Winner of Seal Under Siege

Congratulations J'nell Ciesielski, you are the winner of an autographed copy of Seal Under Siege by Liz Johnson.

Please contact me with your snail mail address.

J is for JOY - Blog Hop Friday

When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:18-19 

For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
    I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord,
    how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92:4-5 


I've been planning my blog posts just a few weeks ahead, at least in my mind, not always on paper. For a while now, I've planned for 'J' for JOY being the topic of this blog hop Friday. Sometimes I think God has such a sense of humor.

One thing I've learned after a year of delving into the topic of joy, is that it's a decision, not an emotion. It's actively choosing to have joy, even when we face difficult situations, where we are unsure of the results, or what is around the next corner. Our joy comes because of Him and who He is. Our Redeemer. Our Deliverer. Our Sustainer.

So many Bible verses address this topic. I say He has a sense of humor because He had me do this topic on a week when my joy was floundering, and I've been hit with some things that surprised me. But I rest assured knowing that He isn't surprised. As always, I can trust Him, no matter what storms rage around me. I choose to take joy in Him.

Who or what do you take joy in?
 

Fired Up by Mary Connealy

Book two in Mary Connealy's Trouble in Texas series tells the tale of Dare Riker, a doctor who promotes healing, but knows in his heart he is a fake. He'd love to get out of the medical profession and become a rancher but the only trouble is, people keep getting sick, especially with the meals the new owner of the local diner has been serving.

Glynna Greer has no desire for another man in her life, not after her first two marriages have ended as such dismal failures. Owning and running the local diner, and trying to make sure her children heal from the hurts her past husbands have inflicted on them, is all this mother wants to deal with at the moment. But she can't deny an attraction to the local doctor, no matter how much she fights it.

Fired Up is another award-winning novel from Mary Connealy. She never disappoints her readers with her humorous writing style and cast of unforgettable characters. Pick up a copy, you won't regret it.

This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers

Meet Mary: Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.

Connect with Mary: http://maryconnealy.com/
 
 
Mary Connealy is back with the second book, Fired Up, in her Trouble in Texas series, and she's celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway and a LIVE author chat party on October 8th.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD
• Swept Away  and Fired Up by Mary Connealy

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 8th. Winner will be announced at the "Fired Up" Live Webcast Event on October 8th. Connect with Mary for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Mary will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Fired Up and join Mary and friends on the evening of October 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

Enter Today - 9/17 - 10/8!

I is for Indianapolis - Blog Hop Friday

It's blog hop Friday again and I decided on I for Indianapolis since I just returned from the American Christian Writer (ACFW) Conference which was held in Indianapolis this year. It took me a while to get there after lightning struck the air traffic control tower in Baltimore, MD just minutes after I arrived at the airport. All their equipment was knocked out. Needless to say, no planes were coming or leaving for many hours after that. I praise God that He gave me a peace throughout that day and on into the wee hours when I finally arrived eight hours after I was scheduled to touch down in Indianapolis.

New to the conference this year was a genre dinner. I had spent a couple weeks feverishly sewing my 19th century dress. Here is the result.

In this next shot I'm with two wonderful women. On the left is my dear, sweet critique partner, Crystal Barnes, and beside her is my great roommate and personal editor, Joy Avery Melville.



This next shot is me with my agent, Linda Glaz of Hartline.

This final shot is taken from the final Gala Dinner when awards are given out to pre-published and published authors. This photo was taken of our table. From left to right is Terri Wangard, Joy Avery Melville, me, Crystal Barnes, and George Mano who flew all the way to IN from Japan. It was a night of fun and laughter.

H is for Hero - Blog hop Friday

With celebrating Patriot's Day on Wednesday, I figured it was a good week to have 'H is for Hero'. I can't help but think of the many men and women who risk and sometimes give their lives daily in defense of our freedoms as a Nation, or to save lives through their heroism.

Perhaps I'm a bit more attuned to this with having just witnessed my son perform his final swearing in to become a sailor in the United States Navy and watching him leave on the bus for the airport as he headed off to boot camp. I'm proud of him and his decision to serve in our military. He follows a long line of men who have served in my family and my husband's family: my husband, his father and grandfather, and both of his brothers, my Dad and my brother. They've represented multiple branches between them - Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Thank you to all who have served and are serving in the military. Thank you for those who serve each day as fire fighters, policemen, and other professions that every day are heroes.

G is for Genre - Blog Hop Friday

It's hard to believe it's time for Blog Hop Friday already. This time it's G for genre. I'm a writer and often I'm asked what genre I write and my response is historical romance. I have to admit, I love to read about the past, particularly the 19th century. It's only natural that it also is the time period that I also write about too.

Perhaps it's the influence of watching Little House on the Prairie as a child that has caused such a great love of the 1870's in particular. I didn't start out with a love of history, but the older I get the more I find it fascinating.

What genre or time period do you enjoy reading?

Seal Under Siege by Liz Johnson

Staci Hayes, just rescued from a Middle Eastern prison by a team of Navy SEALS, thinks she's safe when she is back home on American soil. She has information of a potential terrorist attack and can't convince any government offices to take the threat seriously. Her only hope lies with one of her rescuers.

Tristan Sawyer is dedicated to his job as a Navy SEAL. When Staci shows up at his office to convince him to look into the threat, he's torn between keeping professional distance as required by his job and also protecting Staci.

Seal Under Siege by Liz Johnson is a fantastic read and one I highly recommend. I'm not usually a suspense reader, but this book had me literally on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. Liz is an incredible writer. I was so wrapped up in the story that when I finished it, I ordered a copy of A Promise to Protect so I could find out about Tristan's sister.

You can find Liz on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/lizjohnsonbooks.

I'll be giving away an autographed copy of Seal Under Siege to one person (US only) who leaves a comment to any of my posts for this month. Winner of the drawing will be posted on September 30th. Tell me what type of fiction you enjoy reading and why.

This book was provided free for review by the author.