Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 53

The Way of Grace Free for Kindle June 10-14, 2013

The Way of Grace will be free for Kindle June 10-14, 2013. Please share the news with those you know who might be interested. Here's the book blurb:



In pursuit of justice, in need of grace . . .

A justice-seeking
perfectionist pursues her dream of a perfect life in her hometown of
Miller’s Creek, Texas. Sidetracked by a desire to be a prosecuting
attorney, Grace Soldano launches into uncharted waters, making herself
over to please her boss and mentor.

Then a disheveled free spirit
turns her perfectly ordered world upside down, challenging the concept
of personal goodness. A fall from perfection leaves Grace teetering
between vengeance and grace, caught in a deadly crossfire that leaves
her dreams in a heap of ashes.

Can she learn to joyfully accept the life God has given her–far from perfect–but completely immersed in His grace?

"A Path Less Traveled" Free for Kindle May 7-11, 2013

Hey everyone! Still patiently (and not-so-patiently) waiting for internet service to arrive at our new home. Until then, I continue to make a quick run through my e-mail at McDonald's every few days.





I did want to make you aware that A Path Less Traveled (book 2 in the Miller's Creek novels; rated 4.5 stars at Amazon with 81 reviews) will be free for Kindle May 7-11, 2013.



Here's the book description for those of you who might be interested:




Grief paints a celebration with shades of gray...



Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her
husband's life, she’s determined to blaze a path for herself and her
traumatized son without outside help. But will that mean leaving the
place etched on her heart?

Andy Tyler has had to struggle for
everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller's Creek, Texas is
no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he's not prepared
for falling in love--especially with yet another woman who will
probably abandon him for her career.

Will Andy and Trish be able to see past their limited human understanding to take a path less traveled? 




Please share the information with those you know who might be interested. You can also share it on your Facebook or Twitter page using the buttons below the post.




Wishing you all many blessings!

Temporarily Offline

Hey everyone,



Sorry for the absence of recent posts. Hubby and I are relocating to another state, and our new home currently has no internet service. :( To get online we have to drive a half hour to McDonald's and then we have only limited time to spend. We've been told that the latest date we'll have internet service is May 22nd, so please pray that the date is moved up!



Once we have internet service, I'll be back to posting devotions, free Kindle e-books, craft of writing posts and frugal Friday posts.



Cyber-Hugs!

"Pilgrimage of Promise" Book Launch Party (& Kindle Giveaway!)

Broken promises, enduring love...


A dusty stack of unopened love
letters forces Bo and Mona Beth Miller to revisit a part of their past
they’d rather leave buried–especially in the face of death. Only as they
retrace history will they learn the truth about the shattered promise
that threatens to come between them. But can their relationship endure
the deception and sabotage they unearth, or will the experience compel
them to trust more fully in the promises that never fail?



7:00 p.m.  - Welcome, friends! Before we get started, let me express that my thoughts and prayers are with those across our country who have been affected by the bombings today at the Boston Marathon. I'm sure we were all horrified and saddened by the news.



On a brighter note, I'm so glad you could join the book launch for Pilgrimage of Promise . Hope you're ready for some fun!



Not sure what an online book launch party is all about? Well, it serves many functions--to get the word out about Pilgrimage of Promise , allow you to voice questions or comments about the Miller's Creek novels, and also to have a great time and make new friends.



If I sound a little loopy tonight, it's because of all the events I've had going on in my life over the past few weeks. We packed up our belongings last week, closed on our house in Arkansas this morning, and are en route to New Mexico where my hubby will start a new job. (So my end of this party is taking place from a hotel room in the Texas panhandle!!!) To make matters even more interesting, I totaled our second vehicle last week...stupid deer...so we've been dealing with the insurance hullabaloo and only having one vehicle on top of the move.



Okay, enough about me. Please introduce yourselves, chat it up, or ask questions in the comment section
below. If you're not sure how to comment, scroll to the bottom of
this post and click the word "comment." A screen with a text box will
pop up. Click inside the box and start typing. When you're finished, it
will ask you to choose an identity. If you don't have Google or OpenID
account, choose either "Name/URL" (no need to put an URL) or
"Anonymous." (If you use the Anonymous button, be sure to identify
yourself in the comment, so we'll know who we're talking with.) Next
click the orange button which says "Publish Your Comment" and you're
done!



NOTE: You may want to click on the title of this post so that all the comments show up at the end. From there you can simply refresh your page to see the conversation! Please e-mail me at catbry1@yahoo.com if you have any
trouble leaving a comment during the party. I want everyone to have a
good time! =)



Here are a few pointers:


Tip #1: I'll add to this post every quarter hour (7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8:00, etc. CST), so refresh your page often to get info on games and prizes and keep up with the comments. (I'm
guessing all computers are the same when it comes to refreshing, so if
you don't know how to do this, find the place at the top of your browser
window where the URL address is located. Mine has a gray arrow in a semi-
circle at the far right. When I click that it refreshes the screen.)
Please be patient with me if I get behind, but I'll try my hardest to
stay on top of things.
Tip #2: If you've already read Pilgrimage of Promise feel free to share your opinion of the story, but be careful not to spoil the story for those who haven't read it yet.
Tip #3: Have fun!!! I want YOU to
have a great time! (If you can't be here the entire evening, that's
okay. You're welcome to leave and come back again if you have the time!)

PRIZES: Everyone
who leaves a comment below will be entered in the
drawings for prizes. Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you if
you're the winner (e-mail address, Facebook, etc.), and you must do this
before 9 p.m. (CST). Please share the contest with friends. The
more the merrier! (While the eBook giveaways are open to anyone,
because of high shipping costs, the print giveaways are for US/Canada
only.) To keep it fair, all prize winners will be chosen at
www.Random.org. Throughout the evening there will be other opportunities
for you to get your name in the hat more often, which will increase
your chances to win one (or more!) of the following:


Grand Prize - Kindle eReader (Winner announced at 8:45 p.m. CST tonight)
Promise Gift Basket - includes Promises and Blessings Daily calendar, magnetic note pads, a "Rejoice in the Lord" plaque, a French Vanilla candle, an over-sized mug with Mark 9:23 on the side, cowgirl coat hook, and packet of three kitchen towels. (Value: $25) (Winner
announced 8:45 p.m. CST tonight)
$25 Amazon Gift Card - (Winner announced at 8:45 p.m. CST tonight)
Print copies of Miller's Creek novels (Winners chosen and announced at 7:30,
8:00 and 8:30; once you win a print copy you are not eligible to win
another print copy or eBook version, though you will still be entered
for the Kindle and gift basket--just trying to spread the prizes
around!)
Free eBook versions of Pilgrimage of Promise (Winners chosen and announced at 7:15, 7:45,
and 8:15; once you win an eBook copy you are not eligible to win
another eBook version
or print copy, though you will still be entered for the Kindle, gift basket, and Amazon gift card) SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE WITHOUT E-READERS: If you win an eBook tonight but don’t own a Kindle, Nook, iPad, or other reading device, no need to worry! Amazon has free apps you can download to make it possible to read on your tablet, computer, or phone. Here’s the link - http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipad_mkt_lnd?docId=1000493771

Here's a tentative schedule for tonight (CST):


7:00 p.m. - Introductions, tips, prize list, tentative schedule, and extra chances to get your name in the hat.
7:15 p.m. - Special Thanks chat, Texas Roads revisited chat, Kindle apps, more chances for prizes, and first eBook winner announced!
7:30 p.m. - Meet the Characters chat, more chances for prizes, and first print book winner announced! CYBERSPACE SCAVENGER HUNT!! (My favorite part of the
evening--in case you couldn't tell...)
7:45 p.m. - The story (and message) behind the story chat, A Path Less Traveled revisited chat, more chances for prizes, and second eBook winner announced! 
8:00 p.m. - The Way of Grace chat, more chances for prizes, and second print book winner announced!
8:15 p.m. - Next in the Miller's Creek series chat, more chances for prizes, and third eBook winner announced!
8:30 p.m. - Other giveaways, more chances for prizes, and third print book winner announced!
8:45 p.m. - Scavenger Hunt winner announced, Amazon gift card winner announced, Promise Gift Basket winner announced, Kindle winner announced, and evening wrap-up!

Any questions or comments? If so, write them in the comments below!



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #1 :  Share
this party (times, location, prizes, etc.) INCLUDING the page link via
e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, etc.--then let us know in the comments that
you completed the task by listing where you shared the info. (You'll get
an extra chance for each place you share the details of the party.)



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #2 : Introduce yourself in the comments section and tell how we first met (in person, online, at church, new friend, etc.).



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #3 :
Sign the launch party guestbook by clicking the image link below. (To return to the party after signing, just hit your
"back" arrow button in the top of your browser.)





 



P.S.
If you arrive late, please jump right in! You can do all the extra
chance items as you have time. The final drawings won't be made until
8:45 p.m. CST!



Oh, and just so you know, there is a Goodreads.com giveaway for three print copies of Pilgrimage of Promise going on from April 15-May 15, 2013. Click below for more details (and share via e-mail, Facebook status update, or Twitter for another entry in the giveaways--just don't forget to let me know in the comments below.)










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Goodreads Book Giveaway






Pilgrimage of Promise


by Cathy Bryant


Giveaway ends May 15, 2013.


See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.




Enter to win





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



7:15 p.m. – Please allow me to say a word of thanks to those who’ve been instrumental in getting Pilgrimage of Promise
into publication. Above all, I must first give thanks and praise to the
Lord. He is the One I write for, and it is only by His grace that I
have the ability to come up with these stories and get them down on
paper.



I also want to thank my awesome hubby Travis,
who has read the story many times to give his advice. (I’m so blessed!)
He’s helping out tonight by adding each entry on a spreadsheet, and then
we’ll use Random.org to select the winners.



Next,
I want to say thanks to my mom. She’s my biggest cheerleader, one of
the inspirations for Mama Beth, and my book distributor in the small
Texas town I grew up in. =) She reads every word of all my stories and
gives really awesome advice. Love you, Mom!



And last,
but certainly not least, I want to introduce my other beta readers.
These folks volunteer their time to check for story issues,
misspellings, grammatical errors, and punctuation mistakes. I could not
do what I do without their special help. So a HUGE “thank you” from the
bottom of my heart to: Barbie Bray, Jimmie Croker, and Sherlee
Grinstead.





Just a quick chat about the book that kicked off the Miller's Creek Novels. Texas Roads will always hold a special place
in my heart. As the story unfolded on the page, I fell in love with
Miller’s Creek and its cast of quirky characters. Who doesn’t want to
live in Miller’s Creek with Mama Beth, Coot, J.C., and even the town
grouch, Otis Thacker? ;)



In case you haven’t read the story yet, here’s a little bit about the book:



One secret kept, another uncovered . . .

Dani
Davis just wants a place to call home. With quaint country charm,
quirky residents, and loads of business potential, Miller’s Creek seems
like the perfect place to start over . . . except for the cowboy who
gives her a ride into town. Then malicious rumors and a devastating
secret propel her down a road she never expected to travel.



Now for extra chances to win the Kindle, gift basket, Amazon gift card, and free books!



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #4 :
If you’ve read any of the Miller’s Creek books and enjoyed them, please
take a minute to “Like” them in the following places for an extra
chance for each “like”—and don’t forget to let us know in the comments so we can add your name to the list again! And if you don’t mind, hop on over to my author Facebook page and Amazon page and “like” those as well.



Texas Roads - https://www.facebook.com/TexasRoads

A Path Less Traveled - https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Path-Less-Traveled/310172142347765

The Way of Grace - https://www.facebook.com/TheWayOfGracebook3

Pilgrimage of Promise - https://www.facebook.com/PilgrimageOfPromise

Cathy’s author page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Cathy.Bryant.Author

Cathy’s author page on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002SKQCDO



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #5 :

For those who’ve read Texas Roads ,
tell us your favorite scene, character, or part of the book (without
giving away crucial information that would spoil the story for others)
in the comments section below.



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #6 :

Texas Roads is free for Kindle all week (April 15-19) at Amazon.
So for this extra chance share the following link via e-mail, Facebook
(as your status update), or Twitter to let everyone know about Texas Roads ’ free week, then let me know in the comments:

Texas Roads (Christian romance; 4.5 stars) #FREE for Kindle April 15-19 at http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Roads-Millers-Creek-ebook/dp/B00480OH1G/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1364600051&sr=8-1&keywords=texas+roads

WINNER: Our first eBook winner of Pilgrimage of Promise
is:  Kandy S. Congrats! Send me an e-mail at catbry1@yahoo.com with WINNER in
the subject line, so I can send you the link for your free download.



Next Up at 7:30 – Meet the characters of Pilgrimage of Promise and more chances to win the Kindle, Amazon gift card, or gift basket!



 ~~~~~~~~~~~





7:30 p.m. – Meet the Characters from Pilgrimage of Promise ...



I
almost feel a little silly introducing you to two characters you’ve
known since book 1, but I’ll do it anyway for you to meet the young Mama
Beth and Bo (and just in case there are any newcomers to the folks of
Miller’s Creek with us tonight).



Our Heroine:
I picture actress Amanda Seyfried as the young Mama Beth Adams.
Hmmm…maybe I should call her Mona Beth, since she doesn’t get the name
Mama Beth until late in the story. Anyway, she’s the classic country
girl, pretty and sweet, and tough as nails. For the older version of
Mama Beth, I still choose actress Judi Dench (without the British
accent, of course).



Our Hero:  Actor
James Marsden fits the bill for young Bo Miller. Handsome, popular, and
the heir to the Miller ranch, Mona Beth is determined to bring him down a
few pegs. And for the older version of Bo, who else but James Garner?



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #7:

Pilgrimage of Promise
is available in several different e-book formats at Smashwords, but
this is for a limited time only since the e-book will eventually be made
exclusive to Amazon. So for an extra name in the hat for the drawings,
please share the following information either via e-mail, Facebook (as
your status update), or Twitter, then head back over here and let me
know in the comments:

Pilgrimage of Promise (Christian romance, #AMillersCreekNovel 4) is available in various e-book formats for a limited time at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/298639

EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #8 - #12 :
Time for the Cyberspace Scavenger Hunt!! (The winners will receive five
extra chances for the Kindle, gift basket, and book giveaways.)



Here are the basics:


This is a little different than the last book launch party. Rather
than having the clues in different places, all the clues are given
below, but you’ll have to visit different places in cyberspace to find
the answers.
By the time you finish, you should have a list of five different
answers. Don’t post your answers here. Instead send them to me IN ONE
E-MAIL with SCAVENGER HUNT in the subject line at catbry1@yahoo.com in
this format: 1. Answer to first clue 2. Answer to second clue 3. Answer
to third clue 4. Answer to fourth clue 5. Answer to fifth clue 
Be sure you read the questions carefully. You get an extra chance
for each one you get correct in the drawing for the Kindle, Amazon gift
card, gift basket, and book giveaways.
You have one hour to finish. If I haven’t received your e-mail by
8:30 p.m. CST you won’t receive the five extra chances. (Sorry about the
time limit, but we must enforce it to allow Hubby time to enter the
names for the drawing.)
Don’t forget to check in here every fifteen minutes to see if your
name was drawn in the book giveaways. I will still be adding new
information (and more chances for prizes) every fifteen minutes.
If you have any questions, just type it in the comments below. If a
lot of people get hung up in one place, I’ll try to give hints.



CLUE/QUESTION #1: Visit CatBryant.com and click “About Cathy” to see where I’ll soon be moving. (Or read above.)

CLUE/QUESTION #2: For your next clue/question, visit http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002SKQCDO (my author page on Amazon) to see how many books I’ve either authored or co-authored. Watch out, one of them is not a book.

CLUE/QUESTION #3: Visit http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Roads-Millers-Creek-ebook/dp/B00480OH1G/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364602391&sr=1-1&keywords=texas+roads ( Texas Roads ’
Kindle edition page) and click on the thumbnail pictures right below
the book cover until you find the picture of me standing near a street
sign. What does the sign say?

CLUE/QUESTION #4: Visit http://www.amazon.com/Traveled-Millers-Creek-Novel-ebook/dp/B0048EK14O/ref=pd_sim_b_1 ( A Path Less Traveled ’s
Kindle edition page) and click on the book cover. A new screen will pop
up that allows you to look inside the book. Scroll down until you find
the theme verses for the book. Give the scripture reference (Example:
John 3:16).

CLUE/QUESTION #5: Visit http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Millers-Creek-Novels-ebook/dp/B009H7TIFU/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1 ( The Way of Grace ’s
Kindle edition page) and scroll down until you find the Customer Review
section. How many stars does it have? (Example: 4.2 out of 5 stars).



WINNER: The first print copy winner of Texas Roads
is Marissa Morgan! Congrats! (Marissa is a former student that I miss very, very much! Please send an e-mail to catbry1@yahoo.com and put
“Winner” in the subject line…and don’t forget to include your mailing
address! =)



Next up at 7:45 – Time to chat about the story behind the story and revisit A Path Traveled …and more chances to win!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



7:45 p.m. – First let’s chat about the story (and message) behind Pilgrimage of Promise . After I wrote Texas Roads ,
I had several readers ask about Mama Beth’s story. I knew it was a
story that needed to be told,but I wasn’t sure how it would fit in with
the other stories brewing in my brain. After The Way of Grace
took so long to write, I knew I needed to jump onto another story ASAP.
I was afraid if I waited to get started on a new novel, I'd never do
it. Sort of the "when you fall off a horse get back on it and ride"
idea. Mama Beth’s story seemed like the logical choice.



As
for the message behind the story, all of my stories have a spiritual
theme that comes from my personal experience—a spiritual nugget of truth
that God has given me. The most profound spiritual truth I’ve
experienced lately came through a series of five moves in an eight-month
period. (And here I am moving again!!!)



Through each
of those moves I learned that even when life is scary and uncertain, God
is unchanging and faithful. He always keeps His promises. I needn’t
fear or worry. God is with me, and there is no place I can go where He
is not. I pray that no matter what the future may bring for each of us,
we will all reach the place on this earthly pilgrimage where we fully
realize the sure foundation we have in Christ.



Now let’s revisit A Path Less Traveled ,
book two in the Miller’s Creek novels. I never could have imagined how
the message of trusting God to direct our paths would play out in my
life in the two years following the release of this novel. God used the
message in this book to teach me to trust Him more!



Here’s the book blurb for those of you who haven’t yet read the story:



Grief paints a celebration with shades of gray . . .

Trish
James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her
husband’s life, she’s determined to blaze a path for herself and her
traumatized son without outside help. But will that mean leaving the
place etched on her heart?



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #13 :   

My
favorite portions of the book involved Little Bo. Leave it to the kid
to steal the show! Without spoiling the story for others, tell us your
favorite scene or character from A Path Less Traveled .



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #14 :

Just for fun I created a Miller’s Creek survey. It’s completely anonymous, so surf on over to this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8TBTPXY. After you’ve completed the survey, don’t forget to let me know you participated in the survey in the comments section below.



WINNER: The next Pilgrimage of Promise
e-book winner is: Robin B! Robin is one of my sweet Facebook friends! Robin, send an e-mail with the word WINNER in the subject
line to catbry1@yahoo.com. That way I can send you instructions on how
to download your ebook.



Next up at 8:00 - We'll revisit The Way of Grace ...did
I really just write that a few months ago?...it seems like years!!
Whew!  We'll also have more chances to win those prizes, and I'll
announce the winner of the second print copy of Pilgrimage of Promise.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8:00 p.m. - Hope you're all enjoying the cyberspace scavenger
hunt! I'm enjoying cracking open those e-mails to see your answers and
hear about your escapades! Makes me smile! =)





Now on to our book chat. Of all the books I've written, The Way of Grace
was by far the most difficult. I just felt like the topic of grace was
too important to mess up. I studied my Bible and asked for guidance from
some trusted friends to get their input and advice. (Also during the
course of writing the story we went through that series of moves that
left me panting for breath!) Anyway, the book did eventually get
written, and I've been moved by comments of readers and reviewers who
say the book helped them get a better grasp on grace.



For those of you who haven't read the book, here's the description:



In pursuit of justice, in need of grace . . .



A
justice-seeking
perfectionist pursues her dream of a perfect life in her hometown of
Miller’s Creek, Texas. Sidetracked by a desire to be a prosecuting
attorney, Grace Soldano launches into uncharted waters, making herself
over to please her boss and mentor. Then a disheveled free spirit
turns her perfectly ordered world upside down, challenging the concept
of personal goodness. A fall from perfection leaves Grace teetering
between vengeance and grace, caught in a deadly crossfire that leaves
her dreams in a heap of ashes. Can she learn to joyfully accept the life
God has given her–far from perfect–but completely immersed in His
grace?



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #15 : 

For those of you who have read The Way of Grace ,
what's your favorite part of the story (without spoiling it for those
who haven't read the book yet)? If you haven't read the book yet, share
your thoughts or favorite verse about grace in the comments.



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #16 : 

In the comments tell us which Miller's Creek book cover is your favorite and why.



WINNER: The winner of the second print copy of A Path Less Traveled is: Shary! Yay!
Send an e-mail (with the word WINNER in the subject line) to
catbry1@yahoo.com. Be sure to include your mailing address so I can have
your book sent to you! =)



Next up at 8:15 - I'll
let you know what's coming up next in the Miller's Creek novels, give
you more chances to win those prizes, and announce the next e-book
winner



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



I'm very excited about book five in the Miller's Creek novels. It's entitled A Bridge Unbroken
and tells the story of a young woman who has been so hurt by past life
events that she struggles with forgiving others, accepting God's
forgiveness, and reaching a place where she can trust God and others. I
can only speak for myself here, but I think most of us struggle at times
with forgiveness. And sometimes we have a harder time forgiving
ourselves than we do other people!



Here's the tentative book blurb:



Dakota
Kelly refuses to trust anyone ever again. Bound by chains of
unforgiveness, she locks herself away on her grandfather’s farm until an
accident puts her under the watchful care of Chance Johnson. Can Dakota
risk a broken heart to gain a bridge unbroken?



Can't wait to delve into Dakota's story! (But it might be a while since we're moving again...) =/



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #17 : 

You'll
have to send me an e-mail for this next chance (catbry1@yahoo.com and
put NAMES in the subject line), and it will require some research.
(Please don't post your answers in the comments since that will give it
away.) What does the name "Dakota" mean? What does the surname "Kelly"
mean? (HINT: You may have to go on to the original Irish name for Kelly
to discover its meaning.) I'll give an extra chance for each name
meaning you get right in your e-mail.

 

WINNER: The next Pilgrimage of Promise
e-book winner is: Sherlee! Congratulations, sweet friend! Please send me an e-mail with the
word WINNER in the subject line to catbry1@yahoo.com. I'll send you the
scoop on how to get your e-book!



Next up at 8:30 -
Be sure to get your scavenger hunt answers to me by 8:30 so we'll have a
chance to tally the answers to give you extra chances. Also, we'll
start wrapping things up and I'll announce the third print book winner.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8:30 p.m. - Okay, peoples, if you haven't already done so,
please send your answers to the scavenger hunt questions now
(catbry1@yahoo.com). If you don't have all the answers yet, go ahead an
send what you have. Remember: you get an extra chance for each question
you answer correctly.



Since the spiritual theme of the
next book is forgiveness, I thought I'd share a few quotes I've already
come across in my research.



“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

― C.S. Lewis



“To err is human, to forgive, divine.” ― Alexander Pope



“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” ― Mark Twain



“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.



“Forgiveness
has nothing to do with absolving a criminal of his crime. It has
everything to do with relieving oneself of the burden of being a
victim--letting go of the pain and transforming oneself from victim to
survivor.” ― C.R. Strahan



“I think that if God forgives
us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost like setting up
ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.” ― C.S. Lewis



“Throughout
life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let
God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume
you too.” ― Will Smith



“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” ― Corrie ten Boom



EXTRA CHANCE AT PRIZES #18 : 

I'd
love to hear what you have to say about the topic of forgiveness. What
does it mean to you? Does forgiveness excuse the wrong behavior of
others? Share your thoughts and favorite verses on forgiveness in the
comments below.



WINNER: The winner of the print copy of The Way of Grace
is: Donna! Woot! Please send me an e-mail with WINNER in the subject
line (catbry1@yahoo.com). Don't forget to include your mailing address!



Next up at 8:45 - I'll announce the winners of the Promise gift basket, the $25 Amazon gift card, and the Kindle!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 



8:45 p.m. -
Doing the Snoopy dance! I L.O.V.E. announcing the prize winners! (The
only thing I don't like is that I don't have a big prize for everyone. Hopefully you all had fun with the process!) 



Before
I announce the winners, let me express my gratitude to you all for
making this special night so much fun. I can't think of any place I'd
rather be than with all of you. (Of course I wouldn't object if we were
all together in person...on a flour-soft sandy beach...overlooking
turquoise waters...oh yeah, the prizes!)



Okay, here goes...drum roll, please!



The
winner of the Promise gift basket is: Kandy! Yay! Please send an e-mail
to me (catbry1@yahoo.com) and put the words PROMISE GIFT BASKET WINNER
in the subject line. Don't forget to include your mailing address.
(Since we're in the middle of a move, it might take a few days for me to
get your basket sent out, but I will get it done!!!) =)



The
winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is: Sherlee! Woo-hoo! Send an e-mail
to catbry1@yahoo.com with the word GIFT CARD WINNER in the subject
line. I'll have the card sent to you electronically, so keep an eye out
for it in your e-mail. (And check your spam folder, too...yikes!)



And
last, but not least, the winner of the Kindle is: Shary!!!
Congratulations! Send me an e-mail with KINDLE WINNER in the subject
line. I'll need your mailing address.



Thanks again for all the fun everyone! Cyber Hugs!!!!

Free Christian Kindle Books for April 15, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





 Texas Roads 

by Cathy Bryant



Romance: City gal Dani Davis just wants a place to call home. With quirky
residents, quaint country charm, and loads of business potential,
Miller's Creek Texas seems like the perfect place to start over . . .
except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town. Dani secretly
finances renovations to downtown Miller’s Creek, but malicious rumors
force her to choose between keeping her involvement a secret and the
home for which she’s always longed. Then a devastating discovery propels
her down a road she never expected to travel. Steve Miller is
determined to rescue his dying hometown. When vandals jeopardize the
renovation, he can’t help but suspect Dani, whose strange behavior has
become fodder for local gossips. Can Steve and Dani call a truce for a
higher cause, and in the process help Dani recognize the true meaning of
home?



4.5 stars with 117 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see.





The Stone of Destiny

by Jim Ware



Young Adult Fiction: Morgan Izaak is obsessed with his father’s ancient books about the
legendary Philosopher’s Stone; he’s even got a little alchemy lab set up
in the church tower next door. And when Morgan and his best friend,
Eny, find out about another mysterious stone that may be hidden in their
own town—the Irish Stone of Destiny, called Lia Fail—he’s determined to
find it because he thinks it’s the last hope for someone he holds dear.
But Morgan’s not the only one looking for the Stone, and by the time
the two middle schoolers realize there’s trouble afoot, Morgan has
betrayed their friendship, strange creatures are loose in the land, and
the Stone is lost … perhaps forever. Can Morgan find a way to help those
he loves?



4.2 stars with 10 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see.





Heart's Crossing 

by Marianne Evans



Romance: “How do you feel about God, Collin?”



“I don’t.”



Collin
Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church of Christ, has
renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a
tragic loss. Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her
relationship with God and the community of Woodland. But lately she's
been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual
enthusiasm. Can
Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever
accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned
his back on him?




4.9 stars with 22 reviews




Free? Click HERE to see.







Discovering Hope 

by Chautona Havig



Romance: What do Brigadoon, saris, epic laser tag games, and Jesus have in
common? Hope. She’s a Christian with a passion for life and a
fascination with Jay’s heritage. He’s an Indian with a fledgling
interest in learning about the Hope within Hope.



4.6 stars with 121 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see.





Keeper of My Heart 

by Therese M. Travis



Romance: A bitter heiress refuses to trust man or
God...until a faithful veterinarian challenges her beliefs. Determined
to keep her heart safe from betrayal, Rebecca denies both God and the
man who calls to her, certain his love can never be true enough to bring
her back to her faith and a future with him. Adam is equally entranced,
but Rebecca's denial of faith proves a deterrent to pursuing a
relationship with her. But now that Rebecca has taken a job in Adam's
animal clinic, an attraction that neither one believes can work begins
to grow.



4.7 stars with 11 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see.

Goodreads Giveaway For Three Print Copies of PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE

Just wanted to let you all know that there's a giveaway through Goodreads.com for three print copies of Pilgrimage of Promise . The giveaway starts on April 15, 2013 and runs through May 15, 2013. You can click the box below for more information.








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Goodreads Book Giveaway






Pilgrimage of Promise


by Cathy Bryant


Giveaway ends May 15, 2013.


See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.




Enter to win

Kindle Giveaway!

Hi friends! I'm super-excited about the upcoming book launch party for the latest Miller's Creek novel, Pilgrimage of Promise . (Only two more days!)



I'm in the middle of a move at the writing of this post--across four states!!! So I won't be posting over the next few days, but should be at a hotel with internet access in time for the party on Monday night.



There will be lots of fun and games and some great giveaways, so I hope you can join the party. The giveaways include e-book and print copies of the Miller's Creek novels, a $25 Amazon gift card, a promise-themed gift basket, and a Kindle!



I can hardly wait for the fun to begin!



Cyber Hugs!

Free Christian Kindle Books for April 10, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





Saving Hope 

by Margaret Daley



Romance: hen a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human
trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt's daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped. Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.



4.6 stars with 66 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see.





The Heart's Journey 

by Barbara Cameron




Amish fiction: Naomi knows she should be excited about her upcoming wedding but she remains unmoved. Not only are her feelings for her fiance lackluster but she believes he may see her more as a servant than a partner.And he's so controlling. Is it too late
to back out of the marriage? While praying for God's guidance, Naomi takes a break from her duties as a quilter and travels with her grandmother to Pinecraft, Florida. Along the way Naomi finds herself becoming attracted to Nick, their Englisch driver and friend, and the two begin to fall in love. The journey soon becomes one in which Naomi explores her most secret dream for love. But can she veer off the "safe" path she'd envisioned for her life to marry Nick?



 

4.6 stars with 32 reviews

 

Free? Click HERE to see.  

 

 

The Marks of a Godly Leader - King David

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ ~Acts 13:22 (NIV)



In all the history of the nation of Israel, there has never been another king (with the exception of Jesus) like King David. Though far from perfect, as a man of war who committed adultery and murder, David exemplifies many qualities of a godly leader. Let's dig in and see what we uncover in the scriptures concerning these godly leadership qualities.



He seeks after God .

As the verse above indicates, David sought after God. One only has to read the psalms written by David to know this to be true. In spite of his sinfulness and humanity, he followed the Lord with all his heart. During the process of discovering the new king, Samuel went through all of David's brothers before he came to David. With so many strong men in this family, Samuel must surely have wondered about God's decision in choosing the young shepherd boy.



But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ~1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)



During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. ~2 Samuel 21:1a 



The Lord was with him .

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. ~1 Samuel 16:13a (NIV)



The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. ~2 Samuel 8:6b (NIV) (See also 2 Samuel 8:14b.)



When God is with us we are made able to accomplish anything the Lord chooses for us. As we look for men and women who will lead us, this one thing is the most important. Without the presence of God with and within our leaders, they will surely fail at their task, leading the rest of us down a treacherous path.



He is fearless against the opposition because of God .

Day after day, Goliath and the Philistine army taunted the army of Israel. Day after day, the Hebrew troops became more and more discouraged. But when David entered the camp to bring food to his brothers, he quickly and boldly let the truth be known.



David asked the men standing near him, “....Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” ~1 Samuel 17:26 (NIV)



And when he went out to face the giant with nothing but a sling and a few stones, he once more proclaimed truth.



David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands..." ~1 Samuel 17:45-46a (NIV)



He accepts full responsibility for his actions and doesn't try to place the blame elsewhere .

President Truman had a sign on his desk which said, "The buck stops here." The meaning behind the phrase was that as the leader of the United States, Truman took full responsibility for his actions and the resulting consequences. David did the same, and we see it in two different cases--in the case of the deaths of the priests and the town of Nob, and also in the case with his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah the Hittite.



But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.” ~1 Samuel 22:20-23 (NIV)



Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” ~2 Samuel 12:13a (NIV)



He listens to his conscience .

David could've killed Saul, and deservedly so. After all, David had already been anointed king. He'd been on the run from King Saul for years, yet had done nothing to deserve the death Saul had planned for him. But this shepherd-boy-turned-king had a conscience and he listened to it.



Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” ~1 Samuel 24:5-6 (NIV)



He strengthens himself in the Lord .

Weary from running from Saul and trying to lead the band of misfits around him, David suddenly found himself in the position of being stoned by his own men after the destruction of their village of Ziklag. He could have pleaded and reasoned with the men. He could have grown bitter and walked away from all of it. Instead he did what every leader should do when overwhelmed with the lonely responsibilities of their charge.



David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. ~1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV)



He identifies with his people .

This quality is so sadly lacking in leadership today. Instead of relating to constituents and seeking to serve those below them, our leaders see their role as a position of power and use their position for selfish gain. But notice what the scripture says about David.



All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood...." When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. ~2 Samuel 5:1,3 (NIV)



He is divinely chosen for the position .

And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ~2 Samuel 5:2 (NIV)



Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. ~2 Samuel 5:12 (NIV) 



David didn't put himself in power, as his sons Absalom and Adonijah tried to do. He was divinely appointed to the position. American leaders have twisted the concept of "separation of church and state" to mean something it was never intended to be. Originally, the concept was promoted so that their was no government-instituted religion. Now it seems to mean the complete removal of God from the national realm. Our downfall as a nation will come from removing God from our nation, schools and marketplace. We can't ignore Him in our prosperity and expect Him to come to our rescue in our times of distress.



He seeks direction from the Lord .

Time and time again in the story of David, we see him asking the Lord for guidance. And time and time again, the Lord gives him an answer, and David follows.



So David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” ~2 Samuel 5:19 (NIV)



He recognizes God's sovereignty and is humbled .

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!....How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." ~2 Samuel 7:18-19, 22 (NIV)



Oh, that we would all have this attitude. Who are we that the Lord has brought us this far?



He realizes that his decisions influence and affect those under his leadership .

The God of Israel spoke,
    the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
    when he rules in the fear of God,
he is like the light of morning at sunrise
    on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
    that brings grass from the earth.’ ~2 Samuel 23:3-4 (NIV)



He leaves behind a spiritual heritage .

“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’" ~1 Kings 2:2-4 (NIV)



As David prepared to die, he told his young son Solomon the secret to his success. I personally don't doubt that David had prepared his son even more than what is recorded in the Bible, as Solomon later acknowledges that his father lived a godly life that the Lord blessed (1 Kings 3:6).



Father God, we pray for godly leaders like David--men and women who seek after You, who recognize Your sovereignty, who have Your presence with, who have been divinely appointed to their task, who accept full responsibility for their actions without passing the blame onto others, who seeks Your guidance, who realizes their influence and impact on the lives of others, who serve those beneath them, who passes on a godly heritage. And Lord we also pray that You will enable us to lead in our places of influence in a way that pleases You. Lord, we lift our current leaders before You and ask that they might be drawn closer to You. If they don't know You, God, we pray that You will make Yourself known to them so that they might follow You. No matter what, Lord, we give You praise, because You are ultimately the One in control and You are good and gracious and just. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Free Christian Kindle Books for April 9, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





Nadia's Hope

by Lisa Buffaloe



Romance: The nightmares continue. Memories won’t heal. Nadia must make a choice. Nadia
Minsky fled Israel to escape her past, but she can’t outrun her
nightmares. The throbbing scars along her hip and stomach are cruel
reminders of shattered dreams. Even though surgeons mended her body, her
spirit still bleeds. Friends claim only God can heal her. For Nadia,
trusting a God who allowed her to suffer is inconceivable. Can
close friends, a wild roommate, and a handsome medical student help
Nadia learn to trust? Or will she chose to allow her past to forever
cripple her future?



4.2 stars with 50 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see.





The Candle Star 

by Michelle Isenhoff



Historical: Boxes aren't meant to be lived in, but that's exactly where Emily
Preston's parents are stuffing her. For thirteen years she's been
indulged on her parents' plantation. Suddenly they expect a proper,
marriageable young lady. After a moment of high spirits, a "tantrum,"
her mother called it, Emily is sent to stay with her iron-willed,
inn-keeping uncle in Detroit. There she meets Malachi, the son of freed
slaves, who challenges everything she's grown up believing. Slowly, with
plenty of bumps and humor, their abrasive relationship develops into
respect, then friendship. But when Emily stumbles upon two runaways
hidden in her uncle's barn, she finds that old ways die hard. And Mr.
Burrows, the charming Southern slave catcher, is only yards away, lodged
in the hotel.



4.9 stars with 15 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see. 





Roses Will Bloom Again 

by Lori Copeland



Romance: When the sheriff’s shocking news brings Emma
Mansi back to Serenity, Colorado, she must face her past--the old
Victorian house, the overgrown rose garden, and the sheriff, Sam Gold, a
man she once loved deeply. Is it possible that just as Mama’s roses
will bloom again, so will Emma’s heart and faith?



4 stars with 4 reviews



Free? Click HERE to see.