Kindle Freebie: The Lawman Claims His Bride by Renee Ryan

For five years, U.S. Marshal Logan Mitchell has dreamed of returning to his sweetheart in Denver. He never imagined he'd find Megan Goodwin locked in a prison cell. Megan has no memory of what happened the night the outlaw was murdered. And though Logan is sure of her innocence, proving it is only half the battle. Remembering the killer's identity will clear Megan's name but could lead danger right to her door. Logan will protect her life with his. But forging a true marriage takes trust, faith and the courage to open their hearts to God's plan—wherever it leads….

File Size: 432 KB
Print Length: 287 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0373828640
Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals (December 1, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00GKBIPK0

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Book Blast: The Next America by Don A. Holbrook - Win $25 Amazon Gift Card (Ends Today)

The economic chaos of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis that has created so much destruction of wealth for regular Americans is far from over. This book examines problems and possible solutions within national, international, and local realms that will help us navigate these times and set a course toward calmer waters. While some clamor for more taxes to cover our government's programs, The Next America shows how we can restructure our tax code so it positively affects all aspects of our communities: education, businesses, innovation, political transparency, environmental issues, investments, and more. Concerned citizens and economic players alike will be inspired and motivated to act to reestablish the American Dream during this transitional time. The Next America believes an informed citizenry can create a solution to hold our elected officials accountable for real change that will be robust and beneficial to all American’s not just the elite few at the top, without moving away from our free market and capitalism based economy.

Excerpt:

From reading the newspaper, watching television, or listening to the radio, it should be clear that the unsettling situation America finds itself in today has presented us with several conundrums. We are concerned about where our nation is headed, how to make a living, how to prepare for retirement, how to create a better life for our families today, and how to leave our posterity with an inheritance of economic opportunities.

The global economy has created more chaos and hardships than most of us have previously experienced. Not since the Great Depression have folks been so beleaguered by so many tumultuous problems. Even more devastating is the degradation of our main pillar of humanity, our core: the family unit. With the massive amount of unemployment and underemployment that has arisen in this perfect economic storm, many of us have burned through our benefit claims, extensions, and options. We face loss of income and also hope and self-dignity. These immense problems have made many of us rethink our values and dreams. In the worst of cases, we have given up the ideal of aspiring for a better life—not only for ourselves, but also for our children. The economic pressures are not the only problems in this perfect storm. We face burgeoning pressure from religious zealots who are not tolerant of religious differences. We face environmental calamities,

both natural and man-made. In addition, the resources that we depend on to fuel our global economy, such as energy, are peaking in costs and diminishing in availability.
To further frustrate and annoy our already overloaded psyches, we have a complete lack of trust in our governmental systems. People are weary of the either/or partisan politics and government’s failure to look out for our best interests.

WATCH DON DISCUSS MOVING BEYOND A FRAGILE ECONOMY:

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Don Holbrook is a private economist consultant involved in economic development public policy, site

location decisions for private sector investments of new facilities, strategic destination tourism development feasibility and public-private partnership conceptualization, including public sector incentives to entice business investment into local economies. His non-fiction books on local economic development efforts to rebuild, renew and sustainably balance economic development public policy to create world-class communities have been groundbreaking successes within economic development. His first book, the “Little Black Book of Economic Development” has spawned a series of follow-up books on how communities, companies, individuals and families can navigate these treacherous economic times.

Holbrook is one of the worlds foremost thought leaders and public speakers on the subject of how communities can build smart and sustainable local grassroots driven economic development strategies to achieve maximum success in what he refers to as “The Art of the Deal Today.”

Holbrook was formally indoctrinated as a Fellow Member of the International Economic Development Council, for his lifetime achievements by his peers in 2008.

He lives with wife and two sons in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 2010, Holbrook was formally Knighted at West Point USMA as a member of the modern day Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, a modern day Knights Templar Order.

Connect & Socialize with Don!

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Pump Up Your Book and Don Holbrook are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
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• This giveaway begins December 2 and ends December 27.
• Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, December 30, 2013.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

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Book Review: Thy Will Be Done by Ronald Kirk

Have you ever imagined what life would be like if you took The Great Commission to heart? What if you applied faith to every area of your life?

Thy Will Be Done: When All Nations Call God Blessed by Ronald W. Kirk shows us how amazing that can be.

Powerful in content and meaning, this guide reveals how a true godly society would function. Both informative and inspirational, Thy Will Be Done reminds us of the responsibility we have as Christians to pursue seeing God's will being done on earth "as it is in heaven" and embracing the charge of The Great Commission to "go and make disciples of all the nations."

Author Ronald W. Kirk, theology editor at Nordskog Publishing, explores Christian liberty, the individual's moral and evangelical responsibilities, character and more, before moving on to a discussion on the family and each member's role. Chapter 5 discusses the church; its functions and authority, its leaders, its mission, and evangelism. There are explorations into work, money, and capitalism, science and theology, education and schools, tithing and philanthropy, recreation and pleasure, civil justice and Christian community, neighborhoods and regions, and state and federal governments covering topics like taxation and war. The final chapter discusses what hinders our path and how overcoming these hindrances leads to real growth. This is not a self-help book. Thy Will Be Done shares the glory of living life as God intended and the transformative power of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

I've never read a book on applied faith before, and now that I am done, I want to read it again. At first, it seems overwhelming, but with all things, seeking wisdom and understanding through prayer opens your eyes and your hearts. Kirk slowly takes the focus from each individual life and branches out into church, work, school, and local and national governments. You can't help but be inspired by the possibilities.


Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Nordskog Publishing, Inc. (October 30, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0988297655
ISBN-13: 978-0988297654


I was paid to promote this book with a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book. This fee did not include a review of any kind. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Gifts for this Busy Mom

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. My son and daughter-in-law joined us today, along with my in-laws. We all had a great time and enjoyed some yummy food. I am so full I don't think I can eat another bite.

Books must have been on many minds, as I am now the owner of nine new titles thanks to my family and my Amazon Wish List. Here is what I received:

• The Alpine Path by L.M. Montgomery (Lucy Maud Montgomery's autobiography),
• Inside Laura's Little House: The Little House on the Prairie Treasury by Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson,
• The Twelve Clues of Christmas: A Royal Spyness Mystery by Rhys Bowen (recommended by a literary agent whose blog I follow),
• White as Snow, Rock of Refuge, and In Green Pastures by Donna Westover Gallup. These are the three books in her Mysterious Ways series,
• The Christmas Cottage by Samantha Chase (Kindle version),
• Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley (Kindle version), and
• Christmas Carol by Michele Gorman (Kindle version).

My son and daughter-in-law bought me a new 4-quart slow cooker. I have a larger one, but it's old and difficult to carry around to church potlucks. I can't wait to try it.

I also received The Bonanza Collection, a five -disc set of the series starring Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts, and Dan Blocker. I can't believe all of the stars are gone now. Did you know the Bonanza theme song actually had lyrics? The original version was sung by Greene, Landon, and Blocker. It was--well, to put it kindly--awful, so they went for the instrumental version for the rest of the show; though Greene recorded a version of it changing the lyrics. Johnny Cash also sang his own version with different lyrics.

The family also bought me Gettysburg and Stories of Valor, a Civil War Minutes™ III DVD. It is narrated by Keith Carradine and features interviews with Michael Kraus and David M. Neville, bonus trailers, and commentary. Other nice gifts were a Yankee Candle votive sampler pack and a gift certificate to the local spa.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas. What are some of the special gifts you received?

Christmas Eve Check-in

It's almost 10 p.m. here. The baking is done. Food gifts have been passed out to the neighbors. Earlier tonight we attended a candlelight Christmas Eve service at church.

Up until today, Boots, Killer, and Giggles (above) have been making their home under the Christmas tree. They had to relocate as we started putting gifts there instead. See that gold snowflake by the side of Giggles' head. That's no more. One of the cats (probably Giggles) bit it into a bunch of tiny pieces before deciding it wasn't digestible. Good thing that was a cheap ornament.

The Lil' Diva making cut-out sugar cookies for friends

In about fifteen minutes the girls will head off to bed and hopefully Santa's elves will take over and transform our living room into a beautiful showcase. In the morning, we'll sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus before opening our gifts. What Christmas morning traditions do you have?

Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas.

Book Review: Closet Words by Kim Hilton

Closet Words by Kim Hilton is a moving devotional for serious Christians.

After growing up in an environment that included abuse, violence, and hunger, Kim Hilton, along with some of her siblings, was adopted. Though she had prayed to God many times throughout her life, in August of 2002 she heard God speaking to her. Taken word for word as she heard from God, Closet Words is a collection of what she wrote down in her journal in the privacy of her prayer closet.

What I feel makes this book so powerful is the recurring themes. The encouragement that God has heard her prayers. The comfort in knowing God is with her every step of the way. The talk of training for battle.

As I mentioned in my preview of Closet Words, the book is so unique because it includes images of Hilton's handwritten journal pages alongside the typeset pages.

Closet Words is broken down into three sections. The first includes the journal entries. The second holds some of the personal prayers Kim has written. The final section is a Reflections and Study Guide to deepen your walk with Christ. Meant to be followed privately or as part of a study group, each portion includes a Scripture reading, discussion questions, and assignment.

This is a beautiful book that I feel will touch believers in a special way.


Paperback: 174 pages
Publisher: WestBowPress (December 10, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1449774539
ISBN-13: 978-1449774530


I received a copy of this book through the author's publicist. I was paid a fee to promote this book with a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book. That fee did not cover any type of review. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

You've Got Mail Monday

Christmas is almost here and I'm running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Got some wrapping done Saturday, but nothing Sunday. The Lil Diva' baked sugar cookies in the kitchen, so my jellies and honey butter for the neighbors didn't get done either. My plan is to spend today grocery shopping and canning. Wish me luck.

This week, as you can imagine, last-minute Christmas gifts are arriving. I'm hoping the gift cards I ordered arrive in time. If not, I'll owe my son some gift cards. I already know I'll owe the hubby one last neat gift that won't be here.

The catalogs have calmed down, except for the gardening ones. Those are just starting. Last week I received one from Henry Field's®. I don't think I've ever ordered from them before. I'll have to check it out. My to-be-saved gardening catalog pile is growing.

The only book that arrived was The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life by Kimberly Palmer. I forgot I had agreed to review it several months ago. That's the problem with saying yes when the release date is so far out. I think I'll like this one. It sounded interesting when the publicist emailed me about it.

A lovely gift came from one of my clients last week, too. It was such a nice surprise. I've placed it on my desk in a helpful spot. I'm sure it will get lots of use.

I'm not sure of my blogging schedule for the week, so I hope you'll bear with me. There is a lot to do and only two days to accomplish it.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.