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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.






Friday, February 17, 2017

Carole Brown and Undiscovered Treasures

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

Buy on Amazon

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.


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.

Friday, February 10, 2017

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.




Purchase Fit for Faith

Other Books in the Fitness series by Kimberley Payne

Fit for Prayer - Learn how to fit prayer and physical activity into your daily routine.
Fit for Prayer cover-1400 pixelsNonfiction – health & fitness
The book unites physical health and spiritual health to help you lose weight and develop a deeper relationship with God.
Purchase links:

Food for Thought cover-1400 pixelsFood 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:


Flex your Spirit cover-1400 pixelsFlex 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:



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:

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



Where Fitness Meets Faith
Publisher: ByDesignMedia.ca
Nonfiction - devotional


W
here 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:

Friday, February 3, 2017

Mission Mesquite
Diane Tatum

January 16, 2017
269 pp.


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.