Anna Weaver Hurtt, Inspirational Author
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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Deanna Klingel and "The Mysterious Life of Jim Limber"

7/30/2015

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Author Mini-view:

Hey, everybody! I hope you're having a wonderfully blessed week! I'm pleased to introduce Deanna Klingel to you today. Let's get this interview started!

Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?) 



I live in the mountains of western NC with my husband and golden retriever in our retirement log house. Our seven children are grown with families of their own. They are all in the Southeast so we enjoy seeing them occasionally. I’ve enjoyed writing all my life, from the little booklets I tied together with illustrations pasted from Life Magazine, to essays, book reports, letters to pen pals, diaries, journals, class work, term papers, work on the year book, school columnist in the town newspaper. What many of my classmates complained about, I reveled in and edited and rewrote in joy. I wrote stories for my children, plays for their school, newsletters for organizations, and letters to everyone. I wrote program for Girl Scouts and Vacation Bible School. I always had the idea of writing a book someday, but had no idea how to go about that. When our seven children were out on their own, I had a chance to pursue that. I won some short story contests and had some things published in anthologies. I have nine books published. One will be out this summer, two are under contract and will be published in 2016. Another is entered in a contest, another being read by a publisher and another that was just submitted. An interesting YA called Waiting With Elmer may be the best one I’ve written. It’s still on the desktop hoping for a place to send it. I write something every day. I blog Monday and Thursday (Selling Books Miniblog) on my website (Books By Deanna.com). I will be starting a new YA nonfiction biography about a 15 year-old girl who was in the French Resistance in WWII. As soon as my subject gets back to the mountains from her winter in Florida, we’ll get started on that one.


What is your favorite Bible verse? 

My favorite Bible verse is I Corinthians 13. Well, usually. Sometimes it’s Isaiah. The whole book. Especially Chapter 43 verses 1-7. I love the Synoptic Gospels and I call them my favorite, too. I mean, who doesn’t love the stories of the Nativity? When I’m in a poetic mood, my favorite is Psalms. My favorite changes with my mood it seems. Sometimes I just flip through some pages, a verse catches my eye or my imagination, and it becomes my new favorite. Jesus might think I’m a fickle friend.


What have you read lately that you would recommend? 

Something I’ve read lately that I would recommend is All The Light We Cannot See, and also Girls of Atomic City. I enjoyed both very much.


What book are you featuring today? 

The book I’m featuring today is my latest release, The Mysterious Life of Jim Limber. The book is published by Progressive Rising Phoenix Publishing in Texas. It’s a middle grade historical book. Do you know who Jim Limber is – was? His picture is on the cover. It’s the only known photo of Jim. 


The first third of this book is actually nonfiction, biography; 14 months of Jim’s life. In 1864, he was rescued by Varina Davis, wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and taken to the Confederate White House (Richmond, VA), not as a slave or servant, but to live with their family in the nursery with their four children. Varina was a wonderful writer who documented everything her children did, said, wore, ate, every day. I did my research at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, which happens to have been the White House. After 14 months, the Davis family fled Richmond. Jim was with them; he was still with them when they were apprehended in Georgia. After they parted company at Port Royal, SC, what became of Jim? 


The middle third of the book is historical fiction, what might have happened through adolescence. The final third is a choose-your-own-ending. I offer three possible endings, then I suggest my young readers create their own ending. Based on what you now know of Jim Limber, what do you think became of him? Where did he go? Who did he become? If the writer sends me their ending I will publish it on my website.


If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be? 

The one thing I would say to the reader of any of my books is “I wrote this for you. I hope you enjoy it.”


Author Bio:

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Deanna lives in the mountains of western North Carolina with her childhood- sweetheart-husband Dave and their rescued golden retriever, Buddy. She belongs to a local bookclub, Catholic Writers Guild, ACFW, NCWN and other writing groups.  

  Her first book was published in 2010.She currently has 8 published with more under contract. 
Her miniblog is a short travelogue of places she visits, people she meets, and what she learns about selling books.

Giveaway Time!

Deanna is graciously giving away a copy of "The Mysterious Life of Jim Limber" to one lucky winner! To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Giveaway ends 8/6. As always, thanks for participating and God bless!
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Review and Giveaway: Willing To Walk On Water by Caroline Barnett

7/23/2015

7 Comments

 
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Book Blurb:

If you have ever heard yourself say, “Surely there is more to life than this,” rest assured, you are not alone. Getting caught up in the day-to-day routine, it can be easy to feel as though you have nothing more to give, and yet there is so much you want to do to impact the world. Good news! For those who are willing to get out of the proverbial boat and trust in God’s ability to do miracles, there is more, so much more!

In Willing to Walk on Water, Caroline Barnett helps you identify what you were created to do—unveiling your passions, gifts, and callings—and provides practical ways of integrating that purpose into your daily life. Drawing on real life experiences, Caroline points out two things that will be required: willingness and availability. Are you willing to trust God to do the impossible through you? Will you make yourself available to His leading? If so, get ready—you are about to walk on water!

My Thoughts:

Every now and then, you read a book that reaches out and strikes a chord with you. For me, this is that book.

 "Willing to Walk on Water" is a book full of testimonies and stories of how God will use you if you are brave enough to step out and follow Him. It is a prompting to search your heart for the areas of life that you find unjust, such as homelessness, orphans, human trafficking, and the list goes on. Once you discover them, it is a call to action and a guide to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people you are serving.

 I feel like I have been both challenged and empowered. This book has changed my life and I believe every follower of Jesus should read it.


5 stars!

Giveaway!

I almost hate to give away my copy, but I feel like someone out there needs to read it, too. So, fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to put your name in for this great book. :) Giveaway ends 7/31.
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Book Review: After A Fashion by Jen Turano

7/23/2015

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Book Blurb:

Miss Harriet Peabody dreams of the day she can open up a shop selling refashioned gowns to independent working women like herself. Unfortunately, when an errand for her millinery shop job goes sadly awry due to a difficult customer, she finds herself out of an income.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is on the verge of his biggest business deal yet when he learns his potential partner prefers to deal with men who are settled down and wed. When Oliver witnesses his ex not-quite-fiance cause the hapless Harriet to lose her job, he tries to make it up to her by enlisting her help in making a good impression on his business partner.

Harriet quickly finds her love of fashion can't make her fashionable. She'll never truly fit into Oliver's world, but just as she's ready to call off the fake relationship, fancy dinners, and elegant balls, a threat from her past forces both Oliver and Harriet to discover that love can come in the most surprising packages.

My Thoughts:

Guys, I’ll be honest, this is probably the best book I’ve read this year. I absolutely LOVE Jen Turano’s writing. She has the delightful habit of dropping her well-developed characters into deliciously ridiculous situations and we readers get to watch them figure out how to deal with it in their own quirky, unique ways. What fun!

Ms. Turano has a way of making historical fiction fun, exciting, and hilarious. I lost count of all the times I burst into giggles while reading. It’s just that good, y’all.

The characters are wonderful. Both the hero, Oliver, and the heroine' Harriet, were deep, unique, and flawed while being extremely likable. Their budding romance was completely swoon-worthy. I also fell in love with a few of the other characters and can’t wait to see them star in their own stories. (Lucetta and Millie, I’m talking about you!)

If you like inspirational historical fiction with comedy and romance (and even if you don’t), I recommend picking up this book. You won’t regret it.

I can’t wait to see what Ms. Turano has up her sleeve next. 5 stars for a fantastic read!



(Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, which I have given.)

Amazon Link:

As of this posting, you can purchase a copy on Amazon for $1.99! (Always double-check the price before you buy, though.)
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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Liz Tolsma and "Remember the Lilies"

7/16/2015

30 Comments

 
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Author Mini-view:

Hey, everybody! I hope you're having a wonderfully blessed week! I'm thrilled to introduce author Liz Tolsma to you today! Let's get this interview started!

Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?) 


I really became serious about my writing after 9/11. At that time, I realized how fleeting life is. I didn't want to come to the end and wish I would have done something. If nothing else, I could say I tried. Life happened to me along the way - we adopted a special needs child, we homeschooled - so writing took a back burner for a while. The Lord's timing is perfect. I received my first contract just a few weeks after all three kids were in school. I now have three full-length novels published and am working on a new series. I'm also doing quite a bit of speaking, and I've started an editing business.

What is your favorite Bible verse? 


Romans 8:37-39: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It's a wonderful reminder that, no matter what happens in our lives, we have the Lord by our sides. It gives me courage to face everyday life.


What have you read lately that you would recommend? 


Over vacation, I read Betsy St. Amant's new book, Love Arrives in Pieces and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also squeaked in A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron. Another great read.

What book are you featuring today? 


I'm featuring Remember the Lilies. It's set in the Philippines during WWII. When the Japanese invaded the country in 1941, they interned Westerners in camps for the duration of the war. Almost 4,000 Americans, English, and others spent 37 months crowded onto the grounds of Santo Tomas University. It's a story of trust in and dependence on the Lord. 

If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be? 


Thanks for reading! I hope you learn something about yourselves and that your walk with the Lord is enriched.

Author Bio:

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Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband and their two daughters. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. All of their children have been adopted internationally and one has special needs. Her novella, Under His Wings, appeared in the New York Times bestselling collection, A Log Cabin Christmas. Her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips, released in August of 2013 and was a 2014 Selah Award finalist and a 2014 Carol Award finalist. Daisies Are Forever released in May 2014. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog at www.liztolsma.blogspot.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@LizTolsma). She is also a regular contributor to the Barn Door blog.  

People can connect with her at:

www.liztolsma.com/

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Giveaway Time!

Liz is giving away a paperback copy of "Remember the Lilies" or the winner's choice to one lucky winner! To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Giveaway ends 7/23. Good luck and happy reading!
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I survived my first deadline! (July Author Newsletter)

7/16/2015

4 Comments

 
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Victory!

Oh. My. Goodness. Guys. 


I sent in my Blurb To Book submission yesterday afternoon (with about 10 minutes to spare), but that puppy is finished! The finished manuscript of Hazardous Conditions is now in the hands of the Love Inspired Editors, for better or for worse. It was a race to get the end written in time... I ended up writing the last two chapters and epilogue yesterday, but it is finished. :)


I just wanted to take a moment and thank you all for your patience and encouragement over the last few months. Y'all are amazing! :) I also want to send out a huge thank-you to the authors who stepped in with the giveaways and author interviews to fill these weekly posts. Without these awesome people, I never would have finished the book in time. So, thank you, authors!


I'll have a real update post when August rolls around, but for now, I'm going to relax, read a book from my towering review pile, and have some celebration chocolate. 


P.S. Be sure to check out this week's author mini-view and giveaway... It's gonna be awesome!
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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Yvonne Anderson and "The Story in the Stars"

7/7/2015

7 Comments

 
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Author Mini-view:

First of all, I'd like to welcome all the new subscribers. We're so glad you have joined us! Please feel free to introduce yourselves. :)

Secondly, I'm thrilled to introduce author Yvonne Anderson to the blog today. Let's get this interview started!



Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)

Though I’ve loved books since I was very young, I never had any desire be a writer until I was well into middle age, when I felt an unexpected urging by the Holy Spirit to write a book. I argued a bit, because it seemed a ridiculous suggestion. But God’s prompting continued, and so I embarked on my writing journey—constantly praying, “Please, God, stop me!” But instead of giving permission to quit, He kept encouraging me to keep going.

After several frustration-fraught years, He led me to write science fiction. Even though I never cared for sci-fi. But God always knows what He’s doing, and to my surprise, it was the most writing fun I’d ever had.

The Story in the Stars, that first foray into a new genre, also became my first published novel. And then it grew into a four-book series called Gateway to Gannah. All are now available on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions.


What is your favorite Bible verse?

With more than 31,000 verses in the Bible, how am I supposed to pick a favorite? But, if it will make you happy, I’ll go with Job 28:28: “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” This verse concludes a chapter in which Job discusses how all things have a source – man digs iron, gold, silver, and precious gems from the earth—he dives into the sea to pull up coral and pearls—but wisdom, more precious than any of these, isn’t found that way. If we want to mine wisdom, we must first obey what God has already revealed to us. Then, as we follow His commandments, He gives us deeper understanding.


What have you read lately that you would recommend?

Two of my critique partners have published top-notch books in the past year. I highly recommend them—not because they’re written by my friends, but because they’re really that good! Atonement for Emily Adams by Susan Lawrence is a contemporary fiction book that wrings your heart and then heals it with the kiss of God’s grace. Glenda Mathes published two titles in a young adult series called Matthew in the Middle. Book #1 is Matthew Muddles Through and #2 is Matthew Makes Strides. Both are excellent reads for young boys especially, but girls will enjoy them as well—as do I! I’m eagerly awaiting the release of the third book later this year.


What book are you featuring today?

The Story in the Stars, the first in the Gateway to Gannah series. Each of the titles can stand alone, so you don’t need to start with Book #1. But if you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting the planet of Gannah before, it makes sense to make this your first stop.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award (Speculative Fiction) Finalist, 2012

Dassa skates toward the palace in completion of her Third Quest, unaware the Karkar Plague has returned to ravage Gannah.

On a medical starship not far away, Dr. Pik is ordered to find a cure for the plague – an unlikely assignment, given his inbred hatred of the whole Gannahan race. Duty trumps prejudice, however, and he succeeds… but that’s just the beginning of the story.

Dassa and Pik survive attack by space pirates, food poisoning, savage Gannahan beasts, and a plane crash. The hardest part, though, is enduring one another’s company.

The Creator who wrote the story of redemption in the stars has commanded her to share it with her reluctant savior. That’s not all He requires of her, but the rest is unthinkable.

Fly through the Gateway to Gannah for some serious sci-fi adventure!

Book #1, The Story in the Stars

Book #2, Words in the Wind

Book #3, Ransom in the Rock

Book #4, The Last Toqeph


If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?

I call it “serious sci-fi adventure” because it’s just that. You’ll find no shortage of action, but spiritual themes underlie it all. Several readers have commented that these stories really make them think.



About the author:

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Author Bio:

Yvonne Anderson writes fiction that takes you out of this world.

The Story in the Stars, the first in the Gateway to Gannah series, was a Carol Award finalist in 2012. The adventure continues with Words in the Wind and Ransom in the Rock, then comes to a powerful conclusion with The Last Toqeph.

She lives in Western Maryland with her husband of almost forty years and shares the occasional wise word on her personal site, YsWords. She also does freelance editing.

Giveaway!

Yvonne is giving away a paperback copy of "The Story in the Stars" or the winner's choice of the other Gateway to Gannah books to one lucky winner! To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Giveaway ends 7/14. Good luck and happy reading!
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    Inspirational author. Newbie Air Force wife. Jesus Follower. Recovering musician. Dachshund mama. Coffee addict. Book reviewer/giveaway-er.

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