Seasonal Christian Titles

Everyone knows how much I love Christmas. I also enjoy books set around Christmas. Here are some Christian titles I'm looking forward to.

Jonathon Bradby would gladly return to fighting the French if it meant avoiding his new title: war hero. Only he knows the reputation isn't deserved. Then a visit to Sanctuary Bay brings renewed acquaintance with the lovely Lady Catherine Meriweather. He's drawn to her, yet Cat surely deserves a real hero.

Overwhelmed with organizing a Yuletide celebration and her sister's wedding, Cat gladly accepts Jonathan's help. Soon she sees the gentle heart he conceals beneath his wit. But Jonathan's need to prove himself could drive them apart—unless they're bold enough to seize the unexpected gift of love.

For the first time in years, Christmas brings hope to Bygones, Kansas.


But for Josh Barton, Main Street's coffee shop owner, it brings back sad memories he'd rather forget. He's a new man, with a new life and faith now. Still, he hides a huge part of himself from his neighbors—and from one very inquisitive reporter. Whitney Leigh seems determined to uncover the mystery of the town's recent windfall, and Josh could help her. But that would mean opening up his guarded heart.

Can a man who thought family and Christmas were only for others find a forever home where he least expects?

The holidays are right around the corner, but Captain Jake Tanner is struggling to find Christmas cheer. Having survived a devastating attack overseas, he has emotional scars that run deep. When Jake meets beautiful widow Emma Langford, his heart is unprepared for the feelings she inspires.

Training service dogs has taught Emma to recognize those in need. She wants to show Jake that a four-legged companion is the best therapy, but she's afraid that the closer she gets, the more her own wounds are revealed.

In "Once Upon a Jingle Bell," A Bah! Humbug cruise to the Mexican Riviera is

Joss Snow’s answer to this year’s quest to avoid the holidays completely; at least until she’s rebooked on a different kind of cruise altogether. Candy canes, holly wreaths, reindeer and ornaments seem to be stalking her on the 12 Days of Christmas holiday cruise extravaganza. An escape back to land is her only goal ... until she meets a kindred spirit in rugged Irishman Patrick Brenneman, and then the game is on! Avoid Christmas festivities at all costs ... except maybe for that one stop under the mistletoe.

In "It Came Upon a Midnight Deer," Reese’s guilt over abandoning best friend Joss on their holiday tradition of avoiding all things Christmas is trumped by the joy of her recent engagement. Meeting Damian’s family for the first time on idyllic Sugarloaf Mountain is about as far from that Bah! Humbug cruise as she can get, and Reese can hardly wait to get there. But from the moment they hit that deer in the road just two miles from the cabin, everything seems to go wrong. There are no drummers drumming or pipers piping this particular year! And once she sets her future in-laws’ family cabin ablaze, she’s pretty sure

there won’t be even ONE golden ring in her future.

Twelve years ago, Lorrie Ann Ortega left the tiny town of Clear Water with stars in her eyes. Now she's back home -- trying to live right and put her mistakes in the past. Even so, she'll never be the kind of woman who would make a good wife for the handsome widowed pastor, John Levi. But when she agrees to be nanny to his two sweet daughters, she's thrown constantly in his path. And she can't keep herself from dreaming that a man like John could one day love her. Can a prodigal daughter turn into a pastor's wife?

It is 1864 and the nation is still torn apart by civil war when Heather Worth

discovers she is with child. She has been working as a laundress with her husband's army unit, but when the army gets orders to march south to Tennessee, Gideon insists Heather go home to have their child under safer conditions. Heather agrees, but returns home to another kind of devastation -- deaths in the family and a father who refuses to forgive her for marrying a Yankee. With nowhere else to turn, Heather seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill, where her great aunt Sophrena lives. There, after many peaceful years at Harmony Hill, Sophrena is having doubts about her Shaker path. Both women are in need of love and forgiveness -- whether given or received. With Christmas coming, can the miracle of new life fill their hearts with unexpected joy?

Throwback Thursday

Why should Instagram users have all the fun? The Lil' Diva and I were talking about Throwback Thursday for Instagram. I love the idea of sharing images from the past. Since my kids are so much a part of my life, I reached back into the archives from our first digital camera to the night of John Boy's senior prom. Where does the time go?

Wordless Wednesday

Book Review: Peaceful Moments of Love and Light by Connie Arnold

Peaceful Moments of Love and Light by Connie Arnold is a beautifully designed devotional filled with meaningful, lyrical short meditations. Each week has a different theme (peace, faith, mercy, etc.), allowing the reader to focus her body and soul on certain topics each week or to pick and choose what she will find most helpful during the year.

While I love the overall design of this devotional and how Arnold's words are complemented by the stunning artwork, what I enjoyed most about this book is how perfect it is for busy people. Each devotional is only a few lines long. This encourages even the busiest of people (such as myself) to step back and take a few moments to compose their souls and set their eyes on the Lord.

Here is an example from the Praise section:

Take time each day for gratitude and praise

to the giver of all things and all of your days.

Give thanks with a heart that is overfl owing

for the bountiful gift s that God is bestowing.

And while I'm not suggesting anyone rush through her time with the Lord, this format allows those desiring to start or end their day with a short, thought-provoking devotional, to easily manage it. Peaceful Moments of Love and Light is a book I'm thrilled to have as part of my Christian collection. It would make a perfect gift.


Paperback: 116 pages
Publisher: RPJ and Company, Inc. (October 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937770451
ISBN-13: 978-1937770457


I received a PDF version of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

CFBA: Derailed by Dave and Neta Jackson

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDerailedWorthy Publishing (October 8, 2013)
byDave and Neta Jackson



ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.

Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.

We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.




ABOUT THE BOOK

Forced to give up his hard-earned retirement, Harry Bentley goes back to work as a detective. Receiving a bizarre undercover assignment that sends him across the country by train. Things suddenly go awry when it appears one of his new neighbors may be part of a smuggling ring and suspicion rises about his own son’s involvement in a major drug cartel.

The second in the Windy City Neighbors series, Derailed is a contemporary, and often humorous, tale in an urban setting, featuring ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. Intersecting with Grounded (book one), the Jacksons employ their innovative storytelling technique of “parallel novels.” Though each book follows its own drama and story arc, the characters’ lives become intertwined and affect one another. Derailed transports you to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood . . . until hope moves in.


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

You've Got Mail Monday

Our postal carrier was working overtime last week. Our mailbox was so full, they must have thought all we do is order things.

Catalogs arrived from Land's End, FrontGate, Kiddly Winks, Oriental Trading, L.L. Bean, and Soft Surroundings (this is a new one). Our second issue of Antiques Roadshow Insider arrived, but I've decided to discontinue this subscription. It seems interesting, but it's only a 15-page booklet. It also irked me that they sent me two invoices for my trial issue before I even received a single copy. History Magazine arrived. I think this is one I ordered from the fundraiser at school. The November/December 2013 issue of Traditional Home also showed up last week. I certainly won't be bored.

Actually, there is no way I could be bored because I won the Christmas in October giveaway from the Penny's Tales blog. I walked away with more than 50 prizes, which included numerous books and swag. They began arriving last week, so I'll have plenty of reading material to keep me busy. I also received Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber which included a DVD with music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a reading of the book by Tom Brokaw. This book review also included a set of 12 Biblical NAMES OF CHRIST Heirloom Ornaments to adorn one of my numerous Christmas trees this year.

We had fun celebrating the Lil' Princess' birthday this past week. Her big--and I do mean big--present was this nearly five-foot tall Melissa and Doug Plush Giraffe. She quickly named it Spots and takes it with her all around the house. That was tough to hide once it was delivered.

We also picked up a copy of the new LEGO Marvel Super Heroes game for XBOX 360. The Lil' Diva loves it! I'm so thrilled. Though it does make me realize they have no real comic book super hero knowledge. I lived on comic books as a kid. When one of the girls thought Batman lived on Krypton, I knew I had some work to do.

That's it for this week of You've Got Mail. This might be a slow blogging week since I am preparing for a writers conference.

First Chapter Review: Just a Little Talk by Anthony Crescio

Anthony Crescio is on a virtual book tour with his Christian novel, Just a Little Talk. I received a free copy of the first chapter from Pump Up Your Book for this review. 

BLURB:  Dominic’s life was drastically changed eight years ago when he was released from prison after serving time for the accident that claimed his best friend’s life and in return destroyed his future. Traveling through the neighborhood on his way home, rain falls which forces him into a church and an encounter with an old priest who used to know his family. Together, they relive moments of Dominic’s past which brings up questions about his beliefs in God and Jesus.

Discover how one talk can change a man’s life in Anthony Crescio’s Just a Little Talk.

COVER: It's a bit plain for my tastes, but it almost has a Bible feel to it thanks to the color and texture. The stained glass window is a nice touch.

FIRST CHAPTER: Dominic has just been released from prison and is unsure where he should go. Home doesn't seem right to him, but where else is there? Then it starts to rain and he seeks shelter in a church he attended as a boy.

KEEP READING: I'm on the fence about this one. The premise is interesting, but the opening chapter is a good deal of backstory. It works to a degree because Dominic has just been released from prison. As he's walking down the street, he's bound to notice how things have changed and be more aware of his surroundings and what they meant to him before prison. I just felt like the author could have gone deeper into Dominic's mind and pulled out more emotion; put me inside the character's head, especially since he's alone for a good part of the opening chapter. I'm curious enough to read another chapter or two before making my final decision.

I received the first chapter from the author's publicist. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.