Precarious Yates's Blog: Precarious Precipices, page 4

Excerpt from The Captives

As a gift to you, my reader, the whole trilogy of The Heart of the Caveat Whale is free for download for the next three days! Here’s an excerpt from book 1 The Captives

Here’s the video:

Here’s the text:

“I’m not even sure this one’s alive anymore,” a man spoke as she awoke once again.

Since the net no longer surrounded around her, she figured they referred to her. Waves pounded in the distance, and she could smell the salt of the sea. The sand beneath her was hot and soft, yet the thicker grains grated every cut and scrape across her body. If she dashed quickly… But she had to make a thorough assessment before she did anything rash. Perhaps they would just toss her into the sea. Her hands were still tied, but the palm branches, although they scraped her wrists cruelly, could be easily cut once she found a rock beneath the waves.

“Oh, she’s alive, alright,” another man said.

The men dragged her over the dry, hot sand to the edge of the waves; she heard the pounding of their feet as they ran swiftly off the beach again. Two daughters of the sea, who were laying to her left, cried softly, their hands still bound.

“We can go,” Qoshonni whispered urgently. “Follow me; I will lead you to safety. I know these waters well.”

“Then you would know they are no longer free,” a son of the sea replied harshly.

Qoshonni pressed down the panic bubbling to the surface of her mind.

“What is your name?” the aquavian on her right asked.

“Qoshonni,” she replied, trying to hide the fear in her voice.

“I’m glad you have more hope than the rest of these,” the aquavian whispered. “You’re going to need it. I’m going to need it as well, for I can’t sustain all the hope on my own.”

“And what is your name, daughter of the sea?” Qoshonni asked.

“Ashwain.”

“Any hope I would have, Ashwain, would be in Elenonia.”

“All the better,” Ashwain replied. “We will need his aid if we need any at all, and we need plenty.” She moved her bound hands to her left side as Qoshonni moved hers to her right and they greeted one another as aquavians do, rubbing the webbing between each other’s fingers.

“Have you any ideas for escape?” Qoshonni asked.

“We could stay on land and hide in these jungles, but there would be no way to hide all of them,” Ashwain explained in a hushed whisper.

“The men of this land would capture us all again if they saw us,” Qoshonni returned. She could feel one of the waves lap against her feet. “The tide is rising, and the sun is setting. I’m sure we could slip into the sea without their notice, and we’d find somewhere to hide past the first ridge. There are a few underwater mountains to the east, and we’d find shelter in some of the caves.”

“Too many unfriendly octopi haunt those caves,” Ashwain replied. “Besides, we wouldn’t get past the patrols before we reached those mountains. I only just escaped their patrols when I climbed to this land for safety.”

“Mermen?” Qoshonni asked. Another wave crashed higher against her legs. Never before had the ocean frightened her. She fought the fear crawling with crab-like legs across her skin.

Ashwain nodded in return. “I was on my way to see my sister…” she began and then cringed with disgust.

Qoshonni lifted her eyes as she felt a thud of weight upon her legs. It was heavy and sharp whatever it was, and it scraped her skin as it moved higher with the next wave. A merman. At least what she remembered from the legends of them. He pressed down on the legs of the aquavians. But she couldn’t distinguish his features, for every inch of his torso, arms and neck was covered in thick barnacle. Even his fins and tail were covered in barnacle. She cringed and winced under the scraping pain of that barnacle. And then there were more of them, and more, until the beach seemed filled with their hideous forms.

What she had expected to be blond hair on their head was actually a stringy mass sticking haphazardly from the top of their heads. Their grey eyes with the pinpoint pupils were the blackest pools she had ever looked into. The one leaning over her had breath that smelled like rotted flesh.

For the first time, the each book of the trilogy is available for FREE download! This offer will end on Midnight of Wednesday, 1/22, so act fast!

The Captives

Pyromarne

The Tiller and the Song

CrossReads Book Blast With Sharon A. Lavy

Deadly Secret

By Sharon A Lavy

About the Book

The covering on Evalena Davidson’s head invites all kinds of confidences and sharing, a blessing on Denton Community Hospital’s oncology ward. But people expect her to be perfect, which makes living up to the promise of her Old German Baptist uniform a challenge.

Pete Neper, head of the sanitation department senses unrest among the employees but finds it a challenge to track down the cause.

Danni Wagoner, another oncology nurse is implicated in a drug scam.

Old German Baptist Brethren with their adherence to traditional ways do not get involved with the law. But how can Evalena turn her back on a friend?

This unlikely trio put their lives and reputation at risk to uncover a deadly secret in an attempt to identify a killer before someone else dies.

LINK to KINDLE | LINK to PAPERBACK

Sharon A Lavy

Writer of Inspirational Women’s fiction with a touch of Suspense. Sharon A Lavy lives with her husband in SW Ohio.

When not reading, writing, or sewing for her family, she enjoys traveling with her husband in the German crafted Flight Design airplane they call PaPa.

Sharon is best known in the novel writing community, as that German Baptist lady.

In the Old German Baptist community she’s a dressmaker, a pattern maker, and the sister who writes.

And in her own mind she’s a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, but above all a child of God. ~~ Her greatest desire is to be a woman after God’s own heart~~ Sharon has a heart for hurting women, and writes women’s fiction. Because when~~it’s all said and done~~It’s all about relationships.

Follow Sharon A Lavy 

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The Gift of Dignity Restored

For the month of December, I have been wearing a dress (almost) every day.

Why?

It’s to raise awareness about human trafficking.

We were created with dignity and purity. We were fearfully and wonderfully made. So many young girls don’t have the opportunity to display this. They’re forced to live lives that strip them of dignity.

Unfortunately, slavery is alive and well today. Unfortunately, it’s the young and vulnerable who have been swept up as the victims of this pervasive crime.

The Word of God admonishes us to care for widows and orphans in their distress. We, as those who love Jesus, have an obligation to protect children from violence.

I’ve written several book on the subject of human trafficking. At least half of the proceeds I make from The Elite of the Weak, Pharmacia: Those Magic Arts, and UnEmbraceable are donated to organizations that help free kids from forced labor.

What organizations do I donate to?

I have researched a number of organizations. One I learned about recently was Operation Underground Railroad. Glenn Beck highlighted this organization recently on one of his programs. O.U.R. is an organization that works to rescue the children. They get permission from government officials and take down the perpetrators. Not everyone will agree with their methods, but some will be relieved to learn an organization like this exists.

Agape International Missions with Don Brewster is an organization that works to restore children who have been rescued in Cambodia’s Svey Pak and other areas of Southeast Asia.

International Justice Mission (IJM) works for justice worldwide. Founder Gary Haugen worked for the UN Commission that investigated the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. After that experience, he started IJM, which works to rescue people from modern slavery and forced labor.

Exodus Cry is a prayer movement and outreach ministry that works to end human trafficking. Their documentary, Nefarious: Merchant of Souls, has been viewed by world leaders across the globe.

Destiny Rescue is an organization that works to rescue children from sex slave trafficking. They’ve opened homes where these kids can experience restoration and the joy of Christ. The girls and boys they rescue are taught a trade, such as computer programming, making clothes, or hairdressing.

Love146 was co-founded by my sister-in-law. This organization has a home in the Philippines where girls who have been rescued from human trafficking can go to experience healing and restoration.

Although the crime of modern slavery is so dark and heinous, there is hope in this world, and there is light shining in the darkness. You can partner with that light and hope. I encourage you to give to any one of these organizations. They love Jesus and are Jesus with skin on to the least of these.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” ~ John 1:5 NLT

 Check out books by Precarious Yates!

The Tiller and the Song

I’ve finally published the third book of The Heart of the Caveat Whale trilogy! I was so exhausted after finishing this book that it’s taken me four days to announce it. Sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye!

This YA Fantasy was a lot of fun to write. Before I started the first book, I was absolutely terrified of the ocean, to the point where I had to walk out of the room if an underwater documentary played on the TV. Now I absolutely love the wildness of the ocean! By the time I finished writing this trilogy, I probably knew enough to at least carry a conversation with a marine biologist. Imagining the deep ocean fight scenes pushed me way outside of my comfort zone on so many levels. But here’s to a trilogy finished and a fear overcome!

If you’re interested in learning more about the creatures in these novels, both real and imagined, check out the website for The Heart of the Caveat Whale!

He Humbled Himself: An Advent Bible Study

Today I published my second Bible study, a small book on the beautiful humility of Jesus, as demonstrated by His coming to earth as a baby.

Christmas. It’s often called the most wonderful time of the year. This small bible study helps you to focus your gaze on the One who made it so wonderful: Jesus. Spend seven days meditating on why He humbled Himself, and how it shows His profound love for you.

The paperback is slightly different from the eBook, since the paperback has blank pages for journaling.

eBook

Paperback

Book Blast for Laura J Marshall

Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken:

Volume I, Summer (Serial Novel)

FREE Nov. 25 – 28th!

Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken (Serial Novel)

By Laura J. Marshall

About the Book

Excitement. That’s what Jaycee has been saving for since high school. With plans to leave rural Twain, Georgia, the “to where” and the “to what” have been the only questions stopping her. Will her intentions change when Dash Matheson pulls her wandering heart in his direction? Feel the summer heat of the Fourth of July in this southern series as Jaycee finds love. (Volume I, Summer of a four part short story series under the Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken title.)

 

 

Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken:

Volume II, Fall (Serial Novel)

 

99-Cents!

Volume II, It’s autumn in Twain, Georgia. Jaycee has herself a new job and with it, a new problem. Is it something bug spray can fix? Dash is struggling with more than just the reality of the pain from his injury. Could Jaycee be hiding something from him? The pumpkins are ripe on the vine and the pecans are ready to be shelled. Come spend Thanksgiving week in this southern series as Jaycee finds love.

A four part serial novel under the Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken title.

Volume III, Winter coming December 2013.

Volume IV, Spring coming March 2014.

Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken:

Volume I, Summer (Serial Novel) on Kindle

Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken:

Volume II, Fall (Serial Novel) on Kindle

About Laura J. Marshall

Laura J. Marshall is a full-time mother of five boys and part-time writer and blogger. She operates a popular blog called The Old Stone Wall which hosts and promotes Christian Authors and encourages interaction between readers and authors. Laura writes Christian Romantic fiction and the best-selling Battle Cry Devotional Series. You can find out more about Laura and her other books online at LauraJMarshall.com

Follow Laura J. Marshall

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Enter below to enter a $50 amazon gift card, sponsored by author Laura J. Marshall!

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This book blast is hosted by Crossreads.

We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Is It Even Possible to Love God?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30

My heart has been heavy with something for a long, long time. And it’s only while sitting under leaders who have demonstrated Jesus’ gentleness and humility that I’m finally able to put it into words. I’m so thankful for my pastors at Antioch Church. All of them.

This is about what I’ve encountered so often while searching for a church to call home.

One of the most dangerous things a pastor can tell his or her congregation is that they don’t love God. It’s said so often and in so many different ways.

It may very well be true of some people. Some live in a manner that’s very unloving. But if you’re a pastor preaching before a congregation, it’s a horrible lie if you say this of everyone in the congregation.

This lie is usually followed by the request or demand to do one more thing. Read your Bible more. Pray more. Come to one more meeting. Oh, it’s the ones who really love Jesus who are giving to this cause. Or that cause. Or sitting up front.

No matter what way you butter it, that is manipulation.

They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. ~ Matthew 23:4

One problem with telling your whole congregation that they don’t love God (or don’t love Him enough) is this:

One portion of the crowd feels like they’ll never be good enough, so why even bother.

One portion of the crowd will walk away with the smug satisfaction that this doesn’t apply to them (although it may to apply to Johnny, three aisles over).

Another portion of the crowd will be so weighted down by condemnation that it may have been kinder to simply flog them instead.

What is the root problem with this scenario?

It shows that the focus of the preaching is on man and not God.

Let me say that again: The focus of a great deal of preaching is on how to better ourselves instead of on how amazing God is.

Let’s look at the Exodus story for an example. Many may point out Moses’ character and flaws (oh my goodness–Moses was human??!). But we’re encouraged by the Word to share what GOD did and how HE showed love to His people in magnificent and miraculous ways. God is the central Figure in this story. His love is the central principle.

One other major problem with constantly hearing that I don’t love God is that it would rupture my faith during a time of great trial. If I go through fire and water believing that I don’t and can’t ever love God, I’ve shot myself in the foot. I didn’t buy gold refined in the fire from Jesus (see Rev. 3:18) but I bought it from my own bootstrap theology. You know what I’m talking about–picking myself up by my bootstraps instead of trusting that God has called us into partnership with Him.

David had full confidence that not only did God love him, but he loved God.

I love you, Lord, my strength. ~ Psalm 18:1

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. ~ Psalm 116:1

How else could David have survived his trials? God loved him and he loved God back.

It is totally possible to love God. In fact, it’s:

The greatest commandment–you shall love the Lord your God… (and to go along with that, the ‘shall’ makes it a prophetic declaration)
Jesus prayed that we would love Him even as the Father loves Him (John 17:26)

So not only do we have our own love to give God, which, although finite, is huge, we also have the Holy Spirit in us. He is loving God through us.  We have God on the inside of us loving God.

If all that people hear at church is how to better themselves so they can finally be able to love God, no wonder they’re leaving the church in droves. This lie strips the gospel of its power, since a gospel of works is no gospel at all. Frankly, it’s a tougher pill to swallow than the harshest of Jesus’ sayings.

Instead, let’s do the best thing there is to do when we’re together–magnify the amazing and glorious name of Jesus and praise the Father who loved us so much that He sent His Son.

And encourage one another.

I love what John Paul Jackson says of edification, exhortation and comfort. Edification is for the spirit of the man, exhortation is for the body and comfort is for the soul. That’s a huge statement, and I’ll unpack that at some point, but for now I wanted to leave that with you to let you chew on it.

Should there be words of correction from the pulpit? Absolutely! I’m so thankful for many words of correction that I received, since they helped me turn to God.

But please, don’t dole out the correction from the pulpit when you can confront a person in private.

A shepherdess doesn’t yell at all her sheep if one of them is misbehaving.

Be encouraging.

And be encouraged. God knew David loved Him. God knows we can love Him too.

Finished with NaNo!

For the first time since 2010 I finished my NaNoWriMo project. Actually, it was two projects. One was the final book of my trilogy, and the other was a nonfiction (does that count?). I had fun plowing away through these projects, plumbing the depths of my creative wells, but boy am I glad to be finished!!!

Whew!

Will I do this again next year? Maybe, but if I do, it’s not for the win. Why? Winning was so exhausting this year, even though I was way ahead of schedule.

For those who don’t know, NaNoWriMo is the National Novel Writing Month. It’s a time where people determine to write 50,000 words in one month. And remain sane. No, I made up that last part. But some wild and wonderful things are created during the month of November!

I’m thankful for Thanksgiving and a reminder to take a rest.

Among Thorns

“Like a lily among thorns, is my darling among the young women.” ~ Song of Solomon 2:2

There’s a longing in my heart to be seen, loved, admired.

I fasted, I prayed, I begged God to take this longing away from me, but He didn’t.

He didn’t, because He put that longing there.

Lily

I yearn, with every aching fiber in me, to have someone, just one person’s full attention, their admiration, their captivated gaze.

God continually draws us to focus our full attention on Him.

Why?

This isn’t some desire of an ego-maniac, as some, I’ve heard, have argued.

This isn’t to gratify any insatiable appetite for praise.

It’s to teach us how to love.

The force of His love toward us is so strong that if we don’t reciprocate we’ll suffocate.

Even when I don’t feel it, that kind love is offered to me. In the dark night of the soul, when the language of love seems ridiculous, I’ll still push forth praise from my aching throat, knowing that my heart will be bruised and scarred if I do not requite the love offered me.

For I am built with a longing, to be viewed as a lily among thorns, to be seen as unique, a one in a million, one in seven billion. And that longing isn’t going away. Neither, I suspect, is yours.

The Beloved Daughter, by Alana Terry

The Beloved Daughter, an inspirational suspense novel by award-winning author Alana Terry, is a story of persecution and triumph set in the oppressive North Korean regime. The audiobook version of Alana’s bestselling debut novel is narrated by Kathy Garver, a four-time Audie award winner and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Motion Picture Council. (You might also recognize Kathy as Cissy from the TV show Family Affair.)

Listen to a sample of Kathy reading from The Beloved Daughter.

The Beloved Daughter

Synopsis: In a small North Korean village, a young girl struggles to survive. It is her father’s faith, not the famine of North Hamyong Province, that most threatens Chung-Cha’s well-being. The Beloved Daughter follows Chung-Cha into one of the most notorious prison camps the contemporary free world has known. Her crime? Being the daughter of a Christian.

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Acclaim: 

 

*Winner, Women of Faith Writing Contest

*1st Place, Book Club Network Book of the Month

*Amazon Bestseller (#5 Christian Suspense)

Reviews:

“…an engaging plot that reads like a story out of today’s headlines…” ~ Women of Faith Writing Contest

“Alana is a master storyteller, and I can’t imagine anyone failing to be

captivated by this harrowing tale. What we have here is a compelling

story, but it’s also one of great importance.” ~ Brad Francis, Author of The Savvy Demon’s Guide to Godly Living

“The Beloved Daughter is a beautifully written story that is…both personal and representative of the challenges that many North Koreans still face today.” ~ Sarah Palmer, Rescue Team Coordinator at Liberty in North Korea

“The author does a phenomenal job… HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – but have tissues handy.” ~ Pauline Creeden, Editor AltWit Press

Review

I had the privilege of reading this fast paced and fascinating novel. The book both inspired and challenged me on many levels. Because of the extent of research that went into this novel to make it startlingly accurate, I would recommend this book without question, especially to students of seminary and missions schools. The names may be different and difficult at first, but don’t let that turn you off from this story. The realism is something that I needed a strong dose of.

Order your own copy of The Beloved Daughter.

Awesome Prizes!

You don’t want to miss out on the month-long Beloved Daughter audiobook launch party. RSVP now on Facebook or see the Alana Terry facebook page to get started. Dozens of winners … Hundreds of $$$-worth in prizes!

ENTER THE DRAWING: In addition to the Facebook party, you can enter the grand prize drawing below for a chance to win a $100 gift card to either Target or Amazon (you choose!), or one of the awesome prizes from the prize gallery (think Christian T-shirts, jewelry, books, CDs, lotions, and more)!

SEE THE AUDIOBOOK HERE

SEE THE PAPERBACK HERE

SEE THE EBOOK HERE

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