Monday, October 31, 2011

ACFW NEW BOOK RELEASES OCTOBER 31st 2011

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.



A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander -- Historical Romance from Bethany House; To create something that will last is Claire Laurent's most fervent desire as an artist. It's also her greatest weakness. All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He's determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.



Bound by Grace by Amber Stockton -- Historical Romance from Barbour. When Charlotte Pringle’s father disrupts her idyllic relationship with Richard Baxton by announcing he’s been working on a marriage arrangement to secure her future, Richard despairs over the loss of the woman he’s come to love, until his niece persuades him to fight.



Fatal Reality by Jonathan Wakefield -- A Thriller/Suspense from OakTara -- In this race only the winner will be allowed to live.



Gateway Weddings; Romancing America by Myra Johnson -- A Romance from Barbour. Three Missouri women enter the gateway to life, love, and longing.



Hope and a Future by Betty Arrigotti -- Romance from OakTara; Will Marjorie Gloriam overcome her fear and trust God to be a Friend with plans to give her Hope and a Future?



I Can Do Better All By Myself by E. N. Joy, --Biblical Fiction from Urban Fiction (Kensington). The singles ministry at New Day Temple of Faith is beginning to unravel, and the pastor is considering dissolving the ministry. Some members believe the only way to hold it together is by getting their pastor to join. And why shouldn't their leader show support by joining, considering the pastor's own single status?



Katie’s Way by Marta Perry -- Romance from Praise (Penguin). A quilt shop brings Amish and Englisch together, and trouble follows...



Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble -- Romance from Thomas Nelson. Five years ago Eden and Clay Larson's baby was stolen and never found. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. Or so Eden thought.



Mind Over Madi by Lynda Lee Schab -- General Fiction from OakTara; All men cheat. At least, that's what Madi's mother has always told her.



Peril by Suzanne Hartmann -- Thriller/Suspense from OakTara; A top-secret agent must trust God to protect her many secrets when she accepts high-profile assignments but can she trust Him when He leads her to reveal her secrets and takes her to death's doorstep?



Promise Brides by S. Dionne Moore-- Historical Romance from Barbour; Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where-it never comes without sacrifice.



Protection for Hire by Camy Tang-- Thriller/Suspense from Zondervan; Tessa Lancaster’s skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her uncle’s Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Now, three months after her release, her abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for a wealthy socialite and her three-year-old son. But there’s a problem or two … or three ….



The Land of Darkness; The Gates of Heaven Series by C.S. Lakin-- Speculative Fiction from Living Ink (AMG); Jadiel is twelve and things couldn’t get much worse—or could they?



The Long Trail Home by Vickie McDonough-- Historical Romance from Moody Publishers; When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancée again. But when he arrives he learns his life will never be the same again.



The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson-- Historical from Zondervan; An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude a recluse. She must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.



The Rancher’s Courtship by Laurie Kingery-- Romance from Love Inspired; Though Caroline Wallace can’t have a family, she can still have a purpose. Becoming Simpson Creek’s new schoolmarm helps heal the heartache of losing Pete, her fiancé, to influenza. Then Pete’s brother arrives, trailing a herd of cattle and twin six-year-old girls.



Thyme for Love by Pamela S. Meyers--Romance & Mystery from OakTara; April Love has always dreamed of being a chef. But she didn’t expect a former fiancé or murder to be part of the recipe for her new job.



Turnabout’s Fair Play by Kaye Dacus-- Romance from Barbour; When Maureen O’Connor begins scheming to match her grandson Jamie with Flannery McNeill, the last thing she has in mind is a romance of her own.





Friday, October 21, 2011

I'M STARTING SOMETHING THAT MATTERS...WHAT ABOUT YOU

Title: START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS
Author: BLAKE MYCOSKI
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau (September 6, 2011)
Pages: 208



I have to be honest, I’d never heard of TOMS shoes until Blake Mycoski spoke at my church, WILLOW CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH. I was instantly intrigued by his story, as well as admired his morals. I’ve been serving, mainly in the prison and Jail ministers, since 2004. I know firsthand what it means for God to place in your heart a passion that blesses you as well as others.

After the service they were selling TOMS shoes, along with Blake’s book out in the lobby. I was tempted, but low on funds and needing to pick my kids up from their classes, had me opting out. I went home not purchasing anything, something I often don’t do when it comes to books, yet the story of TOMS and the book START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS was never far from my mind.

Within days I received my Amazon Vine Program picks. To my utter amazement, START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS was one of the choices I could choose from! Clearly a God thing. I didn’t hesitate. I immediately ordered the book.

Right from the first pages I was captivated. START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS is a quick and easy read. I wasn’t even twenty pages in and I was itching to write and post a review. But I held off. I wanted to make sure I captured every essence of the book from start to finish.

In my copy, that I will forever keep, it’s marked with many highlights and dog-eared pages. Before I was even finished with the book I was emailing TOMS, telling others about it, and started a new blog to START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS. http://jackscardsofhope.blogspot.com/

I certainly could have reservations on starting this endeavor, but as Blake’s book clearly states, don’t over think it. Don’t let worry and fear cancel out what you know in your heart to be true. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

I’m NOT letting this opportunity to serve the least of theses for the Lord, slip away due to fear, doubt, and lack of. I will push on and carry out what Jesus has placed in my heart to do.

I WILL START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS!

What about you?

START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS by BLAKE MYCOSKI, is a must read for EVERYONE!

It will change your life.

A few key things I learned from START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS:

-Trust
-Simplicity
-Faith
-Give

ONE FOR ONE...START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

ONE FOR ONE?

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A SHOCKING SAD REALITY

A sad reality that needs to change. Don't be afraid to watch this. It isn't what it appears...yet it is.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Saturday, October 15, 2011

MY CURRENT THREE

My current three reads, which by the way are all great books.

I always read the Bible, a non-fiction, usually inspirational/faith based, about the craft of writing, or the prison ministry. The third book I read is fiction, something for pure pleasure. In more cases then not, it’s inspirational and often there’s a cowboy or two involved.

DEVOTIONAL:












The Bible - I’ve been reading the Bible every morning for years now from cover to cover. This I believe my fourth time, each different Bibles. After this one I plan to read THE PURPOSE DRIVE LIFE, again. I haven’t read it in years and was inspired by it beyond words. That and the movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. Both life changing for me.

NON-FICTION:








Start Something That Matters, by Blake Mycoskie - Blake spoke at my church several weeks ago, Willow Creek Community Church. Before that I hadn’t heard of him. I was blessed to receive his book a week later, which I’m convinced God orchestrated. I’m about 100 pages into it and WOW! This is a must read. Not just for those wanting to start a business, but for a better way to live one’s life.

FICTION:








The Shack, by William P Young – I can’t wait to finish this book and write a review. I’d heard of it for years, and what I heard had me questioning whether or not it was for me. One of my pen pals sent it to me a few months back. Now on page 120, I’m sure glad he did.




What are you currently reading?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

BOOKS, BOOKS, AND MORE BOOKS



So many books, and so little time. I have several books on my “favorites list” that I would love to one day reread. But before that can happen, I have a ton of books waiting to be read. Not only on my bookshelf’s at home, but also on my Shelfari wish list.

A handful of favorite books I’d like to reread:

-All of Debra Clopton’s books.
-All of Karen Witemeyer’s books.
-I Called Him Dancer, by G Edward Snipes
-Give the Lady a Ride, by Linda Yezak
-Crossing Ocean’s, by Gina Holmes
-All of Tina Radcliffe books.
-Exposed, by Ashley Weis
-The Promise Remains, and The Watermark, by Travis Thrasher

Well that’s crazy. I could go on with many more of my favorites, but I guess you’ll have to check out my Shelfari shelf for the rest.

A handful of books I have on my shelf waiting to be read:

-Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger
-The God Hater, by Bill Myers
-The Narrow Path, by Gail Sattler
-Dry as Rain, by Gina Holmes
-The Help, by Kathryn Stockett
-Cayman Summer, by Angela Morrison

A handful of books on my wish list:

-Loving God, by Charles Colson
-All of the Brenda Minton books I don’t have.
-Stand in Groom, by Kaye Dacus
-Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer
-The Rodeo Rider, by Roxann Delaney

My Shelfari shelf for a list of books I have, read, and wish for. http://www.shelfari.com/o1518271606

What are your favorite books?
What books do you have at home waiting to be read?
What books are you excitedly waiting to one day own?

Monday, October 3, 2011

A TRULY AMAZING STORY BY AN AMAZING MAN

Title: Mentor: The Kid and the CEO
Author: Tom Pace with Walter Jenkins
Publisher: MentorHope Publishing; 1st edition (August 1, 2007)
Pages: 175



I had the honor of meeting a truly remarkable man recently, Tom Pace. I’d read his book MENTOR THE KIDS AND THE CEO, back in March of 2010, and was inspired by his story. Tom has blessed many through donations of THE PURPOSE DRIVE LIFE and MENTOR THE KIDS AND THE CEO, and continues to bless others.

The MENTOR: The Kid & The CEO, is a must read for all. It's well written and reads like a great novel. Positivity, optimistic, perseverance. This is the attitude and way of life everyone one should be striving for. This book will bring hope and encouragement to those down on their luck, thinking life has nothing to offer them. It really cements the idea that our own thinking and actions can either make or break us. In the end it is up to you. To have mentors throughout your life is vital, and having God as the center of your life is a must.

I found myself continually saying, "Yes, yes." I loved how Malcolm made it a point to teach both Tony and Gary what is needed to be a good person as well as successful in life...in all areas of their life. We can all learn something from this book whether it be from Tony's perspective, that with the right attitude, good morals and hard work, you can do anything. Or from Malcolm whom we witness the importance of looking beyond ourselves and doing for others. After all, isn't that what God has called us to do, and in doing so we end up being a winner as well.

You reap what you sow, so sow well.