Julie Arduini's Blog, page 123

COTT: Vote for Your Favorite Summer Read

 

 
Looking for some awesome take-me-away Summer Reading?

Check out these new releases and I dare you to tell me which one you’d put on the top of your reading list. We offer contemporary and historical romance, a little fantasy, danger, mystery, suspense!
Vote for your next most likely read, and leave the author a word of encouragement, then share with your friends.


Scroll down, vote in the survey box, and come back next week for the Reveal!

 

*******************************
 
Fantasy


The Last Princess of Meigen
Rachel A. James

To unite the kingdoms and bring peace, Princess Alena must enter into a royal marital alliance, but when the handsome physician, Sherwin, befalls her, matters become complicated. Torn between obligations to her young son and country, she faces a difficult decision, will Alena obey the king’s orders, or choose to follow her heart?
*****

Romance


Blue Columbine
Jennifer Rodewald

Friendship, love, and then betrayal…for Jamie Carson one thing becomes clear: Andrew needs a savior, and she cannot be it. Will Andrew allow the hand of grace to redeem his legacy of addiction, or will he and Jamie remain the casualties of heartbreak?
*****

Suspense


Trial by Twelve
Heather Day Gilbert

Tess Spencer loves her low-key job at the Crystal Mountain Spa, which allows her plenty of down-time with her one-year old daughter and lawyer husband, Thomas. But when a pool installation turns up eight skeletons in the spa’s back yard, Tess becomes entangled in a sleuthing job destined to go awry…even as she sifts through layers of deceit, Tess realizes too late that a serial killer’s sights have zeroed in on her.
*****

Contemporary Romance


In Firefly Valley
Amanda Cabot

Marisa St. George has lost her dream job and come home to manage the struggling Rainbow’s End resort in the small Texas town where she grew up. The only silver lining is Blake Kendall, a new guest who is making her believe in love at first sight. But is he really who she thinks he is?
*****

Historical Romance


Until the Harvest
Sarah Loudin Thomas

When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips’s college studies, he consoles himself with his fiddle and the family farm. His grandmother’s helper, Margaret Hoffman, is always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems she doesn’t care about his troubles. But Margaret has her own problems. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as they face potential loss and find healing in the most surprising places.
*****

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Tags:  Amanda Cabot, authors, Blue Columbine, Clash of the Titles, COTT, fiction, Heather Day Gilbert, In firefly Valley, Jennifer Rodewald, Julie Arduini, Rachel A. James, Sarah Loudin Thomas, summer, The Last Princess of Meigen, Trial by Twelve, Until the Harvest




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 Letting Go of the Good Stuff  Two Years Later and They Are STILL Talking About This...  Sabbath Sunday: Beyond the Woods  Sabbath Sunday: He's Got You  Sabbath Sunday: Get Your Feet WetCopyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: Vote for Your Favorite Summer Read], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Sabbath Sunday: When You’re the Purple Tree

When I first saw this picture I focused on the colorful tree on the right. It looked like one of those inspirational quotes “If you can’t stand up, stand out.”

It also reminds me of a talk I had with my oldest years ago. He is a kid with a clear sense of right and wrong. He’s deeply grieved when he sees people choose wrong, especially when it is himself. He realized the name of his school had “Christian” in it, yet he wasn’t seeing the behavior in everyone. He really struggled.

I couldn’t completely remember the verse but I knew it was in 2 Timothy. I told him there’s going to be a time where he’s going to do the right thing.

And he’s going to stand alone.

All the green trees are going to follow the popular choices, the fun ones.

But him, that purple tree, is going to stand on a solid rock and proclaim truth. And even though it will feel like he’s standing alone, he won’t be.

The Lord will always be with him.

I’ve felt like that purple tree—standing out for Jesus—telling others how free it is to live for Him (not easy, free.) Guess what? I often stand alone.

I bet you’ve been there, too.

Guess what?

The Lord will always be with you.

 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:3-5

 

Tags:  2 Timothy, amateur photographer, Julie Arduini, nature photography, purple, standing alone, tree, trees




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 COTT: Vote for Your Favorite New Release  Book Review: The God Puzzle by Valerie Ackermann  Christmas Idea for Your NCIS Fan: Diane and David Munson's The Joshua Covenant  Thankful: Our Kind Father by Fay Lamb  Sabbath Sunday: God is BiggerCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: When You're the Purple Tree], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Unlikely Merger Now Available for Voting

Vote for the Hero!

It’s time to play matchmaker!

Which hero would be best for Mercy? Voting will remain open June 20-24, so vote now.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This One vote per reader, please. Your votes will determine the final chapter of Unlikely Merger, which will be revealed in the Kindle edition releasing on July 1. (It will be FREE for the first five days, so stay tuned!)

Cast your vote, and then tell all your friends!

To catch up on previous chapters and to VOTE, click HERE.


Tags:  Amazon, authors, Betty Owens, Carole Towriss, Fay Lamb, fiction, Jennifer Hallmark, Julie Arduini, Marji Laine, Pat Dyer, Phee Paradise, Raelee Carpenter, sequel, Suzy Moore, Unlikely Merger, Write Integrity Press




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 Christmas at the Farm with Ann Voskamp and Liz Curtis Higgs  Saturday Confession: Like Ice Grips  Guest Blogger Jessica Dotta: Inspire a Fire through Media Change.org  Marriage Monday: Favorite Romantic Couples  Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!Copyright © Julie Arduini [Unlikely Merger Now Available for Voting], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Saturday Confession: No Substitute Will Do

I dread this task more than anything.

Lab work for our youngest.

We’re a family full of hard draws and she’s a kid that needs consistent lab work.

But, Layla.

Layla is a tech that knows us and knows our daughter’s arms.

How it works. What works best.

And this week, Layla wasn’t there.

I told them all Layla’s tricks. They even called in a specialist. Brought in a special light.

And nothing worked.

Not like it did with Layla.

After many tries, a little girl being way braver than any kid should need to be and only a few vials full, I called it.

She was quickly becoming lifeless.

And it hit me.

A substitute will really be the death of us.

As news headlines introduce new groups proclaiming their saviors and celebrities giving themselves the same title and leaders letting us know they know the day the world ends—

I tell you the truth, these are substitutes.

And we need to turn and run far away from them.

Am I saying Layla is our savior?

No, silly. She’s a great tech and because of her and her knowledge of our daughter, I’m done toying around. If she isn’t there, no lab work. Not until we have Layla.

But what I am saying is watching the consequences of allowing a substitute to do what only the master can do is heart wrenching. There’s no happy ending there.

I have a friendship with the original, the real deal, the only one I want guiding me through the easy stuff and the valley days where blood draws take the life right out of you. The One that’s got my hand, my kid’s veins and our futures in view.

The Christ that dripped vials and vials for my bad thoughts, misdeeds and everything inbetween. He came once as a babe in a stinky barn and few understood. Next time He’ll be back as King of Kings and everyone will get the message.

But few will choose to receive it.

I tell you what, after opting for a substitute, I couldn’t run back to the original fast enough.

Tags:  blood, Christ, confession, Julie Arduini, lab tech, original, Savior, substitute, veins




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 Re-Writing the Evil Step-Mom Story  Book Review: Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble  Book Review: Arizona Cowboy by Jennifer Collins Johnson  Mother of Pearl: The Mom Who Gives Freedom by Christy Fitzwater  Book Review and Giveaway Opportunity: Joan Wolf's A Reluctant QueenCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: No Substitute Will Do], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 5

This week we continue at Write Integrity to release chapters from Unlikely Merger, the sequel to The Love Boat Bachelor. Starting tomorrow you’re able to vote on the hero you want to see Mercy choose. Once the book is completed with that ending, Unlikely Merger will be FREE on Amazon July 1-5.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

To celebrate, this week I’m dedicating blog posts this week to our business influences. I’ll share one each day as well as invite one of the other Unlikely Merger authors to share their answer, too.

Let’s start with my friend, Phee.

Phee Paradise:

I have a friend who started a winery. He found a niche market in Myrtle Beach and sells fruit wines in a touristy shopping area. He’s been very successful because he targeted his customers.

As for me, I’ve always been inspired by S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-Fil-A who passed away last year. He built the company on family values and incorporated a day of rest into his business model. That’s how he lived his life, and it poured into his business.

The staff is trained to be courteous and I’m telling you, I’ll never tire of them saying “It’s my pleasure.” No, it’s MY pleasure. When managers come over and announce they made too much ice cream, could we help, well, that’s customer service. Over the years the kids received extra toys and plain kindness. So much so my friend who doesn’t live near a Chick-Fil-A re routed her vacation to include finding those restaurants.

That’s inspirational.

Tags:  business, Chick Fil A, inspiration, Phee Paradise, S. Truett Cathy, Unlikely Merger, winery, Write Integrity




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 My Offering on The Bible Series at Christians Read  Character Confession: Seriously Found Joy Through Autism  Sabbath Sunday: Just Like the Roses  Sabbath Sunday: Christmas Season Rest  COTT: Gail Pallotta Interviews Winter Author Kevin NewsomeCopyright © Julie Arduini [Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 5], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 4

You’re reading, right? The chapters for Unlikely Merger have been available since June 8th and on the 20th, you get to vote on the hero you want Mercy to choose for the ending. Unlikely Merger goes live and FREE on Amazon July 1-5Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This. It’s an exciting time to be with Write Integrity Press!

To celebrate, this week we’re sharing what business people inspire and influence us.

Today, Jennifer Hallmark.

Jennifer Hallmark:

My dad. His focus in business was to work hard to help the people around him get promoted.

My answer would be Henry Ford.

He made the automobile transform from something only the wealthy could have to an affordable way for families to have transportation. He worked on ways to get mass parts made at low cost, and was responsible for thinking of ways for cars to sell through franchises and dealerships.

To me, he never stopped thinking. He was all about vision and everyday American people.

Tags:  authors, business, influences, inspiration, Jennifer Hallmark, Julie Arduini, Unlikely Merger, Write Integrity Press




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 Book Review: Arab Spring, Christian Winter by Ralph Stice  A2Z Meme: If We Waited  Sabbath Sunday: The Muddy Road  COTT: Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell  Copyright © Julie Arduini [Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 4], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 3

You didn’t forget, did you? Unlikely Merger is being unveiled at Write Integrity last week and this week. On June 20 voting starts to you can have your say on who Mercy should choose as her hero. Then go to Amazon July 1-5 where Unlikely Merger will be available and FREE!Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

This week I’m celebrating by sharing what business people influence us.

I LOVE Fay Lamb’s answer.

Fay Lamb:

Eva Marie Everson. I consider Eva a friend. She might consider me a stalker, but Eva is a tireless individual with her hands in so many ventures and conferences. I’d love to sit with her and learn her secrets.

My answer?

Walt Disney and the Imagineers. When we went on a Disney cruise a couple years ago I was taken aback by what constant forward thinking can do. What started as a little mouse on a steamboat now has movies, books, theme parks, a cruise line, toys, clothes and probably other things I’m not thinking of. On the cruise alone there was a cruise wide mystery where through innovative technology you learn who did it. It was nothing short of amazing. Disney had its own island. Over and over I kept seeing things that started with a “what if?”

Tags:  authors, business, Disney Cruise, Eva Marie Everson, Fay Lamb, Imagineers, influences, Julie Arduini, Unlikely Merger, Walt Disney, Write Integrity




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 Get Some Couch Time with Jeannie Campbell, Character Therapist  This Post is Sponsored by the Number 12---12 in 12, That Is  Book Review: God is Able by Priscilla Shirer  Saturday Confession: I Want to be Like the Sheriff  Sabbath Sunday: The Cross CoversCopyright © Julie Arduini [Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 3], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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DVD Review: Old Fashioned

I received three pieces to the Old Fashioned package. The DVD, the novelization, and a devotional. Today I review the DVD.

Old Fashioned is how Clay Walsh now lives his life. There was a time women didn’t mean much to him and he went through them without respect or a lot of thought. He is so ashamed of his past he vowed to never be that man. His principles are old fashioned.

Amber Hewson runs. When it’s time to find a new place she gets up and she goes. When she ends up renting above Clay’s shop she doesn’t understand. He doesn’t date. Girls aren’t allowed to be alone with him.

And as crazy as it sounds, it’s refreshing.

Clay and Amber get to know each other with Clay’s way of doing things. Not everyone agrees, especially her co workers and his frat brothers. Can his old fashioned ideals take Clay and Amber for the long haul?

This is a sweet movie and it is refreshing. The world will never understand such a concept and that’s why Clay’s friend is such a jerk. But to see a woman treated with respect is great to see.

It’s an entertaining movie but I guess I want to pluck the writer’s brain, who also played the part of Clay. Was he motivated by wanting to change the world or could he not let go of the guilt? Because the aunt that yells at him, she warns him his chivalry act borders on pride. And I thought the same.

But that’s okay because I have a reaction, and that’s a mark of a good movie. It gets you talking and wondering long after the credits close.

I also enjoyed the setting. Rik Swartzwelder chose Tuscarawas County in Ohio, where he grew up, as the setting for Old Fashioned. What a peaceful place.

To order Old Fashioned, click here.

I received Old Fashioned in order to watch and give an honest review.

Tags:  courting, dating, dvd, DVD review, frat boy, Julie Arduini, Ohio, Old Fashioned, relationships




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 Sabbath Sunday: The Windy Road  Featured Video of the Week: Edie Melson's Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle  COTT Clash Winner: Spinstered, The Novel by Sharyn Kopf  Sabbath Sunday: The Cross Covers  Book Review: Beth K. Vogt's Wish You Were HereCopyright © Julie Arduini [DVD Review: Old Fashioned], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 2

This week Write Integrity finishes up revealing chapters from the sequel to The Love Boat Bachelor, Unlikely Merger. Starting June 20 you can vote for the hero you want Mercy to end up with. Unlikely Merger will release on Amazon July 1 and it will be FREE July 1-5.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

To celebrate, this week the authors are sharing what business people inspired them. Today we have Raelee Carpenter.

Raelee Carpenter:

My grandpa. His mom was a single mom, and he started a little penny arcade when he was still a kid to help her out. When he grew up, he supported a family of six kids as an entrepreneur.

The business person that inspired me was the CEO of what was Corning Glass when I was growing up, Amo Houghton, Jr. He might be more widely known as a congressman but overall and especially in Corning, NY, “Amo” is known as a class act.

Even though I was too young to remember, in 1972 our area was devastated by a flood that stemmed from Hurricane Agnes. It was horrific, people still talk about it. It was Amo who took not only Corning Glass by the horns and led them out of the disaster, he took the entire city and encouraged them they would come out better on the other side.

Because of his vision, he convinced Corning to look at the disaster as an opportunity to look ahead. They revitalized the company and the city. Corning ended up flourishing. Twenty miles down the river was the city of Elmira. There was no plan in place. They never recovered. (I’ve been gone for 11 years so I haven’t been to Elmira, but growing up I can say Elmira struggled post flood.)

But for his vision and encouragement, Amo is known as a nice guy. I know people that spoke with him, ate with him and despite the Houghton money, he was down to earth. My sister-in-law back then told me she went to his door to sell him a calendar and he was very kind and bought one.

If you visit Corning for any length of time I think you’d be hard pressed to be there and not hear about Amo. And while visiting places, look for the signs that show the flood stage from 1972. The waters were very high.

Tags:  Amo Houghton, authors, business, Congressman Houghton, Corning, Corning Glass, Flood of 1972, Hurricane Agnes, Influence, Julie Arduini, Raelee Carpenter, Unlikely Merger




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 Sabbath Sunday: Ah, Temptation    Our Service Men and Women Deserve Thanks For All They Do by Jill Schultz  Sabbath Sunday: Did You Hear Your Invitation?  And the Survey Says...Copyright © Julie Arduini [Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences Day 2], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences

It’s a new week and more chapters are being released from Unlikely Merger at Write Integrity. If you missed last week, no worries, you can always catch up. Starting June 20 you’re able to vote on your favorite hero for Mercy to choose. Then, from July 1-5 Unlikely Merger will be available on Amazon for FREE.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

Last week here the authors shared their answers to business related questions. This week we’re letting you know who our business influences are.

We start with Carole Towriss.

Carole Towriss:

My father-in-law was drafted into the Army just after the Korean War. They pointed at several of the men and said, “You, you and you, report to the mess hall.” They taught him to cook. When got out of the service, he opened a restaurant, John’s Awful Awful (Awful Big and Awful Good). He opened a second, then later closed those and opened a Mexican restaurant, the One Accord.

He’s retired now, but I think his shops all did so well because he always concentrated on giving the best possible service to the customer. If someone walked up to the door at two minutes to close, they were greeted and served as warmly as if they got there hours earlier. I can’t count how many times I’ve been to a restaurant that had the chairs up on tables and the kitchen all but closed fifteen minutes early. I think of him every time that happens.

I think a business influence for me is George W. Bush. I know, he floundered for awhile before owning the Texas Rangers and moving into politics, and I think that’s what inspires me. He had a couple burdens to conquer—the family name and his affinity for alcohol to excess. He never gave up and has been able to laugh at himself despite never being a standout.

I think through all those years his country was important to him, and I’ll always admire that. He might not have been the perfect president, but there is no doubt that man loves America and the military.

And that’s always inspirational to me.

Tags:  authors, business, Carole Towriss, family, George W. Bush, Influence, Julie Arduini, military, Unlikely Merger




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 Sabbath Sunday: God, the Romancer  April W. Gardner Announces Newest Clash of the Titles Winner: Marianne Evans with Hearts Crossing  Fiction Friday: Faith, Hope and Love Again  Saturday Confession: About that Apple Core  I Recommend: Childhood Cancer Awareness MonthCopyright © Julie Arduini [Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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