Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 36

THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS – New Bible Study Book

So delighted to announce another book release: The Fragrance of Crushed Violet: Forgiving the Inexcusable. This book is a mini-Bible study I wrote as a companion for A Bridge Unbroken,the fifth book in the Miller’s Creek Novels. (You can find out more about that book HERE.)

Here’s more about the book:

The Fragrance of Crushed Violets:
Forgiving the Inexcusable

A Bible Study on Forgiveness

What do we do when a loved one, boss, co-worker, friend, or enemy seem determined to bring us down through an attack? How do we handle it when their assault is personal, public, deep, unjust, unfair, and unfounded? Take it one step further. How do we deal with meaningless acts of destruction and death, say in something similar to the Twin Towers incident or a school shooting, especially when the offender shows no remorse? Do we file it in our brains and rack it up to “one more senseless act” and chance to think that God somehow messed up?

In short, how do we move past the hurt and anger to a place of forgiveness?

Join us as we examine relevant scriptures about forgiveness and come away with a scriptural understanding of:

what forgiveness is and what it isn’t
God’s role in the process of forgiveness
what Jesus did at the cross for each of us
our mandate to forgive as we’ve been forgiven
what gets in the way of forgiving others
how to truly forgive

The book is designed to work for either individual or group study. The title is taken from two of my favorite forgiveness quotes that I came across as I wrote A Bridge Unbroken.

"Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." -Mark Twain
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Being a Christian means excusing the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” -C. S. Lewis

 

Quotes From THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS

 

Here are a few quotes from the book, some of which are Tweetable:

“God’s forgiveness–by it’s very nature as rooted in His grace and mercy–is something that cannot be earned. It’s a gift. And just like every gift, the choice is ours to accept or reject.”

"Ultimate forgiveness can only be found in God, because all sin is ultimately against God."
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

“Until we recognize the absolute sovereignty of God and bow to Him as Creator, Lord God, and King, we will always struggle with what God allows to happen in our lives and in the world.”
“Refusing to extend mercy and forgiveness to others means that we also deny ourselves God’s mercy and forgiveness.”

"Forgiveness isn't natural; it's supernatural."
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

“…through forgiveness, we reveal to a watching world the perfect illustration of what Christ has done for each of us.”

 

 

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sending the book on its own mini-tour, so if any of my blogger/reviewer friends are reading this post, please let me know if you’re interested in serving as a virtual book tour host/reviewer via the contact tab at the top. You can also sign up for the tour at BlitzKat Promotions via the contact form at the bottom of the book’s official tour page.

Though the new Bible study book wasn’t yet available in print format at the writing of this post, it is available in the following formats:

| Kindle | Other Digital Formats |

 

The post THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS – New Bible Study Book appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

A BRIDGE UNBROKEN Featured at COTT!

A Bridge Unbroken Featured

So excited to pass on the news that A Bridge Unbroken has been chosen as one of five novels to be featured for April 2014 new releases at Clash of the Titles (COTT). COTT is a reader-driven contest site that features inspirational novels and asks readers to vote on their favorite, based on the book cover and a two-sentence summary.

I’m honored that A Bridge Unbroken has been chosen for the competition with four other Christian novels that also released during April 2014. But more than anything I’m happy for the additional exposure this fun competition provides for all these new Christian book releases. It’s a Win-Win in my book!

The Release Clash begins on Wednesday, May 21 and ends the following Tuesday. During that week, authors are encouraged to invite family and reader friends to cast their vote. The winning novel receives additional exposure via blog posts and sidebar posting on the COTT website, as well as on the COTT blog alliance. In addition, the winning novel is invited to submit without admission cost to COTT’s 2014 Laurel Award.

Upcoming Title Clash includes A BRIDGE UNBROKEN (Christian romantic suspense) by @Cathy_Bryant.
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Please mark your calendars and bookmark the COTT website for the voting to begin on Wednesday, May 21. I will do my best to send out a reminder post without…um…being reminded myself!

Thank you to the sweet team of ladies at Clash of the Titles. Your ministry to fellow authors to help them gain exposure for their books is not only commendable, but appreciated! I know this author certainly appreciates it!

A Bridge Unbroken

a Miller’s Creek novel

Letting go to build a bridge…

A frightened runaway wants her painful past to disappear. Her plan to start afresh is derailed when she co-inherits her late grandfather’s farm with the man responsible for the scars on her heart. But he isn’t the only ghost from the past. Someone else is out to get her and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will Chance and Dakota lay aside their grudges to restore the old farmhouse and bridge, or will evil forces sabotage their attempt at forgiveness?

Click here to read a sample chapter.

The post A BRIDGE UNBROKEN Featured at COTT! appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Worship – More Than We Think

Ask most Christians what worship means and the word “music” will almost always be included in the definition. Bit by bit, we’ve relegated the worship of God to singing, and usually within a twenty to thirty minute time frame on Sunday morning.

Music is most definitely one way in which to worship God. I also believe it’s a form of worship that will extend into heaven.

When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” ~Revelation 5:8-10

But true worship of God isn’t limited to music alone. Worship is declaring the worth-ship, or the worthiness of God. Simply put, it’s glorifying God as the Sovereign ruler of our lives–not just for a few minutes on Sunday mornings–but with our entire being and in all we do.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 12:1-2

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ~1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ~1 Corinthians 10:31
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ~Colossians 3:23-24

According to these verses, worship/glorifying God is:

a continuing offering/sacrifice of ourselves
not being conformed to the world
being transformed from the inside-out through the renewing of our minds (which is a whole other blog post)
something we do through every action we take
an attitude of the heart
service to God

In light of this, glorifying God (worship) becomes something we do each second of every day. More important than what we do as service is our underlying motivation. When we do it for Him, our work–no matter how humble–becomes worship.

Along those lines, we must be careful not to let others dictate what we do in our service to the Lord. Jesus experienced this many times in His public ministry, where the people who followed Him insisted that He do this or that. In every instance Jesus stayed true to His calling. We should do the same. Anything less is not less than full service to and for God.

Soli Deo Gloria! ALL for the glory of God!

YouTube video of Revelation Song

The post Worship – More Than We Think appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Everyday Hero Debra Willey

The world is full of everyday heroes who sometimes go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of life. Because of this, I decided to create a series of interview posts about the everyday heroes I come in contact with.

Today’s interview with one of my Facebook friends, Debra Willey, is very special. It deals with the topic of forgiveness, a subject near and dear to my heart with the recent release of A Bridge Unbrokenand the coming release of a companion Bible study, The Fragrance of Crushed Violets: Forgiving the Inexcusable. Debbie recently shared her wonderful testimony with me on my Facebook author page about learning to forgive in the tragic loss of her son. I think you’ll be as inspired by her story as I was.

Join @Cathy_Bryant as she interviews an "Everyday Hero - Debra Willey." #hero #forgiveness
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Welcome, Debbie! Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Debra Willey. I have 4 siblings 3 sisters and 1 brother. I’m the mother of 4 wonderful children. I have 7 beautiful grandchildren.

What hobbies do you enjoy? What are you passionate about?

I enjoy camping with my family, and I also enjoy reading a good book. My family is my passion. My parents live next door. They raised me, and now it’s my turn to help them out. They’re my best friends. I feel so blessed to have the family I do.

Family is a blessing. How wonderful that yours live so close. What are your favorite books and/or movies? Why?

The Miller’s Creek series. I’ve read them two times now. Every time a new one comes out I go through and refresh myself with the characters. I’d rather read a book than watch a movie. I feel like I can relate to the families of Miller’s Creek.

Thank you, Debbie. I’m so glad you like the stories and enjoy the families of Miller’s Creek. If you could spend time with any person–past or present–who would you choose? What would you talk about?

My son Christopher. I would tell him how much I miss him. He will always be a part of me and remains in my heart until I take my last breath and see him again.

What’s on your bucket list?

I really don’t have a bucket list. I try to live each day to the fullest and as if it were my last, a lesson learned from my son.

What’s your favorite hymn or praise song?

I Can Only Imagine and Hallelujah.

What is your all-time favorite family vacation or event? Why?

Summer camping with my family, which includes my parents, my youngest sister, my oldest son, and some very old and dear friends. I enjoy the outdoors and being with loved ones.

What do you do for a living? Take us through an ordinary day.

I’m a childcare provider, the lead teacher at a Christian school in the toddler one room with 10 children ranging in age from 18 months to 24 months. I wake at 4:00 a.m. to prepare for my day. I open the school by 7:00. We have snack by 9:30, clean up, prepare to do our praise and worship, and then go outside. After that we play, read, sing, color, paint until lunch.  Next comes nap-time and after-nap snack. We return outside, weather permitting, and I end my day of teaching at 4:00 p.m. After work, I cook dinner, visit my parents to assist them anyway I can (shopping, fixing things, or just a friendly sit-down visit). Then I prepare for the next day and retire for the night by 10:00 or 10:30 pm. Wow, I just tired myself out.

Tell us about something you were able to overcome with the Lord’s help.

I lost my third child–my son Christopher–on January 23, 2006. He was 23-years-old. He was hit by a car while walking home one night.  I spent two days in the surgical intensive care unit praying for the best. After the second brain scan test they told me there was no brain activity. He never opened his eyes, never moved. I was holding on to any hope at all. Then they turned the life support off, and his heart stopped.

I never got to say good bye, never got to tell him I loved him, never got to tell him it would be okay. My baby was gone. I was numb. I cried and asked God why. Why my baby? I want him back. I left the hospital that day asking myself what I did to deserve this punishment. How was I going to fix this? But I couldn’t fix it.

Anger set in against the person who hit my son and took him from us. I went through the services for my son and watched them put him in the ground. It took me awhile to overcome the fact that he was gone. Christmas was the hardest. How was I going to celebrate a day of thanking the Lord for what He’d given me when He took part of it away?

I think it was Christmas Eve of 2008, with all my children and grandchildren sitting around me, that I felt this peace and love come over me. The love was from my son. The peace I felt was the Lord telling me it was time to heal some of my wounds. I knew then what I had to do. I had to find a way to forgive the person who took my son from me.

I do forgive the person who drove the car that night. I’ve learned a new way of living life. The process of forgiveness is an important way of continuing to move on and be at peace. I live with a silent pain that will always remain deep in my heart. The rest is filled with love for my family, my friends, and the Lord.

Debbie, thank you for sharing your amazing testimony about the power of forgiveness and God’s grace in bringing us to the place where we can forgive. What a blessing! Your willingness to share helps us all learn to take the matter of forgiveness seriously. Thanks also for mentioning that forgiveness is a process. I couldn’t agree more. Wishing you and all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow!

Join @Cathy_Bryant as she interviews an "Everyday Hero - Debra Willey." #hero #forgiveness
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

EVERYDAY HERO DEBRA WILLEY – DISCUSSION:

Who are some of your everyday heroes?
What makes a person heroic?

If you have a suggestion for an Everyday Hero interview–either yourself or someone you know–please send me an e-mail via the Contact tab.

The post Everyday Hero Debra Willey appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

$ 50 Gift Certificate Giveaway from Wise Decor

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a representative from WiseDecor.com about reviewing a sample of their decorative wall lettering. I had seen these online before, so I quickly said “Yes!”

The first step was choosing the quote I wanted to use. Since I’m a writer, my mind immediately went to my favorite writing quote: “Home is where your story begins.” I first came across this quote shortly after I wrote my first book, Texas Roads.I was immediately attracted to the saying since the spiritual theme of the book was finding true home. (In that light, true home is where all our stories begin.)

The product arrived while I was gone on my beach and bluebonnets trip with my mom and grandson. Then when I returned home, it was time to finish edits to A Bridge Unbrokenso I could get the book formatted and launched. Once that happened, it was time to organize the book’s virtual tour/launch party. All that to explain why I’m just now to the point in my crazy schedule where I could install and review the product.

The wall lettering comes like a “sandwich.” It has a clear top layer. The middle layer is the lettering. The back layer is much like what you’d find on contact paper. I followed the steps provided to transfer the lettering to the wall right above my desk, which included:

Cleaning the wall to keep dust and dirt from allowing the product to stick.
Using a level to draw a straight line to use as a guide.
Using masking tape to attach the transfer layers to the wall.
Removing the back paper.
Using the provided squeegee tool to adhere the letter to the wall.
Removing the clear paper on top.

Here’s a picture of the final result. And I couldn’t help but also share what I got in the mail yesterday–the first print copies of the new book! Doesn’t the wall lettering look amazing?

I did have a little trouble with the lettering not wanting to come away from the top layer, but I was able to use my fingers to press it to the wall with no problem. (This might have been because the decal sat for three weeks until I could get to it.) Regardless, you can’t argue with the final results.

When I first agreed to review the product, I was concerned about having to remove it in the future for various reasons, but was glad to learn via Wise Decor’s website and the easy-to-read installation instructions that removal is a simple process.

I would highly recommend this product for your home. Please take a moment to browse their website and see all the beautiful options they have available. Don’t forget: you can customize your wall decor lettering for any message you want to display. You’ll also be happy to know that Wise Decor is a faith-based business from Greensboro, NC with ten-years experience.

$50 gift certificate #giveaway from WiseDecor.com review by @Cathy_Bryant
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

$ 50 Gift Certificate Giveaway from Wise Decor

Wise Decor has very generously offered readers the opportunity to win a $ 50 Gift Certificate for use on their website. You can enter via the Rafflecopter below. The contest ends May 12. The winner’s name and e-mail will be sent to Wise Decor, and they will contact you via e-mail with your $50 gift certificate.

Disclaimer: I received no remuneration for this review other than the product to try. This post is my honest review of the product.
 
How would you use this product in your home? Tell us in the comment section.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post $ 50 Gift Certificate Giveaway from Wise Decor appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Mothers Day Giveaway of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN – Print Copy

In honor of my awesome mom and all mothers everywhere, I’m hosting a Mothers Day giveaway of a print copy of A Bridge Unbroken for one lucky winner via the Rafflecopter below. You can read my recent interview with Mom as one of my everyday heroes HERE, and you can see pics from our recent beach and bluebonnet’s trip HERE.

Here’s more info on the book:

A BRIDGE UNBROKEN

Letting go to build a bridge…

A frightened runaway wants her painful past to disappear. Her plan to start afresh is derailed when she co-inherits her late grandfather’s farm with the man responsible for the scars on her heart. But he isn’t the only ghost from the past. Someone else is out to get her and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will Chance and Dakota lay aside their grudges to restore the old farmhouse and bridge, or will evil forces sabotage their attempt at forgiveness?

Print copy #giveaway of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN, new 5* Christian romantic suspense by @Cathy_Bryant
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Click here to read a sample chapter.

Click here to watch the book trailer.

Click here to read Amazon reviews.

Click here to purchase a print copy.

Click here to purchase a Kindle copy.

Click here to purchase eBooks other than Kindle.

Click here for a current list of other giveaways of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN.

Click here to enter the $100 Visa Card Giveaway to celebrate the book’s launch.

(Click the pic below to RSVP for the book’s online Launch Party on Thursday, May 22nd from 7-8 p.m. CST. I’ll be giving away more books–both print and digital copies–as well as an Amazon gift card, t-shirt, book tote, coffee mug, and bookmarks. In addition to all the prizes, we’ll also have lots of fun and games!)

Mothers Day Giveaway of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN
Print Copy

Enter the Mothers Day Giveaway for a print copy of A Bridge Unbrokenvia the Rafflecopter below. Its easy! Just choose the options for participation in which you’re interested.

Print copy #giveaway of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN, new 5* Christian romantic suspense by @Cathy_Bryant
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Name something about your mother that you adore–characteristic, special memory, etc.–in the comments.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Mothers Day Giveaway of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN – Print Copy appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

My Beach and Bluebonnet Trip to Texas!

Whew! What a whirlwind the past few weeks has been with the completion and launch of A Bridge Unbroken. Thankfully, things are finally slowing down enough for me to at least catch my breath. I meant to post about my beach and bluebonnet trip when I first arrived home, but there was just too much to do!

So this post is a little late in coming, but I hope you enjoy it just the same!

My Beach and Bluebonnet Trip to Texas!" by @Cathy_Bryant. A peek at trip pics!
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Beach and Bluebonnet Trip: Days 1-5

 

Interestingly enough, my beach and bluebonnet trip didn’t start anywhere near a beach or bluebonnets. I spent two days driving across half of New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, and Oklahoma in order to visit our oldest son, beautiful daughter-in-love, and two precious GRAND-kids in northwest Arkansas.

I came across this sign at a really nice rest area in the Texas Panhandle and had to laugh.

Nothing says “Welcome to Texas!” like a rattlesnake warning sign!

 

While in Arkansas, my handsome grandson and I used the time to visit a nearby drive-thru safari. There we saw buffalo, deer, warthogs, peacocks, goats, sheep, donkey, monkeys, snakes, llamas, yaks, and so much more! We even saw Arkansas razorbacks and Texas longhorns!

(Left) H feeds a baby yak and llama. (Right) H pets a goat (right before it butted him in the stomach)!

The grandson and I also ate lunch at our favorite gourmet restaurant…Chuck E. Cheese! Our sweet one-year-old GRAND-daughter was sick with an ear infection during my stay. You can tell by the pic that she didn’t feel well. My time with her was spent walking circles around the house. B loves to walk…as long as she has at least one adult finger to grip. I wish at least some of the normal sparkle was in her precious eyes, because I think they’re the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. And those curls are natural!

Beach and Bluebonnet Trip: Days 6-7

 

On day six, H and I set out early for northeast Texas where my youngest son lives. I didn’t mention it above, but I also had our fifty-plus-pound German Shepherd with us. She travels really well, but handling a large dog and a four-year old was a hair-raising experience! My youngest son and his girlfriend met us at a park for a picnic lunch. Next we toured his new house and then headed to the hotel for a pizza dinner and talk time.

Since they both had to work the next day, H, the dog, and I set out for central Texas to pick up my mom for the beach and bluebonnets. It was freezing cold and rainy that day, but as soon as we spotted bluebonnets near Ennis, Texas, we waded through the mud to get this pic.

H is a little OCD like me and his parents. That grin on his face says: “I have mud all over my shoes!”

I was supposed to meet a high-school friend (one of the Miller’s Creek Main Street Team members) for dinner that night, but after driving through rainy conditions for eight hours with a dog and pre-schooler, I was wiped out!

Beach and Bluebonnet Trip: Days 8 – 11

The next morning we set out for a bluebonnet excursion through the Hill Country on the way to the Texas coast. While the bluebonnets were not as plentiful as the unusually abundant wildflower display in 2010, we still saw several spots like this, both on our way down to the beach and on the way back.

We’re very blessed to live in a beautiful location in northern New Mexico, but I miss my home state!

We had an awesome hotel room awaiting us in San Marcos, TX that evening, complete with a separate living area and television for H to spread out and play. The next day we set out for Mustang Island State Park, south of Corpus Christi, TX. Mom and I both wanted to stay on the beach, but during the planning phase of the trip, I couldn’t find a place that would allow a German Shepherd.

On a whim, I decided to look for RV rentals, and found a place that would set up an RV in the camping location of your choice. I immediately chose Mustang Island. When our boys were small, hubby and I would pack them up and tow our little pop-up trailer to the same location for a whole week after school let out. What a special opportunity to share the same experience with my mom and grandson (but in a two-bedroom RV rather than a pop-up camper)!

I forgot to take pictures of our campsite, but found this pic of our RV at the Texas Beach Camping website where I rented our home on the beach. Thank you, Eric and friendly folks from Texas Beach Camping for the wonderful stay!

Photo courtesy of www.texasbeachcamping.com

The beach wasn’t crowded at all. H could’ve spent the entire time playing in the sand and singing “Jake and Never Land Pirates” theme song at the top of his lungs. (I’ll bet I heard that song one million times during our trip…) We tried the water, but it was a bit nippy!

Mom and I were contented to sit at our little picnic table near the surf, breathe in the salt air, listen to the waves (and H’s annoying-but-happy song), and watch him play. The GS stayed on her leash, anchored to the table. Enjoy the following pics!

Ahhh… Can’t you just feel the powdery sand between your toes, hear the pounding surf, and smell that sea breeze?

This heron stayed close by, much to our dog’s delight. We even saw pelicans!

H couldn’t wait to feed the seagulls–until they swarmed him! He dropped the bread and ran inside as fast as his little legs would carry him! :)

As you can see, my beach and bluebonnet trip was a huge success. We had the most wonderful time! I must admit that sharing the experience with my mom and grandson was an unforgettable experience and one for the memory bank!

As for the trip home? One day back to central Texas, another day back to northwest Arkansas, and another two days to get back to northern New Mexico–over four thousand miles in all–but I wouldn’t trade it for all the world!

The post My Beach and Bluebonnet Trip to Texas! appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

$100 Visa Card Giveaway and Launch Party RSVP!

Welcome to the $100 Visa Card Giveaway and Launch Party RSVP! Get ready for even more games, fun, and prizes at the A BRIDGE UNBROKEN Launch Party May 22, 2014, 7-8 p.m. CST. Please join us and bring your friends!

$100 Visa Card #Giveaway and A BRIDGE UNBROKEN Book Launch Party RSVP #games #prizes @Cathy_Bryant
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Click the pic below to RSVP for the Launch Party. FUN! GAMES! PRIZES!

$100 Visa Card Giveaway
Amazon Gift Card
T-shirt
Tote Bag
Coffee Mug
Miller’s Creek eBooks
Print copies of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN
Bookmarks

Once you RSVP for the party, head on over to PARTY CENTRAL, where the party will actually take place and where I’ll keep you updated on Blog Tour Book Giveaways.

Then scroll on down to the Rafflecopter below to enter the $100 Visa Card Giveaway. (May 1-22 only. You can also enter the giveaway at Cathy’s Facebook Author Page by clicking on the blue Rafflecopter tab. )

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post $100 Visa Card Giveaway and Launch Party RSVP! appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Want to Win a Copy of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN?

With the recent release and BlitzKat Book Blast blog tour of A Bridge Unbroken, I thought it might be helpful to have a dedicated page on my website to keep up with everything. I’ll be adding to this page as new giveaways arise and deleting those that have expired. The date listed with each giveaway is the day the giveaway starts. Check back often to find out the latest places to win a copy of A BridgeUnbroken (a Miller’s Creek Novel).

Want to #win a copy of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN by @Cathy_Bryant? Check out the BlitzKat Tour #Giveaways
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Want to Win A Copy?

Letting go to build a bridge…

Dakota Kelly wants her painful past to disappear. A plan to start afresh is derailed when she co-inherits her late grandfather’s farm with Chance Johnson, the man responsible for the scars on her heart. But Chance isn’t the only ghost from the past. Someone else is out to get her and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will Chance and Dakota lay aside their grudges to restore the old farmhouse and bridge, or will evil forces sabotage their attempt at forgiveness?

| Print Version | eBook Version |

Join the Launch Party and $100 Visa Card Giveaway

Read a Sample Chapter

View the Book Trailer

Places to Win:

May 1, 2014 ~ Diana’s Tea-Time Reviews: eBook Giveaway

May 1, 2014 ~ A Book Lover’s Retreat: eBook Giveaway

 

The post Want to Win a Copy of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN? appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Book Giveaway – MOTHERS and DAUGHTERS: Mending a Strained Relationship

(Teena Stewart is giving away one Kindle copy of her book, Mothers & Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship. To enter, leave a comment about why you would like to win this book.)

Mothers and Daughters: The Story Behind

I arrived at my women’s small group frustrated and depressed. I’d just spoken with my mother by phone. Whenever I talked with Mom I came away frustrated. She was a very negative person who found fault with everything and everyone. She was also a non-stop talker who never let me get a word in edgewise. How can you have any kind of a connection with someone who doesn’t listen and doesn’t understand you?  The most troubling thing of all was her inability to perceive that anything was wrong with our relationship. Each time our calls ended I found myself in a dark emotional pit.

During prayer time with my group that day I shared my frustrations and asked for prayer. I was surprised to learn that several other women in my fellowship wrestled with similar strained relationships. Apparently it was more common than I thought. I wondered how many women felt frustrated regarding unhealthy relationships with their moms so I sent out a questionnaire among some of my writer friends and asked for their input.

The results were amazing. Women who were in good relationships with their mothers imparted encouragements and touching stories. Those who were wrestling poured out their hurts. The idea for my book Mothers & Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship came from my desire, not to  write a “tell all” book that dished the dirt on my mom, but to encourage women and give them hope that they could improve these connections and enter into something, if not perfect, that would at least be better and less painful.”

Mothers and Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship, will help you name your hurts, face the barriers that stand in the way of a healthy mother daughter relationship and forgive what feels unforgivable. Learn to cultivate a friendship, communicate more effectively, and become a part of the change you want to see. There is hope for restoration and renewal.  The book includes interviews with many different women who share what works and what doesn’t in their own relationships. Each chapter includes inspirational quotes and illustrations plus a Healing Thoughts section where readers can reflect on and work through the topic for that chapter.

The book is available in

Kindle format on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Daughters-Mending-Strained-Relationship-ebook/dp/B008PEC4X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398636848&sr=8-1&keywords=mothers+and+daughters+mending+a+strained+relationship)

 Or paperback (http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Daughters-Relationship-RELATIONSHIP-Jun-01-2012/dp/B00DFEV3E0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1398636953&sr=8-3&keywords=mothers+and+daughters+mending+a+strained+relationship

Mothers and Daughters: About the Author

Teena Stewart is a published author, an accomplished artist, and a ministry leader. Her most recent book publications include Mothers and Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship (Beacon Hill)and Brave New Century (Prism).For more info on Teena, visit her website at www.teenastewart.com or her blog                  http://nearly-brilliant.blogspot.com/

Twitter @TeenaStewart1

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Teena-M-Stewart/216334111720519

Author Photo by Vanessa Kruse

* * *

Don’t forget to leave a comment about why you’d like to win this book to be entered in the giveaway. (And leave an e-mail address for us to contact you if you’re the winner.) Contest closes Monday, May 5. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and contacted by the author.

The post Book Giveaway – MOTHERS and DAUGHTERS: Mending a Strained Relationship appeared first on Cathy Bryant.