Lost in the Woods new book – free e-book today!

We’re doing something a little different today. Instead of just a review, we’re showcasing Cheryl Rogers, author of a new series aimed at pre-teens, starting with Lost in the Woods, which you can get free today on Kindle.

Lost in the Woods: A Bible Camp Mystery, a brand new mystery adventure for preteens and teens, is available for free this black Friday weekend in the Amazon Kindle Store.

The book set in the Florida backwoods is the story about a boys’ church group whose first-ever nature retreat turns into a nightmare.  Problems begin early when the no-see-ums strike at dusk. And it’s downhill from there when 13-year-old Zack mysteriously disappears in the middle of the night, several of the campers become sick, and a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast.

The story shares biblical principles and the message of God’s saving love in an action-packed plot with a cast of lovable characters. Readers encounter the nature-loving Zack, shy, video-loving Chang, tough and cocky Steve, and the reluctant chef, Bill.

The book is authored by Cheryl Rogers, publisher of New Christian Books Online Magazine, a free publication with new book announcements, excerpts, author marketing news, digital book news, features and an online storefront.

“As a mom I’ve been privileged to work with school and church groups. I try to capture the realism of those experiences in a fiction account that shares my faith,” Rogers says.

Rogers, a Miami native who worked several years as a newspaper reporter, writes ebooks encouraging people of all ages to seek God and stay connected to his word. Among her books are Finding God: Biblical Answers to Questions About Our Maker and Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook.

She targets preteens and teens with Just Like Jonah Wail Tales, a collection of short stories teaching there is a price to pay when you disobey. A family book, the I Can See Christian Storybook Treasury aims to defeat doubts about God as a child grows.

Rogers came to know the Lord as an adult after suffering a devastating illness. “It is my hope to spare others the needless pain of not having God in their lives,” she says.

An experienced camper and native Floridian, Rogers has traversed the backwoods trails, swatted no-see-ums, paddled canoes, and pitched her tent on primitive campsites sans electricity.

The book retails for $2.99, but Get your free copy today. The giveaway runs Nov. 23, 24, and 25.

Exclusive details about the lovable Bible Camp Mystery characters will be published in the coming weeks at New Christian Books Online Magazine.

It Must Have Been the Magnet in my Ear – Lessons in Conference Etiquette

I survived another conference in a state “over there.” Which I drove to, all by myself, through Chicago.

I am not a brave person.

And as I get older, I find myself inappropriately courageous in some places and inappropriately cautious in others. But more of that later. I paid for, attended, pitched, roomed with my agent, made fun of Canadians I only just met, hugged and cheered for people I had just met, sold some books, hopefully encouraged some people, enjoyed the company of strangers who I hope have become friends and marveled that I drove around as much as I did in a state of directionally-challenged fog and still made my pitch on time.

Seriously, the magnet taught me some things about conference etiquette.

1. Go prepared.

No matter how prepared I thought I might have been before, this was my time to shine. I checked out the acquisitions editor I targeted for my pitch, as well as recent releases in my genre from the publisher, and shamelessly name-dropped, which seemed to work in this instance. I also had my pitch for the books I wanted to discuss written out. Which I realized later that I handed to the editor as my brief synopsis and actually started with “Hello, (editor), thank you for seeing me…” I also had a session of acupuncture, admitting my nervousness, which resulted in the acupuncturist placing a tiny magnet in the cartilage of my ear to help with anxiety. Since people, even my Christian friends, have invoked the power of magnets for stuff like motion sickness, I figured it couldn’t hurt.

 

2. Be yourself.

Up to a point. Politics, favorite television shows, bathroom sharing, bedtimes, snoring, getting lost, favorite foods, eating and drinking preferences…I’ve discovered that leaving some mystery about yourself is good. Share what’s not overwhelming or too personal, listen to others a lot, keep that smile plastered no matter…and be kind and helpful.

 

3. Let bygones not haunt you.

I knew I was going to have to probably interact with a person I have not had a good relationship with in the past. I feel terribly unchristian admitting this, but I had to work at dredging up some compassion for this person. Not pity, but compassion. And it helped. No, I was not delighted to meet the person, and smiled from a distance and kept contact to a minimum. It helped. Along with touching that magnet in my ear. Which hurt.

 

4. Leave lots of time.

To get places. When I thought I knew where I was going because I had a picture of the exit in my head, but realized that I had not enough of the in-between route in my head and turned the wrong way several times, I had some time to be lost and still make my editor pitch appointment.

To get away from too much activity. It can be overwhelming to always be “on point,” so make an effort to find time alone for even a few minutes.

To listen to people. You just might make a new fan and a new friend…after all, don’t most of us simply want to be acknowledged?

To answer questions and share of yourself. I’ve been published multiple times now and I do have stuff to share, and I’m willing to share it when asked.

 

5. Keep your expectations realistic.

I went to the conference knowing that I was an unknown author, but also that many of these people were cyber-acquaintances. I was not presenting or offering a workshop at this conference, so I did not expect to sell much. But I did, thanks to a friend who recommended me to others. I also wasn’t sure how much new info I’d absorb from the speakers, but on the flip side, I was also there to support people who needed an audience, and that was okay. And yes, of course, a person can always learn something new, or reinforce or be reminded of past lessons. Usually the editors and agents will be kind and take something even they tell you no later. I was a bit surprised when the editor actually took my pages and chapters I had printed out. My agent was pleased as well. Another cool thing that happened was the big keynote speaker I was excited about said he’d heard about my most recent book.

 

6. And, finally, relax and have fun.

It gets easier for me each time I go. I’m still a little chicken to do totally new things, but with each layer of experience, I grow. I’ve gone from needing my best friend to hold my hand to using medication to the magnet. Maybe someday I won’t even need the magnet.

Disconnect Days

On behalf of April:

 

Me (in a whiny voice) “Honey, why don’t you hold me much?”

Hubs (with a shrug) “You don’t slow down enough for me to catch you.”

I laughed, because it wasn’t the answer I expected. And because he was right.

I’ve been thinking lately about how many hours of work I put in every day. If we’re talking writing-related work, about nine. If we’re talking cleaning, cooking, caring for the kids, homework, shopping, yard work (and the list goes on), we’re getting closer to…every hour I’m not sleeping.

From the moment I wake up at 5:30 to the time I go to bed 10:30, I don’t stop working in one form or another. When I do stop, I crash—out like a light as soon as I sit down.

Two Sundays ago, I woke up and knew I needed a day off—one of those rare “disconnect” days. I wasn’t burned out, but I sensed it coming. First thing that morning, I told my 8 year-old that I wasn’t going to turn on my phone or my computer all day.

Her eyes lit up, and she gave one of her “you’re the best mommy in the world” hugs. I was a little stunned by her enthusiastic response and was happy she was on board with the idea.

An hour later, while I was combing her hair for church, she exclaimed, “This is going to be the best day EVER!”

My mind ran through what we had planned for the day, but came up blank on activities. No children’s choir, no eating out (leftovers again), no one was coming over to play. It was going to be a rather uneventful day, as far as Sundays went.

“What’s so special about today?” I asked, thinking surely I was forgetting something we had on the calendar. Was I supposed to bring a covered dish for an after service fellowship? (Those are her favorite.)

She splayed her hands, palms up, and looked at me at out of the tops of her eyes. “You’re not going to be working!” Then she proceeded to tell me everything she and I were going to do that afternoon.

1. Sit on my bed and watch a girly movie
2. Do our nails
3. Make moccasins for her Fall Festival Native American costume
4. Go to Goodwill and look for accessories for the same costume

We did them all.

I don’t FEEL like I work too much. I hardly talk on the phone, and when I do, it’s usually while the kids are in school. But what I think I do and how my family perceives the same things are two different monsters.

The family doesn’t complain about me working too much, but I can recognize a warning bell when I see one.

Now, I’m scheduling “disconnect days” on my calendar.

Have warning bells been going off in your home? Are you acting on them? Making adjustments? Making time for those who matter most?

You might be surprised at the enthusiastic reception you get if you do!

 

Tuesday Promotion in Motion with Cheryl Martin: Pineapples in Peril

Welcome Cheryl Linn Martin!

Pineapples in Peril

Book One of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

By

CHERYL LINN MARTIN

About the Book: Thirteen-year-old Leilani Akamai and her friends, Maile and Sam, are the only official members of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club. Leilani pictures a summer full of secrets and stakeouts as she and her friends aim to solve their first real crime — a case of pineapple vandalism at Tong Plantation.

It’s all Leilani has to look forward to now that her younger brother, Kimo, has already ruined her summer. Thanks to him, surfing is out and she blames him for her broken arm, now in a clunky, itchy cast. To top things off, Kimo might interfere with the pineapple case and blow their entire investigation! The ugliness continues when Leilani’s beloved surfboard ends up in the hands of her dreaded enemy! Can she get her board back and solve the first case of the Hawaiian Island Detective Club? This summer will be one to remember.

 

About the Author: Cheryl loves sunshine, surf, and slipping her toes into flip-flops.

The Pacific NW’s weather yields a very short flip-flop season before it’s time to dig out her favorite boots, unlike the glorious year she spent in Hawaii.

After graduating from The University of Oregon and pursuing a successful Parks and Recreation career, she now focuses on her passion—writing mystery novels. The Hawaiian Island Detective Club combines her love of all things Hawaiian and her fascination with intrigue.

When not writing she loves to try new adventures like wakeboarding, rock wall climbing, horseback riding, and zip lining. While in Hawaii her exploits included surfing, snorkeling, and bodysurfing.

Cheryl is a wife and mother of three grown children. Memories of raising her spirited kids inspire many of her characters’ quirks, relationships, and mishaps.

Visit Cheryl’s website and blog (Life in Flip-Flops) at
http://www.cheryllinnmartin.com/
or e-mail her at cheryllinnmartin-at-yahoo.com.

PURCHASING LINKS:

 Comfort Publishing

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Request Pineapples in Peril at your Local Bookstore and your Library

 

Cheryl, what do you love about this book?

I’ve loved mysteries since I was a kid reading my first chapter books. As an adult I knew I wanted to write a mystery and set it in an exotic, tropical place. Because I had lived in Hawaii for a short time years before, I figured, why not the islands? I love the scenes set outside with the fragrance of fruit and flowers. I love the sounds of the ocean and the sea breeze smells. The amazing aromas of Asian, Hawaiian and Polynesian foods, as well as the wonderful island culture makes me hunger to return to the islands. I hope young readers will experience a little of Hawaii on every page.

What’s the main thing you learned during the process of writing and publishing this book?

I learned how much I remembered of my life in Hawaii, and the research I did made my longing to return even stronger. My love of mysteries was reinforced, but the main thing I learned was that after years of trying to write mysteries for adults, my strength was in writing for Middle Readers (approximate ages 8-12.) I love this age group and love adjusting my mind to their lives and how they act and react in all situations they find themselves facing.

What should your readers discover and want to share with their family and friends after reading this book?

Young readers will discover that sibling relationships are wonderful one moment, and irritating the next.

They will see how faith plays into their everyday lives, and that failure, frustration, confusion and challenges face everyone.

Readers will see that success can prevail even when disaster happens. I believe they will fall in love with the young teens and the crazy, silly and fun exploits in Pineapples in Peril, and want to read the rest of the mysteries in the series.

Tuesday Promotion in Motion: Because You Care

About the Book:

Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers

Harvest House Publishers

Gift Book

ISBN 978-0-7369-4328-4

Retail Price: $12.99

Release Date: February 2012

Authors: Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk

Grand Prize Giveaway Description

• Book—Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers
• Book—Hope and Comfort for Every Season
• Hallmark journal, list pad, and memo  pad stack
• Glade “Angel Whispers” candle
• Hershey’s Bliss dark chocolate

Instructions to Enter the Grandprize Drawing:

1. Leave a comment about the book or author on the blog post during the blog tour.
2. Each blog tour host will draw one name from those comments to send to the tour coordinator by October 12.
3. The coordinator will put all the names into a drawing, and select a winner, using an online randomizer.
4. The coordinator will notify the blog tour host who submitted the winning name.
5. The blog tour host will notify the winner and collect the mailing info so the author can send out the prize.

From the Back of the Book:

As someone caring for an ill or elderly loved one, you understand that your role can push you to the limit, press on every nerve—and yet fill you with a deep sense of love and peace of mind.

Beloved authors Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk know this too. Beautifully written and full of gentle wisdom, their personal stories of caregiving will help you face some of the ups and downs of your journey.

• Feeling guilty for doing too much, too little, or nothing at all
• Answering other’s well-meaning but insensitive questions
• Watching someone you dearly love suffer or die

Here are the stories from those living the life. Let their encouraging words lift your heart.

---

Book Excerpt:

(from the beginning)

This Is Who You Are

From Cec and Twila

Others may call you brave. They’ll use words like noble or sacrificial. They’ll admire and applaud you because you’ve offered your life to make yourself available to someone who needs a long-term caregiver.

“I couldn’t do what you’re doing for him,” a friend says.

You listen to the words your friend speaks, and you like hearing the compliments. Yet as you listen and smile, you don’t see yourself as exceptional. You’re doing the right thing for someone you love, and that gives you peace. You also know the reason you’ve devoted your energies to another person.

You can express that reason in a single sentence: “I do it because I care.” You might say it’s because you love the person, or you may do it because of a strong sense of commitment to God and to your loved one. Regardless of how you express yourself, you’re determined to give yourself as fully as you can.

Some days you may not feel like loving anyone. You get tired, lose your temper, or think of the things you didn’t accomplish. During the worst times, you wish the situation would change. And in those dark moments, you’ve probably prayed, Dear Lord, please take this burden from me.

The situation probably won’t change for a long time—perhaps years. It’s not the kind of life you would have imagined. You probably envisioned living out your years in blissful peace. Caring for your loved one wasn’t part of your dream, but this is the life you have. Despite the moments of sadness, perhaps even regret, your answer remains the same: “I care.”

Taken from: Because You Care. Text Copyright © 2012 by Cecil Murphey, Twila Belk. Artwork Copyright © 2012 by Betty Fletcher. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. Used by permission.

About the authors:

For more info about Twila, visit: www.gottatellsomebody.com.

For more info about Cec, visit: www.cecilmurphey.com.

Twila Belk and Cecil (Cec) Murphey are both long-term caregivers for their spouses. Twila, aka the Gotta Tell Somebody Gal, is a writer and speaker who loves to brag on God. She works fulltime with Cec as his manager, personal assistant, and biggest fan. Cec is a veteran author who has written or co-written more than 125 published books, including the bestsellers 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands (with Dr. Ben Carson). His books have sold in the millions and have brought hope and encouragement to countless readers around the world. Cec and Twilas’ second co-authored book, Heavenly Company: Entertaining Angels Unaware (Guideposts Books), released in August 2012.

Giving Chances and Hugs

I apologize for my posts getting so late nowadays; classes and work make it hard for me to get this done earlier in the day.

In a recent post of mine, “Smile and Wave Basis,” I mentioned how making friends in this age is kind of a weird deal. Maybe you’re introduced to new people by those you’re already friends with. Maybe you work with someone you get along with and you gradually become closer through interaction at work. Maybe you exchanged brief words with a stranger, and the moment lasted just long enough for you to see something in them you wanted to know more about. Either way, Facebook happens. Or Twitter, or Skype, or MySpace (if anybody even still uses that). Once that’s settled, friendships vary in smoothness.

So what happens when a person wants to be friends with you and you don’t really want to be friends with them? That DOES happen to people other than me, right? ‘Cause if not, I’m gonna go crawl into a hole and never come out until I’ve read The Bible 50 times in a row or something for feeling so guilty. Seriously, it happens. I know it happens, not just because it happens to me, but because… it happens to me. But, the other way around. People don’t always want to be my friend :gasp!: I get it, sometimes I come off weird, my interests are a little on the morbid side, metal is not a widely-accepted  genre of music and not everyone loves Godzilla as much as I do. If someone turns down friendship with me, I’ll get over it.

Back to the other end of the spectrum. I’ve learned to give friendship a chance with just about anybody over the years. Partly because, I’ve noticed that adults (I mean, older-than-22-adults) don’t seem to ‘hang out’ with friends a whole lot. I see it happen, but it seems rare from my perspective. People age, they grow more independent of community and friendship, start families, work and accomplish stuff. Because my freetime dwindles as I age, I want to make as many friends and have fun with as many people as I can while I still can.

The other reason I try to be open about friendship is that, quite frankly, I know what it’s like to get turned down once in a while. No, not by girls (I mean, I do, but…nottalkingaboutthisrightnow). I know how much it hurts to want to be friends with somebody who doesn’t want that friendship, and I’ve seen what that sort of thing can do to people.

I wanted to bring this up because I’ve been around a some people who don’t seem to have many friends. I say I try to accept people with differences, oddities, what have you, but honestly, the more people I get to know, the more I learn from those differences that push so many other people away. I don’t really have to try, because I want to learn. I hang out with folks who might not have that many other friends, not because I feel sorry for them, but because I want to hang out with them. I like being around them, I like hearing what they have to say, I laugh at their quirks and I want to share Christ’s love with them. All the while I have to wonder, why doesn’t anybody else give these people a chance? If I ‘turn down’ a friendship these days, it’s usually when I see something in the person which is potentially harmful to my mental, emotional and spiritual health. I’ve realized that it takes a lot for one person to ‘harm’ me in so many ways, so I give people chances. I do it, I enjoy it, I love my friends and they make me happy. Why can’t these people have other friends too? Why can’t other people want to be friends with my friends? Why doesn’t anybody else give them a chance?

I’m usually pretty scatterbrained with these posts, but my point in this one is fairly simple: give people a chance. If I’ve learned anything as a Christian in the past few years, it’s that giving chances is everything. People won’t want to hear what we have to say if we’re not listening to them either. They won’t accept us if we won’t accept them, and they probably won’t accept HIM either. If Christ lives in us, then what we show to others is what they will see of Him. If we show them nothing, they’ll see nothing. Jesus hung out with the lowest of the low, and called us to do the same. However, I don’t think He asked us to do that to say that there are people actually ‘lower’ than we are. None of us are perfect. We may choose not to befriend someone because we think they’re a ‘weirdo,’ but guess what? That weirdo is you. That weirdo is me. We’re all weirdos, and we can learn so much from each other, whether the differences are in beliefs or personalities or whatever.

I want to end this with a bit of conversation I had with a friend who, to my knowledge, is not a Christian. I was talking to this friend about another friend I was having troubles communicating with. I was saying to this friend about the other, “I don’t know how to talk to them anymore. About God, about life, anything. What do I do?” My friend replied, “Don’t waver.”

Don’t waver. Those were such powerful words to me then, and they still hit me whenever I think about giving up on people who are different from me. If you let go of them, they’ll let go of you. Give people –friends- a chance, because God gave you a chance.

On a final-final note, I received a hug in the middle of work today from a friend I’m not even very close with, and I must say, it made my whole day. So, give hugs too. Hugs mean everything. Cheers and God bless!

In Christ,

Luther D. Powell

How to silence the lies that play in our mind.

By Janet Perez Eckles

“You want to do what?” I asked Henry, one of the Taiwanese students staying with us. (“Henry” is the name given to him by his English teacher in Taiwan.)

“I want to buy records,” he said in his admirably eloquent English.

Surely he’s using the incorrect word for CD, I thought. Why would a teenager want to buy records, an item only familiar to oldies like me?

I chuckled. “You mean those big round things that you need a record player for?”

“Yah, yah!” he said in an excited tone.

Goodness gracious, does he know only old, really old songs come in records?

I leaned toward him. “Tell me just what kind of music are you looking for?

Are you ready for his answer? “Elvis Presley,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

After I bombarded him with questions just to satisfy my curiosity, I learned that is his passion—old American songs, from long-gone artists. At 16 years old, he knew more song titles, lyrics and history about American singers that would put any trivia buff to shame.

Henry is not the only one who plays old records. We do too. Those recordings that play in our head, sometimes subtly, sometimes softly but echo even when we don’t realize it. But they play over and over again.

They repeat what someone way in the past said: we were fat, we’d never make it, or we’re not worthy, or intelligent enough, or possess what it takes.

For me, the recording that played over and over again since I was a little girl in Bolivia was that I wasn’t good enough. So I had to perform to be loved. I had to achieve to win approval, so I reasoned that if I excelled in school my father would be proud of me. If I was a good little girl, I’d win his affection.

What a mess I’d be if the God of the universe hadn’t taken notice of me and poured His grace to help me silence those old misguided recordings.

He does this for all of us when we choose to…

• Recognize we’re in a battle and the evil one uses those recordings to accomplish his purpose.
• Receive God’s recording of His truth, and His promises to counter those lies.
• Retire those old records in the trash of life. And instead, rejoice and rewind the CD of His Word that plays over and over again of the promises of His unconditional love.

“I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul” (Psalm 31:7).

Father, when the secret anguish of my soul played over and over again, you silenced the anxiety those lies brought. Thank you for setting me free from the old messages that tainted my life. Thank you for the truth that now plays the song of joy and reassurance. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• What record plays in your heart?
• How does it affect your life today?
• When will you exchange that old record for the sweet CD of Christ’s truth?

Janet

Promotion in Motion: The Blessing Seer, by Paula Mowery

The Blessing Seer

by Paula Mowery

This is Paula’s debut work. I’ve been blessed to know her since we started cooking up a project together quite some months ago. I’ve just gotten into reading her book, and let me tell you, it was hard getting off the treadmill this morning where the story was holding me captive. ~Lisa

About the Author

Paula Mowery is a pastor’s wife and a homeschool mom. She has always been an avid reader of Christian fiction. She began writing in the area of nonfiction creating three Bible studies which were self-published. However, she crafted fiction stories which she shared with friends and family. When one of her readers encouraged her to pursue publication, she joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learning more about the world of fiction. Her debut work of fiction is a novella published by Harbourlight, a division of Pelican Book Group – THE BLESSING SEER.

Learn more about Paula at her blog – paulamowery.blogspot.com

Read more of her writing in her monthly columns on ChristianMagazine.org.

About the book:

When God sends Addy a special messenger who challenges her to step from her comfort zone, she isn’t sure she’s up to the job. She feels inadequate to take on the task of encouraging others, and when she starts seeing visions, she worries she’s losing her mind.

Yet, Addy wants only to be used by God, even if that means seeing visions and risking relationship with family and friends. By stepping out on a limb, can Addy really accomplish something significant for God? What affect will her surrender to His will have on those around her? And, what affect will it have on her own life?

Paula, what do you love about this book?

Not to sound mystical, I love the way God just downloaded the outline for this book into my thoughts one night after I went to bed. I had to jump back up and write down the outline as fast as I could.

What’s the main thing you learned during the process of writing and publishing this book?

I had to deal with stepping from comfort zones and doing what God calls me to do just as the main character in the book must do.

What should your readers discover and want to share with their family and friends after reading this book?

I hope my readers will be challenged and encouraged to follow God’s direction in their lives. I pray they’ll learn how much God wants to bless if we are only willing and obedient.

Buy The Blessing Seer

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Tuesday Promotion in Motion with Jairus King and theMen’s Ministry Handbook for Christians

Jairus King is a devoted husband, father and Christian residing in Stafford VA. He spends his free time organizing charitable events and assisting the less fortunate in his local community. He is co-founder of the thriving men’s ministry named the God Brothers (Stafford County Chapter). He wrote his first book the Men’s ministry Handbook for Christians after seeing the impact that it had on his own organization. He believes that God told him to share the gospel, instead of keeping it for one group of men. It became his prayer that this book reaches the hands of every man wishing to form better relationships with one another. He is also founder of the freely distributed Word Newspaper which is dedicated to the empowering, uplifting, and encouragement of fellow believers. He carries two masters degrees one from Grantham University majoring in Project Management and the other from Liberty University Majoring in Christian Leadership. He also attended Strong Tower ministry’s Minister Development Institute in Frederick Maryland, where he and his wife were ordained.

About the Book:

Men’s Ministry Handbook for Christians

Buy on Amazon

ISBN-13: 978-1463672171

Kindle: $1.00

Paperback: $16.95

This book has transformed the lives of countless men through the power of Christ. This book includes lesson plans, thought provoking discussion questions and bible verses for study. It is my prayer that this book continue to be a blessing to ministries everywhere looking to become more Christ-like.

Interview:

Jairus, what do you love about this book?

I love the fact that the book continues to be a gift that keeps giving. When I wrote it the purposes were solely for the ministry I was working with. However, I have been blessed enough to see the results of other ministries using the book as a handy aid in their tool kit as well. To see life changing and transformation as men on a journey together is a reward in itself and I remain thankful.

What’s the main thing you learned during the process of writing and publishing this book?

Just do it. I would’ve never written the book had it not become a necessity. Once I did that God seemed to provide everything else as long I was willing to work. No amount of works will ever produce themselves and create awareness without a dedicated person willing to hear the word of God and follow it. There is probably someone sitting on gold mine of a book, but keeps hesitating because the process can seem overwhelming. Just do it and let God use your talents and abilities for his glory.

What should your readers discover and want to share with their family and friends after reading this book?

I pray it be a better life through love and relationships. The men that have read and APPLIED the concepts of the book in their lives have experienced tremendous joy and a closer relationship with God.

Promotion in Motion: Carol Brown, and Sassy Pants

About the Author:  Carol Brown was raised in a rural farming community in Iowa. A retired teacher, she and her husband reside in Grand Rapids, MI with her elderly mother. Carol enjoys nature, music, playing the piano, children, reading, writing and storytelling.  She began telling stories when she had enough brothers for an audience!

Her second children’s book, Sassy Pants Makes Amends released April 17. She does not have one mention of God in it, just lots of biblical principles!

Welcome, Carol. Tell us what you love about this book.

How the humor disarms defensive reactions. While people are laughing the lessons land! I love it when I hear people quoting certain sections.

What’s the main thing you learned during the process of writing and publishing this book?

When God is in it, the project is a joy; if I am doing it on my own it is hard work, tedious, laborious and it lacks a certain spark that hooks a reader and keeps the pages turning! I just don’t have as much to say.

What should your readers discover and want to share with their family and friends after reading this book?

That no matter how badly you have messed up, when you are willing to apologize, ask forgiveness and make amends, it can restore relationships. As Old Clyde would say, “But you have to really care. You have to really want to fix it!”

About the Book: Sassy Pants Makes Amends

Sassy Pants’s bad behavior pushed everyone away. A close encounter with an electric fence broke off the stone that had been forming around her heart; it helped her begin to notice and care, but too late. No one trusted her.

How do you fix a friendship when you are the one who broke it? Old Clyde knew a way. He asked little Molly lamb to “be friendly” even though she didn’t trust Sassy Pants. The two of them put their heads together—but not too close—and came up with a plan to make amends,

—to think of something that was important to Gerald, Maude, and Kitty Cat and make it become important to Sassy Pants too—

—something that would go way beyond sorry and give the offended friend reason to trust her again.

 

Follow Sassy Pants as she works to repair the friendships she broke!

Learn with her how to fix a friendship when you are the one who broke it. Find out how Sassy Pants learns to apologize, ask forgiveness and make amends with the help of two special friends. Making amends is not easy, but having friends is worth it!

 

Talking Points For Sassy Pants Makes Amends

• Words can hurt
• Actions can hurt
• What an apology is and what it does
• Why we forgive and make amends
• How we make amends
• The rewards of amends
• How to honor one another

Sassy Pants Makes Amends is published by Tate Publishing and is the second of a series of four. It will be available in most retail bookstores, online or order direct from my website www.fromgodsheart.com along with the first in the series, Sassy Pants.

 

Written for 3-5 graders, but younger children, good readers in 2^nd grade and adults all enjoy the story! Older children, it’s not cool to read little books—but it would be safe to read to the little kids!

Interestingly, folks in Recovery groups snap it up for the understandable explanation of amends!

A parent teacher manual is available at www.fromgodsheart.com. Click on downloadables and look for Parent/Teacher Manual.