A LITTLE MORE OF THIS!

A LITTLE MORE OF THIS, AND LESS OF WALKING AROUND BLIND,

AND THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE.

IF THIS DOESN'T INSPIRE YOU, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL

Nick's book is next on my list to purchase.

Amazon description:

Being unstoppable is about believing and achieving. It’s about having faith in yourself, your talents and your purpose and, most of all, in God’s great love and His divine plan for your life.


Millions around the world recognize the smiling face and inspirational message of Nick Vujicic. Despite being born without arms or legs, Nick’s challenges have not kept him from enjoying great adventures, a fulfilling and meaningful career, and loving relationships. Nick has overcome trials and hardships by focusing on the promises that he was created for a unique and specific purpose, that his life has value and is a gift to others, and that no matter the despair and hard times in life, God is always present. Nick credits his success in life to the power that is unleashed when faith takes action.

But how does that happen? In Unstoppable Nick addresses adversity and difficult circumstances that many people face today, including:


· Personal crises

· Relationship issues

· Career and job challenges

· Health and disability concerns

· Self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and addictions

· Bullying, persecution, cruelty, and intolerance

· Balance in body, mind, heart, and spirit

· Service to others

Through stories from his own life and the experiences of many others, Nick explains how anyone wanting a “ridiculously good life” can respond to these issues and more to become unstoppable. What’s standing in your way? Are you ready to become unstoppable?

WAITING FOR THE NEXT

Title: Waiting for Spring

Author: Amanda Cabot
Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2013)
Pages: 400

WAITING FOR SPRING is not the first book I’ve read by AMANDA CABOT. It is however the second in the Westward Winds series. I really liked SUMMER OF PROMISE, but I have to say I loved WAITING FOR SPRING.

Charlotte Harding has secrets that she and her son’s life depend on remaining undiscovered. She may never remarry, but she doesn’t intend to stop living.

Barrett Landry has it all. A woman that is said to be his perfect match, a cattle ranch and a mansion, and is even being recommended to run for senator. When he meets the beautiful Madame Charlotte, he begins to question his decision to ask the woman he’s courting to marry.

It’s not often that I run across an author that I like the first book I read of hers just fine, but when I read another I’m blown away. I read WAITING FOR SPRING slowly, indulging in the magnificent writing. I read it at a quick pace, needing to find out what happens next. The writing is amazing, the storyline intriguing, as the characters leap off the pages. I was taken aback by the countless unique and well written lines.

I loved the hero as well as the heroine, but that’s not all that unusual. But what is is to have so many emotions towards the antagonist. Seriously, I really felt for the man. Then there’s Charlotte’s good friend, Gwen. I was kept guessing what would become of the two. MS CABOT did an excellent job with all the characters, bringing them to life and giving them each their own unique story.

WAITING FOR SPRING is a wonderful romance, filled with suspense, drama, and uniqueness. Having Charlotte’s son blind, added an exclusive addition to the story. I couldn’t help but wonder what a blind child, as well as the parents of such a child, might go through.

WAITING FOR SPRING has convinced me to put MS CABOT on my list of favorite authors. I’ll be looking forward to more stories by her in the future.

AND THE WINNER IS?

The winner - actually two winners -
of START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

by BLAKE MYCOSKIE is ... Robby and Anonymous

Thanks for participating. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

Blessings,

Kym

START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS by BLAKE MYCOSKIE

Want a chance to get a free copy of BLAKE MYCOSKIE'S book,
START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS?

First a little bit about the book.

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



I have to be honest, I’d never heard of TOMS shoes until Blake Mycoskie 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 MYCOSKIE, 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



For a chance to win a copy of START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS:

1) Leave a comment with you email address. If you don't like leaving your email, you can check back on the 23rd to see if you won.
2) Become a follower on this blog.
3) Leave a comment on my Youtube video.
4) Leave a comment on my other Youtube video.

For each one your name will be entered into the drawing. So up your odds, and have fun.

Winner will be announced January 16th, 2013. If I don't hear from you by January 20th, 2013, I'll pick another winner.

Make sure to let me know with your comment what you’ve done.


I can only ship in the US. Drawing will be done on 1/16/2013. Please check back to see if you've won if you didn't leave your email address. If I don't have your email address and haven't heard from you by the DATE, I'll draw another name

WELCOME AUTHOR TANYA EAVENSON

ABOUT TANYA EAVENSON

Tanya Eavenson and her husband have been in the ministry for fifteen years teaching youth, adults, and counseling. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes for Christ to the World Ministries sharing the Gospel around the world. You can find her on Twitter at @Tan_eave and contact her at her website www.tanyaeavenson.com Want to learn more about writing? Stop by her blog http://guidedgirls.blogspot.com

TIME FOR Q & A

1. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’m not sure when it happened really, but it took longer than most. See, I never intended to be a writer, it just happened when my husband left for a mission trip. Then in 2011 Unconditional semi-finaled in the ACFW Genesis contest. I still didn’t believe I was really a writer but I keep plugging away, learning the craft. It wasn’t even when I signed my first contract. It happened when my husband told me he was proud of me and that I trusted God and never looked back. That’s when I became a writer and an author at the same time.

2. Describe how you write a book – with your other responsibilities, does it tend to be something you work into your every day, or do you have to “set apart” time to write with open, undesignated blocks of time?

As a writer, I heard time and time again that I needed to write every day to be successful. I used to beat myself up when I couldn’t meet that goal. It took two years fighting with this idea when I finally gave up. So I decided to do something different, I set a word count goal each week, and it’s worked. Some weeks I write 3,000 words and others 7,000 depending on what’s going on during the week. Flexibility is the key for my writing success.

3. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love to read non-fiction that dives into God’s word. Next would be historical fiction.

4. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I’m still learning. =)

5. How do you choose your characters’ names?

I choose names that I’ve always liked. I remember being in middle school and picking out the names my children would have one day. And yes, I did actually name my youngest child one of those names, and that name is my heroine in my novel Unconditional.

6. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

My greatest roadblock, and one I still face today, is being afraid of making mistakes for people to see. Most of the time I overcome it by praying, but it runs deep, so it’s a struggle.

7. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I’d have to say that every character has a piece of me within them whether it’s something the character likes, a physical attribute, or even a journey of spiritual growth. There’s a scene in the novel where Elizabeth and Chris head out to the lake. Elizabeth tries to hold onto the dock, but is unable and the boat floats away. When I thought to add that scene, I could only laugh. It was the first time I’d ever tried to use a trolling motor.

8. Tell us about Unconditional and what inspired you to write the story?

What inspired me? Brokenness I guess you could say. Brokenness for families, children, and what happens when couples divorce.

I grew up in a family were divorce is common, like most people today, with the idea once you “fall” out of love, and you can’t get along anymore, it’s time to get a divorce. It was almost engraved in me witnessing everyone in my family get divorced one time or many times. I, too, almost went down that route with divorce papers in hand. I told myself many things at the time, but the truth. I was focused on our failures, not the hope that with God, all things are possible. The question was, were we willing to save our marriage at all costs? Would we fight for each other, whether we felt like it or not?

It is my hope through this story, that no matter the circumstances the reader is facing, a loss of a child, anger, emotional hurt, infidelity, abandonment, etc., they will know there is hope in Christ.

Unconditional

He will fight for her at any cost…

Elizabeth Roberts can't remember her past, and the present is too painful. She turns to nightclubs and drinking to forget her infant daughter's death, her husband's affair.

When his wife's coma wiped out the memory of their marriage, Chris Roberts found comfort elsewhere. He can't erase his betrayal, but with God's help he’s determined to fight for Elizabeth at any cost.

She wants to forget. He wants to save his marriage. Can they trust God with their future and find a love that’s unconditional?

Excerpt from Unconditional

Chapter One

Elizabeth pushed herself up from the bed. Her gaze swept the dark room and fixed on the hall nightlight. Her hand grazed over her husband’s shoulder when a thought gripped her. Katherine. The baby monitor stood silent. Darkness shrouded the red and green lights that indicated movement.

Her chest tightened. She hurled the covers away and leapt to the floor. Panic made her clumsy as she rushed to her daughter’s room. She lunged over the crib. No sound. No movement. Not even a stirring of air from her tiny nostrils.

“Katherine!” Elizabeth snatched her daughter from the mattress. The infant drew a heavy breath as her eyes flung wide open.

Lord, what’s happening?

Elizabeth’s bare feet pounded the cold tile as she ran back to her husband. “Chris, wake up! Katherine quit breathing again!”

Chris rubbed his eyes and scowled. “What is it?”

“We need to take Katherine to the hospital. She stopped breathing.”

He studied their child. “She seems to be breathing now. Are you sure?”

“Of course, I’m sure.”

“She’s fine.” Chris fell back against the pillow.

“Please—”

“We don’t have the money to take her to the hospital when there’s nothing wrong with her.”

“But there is. She stopped breathing.”

He sat back up. “You’ve been worried about her since before she was born. You’re all worked up because she hasn’t rolled over yet. The doctor said that’s normal for being early.”

She’s called a preemie. She glared into his eyes. “If you were home more often you’d know she’s not fine.”

“I’m home, Elizabeth, and she’s fine.”

Heat flushed her cheeks as tears filled her eyes. “I’m scared. Can’t you see that? I need you to pray for our daughter. I need you to hold me and tell me everything will be all right.”

“Look, she’s sleeping.” His voice softened as his hand ran down her thigh. “Come to bed.”

“How can you care so little? I’m worried about our baby.”

Chris’s hand dropped to the sheets. “Shut the door when you leave.” He turned away from her.

Elizabeth stood for a moment unable to speak. With their baby in her arms, she slowly closed the door behind her and sank her teeth into her lip to keep from crying. If tears came, it would be for her daughter, not for the stranger in her bed.

Endorsements:

"Unconditional is a powerfully-gripping story of deep heartache laced with fears, yet even through the sorrow, Tanya Eavenson reminds us that nothing can separate us from God's love."

~ Alice J. Wisler, author of "Still Life in Shadows" and other novels


"Not your typical amnesia story, Unconditional tells a tale of loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. Eavenson drags her characters through the fire, then reveals God’s power through their broken lives. The writing is stellar; the emotion, raw and palpable; the cast, impeccably crafted. This author is one to be watched!"

~ April W Gardner, award-winning author


"Unconditional explores the struggles that married couples sometimes experience, and the decisions they must make after going through difficult circumstances. A powerful story of hope and healing."

~ Laura V. Hilton, Healing Love (Whitaker House)


"Unconditional is a beautiful story of God's never-ending love. Throughout its pages, Tanya Eavenson evokes a myriad of emotions in her readers, from deep despair to heartfelt praise. The characters gripped my heart, showing me the reality of man's sin but also the depth of God's grace. Unconditional is a well-written, heart-stirring novel written by a talented new author."

~ Jennifer Slattery, Novel Reviews

A GREAT DEVOTIONAL THAT WILL INSPIRE AND MOVE YOU

Title: Stories of Faith & Courage from Prison
Author: Connie Cameron and Jeff Peck
Publisher: God & Country Press (November 9, 2012)
Pages: 464

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of STORIES OF FAITH AND COURAGE FROM PRISON. At 464 pages, this is no small book. It's beautifully put together, making for a great gift or for keepsake to pass down from generation to generation.

STORIES OF FAITH AND COURAGE FROM PRISON by CONNIE CAMERON AND JEFF PECK is a wonderfully inspiring and moving collection of short stories setup as a devotional. Each day you can read a new story that will warm your heart, bring tears to your eyes, encourage you to continue your work in the ministry, or inspire you to become involved in the prison and jail ministry.

Who will enjoy STORIES OF FAITH AND COURAGE FROM PRISON:

-Those that volunteer in the prison and jail ministry.
-Those with a loved one that's incarcerated.
-Those that are incarcerated.
-Those who have been incarcerated.
-Those that work in the prisons and jails.
-Those that know someone that has an incarcerated loved one.
-Those feeling called to prison and jail ministry.

Whether you're familiar with the ministry, curious about it, or know someone that's incarcerated, STORIES OF FAITH AND COURAGE FROM PRISON won't disappoint.

WELCOME AUTHOR CONNIE CAMERON

 

  Connie (Sturm) Cameron has a gift for inspirational writing, touching the heart in a way that truly blesses the reader. Her Leaps of Faith weekly newspaper column is featured in five newspapers, where she shares her thoughts about life and her faith. Connie's latest book, a 365 daily devotional titled, Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison (AMG Publishers), is packed with moving testimonies of hope behind bars. Co-authored with Jeff Peck (formerly of Prison Fellowship International), their book has been endorsed by Chad Hovind, author of Godonomics, and Carol Kent, author of When I Lay My Isaac Down.

Dozens of Ms. Cameron's published works were compiled into her first book, God's Gentle Nudges: Inspirational Stories of How God Lovingly Leads us Closer to Him. Some of her hundreds of published writings include seven Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, Reader's Digest, and The War Cry. She has also been published in many Cup of Comfort titles, Guideposts' Extraordinary Answers to Prayer book, and God Allows U-Turns for Women, among others.

Connie served as a missionary in Kenya, leaving a part of her heart behind. She is a speaker and has been interviewed on television and radio. Connie was a featured author in The Christian Communicator (August 2008) and an instructor for the American Christian Writer's Conference. As an active board member of the Licking County Jail Ministries, Connie also enjoys visiting and writing female inmates. She resides in Ohio with her husband of almost 35 years, Chuck. Together they have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.

Connie's latest book,

STORIES OF FAITH AND COURAGE FROM PRISON

This inspirational book is a collection of true stories laid out in a daily format; one per day for 365 days. Each story will tell about a work of God in the lives of those who have experienced some aspect of prison. A single scripture verse will accompany each writing, pointing to the hope and truth found in God’s word.

While incarcerated, many inmates spiritually hit bottom and come face-to-face with the choices they have made. Thankfully, God uses Christian volunteers, prison chaplains, family members, outside friends, Christian pen pals, and other inmates, to share His love and truth with the lost behind bars. Regardless of how they are offered hope, inmate’s testimonies, along with their daily walk challenges, are moving and inspirational.

You will read amazing stories including Brandon, a prisoner who had a prayer warrior mother, and was also visited by a Christian volunteer. Brandon came to Christ while incarcerated, and witnessed constant gang activity behind bars, including preying upon the youth on the outside. Since his release, Brandon often risks his life in his ministry of intervening in the lives of youth who are at risk to become involved in gang activity.

The battle for the souls of inmates is fierce. One female prisoner said, “When I first arrived at prison in 2002, Christianity was openly practiced and Satanic practices were underground. Now it is just the opposite.” This inspirational book will remind Christians of their admonishment by Jesus to visit the imprisoned, to pray for them, and to share the gospel with them (Matthew 25:36). These collective, true stories will especially touch those who are uncomfortable with prison ministry, helping them to develop compassion for the shunned souls of society.

For more about Connie, or to order an autographed copy of her book, visit her website at, http://www.conniecameron.com/