Book Review: YA fantasy allegory from Lorilyn Roberts

At 99 cents, this book makes a great Christmas gift for your tween's Kindle!



 

The Seventh Dimension-The Door

By Lorilyn Roberts

Oct 14, 2012, Amazon Digital

YA Adventure/Fantasy

ASIN: B009R8Q1WC
$.99 E-book

 

A truly epic adventure for readers of all ages: although Lorilyn calls this a YA coming of age story, it's every bit as wondrous for adults. The author has studied the classics, and only subsequent reads will help you find the planted symbolism that makes Seventh Dimension-The Door a clever read.

You'll find a loving nod to Pilgrim's Progress if you follow the little white dog into the woods. Shale Snyder has a dreadful accident as a young girl, and finds it difficult to forgive herself or move forward when the victim refuses to accept her grief or confession. Grief is accompanied by hatred which colors Shale's world.

She is given a second chance, however, in a fantastic land of talking animals (grown from Roberts's first story, The Donkey and the King), an allegory which makes teaching your children about forgiveness, good and evil, a much easier task. Follow Shale and her new friends as she travels on an adventure of a lifetime to find the king while also growing out of her bad habits into a self-assured young woman who learns obedience and gratitude despite willfulness in the face of despair. Finding the father she always wanted, and his new wife and mysterious servants, help Shale unravel the truth of her long-ago accident, and face the consequences with a clean heart.

 

Truth, time travel, self-doubt, sacrifice, forgiveness and even all four loves, are explored in depth in this soon-to-be beloved tale of supernatural grace. Told in third person from Shale's point of view, with humor, dread, sorrow and shame, Roberts's time-honored story-telling will make you feel part of the adventure and eagerly anticipating the next book.

Buy

Christmas blog tour starts today

Grace Filled Christmas Blog Tour 2012


Visit the following sites for great authors and book info- get everyone you love a book this year!

CALENDAR:

Sat, Nov 3: Nike Chillemi (GOODBYE NOEL, PERILOUS SHADOWS, BURNING HEARTS) http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

Mon, Nov 5: Shaunna Gonzales (DARK DAYS OF PROMISE) www.shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com

Wed, Nov 7: Debbie Roome (CONTAGIOUS HOPE) http://debbieroome.blogspot.co.nz/

Sat, Nov 10: Naomi Musch (THE BLACK ROSE, THE RED FURY, THE GREEN VEIL) http://www.naomimusch.com/apps/blog/

Mon, Nov 12: Elaine Marie Cooper (THE ROAD TO DEER RUN, THE PROMISE OF DEER RUN, THE LEGACY OF DEER RUN) http://ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com

Wed, Nov 14: Deanna Klingel (CRACKS IN THE ICE) www.BooksByDeanna.com

Sat, Nov 17: Meg Moseley (WHEN SPARROWS FALL) megmoseley.wordpress.com

Mon, Nov 19: Sharon Leaf (LADY AND THE SEA) www.sharonleaf.com

Wed, Nov 21: Tracy Krauss (WIND OVER MARSHDALE, PLAY IT AGAIN, MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER) http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com

Sat, Nov 24: Suzanne Williams (MISSING, FOUND) http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com

Mon, Nov 26: Amanda Stephan (THE PRICE OF TRUST, LONELY HEARTS) http://www.booksbyamanda.com/blog

Wed, Nov 28: Barbara E. Brink (THE CHOSEN, THE BOOK OF THE SHUNNED, THE BISHOP’S RECKONING) http://barbaraellenbrink.com/

Sat, Dec 1: William D. Burt (THE KING OF THE TREES, TORSILS IN TIME, THE GOLDEN WOOD) http://www.kotbooks.blogspot.com/

Mon, Dec 3: Tammy Doherty (CELTIC KNOT, CLADDAUGH, CELTIC CROSS) http://mystiqueofnaultag.blogspot.com/

Wed, Dec 5: Christina Freeburn (LOST THEN FOUND, LED ASTRAY, SAFE AND SOUND) www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com

Sat, Dec 8: B.J. Robinson (WHISPERING CYPRESS, SOUTHERN SUPERSTITIONS) http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com

Mon, Dec 10: Carole Towriss (SHADOW OF SINAI) caroletowriss.com/notes

Wed, Dec 12: Jean Thompson Kinsey (WILLOW SHADE, THE LIGHT KEEPER’S DAUGHTER) http://kystorywriter.blogspot.com/

Sat, Dec 15: Karin Kaufman (SPARROW HOUSE) http://www.karin-kaufman.blogspot.com

Mon, Dec 17: Katie Ganshert (WILDFLOWERS FROM WINTER) http://katieganshert.com/blog/

Wed, Dec 19: Laura J. Davis (COME TO ME) http://interviewsandreviews.blogspot.com

Sat, Dec 22: Mikayla Kayne (THE ANGEL CREST DECEPTION) http://miksreliablelibrary.wordpress.com/

 

Have A Very Merry, Blessed Christmas Filled with Good Reading and Good Cheer!!!

And A Happy New Year!!!

Delia Latham and Heart's Haven

Introducing Heart’s Haven

From White Rose Publishing

"Jewels for the Kingdom" is a 20,000 word e-Book, the first of FOUR books in the Heart's Haven collection.

Authors who contributed to the collection include Marianne Evans (Operation Breathless), Tanya Stowe (Leap of Faith), Mary Manners (Dance with Me) and Delia Latham (Jewels for the Kingdom).

 

The authors are all very excited about Heart's Haven, and truly believe God had a very decisive hand in its creation and publication.

A bit about Heart's Haven:

Heart's Haven is a one-of-a-kind apartment complex located just outside the fictional town of Angel Falls, TX, on the outskirts of the Angelina National Forest. It's owned by Andrew Hart, a crusty old guy who is rumored to have the ability to see and speak with angels. Does he? Well, who knows? But there is, without a doubt, some kind of divine presence that makes itself felt by every tenant. The complex consists of eight small cottages, each with its own tiny yard and trellised gate. Over each gate, a hand-carved sign proclaims: May love find all who enter here. And it usually does...

 

Here's a blurb from Delia Latham’s book in the collection:

Jewels for the Kingdom

Pia Peretti’s past could destroy her future. Thanks to her pre-Christian lifestyle, she can’t marry a believer, and she won’t marry a non-believer. Minister David Myers wants to help Pia release her guilt and trust that God has forgiven her...but the young minister is working through his own trial of faith.

 

After a failed counseling session with a wounded soul, David's confidence is shaken. He accepts a new pastorate, and moves to Angel Falls to find a haven for his wounded heart.

Is it possible these two hurting hearts are meant to mend each other’s brokenness with some divine intervention?

$2.99 on Amazon

Visit the Facebook page

Each of the heroines from the four Heart's Haven books also has a page, as does Mr. Hart. Please...take a stroll through Heart's Haven and visit all of its character pages, as well. I think you'll like what you find.

 

Delia Latham, Author of the Solomon's Gate Series

www.delialatham.net

 

K Dawn Byrd and Amazing Love, her newest book

K Dawn Byrd's New Release! Amazing Love

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational novels in several genres, including, historical, suspense, romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, cars, and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country roads in the passenger seat of her husband's Corvette Stingray. When asked why she writes, her response is, "For the simple joy of placing words on the page!"

 

 

About the book:

Amazing Love, the modern-day story of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible, speaks of God's unconditional love, mercy, and grace and how much loving someone that much can cost.

Gabe Knight, a pastor in a small coastal town, finds his life is turned upside down when Dee Dillow arrives and hires him to remodel an estate she's inherited from her aunt. Dee dashes his plans for wedded bless when on a drunken binge, she divulges that she's the highest paid call girl in Nevada and part-owner of the ritziest brothel in the state.

 

Gabe falls in love with her, but can't believe he's hearing the voice of God when a still, small voice tells him to marry her. After much questioning, they marry and he is deliriously happy. Until, Dee betrays him.

 

Gabe soon discovers just how hard it is to have the unconditional love God calls him to have for his wife, the kind of love God has for his children. When faced with losing her, Gabe realizes what true love is, how much it hurts, and just how much God loves and is willing to sacrifice for his children.

 

 

Excerpt from the prologue:

Prologue

Dee signed the letter with a flourish and then read it aloud.

Maggie:

 

For the longest time, I blamed myself. There must be something terribly wrong with me, something so bad that even a mother couldn't love me. After years of therapy, I've learned that it's not me, it's you, Maggie. You're not capable of loving anyone. That's a terrible thing to say about a mother, but it's true.

Even here at Carpe Diem, I've continued therapy via technology. Today was a hard day because it's my birthday. As was expected, I never heard from you. Like my therapist said, it's not my fault you didn't call. It's a choice you made, Maggie, like so many other bad choices.

 

I used to dwell often on the things you allowed to happen to me. You had to have known that John was visiting my room almost nightly. You chose to ignore it even though he was your husband. And then, he sold me to his wealthy friends and you stood back and allowed it to happen. Whoever had the most money. That wasn't the life I would have chosen if given a choice. Even now, I long for a life of normalcy. A husband, a couple of children, and a picket fence is just a dream.

 

There are times I hate you, but I realize you have demons of your own. Something has happened to you to cause you to be so selfish and full of anger. That's why I try to overlook your hostility and lack of love toward me. You need a good therapist.

My therapist recommends that I write letters to you when I'm angry. It helps. This is letter 642. I've kept them all. You'll probably never read them, but they're not really for you. They're for me.

 

Your daughter, Dee

 An Interview with the Author

Why did you choose to write this book?
A couple of years ago, I was the story of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible and the thought came to mind that it would be fun to retell the story in a modern setting.

What did you learn while writing this book?
I learned that even though the Bible gives us stories about individuals who lived in Bible times, it's vague at times about specifics. This give a fiction writer a lot of leeway to let their imaginations run wild.

 

Tell us what you think readers will enjoy about it.

 

Amazing Love is the modern story of Hosea and Gomer. It was a tough story to write because my heroine suffers severe consequences for her sins, but it was necessary to portray how low we can go and how much God still loves us through it all. I hope readers will take away the fact that no matter what we do, God loves us with an unconditional love and is ready to accept us back into His loving arms.
 

 

Tell us a little more about yourself , with three things not many people know about you.

I have a masters degree in professional counseling from Liberty University.

I'm an animal lover. I own two hairless Chinese Crested dogs, an African Gray parrot, three ferrets, and several aquariums in my home.

I love sour foods. I'd rather have olives, pickles, or dilly beans than something sweet sometimes.
 

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on a thriller about a serial killer. It's a difficult story because there are several twists and turns and I have to be careful how I write it for everything to fall into place correctly.
 

What's next for you?

I have three releases in 2012, all young adult. Something Beautiful in January. The Hot Line Girl in June. Luck of the Draw in November.

New cookbook review - A Farmer's Daughter

A Farmer’s Daughter: Recipes from a Mennonite Kitchen

By Dawn Stoltzfus  

978-0-8007-2091-9

$13.99 

224 pages

Pub Date: October 2012

 

Looking at a book that says “Over 300 mouthwatering recipes!” I’m excited! And when I check it out, this book, is so much more than a cookbook. Reminiscent of the Raised on Sunshine and Raised on Rainbows, Stoltzfus includes little tidbits such as Food For Thought that’s almost a devotional and a challenge at the end of chapters. “How do you prepare for your own day of rest?” she asks at the end of Chapter Four. “I encourage you to incorporate this principle of rest and see what it will do for your soul!” The author also makes plenty of suggestions for additions and substitutes on many recipes - a great time-saver when you're in a hurry and don't have or care for or are allergic to some of the ingredients.

I page through, seeing a few favorites, such as cheddar potato chowder, variations on meatloaf and all kinds of yummy breads. Things to do with tomatoes…tomato toppers with bacon and onions and Worcestershire sauce. Ah – Hubby has a newfound love of rosemary. I think I’ll try the Baked Rosemary Chicken tonight and get back to you. – the next morning: Pretty Good! I had to make a few adjustments as I used plump breasts and cut them open, and had no celery, so used celery seed. But it was great using our own garlic, apples and onion for the main fill. Very easy and tasty.

 

Here's what the dish looked like before I put it in the oven - I even got the professional grease on the page.

And here's the final meal, served with squash from my son's garden and green beans, a tasty meal.

I’m going to love this book! Divided into chapters that are more than just the usual meal portions, Stoltzfus includes whole chapters of season items, “Summer Sandwiches and Winter Soups,” and Spring Salads and Dressings.” And two separate chapters of sweets. A woman after my own heart for sure.

 

About the author:

Dawn Stoltzfus is a wife, a mother of two sweet little boys and a lover of anything creative. She started and ran The Farmer's Wife Market until 2008 when she sold it in order to stay at home to raise her family. She loves to cook, for one or three hundred and sees cooking and entertaining as an opportunity to serve them out of love and joy rather than out of a sense of obligation. Her love for cooking was inspired by her mother and developed as she cooked for her family of six on their active, working dairy farm in Ohio.

 

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

One Year Alone With God

Today I welcome Ava Pennington, author of a great new devotional, One Year Alone With God, 366 Deovtions on the Names of God.

Ava Pennington is a writer, Bible teacher, and speaker. She is the author of One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell Books), endorsed by Precepts founder and teacher Kay Arthur. Additionally, Ava is co-author of  Faith Basics for Kids. The first two books in the series are Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today? (Standard Publishing).

Ava has also published stories in more than twenty anthologies, including sixteen books in the inspirational Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her articles have appeared in Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse, The  LOOKOUT, Today’s Christian Woman, and other magazines.

Ava is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with relevant, enjoyable presentations.

For more information, visit www.AvaWrites.com.

 

 

About the book:

In the daily devotional One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God, author Ava Pennington examines the biblical names of God through 366 daily readings and helps readers discover what those names mean for their own faith.

 

Readers will learn how a particular name of God provides insight into his character, how those attributes affect them individually or how they should relate to others. Pennington examines each of God’s names for three days, applying these three perspectives to our lives.

 

Each devotion looks at a particular name of God and includes a passage of Scripture, questions for reflection, and a prayer.

 

One year from now, will you be able to say that you know God better than you did before? Revitalize your devotional life with an intimate journey through the names of God.

 

The next 366 days will pass quickly—make each one count!

 

One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God may be purchased through:

 

Amazon

 

Barnes & Noble

 

CBD

For our interview, I asked Ava the following questions:

1. What’s been a favorite work experience you’ve had so far in life?

            Although it isn’t a paid position, I’ve been teaching a weekly, interdenominational Bible study for 175+ women for the past several years. I love working with women who desire to grow in their relationship with the Lord by meeting Him in His Word.

2. If you could do anything you want, what would it be?

            Please don’t think this is a cop-out, but teaching and writing is precisely what I want to do. I am so privileged that my dream job is my present job.

3. What’s the most exotic place you’ve visited?

            Caracas, Venezuela. In my previous career, I was a Human Resources executive for several international companies based in New York City, and was fortunate to travel extensively.

 

4. What do you see outside the closest window right now?

Grass, shrubs, and a baby mango tree I grew from a seed and planted a few months ago.

I’m not usually a patient person, but since mangos are one of my favorite fruits, I’ll wait!

 

5. What do you tell people when they ask “and what do you do?”

            It took me forever to answer that question with “I’m a writer” before my first book was published. I dreaded the follow-up question…“And what have you published?”

            I finally realized that I could not expect other people to see me as a writer if I didn’t begin identifying myself as one.

    

6. Where’s your favorite place to grocery shop?

            Two places, actually. Walmart for my long lists. Publix Supermarket for the in-between trips. (And I’m a coupon-clipper!)

7. What, to you, is worship?

            For me, true worship occurs when I am so lost in who God is that nothing else is more important to me than giving Him the praise He is due.

 

It's Here! Christmas in October

“Christmas In October”

http://www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com/2012/10/christmas-in-october-october-15.html

It’s true! Your Christmas shopping can be done before the hustle and bustle even starts. Or you can just keep all the good stuff for yourself! But the good news is….

It could all be FREE!

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, throughout the entire month of October, over 40 authors will be showcasing the covers of their books, along with a short synopsis, and what they will be offering up as their giveaway!

All you need to do is comment. That’s it! Stop by www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and leave a comment. However many times you comment, your name is put in a drawing.