Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 10

Natural Lotion Bar Tutorial

With cracked, hurting hands, I reached for the lotion dispenser…and I came up empty.

Nothing. Nada. Zilch. 
I was completely out of lotion. Again. To make matters worse, I didn't want to go to the store. I mean, come on. Gas is $3.75 and we live half an hour away from, well, everywhere.

I had seen lotion bars once a long time ago, and I thought it was kind of weird. Until I touched the sample they had lying out. For people like me. That just have to touch everything. (Yes. I used to drive my mother crazy. Quit touching was her favorite phrase.)

Having been in this Mad Scientist mood for a long time…insert years here…I decided to make my own lotion bars. Because I was desperate. And I wasn't going to the store. (That'll show them, right?) With a little tweaking, testing, and experimenting, this is the recipe I came up with.

Lotion Bars
Ingredients:
2 oz beeswax
2 oz coconut oil
1 Tbsp Olive oil
Essential oil of your choice - Eucalyptus, peppermint, vanilla, lemon
Mold for lotion bars - silicone molds work fantastic



Combine the beeswax and coconut oil in a microwave safe container. Microwave on high, stirring at 45 second intervals. While waiting for the mixture to completely melt, combine olive oil and several drops of essential oil. I used eucalyptus oil, but the choice is yours. I used approximately 25 drops. Stir until blended together. Once beeswax and coconut oil are completely melted, stir in olive oil mixture until combined. Be careful, this can get hot! Pour into molds of your choice. I used a star silicone mold and a silicone ice cube tray. Place in refrigerator until set. When they're firm, pop out and store in a container. Empty Altoid tins work great. Waste not, want not…




Amanda Stephan~Christian AuthorBooksByAmanda.comLet's Connect               

Win a $100 Visa Cash Card by Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren is celebrating the release of her newest Christiansen Family novel,It Had To Be You, with a $100 Visa cash card giveaway and offering readers afree book club kit.



One winner will receive:

$100 Visa cash cardTake a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You by Susan May WarrenEnter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 29th. Winner will be announced April 1st on Susan's blog . Also, visit her website to learn more about the It Had To Be You backstory and Susan's free book club kit.



Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Susan's blog on April 1st to see if you won.

A Brand New Anthology From Your Favorite Inspirational Romance Authors for Only 99¢!

- For a limited time only - Six unforgettable love stories  99 cents! 


Buy now at Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo - iBooks - Google Play

A brand new anthology from six of your favorite inspirational romance authors - no reprints here!






About the novellas:


From New York Times bestselling author Linda Goodnight, historical romance The Rambler's Bride : The kissing cowboy Jericho is bent on revenge, but discovers the truth and falls in love with widow Esther.


From USA Today bestselling author Janet Tronstad, retro romance Lovebirds at the Heartbreak Cafe : Truck driver Buddy wasn't looking for love, but waitress Penny and her quirky family take over the cafe and his heart.


From bestselling author Debra Clopton, contemporary cowboy romance Her Mule Hollow Cowboy : Independent cowgirl Maddie swears she doesn't need help from bull rider Cliff. But the Mule Hollow Matchmakers seem to have other plans...


From bestselling author Margaret Daley, romantic suspense Deadly Hunt : Bodyguard Tess rescues wounded businessman Shane from dying in the wilderness, but can she protect her heart when Shane gets too close?


From fan favorite Camy Tang, romantic suspense Necessary Proof : Reformed ex-con Alex is on the run from those who have set him up to take the blame for a cop-killing. Will tech-expert Jane be able to prove him innocent?


From fan favorite Lacy Williams, contemporary cowboy romance Kissed by a Cowboy : Maddox has given up all his big dreams to care for his niece. When Haley returns to her hometown, will Maddox find a new dream with her?


Special promo - March 17-19 - #SENDAKISS

If you purchase First Kisses  during our promo dates and send a special tweet, we'll gift a copy to a friend, absolutely free! Find out more at bit.ly/sendakiss .



What readers are saying:


 Six amazing books from six different authors. They are all Christian fiction set from the 1800’s to present time. Each is a stand alone book with great settings, story lines and characters. All the books had family and faith. Some of the authors were known to me and some I was unfamiliar with. I really enjoyed each book. I can not wait to check out books from these new authors. - Amazon reader

 I didn't know what to expect - I am not a fan of anthologies. Usually I find that the stories are too brief and the plots move too fast and don't go into any detail and don't make a lot of sense. Well, let me tell you that this anthology is not like this, not at all. It is wonderful! I enjoyed each of the novellas immensely. Each one has well developed, thought out characters and detailed plots that move at exactly the right pace. You have suspense, romance - everything in each of the novels. I enjoyed reading each of the novellas and couldn't put the book down. Even though I have about 15 other books waiting to be read - I plan on reading this book all over again in the next week or so - it is just that good. - Amazon reader

A visual look at the collection:







Interact with the authors:

www.inspykisses.com

facebook.com/inspykisses

@inspykisses


Buy now at Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo - iBooks - Google Play

Make An Ornate RAW Bracelet - Tutorial

Another place I like to go and learn new techniques is BeadHolique on YouTube. This bracelet is one of my favorites. The only thing I'm finding when I'm deciding on which pattern to try next, is how many beads I don't have left. I found one gorgeous bracelet I wanted to try, but quickly realized I don't have enough 4mm and 3mm pearls to complete the project.  I hope you enjoy these tutorials. I'll post some of my own creations soon!  

Diagonal Stitch Bracelet Tutorial

It's time for our weekly beading tutorial video! I don't know about you, but I'm
definitely enjoying these and making some pretty jewelry!

Princess Ever After Book Review & Tour

About the book: A Royal Wedding Book
Regina Beswick was born to be a princess.
But she's content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother's hand-painted book of fairytales.
Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation's future---and his own.
Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever. Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she's destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together---with a little divine intervention---Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tk6Wt

Meet the author: Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as RITA nominated The Wedding Dress and RITA nominated Love Starts with Elle, part of the Lowcountry series, the Nashvegas series and the Songbird Novels penned with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Their novel Softly and Tenderly, was one of Booklists 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, she worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full time in 2004. Rachel serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Learn more about Rachel at: http://rachelhauck.com
Follow The Tour! My Thoughts: 

It's not every day a new fairy-tale is created. We've all heard or read the Grimm brothers or the Hans Christian Anderson stories. How Rumplestiltskin tried to trick the queen, how sleeping beauty was finally awakened out of her sleep, how Cinderella beat the odds and became a princess after all. I knew I had never fully outgrown those childhood tales that had danced in my head while I slept. My bookshelves can prove it. But never did I think I would come to love a new fairy tale written in contemporary times. I just didn't think there was an author that could do the genre justice. I was wrong.

Ms. Hauck is a very gifted author and has crafted a story that is so perfectly balanced in its romantic elements, its government problems, and its coming to grips with who you really are issues and combined it all with her trademark hilarious wit and humor. Action? Check. Romance? Check. An intriguing puzzle? Check. A regular person who has been given the chance of a lifetime to change the course of history? Check. Regina Beswick charges onto the scene and captures not only your heart, but the heart of a nation as she learns step by scary step that God does indeed rule over the affairs of men and gives kingdoms to whosoever He will.  

Highly Recommend!

The Thief Book Review & Tour

A Roman centurion longing for peace and a Jewish woman hiding a deadly secret witness a miracle that transforms their lives and leads them to the foot of the cross.


Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure. Desperate to escape the accursed Judean province, he accepts a wager. If he can catch the thieves harassing the marketplace before Passover, he'll earn a transfer away from the troublemaking Jews.

Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Only with the help of Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, can she keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and a roof over their heads.

When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Longinus longs to learn more about the mysterious healer. Instead, his journey leads him to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures.

Unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, they wonder who this teacher is who heals others but does nothing to save himself. Is the mercy he offers in his teachings real, or just another false promise? Can Nissa and Longinus overcome their pasts to find a future free of their shackles?

The Thief is an evocative story of two people trapped in their circumstances and the life-changing power of forgiveness and love.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tB6wJ
About the Author: 


Stephanie Landsem loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she's explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she's not writing, she's feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure---whether it be in person or on the page.






Learn more about Stephanie at: http://www.stephanielandsem.com Follow the Tour!
My Thoughts:
Well written and fast paced, this was a good book if you enjoy Biblical fiction. The characters, Mouse, Nissa, and Longinus were full of life and almost jumped from the page as did Dismas the thief. I very much enjoyed how each of these people interacted with the other. They were complex and emotional; not cardboard cut-outs where everything turns out okay because we must have a happy ending.

I enjoyed how the author took these characters and wrote a story that very well could have taken place during the same time preceding and leading up to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. Seriously, what could have been going on at the sidelines? Having read the Bible from my young childhood and continuing to do so, I was entranced with how the author wove this story into the historical fact of the resurrection. I read with new light just how the thieves might have gotten caught that hung with Jesus, what could have transpired during the months prior, and saw just how desperate things could have been for Nissa and her brother Cedron. It made me think - and I like that.

Up to the point of the crucifixion, the author had done a good job of staying true to the facts recorded in the Bible, but two things stood out to me at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection that I feel I must address. Not because I enjoy finding fault with people or with tearing apart their work, quite the contrary, but because I feel that for my own readers, these needed to be addressed.

One.
It's said that the nail went through Jesus's bone in his feet which sounds suspiciously like it was broken. This is in direct contrast to Old Testament prophecy that none of his bones would be broken. Psalm 34:20. This is a big deal. If even one of His bones had been broken, prophecy would not have been fulfilled and Jesus would not have been the Messiah.

Two.
The rock that covered the tomb was cracked down the middle.
Matthew 28:2- And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it.
Mark 16:4- And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Luke 24:2- And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
John 20:1 - the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early. When it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
This also is a big deal as the Bible specifically states that an angel rolled it away and sat upon it.

I still think this is a good book. It held my attention and the characters were likable and I was sympathetic to their plights. This is a fiction novel and should be read with that in mind and never should a fiction book take the place of the Bible.

*My thanks to the publisher, Howard Books, for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. These thoughts are my own, and I was in no way required this review be positive.*   

Merlin's Shadow by Robert Treskillard - Book Review

About the Book:
(taken from Amazon)

Betrayal.

After destroying the sinister Druid Stone and freeing his people from its dark control, Merlin finds himself to be a royal advisor without a king. Along with his friend Garth and Natalenya, his betrothed, Merlin treks north with the orphaned Arthur in hopes of keeping the young ruler safe from soldiers misled by their turncoat captain. Relentlessly pursued by his nemesis Vortigern, Merlin and his band make for the fortress of Dintaga.

But dangers multiply when Merlin realizes that Vortigern is not his only enemy. Even his own sister appears bent on Merlin's destruction. As the threat on all their lives increases, Merlin discovers their only hope is sailing to the lands of eternal darkness and once again cleansing the world from an ancient and powerful evil.

About the Author: (taken from Amazon)

Robert Treskillard is a Celtic enthusiast who has been crafting stories from his early youth, is a software developer, graphic artist, and sometime bladesmith. He and his wife have three children and are still homeschooling their youngest. They live in the country near St. Louis, Missouri.

It all began when Robert's son wanted to learn blacksmithing and sword-making. The two set out to learn the crafts and in the process were told by a relative that they were descended from a Cornish blacksmith. This lit the fire of Robert's imagination, and so welding his Celtic research to his love of the legends of King Arthur, a series was forged--The Merlin Spiral, now published by BLINK Young Adult Books.

Book 1: Merlin's Blade, released spring 2013
Book 2: Merlin's Shadow, released fall 2013
Book 3: Merlin's Nightmare, releasing spring 2014

My Thoughts:
I was so excited to receive this book. Seriously. My poor husband didn't get a warm meal and a clean house until I had finished reading it. Good thing it only took me a couple of days to complete it! ;)

This is the second book in the Merlin Spiral series. I loved Merlin's Blade - the first book - (you can read my review here) and hoped the second would be as appealing and interesting as the first. It was. I would highly suggest you do NOT read these books out of order. They are priced very competitively, so save up and buy the whole series.

At the end of the first book, something miraculous happens to Merlin and we are left knowing that things aren't finished and Merlin has a lot he's going to have to deal with. One thing I loved about Merlin's Blade was how, blinded for 7 years, he was always praying. I very much enjoyed that. Things are very different in Merlin's Shadow. Now, instead of much prayer, we find Merlin trusting in himself more than he ought - and unfortunately, it's a long and arduous journey until he realizes that God is the One who is truly in control and we see him coming back to his wavering faith. There's a reason this happens, but I don't want to wreck the story by giving a little more information here. Trust me. Just because things look like they are blessings, they could very well end up being curses in disguise if used/treated improperly. This is where Merlin is at.

Leading a misfit band in order to protect Arthur from the evil Vortigern (boo!), we see him trying to rely on himself more often than he did in the first book. While at times this made me want to reach through and smack him, it was very real to life and I wouldn't change the way the author wrote it. I mean hey, sometimes we learn the hardest lessons the best, right? 

Now, I'm not a humongous fan of book series. I've read a few, but generally I stay away from them because the second always seems to fall a little flat. This one did not. Following the pattern he set in the first book, Mr. Treskillard gives us a rich detailed history with pronunciation guide and important people/places and there's even more to enjoy in this one.

There was one particular character I found very disquieting. In the first book, I couldn't stand little Ganieda (what a BRAT), but in this one, I actually felt sorry for her. It became very clear how much a parent can color a child's vision and the way they perceive things, and Ganieda is no different. I found I wanted a different story for her, but still, she's a work in progress, and I look forward to seeing her in the third book.

I felt so very sorry for poor Natalenya. I wanted to punch Merlin a few times for her sake, but I can't go into details for fear of revealing something that I shouldn't. Let's just say, if I was her, he'd be in the doghouse for a long, long, long time. ;)

Overall, I have nothing to complain about with this story. The characters are excellently written, the plot is more than interesting, the scenery vivid, and I can't wait to see what Mr. Treskillard has in store for us in Merlin's Nightmare. 

Highly recommend to anyone who loves the Arthurian Legends, Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit. My thanks to the publisher, Blink Young Adult Fiction, for providing me a copy of this book to review. These thoughts are my own, and this review was not obligated to be positive.

Fresh Flowers Bracelet Tutorial

FRBC LiveStream Video - Walking in the steps of Jesus Series

I love our church and I'm so glad God led us to join here. Franklin Road Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN