21 Ways to Celebrate Gratitude, by Shelley Hitz

21 Ways to Celebrate Gratitude

Idea #14: Create Place Cards for Thanksgiving Dinner

Guest post by Shelley Hitz

Thanksgiving season is soon approaching and this year, I encourage you to take the opportunity to celebrate gratitude.  In the midst of the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, take a moment (or two) to celebrate gratitude. 

Don’t forget to check out the free book giveaway below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8wFquZSsVM

Idea #14:  Create place cards for each person that will be attending your Thanksgiving dinner with one thing you are thankful for about them or one quality you admire in them.  Write these out ahead of time with their name and decorate them with a Thanksgiving theme.

See all 21 ways to celebrate gratitude this Thanksgiving at Shelley’s website: http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/21-ways-to-celebrate-gratitude-during-thanksgiving-this-holiday-season/

Free Gratitude Resource:

On November 14, 15 and 16^th, 2012 you can download a FREE Kindle copy of the book, “21 Stories of Gratitude:  The Power of Living Life With a Grateful Heart.”  

Get your copy here:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009YWM3WI

Book Description:

Are you living life to the fullest? Or are you merely surviving from day to day?

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.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Other Gratitude Resources:

·         21 Days of Gratitude Challenge:   Take the 21 days of gratitude challenge to celebrate Thanksgiving this year.  You can do this by yourself or as a family.

·         21 Prayers of Gratitude:  Read a prayer of gratitude for 21 days to focus your heart on God and all He has given us.

About the Author:

Shelley Hitz has been writing and publishing books since 2008. She is also the author of the website, FindYourTrueBeauty.com, that reaches thousands of girls each month around the world. Her openness and vulnerability as she shares her own story of hope and healing will inspire and encourage you.

Shelley has been ministering to teens since 1998 alongside her husband, CJ. They currently travel and speak to teens and adults around the country. Shelley’s main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements.

You can find more about Shelley at www.ShelleyHitz.com or invite her to speak at your event here: www.ChristianSpeakers.tv

Meet Nike Chilemi!

Nike Chillemi ~ Crime Fictionista http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

Perilous Shadows (Desert Breeze) ~ college coed murdered in radio station, set 1947

Goodbye Noel (Desert Breeze) ~ mother of an infant murdered, set winter 1946/47

---Won 2011 Grace Awards in Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller Category

Burning Hearts (Desert Breeze) ~ arson, murder, and romance, set 1946
---Finaled in 2011 Grace Awards Romance/Historical Romance Category

Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She was an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category and a judge in the 2011 and 2012 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories. She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards and its Chairman, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. BURNING HEARTS is the first book in the crime wave that is sweeping the south shore of Long Island in The Sanctuary Point series, published by Desert Breeze. GOODBYE NOEL, the second book in the series released in December, 2011 won the Grace Award 2011 in the Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller category. PERILOUS SHADOWS, the third in the series released in July, 2012. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers (Ning).

 

 

Perilous Shadows Blurb: ASIN: B008JLF1Q0  (Historical Romantic Thriller, late-1940s --- Sweet romance, warm intimacy, sophisticated themes presented tastefully)

Pioneer newspaperwoman Kiera Devane is on a mission to prove a woman can do a man's job, as she hunts a young coed's killer? Ace radio broadcaster Argus Nye lost one love to a murderous fiend and his pulse races as he tries to protect Kiera from herself as much as from this killer.

Kiera was doted upon by loving parent, but they were killed when she was a girl and she was shipped off to live with a socialite aunt who had little time for her. In her aunt's house, she learned life could be cold and cruel. As a result, she grew up to be an independent and demanding professional woman.

Argus Nye, still bereft from the loss of his first love, can't understand why this female reporter is mesmerizing him. As she takes chances with her life trying to catch a killer, he's determined to protect her.

Amazon. http://is.gd/kD45XV

Barnes and Noble. http://is.gd/RJF2zy

 

GOODBYE NOEL Blurb: ASIN: B006LTHI1I (Historical Romantic Thriller, mid-1940s --- Sweet romance, warm intimacy, sophisticated themes presented tastefully --- Won the 2011 Grace Awards Mystery/Thriller/Romantic Suspense category)

The first body is found under a trimmed Christmas tree, the second as they ring in the New Year (1947), the third goes head long out a window. Will a young pediatric nurse determined to make it on her own be able to care for an infant whose mother was murdered and escape the killer who has struck again? Can she trust the stalwart village detective with her life and her heart as he works to catch this killer before somebody else dies?

Pediatric nurse, Katrina Lenart, grew up strong willed and independent minded, while sharing her mother's flair for high fashion. When the police chief gives her an orphaned baby to care for, her maternal instincts take over and she's willing to fight anyone who might not have the infant's best interests at heart, even the man she's growing to love. After an attempt is made to kidnap the baby, she and the resolute village detective team up and do some sleuthing, undercover at a cult as well as at a fancy ball.

Detective Ian Daltry is a widower with a child and is not interested in a new love. Hunting a killer who stops at nothing has placed him in the position where he must protect a beautiful young woman he's drawn to. Is there's something he's overlooked in analyzing the case? Will he find out what that is before this ruthless murderer kills someone he loves?

Amazon. http://is.gd/F2YnpQ

Barnes and Nobel. http://is.gd/lrsTbU

BURNING HEARTS Blurb: ASIN: B0050PJSTY  (Historical Romance Thriller, mid-1940s --- Sweet romance, sophisticated themes presented tastefully --- Finaled in 2011 Grace Awards Romance/Historical Romance category

Can a sheltered young seamstress, disillusioned by the horrors of WWII, escape an arsonist/murderer who has killed her employer and mentor, while trying to decide if she can trust the dashing war hero who’s ridden into town on his Harley—who some say is the murderer?

Erica Brogna’s parents doted on her and taught her to think for herself. Many boys she grew up with had fallen in the WWII, shaking her childhood faith. In rides a handsome stranger, at the hour of her most desperate need. A woman who is her close friend and mentor is trapped in a burning house. After making an unsuccessful rescue attempt, Erica stands by as this man rushes into the inferno and carries her friend’s lifeless body out.

Lorne Kincade can’t out run his past on his Harley Davidson WLA, the civilian model of the motorcycle he rode in the war. He’s tried. He’s been a vagabond biker in the year since the war ended. His Uncle Ivar bequeathed him a ramshackle cottage in Sanctuary Point, on the Great South Bay of Long Island, NY and now he’d like to hope for a future again, repair the miniscule place, and settle down. The only problem is, a young woman with hair the color of mink is starting to get under his skin and that’s the last thing he needs.

Amazon. http://is.gd/nKqMvo

Barnes and Noble. http://is.gd/fvEQfH

My unique talent: I have the ability to write authentic dialog that's snappy and sounds right to the 1940s era in my historical. I also describe the atmosphere of the decade so that readers feel as if they are there.

Share something not many people know about you. I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and worked in marketing in the bridal industry.

Answering to our fun little survey, Nike says -

Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets?  Pets, pets, pets. Was was a pet rescuer and as a result have a house full of pets.

Would you rather travel or stay at home?  Travel to any warm climate with a beach.

Do you read more or write more?  I used to read more, but now the balance has changed. I write more.

Prefer cake or pie? Neither.  Not a big dessert person. Unless it's authentic key lime pie.

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car?  Drive a car. My fav is a Jeep.

How about taking the bus or walking?  Yuk. I do walk, but only with my dog. I'm an avid dog walker.

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church?  Tiny urban church, laid back, Scripturally on target.

Would you describe yourself as happy or joyful?  Joyful as a lifestyle, but happy when the situation calls for it. Enjoy both.

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail?  Email. Don't have time for the phone. Hate the phone.

Do you eat at home or eat out?  Home. I like to cook and like to eat healthy meals. However, I also enjoy going out as a family once a week, or on a "date night" with my husband.

Listen to music or prefer quiet?  Quiet: I'm not that musical. Can't carry a tune, sing off key. I'm a joy during worship in church, not.

Prefer sunrises or sunsets:  Both, as long as it's on the beach. I like sitting in a lounge chair with a cool drink watching either. Or a slow walk on the beach with my husband or my dog at sunrise or sunset…probably sunset.

Meet Tracy Krauss!

Tracy Krauss is a best-selling author, playwright, artist and teacher. She is a member of 'American Christian Fiction Writers', 'Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship', and ‘The Word Guild’ as well as several writing related social networking groups. Originally from a small prairie town, Tracy received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Sask. with majors in Art, and minors in History and English. She teaches High School English, Drama and Art. Apart from her many personal creative pursuits, she also directs an amateur theatre group and leads worship at her local church. She and her husband, an ordained minister with the PAOC, have lived in many remote and unique places in Canada's north, including Churchill Manitoba - the 'polar bear capital of the world', the Yukon, and the NWT. They raised four children and were active advocates of the homeschooling movement for many years. They currently reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC, known for its waterfalls.

 

Published Novels:

AND THE BEAT GOES ON – a suspenseful romance where archaeological evidence for creation comes at a heavy cost      ISBN: 978-1-60976-809-6

MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER – a self proclaimed ‘cougar’ takes on more than she bargained for when she tries to juggle five men at once    ISBN: 978-1-60976-585-9

PLAY IT AGAIN – an unlikely match during the 1980s rock n’ roll scene sets the stage for this suspenseful romance   ISBN: 978-1-61204-392-0

WIND OVER MARSHDALE -  strong spiritual forces rock a seemingly peaceful prairie town in this story of prejudice, greed, passion and deceit.   ISBN: 978-1-62135-041-5

All titles can be purchased online at Amazon: http://www.kraussamazon.com  or go to Tracy’s online store for more options at http://tracykrauss.yolasite.com/online-store.php

Published Plays:

(Performance rights must be obtained from the respective publishers)

EBENEZER’S CHRISTMAS CAROL - a unique twist on a seasonal favourite. Published by Pioneer Drama Services

DOROTHY’S ROAD TRIP – Frank L. Baum’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’ comes to life with fresh new characters and few unexpected twists. Published by JAC Publishing

A MIDTERM EVE’S PHANTASM – based on Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ set in a modern high school. Published by Big Dog Plays

LITTLE RED IN THE HOOD – an eclectic cast of fairy tale characters come together in this comdey suitable for all audiences. Published by JAC Publishing

THE WESTERN TALE – not your typical western, this is Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ set in the old west. Published by JAC Publishing

All titles can be purchased through the publisher’s online catalogues, or visit Tracy’s online store for the links. http://tracykrauss.yolasite.com/online-store.php

 

Connect with Tracy:

Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com

Blog: http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com

FB: http://tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-Fanpage

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TracyKrausswrtr

 

Your unique talent – I’m good at packing. I’ve moved over 30 times in my life (some across the country, some across the street) so I can pack a house and load a trailer like an expert.

Share something not many people know about you – I love shoes and jewellery. I’m at 45+ pair (and I donate them when I get tired of them) and I feel naked without a necklace and earrings.

 

Which best describes your personality:

 Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets? Sorry, I don’t really care for pets. Too much work. I’m glad to be an ‘empty nester’ and I’m not about to take on what is essentially is another child!

Would you rather travel or stay at home? My bio-polar nature says both, in equal parts. J

Do you read more or write more? I probably write more, but I am an avid reader, too. It depends on my mood.

Prefer cake or pie? I definitely like pie better than cake. I can usually say ‘no’ to cake pretty easily unless it’s something spectacular.

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car? A car, thanks! I don’t like adventurous dare-devil stuff, although my husband has forced me to ride a motorcycle and other such motorized contraptions.

How about taking the bus or walking? It depends on the time of year.

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church? Our church is small.

Would you describe yourself as happy or joyful? Happy.

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail? I like email. It’s more expedient and you can do it on your own time. The exception is my children. I always love to talk to them.

Do you eat at home or eat out? Yikes! I’m embarrassed to say we eat out more frequently than we should. I don’t like cooking, so taking me out to a restaurant is always welcome.

Listen to music or prefer quiet? I love music, but when I’m writing I find I tune out the rest of the world, so it doesn’t really matter. I can write and watch TV, write and listen to music, write and have a crowd around. When I’m in the zone, it doesn’t matter.

Prefer sunrises or sunsets? I love sunsets for two reasons. First, as a prairie girl, I grew up with amazing sunsets. Second, I’m not a morning person, so I’m usually too tired and dysfunctional in the morning to enjoy a sunrise.

Book, Love the Wounded, by Lynn Dove, BOOK LAUNCH

Lynn Dove is launching her new book, Love the Wounded, October 30^th. 

Love the Wounded  is the final and dramatic conclusion to her brilliant Wounded Trilogy  series that has followed the lives of teenagers Jake, Leigh, Mike, Dylan and Tim as they come to terms with a series of tragedies and events that have made each of them question why God allows “bad things to happen to good people.”

You can help her achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY – and receive all kinds of free gifts while you’re at it!

Here’s how:
1. Go to the Landing Page on Lynn’s Word Salt Website
2. Buy the book at amazon.
3. Go back to the Landing Page and fill in the {{{{{{{form}}}}}} with your name, email and purchase number.
It’s that easy! You’ll be directed to your free gifts and all you have to do is choose which ones you want.

About the book:

Leigh does not know who to choose...her heart tells her she will always love Jake, but he has changed so much since the death of their friend, Ronnie, and with his mother going through breast cancer; he has totally closed himself off from her emotionally. Now she is dating Dylan and try as she might to accept him for who he is, she can't stop thinking about Jake! Dylan has never gotten over the loss of his father and little sister, killed by a drunk driver when he was just a young boy.

After a horrific accident that has put both Tim and his little brother, Evan in the hospital, everyone knows that not only is he being bullied at school; he cuts himself to cope with it all. But meeting Cassidy has given him the courage to stand up to the bullies and at the same time give her what she so desperately needs...a life-giving bone marrow transplant. Jake's mother keeps telling him that "God works all things out for good" but with all the things going on in his life and with his friends, he's just not sure anymore. It is only after Mike is paralyzed in a car accident that Jake was partially responsible for that all the families and friends will be brought back together, not by coincidence, but by God's design and then Jake will finally believe that God truly does "Love the Wounded".

"A life of working with youth has inspired Lynn Dove, a Cochrane mother to turn her experiences into a book trilogy...(the Wounded Trilogy) series that parallels the struggles of students...(and) covers the angst of some of the real serious issues that teenagers face today, particularly with bullying and gossip. " -Rocky View Weekly-

What others are saying:
“I couldn’t put the book down…(A) dramatic ending to a wonderful series about five teenagers and their families who are struggling through life,…Lynn Dove has created a cast of teenage characters we grow to love over this three book series,…It is a wonderful, good, clean book with twists and turns about issues on a young adult level that they will enjoy reading.”  - Readers Favorite–
“A personal story of honest truth – offer(s) an uplifting spiritual message” – Cochrane Times –

Author bio:
Lynn Dove is a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and writer.  Winner of a Canadian Christian Writing Award in 2011, Lynn Dove's debut novel, Shoot the Wounded, written for teens and young adults was a finalist in the 2010 Readers Favorite Book Awards. Heal the Wounded, released in 2010, the second book in this series won the Bronze Medal in the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards in the Young Adult - Coming of Age category. Love the Wounded is the final book in the "Wounded Trilogy."

FREE STUFF:
Here’s just a sampling of the FREE e-gifts from generous supporters:
Free Kindle version of Tracy Krauss’s best seller: Wind Over Marshdale
Autographed copy of The Chamomile by Susan F. Craft
Autographed copy of award winning They Stood Alone by Sandra McLeod Humphrey
Free ebook Fit for Faith by Kimberley Payne
Free PDF copy of Live Without Stress by Shelley Hitz
First Three Chapters of The Legacy of Deer Run by Elaine Cooper
Plus more!
All if you buy your copy of Love the Wounded  at amazon.com on Oct 30! All links will be operational on the ‘Landing Page’ at the Word Salt website on that day only!

DISCLAIMER: This ‘Best Seller book launch’ has been coordinated with the help of the ‘John 3:16 Marketing Network’ and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the internet or by email (or mail) by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, amazon.com  

Meet Janet Perez Eckles!

Janet Perez Eckles

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/janeteckles

Twitter: http://twitter.com/janeteckles

YouTube: www.youtube.com/janetperezeckles

Blog: www.janetperezeckles.com/blog

 

Although blind, Janet Perez Eckles has been inspiring thousands to see the best in life. She is an international speaker, writer and #1 bestselling author of Simply Salsa: Dancing without Fear at God’s Fiesta, Judson Press 2011.

http://www.janetperezeckles.com

 

What keeps women from dancing to the sweet freedom God offers? With a bit of sass, humor and a uniquely passionate “Latina talk,” Simply Salsa exposes the lies and misconceptions that imprison women today. Simply Salsa is not just a book, but a delightful experience to discover the joy lost in life’s struggles, the freedom from fear and with each engaging story, restore confidence to face Tomorrow.

Available at: http://amzn.to/pwDntn

All Christian stores and Barnes &Noble

ISBN 978­0­8170­1701­9 (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Christian

 

Your unique talent: I think that conquering fear is a gift. I displayed it a few years back when I drove a car. (Being completely blind, fear might have gotten in the way. But maybe foolishness replaced common sense. Either way, the experience was thrilling!

Share something not many people know about you

I was a belly dancer and taught it when I was young...and daring.

(Lisa says: I'm trying to picture that, and somehow...it fits! - Big smile!)

Which best describes your personality:

Passionate as I dance to the Latina melody of God’s joy.

Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets?

No pets other than the lizard that slithers under the screen beside our swimming pool.

Would you rather travel or stay at home?

Travel any day! I love, love to travel alone. I always say one should only fly in first class or as a blind person—both have the same lovely perks!

Do you read more or write more?

Write more.

Prefer cake or pie?

Give me a slice of a homemade pecan pie and you’ll be my best friend.

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car?

Drive a car, more protection (an important component when driving being blind).

How about taking the bus or walking?

I’ll walk provided the person leading me is going where I want to go.

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church?

Medium size.

Would you describe yourself as happy or joyful?

Joyful. Thus the title of my next e-book: Hola, Happiness: Finding Joy by Dancing to the Melody of God’s Word.

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail?

Email for business conversations. Phone with good ol’ friends.

Do you eat at home or eat out?

Mostly at home. But when eating out, it’s a lovely experience.

Listen to music or prefer quiet?

Lots of music, praise songs, and when in a silly mood, listen to oldies.

Prefer sunrises or sunsets?

Sigh! Having lost my sight over 26 years ago, I remember both to be breath-taking...and surely gives me a deeper longing to reach heaven—when the sunrises and sunsets I’ll be able to see will have a more vibrant shimmer!

 

My new release, Hola, Happiness: Finding Joy by Dancing to the Melody of God’s Word is now available!

 

 

Janet Perez Eckles, inspiring you to see the best in life.

For inspiration and a bit of humor, watch Janet’s video: http://youtu.be/8F6OUd8aP50

Hola Happiness: Finding Joy by Dancing to the Melody of God’s Word

 

Meet Diane Tatum!

Diane E. Tatum

www.dianeetatumwriter.com

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

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php/tatumlight

Twitter: @DianeTatum

Diane E. Tatum has been writing since childhood. She “retired” from teaching middle school language arts in 2009 to focus on writing full-time. Her first novel, Gold Earrings, which began as a short story written in high school, was published in September 2011. Diane has also written Sunday School curriculum for LifeWay, David C. Cook, and her church youth group as well as youth leadership-related articles for magazines. She has a BS-Business Administration and a MATeaching-Language Arts. Diane continues to work with youth at her former middle school, with Tullahoma WyldLife, and in her church. She lives in Tullahoma, TN, with her aerospace engineer husband, Ken.

Information about your books including blurbs ISBN, purchase information, and cover pictures

Gold Earrings (Published 2011 – Tate Publishing,  ISBN-10:1617775746, ISBN-13: 978-1617775741)

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Earrings-Diane-E-Tatum/dp/1617775746/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346093707&sr=8-1&keywords=Gold+Earrings+by+Diane+Tatum

Daughter of a bordello madame and an Italian captain of the seas, Angelina Mercy longs for a new life, free from the condemnation associated with her mother's home in Boston. A former navy man, Jonathan Thomson has accepted God's call and become a minister of a small congregation. Adrift from his Yankee heritage in the Missouri plains, Jonathan longs for a family of his own. Pursuing Alice, the daughter of the town's wealthy patron, Jonathan believes he can tame her wild ways and accomplish more as a preacher once so established. When Angelina's guardian and Jonathan's seminary professor learns of Jonathan's misguided intentions, he seeks out a solution to aid both individuals, providing a new home for Angelina in St. Joseph, and Angelina and Jonathan are brought together with a strong initial attraction. Can Jonathan ignore Angelina's Gold Earrings, a constant reminder of the implications of her less than pristine parentage? And will Alice succeed in keeping Jonathan from Angelina? The resilient heroine of Diane E. Tatum's novel will inspire you in this touching tale of love against the odds.

 

A Time to Choose (unpublished)

Captain Andrew Browning’s new assignment is to head up security at the Lincoln White House. A Virginian and a longtime friend of Robert E. Lee, he must decide whether to resign from the Union Army. His long-time fiancée is a beautiful Southern belle whose father runs a plantation with slaves who were Andrew’s childhood friends. His choices will also affect his family: his blacksmith father, mother, and twin sisters.

Maggie Strickland’s mission is to bring a petition from Massachusetts abolitionists to Lincoln demanding an end to slavery. A Harvard graduate in political science and journalism, Maggie writes about her passions and the war under a pseudonym. She plans to change the South and give her heart to Andrew, a man who has made difficult choices and is embittered by his former relationships. Impetuous and driven, Maggie’s passion for her family, justice, and God determines her choices.

A Time to Choose is a Christian historical romance set in Washington, DC, during the Civil War years.

Can two people make the world a better place to raise the next generation of Americans?

 

Your unique talent: I knit for myself and others as well as for our church prayer shawl ministry, make beaded jewelry, and do counted cross-stitch.

 

For our Fun Little Survey, Diane answered:

 

Which best describes your personality: I’m quiet , creative, and reliable. I’m a good listener and care deeply for people. I try to be more like Christ each day.

Are you a “pet person” or prefer no pets? Dogs are the best!  We have a Jack Russell terrier named Tyler, in addition to a granddog named Sammy, and a grandcat named Pepper.

Would you rather travel or stay at home? Foreign travel, Canadian travel, US travel, but when I’m home I like to be home.

Do you read more or write more? I enjoy reading, but I enjoy writing more.

Prefer cake or pie? Pie! Cherry, blackberry, apple, chocolate, key lime, you name it!

Would, or do, ride a motorcycle or prefer to ride/drive a car? NO motorcycles! I love to drive my crossover Freestyle.

How about taking the bus or walking? In my rural area, the bus does not exist. When we travel, we love the subway to get around big cities. I’d like walking if my knees were better!

Are you part of a big church congregation or a small church? Our church is about 200 or so regularly.

Would you describe yourself as happy or joyful? I struggle with physical problems which makes happy not as easy as for some. My joy comes from my relationship with Christ.

Do you like to telephone people or prefer to use e-mail? Email and text. I don’t enjoy using the phone.

Do you eat at home or eat out? I cook most of the time. I won’t turn down an evening out, though! And I love travel partly because I’m not cooking!

Listen to music or prefer quiet? I love music when I drive, but it’s usually quiet at home.

Prefer sunrises or sunsets? While both are enjoyable displays of God’s creation, the sunrise at the beach on the East Coast is spectacular. I guess that sunrises also remind me of sunrise services on Easter celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

New Christian Mystery on Sale at Amazon

A new Christian mystery for preteens and teens was released today on Amazon. com. Called Lost in the Woods: A Bible Camp Mystery, the book is the tale of a 13-year-old boy who disappears in the Florida backwoods on a back-to-nature styled church retreat.

 In the book, things go awry early when the group encounters no-see-ums at dusk after setting up camp.  It’s downhill from there when Zack disappears in the middle of the night, several campers become ill, and a hurricane bears down on the Gulf Coast.

“It’s Florida at its best,” quips the book's author Cheryl Rogers, a native of Miami who has endured many hurricanes through the years.

Rogers, a John 3:16 Marketing Network member who publishes of New Christian Books Online Magazine, weaves the message of salvation into the plot, encouraging readers to seek Jesus as their Savior. She also demonstrates the power of prayer, the importance of staying with a pack, and taking dominion over creation.

“It is my goal to expose readers to biblical principles at a young age, enabling them to understand key concepts,” Rogers says.

The plot unfolds as Chet, a former New York gang leader who has found Christ, develops plans for the retreat. Despite their best efforts to prepare the youths, they learn early things don’t always go as planned.

“I loved Nancy Drew Mysteries as a child, so I have tried to capture that flavor in this story about Zack and his fellow campers," Rogers says. "It is my goal to help provide uplifting reading materials to readers 10 and up."

Among her other ebooks are The Lesson of Jonah: There is a Price to Pay When you Disobey, a Bible lesson plan; Just Like Jonah Wail Tales, a short story collection involving modern Jonahs who learn the hard way there is a price to pay when you disobey; and The I Can See Christian Storybook, a unique story collection aimed at defeating doubts about God as a child grows.

Rogers also has written a devotions book aimed at new and young Christian entitled Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook. It consists of 40 lessons teaching how to really love and forgive others, why it's important to set aside pride and lots more.

Lost in the Woods: A Bible Camp Mystery retails for $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle Store. Get the lowdown on the lovable cast of characters in the next few weeks, exclusively at New Christian Books Online Magazine.