Victoria Simcox's Blog, page 25

The Christian Imagination: The Practice of Faith in Literature and Writing

  The Christian Imagination brings together in a single source the best that has been written about the relationship between literature and the Christian faith. This anthology covers all of the major topics that fall within this subject and includes essays and excerpts from fifty authors, including C.S. Lewis, Flannery O’Connor, Dorothy Sayers, and Frederick Buechner.
About Leland Ryken Leland Ryken (PhD, University of Oregon) is Professor of English at Wheaton College. He has authored or edited several books, including The Word of God in English, The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, and The Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. He is a frequent speaker at the Evangelical Theological Society and served as literary stylist for The Holy Bible, English Standard VersionAmazon:https://tinyurl.com/yy762agr

The Pilgrim's Progress

 The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come; Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan (1628–1688) and published in February, 1678. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. Bunyan began his work while in the Bedfordshire county prison for violations of the Conventicle Act, which prohibited the holding of religious services outside the auspices of the established Church of England. Early Bunyan scholars like John Brown believed The Pilgrim's Progress was begun in Bunyan's second, shorter imprisonment for six months in 1675,but more recent scholars like Roger Sharrock believe that it was begun during Bunyan's initial, more lengthy imprisonment from 1660–72 right after he had written his spiritual autobiography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. John Bunyan baptised November 30, 1628 – August 31, 1688) was an English writer and Puratin preacher best remembered as the author of the Christian allegory The Pilgrim's Progress . In addition to The Pilgrim's Progress, Bunyan wrote nearly sixty titles, many of them expanded sermons.Amazon:https://tinyurl.com/y2gxet7y

Animal Farm

George Orwell's timeless and timely allegorical novel—a scathing satire on a downtrodden society’s blind march towards totalitarianism.
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned—a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.

When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh. About George Orwell GEORGE ORWELL (1903-1950) was born in India and served with the Imperial Police in Burma before joining the Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War. Orwell was the author of six novels as well as numerous essays and nonfiction works.
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/y2nl5855 

An Unlikely Beginning (Velvet Shoe Collection)

1929 ... Detroit can be a dangerous place ... Seventeen-year-old Ruth Squire's fiance, the love of her life, disappears on their wedding day, and it's up to her to find him. A blue feather is the only clue she has, which leads her down on the docks to a seedy nightclub. The risk to save Peter Kirby is enormous. Can she rescue him, or will she only put him into deeper danger? Disguised as a jazz singer, Ruth steps on the stage, knowing her life is on the line ... Knowing she may never escape ...
About Patty WisemanMaster of the unexpected twist, breathtaking depth, and contagious storylines, romance novelist, Patty Wiseman is the daughter of a WWII Navy vet who survived Pearl Harbor. She was raised in Washington State,attended The Wesleyan College in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, then moved to Northeast Texas where she has resided for over 30 years. Several of her short stories have been published in 'Angie's Diary'. Patty is the creator of the Velvet Shoe Collection, historical romantic mysteries set in the 1920's. An Unlikely Arrangement, is the first of the series. An Unlikely Beginning, the second book was released in July of 2012. The third in the series, An Unlikely Conclusion, was released in August of 2013. Fourth book in the series, An Unlikely Deception, was released August 5, 2016. Her self motivational book Success Your Way was published in March of 2016. She is published through Desert Coyote Productions. There are two more series in the works. One is a romantic comedy.

Her 1st Children's Book was published on Sept. 24, 2017. Based on a true story that happened to her dog, Rescue at Wiseman's Pond, is an exciting tale of Cutter's bravery!

Patty is a VIP 2013 member of the WorldWide Who's Who Women's Entrepreneurs and a member of the GFWC-Texas Federation of Women's Clubs-Marshall Women's Club. She is also a member of the Texas Association of Authors, a member of East Texas Writers Association and NETWO.

Patty's 2nd book in the series, An Unlikely Beginning won 1st place in Romance with the Texas Association of Authors. Patty is a winner in the 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading Contest and has a 2nd place finish in the Forward National Literary Awards contest in Romance, for the 1st in her series, An Unlikely Arrangement. Her 2nd book won 1st place in the Texas Association of Authors contest in Romance and the 3rd book of the series won 1st place, as well. The 4th in the series won Honorable Mention in the same contest. She has entered and finished twice in the National Novel Writing Month challenge and won both times. 2007 & 2011.

An avid league bowler, Patty is proud to maintain a 145 average on her ladies league. The league quickly turned into a book signing event the 1st day she timidly displayed her 1st novel. She sold a total of 20 books and in the same day bowled her highest series yet, a 521 with a high game of 197. Heady stuff indeed.

Patty is married to husband Ron, and has two grown sons and 11 grandchildren. She currently lives in Texas with her husband and her dog Cutter.
You can find out more about Patty on her website www.pattywiseman.com
Amazon:https://tinyurl.com/yxucvult 
Twitter: @PattyWG

Forever Yours

A Tip of the Cap by Rebecca ConnollyWith Cap in hand…Malcolm Colerain, Earl of Montgomery, needs a wife. He has four children, a peerage, and a demanding secret occupation as a member of the London League; all of which give him a fulfilling life, so a proper marriage of convenience is all he seeks. But when he meets Elizabeth Owens, things begin to change. Distance becomes difficult, convenience becomes rather inconvenient, and his exciting life as a spy turns on its head.…Love comes to call…Beth Owens seizes the chance to marry the handsome and striking Earl of Montgomery, marriage of convenience or not. Her heart is his for the taking, and she is determined that he eventually will. But the more she learns about her husband, the more he puzzles her. He has secrets, she is well aware, but just how many and how deeply do they run? And when she finds a few secrets of her own, will they ever have a chance at love?


“I hope you don’t mind that I asked Mrs. Granger to introduce us, Miss Owens,” he said, somehow smiling in his tone but not with his mouth.Beth shook her head quickly. “Not at all, my lord, I am grateful for the opportunity.”He opened his mouth to reply, then closed it, cocking his head in confusion. “Were you, indeed?”She nodded meekly. “Yes, my lord.” She opted not to say more, trying to remember how to be demure and polite when faced with a powerful man who could give her a desperately-needed position.Impertinence would not be appreciated, nor would rambling. Beth tended to be inclined towards both.Lord Montgomery propped his elbow on the arm of the sofa, hand positioned in a thoughtful pose against his face. “Tell me about yourself, Miss Owens, if you please.”Beth straightened up, praying her hands would remain gracefully clasped in her lap. “I am from Oxfordshire, my lord, near Abingdon. My godparents sent me to finish at Mrs. Rampton’s School in Berkshire where I received an excellent education, giving me all the skills and knowledge that a competent and capable governess ought to possess. I am learned in French, German, and Latin; I have skills in penmanship, arithmetic, as well as prominent literature. I can teach deportment and manners, as well as…”“Miss Owens,” Lord Montgomery interrupted, a deep furrow between his brows, “I don’t wish to engage you as a governess.”Beth stared at him for a moment, then sighed heavily and let her shoulders droop a little. “No, of course, you don’t.” She was not entirely sure if she were disappointed or relieved, but she suspected it was an odd mixture of both. In truth, she would have to admit that arithmetic made her itch, and her German accent sounded as though she were ill. Her aggrieved headmistress had maintained that Beth’s skills in deportment bordered on ‘just enough to not be shocking’, so she really would have been quite hopeless.Her reaction seemed to amuse him. “Why would you think that was why I asked Mrs. Granger for an introduction?” he queried, that sort-of smile returning to his face.She stared at him rather blankly. “Why else would you want to meet with me, my lord?”“That… is an excellent question,” he said slowly, his thumb grazing his jaw absently as his gaze fixed on her.It was all she could do to not fidget under such a gaze. “Yes, sir?” she prodded, smiling nervously.His lips quirked with an ironic tilt. “I haven’t yet decided, Miss Owens.”Beth smiled in earnest now, laughing at the bizarre twist of their conversation. “Will you tell me when you have?”Lord Montgomery gave a slow nod. “Most assuredly.”

I went into this book knowing that I was going to like it, but not thinking that I was going to love it. But I was SO into this book. I loved the characters and just had no idea where the story was going-which I loved. I love how this book really seemed to connect the previous London league books with what’s to come. There are so many questions in my head after reading this that I’m dying for the rest of this series! And to find out more about the rest of the London league!I truly think this is my most favorite of all Rebecca Connolly’s stories!!! I love it when I can laugh and cry in the same story. This has the perfect balance of all the feelings here. Seriously. I cried twice. And laughed much more. Of course.I am still in my happy place after reading that amazing book:} It was pretty near perfect:} I loved it so much.

Author Rebecca ConnollyRebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.  

 

Anthem

Anthem is a dystopian fiction novella by Ayn Rand, written in 1937 and first published in 1938 in England. It takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age. Technological advancement is now carefully planned (when it is allowed to occur at all) and the concept of individuality has been eliminated. About Ayn Rand Ayn Rand's first novel, We the Living, was published in 1936. With the publication of The Fountainhead in 1943, she achieved spectacular and enduring success. Through her novels and nonfiction writings, which express her unique philosophy, Objectivism, Rand maintains a lasting influence on popular thought.Amazon: https://preview.tinyurl.com/y69mcahd

Healing Seas~Spotlight!

 In just a matter of days, Addie Mayfield’s life is upended. Through an arrangement her father makes, she sets sail on the RMS Titanic as governess to the two young Fairchild children. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself rescued alongside strangers on the RMS Carpathia, headed for New York City. Far from home, she is taken in by the O’Reilly family to wait for her family to send for her. With no money for her passage home, she’s brought to the small hamlet of Montauk to become a caretaker for a great aunt she has never met.
Captain Frank Shea is a man without a ship. Removed from duty as captain of the RMS Morrow, he’s come to Montauk to recover from a leg injury. More painful than the injury is his fall from grace after spending his entire life at sea. The ocean was his home and he has never needed anyone. Now faced with an uncertain future, he’s desperate for a way back to the sea. Until he meets Addie Mayfield, a woman who is just as lost as he is.
Can these two people find hope for the future after all they’ve lost? Can an unexpected love heal two broken souls?
About Christina Lorenzen Christina is an Amazon bestselling author of ten books. She started writing as a young teen, jotting stories in wire ring composition notebooks. Her first typewriter made it faster to get all those stories out of her head and down on paper. Her love of writing has sustained her through a myriad of jobs that included hairdresser, legal secretary, waitress and door-­to-‑door saleswoman.
Luckily for her, writing proved to be successful and a lot less walking than going door to door. She loves to write the types of stories that she loves to read and watch on her favorite channel, The Hallmark Channel. Quaint small towns and happily ever afters are a guarantee. When she isn't writing or reading, she can be found walking her dog, talking to her herd of cats and spending time with her family.
To find out about Christina's upcoming releases, visit her website at http://christinalorenzen.com/.
Subscribe to Christina's newsletter to find out about upcoming releases, sales, and reader/writer events at http://christinalorenzen.com/connect-with-christinaAmazon: https://tinyurl.com/y3wqdhm8 Twitter: @ChrisFoxLorenz

Book of the week: The Thunder: A Novel on John Knox

 “Francis looked at Master Knox’s still form and bit his lower lip. ‘Either they’ll hang us all on the spot . . .’ He paused. ‘Or enslave us in the galleys of the French.’ . . .
“I at first felt grateful that they did not hang us. There were a number of times in the nineteen months that followed, however, when I wondered if hanging would have been far better.”


John Knox, the Thundering Scot, lives a life of adventure and danger in turbulent, corrupt sixteenth-century Scotland. Finding himself a wanted man, Knox is besieged in a castle by French soldiers, seized, and made a galley slave. Yet he is unflinching in his stand for the gospel, even in the face of assassins and death, and even when his fiery preaching makes him an enemy of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Told from the perspective of a young student resolved to protect Knox no matter the cost, Douglas Bond’s thrilling biographical novel provides a look at the harrowing life story of a giant of the faith. Discover the fascinating story of a timid man transformed by the grace and power of the gospel into one of the most influential figures in Scottish history.


“Rich, descriptive passages paint a vivid picture of Scotland and England during the Reformation. The spiritual aspect of the story is richer still, inviting the reader to wrestle with the gospel truths Knox so fearlessly preached.”
—Liz Curtis Higgs, author, the Lowland of Scotland series

“Historically informative and spiritually inspiring, as well as highly enjoyable and fast-paced. . . . A gripping novel sure to stir the faith of anyone who longs to see the triumph of God's Word in our own time.”
— Richard D. Phillips, senior minister, Second Presbyterian Church


Douglas Bond is the author of a number of books of historical fiction and biography. He and his wife have two daughters and four sons. Bond is an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America, a teacher, a conference speaker, and a leader of church history tours. Visit his website at www.bondbooks.net. About Douglas Bond Douglas Bond is author of more than twenty books of historical fiction, biography, devotion, and theology, including two adult novels translated and published by Dutch publishing houses. Bond and his wife Cheryl have been married for more than thirty years and have two daughters, four sons, and two granddaughters.

He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA); has a Masters in Teaching (MIT) from St Martin's University, and a Preliminary Certificate in Theology from Moore Theological College, NSW Australia; teaches English and history at a classical Christian high school; and was awarded by the Pierce County Library Foundation and Arts Commission the "2005 Teacher Award" for teaching young adults how to write.

He is on the advisory board of Glorious Films (Montreal) with Derek Thomas, Michael Haykin, and others (2014). As a hymn writer and author of several books on hymn writers and hymnody, Bond was asked to be a consultant for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (CBC) special feature series on Christian hymns God's Greatest Hits (2012).

Additionally, Bond has led Church History tours in Europe since 1996 (www.bondvoyage.webs.com), and has also been consulted on church history documentary films. Frequently interviewed on Christian radio stations, Bond was featured in French newspaper Le Midi Libre (1/18/2015) on his book HAMMER OF THE HUGUENOTS, written on-location in France. Additionally, Bond's articles on church history and theology have appeared in Modern Reformation, Table Talk, byFaith (author interview), Western Reformed Seminary Journal, Light and Life magazines, and in the Aquila Report. In addition to leading church history tours, Bond often lectures at conferences on literature and Church history.

Bond first started writing books when his own children begged him not to read to them but to tell them original stories. He haltingly launched in. They wanted more. Some of those original stories came in installments and lasted for weeks. Then one night in 1999 he couldn't sleep. Ideas began pouring in for the Mr. Pipes books on hymnody. He sat up in the dark, so not to disturb his intensely patient wife, and scribbled out the opening episodes, mapping out the first book before morning. And then he began writing furiously.

And continues to do so. Forthcoming HAMMER OF THE HUGUENOTS (2015), THE BATTLE OF SEATTLE, PNW Indian War novel set in 1855 Puget Sound (2016), a children's picture book in verse JOB'S HARD JOB, and others. He is currently researching and beginning the writing on a historical fiction novel set in the Western Front of WW I (War in the Wasteland, working title) in which 19 year old CS Lewis, wounded in the Battle of Arras 1918, will feature.

Follow Bond at his web site bondbooks.net (read book excerpts and listen audio to sample chapters) and his blog douglasbondbooks.blogspot.com.

One critic has written that "Douglas Bond is a rising star in the historical fiction genre for older and younger readers." Christian Book Previews

Happy reading!Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/y45x92lg Twitter: @bondbooks

The Dark Faith (Dark Harvest Trilogy)

 The ancient Dark Faith was destroyed long ago. Or so they thought . . .

Morumus was but a boy when the murderous shadow of the Dark Faith fell upon his family. Now a devout monk, Morumus has been given the task of his life: translate Holy Writ into the language of those who practice the Dark Faith. His translation could be a great, sweeping sword, used to break its power! But as Morumus and two fellow monks begin the task, dark currents drag them toward a dangerous conspiracy. Shadows from his past appear—in his sleep, on a lonely road, even on the cover of an old book. Coincidence? Or something more sinister? Can Morumus find the secret to vanquish the Dark Faith? Or will he once more lose everything—even his life?
An epic battle between good and evil commences in The Dark Faith, the first book in the masterful Dark Harvest trilogy. It is a battle that will push three warrior-clerics to the very limits of their strength—and their faith—as they fight to unearth the truth of an ancient evil, a tree rooted in bloodshed, and a fabled book that holds the secrets they seek.

“Darkness is on the rise in Aeld Gowan, and all that stands in its way is the unlikely hero Morumus, a bookish young monk with a gift for languages and a haunted past. Jeremiah Montgomery packs the first installment in his debut series full of adventure, dread, and dark conspiracy [and] will delight fans of fantasy and medieval history buffs alike, keeping them up way past bedtime.” —J. Mark Bertrand, Author of Back on Murder and Pattern of Wounds

“A frightening engagement with the most cunning kind of evil! Montgomery’s epic fantasy is as relevant for today’s faithful as it is captivating.” —Erin Healy, Author of House of Mercy and The Baker’s Wife


Rev. Jeremiah W. Montgomery is the pastor of Resurrection Presbyterian Church (OPC) in State College, Pennsylvania and a pipemaker, blogger, and essayist. He and his wife have four sons - all of whom love to read. Amazon Link: https://tinyurl.com/y6rboh3y

The Origami Elephant

 The origami elephant has big dreams. He wants to play on the playground just like the children he watches. But the wide world is a wild place for a little paper elephant. Big dreams and adventures aren’t always what you expect. About Tonya Calvert Tonya Calvert enjoys writing children's stories, short stories and creating watercolor art. She finds inspiration all around her, especially on nature walks and at the Florida coast.

She has a BS from Columbus State University and a JD from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School.

She lives a blessed life in the south married to her high school sweetheart. She is a mom to 3 boys.LinksAmazon https://tinyurl.com/y5vmh446 Twitter: @CalvertTonya