HUGS Bible Reflections for Women - FREE BOOK

You are very busy with writing books and cards! What inspired you to start making your own cards?
I’d always loved cards and gift books, and dreamed of creating my own someday. During the long months of immobility following my accident, my love of words and great visuals merged. I remember the moment of inspiration for the first card. I came across an old slide that held bittersweet memories, a breathtaking sea scene—now on my website—and God breathed new inspiration into my desire to create something beautiful. The words, “We are given one fleeting lifetime to love,” echoed in my mind for days, and I wrote it down. After that, I penned the inside message: “When love appears open the door.” I chose the Scripture from I Corinthians 13:8, “Love never fails.”

I slammed into obstacles at every turn creating Soaring Hearts, but remained obedient to the call to create them. I was even approached by an upscale business to carry my TEA cards, if I would remove the Scripture—each card has Scripture inside—but I refused. This summer God opened a door, and I will know in the next few months if Soaring Hearts Cards will be distributed by a national company. I’m thrilled—and all nerves! I committed these special cards to God in the beginning, and know that His word never returns void. He is faithful to transform painful circumstances into something beautiful.

What an inspiration to stay true to God and your goals!

What project are you currently working on?
In between many months spent in Florida as a caregiver for family over the last couple of years, I’ve had to adapt to interruptions and de-railed projects. I work on historical fiction, albeit slowly; and I’m currently completing a tender gift book for brides. Whether you’re a bride-to-be, or spoke your vows decades ago, I pray LOVE and Everyday Wisdom for Brides will bless women and their marriages. I’m also writing a story for a book with a November deadline.

Where is your favorite place to write? 
I enjoy writing at a pretty, white writing desk in the kitchen; but truthfully, I love to write sitting outdoors, especially near the water. Nature ignites my senses and sparks inspiration for ideas. Also, some of my best writing emerges in the car. I know that may sound odd, but many times I’ll be driving by the cows or pond or flower gardens in my pastoral village, and have to pull over, grab paper, and write like thunder to keep up with the flurry of thoughts.

If you could have lunch with one person that has passed on whom would it be and why?
Of course, I’d love to sit with Jesus and share lunch with Him. That would be awesome! However, if I think of a family member I’d love to have lunch with, it would have to be my paternal great grandmother. I never had the pleasure of meeting her. I only know that she died in the epidemic Flu of 1918, as my grandma used to call it. She was a young woman with several children. Winters in the mountains of Virginia could be brutal. I just had the only picture of her (that we know about) professionally restored. I plan to give my dad this striking framed picture of her for his 80th birthday. Her raven hair, crisp white blouse, and crystal blue eyes shine from the old photograph. I wish I knew more about her life. Her death has woven its way into my fiction, and my heart. I pray I meet her in heaven someday.


You speak about a life-changing accident that inspired one of your books. Can you tell us a little about that?
Having been an R.N. for many years, the experience of being airlifted to a trauma hospital for a month, flown home after three months, and then the long uphill climb of rehab, threw my life into a tailspin. Everything changed in an instant. It’s a miracle that I lived to tell about it. And through it all, God blessed me, and gave me a powerful testimony to share. It still moves audiences. People cry, hoot, and holler. God’s wonders excite people. When my church asked me to speak on Pentecost Sunday months after I returned home, I began writing what unfolded into a 5,000 word story called, “At the Speed of Love.” Doors opened from there.

Gratitude is a way of life. I thank God everyday for improving health, and allowing me to fulfill my destiny as a wife and creative. I always wanted to write, so these opportunities are gifts. I’m excited to see where this journey will take me.

The last paragraph of  "At the Speed of Love" really captures my story.

Moonlight swept ribbons of silver across the black water as I drove past the pond. I recalled a conversation that Dad told me he’d had with the state trooper at the scene of the accident . . .

She had said, “I hope you know how lucky you are your daughter is alive. Seventy percent of people thrown from vehicles are killed, but after I looked in your truck, I knew why you and your daughter weren’t.”
“Why is that?” he asked.
She motioned, “That book on your dashboard.”
Dad went over to take a look. Miraculously, there on the dashboard was his Bible.
In his words, “It never moved.”
Isn’t it just like God to show up with His unchanging, immovable love in the intersections of life? It wasn’t my faith that was so
amazing—it was His miraculous, redeeming, amazing grace that made all the difference. Celebrate life!


Thank you, Salena, for having me as your guest today. I’m honored to share my heart with your readers. God bless you!

Thank you for coming on today to talk to us. It has been a pleasure to get to know you better!Thank you for being a beacon of God's love! Best of luck to you in all your endeavors!

Barbara has been kind enough to offer a free book to one lucky person. Please leave a comment with your email address to be entered for a chance to win a copy of Hugs: Bible Reflections for Women.

To purchase any of Barbara’s books or other products click here:

http://www.barbaraparentini.com/apps/store/default.asp?view=search

About Barbara:

A native Ohioan, Barbara fell in love with the South when she attended Warren Wilson College in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Retired from her career as a registered nurse since a life-changing accident in 2003, she devotes late nights to writing fiction, devotions, and poetry.

You’ll find her heartfelt stories in books published by Tyndale House Publishers, Howard Books (Simon and Schuster), The Writing Academy, and others. Devotions appear on Truth Ministries and Christian Devotions.us websites; and poetry on websites for caregivers. Her stories have also been published in medical and charitable nonprofit newsletters.

She’s polishing a tender gift book, Love and Everyday Wisdom for Brides that awakened her mornings last summer. A companion devotional/journal is in progress. She continues to mine, In the Den with Daniel, an historical novel set deep in the mountains of Appalachia.

In quiet moments she creates Soaring Hearts, an inspirational card line available in a quaint tea room in Pinehurst, North Carolina; and a seaside boutique on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Barbara presented her inaugural Living Letters® Seminar and Tea at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, last year. For Living Letters® Seminar and Tea for BRIDES; and “Writing Your Keepsake Letter,” scheduled for 2012, email: barbara@barbaraparentini.com.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Authors Guild, a graduate of C.L.A.S.S., North Carolina Poetry Society, and founder of Light of Carolina Christian Writers. Barbara and her husband dream amid bluebirds and hollyhocks in a southern part of heaven. Visit her site: http://www.barbaraparentini.com/

www.twitter.com/barbparentini

Butterflies are Free, by Debby Lee

FACTS BEHIND THE FICTION HEROES


Is Rhett Butler real? How about Jack Dawson from the blockbuster, Titanic? It’s said that a fair amount of fiction is grounded in truth. And many times, characters are inspired by people that writers know. My short story, Butterflies are Free, is no exception.

The character Susie Wilson is the heroine’s best friend and moral compass. Susie is a combination of two of my Facebook friends, High School chum Susan West Richmond and local resident, Laurie Hooper Wilson. They helped me come up with the name of my hero, Lance Wearly. So, in return, I named a character after them. By the way, Sue Richmond has indeed been a voice of conscience in my life.

Susie Wilson is a loyal friend and expresses compassion for the heroine. When it seems as though the whole world is against the heroine and there’s nowhere else to turn, it’s Susie Wilson who comes to the rescue. It seemed only natural to make Susie a blond since the ladies she’s based on both have long blond tresses.

Another character derived from reality is Private William Rene Sparrow. This soldier is a tribute to two specific Vietnam veterans, William Beckwith and Rene Malarz. Both of these men were friends of my parents and were killed in the Vietnam War. It saddens my mother to this day that she never got to say good-bye to Bill Beckwith before he went back to serve his second tour of duty. He was killed in action on the Fourth of July. These brave souls paid the ultimate price on the altar of our country. My heart goes out to their families.

The green truck the Fisher Brothers drive is based on a green truck my father drove when I was in High School. I believe it was a 1960’s Ford model. I’ve always thought the world of my Dad. I remember having so much fun rumbling down the road in his truck as he picked us kids up from school, took us to football games and over to the grandparents house for a visit.

Elias King is a mix of fictional character Elias, from the movie Platoon and a real life hero, Martin Luther King. I love the courage expressed by these two men. They both strove for peace and justice, and they weren’t afraid to stand in harm’s way to achieve that goal.

I’ve mentioned a great many names today, some fiction characters, some are real people. All are heroes in my humble opinion. One hero I couldn’t fathom not mentioning is my husband. Lance Wearly has blond hair and blue eyes, is left handed and has a bad knee from an old high school football injury. This is all based on my husband. He may not be Rhett Butler or Jack Dawson but he’s there when I need him. He’s the best knight in shining armor in the whole world. How could I not base the hero on him?

Who do you base your heroes and characters after? If you’re not a writer, what literary character are your favorite and why?

 

Bio for Debby (Mickelsen) Lee

I was raised in the cozy town of Toledo Washington, the daughter of a logging truck driver and a homemaker. I was a quiet and sometimes quirky student, graduating from Toledo High School in 1984. I later went on to earn an AA degree from Centralia College in 2004.

I've always enjoyed writing poetry, short stories and in scribbling in my diary. After reading a Danielle Steele book in the seventh grade, I've been hooked on romance ever since. Some of my favorite books include Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird and Fireflies in December. I'm an avid reader of John Grisham, John Jakes, DiAnn Mills, Ann Rule and the late Frank McCourt. They are among a few of my favorite authors, but I've been known to peruse the dictionary, a thesaurus and even the phone book if I get desperate enough for something to read.

The writing organizations that I belong to include: Beyond Parallax at Centralia College, where I was proudly voted in as an honorary lifetime member; the Christian Writers Guild, where I studied with renowned author Jerry Jenkins; and I have recently joined the American Christian Fiction Writers.

There are three local chapters of Romance Writers of America that I belong to. In the Greater Seattle chapter, I'm a Chairperson to the Goody Bags Committee for the 2011 Emerald City Writers conference in Bellevue, WA in October. In the Olympia chapter, I just completed a term as Treasurer and Secretary. I've joined the Peninsula chapter where fellow chaptermate, Darlene Panzara introduced me to Books To Go Now editors, Jenni Conner and Carolyn Schuster.

The Special Interest chapters I belong to include Hearts Through History, where I'm taking a lot of online courses to sharpen my writing skills, and the Faith Hope and Love chapter, where I served as a contest coordinator for the 2011 Inspirational Readers Choice Awards.

In May of 2009, I placed 5th in a nationwide contest sponsored by the Alaska chapter of RWA. More locally 2010 was a big year for me! I won the 2010 Cherry Challenge Award for writing a book in a year. I was also awarded a NaNoWriMo certificate for completing the rough draft to a 50 thousand word novel in less than a month. Then, at the Olympia chapter Christmas party, I won the prestigious Lucy Award. This is a grueling ten month long contest of meeting monthly writing goals. It was really tough so I'm proud to have won.

Fun and exciting places I visited in 2010 include Portland, OR for a Readers Luncheon sponsored by the Rose City RWA chapter. I also flew to Orlando, FL where I had the pleasure of attending my first RWA National conference and pitching one of my manuscripts to a NY agent. I was then off to Bellevue, WA for the Emerald City Writers conference. This is the largest writers conference on the west coast and I was in charge of putting the Goody Bags together. December found me dodging flooded roads to make it to the Peninsula chapter Christmas party in Bremerton, WA. That was lots of fun.

All this must be paying off, my writing has been published in numerous newsletters, magazines, college journals, and in a book of devotions. I've completed several inspirational novels and working on submitting them to agents and editors. In June, I completed a proposal with three other authors for an anthology we hope gets picked up by my dream publishing house.

Most recently, Books To Go Now editors contracted me for the publication of my short story, Butterflies Are Free. And November will be the release of the 2012 edition of the Penned From the Heart devotional. I'll have two devotions appearing in this book. To God be the glory.

On a personal note, I'm happily married, have five children and live in Centralia, WA with my family. Besides writing, my other interests include traveling, caring for my family, being active in my local church, and cheering for the Seattle Seahawks. GO HAWKS!

booksbydebbylee.com

Butterflies are Free, available now from bookstogonow.com

Thank you God for Blessing Me, by Max Lucado

Another installment of Max Lucado's Hermie series. Wonderfully illustrated and sweet content. It is sure to please children and adults alike. Easy for children to read and a sweet prayer for the whole family. Hermie shows young children how God has blessed him through the little things in Hermie's life. A great lesson for the entire family!

A Harvest of Hearts, by Laura Hilton - Free Book

A Harvest of Hearts Book 2 of the Amish of Seymour series, September 2011

Matthew Yoder volunteered to be part of the swap of Amish men from his Old Order Pennsylvania Amish Community, to the Amish community in Seymour, Missouri. There is nothing for him in Pennsylvania, as the youngest of twelve children, and the lack of farmland around Lancaster County, he felt he could make a better future in another district. Shanna Stoltzfus has been raised Amish, and couldn’t wait for her rumspringa so she could pursue her education. She hated having to quit school in the 8th grade to stay home and learn everything that makes a home run smoothly. But now she has earned her GED and is taking college courses, but her family is begging her to come home; her little sisters miss her. And there’s something about newcomer, Matthew Yoder that draws her attention. But is it enough to give up her dreams of education and join the Amish church?

Tell us about your journey to publication. I started writing when I was very little – it all started with a short story I was assigned in 3rd grade that didn’t end all that short. But I didn’t get serious about pursuing publication until much later. Then I joined ACFW (back then, it was ACRW) and started learning the trade! Writing isn’t as easy as a newbie things – there are so many things to learn!


What inspired A Harvest of Hearts? Nothing really inspired it. When I pitched my first book – Patchwork Dreams – to my agent, she told me I should have ideas for a series of three. So I took a moment to think about them and came up with a couple more ideas. I was excited to get a chance to write the story. I can’t remember ever reading a book similar to this one.


How long have you been writing? Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.

What are you currently working on? I’m working on a proposal for another Amish series for my agent to pitch.

What are you reading right now? At the moment, I’m reading Irene Hannon’s Deadly Pursuit. Next in my pile is A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher. And the nonfiction I’m reading is Fifty Ways to Wow Your Husband”.


Where do you do most of your writing? I would love to have an office! I do most of my writing in the living room of my home, with five children of various sizes and a Siberian Husky taking of space around me. I’d say I do all my writing there, but I have been known to write in the front seat of the van, sitting at the receptionist desk of a diving store (while waiting on my son to take life guarding class) and at the Ozark Folk Center (while waiting on children to take classes there).

What is your favorite character trait to write about? Acceptance, I think, of who and what God made you.

What is your favorite time of the year? Hands down, winter. I love snow. And now, living in Arkansas I don’t get nearly enough of it. We can go years without a snowflake. We do get ice though, and while pretty, it just isn’t the same. Anyone want to trade locations for a season?

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go? This is a really difficult question. I started to say to back when my mom and uncle were alive so I could spend one more day with them… but then I’d be losing two of my children in the process. Both of them were born after I lost my loved ones.

If you could tell your readers anything, what would it be? If God has given you a passion for something, He’s given you permission for it.


Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.


Her publishing credits include Hot Chocolate and Shadows of the Past from Treble Heart Books; a devotional in a compilation from Zondervan; and the first book “Patchwork Dreams” in her Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House released in April 2011, the second book, “A Harvest of Hearts” in September 2011, and Promised to Another in April 2012. Laura has her business degree from Ozarka and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

 

Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a chance to win a copy of A harvest of Hearts. Winner will be announced September 28th.

Follow Laura at her blog:

http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/

or find her on facebook Author Laura V. Hilton

Sew, It's a Quest, by Kendra Ardnek

Sew, It’s a Quest - The Bookania Quests by Kendra E. Ardnek

Robin and Robert are royal twins. They are the only two to have received a Fairy Godmother gift in nearly a century, an amazing honor. Soon it was clear that their gifts had been switched and a search began to find the Fairy Godmother to right the mistake. When she is finally sighted by a knight, the family learns that the pair must find her for themselves and they only have until their 18th birthday ... only 4 months away. Will they be able to find her in time?


1. What inspired this book?

I have always been a huge fan of fairy tales. I love retelling fairy tales. About a year and a half ago, my mom suggested that I write a series wherein I “finish” various fairy tales. I loved the idea, and decided that I would start with Sleeping Beauty. I had a very vague story idea, but it just needed something. Then, one day, I was folding laundry. I suddenly had an idea of a girl named Robin who was the best swordsman in the world due to a Fairy Godmother mistake. She then took over the book. My mother says that I have a habit of letting my imagination run wild … and stories like this are often the result.


2. How long have you known you wanted to be a writer?

When I was a baby, mom would play classic novels (such as Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen and C. S. Lewis) on our tape player as I went to bed and took my naps. When I was 22 months old, I was playing in the living room, watching TV, dancing all over the place, when a Nutcracker Ballet came on. I froze, both hands and one foot in the air as I watched in awe. I was so uncharacteristically quiet, Mom had to come check on me. I have, ever since, been in love with the Nutcracker (as evidenced by the large collection I have collected over the years). Between those events, I gained a love of stories and storytelling. From the time I was about two and a half I would make up stories about my crayons and pencils. Mom says that the stories were often pretty elaborate and hilarious. It wasn’t until I was nine or ten, though, that I began writing in earnest and telling people I was going to be a playwright, and wrote plays for my friends and cousins. There was this one play though that had gotten too complicated, so I turned it into a book, and I discovered that book writing was far easier than I thought it was, so I decided that I wanted to be an author instead.


3. What projects are you currently working on?

I am working on the sequel to “Sew, It’s a Quest,” and the first three books in a series I plan to call “The Rizkaland Legends.” I’m also working on a collection of short stories, one of which takes place in the same world as and a few years prior to “Sew, It’s a Quest.”


4. What books are you currently reading?

I am currently reading “Gone with the Wind.” It has had an interesting effect on my writing. Ever since I started reading “Gone with the Wind,” Robin has begun saying “fiddle-dee-dee.” I’m also reading “Jane Eyre,” as well as many other assigned books for school, such as “Hamlet.”We are currently studying the middle ages in school, so much of what I’m reading is from that period.



5. What is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, www.nanowrimo.org. It is a challenge to write 50.000 words in the month of November. I used the Young Writer’s version, which allowed me to lower my wordcount down to 30,000. I managed to complete it with 30,017 words. If one completes the challenge, a company called CreateSpace offers a free proof copy of the book, which is how I was able to publish “Sew, It’s a Quest,” since CreateSpace requires one to order a proof copy before they can publish the book mainstream.

6. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am the oldest with two younger sisters and a younger brother, and eight younger local cousins, almost all of them whom are almost always begging me to tell them stories and direct in dramatic play. One of my cousins is my play partner, and the two of us are always enacting stories together. The stories we come up with can be quite interesting, especially as he is nearly half my age, and is really into the “perfect” hero. Some of these stories we have come up with may eventually turn into books.

7. What are your plans after High School?

I have ruled out many things that I don’t want to do, but I still am not sure exactly what I want to do. I would like to continue writing, and I have a talent for various yarn crafts, and I love cooking, so I have several options available to me. I’m planning on taking online classes, but would also love to take some hands-on courses to hone my crafting skills. I would also like to get more into herbs and essential oils.

8. You plan to donate 25% of your profits to Compassion International’s Water Conservation program. What prompted this decision?

Growing up, my parents sponsored two girls through Compassion, one of which lived in Ethiopia and shared my birthday. Both girls have recently been able to leave the program. Compassion has been part of my life for a long time.

Our house is very old, and had had faulty repair work in the past, resulting in frequent water leaks, where we have to turn off the water until they are fixed, sometimes up to a week. When we first moved in, there was no water at all. Living in this house has taught me the importance of water. So I have a real concern for the people who lack water, especially those who lack water not because of its distance, but its uncleanliness.


9. What is your favorite past time besides writing? 

I would have to say knitting, crochet and other such handcrafts. I also love drama and reading.

10. Where is the silliest place you ever got an idea for a book?

The silliest place would have to be my 18 month old sister. One day I asked her how I should kidnap this one character, and she answered with “abida” and “abido” which, based on tone, I translated to meant “A big doll” and “A big dog,” which, after some thought, I realized that they would be the perfect method.

Meet Kendra:

Kendra E. Ardnek has been writing her own stories since she was a toddler. She fell in love with books, drama, and fairy tales at a very young age - and has been filling notebooks with her stories for years. Joining NaNoWriMo gave her an opportunity to be a published author at 16.

She writes her own blog (knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com), homeschools, cooks, knits, and crafts when she isn't writing stories and acting them out with her younger cousins and siblings.

https://www.createspace.com/3615224

Joab's Fire, by Lynn Squire - FREE BOOK

Joab’s Fire:

Joab Black and his wife Sarah overcame the worst of pioneer hardships in order to establish a prosperous farm in Alberta, Canada. But those challenges never prepared them for the tragedy they now faced—a staggering loss and intense pain causing them to doubt everything they had ever believed. In the midst of their sorrow, even their closest friends interpret their sufferings as a result of God’s judgment. Has God abandoned them?


Sergeant Dixon, the local North West Mounted Police officer, investigates the events leading to the Blacks’ plight. While his work gives them a ray of hope, his probing into the activities of a certain stranger possibly connected to the case may cost him his job and even his life.

Tell us about your journey to publication.
My first short stories began in elementary school, with my teachers as the villains and my friends as the heroes, but serious writing didn’t begin until a former boss asked me to be a key-note speaker at a conference almost twenty years ago. My first nonfiction book evolved from my notes for that conference. Prior to that I wrote short stories in college, puppet plays for mission trips, stories for chapels and campfires at camps, and short novels for my niece and nephew.

I became serious about writing fiction around 2007 and Joab’s Fire was my testing ground. I learned a lot writing this book.

However, God didn’t take me down the normal path to publication. I see books as tools for the work God calls us to do: share the Gospel, teach His word, and disciple. With the concept of writing as a ministry pushing me, I saw the need to put my writing under the authority of my church, where any ministry should be—an extension of the local church. I approached my pastor and submitted my writing ministry to my church. This changed the dynamics. No longer was my work to be governed by the whims of publishers and the market, but by Godly counsel founded upon Biblical principles and truths.

At first, I thought I could work through traditional publishing. I took that route, experienced rejection and the consternation that comes when a contract is offered to you, but isn’t right for you. I turned down opportunities, experiencing the discomfort of viewing a path that was not God’s choice.

Not until January of this year did I clearly understand that I was not to do traditional publishing. Why? Because I needed full control over my projects while remaining accountable to my church. Instead of the editors of traditional publishers being the gatekeeper of my work, my church was to be that and to measure my work against the whole counsel of God, i.e. all of Scripture. Again, the founding principle being books are merely instruments of God’s ministry. God uses people to spread the Gospel, to teach, to disciple. Books are instruments people can use to do these things, but without people, books are nothing but empty and useless vessels.


What inspired Joab’s Fire?
When I was 19 I was very ill with allergies and chemical intolerances. One night after a bout of vomiting, I sat on the floor between the toilet and the tub and asked God why? Almost as clear as an audible voice I heard Him say, read Job.

I did as He said and was truly blessed. God is in control. He loves me, and the more I read Job, the more I appreciate this. Of late, I see Him reminding me that He'll do anything to ensure my close relationship with Him...even allow hardships into my life.

There are many wonderful verses in the Bible that testify to God's provision in trials. I look at Paul's life, and I see someone who chose to suffer like Jesus and rejoiced in that suffering because it drew him closer to his Saviour. Paul wanted that for his disciples. Here's what he wrote to the church in Colosse:

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering;" Col 1:9-11

Paul didn't pray for them to not suffer. He didn't pray that they'd gain wealth or physical health or escape hardships. Instead, this man who knew great sufferings, prayed what he discovered was of far greater value than worldly possession, the knowledge of God.

Just like Job, who said when his ordeal was over, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee." Job 42:5

We know that Job was a Godly man who feared the Lord. He even had all the pat answers to trials, but when it was over, he realized what he thought he knew of God, he didn't. When he repented of his assumptions, God blessed the latter end of Job's life more than his beginnings. Is that an awesome and merciful God?

In my own life each trial has deepened my understanding and love of God. I would not want to substitute that knowledge for pain-free living. I'm glad He thunks me on the head now and again to remind me that I don't know everything there is to know about Him. And each time I discover a new depth of His love and abundant mercies.

How long have you been writing?

Since I could write words. With the intention of publication, since 1996.



What are you currently working on?

I just received from my copy editor edits on my booklet, A Week of Faith more Precious than Gold. This booklet contains seven short stories with devotionals challenging the reader to purify his faith. Most of the stories reflect historical situations where true believers endured persecution for their faith.

What are you reading right now?

I am reading the ARC for Sandi Rog’s next book, Yahshua’s Bridge.

Where do you do most of your writing?
I write in the corner of our bedroom where my laptop rests on a board across four shelves. I love this corner of my home where I can escape to other worlds.

What is your favorite character trait to write about?

Faithful, or more specifically, about a person whose faith is challenged to the point of great sacrifice and chooses to remain faithful to God, no matter the cost.

What is your favorite time of the year?

This is a difficult question. I enjoy summer because of the time I can have with my family and because I enjoy being outside. I enjoy winter because I enjoy curling up in front of a warm fire with a good book. I enjoy spring because I love to garden, and spring stirs up my passion for gardens. I enjoy the fall because it is a reflective time and a time to witness some of God’s most creative artwork.

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

Back to Jerusalem to see Jesus. I want to sit at His feet and learn from Him, see Him in action, and absorb all that He is. Unfortunately, I’m afraid my “task-oriented” behavior would compel me to be more like Martha than Mary and I would be so busy trying to serve Him that I would fail to enjoy Him.

If you could tell your readers anything, what would it be?

Keep your eye on eternity. If you are saved, your hope rests in the eternal life you will have with Jesus. If you don’t know what your eternity will be, then read John 3, Romans 10, and as much Scripture as you can to learn what God says about your eternity. But to summarize what you can learn from Scripture:

• Believe on Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God

• Call on Him to save you from your sins and give you eternal life

• Ask for His forgiveness

• Accept the gift of salvation He offers through His death (payment for your sins), burial and resurrection.



Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a chance to win a copy of Joab’s Fire. Winner will be announced on September 25th. You MUST leave an email address to be entered.

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http://www.presentingbiblicaltruths.com/


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Review - Wings of a Dream, by Anne Mateer

Very rarely does a book come along, that draws you in so deep that you want to cry when you have to let it go. Never have I ever been so excited and so sad at the same time to see the last page arrive!

Rebekah Hendricks dreams of the day she will be able to marry Arthur, an aviator preparing to deploy to Europe during WWI. He leaves Oklahoma and goes to Dallas for training when Rebekah gets word that her Aunt, whom she hardly knows, has fallen ill in Texas. Her mother asks that Rebekah go care for the aunt since the relationship between the mother and the aunt has been strained for years. Rebekah is elated! Going to her aunt takes her closer to Arthur.

She arrives in Texas to find that her aunt has been caring for four young children after their father has gone to war and the mother died in child birth.

From there Anne Mateer takes you into a world where Rebekah learns to grow up faster than she ever expected. Rebekah seeks adventure and excitement but what she finds in Texas is anything but. Can she trust God to guide her future? Can she trust herself with the one man who holds her heart?

There are so many twists and turns that I won't say more because I fear giving away the end.

But this book is amazing. Anne is a talented writer who weaves poetry and description into every sentence.

On a scale of 1 - 5 this one deserves an 8! I can't wait to read what else Anne has up her sleeve!

SECRET PRINCESS by Christine Lindsay

India’s evening air caresses like warm silk. A small mountain of kid-sized sandals sits close to a wooden beam holding up the makeshift roof. Voices of hundreds of children fill this tiny Christian church in the center of the bustling city in the south of India.

The children sit on rugs, thick blankets, and bamboo matting on a floor of deep, clean sand. Counselors and specially chosen kids from the congregation lead in dance sequences. The Indian style music, heavy with the beat of tom toms, and each willow-like hand gesture and foot movement holds traces of ancient India. It was at a camp setting like this one that a young girl by the name of Priat first heard about Jesus Christ.

Like many of the children in this camp setting, Priat came from a low-caste Indian family, the Dalits. In years past this group of people were called ‘untouchables’. Dalits are not allowed into Hindu temples, the children are not allowed to go beyond a few years of basic schooling, and only the lowliest, most degrading jobs are given to Dalits, so that they are forced to live in slums.

As a Dalit, Priat grew up with the conviction that she could hope for no more from life than being a farm laborer in one of the local rice paddies. That was until she came to the Christian church one day for a weeklong camp, and heard stories about Jesus.

When camp came to a close, Priat took tentative steps toward the pastor. “In the Bible it says that if a person believes in Jesus as their savior, they become a child of God. Is this true?”

“Yes,” the pastor said. “We can only become a child of God through Jesus the Son of God.”

Priat mulled this over. “So, if a girl believes in Jesus, she becomes a daughter of God?”

“Yes.” The Pastor smiled.

Priat wrinkled her brow. “So, if God is the greatest Rajah (ruler) over all other rulers, then if I believe in Jesus I would become a princess of God?”

The pastor’s smile deepened. “Yes, Priat, when you believe in Jesus, you become a princess of God.”

The young girl’s eyes glistened. “So as a princess of God, I can go to school if I want to.”

I first heard the story of Priat on a recent missionary trip to India. The enlightenment that Priat received that day is one that I had also learned. No matter what part of the world we live in, people must come to the realization that when they belong to Him, they become His sons or daughters of great value, and no one can take that away. And no one can make us feel less than what we are in Christ’s eyes.

This understanding is one that I share in my fictional debut novel, SHADOWED IN SILK.         

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

After the Great War, Abby Fraser reunites with her husband in India, where he is stationed with the British army. She has longed to return to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but she doesn’t find the charming husband she remembers waiting for her. Nick has become a cruel stranger and a cruel father to their three-year old son. She draws on her American pluck to overcome the hostility that surrounds her – at home and in the streets of India. But she soon discovers that it will take more than courage to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the battle trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. His faith remains true, but it does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the Indian people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from her husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

SHADOWED IN SILK will be released by WhiteFire Publishing as an eBook on May 1, and as a printed book in Sept. 1 of 2011. Purchase can be made at any eBook retailer, Amazon,com, Barnes and Nobel, Borders….

I hope you will be able to obtain a copy of this book that is precious to my heart. If you’d like to read more about me and my writing journey, you can find me on my website www.christinelindsay.com

Christine Lindsay writes historical inspirational novels with strong love stories, and she doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. Her debut novel SHADOWED IN SILK is set in India during a turbulent era. Christine’s long-time fascination with the British Raj was seeded from stories of her ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in India. SHADOWED IN SILK won the 2009 ACFW Genesis for Historical under the title Unveiled.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV3YX94ntSI

Review - Hermie, a Common Caterpillar (Max Lucado's Hermie & Friends)

Forever one of my favorite Children's book characters! Hermie returns in this easy to read book that children will adore. The pictures are magnificent! My son loves hearing Max Lacado's stories of  Hermie and his friends. In this first installment Hermie patiently waits and prays for God to make him into something besides a common, green caterpillar. God proclaims that He is not done with Hermie yet. So Hermie waits patiently and devoutly. Until one day when God turns Hermie in a beautiful butterfly.

Hermie's devotion to God is a good message for young children. When my son and I sat down to discuss what the book meant to him, he was filled with ideas on how God was still not done with him as well. It is a good conversation starter when you have young children who are still grasping the concept of how big God's love really is.

There are more installments of the revision of Hermie coming out so be sure to get them all! What a great gift they would make for the young reader!

Review - Out of Control, by Mary Conneally

Out of Control was full of suspense and excitement.


Rafe finds Julia trapped in a cave that he despises because of a tragedy that occurred when he was younger. After he rescues her she is determined to go back and investigate fossils in the cave so she can write articles about them and sell them for extra money to take care of her family. Rafe is adamant that she not return until they find out who trapped her in there. The man who trapped Julia in the cave stalks her throughout the book, determined to taste the sweetness of revenge against Julia’s father at any cost. The mystery surrounding the encounter of Rafe and Julia kept the book moving forward. Although I enjoyed the independence and struggles of both characters I had hoped for more of an emotional connection between them. Rafe was strong and daring but not much of a romantic. Considering the type of men Julia had dealt with her whole life I felt like she needed a little more kindness and romance...but that's just me. When it comes to historical romances I like a little more emotion, but considering the character's independent personalities it worked for them. I was very intrigued by the prospects of Ethan and Audra and hope Mary focuses on them in an upcoming novel. I see potential for a good story out of their characters. Mary is a talented author and her books are definitely worth buying. They will leave you wanting more every time. There is never a dull moment. If you enjoy a good western with a romantic twist this book is one to pick up.


Bethany House gave me this book for an honest review.

Sit down with Staci Stallings

What type of books do you enjoy writing? Tell us a little about what titles you have out.


I love writing the books God has given me to write. Maybe that sounds odd, but my "box" or “formula” is pretty much God's playground anymore. I started writing novels 16 years ago. The novels were contemporary Christian romance. And that's where I thought I would stay. Yeah. Well. God had other ideas. The first "new" type of book He had me write started out as articles to promote my work on the Internet. Then all of a sudden, I had 50 of those and someone asked for a book of them. That book, Reflections On Life, was my first non-novel book. Since then, I have written more novels, several Bible Studies, enough articles to choke a horse as well as a couple of God HELP! books for use when self-help just isn't enough.

The latest roller coaster God has put me on is republishing and publishing my books as eBooks on Kindle and Nook. I always knew I wanted to do this. In fact, I used to publish eBooks from my own website, but there were a lot of problems doing that. When this latest wave of Kindles and Nooks came out, you better believe I jumped on doing that, and it has been awesome.

With all that said, however, the very coolest thing about the way God set up my writing career is that I get to go where He leads me. If it's writing a novel about a high school kid struggling to stay in her shell while standing on a stage (Dreams by Starlight), I can write it. Or maybe it's about a star country singer who's one breath away from giving up on everything because of the intense grief of losing his wife (Cowboy). Or maybe it's about a group of college kids who find Christ when they aren't even looking (The Faith Series--A Work In Progress, Book 1).

It doesn’t matter. I can go where the Spirit leads. To me, that is one of the biggest blessings God has given me in my writing life--the freedom to write without trying to fit into any “box” other than God’s!

How did you get started publishing your books?

When I first started writing, I couldn't find anyone who actually knew what Contemporary Christian Romance even was! "Oh, you mean historical?" (How many times did I hear THAT at bookstore after bookstore?) Thankfully, God directed my steps even before there was an apparent market to follow my heart and write my books His way without much worry over what the “market” happened to say I could or even should write. Shortly thereafter, Contemporary Christian Romance became an actual recognized genre. As that happened, I found a POD company to put out my first published (sixth written) book. There were many great lessons in that first foray into publishing--some good, some not so great. But that was how I got started.

As the years went on, I tried some other forms of publishing. I’ve published with three other POD companies. I started my own publishing company and helped two other authors get their work out as well. I’ve also published eBooks on my site as well as blog books, and serial email books. However, with the advent of Kindle and Nook, I think I've finally found the home I've been searching for all this time.

What project are you currently working on?

Oh, boy! Take a breath.

Ready? Okay…

I have nine brand new eBooks out on both Kindle and Nook. I'm finalizing the cover for the next one and doing cover concepts for the one after that. Both of those should be out by the end of September.

I'm writing Bible Studies. I'm working on final editing and the cover design to release my first eBook Bible Study from the "Living in the Light" series probably in October.

I'm writing a new novel about a dyslexic writer who falls for a waitress in a coffeeshop. (Plus five others, but those are mostly just percolating right now.)

I just started a brand new blog called Spirit Light Moments which features very short posts taken from longer articles I've written throughout the years. These one-minute reads give you the chance to take a moment in the morning or afternoon or evening to breathe and remember God loves you.

I'm just getting into marketing on Facebook and Twitter, which have both been absolutely fascinating, frustrating, and wonderful!

I’m doing 3-4 interviews and guest blogs a week.

Oh, and did I mention I have three kids, a husband, a house, two businesses, two schools that I volunteer at, my church, two large extended families, and multiple friends? OH! And I just got braces. 

(Yeah, I'm tired too! Trust me, if I didn't have God scheduling everything, I'd have given up a LONG time ago!)

 Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Wherever God wants to put me. Seriously. I used to try to game life out like that, but I've found I function better and feel better about life if I just let go of the wheel and let God take me where He wants me to go. See, the thing is, if you would have asked me that question five years ago, I would not have guessed a thing right about my life today. But because God's leading the way, I'm right where I'm meant to be.

How has God worked to make your dreams of writing come true?

For one thing, He's done all the work! (Not joke. He really has.) So there's that. He's plotted every book--sometimes letting me in on where we're going with a story, sometimes not. He has scheduled divine assignments for me that I would never have seen coming, nor even known to make on my own. He has taken my "failures" and turned them into triumphs such that if I had to do it all over again, I would take the "failure" every time because of where it ultimately led me.

He has used writing to connect me to friends who have literally changed my life for the better. He has held my hand when the writing or the sales didn't go the way I thought they should, and He has cheered me on when they did. Most of all, He has been with me every step of the way.

Yes, God has made many of my dreams of writing come true, but more than that, He has given me a life I wouldn't trade for anything!

What is your favorite time of the year?

Please don't let my kids read this... My favorite time of year is the start of school. It always has been. New books. New teachers. New things to learn. New challenges. I love football and band and that time of the year when all the pictures are brand new and you've got the world to choose from.

What a cool, new, exciting time it is every year—whether I’m actually going to school or not. 

What are you currently reading?

Other than books I help friends edit for publication, I don't read much fiction. I do, however, devour non-fiction as if it might all disappear tomorrow. So right now I'm reading:

Weird: Because Normal Isn't Working by Craig Groeshel (GREAT book about not following the crowd down the broad path that leads to destruction.)

How People Change by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp (Awesome book about learning to change with God’s help)

and


Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp (Another awesome book about helping other people to change by helping them find healing in God’s love)

If you could travel back in time where and when would you go?

Funny. I was just talking about this with my mom last night. When I was about 15, I was very much into performance Christianity—you know, trying to prove your worth based on what you’re doing for God and everybody else. At the time I thought that was how you were supposed to live. I thought that’s what God wanted, and I was running around like a duck herding cats trying to be “good enough” to gain everyone’s approval. Sadly, as I know now, that was a hopeless endeavor, but at the time it was all I knew to do.

Well, my mom pulled out the old poem about the day you were born and what it signified. You know, “Monday’s child is fair of face; Tuesday’s child is full of Grace…” So we were all figuring out what day we were born and seeing if that poem fit us. Turns out I was born on a Thursday. “Thursday’s child” according to the poem, “has far to go.”

Wow was I miffed by that assessment! I was doing my best. I was trying my hardest, and here the cosmos was telling me not only that I hadn’t arrived yet, but that I had far to go? Ugh. That was a mix of a condemnation and a death sentence rolled into one.

We laugh about that every so often now. Especially when I have a new book come out or I connect with a reader from Kenya or I pass another milestone of sales or readers or connections.

The truth is I had no idea how far God was going to take me back then. So where would I go? I would go back there and give young me a hug and say, “Hey, girl. Relax. You’re doing an awesome job. Now just enjoy the ride. Learn as much as you can. Gain some experience, but realize it’s not all on you to do. God’s got this, and the road we’re traveling is going to be so amazing you will never believe it. And as for that whole far to go thing, trust me, it will be more exciting and fun than you can even imagine right now.”

Where was the silliest place you ever had an idea for a book?

Well, I dream a lot of my book ideas, but by now that’s common place for me. So the silliest place I have many ideas for scenes in the books is in the shower. I have come to wish that somebody smarter than me would come up with a dry erase type board that you could use in the shower to write ideas down, and it wouldn’t all drip off or out of my head by the time I get the towel on, find a pencil, and some inch-by-inch piece of paper to write the idea down. I’ve lost more ideas like that. It’s tragic because some of those ideas were some of the best ideas I ever had! 

Where do you write? (Feel free to add a picture of your office/space if you want)

I am not brave enough to add a picture of the space where I write. First of all, it would scare you to death. Second of all, it might scare me enough to try to clean it. (And frankly, if I just don’t think about it or look too closely, I can write to my heart’s content without realizing my desk is about to avalanche on me.)

I do have an office. However, if I had known how much time I would spend there, I would have built it much larger (my husband and I designed and built our own house). I would also have added two big store rooms to collect all the stuff my office now collects. You might call me a packrat, but I have found the second I throw something away, that is the very something I need. So my drawers are filled with files and my desk has two very large stacks on it. I have stacks on both sides of the floor as well, boxes in the corner, and three cabinets full of books I really might need at some point.

Maybe someday I’ll clean it all out and get organized. In fact, I’m taking volunteers if anybody is brave enough to help me. Any volunteers out there? I know. I know. Nobody's that crazy. 

Follow Staci on her blog: http://spiritlightbooks.wordpress.com/

On Facebook at: Spirit Light Author Staci Stallings

On Twitter @StaciStallings

Or just schedule a moment with God at: http://spiritlightmoments.com

No matter what, when you spend time with Staci, you’ll feel better for the experience!

From This Day Forward, by Margaret Daley - FREE Book

From This Day Forward

Rachel Gordon is stranded in South Carolina, pregnant, a recent widow when her husband fell overboard on the voyage to America. Nathan Stuart, a physician who came home from serving in the American army during the War of 1812, disenchanted with his life and the Lord, rescues Rachel and saves her life. Feeling responsible for her, Nathan tries to discourage her from living at a rundown farm her husband bought to start a new future in America. He wants her to return to England.
Rachel refuses to go back to England where her father disowned her for marrying against his wishes. The farm is all she has, and she is determined to make it on her own. But Nathan has other ideas and becomes her farmhand to discourage her from staying in America. Instead he ends up protecting her and being challenged by her. Can two wounded people heal each other?

What inspired this book?

It is sequel to a story I wrote for the ABA market--at least the concept is. I had to up the timeline to 1816 from the end of the Revolutionary War and I changed the names. But I always wanted to tell this story and I got my chance.


What project are you currently working on?

I am working on the third book in my Love Inspired series called A Town Called Hope about a hurricane that destroyed part of a town and how they rebuilt and made themselves stronger.



What has been your biggest challenge in writing? How have you overcome it?

My biggest challenge is description. I tend not to read it in stories, and I’m not aware of it as much as I should be in a story.

What is your favorite past time?

Reading and being with my granddaughters is my favorite past times/



If you could tell your readers anything about yourself or your writing what would it be?

Parts of myself are in every book--some more than others.



What household chore do you dislike the most?

Dusting--it just comes back so quickly.



What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading Love Finds You in Tombstone, AZ by Miralee Ferrell. It was an excellent book that I recommend for people who like historical romances.


Where is your favorite place to write?
I have flamingoes all over my office and even a flamingo tree (see picture). I love sitting on my couch and writing. It’s my “woman cave.”

What is your favorite candy bar?

Snickers--the absolutely my favorite hands down.



Follow Margaret on her website: www.margaretdaley.com



Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold seventy-five books to date.


Margaret is currently the President for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization of over 2300 members. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.


Until she retired a few years ago, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community as well as serving on her church’s vestry.


On a more personal note, she has been married for over forty years to Mike and has one son and four granddaughters. She treasures her time with her family and friends.


Leave a comment to be entered into a contest to win a copy of From This Day Forward. Make sure to leave your email address or you will not be entered.

The Aristocrat's Lady, by Mary Moore - FREE Book

What inspired this book?


First, it was just a love for Regencies. I wanted to write something a little different than I’d ever read before so I came up with the premise and it went from there. I actually wrote the story about fifteen years ago, just for me (and my biggest fan, my sister-in-law, Carol). I made half-hearted attempts to see if it was worth anything, but nothing ever panned out…”What? You don’t want America’s #1 on the NY Times Best Seller’s List?”…so it went dormant with a few others I had written. When it came back to the light of day a few years ago, I wrote it over and infused it with some of my own experiences over the years. I think that’s when it actually became inspired.

What is your favorite time of the year?

No question, fall! My husband and I relocated to the Blue Ridge Mountains about eight years ago. We bought a little piece of property and built a house with nothing but gorgeous views. It’s as if God paints us a new picture everyday, but He uses the best and brightest colors in the fall. We also really like to go to county fairs and flea markets, and the best ones are in the fall! Nothing better than a funnel cake at a county fair. Don’t get me wrong, it was complete culture shock at first, but I see the good things now! J

What project are you currently working on?

I’m working on my second Regency. It is one of the others that I wrote way back when and it hurts my eyes and ears when I read how bad it was then!! But I’m so excited to be working on it again to polish it up and, Lord willing, get it sold. It is kind of a weird time because my first book only came out last week. So I’m hoping people enjoy it and would like another one.

How have your own struggles influenced your writing? Have you seen a change in your writing over the years?

I mentioned that earlier, but I can be a little more specific here. In The Aristocrat’s Lady, the heroine has a malady that affects her entire life. She has come to accept it and believes God has one path for her. But when she meets the hero and begins to deviate from that plan, she feels like she deserves the conflict that comes with it. As everyone knows from my bio, I have Lupus, and I have had breast cancer. The illnesses completely changed my life (as trials of any kind do) and I think, I hope, that I was able to put real life into the struggle Lady Nicole faced. So in a word, yes, my life experiences changed my writing quite a bit…for the better, I hope.

Where is your favorite place to write?
I don’t have a specific spot, any old couch will do! You see, I am still writing with notebooks by hand. I know, I won’t tell any aspiring writers that! For me, it is so much easier to just start writing and keep going without the computer telling me the grammar isn’t correct and that I misspelled a word. And I can’t ignore the computer when it tells me that…I have to fix it then and there! That takes up way too much time for me. So all I need is a soft spot and a pad and pen!


Tell your readers something silly about yourself.

Gosh there are so many. Ok everyone thinks I’m very silly because I don’t like fruit. Nope, not one. I will eat an apple if you make me (which Weight Watchers often does) but I won’t like it.

If you could go back in time what time and place would you travel?

That is very easy, London during the Regency period. I’ve read about it, I’ve fallen in love with it, all from afar. Every BBC period piece makes me want to go there more, and imagine the time saved in research! I know the stories we read are for the most part centered on the glamour and elegance of that period. But I want to see everything, the tenants farming for an estate, the soldiers returning from war, the slums of London, and the seedier side of the elites. And I want to write stories that include bits and pieces of those elements as well.

Salena, thank you so much for this opportunity. I hope your readers will check out The Aristocrat’s Lady; I’d love to forge a new generation of Regency lovers!

Follow Mary on her website: www.marymooreauthor.com

facebook.com/mmooreauthor

mmooreauthor@swva.net

Living By Grace - A Face Book Devotional Community

Jennifer Slattery, Jessica R. Patch, Joanne Sher, Maria Morgan, Patty Wysong and Lynda Schultz are launching a Face Book Devotional Community. Read more about it below.

When Facebook first launched, articles saturated the web warning us of the dangers of internet relationships. Would society become more isolated? More selfish? Shallower? Would having a computer to hide behind teach us to create barriers or could the safe and constant access to others actually have a positive effect? Like most tools, the values of social networking depends on the user, but for me, a writer who spends countless hours each day shut inside my office, Facebook has provided a much needed window to the outside world. It’s allowed me to stay in contact with distant friends and has deepened many relationships I hold dear. Facebook has become a wonderful, vibrant, interactive community. What better place to launch a Christ-centered devo-group?



Living by Grace is a Facebook faith community where believers, seekers, and inquiring minds can pop in and out for a snippet of truth and a friendly chat. Each week, five other authors and I will post links to inspiring, challenging, or thought provoking articles which will serve as discussion launchers. It’s a time to connect and be renewed and we invite you to join us.


Living by Grace (LBG) co-host and inspirational fiction writer, Patty Wysong is excited to see how God will use our faith-based community. “For over a year I’ve had the idea of an online Bible study group in my mind and heart,” Patty says, “and Living by Grace is better than I’d hoped. Isn’t that just like God?! FB is a bit like the modern day well. It’s where people worldwide go to hang out and visit with friends.”


LBG co-host and inspy author Jessica R. Patch is looking forward to increased relationship building. “I’d love to see it become a place of sisterhood,” Jessica says. “A place, like Cheers, when you walk in you’re welcome and everyone knows your name. You’re important. You matter and you feel that way when you settle in. Okay, not the best analogy, but hey, you should feel more welcome at a devotional online community than a bar!”


LBG co-host, isnpy and devo author Maria Morgan expects our new faith community to create an atmosphere conducive to personal growth. “What an opportunity to see my own faith grow as I study God’s Word and rely on the still, small voice of the Lord to guide my writing,” Maria says. “And I look forward to being challenged by the posts of the other devotional writers. It's a true honor to be part of a team of godly women who are seeking to make 2 Peter 3:18 a reality: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen."


Co-host, faith and fiction writer, Joanne Sher, is a people-addict (in a good way). She’s looking forward to the faith-based interaction. “It’s easy to connect with folks on Facebook,” Joanne says. “You can have real conversations, and get to know others: their gifts, their needs. I’d love LBG to be a go-to place for folks looking to draw the Lord more into their lives—where we can examine our lives in connection to His Word, and learn from one another.”


Co-host, former missionary, and Bible-study-teacher extraordinaire, Lynda Schultz is looking forward to the opportunity to be stimulated challenged. “I want to meet new people who share my passion and rejoice in the journey they have taken to get to this "sweet spot" in their lives.” For me, co-host, Jennifer Slattery, I’m looking forward to getting to know some of my readers on a more personal level. I believe God’s love is exponential—the more you give it, the more you receive it. And I believe He never intended for us to go it alone. In fact, like a great grandparent who takes pleasure in seeing his children come together at family reunions, I believe God receives great joy when His children unite. And if God’s doing it, I want to be in it.


We hope you’ll join us Monday through Saturday for some great, Christ-centered posts and relationship building chats. Stop by today to meet me and my co-hosts, share your thoughts with us, maybe ask a question or two.


Who we are:

Patty Wysong is an ordinary girl living the good life, the life God gave her. A home executive with over 20 years of experience, she homeschools three of her five children, but don't let that fool you. Much of her time is spent working on what God has placed in her hand: her keyboard. From the corner of her living room she writes inspirational fiction, devotionals, blog posts, and teaches online blogging workshops. You'll also find her drinking kool aid from her china cup, preparing for the ladies Bible study she leads, and helping at their church. Through her writing, Patty has found the extraordinary God in her ordinary life. http://www.pattywysong.com/

Joanne Sher is a Jew by birth, a Christian by rebirth, and a writer by gift. A native Southern Californian, she now lives happily in West Michigan with her husband and two school-aged children. She is a blogger and writer, of both true-life stories and fiction, attempting to ride God's grace over rough roads. http://www.joannesher.com

Jessica R. Patch grew up in southern Illinois before attending Central Bible College, where she majored in Missions and Bible. She is devoted to her local church, having served as a Biblical Studies teacher, Women’s Ministry leader, Regional Women’s Representative, and volunteer co-pastor with her husband of the Young Adult Ministry. She’s taught workshops and frequently spoken to Women’s ministry groups. Her heart is to help women step out into deeper waters of intimacy with Jesus Christ. http://jessicarpatch.blogspot.com/

Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational/devotional writer, whose passion is to share the truths of God's Word with today's generation. She is a regular contributor to Around About Cumming, and Cumming Patch. You can visit her on the web Mondays and Wednesdays for a life lesson you can relate to. Maria resides in Georgia with her husband, Steve, daughter, Riley, their 2 dogs and 1 cat. http://www.mariaimorgan.blogspot.com

Lynda Schultz is a "never-married." She has served in church ministry as Director of Christian Education in several Canadian churches. For the past thirty years or so, she has been a missionary with a Canadian Baptist mission and have served in Colombia and Venezuela, as well as on home staff. She is currently Director of Christian Education/Spiritual Formation in Timmins, Ontario and still works part-time with the mission in the area of communications. Lou Lou Belle and Abby are her Venezuelan cats who have returned to Canada with her. She likes reading, writing, but definitely not arithmetic, as well as cooking and plants. http://web.mac.com/lyndalee1,


http://lyndasgrainsofsand.blogspot.com and http://web.me.com/lyndalee1/Northern_Breezes

Jennifer Slattery writes for Christ to the World Ministries, the Christian Pulse and Samie Sisters. She loves seeing people experience the life-changing love of Christ. She believes no sin is too sinful, no heart to dark, no wound too deep when placed in pierced hands of Christ and she prays daily that her writing will allow others to catch a glimmer of God’s all-consuming love. http://jenniferlsatterylivesoutloud.com.


Follow this link to join them in some uplifting and heartwarming devotionals.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-by-Grace/208718449189065