Tuesday, December 30, 2008

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. In addition to writing several books about Christian community, the Jacksons have coauthored numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

Dave and Neta live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years they were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. They are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

They're trying something new! Not just new for them, but something completely new in Christian fiction: “Parallel novels,” two stories taking place in the same time frame, same neighborhood, involving some of the same characters living through their own dramas and crises but interacting with and affecting one another … just the way it happens in real life.

It’s something that only a husband and wife writing team could pull off. While Neta has Where Do I Go?, her husband Dave has written Harry Bentley's Second Chance.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

A story of seeking-and finding-God's will in unlikely places.

Gabrielle Fairbanks has nearly lost touch with the carefree, spirited young woman she was when she married her husband fifteen years ago. But when the couple moves to Chicago to accommodate Philip's business ambitions, Gabby finds the chance to make herself useful. It's there she meets the women of Manna House Women's Shelter; they need a Program Director-and she has a degree in social work. She's in her element, feeling God's call on her life at last, even though Philip doesn't like the changes he sees in her. But things get rough when Philip gives Gabby an ultimatum: quit her job at the shelter or risk divorce and losing custody of their sons. Gabby must take refuge, as in the song they sing at Sunday night worship: "Where do I go when there's no one else to turn to? . . . I go to the Rock I know that's able, I go to the Rock."

Romantic Times Book Reviews says, “Exquisite characters coupled with God's mercy and love emanate from each page.”

Publisher's Weekly adds, “Jackson's Yada Yada series has sold half a million copies, and this new offshoot series ... promises the same.... The book's dramatic ending ... leav[es] readers eager for the next installment in the series.”

To read the Prologue and first Chapter of Where Do I Go?, go HERE


Where Do I Go? by Neta Jackson
ISBN-10: 1595545239
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: December 9, 2008
$10.19 from Amazon.com


Purchase Where Do I Go? by Neta Jackson HERE!!!

Monday, December 29, 2008

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Jones Gunn grew up in Orange County, California and has lived in all kinds of interesting places, including Reno and Hawai’i.

She and her husband currently live near Portland, Oregon and have been married for 30 years. They spent their first 22 years of marriage working together in youth ministry, and enjoying life with their son and daughter who are now both grown.

As a frequent speaker at local and international events, one of Robin’s favorite topics is how God is the Relentless Lover and we are His first love. She delights in telling stories of how God uses fiction to change lives.

Robin is the recipient of the Christy Award, the Mt. Hermon Pacesetter Award, the Sherwood E. Wirt Award and is a Gold Medallion Finalist. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and the Board of Directors for Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation.

But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost.

And yet...maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Engaging Father Christmas, go HERE


Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn
ISBN-10: 0446179469
Publisher: FaithWords
Release Date: October 30, 2008
$10.97 from Amazon.com


Purchase Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn HERE!!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

In the Bible, Luke reminds us about the time when Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire.

This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home.

He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.

Wow!

Imagine if the governments of today were to have a world-wide census, compelling every grownup to return to their hometown or city for a count of the population.

Most of us, if not all, would call it illogical, absurd and inappropriate!

Equally; you can just imagine the journey as Mary and Joseph shared their emotion - perhaps even making complaining remarks or noises under their breath!

__O for a simple enrolment online, and they needn't have made the journey! Yet, the Internet age was for another millennium to come!__

Looking at the sequence of events; try to picture the 90 mile cross-country journey to Bethlehem.

At this point in time, folks travelled by foot or on an animal or cart.

Achieving heights of about 1,312 feet; Joseph probably walked the extended curves and turns of the mountain trail - accompanied by Mary, who we assume was riding side-saddle on a donkey.

The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem could have taken more than a week by foot. They would have travelled over rough tracks with the danger of predatory animals, and the threat of aggressive and violent young criminals.

In such conditions, folks often travelled in groups for their own safety and protection.

As a consequence, the journey was characterized by toilsome endeavour to the point of exhaustion - especially physical effort - probably depleting them of strength and energy!

Meanwhile, way back in Nazareth; the young couple had left all that they knew behind; Everything that was normal - the everyday experience - common and ordinary - not strange.

All the same, the approaching times for the young couple were unclear.

Not only did they have little money or few possessions, but they were lacking experience of life.

For instance, when they got to Bethlehem, what were they to do? Where were they to temporarily reside? How long for?

__A cosy over-night boardinghouse with a continental breakfast was unheard of! A five star motel room with en-suite hadn't reached the hills of Judea in those days!__

The emerging times were accompanied by painful expectation and stress.

But there was good news ahead.

In a restful manner, gently behind the scenes, God was working His purposes out.

Through the actions of this couple, God's rescue plan for a lost world was being completed to perfection.

Obviously, history and God's Word the Bible reveal this to us today. But for this young couple, the future appeared to be uncertain.

And in their state, lacking assurance, they had to learn to trust.

Today; there is an unquestionable truth for us to comprehend.

For many folk, whether the events in this present day appear unusually great in size or microscopic, often the changes are hard to bear.

Yet, as we go through these experiences in our lives, God is working His purposes out.

Simply because we face hardships and hindrances in life, does not mean that God has abandoned us! No doubt about it, we all face difficulties in life. But then, He encourages, empowers and enables us to act on His great plan and purpose for our lives.

Here and now; in these uncertain times, God asks you and I or anyone - to trust Him from the bottom of our heart.

He points the way forward, and encourages us to have complete confidence in Him.

For this reason, let's try not to figure out everything on our own.

Let's listen for His voice in everything we do, everywhere we go, because He's The One who will keep us on track.

We mustn't assume that we know it all - but we know The One who does!

As we trust Him; He will bless us with a future filled with hope - a future of success, not of suffering!

God's unfailing love surrounds the folk who trust in Him.

May the approaching days bring for all of us peace and prosperity.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Dark Pursuit
Zondervan (December 1, 2008)
by
Brandilyn Collins


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Brandilyn Collins is known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. She is currently working on her 20th book. For chances to win free copies of her work, join her Fan Club on Facebook. Here’s what Brandilyn has to say about why she wrote Dark Pursuit:

In John Milton’s Paradise Lost Satan’s followers, kicked out of heaven, boast about storming the gates and reclaiming their territory. Beelzebub scoffs at their boasting as merely “hatching vain empires” and suggests a different revengeful scheme: seduce mankind away from God. So Satan visits the Garden of Eden to teach humans the very thing he and his cohorts have learned to be futile—the dark pursuit of hatching their own vain empires instead of following God. He presented man with this “gift” of death, disguised as life. And man fell for it.

Upon this theme of man’s fall and spiritual blindness, I created the characters and events in Dark Pursuit. The story clips along at a fast pace, with much symbolism running underneath.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dark Pursuit—A twisting story of murder, betrayal, and eternal choices

Novelist Darell Brooke lived for his title as King of Suspense—until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Two years later, reclusive and bitter, he wants one thing: to plot a new novel and regain his reputation.

Kaitlan Sering, his twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, once lived for drugs. After she stole from Darell, he cut her off. Now she’s rebuilding her life. But in Kaitlan’s town two women have been murdered, and she’s about to discover a third. She’s even more shocked to realize the culprit—her boyfriend, Craig, the police chief’s son.

Desperate, Kaitlan flees to her estranged grandfather. For over forty years, Darell Brooke has lived suspense. Surely he’ll devise a plan to trap the cunning Craig.

But can Darell’s muddled mind do it? And—if he tries—with what motivation? For Kaitlan’s plight may be the stunning answer to the elusive plot he seeks...

Read the first chapter of Dark Pursuit, HERE.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

There is nothing like the holiday season to cause a mixture of joy and stress and the need for that take-me-away feeling only found in a good story. This month we've got six new releases to choose from designed to do just that!

Also, don't forget to check out my new Spotlight on author Siri Mitchell.

1. A Promise for Spring by Kim Vogel Sawyer from Bethany House. Can their promise of love survive more than just years of separation?

2. Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard from Havest House Publishers. A heroine who embodies "Principles" meets the man who is all "Pride." What happens when they clash in Regency London makes adventurous innocence well worth reading!

3. Deceptive Promises, Delaware Brides, book 3 by Amber Miller from Barbour/Heartsong Presents. Living during the American Revolution, Margret Scott gets involved with a spy and a life of deception that could endanger herself, her family, and the man she loves.

4. Flashover by Dana Mentink from Steeple Hill. Ivy Beria's life explodes when arson robs her of her job and the man who set it hunts her down.

5. Missouri Brides by Mildred Colvin from Barbour Publishing. Three women tied together by family find true love on the Missouri prairie of the 1800s.

6. The Owling, Shadowside Series - Book 2 by Robert Elmer from Zondervan. Life gets even more confusing for fifteen-year-old Oriannon when her former music mentor, Jesmet, miraculously returns from the dead and promises his students a special power called Numa.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

1. Shop at small business web sites to get better personal service. Read customer comments or reviews.
2. Only shop at web sites that display evidence they are secure shopping sites.
3. Make sure the web site you choose lists a customer service phone number.

   Never shop at a site where the only method of contact is through email.

   If the site doesn’t give hours of operation and you are concerned, try calling the phone number to make sure you can get in touch with a live person.

4. For excellent customer service, always enter your phone number when placing an order.

   There is no excuse for a web site not to give you personal service if you have given them your phone number and they need to reach you. Not everyone is on top of their email all the time so, if you don’t respond to an email, they should call you.

   Make sure you are easily reachable at the phone number you give. It may be wise to enter a second number in a note field.

5. Make sure the billing address you enter when placing your order is the same address the credit company has on file for you - the address they use on your statements.

   Well run web sites have their banking software set to carefully match the address you enter to the address the credit card company uses. This process helps to prevent fraud.

6. If, for some reason, your order “fails” when you submit it, do not keep trying.

   Of course, if you are sure you know why it failed the first time, you might want to try a second time. But, do not keep trying.

   There is a high possibility that your credit card company is “holding” the funds each time you try and fail. Those “holds” will disappear in a few days but, in the meantime, it is like you spent all that money – your credit card could be temporarily maxed out or your bank account temporarily drained.

   Pick up the phone and call that web site. You will find out right then how helpful they are!

7. Shop early – ground shipping is never guaranteed. You want to avoid having to expedite shipments.

   But, if you find yourself in a hurry – don’t give up! Call the store.

   Depending on your location and where your item is shipping from, you might be pleasantly surprised how quickly it could arrive.

8. If you have shipping time restrictions, don’t just ask vague questions. It will slow down the process. If the web site doesn’t have the option to choose expedited shipping and give you real-time shipping quotes, you should phone or, at least, email to arrange it.

   At the high cost of shipping these days, you do not want any nasty surprises. For example, most people have no idea that shipping a ride-on-toy like a pedal car from one side of the country to the other can cost about $60 for ground, $180 for 3-day, well over $200 for 2-day, and a huge amount for overnight shipping. So, check you options carefully.

9. If you find that your options are paying a huge amount of money for expedited shipping or receiving the item a few days late – don’t panic! Having your package arrive “after the big day” is often not as serious as you first think.

   a. For example, many parents and grandparents think they absolutely must have the “big” birthday present arrive in time for the party. Once they realize that can’t happen, they often then realize it could even be better this way. There are so many presents and so much excitement on party day, the thrill of the “big” present is lost in the midst of the activity.

   Customers often go with our idea of receiving the “big” present a couple of days later and having a special little celebration when it arrives – maybe even a small birthday cake just for that special day! THEN all attention will be on the “big” present which is a wonderful way for the child to enjoy it as well as the parents and grandparents.

   b. For baby showers or other special occasions, a nice color picture often works well – a lot better than a $200 shipping bill! People appreciate getting that special gift you chose for them even if it is late rather than you changing to something less perfect than your first choice.

10. If the web site offers Free Shipping in the lower 48 states and you live outside the lower 48 states, contact the store to arrange shipping.

    Do not assume the order will ship with free shipping just because the order went through. The product will not end up being shipped so you need to contact the website to get a shipping quote.

Monday, December 01, 2008

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

There’s never a dull moment in the Y’Barbo household! From hockey and cheer mom to publicist to bestselling author, Kathleen Y’Barbo somehow manages to do it all - and well. While wearing her publicist’s hat, Kathleen has secured interviews with radio, television, and print media for clients at NavPress, Hatchette, Integrity, Barbour Publishing, and Broadman & Holman, to name a few. She also brings her own unique blend of Southern charm and witty prose to the more than 350,000 award-winning novels and novellas currently in print. Her novels have been nominated for American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006; and 2007 will see the release of her 25th book.

Kathleen is a tenth-generation Texan and a mother of three grown sons and a teenage daughter. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Kathleen is a former treasurer for the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a member of the Author’s Guild, Inspirational Writers Alive, Words for the Journey Christian Writers Guild, and the Fellowship of Christian Authors. In addition, she is a sought-after speaker, and her kids think she’s a pretty cool mom, too…most of the time, anyway.

The first book in this series is Beloved Castaway.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this sequel to Beloved Castaway, Emilie Gayarre is learning to accept her mixed race heritage while finding fulfillment in teaching children of the key. There is no denying the attraction between Emilie and the handsome young naval commander, Caleb Spencer, who is shadowed by his own flock of secrets. But if her heritage is found out, even greater things than his career are at risk. Enjoy this historical romance full of risk and redemption.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Beloved Captive, go HERE.



Beloved Captive by Kathleen Y’Barbo
ISBN-10: 1602602301
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc
Release Date: November 1, 2008
$8.78 from Amazon.com


Purchase Beloved Captive by Kathleen Y’Barbo HERE!!!