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Wednesday, April 19, 2017

The Calling of Ella McFarland by Award-Winning Author Linda Brooks Davis, Read an Excerpt



Ella McFarland’s dream is a teaching position at Worthington School for Girls. But scandal clouds her family name and may limit her to a life of grueling farm labor in the Indian Territory. Her fate lies in the hands of the Worthington board, and there happens to be one strikingly handsome man with a vote. Will they overlook the illegitimate son recently borne by her sister, Viola?

1905 brings hope of Oklahoma statehood and the woman’s suffrage debate is raging, forcing Ella to make decisions about her faith, family, and aspirations. When she comes to the rescue of a young, abused sharecropper’s daughter, her calling begins to take shape in ways she never imagined. Education is Ella’s passion, but a new love is budding in her heart. Can she find God’s will amidst the tumultuous storm that surrounds her?


The Calling of Ella McFarland was the First Place Winner of the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest. 
It won the American Christian Fiction Carol Award in August 2016.


A story of family and faith in 1905 Indian Territory prior to Oklahoma statehood, a time when women's voices were silenced in public and often stifled at home.


Ella reached for the buggy’s folding step.
         “Here, let me.” He released the latch and pressed the step into place. Sunlight glinted in his hair, as dark a brown as black walnut shells. He touched a hand to her elbow.
         “Thank you, sir,” she said and set a button-shoed foot on the step. Her legs wobbled as she settled into the seat.
         “Don’t give up hope, Miss McFarland. I’ll do everything I can.”
         She shook off the disconcerting effect of the man’s cobalt eyes and released the foot brake. “You’re very kind, Mr. Evans. Thank you.”
         She flicked open her pendant fob watch. Ten o’clock. She should make it home in time to help Mama set out the noon meal. Five miles of back roads and a bridge over the Canadian River would take her into Indian Territory. Just past the Washita River, she would catch sight of the home place where her family awaited news.
         Ella was their best hope, but hope was growing scarce.

         Securing her hair with a comb under her hat, she squared her shoulders. Her smart snap of the whip belied her crumbling emotions as it urged her mare Bunny onto the thoroughfare toward home. 


*~*~*~*


Linda Brooks Davis, Author 
~The Calling of Ella McFarland, 2015
2014 Winner, Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel
2015 Silver Medalist, Frasier Award
2016 Winner, ACFW Carol Award, Debut Novel
~A Christmas to Remember, 2016

Saturday, April 15, 2017

The Dandelion Patch - New Release from MaryAnn Diorio



When Yolanda Riggins discovers that the government plans to build a new highway through her beloved dandelion patch, she rises up in protest and asserts her God-given right to private ownership of property. Will she succeed against all odds to save her dandelion patch? Will tact, truth, and tough love win the day for Yolanda and the children who love her? Read this delightful book to find out.



*~*~*



Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a follower of Jesus Christ who is passionate about writing compelling and entertaining fiction that transforms lives. Her fiction has won several awards, including the Silver Medal for eBook Fiction in the Illumination Book Awards Program sponsored by the Jenkins Group; First Place in Inspirational Fiction in the 2011 Colorado RWA Heart of the Rockies Contest; and First Place in Inspirational Fiction in the 2011 Space Coast Authors of Romance (STAR) Launching a Star Contest. 

Her latest work of fiction is a novel titled THE MADONNA OF PISANO. It is the first in the trilogy called THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES. 

Friday, March 31, 2017

Tooth For Tooth by Kimberley Payne Review

Tooth for Tooth 
Kimberley Payne
Inspirational Fiction
Tooth for Tooth
About the Book:
Dumped into single parenthood, Heather Williams has found a part-time job as a dental receptionist and a cozy apartment with her four-year-old daughter. Life finally looks safe and secure until her daughter reveals a terrifying secret that she's been molested by her own father. While struggling with her feelings towards her new boss, Heather tries to get the help her daughter needs, navigate the court system, and protect the child from further harm.

99 cents
Buy on
Amazon Canada http://amzn.to/1dNH1Te
Smashwords http://bit.ly/XKSR6c

Lisa's Review:
Much more than a revenge story, Payne’s fictional account of child abuse is a frightening tale for any parent or guardian. So realistically told, I hoped the author hadn’t gone through such a devastating event. Well told from the mother’s point of view. Tooth for Tooth is a cautionary drama for contemporary suspicious society but with love and hope for a full and healthy future, both physically and emotionally.

When a nightmare comes to light, single mom Heather must face all the repercussions of the medical and court system when she decides to bring charges against her former husband, who challenges the accusation. Although surrounded by a good support system of close family and friends, Heather is still bewildered by the legalities of what she must put her young daughter through in order to prove the abuse. Worse yet, Heather is reminded of an episode two years earlier, before divorce proceedings, in which she believes Caitlyn tried to tell her she was hurt.

The story is ultimately about recognizing that no one on earth can protect us from the bad things that happen, that we can’t blame ourselves when we’re trying our best, but mostly that the only place we can run to for love, for comfort, for peace of mind and heart is our Savior, Christ Jesus, the Father who ultimately forgives all, and the Spirit who entwines us and teaches, or enables, us to forgive others. Heather learns that while she may not be able to control much of anything, the One who is in control has her back and everything will be okay.

Nicely written with the nuances of what it must feel like to be in Heather’s position. But it’s not for the faint of heart readers who prefer sweet and light rosy family stories.

About the Author:
Kimberley is a half-cup-full optimist who’s been blessed with a short memory. She 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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Friday, March 3, 2017

Inspirational Images and Devotional Books by Kimberley Payne

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.





Inspirational Scripture ImagesInspirational Scripture Images

As an avid walker, I have a love and appreciation for nature, especially walking through the woods. I also love to read the Bible and find great encouragement from the Scriptures. Inspirational Scripture Images contains a variety of photos from around my neighbourhood. Each image has a familiar scripture imprinted on it.
Purchase links:
Amazon Canada http://amzn.to/1lUETt7

My Journey to the Holy Land - A Devotional Photo Journal
My Journey to the Holy Land – A Devotional Photo Journal 

This short book is a devotional photo journal inspired by the author’s 10-day trip to Israel.
Purchase links:

Think Snow Devotional

Think Snow Devotional 

This short book holds a collection of devotional writings, which explore the joys and challenges of snowmobiling and building a relationship with God.
Purchase links:

ABCs of Gratitude - Giving Thanks through the Alphabet for your Blessings


ABCs of Gratitude – Giving thanks through the alphabet for your blessings

Do you want to foster an attitude of gratitude for the next 26 days? Each day will feature a new letter from the alphabet as a prompt for you to share at least one thing for which you are thankful.
Purchase links:
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/524749

Night StoriesNight Stories

Night Stories is a collection of eight devotionals about the author’s personal dream stories and what she felt God spoke to her through them.
Purchase links:

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts of "A Violent Light," by Jim Baton


After reading the first two books in the Peace Trilogy Series, I couldn’t wait to read A Violent Light.  Sometimes when you immensely enjoy the first two books in a trilogy, you are disappointed in the final book, but A Violent Light is Jim Baton’s best writing of all three books in the series.

Mr. Baton has been an advocate for peace between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia for many years, and his first two books in the Peace Trilogy Series focus on that part of the world. So I was quite surprised AND DELIGHTED when I discovered A Violent Light takes place in my little corner of the United States—Atlanta, Georgia, and the North Georgia Mountains. I lived in Atlanta from age 4 to 22, and spent many summers in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains attending Girl Scout Camp.



The story grabbed my attention from page one. I was reminded that many people in America oppose all Muslims because of radical Islam, without recognizing that some “Christian cult groups” are as dangerous and as unacceptable as is radical Islam. Not only that, but A Violent Light, vividly displays what happens when “wrong thinking” takes over. 

Hate-filled propaganda will never build bridges. We need to pray for all those who have developed that kind of carnal enmity and who are entrenched in such diabolical thinking. Ignorance and arrogance lead to unachievable dialog.


The eye-opening plot of A Violent Light is riveting and suspenseful. The reader will be confronted with uncomfortable questions concerning relations between Christians and Muslims. I was terrified at times; yet, I could not put this book down. I read it in only two or three sittings.


I highly recommend everyone read A Violent Light if for no other reason than to bring illumination to how God’s Word can be twisted and perverted. 



Only through Jesus Christ can true reconciliation happen. If you want a suspense-filled book that is cutting edge in religious fiction, I highly recommend A Violent Light.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Family Time with Kimberley Payne

Family and Lifestyle Devotional Books
Children's Lessons, Arts and Crafts Time
Kimberley Payne

Where Family Meets FaithWhere Family Meets Faith
Publisher ByDesignMedia.ca

Where Family Meets Faith is written and compiled especially for families. It is a collection of devotionals that show the similarities between the challenges of raising a family and building a relationship with God.
Purchase links:

Where Life Meets FaithWhere Life Meets Faith 
Publisher ByDesignMedia.ca

Where Life Meets Faith is a collection of devotional articles, which explore the challenges of living life and building a relationship with God.
Purchase links:

Adam's Animals - fun facts about God's CreationAdam’s Animals – Fun Facts About God’s Creation 

Adam’s Animals is the second children’s activity book in the Science & Faith Matters Series. It’s an introduction to animals and their Bible stories ideal for 6- to 9-year-olds.
Purchase links:


Super Simple Animal Crafts: 30 Crafts to Supplement Adam's Animals Activity BookSuper Simple Animal Crafts

30 super simple animal crafts to supplement children's activity book Adam's Animals.
Purchase links:
Amazon Canada http://amzn.to/SAPbEV




Trees of the Book – Learning From God’s Creation
Publisher ByDesignMedia.ca

17470311Trees of the Book is a 26 page children’s activity book, #1 in the Science & Faith Matters Series. It explores the trees discussed in the Bible in a way that is both fun and informative for children ages 7-9.
Purchase links:
Amazon Canada http://amzn.to/1cAUpGW


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.