayers of Saint Joan of Arc by Wyatt North


One part biography, one part prayer book, The Life and Prayers of Saint Joan of Arc is an essential book for any Christian.

Though Joan described herself as “a poor girl who knew neither how to ride nor lead in war,” she did know how to obey God. That simple skill changed the course of both her life and that of the entire nation.

Twenty-five years after her execution, Saint Joan was pronounced innocent, and declared a martyr. Joan stood up for her belief and against all odds fought for her people.

She was a true hero, and remains an inspiration to this day.

File Size: 217 KB
Print Length: 67 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1493732439
Publisher: Wyatt North Publishing, LLC (May 29, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00B5NP9L6


Purchase here!

Monday, February 2, 2015

Register for Write2Ignite Coming March 27 - 28!


Write2Ignite! is just a few weeks away -- March 27-28, 2015!

Write2Ignite! 2015 – March 27-28, 2015 at North Greenville University near Greenville, SC.

The Conference for Christian Writers of Literature for Children and Young Adults.

Key Note Speaker – Tim Shoemaker - author of 11 books for kids and parents.
Other speakers include Karen Whiting, Jenny L. Cote, Cheri Cowell, Kim Peterson, Tony Snipes, Vonda Skelton and Torry Martin.

Two tracks – one for adults and one for teens who write.
Interviews with editors and agents. Scholarships available.
Information and Registration at www.write2ignite.com


Mailbox Monday - February 2

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Happy Groundhog Day!

It is a snowy Monday in New England. This is our second major snowstorm in the span of two weeks. The kids and hubby are home for the day. We are expecting 6 to 12 inches of the white stuff. Yuck!

If you stopped by on Friday, you learned my long-awaited copy of Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder and edited by Pamela Smith Hill arrived. I am so excited. Amazon had trouble filling orders of this book. I should have gotten it from the museum. It would have arrived sooner.

Pioneer Girl, for anyone who doesn't know, was Wilder's original manuscript. It was rejected and turned into a series of children's books. I know it will take me a while to get through this one, but I am so thrilled to have it.


Follow the real Laura Ingalls and her family as they make their way west and discover that truth is as remarkable as fiction.

Hidden away since the 1930s, Laura Ingalls Wilder's never-before-published autobiography reveals the true stories of her pioneering life. Some of her experiences will be familiar; some will be a surprise. Pioneer Girl re-introduces readers to the woman who defined the pioneer experience for millions of people around the world.

Through her recollections, Wilder details the Ingalls family s journey from Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, back to Minnesota, and on to Dakota Territory sixteen years of travels, unforgettable stories, and the everyday people who became immortal through her fiction. Using additional manuscripts, diaries, and letters, Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography builds on Wilder s work by adding valuable context and explores her growth as a writer.

Author of an award-winning Laura Ingalls Wilder biography, editor Pamela Smith Hill offers new insights into Wilder s life and times. In an introduction, Hill illuminates Wilder s writing career and the dynamic relationship between the budding novelist and her daughter and editor, Rose Wilder Lane. Sharing the story of Wilder s original manuscript, Hill discusses the catalysts for Pioneer Girl and the process through which Wilder s story turned from an unpublished memoir into the national phenomenon of the Little House series.

Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography also explores the history of the frontier that the Ingalls family traversed and the culture and life of the communities Wilder lived in. This groundbreaking volume develops a fuller picture of Wilder s life and times for the millions of readers who wish to learn more about this important American author. It contains one hundred and twenty-five images, eight fully researched maps, and hundreds of annotations based on numerous primary sources, including census data, county, state, and federal records, and newspapers of the period.

An important historic and literary achievement, this annotated edition of Pioneer Girl provides modern readers with new insights into the woman behind the fictional classics Little House in the Big Woods, Farmer Boy, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years.



I also received this book, though I am not sure why. It could have come to me unsolicited. Either that or I don't remember requesting it. Sounds like a fascinating novel.


A terrible loss. A desperate journey.
A mother seeks the truth.

In December of the year 1377, five children were burned to death in a suspicious house fire. A small band of villagers traveled 200 miles across England in midwinter to demand justice for their children’s deaths.

Sinful Folk is the story of this treacherous journey as seen by Mear, a former nun who has lived for a decade disguised as a mute man, raising her son quietly in this isolated village.

For years, she has concealed herself and all her secrets. But in this journey, she will find the strength to claim the promise of her past and find a new future. Mear begins her journey in terror and heartache, and ends in triumph and redemption.

What was in your mailbox?

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Bargain Kindle Book: Faith, Hope, and Murder by Elise M. Stone



Emotionally wounded, with prayers unanswered, Faith Andersen turned her back on God years ago. She’s devoted herself to her work as a web designer—and a series of meaningless relationships in place of the love she desires. She’s happier that way; at least, that’s what she tells herself.

When her best friend asks her to help a stranger, she has no idea the problem is murder. The victim, a smuggler who brought drugs and human beings over the Mexican border, had plenty of enemies. And even more dangerous friends.

Pastor John Menard has problems of his own. When the pretty skeptic appears in his office to discuss a new web site for the church, John is intrigued, but cautious. With a recent divorce and an accusation of misconduct, he must win back the trust of his congregation—or risk losing his church. While he struggles to prove his innocence, there’s no space in his life for a relationship.

As Faith investigates the murder, she finds herself with more questions than answers. Who killed the coyote? Is the stranger really who she seems?

When John discovers Faith is poking into a homicide, he fears for her safety. Spiced with danger and opposing beliefs, their mutual attraction grows. But have they gotten themselves into more trouble than either of them could have imagined?

File Size: 426 KB
Print Length: 336 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0988848236
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Civano Press (December 23, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00B2ROIWQ


Purchase here for only 99 cents!