Victoria Simcox's Blog, page 27

Re-release of Stopped Cold

Re-release of Stopped ColdWhat inspired you to write Stopped Cold?As a college student then later as a young Mom, I knew of children, teens and young adults affected in a devastating way because they didn’t always excel. The results ranged from heartache in children over not winning a race or making all As to suicide attempts and suicide in young adults. I’m not sure if these sad situations crossed my path more than they did that of others or not, but the more pain I witnessed, the more I wished these children, teens and young adults had believed they did not have to be the best, but do their best. Even though the drive seemed to originate from different sources - parents, siblings, peer pressure or within - I wanted to tell them that God had given each of them a gift or gifts to use for Him, and they didn’t need to be #1. The theme rattled around in my head for years until finally, I put it in Stopped Cold.
SynopsisThings aren't what they seem in peaceful Mistville, North Carolina.Margaret McWhorter enjoys a laid-back Freshman year in high school swimming and hanging out with friends—until the day her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking steroids. Now he's lying unconscious in a hospital.Anger sets a fire for retribution inside her, and Margaret vows to make the criminals pay. Even the cop on the case can't stop her from investigating. Looking for justice, she convinces two friends, Jimmy and Emily to join her in a quest that takes them through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture they discover deep in the woods behind the school. Time and again they walk a treacherous path, and come face-to-face with danger.All the while Margaret really wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.What people are saying.From a review by Diane Wow! This book had my attention from the first page! I read this book in one evening! Even though this is a young adult book, I really enjoyed it. It is told from the first person point of view which is my favorite way to tell a story. It is written from Margaret, a teenager's point of view. It has a little suspense and a little romance in it. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone! From a review by Donna I loved this story. Took me only 1 1/2 days to read. The book contains romance, mystery, love of family and also family problems, drug abuse and peer pressure. Told from a teenagers perspective and how she deals with a family crisis. She has a strong love for her brother and will stop at nothing to help him.Well written and held my interest all the way. Good read for any age but especially for teenagers and parents.From a review by a teen on Madi’s MusingsStopped Cold captured my attention right from the start. Showing the dangers of drugs, Stopped Cold is a book that all teens should read.The way the book is crafted makes it extremely easy to connect with the characters. I loved the way the suspense is built. And as for the ending, well, God often uses the bad to draw people closer to him, as Margaret discovers in this adrenaline building tale.

Bio: Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s a former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, a 2013 Grace Awards finalist and a 2017 Reader’s Favorite Book Award winner. She’s published six books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. To learn more about Gail and her books visit her website at http//gailpallotta.com. and her Amazon author page at amazon.com/author/gailpallotta.
Buy links: Amazon short link - Amazon.com/dp/B07R7RHF5K
Amazon long link -https://www.amazon.com/Stopped-Cold-Gail-Pallotta-ebook/dp/B07R7RHF5K/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_8?keywords=Barely+Above+Water+by+Gail+Pallotta&qid=1558049626&s=books&sr=1-8-fkmrnullAvailable in E-book and print on Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stopped-cold-gail-pallotta/1117352035?ean=9781522398578Kobo -https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=Stopped+Cold+by+Gail+PallottaPelican Book Group -http://prismbookgroup.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_73&products_id=985

Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms

New York Times bestseller

Who are you when life is steady?
Who are you when storms come?
 
Most of us have been on the receiving end of rejection, a broken dream, or heartbreak. And while this is not an easy space to go through, when we are grounded in the truth, we can endure the tough times.

In this powerful book, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow passionately shares glimpses of his journey staying grounded in the face of disappointment, criticism, and intense media scrutiny. Following an exceptional college football career with the Florida Gators and a promising playoff run with the Denver Broncos, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets. He was released after one season.

In Shaken, named the 2017 Christian Book of the Year, Tebow talks about what he’s learned along the way, building confidence in his identity in God, not the world. This moving book also features practical wisdom from Scripture and insights gained from others who have impacted Tebow in life-changing ways.

Though traveling hard roads is not easy, it’s always worth it!

Your Circumstances do not Define You,
Your Identity Does.

What do you do when life takes an unplanned detour? When the unexpected happens? When doubt or negativity tries to rise above your faith? Most of us can relate to these questions.

Through a dynamic lens of story and insight, Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow tells what he’s learned during the highs and the lows of his journey in the NFL. Shaken also features practical wisdom from the pages of Scripture and moving narratives of individuals—from celebrities to cancer patients—who have impacted Tebow’s life. Their inspiring stories will encourage you also to tackle fear, overcome bitterness, and take on the obstacles life throws at you.New York Times bestseller

ECPA bestsellerPublisher Weekly bestsellerUSA Today bestsellerWall Street Journal bestseller
“Tim Tebow is not an athlete—athlete is what Tim fills in on his tax return. That does not begin to tell the story of who he is. Tim is a role model, an inspiration to those who have a dream and are willing to accept life as a journey full of ups and downs.”—Jon Bon Jovi, singer-songwriter
“Shaken shows us a side of Tim Tebow that we’ve never gotten to see before. In this book, Tim comes alongside his reader and says, ‘I’ve been there too,’ and proceeds to show us how God is faithful even when our entire lives feel shaken to the core.”—Mark Batterson, pastor and New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker
“Tim is a remarkable example of one who combines strength and boldness with kindness and compassion, and I’m always encouraged to hear of how he is using his tremendous platform to share the love and truth of our Lord with those who need it most.”—Ravi Zacharias, author and president of RZIM
“Tim has always inspired me with his dedication to grow and improve in all aspects of life, especially his faith. With this book, Tim encourages readers to keep moving and stay strong while battling life’s obstacles.”—Cam Newton, quarterback for the Carolina Panthers
About Tim TebowTIM TEBOW is a two-time national college football champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick, ESPN contributor, and professional baseball outfielder with the New York Mets. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Shaken, which was named the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's 2017 Book of the Year. Tim's true passion remains the work of the Tim Tebow Foundation which he began in 2010. The foundation's mission is to bring Faith, Hope, and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The foundation fulfills this mission everyday by serving thousands of deserving children around the world.
Links Twitter  @TimTebowAmazon https://tinyurl.com/yy2hevgx
 

Awesome Book Feature~ Face of Betrayal

FOX News legal correspondent and former Federal Prosecutor Lis Wiehl has created a suspense series as timely as tomorrow's headlines.
While home on break, a seventeen-year-old Senate page takes her dog out for a walk and never returns. The resulting media firestorm quickly ensnares television reporter Cassidy Shaw, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, and FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges. Together, these life-long friends call themselves The Triple Threat—a nickname derived from their favorite dessert as well as their uncanny ability to crack cases from their three unique positions of power.
Together, they must find the one face of betrayal amidst a crowd of growing suspects—including a US Senator—before they become the next victims.
Lis Wiehl's expertise in law, politics, and criminal investigation merges with April Henry's narrative genius to create a gripping mystery filled with rich characters, real danger, and a shocking yet satisfying final twist.
“One of top ten best books of year” —Suspense Magazine
“[A] sizzling political thriller . . . The seamless plot offers a plethora of twists and turns.” —Publishers Weekly About Lis Wiehl Lis Wiehl is one of the nation's most prominent trial lawyers and highly regarded commentators. For fifteen years, she was a legal analyst and reporter on the Fox News Channel. She is also a Professor of Law at New York Law School.

Prior to joining Fox News Channel in New York City, Wiehl served as a legal analyst and reporter for NBC News and NPR's "All Things Considered". Before that, she served as a Federal Prosecutor in the United States Attorney's office.

Wiehl earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and her Master of Arts in Literature from the University of Queensland.Links Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yxrux9uh Twitter: @LisWiehl

True Allegiance

 From the author of THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY
New York Times bestselling author Ben Shapiro’s breakneck thriller asks how close are we to our country’s collapse—and will we be able to stop it once it begins?
America is coming apart. An illegal immigration crisis has broken out along America's Southern border—there are race riots in Detroit—a fiery female rancher-turned-militia leader has vowed revenge on the president for his arrogant policies—and the world's most notorious terrorist is planning a massive attack that could destroy the United States as we know it. Meanwhile the President is too consumed by legacy-seeking to see our country’s deep peril.
Brett Hawthorne is the youngest general in the United States Army—and he’s stuck, alone, behind enemy lines in Afghanistan. He’s the last lost soldier of a failed war, fighting to stay alive and make it back home—but will he be able to stop the collapse of America in time? About Ben ShapiroBen Shapiro entered UCLA at the age of sixteen and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated Harvard Law School cum laude. At seventeen, Shapiro was hired by Creators Syndicate, becoming the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the United States. He has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows and is the author of the national bestsellers Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth, Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future, and Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House. Shapiro is married and lives in Los Angeles.Links 
Amazon fhttp://tinyurl.com/y4tbm8of 
Titter: Ben Shapiro

Pirate Hole Murders: Fog Busters Detectives: Young at Heart – A Bit Older in Body

 When a group of friends—old bones detectives who are young at heart—find and rescue a kidnapped child, it is just the start of a mystery that puts them all in danger.
They chase clues from their small Scottish village to York, England, to the Isle of Mull, as danger stalks them. They are determined to find their favorite waitress’ missing uncle for her. Twice they believe they have succeeded in finding him, and twice they discover they have failed. But none of them could have imagined how their desperate search for her missing uncle would end.
From having pets stolen out of their yards, to recovering a missing hearse and body for the funeral home, to being shoved off the city wall at York in England, to a tumble into a pirate hole, their quest for truth takes them along avenues of danger and adventure that they never expected. And when they finally find the missing uncle—their dilemma is just beginning. About Stephanie Parker McKean Stephanie Parker McKean Biography

I've survived mauling by an African lion.
I've survived being bitten by a water moccasin snake.
I've emerged victorious from having been sexually abused as a child. Fleeing that abuse, I lived under a bridge. Now instead of living under a bridge, I use them as titles for my Texas Miz Mike "Bridge" series, humorous mystery-romance-suspense novels.
I've learned that what doesn't make you bitter makes you better. You really can't make lemonade without lemons.
And thank God, I've made the transition from atheist to Christian. My two favorite Bible verses are: in everything give thanks; and all things work together to good for those who love the LORD.
I used to think that the worst day in my life was the day I lost my job; my mother died and I couldn't attend her funeral because my husband was sent home from the hospital to die; our sheepdog died, and my truck caught on fire in downtown San Antonio. Several years later, I learned what a really bad day is. My son, USMC Major Luke Parker died in a plane crash on November 17, 2013. It doesn't get worse than that. "Bridge Beyond Betrayal" is dedicated to Luke.
I'm now married to wonderful Alan McKean, author of historic time travel books. He retired as a Church of Scotland minister after 35 years in the pulpit and we moved to Dunoon, Scotland. But I bet you want to hear more about the lion.
First, I was born in Texas, which was at that time the biggest state in the U.S. I learned at an early age that everything in Texas is bigger and better. When Alaska became a state, I cried. But what about the lion?
Along with an innate pride for Texas, I was born with a love for animals. When I was five, my first pet was a grasshopper that I carried around on a silver spoon. When I accidentally dropped spoon and grasshopper down the radiator in an upstairs apartment building, I sobbed. My mother sobbed too. The spoon had been a wedding gift.
History repeated itself when my five-year-old son's pet grasshopper was consumed by a small spider. Luke sobbed inconsolably. That experience inspired me to write what is my newest book at the moment, "I'm the Grasshopper." But back to the lion.
My love for animals led to the snake bite. Because I was an unpopular child, I made pets out of snakes. Other girls were afraid of them. Riding a bicycle with a snake around my neck made boys notice me. (They thought I was crazy.) The day after I appeared on a local television show explaining how to tell a poisonous snake from a harmless snake, I was bitten by a cotton mouth. Now, finally--the lion!
Ebenezer arrived in the back of a station wagon to join our family's roadside zoo, a collection of animals that included opossums, raccoons, assorted harmless snakes, a fox, a large boa constrictor, monkeys, a skunk, and a jaguarundi. The 200-pound pet fit right in with our family, until he reached 400 pounds and became a lion.
Sadly, when I became mature enough to quit riding bicycles with snakes in my quixotic attempt to impress boys, I remained immature enough to use a gimmick like an African lion. I invited a fellow college student home to see Eb. Not realizing that Eb had transformed from pet to lion, I walked up to him. Eb grabbed me by the stomach, threw me to the ground, and mauled me. My terrified college friend jerked me out of the cage--which made Eb bite even harder because he was about to lose his toy. "I hope I did that right," Ed panted. "I've never had to rescue anyone from a lion before!" I never saw Ed again.
And now you know about the lion. And when you read the Texas Miz Mike Christian mystery-romance-suspense novels set in Three Prongs, Texas, where the misfits fit, you'll know more about Texas.
And hopefully, you'll learn how to make lemonade out of lemons. Because what doesn't make you bitter makes you better. With God's help, all you need to add is a little prayer, a little praise...a little sugar.LinksAmazon: http://tinyurl.com/yxun4q5p  Twitter:  @StephaniePMcKea

The Star-Crossed Seamstress (The Mannequin Series Book 3)

  Skylar flees a family scandal in Boston, expecting assistance in society from her English relatives. Once her plans fall apart, however, she is obliged to earn money with her skills as a seamstress. Just when she’s given up on the notion of marriage, her path crosses that of a charming laborer who inexplicably sets her pulse racing.

When wealthy Joe Fiddick hits a patch of bad luck, he seizes the opportunity to do something meaningful by helping a neighbor and her pretty granddaughter with repairs to their cottage. As it turns out, he has more in common with the granddaughter than he realizes…and what they share spells disaster for their budding romance.

Will Joe and Skylar be star-crossed lovers or can the rift between them be mended?
About Suzanne G. Rogers Suzanne G. Rogers is a California native, but she changed coastlines and now lives with her husband and son in romantic Savannah, Georgia, on an island populated by deer, exotic birds, turtles, and the occasional gator. She's owned by two Sphynx cats, Houdini and Nikita. Writing blush-free young adult fiction is her passion.

For her historical romance blog, go to http://suzannegrogers.com/

To join her historical romance mailing list for news on sales, freebies, and new releases, go to: https://tinyurl.com/y7vofvyq

For her fantasy blog, go to https://childofyden.wordpress.comAmazon:http://tinyurl.com/y3cxaql9  Twitter: @suzannegrogers

Where am I

 "I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:3The Final Chapter From Billy Graham. Experience the glory of heaven as Billy Graham, the beloved evangelist, shares from his past, and his present, the reality of eternity. 
As our nation and world travail in the midst of political, economic, and cultural uncertainties, we can find comfort in the hope that comes from the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Whether talking with a US president, a world leader, or the common man or being interviewed on network television, Billy Graham has always begun his answers with “The Bible says…”
In Where I Am, Mr. Graham shares what the Bible has to say about eternity from all of its sixty-six books; messages of truth, warning, love, and the certainty of the future, all gleaned by a man who would like to be remembered solely as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The greatest promise ever given to the human race came from the lips of our Redeemer when Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me...I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1–3). Just after his ninety-fifth birthday, Mr. Graham proclaimed with resolve, “When I die, tell others that I’ve gone to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—that’s where I am.”
About Billy Graham Billy Graham, the world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist has delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and has ministered on every continent of the world. Millions have read his inspirational classics, including ANGELS, THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS, PEACE WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, HOPE FOR THE TROUBLED HEART, and HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN.Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/y287jpaa  Website: https://billygraham.org/

The Screwtape Letters

A milestone in the history of popular theology, ‘The Screwtape Letters’ is an iconic classic on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil.
This profound and striking narrative takes the form of a series of letters from Screwtape, a devil high in the Infernal Civil Service, to his nephew Wormwood, a junior colleague engaged in his first mission on earth trying to secure the damnation of a young man who has just become a Christian. Although the young man initially looks to be a willing victim, he changes his ways and is ‘lost’ to the young devil.
Dedicated to Lewis’s friend and colleague J.R.R. Tolkien, ‘The Screwtape Letters’ is a timeless classic on spiritual conflict and the invisible realities which are part of our religious experience. Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures. Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/y4wynlww

This Present Darkness

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

After the film in her camera is mysteriously destroyed at a small-town festival, reporter Bernice Kreuger knows she’s found something worth covering up. She brings the investigation to her boss, Marshall Hogan. Along with the local pastor of a struggling church, Hank Busch, they find something much bigger than they expected—a demonic plot to enslave their town and, eventually, the world.
The tiny college town of Ashton becomes the unlikely battleground in a cosmic clash between good and evil. Unseen by the human protagonists, armies of angels and demons wage war against one another in the spiritual realm for the souls of the people of Ashton. Up against supernatural forces, the future of the town seems bleak – but the power of prayer might be able to influence the outcome of the fight.
This fast-paced thriller birthed an entirely new genre, setting the standard for spiritual suspense. It has since sold over 2 million copies worldwide, sparking a renewed interest in the concept of spiritual warfare. About Frank Peretti Frank E. Peretti is one of American Christianity's best-known authors. His novels have sold over 10 million copies, and he is widely credited with reinventing Christian fiction. He and his wife, Barbara, live in the Pacific Northwest. www.frankperetti.com.Amazon:http://tinyurl.com/y5wru6cy Twitter:  @Frankenbarb

The Zarion: Saving Mankind

 Davis Summerfield thought he was retired and living the good life, that was before he had to accept an offer he wasn’t at liberty to refuse. Interplay, a secret government agency wants him to head up their space exploration/research department. Not cooperating was not in his best interest. Not knowing what his position as head of the department entails, he is surprised when he finds out it includes an exploration mission to outer space. During the mission, he has his first encounter with the strange ships. Just before their craft, Algenon I, is pulled into the black hole, the unknown ship comes in between them and stops them from being sucked in. Why did they help? Who are they?

Davis soon learns there is an infiltrator inside Interplay, which places him in an uncomfortable position. He must find out who it is and report them to his superior, but can he trust them? With contacts from his past life, he begins an investigation of his own which only puts him in danger. What is Interplay’s role? How far will they go to keep their secrets?

Along with his staff, he discovers the missing link in the human DNA. Only, he can't tell anyone. Who would believe him anyway? What he found would change how the inhabitants of Earth would view themselves, and they probably wouldn’t be able to handle it anyway.

The answer to the lifelong mystery only leads Davis to find out other shocking truths that Interplay are hiding…conspiracy, kidnapping, murder. Davis joins the underground rebels to stop Interplay and help keep the group safe inside their protected facility. Outside, a battle ensues over planet Earth. Thousands have already died. Is Earth’s total annihilation going to be the outcome?

Davis discovers his true destiny from a Zarion spiritual leader who comes to him, and he must now face the biggest challenge of his life. He must help save mankind. The clock is ticking, and the countdown has begun. Will he be able to convince them to trust him in time or is their survival doomed? About J.E. Grace J.E. Grace was born in California and has a background in Retail Management.

She now resides in the Midwest and retired from a career in real estate in 2012 to pursue her writing. Her interests include poetry, painting in traditional oils/pastels, digital art and photography. Her work can be viewed on Society 6, Zazzle, and Fine Art America. She also runs Literary Reflections Book Blog online.

"The Zarion-Saving Mankind" was her debut science fiction novel. Her writing has spiritual overtones due to deep roots in her faith. More of her writing can be found in the Author's Den.

http://www.authorsden.com/jegrace

Her new Pacific Cove Series; Time of Haunted Beginnings-Book 1 and Time of Second Chances-Book 2, were published in March 2016." A Walk with Heavenly Spirits" was released 12/5/17.

She released a Christian suspense novel titled,"Redemption at Shadow Lake" April 2018, and is currently working on another mystery novel, Book 3 of the Pacific Cove series, and the sequel to The Zarion.

Interview with the Author

http://bookgoodies.com/interview-with-author-j-e-grace/

http://ow.ly/6vuk30igY3q

Website: http://jegrace.webs.comAmazon:http://tinyurl.com/y3vw9la7 Twitter: @bizwings