Julie Arduini's Blog, page 46

Two Free eBooks for You!

I’m not an author with dreams of walking into a bookstore and seeing a cardboard cutout of me. No, my heart is to see lives changed for the better because you read my books. That you were entertained. And you follow me online so you know exactly when the next read is coming out.

To that order, I offer my work for free whenever I can. For a few days you’re able to get not one, but TWO ebooks for free. If you don’t have a Kindle device, get the free Kindle app for your device and you’re good to go. Don’t have time to read but have an Alexa device? Guess what? She can read those books to you.

Julie Arduini

You’re Amazing is the second of three books that my daughter and I wrote together. Each can be read stand-alone but all follow the members of Linked, a mentoring ministry for girls. What I love about the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series is it is for girls and women of all ages. One chapter is from the mentor’s POV, and the next, the mentee. Both are struggling with the same lie, but neither know the other is. In You’re Amazing, Jazmin was a natural at dance until she’s criticized. Lena remembers how much purpose she had when she was single. Now that she’s married and has young children, she feels like all she’s good for is changing diapers. Can these two surrender the lies they are believing and realize how amazing they are?

And then there’s Restoring Christmas!

Holly Christmas left Geneseo Valley and her family’s holiday tourist attraction, The Christmas Mansion, as soon as she graduated. Now both her parents have passed, and Holly returns when her uncle needs her help running the mansion. On Holly’s first day back, a blunt middle-schooler proclaims Holly hates Christmas. His comment forces her to reconcile the past while planning for the mansion’s future.

Kevin Holt is invested in offering hope to students with challenges. His best friend’s son is in Kevin’s class, and Nathan needs guidance. Their community project placement at The Christmas Mansion is an opportunity to make a positive difference. When Nathan blurts out his thoughts to the beautiful co-owner, Kevin wonders if he has what it takes to help restore the mansion to its former glory, mentor Noah, and convince Holly Christmas she’s exactly where she needs to be.

This story first appeared in the A Christmas to Remember Boxed Set released October 2018.

This free eBook offer for both You’re Amazing and Restoring Christmas is available January 25-29. If you enjoy them, please leave a review. The more reviews, the more Amazon promotes it. Thank you!

Entrusted Exclusive Ending

It’s no secret that I loved writing Entrusted and fell in love with the characters. Although Speculator Falls is fictional, Speculator, NY isn’t, and it was the biggest compliment when residents told me I painted such a picture even they thought there was a Speculator Falls!

A few years ago while talking with a local book club about Entrusted I had an idea for Ben and Jenna’s story. I was busy finising the Surrendering Times series, starting the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for girls and women of all ages, and writing the Christmas novella that became Restoring Christmas. I kept going back to that idea and when I read about adding an epilogue as a gift to newsletter subscribers, I decided it was time to write that update.

Newsletter subscribers can not only receive Entrusted through BookFunnel as a thank you, but they receive an exclusive version that contains an epilogue. Writing that update brought back all the warm feelings about Ben, Jenna, Sara, Shirley, Will, Carla, and Howard.

Julie

I only send a newsletter when there’s an update that benefits YOU—sales, giveaways, freebies, and the like. If that sounds like something interesting to you, well you know you get a little Entrusted gift as well. All you have to do is visit http://juliearduini.com and you’ll see it in the right sidebar, or click HERE.

After Entrusted, keep reading with Carla’s story in Entangled. Finish it up with Trish in Engaged.

Heather K. Duff: 50 Fresh Starts Journal

Between
family responsibilities, work, and everything else life throws at us, it’s a
challenge to find meaningful connection. I don’t know about you, but my task
list should be named Godzilla. It’s a monster, and most days it keeps me on the
run. It can seem counterintuitive—to pause in the face of overwhelming
busyness—but I’ve run myself ragged, running on fumes, pedal to the metal.
Ticking boxes, annihilating tasks. Until I’m empty.

Life isn’t always so hectic, but most of us do encounter busy seasons from time to time. It’s especially important to start the day with the right focus, putting God first, seeking Him early and often. I’ve had the best intentions about this, but no matter how much I commit to spending time with God in prayer and in His word, my intentions only carry me so far. Without action, intentions are only wishes, and wishes don’t change a thing.

Heather K. Duff

It was out
of this tension that I began writing short devotionals: one verse, one thought,
and a one-sentence prayer. I called these 1-1-1 devotionals. These short,
simple writings were designed to help you and me begin each day with prayer and
Scripture. I compiled them into an ebook and published them on Amazon a couple
years ago. But at the end of 2019, God inspired me to expand this ebook into a
daily devotional journal where the reader could record thoughts, prayers, or
insights. I included lots of white space for doodles, if you’re drawn that way.

It’s Personal: Thyroid Awareness Month

January is Thyroid Awareness month and I didn’t want it to go by without sharing how such a tiny gland has such a big impact on our family.

According to nahypothyroidism.org, there are 300 symptoms associated with a thyroid dysfunction.

The most common are:

Cold hands/feet (hypothyroidism)Dry skin (hypothyroidism)Unexplained weight gain (hypothyroidism)Unexplained weight loss (hyperthyroidism)Loose bowels/diarrhea (hyperthyroidism)Vision issues (Graves’ disease)Difficulty swallowing (goiter/thyroid nodules)

From the American Thyroid Association, ATA:

Prevalence and Impact of Thyroid Disease
More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime.

An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease.Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime.Most thyroid cancers respond to treatment, although a small percentage can be very aggressive.The causes of thyroid problems are largely unknown.Undiagnosed thyroid disease may put patients at risk for certain serious conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and infertility.Pregnant women with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe developmental problems in their children.Most thyroid diseases are life-long conditions that can be managed with medical attention.

Facts about the Thyroid Gland and Thyroid Disease
The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland that regulates the body’s metabolism—the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients and oxygen—and affects critical body functions, such as energy level and heart rate.

The thyroid gland is located in the middle of the lower neck.Although the thyroid gland is relatively small, it produces a hormone that influences every cell, tissue and organ in the body.Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, and some weight gain.Hyperthyroidism, another form of thyroid disease, is a condition causing the gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss, sleep disturbances, vision problems and eye irritation.Graves’ disease is a type of hyperthyroidism; it is an autoimmune disorder that is genetic and estimated to affect one percent of the population.

We are dealing with congenital hypothyroidism, Hashimotos, Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy in our home. When our daughter was born, she was slightly jaundiced, a sign of hypothyroidism no one told us about. A month later we learned she “failed” her newborn test because of her thyroid, so we were told to re test because it was most likely a false positive. We of course went that same day.

We waited two weeks for the results, and then I ended up calling. The receptionist read the results, something she was not authorized to do. Weeks later we learned at our daughter’s 2 month check that the receptionist not only read the wrong levels, in her own mailbox was a prescription she was to have called us on for proper thyroid meds. We never got that call.

When Early Intervention stepped in, the first thing they told me was to prepare us for mental retardation. That is how important a functioning thyroid is, and we missed 8 critical weeks of medications. The praise is our daughter is not that diagnosis. There are delays that include short term memory, sequencing and comprehension.

When we talked to the doctor overseeing endocrinology in our state back in the day, he did a great job explaining what hypothyroidism meant. He told us to think of the thyroid like a furnace. It kicks on or off depending on what needs to happen. For our daughter, it doesn’t kick on without help. The whole “house” gets cold, even with her meds. Every system in her is slowed. Every. On the flip, a hyperthyroid person would have the furnace running all the time. That helped me a lot.

It boggles my mind such a tiny gland does so much and I grieve how it wreaks such havoc on our child. But we are determined as a family this is just part of who she is—I monitor her health, meds, lab work and advocate for her in school and with doctors. But, she is so much more than that. She’s bling, dance, song, jokes, scarves, pink, romantic, joy, compassionate and crafty.

I hope this gives you a glimpse about the thyroid and why it’s important to be aware of what it does.

Beth’s story in Match Made in Heaven is influenced by our family’s story. I’ve never read a heroine with a thyroid disorder before. I hope you check it out and leave a review if you enjoyed it!

This is a revised post that first appeared here in 2017.

Silver and Bold

Last year my sister purchased a cricut machine and through her I’m learning all the amazing thngs you can do with it. She joked that it was going to be a “Cricut Christmas” and as I look at my customized water bottle, I’ve been also thinking about possible shirts she could make for me.

One of the ideas I have is buying a purple shirt and having her put “Silver and Bold” on it. My transformation to gray hair is nearly complete, and having the courage to stop dying (only because the color refused to hold) was tough. I was brought up that gray hair isn’t seen, ever. I didn’t know what the results would be like, and I was terrified it would age me just when I’m about to hit the 5-0 milestone.

The praise is it’s a poppin’ mix of gray, white, and even a tinge of red/brown left. I’ve NEVER had so many compliments. I have zero regrets.

But it was a bold step for me, even if it was nothing for the next person. I think all of us have an image of something bold we’d like to accomplish, but fear holds us back. What will others think? What if I fail? What if no one shows up? These are things that cross my mind daily. I have a feeling they do for you, too.

This year I’m turning 50 and already my wheels are turning. I refuse to mourn, and I refuse to do anything mediocre about it. I love my husband, but he hates celebrating birthdays. He’s not good at it, and he admits it. He felt a pressure about what his obligation was for me and I told him nothing. Honestly, I’m hard to surprise because I’m that obnoxious. But I want to do something bold.

When Lucy Swindoll turned 50 (I think that was the age,) she rented a hearse and had a celebration with friends.

That’s bold.

Although I don’t think that’s the direction I’m going, I’m pushing myself to do something out of my comfort zone, something that aligns with my word of the year, and well, something bold.

More to come. Promise.

And while I work on that, I’m trying to do something bold once a month. Please understand bold doesn’t mean illegal or outside of God’s will. I’m not advocating standing up to a bully and challenging them to a duel. But I’m inviting you along for the ride. Are you afraid of public speaking? Did you want to learn to knit but never tried? If it’s out of your comfort zone than I consider that bold. It doesn’t have to be pricey or take a ton of time or travel.

Julie ArDuini

You in?

I’ll try to post an update next month and ask how you are doing, too. Feel free to leave a comment if you have an update or want to share your bold plans.

Let’s do this!

***

One of my favorite characters remains Jenna Anderson from my first book, Entrusted. Girl had one phone interview for a job in the Adirondack Mountains and moved there from Ohio. Talk about bold. But she’s got a lot to learn, starting with don’t mess with the grocer, Ben Regan. Check it out today!

Lillian Duncan: Baby Steps

BABY
STEPS

TRAPPED is my latest romantic suspense novel—heavy on
the suspense but enough romance to add to the enjoyment. Being a Christian
Fiction novel, there’s always a spiritual message hidden in the pages of the
story as well, and this one is no exception.

Angela Matthews had the perfect life until the day
she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a mad man. Even though she’s
rescued, she remains trapped by the memories she can’t forget.

That’s true for so many of us. Even after the “bad situation” whatever that may be is resolved, we get stuck and can’t seem to move forward with our lives. Instead, we’re angry and bitter or maybe sad and fearful or most likely a combination of all of those negative emotions.

Lillian Duncan

In the story, her rescuer discovers that Angela is
indeed still trapped by her horrible experience. He’s had his own share of
horrible as a Chicago policeman. Because of that, he reaches out to help Angela.

One of the mantras in the story is “baby steps.” So
often we think we have to go from a sitting position to a full-out run or we
are a failure. This story reminds us that’s not reality. Each baby step we take
toward our goal is a win. Every win brings us closer to our ultimate victory!

But TRAPPED isn’t a self-help book, it’s a suspense
novel. That means there’s lots of action, not to mention twists and turns that
will keep you guessing who the bad guy is until the very end!

Backcover Blurb:

Angelina Matthews has
everything—riches, fame, and beauty—until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped
in a basement with a madman, wearing only a stained t-shirt. The dirt is
his—the blood is hers. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God.

Help comes in the form
of Nate Goodman.

When their paths cross
months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped—not in a basement but in
the memories she can’t escape. Nate knows all about being trapped, and getting
un-trapped. As an ex-Chicago cop he’s had his own demons to wrestle, but his
faith helped him to move forward. He reaches out to Angelina whose paranoid
delusions have her trapped still.

But are they delusions
after all?

BIO:

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into
fiction.

Lillian is
a multi-published author who lives in the
middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband. After more than 30 years working
as a speech pathologist, she believes in the
power of words to transform lives—especially God’s Word.

She loves to write
stories that entertain but also
demonstrate God’s love for all of us. To
learn more about her, visit www.lillian-duncan.com
as well as her devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com.

I’m Not Apologizing for That

Sounds like I’m starting the new year off sassy.

Not quite.

One thing about me is I’m honest to a fault, although I try to speak the truth in love. The last couple years I’ve journaled my experience with both my hair going naturally curly and gray. Neither was something I saw coming, and it’s been a learning season putting myself out there.

What I didn’t expect was people looking at me and my changes and apologizing for not following my lead.

I’ve had family and friends explain they are going to their stylist, getting their hair straightened and/or colored and then look at me and say, “Sorry. I’m just not ready.”

They mean they aren’t ready to go curly or gray.

And I totally get that. It wasn’t even a year ago I was loudly proclaiming that I would NEVER go gray like so-and-so because it would age me as I felt it had that person. I loved my bold red color and changing it up was not in my plan.

Here’s a hint: never tell God your plans or announce a vow. Because it took zero time for the color to stop staying. By February last year I knew the color wasn’t staying more than two weeks and I was spending a lot of time, money, and chemicals for no results.

But that’s my journey and I had to get their on my own. My mom is in her seventies and she’s colored her hair since she was 16. And that’s ok. I have people in my life who save up so they can get a Brazilian Blowout and keep their locks straight. That’s their journey. I went curly because my hair surrendered to my hormones. I couldn’t keep it straight and boy did I try. Once I experimented with the Curly Girl Method, I felt free. I feel my curls represent my personality. Just like straight hair is perfect for so many others.

This year I sense there are things I used to overlook, to my own detriment, that I will speak up about. There are boundaries I believe I’m going to set for my well-being and sustained peace. There are many things I’ll continue to apologize for because I’m flawed and learning. But there are also things I won’t apologize for.

One is having my convictions and journey. And I’m not going to let you apologize for having yours.

Straight hair? Dyed hair? You, go, you!

Are there things you’ve tried or given up that others have apologized for because they don’t participate in the same thing? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

***

Jenna remains one of my favorite characters because she charts her own course and definitely doesn’t fit in. I’d love for you to read her story in ENTRUSTED.

Fiction Finder: January 2020 New Releases

January 2020 New Releases

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

Contemporary Romance:

A Rancher to Trust by Laurel Blount — After learning his ex-wife isn’t so ex after all, rebel turned rancher Dan Whitlock is determined to prove he’s a changed man…but Bailey Quinn is just as set on finally ending their marriage. When tragedy makes Dan the guardian of little orphaned twins, he and Bailey are drawn back together. But can she forgive the past and open her heart to the family she’s always wanted? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired (Harlequin))

Star Rising by Janet W. Ferguson — Star Youngblood tries to protect her employer, Mrs. Priscilla Kelly, from the woman’s neglectful son, an aspiring flight instructor who has issues with religion, but finds her own heart is at the greatest risk. (Contemporary Romanc, Independently Published)

A Promise to Keep by Melony Teague — Savannah, a widowed research librarian, goes to her twenty year class reunion and gets reacquainted with Michael, a former troublemaker who is now a professional technical rescuer. Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero? (Contemporary Romance from Anaiah Press)

General Contemporary:

A Long Time Comin by Robin W. Pearson — To hear Beatrice Agnew tell it, she entered the world with her mouth tightly shut. Just because she finds out she’s dying doesn’t mean she can’t keep it that way. If any of her children have questions about their daddy and the choices she made after he abandoned them, they’d best take it up with Jesus. There’s no room in Granny B’s house for regrets or hand-holding. Or so she thinks. Her granddaughter, Evelyn Lester, shows up on Beatrice’s doorstep anyway, burdened with her own secret baggage. Determined to help her Granny B mend fences with her far-flung brood, Evelyn turns her grandmother’s heart and home inside out. Evelyn’s meddling uncovers a tucked-away box of old letters, forcing the two women to wrestle with their past and present pain as they confront the truth Beatrice has worked a lifetime to hide. (General Contemporary from Tyndale House)

Historical Romance:

Freedom in the Mountain Wind by Misty M. Beller — A young woman faces overwhelming odds to make her father’s dream come true before he dies of lung cancer, but paddling upriver through fierce rapids and fighting hungry grizzlies to follow the Lewis and Clark trail isn’t what terrifies her the most. Beaver Tail endured more than he can stand from the women in his Blackfoot camp, but the last disaster gave him the final shove he needed to join this band of brothers searching for one of their group who’s gone missing. The last thing he expected was to find a white woman and her sick father stranded at the base of a massive waterfall. His plan is to help them carry their oversize canoe and supplies, then leave them to their strange mission. Yet, the more he learns about the pair, the more he realizes his life is about to be derailed—again. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Uncharted Promises by Keely Brooke Keith — Sybil Roberts uses the warmth of delicious meals to lift the spirits of road-weary travelers at The Inn at Falls Creek. Her life at the inn would be perfect if she could just get her brothers and mother to move back home. And if she could see Isaac Owens again. He visited the inn once when he interviewed for the farm manager job, and she’s dreamed of his return to Falls Creek ever since. Isaac Owens knows how to run a farm. His family might not have faith in him, but if he succeeds at Falls Creek, he’ll prove them wrong. He arrives at the inn thinking the job is his, but the inn’s senile owner offered the position to another man too. Isaac must spend the winter competing if he wants to win the job… and Sybil’s heart. It will take more than warm meals on cold nights for Sybil and Isaac to find love while working at the isolated inn. (Historical Romance from Edenbrooke Press)

Forever Hidden by Kimberley Woodhouse, Tracie Peterson — Sybil Roberts uses the warmth of delicious meals to lift the spirits of road-weary travelers at The Inn at Falls Creek. Her life at the inn would be perfect if she could just get her brothers and mother to move back home. And if she could see Isaac Owens again. He visited the inn once when he interviewed for the farm manager job, and she’s dreamed of his return to Falls Creek ever since. Isaac Owens knows how to run a farm. His family might not have faith in him, but if he succeeds at Falls Creek, he’ll prove them wrong. He arrives at the inn thinking the job is his, but the inn’s senile owner offered the position to another man too. Isaac must spend the winter competing if he wants to win the job… and Sybil’s heart. It will take more than warm meals on cold nights for Sybil and Isaac to find love while working at the isolated inn. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock — On Blackwell Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving. With her late father’s fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Foster does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. Do any of Edyth’s friends care that she disappeared? At the asylum she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Secret Mountain Hideout by Terri Reed — Staying hidden has kept her alive… But now she’s been found. A remote Colorado mountain town and a fake identity have been Ashley Willis’s safe haven since fleeing after she witnessed a murder—but now the killer has found her trail. Desperate and terrified, she’s prepared to run again…but Deputy Sheriff Chase Fredrick won’t let her. With the lawman by her side, can she face danger head-on…and live long enough to bring a murderer to justice? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

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

50-50 by Roger Bruner, Contemporary

Shattered Treasure by Cindy Patterson, Romantic Suspense

The Contessa Is Missing by Linda Siebold, Romantic Suspense

The Forever Sky by Janalyn Voigt, Western Romance

Northern Hearts by Laurie Wood, Romantic Suspense

2010 vs 2020

Years ago I remember talking with my in-laws about when 2000 would happen. My sister-in-law said she was already creating official paperwork at her job where the dates were already in the 2000’s. Not only did that fly by, Y2K was two decades ago.

I can’t believe it’s 2020!

I thought I’d look back at the last ten years. So much has happened!

For one, these two on my left are now 21 and 16.

My father and mother-in-law are no longer with us.

Both of our older children in Wisconsin are in their 30’s, married, and with children.

We live in a different suburb.

I’m a published author.

We have a five year old, 70 pound chow lab.

We also have our father-in-law’s cat.

Our son drums for our church’s praise team.

Our daughter overcame the need for one specialist, but took on another, as well as another diagnosis we’ve navigated.

My husband had his 15 year anniversary at work, unheard of these days.

We were able to celebrate our anniversary with his first non-Navy cruise, and then take the kids on our first Disney cruise.

Our son went on a couple missions trip to NYC and served with the Dream Center.

Our son had graduation, first jobs, heartbreak, first car, and start of college.

Our daughter had elementary, middle, and the start of high school.

We gained friends. We lost friends. We re-gained friends. We grieved change.

I discovered the power of lament.

I realized yoga is helpful and I need to stop making fun of it.

I made the change from Samsung to Apple.

I learned how sensitive the adrenals are.

I spent my 40’s in learning mode. I don’t know as much as I thought I did in my 20’s and 30’s.

My hair was wavy. Then straight. Then wavy. Then curly. Red. Brown. Blondeish. Auburn. Now Graying.

I learned relying on the Holy Spirit instead of opening my mouth in marriage is soooooo wise and worth it.

I learned God can take a set of circumstances that threaten to shatter my heart, help me forgive, and actually give me the tools to enjoy life on the other side.

I still have a great set of friends in NY, and have grown closer to some in Ohio.

I’m finally embracing being an introvert.

It rarely takes me time to do what God asks. Sometimes, but not often.

I still love chocolate. And justice. And Bible studies.

I drink bulletproof coffee.

I discovered The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

I still miss Smallville.

And my dad.

That’s a snapshot of what the decade held.

What about you? Is there anything that’s familiar? Share a comment below.

Christmas According to Kids

Sometimes the Christmas season can be stressful. Let this video give you a smile and a reminder that it’s about Jesus