Julie Arduini's Blog, page 41

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 ).

Quarantine Reflections: My Report Card

Even though it snowed most of the day, I still felt it. That shift in spirit that whispers we’ve overcome the biggest hurdle and soon we’ll experience the return of life outside our home. Like staying home, it won’t be perfect and adjustment will be slow, but I truly feel we’ve hit rock bottom and we’re on the upswing.

Cue praising and dancing.

Anyway, I’m a thinker and I try to process my experiences. What did I learn? What went well? What was an epic fail? I’ll blog on that next. For now, I thought I’d share what I though as far as winners and losers.

What Did I Learn?

We’re a resilient, creative people. Medical personnel were short on masks? Enter families making masks. Only allowed out for essential travel? We’ve kept schedules to stay sane. We’ve made meals out of a few ingredients and made food last. We’ve kept our kids on track with school. We’ve for the most part smiled at strangers during walks, at scared people in stores, smiled to anyone we’ve come in contact with because—we can’t have contact. And, well, humanity. We’re better at that than I thought.



We’re a generous, compassionate people. I joined a Facebook group that kept track of what small businesses were open for drive-thru business or in safe ways that we could purchase from. It’s a busy group. People are getting take out to keep families going who own these places. There are people donating meals to be delivered to nursing homes and hospitals. One pizzaria announced enough donations came in for the general public that they were making pizzas for free, and I believe that offer lasted more than one day. No strings. Free pizza. Another group lets locals know what products can be found at what stores. Neighbors are offering to pick up items if someone needs it. Folks are giving haircut money they would have used in April to add to the actual haircut they hope to get in May.

What Went Well

Now I’m pointing a finger at me. I am a wife, mom, and author who manages these things at home. Every day. All day. The stay-at-home protocol adds three more people, also known as my family, to this home. Every day. All day. So how did that go?

Julie

When I returned from an Upstate NY visit in early March, it hit me that this virus is real, and bigger than we imagined. Within days I went from driving 300 miles with a couple canisters of wipes with me to learning both kids would be remote learning. Then my husband went to his office knowing he had to get a lot done because he’d be called home soon. By that afternoon, the office was told to shut down and everyone in the company had to work from home until further notice. I am an introvert and I love my space. I crave it. And I honestly thought I’d lose my mind sooner than later.

It’s not been perfect, but it has been actually great. We’ve taken walks as a family. Walked the dog. Watched TV together. Took drives to find crosses Easter week. As for schooling, they have a schedule, and so do I. We are very blessed to have space to get our stuff done and not bump into each other. My husband has an office at home, but even when he uses the room we lovingly call his “cave,” it doesn’t really bother me.

I admit I’m in the middle of finishing a book and releasing it so I do like my quiet and focus. I can work while one of the kids binges Friends. It is harder when the husband is on a conference call. It is near impossible when he’s eating salad and clangs the bowl. A lot. But again, I thought these things would throw me over the edge. Only the salad bowl had me tense up and think I need out of here. That’s a great surprise!

My Faith. It would be easy to lose ground during a quarantine/pandemic when it comes to faith. People are sick and dying. I don’t understand that. But instead of turning away from God, I’ve been intentional about digging in. I recently reviewe the CSB Life Essentials Bible and it is interactive. I am really soaking up not just keeping up with my daily Bible plan on YouVersion (Chasing Truth read the Bible in a year plan,) but listening to Life Principles with Gene A. Getz on the Life Essentials app. It’s opening my eyes to God’s word in ways I’ve missed before. I’m reading more, learning more, praying more. There are things I feel God is saying, and I don’t think I would have been as observant. That’s not natural for me, so I thank God for helping me with these things that are going well.

My quarntine hair, April 2020

My hair. I am superficial. Aging is helping that somewhat, but it’s still there. I looked yesterday at my app and my last haircut was in January. I remember thinking once I returned from my NY trip in March, I’d get a cut. Well, that didn’t happen. Early on I thought maybe we’d be back to business in mid April. Well, that had to be rescheduled. Now I’m scheduled for early May. My hair does not grow long. It grows OUT. I am usually so over it I take scissors to hand. And I’m not in any kind of panic. Am I ready? Absolutely. But I’m not losing my mind.

What’s Been an Epic Fail

Exercise. I was on a great trek with my recumbent bike and yoga. It gave me peace and some muscle tone. When this all first happened, we were out walking. Walking. Walking. Well, it has rained. Snowed. Rained more. Snowed again. So cold. We walked during some rain, but I’m at a place I just can’t. I seriously can’t find the motivation. I get the bike and yoga once a week. I haven’t walked in a week.

Snacking. This has been recent but with the gloomy weather, I just hit a place where I’m like why not. Why not eat more chocolate. Why not have some pretzels even after I marked my fitness apps as done eating for the day? Why not only have one Diet Pepsi I wanted to wean off, but have two? Gah.

I’m one that when things are close to being done, I give up. The last week has been hard getting up to start a work and school schedule. Hard keeping the house picked up. Hard making meals. I am so sick of making dinner. We don’t even go out that much but somehow I feel my meal prep has tripled. I’m over it. I tend to be everyone else’s cheerleader but this week especially? I can’t even handle being my own.

I look at this and realize we all need to extend each other and ourselves grace. This is new for all of us, and we’re doing the best we can. I’m trying to keep that mindset with myself. I also think I’ll be reflecting on my attitude and choices as we return to public life. I want to act with compassion and faith. I want to be known as an encourager, not a judge.

Have you learned anything about yourself during this season? Feel free to comment or find me on social media @JulieArduini.

***

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.
Pre-Order HERE

Christian Romance Readers Group

Do you love reading Christian Romace? Me, too. In fact, when Inspy Romance started, I subscribed and started immediately reading. Then I was asked to write a guest post, and I loved it. Now? I’m one of the IR bloggers. It’s amazing.

The fun is I’m still a reader. I love finding out what the other IR bloggers are working on and releasing. When a Facebook group started to connect the IR bloggers and readers, perfection!

The Christian Romance Readers Group, CRRG, is the place to talk Christian romance with the IR bloggers. Recently we’ve been taking turns hosting and posting, and it’s been great to get to know everyone better.

This week it’s my turn. I’m posting twice a day, letting everyone know about free books, giveaways, and more.

It’s a fun group, and if Christian romance is your genre, you should join us!

CHRISTIAN ROMANCE READERS GROUP

Quarantine Reflections: Winners & Losers

Even though it snowed most of the day, I still felt it. That shift in spirit that whispers we’ve overcome the biggest hurdle and soon we’ll experience the return of life outside our home. Like staying home, it won’t be perfect and adjustment will be slow, but I truly feel we’ve hit rock bottom and we’re on the upswing.

Cue praising and dancing.

Anyway, I’m a thinker and I try to process my experiences. What did I learn? What went well? What was an epic fail? I’ll blog on that next. For now, I thought I’d share what I though as far as winners and losers.

WINNERS

Well, you can’t start a category without listing those on the frontlines. I have several friends in NY and OH who work in this field as nurses, aides, and in nursing home and home therapy environments. There are single moms who at the start of this thought of their families and sent kids with grandparents to keep everyone safe. They are working crazy shifts, watching colleagues test positive, and things I’ll never wrap my head around. Then go home alone. I have prayed and prayed for them. Thankfully I don’t know anyone who has been sick because of their work, but I know from reading that there are people who gave their lives to save others. I’ll not take that for granted.



Same for our grocery workers, pharmacies, truck drivers, and those who continue to serve. The news changes every day. Masks aren’t needed. Wait, they are. Six feet is enough. Maybe not. No matter what the conversation, these folks keep showing up and making sure we have the basics. Again, we should never take them for granted.



Then there are the patients and their families. How many stories have I cried over where the patients entered the hospital in dire straights only to lift the spirits of their medical team? I saw a report last night of a doctor who visited a patient that was one of the first admitted. The patient was so encouraging that the doctor said he will forever be impacted and work to save others on behalf of the impact that patient made. Then there are the families. I can’t imagine dropping my loved one off and not going in. And how many had to say goodbye via phone or as I’ve read, walkie talkie. Like I said, my mind can’t go there, and yet so many are living it. There are so many unknowns and no one signed up for this. No. one. Yet the grace and strength displayed.

Teachers. Students. Families. Zero notice. Little prep. No template to work from. From scratch school districts across the nation had to find a way to teach, forcing families to go all in. Not only did they do that, but the video content I’ve seen from schools letting the kids know how much they miss them. The parade of cars driving through student neighborhoods letting kids know they are missed. Teachers working outside homes with a white board to help students who don’t understand the lesson. That’s love, dedication, and all kinds of goodness.

Churches. Restaurants. People and organizations jumping in and making a positive difference. Our church has been online, and offered a drive in Easter service via huge screen and FM signal, all while abiding by regulations and with approval. Their message continues to be one of hope. Our family has received messages making sure we are well. The youth ministry dropped off eggs filled with treats in yards to let teens know they were loved and missed. Mid-week services were online. Our family enjoyed Zoom game nights with youth. Churches have offered their property for food distribution. Restaurants giving away food to frontline workers and families in need. There is so much here I’m not even aware of. The mask makers. The families parking in hospital lots to pray for everyone and honking their love when a shift is over. There’s so much good here.

youtube.com/somegoodnews John Krasinsky sign

As a sub category, actor John Krasinski used his celebrity to create a “news” channel called Some Good News. From his office he’s shared a newcast only with good news. Those who have watched like I have admit like me, they tear up and outright cry because it feels so good. There are great people out there. Great things are happening. My heart needs to hear that. If that wasn’t enough, SGN/Krasinksi just hosted an online prom for the Class of 2020 on YouTube Live featuring Rainn Wilson, the Jonas Brothers, Chance the Rapper, and Billie Eilish. Billie’s brother thanked Krasinki for his compassion and noted that “only a dad would do something like this for a bunch of 17 year olds.”

This might bring blowback, but I also put in the win category with an asterick, most politicians. This was new territory for all of us, so I have to appreciate the efforts our president, VP, and governors gave to find the best way to keep us safe, give the best care, and restore a schedule the best way possible. Did they act perfectly and get it all right? No, but did I? Did you? For all we were facing as a nation, and still are, these folks have had the weight of our lives on our shoulder with the instant criticism thanks to social media. They are tired, I dare say traumatized, and yet they continue to work and press in.

LOSERS

I try to stay positive. I have to admit, this season has tested me. So I’m glad I don’t have a lot to say in this category. Losers are the ones who hoarded items to sell at a mark-up. Losers are ones who intentionally harmed items or put people in harm’s way with their ignorance or intential rebellion. Losers are ones who saw someone hurting and with words/actions laughed/neglected/somehow walked over these folks and did nothing.

This is a summary. As I type I think of a friend who probably has calloused fingers from all the sewing she’s done providing masks for free. But I hope you can think of some winners, and more than that, be one yourself. Feel free to leave a comment or share on social media @JulieArduini who/what you would list in the winner category.

Stay strong.

***

You’re Brilliant is now available for pre-order. I’d love for you to check it out!

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?

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.

Pre-Order You’re Brilliant

Have you met anyone that loved middle school?

Yeah, me neither.

That’s pretty much the reason why I shuffled my writing schedule for nearly three years and worked with our daughter, Hannah, to create the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for girls and women of all ages. After releasing You’re Beautiful and You’re Amazing, I come to you with bags under my eyes and coffee in hand to announce the final book, You’re Brilliant, is now available for pre-order.

Julie

When Hannah finished the eighth grade, it was a huge victory because she had extra challenges. When all was said and done she told me she wished there was a way to encourage girls about to go through the things she did. She started talking and it was in the form of a story.

And it was good.

Really good.

I told her that she had a great book forming, and if she would work with me, I’d help her get it published. She sketched out what she was thinking. It was a three-book series.

Our process has been the same since the beginning. Hannah has the vision for the series, and for each book. She created the characters and their names. I look at the overall plot and start writing. Each chapter goes to her to make sure it fits her vision and approval. If so, I send it to critique groups for revisions and editing. Hannah also had the vision for the covers, so they are her design.

The hardest part of the process has been marketing. It’s a book for girls, and yet we have two characters who are the protagonists, almost two books in one. One main character is a student believing a lie about themselves. The second is an adult mentor, struggling with the same lie. As Hannah and I talked, we realized that too many women are walking around defeated when it is all a lie. So the mentor is there to remind women they are all things beautiful, amazing, and brilliant.

When I write romance, I use Upstate NY settings, so for this series I flipped it and used our current location, NE Ohio. We created a mentoring ministry for girls so the different ages could meet up and learn from each other. Honestly, I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished.

Although Hannah is shy about it, and we laugh when her friends think we should go to Vegas on our almost non existent royalties, she admitted she can’t believe we’re at the end. I feel the same.

I truly hope you check the series out, and read them all. They can be stand-alones, but they also flow together. If you enjoy them, please leave a review on Amazon/Goodreads/BookBub. We’d love to see a lot of readers find this. Not because we want to go to Vegas, but because we want to see females living free.

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.
PRE-ORDER HERE

Purchase You’re Beautiful

Purchase You’re Amazing

CSB Life Essentials Bible Giveaway WINNER

Last week I reviewed the CSB Life Essentials Bible and offered a giveaway. One US winner will receive a Bible, a $44.99 value.

Well, I used the online spinner and the winner is ARLETTA!

Congratulations!

The more I use this Bible, the more I love it. It has been such a learning experience using the app and scanning the codes to listen to Gene A. Getz and his Biblical knowledge and life principles.

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Commentary and application questions on 1,500 life principles250 hours of free in-depth video teaching to accompany each life principleTwo-color interior designSmyth-sewn bindingPresentation pageTwo-column textTopical subheadingsBlack-letter text9-point typeTextual footnotesConcordanceFull-color maps

The CSB Life Essentials Study Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

It’s truly worth every penny.

If you’d like one of your own, purchase HERE.

Lessons from Lazarus

Since the Coronavirus settled over our country and sent us home for remote work and learning, I’ve been sending weekly messages through my newsletter. I asked what they wanted and the answer was weekly, encouraging messages and reading suggestions.

So, that’s what I’ve done.

The encouragement is brief and I pray, as always, about what it is I’m supposed to share. What I found weird about the Easter message was it wasn’t directly about Jesus.

It was about Lazarus and the frustration I know I’m having wanting this virus to die so people can live. So people can get back to work. So the heaviness I feel some mornings knowing the day won’t hold much difference than the day before or the day to come can disappear.

I’d love to share that message with you here.

And, if you missed entering my April 15 CSB Life Essential Bible Study giveaway, you can do that, too.

Hang tight. Jesus is not late, nor has He forgotten us. He’s right on time.

Happy Easter to all.

Read my Easter Message HERE.

This is 50

I’m a little late, I had other blogging posts scheduled, but each year I try to write a birthday related post. Well this was a big one. 5-0. Fifty years. Or as one fellow 50 said, “I can’t believe we’re half a century year old.”

That I wasn’t ready for.

But overall, I’m ready for 50. I think 48 and part of 49 was a huge learning curve to prepare me for the new decade. From self doubt to sickness, I had to lay a lot down about my fears, anger, past, and grief to walk through the fifth decade threshold.

And what a blessing because I never thought I’d see a birthday where we are self-isolating during a pandemic. I was so looking forward to going out with friends, something I rarely do as a hardcore introvert. It was still an amazing day, but boy, it felt surreal.

I remember when I turned 30 friends asked if I had a problem with it. Ah, the good old days. I remember I wasn’t. Always a goal oriented person, I was married with a little boy living in a nice home with acreage to run with our dog and play. I had a job I liked, and I believe I was starting to write again for what was a new ministry at my church for moms with young children. I knew who I was and what I was meant to do.

I feel the same about 50. The 30’s ended up being cruel and hard, and 40’s weren’t as traumatic, but it didn’t feel like there was a lot of let up, either. I know more than ever what my purpose in life is, and I’m doing it. It’s more than writing books, it’s encouraging women. It’s praying with and for them. It’s watching them thrive as they surrender all to Christ. For all the buzzes I chased in college, there is no high like watching women soar in Christ. For that, I welcome 50 with open arms.

Julie Arduini

I remain married, and I get not everyone gets to say that. Not only is divorce present in the Body of Christ, but we are in the middle of a pandemic where tomorrow our neighborhood is honoring a family man who lost his life to this horrific virus. I don’t take a day for granted. I haven’t since 2003.

I have two kids at home that I love looking at and knowing all God has seen them through. One is nearly ready to start his adult life apart from us. It’s emotional and scary, but I know with lessons under his belt and more to come, he’s ready. The other has fought for so many things that most of us take for granted. She’s still standing. In high school. A regular classroom earning amazing grades and still changing lives with her smile. The two siblings get along really well, and nothing warms my heart more than when I hear their laughter.

There are also the older children who are both married with families of their own. This part kind of took me off guard, I think I always pictured them as teens at best, but in their 30’s? Married? With kids? I wasn’t even 30 when I married their dad. So that’s kind of surreal to me. And in their kids I see a lot of what I remember in them as kids. This is a bonus to life I didn’t think about.

I still have my mom in good health running circles around me, and my sister and her son are thriving. I have a church family that through storms that felt like tsunamis only came closer together and I feel very much part of that family. I have a tribe that has my back. They have prayed me through hard stuff. They offer coffee dates, laughs, late night messaging and so much more.

Writing really only took off for me in my 40’s and I believe this is the decade where I see a breakthrough. I’m learning the craft and maturing in it. The ideas I have to bring to print, I’m excited. The strategy God has to use writing, I am so excited. I know that part is only beginning. I’m not chasing best seller lists or celebrity perks. But I pray for new readers to keep finding me. Because I want to see their lives changed for the better, and for me to cheer and encourage them along the way.

I envision travel in this decade, even though I’m more introverted than ever and am often content just to stay home.

As far as my self esteem, I believe there’s a lot of freedom coming in that area. Everyone I’ve talked to who is ahead in that game says the older they get, the more free they feel. I want that to be a good thing, not a self-entitled attitude that has other generations running the other way when they see me. I long to be more patient and compassionate, and not afraid of my double chin, baggy eyes, or glasses or contacts dilemma to stop me from getting out there. The fact that I enter this decade with gray hair continues to blow my mind. I never thought I’d stop coloring my hair. I even vowed that I would never stop. But when that wasn’t an option, I really wasn’t afraid. And now? I’m so glad. I can’t imagine going back.

I assume this decade will see me at graduations and weddings. I hope to celebrate a 25th wedding anniversary in my 50’s. I also know there is so much that is unknown. It’s kind of scary. But I know from this half century that God is good. Not just cliche good, but He really is. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced it. I’m proof.

So 50, here I am. Let’s do this.