Carole Brown and Undiscovered Treasures

Undiscovered Treasures, an Appleton WV mystery

Carole Brown

About the Book

Caroline Gibson is co-owner of Undiscovered Treasures, a shop of antiques, collectibles, and junk in rural West Virginia. Inside the shop is a music box that Caroline particularly relates to, believing that her own life is similar: forever spinning and never going anywhere. She dreams and prays for the right man to turn up. But when family and friends hint that the local artist could be the guy, Caroline forgets about trusting God and takes matters into her own hands. Besides, she could never love a man who paints such depressing pictures. Andrew Carrington, painter of said depressing pictures, insists there’s always one redeeming trait to each of his works. He’s loved Caroline since they were kids and thinks he’s not handsome enough, strong enough, or rich enough to impress this woman. But when God—or is it?—suddenly sends contracts begging for his signature, Andy thinks this just might be the way to win the only woman he can ever love. But there’s a hitch in their plans. Someone is stealing Andy’s pictures, and why would they do that when he’s an unknown—so far? Do they know something Caroline and Andy don’t know? Is it mischief? Or something deeper that neither understand? Andy gets the chance to work with Caroline, and she must put aside her on-going battle to avoid Andy and his art so they can discover the art thief in Appleton before Andy loses the chance of a lifetime to ‘make it big.’

Appleton, WV Cozy mystery series, inspirational

October 2016

Story and Logic Media Group

Ebook $2.99

Print $11.99

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Lisa Lickel's review

Brown’s third addition to her Appleton, West Virginia mysteries, focuses on another young resident business owner, Caro Gibson. Establishing a familiar milieu ala Jan Karon, Brown is building a repertoire of characters that figure in each other’s lives.

In this story, Caro, her brother Toby, and their lifelong friend Andy, wrestle with the direction of their adult lives. Caro and Toby run an odds and ends shop, besides what Caro does in her spare time—writing and selling plays for church groups to perform. She has begun to establish a respectable reputation in the area, and when a handsome director shows up in Appleton to hire Caro to write a play for his large church, Caro is smitten. Meanwhile, Andy has been developing a highly regarded following as an oil painter. He’s been sure Caro is his soul mate all of their lives, only somehow Caro not only missed that point, she blows off Andy and his work. For her, familiarity really does breed contempt. But when Andy needs her to help figure out who’s sabotaging his career, she hops over on one foot while keeping the other tangoing with the handsome stranger. Caro and Andy’s friends add to the fun trying to help their favorite couple realize they’re perfect for each other.

I found Carolyn Gibson needing to grow into herself and often wanted to smack her upside the head. Thank goodness for good friends who refuse to give up on her. Somewhat reminiscent of Nancy Drew, Brown’s circle of friends and mysteries are a fun clean read for those who enjoy jumping into small town life with big dreamers and achievers. Told in multiple viewpoints but mostly from Carolyn, Undiscovered Treasures is a sweet addition to the series. A sneak preview of the next book is included.

Book 1 Sabotaged Christmas

Book 2 Knight in Shining Apron

About the Author

Carole Brown's debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, is a 2015 Book of the Year in General Fiction from Christian Small Publishers, a RWA Oklahoma International Digital Award 2nd place winner, a Clash of the Titles top three finalist, a Selah Award finalist in debut novels, and a semi-finalist in the Genesis contest.

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, she enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas.

Kimberley Payne Exercise Your Faith

Kimberley Payne is the author of Fit for Faith – a 7-week program to improve spiritual and

physical health and is a motivational speaker offering workshops and online courses based on her book. She hopes to inspire women to live happier, healthier lives that glorify God.

Kimberley is happily married and lives with her husband in a village east of Toronto, Canada where she hikes and bikes. Visit her website.

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Purchase Fit for Faith

Amazon USA

Amazon Canada

Smashwords

Other Books in the Fitness series by Kimberley Payne

Fit for Prayer - Learn how to fit prayer and physical activity into your daily routine.

Nonfiction – health & fitness
The book unites physical health and spiritual health to help you lose weight and develop a deeper relationship with God.

Purchase links:

Amazon USA http://bit.ly/FitForPrayer

Amazon Canada http://bit.ly/FitForPrayerAmazonca

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/560115

Food for Thought - Find out how to nourish your body and spirit through healthy eating and Bible study.

Just as eating healthy foods nourishes your body, Bible study nourishes your spirit. You will learn practical suggestions and scriptural guidance to achieve your goals.

Purchase links:

Amazon USA http://bit.ly/Food-For-Thought

Amazon Canada http://bit.ly/FoodForThoughtAmazonca

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/560119

Flex Your Spirit - Discover a new way to express yourself with God through journal writing and stretching.

Learn how to recharge your physical and emotional health through stretching activities for your body and spirit. 
Purchase links:

Amazon USA http://bit.ly/FlexYourSpirit

Amazon Canada http://bit.ly/FlexYourSpiritAmazonca

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/560121

Women of Strength – a devotional to improve spiritual & physical health

Women of Strength is the perfect companion for your health program. Each season is further divided into 6 sections that include an inspirational devotional, a fact on common health and fitness questions, a reflection, a prayer, a Bible verse, and an energizing exercise.

Purchase links:

Amazon USA http://tinyurl.com/98bf8lt

Amazon Canada http://tinyurl.com/bznu95j

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/180729

JumpStart - A Catalyst to Launch you into a Daily Spiritual & Physical Health Routine

Do you need a little push with your spiritual & physical fitness? A jump start to get you going again? JumpStart provides a daily prayer, a scripture verse, an exercise challenge, and a healthy eating challenge.

Purchase links:

Amazon USA http://bit.ly/JumpStartAmazoncom

Amazon Canada http://bit.ly/JumpStartAmazonca

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/562894

Where Fitness Meets Faith

Publisher: ByDesignMedia.ca
Nonfiction - devotional

Where Fitness Meets Faith is a fresh, insightful collection of devotional articles with reflections about the similarities between the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and building a relationship with God.
Purchase links:

Amazon USA http://bit.ly/WhereFitnessAmazon

Amazon Canada http://bit.ly/WhereFitnessAmazon-ca

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/36796

Mission Mesquite

Diane Tatum

January 16, 2017

269 pp.

Buy: $3.99 Kindle US

While Kate Lawrence's parents served in Cote d'Ivoire as career missionaries. Kate's education came in a French boarding school and American University in Paris and Georgetown. Now a Foreign Service Officer for the US State Department, she wants nothing to do with the missionary lifestyle. When she finally agrees to visit their new mission post Mission Mesquite, the rodeo church at the Mesquite Arena in Dallas, Kate meets Tyler Hawkins, attractive All American Cowboy who has since been crippled by a bull trampling. They have an instant connection, but Kate doesn't know that Tyler has just completed seminary and mission training and is poised to take over Mission Mesquite once her parents retire. How can Kate resolve the conflict between her and God and her heart? Will Tyler's past as a free-wheeling cowboy cut short his ministry?

Mission Mesquite is a contemporary Christian romance.

Visit Diane’s Amazon Author Page to see links to her other work. 

Diane Tatum grew up in St. Louis, MO. She started writing her own stories in elementary school. Her first novel grew out of a short story she wrote in high school. College was a detour to a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration and later a Masters in Teaching Language Arts. Between degrees, she stayed home raising her boys and began writing again. She started freelance writing for magazines and church Sunday school curriculum. She also finished her novel, Gold Earrings.

After teaching middle school language arts in Tullahoma City Schools for 11 years, she retired with her husband's encouragement to write the historical fiction books that she had been starting and saving on her computer. Gold Earrings was published in 2011. She completed her second novel, A Time to Choose, in 2012, and finished her third, Colonial Dream, in 2013. In addition she serves as an adjunct English professor at Motlow State Community College.

A Life Transformed by Sana Edoja

Sana Edoja says, "It took me more than twelve years to finish writing my book A Life Transformed. Actually, I started writing it before my son was born. He is eleven years old today. I didn't understand why I added more writing and editing for all those years. God taught me perseverance in receiving emotional healing through those years. I had to get my emotional turmoil out of my system by sharing it with the world. It was therapeutic in revealing the power of God's transformation in my life."

About the Book:  

This book will give you a clear understanding of how God has revealed His Son, Jesus, to me, an imperfect human being. God took me from the mud, cleansed me and restored me to a place of significance.

"I was troubled by a traumatic childhood, a victim of child abuse and bullying. I often felt depressed, humiliated and resentful. I turned to fortune tellers. I found myself caught up in negative thoughts. But it was only when I turned to God that I was able to experience feelings of hope. A Life Transformed is a testimony to the work of God in restoring one person’s life. Be challenged in learning what God can do in the midst of despair."

Read more about Sana and her books on her website.

Released July, 2016

99 cents on Kindle

$7.45 paperback, 178 pp.

Buy Amazon US

Jim Baton and A Violent Light

A Violent Light, Peace Trilogy, Book #3

Jim Baton

US$5.99

US$15.99

Buy on Amazon US CA AU

Buy on Barnes and Noble US

About the Book

The Youth For Peace Fresh Start Initiative gathers ten Muslim and ten Christian youth from ten nations around the world to learn new paths to peace. But the camp staff have some highly unorthodox teaching techniques. And when one by one the youth start disappearing, some of them wonder if the staff might not have an entirely different agenda. Those left behind must work together to solve the mystery before they also disappear. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, the entire world is watching... 

Lisa's Review

It’s an international peace conference gone horribly wrong. Young adults who have shown initiatives in peace ventures in their communities, who are actively involved in promoting peace, reconciliation, and acceptance of Christian and Muslim cultures living side by side have been invited to the United States to share with each other and learn new methods of reaching out. Most of them don’t realize how far they have to go until they are forced to unite in order to survive.

A Violent Light is the third book in a series, however each of the books is capable of standing on its own. I read the second book before the first, and while the author follows the story of Sari, a young Indonesian Christian, it’s not crucial to know what goes on before. While the characters are well planned, as in most thrillers the story is plot-driven with events that propel the reader to turn pages, cringe, and cheer. And pray. A lot. This story is unfortunately too real, told by someone who has experienced these issues. On one hand, I can’t believe humanity can overcome our differences; on the other, Baton’s dream of rising above our sinful natures is mine, too. I can hurt for those who are stuck in mental illness because I know being earthbound is only temporary and I long for the better country.

I read fiction mostly for entertainment. I’m not honestly certain that I would have picked up this book on a whim, but the author’s background as a missionary in Indonesia makes the first and second stories pop. While it’s necessary for the evil in this third book set in the US to be somewhat cliché, the author has also shown an understanding of the difference between shock value and those who truly believe they are on the right hand of God and will murder to prove it. I still call such skewed devotion mental illness. Stellar writing is important to me, and this author has done another excellent work.

Those who love controversy, action, gruesome realities, and a good mystery thrill ride with action jumping between scenes will like Baton’s books. They are a true torn from the headlines look at the world today, and with A Violent Light, at America and its rotten layer of racism and biblical misinterpretation that must be overcome by the true power of dignity and self-sacrifice and love.

About the Author

JIM BATON has spent the last 20 years in the world’s largest Muslim nation, building bridges between Muslims and Christians who both desire peace. His speaking and writing call people out of fear and into authentic friendships that can change the world.

Read other Reviews in the John 316 Network

A Way Out of Hell  Lorilyn  Lisa

Somebody Has to Die  Lisa  Lorilyn

Time Travel series by Deborah Heal

Once Again

Rewinding Time series, book 1

Deborah Heal

Paperback: $9.99

Ebook: 2.99

Others in the series:

Only Way Home 

How Sweet the Sound 

Matter of Time 

More Than Meets the Eye 

Buy Entire series

About the Book:

Professor Merrideth Randall has a tool that other historians can only dream of—computer software that virtually rewinds time!

It comes in handy for historical research and for her sideline genealogy business. When her colleague physics professor Brett Garrison asks for help with his family tree she can’t resist, even though he’s far too attractive for her peace of mind. And amazingly, he seems to be pursuing her, despite the fact that everyone knows dating a co-worker is career suicide.

Using her software, Merrideth gets a first-hand look at Brett’s ancestors, the courageous pioneers of the Illinois Country who withstood Indian attacks, hardship, and loneliness to settle there in the 1780s. One of the settlers is James Garretson, who risked his life to take the Gospel to the very tribe that wreaked havoc on his family. Merrideth is amazed that he could forgive a crime so huge.

She would love to tell Brett that he is descended from heroes, and that he inherited his black hair and green eyes from James Garretson. But she is determined to safeguard her program, and discretion is not Brett’s strong suit. She also has secrets about herself that she’d just as soon he didn’t find out either.

One virtue Brett does have is patience, and he’s quite willing to wait for Merrideth to figure things out.

Lisa's Review:

Little Merri Randall is all grown up in this new series from inspirational time master Deborah Heal. She’s followed her dream of becoming a young PhD history professor at a southern Illinois college. It’s been years since her childhood encounters with a dangerous and mysterious software program called Beautiful Houses. When she accidentally? rediscovers the program not only still exists and is just as active as ever, curiosity overcomes her good sense and she is once again drawn back to explore time.

Merredith uses the program to help her in both her work and private side business, researching family history. She has grown up reluctant to share herself with others, a definite lack of trust in others and even to a certain extent her own abilities and gifts. When the physics professor sets his sights on her, Merri has a lot to overcome, especially her teaching mentor, to believe anyone might be personally interested in her.

Told from Merredith’s viewpoint throughout, this story and series is a history lover’s dream. Because the character is a professor, her lectures that include blocks of rote history are a natural part of the story, as are the fascinating dialog sharing dates and people. Merri’s trips through time provide a virtual visit to experience life in the late eighteenth century literally through those people’s heads.

Just a fascinating series with excellent research. While science is not discounted, the details of the software’s ability to provide virtual time travel experience for the user doesn’t hinder the reader. The books are part of a series, and while a reader can pick up any story and read it with enough information from the past books to make sense of the particular story arc, you’ll want to read the whole series. I know I will. Recommended for those who love plucky wounded females with a side of romance while reading their history.

Note: Time and Again, the first book in the History Mystery trilogy sert before this series, is available free from Amazon Kindle

Excerpt from "Killswitch," New Release from Victoria Buck

Excerpt from the new book release by Victoria Buck.

Life underground mystified the man who used to own the world. Chase leaned against a white partition in the bunker constructed under an abandoned museum. Getting here had consumed his thoughts. Even his dreams.

He scanned the sixty-foot-wide room that used to be nothing more than a cavernous hole. Computers and holographic displays filled the space now, along with a group of people all intent on giving God credit for this techno-cave. Odd.

Maybe there was a higher power behind it. Something had pressed Chase, caused him to give up everything. Urged him to seek refuge in this strange world.

Or maybe it was just his coding, since he’d gotten blown apart and reassembled—turned into a transhuman.

Whether Providence or programming, he’d made it. Now he’d do what he came to do: connect these people with others like them around the world. Protect them. Keep them a step ahead of government forces bearing down on them. But somebody had better tell him what all this was about. Why the believers held to their faith. His other reason for coming—to find the truth.

But here? Was every branch of the Underground Church literally underground?

The middle of the busy command center housed ten computer stations, three to four feet apart. Old-fashioned bulbs hung from the white drop ceiling. In the thirty-eight hours since his arrival, he’d become acquainted with the massive network of information and communication programs. The exoself—the computer built into his very being—now seemed at one with the systems Mel had constructed. No wonder, she’d designed him too. At least in part.

She lifted her deep brown eyes and gave him a reassuring smile, then she motioned toward the door to his right. He returned the smile and nodded. Almost time for the meeting.

Melody Reese—the third reason he didn’t stop looking until he found this place. He watched her move across the room. Maybe seeing her again had been at the forefront of his reasoning.

Click here to order from Amazon

*~*~*~* 

Victoria Buck is a Central Florida native. Wake the Dead is her debut novel. Killswitch is the follow-up to book one. Transfusion releases soon to finish the trilogy about the world's first transhuman. Victoria clings to the gospel, serves in the local church, relishes time spent writing, and curiously contemplates the future.

For to Us a Child is Born, to Us a Son is Given

"There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom..." #Messiah #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/gmJbenrMRB

— John 316 Books (@John316Network) December 24, 2016

"A Way Out of Hell," by Jim Baton - Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts

A Way Out of Hell by Jim Baton is the second book in the Peace Trilogy Series and picks up where Someone Has to Die left off.

As an American attempting to understand Islam, the series has helped me to understand a side of Islam that is often overlooked: Muslims are people just like me, trying to raise their families, pay their bills, and worship according to their beliefs. A Way Out of Hell shows that radical Islamic groups like ISIS are as much a threat to Muslim society as they are to Christians and Jews.

Can Christians and Muslims live side by side, respect each others' beliefs, share each others' hopes, and even pray together? Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

In a world where there is so little love, so little hope, and so little tolerance, maybe this series offers a glimpse of what is possible. I have many personal questions after reading the first two books. For example, can I love that much? 

In my heart, I want to show Muslims the love of Christ. Jesus Christ died for them too, but before we can expect Muslims to listen to us, or to me, we must love them first. Earn their friendship. I remind myself, Jesus loves Muslims more than I ever could because He loves perfectly. 

Our best ability to love will never be like Jesus Christ, but if we commit our minds and hearts to trying, will that not please our heavenly Father? John 13:35 says: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

The Peace Trilogy Series has shown me some things that aren't always obvious at first. Perhaps one reason why Jesus Christ taught using parables is because stories teach us things we can't learn any other way. When we read stories, we develop an intimacy with the characters. We feel their emotions. 

The scholarship of a nonfiction book remains in the intellect. Stories reach the heart. Love, hate, hopelessness, and redemption, I felt all those emotions in the Peace Trilogy Series. I even felt pity for the antagonists who had become radicalized. They were misled, perhaps demonically possessed in one instance, but they still had souls. They weren't beyond redemption.  

It only takes one person to make a difference, to bring peace to a village, a community, a school, or a country, and the Peace Trilogy Series provides an example of how reconciliation is possible. I look forward to reading the third and final book in the series, A Violent Light.

*~*~*~*

Product Details Paperback: 322 pages Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (May 18, 2016) Language: English ISBN-10: 1532765991 ISBN-13: 978-1532765995 Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews) To order from Amazon, click here

About the Author

JIM BATON lives in the world’s largest Muslim nation, building bridges between 

Muslims and Christians who both desire peace.