Steppin' into the good life

Steppin' into the good life

McCollors, Tia.

Chicago [IL] : Moody Publishers, c2011.

321 p. ; 21 cm.

Shelia Rushmore thought she'd be the last woman standing when it was time to fight for her man. Instead Ace, her boyfriend of two years, chose to reunite with his ex-wife, leaving Shelia emotionally devastated. It's a year later when Sheila is convinced that sneaking into their wedding ceremony will put closure on the gaping hole in her heart. But it's on the back pew of the church where a new relationship begins for Shelia. She can't explain the touch she received from God on that day, but she's determined to be a better woman-a woman of faith. Since high school, Shelia has been chasingherdefinition of the good life - it's left her with no home, no man, and no money. But now that's she's living life for God, things should get better, right? Shelia learns that living a faith-filled life isn't always easy. With faith, tough love, and some tough decisions, Shelia realizes that the life she'd been praying for she could have for herself is actually attainable. Being wrapped in God's arms, she decided, was by far the safest place she'd ever been. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

CFBA: Save the date

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  Save The Date  Thomas Nelson (February 1, 2011)  by  Jenny B. Jones  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight , but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie.

When I’m not typing my heart out (or checking email), I teach at a super-sized high school in Arkansas.

My students are constantly telling me how my teaching changes their lives and turned them away from drugs, gangs, and C-SPAN.

Okay, that’s not exactly true.

Some facts that are true include:

I've always been refined!

A. I got my camera confiscated by big boys with guns at the American  Embassy in Europe this past summer. O la la!

B. I once worked in a seed mill office and cleaned out mice on a regular basis. Ew.

C. I’m a former drama teacher.

D. I didn’t pass my drivers test the first time. Or the second…

E. I attract stray animals like a magnet.

F. I used to assemble and test paint ball guns for a local factory...

Since my current job leaves me with very little free time, I believe in spending my spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as:

-watching E!
-updating my status on Facebook
-catching Will Ferrell on YouTube and
-writing my name in the dust on my furniture

I’d love to hear about you, so drop me a note. Or check me out on Facebook.


ABOUT THE BOOK

You’re invited to the engagement of the most unlikely couple of the year.

When the funding for Lucy’s non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir of Sinclair Enterprises—the primary donor to Lucy’s Saving Grace organization. Alex Sinclair has it all . . . except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Both Lucy and Alex have something the other wants. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn’t quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart – and her future – on the line.

Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams . . . and maybe even a date.

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

Latest Smoke Signals Newsletter from Wiconi

from Richard Twiss

Hau kola "hello friend," Location, location, location. In real estate they say these are the three most important factors in determining the value of a property. It's actually not a bad way to think about the best place for you and I to be, that is, being engaged right in the location where Creator has planted us. My location is shifting from traveling over 100,000 miles in 2010 and speaking in thirty-one cities, fourteen states and four countries to firmly locating myself in my local urban Indian reservation here in the Portland/Vancouver metro area. My Silver Bird has landed! I am reducing my travel by at least 40% this year. This gives me the opportunity to authentically engage in relationship with my native friends, networks and community in the spirit of Jesus. I will be around to dance at local powwows, attend important native community gatherings, and participate in events and organizations. Can't do this on the Silver Bird. As a direct result of my reduced travel schedule, Wiconi is introducing two new local, and very exciting, community-building efforts. One is our Salmon House Internship Experience and the other is the Portland/Vancouver Native Prayer Breakfast. I was telling a local native leader the other day I don't want to be known as a "somebody," but known simply in my community as a faithful friend, a good brother, "uncle Richard" - an ikce wicasa, a "common human/person." This Lakota concept carries the meaning of "the free, wild, nature humans or common people." When I say spirit of Jesus this is what I mean. Phil 2:6-7 says of Jesus, that, "Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form." Jesus was ikce wicasa. It is in that spirit that I choose to follow Jesus as a husband, father and Lakota man in the midst of my community. I covet your prayers as this reduction of travel means a reduction of income. I covet your prayers as we launch these two new initiatives. We add our prayers for the people of Japan, nations in turmoil, all families in need and your concerns as well. Much peace and hope in the ways of Jesus.   Richard Twiss, Sicangu Lakota President, Wiconi International www.wiconi.com / 360-546-1867 Portland/Vancouver Native Prayer Breakfast Three years ago I hosted a prayer breakfast for the executive leaders of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington DC. It was so well received by the leaders, that year we hosted the first annual National Tribal Leaders Prayer Breakfast for the NCAI. This year we will host our fourth breakfast in October in Portland, OR. I am so excited to announce we will host our first bi-annual Portland/Vancouver Native Prayer Breakfast on Friday April 1st at 7:30 AM at the Native American Youth and Family Center in Portland. It will be a wonderful time for people to come together in the spirit of neighborliness, community and unity through an inter-faith, multi-cultural gathering. We will share some stories, music and food in a spiritual and encouraging time of becoming better friends and neighbors in the spirit of Jesus.  Please be in prayer for Creator's blessing on this time and our humble efforts. The Salmon House - an internship experience My wife Katherine and I founded Wiconi International in 1997 with the aim to provide education, encouragement and offer practical support to Native American families and communities in creating a preferred future. Historically, Native people have been underrepresented and underserved in mainstream America. Economic and social barriers continually prohibit critical information flow and access to viable resources, thus hindering many healthy community change efforts. Wiconi's primary mission is to empower and serve Native people to experience a desired quality of life and a hope-filled future through authentic relationships and culturally supportive programs. Seeking innovative and creative ways to fulfill its mission, in the fall of 2011, Wiconi International will launch The Salmon House in Portland, Oregon. In the Pacific Northwest, Salmon are the traditional main stay of the diet of the tribes and held in high regard. The Creator made the "Salmon Nation" to keep the tribes alive, healthy and strong. The Salmon House is an inter-faith, multi-cultural year long internship where participants will learn to become better human beings by increasing their capacity to love deeply, serve generously, care sacrificially, walk respectfully and better understand their life as a spiritual journey as a result of learning together in community, all in the spirit of Jesus. These values can be described as the Lakota, and many tribes do, as, 1) Wocekiya - "Prayer," 2) Waohola - "Respect" 3) Waunsila - "Compassion" 4) Wowicake "Honesty" 5) Wawokiye - "Generosity" 6) Wahwala - "Humility" and 7) Woksape - "Wisdom." Details will be forthcoming. We will begin actively recruiting interns, talking applications and launching Salmon House in the next ten months.

CFBA: A heart most worthy

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  A Heart Most Worthy  Bethany House (March 1, 2011)  by  Siri Mitchell  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.


But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.

Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Mitchell delivers the historical goods."  

ABOUT THE BOOK  

The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times.


Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client.

Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Heart Most Worthy, go HERE.

A love for tomorrow : a novel

A love for tomorrow : a novel

Miller, Vanessa.

New Kensington, PA : Whitaker House, c2010.

236 p. ; 21 cm.

"Christian television show host Serenity Williams is determined never to fall in love with another ego-driven pastor, but then she meets Pastor Phillip McKnight, whose kingdom vision and humble personality begin to change her mind"--Provided by publisher.

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Whitaker House (September 1, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1603742085

ISBN-13: 978-1603742085

Product Description

When Christian talk show host Serenity Williams's fiancé calls off their wedding because he can't deal with her popularity, she determines that she will never fall in love with another pride-filled, ego-driven pastor. Then, Serenity's producer asks her to interview the charismatic Pastor Phillip McKnight, who has recently gone through a divorce. Serenity feels that this is her chance to expose the arrogance of ego-filled pastors to the world. But Pastor Phillip is broken and humbled from his experiences, and the surprising humility of this man causes Serenity to want to un-break his heart. However, Serenity will need the Lord to fix her heart and change her mind about male preachers before she and Phillip can become all they were meant to be to each other.

About the Author

Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include Get You Some Business, Don't Turn Your Back on God, and Can't You Hear Them Crying. Vanessa self-published her first three books and, in 2006, signed a five-book deal with Urban Christian/Kensington. Her first book with Whitaker House, Yesterday's Promise, released in Spring 2010 and is the first book in the Second Chance at Love series. Vanessa holds a degree in organizational communication from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She is a dedicated Christian and a devoted mother who also serves in her church as an ordained exhorter. Vanessa lives in Dayton, Ohio.

God's Fingerprints in Japan

God's Fingerprints in Japan is a documentary to discover if there is evidence of the Creator God In Japanese history and culture. Is there a connection between the Tea Ceremony and Communion? Is it contradictory to be Japanese and a Follower og Jesus? Find out in groundbreaking documentary. Disc is formated for USA and Japan. Japanese and English versions.
God's Fingerprints in Japan

Format: NTSC, Color, Anamorphic, Full Screen, DVD

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Run Time: 28 minutes

ASIN: B000W1SBVW

God's Fingerprints in Japan                

Here's the blurb:

"In this second edition we take a look at the difficulties that the Japanese people face today and how Christianity is beginning to be accepted as a way to find peace in life and as a way back to their ancient roots with their Creator God.

We also find out that there is evidence that Christian influences became embedded in Japanese culture at least 1000 years before western Christianity arrived. The Creator God has never left Japan and is waiting for His Japanese children to "come home" to Him.

This is where hope and healing lie for the Japanese people as well as all of the people groups of the earth. Join us as we prepare to connect to our ancient roots through a relationship with Jesus Christ."

                God's Fingerprints in Japan 2 ~ Sequel to the International Tiely Award Winning Documentory

CFBA: In the shadow of evil

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  In The Shadow of Evil  B&H Books (March 1, 2011)  by  Robin Carroll  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty years, her three beautiful daughters, one precious grandson, and their four character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?


Robin gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference Director for ACFW. Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as RT Reviewer's Choice, Bookseller's Best, and Book of the Year. An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals!  

ABOUT THE BOOK  

Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy plus devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil casts the modern day story of a building rebound scam exposed. It begins when the body of a property inspector is found among the ashes of a burnt out Homes of Hope house. Wrapped up in this mounting case of unethical practices, supply shortages, and murder, top Louisiana homicide detective Maddox Bishop is losing his heart to a charitable contractor, Layla Taylor, whose own sister is under suspicion. He’s also about to discover a deep secret about his tragic past.


If you would like to read the first chapter of In The Shadow of Evil, go HERE.

Watch the trailer:

Running Scared

Running Scared Blog Tour with Robert Leon Davis February 28-March 4, 2011

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP FOR THIS TOUR

About the Book

Robert Leon Davis was a street kid from a tough community. Raised on the brink of poverty, he and his siblings often went hungry, but with the help of a family in the neighborhood, he beat the odds and studied criminal law at Loyola University and joined the New Orleans police department in 1975.   He began his career with aspirations of being a great cop, but before long he was exposed to a darker side of law enforcement. While partnered with a veteran, Davis first witnessed an officer violating the very laws he had vowed to uphold–and he shared in his crime. One compromise led to another, and Davis soon was caught and faced a substantial prison term. Cops in prison don’t last long. He fled.   Davis found himself a fugitive, living off the land in remote forests in the United States and Canada to elude capture. His church upbringing was abandoned in anger. For over twenty years he hid, becoming an expert survivalist. He might still be running, but through a stranger’s prayer the angry atheist realized he was weary of hiding. Slowly he yielded his life to God and eventually gave himself in. But when the New Orleans DA dusted off his file, what would his sentence be?   Today, Robert Davis is a committed Christian and motivational speaker. He uses his extraordinary experiences to share his message of hope and redemption to both adults and children.

About the Author

Robert Leon Davis was a respected police officer in New Orleans, who became involved in crime and fled arrest, living rough in the backwoods of America and Canada for over two decades before handing himself in. He now has an extensive speaking and teaching ministry.    Visit the full blog tour and LIVE Radio schedule at http://bit.ly/RunningScaredBlogTour