Julie Arduini's Blog, page 41

Carousel Dreams by Teresa Ives Lilly

Who doesn’t want to relive at least one good day of childhood? But, which day would you choose? That is something I believe would be hard to decide, however, the one thing I do know, is at least while riding on carousels, I can close my eyes and feel like a child again.  I had the opportunity to ride one of the oldest carousels in San Antonio recently with my grandson and daughters. 

My name is Teresa Ives
Lilly. Several months ago, I was thinking of a theme to present to Barbour
Books for a collection, when I stumbled on my memory of having loved riding
carousels.  After doing some research
into the history of carousels, I came up with the idea of doing a collection in
which four young women meet their love match at a historical carousel.  I was so excited when Barbour Books
Publishing accepted the proposal and put together the book called Carousel
Dreams.

My story, ‘Carousel of Love’ takes place at in 1910 at Conneaut Lake Expedition Park and the carousel is  The 1905 D.C. Muller/T.M. Harton Carousel.  

Carousel of Love by Teresa Ives Lilly
1910 – Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
For Tamara Brand, spending the summer at Expedition Park impersonating her wealthy debutante employee seemed like a dream come true until she meets Blake Conner; just a Carnie who runs the carousel. He seems to be the type of man; she would like to get to know better if she weren’t pretending to be someone she isn’t. But, is Blake who he appears to be?

Teresa ives lilly

I hope readers will enjoy this collection and take time to find and ride a carousel.

 Teresa Ives Lilly has been writing Christian Romance Fiction and Mysteries since 1990, when she read her first Christian Fiction book by Janette Oke, and fell in love with the genre.  She grew up in Buffalo New York, went to college in Ohio, then moved to San Antonio Texas where she has lived ever since, married and raised three children.

Teresa loves to hear from her readers and hope you sign up for her newsletter at.

www.teresalilly.wordpress.com

Follow her on Amazon at  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009DO2PLG

What Moses Taught Me About Writing

As I’ve shared before, during this time at home I’ve been using a Bible in a year reading plan with a new Bible. I’ve nearly worn out a new set of highlighters and have been floored by revelations that were sitting there all along.

One a-ha moment was as I read about Moses on the mountain with the Lord crafting the Ten Commandments.

It’s not a new story to me, most likely not to you, either.

But what grabbed me was the fact that Moses made his way down that mountain, tablets in hand, to see the Israelites carving idols and just acting like plain fools. The tablets crash to the ground and all that work, now in pebbles.

It was then I received what I call the heavenly downloads. A gentle and loving nudge from the Lord that I can’t ignore.

Moses didn’t present his writings with the first draft either.

What’s that now?

Confession. I’m starting a new contemporary romance series called Surrendering Opinions. I’ve had this vision all mapped out in my head for years. It’s about a set of sextuplets who remain in the national spotlight because of tragedy. Now they are young adults navigating their own identity while trying to find a love that matched what their parents had. Each sibling gets their own book by birth order. The first is Jordyn Bell Collins in a title called Anchored.

And I have started this book once. Twice. Three. Four. I think at least five times. I’ve given up counting and I’m frankly scared to submit my new chapters to my critique group. This time, I sense I found the vibe and I’m excited. But I thought I’d be on the third book by now. And here I am starting all over.

It was the same with Entrusted, my first book. That idea came to me in the early 1990’s. I wrote it and shelved it because I had a paying job. Then marriage. Then kids. When I had that heavenly download that it was time to write for Him, that story was junk. I completed the Christian Writers Guild. I wrote freelance articles. Created weekly challenges to grow. I started submitting to my critique groups. There was a draft in third-person. Several in first-person, present tense. Then I used NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) to start over. Finally, a draft I was proud of. Still, so many revisions and re-writes. I think from that first time when I was in my 20’s to publication in 2014, Entrusted was at least 14 attempts from start to finish.

That Moses reminder encouraged me to keep on keeping on. Moses turned around and scaled that mountain again. He chiseled out all the wisdom the Lord gave. And when he descended, those commandments guide us to this day, and Moses grew in his faith so much he glowed.

—Julie Arduini

My prayer is especially as I write romance, readers would relate to the characters and be encouraged by the transformation they take. That they would seek His face and surrender the things that keep them from living free in Him.

So this summer, I’m back to chiseling.

And I’m really excited about it.

This post first appeared at Christians Read.

***

Now Available: You’re Brilliant

Amazing things happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more than competent.

Bethany’s not excited to start high school in a new community where she doesn’t know anyone. She quickly befriends KJ, a popular sophomore, and it looks like the transition will go well until Bethany discovers KJ’s boyfriend is a bully. With a strong sense of justice, Bethany challenges Brent Sullivan, and he’s determined to make her suffer.

Cheri takes on an additional job in a school to help pay for Sabrina’s wedding. It’s a different atmosphere than at the church where she feels more comfortable as the pastor’s wife and mentor with the Linked ministry. After several mishaps, Cheri feels like she’s found an assignment where she can make a difference until a teacher belittles her work.

Can Bethany and Cheri resist the lies about their competency and hold on to the fact they’re brilliant?

The final book in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for tweens, teens, and women of all ages by mother and daughter authors Julie Arduini and Hannah Arduini.

You’re Brilliant: Hannah Arduini Interview

We Finished the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ Series! Interview with My Co-Author, Hannah We did it. Writing a series with one of our kids was something I really didn’t give much thought to because, gasp, they don’t love reading as much as I do. Yet after Hannah completed middle school and overcame significant challenges, we processed the emotions and experiences.

As we  talked, she shared that she wished there was a way to encourage girls before the negative experiences start. As she talked, she started telling a story. 

It was good.

Really good.

I told her that if she would write that out, I would do my best to see her vision through and publish it. 

She plotted a three-book series.

We started with You’re Beautiful. Last year we released You’re Amazing. And on May 22, the final book, You’re Brilliant , releases.

I thought to celebrate, I’d interview my co-author.
Julie: How do you feel now that the series is done?
Hannah: Sad, it was fun writing them.

Julie: Do you see yourself writing to publish ever again?
Hannah: Maybe. (I think she knew I was fishing on that question!)
 
Julie: What book was hardest to work with? Easiest?
Hannah: You’re Amazing. Coming up with plot ideas that would work. The easiest was You’re Beautiful. Personal experiences helped create the book.

Julie: Describe your involvement.
Hannah: I thought of the story outline, plot ideas, character names. When you wrote a chapter, I told you if it fit the vision I had and made suggestions.  I explained what I thought the covers should look like, and when you found the images, I approved or rejected them.

Julie: What is it like knowing you’re a teen author on Amazon?
Hannah: Cool.

Julie: What character do you identify most with?
Hannah: Hayley. She’s based off me and some of my experiences. I know what a lot of her struggles are like.

Julie: You stayed home through part of the writing process because of Coronavirus. What was that like?

Hannah: Easier to come up with ideas because I had free time. Weird and different being home for school.


You’re Brilliant is the third book in the series. It’s available for pre-order for Kindle by clicking the image. Print version coming soon. Follow me on Amazon so you can be notified. This can be read as a stand-alone, but we hope you read You’re Beautiful and You’re Amazing as well. They are for middle grade/YA/and women of all ages.

Image: Lizz Clark

This interview first appeared in the Julie Arduini newsletter. Subscribers receive as a thank you free downloads of Entrusted and Entangled. Subscribe for free HERE

That First Time Driving

When I held my first license in my hand, I remember the thrill. To me, it meant independenceand freedom and a LOT of trips to the mall.

I also remember the fear. I sat behind the wheel and stared. That wheel. The brakes. The gas. My hands. Together they would be a great journey or a terrible tragedy.

Julie Arduini

Yep, I was a very uptight person.

I understood that it was a car and a weapon. And my fear was off the charts.

Why am I driving down memory lane?

Because I realized that when I heard earlier this week that a normal part of my life is opening back up, I was excited. Then terrified. In about two seconds worth of processing.

Now that we can see an end not so much of the virus but our time at home, it’s exciting. Freedom to go shopping. Get a haircut. See people.

The fear that I can’t see what’s in a room. Even with all the protocols in place, what if I get it wrong? What if I arrive and I’m putting someone at risk? What if I give the green light to our kids, one who is high-risk?

I stayed on fear, and there’s nothing healthy in that.

As I processed it through prayer, I realized the date for the more public things we’d be returning to, if we choose, is a good three weeks later than other things that are happening that we will be a part of. Ortho. Dentist. Hair. I have zero fear about going there. If everything else is later, and all protocols are going to be enforced, it’s okay to go.

It’s also okay to be excited.

It’s also okay to not go.

And it’s really okay to allow everyone their freedom to go or not.

We’re entering a place of tentative freedom where conviction comes into play. There’s no finger wagging from heaven saying “We shall Not Go to…” the hair salon, the office, wherever it is. In fact, God’s not a finger wagger. Any commands He gives is out of love and protection.

But convication means there is no hard rule. If you’re allowed to go to the hair salon and you feel it’s right for you, have at it. If you want to wait a little, that’s peace for you.

And that’s where I’m at. We will attend a couple appointments in May for medical sake when it comes to those at risk. The fun things for our at-risk members? We are waiting a little and doing those in June. With protocols like social distancing and masks, if that is something recommended.

That’s the answer for us. It gives me peace and the fear is gone.

Just like that first drive. I knew I’d never get over the fear if I didn’t put the key in ignition. I had to activate and choose to move forward. I’ve been driving since 1986. One accident. Zero tickets.

If you’re starting to freak out because you might have the opportunity to leave home, don’t let fear rule. Go to God. Ask Him what’s right for you. And enjoy the peace that comes with His answer.

***

We’re done! Hannah and I finished the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series and the last book, You’re Brilliant, is available for pre-order for Kindle and print should be available very soon. Check it out when a group of high school girls and their mentors discover they are more than competant. Free Kindle Unlimited.

Barb Roose: Surrendered Interview, Part 2

Part 2 of an interview with Barb Roose,
Author of Surrendered:
Letting Go & Living Like Jesus Are you facing a problem in life that you just can’t fix, no matter what you do? Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “Let go and let God.” But it’s easier said than done. Is it possible that giving up on what you can’t change is God’s path to peace for your life? In Surrendered, Barb Roose’s new six-week Bible study of Jesus in the wilderness, she explores Jesus’ time of testing and contrasts it with the Israelites’ failures in the wilderness.
 
As readers learn from Jesus’ example, they’ll discover six principles that will equip them to let God lead them to victory despite their circumstances as they deal with the problems and pain they are facing.
 
Learn more in this interview with Barb. Miss Part 1? Catch up HERE.
 
Q: What are the six surrender principles and when should they be used?
 
Letting go of control-loving behaviors isn’t a switch that we can just flip. Rather, we need a new set of tools.
 
Those new tools are six Surrender Principles that we can activate and apply whenever fear flows through our hearts or we’re tempted to flee, fix or force a solution. Each week, participants learn a new principle:
 
1. I am not in control of others or outcomes.
2. I choose to live by faith, not rush to follow my feelings.
3. I can always let go and give my problems to God.
4. Trusting God’s promises will bless me, but pushing my plans will stress me.
5. When fear tempts me to flee, fix, or force my way, I will choose to stop and pray.
6. Surrender is my only path to God’s peace, power, and provision.
 
Q: Why is it so hard to trust God to take care of us when he promises that is what he will do?
 
I don’t know about anyone else, but I expect that God will do things like I would do them. So, when I’ve got a problem that I can’t fix, and then God either seems to delay or doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it, I get disappointed. I’ve learned that disappointment is often the doorway that leads to distrust.
 
However, Isaiah 55 reminds us that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. So, in my experience, wilderness seasons have lasted a long time because it takes me a long time to let go of my expectations and learn to wait in anticipation.
 
Here’s a big lesson for me: wilderness seasons have taught me to trust God’s heart in hard times.
 
In fact, I introduce what I like to call the three “Wilderness ABC’s” for when we’re in a wilderness season or facing a difficult trial:
 
1. You are ALWAYS loved.
2. BELIEVE that God is for you.
3. CHALLENGE yourself to trust God and let go.
 
Q: What are some of the lessons that trials can teach us?
 
While some people may not agree, I’m not a fan of the saying that “everything happens for a reason,” which many mistakenly believe is the message of Romans 8:28. When we try to apply earthly explanations to everything that happens, that approach could lead people to feel that God intentionally causes bad things to happen in order to teach a spiritual lesson. God doesn’t do backhanded blessings.
 
However, God does redeem our trials when we keep our eyes on Him in the midst of what we’re walking through.
 
Q: What are some of the things we need to let go of in our lives?
 
The reality is that our hearts have to let go of the situations that we cannot control.
 
In the Surrendered study, I identify five control-loving behaviors (SHINE behaviors) that we need to let go in order to live like Jesus and experience God’s power, peace and provision.
 
Those SHINE behaviors are Scorekeeping, Helicoptering (Micro-managing), Interrupting, Nagging and Excessive Planning/Stockpiling. When we use these behaviors in our attempt to control others or outcomes, we’re shining the attention on ourselves and what we want instead of trusting that God knows what’s best.
 

Q: What are the steps to letting go?
                                       
Letting go or surrender is a prayer and a process. Rather than identify steps, I identify four questions in the “Letting Go Loop” that equip control-lovers to not only identify their control-loving behaviors but also identify God-honoring and life-giving next steps toward letting go and living like Jesus:                                                                                                 Awareness – Am I trying to control others or outcomes right now? Arrest – What do I need to stop trying to protect, fix, or force to make happen? Acceptance – Where do I need to acknowledge the reality that I do not have control, but God can handle it? FaithFULL Action – How can I show love, kindness and wisdom without control-loving behaviors? As the questions are answered, the Letting Go Loop reveals where we need to open our hands and turn toward God instead of trying to fix or force the solutions for ourselves.
 
Trials can teach us to worship God more, depend on ourselves less and to become more like Christ. Even though those lessons are tough to learn, the blessings that we receive during our wilderness season and on the other side is absolutely worth it!
 
Q: We’re all familiar with the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.” How can that apply to us in a spiritual context?
 
There have been a few times in my life when I used control-loving behaviors to get what I wanted, only to discover that my prize wasn’t God’s best.
 
In my early 20’s, I wanted to buy a home. While I didn’t have all of the resources that I needed, both in money and wisdom, I pushed forward and pulled out all the stops to buy that house. Even though it was a lovely home where I raised my family, there were many times over the years when expensive repairs and other home-owner related issues popped up as a consequence of forcing my way into a property that I probably should have asked a few more questions about.
 
More than 20 years ago, I began praying John the Baptist’s prayer in John 3:30: “He must increase. I just decrease.” Back then, my life wasn’t perfect, but I had a great career, happy marriage and healthy children. However, my faith tended to fall behind everything else in my too-full-of-good-things life.
 
God has been answering that prayer in big and small, happy and heartbreaking ways. The most powerful way that God has increased in my life came as a result of a long-term addiction issue in my household that led to the devastating end to my 26-year marriage. However, I could see and feel God’s power, presence and provision throughout that painful experience. He has increased in my life in ways that I am eternally grateful.
 
Q: What are some ways women can creatively come together to do the study as a group, even if they aren’t able to meet in person?
 
While I hate the difficult circumstances that the COVID-19 outbreak has created around the world, but I love seeing how God dropped some opportunities in place before we realized that we needed them. Here are a few wonderful opportunities that are available during these wild times:
 
1. AMPLIFY – To help groups stay connected and continue to study the Bible together during this time of social-distancing, Abingdon Women and Amplify Media are making the video sessions of Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus available for free for group members to watch at home from any device. Sessions will be available free of charge from April 7 to June 30, 2020.
 
View the video sessions at https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/series/unitedmethodistpublishinghouse/32668-surrendered.
Amplify Media is a streaming service allowing churches large and small unlimited video access in order to discover, customize, and share diverse resources that encourage deeper discipleship and equip churches to pursue their mission with greater impact. Learn more at AmplifyMedia.com. 
 
2. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD – Each individual session of the Surrendered study is available for digital download at cokesbury.com/surrendered.
 
3. ONLINE GROUPS – I’m so encouraged and inspired by women’s Bible study and small group leaders across the country who are so dedicated to leading their groups in these challenging times. I’m also a group leader at my church, too! Like many group leaders, our group is leveraging technology like Zoom, Facebook Groups and other platforms to meet together online.
  Surrendered: Letting Go & Living Like Jesus 
A Study of Jesus in the Wilderness
By Barb Roose
 
Available April 7, 2020 from Abingdon Women
 
Participant Workbook
Paperback ISBN: 9781501896286 / $16.99 ~ eBook ISBN: 9781501896293 / $16.99
 Leader Guide
Paperback ISBN: 9781501896309 / $14.99 ~ eBook ISBN: 9781501896316 / $14.99
 DVD
ISBN: 9781501896323 / $49.99
About the author
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about connecting women to one another and to God helping them apply the truths of God’s Word to the practical realities and challenges they face as women in today’s culture.
 
Roose enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, as well as internationally, including national platforms such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
 
She is the author of the Surrender: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle and Beautiful Already: Reclaiming God’s Perspective on Beauty Bible studies and the books Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty. Her writing has been featured in many magazines, and she also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com. She is the host of the bi-monthly “Better Together” podcast.
 
Roose lives in Toledo, Ohio, and is the proud mom of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes sleeping in, taking a long walk outside, shopping for shoes and eating two big bowls of chocolate peanut ice cream.
 
Visit Barb Roose’s online home at barbroose.com . Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook ( BarbaraRoose ), Twitter ( barbroose ), and Instagram ( barbroose ).

Our Victories Look Different

Recently my husband texted me a picture. It was our daughter navigating her way through our front yard on the riding lawn mower.

Big deal, right?

YES!

It’s a celebration because it is yet another thing in the long list of what God has done to prove as He promised that this child is an overcomer.

For those who don’t know her story, she tested for congenital hypothyroidism at three weeks, but when we asked for results, we didn’t receive accurate results until eight weeks. A team sat us down and prepared us for mental retardation.

That alone was enough for this kid to deal with. Yet she nearly died at three months with more doctor error, had RSV at six nonths, was hospitalized at nine months for pneumonia, and around age 12, was diagnosed with Albrights hereditary osteodystrophy, AHO.

If tickets were being given out of no hope for normal, forget about it, and no chance, she would have been given the roll.

We’re thankful because God has always had the first and last word when it comes to her, us, everything. In the womb He promised she was an overcomer and by golly, she is. She’s in high school, regular classes. Oh, wait, One class is actually a college course. Take that, naysayers.

She’s active in youth group and down to do just about any activity they ask. She’s in student council and an author of three books.

Victories! Victories everywhere!

But, I’ve had to reel my emotions in more than once. Because of AHO, her bones have fused and she is done growing. Where her friends continue to grow taller, she’s 4’9″. Because of the missing thyroid meds needed from birth, she struggles with processing/comprehension. It’s not immediately visible but she has to work twice as hard, especially in math and science.

And where in our state her peers were allowed to obtain their permit at 15 1/2, at nearly 17 that’s not the case for us.

Confession?

I’m relieved.

It’s hard.

People ask her if she’s driving and why not. She knows it’s not time, but for her rep, she’s allowed to blame me. The written part is hard for her. We weren’t sure if she was tall enough to even try. There are fast decisions as a driver she has to make, and she’s not able to at this time.

Will she get there? I think so. I’m scared to death about it. I don’t want it rushed, but I don’t want to operate out of fear. I’m as much a work in progress as anyone.

The lawnmower is hope. It tells my husband he might be teaching her behind the wheel just yet. It tells me yet again God is writing the story. Not me. Not doctors. Her creator.

The picture reminds me that our victories look different. To the marathon winner, finishing a couch to 5k app might be no big deal. To the heart attack survivtor, it might mean the world. To finish an early reader might be no biggie, unless you have dyslexia. Making a pie? Sounds easy because my mom was there to guide me as I was growing up. Not everyone can say that.

What’s a victory that maybe you discounted that you should celebrate? Comment away!

***

That daughter is Hannah and we just finished the last book in our series, You’re Brilliant. It releases May 22, or you can pre-order for Kindle.

Book Review: Dead Silence by Robin Caroll

Political games can be deadly…
 
Elise Carmichael is a court sign language interpreter who reads lips all the time. As a widow with a young son who is deaf, lip reading is simply second nature, until the day she reads the lips of someone on the phone discussing an attempt to be made on a senator’s life—a senator who just happens to be her mother-in-law. Before she can decide what she needs to do, she receives the information that her son is rushed to the ER and she must leave. Then she later sees the news report that her mother-in-law has been shot and killed. But when she comes forward, her life, as well as her son’s life, may now be in the crosshairs of the assassin.

I love political suspense, especially when it falls in the Christian fiction genre. Dead Silence features a widow, a young son who is deaf, a mother-in-law who is a senator, and a murder that entangles them all. I really enjoyed reading a suspense that included a family with special needs because of a disability. I thought that was well done and accelerated the tension and drama.

I admit, I stumbled with the FBI involvement. As the book progressed, the agency comes off as inept, and one agent in particular, I had trouble believing they would even be employed by the FBI. The heroine of course tires of the incompetency and does things her way, more than once. I understand the need for conflict, but the FBI seems to never know what’s going on, and let’s a civilian run around and figure it out for them. I found that troubling.

But the drama, conflict, and tension are there, as well as likeable characters. The one I really enjoyed was the senator’s husband, a retired investigative reporter. He really shined.

Although this isn’t a perfect read, it’s a very good one. I do recommend it.

I received this book through NetGalley.

Fiction Finder: May 2020 New Releases

May 2020 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Children’s:

The Edge of Everywhen by A.S. Mackey — Begin with an ancient, mysterious, self-aware book. Add two heartbroken children, reeling from the loss of their mother. Mix in a cantankerous aunt, dreams that see the future, and a father trying to make his way home and you get “The Edge of Everywhen,” a captivating tale of loss, hope, revelation, and unexplained mystery. “The Edge of Everywhen” is a book-lover’s book, a story of intrigue in which two children embark upon a life-changing journey of faith. (Middle Grade from B & H Publishing)

Contemporary Romance:

A Mother’s Homecoming by Lisa Carter — Charmed by the two-year-old twins in her toddler tumbling class, Maggie Arledge is shocked to learn they’re the children she gave up for adoption. And when Bridger Hollingsworth—the uncle caring for the boys—needs an emergency nanny, she fits the bill. But with sparks flying between her and Bridger, can she let herself get attached…and risk exposing secrets from her past? (Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Love is in the Air by Tanya Eavenson, Candee Fick, Kathleen Friesen, Laura V. Hilton, and Kathleen Rouser — This collection of five brand new Christian romances is sure to send your heart soaring. Journey from Canada to Georgia and Colorado to Paris by way of Michigan as these couples find love is in the air. All they had to do was look up. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

The Trouble With Love by Toni Shiloh — I, Holiday Brown, have it all. A platinum record. Multi-million dollar home in Manhattan that I share with my two best friends. Life is looking fantastic until my roommate’s brother decides to bunk in our guestroom while his house gets renovated. W. Emmett Bell has always been the bane of my existence. He’s annoying, stubborn, a know it all, and just might be the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on. But I refuse to fall for him. But when his sister’s threatened by a stalker, dynamics change. His unwavering faith isn’t quite as self-righteous as I’d always thought, and maybe he has a good side I’ve overlooked all these years. Or maybe it’s all too much trouble. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner — Hadley Beckett became the star of the Culinary Channel following hot-tempered celebrity chef Max Cavanagh’s public fall from grace. But when Max returns, career in shambles, his only chance for redemption is to work alongside the beloved host of “At Home with Hadley.” Will these two polar opposites burn down the kitchen—or fall in love? (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Stay with Me by Becky Wade — When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents’ past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge mountains to chase down her family’s secret. However, it’s Genevieve’s own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of an historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she’s worked so hard to hide. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

General:

Within Golden Bands by Norma Gail — Newly married Bonny MacDonell finds the transition from American college professor to Scottish sheep farmer’s wife more difficult than she expected. When her miracle pregnancy ends in a devastating miscarriage, she fears her husband’s reaction will hurt more than the loss of their child. But Kieran never shows up at the hospital. When found, he is beaten and unconscious. The only memory of his attacker is the words, “Get off my land.” Reeling from the threat to her husband and the loss of their child, Bonny struggles to hold her marriage together. When faith in love is not enough, where do you turn? (Contemporary, Independently Published)

The Society of Second Chances by Deborah Raney — The Society of Second Chances faces a real challenge, as they try to uncover a way to help Harmoni Branaham—a young woman just released from prison. (Women’s Fiction from Guideposts Publications)

Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer — Newlywed cold-case detectives Sean Eagle and Meghan DeFord struggle between past wounds and their desire for a family when one of them takes on a case involving parental abandonment. (Women’s Fiction from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])

Historical:

Moondrop Miracle by Jennifer Lamont Leo — Chicago, 1928. Pampered socialite Connie Shepherd lives the kind of glossy life other women read about in the society pages. Engaged to a handsome financier, she spends her days and nights in a dizzying social round. When eccentric Aunt Pearl, an amateur chemist, offers her an unusual wedding present—the formula for a home-brewed skin tonic—Connie laughs it off. But when the Great Depression flings her privileged world into chaos and rocks her marriage to the core, will Aunt Pearl’s strange gift provide the key to survival for Connie and her baby? (Historical from Mountain Majesty Media)

Tranquility Point by Pamela S. Meyers — Hannah’s life couldn’t be sweeter—a marriage proposal and law school. Then the Great War intrudes and everything sours. (Historical from Mantle Rock Publishing)

Historical Romance:

A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy — A driven entomologist travels to India in an attempt to win a coveted scholarship and save her late father’s scientific journal. But in this enchanting land, she discovers that there are some things more important than success. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Rocky Mountain Redemption by Lisa J. Flickinger — Fleeing a broken engagement, Isabelle Franklin joins her aunt to feed a camp of lumberjacks in the Rocky Mountains. She doesn’t expect to fall for camp foreman Charles Bailey, nicknamed “Preach,” who is struggling between his hard past and his newfound faith. When the ghosts from her past return to haunt her, the choices she will make change the course of her life forever—and that of the man she’s come to love. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Pretending to Wed by Melissa Jagears — It’s a match made in heaven…as long as they don’t fall in love! The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress. Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow. When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn’t as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren’t quite as compatible as they thought? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

The Sinner in Mississippi by D.L. Lane — The story of Mississippi Singletary, born to a fearful mother and an abusive father in a rundown shack outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Historical Romance from By Faith Publishing)

The Mechanic & The MD by Linda Shenton Matchett — Woman mechanic Doris Strealer has a hard time finding love until she joins the Red Cross Motor Corps and comes face to face with her past in the form of Van Toppel, an old classmate. On the brink of a successful career as a surgeon, Van’s plans crumble when he’s drafted and assigned to an evacuation hospital in England, the last place he expects to run into a former schoolmate. The gangly tomboy who was four years behind him in high school has transformed into a statuesque beauty, but a broken engagement in college leaves him with no desire to risk his heart ever again. Will the hazards of war make or break a romance between this unlikely couple? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson — In this new Regency romance, Elizabeth knows she must protect her heart from the charm of her new husband, Lord Torrington. She is not, however, prepared to protect her life. (Historical Mystery from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Standoff (Natchez Trace Park Rangers) by Patricia Bradley — The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it’s being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers. John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling–hard–for the daughter of the man he failed to save? (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Untraceable Evidence by Sharee Stover — Someone’s after a deadly weapon…and only she can stop them. It’s undercover ATF agent Randee Jareau’s job to make sure the government’s 3-D printed “ghost gun” doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So when someone goes after scientist Ace Steele, she must protect him…before she loses the undetectable weapon and its creator. But with a mole inside Ace’s company and everyone a suspect, this assignment could become Randee’s last. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Medieval Fantasy:

The Story Hunter by Lindsay A. Franklin — In this epic conclusion to The Weaver Trilogy, Tanwen and the Corsyth weavers must rescue the queen and rid Tir of the Master once and for all, but the success of their hunt depends upon an ally no one trusts, and the fate of the kingdom rests in the hands of a volatile, shattered girl. (Medieval Fantasy from Enclave Publishing)

Suspense:

Purgatory, A Progeny’s Quest by T. M. Brown — A teenage girl arrives in Shiloh seeking to reconnect with her estranged mother, the only remaining family member she has ever known, only to learn she too has died, but she learns of family she never knew about. All the while a limo with a dark past arrives in town along with unwanted interest by a stranger that puts lives at risk. (Thriller from Southern Fried Karma LLC/Hearthstone Press)

Young Adult:

You’re Brilliant by Julie Arduini — Amazing things happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more than competent. (Young Adult from Surrendered Scribe Media)

 

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Lost Down Deep by Sara Davidson, Romantic Suspense

Son of Mary by R.S. Ingermanson, Biblical

Then There Was You by D. L. Lane, Romantic Suspense

Love’s Silver Bullet by Julie Lessman, Historical Romance

Tug of War by Brenda C. Poulos, Thriller/Suspense

The Scholar’s Quest: The Way by Brad Rucker, Adventure

Illusions by Jennifer Sienes, General Contemporary

The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch, Historical Romance

A Beautiful Arrangement by Beth Wiseman, Amish Romance

Barb Roose: Surrendered

Part 1 of an interview with Barb Roose,
Author of Surrendered:
Letting Go & Living Like Jesus
If COVID-19 has taught us anything so far, it’s that we are not in control. When life gets hard, aspects of the future are uncertain, and we’re at the mercy of other’s decisions, we want more power over the situation. However, those are precisely the times when we need to learn how to surrender, just like Jesus did. In Surrendered: Letting Go & Living Like Jesus , Barb Roose leads readers in a study of Jesus in the wilderness to show that when our need to fix things takes over, that’s when we need to embrace God’s plans rather than our own.
 
Roose wrote the Surrendered Bible study for the weary woman who needs to let go of control-loving behaviors and learn to live like Jesus in the midst of the hard times or during the heartbreaking circumstances each person will face at some point in life. There are problems in life that can can’t be fixed no matter what we do, and living out the phrase “Let go and let God” is much easier said than done. She asks readers to consider if it is possible that giving up on what they can’t change is God’s path to peace for their life.
 
Q: There may literally be no better time for this specific Bible study to release! Tell us about the theme of your new study, Surrendered.
 
In light of what our world is experiencing right now, I would totally agree! Who knew that toilet paper would become the hottest commodity in America?
 
My new Surrendered study is written for the weary woman who needs to let go of control-loving behaviors and learn to live like Jesus in the midst of hard times or during heartbreaking circumstances that we all face at some point in life.
 
Q: Surrendered focuses on Jesus’s time in the wilderness. How do you use the wilderness as a metaphor for the reader?
 
The wilderness is a spiritual symbol for those long, difficult and uncomfortable seasons in life. I’ve never heard anyone say, “Yes! I’m in a wilderness season. This is going to be great!”
 
Usually triggered by change, our wilderness seasons are often characterized by spiritual confusion or a long-lasting situation that seems to press the “pause” button in our life. Wilderness seasons are frustrating because there are no quick fixes and we often have no control over how long it will last or ultimately, how that hard situation will turn out.
 
Yet, the wilderness season is a beautiful invitation for us to experience God in new and powerful ways. As we travel through hard days or heartbreaking times, the wilderness is often a place where we experience God’s might power, abundant provision and comforting presence in ways that we never have before.
 
Remember that both Jesus and the Israelites spent time in the wilderness. Jesus’ forty days model for us how to live by faith during his wilderness seasons while the Israelites forty years teach us valuable lessons on what can happen when we allow fear to overrun our hearts in hard times.
 
Q: It’s not a sin to be tempted, so why do we feel so much shame and guilt because of our temptations, after all, Jesus was tempted?
 
While it’s not a sin to be tempted, we’re often feel shame around the source of our temptation. Once we feel shame, silence and isolation quickly follow. Satan loves to show up in our spiritual isolation, but that’s when his lies stick the most. As long as we’re silent, we’ll struggle against Satan’s assault on our own—and that’s dangerous for us!
 
However, Jesus showed us that we can find victory over temptation and avoid getting trapped in spiritual isolation by fighting back with scripture and relying on the Holy Spirit.
 
Q: We’re seeing a lot in the news about stockpiling due to future uncertainty. Let’s talk more about God providing what we need for today, and how you began practicing your “Principle of Daily Bread.”
 
I believe that God takes care of His children at all times, especially hard times!
 
When my adult children were young kids, I used to panic if I couldn’t immediately repurchase or replace something that broke or ran out. One of the ways that I used control to push back against the panic was to join the coupon craze. I’d spend hours each week clipping coupons or printing them. I’d haul home handfuls of free toiletries or snacks and store them in a closet that I called “my stockpile.”
 
However, a season of life came when I couldn’t even afford the newspaper to clip the coupons. Eventually, my stockpile went away, and I hit a spiritual rock bottom. I began to reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:11, “give us this day our daily bread” and realized that I’d placed my faith in a stockpile, not in God.
 
The “Principle of Daily Bread” means that I will trust that God will provide exactly what I need for the day in front of me. Like the Israelites had to wait for God to provide manna each day, I learned to wait for God to provide and stop letting the amount of food in my cupboard or the amount of money in my bank account, determine my level of peace or joy.
  Q: How is Surrendered designed to be used? What other resources are available to groups?
 
I wrote the Surrendered study for the control-loving woman who is exhausted from trying protect what she loves, fix what’s broken or trying to get everything in her life back on track. This six-week Bible study invites participants to follow Jesus’ footsteps into the Judean wilderness and immerse themselves in studying how Jesus overcame those trials and temptations.
 
As I dream about the control-loving woman who knows that she needs to let go, I dream about a supportive community of friends who will take this journey toward surrender along with her. Surrendered is a study that should be experienced and shared with others!
 
The Surrendered Study includes a participant workbook, leader guide and DVD.
 
Q: What are the components of each week’s study? Are there daily lessons too?
 
Each week’s study includes specific letting go topics as well as application exercises and various. There are five lessons combining study of Scripture with reflection and application. As part of the study content, you’ll find Extra Insights; a weekly Memory Verse; a Daily Surrender Prayer and short, memorable Surrender Statements to stock your Surrendered toolbox.
 
Throughout the study there are practical exercises that will provide you with real-time opportunities for reflection and create next-step action plans for your life, whether that might be working on a spiritual breakthrough, destroying a mental stronghold, or following through with a Spirit-led act of obedience that God may be asking you to do.
 
Each daily lesson should take about twenty to thirty minutes. These lessons will help you prepare for the discussion and activities of your weekly session, if you are meeting with a group. Though you can do the study individually and reap benefits, it is designed to be done with a group for encouragement, support, and accountability. As you gather to watch the Surrendered DVD, you also will have the opportunity to share what you are learning and pray together.
 
Each video message is designed to follow and complement the content that you have studied during the week. Whether or not your group watches the video, it’s so helpful to share your struggles and victories in your journey to surrender. As you do, you’ll encourage one another and find strength to complete the study and put into practice all that you’re learning.
 
Ultimately, women can discover that the blessing of living a surrendered life is a healed heart, a calmer mind and open hands that willingly accepts or surrenders whatever God allows.
 
Q: What are some ways women can creatively come together to do the study as a group, even if they aren’t able to meet in person?
 
While I hate the difficult circumstances that the COVID-19 outbreak has created around the world, but I love seeing how God dropped some opportunities in place before we realized that we needed them. Here are a few wonderful opportunities that are available during these wild times:
 
Here’s some exciting news! One of the ways that I want to serve women in the midst of the virus crisis is to provide an online gathering for them to do the Surrendered study. So, I’m hosting the Surrendered Online Study beginning on April 22. I’ll be doing live teaching on Wednesdays in a private Facebook group and then, Thursdays will be our group discussion day. I’m excited about this because many women can’t meet with their groups, and I don’t want that delay to keep them from experiencing the Surrendered study. More information is available at barbroose.com/onlinestudy/ .
 
Here are a few other ways that women can experience the Surrendered study:
 
1. AMPLIFY – To help groups stay connected and continue to study the Bible together during this time of social-distancing, Abingdon Women and Amplify Media are making the video sessions of Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus available for free for group members to watch at home from any device. Sessions will be available free of charge from April 7 to June 30, 2020.
 
View the video sessions at https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/series/unitedmethodistpublishinghouse/32668-surrendered.
 
Amplify Media is a streaming service allowing churches large and small unlimited video access in order to discover, customize, and share diverse resources that encourage deeper discipleship and equip churches to pursue their mission with greater impact.
Learn more at AmplifyMedia.com. 
 
2. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD – Each individual session of the Surrendered study is available for digital download at cokesbury.com/surrendered.
 
3. ONLINE GROUPS – I’m so encouraged and inspired by women’s Bible study and small group leaders across the country who are so dedicated to leading their groups in these challenging times. I’m also a group leader at my church, too! Like many group leaders, our group is leveraging technology like Zoom, Facebook Groups and other platforms to meet together online.
  Surrendered: Letting Go & Living Like Jesus 
A Study of Jesus in the Wilderness
By Barb Roose
 
Available April 7, 2020 from Abingdon Women
 
Participant Workbook
Paperback ISBN: 9781501896286 / $16.99 ~ eBook ISBN: 9781501896293 / $16.99
 Leader Guide
Paperback ISBN: 9781501896309 / $14.99 ~ eBook ISBN: 9781501896316 / $14.99
 DVD
ISBN: 9781501896323 / $49.99
About the author

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about connecting women to one another and to God helping them apply the truths of God’s Word to the practical realities and challenges they face as women in today’s culture.
 
Roose enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, as well as internationally, including national platforms such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
 
She is the author of the Surrender: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle and Beautiful Already: Reclaiming God’s Perspective on Beauty Bible studies and the books Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty. Her writing has been featured in many magazines, and she also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com. She is the host of the bi-monthly “Better Together” podcast.
 
Roose lives in Toledo, Ohio, and is the proud mom of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes sleeping in, taking a long walk outside, shopping for shoes and eating two big bowls of chocolate peanut ice cream.
 
Visit Barb Roose’s online home at barbroose.com . Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook ( BarbaraRoose ), Twitter ( barbroose ), and Instagram ( barbroose ).