Grab Your Sword February 27, 2015

The other night my husband was putting my son to bed. They were playing with his swords and having a little battle. Soon I heard my husband say, “Okay, let’s go pray, grab your sword.”

I stopped what I was doing and looked at him and said, “That was the coolest sentence ever!”

“Let’s go pray, grab your sword.”

I mean really, wonder if we looked at prayer like that, a battle against the enemy, that every time we prayed the enemy grew a little weaker. Our words like swords, stabbing a hole in his evil plans.

Well, I have news for you…our prayers are like weapons against the enemy’s evil schemes. Each time you utter a word of praise and thanksgiving, even in the middle of your storm, you are weakening the lies in your heart and mind and Jesus is setting you free.

Ephesians 6:17 says: …take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (NLT)

Then it goes on and says in 18:Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

So the sword is the Spirit and we are to pray in the Spirit at all times and stay alert and persistent. Hmmm….sounds like battle to me.

I love when someone says something they never intended to be super spiritual but God reveals a truth in those words.

Next time you pray make sure you grab your sword, you’re headed into battle 🙂

 

Review and Giveaway: Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh February 26, 2015

About:

Abigail Pressman would never have guessed that love notes penned on paper hearts by an anonymous couple could restore her belief in love. As a business owner in a quaint town at the base of the Rockies, she’s poured everything into dreams of expansion . . . and resisting the matchmaking efforts of the Valentine Volunteers, who gather in her store to continue Loves Park’s tradition of stamping mail with the city’s romantic postmark.

When Abigail is unwillingly drafted into the Volunteers, she encounters the paper hearts, a distraction that couldn’t come at a worse time. A hard-to-read doctor has become Abigail’s new landlord, and he’s threatening to end her lease to expand his practice.

As she fights a growing attraction to this handsome man crushing her dreams, Abigail is inspired to string the hearts in her store, sparking a citywide infatuation with the artsy trend. But when a new batch of hearts reaches the Volunteers, it appears something tragic has happened to the couple. Will uncovering their story confirm Abigail’s doubts about love, or could it rescue her dreams . . . and her heart?

My thoughts:

What a fun read! I was immediately drawn into this book. You know you have a good book in your hands when you feel like you are getting acquainted with new friends.

This book played out like a movie in my head. With Abigail’s insecurities and her wounds from the past to Jacob’s desire to provide for his daughter.

But honestly, I think it was the Valentine Volunteers that stole the show for me. What a great group of ladies I would love to hang out with.

This book truly has it all, laughter, romance, just the right amount of tension and misunderstandings, even the mystery of the paper hearts Abigail is finding.

I seem to be especially drawn to books that take place in a bookstore, I just love the cozy feeling it gives me.

If you are looking for a good contemporary romance look no further than Paper Hearts.

Visit Courtney here.

Find her on Facebook here.

Watch the book trailer here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Books-A-Million or your favorite retailer.

Leave a comment by March 6th for your chance to win a copy. (U.S. residents only, I will not replace books that are lost in the mail)

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Write to the Point with Cari Schaeffer February 25, 2015

Today we get write to the point with Cari Schaeffer. Read on to learn more about her and her amazing testimony.

Tell us about yourself, family, where are you from, how long have you been writing?

I was born to a hippy in California and grew up all over the Southwestern United States. In fact, I wrote my mother’s address in pencil for years because I knew it would change frequently. I am currently married (will be celebrating 25 years in March) and have three children. I have been writing for about three years now and plan to write as long as God gives me stories to tell.

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?

I came to know Him in church as a child. I heard the Gospel message every Sunday and one day, when I was about 5 years old, I just felt it was for me. I answered when the Pastor gave the altar call.

Tell us about your latest book(s). What do want your readers to take away after the last page?

My first novel was published almost a year ago. It is titled “Faith, Hope, Love, and Chocolate”. What I want readers to take away after the last page is a deeper understanding of who God is, rather that who we believe Him to be. I also want women in particular to see themselves through His eyes rather than through the lens of life. Every single woman I have ever met carries deep wounds, warped parts of themselves and tries very hard to hide it. They hide it from friends, family, spouses, and children. They even try to hide it from themselves. It doesn’t work. The warped sense of self permeates every aspect of life. I want them to see God knows and loves them and has a plan for their lives.

How often do you blog and what do you cover in your blog?

I don’t blog nearly as often as potentially I should. My blog is Conversations with Cari and I try to cover areas of interest that women care about. I cover fitness, food, finances, and overall well being.

Can you share with us a favorite book you have read?

“Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons”. It is not a Christian fiction, but it is just a good read. It’s about a group of women on Freesia Court that start a book club. It lasts for decades, as does their friendships. They all come from different backgrounds and have amazing challenges to overcome. It’s their friendships that endure and carry them through life’s challenges.

Can you share with us a Genesis 5020 in your life?

Wow. Where do I start? As I said earlier, I was born to a hippy. Here’s the elongated story – I was born to a nineteen year old run away and I have an older sister. My father was ten years older than my mother and a criminal. Some of his closest friends were pictures my mother would see on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list back then. In fact, my mother was the unwitting driver of a get away vehicle once when my father robbed a convenience store.

My father left before my first birthday and we never heard from him again, except to find out in the early eighties that he had been killed a few years earlier. As a single mother, my mom struggled to raise us and often made unwise choices in relationships. I knew the smell of marijuana by the time I was six. I could very easily have been harmed in so many ways growing up, but I was not. God protected me and my sister in the midst of some pretty horrible situations.

As I mentioned earlier, I heard the Gospel in church every Sunday thanks to the bus ministries that existed then. My mother would go to church about as often as she didn’t. But she always made sure my sister and I went. My grandparents prayed fervently for us and hounded her about it, thankfully. As I grew up, I knew the life my mother had was not the life I wanted for myself.

When I graduated high school, I determined that my life would be different. I joined the Air Force because I wanted to contribute to society rather than be on welfare, and I wanted to go to college. The GI Bill would (and did) allow me to do that. I launched my life higher, better, and more than it could have been otherwise. God guided me in the decisions I made and still does. I am so very thankful for Him. I literally owe him my life.

Wow, it’s so amazing how God has worked in you life, thanks for sharing that 🙂

Do you have a life and/or a ministry verse?

Oh, yes! Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Amplified version)

This verse is the foundation of my life. It let me know early on that God saw and He knew. He knew I was better than where I was or where I had come from. My earthly father rejected me, but my Heavenly Father made me and saw me as priceless. That is what and who I am.

Where can we find you on the web?

Mostly on Facebook under Cari Schaeffer. I also have a website www.carischaeffer.com .

Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?

I just hope that anyone who reads this will realize the truth about themselves and about God. Don’t let this world warp you into something or someone you were never meant to be. He is always there and He knows you. He loves you.

Thanks so much for sharing with my readers. I pray God will continue to bless your writing journey.

The Trouble with Patience by Maggie Brendan February 23, 2015

About:

“Maggie Brendan deftly captures the flavor of the Old West in a sweet love story filled with suspense and well-developed, interesting characters that will surely capture the hearts of readers.”–Kathleen Morgan, author of the Brides of Culdee Creek series

Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.

Despite Patience’s desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse. He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But as she gets to know this “hanging lawman,” Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye–and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever.

With a keen eye for historical detail and a deft hand at romantic tension, Maggie Brendan invites you to a Montana gold rush boomtown, where vices and virtues are on full display and love is lying in wait.

My thoughts:

Patience definitely doesn’t start out overly patient, she starts with a spark, which I think is fun for a character with that name.

There are a lot of little mysteries and things that you know will be connected sooner or later that will make you say “What will happen when this comes to light?” There are also a lot of things in this book to give a bit of a twist and add tension.

However, I will say the tension seemed to ease quickly for me. I would get that nudge of anxiousness and then it would fade as the story moved on.

I liked the storyline and the characters and secondary characters where interesting as well and helped depth.

In saying that though, I didn’t feel a real connection to the characters. Instead of being drawn into the story I felt like I was watching from the sidelines and didn’t become overly invested.

But, this is a good plot and I enjoyed the boomtown feel of the story.

Visit Maggie here.

Grab you copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or Books-A-Million.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl February 19, 2015

About:

After a youth filled with tragedy and upheaval, Sarah Miller’s life is finally settled with all echoes of the past silent at last. She happily calls Sanctuary her home and spends her days teaching at the local school.

Sarah’s joy at her recent reunion with her sister, Hannah, and meeting the niece she didn’t know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed.

As she learns more about Hannah’s death, the circumstances are eerily similar to their parents’ murder. Sarah enlists Paul’s help in digging deeper into the murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul’s concern encourages Sarah’s growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one person will do anything to hide–even if that means coming after the last remaining members of the Miller family.

My thoughts:

This book opens with a scene that will have you hooked and not let go. One thing after another happens to Sarah and I definitely felt her sorrow.

The unsettled feelings from the past haunt Sarah and she needs closure even if she is in a bit of denial over it. But I kept worrying about her getting into trouble, about her saying something to the wrong person. And that is right where the author wants us, so invested that we are worried about the characters.

The crimes in this book are pretty disturbing and so sad but for me that drew me even further into this book.

I read Nancy’s first book in this series and loved it, this second book did not disappoint. This book can be read as a stand-alone. There is mention of characters in the first book but it is not a contributing factor to this book.

Overall, a wonderful read that I couldn’t put down. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good murder mystery.

Visit Nancy here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or Books-A-Million.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Write to the Point with Kathy Ide February 18, 2015

Today we get write to the point with Kathy Ide. Read on to learn more about her.

Tell us about yourself, family, where are you from, how long have you been writing?

I was born and raised in the Midwest, but moved to Southern California shortly after my first child was born. I raised two sons here, and they both moved out of state when they became adults. But SoCal is definitely my home now. And I’m loving my empty nest!

In 1988, I helped a friend put together a Christian writers’ conference at Biola University. Afterward, she asked if I’d like to attend the conference for free. I didn’t have anything better to do, so I said, “Sure, why not?”

That conference opened up a whole new world to me. I learned that the names on the books I had at home represented real people, normal folks who weren’t all that different from me. They sat on the grass and ate hot dogs and potato chips, just like the rest of us!

I was working as an administrative assistant and graphic designer at the time. But before work, during lunch, after work, and on occasional weekends, I wrote magazine articles, play scripts, devotionals, short stories, and Sunday school curriculum, and actually got several items published. I attended other writers’ conferences and joined a critique group. I just knew, someday, I would have a novel published. Whenever I went to bookstores, I gazed at where my spot on the shelf would be—right between Angela Hunt and Jerry Jenkins!

When I got tendonitis in both thumbs and both wrists, I was told I had to find a job that didn’t require using a computer keyboard or any other type of repetitive motion. Not an easy task! I got a professional-edition voice-recognition software program. But I couldn’t find an office job that would allow me to sit around and talk to my computer all day.

After a few months of wondering what God had in mind for me, my husband asked me what I would do for a living if I could do anything. “Write!” I answered without a moment’s hesitation. “But I can’t make a living at it … not yet, anyway.” He asked what my second choice would be. I told him I enjoyed helping the people in my critique group improve their writing. He suggested I see if I could build that into a career.

So I did. I now work at home full time, editing and critiquing manuscripts, and writing my own books as well. And I have never been happier! Still don’t have a novel on the bookshelf between Hunt and Jenkins. But I’ve found that I actually enjoy editing even more than writing. So that’s just fine with me!

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?

When I was sixteen, I spent the summer babysitting for a Christian family. Their well-behaved kids constantly surprised me. After they went to bed one night, I listened to one of the parents’ records. I heard “The Chaplain of Bourbon Street” talk about having a personal relationship with God through Jesus. When I got home that night, I accepted Christ as my Savior.

 

Tell us about your latest book(s). What do want your readers to take away after the last page?

Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors came out in January 2014. It gives aspiring writers, established authors, proofreaders, editors, and publishers a quick-reference tool to proofread manuscripts to minimize typos, inconsistencies, and errors in punctuation, usage, grammar, and spelling. This book is the first in a series of Secrets of Best-Selling Authors books.

This summer, the first book in my new Fiction-Lover’s Devotionals series comes out. 21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love is a compilation of short fiction stories followed by brief Life Applications that encourage readers to consider how each story applies to their lives. Every chapter is written by a different author. The first book’s contributors include such amazing authors as Angela Hunt, Deborah Raney, and Cecil Murphey. Book 2, 21 Days of Christmas: Stories that Celebrate God’s Greatest Gift, comes out in October. Book 3, 21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships, will come out next Valentine’s Day. Book 4, 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Motherhood, will release in time for Mother’s Day 2016.

Readers who love novels will enjoy having short stories with Life Applications to read during their quiet times with the Lord. They may buy the book because they recognize some of the well-known best-selling authors in it, but they’ll discover new authors as well. After reading snippets of their writing, they can get other books written by those authors. In addition to being very inspirational for readers, it’s a terrific cross-promotional tool for the contributing authors.

 

How often do you blog and what do you cover in your blog?

I blog once a week (every Monday) with tips, helps, info, and encouragement for writers, editors, and other professionals in the publishing industry.

 

Can you share with us a favorite book you have read?

Well, the Bible, of course. I’ve read it from cover to cover several times, but I still read from it every morning. The Holy Spirit always reveals amazing insights that fit situations I’m going through at the time.

Aside from that … I loved Francine Rivers’s Redeeming Love. When I neared the last few pages, I read as slowly as I could to savor the experience. When I’d read the last line, I held the book to my chest and sighed in total contentment. But then I nearly threw it across the room because I was so upset that my experience with those characters was over!

 

Can you share with us a Genesis 5020 in your life?

I have had several of those experiences! One example is when I got tendonitis and lost my day job. When the physical therapist told me I had to stop typing in order to heal, I thought that would be the end of my writing journey. But instead, I learned how to do it without affecting my tendons. And God used that “loss” to get me into editing Christian manuscripts, speaking at Christian writers’ conferences, in addition to writing Christian books. I love what I do so much, I’m extremely grateful for that tendonitis experience!

 

Do you have a life and/or a ministry verse?

I love Ephesians 3:20-21, which says that God can do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we could ask or think or dream or imagine (depending on which version you’re reading). Being a writer, I have a pretty big imagination! It’s awesome to know that God is way bigger than anything I could come up with.

 

Where can we find you on the web?

www.KathyIde.com

www.TheChristianPEN.com

www.ChristianEditor.com

http://secretsofbestsellingauthors.com/

 

Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?

I am currently accepting submissions for my Fiction-Lover’s Devotionals series. Guidelines, details, and deadlines are on my website, www.KathyIde.com, under the Devo tab. Anyone who can write a really good fictional short story is welcome to send something!

That sounds like something I need to check out 🙂

Thanks so much for sharing with my readers. We love hearing about writers journeys and how God has worked in their lives.

A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck February 17, 2015

About:

Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love.

 

Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people.

 

that girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.

 

When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?

 

When Tom challenges her to see her own beauty, Ginger must decide if she will remained chained to the past or move freely into a new, exciting future.

My thoughts:

I always enjoy Rachel’s books because she has so much depth to them. If you look beyond the words that are written you will find a gospel message.

This book was no exception.

Ginger struggles with her scars. She believes she must cover them up so no one else can see them and if people do see them they will reject her. She believes she could never be beautiful, that a happy-ever-after will never happen for her.

But Tom sees the truth. He sees beyond her scars into her heart and knows she is beautiful.

Isn’t this message so true of many of us? We hide our scars, our past, or we cling to them and allow them to define us, instead of using our scars for His glory. Remember Thomas didn’t believe it was Jesus until he saw the scars. Many people won’t see Jesus until we start sharing our scars with others.

Anyway, that is the underlying message I got out of the super quick read. If you are looking for a fast little romance I recommend this one.

Visit Rachel here.

Grab your copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Books-A-Million or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Review and Giveaway: The Crimson Cord by Jill Eileen Smith February 16, 2015

About:

“Rahab’s story is one of the most moving redemption accounts in Scripture. The Crimson Cord perfectly captures all the drama of the original, fleshing out the characters with care and thought. Jill’s storytelling skills kept me reading late into the night. A beautiful tale, beautifully told!”–Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night

Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband’s debt. Forced into prostitution, she despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime.

In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho’s walls–or if she will ever know the meaning of love.

Under Jill Eileen Smith’s talented hand, the familiar story of Rahab bursts forth in high definition. Immerse yourself in a world of dark and dusty streets, clandestine meetings, and daring escapes as a mysterious biblical figure claims her full humanity–and a permanent place in your heart.

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and The Desert Princess, first in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.

My thoughts and giveaway:

Wow. Wow. Wow. Jill is a brilliant author. This is only the second book I have read by her but I have to say she my favorite Biblical fiction author I have read yet.

She takes people who are familiar to us and gives them a voice. One I never saw coming. I have to keep reminding myself that is Jill’s take on Rahab and her story might not have actually happened this way.

I never thought about the fact that maybe Rahab didn’t want to be a prostitute, that maybe she was forced into it. Maybe she was like many of us, hungry for love and gave herself away to the wrong man.

I loved how we see Rahab’s heart begin to change and wonder if many she is worshipping the “god”. Maybe the God of Israel is the real deal.

One thing the really struck me was the great fear the people in Jericho had of our God. I thought as I read this that people today don’t really fear Him. If they did I don’t think we would have all the sin we see today. I think we have forgotten that Jesus said that we will do even greater things than He did. But are we? I know I don’t feel I am and because I don’t live in that truth I don’t think people see God and therefore don’t fear Him like people once did. Just something to think about.

We also get inside the Israelite camp and meet Joshua and then Salmon who is Boaz’s father (Rahab is Boaz’s mother). Boaz is the great-grandfather to King David. So cool to read about how all of this could have happened.

I could say so much more. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend this one.

Visit Jill here.

Grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com,  or Books-A-Million.

Leave a comment by February 25th for your chance to win a copy. (U.S. residents only)

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The First Principle by Marissa Shrock February 12, 2015

About:

In the not-too-distant future, the United Regions of North America has formed. Governors hold territories instead of states, and while Washington, DC, is gone, the government has more control than ever before. For sixteen-year-old Vivica Wilkins, the daughter of a governor, this is life as usual. High school seems pretty much the same–until one day, that controlling power steps right through the door during study hall.

When Vivica speaks out to defend her pregnant friend against the harsh treatment of Population Management Officer Martina Ward, she has no idea she’s sowing the seeds of a revolution in her own life. But it isn’t long before she discovers her own illegal pregnancy. Now she has to decide whether to get the mandatory termination–or follow her heart, try to keep the baby, and possibly ruin her mother’s chances at becoming president.

A rebel group called the Emancipation Warriors, who are fighting to restore freedoms once held unalienable, offer her asylum. Can Vivica trust these rebels to help her or will they bring everything crashing down around her? Accepting their help may come with consequences she isn’t ready to face.

My thoughts:

This book doesn’t hold back. Marissa tells her character’s stories like they are. But we in the mind of a teenager. A teenager that doesn’t know the Lord, so her thoughts are going to be a bit troublesome to us mothers.

Vivica is a typical teen who finds out she’s pregnant. According to the law she is supposed to terminate her pregnancy and as I stated she doesn’t know Jesus so she thinks she should go along with this. But other people are speaking into her life and urging her not to do this. She begins to question everything she holds true.

She’s always loved her mother, but is her mother really making the best choices? Could her mother be wrong in her policies? And then a secret is revealed to the reader that simply broke my heart.

This is definitely written or the teen market and I think this could raise some good conversations with your teen. I would not let my middle schooler read this yet, the content was a bit too mature for her, I think. But it is a great book for an older child.

Marissa definitely pulled me into this story and had me wondering what would happen next. Overall, a very interesting read.

Visit Marissa here.

Grab your copy at your local book store, Amazon,  Barnes and Noble or Christianbook.com.

A copy of tis book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Write to the Point with Misty Beller February 11, 2015

Today we get write to the point with Misty Beller. Read on to learn more about her.

Misty Beller was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and two daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Writing is a dream come true for Misty. Her family—both immediate and extended—is the foundation that holds her secure in that dream.

Tell us about yourself, family, where are you from, how long have you been writing?

I’m a South Carolina girl, born and raised on the “family farm.” We still live close to my family, even though I’m married now with two wonderful daughters. My family, both immediate and extended, are incredibly precious to me! I started writing novels about four years ago. I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, “Write a novel that’s published” made it near the top! I decided, it’s now or never, and made the commitment to do it.

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?

I come from a wonderful, godly family, and was taught the Bible from an early age. My decision moment came when I was four years old, but I still remember it. I was watching a Christian kid’s show, Gospel Bill, and at the end of the video, they said a short prayer and invited viewers to pray with them. I said the prayer to ask Jesus in my heart, and was so excited I ran to tell my mom. J

Tell us about your latest book(s). What do want your readers to take away after the last page?

Leah Townsend, a recently orphaned heiress, flees Richmond after discovering her fiancé’s plot to kill her after their wedding. She needs a safe place to hide, and finds herself accepting a newspaper marriage proposal from a God-fearing young rancher in the Montana Territory. But when Leah arrives at the mountain ranch, she learns her intended husband was killed by a grizzly, leaving behind a bitter older brother and a spunky younger sister.

When Gideon Bryant finds a city girl standing in his log cabin, his first thought is to send her back where she came from. He’s lost too many people to the wild elements of these mountains––his parents, his wife, and now his brother. His love for this untamed land lives on, but he’s determined not to open his heart to another person.

But when an accident forces Leah to stay at the ranch for seven more months, can Gideon protect his heart from a love he doesn’t want? Has Leah really escaped the men who seek her life?

This a story about releasing our own desires to find God’s direction for your life, which is a constant struggle for me!

How often do you blog and what do you cover in your blog?

My blog is for my readers! I love to share a little about what’s going on with my books, get reader feedback on storylines, cover art, etc., and share special traditions.

Can you share with us a favorite book you have read?

Wow, this is a tough one! The Bible, of course. There are hundreds of other books that have become my favorites. (yes, hundreds). So hard to pick one! I’m currently reading Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen. She’s such a talented regency author!

Can you share with us a Genesis 5020 in your life?

Wow. When I look back, I see God’s hand everywhere in my life—guiding me, molding, and creating good from bad situations! About a year and a half ago, my husband’s job had become incredibly stressful, to the point it was severely affecting his health. He finally left that company, and I struggled to come to terms with the change! I worried, stressed, and juggled the budget. It felt like one of the worst things that could have happened, but over the next few months, the quality of our family interactions began to change for the better. We were ALL so much more relaxed, pleasant, and joyful. The fear of the unknown began to subside as we realized that God was turning what looked like a rough situation into a joyful experience!

Do you have a life and/or a ministry verse?

Colossians 1:9-11 is my prayer for all my readers:

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

Where can we find you on the web?

You can find me on my website, blog, Goodreads, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest. Or I’d love for you to check out my books The Lady and the Mountain Man or my upcoming release The Lady and the Mountain Doctor.

Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?

Thanks so much for hosting me, Melissa! It’s been a pleasure.

You’re welcome and thanks so much for sharing with my readers!