Worth It All-Lessons From The Upper Peninsula (Part 1) July 31, 2015

Chapel Rock-2014

Part of our vacation this year (and last) we visited Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I love this part of our state. So much untouched land. Trees for miles and miles (which can get a bit boring on long drives). But there are so many treasure hidden in this beautiful part of the Michigan.

One of these treasure we discovered last year when we visited was Pictured Rocks. Wow. Talk about seeing God’s glory. He totally out did Himself.

There are a couple of ways you can view pictured rocks. One is to get on a boat and see them from a distance or you can hike to get to them. Last year we braved it and hiked to Chapel Rock. It was a long six-mile hike but worth it and we decided to do another hike this year.

We decided to go to Mosquito Beach.

As we started our hike we start with a lot of energy. I remember even thinking to myself I don’t

Hiking the trail, following Dad

know why I think this is hard, I have a lot of energy.

But, the further we moved from the beginning of our hike and closer to the middle the muddier it got. Those who live in Michigan know we’ve gotten an ABUNDANCE of rain this year. So much so farmers had trouble getting everything planted in time.

Patrick lead. the two kids were next and I followed behind. When we came to muddy areas Patrick would find a way around it. However, my nine-year-old son being a normal gotta-try-it-own-way-boy would often try to find HIS own way. Inevitably, he would end up having to backtrack and go the way his dad had gone.

All this extra maneuvering added extra time to the hike and about halfway through we were all wondering if it was worth it. We were getting muddy and tired.

Mosquito Beach

Finally, the sound of water met our ears and we knew we were getting closer. Before we knew it there was a beautiful sight. A beach of exquisite rock and Lake Superior. Ah.

We walked around and then found a “rock bench” that we felt God provided just for us to sit and eat our lunch. We found rest and nourishment while being surrounded by our Creators handiwork.

This is like our spiritual journey. When we first come to know Jesus we are excited we

God-created bench

start out with tons of energy and think nothing can stop us now. But the truth is even if we know Jesus we will encounter mud, detours, things that will discourage us. Jesus never promised no troubles but He did promise to never leave us.

Just as my husband lead us around the yucky parts Jesus leads us around or through the yucky parts of life. However, we have a choice and we can go our own way. But like my son we usually find out our Father knows best and end up following Him eventually. For some of us we may wonder from the path longer than others but we do find our way back and our Father is waiting for us ready to lead us on.

The end will come, we must watch and listen for signs and maybe without warning you will be standing in the beauty of it all. You will see that all the muck was worth the end result, we did. You will find rest and nourishment in the presence of your Creator who made all for you. He was thinking of you the whole time, guiding, directing, loving.

Where you right now? Are you just starting out, full of energy, nothing can stop you?

Are you in the middle, walking through mud, trying to go your own way? Hows that working out for you?

Or are you following your Father’s lead even though it’s hard, it’s not easy, do you have your eyes on Him?

Or are you on the beach, taking it all in? Sitting in His presence, resting in Him?

Whatever your answer know that Jesus is with you and in the end you can say, “It was worth it all.”

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Write to the Point with Jake Byrne July 29, 2015

Today we get write to the point with Jake Byrne. I am sure his story will inspire you. His book sounds amazing, especially for the football fans in your life 🙂

Tell us about your newest book.

First and Goal, What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up, published by Harvest House Publishers. Just newly released.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

Jake Byrne dreamed of playing professional football. He had the size, the talent, the drive…but at age 14, he found out he also had type 1 diabetes.

Still, Jake was determined to reach his goal. And God was determined to guide and empower him all along the way.

 

Jake’s journey to the NFL is the backdrop for this collection of inspiring devotions based on nearly a hundred football terms. Jake takes you to the weight room, practice field, and even across the goal line. You’ll feel as if you’re lined up next to him, facing a very large defender you’re about to take down. He also includes Scripture and then ties up each story in a way that feels real and encouraging. You’ll discover…

• what to do when God calls an audible in your life
• how to respond when God puts you on special teams
• why prayer is never an incomplete pass

 

These quick daily readings will help you press through your own difficulties and experience God’s dream for you.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Now that I’m no longer playing professional football, I’m working for Champion Management, a marketing firm in Dallas. I also got recently married to beautiful, supportive Christian woman, Emma. She’s amazing. And I’m starting a foundation – Type Won – to help kids with Type One Diabetes lead healthy, active lives.

Where did you get your book idea?

When I got diagnosed with Type One Diabetes as a teenager, I didn’t have mentors. I really struggled with managing diabetes while competing as an athlete. It took a lot of trial and error to excel in the sport of football. I learned a lot through those difficulties and went on to play football at the University of Wisconsin. Then, while in the NFL, playing for the San Diego Chargers, my mom called me.

She’s a Christian author and was planning to attend a writer’s conference. She suggested I write a devotional about my experiences with Type One Diabetes and my journey into the NFL. I had mentored kids with type one diabetes in college and agreed writing a devotional would be a great way to encourage youth to reach their goals in spite of obstacles. We put together a one-sheet and my mom pitched the book and Harvest House offered us a contract.

Do you outline or are you a seat-of-the-pants writer? OR HOW DID YOU WRITE FIRST AND GOAL, THEN?

I got together with my mom (the ghostwriter) through Skype or phone or in person and we put anecdotes of my life together in the form of short devotionals and added football terminology. We really enjoyed working on the project together and she even has one last devotional in the book called, Extra Point. Moms always get the last word, or extra point.

 

Are you working on a new project now?

While working full time and getting my foundation going, I’m pretty busy, but I’d like to write another book –  an informational, practical book based on my experieces with diabetes and geared toward helping those with diabetes stay healthy and active and succeed in life, whatever their goals.

Anything you would like to add?

Well, like in football, getting cut from a team is pretty commonplace. So is getting a few pages or words cut in the final edits in writing. Here’s an excerpt from First and Goal about being “cut” that we had to “cut” due to too many pages for the book. Though my devotional is aimed at the teen market, it’s really a book for all who need a little inspiration. In the end, in a fun and inspiring way, readers might learn some football terms to impress family and friends.

Curl Route

On the curl route, the receiver runs hard downfield as if to run deep, and then—between 12 and 20 yards—he turns sharply and takes two steps back to face the football. The comeback route generally is run along the sideline. To work effectively, the quarterback usually throws the ball before the receiver turns. He throws to a spot where he expects the receiver to stop and turn.

 

Joining the New Orleans Saints my first year in the NFL, I survived rookie camp and regular camp only to get cut before the start of the season. I took the news like a deer lost in the glare of oncoming headlights.

I had worked hard and come a long way from OTAs (Organized Team Activities), learning a lot, but of course nowhere near the playing ability of seasoned veterans. At the end of camp, the Saints acquired a nine-year player and I was bumped out of my spot on the roster.

Moping at home in Arkansas with no job, I didn’t know what to do next. Had my NFL career, which started out with so much promise, ended so soon?

I hung in there for weeks, working out and traveling across the country in tiny airplane seats when teams called me for a tryout. I grew weary of hearing, “If someone gets hurt, we’ll call.” No one called. I wanted off the NFL roller coaster. After prayer and a long conversation with my dad, I called my agent and told him I was done with the NFL and returning to finish college.

Within an hour, he called me back. “The Texans have a spot for you. A tight end got injured.”

“But I quit the NFL—”

“No more tryouts. Just get to Texas and you’ll be on the practice squad.”

In the dying embers of my passion for football, a spark ignited. Why not? With only two games left in the season, if it didn’t work out, I could return to college, finish my last few classes, and return to job searching.

I flew to Houston and had a great end-of-season with the Texans. I was called into the office after the last game, where Rick Smith, the general manager, and Coach Gary Kubiak waited for me.

“We want you for next year,” Rick said.

Now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Those few words from God in Isaiah are loaded with hope, promise, and love. They are God’s words, not only for me, Jacob, or for the Israelites, but for all of humanity.

The Bible is chock-full of comeback stories. Jesus, being crucified and coming back to life, of course, is the greatest story. Joseph’s experience in Genesis 30–50 is another amazing one. He was sold into slavery by his brothers and endured years of false imprisonment. At all times, Joseph maintained his integrity and faith.

Even while in prison, God had a plan for His servant’s future. Joseph became one of the most powerful figures in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. And in the end, when Joseph could have taken revenge on his brothers, he chose to forgive them, understanding that through the worst situations, God was preparing him for his destiny. If Moses, Joseph, and even someone like me can make a comeback, you can too.

Ultimately, even if we’ve made mistakes, God wants us back. He doesn’t abandon His children. He wants us reaching our goals and living our life to the fullest. If things aren’t going well or according to our plan, we might have to run fast, turn around, and take a couple steps forward, like the comeback play. When we turn to face God, He will be there to redeem us and bring us to the place where He needs us. He loves us enough to open the right doors at the right time—and occasionally close them at the right time too.

BIO: Jake Byrne has battled with type 1 diabetes since a young teen and has since been proactive combating the disease and mentoring diabetic youth. He played football for the University of Wisconsin as a tight end and went on to compete in the NFL. Originally with the New Orleans Saints in 2012, Jake has also been a Houston Texan, Kansas City Chief, and San Diego Charger.

 

Jake blogs at www.typewon.net.

Facebook Page (Type Won): www.facebook.com/typewon1

Twitter: @sugarfreejb82

Instagram: Jakebyrne81

Email: typewonquestions@gmail.com

First and Goal Book Page: https://www.facebook.com/FirstAndGoalTypeWon

Thanks so much for sharing with my readers, Jake. Your story and devotional are sure to inspire many people. I pray God will use you in big ways 🙂

 

 

 

Review and Giveaway: The Lightkeeper’s Daughter by Colleen Coble July 27, 2015

About:

With the lies of the past behind her, Addie finds love . . . and discovers her true Father.

Addie Sullivan leads a quiet life in a northern California lighthouse. She mourns the death of her father and endures her mother’s bitterness, until the night a storm brings an injured stranger and a dark secret to her home. The man insists she is not who she thinks she is, but rather “Julia Eaton”—the child long lost and feared dead by her wealthy family. Seizing the chance to be reunited with the Eatons, Addie leaves her lighthouse home but decides to keep her true identity a secret until they can unravel the mystery. Addie loves the Eatons’ palatial home tucked away among the California redwood forests. She feels secure with the jovial family, adores the young boy who is her charge as governess, and finds romance with his father John, a young widower. But sinister shadows overtake Addie’s joy. As dusty rooms and secret compartments give up their clues about her past, Addie finds a faith and a love she could never have guessed. To embrace this new world of promise is to risk her life; but to run away is to risk losing the greatest love she’s ever known.

My thoughts and giveaway:

Believe it or not this is the first book I have read by Colleen. I’ve heard wonderful things about her books but never got around to reading her work. Now I am wishing I didn’t wait so long. This is a book I purchased a long time ago and finally got the chance to read.

This book has it all; romance, mystery, deception. I had no idea who was out to hurt Addie until it came to light. Even better there is a revelation at the end that totally caught me by surprise and that rarely happens.

Addie is a wonderful character that might be a bit too perfect. Yet, she does face her own issues. She is definitely a people-pleaser and this is something I have dealt with personally. As she gets drawn more into her new family her eyes move away from Jesus and this is something she has to face.

One of my favorite characters in this book had to be Gideon the dog. He reminded me a lot of my dog. He was so obedient and there to protect those he loved.

This is a book a definitely recommend. If you haven’t read this book or anything by Colleen this is a great one to start with.

Visit Colleen 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 August 3rd for your chance to win a copy. Winner will be chosen by random.org. (U.S. addresses only. I am not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail.)

 

Write to the Point with Rebecca DeMarino (and giveaway) July 22, 2015

Rebecca DeMarino writes love, legends and lore as a historical romance author and lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She inherited her love of baking and gardening from her mother, a love of horses, reading and writing from her dad, and the wanderlust gene from both parents. Her travels have taken her from Alaska to Nebraska and Florida, from Long Island to England and Italy, and from Washington DC to Texas, California and Guam. But usually you can find her at home, enjoying her grandchildren and baking crisp little ginger cakes. From Publisher’s Weekly ~ DeMarino’s … strong suit is recreating history and relating it to readers.

Tell us about your newest book.

I’d love to! In 1653 Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, celebrates her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, kills the groom and kidnaps her. Though her ransom is paid, she is nonetheless bound by her captors and left to die—until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of Englishman Ben Horton, a longtime friend of her people. But despite Ben’s affectionate attentions, she can’t stop thinking about the handsome Dutchman who saved her from certain death. Can she find peace again among her own people? Or will her growing affection for her rescuer draw her into conflict with everyone she loves? Does she choose loyalty or love?

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to travel, I like exploring genealogy and my roots, and gardening, hiking and baking are all pastimes I enjoy.

Where do you get your ideas?

The Southold Chronicle Series is based on the real lives of my ninth great-grandparents. They came over on a little ship called The Swallow in the 1630’s. My plan for the series was to take each book about the Hortons up a decade or two. While researching the first book, A Place in His Heart, I discovered a gold nugget of information about Heather Flower, the daughter of the Montuakett sachem, who was kidnapped on her wedding day by a fierce rival tribe. Tradition has it that the Englishman, Lion Gardiner, paid her ransom. The story was too good to ignore and it fit perfectly for the time period for book #2, so the story picks up after the ransom is paid. The Hortons and Southold are still the backdrop for the story, but Heather Flower is my lovely heroine.

Do you outline or are you a seat-of-the-pants writer?

I am definitely a seat-of-the-pants writer! I’ve tried to jot things down, even loosely, but I find that I write best if I brainstorm my way through the story!

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

Well, I can truly say no, and I realize that is not the norm. A Place in His Heart was not only my first published novel, but the first book I’d ever written. It is truly the book of my heart, and book #2, To Capture Her Heart, was just plain fun to research and write! I love that story!!

Are you like any of the characters in your book?

There might be little pieces of me in all of my characters. Heather Flower’s happily-ever-after is snatched from her when she least expects it and she has many decisions to make, none of them easy. Like her – and most of us – I have had dreams dashed and losses to bear. But thank goodness we have a God who cares and will walk with us through it.

Are you working on a new project now?

I am working on the edits for the third book in the series, To Follow Her Heart. This story amazed me as I brainstormed through it! It’s Patience’s story and I love it!

Anything you would like to add?

Thank you so very much, Melissa, for featuring me today! I love your heart for helping readers connect with books and their authors! You are a blessing to me!

Thanks so much for visiting with us again, it’s great to hear what you are up to 🙂 

Readers, below is a link to a giveaway Rebecca’s publisher is holding. If you click on it you will be redirected to another page to enter that giveaway.

To Capture Her Heart Book Launch

If you want to check out my review of her book click here. You will also find links to Rebecca’s website and where you can purchase her book.

Review and Giveaway: To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino July 20, 2015

About:

In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever

It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is bound by her captors and left to die–until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of the Hortons, English friends of her people. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her longtime friendship with Ben Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice–stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

Exploring a unique slice of history, Rebecca DeMarino transports you to the wild land that would eventually become Long Island, New York.

My thoughts and giveaway:

This is the second book in the Southold Chronicles. It picks up a few years after the previous book with Ben Horton (who was just a boy when I finished that first book) is now a man looking for love.

I loved seeing this next generation of Hortons and how they are making a life in the new world. More than anything I probably loved the history again and thinking about people who came over from Europe and what they went through to settle here.

The book opens with Heather Flower being rescued and we are quickly thrown into the lives of all the characters. Heather Flower is a sweet (pun intended) young woman who is hurt badly emotionally and doesn’t know what to do next. Her heart wants to grieve her dead husband and the missing woman who were taken with her but her heart is also being pulled in other directions.

Dirk seems to fall for Heather Flower pretty fast. I was a bit surprised when he thinks he loves her after only meeting her a couple of brief times. It seemed a little to fast for me but that’s my opinion only.

You can read this book without reading the first but there are a lot of different characters and even I had trouble keeping them straight all of the time. I think if you read A Place In His Heart first you will better appreciate this one.

Overall, I think historical romance readers will enjoy this one, especially with the unexpected ending 🙂

Come back Wednesday when I interview Rebecca and she talks about this book.

Visit Rebecca 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 July 27th for your chance to win a copy. One winner will be chosen by random.org. (U.S. addresses only. I am not responsible for replacing books lost or damaged in the mail.)

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

Stay Close July 17, 2015

Downtown Mackinac Island

A couple of weeks ago we were visiting Mackinac Island again. The first thing we like to do when we get on the island is ride our bikes around the eight mile perimeter.

When you first get on the island you are in the downtown area where all the shops are, this is where most of the people hang out. As you get further away from this main area there are fewer people.

Because of this I let the kids get ahead of me but I always had an eye on them and they always knew I was right behind them. They enjoyed their ride, the wind whizzing by their ears, stopping to enjoy the shoreline or a brook. When we stopped we took time to be together and just take in the beauty.

As we were heading back into town I told the kids to let me take the lead again because there would be a lot more people. If I was in the lead they could see me more clearly and hopefully not get in other people’s way or people wouldn’t get in their way.

Almost as soon as those words left my mouth God dropped a thought in my head.

When we take time to be in His presence we are truly free. We can just enjoy Him and not be distracted by the things, or people around us. This is like going around the island.

I can not stress enough the importance of getting alone with Jesus. Only there can you find truth, freedom, peace. We need to learn to listen for his voice. He might tell us to wait up, slow down, stop and take a look at this beauty around us. But we won’t hear Him if we don’t know the sound of His voice.

But we can’t do this all day (I wish). We will have to join the crowd again. When we join the crowd how much more we need to stay close to Him, but this is also the hardest time.

How many days have I started out thinking okay, today I am going to really be aware of God’s presences as I teach, I am going to mediate on a certain scripture throughout my day. Then I reach the end of the day and realized it never happened. I got distracted by the business of life, the naughty child wouldn’t listen, the negative talk of another.

Just as I told my kids that I needed to take the lead so they wouldn’t get bumped by others, Jesus says the same to us. As we leave our quiet time to go back to our busy world Jesus says, “Let me lead you. There are a lot more people here and you can easily become lost. You could even get bumped and fall down. You could even hinder another’s progress if you aren’t careful. But if you watch Me I will guide you, you won’t lose your way. You will always know where to go.”

My friends take this to heart. Make time to be in His presence, it will change everything. Will everything be perfect? Nope. There are many times I get done with a great time in His presence and then my kids are fighting or a comment is made in my house the makes me angry. But I remember. I have the truth to cling to and I follow Jesus.

I won’t allow the negativity of others effect the truth that Jesus has spoken to my heart, but if you don’t know the truth you have nothing to hold on to.

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NLT

 

A Place In His Heart by Rebecca Demarino July 16, 2015

I am starting to get into my personal pile of books that I have purchased, so you may see older books popping up now and then. Come back Monday when I will review Rebecca’s newest release, the second in this series. Then come back Wednesday when I will be interviewing her 🙂

About:

She could cross an ocean, but could she ever win his heart?

Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Left at the altar and disgraced in her small hamlet, she is being pressured to marry the eligible son of the London milliner. Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved wife, but he knows his two young sons need a mother.

With tender hearts, Mary and Barnabas take a leap of faith and wed. But when Barnabas’s secret plans to move his family to the New World to escape persecution come to light, Mary’s world is upended. How could she possibly leave her papa and her dear sister?

And will she ever reach the secret places of her husband’s broken heart?

My thoughts:

This was a such an interesting historical time period to read. Barnabas is under English persecution due to his puritan beliefs but marries Mary who doesn’t have those beliefs but that doesn’t’ stop them.

There are many things to like about this book. Mary is a sweet character who only wants her husband’s heart. She is like so many of us, she marries thinking it won’t matter if he doesn’t love her like she wants but deep down that is all she wants. She wants his heart and wonders if she will ever get it.

Barnabas questions how he could ever love a woman as much as he loved his first wife. Mary is good for his boys, he knows that and he does care for her but will it be enough?

My favorite part of the book was the journey to the New World. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to stomach it.

The ending is pure sweetness but I can’t tell you what happened.

I also enjoyed how Jesus was very much in this book. The faith displayed by the characters is very strong and evident. It will give you more to think about as you look back on our (the United States) history.

Visit Rebecca here.

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

Write to the Point with Patricia Bradley (and giveaway) July 15, 2015

I am so excited because today we get write to the point with Patricia Bradley. I have read all of her books in the Logon Point Series and they are wonderful. If you missed my review of her newest release click here. Then come back and learn more about Patricia and enter to win a signed copy of her book 🙂

Patricia Bradley is the winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award and a 2012 Touched by Love Award and was also a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award. The author of Shadows of the Past and A Promise to Protect, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at http://www.ptbradley.com.

Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi and is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum. But her heart is tuned to suspense. Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series—Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect, and Gone Without a Trace. Her workshops on writing include an online course with American Christian Fiction Writers and workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference in Collierville, TN. When she’s not writing, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

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

Long, long ago I grew up in Memphis when it was a place that seemed like a small town. I rode public transportation all over the city, often arriving home after ten and walked a half mile from the bus stop to my home. I loved reading, beginning at around five with the comicstrips and graduated to books before I went to school. I thought about writing, as in… “I believe I could write a story like that.” Little did I know how hard it was. 🙂 But I never put feet to the idea until these people came to live in my head and wouldn’t go away until I told their story. So I did. And that story became the first story I ever wrote and the first story Woman’s World bought. But it would become 32 years before I received a contract for my first book that I revised for 5 years.

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?

I was nine years old, in church on Sunday like always, when I felt Jesus tugging on my heart. Couldn’t tell you what the sermon was about, but I knew I had to say yes. Fast forward a few years and you’ll find me a rebellious teenager. I walked in the wilderness for 30 years—not quite as long as the Israelites. Then, one day I realized what a mess I’d made of my life, doing things my way. I asked God to help me to live for Him, and from that day forward, I’ve tried to do that. I am so glad we have a God of second chances. Not that I always get it right, even now. 🙂

None of us do J

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

Gone Without a Trace is a book about forgiveness and that no matter what and even when things don’t go like you want, God is in control.

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

Matt Jones has created a new website and blog for me, and I am now blogging on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays, it’s about my life and writing journey. I write about my characters, the writing process as well as my personal journey and how God is working in my life. Thursdays are reserved for guest writers and book reviews.

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

I’ve found that I don’t need others to try and harm me—I do it very well on my own. When I was seventeen, I became pregnant and then got married. Many years later I use what God taught me in the hard years that followed to speak to teens and preteens, trying to get them to make good choices for their lives by telling them my story. God doesn’t waste anything, especially the mistakes we make.

So true.  

 

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

It’s hard to pin a verse down to one, but Psalm 37:4 and 7 have special meaning to me. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart…wait patiently on the Lord.”

Where can we find you on the web?

www.patriciabradleyauthor.com; www.thoughtsonplot.com; www.heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com;

Twitter: @PTBradley1

FaceBook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/

 

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

I want to thank you for hosting me on your blog. I love the concept of a Genesis 50:20 blog.

You’re welcome and it’s definitely a pleasure having you here.

***

 

Gone without a Trace

A Novel

Patricia Bradley

The past is repeating itself—and time is running out

 

It’s been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator’s missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her after killing a teenager in the line of duty and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she’s finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she’ll have to find a way to work with Alex—before it’s too late.

 

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps you on the edge of your seat with a case—and a relationship—that is anything but certain.

 

“Patricia Bradley has hit a home run. The suspense is high, the romance is sweet, and the villain is one you want to see caught and brought to justice. Gone without A Trace, a novel of forgiveness and finding one’s place in the world, brings home the point that while not everything in life may go the way you want, God is still in control. Can’t wait for the next book!”—Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Hidden Identity series

 

Links to books:

Shadows of the Past: CBD; Amazon; B&N; Books A Million

A Promise to Protect: B&N; CBD; Amazon; Books A Million

Gone Without a Trace: Amazon; CBD; B&N; Books A Million

 

Matthew’s Choice:  to buy a paperback—Harlequin: http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=53665

For an e-book: B&N, Kobo Amazon

 

Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect and Matthew’s Choice can be found at my Author Page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FFR8T1U

Readers, Patricia has given me a signed copy of her book to giveaway to one lucky commentator. Leave a comment for Patricia by July 27th for your chance to win the copy. Winner will be chosen by Random.org. (U.S. addresses only. I am not responsible for replacing books lost or damaged in the mail.)

Gone Without a Trace by Patricia Bradley July 13, 2015

Be sure to come back here on Wednesday when I interview Patricia and give away a signed copy of her book.

The past is repeating itself–and time is running out

It’s been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator’s missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she’s finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she’ll have to find a way to work with Alex–before it’s too late.

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps you on the edge of your seat with a case–and a relationship–that is anything but certain.

“Patricia Bradley has hit a home run. The suspense is high, the romance is sweet, and the villain is one you want to see caught and brought to justice. Gone without a Trace, a novel of forgiveness and finding one’s place in the world, brings home the point that while not everything in life may go the way you want, God is still in control. Can’t wait for the next book!”–Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Hidden Identity series

Patricia Bradley is the winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award and a 2012 Touched by Love Award and was also a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award. The author of Shadows of the Past and A Promise to Protect, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at http://www.ptbradley.com.

My thoughts:

Wow. What a great book. I think this one has been my favorite out of the three in this series (don’t worry you can read each one as a stand-alone).

I couldn’t put this book down and my lack of sleep was proof.

Our main characters both have some things to overcome, forgiveness to give their fathers and finding their own identity in Christ and His plans for their lives.

I do have to say I really was more caught up in some secondary characters story a bit more than the main characters. Robyn and Chase had my attention and I couldn’t wait to see how their part on the story would work out.

There is some freaky stuff going on as we also get into the villain’s head and what he is thinking and planning. It made it a little scary to go to sleep after reading but so worth it.

This is a book that will keep you guessing and wanting to get to the end to figure out who the bad guy is and how everything will turn out. Good stuff 🙂

Visit Patricia here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, 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 in exchange for an honest review.

Empire’s End by Jerry B. Jenkins July 9, 2015

About:

Jerry B. Jenkins’s new novel is filled with adventure, drama, historic people and places, and even romance. Empire’s End tells the story of a man who single- handedly turned the Roman Empire on-end. It will be the heart-stopping story of the year! Only a few snapshots of Paul’s life are revealed in the Bible. In this fictional account, Jenkins tells of a devout Jewish scholar, who after only three years in the Arabian wilderness, emerges as the greatest Christian theologian in history. This novel explains how, after supervising the death of Jesus’s disciples, Paul would be moved to effectively conquer the Roman Empire with a message about a Jewish man named Jesus. You’ll be captured by the shocking “thorn in the flesh” that burdened Paul’s heart. Empire’s End will cause you to rethink whether Paul ever experienced the love of a woman or the embrace of a child

My thoughts:

This fictional re-telling of Paul’s life starts with a bang. I had trouble putting the book down in the beginning as we meet Paul and is struck down in blindness. The reader gets to experience his heart opening to Jesus and the true message of the gospel.

As fast as this book starts is does slow down a bit and I have mixed feelings about this. At first I was bored but then as God spoke to Paul’s heart I realized the author was getting us to experience Paul’s quiet time, how God might have spoken to him. When you think about that it is deeply moving and a place we all need to be.

Overall I found this book to be at a deep spiritual level. Paul should be an example for every believer to draw away from the crowd daily and spend time in God’s presence and listen for His voice. Even Paul had his past to overcome but that didn’t stop him from devoting His live to Christ. The same should be true for all of us.

Visit Jerry here.

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

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