From August 9th-19th, my blog and I are participating in a “Discovery” through DiscoverAuthors.wordpress.com. Each day, I’ll be featuring a different author and one of their books; the other authors will also be featuring me and each other on their blogs at the same time. Check in every day to find out about great new reads!
Remember, you can subscribe or follow my blog (at the sidebar on the right) to make sure you don’t miss any posts.
Disclaimer: I haven’t actually read any of the books beside my own. While they look good to me, I can’t actually guarantee their quality or content.
Day 2: The Fiddler’s Talisman by Izolda S. Trakhtenberg
The Fiddler’s Talisman, Book One in the Fairy Godmother Diaries.
Short Synopsis
Audacious modern-day Fairy Godmother Evie Songbottom prefers whiskey to glitter being a smartass to being proper and movies to anything else. But, she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle … Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Will her heartbreak end—well—everything?
Find reviews here.
Long Synopsis
Evie Songbottom isn’t your childhood Fairy Godmother. She prefers whiskey to glitter, causing trouble to behaving appropriately, and movies to just about anything. But she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle…
Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Now, her heartbreak is spilling over into the world of magic … with possibly deadly results.
Can Evie save Joanna and the world and still find time to win a big piano competition and explore a forbidden new love?
In writing, they say write what you know. I’m a musician and a writer. So, I wrote about music, particularly, the violin. And fairies. And New York. If you are of a mind to travel, the book will guide on a whimsical tour of New York City and its many real and fantastical sites, the land of Fairy, where Evie was trained as a Fairy Godmother and where she still resides, and the most magical land of all, Ireland. One of my favorite parts of writing the book was the opportunity to explore two of my favorite places, New York and the west coast of Ireland. Marrying the real and the fantastical, the mundane and the magical thrilled as a writer and as a passenger as the tale unfolded before me. But truly, the best part? I had the opportunity tell the tale of two young women who at their core were musicians and the sacrifices they had to make to be true to themselves, to their music, and to their dreams. Oh and let’s never forget love always has a funny way of dropping in to sit a spell.
I am currently writing the second book in the Fairy Godmother Diaries and the first book in the Arbiter series.
Buy “The Fiddler’s Talisman” ebook at Smashwords. Buy the printed copy at FiddlersTalisman.com
I conceived the main idea of the story of the Fairy Godmother Diaries while playing my violin. Part of the reason? The tailpiece to my violin is of a cupid or fairy playing a violin. I was playing a fiddle tune at a gig and I looked down and saw the cupid and the glimmer of the idea took form. Here is the tailpiece, up close and personal. Enjoy.
“From the moment I began reading the Fiddler’s Talisman, I found it hard to put down. A witty and enjoyable romp through modern New York as seen through the eyes of a Fairy Godmother when her charge is in trouble. This story has all the elements you would expect in a well written fantasy adventure with several delightful twists! I hope Ms Trakhtenberg doesn’t make us wait long for another!”
– See more at: http://izoldat.blogspot.tw/2013/08/the-fiddlers-talisman-book-one-in-fairy.html#sthash.eG2Mkld9.dpuf
The Fiddler’s Talisman, Book One in the Fairy Godmother Diaries.
Short Synopsis
Audacious modern-day Fairy Godmother Evie Songbottom prefers whiskey to glitter being a smartass to being proper and movies to anything else. But, she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle … Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Will her heartbreak end—well—everything?
Find reviews here.
Long Synopsis
Evie Songbottom isn’t your childhood Fairy Godmother. She prefers whiskey to glitter, causing trouble to behaving appropriately, and movies to just about anything. But she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle…
Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Now, her heartbreak is spilling over into the world of magic … with possibly deadly results.
Can Evie save Joanna and the world and still find time to win a big piano competition and explore a forbidden new love?
In writing, they say write what you know. I’m a musician and a writer. So, I wrote about music, particularly, the violin. And fairies. And New York. If you are of a mind to travel, the book will guide on a whimsical tour of New York City and its many real and fantastical sites, the land of Fairy, where Evie was trained as a Fairy Godmother and where she still resides, and the most magical land of all, Ireland. One of my favorite parts of writing the book was the opportunity to explore two of my favorite places, New York and the west coast of Ireland. Marrying the real and the fantastical, the mundane and the magical thrilled as a writer and as a passenger as the tale unfolded before me. But truly, the best part? I had the opportunity tell the tale of two young women who at their core were musicians and the sacrifices they had to make to be true to themselves, to their music, and to their dreams. Oh and let’s never forget love always has a funny way of dropping in to sit a spell.
I am currently writing the second book in the Fairy Godmother Diaries and the first book in the Arbiter series.
Buy “The Fiddler’s Talisman” ebook at Smashwords. Buy the printed copy at FiddlersTalisman.com
I conceived the main idea of the story of the Fairy Godmother Diaries while playing my violin. Part of the reason? The tailpiece to my violin is of a cupid or fairy playing a violin. I was playing a fiddle tune at a gig and I looked down and saw the cupid and the glimmer of the idea took form. Here is the tailpiece, up close and personal. Enjoy.
“From the moment I began reading the Fiddler’s Talisman, I found it hard to put down. A witty and enjoyable romp through modern New York as seen through the eyes of a Fairy Godmother when her charge is in trouble. This story has all the elements you would expect in a well written fantasy adventure with several delightful twists! I hope Ms Trakhtenberg doesn’t make us wait long for another!”
– See more at: http://izoldat.blogspot.tw/2013/08/the-fiddlers-talisman-book-one-in-fairy.html#sthash.eG2Mkld9.dpuf
The Fiddler’s Talisman, Book One in the Fairy Godmother Diaries.
Short SynopsisAudacious modern-day Fairy Godmother Evie Songbottom prefers whiskey to glitter being a smartass to being proper and movies to anything else. But, she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle … Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Will her heartbreak end—well—everything?
Find reviews here.
Long Synopsis
Evie Songbottom isn’t your childhood Fairy Godmother. She prefers whiskey to glitter, causing trouble to behaving appropriately, and movies to just about anything. But she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle…
Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Now, her heartbreak is spilling over into the world of magic … with possibly deadly results.
Can Evie save Joanna and the world and still find time to win a big piano competition and explore a forbidden new love?
In writing, they say write what you know. I’m a musician and a writer. So, I wrote about music, particularly, the violin. And fairies. And New York. If you are of a mind to travel, the book will guide on a whimsical tour of New York City and its many real and fantastical sites, the land of Fairy, where Evie was trained as a Fairy Godmother and where she still resides, and the most magical land of all, Ireland. One of my favorite parts of writing the book was the opportunity to explore two of my favorite places, New York and the west coast of Ireland. Marrying the real and the fantastical, the mundane and the magical thrilled as a writer and as a passenger as the tale unfolded before me. But truly, the best part? I had the opportunity tell the tale of two young women who at their core were musicians and the sacrifices they had to make to be true to themselves, to their music, and to their dreams. Oh and let’s never forget love always has a funny way of dropping in to sit a spell.
I am currently writing the second book in the Fairy Godmother Diaries and the first book in the Arbiter series.
Buy “The Fiddler’s Talisman” ebook at Smashwords. Buy the printed copy at FiddlersTalisman.com
I conceived the main idea of the story of the Fairy Godmother Diaries while playing my violin. Part of the reason? The tailpiece to my violin is of a cupid or fairy playing a violin. I was playing a fiddle tune at a gig and I looked down and saw the cupid and the glimmer of the idea took form. Here is the tailpiece, up close and personal. Enjoy.
“From the moment I began reading the Fiddler’s Talisman, I found it hard to put down. A witty and enjoyable romp through modern New York as seen through the eyes of a Fairy Godmother when her charge is in trouble. This story has all the elements you would expect in a well written fantasy adventure with several delightful twists! I hope Ms Trakhtenberg doesn’t make us wait long for another!” – See more at: http://izoldat.blogspot.tw/2013/08/the-fiddlers-talisman-book-one-in-fairy.html#sthash.eG2Mkld9.dpuf
The Fiddler’s Talisman, Book One in the Fairy Godmother Diaries.
Short Synopsis
Audacious modern-day Fairy Godmother Evie Songbottom prefers whiskey to glitter being a smartass to being proper and movies to anything else. But, she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle … Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Will her heartbreak end—well—everything?
Find reviews here.
Long Synopsis
Evie Songbottom isn’t your childhood Fairy Godmother. She prefers whiskey to glitter, causing trouble to behaving appropriately, and movies to just about anything. But she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle…
Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Now, her heartbreak is spilling over into the world of magic … with possibly deadly results.
Can Evie save Joanna and the world and still find time to win a big piano competition and explore a forbidden new love?
In writing, they say write what you know. I’m a musician and a writer. So, I wrote about music, particularly, the violin. And fairies. And New York. If you are of a mind to travel, the book will guide on a whimsical tour of New York City and its many real and fantastical sites, the land of Fairy, where Evie was trained as a Fairy Godmother and where she still resides, and the most magical land of all, Ireland. One of my favorite parts of writing the book was the opportunity to explore two of my favorite places, New York and the west coast of Ireland. Marrying the real and the fantastical, the mundane and the magical thrilled as a writer and as a passenger as the tale unfolded before me. But truly, the best part? I had the opportunity tell the tale of two young women who at their core were musicians and the sacrifices they had to make to be true to themselves, to their music, and to their dreams. Oh and let’s never forget love always has a funny way of dropping in to sit a spell.
I am currently writing the second book in the Fairy Godmother Diaries and the first book in the Arbiter series.
Buy “The Fiddler’s Talisman” ebook at Smashwords. Buy the printed copy at FiddlersTalisman.com
I conceived the main idea of the story of the Fairy Godmother Diaries while playing my violin. Part of the reason? The tailpiece to my violin is of a cupid or fairy playing a violin. I was playing a fiddle tune at a gig and I looked down and saw the cupid and the glimmer of the idea took form. Here is the tailpiece, up close and personal. Enjoy.
“From the moment I began reading the Fiddler’s Talisman, I found it hard to put down. A witty and enjoyable romp through modern New York as seen through the eyes of a Fairy Godmother when her charge is in trouble. This story has all the elements you would expect in a well written fantasy adventure with several delightful twists! I hope Ms Trakhtenberg doesn’t make us wait long for another!”
– See more at: http://izoldat.blogspot.tw/2013/08/the-fiddlers-talisman-book-one-in-fairy.html#sthash.eG2Mkld9.dpuf
The Fiddler’s Talisman, Book One in the Fairy Godmother Diaries.
Short Synopsis
Audacious modern-day Fairy Godmother Evie Songbottom prefers whiskey to glitter being a smartass to being proper and movies to anything else. But, she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle … Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Will her heartbreak end—well—everything?
Long Synopsis
Evie Songbottom isn’t your childhood Fairy Godmother. She prefers whiskey to glitter, causing trouble to behaving appropriately, and movies to just about anything. But she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle…
Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Now, her heartbreak is spilling over into the world of magic … with possibly deadly results.
Can Evie save Joanna and the world and still find time to win a big piano competition and explore a forbidden new love?
In writing, they say write what you know. I’m a musician and a writer. So, I wrote about music, particularly, the violin. And fairies. And New York. If you are of a mind to travel, the book will guide on a whimsical tour of New York City and its many real and fantastical sites, the land of Fairy, where Evie was trained as a Fairy Godmother and where she still resides, and the most magical land of all, Ireland. One of my favorite parts of writing the book was the opportunity to explore two of my favorite places, New York and the west coast of Ireland. Marrying the real and the fantastical, the mundane and the magical thrilled as a writer and as a passenger as the tale unfolded before me. But truly, the best part? I had the opportunity tell the tale of two young women who at their core were musicians and the sacrifices they had to make to be true to themselves, to their music, and to their dreams. Oh and let’s never forget love always has a funny way of dropping in to sit a spell.
I am currently writing the second book in the Fairy Godmother Diaries and the first book in the Arbiter series.
I conceived the main idea of the story of the Fairy Godmother Diaries while playing my violin. Part of the reason? The tailpiece to my violin is of a cupid or fairy playing a violin. I was playing a fiddle tune at a gig and I looked down and saw the cupid and the glimmer of the idea took form. Here is the tailpiece, up close and personal. Enjoy.
The Fiddler’s Talisman, Book One in the Fairy Godmother Diaries.
Short SynopsisAudacious modern-day Fairy Godmother Evie Songbottom prefers whiskey to glitter being a smartass to being proper and movies to anything else. But, she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle … Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Will her heartbreak end—well—everything?
Find reviews here.
Long Synopsis
Evie Songbottom isn’t your childhood Fairy Godmother. She prefers whiskey to glitter, causing trouble to behaving appropriately, and movies to just about anything. But she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to handle…
Joanna Brennan, a violin prodigy with a magical edge. Joanna caught her boyfriend playing hide-the-salami with her Juilliard roommate. Now, her heartbreak is spilling over into the world of magic … with possibly deadly results.
Can Evie save Joanna and the world and still find time to win a big piano competition and explore a forbidden new love?
In writing, they say write what you know. I’m a musician and a writer. So, I wrote about music, particularly, the violin. And fairies. And New York. If you are of a mind to travel, the book will guide on a whimsical tour of New York City and its many real and fantastical sites, the land of Fairy, where Evie was trained as a Fairy Godmother and where she still resides, and the most magical land of all, Ireland. One of my favorite parts of writing the book was the opportunity to explore two of my favorite places, New York and the west coast of Ireland. Marrying the real and the fantastical, the mundane and the magical thrilled as a writer and as a passenger as the tale unfolded before me. But truly, the best part? I had the opportunity tell the tale of two young women who at their core were musicians and the sacrifices they had to make to be true to themselves, to their music, and to their dreams. Oh and let’s never forget love always has a funny way of dropping in to sit a spell. – See more at: http://izoldat.blogspot.tw/2013/08/the-fiddlers-talisman-book-one-in-fairy.html#sthash.eG2Mkld9.dpuf
“From the moment I began reading the Fiddler’s Talisman, I found it hard to put down. A witty and enjoyable romp through modern New York as seen through the eyes of a Fairy Godmother when her charge is in trouble. This story has all the elements you would expect in a well written fantasy adventure with several delightful twists! I hope Ms Trakhtenberg doesn’t make us wait long for another!”
Did you miss the first day of my book discovery? Check it out below:
From August 9th-19th, my blog and I are participating in a “Discovery” through DiscoverAuthors.wordpress.com. Each day, I’ll be featuring a different author and one of their books; the other authors will also be featuring me and each other on their blogs at the same time. Check in every day to find out about great new reads!
Remember, you can subscribe or follow my blog (at the sidebar on the right) to make sure you don’t miss any posts.
Disclaimer: I haven’t actually read any of the books beside my own. While they look good to me, I can’t guarantee their quality or content.
Day 1: Prince of Alasia by Annie Douglass Lima
Prince Jaymin, heir to the throne of Alasia, barely escapes with his life when invaders from neighboring Malorn attack. Accompanied by his young bodyguard, Jaymin flees to a nearby town to live in hiding. There, surrounded by the enemy soldiers searching for him, his life depends on his ability to maintain his disguise.
As the danger intensifies and the Malornians’ suspicions grow, Jaymin seeks desperately for a way to save his kingdom and himself. Then he stumbles upon a startling discovery that will challenge his assumptions and forever change his view of Malorn and the events that altered his life.
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 6
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 10
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 11
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 12
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 13
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 14
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 15
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 16
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 17
Vocabulary PowerPoint for Chapter 18
“Like” Annie Douglass Lima’s author page on Facebook.
“Like” Prince of Alasia on Facebook.
Send Prince Jaymin a message or add him as a friend on Facebook!
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Keeper of Reign By Emma Right
About the Book
Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn’t get himself killed first.
*~*
Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschooling mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. She loves the Lord and His Word deeply, and when she doesn’t have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one. Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.
Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Enter below to enter a $50 amazon gift card, sponsored by author Emma Right!
This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
Welcome to Christmas In July!
CrossReads Summer Book Sale Where You Can Get Free Books, Discounts, And More!
For 3 days only, July 25th-27th, several of your favorite CrossReads Christian authors have joined together to offer their books for free or at 99 cents to summer readers for this special Christmas In July Book Sale.
Readers can download 20+ books this summer, saving over $60 AND enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card from the CrossReads team. So get yours now, enter to win, and tell your friends!
The books are listed below – Fiction first, followed by Non-Fiction, and the Gift Card Giveaway can be found at the bottom of the page:
Fiction:
Free eBooks
In the Enemy’s Service by Annie Douglass Lima
YA action adventure/fantasy
Enslaved when invaders take over Alasia, ten-year-old Anya discovers ways to spy on the enemy and slip information to the resistance. But then Anya uncovers a disturbing reference to her own family and is confronted by a stranger who seems to know her secrets. Holding her life in his hands, he claims to have proof that her father was involved in the betrayal that led to the Invasion itself.
Free On Smashwords With Coupon Code: YW22F
Prince of Alasia by Annie Douglass Lima
YA action adventure/fantasy
Twelve-year-old Prince Jaymin, heir to the throne of Alasia, barely escapes with his life when invaders from neighboring Malorn attack. Accompanied by Erik, his young bodyguard and friend, Jaymin flees to a nearby town to live in hiding. There, coming face to face with the hardships suffered by the poor, he determines to improve his people’s lives someday when he takes the throne, assuming he can reclaim his kingdom.
Free Today On Amazon:
99 Cent Bargain Books
Persistent Love by Laura J. Marshall
Romantic Suspense
1685, England. Fear has been Tara’s constant companion since age nine when she witnessed her mother’s murder. Tara’s father moves his family to the ancient castle of Raven’s Cliff, far from the ships that could carry her back to India and the answers she believes lie there. Andrew offers her friendship and guides her gently to the One who will give her peace. Will she find hope for something other than revenge?
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Times of Turmoil by Cliff Ball
Thriller
In this prequel to Times of Trouble and Times of Trial, we follow how the Evans family gained their riches and eventually their power to influence events in the United States. We see important events that the Evans family gets themselves involved in: such as the return of the Israelites to Israel, the assassination of President Kennedy, the terrorism of 9/11, and eventually events that lead to government tyranny in the United States with the sole purpose of destroying Christianity and its influence in the United States.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Armored Hearts by Pauline Creeden & Melissa Turner Lee
Fantasy Steampunk
When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother’s side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fairy tales.
Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park and left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair. Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
The Wishing Well Curse Book by Lynn Donovan
Gothic Paranormal
Zeke Clay is down on his luck. He’s lost everything—an apartment, an education, a girlfriend, his job…
When a mysterious letter comes from a law firm in Colorado, he decides things just might be looking up. Now he stands to inherit a fortune, but it comes with a price. He must break a family curse and restore true love. What does he know about breaking a curse? And who is this Great Uncle Luther Clayton, who claims Zeke is the one? Can he piece together the clues left by his dearly departed?
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Cowboy by Staci Stallings
Contemporary Romance
Life has done its best to knock Beth McCasland to the ground, and the truth is: it’s done a pretty good job of keeping her there. Stuck in a minimum-wage job with a young daughter counting on her, Beth does her best to stay standing under the weight of it all because she knows God is on her side. Then one night she gets the chance to be an angel to another of life’s weary travelers. For once hope has never looked so real.
Cowboy is a grace-filled story about the power of giving everything to God and how a simple act of compassion can change lives forever. Emotional, soothing, and heart-wrenching, Cowboy is infused with the message that no matter who we are and no matter what life has thrown at us, we never have to walk alone.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
The Forever Stone by Gloria Repp
Romance
A young widow joins her aunt’s house-restoration project in the Pine Barrens, determined to take a stand for independence, but two men have different plans for her. The doctor, who has a fire-scarred past, is not upset by her panic attacks and knows he can help her to heal. The writer, who conceals more than one secret, admires her spirit and is certain that she needs him.
God uses both men—and her father’s gift of a floral paperweight—to remind her of His enduring “forever love,” and as she yields to Him, she finds the courage to take a new and challenging path.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Cat Tales and Whiskers by Ciella Naden
Young Adult Christian Paranormal
Cat Tales and Whiskers is the name of a book store in Soulville. When fourteen-year-old Ash stumbles upon it, his troubles begin. A demonic scarecrow, a witch, and a generational curse are just a few problems Ash must face in this story. This novelette has a strong Christian message and touches on demonic possession and witchcraft. It is recommended for young adults or mature middle grade readers.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Puppy Poetry by Shannon Sonneveldt
Poetry
For anyone who has ever had a puppy, is currently owned by one or is considering sharing your home with one this book is a must read! Inside is a humorous and sweet look at what puppies both do and add to your home. Enjoy your puppy adventures.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Experience Life in Poetry Random Life Observations, Parenthood and Growing-up by Shannon Sonneveldt
Poetry
This is volume one in the Experience Life in Poetry series, a series that reflects observations and emotions at any given moment in life from childhood to present time. Think of moments that stood out in time for you. Moments that made you laugh, made you cry, made you think or made you sigh. Hopefully, you will experience these same emotions through the poems in the book whether it’s wonder, laughter, understanding or something all together different. I hope it makes you think or makes you feel.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
The Missing Piece by Carol McCormick
Romance
How does a man pick up the pieces when his world crashes around him? Misplaced priorities shattered his marriage. Problems almost crushed him. Love motivated him to mend the damage, once he found all the pieces.
After only a few months of marriage, Lorraine left Dylan on a wintry night after he’d spent one too many nights out with the guys. Unable to cope with the loss, Dylan escapes the painful feelings by drinking them away. This decision costs him a year-and-a-half of his life after he stops in a little mountain town and ends up in the local jail. When he’s released, he returns home in search of a job to get his life…and his wife back.
THE MISSING PIECE is not only a love story about a man who loves a woman, but is also a love story about a merciful God who loves mankind, even when he falls. The novel is an emotionally-charged journey of hope and redemption with a touch of spunk, a hint of humor, and a few twists along the way.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
A Hero’s Homecoming by Carlene Havel
Romance
Colonel Rich Martino returns home from overseas to find everything has changed and nothing makes sense. His wife Rita has disappeared. His credit cards are invalid. A stranger is living in his house and he keeps running into people who are convinced he was killed in action months ago. Worst of all, his wealthy father has suffered a stroke.
Psychologist Charlotte Phillips claims to be his comatose father’s legal guardian. Rich is determined to learn what has happened, gain control of his father’s money, and unmask Charlotte as the gold-digging schemer he’s certain she is. He is shocked to find his father’s crusty old attorney has been taken in by her along with everyone else.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Hell’s Christmas by Cynthia P. Willow
Romance
Monika Hell seemed to have it all. She was gorgeous, owned a nice condo, an expensive car, an endless wardrobe, and had a great job as a store manager in the mall. But, she was mean, miserable, and worst of all, hated Christmas.
Kidnapped from the mall parking lot on Christmas Eve, her life is turned upside down. Now, on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a freezing alley with nothing but the tattered clothes on her back. With no identification, no money, and no one willing to help, Monika is forced to start all over. Could losing everything she’d worked for all her life lead her to find what’s been missing all along?
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Non-Fiction:
Free eBooks
101 Faith Notes by Pauline Creeden
Christian Meditations
Scriptures and Meditations on Faith and God’s promises. This is a short book designed to make you think and consider God’s word in one of its many facets. Hopefully you’ll see God’s word in a new way.
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
Psalm, the Sunrise of Hope by Bob Saffrin
Bible Study
Read the Psalms as never before…
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
Restore Your Marriage & Fall in Love Again by Krystal Kuehn
Relationships
Do you have marriage problems and are in need of some marriage help? Well, you are not alone! Couples with marriage problems that seek marriage help are more likely to stay together, learn from the difficult times, and discover renewed love for one another. If you have decided that marriage problems will not keep you from believing that your marriage can be restored, this book is for you.
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My Scripture Journal Gratitude by Heather Bixler
Scripture Memory/Bible Study
“My Scripture Journal: Gratitude” is an eight week Bible memory reading plan designed to help you memorize scripture while also offering guidance so you can dive further into a greater knowledge of what the Bible says about gratitude.
In this eight week reading plan you will receive 7 daily activities to engage in that will help you memorize a snippet of scripture every week all around the theme of gratitude. Also at the end of each week will be three discussion questions which can be used for your own personal journal and thoughts or within a group Bible Study.
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Another Second Chance by Troy Lewis
Inspirational
Imagine in your darkest moment, as you lay on deaths door step; The God of the universe reaches down (in the most amazing, miraculous way) and hands you the ultimate second chance. Then does the same thing for your brother the very next day!! ALL because a stranger from a 1,000 miles away, was convicted by God to give his kidney away….
This is a very powerful book about the author’s experience in facing the ups and downs of kidney disease–After playing Jesus Christ in a local passion drama for 9 years, his world is turned upside down; As he states in the first chapter, “this would cause me to question who I was, all that I had believed, and God himself.” We live through Troy’s journey and the emotional and spiritual roller coaster with him, but always we sense God in control of the situation-even when all seems hopeless.
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Moses, Steps to a Life of Faith by Bob Saffrin
Bible Study
This book tells the story of Moses and how God used an ordinary man and shaped the events of his life to bring him to the place where he could be mightily used to accomplish God’s purposes.
Did you know that God is a dreamer? He is, and one day he had a dream, and he thought to himself…“Who will I get to fulfill this dream?” Then he made you. He created you to fulfill a dream. You are made for a purpose.
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99 Cent Bargain Books
21 Teen Devotionals… for Girls by Heather Hart and Shelley Hitz
Teen Girl Devotional
It’s said that it takes 21 days to form a new habit or break an old one, so why not spend the next 21 days forming a habit of spending time with God? If you’ve got 21 days, we’ve got 21 devotions specifically written for today’s teen girls.
Are you up for forming a habit of spending time with your Creator? If so, download this book and get started on these devotionals!
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Thoughts on Being Left Behind by Phyllis Sather
Christian Living
At one time or another we all feel left behind – whether because of illness, loss of a loved one, or the busyness of parenting and/or homeschooling. These timeless pieces, written by someone who went from the life of an active and involved woman to a near invalid within just a few weeks, speak to the heart of anyone who feels like they’ve been put on the shelf and possibly forgotten.
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Purposeful Planning by Phyllis Sather
Christian Living
“Late for an appointment, a man hurried out and hailed a cab. Jumping in, he said to the driver, “Get going and drive as quickly as you can.” After a few blocks, he impatiently asked, “Are we almost there?” “Almost where?” replied the driver. In his hurry the passenger had failed to give the driver the address of his destination.
That may seem like an unlikely story, yet today many people are so busy trying to keep up with the rapid pace of living, they haven’t stopped to consider what their goal in life is.” Millie Stamm
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21 Stories of Gratitude compiled by Shelley Hitz
Inspirational
One way to live life to the fullest is to live each day with a grateful heart. In this book, we share 21 stories of gratitude to give you encouragement and hope in your own journey. Gratitude is possible! Even though many times we cannot change our circumstances, we can change the way we see them. We can ask God to empower us to change our thoughts.
Our prayer for you is that you find encouragement within these pages. And we pray that you will ask God for His strength to renew your mind with His truth and the hope He offers each one of us every day. It is only through Christ renewing our minds that we can truly live each day with a grateful heart.
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In Christ, I Am… by Krystal Kuehn & Violet James
Christian Living
Christians are not meant to live in defeat, below their God-given potential or in any kind of bondage (physical, mental or otherwise). In this book, In Christ, I Am: God’s Promises on Who You Are in Christ that Will Transform You from the Inside Out, you will discover over 150 truths from the Bible about who you are, what you can have and what you can do as a child of the Most High God.
Each Bible promise is presented as a declaration affirming what God says about you. It begins with “I am…” and is followed by a Bible truth and corresponding Scriptures written in first person so you can confess and receive the life-transforming word into your heart. A very inspiring book that motivates, strengthens, enlightens and encourages us to believe that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us!
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And Now For A Giveaway!
Miracle on Snowbird Lake is a novel by a friend of an acquaintance of mine, Stan Bednarz. I haven’t read it yet, but it looks exciting and has a number of excellent reviews on Amazon. You can enter the giveaway below to win a free copy of the book or a $25 Walmart gift card!
Stan Bednarz is a first time author with his award winning novel, Miracle On Snowbird Lake. Born in Syracuse,NY., he still happily resides here with his wife Mary of nearly thirty years and has five children, some of whom haven’t left the nest yet. You can learn more about Stan and some of his prized short stories at stanbednarzstories.com or by clicking on the link to fanstory.com/forestport12.
Here’s the description of the book from Amazon:
“Powerful and gripping. Bednarz keeps you turning pages…he shines a bright light on the best and worst the human spirit has to offer.” –NY Times bestselling author Tim Green, author of fourteen highly successful suspense novels, including soon-to-be-released False Convictions, national bestseller Above the Law and The Dark Side of the Game.
Can Hope Penetrate the Darkest Night?
Eleven-year-old Annie smiled at her dad as she pedaled past the pearly white church gazebo—a still frame etched in his mind forever. He could not have known it would be his last glimpse of her cherub face.
In the shadow of the Adirondack Mountains, the town of Dutch Hollow briefly rallied together. Flyers were passed, meetings were held, and a substantial reward was offered. Some even volunteered to set up a toll-free call center for tips leading to the whereabouts of Annie Davis.
After a fruitless community effort, Pastor Robert Davis finds himself alone in his search—not only for his daughter, but for a God from whom he demands answers. Can his faith, family, and ministry survive the darkest night of the soul? When tragedy strikes, is love the one gift that empowers courage to face the very gates of hell?
Through menacing twists and turns, this tense read will take you to the far side of God’s providence as you follow the relentless journey of a man who refuses to give up hope.
Click here to view or buy the book on Amazon.
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By: Chana Keefer
About the Book
It’s Anne of Green Gables Meets Rattle & Hum. Worlds collide. When Esther was a young teen with frizzy hair and too-skinny legs, Sky’s music soothed her through awkwardness and pain. Now she’s a college journalism student and fledgling print model. One chance meeting rocks their worlds. Will Esther’s deep roots in family and faith keep her feet on the ground when a tornado named Sky blows her world apart? This coming-of-age tale will delight young adult, new adult & adult audiences alike with homespun humor, dazzling celebrity, and a heart-wrenching tale that transports the reader from the wide open spaces of Texas, to the castle-dotted Scottish highlands. Explores themes of spirituality, relationship with God versus religion, and how one can have it all yet still search for meaning and purpose in life. One Night With a Rock Star is a rich, satisfying journey filled with multi-dimensional, lovable characters, sigh-worthy romance and a tale that will carve itself onto your soul.
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Chana Keefer
This whole writer’s journey caught me completely by surprise and, to this day, I’m a bit stunned by the ride. Blame it all on prayer. In 2004 I committed to pray every day, right out of the sack, for at least an hour. A year later I woke in the morning from a very cool dream. As the week went on, the dream wouldn’t let go. It expanded in my brain until I HAD to start writing or just… explode. That story? One Night With a Rock Star. It’s the novel that transformed me into a passionate storyteller. Two years later, in the middle of prayer, I asked a question and God answered. I yelped in shock but also had to admit the answer made so many of my faith elephants-in-the-room make sense. For the next month, every morning began with more mind-blowing insights. When I showed the 250 pages of notes to my hubby and an author friend, they both said, “This needs to be a novel.” The journey of writing THE FALL was much more than writing a novel. It was a pilgrimage that crushed, shaped and changed me; the way I think, the way I pray, the way I love, even the way I view current events. BTW, I’m a mom of four, married to the best man alive, have a background in broadcast journalism and, many moons ago, worked as a model and actress. I love old barns, old movies, hot chocolate chip cookies and someday I’d like to sail around the world. Guess I’d better learn to sail first.
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This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
This is an interview with a new online friend of mine: Michelle Lynn Brown, author of the contemporary inspirational romance novel Miracles in Disguise.
Author Bio:
When Michelle Lynn Brown was a teenager, her mother used to take her to used books stores at least once a month. It was there she fell in love with the written word. As a writer, she uses this passion to share with others the joy of having a personal and intimate relationship with Christ.
She is a housewife, mother of three, military spouse, writer, blogger, hopeless romantic, and a cuddly lap for one very large cat. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, but raised in El Paso, Texas. And since she married her husband, the military has blessed her with the opportunity to live in many locations, from Germany to Pennsylvania, where she now resides.
Like the flawed characters that grace her books, she’s had many stumbles and struggles in her life. God’s grace and mercy through these trials have kept her on her knees. It is from this humble position that she seeks to minister through her writing – not as someone who has it all figured out, but just someone who has figured out how wonderful and awesome God is.
Back Cover Blurb from Miracles in Disguise:
What do you do when the pain of your past leaves you feeling so unworthy, that any hope of a future crumbles right before your eyes?
Since Kristina Talbot can remember, she’s tried to earn the love of men in her life, only to be hurt in the process. On the heels of her abusive husband’s death, Kristina Talbot leaves New York and heads to New Mexico to try and get her life headed down a new road – one that doesn’t include a man.
Even before she reaches her destination, Nathan McKinley sets up a roadblock to her plan. His charming and gentle personality is no match for her love-starved heart. And when Nathan shows her God in a new light, and how to place her trust in Him and not her circumstances, she begins to hope…
When Kristina’s past collides with her present, and tragedy strikes close to Kristina’s heart, her fears and distrust come flooding back, threatening to sweep away her newfound hope. Can Nathan help her hold on to her new relationship with God, or will she allow her dark and troubled past to pluck out the tiny bud of hope that is beginning to blossom within her heart?
Book Excerpt
Prologue
Kristina heard the rattle of keys in the door, and hurried to put the last of the dinner on the table. She rotated the meat platter just a hair, tucked the oven mitt in the drawer, smoothed a non-existent wrinkle from her dress, and went to greet her husband.
She plastered a warm smile on her face, and met David just as he walked in the door. His steel-gray eyes pierced her, tracking her slightest movement as she came toward him.
“How was your day, darling?” She leaned up on her toes to kiss him. After five years of marriage, she had become an excellent actress.
Her stomach flipped-flopped as he pulled off the jacket of his suit, not saying a word. She could tell it had been a long day; irritation was etched into the lines on his handsome face. He tossed his suit coat on the back of the couch, and stared down at her with his penetrating stare that never failed to engulf her in fear.
“I’ve spent the day listening to the welcoming committee argue about what color the visitor cards should be, the financial committee argue how much should be spent on them, and the fellowship committee complain that there is not enough fellowship with the visitors once they receive the cards.”
The tension left her body as he pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin and wrapping his arms around her. “My sweet angel,” Kristina felt his words against her hair, “You are the perfect medicine on days like this.”
David pulled away just enough to gaze down at her, and Kristina remembered when words like these had sounded sweet to her hungry heart. Tears stung the back of her eyes, and she tried to avert them so he couldn’t see.
But it didn’t work.
“Tears?” His questions were always laced with a threat.
Tucking her emotions firmly away, she twined her arms around his neck. “After all these years, your love still brings tears to my eyes. I am so blessed.”
Or cursed! The thought scurried across her mind, but she wrestled it down. David could read her so easily.
There was a hint of skepticism in his eyes, but he said, “You are my miracle, sent down from Heaven when I needed you most. Don’t ever forget that.”
Those words used to thrill her, but the days of longing for the charming, loving and romantic husband of her past were gone. Now she knew the truth; he never existed. Those words were spoken to remind her of her place.
David took her hand and led her to the dining room. “Beautiful dinner, as always.” He reached out and turned the meat platter a hair, looking across the table with a raised eyebrow.
After he prayed over the meal, he asked, “Did you tell Lisa that you wouldn’t be returning this year?”
“Yes,” she hoped he didn’t notice her hesitation. No matter how vigilant she was, he could still trip her up with a well-timed question or a cold, piercing stare.
“You hesitated; is that because you’re lying, or because you have reservations about being obedient to your husband?”
Get into it, Kristina!
“Neither, I’m….I’m just going to miss the girls.”
She focused on cutting her meat, but she could see that his hands had stilled over his plate. After a moment’s pause, he threatened, “I hope so. My sweet angel needs to remember who God sent her to.”
“I lovedteaching,” she stressed the past tense of the word, hoping this would ease his mounting anger. “Naturally, I am going to miss my students. But not teaching this year will allow us to have our own children.” She searched for something to get him off this track, “I was thinking I could homeschool our children. What do you think?”
“I’ll think the matter over,” he said as he pushed away from the table. Coming to stand behind her, he bent down and brushed his lips on the side of her neck. “But first we must conceive these children.”
It took every ounce of control not to shudder as he ran his hands lightly down her arms, “Come with me, my sweet angel.”
Get into it, Kristina! Just three weeks!
Interview Questions and Answers:
Is there a story behind your book Miracles in Disguise?
Years ago, my sister received a marriage proposal from a pastor who was also involved in local politics. She turned down his proposal for her own personal reasons, but during our conversation, she made the comment that she could not see herself as a pastor’s or a politician’s wife. That is when the idea of a woman who is so plagued by her past, hurt by everyone she ever trusted, ends up meeting a wonderful man, a man she feels she isn’t worthy of.
From there, The Trampled Rose Series spawned. It features women whose spirits are crushed. Miracles in Disguise, is the first book in the series, and features Kristina, a woman who has spent her life trying to please the men in her life, only to be hurt terribly in return. Kristina represents a rose trampled by circumstances.
What started you on your writing journey?
I always remember writing; it is a way for me to process something I am going through. However, in high school, I took a creative writing class. We had to stand up and share one of our works with the class. I had written a fictional piece. Though cloaked in a story, the foundation of the story was very personal in nature. As I stood up in front of the class, reading my story, I felt naked. I was baring my deepest imagination to my peers.
The process of sharing, no matter how frightening, opened up the relationship between reader and writer. I took my classmates on a ride that day, and to this day, I think of my readers as I write. And I love hearing how people were touched by my story. I have readers tell me that they’ve never been through anything close to what Kristina has been through, yet they still found themselves in the story. It is so humbling to know God is using me to help someone.
What distracts you from writing the easiest?
My family is my biggest (and best) distraction. There are many excuses I could come up with to not write. I would rather be flying around the house with my youngest, pretending we are Disney fairies, or playing a video game with my husband and son, or laying on my oldest daughter’s bed listening to her catalogue the traits of cats. In the end, I write for my family. Beside keeping me sane, I feel that writing is one way I am setting an example to my children that God uses us in a variety of ways. My books are just one of the ways God has called me to live out my faith.
Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Kristina was the character I related to most. I spent three years in an abusive relationship, and Kristina was my way of helping others to see that we can find strength in God’s love, no matter what the circumstances. As I began writing, I thought I had worked through all the emotional mess from my past. But as I wrote through Kristina, God showed me where I still had trust issues, especially when it relates to Him. My favorite line from the book is when Nathan tells Kristina, “We tend to be shaped by our outward circumstances…But God wants to come into our hearts and shape us from the inside out.” No matter where I think I am in my spiritual walk, God is always reshaping my heart.
What is your strangest habit?
When I’m writing, I often act out something to make sure I described it correctly. My husband will walk into the office and find me emulating one of my character’s gestures. After a brief stare, he’ll back out of the office with a smirk on his face.
What’s your favorite meal with family and friends?
If there is a church potluck, my two favorite things to bring are brisket and queso. My dad is teaching my husband and I how to smoke the brisket. Until we get this down, we still use Claude’s marinade and slow cook it in the oven.
The queso I also learned to make by watching my dad cook it over the years. I don’t have a recipe, but if your handy in the kitchen, you’ll probably be able to figure it out. I use a block of cheddar and a block of Monterrey jack (cubed), about a cup of milk with a tablespoon of flour, and salt and pepper to taste. Once the cheese is melted and creamy, I add the tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, and sometimes jalapenos. I sauté the onions, garlic and jalapenos a little before adding them to the cheese mixture.
Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Healing fiction is part of my tagline, because I hope my readers not only find themselves immersed in a great story, but I also hope they find some healing along the way. The characters in my books go through quite a bit, but I hope my readers can see themselves, if not in the situation, the emotions my characters go through.
Where do you escape for some quiet time to reflect, pray, read, etc?
In the morning, I sneak downstairs before the kids wake up. I curl up on my couch, my cat comfortably ensconced on my lap, a cup of coffee in one hand, and the iPad in the other. This is my quiet time routine, and I find that it is just as essential to functioning as my daily cup of coffee is. Sometimes I go through a Bible reading plan, or work through a devotional. Sometimes I just pick a book that I know I need to hear.
When I am facing really troubling times, I always find comfort in the Psalms. I usually incorporate them in my prayers, often declaring the scriptures to the empty room. As crazy as my cat thinks I am for shouting, “This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.” (Psalm 91:2 New Living Translation), there is strength to be found in that practice.
Share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to you (and why it’s special).
My favorite Scripture passage is Psalm 40. Verses two and three are not only a reflection of my life, but the reason I write.
2He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 3He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:2-3 New Living Translation)
When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Consider the Thorns is the next book in The Trampled Rose series, and will be released in July, 2013. Barbara, who you meet in Miracles in Disguise, represents the choked and withered rose, threatened by the weeds she has allowed to grow around her, and the thorns she uses to protect fragile heart.
The final book in the series is tentatively scheduled for a December 2013 release. I’ll Settle for Love features Leann, a rose battered by storms. When push comes to shove, Leann sits down. But storms threaten to drown her marriage, and she is forced to make a choice. Leann discovers the difference between settling for the storm and striving for the rainbow that comes after.
How to contact Michelle Lynn Brown:
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://michellelynnbrown.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelynnbrownauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MizChelleB
At The End Of Our Journey By: JACK R EAST JR
About the Book
At the End of Our Journey is a personal testimony of the life and Christian faith of the author. The inspiration for the book came from two incredible and powerful dreams about Jack’s Christian faith. The dreams were experienced in November of 2010 on two consecutive mornings. Jack awoke from both dreams with precise and detailed memories of the events and emotions felt during the dreams. He can recall all of the events of both dreams two years later. To be able to remember all of the details of both dreams is very unusual for him and for most other dreamers. The two dreams did not reveal anything new about his Christian faith. The first dream expressed all of the doubts, fears, and questions that all followers of the Christian faith have asked themselves many times. The second dream was a direct confirmation from God that all of the promises of the Christian faith are true and will happen for all who believe in Christ’s redemption and follow his teachings. Words cannot adequately describe the events and emotions of the second dream. The author has difficulty finding words to describe the emotions experienced in his dreams, but he can share the following conclusions about his dreams and the Christian faith with you.
He experienced the finality of knowing that he had died. He knew the joy of knowing that his Christian faith allowed him to conquer death. He felt hope and joy to know that his spirit had conquered death and was rising into Heaven.
He was overcome with joy, peace, contentment, fulfillment, and the sure knowledge that the only place he could possibly be was in Heaven. No other place could feel so good and right. He cannot adequately describe how it felt to know that God was there to welcome him to Heaven where he heard his powerful and loving voice say to him,
“Jack, I am glad you are here, I have been waiting for you.”
How could he describe hearing God’s welcome end with the following words…
“but, I am not ready for you yet.”
At the End of Our Journey is Jack’s attempt to share with you the wonderful experience of his life, dreams, and Christian faith. His wish is that you may also know the joy of the personal presence of God in your life and feel the full depth and beauty of His powerful love. And that you may receive a taste of what awaits for us at the end of our journey of Christian faith.
JACK R. EAST, JR.
Jack was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in September of 1940. In 1945 his family moved to Southern California where he lived for 30 years. He started his journey of Christian faith in 1956 at the age of sixteen. Jack married his wife Barbara in 1961 and their marriage has lasted for over fifty years. Jack started his career as a CPA, and he and Barbara started their family while living in Southern California. Jack and Barbara moved to the far north coast of California in 1975. Jack continued to work at his accounting and tax practice as he and Barbara raised a family of three great sons. Their boys and their spouses have provided them with four precious grand children. Both family and the Christian faith have always been important parts of the life of Jack and Barbara. At age 72, Jack is still working at his accounting and income tax practice with Barbara’s help. Retirement is under consideration, but it is not their greatest priority at this time. In November of 2010 Jack experienced two incredible dreams about his Christian faith. The dreams were the inspiration for writing a book and for this website. The dreams have started a new chapter in the life and Christian faith of Jack R. East, Jr. at age 72.
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I just finished reading a book called The Slayer and the Sphinx, a young adult fantasy by author Adam Bolander. It features several races of “Mythics” (fantasy creatures) who secretly inhabit our own world but are shunned, feared, or persecuted by humans. Porter, a teenage boy, is a “slayer” whose job is to hunt down and kill Mythics. Sarah, a young sphinx, is one of his targets. But things go wrong when he attacks her home; he is injured and ends up with amnesia, forgetting his mission and his own identity. Sarah and Porter end up lost in a forest together, forced to rely on each other for survival as they try to find their way out. Along the way, they meet other Mythics and encounter a variety of dangers. The story ends before Porter regains his memory or the two (plus friends they’ve made along the way) reach their destination, so readers will be forced to read the sequel (which is not yet available) to find out what happens.
All in all, this was an interesting story. The author had some great ideas, and I felt that he fleshed out the characters pretty well. Each particular race of Mythics was given distinct traits and a unique culture, which made me interested to meet more of them. Some creative concepts were presented, my favorite being a sentient sword that could communicate with its master.
I did feel, however, that parts of the story could have been fleshed out better. The settings were very narrowly described, so that I never got a clear picture of what the larger world was like or even what part of the world the story takes place in. Some issues were a little unclear, such as why Sarah’s parents said it was too dangerous for her to accompany them on a direct trip (using teleportation) to one of the safest havens in the world for Mythics; why someone who had just met Porter would give him a rare and valuable weapon; why and how a few animals can talk but not others; how the rules of magic use among humans work, etc. Certain character actions and reactions seemed a little unrealistic (for example, if I had seen someone I’d known all my life beheaded, I would have responded with a lot more grief, terror, and anger; and I would have kept recalling and probably having nightmares about the event). Also, I found a number of typos and errors in grammar and punctuation in the book. (Hey, I’m a teacher; I can’t help but notice these things!)
Overall, though, The Slayer and the Sphinx was an enjoyable book. I would give it three out of five stars and recommend it to teens, preteens, or kids (it’s pretty easy to read) who like fantasy. If it had a rating, it would probably be PG for mild violence and “children in jeopardy”. There was no profanity, sex, or unnecessary blood and guts in the fighting scenes. The book promoted positive moral values like trust, loyalty, and the concept that no matter a person’s past, anyone can change and start a new life.
Click here to view The Slayer and the Sphinx or buy a copy on Amazon. If you enjoy the fantasy genre, I’d say it’s worth the 99 cents the eBook will cost you. Happy reading!
