Shadow of Fear: (Shadow Lake Survival - Book 6) by Susan Sleeman

 

Shadow of Fear: 

(Shadow Lake Survival - Book 6) 

October 29, 2024

by Susan Sleeman (Author)

To catch a killer…

Forensic engineer Kinsley Pierce is used to dispassionately digging into building and structure failures to determine the cause of the failure. But when she starts receiving disturbing death threats, she’s anything but dispassionate. Fearing for her life, she runs to the one place she’s always felt safe. Her hometown, Shadow Lake. But she never expected her best friend’s bossy brother to steamroll in and take over her protection.

Will he work outside the law?

Former deputy Devon (Dev) Graham now team member at Shadow Lake Survival insists Kinsley move to the company’s compound for her own safety. He could do nothing else. As a former deputy, he spent most of his adult life protecting others. He also spent years ignoring his attraction to his little sister’s best friend. He will never marry, and his sister would never forgive him if he led Kinsley on only to hurt her. Too bad. He would just have to ignore his feelings. She’s in danger, and he’s the one to watch over her. Whatever the risk. Whatever it takes. Even when they head down an upsetting path of betrayal and false trails that lead to a grisly death, he’ll protect Kinsley with his own life until the killer threatening her is behind bars.

My thoughts: Shadow of Fear is the sixth book in the series but it easily stands alone. Fans will want to read the first five books though.  The story starts out with a literal bang and doesn't let up from there. I was left guessing who could possibly be behind the attacks and why.  If you like romantic suspense you will definitely want to read this book in any other books written by Susan Sleeman.   This will make an excellent gift for someone on your list. I was giving a copy for  free and all opinions are my own.

Amish Christmas Kitchen by Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, Kate Lloyd #Amish #Christmas #romance

 

Amish Christmas Kitchen by Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, Kate Lloyd 

The Coziness of a Warm Kitchen Awaits . . .

As the weather grows cold and the nights grow long, the cheer and warmth of the Christmas season is a comfort for all of us. This collection from bestselling Amish fiction novelists Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, and Kate Lloyd celebrates the heart at the center of the holiday and offers three novellas that rejoice in family, faith, and especially the sights and fragrant smells of a bustling holiday kitchen.

In "An Amish Family Christmas," Leslie Gould tells the story of how, in the wake of a heartbreaking loss, a young Amish woman finds unexpected comfort and friendship while selling her family's traditional baked goods at the local Lancaster Christmas Market.

Jan Drexler's "An Amish Christmas Recipe Box" gives readers a sweet tale of a shy Amish woman who decides to use her talent in the kitchen to woo a local Amish boy with her beloved Christmas cookies.

And Kate Lloyd offers "An Unexpected Christmas Gift," a moving tale of a woman's unforeseen discovery about the truth of her past, and the welcoming Amish family table she finds herself invited to on Christmas.

Includes three authentic Amish recipes for your holiday baking!

About the Author

Leslie Gould is a #1 bestselling author of numerous Amish novels, including The Sisters of Lancaster County series. She resides with her family in Oregon. Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions to her writing. She is the author of several novels including Hannah's Choice. Jan lives in South Dakota with her husband. Visit her at www.jandrexler.com.

Kate Lloyd is the bestselling novelist of the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy and the Lancaster Discoveries series. A native of Baltimore, she lives in Seattle, Washington. Learn more at www.katelloyd.com.

My thoughts: An Amish Christmas Kitchen is a novella collection that includes three novellas by prominent Amish authors. I had read the first one previously, but apparently I mislaid the book and never read the next two.  I enjoyed reading the first book very well both times, the second one was Amish Christmas Kitchen by Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, Kate Lloyd good and the third one had an unexpected request with it being written in first person instead of third person but I think it was my favorite book of the collection number one came in a close second though. If you are looking for an Amish romance novella collection you will want to read this book. It'll also make a great gift for somebody for Christmas. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.   

Where's the Sky #Devotional by Becky Van Vleet

 

Where’s the Sky?

A few years ago, I picked up my three-year-old granddaughter, Amara, for an outing. On this particular morning, the fog was as thick as night. When I settled her into the car seat and pulled out of the driveway, she asked, "Nana, where’s the sky? I can’t see it.”

I tried to explain as best I could about fog, how we still have the sky, but we just can't see it very well right now. 

Later on, I thought about how often we are searching for something that is right in front of us but we can't see it clearly, especially when it comes to our spiritual lives. Are all the outside stimuli from cell phone pop ups, texts, computers, TVs, social media, and just distractions in general blocking our spiritual views like a fog? Worse yet, are these distractions creating darkness? Are we having trouble seeing clearly at all?

From a meteorological standpoint, temperature, wind, and sunshine whisk the fog away. When it comes to our walks with God, it works the same way. His love, grace, and mercy whisk away darkness and Christ’s light comes rolling in.

Even Jesus experienced darkness when he was on the cross. But through His resurrection, light prevailed. Living in a fallen world, we will all face darkness on this side of heaven and have to navigate it. But thankfully, there is no darkness God cannot break through.

Christ’s light provides our path for how we are to live, removing sin, redeeming us. Jesus said, “I am the world’s light. No one who follows me stumbles around in darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” John 8:12 (The Message)

When we’re in a dark place, are we allowing God’s love, grace, and mercy to whisk it away? Thankfully as believers, we don’t have to walk in fog or darkness, we always have the light of life.

 

Becky Van Vleet

 

 

Becky Van Vleet is a retired teacher and principal and award-winning multi-genre author. She has been published in Guideposts, The Country Register, and Christian Devotions Ministry. Her children’s picture books are the recipients of the 2020 Excellence in Editing award as well as the Purple Dragonfly award in 2020 and 2021. She and her husband make their home close to Colorado Springs where she enjoys gardening, hiking, oil painting, power walking, and spending time with her family, especially reading books to her grandchildren.

Becky is the author of Unintended Hero, a true story about her father’s battles, experiences, and adventures in WWII aboard the USS Denver. She is passionate about sharing the values from the Greatest Generation and enjoys speaking to high school classes about patriotism.

A member of ACFW and Allauthor, Becky has devoted her website to creating and preserving family memories and sharing family stories for the next generations through her monthly blogs. 

You can find her at: https://beckyvanvleet.com. She would love to hear from you, especially if you have a family story to share!

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckyvanvleet/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-van-vleet-ms-806055181/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becky_van_vleet_author/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/beckyvanvleet/ 

Amazon Central Author Page: https://amzn.to/3INHIPB 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/125841473-becky-van-vleet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beckyvanvleet9907

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/becky-van-vleet

 

 

An Interview with Marty Machowski, Author of Promises Made Promises Kept

 

An Interview with Marty Machowski, Author of Promises Made Promises Kept

For families looking for a resource to help them focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season, best-selling author Marty Machowski is releasing a new family devotional. Promises Made Promises Kept shows families how the birth and life of Jesus fulfilled God’s Old Testament promises of a Savior. Written for families with preschool and grade school children, Machowski weaves scriptural promises and fulfillments together into one harmonized story that will deepen the family’s faith in God’s power and control over all of history and their lives too. Each story also includes questions for the family to discuss together. This beautiful hardback book, illustrated by Phil Schorr, is sure to become a treasured family favorite to be used every Christmas as a reminder of how God keeps his promises to his people. Q: Promises Made Promises Kept is for families to read together around Christmas. Tell us more about the unique format and how it is intended to be used.   Promises Made Promises Kept is an illustrated family Bible study that shows families how the promises made by God for a savior in the Old Testament were kept in the birth and life of Jesus in the New Testament.   Families will begin the week before Christmas (on December 18) with the first side, Promises Made which contains seven stories that explore the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. On Christmas Day, they will flip the book over and continue by reading Promises Kept with seven more biblical stories that vividly illustrate how Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection and the establishment of the church fulfill God’s promises.​   I suggest families start a tradition of reading the first half together and positioning the book prominently in their home with the Promises Made cover showing. After reading ‘The Greatest Sign of All Time’ (the final story in Promises Made) on Christmas Eve, early Christmas morning, set the book with the Promises Kept cover face up, on a white cloth (representing God’s forgiveness). If you wish, surround it with treats and baked goods to celebrate Christmas. Your children will wake up to the wonderful surprise, and you can begin by reading ’The Waiting Is Over’ (the first story in Promises Kept). Then, read a new story every day for the next week.   Q: This is actually your second upside down book, following the format of your popular Easter devotional, Darkest Night Brightest Day. How did the idea come about to create an upside down and backward book?   The idea for Darkest Night Brightest Day was based on when the apostle Paul shared the gospel story with the Jews in Thessalonica, saying, “that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead” (Acts 17:3 ESV), some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas. But others became upset and formed a mob and accused Paul and his followers with these words, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6).   The gospel message happily turns the life of anyone who believes it upside down. Sin is flipped for righteousness, judgment for mercy, and condemnation for forgiveness.   Darkest Night Brightest Day became a popular book for families to use in celebrating Easter together, so I wanted to write something that could be used at Christmas time as well. The same gospel message runs throughout the Bible, so the upside down message is in Promises Made Promises Kept.   Q: What are some of the promises of the Old Testament you share in the book that are kept in the New Testament?   After Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, God gave them a promise that a future son would crush the head of the serpent and he covered their shame by sacrificing animals to cover their nakedness. Jesus is the future son born in the line of Adam.   God promised Abraham that kings would come from his family line and God promised David a son to sit on an everlasting throne. Jesus, the infant king, born in the line of Abraham and David, whom the wise men came to bring tribute is the fulfillment of those promises.

Q: How long does it take to read each devotional? Does the time commitment vary based on the age of the kids in the family?   Promises Made Promises Kept is targeted at families with preschool/grade school children. Still, those who make reading this Christmas devotional a tradition with their family can use it all the way through the teen years, as the meat of the book is the retelling the story of the gospel in a way that both children and adults can enjoy.   The individual devotions in Promises Made Promises Kept are short and easy to read through in a few minutes. Families can easily complete a devotion in ten minutes. I’ve found the best time for family devotions is after dinner, before dessert. Other families read just before bed or gather in the morning before their day begins.   Q: In addition to reading the devotional each day, are there ways to extend the conversation and go deeper, especially with older children?   Each devotional includes notations of the scripture notations for where the day’s story originated, so the family can read those passages together. At the end of each reading there are also several discussion questions for the family to talk about together.   Q: Why is it so important to use family devotionals such as Promises Made Promises Kept regularly within the home?   Parents worry about the spiritual condition of their children’s souls and desperately want them to follow Christ. The reality, though, is that only God can change a heart. But he has given us a tool in the gospel that allows us to participate in the miraculous work of salvation.   The gospel is the seed we plant in the heart of our children, and our prayers are the water over that seed. Paul said it is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Charles Spurgeon said the gospel is “meat for men, but it is also milk for babes.”   I’ve written Promises Made Promises Kept​as well as other resources to provide parents with tools that will help them share the life-transforming gospel with their children.   Q: Do you have any other tips for families trying to keep the focus on Jesus during the busy Christmas season?   When parents are driving around and see decorations adorning homes they can ask their children such as “Why do we celebrate Christmas? That provides an opening to remind them that Christmas commemorates the birth of God’s Son. Who is the greatest Christmas Light? Jesus said, I am the light of the world (John 8:12). Who gave the greatest Christmas Gift? The answer of course is that God the Father gave his only Son that whoever believes might have eternal life (John 3:16).   Q: Tell us a little bit about your new series for middle grade readers that would make a great Christmas gift this year.   I am always looking for creative ways to promote the gospel to children. The idea for the Redemption Tales came to me one morning as I was brainstorming, asking myself the question, What retelling of the gospel hasn’t been done before? That eventually led me to ask the question, “If the animals could talk, what would they say?”   I started writing an account of the creation and fall from the perspective of the first two created badgers. That is where The Redemption Tales were born.   The Redemption Tales series for readers ages 8–12, offers a creative presentation of the gospel message. The first installment, The Shadow and the Promise, followed the tales of the animals as the events of Genesis and Exodus up to the Passover unfolded before them. In this second release, The Prophecy and the Hope, the adventures continue through the end of the Old Testament. Young readers will not only join the oxen at the Red Sea but will meet mountain goats at Mount Sinai, Rahab’s pets in Jericho, horses watching as David faces Goliath, the Queen of Sheba’s camels, ravens with Elijah, and mice in Isaiah’s house. As their stories progress, the animals begin to gather the prophetic hints of the redemption to come with the help of an ever-present dove named Daniel.   The third and fourth books in the series will be releasing in 2025.

Promises Made Promises Kept: A Family Devotional for Christmas by Marty Machowski, Illustrated by Phil Schorr September 2, 2024 / Retail Price: $21.00 Print ISBN:978-1-64507-415-1 Religion / Holidays / Christmas & Advent

Read a Preview

About the Author and Illustrator

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for thirty years. Machowski leads Promise Kingdom, the gospel-centered children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is also the Executive Editor for Children’s Resources at New Growth Press.   He is the author of a number of family devotionals, Sunday School curriculums (including the Gospel Story Curriculum), children’s books, and parenting titles. His latest releases include The Treasure, Angels on Your Side, and The Shadow and the Promise.   Machowski and his wife, Lois, have six children and several grandchildren. They reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.   Learn more at www.martymachowski.com. He can also be found on Instagram (@martymachowski) and Twitter (@MartyMachowski).

Phil‌ Schorr resides in southern California with his family, where he tells stories through visual mediums. He has always been fascinated with mid-century design and the use of bold yet imperfect geometric shapes. As an art director and visual designer, he brings his influence of music, animation, and global stories into his work. He has the privilege to do what he does because of the love and support of his wife, Joelle and his wildly adventurous kids. Phil is the illustrator of Jesus Saves, Darkest Night Brightest Day, and Promises Made Promises Kept.

An Interview with Sally Michael, Author of The Best News of All

 

An Interview with Sally Michael, Author of The Best News of All

The birth of Jesus is truly the best news of all. The angel’s good news of the arrival of the Savior told to the shepherds long ago is still good news for us today. It’s the reason why we celebrate Christmas each year! In her new book, The Best News of All, Sally Michael helps preschoolers to remember the angel’s announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10–11: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”   The Christmas-themed The Best News of All is the latest addition to Michael’s Bible Verses to Remember series. The series helps preschoolers to not only memorize Scripture but to understand how it applies to their little lives today.​Each book introduces a single verse and shows how God works in the world around us.   Q: Introduce us to your new Bible Verses to Remember series and the inspiration behind it.   Each of the books in the Bible Verses to Remember Series explains one verse, encourages children to memorize that verse, and helps them know how to apply it in real life.   When my children were preschoolers, I put together a set of foundational verses for them to memorize, and they easily memorized the verses through simple repetition. I saw during those years how memorizing Scripture informed their thoughts and actions, molded their hearts, and encouraged their faith in God.   When I became the minister for children in our church, I introduced those same verses in our nursery and preschool program. I impressed on the teachers the importance of introducing young children to the actual words of Scripture, the meaning of the verses, and the need to go beyond memorization to application—using Scripture in prayer, when encouraging others, and for learning to trust God and his ways. I wanted to pass on that teaching to parents and a whole generation of little ones—and the way to do that for those beyond my sphere of influence was to write this series of books. Q: The latest addition to the series is The Best News of All, based on the Christmas story. Tell us more about the new book and the Bible verse the book focuses on.   The Best News of All uses the angel’s message to the shepherds recorded in Luke 2:10-11 to retell the birth of Jesus and his purpose in coming to earth in human form. In addition to telling the Christmas story, it introduces children to the truth that Jesus is the Savior who takes away the sin and punishment for those who believe in him; and that he is the Savior for all peoples.

Q: What are some creative ways that families can include reading the book into their holiday activities?   Some creative ways to use the book include:   ·      Read the story several times and then use the pictures as a tool for children to retell the story of the birth of Jesus in their own words. ·      Pair the story with Christmas carols—either by stopping at various points to introduce an appropriate carol or incorporating it in a time of carol singing. ·      Use the book on conjunction with a nativity set—as the story unfolds, children can set up the appropriate pieces of the manger scene. ·      Read the Christmas story in The Best News of All and then act out the story with children playing the part of the shepherds, angel, Mary, and Joseph.   Q: How do the questions you ask throughout the book help the child to better understand the message of the verse?   The book starts by asking children what they see when they look up in the sky. Then it asks how they would feel if they saw an elephant or a lion in the sky. The purpose of this is to show how very strange it was for the shepherds to see an angel, then a whole group of angels, and to understand the emotions these shepherds must have felt.    The questions are also used to connect the reality of the truth being taught with something understandable in their own limited experience. So, when they are asked to remember some good news they heard. This is a bridge to the reality that the news of the birth of Jesus is the best news, better than the news they have experienced.   The questions also help to apply what has been heard—making the message of the book personal for them and challenging them to think about how that truth affect them. Thus the question, “Do you want to praise and thank God for sending Jesus the Savior too?” is asked. It is a small attempt to draw them into personal response to the truth of God’s Word.   Q: Based on the “Living by the Word” page at the end of the book, how can families live out Luke 2:10–11?   The “Living by the Word” section is an attempt to help children to be more than just hearers of the Word. Parents are encouraged to read the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus and discuss why Jesus came and what happened when Jesus grew up. Then children are encouraged to tell someone else the story of the birth of Jesus. This is a small step toward proclaiming the good news to others, which should happen as a young child and, by the grace of God, continue for a lifetime. This section also encourages the family to memorize the verse. The intent is to encourage scripture memory not just of the verse in the book, but as a lifetime habit so that they have a storehouse of memorized verses to inform their minds and mold their hearts. Lastly, they are encouraged to pray that God will teach their minds, to draw their hearts to him, and to help them to walk in the truth.   Q: How would you encourage families to incorporate Bible memorization into daily life?   For little children, sheer repetition of the verse several times will enable most little ones to memorize the verse. Make small verse cards (or buy the Foundation Verse cards from Truth78) and put them on your refrigerator so they are a visible reminder to repeat them, bring and memorize them in the car, play a “fill in the word” game for the verse, and stretch it to several words or a phrase until your child has memorized the whole verse; flip through the cards review the verses regularly. Use the verses in everyday life as part of your conversations and prayers.   If Bible verses are memorized, the Holy Spirit will bring countless opportunities for that verse to minister to their souls—as a word of comfort, guidance, encouragement, and strength. Then talk about the meaning of the verse and how it can be used in everyday life. Use the verses as reminders to turn to God: ·       In times of trouble, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you [God].” ·       To comfort them, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous man runs into it and he is safe.” ·       To dispel worry and fear, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ·       To show them the greatness of God and evoke wonder and comfort, “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” ·       To encourage a gratitude, “Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above.”   Memorized verses can also provide substance for meaty prayers. They can be used to encourage children to go beyond the rote, “Thank you for the nice day” prayers to thanking God for the many ways in which he shows he is a great god or the many good and perfect gifts we can thank God for. It gives them a way to pray for others, “When Jimmy gets his shot, help him to remember that he can trust you when he is afraid.”   They can also be the beginning of learning “theology”: “Did Jesus come to save little children or just mommies and daddies? What does your verse tell you?” “The good news of great joy will be for all the people!”

The Best News of All Bible Verses to Remember By Sally Michael, Illustrated by Sengsavane Chounramany ISBN 978-1-64507-481-6 September 16, 2024 / Retail Price $16.99 Juvenile Nonfiction / Holidays & Celebrations / Christmas & Advent

Read a Preview

About the Author

Sally Michael is a cofounder of Truth78 and has authored curricula and books marked by a passion for developing God-centered resources for the spiritual development of children. She is the author of the Bible Verses to Remember series.   For sixteen years, she served as minister for children at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota under the leadership of John Piper and of her husband, David.   Sally and David live in Indianapolis, Indiana. They enjoy spending time with their two adult daughters and three grandchildren.   Learn more about Truth78 at truth78.org or on Facebook (Truth78), Twitter (@Truth78org), and Instagram (@truth78org).

About the Illustrator:   Sengsavane “Savane” Chounramany was born into a Lao-Hungarian family, has lived in many countries, and is now settled in Argentina. She is fond of saying she was born with a pencil in her hand. She loves to travel and, through colorful illustrations and animations, shares her experiences with everyone—and now with her own little one as well.