CFBA Presents A Vote Of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher

I'm not a fan of historical romance, but I am a Robin Lee Hatcher fan and never miss a book. I'm never disappointed. Hatcher always yanks me into the story from the get-go. One reason I continue to sing Hatcher's praises (book after book) is because she's a great storyteller with a strong, simple style. I like her dialogue, and how she builds the tension. I'm not much of a 'pleasure reader' anymore so I analyze everything I do have time to read. I suppose that's another reason I always enjoy Robin's Lee Hatcher's books. She's mastered plotting and characterization, and I learn something from reading her: about writing and in A Vote of Confidence, about history. If you enjoy historical fiction, pick up A Vote of Confidence. I promise you won't be disappointed.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Vote Of Confidence Zondervan (April 2009) by Robin Lee Hatcher
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a “mans’ world.”

Guinevere Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life, For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?

But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she’s in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he’s building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Vote Of Confidence, go HERE

Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate

What a passion for God, and for the beauty God created. Makes me want to hug both.


Book Summary :

Gardening Eden: Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.

“Spiritual environmentalism” did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?

Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.

Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.

I have two copies of Garden Eden to give away. Leave a comment and I'll toss your name in the hat. OR... you can order a copy HERE or HERE.

A Song for You

I hope everyone is having a blessed Sunday. I'd like to sing you a song, but since I sound like a sick frog, I'll just post the words here. This song goes out to special friends and loved ones in need of prayer. I thought of each of you as we sung this song in my Bible Study class this morning. I love it. I realize it's a song of invitation and acceptance, so I invite you to hide these words in your heart, and accept Jesus' promise that He will not fail us. He promised.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - words and music by Helen H. Lemmel

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

His word shall not fail you--He promised. Believe Him and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

I love the old hymns that I grew up singing. I love the memory of my grandfather being asked to pray, seeing him kneel beside the pew.

Today, I'm praying for Eric, Susan, John, Alvaro, Johnny, Brenda. And of course, if you could breathe a healing prayer for these six, I'd appreciate it.

Many blessings to you this week. I hope you're writing!
jess

CFBA presents The Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Boneman's Daughters Center Street (April 14, 2009) by Ted Dekker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), Obsessed, Renegade, and Chaos.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Would you kill an innocent man to save your daughter?

They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who’s abducted six young women. He’s the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan’s estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.


If your an avid Dekker fan, and would like wallpaper and counters for your blog, go HERE.

You can listen to an audio clip HERE

Watch the VIDEO:




If you would like to read the first chapter of Boneman's Daughters, go HERE

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

A New Season in My Life?

My life has gotten weird here lately. And a little out of control. I’ve taken a job. God opened the door and I walked right through it without a doubt, without a second thought. That doesn't sound like me, does it? :) Is it possible for a 60 year-old woman to find her dream job? I’m writing for the Times of Southwest Louisiana. You can go HERE and thumb through the issue. Look at page 3 to view the masthead and actually see ASSISTANT EDITOR over my name. Funny how these little things matter. Okay, now trot on over to page 5 and read the bios of the entire staff--including my daughter. Yep, we’re all ‘green’ when it comes to getting out a magazine, but we did it--our first issue. We strutted our stuff for about 15 minutes and then we had to get to work on the next issue.

I have a friend who constantly complains that he’s rejected because he’s old. The thought of being too old for anything scares me to death. Do we ever get too old to accomplish our dreams and goals? I hope not.

I love having a writing job. That vain side of me enjoys seeing my name in the masthead and on articles. I love being a part of something that seems important, meeting new people, being a member of the Press, working toward a deadline. I love the instant gratification that comes from magazine and newspaper writing--something book writing doesn't offer me. So far, I haven’t missed fiction. I don’t know if I will. I already feel completely out of touch with my fiction-writing friends. I don’t stay online as much as I did. I email and that’s about it. I’m not searching markets and reading blogs. I've always heard there are different seasons in our life, so maybe this is my new season. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I can’t say it isn’t interesting. I hope you stay tuned. I want you with me as I see where this so-called 'new season’ leads me.

Have a Blessed Easter. And good writing--no matter what you write!

CFBA PRESENTS CHASING CHARITY by Marcia Gruver

Marcia Gruver is one of my favorite authors. Her writing is beautiful, lyrical; she knows how to turn a phrase and paint a picture. Chasing Charity is the second book in the Texas Fortunes trilogy. These are characters you will love.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Chasing Charity

Barbour Publishing (April 2009)by Marcia Gruver

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marcia Gruver is a full time writer who hails from Southeast Texas. Inordinately enamored by the past, Marcia delights in writing historical fiction. Her deep south-central roots lend a Southern-comfortable style and a touch of humor to her writing.

Awarded a three book contract by Barbour Publishing for full-length historical fiction, Marcia is busy these days pounding on the keyboard and watching the deadline clock. Diamond Duo, the first installment in the trilogy entitled Texas Fortunes, is scheduled for release in October 2008.

Marcia won third place in the 2007 ACFW Genesis contest and third in the 2004 ACFW Noble Theme contest. Another entry in 2004 finished in the top ten. She placed second in the 2002 Colorado Christian Writer’s contest for new authors, securing a spot in an upcoming compilation book. “I Will Never Leave Thee,” in For Better, For Worse—Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples, was released by Christian Publications in January 2004.

She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Fellowship of Christian Writers, and The Writers View—and a longstanding member of ACFW Crit3 and Seared Hearts, her brilliant and insightful critique groups.

Lifelong Texans, Marcia and her husband, Lee, have one daughter and four sons. Collectively, this motley crew has graced them with ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter—so far.


ABOUT THE BOOK


When, in full view of family and friends, Charity Bloom's fiance leaves her stranded at the altar and takes off with her best friend, Charity is humiliated. How will this raven-haired beauty ever recover from losing both her betrothed and best friend on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life?

When tall, handsome roughneck Buddy Pierce finds oil on Charity's mama's land, he hopes to free the Blooms from their poverty-stricken state. But will Buddy find the real treasure lies above ground-in Charity herself?

Ruing the day he left his fiancee for Emily Dane, Daniel Clark is determined to recapture Charity's affection. But can he remove the three things that stand in his way-a manipulative mama, a spurned lover, and the stranger at his ex-fiancee's side?

When Daniel re-stakes his claim on Charity's heart, tongues wag and minds speculate amid schemes and scandals in Humble, Texas. Whom will she choose-the handsome roughneck or the deceitful rouge?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Chasing Charity, go HERE

CFBA Presents My Son, John by Kathi Macias

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing

My Son, John (Sheaf House Publishers April 2009) by Kathi Macias


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathi Macias is an award-winning author of more than twenty fiction and nonfiction books. She has also ghostwritten and collaborated on books for a number of well-known individuals. She is a staff member for The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and a member of The Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network, Christian Authors Network, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Fellowship International, Advanced Writers/Speakers Association, for who she serves as membership chair, and orange County Christian Writers Fellowship. She is the 2008 winner of AWSA’s Golden Scroll Award.

A Former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Macias is a credentialed minister and served as an associate pastor at a large church in Southern California, where she did biblical counseling, trained small group leaders, and oversaw support/recovery ministries. She is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and has appeared on several radio and TV programs.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Murder.

Could there be a more chilling word?

Could it be any more horrible than to have a loved one killed, brutally and heartlessly, without obvious reason or motive?

When Liz Peterson's elderly mother is found viciously beaten to death in her home, Liz and her husband, Charles, along with their grown son, John, and teenage daughter, Sarah, are horrified beyond words. Their previously predictable, respectable lives seem to have vanished without a trace, as they struggle to make sense of a senseless act.

And then a second blow-more devastating, if possible, than the first-rocks them to their core. John is arrested for his grandmother's murder. As what's left of the Peterson family begins to crumble under the weight of loss and accusation, the Petersons' longstanding Christian faith is put to the test in a way they could never have imagined, and unconditional love is stretched to its limits. Will family ties and relationships withstand such a crushing blow, or will evil succeed in dividing and conquering this once close and inseparable family?

Watch the chilling trailer!!



If you would like to read the first chapter of My Son, John, go HERE

The Right Man for the Job--Randy Roach

The RIGHT man won!

The future is bright for every LC resident.

Praise God from whom all...ALL... blessings flow.

RE-ELECT RANDY ROACH!

Today is election day. It's a scary day for many of us here in Lake Charles, so prayers are going up for our mayor, Randy Roach.

Randy is the best mayor any city can have. He's a trustworthy man who deeply cares about Lake Charles and every individual in our city. He cares about doing right. Randy thinks about what's best for us when he makes decisions that will affect us ... he remembers our children and our grandchildren. Randy plans for future generations.

Randy Roach is a TRUE hero in the very best sense of the word. I know most of my 'followers' don't live in LC but I'll ask each of you to say a prayer right this second, that Randy Roach is re-elected. Thanks! ~jess

Clutter-Free Christianity by Dr. Robert Jeffress

Summary


When did the Christian life become so complicated?
Your greatest desire is to please God, but with each passing week, your spiritual to-do list grows longer. As you strive to fulfill a never-ending inventory of requirements for being a godly parent, spouse, voter, employee, and more, you feel increasingly disconnected from the God you’re trying to serve.
It’s time to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of what it means to please God. In this liberating look at the core principles of faith, Dr. Robert Jeffress reveals the truth about what God really wants from you–and what He wants to do for you.
Through solid biblical teaching and practical insights, Dr. Jeffress points you toward a revitalized faith centered on becoming more like Jesus in action, attitude, and affection. You’ll learn how to partner with God in the process of spiritual transformation as you choose to follow Christ in forgiveness, obedience, trust, contentment, service, and prayer.
Through a renewed focus on experiencing the kingdom of God right now, you’ll find your to-do list shrinking and your spiritual life deepening. It all comes with embracing Clutter-Free Christianity. Includes a Bible study guide for personal growth and group discussion.

Author Bio:

Dr. Robert Jeffress is the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, one of the most historic churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. The author of sixteen books, he is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, live broadcasts of Dr. Jeffress’ weekly messages reach millions of listeners and viewers each week, while his daily sermon series airs on 1,100 television stations and cable systems nationwide. Dr. Jeffress and his wife, Amy, are the parents of two adult daughters.