Meet and Greet: Angela Breidenbach

Book Giveaway Drawing!
Read the details later in this post.


Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009, a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and the author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life from Journey Press, the Creative Cooking Series including the new release of Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance and the new Kindle release, Creative Cooking for Colitis. 


Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She connects missions to her work with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. 


Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and life coach. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, MT. She volunteered as the American Christian Fiction Writer's publicity officer for two years. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain for the study of schizophrenia, but she’s also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. Angela is married with a combined family of six grown children and two grand children. 


Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life releases May 2011 from Journey Press, a Sheaf House imprint.


BRC: Welcome, Angie! What brings you to Book Readers Central?


Angie: I'm hoping to really reach out to women who want to overcome negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors so they can lead an intentional, missional life style. As I spoke more and more on the topics from Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life, I found two surprising results.

First, women love doing this book in small groups. That just blew me away. I had no idea I'd written a small group or personal study. I thought readers would want to work through this privately only. The stunning dynamics have happened in the group settings. The interaction has opened up break-through moments for healing in relationships.

The second unexpected result is the amount of women who harbored misunderstandings and/or anger toward their own moms. I really want to offer freedom from the burdens of buried issues and empower people to live the calling God has placed on their lives.

BRC: What type of books do you write?

Angie: I'm an eclectic writer. I write Christian fiction, devotionals, cookbooks, and this one (Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life) is considered Christian Living/Women's Issues. I also write articles and have a monthly feature in the Christian Fiction Online Magazine. 

BRC: Why do you write?


Angie: My mind is full of questions and stories. I really want to help people heal from the past and grow into their life purpose. I think God just made me to write and speak. I describe it as having a busy bee buzzing around in my head. She has to get out and pollinate the keys on my laptop to tell her stories. ;-) My husband says it's just because I'm full of awe attacks and can't keep quiet about it, lol.

BRC: How would you describe your newest release?

Angie: Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life is very transparent. I use real historical pirates to embody negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Then the gemstones are gems of wisdom God uses to help us live fulfilled and valuable lives in His will. 

About the book: In Gems of Wisdom: For A Treasure-Filled Life you'll embark on a treasure hunt for God's unique gems of wisdom. Be empowered, learn to influence through your own life lessons, and preserve important relationships. Gems of Wisdom invites the reader on a treasure hunt to find important life concepts represented by the beautiful stones God created. Excellent for small groups as well as individual study. Tracie Peterson, best-selling inspirational author of over 80 books says, “Angela’s book is thoughtful, insightful, and heart touching.”

BRC: What do you hope the reader takes away after reading it?

Angie: If I could tell you one thing? It's that all of our experiences, negative and positive, help us to really change the world and leave a legacy. It's those experiences that God uses to shine His strength in our weaknesses. We naturally want to hide, forget, or avoid those moments we wish never happened. But when we go on the treasure hunt, God shows us His wisdom and fills our treasure chest with gems of wisdom that overflow to touch other people's lives. 

BRC: Which is your favorite character from your book?

I really love Cookie Smythe. He's a funny old pirate that embodies the sense of God bringing good out of our shameful moments.

BRC: Do you have a funny or touching story that relates to your book?

Angie: During interviews with volunteers, one of the most poignant stories belongs to my friend Rachel. She had the "perfect" mom while I didn't. But as we told one another our stories and bonding at a writers retreat in front of a roaring, crackling fire, a sense of grace and mercy changed both of our lives. Because of that profound experience, I share that specific story in Chapter 1. It was that powerful to me.

BRC: Tell us about your writing process.

Angie: I tend to have a fiction and non-fiction happening at the same time because the different styles feed my creativity. I do a lot of marketing though and break up the day with important details to promote my work. Both have to be in each day for my career goals. If it's not in your daily schedule, it's not attainable.

BRC: What will you write next?

Angie: I'm currently working on a 365 day devotional and an inspirational historical trilogy. But every now and then I pull out a contemporary romantic comedy to tickle my funny bone. I am getting some questions about the next Gems of Wisdom book, but I have some requests I need to fulfill first.

BRC: Which books do you recommend to readers?

Angie: Tracie Peterson used Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life to research her upcoming trilogy from Bethany House. The House of Secrets first book in the series will be coming out this fall. Tracie and I plan to do some speaking events together and co-promote because our books are not competitive, but rather build and deepen the experience for the reader. I'm just so excited because I've had the honor of pre-reading quite a bit of the first book as Tracie went through her writing process. I've also had the honor of having Tracie read mine. I can't wait for her series to release!

BRC: Where can readers find you online?

Readers can interact with or learn more about me at the following links:

AngelaBreidenbach.com

MyGemofWisdom.com

GodUsesBrokenVessels.com

ColitisCooking

TheFaithGirls.com (Weekly Wednesdays)

Facebook for Angela Breidenbach

Twitter for Angela Breidenbach

LinkedIn for Angela Breidenbach

Youtube for Angela Breidenbach


BRC: How can readers contact you?

Readers may email me at: angela (at) mygemofwisdom (dot) com 

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Book Giveaway Drawing:

Angela Breidenbach will give away a free e-book copy of Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life to a reader of this blog. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Book Readers Central and tell me so in a separate comment, I'll give you an extra chance to win. 

Please include a valid email address in an anti-spam format (example: youremailhandle[at]gmail[dot]com]) or your entry will become invalid. Entries will be accepted until this coming Sunday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).

I'll announce the winner on Book Readers Central next Monday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Book Reader's Central are located in the footer of this blog.

As an Amazon Associate, Janalyn Voigt benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "A Place of Healing" by Joni Earkeckson Tada

Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

Why does God allow pain?  Is God concerned with suffering and involved in it? Plato, C.S. Lewis, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Henri Nouwen, the apostle Paul and others have all addressed these age-old questions.

Instead of focusing on how God is involved in the problem of pain, Joni Eareckson Tada chooses instead in her book, A Place of Healing, to examine how God can use pain to draw her closer to Himself and lift her above her human sufferings.

Joni, left a quadriplegic from a diving accident four decades ago, is the author of over fifty books and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization devoted to accelerating Christian outreach among those with disabilities. She will serve as the Honorary Chairman of the 2011 National Day of Prayer, held on the First Thursday of May. In addition to coping with the struggles of living from a wheelchair, Joni now has new challenges. She is assaulted with unrelenting, chronic pain and has been diagnosed with cancer.

Her reactions?  “Suffering may be a part of God’s…mysterious plan, but God’s intention is always to demonstrate compassion and unfailing love.” Joni illustrates over and over in her book how powerfully God’s love touches her at her deepest point of need.

The chapter headings ask difficult questions:

What Benefit is there to My Pain?
How Can I Go On Like This?
How Can I Bring Him Glory?
How Do I Regain My Perspective?

This devout, genuine woman answers each question with tender, heartfelt examples from her walk in faith. Suffering can make us bitter or compassionate. Suffering can drive us away from God or make us fly into His arms. A Place of Healing is her testament to the restorative power of loving, committed service to God, no matter what our circumstances. She rejoices in the fact that God had plans for her life much wider, higher and more profound than she ever could imagine. Her last chapter entitled, “Thank you, God, for this Wheelchair” demonstrates that because of her circumstances, not in spite of them, she is happier as a child of God than she ever dreamed possible.

Do you have a friend or relative struggling with grief, financial loss, health issues or physical pain?
Give them a copy of A Place of Healing. May they find comfort in the profound testimony of someone who treads where they walk, albeit, in a wheelchair.

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Whistlestop Book Review: "On the Road Home" by Terry Burns

Janalyn Voigt

Stories and poems from a genuine cowboy poet grace the pages of On the Road Home, by Terry Burns. Ranging from joyful to somber, these vignettes stay with you and, yes, can even change your thinking. At the least, they provoke thought.

With deep insights into subjects like what makes for a good marriage, longevity, happiness and spiritual health, this book resonates with truth. Terry's unique brand of common sense combined with compassion and good humor are just the prescription for a world of ills. Pick this book up and you'll put it down again the better for having read it.

I highly recommend On the Road Home by Terry Burns to adult and teen readers. This book is teen approved because of its practical wisdom.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt is a Carol Awards judge and the author of novel books

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*My thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for purposes of review.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Love Food & Live Well" by Chantel Hobbs

Chantel Hobbs knows first-hand the pain of being morbidly obese. She also knows what it takes to take the weight off and keep it off. She shares that information in Love Food & Live Well.


Want a body image you can live with? If you're ready to commit to your own health, Chantel has a deal for you. Does weight loss have to be painful? On the contrary. Chantel maintains you can indulge in foods you love, but in the context of a balanced perspective. 


With engaging style and heart-warming compassion, Chantel takes readers by the hand and imparts her vision for a better life.  She provides insight into adopting a healthy relationship with food and encouragement for those reluctant to exercise. 


Love Food and Live Well covers the body mind and soul while giving practical advice on nutrition, weight loss and exercise. With quick and easy recipes, tips on minimizing carbohydrate intake and chapters on interval training and use of an exercise ball, Love Food & Live Well can well prove a life-changing book for many.  


I highly recommend Love Food and Live Well by Chantel Hobbs for adult readers who want to enjoy life while they improve it.


Chantel Hobbs is a life coach, marathon runner, personal trainer, wife, and mother of four.  Her amazing story of losing two hundred pounds and keeping the weight off has been featured on Oprah,The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Life Today with James Robison, The 700 Club, and Focus on the Family Radio—and in People and First magazines.  Hobbs hosts a weekly radio show and is the on-air fitness expert on the WAY-FM radio network.  She is also a regular guest on the KLOVE radio network.  Hobbs is a frequent speaker to women’s groups and makes personal appearances at fitness conventions.  The developer of The One-Day Way Learning System and the author of four books, including Never Say Diet and The One-Day Way, Chantel lives with her family in south Florida.  ~ The B&B Media Group


©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books
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*Thanks go to the publisher for a complimentary review copy of this book.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More" by Stever Robbins

When a self-help book crosses your path at just the right moment, it can be a happy marriage of serendipity and desperation. Such was the case when I received a copy of Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More. Stever Robbins, thank you for writing this book. I've found it life-changing.

I tend toward organization myself, and I have a few systems working for me, but Stever's advice to put together a "Life Map" resonated. The book is worth its purchase price for this gem alone but it doesn't stop there. Stever doles out advice, encouragement and reality checks in chapters with such subjects as purposeful living, eliminating procrastination, conquering technology, optimizing life and more. Stever's unique brand of encouragement mixed with madcap humor makes for delightful reading.

I highly recommend "Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More" by Stever Robbins for anyone searching for sane living in a crazy world.




*My thanks to Stever Robbins for providing a complimentary copy of this book for purposes of review.

** Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased on Amazon.com through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Beyond the Brady Bunch" by Ray and Debbie Alsdorf

Authors Ray and Debbie Alsdorf give us a compelling look at what it takes to survive as a member of a blended family in Beyond the Brady Bunch. This powerful book makes no bones about such subjects as the struggle for position in a new family structure, bitterness and financial inequalities. They even offer a courageous look through their children’s eyes at their own imperfections as parents and step-parents in order to offer hope and help to others.

While upholding the traditional nuclear family as the ideal, the Alsdorfs acknowledge that blended households are different. They provide a solid Biblical structure for blended households to follow that addresses sticky issues like discipline and headship of the home. They encourage members of blended families to embrace the special difficulties they face and meet the challenge to love even when it’s hard.

   

I highly recommend Beyond the Brady Bunch for adult readers interested in the subject matter. This book is middle-grade and teen approved for its understanding of the issues children face in blended families.

* Book Readers Central thanks the publishers for a complimentary copy of this book, provided for purposes of review.

** Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased on Amazon.com through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Highlight: Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More

Are you beyond busy? Overwhelmed? Stever Robbins, the Get-It-Done Guy, outlines 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More in his new book. I'll provide a review in a week or two. He describes his book in the video, below.




Read the Introduction and First Chapter




















Note: Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased on Amazon.com through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: "God Knows My Name" by Beth Redman

This book is a faith workout. It's a heavy read that will take a while to get through, only because you will find yourself stopping to pray. Using personal experience to help get her point across Beth Redman, shows that no matter what I'm going through, God Knows My Name.

Written like a cross between a self help book and a devotional, this book will reach many different people. Beth reminds us that God knows our past, all of it, and He wants to help share our future. She shows us how to cry out and how to accept the help God gives each one of us.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a closer, more personal relationship with God.

*Book Readers Central thanks the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book.

Whistlestop Wednesday: The Power of Respect

Deborah Norville, anchor of Inside Edition, makes a strong case for treating ourselves and others with respect in her new book, The Power of Respect.

Norville highlights "the most forgotten element of success" not by sermonizing or giving a dry treatise but rather through the lives of real people and individual companies. She cites, among others, a man who blesses his wife each time he introduces her, schools that reward courteous behavior, and a boss who threatens to leave his company if his employees don't start treating each other with respect. Norville doesn't hedge when describing the effects of disrespect either, telling the tale of a company gone bad, a cheerleader beaten by her peers, and a bullied young boy who committed suicide. But it's not just about story, either. Statistics document the truth of Norville's observations. Quotations by teachers, students, restaurant owners, and husbands and wives weigh in alongside those of CEO's and other national leaders.

Subjects include the power of respect at home, in relationships, at school, in business, for leaders, and for self. Each chapter in the book offers suggestions for improvement and concludes with a list of "Respect Reminders" helpful for review.

Well-researched, well-planned and written in an engaging style, The Power of Respect presents a wealth of rewarding, and even life-changing, material.

Meet and Greet Monday: Marlene Anderson

Dear Reader,

I'd like to share a little about myself and my writing.

Eight years ago, my husband died from an aggressive brain tumor that took his life within three months of its diagnosis. To lose my husband, a man in the prime of his life with no health problems of any kind, totally devastated me. It plunged me into a world of grieving. Less than a year after his death my daughter developed breast cancer while still nursing her first born child. My grieving went on hold while I supported her through radiation treatment. (Today she is cancer free.) In the months prior to and following my husband's death I read, meditated and wrote. Journaling is a powerful therapeutic tool. Out of those journals as I walked each morning with my Lord, came my first book, A Love so Great, a Grief so Deep, which is available on Amazon.com. My second book, Healing the Wounded Heart, now under review for possible publication, is a compilation of vignettes from my grief journals. The entries span from my time of acute distress to the peace I found with integration of my loss. Healing the Wounded Heart offers the reader a glimpse into the grieving process.

I have a master’s degree in psychology and counseling. I'm a licensed counselor in the state of Washington and nationally certified. I taught psychology at a two year college in Oregon and a four-year college extension center in Washington. My professional career has included facilitating many groups, designing and implementing workshops within the private sector and medical health education centers, and consulting for a large Northwest HMO. In my position as a consultant, I designed and wrote course material for a ten-week chronic-illness class, assisted in editing ADHD class material and produced a relaxation/visualization tape. I have since, under my own auspices, produced a relaxation CD with original music composed by Ron Jones, an Emmy-awards nominee, that teaches the skill of reducing stress levels.

With all the clinical literature available to me as a counselor, therapist and psychology teacher, I was still unprepared for the depth and intensity of grief, the time span involved in healing and recovery, or all the layers connected to a loss. I found solace in God's word, especially the Psalms, which speak to the heart and soul. My God met me each morning as I grieved my loss, read His Word, and recorded my journey in my journals. He was with me throughout the day and through the long nights. Every day He gave me words of strength and love. He gave me faith to believe in an ending to a journey which started with tears and sorrow but ended with my finding a deeper personal walk with my Lord. Good can and does come from all things, I found, when I allowed God to help me discover it.

Since the death of my husband, I extended my professional training in the area of grief. Grieving is an emotional experience hard to express and define. Yet articulation of that experience is at the heart and soul of healing. It is difficult to share the conflicting emotions one experiences when grieving a major loss. As a result, people who grieve often become isolated, lonely and depressed. Friends and family do not understand why the mourner hasn’t “gotten over” the loss within a prescribed amount of time. Those expectations can cause grief to go underground and remain unaddressed. Healing involves making sense of what happened, integrating it into life and creating a new ongoing reality.

A loss is a wound to the heart, an injury we can’t see but which can be just as lethal and damaging as any acute physical wound. There are no bandages, surgical stitches, splints or casts. Yet, mourners often feel they have been dealt a mortal wound and struggle to recover. Research indicates losses put people at high risk for depression, loneliness, high stress, impaired health and even early death. Losses are not to be taken lightly.

I wrote these two books to share my experience and, in the process, help validate the journey for others. There are a lot of books on the market that speak to this subject. Yet, I believe my books help express the important visceral component of grieving.

Before the death of my husband, I started FOCUS Consulting and Training, a business I maintain today. I chose the company name FOCUS because it exemplifies my conviction that we are defined by where we put our focus in life, and focus energizes and drives our principles and behaviors. Since the death of my husband, I have served my church on its council, written and delivered class material and several sermons and coordinated the Nurture and Care Ministry. I am a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and Speakers Bureau and PEO, an international women’s education group.

You can visit my website, http://www.marleneanderson-focus.com/ for more information about what I do and there is a link to Amazon.com to purchase my book. Copies of my relaxation CD may be purchased by contacting me through my website.

**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased through links from Book Readers Central.