Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 75

A Path Less Traveled Review

Cathy Bryant writes a great book!

Proverbs 3:5-6 are some of my favorite verses, and I really appreciated the point she was trying to get across - we should trust in the Lord. When we take matters into our own hands and refuse to trust God to take us through our hard times, what an awful mess we make of everything ~ including our personal relationships.



Trish James is one of the most stubborn, bull-headed people I've read, and I often wondered why Andy would still be interested in her after all her snarkish ways. Honestly, there were a few times I wanted to shake her because of her stubbornness. With that said, however, I did have to take a step back and try to apply that same thought to my own life. Were/Are there times when I'm being too stubborn? Sadly, I have to say yes. And to be fair, I'm positive my dear hubby would say I'm snarkish at times as well!



No swearing

No explicit/graphic scenes

No drinking



Will I read Ms. Bryant's other books? Absolutely!

You can purchase Ms. Bryant's book at these places:

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble



**REMINDER! Giveaway with Rodney Winters ends January 24th, so leave your comment HERE for a chance to win**



**Free Kindle Download Classic Fiction List is HERE**



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Free Kindle Downloads - Classic Fiction

For the week of January 17th



Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Beauty and the Beast by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin





Don't have a Nook or Kindle? Download the Kindle for PC app HERE



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Divine Appointments Review

Divine Appointments is a relevant and thought provoking look at the issues many people face today. Economic downturns, job loss, as well as loneliness and second chances.

You can purchase Divine Appointments here!





Meet Josie Brooks, one of the most self-assured and strong personalities I've ever 'met'. At the age of forty-seven, she thought she was leading an enviable single life. A successful consultant, she calls her own shots, goes where the money is, and never needs to compromise.

Enter Barb DeWitt, selfless encourager with a good word to say about everyone, including, Josie Brooks.



My favorite character...

Barb DeWitt. With a selfless and an encouraging attitude, I couldn't help but love her to pieces. Struggling against bitterness and the unknown, she's always putting someone else's feelings first.

Her motto:

Helping others was always the best way to help herself... a motto I want to apply to my own life. What a wonderful way to look at things! Imagine what could be if more people would put this into practice.



My least favorite character...

Josie Brooks. Throughout the book, I had a difficult time getting past her selfish disdain for the feelings of others. Being a very sensitive person, I found it very tough to understand or connect with her. Near the end of the book, I had almost reconciled myself to her ever-so-slowly changing attitude.



I wish...

the author would have explored Barb's faith a little more in depth. Why did she love God so much? Why did she look at life in an encouraging attitude? Perhaps delved into the life of Barb a little more than Josie Brooks.



All in all, Ms. Baumbich is an extremely good writer and gives much detail to her characters and their personalities, which I did enjoy.



My rating:

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Drinking - moderate

Inappropriate scenes - none

swearing - some



I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review



Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich (Chapter 1)



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If you like this book, be sure to check out The Price of Trust

Rosemary Bread Recipe

Ok. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with book reviews or interviews, but I just have to share. (PS! Remember to leave a comment HERE for a chance to win Rodney Winters book, Go Into the House) Ends January 24th



























I found this wonderful, aromatic bread recipe and I just wanted to share it with you. (Use with whatever bread machine you have)



3/4 cup water

2 cups bread flour

1 1/4 TBSP sugar

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1 tsp rosemary leaves



Place ingredients into bread pan in listed order. Set pan in bread machine and set machine to Basic setting.



This, in my opinion, is some of THE BEST homemade bread I've ever done! If you try it, please let me know what you think!

**Note ~ although this recipe tastes YuMmY yUmMy YUMMY, it's really not cute. You probably don't want to make this for aesthetic purposes...:) **



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Rodney Winters - Author of Go Into The House

Join me as we welcome Rodney Winters, author of Go Into the House

Hello Mr. Winters! It's good to have you here today!



Please, tell us about your latest book.



Go Into The House is my story of disappointment from a failed marriage and divorce process, which I relate to the older brother in the biblical story of the prodigal son.  It is a gripping story about the painful truths of relationships that few men talk about openly.  The book encourages the reader with the fact that there is indeed hope after life's disappointments in the presence of our heavenly Father.



What accomplishments are you most proud of?



I am proud of the impact my book has had on its readers.  Go Into The House is getting people to talk candidly about real marriage issues such as infidelity and neglect, and the role of forgiveness.  Relationships are being restored and people are being helped.



Do you have a favorite Scripture verse? 



My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 33:3.  "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (NASB)



What is the toughest test you've faced being a writer? 



The toughest test has been being so open and sharing intimate details of my life.  I am really a private person, and am reserved regarding personal matters.  It was difficult to let the world know so much about me, but it was necessary to tell my story and ultimately help others.



What is one thing you'd like to tell the world about yourself? 



My passion is for hurting people. I have a special burden for relationships--particularly marriages. My desire is for people to experience healing from any hurt and disappointment--marital or otherwise.  My goal is to point people toward the Lord, who is the source of healing.



About the book:

"Not just another book on marriage"



Marriages and families are under attack. And they will remain embattled until real solutions come from real people who have gone through fiery tests, yet lived to tell their story. Divorce has long been viewed as an awful difficulty, particularly in the church. The raw truth is that some marriages fail. What happens when your marriage has failed or is close to reaching that point?



Listen to a man who has survived a failed marriage, the scrutiny of the church, and emerged with an honest heartfelt story that will cause you to never see marriage like you did before.



Rodney A. Winters isn't sharing a story about love, marriage and divorce that he has heard from someone else. He's lived it. Go into the House, hear what happened, and find out how to prevent the same thing from happening to you.



Whether it's a failed marriage or some other difficulty, we all face some tough decisions at some point after life's disappointments. We must choose to either Go into the House and enjoy the benefits inside, or stay outside and wallow in self-pity. Won't you go inside!



Mr. Winters has graciously offered a giveaway of his book. Leave a comment for your chance to win ~ Ends January 24th!

+1 entry if you follow this Website

+1 entry if you follow The Eclectic Crafter

+2 entries if you tweet or Facebook this giveaway



Again, thank you for being with us here today. You can find Rodney Winters at these places:

http://www.rodneywinters.com

http://facebook.com/rodney.winters

http://twitter.com/rodneywinters



Book Trailer:

And the winner is...

Pegg Thomas!



Thank you everyone for making this a great giveaway!



Come back tomorrow and help me welcome Rodney Winters, author of Go Into the House.



"Marriages and families are under attack..."



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Free Kindle Downloads & Giveaway Reminder

To tell you the truth, I don't have a Kindle, and when I found these free Kindle books, I was seriously disappointed. But guess what I found? You don't have to have a device to download these. Just go to Amazon.com and click the Kindle for PC app and follow the directions. Super easy! Just please, do the author a favor. If you've downloaded their book for free or for a reduced price, after you've finished reading the book, please leave a review on Amazon.com. I'm positive the author would appreciate it!



Have fun downloading these FREE Kindle books:

Against All Odds (Heroes of Quantico Series, Book 1)- Irene Hannon

The Apothecary's Daughter - Julie Klassen

Happily Ever After (Deep Haven Series #1)-Susan May Warren

Relentless (Dominion Trilogy #1) - Robin Parrish

Fools Rush In (Weddings by Bella, Book 1)-Janice Thompson

Deeper Water (Tides of Truth Series, Book 1) - Robert Whitlow

The Potluck Club (The Potluck Club, Book 1)-Linda Evans Shepherd

Heidegger's Glasses - Thaisa Frank

The Healer's Apprentice - Melanie Dickerson

Always the Baker, Never the Bride - Sandra Bricker



Enter HERE for your chance to win a copy of Roseanna White's book, Jewel of Persia

What I'm Reading Now

I was the lucky winner of Cathy Bryant's book, A Path Less Traveled. You can purchase either a print copy, or an ebook

at Amazon.com ~

I'll leave a review when I've finished it!









There's still time to leave a comment for your chance to win Roseanna White 's book, Jewel of Persia. We've already got 63 eligible comments from both blogs ~ join in the fun! Let's see how high we can go!

Giveaway ends January 16th!





Leave a comment here for your chance to win!
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Interview & Giveaway with Roseanna White - author of Jewel of Persia

About the book:



How can she love the king of kings without forsaking her Lord of lords?

Kasia grew up in a poor Jewish home with more siblings than luxuries. But when a chance encounter forces her to the palace of Xerxes, she becomes a concubine to the richest man in the world. She alone, of all Xerxes' wives, loves the man beneath the crown. She alone, of all his wives, holds the heart of the king of kings.

Traveling with Xerxes through Europe as he mounts a war against Greece, Kasia knows enemies surround her, but they're not the Spartans or Athenians. The threat lies with those close to the king who hate her people. She determines to put her trust in Jehovah–even if it costs her her marriage.

Years of prayers are answered when Kasia's childhood friend arrives at the palace after the war, but even as she determines to see Esther crowned in place of the bloodthirsty former queen, she knows the true battle is far from over. How far will her enemies go to see her undone?

Combining the biblical account of Esther with Herodotus's Histories, Jewel of Persia is the story of a love that nearly destroys an empire . . . and the friendship that saves a nation.









Now, about the author!

Hello, Roseanna, thanks for being here today.





How long have you been writing?



Approximately forever, give or take six years. =) I started writing short stories in first grade, and ever since then it has been my favorite pastime. I finished my first (awful) novel at 13, had eight to my name by the time I graduated college, and have more than doubled that in the years since. Naturally, most of these are unfit for the light of day. But they're a part of me, so I don't regret any of the hours spent pouring over my laptop. And I have plenty to fall back on when I'm in the mood to rewrite!



Tell us how you come up with characters.



Characters are my favorite part of a book—in my opinion, it's the characters that determine the action, the voice, the conflict, everything. So I always have a blast developing them. I usually start with their story, which may or may not ever make it into a book. And usually sounds something like, "So there's this girl, who has this, this, and this going on, right? And she's really XYZ. And then . . . you know, plot stuff happens." The plot stuff usually comes as I discover exactly who the people are. I then go about selecting names, which with historicals means researching what names I can accurately use, finding their meanings, and picking one based on the sound, the meaning, and, well, which ones I can pronounce, LOL.



In Jewel of Persia, I had to deal with something I never have before—one of my main characters was a historical figure. I've had historical figures play secondary roles before, but never be the hero. It was sometimes challenging and always interesting to layer on fictional motivation to make sense of some of the bizarre—and quite possibly exaggerated—exploits of Xerxes the Greet.





Of the books you've written, which is your favorite and why?



Oh boy. It's hard to pick a favorite from your babies! But one that has most stuck with me is a book I never intend to publish, actually. It's called Darkest Devotion and is about a femme fatale who spends ten years of her life under the thumb of a brilliant, charming, ruthless man—beginning when they're both little more than children and stretching into adulthood. I love this book because my whole premise was to write a heroine who was a villain, and then redeem her, making her pitiable at first and then lovable as the story progressed.



Though it ended up a story far too ugly and gritty for the Christian market and far too Christian in its end for the mainstream market, I love what I learned in writing this book—and the closeness that developed between me and my hubby when he read it. Through that story he saw depths of me I'd never shown anyone before, and it sparked a new level of understanding between us, an openness I hadn't realized was missing until then, when he looked me in the eye and said, "How can you write about stuff like this, stuff you've never dealt with? And how can you write it, then be the same person you were before?" Exploring the answer together, and the faith I drew on to craft this character, drew us closer than ever.



Tell us about your latest book.



Jewel of Persia is what I call my not-about-Esther Esther story. =) Esther has always been my favorite book of the Bible, and I started thinking how I'd love to fictionalize her account—but (a) that's already been done and (b) I like my heroine to be someone totally fabricated, so I began casting around for ideas on how to bring a unique angle to it. It hit me in the shower one morning—what about all those other wives of the king? What if one of them were also a Jewess, someone who had inadvertently turned the court against her people, which led to the events in Esther? What if that someone were Esther's childhood friend?



And Jewel of Persia was born. In a feverish day and night I did some breakneck research and hashed out the plot. Then I took a week and wrote five chapters. Then I put it aside, because at the time I was finishing up another book. But it kept needling me, and when my agent suggested I follow up my first biblical fiction, A Stray Drop of Blood, with a similar title, I dove gratefully into turning those five chapters into a book.



In addition to the familiar story of Esther, Jewel of Persia explores the intricacies of harem life and Persian culture as they went to war with Greece—events recorded by Herodotus, an ancient Greek who lived a few decades after the Greco-Persian war. I discovered that if we assume the king in Esther is Xerxes (I feel this is a safe assumption) the events of the two histories line up beautifully. And of course, all the mysterious or complicated events are now explained through my fictional heroine, Kasia. =)



Favorite scripture and/or quote:



One of my favorites, which has come to be my prayer as a writer, is from I Samuel 3:19. Samuel has just been given his first prophecy, and it says, "So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground."



As a writer, that just made me sit back and go, "Wow." Words are how we reach people, how we communicate. Words have such great power . . . yet so often we use them poorly. But this is what I want to be able to say at the end of my life—that I have grown, that the Lord was with me, and that none of my words fell to the ground. I'm certainly no Samuel—but that's my prayer.



What one thing would you like to tell the world about yourself?



That I love little more than getting to know new people, especially those who love novels as much as I do. =) I adore working with book clubs—my family has an online bookstore so that we can sell autographed copies of my books and give discount rates for orders of multiples for clubs. And I'm a total e-mail addict who LOVES to hear from you!



And because I'm also of the mind that anything that interests me might just interest others (it's either think that or admit I'm dull and boring, LOL), I've compiled all my research into short, chatty articles about the people, places, fashions, and events mentioned in the book at http://www.roseannawhite.com/index.php/books/jewel_of_persia/companion_guide/ . And far more interesting than the cool history is the cool pictures. =) I got to use quite a few pictures of the cover model that didn't work for the cover on here, and I also took the opportunity to tell everyone the story behind the bracelet featured on the cover, which is a key theme in the book. It's real! And the jeweler is so awesome!!



Can't wait to get to know your readers, Amanda! Thanks so much for having me.



Friends, you can find Roseanna at these places:

http://www.roseannawhite.com/

http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/roseanna.white#!/roseanna.white

 

And, Roseanna has graciously offered a two-option giveaway. You can either win a digital copy of her book, or a paperback copy when they're released in late spring. Leave a comment with your email address and which type of book you'd prefer.



Want extra entries?



1 - follow this website

2 - tweet about this giveaway

2 - leave a link on your Facebook page

1 - follow my other blog, The Eclectic Crafter



Giveaway ends January 16th

Book Review - Dragons of the Valley

This is the first book I've read from Donita K. Paul and what an introduction! She's made it to my safe-for-my-kids list ~ NOT an easy feat! (I'm a very picky mother that takes an interest in what my children read. I'm not usually one for dragons and such, but this was a good book.)



Wizards, an arrogant King, reluctant heroes, evil villains, and mystical creatures, Ms. Paul leaves nothing out. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent here. If you loved C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien, you'll probably enjoy this book.



Would I recommend this? Yes!

Would I read more of Ms. Paul's books? Absolutely!

My rating? A



**I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.**



Amanda Stephan AuthorThe Price of TrustRead Now - http://bit.ly/biojAlTwitter - @amandastephan