Julie Arduini's Blog, page 117

Give it Away by Linda Samaritoni

GIVE IT AWAY

I’ve been thinking about the biblical story of the rich young man who refused to give away his wealth for eternal life (Matthew 19). He seemed to be a nice guy, tried to follow the Law and be a good person. He might have been a little conceited since he started the conversation with misplaced confidence in himself, but nobody’s perfect, right?

Anyway, I started a “what-if” conversation in my mind. What if the rich young man had followed Abraham’s example? God asked Abraham to give up his most precious possession. “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love… and sacrifice him as a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:2)

Before I go further with these ramblings, let me address any skeptics who doubt the truth of the story. First, I am fully aware that anyone who hears voices telling him to kill somebody would be certifiably insane in today’s society. However, Abraham had been listening to God’s voice for almost a century. God had never steered him wrong. The man wasn’t crazy, nor was he demon-possessed. Second, over thousands of years, God has not made it a habit to instruct fathers to kill their sons. In fact, He speaks of the practice as abominable. So when He gave that order to Abraham, there had to be some good purpose in it.

By the end of the episode, we see the good accomplished. Abraham packs up what he needs except for the usual sacrificial animal. He travels to the designated spot, builds the altar, and lays Isaac on it. What was he thinking? I don’t know, but we can be sure of one thing. He trusted God for the outcome. Either God would raise Isaac back to life, or God would give him another son to fulfill the promise of a zillion descendants. He knew that if God asked something of him, it was worth doing.

God waited till Abraham raised the knife ready to slice Isaac’s throat, and He called a halt to the sacrifice. He repeated promises already made and added a few details. Abraham could rest in the knowledge that God would keep His word (Hebrews 11).

Back to the rich young man, one of those promised descendants. What if he had listed his assets, advertised sales on every item he possessed, and had begun to unload his wealth? Might God have called a halt? Or maybe He would’ve helped the man build another fortune once he had unburdened himself of the first fortune. Could he have enjoyed the challenge of making money followed by the delight of giving it away?

Hebrews 11 lists others who gave up everything to follow God. If you haven’t read biographies of modern missionaries, start with Lydia Prince’s Appointment in Jerusalem. Easy to read and inspiring, Lydia had her own “sacrificing Isaac” moment.

I believe God asks each of His followers to hand over something or someone precious, if for no other reason than to see where our trust really lies. Recently, He came to me with such a challenge, and I admit it’s excruciating to make the decision to trust God alone and give up what I love. The promised blessing is not instantaneous (Abraham never saw the promise fulfilled while living on this earth), but I’m trusting Him.

If God has asked the impossible of you, I can only point to these examples. Abraham trusted and obeyed, and his name is revered in the history of three major religions. Lydia Prince, like Abraham, emerged from the test with more faith in her God than ever. But the rich young man went away sad, no longer confident in his own “goodness,” and stubbornly holding on to his earthly possessions. I hope he changed his mind at some point. I hope he trusted Jesus and gave it all away.

Daily life is an adventure for Linda Samaritoni, and she loves to create metaphors comparing the spiritual and the earthly. Her blog, my2ndnature, is a way to share those metaphors. You can find them at www.my2ndnature.wordpress.com. Linda also contributes to the blog site www.thescriblerians.wordpress.com, “writing for non-adults of all ages.” She has been a semifinalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, as well as in the Storming the Short Story Contest. She recently won ACFW-San Francisco’s Elevator Fiction Contest, and in 2010 placed in the Top 100 of Writer’s Digest’s Annual Writing Competition.

 Linda is married and has three sons and five grandchildren, the lights of her life, after Jesus! She makes sure to take time and smell the roses with the little ones before they grow up and start adventures of their own.

 

Tags:  Abraham, faith, Genesis 22, Give it Away by Linda Samaritoni, guest blogger, Hebrews 11, Isaac, Julie Arduini, Mount Moriah, sacrifice, trusting God




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Free Kindle Book September 12-14: Amazing Love by K. Dawn Byrd  Video of the Week: Dynamo by Eleanor Gustafson  January 2, I No Longer Hate You  Sabbath Sunday: Be a Firework  Sabbath Sunday: Simply PutCopyright © Julie Arduini [Give it Away by Linda Samaritoni], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post Give it Away by Linda Samaritoni appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way

Last month I shared that I had to take a detour and although inconvenient, without it I never would have found a beautiful lake at sunset.

The detour is now done and a new bridge constructed. Guess what?

Because I haven’t driven this route in months, I forgot my way.

I had to really focus to remember what lane I needed and how to get to my destination.

Then it hit me.

This year my God-given theme is revive. I learned how burned out I was and took steps to recapture my time with Him and find that revival for me.

I’d let so much of life, even good things like serving, dictate what I was going to do and when. I pushed away devotional time in favor of getting more done. It didn’t take long before I was cranky, tempted and just plain tired. When I tried to fix things myself, I was lost.

I forgot my way.

With the new bridge, there were signs that helped me find my way. Directions to guide me to my destination.

So it is with my life.

Here are steps I’ve taken so I don’t get lost:

Daily reading plan on my Bible app. Takes minutes, effects are for a lifetime.

Bible studies with the Women’s Bible Café.

Verse Mapping. I looked up how to do this on Google and pretty much follow their advice.

Verse Art. I’m a terrible artist, but I try to take a word or phrase and on the margin and make that stand out with some kind of lettering or color.

Have you forgotten your way? Ask God to show you His directions to find your way back. He is faithful.

 

Julie Arduini image, Western Reserve Rd., Rte 164 bridge.

Tags:  amateur photography, Bible app, Bible mapping, Bible verse, burn out, Julie Arduini, revive, Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Mother of Pearl: Water Spot Mothering by Cynthia Ruchti  COTT: A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid Wins Laurel Award  Sabbath Sunday: Still Waters  Pain, Healing, and Coming Undone  Author Blog HopCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way appeared first on Julie Arduini.

OAC: The 2015 John Avery Whittaker Award

Most people can think of one or two figures whose love and life example had a great impact on the formation of their spiritual foundation. It might be a coach, a Sunday school teacher or a parent or grandparent. Whatever the role, it’s hard to put a value on the investment these people make on a daily basis. In an effort to bring honor to these countless, quiet heroes, Adventures in Odyssey announces the  John Avery Whittaker Award. Named after Odyssey’s resident leader and the namesake of Odyssey’s most famous attraction, Whit’s End, the award will be bestowed annually on one deserving mentor.

 

Like the Adventures in Odyssey character John Avery Whittaker, or “Whit” as he’s known by fans of the show, the person should be someone who is passionate about innovatively teaching children the truths expressed in the Bible. Those who create Adventures in Odyssey know that while Whit might be a fictitious character, there are thousands of real people just like him. “Our hope is that by bringing those people into the light, others will be inspired to follow their example,” says Dave Arnold, the executive producer of Adventures in Odyssey. “If we can spur mature believers in Christ to mentor and influence a generation being barraged with messages of compromise, we can turn the tide and encourage revival in our youth.”

Nominations are being accepted now through October 31 for the “Whits” out there in the world. Beginning on November 1, one nominee will be selected daily and awarded with a prize package including Adventures in Odyssey’s latest album, Taking the Plunge, and a DVD of the movie Beyond the Mask. One grand prize winner will be chosen and announced on November 20. This worthy recipient will receive more than $500 worth of Focus on the Family resources, including an Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC) membership. The OAC offers 24/7, on-the-go access to more than 800 episodes of Adventures in Odyssey, as well as a new, members-only episode every month. It is a safe, fun environment where the whole family can explore, create and imagine, all while learning biblical truth.

Nominations can be submitted via this form, or the information can be emailed to contest@whitsend.org. (See the Official Rules for all the details.)

To learn more about the John Avery Whitaker Award, visit www.whitsend.org. Discover the Odyssey Adventure Club at www.oaclub.org or on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Tags:  Adventures in Odyssey, family, Julie Arduini, OAC: The 2015 John Avery Whittaker Award, Odyssey, Odyssey Adventure Club, Whit, Whit's End




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Book Review: Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson  So Long for Now  Sabbath Sunday: Like God Likes You  Saturday Confession: Practice What I Teach  Unstoppable: What Refusing to Let Go Looks LikeCopyright © Julie Arduini [OAC: The 2015 John Avery Whittaker Award], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post OAC: The 2015 John Avery Whittaker Award appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Kick Off Fall with the Books for Life Book Club Featuring Entrusted

Leaves changing color.
Pumpkin flavored everything.
Book Clubs starting new reads.

That’s a great sounding fall, isn’t it?

I can help you connect with a great book club because one starts Thursday. The best news? You don’t need to leave home nor worry about others coming to you. Wear your sweats, visit when you can. Most of all, enjoy a fun romance that introduces you to a great set of characters who are working through surrendering fear, loss, change, and wanting to belong.

How do I know so much about this book club? It’s the Books for Life group page on Goodreads featuring authors from Write Integrity Press and Pix-N-Pens as well as other authors and readers all over cyberspace. The book club is one aspect of the group. We have discussions covering many reading related topics. Genres, favorite heroes, and more.

The Books for Life book club kicks off with Entrusted, my Adirondack romance. Each Thursday I’ll post discussion questions that you can answer any time. I’ll be checking in often to answer and hope you do, too.  Then, meet me on the page each Thursday at 8pm EST and we’ll talk about the chapters and I’ll share behind-the-scenes information. I’m really looking forward to it. Even if you haven’t read the chapters, please visit the page. I think we’ll have a good time.

Purchase links and the reading schedule are posted. Go on over, introduce yourself, and I’ll see you Thursday!

Entrusted Blurb:

Jenna Anderson, sassy city-girl, plows—literally—into Speculator Falls with a busted GPS, arriving in town as the new senior center director. She has only one goal—that of belonging no matter how out of place she appears and how angry she makes town councilman and grocer Ben Regan.

Her new life is so rural there are no traffic lights, and when she learns her car isn’t equipped to handle the mountain terrain, Ben’s grandmother offers her late husband’s vehicle, further alienating the local businessman.

As she endears herself to the seniors at the center and creates a vision full of ideas, programs, and equipment, she ruffles Ben’s plans to keep Speculator Falls void of change, including the store his grandfather built.

The two work through community events and shared heartbreak only to face off in a town council meeting where Ben publically rejects her proposal for the senior center, causing Jenna to react out of her fears about belonging.

She returns to Ohio where she realizes she needs to surrender her plans for the center and fears about belonging and trust her Heavenly Father when facing fear, change, loss, and love.  

Click here to visit the Books for Life group page.

Click here to visit the Books for Life book club.


Tags:  Adirondacks, book club, Books for Life, fiction, Goodreads, Julie Arduini, Kick Off Fall with the Books for Life book club featuring Entrusted, Pix N Pens, romance, Write Integrity Press




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Julie Arduini's Favorite 2013 Non Fiction Read of the Year Is...  Featured Video of the Week: Amber Schamel's The Healer's Touch  My 12 in 12 Update  Video of the Week: Dynamo by Eleanor Gustafson  COTT: Clash of the New Fiction ReleasesCopyright © Julie Arduini [Kick Off Fall with the Books for Life Book Club Featuring Entrusted], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post Kick Off Fall with the Books for Life Book Club Featuring Entrusted appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Book Review: Gillian’s Heart by B.J. Bassett

Book Description:

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?

I’m excited to share BJ Bassett’s romance, Gillian’s Heart, to all of you. We are in the same critique group and I remember feeling like I was on the beach with Gillian, Josh and Dusty. I rooted for Gillian with the different conflicts she faced from her eating disorder to fighting for the right to the house Gram left her.

What I thought was standout about Gillian’s Heart was that B.J. showed that Christians are not perfect.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This They have struggles and secrets, and that for everyone, Christ truly is the answer and path to healing.

As the winds turn cooler and visits to the beach fade for most of us, I think Gillian’s Heart is a perfect way to feel at the beach while being comforted by tender characters and a loving God.

Tags:  anorexia, beachhouse, book review, Book Review: Gillian's Heart by B.J. Bassett, California, Christian romance, eating disorder, fiction, Julie Arduini, romance




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Music Review: Exhale by Plumb  Guest Blogger April Gardner Talks about COTT Book Club Feature: Ellie Gustafson's The Stones  Guest Blogger: Recipe for Single Moms by Dawn V. Cahill  12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 11 - Just Like Mary by Carla Anne Coroy  Book Review: Change Before You Have To by Rob KetterlingCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Gillian's Heart by B.J. Bassett], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post Book Review: Gillian’s Heart by B.J. Bassett appeared first on Julie Arduini.

COTT: The Daughters of Jim Farrell by Sylvia Bambola

This week we’re proud to introduce Sylvia Bambola and her beautiful book,

The Daughters of Jim Farrell! With a wonderfully unique background

and several published novels to her name, see the advice she offers other

writers.

First, a peek at her latest book:

[image error]
The Daughters of Jim Farrell by Sylvia Bambola

Pennsylvania 1873: When, in the harsh world of Pennsylvania coal country,

Jim Farrell is hanged for murder, his wife and three daughters must turn

their beautiful home into a boarding house in order to survive. But

struggling beneath the shadow of shame becomes too much for eldest

daughter, Kate, who resolves to clear her father’s name, and in spite of

her mother’s admonition to “let it go,” convinces her sisters to help. All

too soon their dangerous quest rips the family apart. Will it also cost

them the men they love?

Q&A with Sylvia:
Q. What are the main themes in your new historical novel, The Daughters of

Jim Farrell?
A. There are a few but I’ll mention only three. The first, and I believe

the most important, is the issue of forgiveness even in the face of the

ultimate sin—that of having a loved one killed unjustly. All of us will

have opportunities in our lives to forgive wrongs. And the importance of

doing so cannot be understated. Jesus says in Luke 6:37 “Forgive and ye

shall be forgiven.” That’s a stunner. And means what it says. So we cannot

afford to harbor unforgiveness of any kind. And forgiveness isn’t a

feeling, it’s an act of will.Another theme is the tension between labor and management. And this tension

seems to be intensifying as politicians seek to divide us by income and pit

us against each other. The Bible cautions us that “if a house be divided

against itself, that house cannot stand.” Labor needs management (and

entrepreneurs, etc) to create jobs and management needs labor in order to

make their companies successful. We are ONE nation under God. We need each

other to succeed.

Finally, what family hasn’t seen its share of sibling rivalry? The

Daughters of Jim Farrell touches on this as the three sisters struggle to

find their identity and place in the family.

Q. What is the one thing that influences your writing the most?

A. In a word—Scripture. The thing I love about writing fiction is that it’s

a nonthreatening way to share spiritual truths. Like the parables in the

Bible, story and characters can bring these truths to life.

Q. You now have eight published novels. What would you say to those writers

just starting out?

A. I would make these four recommendations:1) Get connected. That means join a critique group, go to writing

conferences and become an on-line member of associations like ACFW

(American Christian Fiction Writers) and others.

2) Learn your craft. Take no short cuts here. Learn and employ good writing

techniques and understand that good writing means LOTS of rewriting.

3) Learn about marketing. You the author will be required to do most of it

even if you are fortunate enough to be picked up by one of the Big-5

traditional publishers.

4) And finally, NEVER give up. This is generally a long and bumpy road full

of ups and downs. I personally don’t know any “overnight wonders” those who

have taken about a year to write their first book which then becomes an

over night success. Most published authors have written for years before

getting published. Remember, the spoils go to those who

persevere.

[image error]
Meet the author:

Born in Romania, Sylvia Bambola lived her early years in Germany. At seven

she relocated with her adopted family and saw the Statue of Liberty and

America for the first time. But the memory of those years in post World War

Germany inspired her to write Refiner’s Fire, which won a Silver Angel

Award, and was a Christy Finalist. Her frequent moves as an “army brat”

gave her an opportunity to see America and fall in love with her new

country. Bambola has authored eight novels, has two grown children, and

teaches women’s Bible studies.

Connect with Sylvia Bambola:

website:

http://www.sylviabambola.com/books

goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83706.Sylvia_Bambola

facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sylvia-Bambola/78754640991

twitter:

https://twitter.com/sylviabambola

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Jim-Farrell-Sylvia-Bambola/dp/0989970787/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435785514&sr=1-1&keywords=the+daughters+of+jim+farrell

Barnsandnoble.com:



http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-daughters-of-jim-farrell-sylvia-bambola/1122239437?ean=9780989970785

Tags:  author, author interview, Clash of the Titmes, COTT: The Daughters of Jim Farrell, fiction, Julie Arduini, Luke 6:37, romance, Sylvia Bambola




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Sabbath Sunday: The Faith Walk  COTT BLOG ALLIANCE: SNAPPY DIALOGUE  Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences  Saturday Confession: I'm in Love, I'm in Love and I Don't Care Who Knows It!  Youngstown-Warren Sister RallyCopyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: The Daughters of Jim Farrell by Sylvia Bambola], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post COTT: The Daughters of Jim Farrell by Sylvia Bambola appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way

Last month I shared that I had to take a detour and although inconvenient, without it I never would have found a beautiful lake at sunset.

The detour is now done and a new bridge constructed. Guess what?

Because I haven’t driven this route in months, I forgot my way.

I had to really focus to remember what lane I needed and how to get to my destination.

Then it hit me.

This year my God-given theme is revive. I learned how burned out I was and took steps to recapture my time with Him and find that revival for me.

I’d let so much of life, even good things like serving, dictate what I was going to do and when. I pushed away devotional time in favor of getting more done. It didn’t take long before I was cranky, tempted and just plain tired. When I tried to fix things myself, I was lost.

I forgot my way.

With the new bridge, there were signs that helped me find my way. Directions to guide me to my destination.

So it is with my life.

Here are steps I’ve taken so I don’t get lost:

Daily reading plan on my Bible app. Takes minutes, effects are for a lifetime.

Bible studies with the Women’s Bible Café.

Verse Mapping. I looked up how to do this on Google and pretty much follow their advice.

Verse Art. I’m a terrible artist, but I try to take a word or phrase and on the margin and make that stand out with some kind of lettering or color.

Have you forgotten your way? Ask God to show you His directions to find your way back. He is faithful.

 

Julie Arduini image, Western Reserve Rd., Rte 164 bridge.

Tags:  amateur photography, Bible, Bible app, burned out, Julie Arduini, revive, Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way, verse mapping




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences  Encouraged by Scaffolding  Book Review: Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray  Marriage Monday: Favorite Romantic Couples  Book Review: Dreams and Visions--Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World by Tom DoyleCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way appeared first on Julie Arduini.

September 11th: Did You Go Back to Old Ways?

Each year I share where I was when I first learned that we were a country under attack. For new readers, I was a work-from-home mom with a three year old who slept in late that morning. I was working when my sister messaged me.

 

Had I seen the news?

 

I lived in Upstate NY at the time and I was in shock like everyone else.

Although the devastation was beyond words, I saw some positive news from people who took the attacks as a wake up call.

Some married the person they had taken for granted.

Some went out and chased a dream instead of a dead-end job.

Some surrendered grudges.

Some realized the world didn’t offer anything lasting and decided they wanted eternal security that Christ offers.

Great things in such a horrific period of time.

What sent me from shock to grief was how fast everyone forgot and went back to business as usual. Whether weeks, months or a few years after, the marriages ended. Unforgiveness ruled hearts. Negativity and division attacked our nation without pause.

As I reflect on the lives lost, the financial and health woes, the images the media will bring back that haunt and bring deep emotion, I grieve deeply.

We have children trying to kill parents.
An organization selling aborted baby parts.
A terrorist group spreading evil and fear through acts too graphic to mention.
An economy that’s limping at best.
Politicians voting based on who lines their pocket.
“Church” group forgetting Christ when they demonstrate at funerals.
Core values and the Bible mocked when not long ago they were respected, if not outright lived on a daily basis.
Widows, orphans, homeless, the addicted, those with a different opinion ignored or abused.

This September 11th, reflect on where you were and any vows you made to change for the better. Where are you now? Are you part of the solution, or the problem?

Forgive us, Lord, for the way we’ve destroyed this nation with our selfish ways. May we experience an awakening from You that no one and no thing can stop. That jails would be empty because there would be no crime. Hospices would close. Unemployment lines would be short and non existent. Only You can change the course of this country. Despite our failures, please heal this land. In Christ’s power, Amen.

photobucket image

Tags:  9/11/01, America, division, grief, Julie Arduini, negativity, prayer, September 11th, September 11th: Did You Go Back to Old Ways?, shock, terrorism




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 WFW: Twice as Many Have's  When We Press Pause  Guest Blogger Zeke Lam: Submission in Marriage  Book Review: Arab Spring, Christian Winter by Ralph Stice  Now Available: Forager, Dystopian Novel, by Peter R. StoneCopyright © Julie Arduini [September 11th: Did You Go Back to Old Ways?], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post September 11th: Did You Go Back to Old Ways? appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Book Review: Misstep by Deborah Dee Harper

Road’s End is comprised entirely of senior citizens whose kids have grown and left for greener pastures. Hugh, Melanie, and Bristol (one of the few sane people in town) are faced with a crumbling church in desperate need of repair and renovation, a dwindling congregation of opinionated, ornery senior citizens, and a camel—yes, a camel. And if that’s not enough, the trio and the rest of the Road’s End residents, are soon mired in danger and intrigue when a group of gun-toting drug dealers arrive in town, bent on killing the church handyman, and conspiring to ruin the doggonedest record-breaking blizzard the town has ever seen.

Poor drug dealers.

Is it wrong to call a mystery “fun?” I don’t care. Deborah Dee Harper’s Misstep is a wonderful mystery that is laugh out loud fun to read. There’s Hugh and Melanie, a couple looking for a quiet retirement when they are called to the pastorate. Before they can process the news there’s a chicken. A blizzard. Vandalism at the church. People confessing murders. A camel. Bad guys holding the women hostage. And then there’s the oldest virgin Mary the church has ever seen.

I read this in an evening because Misstep is full of comical characters and a heartwarming story, wrapped in mystery. Deborah has a strong writing voice and an army of strong characters that make Road’s End. I can’t pick a favorite character because they were all rich.

As for the mystery and the Christmas miracle, I never saw any of it coming. I’m pretty good at figuring out mysteries, I’m rarely stumped. This plot twist was brilliant.

Misstep is an entertaining read with a wonderful message. Don’t miss this one.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

To purchase Misstep, click here.

I am one of the authors affiliated with the publisher and received this from Write Integrity Press. However, all thoughts are my own and the only expectation was that I read it and be honest.

Tags:  book review, Book Review: Misstep by Deborah Dee Harper, Christmas, fiction, forgiveness, grace, Julie Arduini, murder, mystery, salvation, senior citizens




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Sabbath Sunday: Morning  Side by Side in God's Battle by Holly Hrywnak  I'm Thankful for My Country by Laura Hodges Poole  My 2013 Word of the Year  Sabbath Sunday: Like God Likes YouCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Misstep by Deborah Dee Harper], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post Book Review: Misstep by Deborah Dee Harper appeared first on Julie Arduini.

COTT: 2015 Laurel Award Winner Dawn Crandall

[image error]


2015 LAUREL AWARD WINNER
 
Author Dawn Crandall’s novel
The Bound Heart
is the winner of Clash of the Titles’s fifth annual Laurel Award.


[image error]
 

CONGRATULATIONS, DAWN!
 
Dawn will receive the following: a beautiful banner to display on her

website; a year-long page on COTT dedicated to the winning book, The

Bound Heart; a “Heart of the Matter” radio interview with author

and Christian Authors Guild board member, Cynthia L Simmons; a feature tour

on COTT’s Blog Alliance; a lovely plaque.

The Bound Heart was chosen by a panel of judges who narrowed

the list of competing novels to three. From there, the panel put their

choices to a straight vote. Dawn’s novel, The Bound

Heart, took home the crown.


Special thanks to each of our judges who volunteered their time to

this contest!

BRIEF SUMMARY OF The Bound Heart:

One accidental kiss from Lawry Hampton. That was all it took to throw

Meredyth Summercourt’s world upside-down. Determined to marry the

ever-elusive Vance Everstone, she simply doesn’t have the time or the

desire to fall for her best friend…

Stay tuned for the full-length feature of Dawn’s winning novel, The

Bound Heart!

PURCHASE

THE BOOK ON AMAZON
 

Tags:  2015 Laurel Award, author, Clash of the Titles, COTT: 2015 Laurel Award Winner Dawn Crandall, Dawn Crandall, fiction, Julie Arduini, Laurel award, The Bound Heart, writing contest




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Odyssey Adventure Club Membership $5 for First Month  Book Review AND GIVEAWAY: Apologetics Study Bible for Students  Week of Questions: What Intimidates You?  Character Confession: Oh My!  What's So Good About Good Friday?Copyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: 2015 Laurel Award Winner Dawn Crandall], All Right Reserved. 2015.

The post COTT: 2015 Laurel Award Winner Dawn Crandall appeared first on Julie Arduini.