HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2015!

Tonight I hung out with my family. 3 generations playing Pictionary, the Dictionary game, eating snacks and watching The New Years Eve movie. (That movie is quickly becoming a tradition with us.) Now, as midnight and a new year approaches, the teens are off with their friends and we're counting down the minutes to a brand new year. New beginnings after a rather challenging year.

So from all of us to all of you...

May your new year be full of big dreams, hard work and answered prayers. God bless you in 2015!

Netgalley: Miracles in the ER by Robert D. Lesslie

Miracles in the ER

by

Robert D. Lesslie, M.D.

MY TAKE: 

I have a fascination with medical stories. My sister just rolls her eyes whenever I find a new medical documentary that I find fascinating and HAVE to watch. The human body is so complex, that despite all that mankind and science has done to discover it's intricacies, there is still so much to learn. On the flip side, with each new thing we learn, it's easier to see how magnificent and grand God's hand is in creation. SO, with that fascination in mind, I jumped on Dr. Lesslie's book with intrigue. 

Each chapter shares a story of a patient or co-worker he's been connected with. Some truly are what many would call miraculous. Others, may not seem like miracles, but the love and truth that is learned throughout the lesson is just as moving. I have to say that whether they would all be considered miracles or not, is not the point. The bigger picture is that through tragedy, drama, loss and more, a bigger picture was maintained and the heart and compassion of those involved were not lost. That's hard to find these days and it was great to be reminded. 

ABOUT THE BOOK & AUTHOR:

Extraordinary stories from a Doctor's journal. Bestselling author Dr. Robert Lesslie is a physician with more than 30 years of experience working in or directing fast-paced, intense ER environments. He is now the co-owner and medical director of two urgent-care facilities. He has written Notes from a Doctor's Pocket, Angels on the Night Shift, Angels and Heroes, Angels on Call, and Angels in the ER (over 200,000 sold) as well as newspaper and magazine columns and human-interest stories. He and his wife, Barbara, live in South Carolina.

CSFF: The Fatal Tree by Stephen R. Lawhead

Welcome to the CSFF blog tour for:

The Fatal Tree 

(Bright Empires Series)

by

Stephen R. Lawhead

If you're even a somewhat regular reader of my blog, then you know that I LOVE Stephen Lawhead's writing. I've had a blast reading the Bright Empire Series and have been waiting on pins and needles for the final book in the series to release. I was quite excited to get accepted for the review list, but apparently the post office has been overcome by the holiday mail because my book has never arrived. :( I'm VERY disappointed and I'm extremely hopeful it will arrive soon. Until that happens, I unfortunately can't post a review. But, I will give you the down low on the book and hook you up with the other tour members that have reviewed it. I don't think I'll be exaggerating though if I promise I'll love this one. I can't imagine that I wouldn't. 

HOWEVER  - The publisher did send out some really fun promotional gear. Temporary tattoos of the symbols on the skin map. They asked us to post a few on social media before the tour. I posted to both Facebook and Twitter. Here's the link to see the pictures in my Twitter post.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

It started with small, seemingly insignificant wrinkles in time: A busy bridge suddenly disappears, spilling cars into the sea. A beast from another realm roams modern streets. Napoleon’s army appears in 1930s Damascus ready for battle. But that’s only the beginning as entire realities collide and collapse.

The questors are spread throughout the universe. Mina is stuck on a plain of solid ice, her only companion an angry cave lion. Tony and Gianni are monitoring the cataclysmic reversal of the cosmic expansion—but coming up short on answers. And Burleigh is languishing in a dreary underground dungeon—his only hope of survival the very man he tried to murder.

Kit and Cass are back in the Stone Age trying to reach the Spirit Well. But an enormous yew tree has grown over the portal, effectively cutting off any chance of return. Unless someone can find a solution—and fast—all Creation will be destroyed in the universal apocalypse known as The End of Everything.

In this final volume of the fantastic Bright Empires series, Stephen R. Lawhead brings this multi-stranded tale to a stunning and immensely satisfying conclusion.

“In the sweeping style of George R. R. Martin and J. R. Tolkien, Lawhead has created a diverse universe and rich cast of characters. Multiple story lines weave to form a satisfying ending to this mythological speculative series.” —Library Journal

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Stephen Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. He was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. His early life was lived in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological seminary for two years.

His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.

After a brief and unsuccessful foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he launched his free-lance career in 1981. In the Hall of the Dragon King was his first novel.

In 1986 the Lawhead family moved to Britain so that Stephen could conduct research for the PENDRAGON CYCLE books. They settled there permanently in 1990, with some years spent living in Austria and a sabbatical in the United States.

In addition to his twenty-four novels, he has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, with whom he has collaborated on books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.

Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have variously been published in twenty-four foreign languages. He has won numerous industry awards, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.

His middle name is ‘Ray’.

Visit him on Twitter!

OTHER TOUR MEMBER REVIEWS: 

Julie Bihn
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
Karri Compton
Victor Gentile
Jason Joyner
Janeen Ippolito
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Rebekah Loper
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa Jalynn Patterson
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Audrey Sauble
Jojo Sutis
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler

CFBA: Swept Away by Laura V Hilton and Cindy Loven

Song Stuck on the Brain: Mary Did You Know? by Pentatonix

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Swept Away Abingdon Press (November 18, 2014) by Laura V. Hilton
and
Cindy Loven
MY TAKE: 

Sara Jane's grandma reminded me a little of my Granny, God rest her soul. Spunky, sharp and known for having both a sweet nature and little bite. It made me feel like I could connect with her a tad bit more. And Andrew? Mmm! There's a lot of good stuff under all that broom dust! This was a fun story with a touching look at romance mixed with complicated family issues.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sara Jane Morgan is trying to balance teaching with caring for her ailing, stubborn grandmother. When school lets out for the summer, the plans are for Grandma to teach Sara Jane to quilt as they finish up the Appalachian Ballad quilt Grandma started as a teenager. But things don’t always go as planned. Andrew Stevenson is hiding from his past—and his future. He works as a handyman to pay the bills, but also as an artisan, designing homemade brooms. When Sara Jane’s grandmother hires him to renovate her home, sparks fly between him and his new employer’s granddaughter. Still, it doesn’t take Sara Jane long to see Drew isn’t what he seems. Questions arise, and she starts online researching him. What she discovers could change her life—and her heart—forever.

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



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award winning author Laura V. Hilton has penned many novels, including the Amish of Seymour series, the Amish of Webster County series, and the forthcoming Amish of Jamesport series. A member of ACFW, Laura is also a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites. A pastor’s wife, stay-at-home mom, and home school teacher, Laura and her family make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

A lifelong reader, Cindy Loven is an active church wife of a minister and mother to one son who is a home school graduate. Cindy and her family reside in Conway, Arkansas.

CFBA: Saved by the Fireman by Allie Pleiter

Song Stuck on the Brain: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?  It's one of my niece's senior year and they're performing the Sound of Music this weekend for the Fall musical. She mentioned how odd it felt to see so many nuns running around suddenly and this song popped in and won't go away.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Saved by the Fireman Love Inspired (October 21, 2014) by Allie Pleiter

MY TAKE: 

Is it hot in here or is that just Jesse Sykes?

Cheesy intro or not, that's pretty much how I felt. Jesse is "hot" in all the right ways. Known as 'Pipes' on the squad for his golden voice, he can calm children and turn women to jello all with with same song. He's a master at the stove and at the power tools. He's every woman's dream in my book. Even has the dark good looks. :)

Afraid that makes it too predictable or cheesy? Not in my book. There's always a little bit of a vague formulaic outline, keep in mind these are romance novels by the month. That doesn't mean that there isn't cleverness and fun included. I thoroughly enjoyed Charlotte and Jesse's hot stepping around the issue of love. It was funny, sweet and addictive. In fact, I found out this was the fifth book in the Gordon Falls series by Allie Pleiter. I'm already searching Amazon to find the rest of the series. This one easily stands on it's own, but I love the cast and location (as well as her great writing) so much, that I'll be investing in the rest of the books.

Falling for the Fireman #1

The Fireman's Homecoming#2

The Firefighter's Match #3

A Heart to Heal #4

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Building their future

Charlotte Taylor isn't good at playing it safe. Reeling from the sudden loss of her job and her beloved grandmother, Charlotte knows buying a dilapidated cottage in Gordon Falls isn't exactly practical. Especially since she just hired the one man who may love the property more than she does to help renovate it. Volunteer firefighter and part-time contractor Jesse Sykes can't stay mad at Charlotte for very long. Though she snatched up the home he'd planned on purchasing, Charlotte's dreams are big enough for both of them…if only she'd let him in. Charlotte promised she'd never fall for a first responder, but is it already too late?

Gordon Falls: Hearts ablaze in a small town

If you would like to read the first chapter of Saved by the Fireman, go HERE




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and nonfiction. An avid knitter, harp player and non-reformed chocoholic, she spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois. The "dare from a friend" to begin writing eight years ago has blossomed into a career that includes numerous public speaking engagements, two books on parenting; Becoming a Chief Home Officer and Facing Every Mom's Fears and now novels for Steeple Hill Books. She is the mother of two children and, most recently, a Havanese dog named Bella.

Spotlight on author KC Sprayberry and her NEW release!

It's Halloween and my blog has been overtaken! Welcome KC Sprayberry....

That day is upon us. The Curse of Grungy Gulley releases today, October 31, 2014 ~ Halloween! What does a demon do to stop a group of families slated to fight him for eternity when they don’t pay attention to him? Keep trying, of course!

Blurb:

Faced with the loss of his immortality, Bewitcher Random A. Ransom has to defeat Mary Barron’s young assistants: Tuck Barrons, Earl Lee Farley, and Sue Anne Edwards. Confident he can beat three kids, Random has no idea that the Johnson triplets have invaded the ranks of his brethren. These brothers have pledged their souls to Archangel Michael to rid the world of evil. What the Bewitcher thought would be easy isn’t so easy after all.

One demon, three teens, spread over a period of 144 years. Can Random A. Ransom defeat Sue Anne Edwards, Earl Lee Farley, and Tuck Barrons?

The Curse of Grungy Gulley

About the Author:

Born and raised in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, K.C. Sprayberry spent years traveling the United States and Europe while in the Air Force before settling in Northwest Georgia. A new empty nester with her husband of more than twenty years, she spends her days figuring out new ways to torment her characters and coming up with innovative tales from the South and beyond.

She’s a multi-genre author who comes up with ideas from the strangest sources. Some of her short stories have appeared in anthologies, others in magazines. Three of her books (Softly Say Goodbye, Who Am I?, and Mama’s Advice) are Amazon best sellers. Her other books are: Take Chances, Where U @, The Wrong One, Pony Dreams, Evil Eyes, Inits, Canoples Investigations Tackles Space Pirates, The Call Chronicles 1: The Griswold Gang, The Curse of Grungy Gulley, and Starlight. Additionally, she has shorts available on Amazon: Grace, Secret From the Flames, Family Curse … Times Two, Right Wrong Nothing In Between, and The Ghost Catcher.

A Chance To Win An Autographed Print Edition of The Curse of Grungy Gulley!

Right Wrong Nothing In Between

Pick up a copy of Right Wrong Nothing In Between by clicking on the link and answer these questions. Post your answers on K.C. Sprayberry’s Facebook fan page before November 5, 2014 and you might get your own autographed print edition of The Curse of Grungy Gulley!

What three children does Random A. Ransom want?

What is the name of the being who comes to Mary, to reassure her that she has made the right choice?

Social Media Links:

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Website

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Google +

Pinterest

Authorgraph

Meet author Paul Smith...

Today we're welcoming YA Fantasy Author Paul Smith. 

Welcome to the blog, Paul. It's always great to meet new authors. (Thank you, Author Mary Waibel for the introduction!) This is a really new introduction for both of us, so I haven't had a chance to read your book, Jason and the Draconauts yet, but let me say it looks like a lot of fun. I look forward to reading it, I'm a big dragon fan. :)

Since I'm getting to know you at the same time as my readers, I thought I'd ask a few fun questions. Are you game?

Q. What books did you love to read the most as a kid? What captivated you?

A. I was a HUGE reader of comic books, actually, and a big collector into my late teens. It wasn't just the costumes and super powers that captivated me, but their heroism and selflessness as well. However, I read novels too. The ones that were really big for me were the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit.

Q. Have you ever had an odd adventure that surprised you as much as Jason's discovery surprised him?

A. Wow! That is a GREAT question! Actually, quite recently, I took my kids to Disney World for the first time. I was all prepared to put on a brave face for the kids but secretly be hating the whole experience. It turned out, I really loved it and had a great time! The magic holds true for all ages.

Q. What do you love the most about the kind of story you tell?

A. I really enjoy writing the dialogue and the humorous scenes. I work really hard to capture realism in my dialogue. I also enjoy the cliffhanger, which annoys some people who read my work. I think that rush that comes from thinking, "Are you kidding me?!? What happens next?" is a lot of fun.

Q. Tell us 5 funny things about yourself. 

A. I hate being sniffed (long story for another blog post)

I once lost my car in a parking garage

I often drive on "auto pilot" and sometimes end up in places I had no intention of going

I went to the New York Comic Con dressed as Doctor Who

I WANT to go to the New York Comic Con next year dressed as a super hero

Q. What inspires you the most? Why do you write?

A. The action of creating is so awesome; birthing something from your imagination that can jump start the imagination of other is such a fantastic and humbling process. My kids inspire me as well; I want to show them that art and expression are so much better than video games and TV (even thought those are cool too)

Great interview. My nephew would have loved seeing you in the Dr. Who costume. :) (I'm more of a Stargate girl, but I appreciate all things SciFi Fantasy.) And the Hobbit is priceless! Thanks so much for stopping by, Paul. It's been fun getting to know you a little better. 

Be sure to check out Paul's book and read an excerpt below. 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The creature hiding in the barn can’t exist. Fifteen-year-old Jason Hewes knows it’s impossible. A live dinosaur would be more believable; at least dinosaurs once roamed the land which is now the Hewes Montana farm. But this beast from legend? Quite impossible—although it doesn’t seem to be going away just because it shouldn’t exist.

Jason is about to reevaluate what is or isn’t possible. His discovery is very real, leathery wings and all. Nor is his new friend alone. Others of his kind are awakening from a centuries-long slumber. Realizing how traumatic contact between mythological beast and modern life could be, Jason and his impossible new ally devise a plan to integrate the newly awakened creatures into society through teenage interaction. What could possibly go wrong?

As the sound of giant wings becomes a common occurrence on the Hewes family farmstead, a malignant force senses his old enemies are flying again. Determined to end an eons-long war forever, this being turns his attention to a small rural Montana town, a family farm, and Jason Hewes. 

Read an Excerpt Now...

Jason and the Draconauts:

           Jason sprinted into the house and grabbed the largest kitchen knife he could find. Then he took a second in his other hand. Then he put a meat mallet in his back pocket. And then, for some reason, he grabbed a carrot peeler, just for good measure. He ran back to the front of the house and burst out of the screen door into the yard as he shone the flashlight ahead of him and mumbled, “Stupid, stupid, stupid” all the way to the barn.

But in the short run to the old barn, the rain stopped. It was enough of a dramatic contrast that it made Jason pause in mid-run. He looked curiously into the sky and saw the clouds dissipating as stars became visible again. Had Jason been in any other state but sheer terror, he would have asked himself questions about the phenomenon, out loud, and probably made fun of weather forecasters again. But all he could do was keep going to the barn.

Arriving at the barn’s large doors, Jason swallowed hard, insulted his own common sense one more time, and then slowly pulled them open.

He saw nothing…mostly because it was night, and he hadn’t bothered flicking on the light switch yet. Jason always wondered why the previous owners had run power out to the red wooden structure. But he decided not to complain about it that night, and he groped along the wall until he found the switch and flicked the lights on.

And there it was.

Judging by its size, he could tell this was what had impacted the earth and had caused the tremor that he’d felt back at the house. It was over thirty feet long and resembled—Jason couldn’t believe he was thinking this—a dinosaur.

It had a long neck attached to a muscular body and narrowed to a very long tail. Its body was covered in scales that were colored shades of brown and gray. Spines ran along the length of its neck and the length of its tail as well, and each of its four legs ended in a three-toed foot, with each toe ending in a long, curved claw. Its head was oddly shaped; a large curved plate extended back from the creature’s eyes on either side, arcing upward into two points and vaguely resembling a plowshare. It had a short snout tapering off to a rounded tip, with two nostrils on the top just short of the tip.

 But what made Jason realize that this was no dinosaur were the massive wings sprouting from either side of the creature. The wings were batlike, and Jason estimated the wingspan was close to sixty feet. Wings like those were not vestigial, like those of an ostrich or emu; this creature was made for flight. He noticed the membrane of one wing seemed damaged, burned away to form a hole with seared edges. He followed the lines of the wings back to the body and could see the creature’s chest expanding and contracting slowly and rhythmically. It was breathing; it was alive. Unconscious but alive.

Jason finally took notice of his own body; his breathing was shallow and rapid. He whispered to himself, “Get a grip, Hewes. You’ve played enough fantasy games to know what this is, as unbelievable as it seems. This is a dragon.”

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Paul Smith lives in upstate New York with his wife and two sons, where he works with emotionally disturbed and mentally ill children. He earned a master’s degree in social sciences from Binghamton University in 1999.

A lifelong love of science fiction, fantasy, and superhero stories influences Paul’s writing. His most recent work was a popular weekly online series that generated over 20,000 views. Jason and the Draconauts is his first novel.

Amazon (to purchase)

http://www.amazon.com/Jason-Draconauts-Paul-D-Smith/dp/0615866247/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1413761768&sr=8-1

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/PaulDSmith4321

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jasonandthedraconauts

Blog:

http://jasonandthedraconauts.blogspot.com/

Look Upward and Come to Me

My sketch from 10/20/2014

When a baby learns to walk, it stumbles and falls often. On their own, they carefully watch their feet and wobble unsteadily a few steps at a time. But when a parent is in front of them calling to them and encouraging them, the baby looks up and locks eyes with the parent they love and trust. Their arms reach out and they focus on what’s before them. If they stumble or lose their balance, they know Mom or Dad will catch them, encourage them to keep moving – as long as they keep their focus on their parent.

And when they succeed? Their family sweeps them up and smothers them with love and praise in the excitement.

Monday, while listening to a sermon/class discussing the importance of each of us looking upward so that Zion can look downward, this image allegory played through my mind. I’m not a great artist, but I hoped to share with others how much of our call is all contained in something so simple to comprehend if we allow ourselves. 

Jesus calls us to: Come unto Him, be innocent and pure like a little child, and look upward and keep our focus on Him.

If we could each focus our personal walk to matching this, imagine the example we can set for those around us and the call that would go out simply from showing love and devotion to our Savior Jesus. Abba. Our Father.

After I was finished with my sketch, I thought it was interesting to see how other parts of the picture played into the message unintentionally (at least by me). It's in the baby's room, it's safe zone and home, Jesus meets us wherever we are and calls us out of our comfort zone to focus on Him and move into a bigger world. To leave the distractions of our toys/life and choose His Holy Spirit as our comforter over the pacifiers and safety blankets we cling to. And just beyond Jesus? The toy box full of treasure. Once we come to Jesus, there is so much more waiting for us after we join in that relationship. It's open a bit to give us a glimpse of what's to come, but we must look up and keep our eyes on Jesus, steadily walking in to the arms of our Father to receive the blessing of knowing ALL that treasure box holds in store for us. 

I so often find the stories or art I create for others actually teach me in ways I hadn't expected. I know others will see them differently, but I hope that they touch your heart in some way too. 

“And this is mine everlasting covenant, that when thy posterity shall embrace the truth, and look upward, then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens shall shake with gladness, and the earth shall tremble with joy;” - Genesis 9:22 I.V.

“No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just.” - John 6:44 I.V.

“And behold I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” - 3 Nephi 5:66 BOM

“Now this is the commandment, Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.” - 3 Nephi 12:33 BOM

God Bless! 

April

CFBA: Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Thunder (Stone Braide Chronicles) Revell (October 7, 2014) by Bonnie S. Calhoun

I have this book on my TBR stack but haven't had a chance to read it yet, so I didn't sign up to be a part of the official tour. However I couldn't pass up the chance to share this with the rest of you. Looks to be a FANTASTIC read. Hope you enjoy it.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah's really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.

Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell.

With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of scientific advances, political intrigue, and wilderness survival, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a world more like our own than we may want to admit.

You can read Tremors, the prequel to the series for FREE on Amazon HERE.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Thunder (Stone Braide Chronicles), go HERE



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year.”

She love to write, but it doesn't make her happy unless there are the three B's...body count, blood, and blowing things up. She also have mad skills at coding HTML, and website design. And she live in a log cabin in the woods with fifteen acres and a pond full of bass, though she'd rather buy fish at the grocery store. Bonnie shares her domain with a husband, a dog, and two cats, all of whom think she’s waitstaff!

Her sites are:
http://bonniescalhoun.com
https://www.facebook.com/bscalhoun
https://www.facebook.com/bonniescalhoun
https://www.goodreads.com/BonnieSCalhoun
http://www.pinterest.com/bonniecalhoun/
https://www.youtube.com/user/BonnieCalhoun

Happy Birthday MuseItUp Publishing - Enjoy a GIANT sale!

to 

Muse It Up Publishing

this month they celebrate their 4th birthday!

Do you know what that means for us? 

SAVINGS!!!!

WOO-HOO!! I'm psyched about this because they let me offer Dysfunction Junction at 80% off for the entire month of October. 

Yes. You read that right. 

I wanted a chance to say THANK YOU to all my friends and fans, and so did Muse It Up. This was a match made in heaven. I would say that definitely gives us an excuse to have a...

Here's your chance to buy a copy for your favorite people while it's on sale. Remember the Holidays and Christmas are just around the corner. You can also purchase this 80% off at Amazon.com. That's just $1.19. Don't forget to let your book loving friends know too.

“I’m twenty-six and I’ve never been kissed.” Staring into the bathroom mirror while making this brilliant comment is supposed to make it feel real. It doesn’t. 

Finding true love these days feels impossible to Kianna Ravencamp. Only dysfunction surrounds her. Her sister is married to an abusive husband and marriages she has admired for years are falling apart. Maybe relationships like her parents’ don’t exist anymore. She dreams of true love and a family, but she’s never even been kissed. 

For her birthday, her best friend gives her a journal and dares her to follow her dream of songwriting and vocal lessons quickly follow. Kianna’s finally dared to dream big…if the three men in her life don’t get in her way. 

Nick Steele, her new vocal partner is flirtatious and charming. Derek Simpson, the new vocal coach is asking her out for coffee. Even Jason Payne, a childhood friend is acting odd. For the first time in her life, she will have to navigate dating and flirtation. Will her inexperience be her downfall? How will these relationships affect her songwriting career? Letting go and trusting God is the only answer that brings the path to real love and success.

 What others have to say:

A free-fall into love and more., March 19, 2014

By 

Lady Bug Lin "Ladybug Lin Reviews" (United States) 

This review is from: Dysfunction Junction (Kindle Edition)

Kianna Ravencamp loves her job-manager of a book store. For a time it allows her to don her Fairy Princess Hat and dive into reading tales of magic and love to her youngest customers.

This is a story rich with the kind of romance we don't always see, but its always been there. To find it requires reaching beyond the comforts we all must extend our hands, minds, and sometimes, bodies past in order to find the precipice to make the free-fall dive from.

It's also a story resplendent with the soul's affirmation of love and trust in one's God.

DYSFUNCTION JUNCTION is a recent P&E 2013 Readers Poll Award winner, and rightly so.

Therefore I can do nothing less than also award this book MY highest accolades...and that's FIVE STARS.

Well Done Ms. Erwin.

 A must read for Christian chic-lit fans., February 2, 2014

By 

Sariah L. Frye (Independence, MO, US) 

This review is from: Dysfunction Junction (Kindle Edition)

Reading Kianna's story was like watching a TV show about my home town. April has perfectly captured what life can be like in Independence, MO. From the problems her characters face to the details about every day life, I was amazed at how real the story felt. I could see her characters so vividly and felt what they were feeling so strongly that I caught myself laughing at loud at times and at others crying for their pain. Kianna's struggles include dealing with well meaning church people who don't know how to mind their own business to personal insecurities about her size, talents and self worth to domestic violence in her own family. Her journey is full of stumbling blocks and obstacles, some that she overcomes and some that set her back, but she never quits and in the end, her faith in God helps her remain strong and see the path she should take.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the every day struggle of living your life to honor God's glory. I look forward to the next installment of the Dream Big series.

Great book that I cannot recommend enough!, January 21, 2014

By 

Bethany R. Crowther (USA MO)
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Dysfunction Junction (Kindle Edition)

Once again April Erwin has done it again with a thoroughly engaging read with characters so enjoyable and realistic that they draw you in,making you sad when you are finished and making you greatly anticipate her next book!

Kianna Ravencamp is 26 and has never been kissed.Although she yearns to find someone to love and be loved by, she is surrounded by dysfunctional and failed marriages, making her wonder if the marriage her parent's have is something that is obsolete. When Kianna is given a journal for her birthday and is encouraged by her friend to dream big and fulfill her lifelong dream of taking voice lessons and make a recording she does not imagine it will change her life so drastically. Now Kianna goes from being 26 and never kissed to have 3 guys interested in her.What is she to make of her handsome singing partner Nick's flirtatious attitude, her vocal coach interest in her or her dear friend childhood friend Jason acting odd around her? Whatever is going on in Kianna life she quickly finds that God is taking her in paths she did not imagine and He has a plan for her life.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good Christian book with wonderful characters who you can relate to and a great content that really causes you to reflect on God's workings in your own life.

THANK YOU! You all are amazing and I'm so happy to have the support and love that you give. God Bless! 

CSFF: Rebels by Jill Williamson

CSFF Blog Tour Presents:

Rebels 

The Safe Lands #3 

by 

 Jill Williamson

I'm a big Jill Williamson fan. I love her Blood of Kings trilogy (some might recognize it as the By Darkness Hid series.) She's a fantastic author! I wasn't able to get in on The Safe Lands Trilogy early enough to read the whole series for review in time for this tour, but I wanted to be sure everyone had a chance to check out what was new in Williamson's world and then take a spin around the rest of the tour. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The remnant of Glenrock has been scattered. But they are not beaten.

The Safe Lands have long kept the true meaning of Liberation secret from their people. But after being sentenced to Liberation themselves, Mason and Omar soon discover the truth.

Levi watched his brothers’ public sentencing and tries to hold out hope they are still alive, He is forced to focus his attention elsewhere, however, when his new wife, Jemma, is captured and made the Safe Lands’ newest Queen. His only choice to save Jemma may be to take up Omar’s old role of undercover vigilante, leading the rebels in their quest to overthrow the government. But will Levi’s new role be enough?

Meanwhile, Jemma’s sister, Shaylinn, is ready to give birth to the “Safe Lands’” children … but not even Ciddah is sure they can be delivered safely in the midst of a rebellion. And Mason must face the fact Omar’s illness could be fatal.

If they can all unite their efforts, together they may be able to expose the Safe Lands’ lies to the people. But if they fail, they will all surely die.

Captives - The Safe Lands #1:

In a dystopian future, eighteen-year-old Levi returns from Denver City with his latest scavenged treasures and finds his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many–including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe. Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams. Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ façade before it’s too late?

Outcasts - The Safe Lands #2:

Uncovering the truth could cost them their lives.

Since entering the Safe Lands, Mason has focused on two things: finding a way to free his village from captivity, and finding a cure for the disease that ravages many within the walls of the Safe Lands. After immune-suppressive drugs go missing in the clinic, Mason discovers his coworker, Ciddah, may know more about the Safe Lands than imagined … and may have an agenda of her own. At the same time, Mason’s brother Levi is focused on a way to free the remaining Glenrock captives, while Mason’s younger brother Omar decides to take the rebellion against the Safe Lands into his own hands as a vigilante.

Soon all three brothers are being watched closely—and when Mason stumbles onto a shocking secret about the Safe Lands meds, his investigation just might get those closest to him liberated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Williamson is weird, which is probably why she writes science fiction and fantasy novels for teenagers. She grew up in Alaska with no electricity, an outhouse, and a lot of mosquitoes. Thankfully it was the land of the midnight sun, and she could stay up and read by the summer daylight that wouldn’t go away. But the winter months left little to do but daydream. Both hobbies set her up to be a writer. 

Her debut novel, a medieval fantasy called By Darkness Hid, won an EPIC Award, a Christy Award, and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. Jill has since published twelve books. 

Jill loves working with teenagers and encouraging them to respect their dreams. She speaks and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. She lives in Oregon with her husband, two children, and a whole lot of deer. Come visit Jill on her Facebook author page or on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com, where adventure comes to life. 

Visit the other members on tour at: 

Julie Bihn
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
Vicky DealSharingAunt
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rebekah Gyger
Jeremy Harder
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Melanie @ Christian Bookshelf Reviews
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Writer Rani
Audrey Sauble
Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis
Elizabeth Williams