Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 15

Guest Post by Kelly Hagen + Review of Haunted by the Past

About the Book:
Nadia never dreamed her life would be turned upside down, but that’s exactly what happened after her husband’s murder. After she receives a chilling letter in the mail soon after his death, she decides to move out of town, in hopes to leave it all behind.



Trent has been praying for God to lead the right woman into his life. As soon as he lays eyes on Nadia he knows she’s the one. But will the situation they find themselves in be more than he can handle? Will their faith in God be enough to bring them through the uncertain future Nadia faces, letting their friendship grow into more? 


Interview with Kelly Hagen:

Hello everyone! And thank you Amanda for having me as your guest today.
With Thanksgiving being right around the corner, I would like to talk about being thankful. So many times as the holidays roll around we find ourselves getting way too wrapped up in making sure everything is just right and we tend to forget why we are gathering together. I know I’m certainly guilty of this myself. If we’d just learn to step back, take a deep breath and thank God for the blessings in our lives I think we’d learn to enjoy gathering with our families and friends so much more. 
When we put a lot time and effort into making everything perfect, I think we lose some of the holiday spirit. At least I know I do, because I’m more focused on what people will think: is my house clean enough, is the food good enough, am I being the best hostess…and of course the list goes on and on. When we do that our eyes become more focused on us and our surroundings than on Jesus and enjoying the time we have together with those we love. So what if there’s a dish in the sink…you’ve been cooking all morning. So what if there’s toys in the floor, you have kids and they are playing. So what if there’s a few crumbs on the floor, dogs deserve a treat around the holidays too, right?
So this Thanksgiving just remember if everything isn’t just so so…the world isn’t going to end. Thank Jesus for what you have and be a blessing wherever you can. Enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends. They are in your life for a reason!

A little about me:  
My name is Kelly Hagen. I’m a wife and stay at home mom. I enjoy listening to all kinds of music, but Christian pop/rock is my favorite. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday nights I watch a few of my favorite shows and take some time to relax. I enjoy playing solitaire, yahtzee, and any fun game me or my children come up with.  
I’m also the author of two books. Jake and Jesus – which is a children’s book about a little boy and his friendship with Jesus. And Haunted by the Past – for young adults/adults. Haunted by the Past was released September 23rd of this year.
In Haunted by the Past you’ll meet Nadia, whose trying to forget her past. But she soon finds out that’s not so easily done.
You’ll also meet Trent. He’s a tall, handsome guy who wants nothing more than Nadia to be safe.
They both must learn to but their faith and trust in God as they face Nadia’s “haunting past”.
You can find out more about me and my books at the links below:
Website: http://kellyhagen.weebly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKellyHagen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kelly_Hagen

You can find out more about me and my books at the links below:
Website: http://kellyhagen.weebly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKellyHagen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kelly_Hagen


My Thoughts on Haunted by the Past:
When someone is out to get you, whom do you trust? Nadia is being tormented by an unknown admirer. Without knowing his or her objective, she must decide if handsome co-worker Trent is to be trusted - or not.
This book kept me guessing on who it was doing the dirty work ~ that's always a good thing. I didn't exactly have it figured out until right before the ending. I really enjoy it when I read a book and there's no gratuitous sex scenes, swearing, or other objectionables. This is one of those stories. I recommend it to anyone who likes sweet, clean reads.

The Invisible Woman Part 1

Have you ever just wished that you could be invisible for a little while? No one could see you. No one could ask you to do something. You had the freedom to just sit back and observe wherever you were, should you desire to do so. To not participate in life if you didn't want to. To not have to paste on a false smile because someone will ask you what's wrong if you don't.

To be really you. You know the one. The person others wouldn't accept because it's not who they think you are. Or should be.

I'm at that point in my life right now. I'm in this huge spiritual battle, and frankly, I'm free-falling. I'm failing. I'm grasping for the life ropes, and despite my best efforts, I keep missing them. Over and over again. No matter what I do, I don't...quite...reach.



The path is dark, there's not much light that I can see. I'm feeling my way with what little faith I have left.
I'm brokenhearted.
Alone.

And yet I'm not. I'm given a glimpse of what's really happening and going on.

I'm being fought over. I'm in the thick of the battle, and I'm getting bruised, bloody, and beaten up ~ I feel beaten beyond recognition. If my friends and family could see my raw emotions and thoughts, they'd be shocked. Maybe walk away.

This isn't new. This has been going on for a while. It's just getting bigger, probably because I didn't nip things in the bud. I thought I could play a dangerous game with fire. You know what they say about playing with fire? That whole thing about getting burned? It's true. If you play with fire, you will get burned.
Ask me how I know. I had to become brokenhearted before I could...

grow.

Isn't that odd? That oftentimes, it takes something hurtful or hitting rock bottom before you learn something? But what is it they say? The only place to go from here is up? And that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to go up from here.

So the next few weeks, Lord willing, I'm going to share my journey from the Invisible Woman to the Godly woman He wants me to be. I'm inviting you to grow with me. Learn. Become what God has called you to be. Because that's the best there is.

Create in me a clean heart, oh God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10



Amanda Stephan~Christian AuthorBooksByAmanda.comJoin my Newsletter for *free* members only gifts!           

Enter to win a $200 Italian Feast by Lisa T. Bergren!

Lisa T. Bergren is celebrating the release of her new book, Glittering Promises, by giving away a $200 Italian feast from Williams-Sonoma and hosting a fun Facebook party on October 29th.





One winner will receive:

A $200 Italian feast from Williams-Sonoma delivered to your doorThe three-book Grand Tour setEnter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 29th. Winner will be announced at the "Glittering Promises" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 29th . Connect with Lisa for an evening of book chat, European trivia, and prizes, and get an exclusive look Lisa's next book.



So grab your copies of the Grand Tour series  and join Lisa on the evening of October 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!) Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Psalm 27 free mp3 AudioBible Chapter

Listen to this episode




Download this episode (right click and save)

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Margaret Brownley's latest release, Gunpowder Tea, is receiving high praise, and she's celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway and a "Tea with Margaret" Facebook party!




One winner will receive:


A Kindle FireGunpowder Tea by Margaret BrownleyEnter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea with Margaret" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 7th . Connect with Margaret and friends for an evening of book chat, prizes, and get an exclusive look at Margaret's next book!



So grab your copy of Gunpowder Tea  and join Margaret on the evening of November 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!) Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 11/7!

How to add Alternate Text using your Weebly website - a Visual Guide for beginners

Download and print for your convenience! If you enjoyed this quick guide, would you please Click to share on Twitter?
How to Add Alt Text Using Weebly

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley Book Review and Tour

About the book: In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.

When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom---an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.

But she isn't the only one at the ranch with something to hide. Wells Fargo detectiveJeremy Taggart is working undercover as well. Their true identities may be a secret, but it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the sparks flaring between them.
Neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn't removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they get to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets---and no one on the ranch is safe.

The longer Miranda and Jeremy spend working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers-and their lives-depend on solving this case. Love will just have to wait.

"In the exquisitely intriguing finale to her Brides of Last Chance Ranch trilogy, Brownley blends faith and romance with a dash of mystery to serve up a cozy, fulfilling story set in the Arizona Territory of the 1890s . . . .This enchanting account of the hardships and wonders of the Old West features many delightful characters. The story stands on its own merits, independent of the first two in the series, drawing readers into a world that is difficult to leave." ---Publishers WeeklyPurchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pS1iy Meet the author: Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this---except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter at the time. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction." So that's what Margaret did. She's now a New York Times bestselling author and a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist with more than 25 novels to her credit. Her first non-fiction book Grieving God's Way: the Lasting Path to Hope and Healing has won much critical acclaim. She is currently working on the third book in her Brides of Last Chance Ranch series. Not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.

Learn more at Margaret's website: http://margaretbrownley.com
Follow the Tour!

My Thoughts:

This book can stand alone even though it's the third and last of a series. I didn't read the first two, and that didn't detract from it at all. I understood what was going on without any problems. I enjoyed that there wasn't so much back-story tying it to the other two books that I didn't have to read 1/3 of the story before I got anywhere.

The characters were fun and had just the right amount of spark and wit between them to keep me smiling and coming back for more. I liked the fact that Miranda/Annie is a strong woman who can outride and outshoot most men, yet still wasn't so stubborn that she couldn't enjoy and desire attention and affection from Taggert.

The historical elements weren't so overly pushed in your face that you cringed when they arrived, but instead, they whetted my appetite to learn more about both Pinkerton as well as Wells Fargo detectives. As usual, I tried to figure out who the bad guy was before Miranda/Annie, but Ms. Brownley got there first. I always enjoy a story more when I don't figure out who the bad guy is first.

I very much enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from Ms. Brownley!

*My thanks to the publisher who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required it be positive.*

Pray it Forward

Have you ever had a time in your life when you were going along your own merry way, and all of a sudden, wham! a friend's name bursts upon your conscience? And you think about them and think about them and think about them, and no matter what you do, you can't get them out of your mind?

I have. And sometimes, it's scary enough that it'll take my breath away. Other times, I am so very burdened for them, that I must keep them in my prayers until I feel better.

It's my firm belief that these times aren't coincidences.
These friends, these people, have been laid upon my heart for a reason. I may never know what that reason is, but it's my job to pray for them.



I look at these times as being blessed times. A time when I can come before my God and Saviour and ask Him to put His loving arms around my friend or acquaintance, and give them peace, protection, and comfort. Or whatever else it is that has been laid upon my heart regarding them.

See, being a Christian isn't a one man show. It's a network of people that believe like I do ~ that Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, to bring dying and sinful mankind back to Him through salvation through His blood. It's a place where we can get these insider messages and we have the privilege to pray for them.

Why is prayer important, anyway? Oh my word, this is a question so many people ask, and yet it boggles my mind. Where else, and to Whom else, can you open your innermost thoughts, heartaches, discouragements, irritations, secret desires, and the list goes on, knowing you won't be gossiped about or slandered or stabbed in the back by someone? There's only one place that I know of.

At Jesus's feet, of course. Who else can I tell about my hateful attitude about the smelly dog or an unclean house? Or being gone All. The. Time. Or what about that secret sin or temptation that I'm facing at the moment? Or the battle that seems to go on forever and ever?

Now, let's look at the flip side. Have you ever had someone come to you and tell you that you've been on their heart and they've been thinking about? Do you have any idea what kind of a blessing that is? What a tremendous, awe-inspiring thought to know that God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has asked someone in your spiritual family to go to battle for you in prayer?

I've been going through some pretty troubling times. Nothing that you would even see on the outside if you didn't know what to look for. But let me tell you, when temptation comes knocking, your biggest mistake is in thinking you can handle the situation yourself. Sometimes, things are too personal to talk about, or embarrassment has made you not want to reach out and ask a prayer warrior to pray for you because you don't want to tell them what's going on. I don't know of anyone that wants to face rejection, so we keep it to ourselves.

And that's when He lays you on someone else's heart. Because He's God and He can do that.
What a privilege it is to be a part of God's family. This dirty rotten sinner, who is by no means close to perfection, has been picked up and cleaned off because of His great love and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

So I urge you, next time you have someone's name put on your heart, next time you think suddenly of someone who has since been absent from your life for days, weeks, months, or years, pray for them.

It could mean the difference between falling into sin or being victorious over it. Trust me. I know.


This blog post is dedicated to those prayer warriors whom I know have been praying for me, and those that I know the Lord uses on a daily basis to intercede for His people. I love you and I thank you. I have felt the effects of your effectual, fervent prayer, and disaster has been averted because you hit your knees.
Kristi Burchfiel, you are an answer to prayer. Darlene Shortridge, your unwavering faith is a blessing and an encouragement. Beth Brubaker, your laughter and lightheartedness delivered when I needed it.
And to the rest who have been praying for me, I thank you. I praise God we're on the same team.



Amanda Stephan~Christian AuthorBooksByAmanda.comJoin my Newsletter for *free* members only gifts!           

Win a copy of The Journey of Josephine Cain!

The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser follows the adventures of a D.C. socialite as she gets involved with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad right after the Civil War. Be sure to check out Nancy's fun Pinterest board for the book!


Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!




Five winners will receive:


The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy MoserEnter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 26th. All winners will be announced October 28th at the Litfuse blog .


Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won one of the books!

FREE Writing Feedback During the WHW Amazing Race!

Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi at Writers Helping Writers (formerly The Bookshelf Muse) have added two more books to their Descriptive Thesaurus Collection: The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes and The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws. To celebrate, they are hosting a race, and not just any old race, either. It's the...



 

Writing is hard, isn't it? Create the perfect hook. Make your first page compelling. Craft an amazing 25 word pitch. Knock out a query that will blow an agent's mind. On and on it goes. And sometimes, well, you just wish someone would help.



WISH NO MORE!

From October 21st until October 27th, Writers Helping Writers is posting an OPEN CALL for writers. You can fill out a form, requesting help with critiques, book visibility, social media sharing, blog diagnostics, advice and more.



An army of Amazing Racers are standing by (ME INCLUDED!) waiting to help with your submissions. How many people can we help in a week? Let's find out! Did I mention there are Celebrity Racers too--amazing authors and editors who know their way around a first page. Maybe one of them will pick your submission to help with!



Each day this week, there's an AMAZING giveaway, too. So stop in at Angela & Becca's new Writers Helping Writers website and find out how to take advantage of this unique, pay-it-forward event for writers. I'll see you there! 


Photo Credit: Tharrin