DREAMS DEFERRED BOOK SPOTLIGHT ~ June Foster ~ #giveaway

DREAMS DEFERRED

Book Spotlight

June Foster (and #Giveaway)

Father Matt Hall wants to serve the Lord. School teacher Mary Louise Graham needs freedom from her unforgivable past. They never expect to fall in love.

Frances Matthew Hall is obedient to family tradition: all firstborn sons will serve as a priest. Now Matt officiates at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. But when on Easter Sunday, he notices a beautiful young woman who takes his breath away, he must fight against his attraction to her or leave the priesthood and alienate his entire family.

Mary Louise Graham is a middle school teacher and devout catholic. Yet no amount of service to the community can ease the heavy load of guilt she carries. God can never forgive her unspeakable mistake. But when Father Matt tells her about a forgiving God through His son Jesus Christ, she's free. Only thing, the Godly priest now means more to her than he should.

Can two people find their way to each other amidst insurmountable obstacles? Dreams Deferred is inspired by the author's great grandfather and great grandmother's story.

Excerpt DREAMS DEFERRED:

Mary Louise's eyes were bright with tears and the hope of new life. Matt savored the pressure of her hand upon his. "Praise God," he whispered, restraining the volume of his voice. If he could, he'd shout the words, sending an echo from the ceiling to the floor. "He's faithful to forgive you."

Before he could react, bare arms reached around his shoulders. Mary Louise's silky hair that smelled of fresh peaches, brushed his cheek. "Thank you."

He dared to hug her in return, his hands wrapping all the way around her. She was so small, unearthing in him feelings he'd never had before—the desire to protect her and provide for her needs. The warmth of her body against his stirred more in him than it should've, and he moved away.

Fingers as soft as the downy pillow on his bed brushed his arm. "I'm sorry. I over reacted. Please forgive me. But I will never regret asking Jesus into my life today."

The stained-glass window with the image of a dove reminded him of God's grace. He rose and offered her his hand. "There's nothing to forgive. I thank God you've found the way to our Savior."

Mary Louise lifted her gaze to Jesus on the cross. "For the first time in ten years, I feel clean—forgiven. I can never thank you enough."

Movement at the entrance of the church called Matt's attention. Someone slipped out the door. A man with the same thin shoulders as Father Nicolas. 

purchase link: https://amzn.to/2N4quQC (affiliate link)

Author June Foster

Author June Foster

An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and MA in Counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provided a rich source of information for her novels. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find the path to live godly lives.

June is generously offering a giveaway - an eBook copy of DREAMS DEFERRED. To enter, simply leave your name and email address (e.g: me(at)yourdomain(dot)com) in the comment section below. Giveaway runs for one week from today, ending at Midnight O'Clock Central time, on Thursday, January 30.

   

Deck the Soul with Boughs of Forgiveness, MaryAnn Diorio, Giveaway

"Deck the Soul with Boughs of Forgiveness"

by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

CHRISTMAS!  The word evokes many feelings, depending on our experiences. For some, Christmas is a happy time, filled with beautiful memories and joyful expectations. For others, Christmas is a depressing time, a season one wants “to get over with” as quickly as possible because of bad memories associated with this time of year.

Having ministered to people for many years, I have come to the conclusion that depressing memories at Christmas time are most often related to problems of unforgiveness. Hurts from the past become more pronounced during the Christmas season, but the reason those hurts still affect us is that we have not let go of the bitterness associated with them. In short, we have not forgiven the people who have hurt us.

Why do most people have such a difficult time forgiving? I believe the main reason is that they do not understand what forgiveness really means. If you are one of those people, what follows may help you:

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

__Forgiveness is NOT letting someone off the hook.

__Forgiveness is NOT condoning evil.

__Forgiven is NOT being a doormat.

__Forgiveness is NOT having to trust again the person who hurt you.

__Forgiveness is NOT a feeling.

__Forgiveness is NOT an option.

NOW LET’S LOOK AT WHAT FORGIVENESS IS:

__Forgiveness IS taking the person who hurt you off of your hook and placing him on God’s hook, then praying that God will have mercy on him.

__Forgiveness IS acknowledging that evil was done but choosing to bear the consequences of that evil without retaliation.

__Forgiveness IS taking charge of your emotions.

__Forgiveness IS setting boundaries with the person who hurt you, even refusing temporary or permanent interaction with that person, if necessary. An example would be a wife who is being beaten by her husband.

__Forgiveness IS a decision.

__Forgiveness IS obedience to God’s commandment to forgive.

No matter how badly you have been hurt, choose to forgive. It’s the best thing you can do for your own well-being. Unforgiveness chains you emotionally to the person who hurt you. Forgiveness breaks that chain and sets you free.

What better time is there than the Christmas season to forgive those who have hurt us? The very essence of Christmas is the truth that God forgave humanity through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Who are we not to forgive others when God has forgiven us?

So this Christmas, forgive! But don’t just forgive. Ask to be forgiven. As the Word of God tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJV). All of us need not only to forgive but also to be forgiven.  And as long as we are on this earth, it is never too late to forgive or to be forgiven.

______________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2012-2019 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA.  All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reproduced without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may reach her at maryann@maryanndiorio.com.

Featured Book: A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING: A Novella published by Pelican Book Group

BLURB:  Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody's departure, Sonia's world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister's destructive actions, has become rebellious. Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter? Jody Pettit O'Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She's been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago. Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?

PURCHASE LINK:  https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Homecoming-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B017QL62U2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=A+Christmas+Homecoming+by+MaryAnn+Diorio&qid=1573578019&sr=8-1

BIO: Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction for both children and adults. She is the author of the well-received trilogy, THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES. Her latest novel, IN BLACK AND WHITE, deals with the issue of racism. MaryAnn has been married to Dom, a retired ER physician, for 50 years. They are the blessed parents of two wonderful adult daughters, a very smart son-in-law, and six rambunctious grandchildren. In her spare time, MaryAnn loves to read, paint, and make up silly songs with her grandchildren. You may learn more about MaryAnn and her writing at www.maryanndiorio.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: www.maryanndiorio.com
Blog (Matters of the Heart): http://eepurl.com/dwLYEn
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/author/maryanndiorio
Blog Talk Radio: http:www.blogtalkradio.com/drmaryanndiorio
BookBub.com: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maryann-diorio
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/DrMaryAnnDiorio
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/@DrMaryAnnDiorio
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DrMaryAnn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-diorio-phd-dmin-mfa-99924513/
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YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/

Giveaway offered:  One copy of A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING in e-book format.  It is available from the publisher only in e-book format. Leave your name and contact information below to be entered in the drawing. Giveaway ends one week from today, January 1,

2020 at Midnight O'Clock Central time and will be notified via email.

Fallible ~ Carole Brown ~ Devotional ~ Giveaway

Fallible

 A Devotional from Carole Brown

When we pray for those who have

despitefully used and persecuted us,

it is marvelous how soon the soul gets

calm and tender.

--Unknown

Not too long ago, I had a couple who became angry at me for a very stupid reason. I was crushed. Hurt. Troubled. Angry. How could they? After all I'd done for them. After all the love I'd poured out on them.

After all I'd done... Would something bad happen to them because of the way they'd treated me?

I cried and fretted to myself. Talked and whined to my husband. Shed more tears. Why had this happened? God, where are you when I need you? I wanted to scream the words at him.

This went on for several weeks and there was no difference. Nothing. I was sure I couldn't bear it.

But God.

God didn't forsake me. Instead, he was gently strengthening me by teaching me to lean on Him much more than I ever had before.

God talked with me:

·       Learn to lean on me.

·       Draw close to me.

·       Trust me.

·       Be willing and obedient for HIS WILL

Oh, how much I needed these lessons. They didn't happen in an hour, a day, or even a week. But as I slowly accepted God's word to me, I began to feel peace in my heart again. I began to feel forgiveness, and then the peace and tenderness flowed back into my heart.

Are things perfect because of this? No...but better. No apologies, but at least some communication. No, things aren't back to the way they were before, and that's the point. Maybe God doesn't want it to be as before. Maybe, just maybe, He wants it much better.

One thing I know. He has a plan. If I'm obedient to whatever He says, if I pray and forgive, God will give the increase. Whatever that is.

Matthew 6: 14 & 15:  For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [KJV]

Christmas Angels Blurb

Her mother called her a failure, and maybe she was. Her husband was gone—in the service, yes, but if he loved her—really loved her, why didn't he write? Or call? Or send the money she needed?

She was scared too, afraid of being alone, and though she loved this sweet little bundle of joy—her baby—well, was she smart enough and strong enough to raise her? She didn't mind doing without all the nice things she'd love to have, but not being able to provide luxuries like Christmas trees, ornaments and presents for her baby girl was beyond enduring.

What she needed was a miracle...and that wasn't going to happen.

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1492661357&sr=1-

About Carole:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Links: 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a/

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Giveaway:

Carole is giving away one Kindle copy of From the Lake to the River Anthology, in which her Christmas Angels novella is featured. To enter, leave your name and contact information in the comment section below. This giveaway will run for one week from today, ending Friday, October 12, at Midnight, Central Time.

Note: For an EXTRA entry: Answer Carole’s optional question: Have you ever had to forgive someone when you didn't feel like it? How did you get through this?

An Appointment with Caesar

"Do not be afraid Paul; you must be brought before Caesar ..." 

Acts 27:24a [NKJV]

by Peggy Blann Phifer

I think I was about eleven years old walking home from school one day with my little brother and sister, and some of the other children going in the same direction.

At the time, we attended a rural, one-room school, all eight grades, I kid you not. I won't tell you how long ago that was ... one must keep some secrets, right?

Anyway, on the corner opposite the school building, was a little country store where the proprietor's always welcomed us kids after school. They kept a bin of various penny-candy where we could help ourselves to enjoy on our walk home.

But this particular day, for some perverse reason, I wasn't satisfied with their offerings. So I wandered over to where the real candy was and slipped a Baby Ruth candy bar into my pocket. We had a quarter-mile walk ahead, so I dawdled behind the others and surreptitiously ate my stolen treat.

Mothers are omniscient, you know? They know everything. It wasn't long before Mom somehow knew (how do they do that?) about that candy bar. Tattle-tale's maybe, or more likely it was a little bit of chocolate lodged in the corner of my mouth.

I was promptly hauled out to the car and driven back to that little store where I had to confess my theft, and pay for it with a nickel from my piggy bank ... all the while trembling with fear. Of the owner, perhaps, or maybe what Daddy would do when he came home after work.

In the verse above, the Apostle Paul was a prisoner on a storm-tossed ship headed for Rome. They feared sinking, but the Lord assured Paul he wasn't going to die because he had an appointment with Caesar. (Read Acts 27)

I was a prisoner of my own sin, and my Caesar was that store owner whose trust I'd betrayed, and ... eventually ... my dad. God saw to it I kept my 'appointment.'

Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us even when we do wrong. Because of Your unconditional love, I know I don't need to fear confessing my sins to You because You always stand ready to forgive. This child of Yours is grateful that with You, sins confessed are remembered no more. Amen.

From Death to Life in Forgiveness

From Death to Life

 by Lynne Tagawa

Not long ago, my daughter-in-law told me her mother was reading my new book, A Twisted Strand, and enjoying it. Her eyes widened a bit. “I read the back and it sounds scary.” She wasn’t sure she’d like it herself.

It’s true, there are suspenseful parts. Blood on the grass, that sort of thing.  But I did give her some further explanation, a few small spoilers, so she’d know exactly how scary it was.

I’m not even sure “suspense” is a favorite genre of mine, come to think about it. I’m very much a drama or romance person, preferring multi-layered characters who respond and grow in response to various situations.

But I couldn’t resist a good virus. I am, after all, both a biology teacher and a Michael Crichton fan (Timeline, Airframe). I love a good serving of (accurate) science or medical knowledge supporting a plot. So yeah, there’s a virus in the story, man-made and all that.

But the real story isn’t in the blood spilled on the bluebonnets. It’s in the blood painted on the doorframe, the blood of the Passover lamb, prefiguring the blood drenching another piece of wood: the wood of the Cross.

For it’s the death of Christ that gives us life. And this is the core of the story. Two lonely people, estranged from God and each other, with bitterness creeping into their hearts.

How can a woman forgive the worst of all betrayals? Can her ex-husband humble himself enough to ask for that forgiveness?

And even if they can forgive, can they be truly reconciled?

No, I’ve never faced adultery myself. But I’ve had to forgive rather large offenses, and I’ve seen what can happen when others don’t forgive. It’s like swallowing poison.

I’ve also read what the Bible says about both subjects, forgiveness and reconciliation: when we are justified, we have peace with God, and this includes both forgiveness of sin and a reconciliation of the creature-Creator relationship.

But between people, sometimes forgiveness happens without reconciliation. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Rom 12:18 [KJV]

What about my characters, Rachel and Will? I’ll let you find out!

About the book:

After dragging her heart through a divorce, Rachel Davis is ready to settle down on their South Texas country home, raise her kids, and find some peace. Can she find the secret to making her heart whole again?

William Davis, MD, would do anything to take back his horrible mistake, but infidelity is more than his wife can forgive. He goes home to an empty house in Austin every night, trying his best to be a good dad to his kids from afar.

When Rachel discovers their Jersey heifer dead from a hemorrhagic fever, she quickly realizes that the danger may spread to humans. Working for an epidemiologist, she joins the investigation. Is it natural? Or terrorism?

The family vet sickens, and Will enters the fray. Could this become an epidemic? 

Estranged from God and from each other, both Rachel and Will encounter the truth of the gospel and struggle to make sense of it all. Is there hope? And is there hope for their relationship?

Endorsements:

"The Twisted Strand is a realistic, vivid, and frightening scenario that will keep you thinking long after the end of the book. A timely story exploring the threat of bioterrorism and the faith it takes to [get]Rachel and her family through, I believe this story will inspire everyone who picks it up." -Amber Schamel, author of Dawn of Liberty (2017 CSPA Book of the Year Award Winner)

“Lynne Tagawa takes us deep into the world of biological warfare with a mystery that is plausible and scary.” -Laura V. Hilton, author of The Christmas Admirer (Whitaker House)

About the author: 

Lynne Tagawa is an educator, author, and editor. The author of Sam Houston’s Republic, she lives in Texas with her husband.

Website: Line Upon Line www.lynne.tagawa.com

Blog: http://gracetrails.blogspot.com

A Twisted Strand is available from amazon in both print and kindle versions. Book purchase link: http://amzn.to/2zhwX1Y

And God Still Loves Me ♥ Patti J. Smith ♥ Book Spotlight

And God Still Loves Me

A Journey From The Dark Abyss of Sin To God's Mercy

by Patti J. Smith

The term, “I’ve been to hell and back,” describes me to a tee and the hell was mostly self-inflicted. Even though I came from a loving, supportive and Christian family, I always felt like an outsider and “less than.”  That all changed when I discovered alcohol.  As a well-known A.A. speaker once said, “I was a duck until I took a drink, then turned into an eagle.”  Alcohol took away my moral compass and everything I learned growing up disappeared into the deep recesses of my mind.  My hedonistic lifestyle was one of perceived indestructibility generating carelessness and vulnerability.

And God Still Loves Me is my story.  A story of a lost soul who shunned God.  Of a journey of self-will that led to a life of excess with total disregard towards reputation, safety, or how it affected loved ones.  It is a story of hope, healing, and accepting that no matter the transgression, God is merciful and His love unconditional.

Patti J. Smith is a multi-genre author, penning Christian devotionals, light romance, and suspense.  She serves as Regional Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and leads Rachel's Hope After-Abortion Healing Retreats in Oceanside, CA. She has shared her testimony at a variety of venues including the March for Life in Washington, D.C. and Walk for Life in San Francisco as well as being a guest on EWTN, Immaculate Heart Radio, and Radio Maria. She also appears in two documentaries, “The Sidewalk Chronicles” and “Hush.” 

Patti and her husband, Michael, live in Vista, CA and have four beautiful granddaughters. Along with her pro-life ministry and writing, she enjoys blogging, reading and proudly admits to being a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and Fantasy Football fanatic. 

Patti’s Social Media

Website:  www.rachelshopehealingministry.com

Blog:  www.gridirongranny@live.com

Author’s Page:   http://amazon.com/author/pattijsmith 
Twitter:   https://twitter.com/gridirongranny5
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/giridirongranny

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

a Devotional post by Heather Davis

"And Jacob said, 'O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.'"
Genesis 32:9-10 [ESV]

Reading through the Old Testament as a new Christian, I remember being overwhelmed by sheer frequency of slaughter documented in its pages. I knew then that God is good and that His purposes are just, but in those early years I really struggled with the annihilation of peoples and nations that are recounted in the Book.

In more recent years, God has brought me to an even more acute understanding of my sin and His sovereignty than ever before — and that’s saying quite a lot. I can see, quite painfully, how sin still taints my choices, my thoughts, even my understanding of God’s will and my service to Him.  

Perhaps because of this or for some other reason, now when I read through the Old Testament it isn’t the wrath of God that is overwhelming; it is His mercy.

As I consider the ancient accounts of deceit and trickery, of faithlessness and arrogance, of unabashed defiance against the Creator, of murder, rape, and incest, I find myself wondering why He would choose to have mercy on any nation or on any single person at all. To be honest, it astonishes me that He did not simply scrap the whole business of humanity entirely and move on.

Reading of the spiritual failures and successes of the forefathers of the faith, I see echoes of my own, wandering heart. I, too, have been pompous and full of pride. At one time in my life, I openly defied the very One who breathed life into me, refusing to believe He even existed.  The life I had before I met my Savior was one of immorality that frankly disgusts me now.

If I were my own Creator, I do not think I could have mustered any mercy for one who offered so little to love as I did.

And yet, He did have mercy on me. Though, like Jacob, I did not acknowledge Him in my early years; though, like Abraham, I sometimes act in faith and sometimes in fear; though I try to “help” Him accomplish His promises as Abraham and Sarah did; though I have wrestled with Him until I have nothing left but to cling to Him, He had had mercy and spared me the wrath I deserve. More wondrous yet, He also repaid all my unbelief and stubbornness with grace, bringing me to know His Son, Jesus, whose obedience and sacrifice has paid in full the tremendous debt of my sin and offered me eternal life.

In His grace, as with Joseph, all the pain and hardship I have suffered, God has used for His good purposes. Because of this, I know that present and future suffering will be used for His glory just the same. This sure knowledge gives me comfort and hope when afflictions loom.

Oh, how I love my Lord and His word! I delight in my days with Him –communing in prayer and by reading His word and meditating on it –simply because I am overwhelmed by His steadfast love and faithfulness!

Gracious God, I praise You today that Your steadfast love never ceases and Your mercies truly never come to an end. Thank You for having mercy on me, and guide me into living a life that reflects Your glory to those around me, amen.