Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Revelation Gate


The Revelation Gate Blog Tour
with Brian L. Thompson

May 30 - June 3, 2011
 
About the Book
After 800 years of oppression, the Uché abandon all hope of liberation – until a boy with unbreakable bones emerges from the wilderness. . .
 
For centuries, Uché seers foretold the birth of a deliverer called Mkombozi – one fated to enter The Revelation Gate and lead them to freedom.
 
Knowing this, the king of the barbarous Otī does his best to eliminate the lone threat to his dominion. When his best efforts fail, he allies himself with a self-proclaimed emperor who reveals the true natures of The Revelation Gate and the Uché hero.
 
Meanwhile, as Mkombozi’s mother wavers between feelings of abandonment and crises of faith, her people ready themselves to wage an unwinnable war – minus faith in their deliverer, whose fate ushers him to an uncertain destination.
 
Merging elements of political intrigue and social class relations together in an allegorical, character-driven plot, The Revelation Gate confronts issues of doubt, star-crossed love, and the power of the individual.
 
About the Author
Brian L. Thompson, Great Nation Publishing’s President/Owner and author of The Lost Testament, is a licensed educator, and former professional journalist.
 
He showed an early interest in classical literature and the arts, particularly after his poem, “Black Sunday,” received an honorable mention in Gwynedd-Mercy College’s literary contest for high school students in 1993.
 
A 1994 North Penn High School graduate, he continued his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta. While there, Thompson wrote for the Maroon Tiger newspaper; moving up the ranks from staff writer, to Sports Editor, and finally to Editor-in Chief.
After earning his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English in 1998, he transitioned to a staff writer position at Montgomery Newspapers.
 
In 2000, his second as a professional journalist, he returned to the field of academics at Temple University, earning a Master’s Degree in secondary education in 2001.
 
Thompson then turned to education at West Charlotte High and Newton High schools respectively while simultaneously researching and writing his first Christian fiction novel,The Lost Testament – a project self-described as a “faith-based tale with every day characters engaged in a thrilling plot.”
 
During this time, he also helped edit author Sabra Robinson’s anthology of inspirational stories entitled The Lost Sheep: How I Got (And AM Still Getting) Over the Hump – A Personal Account of God’s Restoration After Doubting His Purpose, the Church, and Human Existence.
 
He and his family reside in Georgia.
 
 
Visit blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/TheRevelationGate 

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Fourth Sunday, the journey of a book club

Fourth Sunday, the journey of a book club
B W Read

New York, N.Y. : Strebor Books, 2011.
345 p. ; 21 cm.
"The six authors of Fourth Sunday, Francesca Cook, Chyla Evans, Clarita Frazier, Allita Irby, Donna Neale, and Yolanda Yates are members of a book club based in Maryland"--p. [4] of cover.
What happens when a real life book club decides to write their own novel? The result is a fresh, fun story about a group of women who have more in common than just the books they read. Fourth Sunday written by B. W. Read (aka “Because We Read”) is the tale of seven women and their journey towards friendship by way of a simple book club. Over time, their friendship grows beyond books, as their lives, relationships, careers, and families become one. The core group of women—Gwen, Natalie, Allana, Brianna, Camille, Destiny, and Adriane—shares not only their love of books at these monthly meetings but their life experiences as well. Over two years, the women undergo a number of trials within their own lives as they confront divorce, illness, romantic highs and lows, sexual experimentation, and career challenges. Throughout the good times and bad times, their book club family provides support, encouragement, laughter, and love. Fourth Sunday is timeless cosmopolitan literature. The novel incorporates intellect and riveting facts about medical, political and small business state of affairs while balancing playfulness and sensuality. It is funny, it is sad, it is contemporary, but most of all it is real.



Friday, May 13, 2011

Come Sunday morning

cover image

Come Sunday morning

Hill, Terry E.



  • Paperback: 288 pages

  • Publisher: Urban Books; Original edition (February 1, 2011)

  • Language: English

  • ISBN-10: 1601622457

  • ISBN-13: 978-1601622457

  • Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5








  • Wednesday, May 04, 2011

    CFBA: Words








    This week, the
     
    Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
     
    is introducing
     
    Words
     
    B&H Books (February 1, 2011)
     
    by
     
    Ginny Yttrup
     


    ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  


    Ginny Yttrup is an author, freelance writer, and writing coach. As she writes, speaks, and coaches, her prayer is that God will use her words to replace the lies so many believe about themselves with the truth of His unconditional love and grace. To see someone grasp, perhaps for the first time, the truth of God's love, is truly an honor. Through a relationship with the Truth, Jesus Christ, the bonds of shame are loosed and freedom abounds!


    When Ginny is not working, she loves spending time with her two college-age sons or with friends. She is surrounded by the most amazing people--each a gift in their own way. If she can spend time outdoors with those she love, it's even better. And she thoroughly adores her dog, Bear. He's a book lover too.

    She has two grown sons and lives near Sacramento, California. Words is her first novel.

    ABOUT THE BOOK  


    "I collect words. I keep them in a box in my mind. I'd like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. Whenever I wanted, I'd open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the box. But the words are safer in my mind. There, he can't take them."


    Ten-year old Kaylee Wren doesn't speak. Not since her drug-addled mother walked away, leaving her in a remote cabin nestled in the towering redwoods-in the care of a man who is as dangerous as he is evil. With silence her only refuge, Kaylee collects words she might never speak from the only memento her mother left behind: a dictionary.

    Sierra Dawn is thirty-four, an artist, and alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes and chooses to bury her pain by trying to control her circumstances. But on the twelfth anniversary of her daughter's death, Sierra's control begins to crumble as the God of her childhood woos her back to Himself.

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

    Watch the book trailer video:

    Tuesday, May 03, 2011

    Smoke Signals: Forgetting is Not Healing: Chief RedHeart Memorial, A Saga of Healing



    smoke signals masthead
    Hau kola - Hello friend,

    In the late 1870s members of the Nez Perce Tribe were rounded up and forcibly marched to and held captive at Ft. Vancouver here in Vancouver, Washington. A small child is buried on the grounds who died during their winter captivity.

    For the past fourteen years members of the Nez Perce Indian Nation gather at the Fort to remember this time, which is called the Chief Redheart Memorial. It is a time for healing. Local, state and federal government officials, as well as religious leaders, gather to share stories and enjoy a great meal as they pay tribute to tribal ideals, honor tribal ancestors and help to heal old wounds. There is also the Riderless Horse (empty-saddle) Ceremony and a traditional passing of the peace pipe.

    Over the years, countless times, Anglo-American people have said to me, "Why don't you native people just forgive and forget and move on." Forgetting is not an indication of healing. For the Nez Perce people who suffered so terribly, simply because they were native and they loved their land, remembering is far more healing than forgetting.

    Six years ago, Gary and Mary Ann Eastty, Wiconi staff members, invited others to join them in serving the organizers of the Chief Redheart Memorial gathering to do "whatever needed doing." A few weeks ago native committee members told Gary, "Thank you so much. We couldn't do this without you guys." Understanding why we do what we do, they said, "You are doing this the right way."

    Redheart Volunteers
    2011 Redheart Volunteer Crew 
    Front, L to R; Ken Stickney, Amos Olin, Maxx Cote, Cash Cote, Cooky Wall, Canya Barnes. Back, L to R; Mary Ann & Gary Eastty, Michelle Trower, Hannah Cote, Robert Wall, Daniel and Robert Barnes
    This remark is hugely affirming to us because it tells us we are fulfilling the vision the Creator gave to us, to Remove Barriers and Build Bridges. Gary says, "We simply want to introduce non-native folks to the native community in the context of serving in the spirit of Jesus." As a result of Gary's efforts we now serve the Covington Middle School Title VII Powwow, Kelso Title VII Powwow, Delta Park Powwow and the Circle of Hope and we have plenty more opportunities if you want to join us.

    Serving our community is not an outreach strategy; This is not being missional; This is not evangelism; This is not trying to convince or convert.

    This is our humble and honest effort to serve our friends, love our neighbors, work for the common good of our community and participate in the healing of the wounds of our nation regarding the relationship between Native and Euro-American people ... in the spirit of Jesus.

    Thanks for being a part of this journey together with us. Who's your neighbor?
      
    RT - head pic 

    Richard Twiss, (Sicangu Lakota)
    Wiconi International




    peru

    Upcoming Really Cool Rad Gatherings
    Mark your calendars and plan to attend these great gatherings. They're spread around North America and the known universe, but find one in your area, or plan to travel somehow. Richard will be speaking in some capacity at each of these gatherings. Simply click on each item to follow the link to read more about each gathering.

    1. 6th Annual Wiconi International Mni Wiconi Wacipi "Living Waters Powwow" and Family Camp, August 28-31 in Turner, Oregon.
    2. Rosebud Sioux Reservation Cross-cultural Learning Experience, July 9-15, South Dakota.
    3. 8th Annual North American Institute of Indigenous Theological Studies Missiological Symposium, June 9-11, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
    4. The Churches Theological Conference, "Can You Hear the Drum" on Aboriginal Spiritualities and Theological Education at the University of Winnipeg, Canada, May 14-20.
    5. Wild Goose Festival, "The Intersection of Faith, Spirituality and Justice, June 23-26, Shakori Hills, North Carolina.
    6. Christian Community Development Association Annual National Conference, Oct. 12-16, Indianapolis, Indiana.


    Monday, May 02, 2011

    Life is What You Make It Blog Tour


    What You Make It Blog Tour
    with Carl Mathis

    May 2-6, 2011

     
    About the Book
    Carl Mathis wasn’t prepared for the devastation the loss of his wife would bring to his life. He soon found himself grieving, struggling to make ends meet, and trying to raise his sons, who were also dealing with personal turmoil from the loss of their mother. After months of waiting for someone to rescue him, Carl had to face the inevitable truth–no one was coming. He realized that if he wanted out of the mess his life was becoming, he was going to have to do it himself.
     
    Join new author Carl Mathis in this motivational story about one man’s struggle to put his life back together. Life Is What You Make It will teach you how to overcome any crippling situation you find yourself in and stimulate personal and spiritual growth by accepting the situation, taking responsibility, conditioning your mind, choosing to make right decisions, building a team, believing, and defining the new normal.
     
    About the Author
    Christian author, preacher and motivational speaker Carl Mathis began his work for the ministry in 2005 after a life-altering experience. At that time, the death of Mathis’ wife was the reason behind the dramatic turn of events that soon led him to his life’s purpose and calling.
     
    Dealing with the loss of his wife and raising three children as a single father while struggling to make ends meet, Mathis had to contend with unbearable feelings of hopelessness and despair. It was during those moments that Mathis cried out for a strategy to overcome his situation. This experience soon pushed him to channel is grief and use its transforming power to change his own life and others as well.
     
    Immediately after getting back on track, Mathis was moved to act on his burning desire to encourage and motivate people, especially those who have shared the same fate as him. It was then Mathis saw the need to reach out to the distressed and the depressed.
     
    In 2010, he came out with his debut work entitled Life is What You Make It – seven steps to moving forward, a 104 page inspirational book drawn from his own personal life experiences and challenges. Filled with messages on how to deal with sorrow and ultimately survive the process of moving on, the book provides readers with the much-needed encouragement and motivation in order to strive better.
     
    A man after God’s own heart, Mathis continues his passion today of reaching out to people using his God-given abilities, particularly speaking and writing, and becoming a blessing to others in return.
     
    Visit the author at CarlMathis.com
     
    Visit the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/LifeisWhatYouMakeIt

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