Julie Arduini's Blog, page 113
November 18, 2015
More on November’s Don’t Miss This: Catch of a Lifetime by Candee Fick
Earlier this month I rolled out a new feature called “Don’t Miss This.” I love reading as much as writing, and I love promoting books. With that, each month I’m going to feature a book I don’t want you to miss.
This month is Catch of a Lifetime by Candee Fick. Reviews have been popping up around cyberspace and if you’re on the fence, or sideline, if you want to talk football, perhaps these links will help you decide to purchase.
Laura Hilton’s Lighthouse Academy Catch of Lifetime review.
Marian P. Merritt’s Interview with Candee Fick
Sharon Srock’s Author Spotlight with Candee Fick
My Book Review of Catch of a Lifetime
To purchase Catch of a Lifetime, click here. Hey, buy two and give one as a gift!

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November 17, 2015
Thankful: Enough by Gail Kittleson (GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY)
Gail Kittleson
“If the only prayer you ever pray is thank you, it is enough.” Meister Eckhardt
Enough—such a multidimensional word. The meaning changes with the person, and within our own lives, this word transforms, sometimes moment-to-moment. Culture, upbringing, spirituality, and general outlook alter in our concept of enough.
Once, during a particularly down time, I wandered through an eclectic second hand consignment store, and one wooden sign grabbed me. “You are enough.” Me? I sure didn’t feel like enough.
But in this month of Thanksgiving, it’s good to connect gratitude with enough in our personal season of life. If the South Carolina floods devastated one’s home, gratitude may erupt at having a warm place to sleep and food to eat. For others suffering health challenges, a new day with the sun peeping through the window may cause thankfulness.
This year, I’m especially thankful for my vocation. For its steadfastness, even when I didn’t have confidence to pursue it. I’m grateful for second chances for my writing to bloom. Specifically, I celebrate my debut novel’s release, and inclusion in a Christmas anthology. And another contract!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, my heart whispers—for the tenacity not to give up, though sorely tempted, for my gradually-developing skills that led to publication and for my patient husband, through so many rejections and pitfalls. Thanks for my daughter, who always listens and encourages, and for writing friends far and wide who commiserate, rejoice together, and make honest manuscript suggestions.
The list goes on … reflecting on these gifts makes giving thanks a no-brainer, as they say. I may be a late-bloomer, but I’m blooming. Thanks, thanks, thanks!
Julie’s note:
Because Gail is thankful, she’d like to do some giving!
I’d like to give away a kindle copy and an apron like the one my heroine wore to TWO people who comment on my writers’ FB page or on my website.
Bio:
Our stories are our best gifts, and blooming late has its advantages—the novel fodder never ends. Gail writes from northern Iowa, where she and her husband enjoy gardening and grandchildren. WhiteFire Publishing released Gail’s memoir, Catching Up With Daylight in 2013, and her debut women’s historical fiction, In This Together (Wild Rose Press/Vintage Line) greets the world on November 18, 2015. Please feel free to contact her—meeting new reading friends is the frosting on her cake!
Contact links:
www.facebook.com/gail.kittleson
https://www.facebook.com/Gail-Kittleson-author-1799350843625035/timeline/
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/gail-kittleson/43/935/b06
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3459831.Gail_Kittleson
Purchase link:
http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/mai...
http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/mai...
Cover: see below

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November 16, 2015
Thankful: Bold Friends
In the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about friendship. Some I gave my complete trust to only to find a knife in my back. Some I thought would be in my life until death, but for whatever reason, it was just a season and they are gone.
And then there are the bold friends.
This is a group that rose from the ashes of grief we all shared. We shook ourselves off and started praying together. When I was up against some spiritual mountains that were threatening my peace and family, they didn’t ask if they could come and pray.
These friends told me when they were coming.
Their mission to pray so focused they didn’t want coffee or snacks. They prayed that kind of prayer where you feel the gates of hell shake. It was a top moment not just from this year, but my life.
I don’t see these ladies every day. We haven’t met in awhile to pray. But when we send up a request, the responses are immediate and real. Intentional. Bold.
And I am forever thankful for each one of them.

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November 13, 2015
Saturday Confession: Marriage and the Dog Bone
Tucker is our not quite two year old, seventy-five pound chow lab. Although he’s losing some of that puppy mischief, that dog needs to chew.
Needs to.
And if he can’t find something of his, well, he’s going after something of ours.
Lady unmentionables. Shoes. Stuffed animals. Those are his favorites.
You get two confessions today. The first is I can’t even tell you the amount of money I’ve spent trying to find a toy that can survive the chewing. When he was a puppy I found a solid bone that he didn’t pay a lot of attention to. So I tried the ropes.
That usually results in strings all over my carpet and a dog chewing my shoe.
Stuffed toys? They die a quick death.
I went with name brand. The Kong toys lasted a few hours to a few days.
I’ve tied old socks together. You name it, I’ve tried it.
Yesterday I found that original solid bone toy. I don’t know what it’s made of, but I put it on his bed and he is gnawing and gnawing. It’s not even half gone. It’s not a flashy or expensive toy, but it’s the one he’s meant to have.
Second confession? Somehow my mind made the leap from dog bone to marriage.
I flirted with a lot of options to keep that dog happy. Flashy. Labels with fancy promises. And in the end, the best bone toy was the one that had been there all along.
Whether on an entertainment update between celebrities or connecting with someone on FB, I see too often a marriage fall apart because things seemed stale and someone went in search for something more impressive. It’s heartbreaking because it affects everyone. Kids. Extended family. Friends. Co workers.
We’re closing in on our 20th anniversary. What I love about where we are is we know each other well and the insecurities and holding back from the early years is gone. We’re the deepest level of friends.
But you know what? I was hit hard this year with the enemy trying to trip me up. My husband was often not physically around because of a huge project at work, or, home but locked away in conference calls. While he did that, I was reeling from medical things, writing frustration and flat out warfare where I felt alone and depleted. My mind started to entertain the what if’s. What if I married someone else? What if my real husband is out there wondering what happened to me?
That’s all stinkin’ thinkin’ from the pit of hell. And if I weren’t clinging to Christ each day, I would have fallen for it. It wouldn’t have been long before I went in search of a flashier toy with a lot of promises.
And I would have been destroyed.
How did we move forward? We went back to the basics. It might not have looked like a fancy answer, but we remembered how much we gained early on by attending meetings where couples wiser than us shared basic marriage hacks and principles. We went to a different church than our own to listen to married pastors with covenant thinking who shared simple stories about their marriage and takeaways. Nothing big. Pretty simple. But we learned a lot, received good refresher info, and most of all, were intentional in spending time together.
We’ve done the same with the hot tub. We have an inflatable thing that gets the job done. We’ve made dates to meet up to talk about our day, the schedule, the kids, finances and how we’re feeling. It’s a safe place for us. It’s a simple plan. But it’s helped us not just survive, but thrive.
And that’s how I made a leap from a dog toy to marriage.

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Thankful for TiVo and Vine
Healthy or not, my favorite moments growing up were around television shows. I can still hear my dad’s laugh when we’d watch The Munsters. How he loved Herman’s laugh. Even after 11 years of dad being gone, that memory brings me comfort.
Same for my mom. I know Friday nights were party and football nights, but I honestly remember not going to a party (before I understood my introvert self) and having fun watching Dallas and Falcon Crest with mom. When the Dallas reboot came outa couple years ago, we were emailing and calling to talk about JR’s master plan. It came full circle for us.

Image by Disney
I feel the same about TiVo and Vine. Our daughter loves to record her shows. Although most I argue lack a plot and good acting (Looking at you, Bunk’d and Austin and Ally,) when Girl Meets World is on, we’re invested as a team. We watch together and talk about what happened and what we think will happen. Lately, I’m turning away to hide my tears. That show gets me, especially when it goes all nostalgic with the original Boy Meets World show. And the writers tweeted that they will be issues driven. Those lend to great moments between us as mother and daughter.
Vine is quality time with my teenaged son. I love stupid funny and Vine videos are full of them. We enjoy sarcasm and the element of surprise so there are times I’m wiping tears because someone nailed it and we can’t stop laughing.
Yes, we have fun playing Bocce, Rock Band, board games, and being in a car together. But I don’t take the technology moments for granted, either.
What are YOU thankful for?

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November 11, 2015
Heart Overflowing with Gratitude by Tracy Ruckman
Heart Overflowing with Gratitude
by Tracy Ruckman
My heart overflows with gratitude this year for so many reasons. Yes, it’s been another difficult year – broken relationships, financial struggles, health concerns, new work schedules, new school schedules, dealing with mental illness of loved ones, death of loved ones, car troubles, watching the world get darker by the second.
But in the midst of all those negatives, God has been ever-present and has poured out His blessings and wonders in many of those same areas: restored relationships, financial blessings, health improvements, new babies, awesome professors, incredible new opportunities, new friends. And about six months ago, we also overcame a mighty oppression that had haunted us for years, and the difference is extreme.
This year, we’ve watched countless Christians shine brightly for the Kingdom in so many different ways. Personally, I’ve watched our authors shine through the opportunities provided them – watched and listened as they’ve shared their personal walks with Jesus with a dying world. And then on a worldwide scale, we’ve all watched Christians summon every ounce of courage to proclaim the name of Jesus in the face of horrifying death at the hands of evil.
As I was writing this post, one specific word was repeated over the few days this document sat on my laptop and this word is what gets us through all the bad days, all the horror, all the darkness. The message of this single word is powerful and life-changing – the word OVERCOME. We can overcome the darkness because JESUS has overcome the WORLD. He told us that Himself in John 16:33. Jesus is the VICTOR, and those of us who follow Him are victors, too, regardless of whatever our current circumstances may be. Jesus won the war, which means if we follow Him, we win, too.
I’m thankful for a Savior who loves us so much that He died so that we might spend eternity – ETERNITY – with Him. An eternity spent in worship and praise. An eternity without pain, sorrow, tears, or heartbreak of any sort.
I’m thankful He gives us all second chances (and most times, many more!) to follow Him, to tell others about Him, to serve Him. I’m thankful to know that He is indeed the Victor, and that as His follower, I am, too. That knowledge helps me get through the painful days.
We can let the darkness of the world invade our lives or we can focus instead on the Light – shining Jesus’ Light for others who may be lost or wandering. This year, I’m especially grateful for His Light, which shines for all eternity.

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November 10, 2015
Book Review: In Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot
She’s lost her dream job–but has she found the man of her dreams?
Devastated by a downsizing, Marisa St. George has no choice but to return to the small Texas town where she grew up. Though it means a giant step backward, she accepts a position as business manager at the struggling Rainbow’s End resort. The only silver lining: Blake Kendall, a new guest who might make her believe in love at first sight. But will Marisa’s dreams of happily-ever-after be turned upside down when she discovers Blake’s real identity?
This warm and witty story of dreams deferred and mistaken identity will have you believing in second chances.
I’m a sucker for a small town romance with resort backdrops. Although I missed book one, it doesn’t take much to pick up and understand In Firefly Valley. There was good chemistry between Marisa, back in the area after losing her job, and Blake, an author on deadline. He has a bit of a secret that has the potential to send Marisa reeling.
I enjoyed the book, although I had trouble getting completely caught up. I think going a little deeper with the characters would have helped because I felt the sparks, but it wasn’t quite enough. But it is a sweet small town romance worth reading.
To purchase In Firefly Valley, click here.
I received a .pdf from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my review.

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November 9, 2015
Thankful for My Relationships by B.J. Bassett
Thankful for My Relationships by B.J. Bassett
I am thankful for my relationships—with my husband, my children, and with friends. The most important relationship I am grateful for is the one I have with my Heavenly Father.
He put a desire in my heart as a little girl to seek him. My family moved a lot and my parents did not attend church, so if a neighbor didn’t take me to Sunday school, I walked to a neighborhood church. I was always welcomed in those places of worship. When I was a teenager, I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and my relationship with my precious Lord has grown and flourished these many years. I have the joy and peace that only comes from knowing Him. I am thankful for all my relationships—especially the one I have with my Daddy God.
BIO:
B.J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker.
Her books include a historical novel Lily; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story, and coauthor of My Time with God which sold 55,000 copies while in print. Her recently released contemporary romance, Gillian’s Heart, is now available.
She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon and at writer’s conference. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey—from the seed of an idea to a publisher book.
She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea. A native Californian, she now lives with her husband of 57 years in Roseburg, Oregon.
About Gillian’s Heart:
Gillian Grant, abandoned by her alcoholic parents, is raised by her grandmother in a beach house in California.
As a tribute to Gram’s memory, Gillian restores the house and hires Dusty to help her. Dusty shares the apartment above the garage with Gillian’s childhood friend, Josh.
Gillian and Dusty have nothing in common, except the restoration of the house. Gillian suffers from anorexia and is in denial. While she has a strong faith in God, Dusty is an unbeliever.
Betsy, Gillian’s mother, returns and announces the house was left to her, not Gillian, and she plans to sell it.
Gillian always dreamed of her wedding in her grandmother’s garden overlooking the Pacific. Will there be a wedding? Who will capture Gillian’s heart—stable Josh or can she trust Dusty, a new Christian, who has kept secrets from her? And who holds the deed to the house?
To purchase Gillian’s Heart, click here.

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COTT: A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

Congratulations to

A Noble Masquerade
by Kristi Ann Hunter!
Book Blurb:
Lady Miranda Hawthorne may long to break free of her ladylike expectations as he approaches spinsterhood, but finding herself intrigued by her brother’s new valet is more rebellion than she planned. When she accidentally begins exchanging letters with a long-lost duke, things become even more complicated. Especially when hidden state secrets and dangerous encount ers prove everything isn’t exactly as it seems.
Reviews:
4 1/2 stars and Top Pick! from RT
Debut author Hunter pens a fantastic Regency romance. The characters are endearing and their motivations are not always what they might seem on the surface. This air of mystery adds depth to the tale. The romance portrayed is top notch and will cause readers to sigh with delight in the end.
A few words from our voters:
Kristi Ann Hunter is a fantastic author!
Go, go, go Kristi! Love the cover and the title!
Kristi Ann Hunter, i loved this book. great characters andwonderful story line.
Kristi Ann Hunter, you rock and your book is awesome!

November 7, 2015
Book Review: Catch of A Lifetime by Candee Fick
Book Description:
Can she forget the fumbles of her past and open her heart to love?
He breathes football. She shudders at the very mention of the sport.
After a tragedy involving a football player destroyed her family, athletic trainer and graduate student, Cassie moves across the country looking for a fresh start, but a change in financial aid lands her in the middle of her worst nightmare.
Meanwhile, rookie coach Reed worries his dream career will slip away as injuries plague his players and his star receiver teeters on the brink of ineligibility. As the two work together to salvage the season, sparks fly, and Reed must eventually choose between the game and the woman he loves.
Clean & Wholesome Romance
One of my favorite quotes is from the late Larry Burkett who said, “If both of you had everything in common, one of you would be unnecessary.” That’s the fun of reading Catch of a Lifetime. Reed is all about football and Cassie isn’t a fan. But she’s thrust into the sport and has to work with Reed, who wants a winning season and a lasting career. What neither of them count on is the sparks they find with each other.
There’s so much to enjoy about Catch of A Lifetime. I love that she created a football world that even the most uninterested reader can understand and keep turning the pages. The sports aspect is part of the plot but not overwhelming. She created real characters. They have wounds, temptations and personalities to deal with. Finally, the romance is sweet. This is a romance I think older teens could pick up and hand off to their grandmothers and there’s no shame between the pages. That’s a big deal for me.
Whether you’re in the bleachers cheering on your favorite team or sitting on the couch reading while your loved one watches a game, you need to pick up a copy of Catch of a Lifetime. It’s a touchdown.
To purchase Catch of a Lifetime, click here.
I received Catch of a Lifetime from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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