Julie Arduini's Blog, page 63

Thankful Series: Day 16 (+#giveaway update)

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook.

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

I’m sure it’s odd to read I’m thankful for a show that ended a few years ago, but I’m so grateful for Netflix carrying The Office.

I started the show real time, but I couldn’t get past the first couple episodes. I heard it was better, so I tried after a few seasons and liked it, but was distracted by my own chaos at the time. I remember the finale and thought it was well-done, despite missing so many episodes in-between.

Then came streaming. The kids are older and this hasn’t just connected us, but it has been a healing balm for circumstances I don’t understand. Hurts I’m not able to process. Relaxation I’m hungry to find. I find something new in each episode. The writing slays me. It is amazing how they pulled off such an ensemble show with deep characters when they appeared so superficial. It’s such a quotable show. It’s emotional. I laugh and laugh, but there are episodes where I’ve ended up with a headache because I cry (Pam’s art exhibit, Michael’s goodbye, the finale.)

I’ve read things from the cast where they learn how the show helped someone, and I get it. The Office has been a go-to for me all year.

And I’m so thankful!

Book Review: Ellie Claire Art Journals

As I continue my month-long thankful series, I have to say I LOVE the opportunity to review products. Whether it is books, movies, family products, or music, I enjoy sharing what I think in hopes it helps someone else trying to make a decision, or, making readers aware of an item they otherwise wouldn’t know about.

Today’s review is a first.

I was able to review three journals from Ellie Claire. I am a journal person. I have them dating back to my seventh grade year, no lie. To have this opportunity, I take it seriously. And Ellie Claire art journals deliver.

There are three, so I will go through each one. The first is the Illustrated Word. This is a coloring journal with crisp papers that remind me of Bible pages. The cover is absolutely gorgeous—colorful and with texture to touch. The gold just pops, so it’s very visual right from the start. There are blank pages to write in, and many pages to color. The entire book lends to relaxation and stress relief, as well as a great devotional tool during prayer time. The pages to color are Scriptures or pictures from the Bible. I highly recommend.

The Faith and Lettering Journal is more feminine in presentation with it’s pink title and flowery cover. If you journal and/or follow people who do, you know lettering is really popular. Whether taking a verse or maybe a word in your reading that inspires, you transform it into your journal as a work of art. This journal shows you how to do that with page after page of examples, plus room for you to practice. There’s fancy lettering, Scripture, messages, and of course, blank pages for your own journaling.

The last is Illuminate Your Story journal. The cover is simple, yet demonstrates exactly what the journal is about. The first pages describe the illuminated manuscript design history including Renaissance and Gothic. From there, you learn how to create your own lettering with every letter in the alphabet. There are different aspects of each letter from basic to fancy, so you can practice and decide how ornate you want to be with your work. This is more of a how-to journal than an actual blank page book to share your feelings. If you long to make your writings look like art through the years, this is a great tutorial. There’s even a pocket in the back to store small, flat keepsakes.

All three are absolutely gorgeous and sturdy. They are not average journals, I’ve never seen anything so exquisite in all my journal years, and if I started in the seventh grade and my youngest child is a freshman, that gives you a clue that I’ve seen lots of journals in my time. I am picky about cover, the feel of a page, and clear instructions on what to expect. Each journal is exceptional.

To learn more and purchase the Ellie Claire art journals, click HERE.

I received these art journals from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook.

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

Thankful Series: Day Fourteen (+#Giveaway News!)

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook. 

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

I feel bad that it took 13 days to talk about marriage. I’m truly blogging these as I feel I’m supposed to, so here we are. I talked about my hair before my husband.

I’m thankful we’re still together. That seems like a no-brainer, but when I think about our wedding video, I have trouble watching it. There are so many couples at our wedding who are divorced. It hurts my heart. There are couples I lost track of when we moved to Ohio. When I ask how they are doing, I learn they are no longer together. I remember once asking about a marriage and I was told they divorced, they just fell out of love.

Can I be real? I think in 22 years, I’ve fallen out of love like fifty times. There are times I grieve the excitement we had when things first clicked. We were an hour or more away from each other and he called every day. We couldn’t wait to see each other, and we dressed our best when we knew our reunion was coming.

Fast forward to over two decades of marriage and we’ve both apologized for being so busy we forget to text each other. Because he loves sports and old movies more than I do, he has a room to watch TV where I seldom visit. We’re a far cry from those lovebirds circa 1995.

But I am thankful. Through the years, prayers, trials, tears, laughs, and blessings we have become a solid couple that can withstand some pretty tough storms. We are apart more than we are together. It is how it is. It’s his work, and my schedule, and our parenting and everything in between. When we catch up, I can’t wait. We still want to tell the other first when we have great news. We have “our places” that we love to steal away to, even if to anyone else it’s a little diner in a small town or a cheap movie theater where our feet stick to the floor.

What we have isn’t for everyone and it is hard. But, it’s also good. I believe the best is yet to come, and I love that because what we’ve experienced has been good. And when I look around and see so much carnage when it comes to the family unit, I don’t take a second for grated that we remain intact.

 

Joan Deppa: Seasons of Love

Seasons of Love

Looking for a gift for the woman on your Christmas list that loves to read, loves nature, traveling and a fun-read romance novel?  Or you may want to purchase it for yourself.  Check out the Seasons of Love Series:

 

The Western Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan is rich in culture, beautiful scenery and known as the “Big Snow Country.” There are many groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski trails, ski resorts for downhill skiing and snowboarding for fun, winter recreation. It is bordered to the north by the magnificent Lake Superior, which allows for boating, fishing, sea kayaking and summer picnics.  There is also an abundance of waterfalls, inland lakes, hiking trails, biking, camping and the natural beauty of the rolling hills, especially Porcupine Mountain, the state’s largest park and highest elevation. This is the setting for the series, “Seasons of Love,” where people appreciate and enjoy God’s creation, learn about God’s love and forgiveness, release their fears and follow their dreams, and understand that “God’s will” is not always the same as “my will.” 

 

About the Author:

My name is Joan Deppa.  My husband and I have been in church ministry for over 30 years and have counseled many hurting people. I have always loved to read and now write inspirational fiction; sharing God’s love, forgiveness, wisdom and ability to change lives yielded to Him in a way that people can relate to.  My hope is that my readers will find true joy, guidance and forgiveness in Christ from their past and present challenges in life. We have four adult children, eleven grandchildren and have lived mostly in the Midwest.  We enjoy seeing all the beauty of God’s creation wherever we are.  I am a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers.

 

Whiter than Snow, Book #1

Bonnie Turner has recently moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is enamored by its beauty in the winter time.  While enjoying the beauty, Brad Jorgenson “bumps” into her and takes it upon himself to show her the sights and how to enjoy winter in the Upper Peninsula.  But will Bonnie be able to show Brad how to release the anger and bitterness he’s carried since childhood and introduce him to the Creator of the beauty he enjoys?  Can God’s love and forgiveness really make him, “whiter than snow?”  Ps. 51:7 

 

 

 

 

Reviews by my Readers:

“Whiter than Snow was written with enough detail to enable me to feel like I was right there with the characters in their emotions and their surroundings in the UP. Brad and Bonnie had to deal with real life struggles that could make or break their relationships. It is a gentle, pleasant read that shows you can overcome your past hurts and build a healthy relationship.”
Sweet, graceful and engaging, I found Whiter than Snow, by author Joan Deppa, to be an inspirational read with a gorgeous book cover.”
“Perfect for any snowy day with a cup of warm cocoa! Highly recommend!!”

SUMMER DREAMS, Book #2

April Phillips is a 6th grade teacher who loves children, but feels she should never marry due to the history of divorce in her family.  So instead, she pursues her dream to learn to Kayak and buys an older house that she can make into the home of her dreams.  However, Aaron Matthews has his own dreams – to marry April and have a family of their own.  But first he needs to help her realize that God is able to break her chains of fear and give her a love that paddles through the storms and difficulties of life and thrives.  Whose dreams will be realized?  Can they both win?

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews by my readers:

“Once I started reading it I could not put it down. I finished it by the time I went to bed last night.”
“I feel that there was things that the characters in this book go through that all of us battle on a daily basis. Order this book, you won’t be disappointed.”
“Highly recommend this read!!! Perfect for your summer reading list.”

Autumn Discoveries, Book #3:   Will be available in 2019

Where to Purchase My Books:

Books may be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or my website: www.joandeppa.com.  They are available in hardcover, softcover or Ebooks, published by Westbow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson/Zondervan.

  Social Media sites:

Facebook – JoanDeppa

Twitter – @JoanDeppa

 

Thankful Series: Day Eight (+#Giveaway News)

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook. 

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

Remember I said some of these thankful posts will be deep and some, kind of superficial?

Today I am thankful for the Curly Girl method.

It’s a thing. Trust me.

Once I started growing my hair out, I realized something different was happening that I had not seen in decades without a frizzy perm.

I have curls.

I had no idea how to style my hair. I’d try to straighten, but those curls refused to disappear. I tried to go curly, but I either had limp hair or I looked like I’d suffered electrical shock.

The Curly Girl method is a process that is best known as giving up sulfates. It’s also a trial and error when it comes to product, hair dry or air dry, and learning the lingo. I follow a lot of “CG” people on Instagram and their transformation is inspiring. I also follow the category on Reddit, and there are also guys out there who boast some amazing, healthy curls.

I recently got a cut and after a protein treatment, I’m pretty close to the goal hair I had. Although it sounds like a lot of product and weird steps, once you figure out what works, it truly is easier and faster than straightening.

The picture in this post is from a few months ago, where I still was learning, but I was sulfate free.

Here’s what I do as of this writing:

I wash every 4th day with SheaMoisture Shampoo and conditioner. Wash with head down. When I condition, I ball my hair in hands like a paper I’m about to throw out and gently squish. I do this in sections and rinse with cool water, sometimes leaving a little conditioner in hair.

On other days I use either SheaMoisture conditioner or a protein treatment or a coconut oil conditioner.

Once done, I squish hair gently to get excess water out, squish Fantasia Frizz Buster into curls, then take a long-sleeve shirt and “plop.” While hair is plopping, I dress, brush teeth.

When I take the hair plop off, I use twice the gel I used to use and again gently squish by sections into hair. Yes, this creates a crispy curl. It’s called a gel cast, and that’s my goal. Trust me.

I have been hair drying because air dry just doesn’t give me the style I want. I start using the attachment that straightens hair just for my bangs. Then I put the diffuser on and dry my hair in sections with head upside down. Then I move hair to each side and repeat. When I’m finally standing upright, I finish diffusing by going to each section and hitting the cool button.

I go head down once again to spray Cantu oil lightly over sections, then I gently squish again. This breaks that gel cast. It takes a while, don’t be in a rush or get harsh. I put a little hair spray on, and I usually wait to make sure hair is completely dry.

Then, I spread my fingers throughout and shake a little. Lately I’m finding finger combing loosens the curls and gives a better style for me. I’m a little jealous of the girls who have the tight girls and look so fantastic.

Anyway, it’s fun to play with and I’ve learned a lot from the CG community. My next try is a rice water rinse. Who knew?

#Thankful Series: Day Eleven (+#Giveaway News)

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook. 

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

Yesterday I wrote about how I was thankful for the friends I’ve kept close from Upstate NY despite our 300 mile separation. Today I want you to know how thankful I am for my Ohio friends. It’s hard to believe, but we’ve lived in northeast Ohio for fourteen years. When we arrived, I wasn’t just broken, but shattered. In a matter of months my husband’s job changed, our daughter nearly died, my dad died, my husband got a job in Ohio, we sold our NY house, our son needed surgery right before the move, and we landed in Ohio.

I worked hard to make sure my husband and kids had a smooth transition.

Me? I cried every week during Sunday School.

As my husband flourished, especially at church, I had people ask if I was a visitor. Everything about my Ohio life was so different than what I knew. We were less than a mile from an inner city. The school our son attended was just inside that border. Neighbors were right next to us and one made it her mission to know everyone’s business. There were numerous traffic lights that I still can’t get used to how long they take and no hills.

I can’t tell you how much my friends mean. I first met people through church, especially Vacation Bible School, where I volunteered to help. Getting to know me wasn’t easy, it probably still isn’t. Back then, I was scared. The one person I reached out to in one day called me and asked if I knew of a babysitter, she just found her husband dead. She came to the area from my hometown, and moved away after the funeral. I was afraid there was some curse attached to me where sickness and death prevailed.

But these sweet friends persisted. They brought meals when I arrived. They invited me places. Let me know I didn’t need a perfect house or life to get to know them. As I healed through the grief, I grew in a way that reminds me of a caterpillar’s metamorphosis. Tragedy and change definitely scarred me, but it also created a prayer warrior who believes God. I’ve watched Him do incredible things and have the honor to stand in the gap and pray for others to be set free.

We’ve also enjoyed dinners, chats on the deck, concerts and more.

Writing definitely limits my interaction with others, but the friends I have in Ohio?

They are gems.

#Thankful Series—Day Ten (Plus #Giveaway Info)

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook. 

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

As you read this, I’m probably low on sleep, high on caffeine. Why? Because I’ve been blessed enough to spend time with family and friends in Upstate NY.

I couldn’t always say I was thankful for that part of my life, my Upstate NY life. It took a few years of Ohio living to even see the gorgeous hills of the Finger Lakes region, let alone miss them.

But I have always missed my NY friends.

My NY and OH friends don’t connect often unless through social media, but I love them all. They get me, and what I love about my NY friends, they have seen me at my absolute worst. Most knew me before I had any faith in Christ, so they knew me as a broken, angry young adult. I was definitely a wounded person wounding people. As Christ changed me and I grew through new challenges, they had my back, even when I didn’t want them to.

They brought dinners when I miscarried.

They prayed.

They babysat when my dad passed away. Brought meals. Stayed late after services.

They let me grieve over my new life in Ohio when I didn’t know anyone. Our daughter was so sick. I didn’t fit in.

I might not be able to visit as often as I want, but I love that we can still text, send funny videos only we understand, message, and plan for our next time together.

I love my NY friends!

Fiction Finder: November Releases (+Giveaway Info)

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook. 

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

November 2018 New Releases

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

Contemporary Romance:

Christmas in Jingle Junction by Tabitha Bouldin — In the small town of Jingle Junction, Holly Winters owns the local coffee shop, Jolly Java. It’s here that she meets Patrick Cooper and promptly throws coffee everywhere. Not only does Patrick not like coffee, he also despises Christmas! It’s up to Holly to show Patrick that Christmas is worth giving a second chance, just as Patrick himself deserves a second chance when he is accused of robbing a local convenience store. In a town full of Christmas spirit, lively debates over the best superhero and riding in a sleigh pulled by actual reindeer is just a normal day. Will Holly be able to prove to Patrick that Christmas is more than a holiday that has to be endured? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

A Picture Perfect Christmas by Candee Fick — Freelance photographers Liz Foster and Ryan Callahan are finally making plans for their future. And what better time to get married than during the festive holiday season that brought them together? If only Liz’s parents weren’t standing in the way of a picture-perfect wedding. Spurred on by the ghosts of Christmases past, Dan Foster has already written Liz out of his will, so even attending the wedding—let alone walking his daughter down the aisle—is out of the question. However, this is the season for miracles and Ryan will do anything to make his bride smile. What will it take to bring this family back together in time for the wedding? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter — When his secret crush joins a dating website, Jack takes a leap of faith and soon becomes Daisy’s online suitor. But when they begin growing closer in real life also, Jack finds himself with an unexpected dilemma. Is Daisy falling for the real Jack or for the online version of himself? And how is she going to respond when she finds out they’re one and the same? (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

A Merry Miracle in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker — Baxter Reid returns to his hometown of Romance, eager to see his childhood crush. Unfortunately, Savannah hasn’t forgotten all the ways he used to tease her back then. He’s got his work cut out for him if he’s going to get a second chance. Savannah Miller avoids Baxter and the embarrassing childhood memories he evokes…until he apologizes and suggests a truce. Now what is she supposed to do? Only time will tell whether the spirit of Christmas in Romance is enough to transform a grudging relationship into true love. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

I Still Do by Melanie D. Snitker — What’s worse than running into your ex-husband? Becoming snowbound with him and an avalanche of memories you can’t escape. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Contemporary/Women’s Fiction:

A Southern Season by Eva Marie Everson, Claire Fullerton, Ane Mulligan, and Linda Yezak — Four seasons. Four stories. Each one set in the enchanting world of the South. These are the kinds of stories your grandmother told you from a front porch swing. (Women’s Fiction from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Historical:

Second Chances by Carol Ashby — A widowed father, still grieving the loss of his wife and child, and a devoted mother, who leaves behind everything she’s ever known to rescue her daughter from the ex-husband who would hurt her, are first drawn together by their love for her little girl, but God has much more for them than either could have imagined. (Historical, Cerrillo Press)

Historical Mystery:

Murder of Convenience by Linda Shenton Matchett — May 1942: Geneva Alexander flees Philadelphia and joins the USO to escape the engagement her parents have arranged for her, only to wind up as the number one suspect in her betrothed’s murder investigation. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, she must find the real killer before she loses her sight…or is convicted for a crime she didn’t commit. (Historical Mystery, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection by Lena Nelson Dooley, Rebecca Jepson, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Candice Sue Patterson, Kathleen Rouser, Pegg Thomas, and Marilyn Turk — Along the Great Lakes, America’s inland seas, lighthouses played a vital role in the growth of our nation. They shepherded settlers traveling by water to places that had no roads. These beacons of light required constant tending even in remote and often dangerous places. Brave men and women battled the elements and loneliness to keep the lights shining. Their sacrifice kept goods and immigrants moving. Seven romances set between 1883 and 1911 at Great Lakes Lighthouses bring hope to the lonely lighthouse keepers and love to weary hearts. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

A Musket in My Hands by Sandra Merville Hart — Two sisters have no choice but to disguise themselves as men to muster into the Confederate army in the fall of 1864–just in time for things to go very badly for the Southerners at the Battle of Franklin. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Uncharted Journey by Keely Brooke Keith — Young widow Eva Vestal assumes loneliness is God’s permanent plan for her life. She keeps busy by raising her son and co-managing the Inn at Falls Creek with her elderly father, but her heart yearns for more. Solomon “Solo” Cotter has spent his life working with horses, but he secretly wants to write a book of the children’s stories his grandfather told him as a boy. He barters with Eva’s father for a 40-night stay at the inn, a needed respite from work to get his stories on paper. Once Eva discovers the barter, she believes Solo is taking advantage of her father’s failing memory. But when tragedy strikes and Solo works hard to save the inn, Eva sees his true nature. As her heart stirs with feelings for Solo, she wrestles with the guilt of loving someone new. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Snow Angel by Davalynn Spencer — Lena Carver works as her physician brother’s medical assistant, housekeeper, and cook. Maimed in a childhood accident at Christmas, she believes she is beyond love’s reach—until a dark-eyed cowboy arrives broken, bruised, and bent on changing her mind. Wil Bergman wakes in a stranger’s home with a busted leg and a bullet-creased scalp. Trail-weary, robbed, and penniless, he is at the mercy of a country doctor whose sister’s healing touch has power to stitch up his heart and open his eyes to the impossible. (Historical Romance from Wilson Creek Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin — After Nina Fischer is accused of murdering her uncle and adopted father, she must unlock deadly family secrets in order to clear her name and learn to trust love again. (Romantic Suspense from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

North by Starlight by Diane and David Munson — Attorney Madison Stone hurries to help her client Jordan Star defeat a mysterious relative who claims a share in his inheritance, and during the Christmas season Maddie learns to leave past regrets behind her, embrace the warmhearted people of Starlight, and dig deep to find her true heart. (Romantic Suspense from Micah House Media)

Her Deadly Reunion by Beth Ann Ziarnik — What will it cost an estranged daughter when she meets her birth father at his home and discovers it’s a dangerous place to mix past and present? (Romantic Suspense from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Speculative:

Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse — When the new Lady of Ravenwood inherits her family’s secret gift of dreamwalking, she discovers a dark history. Women in her family have been wielding the gift to preserve her family’s legacy—through assassinations. She’s determined to find the true reason behind the gift, convinced there must be a more noble purpose. But she’s torn about upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people. What will she do when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations–but who is also prophesied to bring about the downfall of her own house? One path holds glory and power and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and likely death. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen? (High Fantasy from Bethany House [Baker])

Thriller/Suspense:

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Stratagem by Robin Caroll — Psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux creates mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s for their executive retreat, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder. (Suspense from Barbour Publishing)

Book Review: Into the Deep by Lauren Gaskill

Develop enduring faith for the turbulent waters of life.

Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters.

Into the Deep is an invitation to dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. With endearing warmth and authenticity, Lauren Gaskill shares how she and others have learned to swim with Jesus in the deep waters of life—facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and chronic illness—only to discover a more authentic, enduring faith that cannot be shaken by circumstances. In addition to examining the character of God and the lives of women and men of the Bible who chose to dive deeper with God, she provides practical examples and tools that help us take our faith to the next level by learning to make decisions by faith alone, control our reactions to overwhelming situations, and live a life rooted in love.

Get ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage, and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy!

This book needs to catch on like wildfire.

Into the Deep by Lauren Gaskill is an authentic look at real life. Lauren shares her own journey with anxiety and chronic illness, but Into the Deep is so much more. She shares other experiences the reader can relate to. Encouragement. And so much Scripture to spur us on. I love the water visual, and although the Bible stories are familiar, the author brings new life to them. I honestly thought this book might be one of those with good intentions that ends up sounding like all the rest. Turns out, Into the Deep was one I needed to drink in slowly because it was so full of information to highlight and absorb.

Instead of sounding like the rest, Into the Deep stands out. No matter what your struggle or discouragement, count on Into the Deep to bring you from treading water to diving in and swimming with God confidence.

Read an excerpt of Into the Deep HERE.

To purchase Into the Deep, click HERE.

I received Into the Deep from Abingdon Press for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Lauren Gaskill is an author, speaker and host of the Finding Joy podcast and Finding Joy Ladies Night Out events. After being diagnosed with an incurable connective tissue disorder, Lauren made it her life mission to encourage others to fight for faith and find joy — no matter what life’s circumstances might bring.

Gaskill is a storyteller who believes stories are powerful and loves how God uses them for His good. She writes and speaks to motivate and inspire others to experience abundant life in Christ. She is particularly passionate about encouraging women to fight for faith and go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. Gaskill also writes and speaks about what it looks like to walk with Jesus through pain and suffering.

She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Find her online at LaurenGaskillInspires.com or on Facebook (lauren.gaskill.inspires), Twitter (lauren_inspires) and Instagram (lauren_inspires). 

LaurenGaskillInspires.com

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Twitter (lauren_inspires)

Instagram (lauren_inspires)You can also tag Abingdon Press:

www.abingdonpress.com/intothedeep

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All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook.

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

Thankful Series: Day Seven (+#Giveaway News)

All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)

If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook. 

I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.

On the seventh day, there was rest. Okay, it’s not Sunday, but each of these thankful posts come as I feel I’m supposed to share. As I approached day seven, that’s what came to mind. Rest.

I wrote earlier that fear of what people thought held me back from writing for YEARS. Well, it also held me back from living.

When I hit 25, my health changed. I had always struggled hormonally once puberty started, but I was finally diagnosed with PCOS, polycystic ovaries. I had pelvic pain so chronic is hurt to walk. A surgery two years later explained why—my ovaries were five times what they should have been. As my surgeon so eloquently put, “No wonder you couldn’t walk. You were carrying around whoppers.”

My PCOS status messed me up for a long time. The pain made me feel defeated, especially as a newlywed. There was the infertility diagnosis hanging over my head. That label made me feel less than. Add unstable hormones and I was convinced I had to work twice as hard as anyone else to prove myself.

Even when it hurt.

Even though I was exhausted.

I remember right before the surgery to remove half of each ovary, we closed on our first house together. I was obsessed, absolutely laser-focused on the goal that not only would we be moved in, darn it, we were going to be settled before surgery. I had knick knacks out, the place was dusted, I had everything good to go in less than two weeks.

Looking back, I feel so sorry for that person.

I also feel bad for my husband.

I was driven by fear. I didn’t want anyone to help me because I didn’t want to accept I wasn’t able. So I accelerated the pain by overdoing it. I can’t think of one surgery where I was cleared on time by the doctor because I overdid it every single time.

Rest? I remember saying that was for the weak.

Now I’m 48 and I firmly believe the stress I put myself through, plus stress we had with a lot of sickness with our child accelerated my symptoms. I started menopause symptoms at 37 and had a full hysterectomy at 38. That surgeon found not only the toll PCOS took on me, but that all that time I’d battled endometreosis. Although mood wise I feel great 95% of the time with medicine and supplements, I’m tired.

I also have a healthy definition of who I am in Christ. As a daughter of the King (which any girl is if Jesus is a daily part of her life at her invitation,) striving just isn’t my plan anymore. I love when I can help people, but I’m finally smart enough to know when I can’t pull it off. I realize it’s okay to ask for help. Although it doesn’t happen often, if I had a bad night, if I don’t have meetings, I’ll go back to bed once everyone is on their way with their day.

Sundays? We have no shame at taking a nap.

Being okay with that is 20 plus years in the making. I hope if anyone else is struggling, you don’t take as long as I did.

I’m thankful for rest!