A Bond Never Broken

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Bond Never Broken
Bethany House (March 1, 2011)
by
Judith Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A Word from Judith:

Most readers want to know how authors ‘got started’ writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history…

With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For many years, Ilsa Redlich has helped her parents run a hotel in South Amana, but as the United States enters the Great War, she can feel her world changing. The residents of the towns surrounding the Amana Colonies used to be accepting of their quiet, peaceful neighbors, but with anti-German sentiment running high, the Amana villages are now plagued by vandalism, threats, and insults.

Things get even worse when Ilsa finds out her family won’t be allowed to speak German in public–and that Garon, the childhood friend she’s long been smitten with, has decided to join the army. Jutta Schmidt is shocked when several members of the Council of National Defense show up on her family’s doorstep. Sure, the Schmidts once lived in the Amana Colonies, but that was years ago. She’s even more surprised when the council demands that she travel to Amana and report back on any un-American activities.

Not daring to disobey the government agents, Jutta takes a job at the South Amana hotel, befriends the daughter of the owners, and begins to eavesdrop every chance she gets. When Jutta hears Ilsa making antiwar remarks and observes Garon assisting a suspicious outsider, she is torn at the prospect of betraying her new friends.

But what choice does she have? And when Garon is accused of something far worse than Jutta could imagine, can the Amana community come to his aid in time?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bond Never Broken, go HERE.

When All My Dreams Come True

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
When All My Dreams Come True
Harvest House Publishers (February 1, 2011)
by
 
Janelle Mowery

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beginning in 1998, Janelle Mowery coordinated and wrote for the Children’s Ministry of a Christian website called The Invisible Connection. When the holder of that site discontinued the ministry and website in the year 2000, she began writing inspirational fiction romance novels.

Janelle became a member of American Christian Fiction Writers in the year 2002 and is an active member and leader in one of their critique groups, which has provided many opportunities for growth and development. In 2003, she entered her first novel in the Noble Theme contest and was named one of the top ten finalists in the historical category. In 2004, she had a short story titled ‘A Fair Chance’ published in the e-magazine, Romancing the Christian Heart. In 2005, her third novel, entered in the San Gabriel Writers’ League ‘Writing Smarter’ Contest, won first place. Also, Janelle’s fifth novel made it to the top ten finalists in the Noble Theme contest.

In 2006, she signed her first contract with Barbour Publishing in their Heartsong Presents Mysteries line. The novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Elizabeth Ludwig, released in spring of 2008. The second and third mysteries of the series, Died in the Wool and A Black Die Affair, is set for release in 2011.

Janelle has signed with Harvest House for a historical series set in Colorado. Release of the first book is set for early 2011. She has also signed with Summerside Press. Her novel, Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho, released in October 2010.

Janelle has been married twenty-one years and is the mother of two sons. She is a member of Sandy Point Bible Church and serves as Treasurer. She also assists in the church’s teen program.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bobbie McIntyre dreams of running a ranch of her own. Raised without a mother and having spent most of her time around men, she knows more about wrangling than acting like a lady. The friendship of her new employer awakens a desire to learn more about presenting her feminine side, but ranch life keeps getting in the way.

Ranch owner Jace Kincaid figures the Lord is testing his faith when a female wrangler shows up looking for work. Bobbie has an uncanny way of getting under his skin, though, and he’s surprised when she finds a home next to his heart. But when his cattle begin to go missing and his wranglers are in danger from some low-down cattle thief, can Jace trust God, even if it may mean giving up on his dreams?

An adventurous novel of faith, hope, and love in the Wild West.

If you would like to read the first chapter of When All My Dreams Come True, go HERE.

I’m Still Cool {In My Mind At Least}

I like to think I’m cool and the girls like to “hang” with me and that I don’t embarrass them, or get on their nerves. {wishful thinking huh?}

The past few weeks have told me otherwise.

We took a group of teens to Winter Jam a couple weeks ago and took Emily & Audrey along.  I wanted to sit with them, so we could enjoy their first concert together. We got all mixed up, David and I were in the first seats, the girls in the middle.

The whole time I’m thinking, I bet the girls wish we were sitting by them, I kept telling David I wanted to go sit with them, and at one point I did, and then I got the look. You know the look. They only talked to me when I asked them a question, then went back to talking with their friends. I took the hint and went back to my seat. HA!

As far as embarrassing them, I found out a couple years ago, I do that by just leaving the house, they started asking, are you wearing that? are you changing before we leave? or waving strangers down in Wal-Mart thinking I know them, only to find out, um, no I don’t.

As far as getting on their nerves, I always knew I did as a mom, reminding them to pick this up, brush their hair, or clean their room. I just didn’t realize I got on their nerves like, ya know, get on their nerves.

Until yesterday.

A couple months ago, Emily & Audrey got a texting app for their ipods so they could text their friends for free. And David put it on my ipod the other day so I could text my friends for free *haha*

Thing is, I didn’t know how to use it, and the girls had to show me how (I’m so 80’s) I wanted to know how to get it to ding when I received a message. I could not figure it out. So, I kept texting them, telling them text me back so I could see if I fixed it.

After a while, this is the text I got back from Audrey.

86c37fd6bf3f460c9ee8c65fbc3c8d42_7

Child would rather fold towels than help her momma out! I think I might start texting them all day long if it will get housework out of them.

What makes it even more funny {to me} is last night I ran across a site called When Parents Text off a friends twitter feed. So funny.

As I was reading some of the text to David and the girls, the conversation turned to my texting from earlier in the day. The girls read the texts to David, then Emily went on to show us what Audrey would do when her ipod would ding.

Ya know the walk, when one sighs,and rolls their eyes, because something {or in this case someone} is getting on their nerves. *haha*

The teenage years are going to be SO much fun.

For me anyway.

My poor girls.

Wonder if we should start saving for therapy now?

Well, off to do a little texting.

What do you do to drive your kids crazy?

Just a note, I don’t know why, but I feel like I need to mention, the girls are in no way disrespectful to me or David. We have a good time in our house laughing {with or at one another} cutting up and just being plain silly. Some might find out sense of humor disrespectful, or think we are being mean to one another. That is far from the truth. I know when David calls me heifer, he means it with love. As do I when I call him what I call him. (someone actually got upset because of our little nicknames but he does also call me smokin’ hot wife ha!}