New Member Intro's

[Darlene]

Welcome Heather! Happy New Year!

[Terri]

I am good Heather---how have you been!!??

[Heather]

Thank you Darlene!

Terri I'm doing great! Enjoying a wonderful Christmas break with my family!

[Amanda]

Hello Heather! It's nice to meet you ~ have a Happy New Year! :)

[Heather]

Trish wrote: "Hi Heather! Welcome to the group! This group is awesome in that I'm finding so many great new & different books & authors that aren't even on the shelves at my large church library. I volunteer ..."

Thanks Trish! I'm looking forward to it very much! Glad to meet you & look forward to getting to know you all better!

[Margaret]

Welcome Heather and Darlene.

[Teric]

Welcome, Darlene and Heather! Glad to have you!

Teric Darken
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[Heather]

Thanks everyone!

[Darlene]

Thank you!!Margaret wrote: "Welcome Heather and Darlene."

[Darlene]

Teric wrote: "Welcome, Darlene and Heather! Glad to have you!

Teric Darken
" Thanks! Glad to be here!

[[deleted user]]

Hi, all, I'm Elisa. I'm one of those Christians who has been kicked around a few times by other Christians. I'm not going to lie, even joining this group is scary.

Still, I am trying to start an indie Christian publishing business and want to get in touch with the indie Christian contemporary fiction world. Figured this would be a great place to start.

Look forward to talking with y'all!

[Darlene]

Welcome Elisa...I think this is a pretty safe community :)

[[deleted user]]

That's comforting. Thanks for the welcome!

[Terri]

Welcome Elisa---I am certain you will enjoy this group. Sorry for your past experiences w/ other Christians!

[[deleted user]]

Terri, thanks! I'm hoping to create new friends and new experiences though. Positivity is good!

[Teric]

Elisa wrote: "Hi, all, I'm Elisa. I'm one of those Christians who has been kicked around a few times by other Christians. I'm not going to lie, even joining this group is scary."

Hi Elisa, welcome! You've come to the right place!

I can empathize with your pain: I've been kicked around a bit, myself, in life from "religious" brothers and sisters... though I confess, I am not perfect either, as none of us are.

That said, most of us here in the Contemporary Christian Fiction Forum realize that we are all members of the same Body, with the Messiah Jesus being the head. We strive to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself.

We are not wolves seeking to devour our own. On the contrary, we are roaring lambs taking care of our own.

There is a whole lotta genuine, Christian love here; I have been blessed by some wonderful brothers and sisters in this forum, and I am confident that you will be blessed, too.

Welcome, friend!

Teric Darken
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[[deleted user]]

Teric, that makes me feel good. I've admitted that I've had issue with Christians in the past to others and they've instantly asked, "well what did you do wrong?", never once asking if the others involved were in the wrong.

I've been looking for a community of others who are like me or are at least understanding of those like me. I feel blessed already by the warm reception!

[Barbara]

Elisa, welcome to our group! I am so sorry you have had bad experiences with other Christians in the past. I am so thankful that you don't sound like you changed your view of God or Christianity because of it. I hope you will enjoy being a part of this group.

[[deleted user]]

Barbara, for a while it made me question my faith, but I realized God wasn't being reflected in those people. I've learned a lot and am excited to be involved in a more loving Christian community, even if it is online.

Trish, just being so nice makes me feel safe and accepted. Really. =)

[Kimberly]

Hi, all!

My name is Kimberly Stuart and I am a voracious reader of most things. I also have three young children, so my "free time" seems to disappear in a wake of diapers, Cheerios, and endless games of Uno most days. :)

I'm an author as well, and am happy to see all the authors already welcomed here. My fifth book, Operation Bonnet, released in February and was a hoot to write. If you're so inclined, you can read the first chapter here: http://kimberlystuart.com/buy-books.html

Thanks for allowing me in on the discussion!

kim

[Kelli]

Hi, I just joined this group! I used to read a lot of paranormal but after awhile it's gotten to me, so I would like to focus more on "good reading" as opposed to this paranormal genre. I'm 31, single, and just starting to get back into going church. If anyone could recommend some good books/series, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks :)

[[deleted user]]

Kelli, welcome! What do you mean by "gotten to me"?

[Margaret]

Kim and Kelli, welcome to the group.
Kim, I like the title Operation Bonnet. Congratulations on writing five books and raising three young children. When you have fun writing, it shows.

[Kimberly]

Thanks, Margaret! Believe me, writing with two pigtails propped over my laptop does present its challenges. But fun, yes. And a huge blessing to be able to be a part of the book world.

[Kelli]

Elisa wrote: "Kelli, welcome! What do you mean by "gotten to me"?"

I guess the easiest way to describe it would be that it bothers me now. I'm not sure if it is me getting older or just the idea of reading books that have some sort of evil in them. There for awhile I would only read paranormal so I suppose the constant evil, killing, blood shed genre took it's toll.

I feel reading happier/warming books for awhile would be a good change :)

[[deleted user]]

Kelli, yeah. I went through that with music. Stopped listening to metal and refined my taste into a more positive one.

[R. L.]

Greetings. Just joined. I'm an author. Had two books published, but the publisher sort of went off the map, so snagged a new publisher who has just started to release my new titles for "The Reality Chronicles."

The first book, just released this month, is "Reality's Dawn." Fantasy set in an alternate world, where a 14 year-old boy obtains the ability to do miracles and heal people. But the catch is he can't use it for himself. The fifteen stories in this novel explore how he deals with this gift and how it affects his relationship with others and God. A little violence due to the fact there needs to be something to heal, but good spiritual nourishment too.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

Glad to be here.

[Karen]

Hello all! I just joined Goodreads and wondered why I've never heard of this before now.

I love Christian Romance, Christian Suspense, and Christian Historical Fiction. I grew up reading authors such as Janette Oke and Judith Pella, though I've branched out to many other great Christian authors since.

Recently, I also published my first novel, "A Dream Unfolding" which is set in the 1860's in Arizona. I'm diligently working on the sequel which I hope to have up on Amazon in the next month or two.

I'm always up for recommendations on great Christian books, so I'm looking forward to exploring this group more.

[[deleted user]]

Hi, Karen, nice to meet you! I love anything historical fiction. =)

I've never heard of Janette Oke or Judith Pella. What type of books do they write?

[Karen]

Elisa, Janette Oke and Judith Pella both write Christian Historical Fiction.

If you're looking for something sweet, try Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series set in Pioneering days. It's an 8 book series. It's been about 20 years since I've read this series, so I don't remember a lot of specifics. The series was made into a series of movies on the Hallmark channel, produced by Michael Landon, Jr., I think.

Some of Judith Pella's work is a little edgier. My favorite series of hers was the Daughters of Fortune series. It's set during World War II. I also liked her two Stonewyck series that she co-wrote with Michael Phillips. Those are set in Scottland and involve castles. They have another series called the Corrie Belle Holister series set in California during the Gold Rush. That series is great for YA and adults.

[[deleted user]]

Karen, thanks for explaining! I prefer edgier novels, so I'll look up the Daughters of Fortune series for sure. Thanks.

[Catherine]

Hi All,
I am pretty new here - not sure if I can keep up with everything! My debut novel Yesterday's Tomorrow, released last week through OakTara - available on Amazon and B&N at the moment. It's an Inspirational Contemporary Romance set in the '60's about a female journalist who goes to Vietnam to cover the war, I hope you will check it out. I'm really excited about sites like GoodReads that can help promote authors and encourage people to read!
Cathy
http://www.catherinejwest.com

[Reynaldo]

Hello everyone! I have just published a book titled 'The Resurrection' which deals with an Atheist interaction with the New Testament writers. I would love to have as much Christian input as possible if this work does grab their interest. In order to purchase through Kindle or hard copy access my blog site: http://theresurrectionseries.wordpres... and click on the book cover or Amazon image.

Parker

[Jenna]

hi! My name is Jenna and I came across this group when I was adding my current read Screwtape letters by CS lewis on my shelf. Hope to meet and interact with you guys in this group!

[John]

Welcome to the group, Jenna. I have not read "Screwtape Letters" yet, but I have heard great things about it. Maybe I will add it to my "to read" list.

[Mark]

Hi! I am Mark Graham of North Carolina. New to goodreads - had no idea this existed. Looks like lots of fun.

[Stacey]

Hi Everyone, I'm brand new to the group, and excited to start figuring out how your group works and jumping in. Up until now I mostly read Karen Kingsbury, I own every single one of her books (well, her Christian books), and I've read them all numerous times, but just over a week ago I finally got a Kindle, so now I'm branching out. :-) I'm a 32 yr old wife and mom to a 5 year old VERY active little boy, and I am extremely thankful to God that I'm still here to be his Mom. A little over a year ago I had a major bleed in my brain (due to a condition I have-it actually wan't an anuerism) and I had to have brain surgery. Anyhow, I'm saying all that because I can sometimes be a little confusing... I use to write/talk really well... (was an AP English student, etc., and a teacher before all this), but now sometimes I forget where I was, repeat myself, or just leave things out... it makes sense in my head-but doesn't come out the same way! So anyhow, I'm looking forward to joining in... but you won't find me giving very many "well-spoken" reviews... I have a short memory, and what I want to say just doesn't come out like I want to.

[angela]

Welcome Stacey and welcome to the group! I certainly understand the challenge you face with short term memory, apraxia and aphasia.My mother experienced a ruptured aneurysm the summer of 1989 and has never been the same.So don't hesitate to jump in, write what you'd like and be free.This is truly a no judgement zone :) While I've thoroughly enjoyed all of Karen Kingsbury's book, there are so many exciting Christian Fiction writers that are equally talented that you may want to check out such as: Francine Rivers,Kim Vogel Sawyer,Melody Carlson,Terri Blackstone,Lori Copeland,Dee Henderson,Rico Parra & C.J. Darlington just to name a few.
I hope you enjoy the group and look forward to book discussions and more.I pray continued healing, good health and happiness for you and your family.

[Stacey]

Hi Lady Day, Thank you for the warm welcome, and the understanding!! I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, and I certainly understand when you say she's never been the same, but I must admit it's comforting to see someone else use the words so commonly used to describe me. :-) And thank you for the list of other Authors as well, I am definitely looking forward to broadening my horizon of authors! I've already 2 books by Candace Calvert that I really enjoyed (Christian Medial Fiction-right up my alley!), and now I'm reading one by Kathleen Morgan. And I have Francine Rivers in my list of "to-be Read" that I've found as a free, or in-expensive already. I believe I've read a Lori Copeland a while back as well... the others I will definitely look up, or keep and eye out for. Thank you! I'm looking forward to all the great recommendations here!

[Mark]

Hello. I am Mark Graham from North Carolina. I am new to goodreads and can't believe it took me this long to become aware of it. I am working on a second novel right now...well, goofing off on goodreads right now...but will continue the novel tomorrow ;-) Looking forward to participating in this group.

[Darlene]

Welcome Stacey. Welcome Mark. I have to agree with Lady Day, there has been aboslutely no judgement here. I have enjoyed being here, both as a reader (I love books!) and as an author. We are kinda like a little family. Mark, congrats on the novel! What is the genre?

[Mark]

Hi Darlene. Thanks. New novel genre: Suspense (?). An American in Ukraine on a short term trip who 'accidentally' finds himself wanting to adopt a child. His stay is extended and they run into great opposition there and back home (nefarious designs on orphan children) - and acquire the most unlikely allies in their fight. The other one out now, Land Run, is mainly (my best attempt)...a story of character depth, community experience, Gods sovereignty, with elements of suspense (twists, turns, surprises). I would say they are Christian novels - but I struggle with that term. They are simply novels with Christians in them, including their world-view...as with most any neighborhood you might pass through on the way home. People among people.

[Laura]

Hi all. I'm a "newbie" to this site, also. Thanks to a Kindle Christmas gift, I've returned to being an avid reader. Just discovered Karen Kingsbury's books & I'm hooked. Just finished the Redemption series. Stacey, another author I like is Susan May Warren. Thanks, Lady Day, for the list of other authors.

[Christy]

Hey yall! My name is Christy and Im an avid reader!....ok so EVERYONE has to write that dont they? lol Im new to goodreads...like less than 24 hours old, and so far Im totally addicted! I think the what Im most excited about is being with a group of people that have the same love that I do and getting great book ideas from them! Cant wait to get to know everyone!!

[Darlene]

Welcome Laura and Christy! We have a good thing here...don't we? :)

[[deleted user]]

Hey all! I've been a Goodreads member for a little while but am just now starting to learn my way around. : )

I think this group looks like a good place to start.

Traci
author of The Mitzy Neuhaus Mysteries

[David]

Hello. I am David Newell from a small town near Boise, Idaho. I am new to goodreads and just finished my first novel, Global Time Lines. It is currently available in both hard copy and Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_... where you can preview the first couple chapters.

[[deleted user]]

Hello everyone =D
Just joined today, I'm looking forward to "meeting" other readers with similar tastes and discussing books! I'm a huge fan of Ted Dekker, Tosca Lee, Robert Liparulo, Angela Hunt and lots of others.

[Elaine]

Hi--I'm a new member of this group as well. I belong to ACFW and write edgy stories of home conflicts. I like to read as well as write stores showing God's love shining bright even in the darkest of times and situations.

Elaine
elainestock.blogspot.com

[Elaine]

Bonnie wrote: "Hello everyone =D
Just joined today, I'm looking forward to "meeting" other readers with similar tastes and discussing books! I'm a huge fan of Ted Dekker, Tosca Lee, Robert Liparulo, Angela Hunt a..."

Bonnie, welcome from another newbie GoodReader :)

I'm a big fan of Angela Hunt. Did you read Tosca Lee's HAVAH? It was so vividly written and so well told that I had the most extraordinary dreams of the Garden for several nights when I finished the book.

Elaine