Soul's Gate

Title: SOUL’S GATE Author: James Rubart Publisher: Thomas Nelson November 2012 ISBN 978-1-4016-8605-5 Genre: Christian\General In SOUL’S GATE, James L. Rubart takes a new look at the nature of spiritual warfare.  He looks at Ephesians 6:12, and various incidents that happened in Scripture, and he arrives at some very unique conclusions.  Conclusions such as, “There really is a battle going on, that only those with Spiritual sight can see.”  And you really can’t defeat an enemy that you cannot see.  The leader of the group, Reese Roth, declares “Every now and then we get a break from reality.  A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days . . . A world that is all around us in every moment if we would have eyes to see and ears to hear.”  And that is the mission that Reese Roth has been given.  To train people to engage in spiritual warfare . . . inside the soul. Brandon is The Song that is out of tune.  Dana is The Leader who refuses to lead.  Marcus is The Teacher so consumed with regret that he’s lost his teaching plan.  Reese must take them, break them, heal them, restore them, and prepare them for a task that many of us either consider pure fantasy, or are attracted to in an unhealthy manner.  And he has four days to do it. Throughout the training, and following their graduation, the spiritual warriors find out more about one another, and themselves, than they had ever known.  You will find yourself joining them in prayer, and in battle, as this book opens your eyes to the very real spiritual battles that take place all around us, every day.  The question is . . . will you join the battle, or become a deserter? This is Book One of the series, and I’m seriously looking forward to the next installment! 5 stars 400 pages $15.99 U.S. *** 1. Share this on Facebook: To CELEBRATE the release of his newest novel, Soul's Gate, Jim Rubart is giving away an iPad! Then on 11/13 he'll be hosting a fun live video chat where he will be chatting with readers and giving away fun prizes! Click for details and don't miss the fun. http://ow.ly/eGyiS 2. Share this on Twitter: Enter to win an iPad from @JimRubart celebrating the release of Soul's Gate. http://ow.ly/eGyiS @LitFuse

Book Info

About Soul's Gate:  Book 1 in the Well Spring series. "Every now and then we get a break from reality. A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days. The Bible is about a world of demons and angels and great evil and even greater glory." What if you could travel inside another person's soul? To battle for them. To be part of Jesus healing their deepest wounds. To help set them free to step boldly into their divinely designed future. Thirty years ago that's exactly what Reece Roth did. Until tragedy shattered his life and ripped away his future. Now God has drawn Reece out of the shadows to fulfill a prophecy spoken over him three decades ago. A prophecy about four warriors with the potential to change the world . . . if Reece will face his deepest regret and teach them what he has learned. They gather at a secluded and mysterious ranch deep in the mountains of Colorado, where they will learn to see the spiritual world around them with stunning clarity-and how to step into the supernatural. Their training is only the beginning. The four have a destiny to pursue a freedom even Reece doesn't fully fathom. But they have an enemy hell-bent on destroying them and he'll stop at nothing to keep them from their quest for true freedom and the coming battle of souls. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eGyGA Meet Jim:James L. Rubart is a professional marketer, speaker, and writer. While being the owner of Barefoot Marketing certainly keeps him on his toes, his passion is writing fiction. Rubart is an ECPA best-selling author who has been positively reviewed by both Publisher's Weekly and Romantic Times. His first novel,Rooms, won a Best Books 2011 award from USA Book News, as well as a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award. His debut release was followed by Book of Days and The Chair. Soul's Gate is Rubart's fourth release. In addition to being an author, Rubart is also a photographer, guitarist, professional speaker, golfer and semi-pro magician. With all of this, he says that he barely sleeps. Rubart lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest. Find out more about Jim at http://jimrubart.com/.   ***To save the photos above to use on your blog, please right click on the photo and "save as".

Blog Tour Schedule
Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/JRubart                                                                               ***

Author’s Supernatural Fiction Breaks All the Molds

James L. Rubart entertains and challenges audiences with his new thriller, Soul’s Gate

Ever since author James L. Rubart read The Chronicles of Narnia in the seventh grade, he has been enthralled with supernatural and fantastic stories. Because of his love for being swept away by a story that goes beyond ordinary, everyday life, and gives him hope while opening his mind to ideas he never dreamed possible, he writes. This passion is sure to shine through with his latest book, Soul’s Gate (Thomas Nelson/November 6, 2012/ISBN: 978-1-4016-8605-5/$15.99). In this new release, Rubart poses the question: What if you could send your spirit inside other people’s souls to fight for their freedom?

“Toni Morrison says, ‘If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.’ That’s what I’ve done and why I’m writing supernatural fiction,” says Rubart. Supernatural fiction is a term that covers a wide spectrum of genres, but when Rubart wrote his first book, publishers weren’t sure where he fit in. He has since been able to carve out his own niche. “For me it’s taking ordinary contemporary settings and interjecting the extraordinary into them. If you look at the Bible, it’s full of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative type stories. The difference is the tales in the Bible are true. What I do is take those fantastic things in the Bible and turn them into a story in our modern world.”

Rubart’s novels entertain readers while challenging them to reexamine their own lives. Soul’s Gate explores healing from our deepest wounds and embracing God’s calling for our lives — challenges that often have a strong hold over us. Ultimately, as with all of Rubart’s previous releases, the core theme of freedom runs deep. “I want people to finish Soul’s Gate and be freer than when they picked it up. Freedom from their past, freedom from their brokenness, freedom to step into their God designed destiny,” Rubart shares.

Soul’s Gate poses the question: what if you could travel inside another person’s soul? What if you could battle for them and be a part of Jesus healing their deepest wounds? Thirty years ago, that’s exactly what Reece Roth did—until tragedy shattered his life and ripped away his destiny. Now God has drawn Reece out of the shadows to fulfill a decades-old prophecy about four warriors with the potential to change the world. In order to fulfill God’s plan, Reece will have to face his deepest regret in order to train them.

Reece stood and faced the group. “Every now and then we get a break from reality. A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days. The Bible is about a world of demons and angels and great evil and even greater glory. A world the prophets saw; the world Enoch, and Elijah, and Paul, and John the apostle all saw. A world that is all around us in every moment if we would have eyes to see and ears to hear.”

The group gathers at a secluded and mysterious ranch deep in the mountains of Colorado where they will learn to see the spiritual world around them with stunning clarity and how to step into the supernatural as powerfully as anyone in the Bible did.  The four have a destiny to battle for a freedom even Reece doesn’t fully fathom. However, they have an enemy determined to destroy them — one who will stop at nothing to keep them from their quest for true freedom and the coming battle of souls.

There’s no doubt that Rubart has found his niche. In addition to a strong following of readers, his previous releases have garnered critical acclaim and have risen to the top of best-seller lists. His first novel, Rooms (2010), won a Best Books 2011 award from USA Book News, as well as a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award.

For more information on James L. Rubart and his books, visit www.jimrubart.com.  Click here to watch the Soul’s Gate book trailer.

Advance Praise

"Powerful storytelling. Rubart writes with a depth of understanding about a realm most of us never investigate, let alone delve into. A deep and mystical journey that will leave you thinking long after you finish the book."

~ Ted Dekker, New York Times best-selling author of The Circle Series and Forbidden (with Tosca Lee)

"Tight, boiled-down writing and an intriguing premise that will make you reconsider what you think you know about the spiritual realm."

~ Steven James, national bestselling author of Placebo and Opening Moves

“Soul’s Gate takes readers on a wild flight of fantasy into the spiritual realm, where we find the battle for our souls is even wilder than we imagined—and very, very real. With vividly drawn characters, startling imagery, and the power of a spiritual air-raid siren, the story is at once entertaining and breathtakingly enlightening. James L. Rubart has crafted a stunning piece of work, a call to arms for everyone who yearns for the freedom of the abundant life Christ promises us—and is willing to fight for it. Rubart knocks it out of the park with this one.”

~ Robert Liparulo, author of The 13^th Tribe and Comes a Horseman

“Don't read this unless you're ready to see with new eyes. Through evocative prose and masterful storytelling, Rubart transports you to the spiritual realm—a realm of vision, mystery, healing and power. A deep and thoughtful—and jet-propelled—spiritual journey of a book.”

~ Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author of the Books of Mortals series with Ted Dekker and Demon: A Memoir

About the Author

James L. Rubart is a professional marketer, speaker, and writer. While being the owner of Barefoot Marketing certainly keeps him on his toes, his passion is writing fiction.

Rubart is an ECPA best-selling author who has been positively reviewed by both Publisher’s Weekly and Romantic Times. His first novel, Rooms, won a Best Books 2011 award from USA Book News, as well as a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award. His debut release was followed by Book of Days and The Chair. Soul’s Gate is Rubart’s fourth release.

In addition to being an author, Rubart is also a photographer, guitarist, professional speaker, golfer and semi-pro magician. With all of this, he says that he barely sleeps. Rubart lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest.

To keep up with James L. Rubart, visit www.jimrubart.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.

All to Jesus & Interview with Robert Morgan

Title: ALL TO JESUS

Author: Robert J. Morgan

Publisher: Broadman & Holman

October 2012

ISBN:  978-1-4336-7786-1

Genre: Devotional

ALL TO JESUS is a 365 day devotional focused on the “Alls” of Scripture. The word “all” is repeated thousands of times, according to Mr. Morgan, in phrases such as:

Cast all your cares on Him…

Love the Lord with all your heart…

…in all your ways acknowledge Him…

I can do all things through Christ…

Mr. Morgan writes about God’s all-encompassing promises and blessings in ALL TO JESUS, with His loving appeal for our full and total surrender. Jesus’ reputation grows larger before our eyes.

As you read through ALL TO JESUS, we’ll see what He can do. We discover who we can be.

I love devotionals, I admit that. I like to get them in the mail, read them for my devotions, at various times during the day. I keep devotionals everywhere. In the kitchen, for a quick-God moment. In the bathroom, for reading material. Beside the bed. Beside my computer. In the car… everywhere. I like to be focused on God and what better way that to immerse myself in His word, and thoughts about the Scripture reading that’s included.

Each devotional is only a page long. It starts with a single verse, or a short passage, written out for easy reference. Then it goes into brief thoughts about the passage, and concludes with more verses, words to a song, or a short story to emphasize what you read.

Pick up a copy of ALL TO JESUS today, and discover these life-changing truths for yourself. Recommended. Beautifully done in hardcover, making it the ideal gift for the upcoming holiday season. Includes a free download of more than 40 songs. $14.99. 400 pages. 5 stars.

***

Q&A with Robert Morgan, Author of All to Jesus Permission to reprint is authorized with credit given to Robert Morgan, All to Jesus

All to Jesus A Year of Devotions Robert J. Morgan B&H Books/October 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4336-7786-1 $14.99/Hardcover/400 pages Can you tell us how your new devotional, All to Jesus, came into being? One night when I was troubled, I found 1 Peter 5:7, a verse of Scripture I had known for years: Casting all your care on Him for He cares for you. The word "all" struck me. I'd never seen it before. The verse would have been wonderful without it, but its inclusion lifted the promise to infinity. No burden or problem was beyond the reach of 1 Peter 5:7. I could cast "ALL" my burdens on Him without limitation. That made me wonder if there were other verses in the Bible that were similarly modified with that little adjective and I found over 5000 of them. We selected 366 "alls" for this book. What is “the largest little word in all the world” and why do you think so? Someone said: "All means all and that's all all means." We often use the word "omni" to describe God — He is omnipresent, omnipotent and so forth. The little word "all" is the earthly application of God's omni-qualities. It takes His infinite nature and shows us what it means to us here and now. The Lord doesn’t waste words in His Book. In the verses above, the alls could easily have been left out; yet there they are. Seems it’s one of God’s favorite words. He used it thousands of times, often in passages that would have read nicely without it; yet the all maximizes the meaning to the absolute. It’s the largest little word in the world, taking already-strong statements and broadening their applications to virtual infinity, which, after all, is what one would expect from an omnipotent Father.

How many times is “all” mentioned in the Bible? Why do you believe God uses the word so frequently? The word “all” appears in the Bible 5,675 times. God loves to speak in all-encompassing superlatives because He is eternal and infinite. According to 2 Corinthians 9:8, He is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. What are a few of your favorite “all” verses and why? All things work together for the good of those who love God—Romans 8:28 You have thrown all my sins behind Your back—Isaiah 38:17 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted—Matthew 10:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart—Matthew 22:37 Trust in the Lord with all your heart—Proverbs 3:5-6 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened—Matthew 11:28 Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life—Psalm 23:6 (NIV) Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you—Matthew 6:33 What do you hope readers will take away from their daily readings of All to Jesus?  Each of these devotions is excerpted from my pulpit ministry and represents what I believe to be solid exposition of Scripture, sprinkled liberally with stories, quotes and interesting tidbits of truth. Each reading calls us to total faith and total obedience, based on the totality of God’s grace. Because He is our All in All, we can say, “All to Jesus.” ___________________________________________________________________________ About the Author: Robert J. Morgan is a best-selling, Gold Medallion Award-winning author whose over twenty-five books include Then Sings My Soul, The Red Sea Rules, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart and The Children’s Daily Devotional Bible. A staff writer for Dr. David Jeremiah and Turning Points Magazine, he has also served as pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, for three decades. Morgan and his wife have three daughters and ten grandchildren.

Arms of Love

Title: ARMS OF LOVE

Author: Kelly Long

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

April 2012

ISBN: 978-1401684969

Genre: historical/Amish

Adam Wyse loves Lena Yoder. He plans to marry her, and per tradition take her home to his father’s house. But when he goes to visit, her mother insists on talking with him, and claims she’s going to die with childbirth, but she will not die without his promise that he’ll release Lena until he is established and free from his father. Adam reluctantly promises, but figures that Lena’s mother is delusional and she truly won’t die, so they’d be able to resolve this issue and he’d marry Lena as planned.

But Lena’s mother dies that night, leaving Lena as sole caregiver to her younger siblings and a newborn babe, Faith. Adam sends a wet-nurse for her, but then pushes Lena away, so he can go in search of freedom and keep his promise to her mother.

The Patriots and British are both pillaging land and goods for the sake of the Revolutionary war. A simple walk in the woods can result in death. Lena is forced to turn to Adam’s brother, Isaac, for support, as Adam’s search for freedom may keep them apart permanently.

ARMS OF LOVE is the first book in Ms. Long’s Amish Beginnings series. I had this novel on my wish list for ages, hoping for a chance to review it. I've been a fan of Ms. Long’s contemporary Amish stories, and love the way she writes. I hoped that I’d feel the same about this book.

That wasn't exactly the case. The story begins with the death that seems to be mandatory in most historical novels. The writing is stilted, there is more telling than showing, and some of the writing is passive. I was unable to connect with the characters the way I hoped and had to struggle to keep reading.

I know that some die-hard fans of Amish fiction just eat up anything Amish and the historical setting of the Revolutionary war might appeal to the historical crowd, so this book might appeal to some. I’d recommend reading a sample chapter before you make your decision whether you like it or not. Discussion questions and a Bible study based on the novel, ARMS OF LOVE is included at the end of the book. $15.99. 320 pages. 

Interview with Sharon Srock and giveaway

Leave a comment to be entered for a great giveaway  - details below. Include contact information.

Sharon, in an attempt to introduce the Women of Valley View to potential readers, has put together a free 39 page PDF. She would like to offer it to you, free. If you are interested, here is the direct link: http://bitly.com/SmQmUs


Tell us about The Women of Valley View: Callie – a brief blurb.

Callie’s spirit is broken after a child she was trying to help is murdered by his abusive father. Little Sawyer would still be alive if she’d minded her own business, wouldn’t he? God refuses to allow Callie’s life to be defined by undeserved guilt and blame so he places her in a situation she can’t walk away from. Iris and Samantha Evans need help and Callie is the tool God wants to use. When she steps out in faith and begins working to reunite these girls with the father who abandoned them ten years ago, Callie discovers that God is rescuing her right along with the Evans family.


*How did The Women of Valley View: Callie get started?

I’ve been a reader all my life, but writing was never my dream. I remember cringing in English classes when a single page paper was due. One night I went to bed a reader and woke up determined to write a book. I was very involved in Star Trek fandom, had some short stories and poetry published in a fanzine here and there. My first full length project was a Star Trek story. Now, I’m Pentecostal, so you’ll have to work with me here…One night, about 25 years ago, we were in a revival. The evangelist, who didn’t know me from Eve spoke a word of prophecy over me. In Para phrase… “I’ve put a pen in your hand and a light by your side. Use it for me.” Well at that point in my life the only Christian writing I knew about were lessons or theological works of non fiction. That didn’t seem like me, so I stopped writing altogether. Three and a half years ago, a new employee stopped by my desk to introduce herself. In the course of the conversation, she mentioned that she was a writer. I told her that that was my dream at one time. She gave me the oddest look and spoke five words that have changed my life. “You gave up too soon.” That night I started writing Callie’s story.

*Tell us about your research process.

I didn’t do a lot of research. I didn’t even know what google was when I started. I did have to verify some things as far as Sam and Iris’s situations was concerned. I talked to a lawyer and a police officer.

*What impact did your research have on you personally?

None as far as the story went. It went a long way to pulling me out of my shell. It’s a stretch for me to approach a stranger for info and identify myself as a writer.

*How do you see yourself in your character’s story, if at all?

So far I’ve written 3 of the 6 stories. I see a bit of myself in all the women. Callie probably most of all. She’s struggling with what God wants her to do and when I started the story, so was I.

*While you were writing the book, do you think it mattered where the book was set?

I think the story could have happened anywhere. I chose a small fictional town in Oklahoma because that’s what I’m familiar with.

*Will we know what happens to your character after the end of the book?

Callie, yes. I hope to prick some interest in the others as we go.

*Where do you like to write?

Pretty much everywhere. . At my desk at work during break and lunch times. At my desk at home, in the car. Picnics. The only time I refuse to write is during a planned vacation. Some things are sacred.

*How do you handle distractions?

I’m used to stopping and starting. I rarely have a problem bookmarking my place to fix dinner or something. My husband knows that if I’m writing and he needs something and I say “just a minute” I’m on a streak and he needs to go help himself.

*If someone else were sitting at your desk right now, what would they see?

Avon literature. My order went in last night. A small aquarium. The TV is behind me.

*When you’re working on a project, how do you keep the immensity of it from getting you down?

That’s hard. I have a wonderful friend. I call her my chief cheerleader. She’s pretty much always close to her computer, like me. When I need some encouragement or a shoulder. I email her.

*How do you choose between ideas you’d like to write about?

They pick me. I wake up with the beginning and the end of the story in my head. The three in the series that I consider complete have stayed pretty true to those beginnings and endings. Not the beginning scene, but where my MC is in her life.

Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s writing credits include numerous poems and short stories published in science fiction fanzines.

Items that will be included in the gift package are:

A copy of Callie's story

A certificate for Terri's story when it releases in April

A 6 piece Cherry blossom bath set

A cosmetic bag

A Bath Wrap

A Cozy pink eye mask

A Pair of aloe infused booties

A Hair Turban

A Tennis Bracelet

A 25.00 Amazon gift card

The rules are easy. For every reader that comments on this blog feature, they get an entry into the drawing. Include some contact info with their comment. A winner will be drawn Monday November 19th. The items add up to well over 100.00 in value.

There may be a delay getting books out to the winner. They have been ordered but no receipt date has been given.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sharon-srock?keyword=sharon+srock&store=allproducts&iehack=%E2%98%A0

http://www.amazon.com/Callie-Sharon-Srock/dp/1611161940/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349788431&sr=8-2&keywords=sharon+srock

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/callie

Sharon Srock
The Women of Valley View. Ordinary women using their faith to do extraordinary things.

The Women of Valley View: Callie, Available 26 Oct 2012
The Women of Valley View: Terri, Available April 12 2013

Visit my BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find me on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock

To view an on line AVON book please visit my website:  http://ssrock.avonrepresentative.com/?CUST_ID=0&SECURITY_TOKEN=&BRAND_ID=0&setlang=1#

Interview with Marlayne Giron and Giveaway

Leave a comment, answer the question and include contact information to enter for the copy of Marlayne's book

What kind of research did you do for In Plain Sight? 

Being from Southern California (the land of fruits and nuts) and living nowhere near the Amish I had to depend a lot upon resources available on the internet. I visited Lancaster County three times and fell in love with the bucolic scenery and rolling farmland. I even purchased a quilt from an Amish woman whose name I used as the mother character in the book. As far as the Pennsylvania Dutch terminology, I used the glossary lists from other Amish fiction novels.

How did you come up with the plot for In Plain Sight?

 I was challenged to write an Amish fiction. Up to that point I had not read much of that genre and when I finally did it reminded me of a G-rated, Christian version of romance novels that involved a sect of people who outsiders find infinitely fascinating. I didn’t want to do the same exact plot line as all the other books; I wanted to try something completely unique that would stand out. I wrote the blurb first and that was my launching point. I also was inspired by other mediums (“Out of the Silent Planet” by C.S. Lewis, the cover of The Host by Stephanie Meyer, Romeo and Juliet and the recent movie, “Signs” starring Mel Gibson.)

Share a brief blurb about the book. 

It started with the crop circles followed by the disappearance of cattle. Then he appeared. He was obviously Old Order Amish. He did and said everything right but no one knew what family or farm he belonged to. He worked in the fields and barn raisings like everyone else and was in every respect just like one of them except for his silver eyes. Despite his quiet and respectful demeanor the community of Bird-in-Hand was leery of him. Every-one avoided him; except for Rebecca Esh...two star-crossed lovers whose romance not only endangers the Amish family who takes him in but puts the world he and his brother come from in great peril.

What role have your life experiences played in the characters and/or the situations you develop in your books? 

Since this book contains paranormal elements and an Amish community of which I have no real life experience there are none that would play any kind of role in this book however my elderly mother, her car and my brother-in-law play humorous, cameo characters in the book.

Do you see parallels or do you try to avoid using your own personal life as a source of inspiration? 

I lead a pretty dull life as an administrative assistant so my books are purely works of my very active and very whimsical imagination. I was actually giggling through major portions of the book as I was writing it I was enjoying myself so much.

What are your own favorite authors? Genres? 

My favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien and Stephen Lawhead. I love medieval fiction (knights, chivalry and high fantasy) that show good winning out over evil. That is what my first book, The Victor is about. I also love biographical novels.

How has your passion for reading impacted your writing? 

When I was very young my mother worked part-time as a librarian and she would bring me home stacks of books to read every week. I could actually read fluently before I ever started kindergarten. I learned how to write from reading books and began writing myself when I was 12 with my best friend Lisa, who wanted to be a school teacher. She began to red-mark my short stories for grammar and punctuation and it made me so angry I became determined to write stories she couldn’t find fault with. I never went to college and never took creative writing courses except for the ones I had in high school. I was the kid who wrote ten pages of single-spaced, double-sided script in my high school journal instead of the required ½ paragraph. I still have them and my daughter loves to read my teen age rantings.

Describe how you write a book – with your other responsibilities, does it tend to be something you work into your every day, or do you have to “set apart” time to write with open, undesignated blocks of time?

I write best by inspiration. I was inspired by an Amy Grant song to write The Victor 30 years ago. The short stories in Make a Wish were inspired as gifts for other people and I truly believe that book was blessed by God; not only for the recipients of the wish fulfillment stories but also, it seems, by those who read the book who don’t even know the people in the book. Everyone who reads the book ends up crying; I should send out packets of Kleenex to go with the book. I wrote the first draft of The Victor while working as a receptionist at an ammunition factory on an IBM Selectric typewriter when I had nothing else to do. It took me a year. I have worked full time as an administrative assistant most of my life to pay the bills but when I was laid off in 2008 and had no job, I wrote both Make a Wish and In Plain Sight and have almost finished a 4th book. Each book took approximately 4 months. Now that I am gainfully employed full time again, my writing has been set aside so I have time to promote them on social networks in-between taking care of my family, home and 96 year old mother.

What provides your inspirations during that time – i.e. do you go out in nature, do you seek to be in a busy place with people or in a quiet library, etc.? 

My computer is in my family room. While I was on a roll writing it was fine but when the books reached their end, the isolation and worry about finances was really getting to me. Fortunately God blessed me with a wonderful job that I love last February before we went bankrupt.


 Do you find the internet to be a helpful or harmful resource in research, advertising, reviewing, etc. your books? 

Social networking is a wonderful way to meet readers and make new friends. Unfortunately I have also witnessed a lot of mean, judgmental and downright evil behavior through social media by people who proclaim themselves as Christians. The best way to “sell” books is by word of mouth and social media offers that at no cost. I have found that advertising is just a colossal waste of money. Building and making life-long relationships with readers and becoming friends (as I have with so many people all over the world) is one of the great rewards of being involved in social media.

Do you use these tools such as facebook as a means of observing the behavior of others which could be the basis of a character, or are you of the ‘old school’ that relies more on personal relationships and “human” touches?

 I make up characters based on character traits I have either read or seen either in movies, other books or just out of “whole cloth” from my imagination.


Ask a question for the readers to answer to be entered into the giveaway 

What exotic locale in the book do you think I would most like to visit myself? (It’s on my “bucket list”).

View the video trailer here: 
In Plain Sight HD.mp4

At the Feet of Jesus

Title: AT THE FEET OF JESUS

Author: Joanna Weaver

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

October 2012

ISBN: 978-0-307-73100-5

Genre: Devotions

You were made for more  than serving God: you were made to know Him

Intimacy with God—to know Him and to be known by Him. It is what my heart desperately needs, probably yours as well, but life seems to conspire to keep us busy and distracted.

If you struggle when it comes to having daily devotions, then Ms. Weaver’s AT THE FEET OF JESUS invites you to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that comes from time alone with Him.

This devotional is drawn from Ms. Weaver’s beloved Bethany Trilogy and includes 365 days, a Bible reading passage (you can use whatever version you desire), and reflection question. There are also ‘sidebars’ woven through-out the book inviting you to Go Deeper.

This devotional includes a unique one-year Bible reading guide.

I love devotionals, and as I started reading through this devotional, with my Bible in hand, I imagined throwing myself at the feet of Jesus, and washing His feet with my hair like Mary Magdalene did. Each devotional starts with a short verse, which is written out, then the devotional, then a portion of scripture for you to look up in your Bible and read, then a thought for you to consider as you go about your day. For example for October 26, the day this review is posting on my blog, the question to consider is: “What qualities does God promise to work in your life in the midst of your difficulties?” If you want to put serious study into this, I recommend keeping a pen and notebook on hand to write down God’s promises, and your thoughts as you consider this.

On the downside:  As I said before, the material is drawn from her earlier books. Some of the devotions are confusing if you don't know what she's referring to. To illustrate this, on February 20 she writes "Here are several ways you can beat the downward spiral of the Deadly D's in your life..." It doesn’t explain what the Deadly D’s are. You would have to read one of her other books to know what she’s referring to. I recommend you have her prior books on hand for reference purposes. Beautiful hardcover edition, perfect for gift giving. $15.99. 391 pages.

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1. Share this on Facebook:

To CELEBRATE the release of her new devotional, At the Feet of Jesus, Joanna Weaver is giving away an iPad! Then on 11/8 she'll be hosting live webcast where she will be chatting with readers and giving away fun prizes! Click for details and don't miss the fun. http://ow.ly/erBX7


2. Share this on Twitter:

Enter to win an iPad from Joanna Weaver celebrating the release of At the Feet of Jesus http://ow.ly/erBYs @LitFuse

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/erC31

Meet Joanna:

Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor's wife.

Find out more about Joanna at http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/.


Blog Tour Schedule Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/jweaver

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Author Joanna Weaver will be Hosting a Webcast on November 8

Webcast will allow readers to connect with the author

and discuss her latest release At the Feet of Jesus

On November 8, Joanna Weaver will be hosting a live webcast event where readers will be able to ask questions, share stories and win prizes. The winner from the iPad giveaway, sponsored by Weaver and her publisher WaterBrook Press, will also be announced. (Click here for giveaway details.)

The webcast is being held in coordination with the release of At the Feet of Jesus: Daily Devotions to Nurture a Mary Heart (October 2, 2012 / hardcover / ISBN: 978-0307731005 / $ 15.99 / also available in e-book) and will bring a close to a blog tour promoting the new devotional.

Many of us struggle to find a quiet time to devote to Bible Study and prayer amidst the busyness of life. Weaver confesses to being a fellow struggler and understands the challenges we all face. In At the Feet of Jesus Weaver gives readers the structure they need to grow closer to God. This 365-day devotional encourages and inspires women who want to deepen their spiritual lives as they spend a year at the feet of Jesus.

At the Feet of Jesus combines a conversational tone, real-life stories and insightful Bible teaching to engage readers at an emotional and spiritual level. Each page-per-day devotional includes a brief inspirational reading, a short Bible passage and a reflection question designed to create a greater hunger for intimacy with God. Based on material adapted from Weaver’s beloved Bethany trilogy (of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening), this inspirational resource offers perspective-shifting insights gleaned from Jesus’s interactions with his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

Additional features include “Outtakes,” which is all-new material not included in previous releases. Going Deeper sidebars provide readers tools to cultivate deeper study and more meaningful quiet times. In the back of the book, readers will find a unique one-year Bible reading guide that alternates back and forth between the Old and New Testaments. Readers can also personalize this plan in a downloadable format at Weaver’s website, www.becominghis.com.

“This is a new adventure for me — I’ve never done a webcast, but I’m really excited about it! We are going to talk about developing a quiet time and different ways to approach that. We’ll also share helpful tools for deeper Bible study,” Weaver explains.

“I think it will be fun to chat back and forth with listeners of all backgrounds and personality types. Because here’s the bottom line: It doesn’t matter whether you are more of a Mary or more of a Martha. We are all invited to sit at Jesus’s feet. That’s what November 8 is going to be about, and we really hope everyone will join us!”

For more information, and to RSVP for the event, visit the Joanna Weaver’s Facebook page. Readers without a Facebook account can join the webcast via the Litfuse Publicity Group website where they can also find out more about the iPad giveaway.

Learn more about Joanna Weaver and her books at www.yearinbethany.com. Readers can also keep up with her via Facebook and Twitter.

The Bridge

Title: THE BRIDGE
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Howard Books
October 2012
ISBN: 978-1451647013
Genre: Christmas/contemporary

Molly Allen came to Tennessee from California. Her father has granted her desire to go to college to get a music degree, but then she must return to California and take over the reins of his corporate offices and marry a man she’s known since a child.

Ryan Kelly came to Tennessee from Mississippi. His dreams are to play in a country band, but reality dictates he return home, teach music at the high school and marry his sweetheart, making a home on her family farm.

When Molly and Ryan meet, sparks fly. They are instantly attracted to each other, but knowing that the other is taken only allow friendship. They meet at a bookstore known as The Bridge, far enough from college to escape detection and safe from the prying eyes of Molly’s father.

Molly and Ryan both agree to follow their dreams, but reality crashes in. And that reality could close The Bridge permanently. Will dreams matter in the long run? Or…is Christmas a season for miracles?

THE BRIDGE is the newest story by Karen Kingsbury. I read this through in a day (when I should’ve been working.) I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with Molly and Ryan, I sympathized with their young love and the circumstances, and I felt the despair of The Bridges’ owners, Charles and Donna Barton, as life crashed in around them.

If you are looking for a wonderful Christmas romance, don’t miss THE BRIDGE. Not Karen Kingsbury’s usual style, but one that touches this reader’s heart. Beautiful hardcover edition, perfect for giftgiving. $19.99. 272 pages.

A Light in the Window

Title: A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW: An Irish Christmas Love Story
Author: Julie Lessman
Self published
November 2012
Genre: historical

Marceline Murphy is eighteen years old. Her father had just lost his job and the family moved back to Boston for Marcy’s senior year at the Catholic school. She is awarded a spot in the upcoming play, volunteers her old best friend, Julie O’Rourke as a pianist, and then goes to Jewel’s house to spend her first night back in Boston with her friend.

Patrick O’Connor has a bit of a reputation as a rogue and a heartbreaker. He and his best friend, Sam, work at the Herald but they find plenty of time to get into trouble. Especially when Patrick steals the key to the wine cabinet and they are caught drinking in a confessional by a priest. As punishment, the boys are forced into service building sets for the play.

Patrick is besotted by Marcy and is prepared to turn to even God to win this angel. But Marcy isn’t about to have her head turned by a playboy—and especially not one who her best friend loves. What will it take to bring these two together?

A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW is the story behind the story of A Passion Most Pure, and any of Ms. Lessman’s other books, all including the foundational characters Marcy and Patrick. Fans of Ms. Lessman’s work have long been waiting for this romance, written with Julie’s trademark description and passion.

Marcy and Patrick are both realistic characters and their relationship had a lot of ups and downs in it. Readers will be swept in from the first page, and won’t be able to put this story down. $7.38. 198 pages.

You can contact Julie via her website at www.julielessman.com
On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Lessman/98874268454
On Twitter at http://twitter.com/julielessman
On the Seekerville blog at http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/
Or on her personal blog, Journal Jots at http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots1/