 Welcome and thank you for sharing your time with me. To those who signed up for my newsletter since last time, thank you for subscribing! ----- Thanks to all who have been reading my blogs and thanks to those who leave a comment. ----- Something new... If you are a book club leader and interested in your book club reading one of my books, please contact me , telling me a bit about your group. I'll send you a free copy of the book you choose. ----- Clicking any of the tabs above will take you to my website pages. Click the Contact tab above to send me a note. I'll personally respond to each message. ----- You will receive issues of this newsletter quarterly. Any important news will reach you in a timely announcement email. ----- You can take a look at earlier newsletters here. Always remember: I value your presence here and the time you share with me.
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"Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not the
multiplicity and confusion of things."
-Isaac Newton
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I'm almost finished writing the first rough draft of book #3, Promise Me, in the West Virginia Mountains series. I update my progress every Saturday on my Facebook page. While there, all "Likes" are much appreciated. You'll be among the first to see the book's cover--look for announcement emails from me. Promise Me is scheduled to be out in late spring.
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This month I highlight A Worthy Heart by Susan Anne Mason and Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman. Below is information about these books. (Disclaimer: I may not have read these releases yet; just letting you know about them.)
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Title: A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream)
Author: Susan Anne Mason
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: January 2016
Susan's website: www.susanannemason.com
Book available at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD
Adam O'Leary, newly released from prison, wishes to make amends to his family and start a new life, only a certain Irish lass gets in the way! Despite everyone's effort to keep them apart, the two develop a bond nothing can break--but has Adam truly changed, or will the sins of his past prove too much for Maggie to overcome? Title: Isle of Hope Author: Julie Lessman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Julie Lessman
Release date: November 2015
She's the town flirt serving up trouble; He's a pastor's kid bent on serving God, but when time and tragedy separate them for eight years, the tables are turned, begging the question: Can a wild girl gone good rebuild bridges she's burned?
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FREE Kindle eBook copy of my book,
AMEN AND GOOD MORNING, GOD:
A Book of Morning Prayers.
Book description:
 "God is our able guide. He awaits our invitation to walk with us daily," reads the introduction to this volume of 120 morning prayers. The prayers deal with down-to-earth concerns such as forgiveness, sorrow, faithfulness and stress. These morning prayers can encourage you to release the concerns of the day into God's loving care.
Amazon 5-Star Review:
"This book has been a real blessing to me. I open the book at random every day, and no matter what prayer I read, there is something in it to inspire, help, or encourage me." --Rebecca Willman Gernon
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Book 1 and Book 2 in my
West Virginia Mountains Series
are now available in
eBook and paperback
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now available in eBook & paperback
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Postmark from the Past
by Vickie Phelps
 Our guest this month is Vickie Phelps. Vickie writes to encourage, inspire, and influence. She has published 200 magazine articles, devotionals, and essays. She has contributed to several anthologies including Daily Wisdom for Women 2016 and Prayers of the Bible Devotional, both from Barbour Publishing. Vickie is the author of a devotional book, Psalms for the Common Man, and a novel, Postmark from the Past. She is coauthor with Jo Huddleston of How to Write for the Christian Marketplace and S imply Christmas. Welcome, Vickie. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful? Tell your friends and family. Word of mouth is a great way to pass on the news about a book you've enjoyed. Also write a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or bn.com. It doesn't have to be a lengthy review, just your thoughts on the book. Where is your favorite vacation spot? Why? Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I love small towns, especially those that still have a lot of historical landmarks and old buildings. Eureka Springs is like a step back to Victorian times which I love. We've been there several times, but I never tire of going. Please tell us a little about your novel, Postmark from the Past.  In November 1989, Emily Patterson is enjoying a quiet life in West Texas. She lives in the same house she grew up in, has a great job, and good friends. But emptiness nips at her heart. Then a red envelope appears in her mailbox. It's a letter from Mark who declares his love for her, and promises to come to her if he makes it home alive. But who is Mark? She flips the envelope over, but there is no return address and it is postmarked 1968. Over the next few days more letters mysteriously appear in her mailbox and odd things start happening. Is someone playing a cruel joke? Her friends say it is the season for miracles. As Emily seeks to solve the mystery, can she risk her heart to find a miracle in the Postmark from the Past? Where can readers find you online? Where can readers purchase Postmark from the Past? Through your favorite bookstore with this number: ISBN 978-193650127-4
Any parting comment?
Jo, Thank you for featuring me in your newsletter. It's an honor to share with your followers.
On February 25, I'll draw a winner from current subscribers to receive an eBook copy of Postmark from the Past, which Vickie has graciously offered.
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 I recently read Hearts That Survive by Yvonne Lehman. If you think the movie Titanic told you everything about that great ship's short ocean voyage, well think again. Reading this book from Yvonne Lehman gives another story just as fascinating as that of Jack and Rose. A secret love is cherished, a child is nurtured, and a new, sweet love is found. You'll meet characters you love and characters who cause you to have mixed feelings; however, you won't forget them. The author's descriptions are magnificent and pull you into the story. This story should be made into a movie. A good read.
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Read FREE the first chapter of each of my novels on my website
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I keep a list of my 5 all-time favorite novels. Occasionally, the list will change, but not very often. Once a title is on my list, it's difficult to push off. As we begin 2016, there's a new member on my current list:
The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Hearts That Survive by Yvonne Lehman
Rooms by James L. Rubart
Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King
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 The October 2015 newsletter winner of a copy of Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin is Marjorie. Congratulations!
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On February 25, 2016 I'll draw a winner from current subscribers on that date to receive a copy of Postmark from the Past by Vickie Phelps.
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Note: To select winners in my book drawings from active subscribers of this newsletter I use Random.org. If you're a winner, the rules are simple: I'll email winners and get the book to them. For print copies, U.S. mailing addresses only. (See Disclaimers for complete details.)
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 Benny decided to buy a present for his Uncle Bill's birthday, so with his older brother's help he bought a present, gift wrapped it, and brought it over to his uncle.
His uncle, knowing that Benny's father manufactured apple juice, and seeing a wet spot on the bottom corner of the box, decided to have some fun with Benny by trying to guess what was in the box.
"Hmm," said Uncle Bill, dipping his finger on the wet spot and taking a quick taste, "I'm going to guess it's a case of apple juice."
"No," said Benny jumping up and down, clearly enjoying the game.
"Not apple juice?" said Uncle Bill clearly surprised.
After another quick taste and a brief pause he guessed again. "Is it apple cider?"
"No," said Benny practically squealing in excitement. "IT'S A PUPPY!"
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Below is a recent post from my inspirational blog, Lifelines. I hope you'll visit me there. While there you can sign up to receive each new post in your email inbox.
What's Your Word for the Year?
"Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it." -Swedish proverb
More and more folks are choosing a word to focus on for the year. Sometimes they choose a word they think will improve their life, and many times it seems they choose a word for inspiration. I've never done this--try to focus on one word or subject for an entire year. But when I read the above quote it motivated me to do so.
So, my word for this year is love.
The Swedish proverb above mentions that we need love even when we don't deserve it. Not many people can love someone they judge not to be worthy of receiving their love. We do live in a world full of judgmental attitudes. Someone who readily judges the behavior of another will likely withhold their love from that person. I read this recently: The next time you're tempted to put someone down, put them on your prayer list first. So apt!
The Bible warns me against being judgmental and I put forth effort to refrain from doing so. In the New Testament, Jesus gives us two important commandments and they both have the word love in them: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind ... Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV).
On a lighthearted note, I'll leave you with this quote from Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
Do you have a word you will focus on this year?
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Each Monday I post my thoughts on my inspirational blog, Lifelines. I hope you'll visit me there. While there you can sign up to receive each new post in your email inbox. |
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