Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Four Given - chance to win a Kindle

Four Given by Malo Bel – The Mystery of Godliness


My story started on a beach, a strange place for a journey to begin, but nothing compared to where it would lead me!

Near the end of a relaxing vacation I was walking by myself towards the beach showers. As I walked I was thinking about my life. Something is wrong! My life is all about what I want, what I do, what I feel. Where’s God? I suddenly felt empty, like it was all “me” and no “Jesus.” I was so shallow. So self obsessed. And so I asked him, "Lord, how do I let go of me and take in more of you? Please Lord, help me! I want to let go! I want to be filled with you.”

However, rather than an answer I got a question back - "How do you let go?"
What do you mean ‘How do you let go?’” And so for a while I pondered his question, “How do you let go?”
“Of course! It’s obvious,” I replied, “If you have to let go something you have to open your hand."


What does it mean to open your hand?” he asked.
“I suppose an open hand is a hand that gives,” I replied. “Must my journey to you begin with giving?”


“Of course!” It suddenly hit me. “Is not giving the defining act of love? ‘God so loved the world that he GAVE his only son...’ And then like a flash God’s holy name leapt into my mind, and I looked and saw and was stunned. There at the very start of His name is the smallest of all Hebrew letters, the letter Yod (י). The very name of God, which defines Him, begins with an open hand, with the ultimate demonstration of love, with giving.


Is it a message to us, a journey we should take? I could feel the overwhelming sense of God's presence wash over me, as I stood there lost in my communion with him. There was a discovery, a journey that God was calling me on.


However as quick as the excitement arose so too did my doubt. Was this really a path God was revealing to me or was it just the vain imaginations of my mind? “Maybe I am just imagining hearing him, imagining his answers. It’s all in my mind. Maybe….” At that exact moment my thoughts were interrupted by a voice.


"Excuse me," she said. I turned around to find one of the girls who had been showering talking to me. "What are you thinking about?" I was blown away. Why would a complete stranger ask me what I am thinking about? How did she even know I was thinking anything and not just staring at the sea? Startled, I stammered, “Umm, I was thinking about…about a path. A path to God.” And before I knew it I was sharing everything with her, a complete stranger. I was giving voice, my voice to the silent conversation in my heart.


She listened intently, and then smiling said, “Wow. That’s deep, very deep.” And with that she turned and walked off leaving me with my doubt washed away. For no sooner had doubt crept in that God had spoken, than God made me give voice to what I had heard, with my very own mouth. No sooner had doubt crept in than a complete stranger would say about someone despairing in his shallowness, “That’s deep, very deep.”


And so began my journey, and my calling to write this story, and the beginning of many more miracles.


As someone who loves a good mystery, especially a real one, you can imagine how mind blowing it was for me to discover a mystery so important, so divine, so life changing, hidden within the very name of God! This is not some cleverly constructed fiction, something we read, enjoy and put aside. This is a map, a journey, a vital path for every single human being, encoded in the holy letters of God’s name. A journey that begins with a small open hand but that ends in a place called Eternity.


I invite you to join me on my journey to discover the very mystery of Godliness and life eternal in the most startling of ways. A journey that will leave you changed…forever.
 
 

Four Given is being showcased by the John 3:16 Marketing Network as part of their September Book Launch Event. Be sure to visit http://bit.ly/Christian_Books for a chance to win a Kindle Fire, a $25 gift card and a $10 Starbucks card, as well as purchase Four Given.


Malo will be giving away 50% of all proceeds from sales during the book launch to a charity that works in Africa to uplift families and communities, especially the disabled and children.


To discover a mystery about Malo Bel,  point any QR Code reader on a mobile phone at the QR Code alongside.


To learn more about Malo, please visit his website at http://www.malobel.com. You can follow him on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/malo_bel.




Sunday, September 8, 2013

Book Review: novella, Miss Fishfly, by Linda Glaz


Miss Fishfly by Linda Glaz
White Rose
c. July 2013
$2.99 eBook

Romance novella

 
A companion piece and sequel to Polar Bear Plunge, Glaz’s romantic novella explores the story of Aleni and Brice’s friend Christie Hayes, also a nurse with a past, and Colton Keller, a fellow book subject.
 

There’s chemistry at first sight when Christie meets Cole at Aleni and Brice’s wedding. But Christie is unsure of herself and her track record with men, and convinces Cole that they can be just friends—without benefits.

 
Since Cole is coming away from a bad relationship with a woman who left him during his captivity in Iraq, he can go with Christie’s suggestion—until his own feelings start to get in the way. He is torn between being able to trust someone who takes such care of his grandfather, someone who is so caring and good to her patients, even after they’re no longer her patients.
 

Grandfather Hartway helps knock their heads together so they can see how good they’d be for each other, even with all the misunderstandings. Setting the example by doing all he can at the end of his life to see forgiveness and to forgive family members who have wounded him and each other, he shows Colton how good it is to live and die free in Christ.
 

Help each other look past the hurts and choices of their pasts, the rough events that have shaped them, and look to the future where they are stronger together than selfishly alone, clinging to wounds instead of the Healer.
 

A romantic quick-reading novella, those who love a sweet, fast clean read about hurting souls finding faith and romantic love, will enjoy this Miss Fishfly.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Great Books Great Authors Great Prizes

Team up with these three fantastic authors and you'll benefit in your entertainment life, spiritual life, and financial life.

 

Meet Malo Bel and his book, Four Given

About the Book:



The mystery of Godliness and life eternal are hidden in the most sacred place of all, in the holy letters that define God. A mystery so divine, so life-changing, so
real it is embedded in the essence of every human being. A mystery that charts a
divine path to God, a journey that once undertaken will bring you to a place
called Eternity.
Join me as I share my journey, as I am led by Him on His path. This is the
mystery of Godliness and life eternal, and I never would have seen it had he not
opened my eyes. Take the step of faith and your eyes will be opened to see
"inexpressible things." Take the step of faith and discover life eternal today.
 
Take the step of faith and discover the beauty of this divine path hidden right
before you. Take the step of faith and you will never be the same again. I did and
that is why I must tell my story.



 About the Author:

Malo says: It is a journey, a pathway encoded in the very name of God that I was stunned to see. It begins with a single and
smallest Hebrew letter Yod, which means the open hand.  Anyone wanting to begin this journey must begin by
opening their hand - by giving. It’s what Jesus did in the greatest way possible, by giving his life for us.

And so to be true to this divine journey I will be giving away 50% of all my book sales during the launch to a charity (Community Outreach Programme Trust) that works in Africa. They work with disadvantaged people and especially the
disabled, children and orphans. I thank you for your help to help me help them.


See the Trailer


Read an Excerpt

“Have you made a list of things you must do for Dana?” Yesh asks.

“I'm not sure I follow,” I say, a little confused by his sudden mention of Dana and changing of topic.
“Well, do you have a list that includes things such as - Make sure I buy Dana flowers once a week. Make sure I call Dana once a day. Make sure I tell Dana 'I love you' once a day.”
“Oh no,” I laugh. “Why would I do that?”
“Well, so you don't forget,” Yesh says.
“I wouldn't forget those things,” I reply.
“So if you came to Dana and handed her some flowers and said, 'Here Dana, this is on my list of things I know I must do for you today.' What would she say?”
“She would be horrified,” I reply. “I would never do that!”
“You've answered correctly,” Yesh replies. “You never would because...”
“I love her,” I finish. “I never would because I love her.”
“Then why Malo do you think the list you made of things you are going to do for God pleases him? What was it...Go to church regularly, read your Bible daily, do more outreach...”
“No,” I interject. “Those are things I know I must do more of in order to become a better child of God.”
“Malo,” Yesh replies, “don't worry. You're not the first to make lists and rules in an attempt to bring you closer to God. People have been doing this for thousands of years. In fact my people had some of the best rule keeping systems around. It didn't work. In fact it was such a failure they sadly missed seeing me when I stood right in front of them.”
Yesh pauses and look down at his open hands. It seems he is remembering the sorrow of being rejected by his own. He looks up and continues. “There is no self-improvement you can undertake that will please God, Malo. There is only one way and that is in Christ,” he says pointing to the stone he has given me. “In Christ you are set right before God, not in trying to be good. If you try to be good in your own strength, you're just rebuilding the old decrepit, broken barn that I tore down,” he says glancing at the beautiful new barn across the stream.
“I have tried making lists and keeping the rules a few times,” I say, “but I never could. But I didn't want to stop. I thought if I just tried harder, if I just put in more effort I could be a better child of God. I wanted to please God. I just didn't want to give up...”
The phrase is still hanging in the air as the full weight of the words hit me. “I just didn't want to give up.”
“That's my problem isn't it,” I say, looking at Yesh. “I wanted to please God by working my head off, just like I did in my job. I wanted it to be about me, what I did, what I achieved.”
Yesh looks at me with his kind, understanding eyes and says, “But now you can leave behind the “laws man,” the “me man,” the “list man,” and become God's man. I have showed you how. If you let me I will enable you to uphold God's word in your life. See the sign we nailed up on the barn over there,” he says pointing back at the barn. “It's perfect, and it's still perfectly in position. Well done, Malo, for keeping God's word perfectly.”
“No I haven't,” I interject, “I couldn't even hold it straight for even a short bit while waiting for you.”
“That's right, yet now because of the nails, the sign hangs true. And so upholding of the sign is not what you did, but what the nails did for you. The life you will live, including everything and much more than your list, will not be yours but Christ living in you.”

 
Buy the Book:  .99 E-book; $11.99 Print
Amazon ebook  (ASIN: B00BU3XV3O
About the Author
Full On Life – I suppose those would be the three words that define me and the life I like to live. Words taken from Jesus’ offer – “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly (full on)”  - John 10:10. And so in everything I seek, in
Jesus’ power, to live a life of abundance. So whether physical – such as having
run many 56 mile marathons, or mental – such as completing a PhD – whether
at home with my awesome wife and children or in front of a thousand people, I
give my all, through him who gave me all. Yet all of this is so unimportant
compared to whom I am related. My dad wrote the world’s best selling book. He
also made the originals that everyone from DaVinci to Michael Angelo copied.
And in case that is not enough, he breathed and the stars came into being. He.
“…merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed, and all the stars
were born.” (Psalm 33:6). I am a child of God.
Connect with Malo
Website: www.malobel.com
Amazon Author Bio: http://bit.ly/malo-bel
 
Trish Jenkins, Treasure of Darkness
About the Author
FAITH TO OVERCOME
Living with murderers, drug dealers, frauds and broken humanity, Trish Jenkins’ prayers for deliverance were not answered the way she expected. Instead the Lord delivered her "through the fire..." Prison was not part of Trish Jenkins’ ministry plans but it happened. Conned by a fraud and a breach of the Corporations Act meant losing her multi-million dollar portfolio, including her family home. It also meant this Australian mother served 8 months in prison, isolated from her husband and 3 little girls.
TREASURE IS FOUND IN DARK PLACES
Instead of succumbing to despair and self-pity, Trish chose to believe the Word of God and in doing so, she introduced many other prisoners to Christ. In the darkness, Trish found keys to freedom and courage and a deeper walk with the Holy Spirit.
Trish felt compelled to record everything she experienced. She wrote letters to her family and friends by writing letters to her husband, who then copied the letter to an email that went out to a list that grew rapidly. Those emails went viral and Trish’s readers shared her journey with her. What she couldn’t put in letters due to their sensitive nature, she wrote in a private journal.
From stories of winning over bullies, to the despair of persecution for her faith, Trish shares her journey with warmth and candour.
Today Trish shares her hard-won “Treasures” as an entertaining, insightful speaker and author, inspiring audiences to be courageous in all circumstances. Ministering effectively to both Christian and secular audiences, she is warm, compassionate and funny! Today, as a well-respected international speaker and author, Trish’s heart-felt and inspirational story filled with practical advice is re-igniting fire and faith in the hearts of her audiences.
Trish and her family were reunited and today are all active members of Citipointe Church, Australia.


See the Trailer

About the Story
FREEDOM ON THE INSIDE
Prison was not on the “Goal Chart” of entrepreneur Trish Jenkins. A breach of the Corporations Act meant losing her multi-million dollar portfolio, including her family home.
It also meant Trish served 8 months in prison.
Isolated from her husband and 3 little girls, living among Queensland’s most dangerous criminals, Trish could have succumbed to despair.
But treasure is found in dark places.
Refusing to give in to self-pity, Trish answered a new calling to make a difference in the lives around her. In doing so she found a different kind of freedom and healing.

Real and raw, these pages are better than a memoir; made up of letters, personal journaling and hindsight.

“I assumed I would be a model prisoner because I was a Christian. So how did I get into so much trouble, so often, yet with the best of intentions?”
Like when she was reported escaped…
Or setting the alarm off in the officers’ quarters…
Or having to explain why the woman she prayed for fell to the floor…


Be Inspired
You’ll laugh, cry and shake your head at hilarious stories, tragic circumstances, discouragement, hope and ever present faith.

“You may have no razor wire around you, but you may feel more like a prisoner than me! Let me share my keys to freedom with you.”


Buy the Book: .99 eBook, $19.80 Print
 
Connect with Trish:
Twitter: @Trishjenkins  www.twitter.com/Trishjenkins


 
Pamela Carmichael
Financial Empowerment: Realign Your Finances to God’s Will
 
 
About the Book
Are you in a constant financial struggle and juggle where there never seems to be enough? Do you wonder if God is able to or even willing to provide for you? Are you constantly paying bills and covering debt payments without seeing much progress? Are you faithful in tithing and giving but yet you cannot see on outpoured blessing?

Then this book is here for you. Financial Empowerment discusses the problems we face in different areas of our finances and shows how to manage money in a God-pleasing manner. In a simple easy-to-read manner, it provides biblical and practical solutions to personal financial management.

Financial Empowerment is a fresh look at how you see your finances and how to deal with them effectively.

Get ready to be empowered as you honor God in managing your financial resources. As you give eternal value to your money, God will continually bless you.

Buy the Book .99 eBook; $18.99 paperback
 
About the Author
PAMELA CARMICHAEL is a financial services professional with over 10 years’ experience. In her Christian walk, the burning question to God has always been: Why do Christians struggle with finances? With a desire to see Christians grow in the area of personal financial management, she wrote Financial Empowerment: Realign Your Finances to God's Will. She hopes that you will grow and become financially empowered as you apply God's principles to your personal financial management strategies.

Pamela has a passion to see God's people move from struggle to success not only financially but in all areas of life. You can learn about Pamela by visiting her blog called "Live Out Loud! Success by God's Word" at http://www.pamelavcarmichael.com.
Connect with Pamela


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Book Review: Middle Grade Hawaiian Island Detective Club, book 3


Ukuleles Undercover (Hawaiian Island Detective Club, book 3)  Cheryl Martin



Middle Grade Readers
Comfort Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1938388286
Paperback, $8.99 

When threats and warnings intermingle with the melodic sounds of ukuleles at the local music school, Leilani and The Hawaiian Island Detective Club members set off to solve another case! Who could be behind the threats? Could it be Leilani's mean math teacher, Mr. Edwards, who also happens to be her mom's new boyfriend? Or, perhaps it's Chad Rivers, Mrs. Lee's former boyfriend. Can Leilani learn to balance the case with her own new-found love? Could there be a third culprit in their midst? One thing is for sure: when it comes to the Hawaiian Island Detective Club, some things aren't what they seem! 

My review:

What a delight to catch up with the Hawaiian Island Detective Club. They’ve had a busy summer, and now that Leilani’s cast is off her arm, she’s surfing again—with the cute new boy in the neighborhood who is in her grade at school.
This time pesky little brother Kimo is responsible for the new mystery, when he reports that someone is leaving nasty notes at his after-school music lessons. Leilani’s more of an outdoor girl, and the thought of playing a musical instrument, even if it was a joyful memory of her late father’s ukulele playing, makes her cringe. Worse than staying inside three times a week to be embarrassed at music is the fact that her math teacher, strict Mr. Edwards, might be romantically linked to her mom!
Join the charming group of eighth graders as they delve into their latest adventure to help Kimo’s music teacher, klutziness, hives, and dreamboat eyes included. Kids will love the humor and feel at home with these characters; grown-ups will remember all the angst and sweetness of being on the verge of teenaged.
 
Cheryl Martin is a graduate of the University of Oregon. After pursuing a successful Parks and Recreation career, Ms. Martin 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. A wife and mother of three grown children, memories of raising her spirited kids inspire many of her characters' quirks, relationships, and mishaps.

Cheryl Martin and the Hawaiian Island Detective Club--busy again!


About the Book, Ukuleles Undercover, book 3 of the Hawaiian Island Detective Club series:


 
Someone’s leaving threatening notes on music stands, in cases, on stacks of music and in the bathrooms. Kimo takes ukulele lessons and is very concerned about his teacher, Mrs. Lee, the kids and the music school, so he asks Leilani to join the class to investigate the mystery. She’s not happy since she’s a surfer girl, not a musician. Maile and Sam join her in class which makes the whole thing bearable.

Cheryl, what inspired you to write mysteries for kids and this series?

I was first inspired to write as a child, reading Nancy Drew. I knew at that young age that I would one day write a mystery!


Striving to do what God has placed in front of me motivates me to keep pressing forward. Sharing wholesome mysteries filled with fun, humor, mishaps and unexpected moments for kids to enjoy also motivates me to continue this amazing journey.


I have always loved Hawaii ever since I lived there while attending The University of Hawaii. I combined that with my interest in writing for ages 8-12 years and The Hawaiian Island Detective Club was born!


The three books in this series are entitled Pineapples in Peril, Menehunes Missing, and Ukuleles Undercover.


What do you do for fun and relaxation when you’re not writing?

I love to grow veggies, blueberries and raspberries on my deck. I also love to sing, and am part of my church’s drama team—challenging, yet rewarding. I sometimes work-out with my son and do push-ups with the Oregon Duck (the U of O mascot) whenever Oregon scores—and, yes, they’re men’s push-ups! I’m practicing for another great fall of football and push-ups!



Tell us a little about your family:

I have a great husband, three amazing kids and two adorable Persian cats, Nala and Thor.

My oldest son, Ian, has his own home and works for Nautilus. My daughter, Ashley, is married to a wonderful man, Dave. She works for Portland State University and he is a lawyer for a Portland, Oregon firm. They just made me a first-time “Tutu” with the birth of their son, Ewan. My youngest son, Shane, wants to be an artist for a Graphic Novel company. In between working at a movie theater, he’s busy working on projects—not unlike being an author!

 
Connect with Cheryl:

My blog all about Hawaii

You can also connect with me on my facebook author page 
If “tweeters” would like to comment on The Hawaiian Island Detective Club, they can add any of the following hashtags: #Detective #Hawaii #Hawaiian #Ukuleles #Undercover #Kids #Parents #Moms #Homeschool #HIDC