Julie Arduini's Blog, page 9

That Familiar Rut: 2014 Pinterest Pt2

I’ve been married nearly 28 years. We’ve had two kids together, and of course two that were from his first marriage. They weren’t local, so I’ll focus on the local two in this scenario.

You’ll soon see why.

Twenty-eight years. A traditional work week is five days. I have been making dinners a good five nights a week on average.

That’s so many meals.

My mom’s lament was dad grew up a farmer. He wanted simple meals. Give him a meat, potato and vegetable. It drove her crazy. She wanted desperately to make a different meal.

Chicken? No. He ate that too much in the army.

Seafood? Unless it was fish sticks or a Fish Fry at their favorite restaurant, no to that too.

My family isn’t that picky, but each week I create a menu with my grocery list. It seems like it’s often the same ingredients.

That’s why when I took a look back at my 2014 Pinterest board, I wasn’t surprised that there were quite a few recipes. I can see my 44 year old self craving something new, easy and different. This must have really tempted me because it’s on my board twice.

Guess how many times I made it?

Zero.

I will say I found a recipe on Instagram by actress Courtney Cox for chicken parm that I have made time and time again.

But whether chicken parm, slow cooker beef and broccoli, or Asian Lemon Chicken, I was hoping to create some kitchen magic.

I wish I could say I have a stockpile of go-to meals. But like my dad, the fam seems to ahve a few tried and true favorites. Every great once in awhile I can squeeze in a new recipe that gets rave reviews.

So that’s what I noticed about my 2014 board. Lots of recipes that most likely stayed pinned and unused.

Anyone relate?

Giveaway Winners!

When I invite readers like you to follow me around the World Wide Web, my reasons aren’t only in hopes you will find my books worth checking out. It’s actually because there are opportunities where you can meet other authors, see new releases, and—-maybe win some things.

Recently I had three giveaways. That’s right. THREE. I love that!

Two were associated with my own 54 Minutes with Julie Arduini birthday celebration. That was so much fun. Nine other authors joined me, and there ended up being over ten giveaways. It was so much fun I plan on doing this again later in the year when I celebrate my 10th anniversary as a published author. You don’t want to miss that, so you’re invited to join my Reader Group Page.

I had two winners at that event.

Renee S. won a paperback copy of Anchored Hearts AND Repairing Hearts.

Joannie S. won a Kindle copy of Anchored Hearts AND Repairing Hearts.

I’m not done!

Last week I reviewed right here on this blog God’s Goodness for The Chosen. I had a giveaway for that and DEBRA P. won that.

I’m excited to present things like this. If you aren’t following me across social media and book sites, please do. You can also subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss a post. It’s on the the right sidebar, or click here.

Throwback Pinterest 2014

I can’t believe Pinerest has been around over a decade. This is a piece of social media that sits quietly in the back while the big names like Facebook and Tik Tok make constant noise. Pinterest isn’t fancy or flashy, it’s just there.

And I take it for granted.

As an author, I use it to post my work. I also create boards to help me visualize characters, and have a central place to track my research.

As Julie who is looking for recipes to talk me out of the dinner rut, PInterest is my go=to. It’s also where I used to find fun and motivational sayings as well as hair inspiration.

I thought I’d share my findings as I looked back to my Board, 2014 Likes and Loves. If you follow me, I have a board for each year since I joined Pinterest. Oh, the nostalgia!

I’m going to break my findings down into different caregories.

Today, it’s those funny and motivational sayings. The quote above still grabs me. I love a strong woman quote. What’s a bit odd is the source of the image comes from—Megan Fox’s first instagram post. This pin traces back to Daily Mail, and they noted actress Megan Fox was now on Instagram. Well, she’s sure been busy the last decade. But, I digress.

As I scrolled my ten-year old board, the quotes and sayings aren’t the majority of my board. When they are, these are more serious in tone. We moved in 2014, so I have a feeling I was feeling more stressed than funny, and those pins most likely encouraged me. Good news. They still do.

Why not take a look? What about my 2014 pins grabs you? Is there a 2014 board you have? Any memories from then?

REVIEW: God’s Goodness for The Chosen #giveaway

God’s Goodness for the Chosen is an eight-lesson Bible study for individuals or groups that follows each episode of season 4 of The Chosen.
 
This study teaches readers how to reframe their hardships and see them as fertile soil for God’s goodness to grow in their lives.
 
We see it over and over again in the Bible: God brings good things out of bad things for the sake of His people and for His glory. But truth be told, when we personally experience suffering, we have a difficult time actually believing it. Yet, life is challenging even for the followers of Jesus, and hardship in the twenty-first century is no exception. God’s Goodness for the Chosen takes readers through eight lessons which reveal how God uses suffering to bring about good things in the lives of those He loves.
 
You’ll see:
• Death is eclipsed by life
• Grief is eclipsed by praise
• Questions are eclipsed by resolve
• Confusion is eclipsed by grace
• Temporary things are eclipsed by eternal things
• Heartbreak is eclipsed by love
• Sin is eclipsed by obedience
• Pain is eclipsed by the fullness of God’s plan
 
Indeed, readers will be challenged to embrace the hard things of life, to experience more of the goodness God offers on the other side.

JULIE’S REVIEW

God’s Goodness for The Chosen features something for everyone. Whether the Bible is new to you or your personal copy is highlighted and torn, I loved God’s Goodness for The Chosen because it met all levels.

The topics are all relatable from grief to sin and heartbreak. There are breakdowns of words that might be confusing, and everything is written in a way that is easy to understand. Yet, don’t think you won’t be challenged. The questions are designed to make you think and dig into God’s word and your relationship with Jesus.

I especially loved the “For Bible Nerds Like Us.” Any bonus nuggets I can read are always my favorite.

I highly recommend God’s Goodness for The Chosen. It serves any level of faith, and can be a family or small group study, or an individual one.

In fact, I have a giveaway opportunity! I have one copy of God’s Goodness for The Chosen for ONE US Winner that I will choose via Wheel of Names. To enter, please leave a comment below sharing why you would love this study.

Many thanks to David C Cook for providing a sample of the product for this review.
Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

PURCHASE God’s Goodness for The Chosen HERE

Fiction Finder: March 2024 New Releases

March 2024 New Releases

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

Contemporary Romance:

For Better or For Granted by Amy R. Anguish — Divorce was never in the plans for Genevieve Stewart. Only four years into marriage, and everything has gone wrong. If only she could find her way back to the way things were before Scott’s job took all his time and energy, leaving nothing for her. Scott Stewart achieved his goal of becoming a high school principal younger than most in the state. Everything in life seems to be going exactly as planned until Genevieve threatens to leave. Suddenly, his dreams aren’t as clear as they once were. He desperately wants to stay married, but he can’t let down his school, either. The way back to love isn’t easy when you’ve grown used to taking each other for granted. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)

A Slice of Paradise by Nancy Lavo — Single mother and baker Eden Lambert arrives in quaint Village Green looking for a home for herself and her 18-month-old son, Jake. Her warm welcome by her elderly hostess is offset by the cold disdain of Mary Jo’s self-appointed protector, Joe Wolfe. At first, the long-legged blonde and her kid look like trouble to Joe. Mary Jo saved the builder’s life years ago, and he will do no less for the woman he considers a surrogate mother. But as he keeps an eye on the unwanted guests, Joe’s suspicions soon become replaced by admiration and respect for Eden’s resolve and dedication to her son. With his background of abuse and abandonment, Joe is aware of the dangers facing the vulnerable and wants better for Eden and Jake. He offers her a business arrangement–he’ll build her a bakery, and she can run it. As they join forces to start the bakery, can they overcome the scars of the past to find a recipe for love? (Contemporary Romance from Iron Stream Media)

Tangled Up in Love by Carolyn Miller — When Ellie Reilly returns from a dream overseas trip, a too-long hug from her best friend Jasper Cohen clues her in that his feelings might be more than what she suspected. He’s unsure about pushing their friendship further, and doubly uncertain when her European friend, Sebastian, seeks her out in Trinity Lakes. Uncertainty is something Ellie knows all too well. Since returning from her vacation, Ellie feels like she doesn’t fit at her family’s ranch or in small town life. When she is asked to take on responsibility for reopening Trinity Lakes’ historical museum – a dream she’s always wanted – she can’t help but wonder if settling for life in the familiar is all that God has for her, or can she dare trust Him for more? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

Prestige of Hearts by R.F. Whong — When Chicagoan Grace Feng, a recent college graduate and a devout Christian, delivers her late mother’s letter to a billionaire, Mr. Lam, in Hong Kong, she expects a quick exchange. Upon their meeting, he offers her a job and luxurious accommodations. She reluctantly stays and befriends Kevin Cheung, the butler’s atheist son, and a jobless unpublished author. Haunted by a tragic past, Kevin finds solace in Grace’s company, but a mystery troubles him: Grace resembles several movie stars who date Mr. Lam, the town’s most eligible bachelor. Can Kevin unravel the enigma? Meanwhile, Mr. Lam’s college-aged son and a fugitive who fled China after the Tiananmen Square Massacre also vie for Grace’s affections. Caught amid a love quadrangle, will she retain her Christian values and guide them toward true grace? (Contemporary Romance from Vidaysm Publishing)

General Contemporary and Women’s Fiction:

Between You and Us by Kendra Broekhuis — When Leona Warlon heads across the city to meet her husband, David, for a rare dinner out, she hopes they can share a moment of relief after their year of loss. But Leona quickly realizes this is no ordinary date night. She hasn’t just stepped into an upscale ristorante; she’s stepped into a different version of her life. One in which her marriage is no longer tender, in which her days are pressured by her powerful in-laws, and in which her precious baby girl lived. Now Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of both trajectories, facing an unimaginable choice: Stay in a world where tragedy hasn’t struck but where the meaningful life she built with David is gone? Or return to a reality that’s filled with struggle and sorrow but also deep and enduring love? (Contemporary from Waterbrook/Multnomah)

Chokecherry Valley Faith by Jean Rezab — Alex Richmond is being released from prison after a two-year term for embezzlement. His former boss’s cancer has returned, and the town blames Alex.
His wife, Courtney, looks forward to his return but worries about how the community will react.
Can Alex and Courtney work as a team after having been apart for two years and face the trials that will come with his return home? (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)Cozy Mystery:

Saguaro, Snowflakes, and Murder by Jenna Hendricks — Maisy Bransky’s life takes an unexpected turn when she inherits a quirky bookshop from her beloved great-aunt Jo. The giant saguaro cactus out front named Siggy, shelves filled with rare books, and the possibility of a small coffee shop inside seem like the perfect recipe for a peaceful life. However, tranquility is shattered when Jo’s archnemesis, the notorious local troublemaker Homer Kimball, is found dead near her bookshop. As the gossip mill starts churning, Maisy becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear her name, Maisy embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries hidden within the dusty shelves of Aunt Jo’s bookshop. With the help of a rescued Frenchie named Ollie, a mysterious old cowboy, and unexpected allies like a quirky cactus enthusiast, Maisy discovers cryptic messages, hidden compartments, and a secret diary that hints at Aunt Jo’s enigmatic past. As Maisy delves deeper, she uncovers a forged will, a lost treasure map, and a series of red herrings that lead her to suspect everyone from Aunt Jo’s best friends, The Fearsome Foursome, to the local pirate. Can Maisy solve the mystery, unearth the secrets of the past, and prove her innocence? (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

The Luck of the Irish by Kate Darroch, Kathleen Marple Kalb, C.A. Phipps, Amy Grundy, Jessica Brimer, Jessica Thomson, J.L. Lancaster, Jaclyn Weist, K. Rose, W. Jenkins– Ten Tantalizing Cozy Mysteries and the authors’ favorite Saint Patrick’s Day Recipes – sure to make you chuckle, and to keep you guessing! (Cozy Mystery from Ad Astra Press Inc)
Historical Romance:

Streams of Courage by Sandra Merville Hart — In a world turned upside down by war and betrayal…will his role as a spy bring them closer…or tear their future apart? The war that Julia Dodd prayed to avoid is now reality, and with it, her world has been turned on its head. Her fellow citizens, who stood with her in their support of the union, have crossed firmly to the side of the south. And her mother, lost in her grief over the loss of her husband and children, can think of nothing but protecting Julia’s brother’s inheritance. She insists that her daughter seek a wealthier husband than Ashburn Mitchell. Ash knows what his fellow citizens think of him when he refuses to fight for the confederacy. Shouldering the accusation of being a coward and refusing to hide behind his limp, Ash remains in Vicksburg to support his family as a saddler while his two best friends join the fight. Struggling to increase his business so he can marry the woman he loves, Ash becomes a spy in support of the Union. He can’t fight for the South but won’t raise a musket against them. As tragedy instigates Ash to risk greater danger to speed the end of the war, Julia can only pray it won’t cost them everything. She’s already lost her father and two siblings. Must she lose the man she loves too? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

To Speak His Name by Tara Johnson — Avalina is a woman trapped in silence. Stolen from her home in Ireland and sold as a slave to a Barbados plantation owner, the trauma of her past has left her mute, wrapped in a prison of loneliness and isolation amid an island of beauty. Though she longs to be free from the cruelty of her overseer, her heart yearns for a greater freedom…something just beyond her grasp. Josiah Holland has been born into a South Carolina slave-holding family but all it takes is one trip to the island of Barbados to open his eyes to the ugly cruelty that abounds beyond the confines of his plantation. With the aid of fiery abolitionist Benjamin McGee, Josiah forges a new future, fighting the very ideals he was once a part of. When Avalina and Josiah’s lives entwine, will their spark engulf them in destruction, or ignite a revolution? (Historical Romance from Story Architect)

Uncharted Peace by Keely Brooke Keith — Uncharted Peace weaves past and future in a faith-filled story of life in a hidden land. If you enjoy the rural setting of frontier romance and the wholesomeness of Amish fiction, you’ll adore Uncharted Peace. (Historical Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

Seashells in My Pocket by Terri Wangard — German-Brazilian Isabel Neumann delights in creating seashell art, but it’s her mathematical ability that lands her a job at the American air base in Natal, northern Brazil during World War II. She doesn’t need a calculator to determine the correct weights and balances for the Air Transport Command’s cargo planes. Daniel Lambert, an American transport pilot based at Natal, endures the taunts of combat pilots that he is “allergic to combat.” His flying skills win him respect, however, and his friendship with Isabel deepens, even as a new source of trouble looms. Isabel is caught in the crosshairs of a German saboteur who is obsessed with her. He insists that she belongs with him and demands that she help him sabotage the Allied base. Her growing relationship with Daniel angers the Nazi, who will do anything to get of rid him. What will happen to Isabel if the madman captures her? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse — From the time she was little, Martha Jankowski has been digging in the dirt, much to the dismay of her mother. Now, she dreams of being a paleontologist and is determined to make her parents proud by uncovering the next big discovery. When Martha finds what she hopes to be a fully intact dinosaur skeleton–one that that could win her an acclaimed exhibit–she learns another team is competing against her and could steal her chance at being recognized for this momentous discovery. Paleontology student Jacob Duncan has fulfilled his dream of digging for dinosaur bones at last. In a race against time, he and his team are bent on unearthing a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit with their names on it. But when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha and uncovers foul play within his team, love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all. (Historical Romance from Bethany House)

Levi’s Vow by Peny Zeller — Wrongfully imprisoned for a crime and disowned by his family, Levi Callahan endeavors to put the past behind him. When he travels to the Idaho Territory and secures a job on a small farm, he has no idea he’ll once again be defending the vulnerable. Norah Hammett knows what it means to suffer loss. After her husband leaves her and their children for a “better” life and her hired hand steals from her, she is left to run the farm alone. When ruthless men attempt to steal Norah’s Idaho farm, can Levi help her save it? Or will he prove to be disloyal like the rest of the men in her life? Will God use desperate circumstances to bring two hurting hearts together? (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Love’s Promise by Penny Zeller — Can one man’s love win a fragile woman’s heart? After Amaya Alvarado lost her fiancé to a senseless tragedy, she vows never to love again. Two years later, at her grandmother’s request, she travels to Poplar Springs to assist with the mercantile and help care for her ailing grandfather. During a stagecoach accident and a confrontation with nefarious outlaws, she crosses paths with a man named Silas McFadden who rescues her and the other passengers. Silas is not the man he once was. After a stint on the wrong side of the law, he’s now a respectable rancher in Poplar Springs, Wyoming. Amaya’s and Silas’s friendship soon grows, and she begins to trust him with everything but her heart. Can she push her growing feelings for him aside? When the past comes back to haunt him and revenge is sought, can Silas protect the woman he has come to love? (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:

Open Water by Betty Thomason Owens — As much as Lisa Oliver wanted to believe that she could be safe in the small mountain community of Benning, Kentucky, she knew that wouldn’t be the case when Agent Farrow’s car pulled next to the school where she had been working. They’d found her again? Who was stalking her and why? Jake Bradley uses his widely popular “Jake on the Road” articles to help him continue to follow leads into Lisa’s past, but he didn’t expect the people whom he spoke with to be attacked and killed. How could he possibly protect this woman who had become so important to him when he so miserably failed at learning about her past and why someone had killed her parents? Lisa and Jake learn more about her past, and about each other, in this dramatic suspense. (Contemporary Mystery/Suspense from Write Integrity Press)Romantic Suspense:

Never Fall Again by Lynn H Blackburn — Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. As the artist-in-residence, and with her pottery prized by The Haven’s guests, she’s finally ready to settle in permanently. She wants to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home to grow up in and hires former Marine Callum Shaw to handle the construction. Cal grew up in Gossamer Falls and always knew he would someday join his family’s business. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. Landry is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. Landry has a daughter and a past. Cal has been down that road before and barely survived when the woman he loved left, taking her two sons with her. He can’t bear to lose like that again. Before construction on the house can begin, Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire. It soon becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger—but from whom? Despite his best efforts to remain unattached and uninvolved, Cal knows that Landry needs him— and he fears he needs her just as much. (Romantic Suspense from Revell)

Even in Death by Rebecca Hemlock — After receiving a note that her ninety-three-year-old great aunt is very sick, Emily Fredrickson assumes the worst. She’s always known that she’d someday lose the only blood relative she has, but when she’s met with a ghost story and a mysterious family keepsake, she must dive into the past to figure out how to get rid of the ghosts in Fredrickson Mansion and bring peace to her troubled aunt. (Romantic Suspense from Bluecap Publishing)

Cold Case Target by Jessica R Patch — Caught in a serial killer’s deadly game with nowhere to turn… Interrupting an attempted murder—and leaving with incriminating evidence—makes Sissy Spencer a serial killer’s next target. With a flash drive in her possession containing disturbing proof of multiple murders, Sissy has no choice but to trust her ex-boyfriend, private investigator Beau Brighton, to keep her safe. But can they unravel the clues and track down a killer…before he catches them first? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Sweet Deceit by Sally Jo Pitts — Someone will stop at nothing to keep the secrets of Sweet County hidden. Public Relations Consultant ANNIE MCAFEE hopes to spend a quiet summer in Sugarville waitressing, housesitting and job hunting. But her plans are upended after she’s run off the road and narrowly escapes with her life. Rookie state investigator WILL BRICE is looking forward to a bright future with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement until the governor removes the Sweet County Sheriff and appoints Will to take his place. Propelled into the middle of Sweet County’s dark secrets, Will and Annie find that deceit hides beneath its sugar-coated façade and the townspeople prefer to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. Confronted with a web of mysterious threats, life threatening crises, and the death of a teenager, the two must work together with the help of an unusual sidekick to expose the corruption. Can this unlikely crime fighting trio crack the town’s sweet cover? (Romantic Mystery from Elk Lake Publishing)

Caught in the Crosshairs by Melanie D. Snitker — For single mom Erica Keyes, a normal day swiftly changes to one of terror when someone intentionally runs her off the road, endangering her and her son’s life. Already unsettled by the encounter, strange things begin happening at the B&B she owns, leaving her watchful and on edge. Unable to find a connection between the events, Erica is grateful for a handsome guest who insists on helping. In town to scout a new location for his private security employer, Cole Shepherd rents a room at the Tranquil Bed & Breakfast. When he realizes someone is harassing the lovely owner and her son, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep Erica and Peter safe. As the danger escalates and the suspects grow increasingly desperate, it’s clear that Cole and Erica are missing a key piece of information. Can they stay one step ahead long enough to figure out who is behind it all and thwart their evil plans? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

Young Adult:

Salvaged by Shanna M Heath — Hadley, forced to relocate with her estranged father at age seventeen, searches for belonging. A cancer diagnosis threatens to take her beloved Nonny, and a looming senior project might just break her. Has God forgotten Hadley Edwards? (Young Adult, Independently Published)

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

Trust and Trickery-Hivites by Christine Dillon — But what can a mere baker do to save his family, his city, and his people? (General Historical)

Dawn’s Hidden Threat by Elizabeth Goddard — An unexpected search and rescue uncovers a hidden threat. Angie Harris doesn’t know whom to trust, except for the man who rescued her from a cold, dark cave and a grizzly bear. *Previously published in the Heroes in the Crossfire collection. (Romantic Suspense)

Guardian by Cathy McCrumb — In order to save her allies, the Recorder must activate a drone, but her success might destroy any hope for freedom, a future, and a name. (Speculative Fiction)

Dysfunction Junction by Robin W Pearson — At the junction of healed and hurting, broken and whole, and past and present, three women wrestle with their inability to forgive and forget in this riveting Southern family drama about sisterhood. (Contemporary Literary Fiction)

The Medici Quest by Jeff Raymond — Highlighted by accurate locations and blending in factual historical characters and events, The Medici Quest touches on the real-life topics of faith, grace, and redemption. (Thriller/Suspense)

Who Brought the Dog to Church? by Tracy L Smoak — God works in mysterious ways—and through ordinary people. The town of Prosper is about to experience some drama—and it all starts with a dog who comes to church. (Contemporary General)

Caleb’s Cross by Urcelia Teixeira — A suspenseful true crime murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. (Crime/Mystery)

Former Things Forgotten by Thomas Michael Trezise — This intriguing and unforgettable story of love at the intersection of heaven and earth, where relationships are eternal and hard choices determine destinies, examines the questions, answers, and consequences of life lived for self or for God. (Contemporary Literary)

Rocky Road by Becky Wade — Escape to Maine for this swoon-worthy “fake romance”! Banter, humor, perfume, and a mystery from the past intertwine in this sweet Sons of Scandal love story. (Contemporary Romance)

Walking Through the Rain by Lillian Duncan

WALKING THROUGH THE RAIN is my just-released novel. Here’s a bit about the story:

Rachel and Brandon are in love.

Rachel is poor.

Brandon is rich.

But that doesn’t matter to them. The only thing that matters is each other. They have big plans for their future.

Brandon’s mother has big plans for her son’s future as well. They don’t include a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Sara Withers believes she knows what’s best for her son, Brandon.

She’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Brandon has the future she wants for him.

Rachel’s mother works hard to keep a roof over their heads. Life hasn’t been kind to Amanda Stickley. She understands how hard life can be so when Brandon’s mother offers her money to keep Rachel away from Brandon, she agrees.

Both mothers only want what’s best for their child.

Both mothers believe they are helping their child.

Both mothers are wrong.

WALKING THROUGH THE RAIN is the title of my new release. But in reality the other part of the title should be WITHOUT AN UMBRELLA.

Walking through the rain without an umbrella is Rachel’s (main character) mother’s favorite saying. It means that when trouble comes she has no one to help her. She tells her daughter this over and over—not to count on anyone but herself—never to trust anyone, especially a sweet-talking boy like Brandon.

It’s the mother’s bitter response to the disappointments and tragedies in her own life. She wants her daughter to learn to rely only on herself. It sounds like good advice, but if that’s what we do, then where does God fit in?

God doesn’t want us to depend on ourselves. He wants us to trust and depend on him. I know from my own personal experience God is trustworthy. He is faithful and his mercies are new every morning.

These are lessons Rachel and her mother need to learn.

So the question becomes will they learn the lesson or not?

You’ll just have to read the book to find out!

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

Lillian lives in a small town in Ohio with her husband. She writes the types of books she loves to read. Even though her books cross several genres, they have one thing in common, faith-based stories that demonstrate God’s love—and lots of action. OK, that’s two things.

She was a school speech pathologist for over 30 years but retired in 2012 after being diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors due to Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a rare genetic disease. 

Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word. To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit:   www.lillian–duncan.com. 

54 Minutes with Julie Arduini & Friends

Four years ago I was quite excited to celebrate my 50th. I was going to meet with anyone who wanted to locally celebrate. I had all the plans in motion and then, the pandemic. It was so early in it that we had not even come up with the birthday idea to drive by homes in a little parade and wave.

It was a big nothing.

I decided to do something fun instead each year. One that stands out was taking my two dear friends to a rage room. We looked insane in our overalls and helmet shield but it was so much fun.

This year I’m taking the fun online. The author life post-pandemic has been brutal, and we understand. When you have to choose between buying gas and a book, well, we aren’t doing so hot in spite of the hours and hours we spend crafting a quality read for you.

I thought I’d take the opportunity to at least encourage authors and connect them with readers.

On Saturday, March 16, from 7-8 PM Eastern, I’m trying something different. Ten authors will join me for 54 minutes on my reader page. We each have five minutes to share.

Wait. Eleven people and five minutes each do not equal 54.

That’s the funny part. I’m terrible at math, and the reality is, we’ll probably make it an even hour. But still, a short time and a great number of authors from different genres. Here is who I have announced so far:

I’m excited to introduce these fantastic authors to you, and who knows? There might be giveaways. If you love reading, save the date, join my reader group, and tell your reader friends. I’ll be back next week to announce the rest of the lineup!

Rare Disease Day

February 29 has been designated Rare Disease Day.

According to Patient Worthy,

In the United States, at least 25-30 million people are living with a rare disease. Many rare diseases are genetic and 95% of them have no treatment options. Other challenges faced by people living with rare diseases include:

Delayed or lack of diagnosisLittle to no medical research or drug developmentFeelings of isolation or being ‘left behind’ in the health systemVery high costs for drugs and treatment

From Rare Disease Day.og,

Over 6000 rare diseases are characterised by a broad diversity of disorders and symptoms that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.

72% of the diseases are genetic and almost 1 out of 5 cancers is rare.

For several years I have shared our story. Our daughter, now 20, has been diagnosed with what was called a disease, but now is defined as a disorder. It is a rare condition, so rare that our pediatric endocrinologist had to consult with doctors in Italy back in the day. The condition? Albrights Hereditary Osteodystrophy.

The last couple years I’ve seen the name switch over to pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A, Like most rare situations, she was diagnosed later in childhood. The issue back then was had it been identified, she would have been put on growth hormones. That didn’t happen, so her bones fused together. I can’t remember her age but she might have been 9-11. Her bones measured to be 18. She stopped growing and is 4’10”. Thankfully, we are a short family and few know why she is a little shorter than we are.

The things we have to watch with her are joint pain or her lips turning blue. If her phosphorus and calcium levels are off it can cause problems with her joints and possible seizures. We’re thankful this has never been the case.

She takes a medicine to help those levels, and between this and hypothyroidism, she takes Vitamin D. At one point that level was so low she had to take 25,000 units. She now takes 3,000 every day.

Not much is known about the teen/reproductive or beyond years. Her endocrine system runs slow even for those with hypothyroidism, so she takes medicines to induce menses, and even that only happens a few times a year. If she plans on having a family, she will need to see a specialist.

The hardest part about it, I think. is the lab work. When she was younger it was obvious when she left class early for specialists and lab work. She is a very hard lab draw. Because she doesn’t have something that is visible, few know her struggles, which also include asthma and first year where she was chronically ill and at one point nearly lost her. That caused some developmental delays, and each year that gap has moved. I believe it will be closed so she can drive, the one thing we’re waiting and believing on that for comprehension, isn’t quite there.

For all she’s overcome, we focus on the amazing rare. We were told when she was a baby she would most likely have mental retardation. She was put in Spec Ed for a month until they realized she was bored. She outgrew the need for an IEP. She graduated from high school with an amazing GPA and a member of National Honor Society.

When we long ago thought college would never be in the cards for her, she is a sophomore at Southeastern Columbus as an online student. She’s made the Dean’s List every semester. She has an internship with the Chi Alpha ministry at Youngstown State University. Last year she traveled with Chi Alpha to the Los Angeles Dream Center and served for a week. She is returning this year.

We know with Rare Disease, every patient has a different circumstance, even with the same diagnosis. We are very aware that many parents have daily therapies and appointments. We know God promised me when I was pregnant our daughter would be an overcome. That promise has trumped all the outcomes the medical community has fed us over the years.

I hope this gives you a glimpse into Albrights Osteodystrophy and Rare Disease Day.

Sources/More Info:

https://patientworthy.com/2024/02/15/rare-disease-day-share-stripes-patient-worthy-2-2/

https://rarediseaseday.org/what-is-a-rare-disease/

About Albrights Osteodystrophy

Salvaged by Shanna M. Heath

Thank you for welcoming me as a guest on your blog! I’m excited to share my debut novel, Salvaged, with your readers and I appreciate this opportunity. I’ve always been an avid reader of the young adult genre, even now–in my 40s–I guess the YA books keep me young at heart. 

A little about my motivation for writing YA–I have three beautiful children of my own (sixteen, thirteen, and nine) and work with teenagers as a Social Studies teacher. Also, YA is fun to read, plain and simple. 

A few years ago, I was browsing the books at a Book Fair sponsored by the school where I teach and was disappointed to find that many of the books blatantly pushed inappropriate themes to impressionable young readers. I lamented this sentiment to our librarian and mumbled “I should write a book.” Her response, “You should!” empowered me; it was like someone gave me permission to attempt something I’d been too afraid to try before. She validated my interest in writing a book, and all of the sudden I was excited to take on a new project. 

I joined the American Christian Fiction Writers association and got to work. I cringe sometimes when I think of the first submissions I made to the online critique group, but WOW, that group has been a Godsend. Salvaged was born, and next month it will be released in both Kindle and paperback format on Amazon and through IngramSpark. Here is a back cover blurb for a little sneak peek: 

High school senior Hadley is certain she must earn a summer internship at the Office of Naval Research, and she’s pretty darn confident she might! Unfortunately, her world is turned upside down by the news of her grandmother Nonny’s bleak cancer diagnosis. Hadley is forced to relocate from her home in Maryland to Kentucky to live with her estranged father and (gulp!) new step-family. As Hadley prepares to face a world of unknowns, she fears she will lose her beloved Nonny, and her hopes of snagging her dream internship seemingly disappear.

In the midst of adjusting to her new life in the bluegrass, Hadley steps into the unexpectedly pleasant role of half-sister and tackles a daunting senior project interning at a local business, Southern Salvage. Here, Hadley strives to befriend her peer mentor Colton, who seems all too eager to rid himself of a burdensome intern. At first. As Hadley navigates life in an unfamiliar state, school, and family, can she overcome the overwhelming sense she’s disrupted everyone’s happy normal? Is she just an unwelcome inconvenience? She wonders…has God abandoned Hadley Edwards? With the help of her family and Colton, Hadley might just learn the true meaning of “salvaged.”

If you’d like to read more, or know someone who might, Salvaged is available for purchase at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTJG8Y8B. 

Thank you again for allowing me to guest blog and I appreciate your kind readers for taking the time to read my post. 

Blessings, 

Shanna M. Heath 

About the Author: Shanna M. Heath resides in central Ky with her sweet family, two dogs, and a ball python. When she isn’t writing young adult Christian fiction, she enjoys teaching middle school social studies or taking Sunday afternoon naps. A sucker for teen rom-coms, her stories have a knack for weaving together the awkward and the flirtatious, with a healthy dose of real-life complications to boot.

Choose Your Valentine

Most days I share a graphic with information about my books. Today I created one for Valentine’s Day. I thought it would be fun to list the men who have participated in each of my books.

Fictional men, that is.

I was shocked as I tallied up the list. There are quite a few to choose from, and I think one career that stands out against the rest—teaching. Two teachers and a substitute. (James, Kevin, and Dean).

I thought I’d share this and see what you think. What character seems like someone you would be interested in?

Me? Repairing Hearts is dedicated to my husband, a Navy vet who is a programmer. He doesn’t brood like Ryan Hart, but I did give Ryan those attributes as a tip of the hat to my husband.

No matter what your relationship status, I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day. You are deeply loved!