Time in a Bottle – WHAT?

Time is something that none of us really have enough of. But why would I, as the old song goes, store time in a bottle? Does the artist truly think that would be enough? I certainly don’t! I am thankful that my God is not bound by time as we know it. But still….why does it seem like I just don’t have enough in this life?

Each one of us on this earth has been allotted the same about of time each and every day. But why does it seem like some people accomplish more? Are they all smarter than I am? Possibly. I just need more time to take care of my family, clean my house, go to my doctor’s appointments, make sure my family gets to their doctors’ appointments, spend time with my dad – acting as his advocate, spend time with my mom at her house – helping her accomplish things that she cannot physically do alone, work on my writing project, and try to establish my business as an editor. And on top of all of this, still maintain a full-time job. Oh, and don’t forget that I also need to sleep. Can it even be done?

I wake up every morning, stressed over the day because I never seem to have enough time to accomplish everything that I feel needs to be done. I know many have that same stress. I KNOW that the Lord is in control. I KNOW that He is the Creator of time. I KNOW that He will accomplish things with or without me. And yet…

And why does it seem like some must spend ALL their time fighting for their life? I think of my precious father who is confined to his hospital bed, sometimes fighting for his breath, sometimes in excruciating pain, sometimes without a single person to be with him. He is using every minute – every second – of his life, fighting to be able to live one more day, to be able to wonder how he will find the time to mow the grass, take the car to the shop, and shop for groceries.

And yet, my sweet daddy KNOWS that the Lord has him in the palm of His loving hand. He KNOWS that the Lord is present with him through every needle prick and every beep of the monitors. He KNOWS that the Lord watches over him when he tries to rest enough to fall asleep. And yet…

The older I get I realize time is so precious. I think most young folks don’t understand the complexities of time. They live each day, doing what they think needs to be done, without a care in the world. Not understanding that some of us older folk would relish a day of high school, even if we still don’t understand that Algebra problem! Time is certainly precious and each one of us is given a certain amount of it on this earth. We are to be, as in everything else in life, a good steward of the time we have. We each have twenty-four hours each day, but some have more years than others in order to accomplish what we have been placed on the earth to accomplish.

So, what is to be done? I know what the answer is, but for most of us it eludes us since we want to be the master of our time.

Here’s the solution –

Before we even get out of bed in the morning I must acknowledge that every minute given to me is the Lord’s. I am merely a steward of it. Then, I must ask the Lord to impress upon me what things are not in His plan to accomplish that day. He will make a way to complete those tasks that He deems are priority. How do I know this? Because I have actually done this before and it HAS worked.

I don’t want to put time in a bottle, I want to put time in the hands of the One who created time.

“Angels Unaware” by Rachel J. Good

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review:

I have always wondered about the topic of entertaining angels unaware. Where do they come from? What would they do? How would they help? This wonderful story explore the subject in a way that will prompt every reader to wonder, “What if?”

A hurting soul that lashes out at those around her finds comfort in the Word. A young boy, seeking guidance, finds friendship in a neighbor. A man seeking answers to some tough questions finds inspiration in a stranger. An elderly woman finds that age doesn’t matter when it comes to being able to help those in need of wisdom. Each life in this small community is touched by others within its confines.

I love reading about small towns and its residents. Getting to know these characters and discovering what they have to offer, not only each other, but the reader, is wonderful! I wanted to laugh, cry, cringe (on occasion), and shout “Amen!” After reading “Angels Unaware” I find myself looking for the Lord in others, counting words of godly wisdom as His words, and finding ways to love others the way Christ loves us.

Thank you Rachel J. Good for this beautiful story!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through CelebrateLit. All opinions are my own.**

Book: Angels Unaware

Author: Rachel J. Good

Genre: Inspirational Romance; novella

Release Date: November 22

Sometimes God sends angels into our lives…

Chocolate chip cookies are the perfect way to make friends. At least, Mark Daniels thinks they are. He hopes to forget his painful past and start over in new neighborhood. Everyone is warm and welcoming—everyone that is, but the dragon lady next door. She rebuffs all overtures of friendship and declines Mark’s invitations to church.

Jasmine Avery doesn’t trust men, especially not handsome ones who come bearing gifts. She’s been badly hurt and has walled herself off from love. Reluctantly, she agrees to attend church with Mark on Easter Sunday, not realizing how it will change her life and her future. But soon after she discovers the secret to a happy life, her whole world turns upside-down. Will these unexpected changes prove Mark can’t be trusted either? Or can she and Mark overcome their past heartbreaks to forge a new life together?

About the Author

Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness.She is also the author of the Sisters & Friends Amish series and the Amish Quilts Coloring Book. A former teacher and librarian, she has more than 2300 articles and 30 books in print or forthcoming under several pen names. Rachel also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. She loves reading (of course!), traveling, and spending time with her five children and three grandchildren.

 

Guest Post from Rachel J. Good

One of the important lessons in ANGELS UNAWARE is looking beyond the surface, seeing with new eyes. In the story, Mark has many opportunities to do this. When he first approaches Jasmine with a plate of chocolate chip cookies, she’s unwelcoming and prickly:

The door opened a crack. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Mark turned. The woman’s narrowed eyes and belligerent stance made him quake. He took a step back. “I…um…here…” He held out the plate of cookies.

“What’s that?”

Mark took a deep breath and regained his composure. He smiled and started his usual spiel. “Hi, I’m Mark Daniels, and I just moved into the neighborhood—”

“I know.” She didn’t sound too pleased. “That’s not what I asked. What’s that in your hands?”

Oh, these? I baked chocolate chip cookies and thought I’d share some with you.”

“Do you know what sugar does to your system?” she demanded. “I never touch sugar.”

That explained why she was so thin. So much for cookies then. Mark wracked his brain for another offering. “A meal perhaps? I make great spaghetti and meatballs.”

She drew back. “A meat eater? It figures.”

Oh, terrific. Mark cringed at the acid in her tone. He’d just offered a meat dish to a vegetarian. So much for his diplomacy mission.

After a start like that, many people would have given up. But Mark feels led to share God’s love with this neighbor, and he tries again and again. Eventually he discovers she’s hiding some deep personal pain. His persistence brings unexpected rewards to both of them.

I wanted to write this story because we usually avoid people who criticize us or hurt our feelings. Yet, often those who are unkind are actually aching inside. And they need God’s unconditional love and forgiveness, because only God can heal their pain and suffering.

After God touches Jasmine’s heart, Mark can see her softer, kinder side. And she’s proof of that saying, “An angel resides in every heart.”

Could your grouchy neighbor or critical boss be an angel in disguise? Maybe these annoying people have been sent into our lives to help build our character or to teach us a lesson. The Bible warns us to be hospitable to everyone, because we never know when we’ll come upon an angel “unawares.”

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Heb. 13:2 KJV

Each person you meet has been sent into your life for a reason. Sometimes these angels come into our lives in unlikely disguises. We don’t always realize their purpose until much later. Looking back, though, we can see God’s hand in the encounters.

Other times, we discover – like Mark did – that we’re supposed to be angels to those who are unkind to us. We may be the only ones who have ever touched their lives with God’s light.

Who in your life needs God’s love? Can you be an angel to that person?

Blog Stops

January 24: Blossoms and Blessings

January 25: autism mom

January 26: Books. Books. And More Books.

January 27: Moments Dipped in Ink

January 28: A Greater Yes

January 29: Carpe Diem

January 30: Petra’s Hope

January 31: A Baker’s Perspective

February 1: Christian Bookaholic

February 2: Karen Sue Hadley

February 3: Quiet Quilter

February 4: Daysong Reflections

February 5: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

February 6: His Grace is Sufficient

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away:

Grand Prize:

• Angel bookmark
• Battenberg lace angel pin
• Trio of jade angels
• Prayer angel with a “Worry” poem to remind you to pray about your problems
• ANGELS UNAWARE ebook
• Newest AMISH QUILTS COLORING BOOK (large print edition)

2nd – 4th Prize:

One copy of the ANGELS UNAWARE ebook

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway!

https://promosimple.com/ps/af23

 

 

Keeping it Humble

It has been a rough couple of weeks – on all fronts.

Medically speaking, everyone in my immediate family is struggling, including myself. And although we are all doing the best we can, we are certainly having to rely on the Great Healer. He has proven that He CAN heal, but we are all waiting to see if He WILL. You see, something I learned a few days ago is that no matter what I am going through, I should count it as a blessing to share in His sufferings. He, in His divine wisdom, can, and will, use whatever I am going through to help others who are also suffering.

Emotionally speaking, I have a LOT of stress. It is okay, though, because I know the Lord is in control. I am choosing to draw near to Him in these tough times. It is not easy to walk this life sometimes, but I know He is sovereign and will bring me through to the other side.

And the REAL HUMBLING part of the last few weeks….

On more than one occasion I have been told my work is “not all that.” Do you realize how difficult that is to hear? Well, many of you do. And maybe I am just now understanding the whole “being humble” thing. Maybe I had to go through everything I have in order to bring me to this point. Wow – it has only taken me thirty years to get to this point! Man, am I stubborn!

But seriously…..

I have been reevaluating my choices. Do I want to edit? Is it too difficult? Am I getting into the game too late? Is my writing THAT bad? Do I want to subject myself to bad reviews and brutally honest edits? Then I think about all of the successful people in this field and others. What made them successful? They kept going. They didn’t allow the negativity to squelch their pursuits. And the BIG thing……they remained humble. They used those difficult times to learn and grow – to better their craft.

“Lord, it is so difficult to be humble in this world. You know this. Please help me to focus on You and Your sovereign will. Allow me to strive to do my best for You. And if You bring folks into my life to show me where I am falling short, help me to graciously accept their words and seek to do better. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You so that my problems will be better seen through Your eyes. I love You, Lord.”

“Soar Like Eagles” by Teri Wangard

About the Book

Carol becomes a Red Cross doughnut girl, serving GIs and boosting their morale. Convinced wartime romances are doomed to disappointment, she attempts to avoid entanglements. She didn’t plan on Chet, the navigator who tempts her to throw caution to the wind.

Chet’s father and brothers always belittled him. As a squadron lead navigator, he longs to prove them wrong. He’s already been offered a terrific job with PanAm after the war. First he must survive his combat tour. Will he even have a future?

 MY REVIEW:

I just don’t even know where to start with this book! I was a little hesitant because I usually do not read much of this part in history. I am terribly unfamiliar with it. But I read it and I just could NOT put it down! I LOVED it! The way the author is so knowledgeable about this time period, made even the mechanics of the airplanes interesting!

The story of Carol and Chet is so sweet, the way they meet and talk, trying to get to know each other, never sure if they will see each other again – it is just so endearing. Carol is a strong woman who knows what the Lord is calling her to do and is not afraid to trust Him in the midst of the most harrowing of experiences. Chet is a man whose sense of loyalty to his crew members puts him in very vulnerable positions – having him perform roles that he isn’t familiar with and sometimes putting himself in harm’s way.

But the Lord always leads these two characters into situations where He can shine and where they must allow others to help them when they are dependent on others to do so. Their faith in God and their determination to overcome obstacles leads them back together, broken, and yet more whole than the first time they met.

This is just not a love story but a history of a grueling situation that shaped the world as we know it today. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone!

About the Author

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.

Guest Post from Terri Wangard

For the third book of my World War II series, I needed something to involve my main character with. At first I considered the train canteens, where volunteers laden with food met troop trains crisscrossing the country. That wouldn’t work though, because my navigator was heading overseas and I didn’t want a correspondence relationship. Besides, someone else had already written a novel about the canteens. Then I discovered the Red Cross clubmobiles.

The American Red Cross operated canteens on the home front and clubs and clubmobiles overseas during World War II to provide soldiers and sailors with a cup of coffee, a doughnut, and a bit of friendly conversation that gave the men a familiar connection with home.

Around the world, the Red Cross staffed permanent service clubs, traveling clubmobiles, and other recreational facilities. Service clubs provided refreshments, accommodations, and comfort and recreational activities wherever American troops were located overseas. In major cities, they offered meals, recreational activities, overnight accommodations, and barbershops and laundries. Some also provided sightseeing opportunities, touring museums, castles and cathedrals, and attending local theaters and movie houses.

Smaller clubs provided food in outlying areas near American military camps. The Red Cross also operated rest homes, often in stately manor houses in rural, tranquil locations overseas, for service personnel needing respite from the pressures of war.

To serve military sites in isolated areas, the Red Cross used clubmobiles in Great Britain in 1942 and later, the continent. Staffed by three American Red Cross women and a local driver in England, they visited several sites in a day, bringing refreshments, entertainment, and a touch of home to the troops in a foreign land. They used converted half-ton trucks and single-deck London buses, which featured kitchen equipment for making and serving doughnuts and coffee. Some carried phonographs and loudspeakers to provide music for the troops, and the women often danced with the servicemen. On the continent, the women had to drive and service their trucks.

Many American servicemen had never traveled far from home. At Red Cross clubs and clubmobiles in far-flung places around the globe, they received a connection to home and civilian life through friendly American women and familiar food. The Red Cross served a basic purpose of raising morale.

Carol Doucet of Soar Like Eagles was proud to be a Red Cross Doughnut Girl.

To purchase your own copy, click here

Blog Stops

December 8: Blossoms and Blessings

December 8: Artistic Nobody

December 9: Daysong Reflections

December 9: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

December 10: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

December 10: Bukwurmzzz

December 11: Petra’s Hope

December 12: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner

December 12: The Power of Words (spotlight)

December 13: A Baker’s Perspective

December 14: Carpe Diem

December 14: Reading Is My SuperPower

December 15: Bigreadersite

December 15: Quiet Quilter

December 16: Christian Bookaholic

December 17: A Path of Joy

December 18: Jeanette’s Thoughts

December 18: Karen’s Krayons

December 19:  Simple Harvest Reads (Spotlight)

 December 19: A Greater Yes

December 20: Moments Dipped in Ink

December 21: Bibliophile Reviews

To celebrate her tour, Terri is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed paperback copy of Soar Like Eagles. Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/aa5f

Christmas reading

 

 

 

 

 

 

To purchase “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe”

Review:

The first in a series…
What do you get when you combine the small town of Starlight, a firefighter, friends, Christmas, and a lovely lady? A love story, of course!
I love the way the author weaves in Christian values with the characters as if they were a normal part of life and not something that was gratuitously thrown in to make the story “Christian.”
Christmas is my favorite time of year and I love binge-reading as many Christmas stories to inspire me to remember the important things in life – the Lord, family, and friends.

To purchase “Starlight, Star Bright”

Review:

Another incredible read by Joann Durgin!
The second in the series, “Starlight, Star Bright” returns us to the charming small town of Starlight and introduces us to the Italian Cowboy. I thought the first in the series was great, but this was was just as good – maybe better since it combined my heart’s desire to read anything about Italy! Well, it’s not about Italy per se, but it mentions the life there and the Italian phrases here and there make this love story another charming hit!
Being drawn to the kindness of her heart, Dante falls for Amanda, the firefighter’s sister.
Weddings, family, and friends, oh my! LOVE!!!

 

“Time Trap” by Danele Rotharmel

Time Trap Kick-Off Package

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Click picture to purchase

When problems arise during a field exam, Director Peter Matthews and Dr. Laura Nelson are sent through a time portal to investigate. While they search for their missing cadets, they encounter an enemy who is calculating and brutal—a mysterious nemesis who is holding a grudge against the TEMCO program. As Peter and Laura race to unravel clues directing them to their kidnapped cadets, their own survival comes into question. A deadly trap has been set, and they are forced to pit their wits against a serial killer who is intent on playing a deadly chess game through time itself.

My Thoughts:

Once again, I am amazed and confounded at the creativity and imagination Danele Rotharmel possesses. I am always wary of series books, because it just seems like the first book is always the best. But I should not have worried at all. “Time Trap” is out-of-this-time-and-space incredible.

Laura and Peter, in an attempt to rescue students from an assignment in the past, find themselves in situations where they not only learn about themselves, but each other. Their friendship blossoms and they must evaluate whether or not their relationship will be put each other in harm’s way. Characters from “Time Tsunami” appear and they weave in and around new ones. Friendships form, some are tested, and yet others die. Each character is thoughtfully written to the point where the reader can see themselves in some of them.

This book has elements of mystery, psychological thriller, romance, adventure, and comedy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be immersed in another world for a few days. I couldn’t put it down!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own

About the Author

Danele Rotharmel grew up with a love of the literary word, and by age five, she knew she wanted to be a writer. However, her life took an unexpected turn when a mysterious illness brought her close to death. Eventually, she learned that a low-level carbon monoxide leak from a faulty furnace in her home was slowly poisoning her. This poisoning triggered severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and partial amnesia.

During this time, the hardest thing she faced was a crisis of faith. She had to quit her job and stop going to church. She couldn’t write, couldn’t drive, and could barely remember who she was. To say she was upset with the Lord was an understatement. She began reexamining her faith in light of her illness, and eventually, she came to the firm conclusion that God is real, God is good, God is interested and involved, and God is trustworthy regardless of tragedy.

When her illness became even more severe, she was put into quarantine and could only talk to friends and extended family through the glass of a window. This quarantine lasted for seven years. During this time, she wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles.

Danele currently lives in Colorado where she continues to write. Although her journey back to health was long and difficult, it provided her with the opportunity to grow closer to God and to write her books. For that, she is forever thankful.

You can learn more about Danele by visiting her blog at https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/

Guest Post from Danele Rotharmel

I’ve always loved to read, but I hate that horrible moment when a good book comes to an end. It’s torture saying goodbye to characters I’ve come to love. One of the best things about being an author is having control over your own stories. I wrote The Time Counselor Chronicles while I was extremely ill and enduring seven years of quarantine. During that time, I didn’t have control over many aspects of my life, but I did have control over my fictional characters. I found extreme pleasure in the fact that since I was the author, I didn’t have to say goodbye to the TEMCO crew—I could just write them another story.

 

Time Trap is the second book in my series. It can be read as a sequel to Time Tsunami, or it can stand alone. Time Trap was written for one reason only—I was enjoying myself, and I didn’t want to say goodbye to the people I’d created in Time Tsunami. And that’s why the other books in my series were written as well. By the time I finally sought publication, I’d completed six books. Writing, for me, was an act of pure enjoyment. When I began, I wasn’t thinking about publishers or reading audiences, I was simply thinking about what type of adventure I wanted to write next. My books brought me joy, and that was all that mattered. For years, I didn’t let anyone know I was writing. TEMCO was my personal world—my escape hatch from illness and pain. I was afraid that if I let others into my imaginary world, it would crumble away. As it turned out, the exact opposite was true. Knowing that people were enjoying my stories filled my life with incredible happiness!

I always fill my books with suspense, romance, action, faith, and comedy. I keep them clean, and I work hard to make them full of page-turning fun. Communication is such a wonderful thing. I love that fact that we can relay our ideas, hopes, and dreams to each other. My books are more than just stories, they symbolically chronicle the way I stood up to my illness and fought it. They speak about the value I place on love and friendship. They show that humor can be found even in the midst of great difficulty. And most of all, they demonstrate that a crisis of faith isn’t the end—it’s simply the first step to understanding God on a deeper level. Life isn’t easy, but I’ve learned that even in the middle of tragedy, God is faithful and trustworthy. That’s what each of my characters eventually learn, and that’s what I hope my readers will take away from my books.

Blog Stops

October 6: A readers brain

October 7: Simple Harvest Reads

October 8: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

October 9: Through the Open Window

October 9: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

October 10: CTF devourer

October 11: History, Mystery & Faith

October 12: Pause for Tales

October 13: Blogging With Carol

October 14: Donna’s BookShelf

October 15: Carpe Diem

October 16: Petra’s Hope

October 17: henry happens

October 18: Vic’s Media Room

October 19: A Baker’s Perspective

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Danele is giving away a package that includes an autographed paperback copy of both Time Tsunami and Time Trap, a Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord” journal, a lovely coffee cup, and a 4X4 picture frame. Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a5da

 

“How to Make Victoria Sponge” by Margaret Kazmierczak

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Click to purchase

Victoria Sponge – a well-known cake? Maybe, but also a wife and mother of four children. Disorganized and chaotic, with obligations galore, sweet Victoria clings to God, her best friend who shares His amazing love with her. From tripping over a hoover left in the hallway to discovering her son’s desire to die because he is different, she journeys through her own Lent. Giving up is not an option, but saying ‘yes’ to God each day is. Tragedy and comical events follow Vicki through her week. Does Victoria Sponge rise through all the messiness that life offers or does she sink?

My Thoughts:

This book is probably one of the most uniquely-written books I have ever read. It reads almost like an autobiography of a woman who lives a prayerful life.

Victoria Sponge is an ordinary woman with an ordinary life, which so many women can relate to. Her struggles with every situation in which she finds herself is somehow refreshing to the reader when lived through prayer. Joys are multiplied, sorrows are shared, and pain is lessened by the presence of the Lord in each moment of her day.

The reader sees how openly Victoria communicates with the Lord in a pure and honest way. The Lord is not represented as a distant Being, but rather an intimate Friend Who never leaves and is a part of every moment of ever day of a believer’s life.

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own

About the Author

Born in England, Margaret Kazmierczak loves storytelling, but dyslexia made writing difficult. After marrying and birthing three children, she finally got around to it. She and husband Peter live in Dorset, United Kingdom with two daughters.

Guest Post from Margaret Kazmierczak

For those that know me cooking is not a talent that I am famous for. I follow the recipes, but for some unknown reason my cakes remain flat, albeit cleverly disguised with chocolate. My friends were, quite understandably, shocked that I appeared to have written a cookery book.

My friends let me introduce the Baker who inspired me to write, ‘How to Make Victoria Sponge’. His name is God the Father. This cook needs all the help she can get.

In 2010 God literally took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to become vulnerable. He took away my health and job. An active middle aged woman reduced to a shell. For two years I struggled to come to terms with my condition. Then one night I prayed and asked what I was supposed to do now? The message was simple, “write a book”. Well I could think up a million and one reasons why not to write a book. I declared them one by one but God the Father was having none of it. He reminded me of WHO was commissioning me.

To say that my reading and writing skills were on a par with my cooking skills was an understatement. So I stopped questioning and listened to His answer. “I shall give you the ingredients and you provide the humour and story outline with your life experiences.” So Victoria Sponge was born. Not a cookery book per se but a recipe for a closer relationship with God the Father through story and petition.

This journey took two years, a long time to wait for a cake to rise! The proof, however, was in the tasting which for some time was bitter due to rejection. Then a sequence of events happened one after the other and ‘How to Make Victoria Sponge’ was cooked, oops, birthed. I have been blown away with the face to face reviews in England of the book. A Methodist minister used it to empower her congregation, to show them how even the simplest things in life can lead to a prayerful response.

Victoria known as Vicki, married to Bob, is a normal woman with four children. The book looks at a week in her life and compares it to Jesus’ Lent week. Many issues are explored through the pages. Vicki Sponge could be you or me and the response to each situation, a solution to your own challenges.

Without the Baker this book would end up like my cakes! The writing of it helped me to begin a new life and I hope it helps you to do so too if you read and journey through its pages.

Blog Stops

September 29: A Reader’s Brain

September 30: The Power of Words (spotlight)

October 1: History, Mystery & Faith

October 2: Bukwurmzzz

October 3: Artistic Nobody

October 4: Quiet Quilter

October 5: Daysong Reflections

October 6: Mary Hake

October 7: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

October 8: Simple Harvest Reads

October 9: Bibliophile Reviews

October 10: Petra’s Hope

October 11: His Grace is Sufficient

October 12: Onceuponatime

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Margaret is giving away a themed gift bag containing an apron, whisk, Bible, and a limited 1st edition paperback copy of How to Make Victoria Sponge! Click here to enter:https://promosimple.com/ps/a416

 

“A Memory Worth Dying For” by Joanie Bruce

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

Click to purchase

“Do Not Return To Texas!” Marti Rushing gets the message, loud and clear. If she returns to Texas, her life is in danger. If she stays in Tennessee, she’s safe. But when she receives a letter telling her that Daniel, her ex-husband and the love of her life, is dying, she knows she has to defy the stalker and return to Texas to see him. Three years ago, Daniel accused her of things she couldn’t remember doing. Without waiting for an explanation and after four wonderful years of marriage, Daniel kicks her off of his family’s Quarter Horse ranch. Now, three years after their separation, he walks into her art reception in Tennessee and acts like he doesn’t remember her. Does the memory loss have anything to do with the letter she received, or is Daniel pretending? Is he the one stalking her, or is it someone with a deadly, sinister motive? Ignoring the deadly warnings, she leaves for Texas, but on the way there, the attempts on her life begin. Will she be able to evade her pursuer’s attacks? Or will Daniel’s face be the last one she sees?

My Thoughts:

Lies, secrets, and deception. Mystery, suspense, and romance. Joanie Bruce masterfully weaves everything together to form a story of Daniel and Marti Rushing.

Marti lives a life trying to forget the man she married. Daniel lives a life not able to remember the woman he fell in love with. Through a web of circumstances, the two cross paths and Marti finds herself being threatened to never return “home.” She is lured there anyway, under false pretenses, and risks losing her life. Her passion for art is the catalyst that draws her heart to a forbidden past. Daniel has been deceived by those who have taken advantage of his memory loss. But he finds that the Lord can uncover lies and bring new life to broken hearts.

Evil will always attempt to thwart the plans the Lord has set in motion. But if those who seek His heart remain faithful, He can restore hearts and draw families together in ways that only He can. Evil loses. Good wins. And life is what happens in between.

I love the author’s way of telling this story. Her writing rivals any best-selling author I have read. I hope and pray she shoots to he top of the charts in her genre!

About the Author

Joanie has a strong passion for reading, and her love for books with nail-biting suspense, inspires her to write contemporary suspense books. Thankful that God has given her the ability to write from her home in the country, she strives to use that opportunity to honor Him in all of her writing. Joanie and her husband, Ben, live in a country home near Madison, Georgia, right in the middle of a pasture full of beef cows. There they raised and homeschooled their three children. She enjoys cooking, taking long walks, painting oil portraits, and caring for their home in the country.

Guest Post from Joanie Bruce

Hello everyone. My name is Joanie Bruce, and I’m happy to visit with you today and tell you a little about myself and my book, “A Memory Worth Dying For.”

The idea for this book actually started from a simple memory. Years ago, I watched a movie about a woman whose father-in-law ruined her marriage. That thought raised a question in my mind: What would happen if a married woman was kicked out of her home by her father-in-law, and her husband never stood up for her against his father?

Many questions and solutions emerged from that one idea, and the brainstorming began… One answer lead to another problem, and the answer to that problem produced another question. When all was done, the plot for this book emerged.

After adding suspense, mystery, love, and a growing spiritual aspect to that one idea, I was able to combine them to form an interesting plot. Finally, after several months of work, “A Memory Worth Dying For” was born.

I love this story because it shows forgiveness at its highest peak. Marti and Daniel have a wonderful marriage, but because of greed, selfishness, and a colossal misunderstanding, that marriage is dissolved. Even though they are separated, the love they feel for each other never wanes. Marti’s love for Daniel throws her into a dangerous situation, but that same love also gives her the perseverance and determination to stay in Texas and fight for the happiness of the man she loves even though her life is threatened if she does. I’m sure you’ve all read the Bible verse Joel 2:25a. “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.­­­” That verse is the one Marti clings to throughout the story.

As I do my writing each day, I pray that God will teach me something. Writing this book taught me so many lessons. Not only did I fall in love with the characters, but with the idea of practicing forgiveness in my own life. It also reinforced the knowledge that I should never jump to conclusions and get the facts before I make decisions. In this book, Daniel jumped to a conclusion and listened to gossip which caused the break-up of his marriage and unnecessary stress in his life.

Years ago, one of my Sunday School students gave me a book for Christmas called “In His Steps.” If you remember, that book started the campaign that encouraged you to ask “what would Jesus do?” before every action. I was convicted while reading that book because I knew I wasn’t doing things in my life for the Lord’s glory. So the next Sunday in church, I dedicated my life back to the Lord, and I began praying He would use me in whatever way He chose.

After those sincere prayers, the Lord began showing me how I could use my life and the talents He gave me for Him. It was shortly after that prayer I found out I had the ability to paint portraits, and not long after starting my art career, my first attempt at writing was accepted for a publishing contract. I realized then that following the Lord’s leading in my life and an attitude of gratefulness and obedience all worked together so the Lord would bless my efforts.

If you take anything away from this post, I hope it will be that the Lord can use anyone who is willing to be used. If you surrender your talents to him, no matter what your age or limitations, God can still use you for His glory.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I hope and pray that God blesses each of you in all of your accomplishments.

Blog Stops

August 30: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

August 30: Cassandra M’s Place

August 31: Petra’s Hope

September 1: A Reader’s Brain

September 2: Quiet Quilter

September 2: Splashes of Joy

September 3: History, Mystery & Faith

September 4: Ashley’s Bookshelf

September 5: Carpe Diem

September 6: Pause for Tales

September 7: Blogging with Carol

September 8: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

September 9: A Baker’s Perspective

September 10: bigreadersite

September 11: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

September 11: Daysong Reflections

September 12: just the write escape

September 12: Mary Hake

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanie is giving away a Kindle Fire and her books! Click here to enter:https://promosimple.com/ps/a29f

“Evil Forebodings” by Carol E. Keen

Purchase your copy of Evil Forebodings here.

About the Book

Click to purchase

Evil Forebodings: Tiffany Rodgers is the kind of danger that she never dreamed could happen to her in the quiet little town of Newville. She is being stalked and having strange visions. The animals even seem different of late, somehow affected by the changes in the air. Officer Allen Lawrence is drawn to Tiffany, but he has reservations. Is she losing her mind, playing games, or are the things that she is seeing more than just evil forebodings?

About the Author

Carol E. Keen currently resides in Alabama with her husband and family. She spends her time writing, reading, working on photography, and working with her much loved critters. She started creating stories to share with others at the age of two years old. She was published for several years in FAMA magazine (Freshwater And Marine Aquarium) as a contributing editor. She published her first book on CD, called Simply Seahorses. She is overjoyed to be publishing her fiction to share with you now. Carol currently has more books in the “works”. Please feel free to follow her for updates.

On a personal note: Carol really enjoys coffee and a good book!

Guest Post from Carol E. Keen

Well, I know it isn’t lady like or proper to squeak or go “Eeeeeee!” with excitement, but it’s so hard not to do so. I’m past excited to be on this tour with Celebrate Lit! First I have to say, these are wonderful folks who I’m so very blessed to get to work with!

Now, today I’m doing happy dances over your being here for the kick off for my book, Evil Forebodings. It’s my second published book, and my first full-length fiction novel. This book took eight, yes that is 8, long years to complete. What on Earth could take me that long to write one book?

It started with my first event called, NanoWriteMo. In my case, it was NanoWrite-less! Who had the “brilliant” idea to have a huge writing contest smack over Thanksgiving and two major birthdays in our family? It was a disaster. It was as bad as saying a night person like myself has to function at 8:00am and be good at it. I was alone in my endeavor and didn’t get far at all.

A few years later, I went back to working on this book. This time I had a huge emotional backset from an incident that was just traumatic. I was told, in essence, that I wasn’t good enough to write for a career, and that my focus was on all the wrong things in my life. This came from a published author, who really didn’t know me. I was weighed and judged unfairly, and it was devastating. I learned a great deal though, and pretty much gave up on doing things the way I had been.

Forging ahead anyway, my first book, Beauty For Ashes, was published. Then I got to work on Evil Forebodings. This story and its characters have never left me, and I knew I had to finish this book. I’m really pleased with how it turned out, and I hope that you will enjoy it. While I believe all authors put some of themselves into their work, this book had a heavy dose of my heart infused into it in several places.

Thank you so much for joining me on this adventure, and please feel free to ask questions!

Blessings, Carol

Blog Stops

July 26: Daysong Reflections

July 27: Our Perfectly Imperfect Life!

July 28: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

July 29: inklings and notions

July 30: A Reader’s Brain

July 31: Mary Hake

July 31: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

August 1: Through the Open Window

August 1: Cassandra M’s Place

August 2: Bukwurmzzz

August 3: Karen’s Krayons

August 4: Petra’s Hope

August 5: Carpe Diem

August 6: Singing Librarian Books

August 7: For the Love of Books

August 8: Books! Books! Books!

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away three copies of her new book with a bookmark. Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9f31

Hyphens and the like

Like most other writers, I rely on the keyboard to tell me what I am supposed to type. If it is not there, I don’t use it. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But there are instances where the “rules” of punctuation are not clear and it behooves us, as writers, to do a little digging in order to better understand those rules before we release out work.

I realize that most readers would not know the difference in uses between
and en dash and an em dash. And most readers would not be able to distinguish the difference between and en dash and a hyphen. And many readers would never know the rules about when to use each of them in the course of writing. However, we as writers, are a little more discerning. We certainly want to make sure that our book “baby” is perfect before sending it out into the big, bad world.

Hyphens:

Connects two things that are related. Example: toll-free call

En Dashes:

It is a little wider than the hyphen and is primarily used to indicate a range. Example: Psalms 119:1–3, 1921–1935, Pages 14–17.

Em Dashes:

There are several uses for the em dash and they are the width of the capital M.

They are used to set off a series of items within a sentence that is already using a comma.

Ex.: My children—Tom, James and Claire—all get along, most of the time.

They are used to express a break in thought.

Ex.: I want—I need—to take a vacation to relax.

They are used to  introduce a summarizing thought.

Ex.: To get my book written—that was my objective.

They are used to give emphasis to elements within a sentence.

Ex.: Key ingredients—baking soda, vanilla, and salt—were left out of the recipe, causing it to be a flop.

They are used to fill in for missing letters.

Ex.: The famous Mr. K—y was not present for the gala.

They are even used to indicate a missing word.

Ex.: Dear Diary, I ran into — at the grocery store today and I was afraid he would recognize me so I ran to the bathroom.

Writing 

So, some of you might be wondering, “That is all well and good, but how do I get them ‘written?'” Well, there are some ways to do it in Word, but I have found that the easiest way, for me, is to use the Alt key.

En dash: Alt + 0150

Em dash: Alt + 0151

You must use the keypad and not the numbers above the letters.

I hope this basic tutorial has helped just a little. I have learned so much in my short time taking the class and I intend to share as much as I can with you in the coming weeks and months.

Stay tuned for my next installment where I plan on discussing another editing tip/trick.

Keep on writing!

Petra