Newest from Deborah Heal

About the book:

A modern retelling of the Old Testament story of Ruth—a sweet romance about courage, loyalty, and second chances.

When Julia passes through the small town of Coldwater, driving her screeching pickup with her mother-in-law and everything she owns in the RV they’re towing, all she wants is to get Helen settled on what’s left of the family farm and hurry back to civilization.

Julia’s still mourning her husband, and so romance is the last thing on her mind. But whenever Neil Ashe shows up, the attraction between them flares—even though his divorce has left him leery of city women, and she’s not interested in muscle-bound farmers, no matter how handsome they may be.

Julia soon realizes she’s going to have to stick around to help Helen hold on to her forty-acres because someone is after them. Besides, how could she leave her mother-in-law to the tender mercies of the legalistic bullies who have taken over Bethel Church? They pick at Helen like Job’s “friends,” telling her God has cursed her. Why else would her husband and both sons die in tragic accidents?

Julia is determined to deal with everything on her own, just as she’s been doing ever since Lucas died. But Neil thinks it’s his job to make all their problems go away. Will Julia stubbornly go it alone, holding on to both her pride and the memory of her husband, or will she ask Neil to come to the rescue—and into her heart?

Lisa's review:

I was a Deborah Heal fan before I learned she was working on a series of Biblical fiction set in contemporary times. This story of Ruth and Naomi is a beautiful and timeless story perfectly fit for today. I learned a lot about the setting and fully enjoyed the characters as they played out the loyalty, despair and love that go along with making a forever commitment. I adore too-good-to-be-true heroes, even though they make me sigh into tomorrow and realize they're not perfect. That only makes them sweeter. We don't get to know Boaz's inner angst in the Bible, but the author of Holding On made an excellent and determined effort to show it.

No, it's not the time traveling adventure of her earlier series, but show Heal's versatility, and you know...in a way, we do time travel here in this story that parallels the biblical romance of Ruth and Boaz. Recommended for teens and up. Told from multiple viewpoints.

3.99 eBook

11.99 Print

Buy on Amazon US

Buy on Barnes and Noble 

New from author illustrator Lisa Hainline

Polly’s Pink Piggy Parlor

Written and illustrated by Lisa Hainline

Children’s literature

Hardcover $18.99

Paper $14.99

Coloring book $8.99

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Buy on Barnes and Noble 

About the Book:

Once upon a time, there was a piggy...with a comb.

Polly is a lovable pig who just wants to do what she loves to do, and would rather play with her dolls than play in the Mud. With the encouragement of friends, Polly ends up starting her very own beauty salon, to help her friends feel unique and beautiful in their own special way. Polly's Pink Piggy Parlor encourages young girls to not only look their best but to discover what their talents and giftings are and develop them…no matter what anybody thinks.

My review:

Polly is a most unusual pig. Instead of the usual mud play, Polly prefers to brush her dolly’s hair, and fix the coiffeurs of other farmyard and zoo animals. She helps her barnyard friend Sally who wants to be “hip” for her trip to town and encourages Polly to practice her talent. No creature was too difficult to beautify – from a fly to an elephant, Polly used her gifts, pampering the animals with their special requests, dyeing, plucking, curling, and even nail/claw treatments. She became so well known that she started her own beauty treatment parlor, the culmination of her hard work and dreams. The story encourages readers and listeners to follow their hearts and work to achieve their goals.

Charmingly illustrated in shaded pastels, Hainlines a/a, b/b, c/c, d/d rhyme scheme will be sure to have kids begging for another read. Accompanied by an outline coloring book, youngsters can color along while listening to their favorite reader. A unique addition to the story is “finders keepers,” a counting list of specialty items found in the illustrations to help Polly put her shop in order. Printable activity papers are available free to download from the author’s website, http://www.lisahainline.com/.

About the author

Lisa Hainline is an award-winning and gifted graphic designer, art director and illustrator, producing/directing for ad agencies, major corporations, radio stations, hospitals, banks, manufacturers, magazines and other small boutique businesses. 

With over 40 years in the advertising industry, for the past seven years, Lisa has turned her focus to helping other authors self-publish their works, designing some of the covers seen on Amazon. You can see her book cover design work at her studio www.lionsgatebookdesign.com, where she merges her design and marketing experience with her spiritual gifts to help Christian authors promote the message God laid on their hearts. 

Founder and author of http://www.thehealingsource.org, Lisa also ministers to the hurting through her blog, articles and praying with others in street ministry.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Lisa now enjoys the continual sunshine in California near her daughter and son-in-law and plans to bring more of her own books to the surface. You can reach Lisa at Lisa@lisahainline.com and through her websites above and at http://www.lisahainline.com and http://www.lionsgatebookdesign.com

New Suspense from Barbara Derksen

E-book $4.99

Print $13.20

Buy the book on Amazon US
Buy the book on Amazon Canada
Buy the book on Amazon Australia

About the Book:

What happens when truth is perverted to suit the circumstances? Christine Smith, owner of Finders Keepers Investigative Services, and Jeremy Goodman, owner of Goodman Investigations, discover the answer when they decide to help a woman recover her children from a Mennonite village in Mexico. Drug running and human trafficking are justified by Elders who place money and control above the people they are supposed to lead. Christine's new faith explores the contradictions in the search for Redemptive Justice.

Lisa's Review:

I like Derksen's passion for her series dealing with the fallen side of humanity. The subjects are not easy ones to deal with, and Derksen does a great job of showing that the best way anyone can see through the depths of evil is with the eyes of Christ. This story I had to try a little harder with as I'm currently involved with a fantastic group of Mennonites who are working on various aspects of our new home. I just can't think of them acting like this, but I know it happens in every culture. I mentally substituted a cult while I read.

I admire Derksen's characters, Christine and Jeremy. Their diligence to seek the truth and find causes to aid in their separate investigation agencies is inspiring. Readers with their hearts on their sleeves for causes to fight for will enjoy this suspenseful tale of rescuing the helpless. Told through multiple viewpoints and distracting constant internal monologue--that's truly my only beef. The description and dialog are great and tell the story just fine.

New Book Release - The Dress Shop, by Robin Densmore Fuson

A Historical Romantic mystery novella When her father is killed in a train crash, twenty-one-year-old Marian Jamison is left to care for herself and her mother. She admires Thomas Hawthorn, who enters her life by design. Mysterious occurrences and a voice in the night make Marian question her mother’s sanity. She is left not knowing whom to trust, including her own heart. Love and intrigue are woven into an intricate design, fitting perfectly inside the walls of her dress shop, but a loose thread could unravel her entire world.

"I enjoyed this sweet romance with a mystery. If you're looking for a relaxing read set in a more innocent, gentle time, this is the book for you. The novel had the feel of a classic family-themed Hollywood film, like Meet Me In St. Louis. Kudos to the author for creating an appealing world with mostly likable (there are a few snobs which you will easily spot) characters." ~Amazon Review by SD

To read an excerpt, learn more, or order from Amazon, click here

*~*~*~*

Robin Densmore Fuson

Robin lives in Rifle, Colorado with her husband Jimmy. Together, they celebrate with seventeen grandchildren. An award winner for romance and flash fiction, Robin is multi-published and writes stories on her blog for children. Robin is a member of ACFW, Vice President of ACFW Colorado Western Slope, and member of John316 Marketing Network. She enjoys leading a Bible study group and singing in two community choirs. Robin loves company and challenging her young guests to discover the many giraffes in the obvious and hidden nooks and crannies of their home. Visit Robin's website at http://www.robindensmorefuson.com/ and http://www.kidbiblelessons.com/

Mission Mesquite by Diane E. Tatum - New Christian Romance

While Kate Lawrence 's parents served in Cote d'Ivoire as career missionaries, Kate's education came in a French boarding school and American University in Paris and Georgetown.  Now a Foreign Service Officer for the US State Department, she wants nothing to do with the missionary lifestyle. 

When she finally agrees to visit their new mission post Mission Mesquite, the rodeo church at the Mesquite Arena in Dallas, Kate meets Tyler Hawkins, an attractive All American Cowboy who has since been crippled by a bull trampling. They have an instant connection, but Kate doesn't know that Tyler has just completed seminary and mission training and is poised to take over Mission Mesquite once her parents retire. 

How can Kate resolve the conflict between her and God and her heart? Will Tyler's past as a freewheeling cowboy cut short his ministry? Mission Mesquite is a contemporary Christian romance.      

To read a sample or order from Amazon, click here.

  

                 

Diane E. Tatum

Website: www.dianeetatumwriter.com

blogs: http://tatumlight-tatumsthoughts4today.blogspot.com/

           http://tatumlight.wordpress.com/   

email: tatumlight@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/tatumlight

twitter: @DianeTatum

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

Gold Earrings

Mission Mesquite

A Time to Choose

Colonial Dream

Are You Ever Too Young To Take a Missions Trip? Not according to Abigail Bethany Colby

Himalayas 

Guest Post by Eighteen-Year-Old Abigail Bethany Colby

Church Service in Kathmandu, Nepal

Why?

   

“Why?” is a question I hear way too often.

“Why do you want to go on a mission trip so badly?”

“Why do you care?”

I never understand their whys. As a Christian, we are commanded to care for people and share God’s love with as many as possible. If I work hard enough, I know I can raise enough money to go on a mission trip. Even those out-of-town outreaches on Saturdays

I don’t have anything to do a lot of Saturdays, so, of course, I’m going to go. “Why not?” I find myself saying so often. The opportunity is there, and it makes no sense not to take it.

No, I don’t think I’m too young. There is no such thing as too young to serve in the best way possible and do God’s will for your life.

“Do these things when you’re old enough to appreciate it,” they say.

I know I’m capable of appreciating it now. God has put an overwhelming love in my heart for people now, so why not put it to use now? If I waited until I was older, what would I do now? I’m not waiting until I’m older because I’m capable of making a difference now.

I’m not doing this to have a good experience, or to better myself, but to better other people. Until I have ministered God’s Word to people who can give me nothing in return, I have not lived.

“God, please use me now. My life is yours; do as you please with it.”      

DONATE

© Abigail Bethany Colby   

 abbysmission.wordpress.com/

The Calling of Ella McFarland by Award-Winning Author Linda Brooks Davis, Read an Excerpt

Ella McFarland’s dream is a teaching position at Worthington School for Girls. But scandal clouds her family name and may limit her to a life of grueling farm labor in the Indian Territory. Her fate lies in the hands of the Worthington board, and there happens to be one strikingly handsome man with a vote. Will they overlook the illegitimate son recently borne by her sister, Viola?

1905 brings hope of Oklahoma statehood and the woman’s suffrage debate is raging, forcing Ella to make decisions about her faith, family, and aspirations. When she comes to the rescue of a young, abused sharecropper’s daughter, her calling begins to take shape in ways she never imagined. Education is Ella’s passion, but a new love is budding in her heart. Can she find God’s will amidst the tumultuous storm that surrounds her?

The Calling of Ella McFarland was the First Place Winner of the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest. 

It won the American Christian Fiction Carol Award in August 2016.

A story of family and faith in 1905 Indian Territory prior to Oklahoma statehood, a time when women's voices were silenced in public and often stifled at home.

***Excerpt from The Calling of Ella McFarland***

Ella reached for the buggy’s folding step.

         “Here, let me.” He released the latch and pressed the step into place. Sunlight glinted in his hair, as dark a brown as black walnut shells. He touched a hand to her elbow.

         “Thank you, sir,” she said and set a button-shoed foot on the step. Her legs wobbled as she settled into the seat.

         “Don’t give up hope, Miss McFarland. I’ll do everything I can.”

         She shook off the disconcerting effect of the man’s cobalt eyes and released the foot brake. “You’re very kind, Mr. Evans. Thank you.”

         She flicked open her pendant fob watch. Ten o’clock. She should make it home in time to help Mama set out the noon meal. Five miles of back roads and a bridge over the Canadian River would take her into Indian Territory. Just past the Washita River, she would catch sight of the home place where her family awaited news.

         Ella was their best hope, but hope was growing scarce.

         Securing her hair with a comb under her hat, she squared her shoulders. Her smart snap of the whip belied her crumbling emotions as it urged her mare Bunny onto the thoroughfare toward home. 

TO ORDER FROM AMAZON OR LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE.

*~*~*~*

Linda Brooks Davis, Author 

~The Calling of Ella McFarland, 2015

2014 Winner, Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel

2015 Silver Medalist, Frasier Award

2016 Winner, ACFW Carol Award, Debut Novel

~A Christmas to Remember, 2016

lindabrooksdavis.com