June’s best sellers are in! How many of these novels have you read?
#1 Learning by Karen Kingsbury
#2 Leaving by Karen Kingsbury
#3 Redeeming Love 20th Anniversary Edition by Francine Rivers
#4 Sons of Encouragment by Francine Rivers
#5 The Ambition by Lee Strobel
#6 Hope Rekindled by Tracie Peterson
#7 Her Daughter’s Dream by Francine Rivers
#8 The Judgement by Beverly Lewis
#9 Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
#10 Priest’s Graveyard by Ted Dekker
What book(s) are you taking on your summer vacation?
We have our three winners for the giveaway but first, the right answer... The movie that was made of the military campaign that Jeff Struecker participated in was:
C.) Black Hawk Down
Congrats to our three winners:
Jason Toller
Charlotte Cornett
Joe Durika
I'll be contacting you soon! Thanks, everyone, for stopping by to take a guess!
A couple of weeks ago, we did a giveaway that was associated with a new romance novel. We had a reader post on LifeWay Christian Store’s Facebook page expressing his appreciation for our giveaways but he politely requested that we do ones that would appeal to men. What?! You don’t want to read about a seamstress in 1910? I’m shocked!
We here at A Novel Bookshelf have heard the people (and by we I mean me sitting here in my little cubicle)! Today’s giveaway is designed specifically for the guys! Sure, women can enter too. The more the merrier!
Thanks to our friends at B&H Publishing, my fellow buyer Jeff here in the office, and a quick trip I made to the grocery store, we have a great prize today! If this doesn’t scream “manly giveaway” I don’t know what does.
We have a copy of Fallen Angel, Targets Down, a pack of beef jerky, and a very manly gift item to giveaway today. You can sit and enjoy a thrilling military novel while chewing on some beef jerky. Can I get an “ooh rah”?
The trivia question is focused on one of the authors to the books we’re giving away, Major Jeff Struecker, author of Fallen Angel (for info on what it's about, check out yesterday's post). He is a decorated retired U.S. Army Ranger who served in numerous combat operations during his military career. Struecker was part of a widely-publicized military campaign that was later made into a major motion picture.
What was the movie that was made from this military campaign?
A.) The Hurt Locker
B.) Behind Enemy Lines
C.) Black Hawk Down
For your chance to win one of the sets, please leave your answer in the comments section of this post by 6:00 p.m. central time today. We will randomly select three winners to receive one of the gift sets.
Good luck!
Major Jeff Struecker and veteran writer Alton Gansky are back with another thrilling military suspense novel in their new release Fallen Angel.
When a Chinese Special Forces group targets Angel-12, an American intelligence satellite containing top secret intelligence technology, the ensuing 22,000 mile freefall lands the bus-sized device somewhere in remote Siberia. Not far away, a Russian shadow government has captured the team of U.S. airmen sent to find it. With the stakes rising, U.S. Sgt. Major Eric Moyer and his Special Ops unit are deployed to secure the satellite and save their fellow servicemen. But when the hostage crisis takes a domestic turn, what constitutes winning in their most pressing and dangerous mission yet could lead to Moyer's most personal defeat.
Interested in winning a copy of Fallen Angel as well as another great new suspense novel? Come back tomorrow to find out how!
Have a great Monday!
When did you first start writing, and what was your journey towards becoming a published author?My first novel, Ten Thousand Charms, came out in 2005, and it was literally my first novel. I’d never attempted anything on that scale before. I’d known for a long time that I wanted to be a writer, but I just didn’t know what I wanted to write. I knew magazine writing would never work, because the idea of deadlines terrified me. So, I started a novel, figuring I’d write when I wanted to, and just wait and see. God’s plan for me was much more streamlined than my own!
What is the most helpful bit of writing or publishing advice you’ve ever received?
James Scott Bell opened my eyes to show me that, no matter where I was on my writing journey, I could look back and see progress. I’d started writing a novel…I finished writing a novel…I’d pitched a novel…I got an editor to request a proposal…
Your latest book, Lilies in Moonlight is the third of your three “baseball novels” after Stealing Home and The Bridegrooms. What made you interested in vintage baseball?
It all just seemed so romantic. These men were stars back when nobody was a star. They worked hard and sacrificed, playing for the sake of playing. No millions of dollars—they played for food. I fell in love with how they loved the game. It’s uniquely American—representing the best and worst of us.
Tell us more about Lilies in Moonlight and what you love about this book and its characters.
I love Lilly. She reminds me a little of Gloria, from Ten Thousand Charms—an innocent soul walking around in a sinful body. So much light, and such a sweet spirit. Her voice and mannerisms are lifted directly from one of my favorite students from my teaching days, so that made writing a joy. Betty Ruth was a hoot, too. I felt total freedom with her, making her sweet and silly, letting her get away with saying things that nobody fully in their right mind would say.
Lilies in Moonlight explores two mother-child relationships—how do these relationships define each of the characters?
Lilly has spent a lifetime trying to earn her mother’s love and approval; it’s a losing battle. She’ll never be good enough to please her mother, and she’ll never be bad enough to please the world, so she’s kind of stuck in this place where she only has herself to worry about. Cullen, on the other hand, can do no wrong in his mother’s eyes—he’s the only son, the only child, and heir to the fortune. He’s never had to prove himself at all, and when he tries on both the baseball field and the battlefield, the results are not good…
How do you research for your books?
I do a lot of reading—as many primary source documents as I can (journals, newspapers, etc.). For this book, I watched a lot of silent movies, so I could get into my head what Lilly would have considered glamorous. I also read a lot of F. Scott Fitzgerald – not only the iconic Great Gatsby, but several of his short stories, too. These were published in magazines, so they really gave a contemporary image of the time. I tried to get a feel for how people spoke by studying his dialogue.
Tell us a little about your family—what’s it like to be the mom of three boys?
It’s hectic these days! My oldest (twins!) just turned 16, so they’re driving and working and dating. We have to schedule family dinners. My youngest is in Middle School, so we’re in that weird space where he’s not a little boy, but not a teen-ager yet. Just a lot of awkwardness, but fun. I’m a much better mother with tweens and teens than I ever was with toddlers.
How can parents encourage reading, writing and creativity in their children?
I think it’s important for kids to see their parents reading and writing. We talk about books all the time. Even when the boys read a book in, like, 4th grade, Mike and I would read it, too, so we could talk about it. It’s so much fun to share stories. I think the key to fostering creativity is to let it happen naturally. Kids are naturally creative, so just let it happen! Provide opportunities, but, even with all they do, help them develop a critical eye. Showcase the best and save the rest.
Lilies in Moonlight is set in the 1920s—what was your favorite thing about that time period? If there was one thing about the 1920s you wish you could transport to this current decade, what would it be?
I just think about what an exciting time of change it must have been for women. Just think—skirts went from weighing twenty pounds to measuring twenty inches. Suddenly there were movies and music and glimpses into a world beyond their neighborhood. I don’t think there’s much about the decade that we don’t still have—the best and the worst, actually. With all that freedom came a very slippery moral slope, and women lost a lot of ground. For the first time, immoral behavior was accepted by mainstream society, and that left a haunting impression. If anything, I’d like to step back in time and whisper to the flappers, “Be careful, girls…”
What are you reading these days? Any favorite books or authors?
I’ve just gotten into a book club (a nerdy life-long goal…) and I just finished The Help. I know I’m a little late to that party, but it’s fabulous! My favorite author is Anne Patchett, and my favorite book of hers is Bel Canto. (I snuck that into book club so I could re-read it!) I’m actually a very sloooooow reader, and if I’m not immersed by page 70, I don’t read past 71. I probably abandon 3 out of 4 books…I finish fewer than 10 books a year.
What are you working on next?
Forsaking All Others, the second book in my Sister Wives series, comes out in October 2011 from Tyndale.
Where can readers contact you or learn more about you, Lilies in Moonlight and your other books? (website, facebook, etc.)
I’m an avid facebooker and a rather reticent blogger, but readers can go to my website www.allisonpittman.com to access my blog and to sign up for my newsletter. http://facebook.com/allisonkpittman is my facebook profile and http://facebook.com/pages/Allison-Pittman-Author-Page/121203897897741 is my author page. I love comments!
Whew! Why is that the day before you leave on vacation is always c-r-a-z-y? Here I am, with the work day almost over, and I'm still telling myself, "Don't forget to blog about Pompeii. Don't forget to blog about Pompeii."
T. L. Higley has written several novels including Guardian of the Flame, City of the Dead, and Petra:City of Stone. She obviously has a heart for the past, for ancient ruins, and the stories that could come out of them. I get green with envy when I hear that she travels to Petra or Pompeii to do research for her novels. Now, that's what I call a business trip!
Pompeii: City on Fire is the latest release from Higley. There are some great characters in this story. The first one you meet is Vesuvius herself, the volcano on the brink of erupting and destroying the city of Pompeii. She comes in and out of the story, making sure the citizens of the city as well as the reader, always know she's there.
Ariella is a Jew who has fled Jerusalem after the destruction of the city by the Romans and the loss of most of her family. The journey she takes from a slave in the house of an evil, godless man to disguising herself as a boy to be a member of a gladiator troupe is gripping. Vivid descriptions of gladiator matches, the evil worship that permeates the region, and the desperation of daily survival are well told.
Next we meet a rich patrician, Cato, who has just moved to Pompeii with his mother and sister. After leaving Rome, he seeks to establish a simpler life in the seaside village. Word of his past political achievements, as well as disappointments, have evidently reached Pompeii before he did. A small band of men are urging him to run against Maius, the city magistrate who rules the town through corruption, bribery, and threats of death.
The stories of Ariella and Cato are very well developed and keep you interested. Some of my favorite parts of the book were centered around the secondary characters. You meet several Christians who are forced to worship in private due to the threat of arrest, imprisonment, or death. You get a glimpse into what life could have been like for the early members of the faith.
Higley describes Pompeii as a lively town, full of businesses, coliseums, forums, and everyday life. It's a stark contrast to what we normally think of when we hear about Pompeii. It's a good reminder that this city did exist before it was covered in ash from Vesuvius' eruption.
T L Higley will be joining us in a couple of weeks. She will share more about the story and the research she did as she prepared to write this novel. It's fascinating stuff!
Thanks to everyone for dropping by the blog today and entering our giveaway! Three winners have been randomly choosen to get the set of Karen Kingsbury books and the much needed tissues!
Congrats to:
D Isaacs
Cheryl (mrcrarer)
Elizabeth (collio12353)
I'll be contacting you soon to get your information.
Today is a big day in the fiction world! The second book in Karen Kingsbury’s Bailey Flanigan series releases today. Learning is now available at LifeWay Christian Stores! We have it on sale for $10 through July 4. Hurry in and take advantage of that price!
Can distance truly make the heart grow fonder? Or will Cody learn to turn to others to share in his happiness? And in the face of tragedy, who will be there to provide comfort?
As Cody’s past catches up with him, he must learn to reach out for help or risk withdrawing permanently inside himself. Both Bailey and Cody find themselves learning significant life lessons in this poignant love story, featuring members from Karen Kingsbury’s popular Baxter family.
Karen Kingsbury Giveaway!
In honor of Karen’s new release, we have a great giveaway today!
Before I go any farther, let me just say a word to the guys out there. I’ve heard you! You want giveaways that are not the “lovey-dovey mushy stuff." "Enough with the girly books!", you shout from all corners of America. If you’ll let us get through this one more chick giveaway, I’ve got one for you next Tuesday so be sure to come back!
Okay, back today’s giveaway…
Zondervan Publishers has sent us a fun prize today. We’re giving away 3 sets of Karen’s current series (includes Leaving and Learning). Also, since Karen’s books notoriously makes readers cry, we have packs of tissue to go along with it, complete with Karen’s picture on it (on the package… not the tissue!).
For your chance to win one of the sets, answer this simple question:
What was the last book or movie that made you cry?
Leave your answer in the comments section of today’s post by 5:00 p.m. central time today. We’ll randomly choose 3 winners.
Good luck!
Award-winning novelist Davis Bunn has just released his latest suspense thriller, The Lion of Babylon.
Marc Royce worked for the State Department on a variety of clandestine assignments - that is, until personal issues led to his dismissal.
When Alex Baird goes missing in war-torn Baghdad, State comes calling again. Alex is an intelligence agent - and a close friend of Royce. Three others have also dropped out of sight - a nurse, an aid worker, a wealthy young Iraqi. Are these cases linked? Rumors circulate about a kidnapping conspiracy, yet both American and local officials refuse to pursue it.
Blocked at every turn, Royce eventually unearths a trail of secret encounters between sworn enemies. What he discovers could transform the course of rivalry and reconciliation throughout the Mideast. As the human and political drama escalates, can one man summon the courage to make a difference?
Come back tomorrow!
Karen Kingsbury's next novel, Learning, releases tomorrow! We'll be doing a great giveaway to celebrate the release so be sure to come back tomorrow!
I always get excited to read debut novelists. When my sales rep presented Elizabeth Camden’s new book to me back in late 2010, I told him, “I’m going to need a manuscript to that as soon as you get it.” I didn’t want to wait until June to read it! I was not disappointed. The Lady of Bolton Hill was an excellent read and I highly recommend it to you. Let’s get to know this debut novelist a bit more today.
Welcome, Elizabeth!
The Lady of Bolton Hill is your first novel. What has the publishing journey been like for you? It has been one of the best experiences of my life, although like anything worthwhile, it has not been easy. It took years of writing before I had a manuscript that was ready for prime time, and those years came along with plenty of self-doubt and heartache. One of my favorite quotes is from the film A League of Their Own, when Geena Davis’s character reaches her breaking point and is getting ready to throw in the towel. Manager Tom Hanks scolds her, “Of course this is hard. If it was easy, anyone could do it. It is the hard that makes it great.” I think this line is true in almost any worthwhile endeavor, whether it is starting a business, raising kids, training for a sport, or writing a book. It is the hard that makes it great.
So although I have found the publishing process much harder than I originally anticipated, it has been worth it. The folks at Bethany House could not be nicer, and it has been a real privilege to work with them.
Your book has, in my opinion, the most beautiful cover to any novel this season. What was it like seeing your cover for the first time?
It was late at night when I got the email with the cover image attached, and my computer was unusually sluggish. I remember the wave of nervous anxiety as I waited for that image to load. I think I was clenching my teeth so hard I almost gave myself lockjaw. Anyway, what a huge relief to be greeted with something so lovely!
The cover illustration is the one aspect of the book I have almost zero control over, so I was sweating bullets over it. In my head I have a vision of the tone, setting, and atmosphere of the book, and it is a huge leap of faith to turn all that over to someone else. I was very lucky to be paired up with such a gifted artist, Jennifer Parker, for my first cover.
(Side note: See one of our past blog posts for how Elizabeth’s publisher designed the cover to The Lady of Bolton Hill.)
You chose an interesting setting to place your story in. Baltimore in the mid-nineteenth century isn’t the home of many novels. What drew you to Baltimore and this point in time?
It was a purely practical decision. In order for the plot to work, I needed an east coast city that had a mix of industries, economic classes, and ethnicities that lived in fairly close proximity to one another. Baltimore was the perfect choice.
The main characters in The Lady of Bolton Hill are very passionate people. Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain come from two very different families. It was fun to watch their friendship grow in their childhood, drift apart when distance separated them in their youth, and then to watch them get reacquainted with each other as adults. What were your favorite characteristics of Clara and Daniel?
Daniel is a very romantic, passionate man. Not the poetry and roses kind of romantic…but the stormy, turbulent kind who roars with laughter or breaks down and weeps when someone he cares for is hurt. When Daniel loves someone, he will plow through any obstacle to get to them, but the flip side is that he can also freeze people out just as quickly. Daniel is an ardent and hugely imperfect character, but tremendous fun to write about. Clara is much more logical and clear-headed. She is his anchor in the storm, the touchstone he relies on. I think it is this chemistry that makes their relationship sing.
You obviously have a love for books since you are also a librarian. How has your job helped you in your writing career?
It has been huge. I work in a college library where I help students do research. On any given day I might help students research the arcane details of a renaissance court case or what qualities make a Beethoven symphony great. Other days I am dissecting the migration patterns of sea birds or how cheese is made. I think this constant exposure to a huge range of topics helps trigger ideas I can pump into my writing.
What are some takeaways you hope your readers will leave with once they finish the story?
Although I did my best to weave some pretty weighty themes of forgiveness and redemption into the book, what I really hope is that people simply enjoy reading it. The characters in this book have huge dreams and are willing to risk everything in order to make them happen. When they fail, they do so in a spectacular fashion. When they love, it is with both hands stretched out and no holds barred. Whenever the drama gets a little heavy, I try to inject some glimpses of wit and joy into the mix. I want this book to be a delight to read, despite the sometimes weighty themes.
Are you currently working on a new novel? If so, can you give us a sneak peek?
Yes! The Rose of Winslow Street is set in an idyllic New England town in 1879. Into this peaceful village, a brash warrior from Romania storms in with a wealth of mystery, long-buried secrets, and a heart as wide and deep as the Atlantic. He is a strong, fearsome man who pretty quickly develops a soft spot for the heroine, who threatens to derail all his plans. The Rose of Winslow Street will be released in early 2012.
Okay, time for the random question. If you were deserted on a desert island, what is the one book (other than the Bible) you would want to have with you?
I suppose that would be the complete edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, all thirty volumes. That ought to have enough diversity and page count to keep me occupied for a while!
-----------------
A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and her love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.
Don't forget! This Sunday is Father's Day!
Along with the tie, box of golf balls, or new socks that you're going to get dear old Dad, how about a new novel to enjoy as well? Here are some suggestions!
False Witness by Randy Singer
Nick of Time by Tim Downs
Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann
Day of War by Gliff Graham
The Ambition by Lee Strobel
Fallen Angel by Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky
Targets Down by Bob Hamer
Edge of Apocalypse by Tim LaHaye & Craig Parshall
If you were to write a novel, to whom would you dedicate it to?
Give us your dedication in the comments section of this post. If you need some inspiration, here are some good ones…
To those who have loved, lost, and loved again. - Eva Marie Everson, Chasing Sunsets
To strong and transforming women of all generations. - Jane Kirkpatrick, The Daughter’s Walk
This book is lovingly dedicated to the Nazarene. - Terri Blackstock, Vicious Cycle
To my father, who taught me to love history, family, and the Lord. - Lorna Seilstad, A Great Catch
For King Solomon. - Ted Dekker, Immanuel’s Veins
To all those who struggle to care for aging parents, may God grant you love and grace beyond your wildest dreams, and to you I dedicate On Hummingbird Wings. - Lauraine Snelling, On Hummingbird Wings.
For my husband, Bill. Since the day we married, you have propped me up, cheered me on, and run the extra mile alongside me. Thank you. A thousand times, thank you. - Elizabeth Camden, The Lady of Bolton Hill
For my parents, the artist and the farmer. All your works are beautiful. - Erin Healy, The Promises She Keeps
To all our friends in Iran and the Middle East, yearning to be free. - Joel Rosenberg, The Twelfth Imam
To the immigrant in all of us. - Siri Mitchell, A Heart Most Worthy
Dedicated to my grandmother, Florence Gunderson, who thirty-five years ago gave me my first briefcase to store my stories in, and to my mother, Ella Roberts, who stayed up late to type all those stories. You both are godly women who greatly influenced my life – I am blessed. - Ruth Reid, The Promise of an Angel
If you're looking for a great book to take on vacation, Chasing Sunsets is one to check out. Eva Marie Everson writes stories that are beautiful, emotional, and gripping.
Kimberly Tucker's life hasn't turned out the way she thought it would. While her ex is living it up, she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her two sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim plans a respite at the family vacation home on tiny Cedar Key. As she revisits the long-forgotten past, she discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and sometimes you do get a second chance at love.Let yourself get swept away to an island retreat of warm tropical breezes, sandy beaches, and the most glorious sunsets you can imagine.
Read the first chapter to Chasing Sunsets.
It’s time to reveal the answer!
The 80,000 acres that W.B. Townsend sold to the State of Tennessee and the City of Knoxville eventually became part of:
B.) Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We have randomly chosen a winner from those who guessed the right answer. The winner is…
Kim E
Congrats! I’ll be contacting you in a bit to get your info.
Thanks everyone for stopping by! I'll leave you with my most favorite spot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park... Cades Cove. If you've never been to the Smokies you really should plan a trip!
Hope you all have a great weekend!
We have another great giveaway today. Thanks, Thomas Nelson Publishers!
On Monday I told you about a new author, Dorothy Love, and her new novel Beyond All Measure. Thomas Nelson has sent us a tapestry bag just like the one Ada Wentworth is holding on the cover of the book. Now, how much fun is that, I ask you?
So, for your chance to win this bag and a copy of Beyond All Measure, give our trivia question a stab. But first, a history lesson…
Dorothy Love set her novel in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, a fictional town that she modeled after real locations in East Tennessee (which are my stomping grounds. Shout out to the homeland!). Hickory Ridge has a lumber company that is at the heart of the town. Dorothy did a lot of research for her novel by studying the Little River Lumber Company which was in business from about 1901-1939. The company was started by W. B. Townsend who had other successful lumber mills in Pennsylvania. The lumber business employed hundreds of workers and established several towns throughout Blount and Sevier Counties in East Tennessee.
Now… for the trivia question…
In 1924, W.B. Townsend sold 80,000 acres to the State of Tennessee and to the city of Knoxville while retaining the right to log it for 15 more years. What did those 80,000 acres eventually become a part of?
A.) Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN
B.) Great Smoky Mountains National Park
C.) The University of Tennessee at Knoxville
For your chance to win, post your answer in the comments section of this post by 3:00 p.m. central time Friday. We’ll randomly choose a winner from the correct answers.
Good luck!
Sometimes I read a book from an author and it’s all I can do to not pick up the phone, call his or her publisher and say “Can you PLEASE hurry up and publish more books by this person!” That’s how I felt the first time I read a novel by J.M. (Jeanette) Windle. I’m not a night owl (hello, bedtime around 9:30!) but I remember staying up late to read Betrayed several years ago. After one book I was hooked on Jeanette.
Jeanette just released Freedom's Stand. Although it’s not an official series, I highly recommend that
you read Veiled Freedom first which came out two years ago. In the first novel, set in 2001, we meet Amy Mallory, a young idealistic humanitarian relief worker, who arrives in Kabul, Afghanistan ready to change the world. Her heart for the Afghan people keeps her from leaving a town still rocked by political unrest, daily bombings, and uncertainty.
Much of Amy’s work depends on her assistant, Jamil, but there are things about him that leads her to think he has a troubled past. Jamil obviously has had a part in some of the jihad violence around the city but his eyes are being opened to another Way that could cause him new troubles.
Security Chief Steve Wilson is back in Kabul and can hardly believe that the city he helped liberate eight years earlier has fallen right back into its old habits of greed and corruption. He’s currently part of the security detail for the Minister of Interior so he sees firsthand the violence and political underhandedness that happens daily in a country that is struggling to find its way to freedom.
In the new book, Freedom’s Stand, we meet back up with Amy, Jamil, and Steve. I’m hesitant to reveal too much of the story at the risk of spoiling it for you! Let’s see how vague I can get while still conveying the main points of the story…Amy has returned to Kabul after being back in the States. She’s shocked to see the changes in her organization which seem to be undoing all of her hard work. Women are back to working in unhealthy environments, children don’t have a safe place to play, and several of the young girls are being sent off to marry complete strangers. Amy is also worried over Jamil since he has left Kabul. She knows that it’s a daily struggle for him to stay under the radar as he sets off on the new path he has chosen, a path that is 100% different from the typical Muslim living in Afghanistan today.
Steve has reluctantly returned to Kabul to assist in the security for the upcoming elections. The more time he spends in this country of unrest, he realizes just how much his own life and heart are in a constant state of flux as well. Between both books, you watch Steve take a journey of personal discovery that leads him to learn how to truly live a fulfilled life.
Jeanette Windle has a firm grasp on the history of Afghanistan and the current state of its people that makes this a very realistic and griping story. You will come away with a better understanding and appreciation for this country that, if we’re honest, many of us don’t think about beyond what the national news reports on. Past the fighting and the political unrest, there are people trying to survive and live a quiet life while hoping for the day when true freedom arrives in their country. I think that is the main message of Freedom’s Stand. True freedom doesn’t come from what laws a country has, how it treats its people, or the quality of life that its people have. True freedom is only found in a personal relationship with Christ. When that happens, there is no more hate, no more discrimination or greed. People’s lives are transformed and we pray that nations will be transformed as well.
Gotta love the power of a great story, huh?
Summer vacation is here! If you have kids, I hope they aren’t laying around the house saying, “Mom, I’m bored!” It’s a bit too early in the season for that. But… should they be on the verge of summer boredom, here are some recipes and activities you can do with them. All of the tips come from Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook Volume 1 or Volume 2. With as much research as Wanda does for her novels, I can’t imagine the collection of household tips and recipes she has!
What I think is funny is that my mom would make similar versions of these some of recipes when I was growing up. Who knew that Sandy McRae was exposing me and my sister Leah to Amish ways!
So, round up your kiddos and have some Amish fun!
If you’re going to have an Amish Day, you really should learn some Pennsylvania Dutch. Here are some words and phrases that you can teach your kids. You can impress the family at your next gathering…
Penn. Dutch Word Translation
ach oh
bruder brother
schweschder sister
daed dad
mamm mom
gut good
jah yes
kichlin cookies
Biewel Bible
Der Herr sie gedankt Thank the Lord
Guder mariye Good morning
Wie geht’s? How are you?
danki Thank you
Gern gschehne You are welcome
She dich, eich, wider! See you later!
Homemade Play Dough (recipe from Ada Miller of Norwalk, WI)
2 cups flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon powdered alum
1 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 tablespoons cream of tarter
2 cups boiling water
In large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, alum, salt, oil, and cream of tarter. Add boiling water and stir until mixed. Knead with hands. May add food coloring or divide into portions and add different colors. Cool and store in tightly covered jars. Play dough will last a long time if children are taught to cover it when not in use.
Recipe from Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook, page 171
Tip from the McRae sisters – use cookie cutters (with your Mamm’s permission, of course) to cut out fun shapes with the play dough. Oh, and make sure you wash them good after play. If not, your next batch of cookies could have a weird flavor to it, jah?
Peanut Butter Suet for Birds (recipe from Miriam Miller of Stanford, KY)
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup lard
2 cups quick oats
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup wheat flour
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup wild bird feed
Melt peanut butter and lard together. Stir in remaining ingredients. Press into cake pan. Allow to cool, then cut into squares. Store in freezer or cool place.
Recipe from Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook, page 169
Homemade Popsicles (recipe from Mary Ann Yoder of Woodhull, NY)
2 (6 ounce) packages gelatin (any flavor)
2 cups sugar
2 packages Kool-Aid (any flavor)
4 cups boiling water
4 cups cold water
Combine all ingredients except cold water and mix well. Add cold water. Pour into containers and freeze.
Recipe from Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook Volume 2, page 97
Homemade Fudgesicles (recipe from Martha Yoder of Harrisville, PA)
2 cups milk
1 (4-serving) package instant chocolate pudding
¼ cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk or ¼ cup cream
Stir milk into pudding. Add sugar and evaporated milk or cream. Pour into Popsicle containers and freeze.
Recipe from Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook Volume 2, page 97
New author alert!
Well, Dorothy Love technically isn't a new author. She's written several novels for the general market but she's making her debut in Christian fiction with the Hickory Ridge series. The first book is Beyond All Measure and is available now at LifeWay Christian Stores.
Ada Wentworth may be young, but she's seen enough of life to know she can only rely on herself. Everyone including God it seems, has let her down. Having lost her family, her fiance, and her fortune, Ada journeys from Boston to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, to take a position as a lady's companion. Though initially charmed by the pretty little Southern town tucked into the foothills of the great Smokies, Ada plans to stay only until she can earn enough to establish a millinery shop.
Her employer, Wyatt Caldwell, the local lumber mill owner, is easily the kindest, most attractive man Ada has met in Hickory Ridge. He believes Providence has brought her to town and into his life. But how, after so many betrayals, can she ever trust again? Besides, Wyatt has a dream of his own. A dream that will one day take him far from Hickory Ridge.
As the South struggles to heal in the aftermath of the Civil War, one woman must let go of her painful past in order to embrace God's plans for her. Can she trust Him, and Wyatt, with her future and her heart?
Check out the first chapter to Beyond All Measure.
We're going to be doing a fun giveaway in relation to this book on Thursday so be sure to stop back by. Here's a hint... we're giving away something that is pictured on the front cover of the book (and no... it's not the train!).
Attention Tracie Peterson fans!
Did you know that her latest novel is out? Hope Rekindled is the final book in her Striking a Match Series. I have really enjoyed this series and I’m looking forward to starting the new one.
At long last, Deborah Vandermark is preparing for her own wedding… but the groom suddenly goes absent. Tragedy has befallen Christopher’s family in Kansas City, upsetting the doctor’s future with Deborah. With five siblings now under his care, can he return to Texas and impose a ready-made family to Deborah?
Deborah finds her resolve faltering as her fears about marriage and career start to overwhelm her. How can she marry and be a mother to Christopher’s siblings, and still be able to pursue her work and training as a physician? When an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. How can God possibly work this for good? And can Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in their way?
Tracie is a busy writer these days. She has two new books coming this fall. For us Tracie fans,
that's a good thing! The one I'm really excited about is To Have and to Hold which releases in September. Tracie teams up with Judith Miller to bring us a historical novel set on a small island in Georgia. I love it when Tracie and Judith get together! The novels they pen together are among some of my favorite series.
Tracie's next novel will be House of Secrets and it will release in October. It's a contemporary novel about three sisters who are
trying to figure out why their father has summoned them all to the old family vacation home. and will be available this fall. I’ve had the chance to read it… so good! Tracie hasn’t done many contemporary novels but I’ve always really enjoyed them.
See?! This fall is just going to be a Tracie-pa-looza!
I also got a glimpse at her next historical series that will be releasing next spring. She’ll be taking us back to Texas with the Land of the Lone Star Series. The first book, Chasing the Sun, will release March 2012.
Hello, June! Hello, new summer novels! Here are some of the new novels hitting our shelves here at LifeWay Christian Stores during June... Good stuff!
Happy reading!
LifeWay Christian Store’s Summer Fiction Catalog ends this week. If you haven’t had a chance to flip through it yet you can do so here.
In each of the fiction catalogs we mail out, we always do a feature called “Buyer’s Choice” where I highlight a few of the novels that really caught my eye for the season. I like presenting brand new authors to you, authors you maybe haven’t discovered yet, or even the newest release from an old favorite. Here are the novels that are “Buyer’s Choice” recommendations for the summer!
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott
Ann Miller and her sisters accompany their father to Pittsburgh on business. As the journey continues, she begins to wonder if her father is hiding something that could endanger her family. In Pittsburg, she meets Will Hanby, who has indentured himself to a saddle maker who turns out to be a cold-hearted tyrant. Ann and Will’s paths continue to cross as we follow these two very intriguing characters who are trying to find God’s will for their lives. Rosslyn Elliott writes a well-developed story line that gives a fascinating look into the history of indentured servants, slavery, and the people who worked to free others from their desperate situations.
The Ambition by Lee Strobel
New York Times best-selling author Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ) brings us his first novel with The Ambition. Set in Chicago, a city known for its shadowy political dealings, The Ambition has all the makings of a great suspense tale: a corrupt judge in a mob murder case, a power-hungry pastor, a cynical reporter, and a gambling addict. The decisions each of them make will either lead them to a life of ruin or one of redemption. Strobel’s debut novel is a page-turner from the first chapter that you will find hard to put down.
Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock
Roz is an 11-year-old trying to come to terms with the fact that her mother just moved their family to a new town in hopes of a better life, a life away from their drunken father. Roz secretly hopes that her father will change his ways and come find them. In spite of their many differences, Roz becomes friends with Mara, another girl in town who carries a secret of her own when it comes to her father. Like little girls do, they make a “cross my heart and hope to die” promise to each other to guard their secrets. This is a beautiful story of how the selfless love of family, blood related or not, can bring healing and forgiveness to any situation.
A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason
If you like suspense novels that keep you guessing “who done it” until the very end, you will enjoy A Killer Among Us. This is the third book in the Women of Justice series. Kit Kenyon is a top hostage negotiator who was just paired with Noah Lambert as a new partner. Before they get to know each other, their town is rocked by several murders that all seem to be linked together. As they dig through the evidence, it becomes apparent that the killer is after one of them as well. As the danger mounts, Noah’s strong faith in God encourages Kit in her wavering walk with God. A Killer Among Us includes some fantastic plot twists that makes it a great page-turner.
The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden
With her debut novel, Elizabeth Camden brings us an intriguing historical romance novel set in 1879 Baltimore. Women journalists are rare, but Clara Endicott has found her passion in writing articles that champion the needs of the poor. Forced to leave England after her articles ruffled feathers, Clara returns to Baltimore to find herself in the presence of her childhood sweetheart, Daniel Tremain. Daniel has found success in business but still harbors deep resentment from the past. He’s forced to confront his own motives when he’s about to lose the love of his life because he doesn’t share Clara’s belief in God.
Bound by Guilt by C. J. Darlington
Sixteen-year-old Roxie will do just about anything to feel that she belongs to a family, even if it’s against the law. She roams the country with her cousins in search of rare books to steal. Roxie knows it’s wrong, but it beats the alternative: living on the streets. When a break-in goes horribly wrong, Roxie’s guilt gets the best of her, and she strikes out on her own. The people who come into her life show her not only what true family love looks like, but how God’s love for her can free her of the guilt she’s been carrying around for years.
