Meet and Greet Monday: Jennifer AlLee

This week's guest is Jennifer AlLee. To win a copy of her new release, The Pastor's Wife, leave a comment with a way to contact you. Or you may email your comment to me with Book Giveaway: The Pastor's Wife in the subject line. Participation is limited to those with a mailing address within the United States and Canada.


As a child, Jennifer AlLee lived above a mortuary in the heart of Hollywood, California, which may explain her unique outlook on life. Her publishing credits include The Love of His Brother, a contemporary romance from Five Star Publishing (November 2007) as well as skits, activity pages, and over one hundred contributions to Concordia Publishing House’s popular My Devotions series. Her latest novel, The Pastor’s Wife, releases February 1, 2010 from Abingdon Press. She’s an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and serves as the Nevada Area Coordinator. Jennifer resides in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and teenage son.

Did you ever know someone in school who got a little too excited about writing assignments? Someone who would write a novella when the goal was a simple short story? If you didn't, you do now, because I was that girl.

I wrote my first novel in high school. It was a melodramatic mess of purple prose, but it had a beginning, middle and end. There was character development. And there was a heroine who was everything I wished I was (skinny and popular). I completed my next manuscript in my second year of college. This one was better. I'd been studying my craft and reading lots of books. The First of May was about a gal who found love when she ran away and joined a circus. I submitted it to Harlequin and received a full page, personalized rejection letter telling me what worked, what didn't, and encouraging me to take some writing classes. That was 1984.

Fast forward to the release of my first published book... in 2007, twenty-three years after my Harlequin rejection. So what took so long? I didn't stop writing. I just stopped submitting novels. During that time I did sell a few short stories, skits, Sunday school ciriculum pages, and a ton of devotions. I also worked at a variety of different jobs, including serving as a secretary at two different churches. Little did I know how that would prepare me for writing book number two, The Pastor's Wife.

When I was working on the original concept for this novel, I thought about the pastors’ wives I’ve known over the years. All of them handled themselves with amazing grace under pressure. But what if another woman couldn’t? What if a young woman thinks she knows what she’s getting into, but the reality of losing who she is and becoming a “pastor’s wife” is more than she can handle? What if some other tragedy pushes her over the edge? Would she run? And what would happen if she had to return to the scene of her heartbreak years later? All those questions eventually became The Pastor’s Wife.

First and foremost, I hope you enjoy the journey of The Pastor's Wife. But I also hope it speaks to you on a slightly deeper level. At its core, it's a story about the power of love and forgiveness. Those are subjects we can all relate to, regardless of our careers or titles.

Maura Sullivan never intended to set foot in Granger, Ohio, again. But when circumstances force her to return, she must face all the disappointments she tried so hard to leave behind: a husband who ignored her, a congregation she couldn’t please, and a God who took away everything she loved.


Nick Shepherd had put the past behind him. At least he thought he had, until the day his estranged wife walked back into town. Intending only to help Maura through her crisis of faith, Nick finds his feelings for her never died. Now, he must face the mistakes he made and find a way to give and receive forgiveness.

As God works in both their lives, Nick and Maura believe they can repair their broken relationship and reunite as man and wife. But Maura has something to tell Nick before they can move forward. It’s what ultimately drove her to leave six years earlier, and the one thing that can destroy the fragile trust they’ve begun to rebuild.

Read the first three chapters of The Pastor's Wife here.
View the Book Trailer in the sidebar of this blog or see it full size by clicking here.

Purchase Information:

Purchase on Amazon.com
Purchase on ChristianBooks.com


Find Jennifer Online:

Website: http://www.jenniferallee.com/
Personal blog: http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com/
Inkwell Inspirations: http://inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.allee
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jallee

And We Have a Winner!

The winner of a free copy of Tea with Hezbollah is Treasureseeker! Congratulations, and thanks for all who left comments to enter.

Watch this blog for another giveaway next week!

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Tea with Hezbollah

                                                        

 

Leave a comment with a way to contact you for a chance to win this book! One winner, chosen randomly, will be announced on this blog on Friday.

 What is one thing Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Jesus have in common?

This simple question, asked over lunch by one friend to another, prompted one of the most breath-taking feats of our modern age. The two friends, novelist Ted Dekker and his co-author and Middle East expert, Carl Medearis, embarked on a hair-raising journey to visit known enemies of the Western world and ask them their opinion of Jesus's instruction to love our enemies.

Dekker's entertaining narrative and lively accounts of relevant historical events enlivens what could have devolved to a travelogue, albeit an unusual one, as the pair travel through places torn by strife to meet with some of the most powerful leaders of the Middle Eastern world. They take tea with Osama bin Laden's brothers, with leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, and with muftis, sheikhs, and ayatollahs. In interviews they both humanize these men for readers and confront them with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The answers they receive lead them to surprising discoveries about the nature of the Middle Eastern conflict.

They learned that speaking in the name of love is one of the most dangerous things a person can do.

What is one thing Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Jesus have in common? Each of them were murdered because they urged others to love their neighbors as themselves. 

Author Bios:

Ted Dekker is the author of many nationally bestselling novels, including Bone Man’s Daughters, The Circle Trilogy, Thr3e, and House, which was coauthored by Frank Peretti. His unique style of storytelling has captured the attention of millions worldwide. Visit him at TedDekker.com.

Carl Medearis is the founder and president of International Initiatives, LLC, an organization that promotes cultural, educational, and commercial exchange between the East and the West. He is an advisor on Arab affairs to the members of the U.S. Congress and leaders in international business.

To learn more about or purchase this book, go to RandomHouse.com

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Meet and Greet Monday: Megan DiMaria

Megan DiMaria is the author of two women’s fiction novels, Searching for Spice and Out of Her Hands, both of which are set in the Denver, Colorado area. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and assistant director of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild (Rocky Mountain Region). Megan is also an alumnus of Dynamic Communicators Workshop.

In addition to reaching out through her novels, Megan also speaks to women’s groups and teaches on the craft of fiction to writers at conferences and regional seminars.

Megan has been a radio and television reporter, a Web content editor, a copywriter, and a contributing writer for newspapers and magazines. Being a published author was a life-long dream, and once she began to pursue that goal, she persevered for a decade before seeing her books in print.

She and her husband, Carl, live in suburban Denver near their adult children. They often travel back to their roots in Long Island, NY to visit family and get their fill of delicious Italian food.


Interview:

Greetings! My name is Megan DiMaria. I love to be an encouragement to women as they live out their faith in today’s busy world. I’ve been blessed with an upbeat personality and have deep appreciation for the humor in ordinary moments that has helped me to create characters and situations that illustrate that life is an adventure, one not for the weak of heart.

Searching for Spice, my debut novel, is about a long-married woman who wants to have an affair—with her husband.

My second novel, Out of Her Hands, is about taking life as it comes at you with all the surprises and challenges you face with your young-adult children.







Readers have written to me saying they enjoy my books because, Linda, my main character in both my published novels, is an everyday-lady-next-door person. She faces the same challenges and holds the same hopes for her family that you or I do.

From the time I was a young girl, maybe in 6th grade or so, I was told that I was gifted with words. I don’t know about that, but I know I always loved reading well-crafted words and enjoyed the challenge of writing well. When I write I feel like I’m doing what I was created to do. It makes me happy, not in a prideful way, but makes me feel complete and content.

If I had any advice to give to wanna-be writers, it is to write for an audience of One. Ask God where your calling may be. At one point, about two years before my contract came, I reconciled myself to the fact that maybe my writing would only be for my church, local newspapers, magazines, and letters and emails to loved ones. I had just become the assistant director of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild (Rocky Mountain Region), and thought perhaps my ministry was in being an encourager to others. It would be dishonest to say that I wasn’t saddened by this thought, but at the same time I wanted to be exactly where God wanted me to be, and I knew that obedience in my Christian walk would ultimately be my joy. I always believed I was not called to be a best-selling author, but instead was called to be obedient to God. Honestly, becoming a published author does not change your world. You still have challenges and disappointments, joys and peace, just as you did before you were published. Also, keep writing, reading, learning, and submitting. Be available to experience what God’s created you for, no matter what direction that leads you in.

I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a novel I’m calling Absolution, and I will be sending it to my agent soon. The theme of Absolution is that the hardest person to learn to forgive is yourself. When a 40-something copywriter digs up the past to uncover an ugly family secret, she goes against her husband’s wishes and jeopardizes a relationship with the only mother figure she’s ever known. Will her discovery absolve the guilt she carries, or will it hold her captive forever? Absolution is set in the Denver area like my first two novels, but it also moves to Troy, NY, an eclectic, historic city on the eastern bank of the Hudson River.

Thank you, Janalyn, for the opportunity to hang out on your blog. I love being a part of this great community of writers and readers, and it’s always a delight to be welcomed by kindred spirits.

I also want to share another closing thought with your readers. The greatest impact on my life through my writing journey has nothing to do with publishing. My writing journey is most precious to me because of the depths I’ve traveled with God and what He’s continued to teach me. I don’t know where this adventure will lead, but as long as my hand is in His, I’ll gladly put one foot in front of the other and press on.

Feel free to visit my website, and you can keep up with my day-to-day life on my blog or by being my friend on Facebook. My books are available on Amazon or ChristianBook.com, where they're on sale as a set.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Dug Down Deep

Joshua Harris unearths truths in his new release, Dug Down Deep, from which both new and seasoned Christians can benefit. Harris walks through the many stages of faith -- from a believer's first uncertainty to the discovery of beauty in doctrine and on to sharing grace with others. Dug Down Deep is full of descriptive stories which sometimes amuse but most often speak with brutal honesty. Insightful teaching rounds out the stories and brings home their messages.

Like the author, I  grew up going to church but still had to find my way again as an adult. Reading this book with that background, I found it to be a good reference I can use to find important scriptures and stories to share with others in a practical, easy to understand way. And it helped fill a few important holes in my knowledge that I did not even realise were there.  I highly recommend Dug Down Deep to all parents, especially if your child is struggling. And I recommend this book as a gift for 20-somethings and/or anyone who is looking to see 'what Christianity is all about'.

Oh, and just one more side note, the cartoon in the middle of the book made me laugh.

Visit the Waterbrook/Multnomah website for purchase options:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421517

Author Bio:

Joshua Harris is senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which belongs to the Sovereign Grace network of local churches. A passionate speaker with a gift for making theological truth easy to understand, Joshua is perhaps best known for his runaway bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which he wrote at the age of twenty-one. His later books include Boy Meets Girl, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is), and Stop Dating the Church. The founder of the NEXT conferences for young adults, Joshua is committed to seeing the gospel transferred to a new generation of Christians. He and his wife, Shannon, have three children. 

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Meet and Greet Monday: Michelle Griep

Today's guest, Michelle Griep, tells us she's been writing since she first discovered Crayolas and blank wall space. She seeks to glorify God by imparting Biblical truths through the medium of fiction…well, except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager.

INTERVIEW:

BRC: How would you describe your book? 

A Wizard of Oz tale with a medieval twist. Who wouldn’t want to visit the realm of beefy knights and mysterious castles? Here’s a short blurb:

On his way to battle, Colwyn Haukswyrth, knight of Gallimore, faces a storm the likes of which he’s never seen, and a woman in its midst who claims to live centuries in the future. Jessica Neale’s faith may have been lost the day of her husband’s death, but she's about to turn Colwyn's beliefs on end and form a bond that might be strong enough to survive the grave.

BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?

Love and forgiveness are choices, not feelings. I don’t think Jesus particularly felt like having his back ripped open or getting nailed to a hunk of wood and left to die. Nevertheless, He chose to do so. Should we do any less? 

BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? 

Visiting the past. I love history, particularly English history. Researching the early 1300’s was a treat. Thinking about what facts to use and how to combine them with fiction was like working a puzzle…a fun puzzle, not one of the kind with a bazillion pieces that all look the same.

BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?

Discovering how much I didn’t know about writing. It’s NOT as easy as it looks, kids, and should not be attempted by the faint of heart. 

BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always written, whether journal entries or devotionals or whatever. Yes, I was one of the nerds that attended creative writing camp in junior high, thank you very much. I pursued publication, however, when I noticed an overabundance of Amish prairie novels and a gaping lack of English historical reading materials on the Christian fiction bookshelf. 

BRC: Tell us about your writing process.

When beginning a new project, I think long and hard about where to start and end the story, who the main characters will be, then leave the rest up to whatever whimsy the muse may impart. Thursday nights are my writing nights. I run away to Panera and park myself next to the fireplace with a mug o’ java and a double chocolate chunk cookie.

BRC: What are you working on now?

Currently I’m half-way through a historical set in 1795 England. The hero is an opium addict and the heroine lives with her brother, who’s an Anglican priest going mad.

BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?

No brainer…historicals. Although I do have a longstanding penchant for sci-fi/fantasy. Favorite authors: Charlotte Bronte, Ginger Garrett, Siri Mitchell, Lisa Bergren, Marylu Tyndall, Charles Dickens.

  

BRC: Where can readers buy your book?

Amazon. Black Lyon Publishing. Bookstores.

BRC: Where can readers find you online?

http://www.mmgriep.com

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Though Waters Roar

Lynn Austin weaves a generational tale with deft skill in Though Waters Roar, which opens with young Harriot Sherwood in jail for a crime which would break her grandmother's heart. As the book discloses Harriot's secrets, it also uncovers the stories of Grandma Bebe and Lucy, Harriot's mother. But this book is not just about the lives of three women who share a blood bond. Rather, it embodies in its three protagonist's lives the struggles of all women in America as they fought for the right to vote and to abolish Demon Rum from the bars and speakeasies.

I enjoyed this book for its believable characters and sense of place and time, which transported me between the second half of the 19th-Century and the 1920's. Some of the decisions made by the book's characters seem a bit foreign in light of today's sensibilities, but they were true to the times. A thread of faith in God and the acceptance of life's hardships wended through the story like a bright stream. The transition between time periods sometimes came too fast for me, and one or two plot points could have flowed more naturally, but Though Waters Roar is worth reading. I recommend it for women who enjoy historical fiction, and for their teenage daughters.

(Note: A complimentary copy of this book was provided to Book Readers Central for purposes of review.)

Meet and Greet Monday: Tiffany Colter

Tiffany Colter's publishing credits include Charisma Magazine, Suspense Magazine, Today's Christian, Encounter, On Mission and The Toledo Business Journal. She is a past winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Tiffany coordinates for The Master Seminars and runs Command Performance Speakers Bureau, as well as a blog for writers called The Writing Career Coach. On that site she mentors writers in matters of business, marketing, and time management. Tiffany also travels and speaks on these topics to writers and small business owners at conferences and via online webinars.

What inspired you to become a writer?

I decided when I was six years old that I wanted to be a writer. By the time I was 10 years old I was reading magazines about writing from cover to cover. When I was 15 my English Literature teacher, Jim Meister, told me I had talent and gave me a book on writing. In it he wrote, “Become famous some day.”

By the time I was 16, I had moved to a new city and, with the advice of my new English teacher, decided I had no talent and put writing aside to pursue my degree and start a family.  The urge to write continued to eat at me, however, and when I was 27 I decided to give it a shot. A year later I was published in two national magazines and writing a monthly piece for a local publication. I figured I was well on my way. As any writer knows, however, this business is full of starts, stops and redirections. Each one has helped me toughen my skin, deepen my plot and develop my technique. I’ve also met amazing people along the way.

Tell us about your writing process.

I start with an idea. “What if?” I will play with an idea for days, months or even years. The manuscript that I wrote that won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense came to me as I was listening to “Past the Point of No Return”. That is a song from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera. I started thinking about the tragically likable character, Phantom, who was trapped by his own evil and disfigurement.  What if a person felt compelled to do evil? What if in their pursuit of love and acceptance they felt their only option was destroying the lives of other people and controlling the object of their affection?

Other people must have enjoyed my answer because it won the Daphne in the Unpubbed Inspirational division. I actually offer it free online now and am in the process of publishing an ebook version for Kindles for free or as close as Amazon will let me get.

With all of my books I like to have an idea of the major high points and then build a bridge between each. I reread Writing the Breakout Novel during writing and rewriting and I always have a freelance editor go through my work once or twice before I send it off.

What are you working on now?

I personally write a monthly column for Suspense Magazine in addition to writing for a few E-zines, maintaining my Writing Career Coach blog and working on my novels. That is in addition to the various things I do with The Master Seminars and Command Performance Speakers’ Bureau’s speakers.

What books do you enjoy reading? 

That is the funny thing about me, I will read almost anything! I love sci-fi/fantasy/speculative fiction and have been a judge for 4 years in that category for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). I also like suspense and psychological thrillers, because it intrigues me the way the human mind works under duress. However, I will just as readily pick up a business book (I’m currently reading The Long Tail) or a child’s book (I’m listening to the American Girl series on tape with my girls now. We listen to it when I’m being their taxi driver.) The only thing I won’t read is something that is gory for the sake of gore or erotic books.

Tell us a bit about the Master Seminars.

The Master Seminars are a series of events to help writers master the skills that are crucial to becoming successful: marketing and craft. I am privileged to work with literary agent, Chip MacGregor, who was named top agent for 2009 by Publisher’s Marketplace. I also work with bestselling author, Susan May Warren; award-winning authors, Susan Meissner and Lisa Samson; and marketing professional and fiction author, Jim Rubart.

These seminars differ from a writing conference in that a group of 16 authors learns from two or three speakers. Chip is always there to share his insight on the industry, and the other speakers share in their areas of expertise. Participants get to ask about their specific projects, brainstorm with other authors and really dig deep into their writing over the course of two days.

 What is the goal of each event?

That varies based on the topic. For the marketing events, the writers leave with customized plans to market their novels. Each person works with Chip and Jim to figure out the best way to do marketing that is in line with his or her temperament. These are not carbon copies. Writers who attend spend time talking about their readership, book themes, and other factors in order to decide what will work for them. They also talk about using their websites effectively.

When the writers work with Susan May Warren, Lisa Samson, and Susan Meissner, they look at issues of craft that may prevent them from going up the next step in their writing career. Maybe they need to deepen conflict or work on character arc. During this two-day seminar they are able to talk such things through with some of the top authors in the industry.

Who will benefit most from these events?

Most of these events are specifically for contracted or published authors, but the events with Susan May Warren are also great for pre-published authors who cannot figure out why they’re not “there” yet. In February, we will have an event with Susan May Warren in Atlanta that is open to authors of all levels. For specifics on that event, click the link here: http://eepurl.com/gnhx.

How did The Master Seminar come about?

These are the culmination of a few different events at once. Chip and Jim were talking a little over a year ago at the annual ACFW Writers' Conference about the need for strong marketing for writers. Jim has a book coming out this April and really understands that need. After they spoke, Chip and I discussed the Speakers’ Bureau I manage and our conversation led to the idea of small group seminars for some of our speakers. Over time the idea of the Master Seminars came together. As a writer I’m thrilled they exist. As a professional I’m honored to be a part of them.

Do you have to come to a seminar or do you offer the lessons online?

We originally planned to only offer these classes in person. The primary benefit, we thought, would be the interaction. What we learned from participant surveys and email inquiries is that participants wanted to go back over the information and some people simply couldn’t get to the seminars. Therefore, we currently have some teachings in the works that we will make available online. We are planning to make an audio teaching and ebook first and possibly do a video later, if there is enough interest. If someone wants to be notified when we release these teachings they can sign up for the update list by going to this sign up page: http://eepurl.com/eBYX

Where can readers find you online?

The Writing Career Coach

 The Master Seminars

Those who want updates on events, speakers, discounts and venues can sign up for our free updates at: http://eepurl.com/eBYX They will get one or two updates a month from this, but they’ll be the first to find out about events. They are also welcome to call me at Command Performance Speakers’ Bureau (734)474-5489.

Whistlestop Book Review: The Sweet By and By

The Sweet By and By, with its tight plot, memorable characters and lively dialogue, serves generous portions of poignant charm in a timeless story of sin and redemption. Jade and Matt have agreed to keep their pasts in the past as they move forward into a new life together. But in the days before their wedding, the past refuses to stay buried. Together and separately, Jade and Matt must come to grips with painful secrets, long-buried issues and unresolved relationships - even with God Himself.  

At the heart of this book we find a deep reverence for family relationships and important messages of repentance and forgiveness.

With a tender love story told on several levels and overall beautiful writing, this book will appeal to women of all ages. I recommend it for teens in particular because of its realistic and principled look at morality.

Purchase on Amazon
Purchase at Christian Books

(Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of review.)

Meet and Greet Monday: Virginia Smith

Hi, I’m Virginia Smith, author of Third Time’s a Charm and the Sister-to-Sister Series. Though I’ve only been a writer for a few years, I’m a lifelong fiction lover. As far back as I can remember I’ve loved stepping into the shoes of characters and living out their stories. So writing stories about characters who become as real as my own family seemed like a natural step. My first book, Just As I Am, came out in 2006, and I’ve just celebrated the release of my tenth novel!

I drew freely on my own life and family relationships as I wrote Third Time’s a Charm and the other books in the Sister-to-Sister Series. They’re set in my hometown in Kentucky, and the sisters’ relationships are modeled closely on my relationship with my own sisters, who are some of the most awesome women you’ll ever meet. Plus, the Sanderson sisters are dealing with some of the same issues I faced as an adult striving to overcome the ripple effects of my parents’ divorce when I was a child.

I have to admit, I approached writing Third Time’s a Charm with a bit of apprehension. The main character, Tori, is the youngest in her family (I’m the oldest), and she loves to shop (I ascribe to the dash-in-and-grab-the-first-thing-you-see method of shopping.) But once I started writing, I discovered that Tori was more like me than I thought. For one, she’s a professional woman, and I worked in the corporate world for twenty years before I quit to become a writer. Plus, Tori struggles with insecurity. Don’t we all? And of course there are the two gorgeous men who vie for her romantic attention. Well, okay, I’ve never had two hunks chasing me at the same time, but I can dream, can’t I?

My hope is that those who read Third Times a Charm will laugh with me, and perhaps cry with me once or twice. But mostly, I pray they will enjoy a fresh realization that we have a heavenly Father who loves us perfectly and completely.

There’s not too much in this world that a little retail therapy can’t fix—except maybe the empty hole in your heart from lost and undiscovered love. Tori Sanderson is no exception. Facing abandonment issues with her father, Tori sets out to find the real reason he left her. Along the way she discovers even deeper truths. Add in two matchmaking sisters plus a couple of attractive men vying for Tori’s attention, as well as a tempting job promotion possibility, and you’ve got one confused sister. Through it all, Tori searches for the love she’s been missing all these years.

Author Virginia Smith presents Third Time’s a Charm, the third installment of the Sister-to-Sister Series. Page-turning humor surrounding the lives of three sisters will once again engage readers, while somber self-discovery will unveil Tori’s struggles, and perhaps a few of your own. In a world with more than a few dysfunctional families, this story will ring true for many.

Virginia Smith recently contracted her twelfth book in four years. Previous books in the Sister-to-Sister Series include: Stuck in the Middle and Age before Beauty. In 2008, Virginia was named Writer-of-the-Year at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Stuck in the Middle was a finalist for American Christian Fiction Writers’ 2009 Book of the Year Award. A Taste of Murder was a finalist for the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Ginny and husband, Ted, divide their time between Kentucky and Utah, escaping as often as possible for diving trips to the Caribbean. Admittedly, her adventurous outings are often as much fun as they are “book research.”

The Easiest, Trendiest and Smartest way of reading: BOB's Online Library

Author: BOB's Library
The Need for Purposeful Reading: This is the age of information. We have so much of information around us that we can’t access in a lifetime. Hence, the need is to be extremely selective about the information we process. Today information could be our friend or foe. There is nothing as useless as doing something which shouldn’t be done at all. From newspaper to the Internet, we have massive sources of information available to us. If we are not ruthless in selecting the information we process, we’ll end up wasting a lot of our precious time. Time is equivalent to money. Hence, what information we process day in day out has a decisive impact on our lives. Have you ever wondered what differentiates a successful person from an average individual? It is simply the difference in the information they process. While a successful person accesses and processes only that information which furthers her purpose, an average person accesses and processes all the information she’ll never require or that doesn’t aid her cause. For example, a newspaper has all the information that one may just never require in life, that doesn’t aid one’s purpose and that one can’t influence. Yet people start their days with reading newspapers. Also, newspapers have so much of negative and distractive information that has an adverse effect on one’s mindset. This is not to say that newspapers are worthless, this is just to say that one doesn’t need all that information. Similar is the case with the Internet, which is a vaster source of information.
At BOB’s Online Library, we believe books are the best sources of information. You just define your purpose and get the ‘best’ text available on the market. Books provide you all information at one place. You also get across the perspectives of the greatest of the people who have walked the planet. Not only do you save time, you also get value for it.
“No time is better spent than the time reading”

“The quality of your life is directly proportional to the quality of your reading”

BOB’s Online Library
We appreciate your time
BOB’s Online Library is a novel initiative by a bunch of entrepreneurs from the US and India. It is an online library of Best of the Best books, discs, and magazines. Once you become a member with us, you can access them following these simple steps:
Visit our website and select the book/disc/magazine? Contact us? Get it delivered right at your place.
Our Membership Plans are tailored for all kinds of reading groups viz. voracious readers, children and teenagers, families, beginners, busy professionals, and homemakers.
At BOB’s Online Library, we are committed to providing our members a world-class service. Our membership charges are pretty nominal. Commitment, accountability, and quality of service are our fortes. We are a customer-centered enterprise, and thus our members’ opinions and interests matter to us the most.
We also have some very striking features like the Information Center and ‘We Share’. Our vision is to create a Universal Community that reads with a purpose and that too only the Best of the Best.
What’s more, we also provide an absolutely free-of-cost trial to expose you to the world of our world-class information sources and service.
To know more about us, please visit our website http://www.bobslibrary.co.in/ .
You can also contact us at contactbobs@bobslibrary.co.in
We need your support and assistance in spreading the word about our enterprise.
Thank you
BOB’s Online Library
About the Author:
The author of this article is the Information Center team of BOB's Library.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Easiest, Trendiest and Smartest way of reading: BOB's Online Library

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Things Worth Remembering

This beautiful story about a mother and daughter unfolds as Maisey returns to her upscale childhood home for a brief time before her wedding. Both she and her mother, Kendy, in alternating viewpoints, reflect on their life together through Maisey's childhood to the point where their relationship fell apart. We come to learn that while the characters live seemingly happy lives they are hiding a lot of pain.

Personally I found this book easy to read, and engaging. It touched very deeply on loneliness. I thought it humorous that one of the characters hid behind "reading" books when she wanted time alone. While the plot was rather straightforward, the thought life of these two women kept you guessing at what would happen next. The story wonderfully illustrates how openness, forgiveness, love and God can heal all. I recommend it for women of any age. As for teenagers; this book does contain some mild suggestions of (mostly marital) sexual activity. I found the author's treatment of this subject in line with Christian values.

Meet and Greet Monday: Janice Thompson

Merry week after Christmas, y’all. This is Janice Thompson, Christian author and speaker. If you’re like I am, you’re stuffed full of yummy holiday goodies, staring at a Christmas tree now barren of gifts, and wondering what you’re going to do with all of those leftovers in the fridge. Perhaps you’re also looking ahead to 2010, praying about what the future might hold.

You’ve already opened gifts from friends and loved ones. Now I’d like to encourage you to pray about a different type of gift. . .the kind the Lord has placed inside of you. Perhaps there’s something you’ve always longed to do, but haven’t had the courage to pursue. Maybe this coming year will see the beginning of something brand new. Unwrap that gift. Pray about it. Then begin to take baby steps toward your goal. Step out into an exciting future!

I remember so clearly the year I decided to write my first book. It was 1994. The whole thing started innocently enough. I had an idea for a non-fiction book. It took me a couple of months to write it, but I had a blast. Before long, an idea for a story took hold. I couldn’t let it go, so I wrote my first novel. Before you knew it, I’d written several books. Many of those first stories were never published, but I cut my teeth on them. And now, over fifty published books later, I thank the Lord for giving me the courage to step out and trust Him with my dreams.

As I kick off this new year, I’m celebrating so many things related to my writing gift. I’m particularly thrilled with the magnificent relationship I have with my three publishers: Revell, Summerside and Barbour. I’m also tickled that the Lord has chosen to let me publish under two different names: Janice Thompson and Janice Hanna. (Hanna is my maiden name, and I’m now publishing my Summerside and Barbour books under that name to honor the memory of my father.) Most of all, I’m grateful to the Lord for letting me do the one thing I love to do. . .write for a living!

So, what am I up to? In a nutshell (by publisher): With Revell, I’ve just released the first two books in the “Weddings by Bella” series. Book one (FOOLS RUSH IN) is a fun, quirky story of an Italian wedding planner who inherits her family’s wedding facility on Galveston Island. Here’s the synopsis:

Bella Rossi may be nearing thirty, but her life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding planning business, Bella is determined not to let them down. She quickly books a "Boot Scoot'n" wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she's a country music numbskull because her family only listens to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Where will she find a DJ on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his Keith Urban? When a misunderstanding leads her to the DJ (and man) of her dreams, things start falling into place. But with a family like hers, nothing is guaranteed. Can the perfect Texan wedding survive a pizza-making uncle with mob ties, an aunt who is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and a massive delivery of 80 cowboy boots? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Book one in the Weddings by Bella series, Fools Rush In is fun, fresh, and full of surprises. Readers will love the flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex, and the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

The second book in the “Weddings by Bella” series is titled SWINGING ON A STAR. It releases this week. I’m so excited! Here’s the synopsis:

Bella Rossi's life is nearing perfection. She's got the perfect guy, she's running a successful business, and she's about to plan her most ambitious wedding yet, a Renaissance-themed fairy tale come true, complete with period costumes and foods, horse-drawn carriages, and even a castle. There's just one hitch. The best man just happens to be Brock Benson, Hollywood's hottest and most eligible bachelor. Oh, and did we mention he's staying at the Rossi house to avoid the paparazzi? With all the pressure surrounding this wedding, Bella's not sure she's going to make it through. Add her starstruck sister, her feuding aunt and uncle, and a trio of large, sequined church ladies with even bigger personalities, and you've got a recipe for disaster--and a lot of laughs. This hilarious romantic comedy is sure to delight both fans and new readers alike.

Book three in the “Wedding by Bella” series will release in about six months. It is titled IT HAD TO BE YOU.”

My first Summerside book (LOVE FINDS YOU IN POETRY, TEXAS) was written under my maiden name and released last summer. It’s still available in stores and online. Here’s the synopsis:

In the quaint Texas community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with farmers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. She writes little poems to be printed in newspapers all over the country and one by one, women begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. Georg Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just cant seem to find Georg’s perfect match, though its not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for Georg and for Belinda herself?

For those who love non-fiction, my co-authored Barbour book “THE HOUSE IS QUIET. . .NOW WHAT?” (a book for empty nesters) just released from Barbour. I was blessed to write this book with my best friend and critique partner, Kathleen Y’Barbo. 

All of these books are available at local stores and online at www.christianbook.com and www.amazon.com. For those who would like autographed copies, my website (www.janiceathompson.com) has a shopping cart option.

As you can see, I’ve been plenty busy. I’ve loved every minute of it. As I said, it’s such a blessing to be able to earn a living doing the thing I love. . .writing. God has truly granted me the desires of my heart.

So, what about you, friends? What are your dreams for the upcoming year? I would encourage you to pray about them. . .then step out in faith.

About Janice Thompson

Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over fifty

books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children's books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. Janice currently serves as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network)

and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).  She is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Janice is passionate about

her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.

You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com, http://weddingsbybella.blogspot.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/jhannathompson?ref=name

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Lost Mission

In a passion-filled tale, Athol Dickson explores questions of faith while exposing raw truths. Lupe, a simple Mexican shop keeper, is called by her beloved "Senor" to preach to her northern neighbors, the lost Americanos. With her she brings an ancient artifact cloaked in mystery. Lupe meets and touches many people in her quest, but none of them are just what they seem. Even Lupe hides secrets. Finally, an evil lying dormant for two hundred years arises to threaten the very people Lupe has come to save.

Working back and forth between the eighteenth century and modern times, Lost Mission interweaves its mysteries into a complex fabric pieced together by an Indian man with shining hair. Although the author moves through time with ease, I had a little trouble at first following him, since it required I disengage from one time frame to enter another. I can't imagine this book written any other way, however, and I did become accustomed to the pattern. While the story and characters involve the reader, this is not a warm, fuzzy book that leaves you sighing in pleasure. Lost Mission, instead, will challenge you to examine your own faith and the truths upon which you rely. It will cause you to embark on a quest all your own.

Meet and Greet Monday: Roseanna White

Book Readers Central has the honor of being a stop on author Roseanna White's blog tour today. In this open letter to readers, Roseanna shares from the heart.

Hi!
I’m Roseanna White – wife, mommy, writer, reviewer, and lover of all things literature-related. Sometimes those titles pull me in such different directions that I feel torn in a million pieces, but thankfully I serve a Master Craftsman capable of using all the holes to make some really beautiful filagree.


I’ve been writing stories since I first learned to put pencil to paper, and asking me not to would be like asking me not to breathe. Well, okay–I could not write. But I’d still be developing novels, even if only in my head.

Over the years my stories and characters have matured along with me, and the one that remains closest to my heart is A Stray Drop of Blood. The story pivots around the crucifixion, taking the reader through the life of Abigail, a Hebrew slave largely unconcerned with the tales of these man called Jesus until she’s caught up in the crowd at his trial. A stray drop of His blood changes her forever–but her life is still not simple.

Interested in learning more Roseanna White and her books?
Click on the following links.


http://www.roseannamwhite.com/
www.RoseannaMWhite.blogspot.com
http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/