Lynn Donovan's Blog, page 2

Sanctuary - Cover Reveal

Left Behind for the Hunger Games generation
In a heart-racing thriller described as Falling Skies meet The Walking Dead, Jennie struggles to find a safe place for what’s left of her family. But it seems as though there is no place sacred, no place secure. First the aliens attacked the sun, making it dimmer, weaker, and half what it used to be. Then they attacked the water supply, killing one-third of Earth’s population with a bitter contaminate. And when they unleash a new terror on humankind, the victims will wish for death, but will not find it…

When the world shatters to pieces around her, will Jennie find the strength she needs to keep going?



 
Buy on Amazon / Barnes and Noble /Goodreads 
Pauline Creeden

Pauline Creeden is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy. In her fiction, she creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

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I Still Believe!!!

I have not, nor will I, loose my faith!  I still believe!
My youngest son, William, and I sat down this morning to discuss the latest news on his brother, my oldest son, Trent. Then we discussed the latest tragic news from his oldest sister, Nisa.

He expressed concern for himself or his other sister, Emily. "Who is next, Mom?" he asked me.

"What do you mean," I replied. "You've already had your tragedy, and so has Emily."

Which got me to thinking: It's been a rough six months! We are being tested and it has only just now occurred to me how tested we have been. But...
I still Believe!!!However, in order to make my point, here's a brief recap of the past six months.


My mom died from a long battle with Alzheimer's. She lived in our home a little over three years while we cared for her as she slowly faded away from us into the blank nothingness pit of Alzheimer's. In the end, we changed her diapers, bathed her, fed her, dressed her, and medicated her every two hours around the clock to help her pass as peacefully as possible. She, however, didn't go very quietly. She fought it to the bitter end. I sat with her, played her favorite music, read the bible to her, talked to her, and continued to care for her physical needs for five days as she slowly left this earth. My father-in-law had three heart related surgeries in a two month period. 
My mother-in-law is in bad health with a colon-related disease coupled with COPD related problems. 
I found out my thyroid is deteriorating. I'm already dealing with an auto-immune disease, Ulcerative Colitis.
William's car in flames


William's car burst into flames on the highway. He walked away unharmed (thank God), the car and everything in it was destroyed.





Emily's partner, and father of her baby, had two strokes and was rendered paralyzed in both his arms. One more so than the other. He is now undergoing intensive physical therapy and is slowly regaining use in one arm/hand and some in the other. But I have no idea if he'll be able to provide financially for his family again.  And if we back up a few more months, I can tell you about Emily's daughter loosing the end of her ring finger on her left hand to a dog bite through the fence. (Truly not the dog's or anyone else's fault.)
Identical Twins
Nisa found out she is pregnant with twins, (she already has three boys) then received a false positive for the twins having Downs Syndrome. A follow up blood test proved they are fine. But yesterday, at 18 weeks pregnant, she has had to put down her beloved dog, Miss.
Little MissShe had to do this alone because Jason is working five-hundred miles from home (that was hard on him). If you've been or lived with any one who was pregnant, you know how emotionally charged a woman is during this time and to have to do this life/death necessity was devastating to her.  And hard on her mother's heart-link to her child.



My husband had hernia surgery and has been on LWOP from work for six weeks.


Then there's Trent. He had a roll-over one-car accident Sunday, Aug 10, and mangled his left elbow. He saved his own life by asking a woman who had stopped to help for her belt and tied it on his arm to stop the massive bleeding. He is in the hospital at the time of this writing. He will be there three to four more weeks and has had three (or is it four?) surgeries to repair the damage to his elbow, plus a skin/muscle/vascular graph from his thigh. It has been rough on his wife, because they have a one-month-old son who is still breast feeding, a two year old son, and two daughters: thirteen and seventeen. 


Their seventeen-year-old daughter passed out at volley ball practice two days ago, and was rushed to another hospital. We thought it was a heart-related thing or gall bladder, but turns out to be an ovarian cyst and GI problems. 


Their two-year-old son spiked a fever and they thought it was an ear infection. Turned out to be a virus. Her mother and father and Trent's father and step-mother live in the area and are helping cover the home front as well as rotate at the hospital with Seventeen-year-old and Trent, so that Adrienne (Trent's wife) can rotate among the two hospitals and home. 

By the way, I started a fundraiser for Trent. If you feel lead to help, here it is. ***Yeah, it's been a rough six months.

Last night, I had a melt down! But eventually I stood up, stared the devil in the face and said, "NO! I still believe. God is good all the time and all the time God is good! You have no hold on my family. Get thee behind me Satan."

I fell on my knees and prayed. I called my pastors and they prayed with me over the phone while I knelt down beside my bed. Then I claimed the words from the bible that "whatsoever you ask in Jesus' name it shall be delivered." And then I claimed healing over my son, over my granddaughter and my grandson. I claimed strength over Adrienne and Nisa ... and myself, protection over the twins and Nisa during the gestation, and protection for William in all that he does.

This will be our testimony!  We will glorify God and tell others how all these things happened and we persevered.

The Bible says: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:2-4




Yes, I still believe. My faith is intact. I will not falter. I pray my Heavenly Father is pleased with me in the end and says, "Well done, my good and faithful child."

Hallelujah!


Amen!

Featuring Entertaining Angels by Emerald Barnes

Young Adult Author, Emerald Barnes, is releasing her latest novel, Entertaining Angels, today. It's a Young Adult Christian romance that faces the issues of self-esteem and weight in teens. It's a story that will hopefully grab the attention of girls - and boys alike - and help them understand that no matter what they are beautiful.

About Entertaining Angels

"I've read many books that tackle the issue of spiritual warfare, but I especially loved this one. Mads was alive and real and jumped off the page! Her character is so strong, she needed strong characters to balance her, and Barnes certainly provided that in the characters of Chase and Zach." - Author Precarious Yates

"This story is beautiful and so profound." - Author Sylvia Stein

"I would recommend Entertaining Angels as a graceful stepping stone to self-acceptance and self-love." - Author Christine Cunningham

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Madison Andrews can’t face her reflection in the mirror. All she sees is a big, fat nobody. Yet, deep inside she longs for something more, something that’s not skin deep.

Along comes Zach, the new guy in school. He’s smoking hot and totally out of her league. She somehow catches his eye, and he makes her feel beautiful for once. But just as she gets close to Zach, her nerdy best friend, Chase, won’t let Madison doubt her true beauty, no matter how many meals she skips.

Even as Madison begins to realize that she is more than what she thinks, darker forces are at work, darker than the lies and mocking from her peers, stopping her from amounting to her full potential. Can Madison find true happiness in her own skin?

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A Word from the AuthorEntertaining Angels is near and dear to my heart. Essentially, it's my story. I have struggled with my weight issues for many years, and I remember clearly the very first day I fell victim to the word fat

I am more than that label. I am a Child of God, and He wanted me to see that. Making a long story short here, I have began to realize that although I am overweight, it's not who I am. I am so much more, and He wanted me to share that story with everyone else, especially young adults and woman who need to be reminded just how beautiful they are.

If you do buy Entertaining Angels, I hope that it shows you just how beautiful, or handsome if you're a guy, you are.

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Giveaway Time!Enter to win this autographed (by Emerald) tote bag with the Bible Verse Psalm 91:11 on it, and this notebook that says "God Makes Beautiful Things." (US Only please. If you're international, Emerald will send you an e-book and choose another winner.)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Where can you purchase Entertaining Angels?Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Rocking Horse Shadows Released

Here it is! My third book. And you can get your e-copy today at Amazon.
This is so exciting for me. You have no idea! I say that, but if you have been following me for long, you know that I have been in AWE with God and this amazing season he has put me in.  One on-line friend, Kessie Carrol, who has been with me from the very beginning of my quest to be a published author said this to me recently, "God's surely with you in your writing career! I describe your books on Twitter as Christian cozy horror. Every time you hit a best seller list, I feel so proud. You've come such a long way from asking newbie questions on the MLP forum."
And it so true. None of this would have EVER happened with out God. I assure you!  Have you seen any of my blogs where I sighted the path that has put me where I am today? Just a little recap:My husband and I found a web sight about teardrop campers, we started talking to people on the discussion forum, we built a camper and went camping. LOVED THE PEOPLE. Met a published author on the forum. Started a discussion with her. She directed me to check out ACFW, that lead me to Where The Map Ends. That lead me to an online critique group (thus Kessie Carroll) which helped me learn and improve my writing. A person on that critique group put out an invitation to submit short stories for a Clockwork Dragon anthology (see The Clockwork Dragon on Amazon.) I did and she then offered to read any completed manuscript I had...WHAT???
That was The Wishing Well Curse in 2013 and Thorns of Betrayal in 2014. 
And now Rocking Horse Shadows! I am so blessed and thankful. Not only do I thank God for all this amazing awesomeness, but I thank YOU, the people (my fans) who are following me as an author and continue to buy my books. 
THANK YOU SO MUCH, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!
You guys are wonderful and I appreciate you beyond what mere words could possibly describe!
I am humbled by your loyalty and just want to reach out and hug every single one of you.  
So. If you haven't made it over to Amazon, yet. The book is only $3.99 and I really hope you enjoy it.  Kessie has already posted a review. She's calling it Cozy Horror!  Check out her comments. And may I ask one other thing from you? When you read Rocking Horse Shadows, please post a review. It is the #1 way you can help me be able to continue to write and give you more stories to read. By the way: Thank you for taking the time to post a review! I know your time is valuable, and I really appreciate you carving a few minutes out just to help me out!  You guys are AWESOME. The best thing I can give you for your help is this, I leave you with one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible and I pray this pray JUST for you so that you will receive all that this prayer has to offer.
"For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen [this person who reads this blog] with powerthrough his Spirit in this reader's inner being, so that Christ may dwell in this reader's hearts through faith. And I pray that this reader, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that this reader may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  ~Ephesians 14-21 NIV
Maybe God bless you abundantly, above and beyond all that you can possibly imagine! 

Rocking Horse Shadows

Cover Reveal

Be sure to enter to win the Grand Prize from Amazon, $30 gift certificate, or one of five copies of The Complete Armor of God, by Pastor George McVey.

 

The Rocking Horse Shadow is my first book published by Astraea Press and will be released later this year. Cora Graphics has been working with me to design the cover. We discussed some really good ideas for the design, and in my head, I saw a terrified couple clinging to one another while a horrific/demonic shadow fell across their trembling forms, being cast from an innocuous child's rocking horse. Cora saw something a little, okay, a lot different. And BOY! Was she right. I think this cover is AMAZING. It FAR exceeds anything I ever imagined.
This must be why I'm the writer and she's the graphics artist! (but I digress)
So with out further ado...

The Rocking Horse Shadows. It's just an old rocking horse.
At least, that's what Marah keeps telling herself. When renovating the old Smithy’s property with her husband, the antique rocking horse first evoked happiness, and Marah couldn't help but daydream about the possibility of a baby coming into their lives. Starting a family would be the perfect symbol of their recovering marriage.
But then weird things start to happen. Even their dog can sense it. As weird quickly turns into terrifying, everything keeps coming back to the rocking horse—and the evil spirits who haunt it.
 And Here's the Cover:


I KNOW, RIGHT!!!
* * * BREAKING NEWS! * * *Rocking Horse Shadows will be released JUNE 10th* * *   * * *   * * *
  Now be sure to enter for an opportunity to win a
$30 Amazon Gift Certificate

or

one of 5 copies of
The Complete Armor of God, by Pastor George McVey.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unintential Baggage


Warning! Content is raw and transparent.My mother did not have a child psychology degree or even a full four-year college degree, so I’m certain she did not realize the scaring results she instilled in me of inadequacy and guilt where my sister was concerned. LeeAnn is a “rubella baby,” born blind and deaf, with a heart and immune defect. She has some degree of mental retardation and who knows what else, really. Mother’s over protective instincts popped out in her life like a threatened porcupine and I, unfortunately, became impaled by the quills. As a child and the older sister, I was told in no uncertain terms I was responsible for her safety above and beyond my own and zero tolerance with anything short of that was Mandatory (capitalized for extra emphasis). Mother at her last Birthday,
March 2, 2014

   So, now as I process Mother’s passing, I am faced with the child within who is terrified of not pleasing the super-human expectations of said mother. While I am confident in my own abilities to “take care” of my sister for the remainder of our natural lives, and I have no doubt in myself to “handle” her financial affairs appropriately and effectively, the child within chews her lip and worries any decision I make will be misinterpreted by the mother-who-doesn’t-approve-but-doesn’t-say-anything.


LeeAnn @ 49th Birthday,
February 20, 2014I journaled for two days about my feelings, siting examples of Mother’s shortcomings, which I do not judge, I simply point them out to level the playing field. I had a shortcut to the journal document on my desktop and accessed the file easily through it. Two days ago, I accidentally opened the file twice and when I saved it, it went somewhere else and was no longer on my desk top. Shrugging that off, I located the file and re-saved it as a shortcut on my desktop and went on about my business.
Yesterday, as I drove to or from the grocery store, the Lord spoke to me and said, “But, who is to judge you?”
The answer to that question is: Him and myself.
It was profound and epiphany-level understanding for me. I decided to open the journal and write this as a conclusion to all my worrying in the previous 6 pages…

L-R, back row: Mother, LeeAnn, Me, Nisa (my daughter),
Front row: Emily (my daughter), Crimson (Emily's daughter)Only the file was gone. Everything I wrote over the previous two days, all five pages of new entries, were no longer there. Only the first page of two entries when Mother first came to live with us (three years ago) remained in the file. Mystified! I took it as a sign from God that it was no longer needed in print because the question God had given me resolved the issue. Poof!
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, essentially, “I’ve got this. Relax.”
He does. I will. Do you carry unintentional baggage from your childhood? I can't imagine anyone who doesn't! Come sit on my porch and let's talk about it. Please, leave me a comment telling me your story, feelings, reactions. I'd love to hear from you. It's validating to know I am not alone!

A Memorial to my Mom

March 2, 1935, my mom can into this world the late-in-life child of Harry and Inez Selner.

April 12, 2014, my mom left this world to enter her next life in Heaven with all those who went before her and our Heavenly Father.

She will be sorely missed but our memories keep her alive in our hearts and our lives. We thank her for all she did for us as we grew up in her presence and influences. We thank God for our time together. Rest well, dear Mother, Grandmother, Grammy, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, Aunt, and Niece. You have lived a life full of joy, heart break, struggles, and victories. Your fingerprint will forever mark our habits and our hearts.

  Obituary for JACKIE BRYAN (from http://www.millermortuary.net/)
Jacquelynne (Jackie) Yvonne Bryan, 79, died early Saturday, April 12, 2014 at her home in Liberal, KS.

She was born March 2, 1935 inTampa, FL, the daughter of Harry and Inez (Lynn) Selner.

She married William Everett Bryan Jr. July 4, 1964 in Amarillo, TX. He preceded her in death on April 15, 2006.

Jackie graduated in 1953 from Wimauma High School in Ruskin, FL. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, cooking, shopping for knick knacks and her collection of wind chimes. She attended the Believers Ministry in Liberal, KS. She and her husband were some of the founding members of the Texas Deaf/Blind and Multi Handicap Association in Austin, TX.

Her survivors include two daughters - Lynn Donovan and husband Paul of Liberal, KS; LeeAnn Bryan also of Liberal, KS; two grandsons - Trent Gibson and wife Adrienne of Bastrop, TX; William Salvador of Liberal, KS; two granddaughters - Nisa Gibson and husband Jason Rushing of Amarillo, TX; Emily Salvador and husband Brandon Burback of Fritch, TX; eight great grandchildren; one sister - Alyce Ballanca of Tampa, FL; six nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, a nephew and a niece.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be 1:00 pm Tuesday April 15, 2014 at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, TX with Pastor Dalky Davis celebrating.

The family suggests memorials to Texas Deaf/Blind and Multi Handicap Association in Austin, TX in care of Miller Mortuary.


To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of JACKIE BRYAN please visit our Sympathy Store.

Exclusive Fan Opportunity

Be an Exclusive Fan If you want to be an EXCLUSIVE FAN, receiving earliest possible up-to-date information about new releases, early-bird discounts, and other fan-oriented information, go to Lynn Donovan Author Blogspot and "follow by email."
This will be the HOT SPOT for all my publication divulgence and YOU can be the first to know about the latest publication news.
AND this is my way of THANKING YOU for being a fan of my stories. You have blessed me and now I want to reward you with this exclusive status.

All my love and appreciation,

Entertaining Angels, Cover Reveal by Emerald Barnes

 I am super thrilled to show you the beautiful cover for Emerald Barnes's newest and upcoming novel, Entertaining Angels.  Again, my cover artist was Natasha Brown, and she is super talented.  She brought my disjointed vision to life, and I don't think I'll ever be able to thank her properly.  I can't wait to publish it, which I'm hoping will be in May.  That's what I'm estimating anyway.  But, I couldn't wait any longer to show you my beautiful cover!
I asked Emerald to give me a Guest Post and boy did she write me a guest post. I LOVE God stories! Here's Emerald's: What happens when God tells you to write a story?  You write it. I spent some time in prayer over my story, Entertaining Angels because I had no idea where to take my story.  I knew that I wanted it to be a sweet little romance for young adults to read so they could have clean fiction to read.  (I think it’s important to have clean fiction for young adults.)  My story wasn’t exactly what I wanted it to be.  There was something missing, and I knew that.  I sought God.  He planted the idea in my mind about Entertaining Angels.  He told me He wanted me to write a novel that would help young girls.  I wasn’t sure that I could do that.  You know how we are as humans, we doubt.  Here I am, doubting what God has told me.  I kept thinking, My gosh, what are people going to think about this?  What are they going to think?  Well, my hopes are that they’ll think about themselves a little differently.  Entertaining Angels focuses on Madison Andrews; she’s sixteen and overweight.  Basically, she’s me in high school minus the devastatingly hot new guy and nerdy best friend.  Well, I did have a nerdy best friend, but things were a bit different between us. What I’m saying is that the thoughts and feelings that Madison feels, I felt.  This made it one intense and emotional ride for me as I wrote it.  I had to face how I felt about myself, but also, I had to face how I was looking at myself versus how God was looking at me.   He’s told me before that I’m beautiful, but I didn’t let that sink in.  I didn’t let His words truly sink in.  So it was far past time that I started listening to Him, and it was my job to pass God’s words along.  He wants His children to know how much He loves them.  He sends people to us just to show us how much He cares.  He sent His only Son to die for our sins, so that should tell us how much He does love us.  Yet, we don’t always listen.  We push Him aside, and we focus on us and our emotions.  We should be focusing on God and how much He loves us.  You’re His Sons and Daughters.  He loves you, and He wants us to love ourselves.  If we can’t face ourselves, how can we help His kingdom?  We can’t. Today, I hope that you look in the mirror and tell yourself how beautiful you are and also how lucky you are to have God as your Father.  He wants you to know He loves you.  Let’s start believing Him.
  About Entertaining Angels: Madison Andrews can’t face her reflection in the mirror.  All she sees is a big, fat nobody.  Yet, deep inside she longs for something more, something that’s not skin deep.Along comes Zach, the new guy in school.  He’s smoking hot and totally out of her league.  She somehow catches his eye, and he makes her feel beautiful for once.  But just as she gets close to Zach, her nerdy best friend, Chase, won’t let Madison doubt her true beauty, no matter how many meals she skips. Even as Madison begins to realize that she is more than what she thinks, darker forces are at work, darker than the lies and mocking from her peers, stopping her from amounting to her full potential.  Can Madison find true happiness in her own skin? Are you a book reviewer?  If so, please sign up for an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of my novel here.  About Emerald: Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for Women.  She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove it.    She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages!   She's constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with.  She blogs which takes up more of her time than she anticipates but loves it so very much!  She's also a volunteer at the World Literary Cafe which is amazing, and she is a crazy grammar nazi who proofreads novels! She's an auntie to three beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn't imagine spending her time in any other way!  She's a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person.  God is number One in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.  Connect with Emerald: Website  Blog  Inspiration Blog  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads   Google +   Amazon Author Page  Piercing Through the Darkness  Read Me Dead Where am I touring? March 17:The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something year Old Girl Andrea Buginsky, Author Tammy's Tea Time  Rachelle's Window -- Guest Post The Writing Realm -- Interview March 18: ssteinwriting -- Interview Fran's Stuff Sitting On The Porch With Lynn -- Guest Post Angel Breath Books -- Guest post The Serious Reader March 19: Totally unrelated to this tour is my interview with Angie Brashear. Sheila Deeth -- Guest post The Wonderings of One Person J.L. Mbewe Ever On Word -- Guest Post March 20: Community Bookstop Fictional Reality A.R. Silverberry -- Guest Post Bonnie Blythe's Pure Romance March 21: The Readers Realm Blue Brown Books Beck Valley Books Belindawitzenhausen.com, Igniteyourcreativity.net & WriterzBlox.net Nike Chillemi ~ Crime Fictionista -- Guest Post     

Juniper Grove Blog Tour for Thorns of Betrayal

I'm so excited! The Blog Tour has begun!!! 
Click on the link below for the official Juniper Grove Blog Tour and a chance to enter to win!!!
March 3rd – Patricia @ Room With Books (Spotlight/Book Review)March 4th – Sabrina @ Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace (Spotlight)March 4th – Amber @ Wonderings of One Person (Interview)March 5th – Rania @ Urania’s Distractions (Spotlight)March 6th – Jaidis @ Juniper Grove (Tens List)March 6th – Dafeenah @ Indie Designz (Spotlight)March 7th -  Laurie @ Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews (Guest Post)March 10th – Kristy @ Keep Calm & Write On (Interview)March 11th – Marcy @ Marcy Rachel Designs (Spotlight)March 12th – Beppe @ Rose & Bep’s Blog (Spotlight)March 13th – Elizabeth @ Elizabeth Delana Rosa ~Book Lover and Creator of Worlds~ (Interview/Book Review)March 14th – Sara @ Platypire Reviews (Spotlight/Book Review)March 14th – Lisa & Sarah @ Girls with Books (Spotlight)Link to Juniper Grove Blog Tour