Julie Arduini's Blog, page 128
April 16, 2015
Youngstown-Warren Sister Rally
I will be sharing my writing journey, my faith story, and why being Equipped keeps me free in Christ and able to love chocolate this Saturday at the Youngstown-Warren Sister Rally.
This sectional event from Assemblies of God will feature worship from Deb Dorman, light refreshments and time to connect with other women from the area. Summit Church in McDonald is hosting the event.
I’d love to see you there!

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April 15, 2015
Book Review: Winning the Teacher’s Heart by Jean C. Gordon
Julie’s note:
This is one of six books sent to me from the Love Inspired Line as part of their Mother’s Day promotion. The books are on sale from April 21-May 28.
Book Description:
Single mom Becca Norton is surprised to discover her high school crush Jared Donnelly is back in town. The motocross champion hasn’t been home in years, but the former bad boy is as gorgeous as she remembers. And his kindness toward her kids melts her heart. But when she learns his true purpose in town is to build a motocross school on land near her home, she has to put on the brakes. Her children’s welfare is her priority, and her former in-laws have made it clear they don’t approve of Jared or his plans. Soon Becca may have to choose between her heart and her home.
As an author who writes Adirondack backdrops, I was excited to see this was one as well. I enjoy a dedicated mom premise who has conflict with someone who was always known as the bad boy. It makes for a great romance.
Although I loved the premise and characters, I had trouble with the Adirondack part. I’ve been there many times and I didn’t get the authentic feel from it. I wanted to be transported there. Even the cover isn’t exactly what I was hoping for. Adirondack chairs aren’t enough. Upstate New Yorkers don’t drink soda, it would be pop. Even my friends in Albany drink pop. Little things like this can distract the reader. I understand I’m expecting more as an author who writes about the same area.
But it is a good romance and I do recommend it.
BONUS: Love Inspired is giving $1 off. Click here to Save $1.00
To purchase, Winning the Teacher’s Heart or any of the other Mother’s Day Love Inspired titles, click here.
I received Winning the Teacher’s Heart from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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April 13, 2015
Book Review: The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble
Claire’s visit to a luxury hotel in Maine awakens repressed memories, threatening all she holds dear.
In 1989, Claire Dellamare disappeared from her own fourth birthday party at the Hotel Tourmaline on the island of Folly Shoals, Maine. She showed up a year later at the same hotel, with a note pinned to her dress but no explanation. Nobody knows where Claire spent that year—and until now, Claire didn’t even know she had ever been missing.
But when Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father, disturbing memories begin to surface . . . despite her parents’ best efforts to keep them forgotten.
Luke Rocco lost his mother under equally mysterious circumstances—at the same time Claire disappeared. After a chance encounter reveals the unlikely link between them, Claire and Luke set out together to uncover the truth about what happened that fateful year.
With flashbacks swimming just beneath her consciousness and a murderer threatening her safety, Claire’s very life depends on unscrambling her past . . . even if her family refuses to acknowledge it. Someone—maybe everyone—is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light.
REVIEW:
The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is full of mystery and suspense. Claire goes missing as a child and when she’s returned, she doesn’t remember anything. Now an adult, she’s having flashbacks no one in her family wants to talk about.
Luke does want to talk, his mother went missing around the same time but Claire doesn’t have answers. I loved the desperation between the two of them.
I thought this was a great read that clearly shows the fallout from sinful choices. I wish Kate had been developed with a little more dimension but overall that didn’t take away from the mystery that kept me turning the pages.
I enjoyed The Inn at Ocean’s Edge and I think you will, too.
To purchase The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, click here.
I received The Inn at Ocean’s Edge from the publisher is exchange for an honest review.

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April 12, 2015
COTT: Announcing the Olympia Winner

by Michelle Massaro
Good morning, lovers of the written word! We have some big news to share today: The Olympia has a winner!
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Please give a virtual hand to Kelly Goshorn!!


Bio
Kelly Goshorn is an aspiring novelist currently masquerading as a virtual assistant and a Target cashier who believes everybody needs a little more love and romance in their life. Ever since Laura Ingalls peered into Almanzo Wilder’s eyes and called him “Manly,” she has been a pushover for historical romances. Kelly weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love, faith and family set in nineteenth century America. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Kelly earned her B.A. in Social Studies Education from Messiah College and her M.Ed. in History Education from The Pennsylvania State University. She has been enjoying her own happily-ever- after with her husband and best friend, Mike, for nearly 25 years. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys spending time with her young adult children, scrapbooking with friends, board gaming with her husband, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi. Kelly writes from her home near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Purcellville, Virginia.
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Kelly’s entry, A Love Restored, was chosen as winner based on the scoring by a panel of non-industry readers and then our panel of industry professionals*. Here’s a bit about her story:
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A Love Restored
She was nothing like the woman he’d envisioned for his bride, but he was everything she’d ever dreamed of—until a promise from his past threatened their future.
Twenty-year old Ruth Ann Sutton doesn’t measure up to society’s vision of a perfect lady. She would rather read Jules Verne or teach Negro children to read and write than join the Women’s Benevolent Aid Society or practice her voice lessons. Her pert opinions and less than perfect figure kept many suitors away, and when Ruth Ann accepts a position teaching at the new Freedman’s School, it threatens the only marriage offer she is likely to receive. Should she risk life as a lonely spinster or reinvent herself to accept a proposal from a man who doesn’t love her?
Determined to rise above his meager beginnings, Benjamin Saunders reputation as a fast learner and hard worker earn him the opportunity to apprentice with a surveyor—a position that will garner the respect of other men. All he needs now is a woman to share his promising future. When Benjamin has a chance encounter with Ruth Ann Sutton, he is smitten with her pretty face, quick wit, and feisty personality, but can he overcome a promise from his past to marry a woman other men would envy?
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Sorry, readers, this book is not yet published! So we’ll all have to wait and see where Kelly’s publishing journey takes her and this manuscript. We at COTT hope to see this book in print one day soon.
Congratulations, Kelly!
In addition to a tour through COTT’s Blog Alliance, Kelly will be receiving a beautiful plaque to commemorate her win and an internet radio interview with Cynthia Simmons!
A HUGE Thank-you to our reader panel and especially to
our *Final Round judges:
Karen Ball–Agent, Steve Laube Literary Agency
Becky Philpott– Acquisitions Editor, Harper Collins
Becky Wade– Award-winning Author

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April 11, 2015
Sabbath Sunday: When I See a Cave

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. John 20:8, NIV
Every time I see a cave, I think of the empty tomb.
I think about Jesus.
What were His first thoughts as He looked and saw the linens?
The angels as they received that assignment and positioned themselves?
The guards, when the cave started to shake?
Mary, when she realized the tomb was empty?
The questions consume me as much as the curiosity of a cave.
What about you? If you’re not familiar with the story, read a chapter a day from John in the Bible.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions.
This is the Kunjamuk Cave in Speculator, NY, the area I based my contemporary romance, Entrusted, on. Photo credit by CT

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April 10, 2015
Confession Saturday: The Spiritual Inhaler
When our daughter was in an infant she was diagnosed with airway restrictive disease or something like that. It was asthma, but she was too young to be diagnosed with it was the gist of it.
But breathing was hard for her without assistance.
As she’s aged, she’s needed the nebulizer less and less. In fact, I’m not even sure where I unpacked it. But with the recent weather changes she’s had trouble catching her breath after exerting herself. After communicating with the doctor we decided to get an inhaler for prevention.
I looked at it and realized I can relate a lot to that inhaler, silly as it sounds.
I’ve been exerting myself harder than I thought spiritually. This first half of the year has felt like an uphill climb in ways as we walked through what we knew was planned, and through what wasn’t.
My times in the Word were on the low side but my need increased.
After a few spiritual skirmishes and direction we know is from the Lord, I’m not just tired.
I’m spiritually gasping for air.
I’ve been journaling and that’s helped, but I decided to find a Bible study that would meet my current needs. I have trouble finding friends who can commit to a Bible study and finish with me. I have trouble attending local ones because I can get a bit crazy about sounds and personal space.
God’s done the greatest work in me when I go online. #confessionPowered By the Tweet This Plugin

So, I joined Women’s Bible Cafe on Facebook, the Anonymous Bible Study. The book is by Cindi Wood and there are several times throughout the week to join the groups. I decided during the day when the kids are in school so I can focus. I am loving the book. It is like a spring rain on a dry plant. I can’t soak in enough. To be a nameless face just encouraging others and receiving His Word, it is restoring me from critical to stable. To continue on the road to thriving, I know I need more things like this.
The study has been my inhaler and I thank God in His wisdom He showed me what used to work before wasn’t enough in this season. I’ve been depleted on a lot of levels and now I’m having intimate time with the Lord, revelation from Him, connection with others and accountability.
What’s your spiritual state right now? Are you in need of an inhaler?

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April 6, 2015
Odyssey Adventure Club
One of the perks of being a reviewer is people think of me and ask, “Hey, would you be interested?” It is very rare when I say no, and it’s usually time or the product goes against my core values.
And then there are the times I can’t say yes fast enough.
Odyssey Adventure Club is a product I believe in because my entire family has grown together through listening to Whit, Eugene, Connie and the gang. Honestly, my husband and I probably have garnered the most listening time. They are shows we can listen to together and be confident in the content.
The Odyssey Adventure Club is the same and they have a great deal going on for new accounts, first month only. (Subject to change without notice, please check website.) I hope you check it out.
For $5, first month, new accounts only, remember, here’s what you get:
Your Membership Includes …
Unlimited streaming of Adventures in Odyssey library(740+ episodes) retail value over $1,500
New monthly exclusive episodes
Monthly Web Quests
Monthly Clubhouse magazine subscription (U.S. Residents Only)
Daily devotions based on Adventures in Odyssey episodes
OAC monthly member newsletter
OAC exclusive video stories
Animated Odyssey videos, Last Chance Detectives, and more!
I hope you act now. These are some of our best memories, and I think they will be yours, too.
Learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club here.
(I am affiliated through Litfuse Publicity OAC Blogger Program)

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April 5, 2015
COTT: Hope Under Mistletoe by Jessica R. Patch
What a wonderful debut! It’s a story of redemption and forgiveness and
love. The author, Jessica R Patch, sucked me in on the first page. I
couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for her next book to be released.
Wonderful writer. Highly recommended read, especially around Christmas
time, but could be read anytime. It’s that good.~fan review
[image error]
About the book:
A rowdy bar owner. A widowed pastor’s wife. And Christmas hope that brings
them together.
After widower Eden Snow’s church almost burns to the ground, she’s
compelled to find a temporary place to hold services and Christmas cantata
practices.
Has-been hockey player, Knox Everhart, has a reputation for being fast on
the ice and with women. Except Eden. She’s always been a fascinating
mystery to him, which is why he agrees to let her use the back room of his
bar—with one rule: No converting his customers.
But when Eden brings the church to the bar, it offers something the bottle
can’t. Hope. And he finds himself falling in love with a woman and a Savior
he feels unworthy to pursue.
PURCHASE
Amazon
What COTT voters had to say:
–Jessica’s my favorite! She is an awesome writer and a firecracker of a
person.
–Jessica, your book sounds so hopeful for a season built on hope! Just
what we need in these times. I look forward to reading your book.
–I throughly enjoyed Jessica Patch’s “Under the Mistletoe” so my vote is
for that! Can’t wait for more in the series
–Hope Under Mistletoe by Jessical Patch has an intriguing fresh
premise.
–Hope Under Mistletoe was a wonderful book! I loved how the story dealt
with people getting through their hardships with the help of God. And as I
told Jessica..it had the perfect romantic ending…And they lived happily
ever after!!
–inspiring way to spread the message of Christ.
I loved Hope Under the Mistletoe! Jessica R. Patch created an inviting
town, swoonworthy characters and just enough spice for this inspirational
romance!
–A church in a bar? Really? Gotta read it…
[image error]
Don’t miss the free novella Jessica is offering!
Sign up for Jessica’s newsletter, Patched In, and receive
the second novella in this Seasons of HopeJust the Way You Are, for
FREE until April 22nd! Sign up HERE.
series,
Jessica hangs out on Facebook and
Twitter so stop in
and join the daily conversations. Also, don’t forget to stop by her Hope
Under Mistletoe Pinterest board and meet the characters and take a peek at some of the scenes
in the book!
About the free novella, Just the Way You Are:
When Pastor Gabe asks Audrey Gilbraith to use her mad florist skills
to help him design a prayer garden, she’s all in, especially since it helps
take her mind off the fact she’s about to lose her job and her apartment.
But working closely with Gabe and not falling for him is complicated. She’s
not pastor’s wife material, and she has the past to prove it.
Gabriel Brookson wants out of Audrey’s friend-zone, but when he pursues
her romantically, he ruffles more than a few feathers in his congregation.
How much is he willing to give up for this wonderful, quirky woman, and
will Audrey accept him if he risks it all?
[image error]About the author: Jessica R. Patch
lives in the mid-south where she pens inspirational contemporary romance
and romantic suspense novels. When she’s not hunched over her laptop or
going on adventurous trips in the name of research with willing friends,
you can find her sneaking off to movies with her husband, watching way too
much Netflix with her daughter, dominating her son at board games, and
collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Her debut
novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense will release in January 2016.
She is represented by Rachel Kent of Books
& Such Literary Management
~Find more great new releases at Clash of the
Titles.com!~

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April 4, 2015
Sabbath Sunday: When I See a Cave

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. John 20:8, NIV
Every time I see a cave, I think of the empty tomb.
I think about Jesus.
What were His first thoughts as He looked and saw the linens?
The angels as they received that assignment and positioned themselves?
The guards, when the cave started to shake?
Mary, when she realized the tomb was empty?
The questions consume me as much as the curiosity of a cave.
What about you? If you’re not familiar with the story, read a chapter a day from John in the Bible.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions.
This is the Kunjamuk Cave in Speculator, NY, the area I based my contemporary romance, Entrusted, on. Photo credit by CT

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April 2, 2015
When You Say Nothing at All: Infertility Memories
April is a month set aside to make people a little more informed when it comes to infertility. On April 28th our book, A Walk in the Valley: Christian Encouragement for your Journey Through Infertility releases. Our heart is make sure everyone who is walking or has walked in these shoes will have a copy so they can read our transparent stories and find hope and healing.
I thought I’d take some time to share aspects that are fresh in my mind as if they were yesterday. The book contains my full story but here is a topic that hurts to this day:
When people tried to say something about my infertility or miscarriage.
Our wedding song is Allison Krauss’ When You Say Nothing at All. As a title, it’s what I wish 99% of the people would have done. I know they meant well but the pain was excruciating. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Oh, how true.
Again, you need to read the book to learn specifics but the Bible verses, pat answers and the replies I call the “Job’s friends comments” cut through me like a knife. People with no loss of their own suddenly had a ministry degree to measure my sins and level of faith against my menstrual cycle. Some gave advice for the next time. Others tried to make me understand in my pain it was the same as their one bad hair day or something that was definitely apples and oranges.
Then there was timing. When the first round of people did a great job spreading the happy news, but failed to mention the subsequent loss. So when an acquaintance asked about the baby, I had to give the update. It was awful. Or the glowing new mom sharing details regarding life post delivery. I wanted to sink in a hole.
And die.
The grief is that deep and that’s why most answers hurt so much. Years have passed but infertility hasn’t changed. It is a deep ache and sense of loss. If that’s not your story not even my own favorite Bible verse is going to help at that moment. Trust that in time, it will. But spouting it out as a “this covers all” statement makes things worse.
Trust me.
So what do you say to someone who is hurting from infertility and/or miscarriage?
Honestly?
If you haven’t walked that out, say nothing. Okay, nearly nothing. Admit you have no idea what to say but that you care, deeply. Open your arms and allow her the freedom to enter that hug and literally snot all over you. Give the opportunity for her to speak with transparency, which will include raw hurt. Don’t judge her. It is healthy to get those toxic thoughts out. When she is done, ask if you could pray. If she doesn’t want to at that time, promise you will, and do it. If you pray at that moment, be simple. Don’t wax eloquent, this isn’t about you. Be that gap that takes her hurt to the Lord.
If you have walked this out, I believe you can, with discernment, be bolder. I fell in a deep pit and my dear friend had the experience to call me out because she’d been there. She showed up when I said I wasn’t ready for company. She gave a deadline (after prayer) where I was able to share everything for one hour, no matter how vile. After that hour, she led me in a healing prayer. That. Changed. Everything.
I hope this helps and I hope you can read my heart here. I’m not about pushing a product. I am about women finding freedom through surrender in Christ. The toughest surrender for me was giving the Lord my infertility and then again the anger I had when I miscarried. I searched for a book that would help me feel less alone and I couldn’t find any. I believe A Walk in the Valley is a source of hope and a feeling of “they get it. They get ME.”
God bless you all.
To pre order A Walk in the Valley, click here.

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