Yesterday's Embers

This new story by Deborah Raney made me laugh and cry, and definitely brought back earlier memories of being a new wife and stepmom.

Tragedy has left Doug DeVore with five children to raise alone. When Mickey Valdez, the children’s daycare teacher, lends a helping hand, sparks flicker between them and quickly ignite. But romance and real life are two very different things, and too late, Doug and Mickey realize they've said "I do" to something neither of them bargained for. Now they must find a way to untangle their knot of hasty choices without breaking the hearts of five precious children—or their own—in the process.

For more info on this book and the Clayburn series, visit Deb's site here.

New Fiction

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Nothing But Trouble
Tyndale House Publishers (May 1, 2009)
by
Susan May Warren


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. Her favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota is where she met her husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living.

The north woods easily became the foundation for her first series, The Deep Haven series, based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. Her first full-length book, Happily Ever After, became a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

As an award winning author, Susan returned home in 2004, to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods and the beautiful town that she always dreamed of living in.

You can sample a chapter of each and every one of Susan's novels, on her website, HERE.



ABOUT THE BOOK

PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

1) After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that's become her life, she needs a fresh start.

2) The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister's wedding is Boone-her former flame and the reason she left town.

3) Her best friend's husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg, Minnesota, has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn't know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she'll uncover much more than she bargained for-a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she's been longing for.

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her home town, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder—who also happens to be PJ's former flame—is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend’s husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right

If you would like to read the first chapter of Nothing But Trouble, go HERE

New Fiction

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Nothing But Trouble
Tyndale House Publishers (May 1, 2009)
by
Susan May Warren


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. Her favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota is where she met her husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living.

The north woods easily became the foundation for her first series, The Deep Haven series, based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. Her first full-length book, Happily Ever After, became a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

As an award winning author, Susan returned home in 2004, to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods and the beautiful town that she always dreamed of living in.

You can sample a chapter of each and every one of Susan's novels, on her website, HERE.



ABOUT THE BOOK

PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

1) After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that's become her life, she needs a fresh start.

2) The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister's wedding is Boone-her former flame and the reason she left town.

3) Her best friend's husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg, Minnesota, has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn't know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she'll uncover much more than she bargained for-a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she's been longing for.

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her home town, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder—who also happens to be PJ's former flame—is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend’s husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right

If you would like to read the first chapter of Nothing But Trouble, go HERE

Auction for a Great Cause

Popular author Brenda Novak is hosting her fifth annual online auction to benefit Juvenile Diabetes. Her son has the disease, and her efforts raise funds in a most painless way for booklovers and writers. Items up for bid include a wide variety of books, ARCs (advance review copies), items donated and signed by well known authors, critiques of the bidder's work by authors, gift baskets, trips, jewelry, artwork and more. There are also special one-day auctions and raffles. Brenda awards a wonderful prize to the person who makes the most bids during the month--although they don't have to be the winning bidders to qualify.



Brenda tells us:

"Every year, in the month of May, I run my online auction for Diabetes Research. The auction takes a full year to plan and pull off, but it’s a labor of love—for all the people who, like my son, suffer from diabetes.

My very first auction ran in 2005 and was a huge success. Together with my generous donors, which included some of the biggest and brightest stars in publishing, I raised $34,982, which went directly to research. In year 2, we did even better and raised $62,705. In year three, we more than doubled at $141,700. Year four, we raised over $250,000. We’re definitely on a roll - each year gets bigger, brighter and better."


Register and preview the wonderful auction items here.

New Fiction!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Elisha's Bones
(Bethany House March 1, 2009)
by
Don Hoesel


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Don Hoesel was born and raised in Buffalo, NY but calls Spring Hill, TN home. He is a Web site designer for a Medicare carrier in Nashville, TN. He has a BA in Mass Communication from Taylor University and has published short fiction in Relief Journal.

He lives in Spring Hill with his wife and two children.

Elisha's Bones is his first novel.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Every year, professor of antiquities Jack Hawthorne looks forward to the winter break as a time to hide away from his responsibilities. Even if just for a week or two. But this year, his plans are derailed when he's offered almost a blank check from a man chasing a rumor.

Billionaire Gordon Reese thinks he knows where the bones of the prophet Elisha are--bones that in the Old Testament brought the dead back to life. The bones of the prophet once raised the dead to life... but they vanished from history in a whisper.

Bankrolled by a dying man of unlimited means, Hawthorne's hunt spans the globe and leads him into a deadly conspiracy older than the church itself. A born skeptic, Jack doesn't think much of the assignment but he could use the money, so he takes the first step on a chase for the legendary bones that will take him to the very ends of the earth.

But he's not alone. Joined with a fiery colleague, Esperanza Habilla, they soon discover clues to a shadowy organization whose long-held secrets have been protected . . . at all costs. And he soon discovers those sworn to keep the secret of the bones will do anything to protect them. As their lives are threatened again and again, the real race is to uncover the truth before those chasing them hunt them down.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Elisha's Bones, go HERE

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\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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April 19, 2009


VERSE:
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and
the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will
come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
-- 1 Corinthians 15:54


THOUGHT:
As Christians, even if our bodies die, we don't! Our physical
death just means that we will be given immortal bodies. Christ will
raise us up and clothe us with immortality. Death will not have a
hold on us because we are God's children. Victory is ours. Death
does not have the final word; Jesus does, and he says, "Rise!"

New Fiction

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Secret
(Bethany House May 1, 2009)
by
Beverly Lewis


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Not until her own children were well into middle school did Bev seek to publish her work, first in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Dolphin Log, and Guideposts for Kids. Her first book followed in 1993—Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans—presently retitled Big Bad Beans (book #22 in the popular CUL-DE-SAC KIDS series of chapter books—see list of Bev's children's books).

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Bev's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and playing with their three grandchildren. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."






ABOUT THE BOOK

In the seemingly ordinary Amish home of Grace Byler, secrets abound. Why does her mother weep in the night? Why does her father refuse to admit something is dreadfully wrong? Then, in one startling moment, everything Grace assumed she knew is shattered.

Her mother's disappearance leaves Grace reeling and unable to keep her betrothal promise to her long-time beau. Left to pick up the pieces of her life, Grace questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment.

Heather Nelson is an English grad student, stunned by a doctor's diagnosis. Surely fate would not allow her father to lose his only daughter after the death of his wife a few years before. In denial and telling no one she is terminally ill, Heather travels to Lancaster County-- the last place she and her mother had visited together.

Will Heather find healing for body and spirit? As the lives of four wounded souls begin to weave together like an Amish patchwork quilt, they each discover missing pieces of their life puzzles--and glimpse the merciful and loving hand of God.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Secret, go HERE

Got Writer's Block?

Thanks to James Scott Bell on Twitter, who provided the link to this fun site.

Happy Easter!

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\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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April 11, 2009


VERSE:
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be
pitied more than all men.
-- 1 Corinthians 15:19


THOUGHT:
Wow, what a powerful and sobering thought. Our faith in Jesus'
resurrection and our faith in being joined to him is so crucial
that all else pales in comparison. Our hope in Christ is not just
for here and now, but it is also a hope that transcends life and
bursts the shackles of death. If it doesn't offer us this hope,
then it is no hope at all; it is not really good news. We are
deluded and to be pitied. But then, I do believe that Jesus
promises us a heavenly home! This, my friend, changes everything!

The Treasure Principle

Randy Alcorn's little book is a guide to giving charitably. In his words, "Unlocking the secret of joyful giving." As I reviewed this book, I actually experienced a bit of what the author was trying to say. I sent a gift to someone in need, and the same week someone sent me a gift of equal value. It was unexpected and made me start considering Randy's 'treasure principle.' Check out this book full of Scripture and stories and discover the joy in giving.

"After years of writing and teaching on the theme “God owns everything,” in 1990 Randy Alcorn was sued by an abortion clinic (for peaceful, nonviolent intervention for the unborn). Suddenly he had to resign as a pastor and was restricted to making minimum wage. Legally unable to own anything, Randy gave all his book royalties to missions work and need-meeting ministries. He and his family have experienced the reality of The Treasure Principle—that God really does own everything, takes care of us, and graciously puts assets into our hands that we might have the joy and privilege of investing in what will last for eternity."


Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to 1990, when he started EPM, he served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Randy is the best-selling author of twenty-seven books, with over three million in print.

More info and ordering here.

Celebrate Easter

Bill Keller on celebrating Easter:

Every year at this time, I get inundated with emails that read like
doctrinal dissertations on why a Christian should NOT celebrate Easter. They
mostly come from cults, but also from some Christian groups, primarily
Messianic congregations that in recent years have been hijacked by Gentiles
and preach and teach a very legalistic doctrine focused solely on the Old
Testament. For the record, Passover is a Jewish Feast and NOT a Christian
celebration. Jesus became the "perfect one-time sacrifice" for the sins of
mankind.

These groups make arguments about the pagan roots of Easter, the evils of
Easter eggs, the satanic nature of the Easter bunny, and many other reasons
why a Christian should not celebrate Easter. To those people I have only one
thing to say, "You have sadly missed the point of this special time of
year!!!"

Listen, everyone knows that the word Easter is not in the Bible (actually
Easter is in the KJV, but is an incorrect translation of the Greek word that
should say Passover) and originates from the pagan goddess Eostre. Do we
stop using the names for the days of the week and months of the year because
they also have pagan roots?

I have yet to meet anyone who worshiped an Easter egg, only ate them. If you
are old enough to be able to read this, you are old enough to know that
there is no Easter Bunny. These are simply symbols that the world uses in
regard to this holiday. There is only ONE REASON a Christian celebrates
Easter, and that is to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ!

One easy solution to those offended by the word "Easter" is to simply call
Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day!

Christians SHOULD celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus! It is right and good
that we take time each year to remember this blessed event. It is a
well-documented, historical event chronicled in all four Gospels and
supported by the historians of that day. It is easily the GREATEST EVENT IN
HUMAN HISTORY! Think about it. God Himself, the Creator of the heavens and
earth, came to this earth as a mere man to live with His creation.

He came as a baby, born of a virgin in a humble manger in an obscure little
town. He would grow up to die on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for the
sins of all mankind. Three days after His death, God would raise Him from
the dead as a sign to this lost and unbelieving world that He was exactly
who He claimed to be-the SON OF GOD!!! His life would literally transform
the lives of every man, woman, and child for the rest of human history. THAT
is why we celebrate Easter. THAT is why, as Christians, we MUST celebrate
the Resurrection of our Lord.
.

New Fiction

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Angel Of Wrath
FaithWords (April 8, 2009)
by
Bill Myers


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Well, one thing led to another and even though I got C's in my one writing class in college (and told God I could do anything for him but write) I got my first writing job for a TV series. And then another and then some directing jobs and finally some books. (I think I've written and/or directed a few dozen films and about 60 books). The projects have won about 40 awards, I get to travel all over the world, and I'm having the time of my life. I often think that none of this would have happened if I lived my life my way. I would have never chosen writing and directing for a living. Instead, I might be in somebody's mouth this very minute drilling away as a dentist. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being a dentist, it's just not what I was designed for. So, everywhere I go, I encourage people to say yes to God, no matter how foolish it may feel, because by doing that, they'll be in the center of His will and living a cooler life than they'd ever dreamed possible. It's not always easy and it can be a little scary…but it's anything but boring!

Today I live in California, not too far from Hollyweird (where I'm still trying to make a difference) with two cats, two kids, one dog and one wife.

Another Faithword book by Bill Myers is The Voice.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Thirteen-year-old Jazmin, her ex-Special Ops uncle Charlie, and former FBI agent Lisa are reunited in the second of the Voice of God series to stop a an assassin driven to murder members of a megachurch led by Lisa's brother. This assassin has drawn in a coven of teens toying with satanic practices to support his efforts. The naive youth engage in ceremonies that appear to usher in the death of each of his victims. When their rituals open a portal into the spiritual realm, a terrifying and mysterious entity crosses over to our world.
The battle culminates with the capture of Lisa's father as the next target and a Black Mass requiring both their deaths as a sacrifice. The team will, once again, have to rely on all their wits, strength, and faith to survive in this action-packed, unearthly warfare.

If you would like to read an excerpt from Angel Of Wrath, go HERE