CrossReads Book Blast with Paula Rose Michelson

No Other Choice: The Naomi Chronicles, Book One By Paula Rose Michelson

About the Book:

Naomi will be sent back! She left her family and all she held dear, traveled half way around the word while accompanying a blind, old grandmother because they promised to help her enter America and find her uncle. Instead they handed her over to immigration. What she does now, she does because there is no other choice! This is Naomi’s journey from adolescence to womanhood, from frightened isolation and captivity to the noble status of heiress. Trapped in a life where all who know her think her a saint, saddled with a mission and responsibility many would shirk from placed upon her shoulders, Naomi agrees to marry because that seems to be the easiest way to sidestep more issues. As timely as the immigration debate of today is, author, William Struse’s endorsement says, “Duty, sacrifice, and faith are carried in the arms of love by a courageous young woman, who rises above her own flaws to help others.”

LINK to KINDLE

Paula Rose Michelson As a Messianic Jew, Paula Rose Michelson wanted to write about life, love, choices, and forgiveness. She researched what befell the Jews baptized into the Catholic faith to survive the Inquisition, and when she began to write The Naomi Chronicles, Naomi told her the story you are about to read. Because of her extensive background in recovery as a Chemical Dependency - Lifestyle Disorder Councilor, her work with The Rubicon Center, and as the founded LAMB Ministries in 1988, where she continues to mentor women suffering from trauma and abuse the way God mentored her, the author knows that though her heroine’s story is unique, Naomi’s issues of fear and hiding are universal, for they are seen in anyone who is masking their real pain. Paula Rose Michelson is the wife of Lutheran Pastor and Chosen People Field Missionary, Ron Michelson. The mother of two married daughters, and grandmother of seven grandchildren, when not involved in ministry, writing, speaking, or teaching the effective use of scripture, you will find Paula researching her next book or meeting with friends.  

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Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Paula Rose Michelson! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Album Remnant by Cherie Norquay

While I did a few CD reviews for the a now defunct site, I haven't done any recently. I was surprised and pleased to be asked to review this debut album for Cherie Norquay from my home state of Wisconsin. It was produced by Phil Naish, and after listening to the sample on her site, how could I not?

Remnant
Cherie Norquay

Review of album Remnant by Cherie Norquay

10 tunes

CreativeSoul Records

2014

Produced by Phil Naish

www.cherienorquay.com

To purchase from the website, click here

Each track is available for .99

the MP3 is $5.99

the CD is $8.95

Amazon prices are slightly higher - click here.

Three of the tunes, Norquay says, were inspired by the hymns of the venerable Fanny Crosby. I found Norquay’s voice beautiful and clear, the music complementary and not overwhelming - a very good background foundation of guitars and piano. A mixture of worship and confession, these ten tunes all had something special to offer listeners of inspirational music. Drawing on scripture as well as familiar hymns, the music winds from sure to become popular praise band music in "Heaven to Me," to simple worshipful repetition, "You Are Holy"---what else is there?

This album will become a staple in my play list.

1 – Heaven to Me

Joyful tune, bouncy and full

Light steel guitar riff

Heavy on the r’s of the lyrics, cross over Jordan to Canaan’s fair land

2 – Your Love

Jesus loves me take – Love is Everlasting

Nothing could ever separate me from your love

Take on the children’s song that goes on from the verses

Good drums

3 – Redeemed

Chiming, tinkling piano

Redeemed – how I love to proclaim...so happy in Jesus

Very clear tones

"Your child I am" –speaking to the Lord in heartfelt, thankful

Will make listeners long to claim the same promise, “Your love is my song.”

4 – Whispering Hope

Such is the voice of an angel

Moody tone, plaintive, pleading – whispering hope

Wait, Speak to me, strengthen my heart, never depart

Undertone music of mechanical organ weaves among the lyrics, breathe on me

5 – Tell Me Jesus

Blend of guitars and drums, opening

Another pleading...dark and moody

Please tell me how to win the battle—cleanse my sin—how much more till I vow

Electric guitar underscore

6 – You Carry Me

Carry me through – I need you every breath I take

All I need is you

Almost a realization and repetition of understanding and thanksgiving

Mix of drums and guitars hold the platform for the repetition of phrasing

7 – The Remnant of My Heart – inspired by the book of Ezekiel

The Remnant of my heart – the title song – no matter what I’m doing, “From the tops of the mountain, under every tree”

Piano backs the lyrics, subtle drumbeat and guitar strengthens deeper into the song

I know someday I will be with you – I remember you

  

8 – Save Me

Piano, a prayer, a worship song directly to the savior,

A confession – for my sins you have died

Acceptance, plea—oh, save me, receive me, redeem me

Clear piano and background percussion measuring the beats of the words in a simple daily prayer

  

9 – You Are Holy

Chimes, humming, ohhh, a prayer of worship from the heart and soul and mind

Clear piano and gentle guitar riff – Hymn – You are Holy, Holy, Lord –

simple repetition, as what else is there?

10 – Trust In Me

Ending on a peppy note, with popping drums and guitar echoing the short spurts of the repetitive chorus lyrics - "ever, oh, trust in me, trust in me."

Norquay and her husband live in Wisconsin, have several children and a grandchild. She has been involved in church music her entire life, she says. It was a mission trip in 2009 that inspired her to turn in a new direction and she began writing the music of her heart. “God is the same...yesterday...today...and forever. His Word never changes. The truths spoken of in the music long ago is still relevant today. I desire to help people fall in love with hymns all over again...in a new ways,” she says.

Sisterhood of World Bloggers

Thanks to Gail Pallotta for nominating me for this award.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the one who nominated you.
2. Put up the award.
3. Answer the questions you have been sent.
4. Make up ten new questions for nominees to answer.

Here are my questions and answers.

1. What was something that brought you lots of joy this year?

My two new grandchildren!

2. What is your hope for 2015?

To continue to grow my craft, and to earn at least 10% more than last year.

3. What is your favorite leisure time activity?

Walking.

4. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Have you ever written a blog about that place or set a book there?  

I would love to travel to Scotland and Wales and England, and no I've never done blogs or books there. I'm working on a book that's partially set in Germany.

5. Who has had the biggest influence on you? 

Lorilyn Roberts, owner and founder of the John 316 Marketing Network.

6. Have you learned something new this year about life, people, or writing?

I've learned to enjoy the way authors want to learn to grow themselves through the writers I've been blessed to edit for and mentor.

7. Do you have a favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? 

I love to read sci/fi fantasy, and no, I don't write in it. Some of the mystery would vanish, I'm afraid, if I tried to figure it out.

8. Please share a Bible verse or insightful quote with us. 

I still live on Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold firm to our faith, for He who promised is faithful. Still a challenge and a call with a reward.

9. What helps you shut out the busyness of the world when you write?

Focusing on the screen and moving into that realm.

10. Tell us about one of your blogs or books and what you just love about it.

I love to write for The Barn Door.net. It's a blog about midwesterners, written by a group of buddies who happen to be writers. We share what's unique and special about our communities and it's a lot of fun.

My nominees are Cherie Burbach, Cheryl Colwell, Tracy Krauss and Chris Eirschele

Here are their questions:

1. Where did you find joy this past year?
2. What is your hope for 2015?
3. What do you do for fun?
4. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Have you ever written a blog about that place or set a book there?
5. Who are some people you admire most and why?
6. Share three things you learned this past year.
7. Are you working on a writing project now? What’s it about?
8. Please share a Bible verse or insightful quote with us.
9. How you do balance your time?
10. Tell us about one of your blogs or books and what you just love about it.

God's blessings on all for 2015!

Book Review Under the Silk Hibiscus by Alice J Wisler

Under the Silk Hibiscus 

By Alice J Wisler

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

© November, 2014

ISBN: 978-1941103302

Ebook .99 currently at Kindle; $3.99 Nook

Pbook 9.95

Historical fiction

Buy on Amazon

From the publisher

During World War Two, Nathan and his family are sent to Heart Mountain, an internment camp in Wyoming for Japanese-Americans. Nathan’s one desire is to protect the family’s gold pocket watch, a family heirloom brought over from Japan. He fails; the watch is stolen. Struggling to make sense of his life in a bleak camp as the only responsible man of the household, Nathan discovers truths about his family, God, and the girl he loves.

My review:

Wondrous and warm coming of age story set during an America out of control.

Told in a style reminiscent of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Wisler’s latest novel is ultimately about trust, betrayal, and forgiveness. Teenaged Nathan Mori is the one the family counts on after the American-Japanese family is uprooted from their comfortable life in San Jose, California. Papa is removed to another refugee camp, Mama dies after giving birth, Aunt Kozuko does the best she can, younger brother Tom struggles with the after-effects of polio, and older brother Ken works out his frustration and anger through fights and girls and taboo camp items. With few other household goods to their name besides an heirloom Nathan is charged to protect, its loss forces Nathan to face his failure, to look at how prejudicial people of European descent have become and to recognize the loss of innocence.

What was the purpose of the internment camps, ultimately? To protect people of Japanese descent, or to keep potential US enemies contained? Once the war is over and the little family returns to San Jose, Nathan asks why weren’t others, like those of fascist Italian descent not subjected to the same treatment? Suspicion changes people’s nature, but Nathan must still be responsible for his family. With the help of the neighborhood church and a lot of faith, some truths learned, and an example of forgiveness, the Mori family battles its way back to dignity and self-sufficiency.

I was especially interested in this book because I had visited the Heart Mountain site when only a small simple monument had been erected. It gave me chills to be there; the only other place I feel such a displacement is at Little Bighorn.

Told in first person from Nathan’s viewpoint, readers grow up along with him, face his fear, confusion, resentment, and resilience; and come to grips with his belief in himself and his heritage along the journey to adulthood, love, and forgiveness. Those who enjoy recent American history and stories of multi-generational family heritage and strength will enjoy this story.

About the Author

Alice J. Wisler was born and raised in Japan as a missionary kid. She is the author of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, and five novels. Rain Song and How Sweet It Is were Christy finalists. Ever since the cancer death of her four-year-old son Daniel in 1997, she has found solace in writing from heartache and teaches Writing the Heartache workshops across the country.
She lives in Durham, NC with her husband and children where they have a wood carving business, Carved By Heart. Visit her website at http://www.alicewisler.com.

Redemption in Big Fork Lake

Redemption in Big Fork Lake

 Mary L. Ball

Inspirational Romance

$3.99 eBook/$13.99 print

ISBN: 9781940099897

"I love Mary's writing style. Characters are well-written and seem so very real to like."

                                                                                                             A Farage, Amazon Review

About the Book:

Can he be forgiven?

Only after Robert Turner hurts a woman does he realize how much of a hold alcohol has on his life.  

 For Robert, a chance meeting with an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor offers hope. A new devotion to the Lord and a relationship with Belle McBride gives him expectations for a better future.

His life appears to be on the right track, until he comes full circle with his past and faces the one mistake that haunts him daily. Can forgiveness-free Robert? Or will heartache drive him to return to the life he once had?

Purchase links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

All Romance Books

Book Review: Once in a While by Linda Ellen

Once In a While 

The Cherished Memories Series book 1

Linda Ellen

Paperback: 482 pages

November 2, 2014

ISBN-13: 978-0990904403

Ebook 2.99

Paperback 14.99

Fiction, Memoir, Historical Romance

From the Author:

Victor Matthews is a down on his luck young man, frustrated with his life and his inability to find gainful employment. 

Louise Hoskins is a young woman content in her life with her family and friends. Her biggest concern is her upcoming lead part in a play. 

One rainy night, they meet...and both are forever changed. 

Neither could foresee that the world as they know it is on the precipice of experiencing the now famous ’37 Flood, and that daily life is about to be transformed into a bone chilling waterlogged state of affairs. But as that harrowing experience fades and their lives return to normal, the two young lovers embark on an unforgettable courtship - that is, until a terrible argument and a tragic misunderstanding tear them apart. How will they survive the separation? And why does one special song have the power to instantly transport the sweethearts back into the realm of cherished memories?

My review:

Set against the turmoil of the Great Depression and the CCC, hard luck Vic Matthews meets the girl of his dreams...only she's holding a secret that blows everything sky high. If it's not the weird weather and flood of the century interfering...it's major miscommunication and self-sacrifice for the family that keeps these lovers apart. But it's a sweet reunion that actually leads to more family revelation and more surprises.

Second chances and a lot of love make this intriguing and touching family story of a contemporary grandma's reminiscing over her past life and love after a move come to life. The author's recreation and fictionalization of her parent's drama brings reality to the story almost like an autobiography. For those who love Americana, Vic and Louise's choices, opportunities, hardships and triumphs set in Louisville, will be a delight. Well documented historically with unforgettable characters and dialog true to the era. Filled with food, movies, and music of the period. I have to knock off some points due to some need for editing, but otherwise, I recommend the book to those who enjoy reading about this period in history...along with some adventure and romance.

About the Author:

Linda Ellen is an historical romance writer who's making her debut with Depression Era romance, rich with history, love, heartache, and real life.

Linda was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where she resides with her husband and youngest son.

Book Review: Colors of Feelings LaToya Watson Children's Picture book

Colors of Feelings

LaToya Watson

Children’s picture book

Publish America

ISBN 9781630844202

$5.99 ebook; paperback and hardcover editions available

c. January 2014

Buy on Amazon

Colors of Feelings is a great book about children who experience different feelings for each color of the rainbow.

My review:

Darling large format picture book with a four-stanza poem on the first pages and a longer one at the end. Features red (the color of my heart), orange, yellow (the golden sun), green, blue, pink, the color of a plum tree. Word choices are above most young readers, however the colors and simple illustrations format will draw your infant or toddler’s eyes and delight them; the rhythmic words create a pleasant sound, and the shortness will allow most readers to get through the story with a squirmy kid.