Polar Bear Plunge!

Polar Bear Plunge

by Linda Glaz

White Rose Publishing eBook, 12/5 2011

ISBN: 9781611161175
95 pp

About the Book:

Angry with God, she finds herself even angrier, when hero, Brice Taylor, author of The Human Shield, arrives in the Emergency Room with a concussion and hypothermia after participating in the Polar Bear Plunge. Aleni wants nothing to do with a man who willingly takes chances with his life.Brice doesn’t understand how God could bring him through being a captive in Iraq, when he failed his troops so miserably. Writing about his escape brings fame he would rather avoid. And by meeting widow, Aleni Callan, his feelings of failure only increase.Megan Callan with the help of her three-year-old grandson, Ty, scheme to bring Aleni and Brice together. And while the best laid plans often go awry, Megan isn’t one to accept no.

Linda says:

I love the idea of a returning war hero and a war widow finding each other.

Most importantly, my oldest daughter, Brandy, a nurse, herself, always wanted me to write a story about a nurse named Aleni. So, when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn't resist. I did learn one VERY important thing: women like their purist romances. I've tried all types of edgy and different takes on the genre, but have learned that when certain readers sit down, they expect specific things.

So, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

About Linda:

Linda served in the military during a time when it wasn’t a politically correct thing to do. Her years as a meteorologist during Vietnam were filled with travel, teaching, and pure enjoyment for being part of the Armed Forces. Winning awards, many of which were “firsts” for a woman in the Air Force, she experienced an array of unusual opportunities normally reserved for men. Breaking down barriers was a must in the seventies.

She taught karate and women’s self-defense off and on for thirty years, refereed soccer for twenty-five, fifteen of which she was one of eleven National Instructors for the largest youth soccer organization in the world.

Now, she works part time in a physical therapy clinic, which seems appropriate after all her soccer/karate injuries.

She spends relaxing time writing, directing, and singing in church musicals as well as directing community theatre.

As she enjoys reading other peoples’ novels and encouraging them in their writing, she works as an agent for Hartline Literary Agency.

Linda is married to a terrific guy and is the mother of three amazing children, three wonderful grandchildren, and a foster cat (who has found her way, in name, onto the pages of two books).

Who wouldn’t want to hear about an Ophelia?

After all, it was good enough for Shakespeare.

Linda Glaz, Agent
Hartline Literary Agency
http://lindaglaz.blogspot.com/
http://hartlineliteraryagency.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!

WHEN YOU HAVE TO WRITE AS SURELY AS YOU HAVE TO BREATHE, THEN, AND ONLY THEN ARE YOU A WRITER...

Thanksgiving Day in Early America

Thanksgiving in Early America by Elaine Marie Cooper When we sit down at our Thanksgiving meal this month, we’ll be recreating a celebration that is as old as our country: sharing food with loved ones while thanking the God Who has provided the abundance. While we understand that the First Thanksgiving was celebrated here by the Mayflower survivors along with the Indians that had helped them, the first official proclamation that was decreed to celebrate such a holiday was in 1777. It was a recommendation to the thirteen states by the Continental Congress to set aside December 18th that year as a “solemn thanksgiving” to celebrate the first major victory for the Continental troops in the American Revolution: the Battle of Saratoga. The Battle of Saratoga has significant interest for my own family since one of my ancestors was a soldier there. But he was not on the American side—he was a British Redcoat. After surrendering to the Americans, he escaped the line of prisoners and somehow made his way to Massachusetts and into the life and heart of my fourth great-grandmother. *SIGH* L’amour! This family story was the inspiration for my Deer Run Saga that begins in 1777 with The Road to Deer Run. There is an elaborate Thanksgiving meal scene in this novel as well as in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Some may wonder why such detail was afforded this holiday in my novels set in Massachusetts, while Christmas is barely mentioned. The reason is simple: Thanksgiving was the major holiday in the northern colonies, with Christmas considered nothing more special than a workday. According to Jack Larkin in his book, The Reshaping of Everyday Life, “The Puritan founders of New England and the Quaker settlers of Pennsylvania had deliberately abolished (holidays) as unscriptural.” But Thanksgiving was begun as a way to give thanks to God for His provision. It usually began with attending church services in the morning, followed by an elaborate feast in the afternoon. The food for this meal was prepared for weeks in advance. Since the individual state governors chose their own date to celebrate the holiday, it was theoretically possible for some family members—if they lived in close proximity—to celebrate multiple Thanksgiving meals with family and friends across state borders. The dates chosen could be anywhere from October to December, according to Dennis Picard, Director of the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Chicken was most commonly served, said Picard, as it was readily available in the barnyard. And the oldest woman in the home had the honor of slicing the fowl for dinner. Pies were made well in advance of the holiday and stored and became frozen in dresser drawers in unheated rooms. “I like the idea of pulling out a dresser drawer for, say, a clean pair of socks, and finding mince pies,” said Picard, tongue in cheek. Indeed! Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving! Author Bio

Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (www.thebarndoor.net) and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In Hindsight (ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com). She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse.

Greet Ten People for Peace

The 39th Annual World Hello Day November 21st, 2011 Greet Ten People for Peace

WORLD HELLO DAY P.O. BOX 15592 Beverly Hills, California 90209 U.S.A. View Letters Online

November 21, 2011 is the 39th annual World Hello Day. Anyone can participate in World Hello Day simply by greeting ten people. This demonstrates the importance of personal communication for preserving peace.

World Hello Day was begun in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the Fall of 1973. Since then, World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries.

People around the world use the occasion of World Hello Day as an opportunity to express their concern for world peace. Beginning with a simple greeting on World Hello Day, their activities send a message to leaders, encouraging them to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts.

As a global event World Hello Day joins local participation in a global expression of peace. The World Hello Day web site address is http://www.worldhelloday.org.

31 winners of the Nobel Peace Prize are among the people who have realized World Hello Day's value as an instrument for preserving peace and as an occasion that makes it possible for anyone in the world to contribute to the process of creating peace.

Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard University, work together to promote this annual global event.

USA Book AWARD WINNER! A media release that works

From Carolyn Howard-Johnson

I’m proud to have been the winner of a USA Book Award for my new edition of The Frugal Book Promoter this year and for my chapbook with Magdalena Ball to have been mentioned as a finalist. If you have a place to mention this or to pass to your audience the opportunities that USA Book News affords, that would be wonderful. If an article would be more appropriate—perhaps one on the marketing advantages of winning awards—that can be arranged, too.

   

                                    M E D I A   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release

Contact: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

E-mail: HoJoNews@aol.com

USA BOOK NEWS ANNOUNCES WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF THE USA “BEST BOOKS 2011” AWARDS Simon & Schuster, St. Martin’s Press, Random House, Penguin, Harper Collins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, John Wiley & Sons and hundreds of Independent Houses contribute to this year’s Outstanding Competition!

LOS ANGELES – USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced two of Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s books were among those that placed in THE USA “BEST BOOKS 2011” AWARDS on November 1, 2011. Awards were presented for titles published in 2010 and 2011. Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of USA Book News, said this year’s contest yielded an unprecedented number of entries. Winners and finalists traversed the publishing landscape: Simon & Schuster, St. Martin’s Press, Random House, Penguin, Harper Collins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, John Wiley & Sons and hundreds of independent houses contributed to this year’s outstanding competition. Keen adds, “Our success begins with the enthusiastic participation of authors and publishers and continues with our distinguished panel of industry judges who bring to the table their extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise.”Award highlights include the following: (Full results listing available on USABooknews.com) The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or partnering with your publisher (Second Edition) by Carolyn Howard-Johnson won best business book in the writing category. Blooming Red: Christmas Poetry for the Rational by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball was a finalist in the poetry category. Prodigal Father Pagan Son: Growing Up Inside the Dangerous World of the Pagans Motorcycle Club by Anthony Menginie and Kerrie Droban (St. Martin's Press) was honored in the “Autobiography/Memoirs” category Oprah: A Biography by Kitty Kelley (Crown Books/Random House) was awarded “Best Biography" Perfect One-Dish Dinners: All You Need for Easy Get-Togethers by Pam Anderson (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) placed number one in “Cookbooks” The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick (Water Brook/Random House) took home the “Best General Fiction” prize One reviewer said reading Howard-Johnson’s books is like picking the brains of a master marketer. It received plaudits from industry shakers like Marilyn Ross, founder of Small Publishers or North America and Tim Bete, director of Dayton University’s Erma Bombeck Writers’ Conference. The new one carries endorsements from the likes of Dan Poynter and Tony Eldridge. Howard-Johnson, an instructor for nearly a decade at UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program, chose to have the new edition published in both e-book format and paperback in order to give her struggling students and clients affordable and convenient choices. Whichever format a reader chooses, The Frugal Book Promoter assures an author’s book the best possible start in life. Full of nitty-gritty how-tos for getting nearly free publicity, the author shares her professional experience as well as practical tips gleaned from the successes of her own book campaigns. A former journalist and publicist (she wrote media releases for fashion designers like Christian Dior), she tells authors how to do what their publishers can’t or won’t and why authors can often do their own promotion better than a PR professional. Her poetry is published in dozens of literary and review journals worldwide. USABookNews.com is an online publication providing coverage for books from mainstream and independent publishers to the world online community. JPX Media Group, in Los Angeles, California, is the parent company of USABookNews.com. A complete list of the winners and finalists of The USA “Best Books 2011” Awards are available online at http://www.USABookNews.com. Learn more about Howard-Johnson at http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com and http://carolynhoward-johnson.com..

Creek Country Saga

A bloody massacre and a merciless reprisal.

Survival comes at a cost.

About the first book in the series, Wounded Spirits:

When a distant war among the Natives spills over into a nearby skirmish, Adela McGirth’s life takes a perilous turn. Deep in enemy territory she’s challenged to keep her mother alive, her sister sane, and her new-found love from growing. A loyal Creek warrior, Totka is forced to align with the extremist Red Stick faction whose goal is to eradicate the Whites from Creek soil. In the midst of battle, Totka is assigned to protect those he is expected to hate–and kill. Life was simpler before his enemy became a beautiful face with a quiet strength and dignity he cannot resist.

Read my review below. And the Good News following!

CURRENTLY ON SALE E-BOOK FOR $1.99; PRINT $6.58

About April:

April W Gardner resides in Georgia with her USAF husband and two sweet kiddos. She is the author of the historical romance series, the Creek Country Saga, as well as the children’s adventure series, the Channel Islands Resistance. She is the founder and senior editor of the fun literary website, Clash of the Titles. In her free time, April enjoys reading, organizing, and DIY. In no particular order, she dreams of owning a horse, visiting all the national parks, and speaking Italian.

Review Of Wounded Spirits:
April Gardner's debut novel Wounded Spirits is a heroic story about a little-documented era. In the early 1800s America was suffering. European and expanding white settlers and the native tribal people were at an impasse. Only the superior numbers and weapons of the whites, along with their dread diseases, forced the tribal peoples to give up their land and way of life. April tells the story of a Creek clan versus white settlers in what is now Georgia and Alabama.

Before you pick up this wonderfully-told debut novel, be warned that it is book one of a projected series and you will be left aching for more when you get to the last page.

Adela McGirth and her family farm near a small settlement that is at uneasy peace with a Creek tribe. In fact, Adela's father's first wife was a member of the tribe and he taught his second family to respect everyone. It's a respect that comes with a terrible price when an uprising of Creek warriors, the Red Sticks, battle the American settlers for their right to maintain their way of life and tribal territory. Adela's sister is killed and so, perhaps is her intended, a young soldier. Adela, a surviving sister, and their mother who is expecting a baby, are taken as slaves by one of the Creek, a man who had spent part of his childhood with the McGirths. Adela's father had been away while the skirmish took place and seeks revenge on his former friends when he presumes his family are all killed.

In the several months that Adela and her family live with the clan, strange things happen to sway her sympathies in directions she cannot understand, especially when a young Creek protector, Nokose, makes it clear he wants her as his wife. Adela's faith becomes a matter of survival and a means of coping with her sister's increasing hostility and grief and her mother's difficult and every-obvious mortal pregnancy.

Nothing is easy in Aprils' story. Life and loyalty mingle with death and revenge in blurry lines. I find myself replaying events and motivations, reliving the story long after I finished reading. A Reader's Discussion Guide is included. 

SO... The Great News is that WARRING SPIRITS IS soon to be yours too! Watch for the upcoming special release.

Intriguing new Bible Study! The Book of Ruth - A Story of Love and Redemption

John 3:16 MARKETING NETWORK BOOK LAUNCH Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Amazon EBook  The Book of Ruth-A Story of Love and Redemption by Deborah H. Bateman Check out this LIMITED TIME Offer When you purchase The Book of Ruth-A Story of Love and Redemption free bonus gifts will be available the day of the launch ONLY Link to see free egifts http://www.deborahhbateman.com    A Daily-Bible-Reading Study of The Book of Ruth By Deborah H. Bateman Published by Christian Daily Resources The Book of Ruth - A Story of Love and Redemption, is a Daily Bible Reading Devotional and love story from the Bible. Naomi and Ruth deal with unbelievable loss and one-of-a-kind romance. Through their many trials, they learn to lean on God and His sovereign will for their lives. Even though Ruth is a Moabite, she decides to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to her homeland of Judah, the Promised Land. The two ladies travel back to Judah with nothing and are not sure how they will survive, but they trust God to make a way for them. As you read The Book of Ruth, you will see the story unfold and see God's provision for these two ladies.Reading The Book of Ruth will help you recognize God's sovereignty and provision in your own life.

What Others Are Saying The story of Ruth as highlighted in this book opens a new revelation of God's hand at work. His grace is active in the life of those who choose to obey in humility and commitment. The prayer at the end of each lesson brings a challenge for all and ushers relevance to us today. -- Janet Perez Eckles, author, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God's Fiesta Deborah sheds light on the truths in this inspiring book in the Bible. I love that she showed the connection between Ruth and Boaz and Christ and the church. Even though I've studied Ruth before, Deborah pointed out several details that I hadn't known. It's amazing how God speaks through His children. Deborah has a loving, humble heart for the Lord. You can see her heart throughout the book. I am so happy for her first release. I look forward to more books from Deborah in the future. -- Amanda Beth, author, You Can Have a Happy Family I appreciated the attention to detail, the explanation of the Hebrew customs, and making the story relevant to my life so I could relate to Naomi and Ruth. Each chapter ends with a rendering of the passage in the King James Translation with a short, heart-felt prayer and study questions for further reflection. I also appreciated that the book is Biblically sound and concise and written in a style that is easy to understand. The Book of Ruth - a Story of Love and Redemption, would serve as a helpful study guide for women of all ages. -- Lorilyn Roberts, author, Children of Dreams, The Donkey and the King, How to Launch a Christian Best-Seller Book, and founder of the John 3:16 Marketing Network Author Deborah Bateman does a great job of explaining the role of the kinsman-redeemer in reclaiming the family of one who has died. She also explains the relationships that are key in the story: 1) Ruth who loves her mother-in-law so much that she leaves her own family and homeland to care for Naomi in Bethlehem; 2) Boaz who marries Ruth as the kinsman-redeemer; 3) God who honors the lineage of Boaz & Ruth by becoming the ancestors of King David and eventually the Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Ruth by Bateman is a tender and valuable study for a week of looking into your own family relationships as well as your relationship with God. -- Diane Tatum, author, Gold Earrings The author of this handy, easy-to-read volume, Deborah Bateman, has captured the essence of this love in her first publication, The Book of Ruth-A Story of Love and Redemption. Bateman begins each chapter with a simple expository, followed by the Scripture verses to which it refers. Writing it thus makes it easy for the reader to remain in the book and not have to move from book to Bible. This format also makes it easy to follow the Biblical record and use it as a daily Bible reading. The prayer and thought for the day, which concludes the chapter, enabled me to reinforce what I had just read. -- Yvonne Pat Wright, author, From Spice to Eternity The Book of Ruth-A Story of Redemption by Deborah Bateman is a daily Bible reading study of the book of Ruth. It is broken up into eight chapters beginning with the loss of Naomi's husband and sons. Deborah relates the story of Ruth in modern language and the reader is invited to travel with Naomi and Ruth on their journey to Bethlehem. --Theresa Franklin, author, Triumph Through Trial, Don't Forget Daddy, Journey to Fulfillment, From Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones, and A Sunny Tomorrow This Bible study of the Book of Ruth is more of a reading guide, breaking the book into bite-size pieces for adults "on the fly" who have time to read a bit but not do an in-depth study. It is simply written, easy to read and follow. --Carol Brown, author, The Mystery of Spiritual Sensitivity      About the Author The Author, Deborah H. Bateman, loves studying the Bible and is dedicated to Sharing God's Word. She is the Founder of Christian Daily Resources, a Christian Online Ministry. Deborah has a Daily Bible Reading Blog where she does a Daily Bible Study. This is where The Book of Ruth was started. Deborah has learned to trust God through the many trials of her life. She can relate to Naomi and Ruth's dependence on God to see them through their life's experiences. What Are the Benefits of Reading The Book of Ruth A Story of Love and Redemption You will be studying The Book of Ruth from the Bible. You will enjoy a beautiful love story. You will be reminded of God's provision in our lives. You will see God's ultimate plan of salvation come into being. You will see how God leads, guides and directs in our lives. You will be encouraged in your walk with God. You will see God's grace at work. Your faith will increase from reading this book. You will see God's hand of provision throughout this story. You will get a clearer picture of God's sovereignty. You will see how God brings different people into our lives. You will learn about what a kinsman-redeemer is. You will see God's blessings in Ruth's life. You will be encouraged by reading The Book of Ruth. You will learn how God provided for the salvation of humankind through the genealogy of Ruth.   Again, for a sneak peek at all the free e-gifts you will receive if you purchase The Book of Ruth-A Story of Love and Redemption from Amazon.com on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, go to http://deborahhbateman.com/

Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home, a new anthology

Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home, an interview with April Gardner and Elaine Marie Cooper, two of the contributors to this anthology.

Saying good bye to a loved one leaving for war is a gut-wrenching proposition. But for those left behind, their deployment marks the beginning of our battle. And yet, it is possible to find God’s peace in the midst of fear and conquer the terror that lurks in the darkness of doubt. In Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home, parents, spouses and siblings recount their personal journey as God goes before His people during times of spiritual, physical and military warfare. Learn the secret to living a peace-filled life when a loved one leaves for battle. Fight fear; win the war at home.

1. Tell us how you got involved in this project and what you hope will result.

April: It was actually Elaine that alerted me to the project. I knew instantly that I needed to do my part, in this amazing book. Deployments are a regular part of my life. I've been there many times, and will be there again. Besides the Lord, it's been the support of understanding friends that's gotten me through. That's what this devotional is--friends reaching out to touch the lives of those who are lonely, fearful, and in need.

Elaine: I got involved in this project when I saw a posting on a blog that Edie Melson was looking for contributions to a devotional for families who had a loved one at war—any war. Edie wanted first person accounts that emphasized various aspects of dealing with the real-life difficulties of having a loved one on deployment and how, as Christians, our faith was able to sustain us. Since my own son had been deployed twice, I was able to draw on the personal angst of a Mom who knows her son is in danger, yet trusting that the God Who created him would be his shelter in war. What I hoped to impart was my own real life scenario: already dealing with the loss of my daughter to cancer, limited support of my family members, and struggling to maintain faith amidst my own battles on the home front. I hope that by sharing my own moments of both fear and faith, I can help others walking in my shoes.

2. Can you share a little summary of your contribution to the book?

April: When I heard about the project, my husband was in the middle of an eight month deployment in Baghdad. I knew instantly I needed to be a part of Fighting Fear, but it took months for the Lord to guide me in exactly what to write. It was over the holidays at a small town post office that God used an elderly woman and her generosity to sooth my ache. Needing to be a constant pillar of strength for my kids, I didn't know how scared and lonely I was until that kind stranger gave me permission to cry. God's strength and comfort comes in many forms and it's those forms this book addresses.

Elaine: I couldn’t believe the title of my son’s e-mail: “In the Sandbox.”

My breathing quickened as I clicked to open it. There were the words that made my heart lurch and my soul cry out. My son was actually in Iraq on the ground.

He’s supposed to be in the Persian Gulf on his aircraft carrier, I thought. Tears were pouring down my cheeks. Why is he there, on the ground?

My son Ben explained in his note that he had been flown into the country from “the boat” to help coordinate flying missions. It was an honor and spoke highly of his character and leadership ability.

But that’s my son, I cried out to God. This isn’t fair.

I remembered telling my children for years that life was not always fair. Never had it seemed more unfair than three years prior to Ben’s deployment, when my only daughter was taken from us, the victim of a brain tumor. Before she had been diagnosed with this devastating cancer, the horror of 9-11 had occurred, prompting Ben to join the Navy and defend our nation. So while my husband and I fought our daughter’s cancer battle at home, Ben was sent to Florida to train to go to war in the Middle East. In May of 2006 he left for Iraq.

 

3. What was it like to write about this experience?

April: It was tough! But good for me. Writing it freshened the experience and its encouragement. It reminded me of God's sovereignty and love.

Elaine: Writing about my experience was heartbreaking. Even now reading it, the tears begin to flow. I don't know that the passage of time ever removes the deep, painful times from a mother's heart. And knowing that in 2012 he could be deployed again only adds to the distress. Yet the God Who watched over my son in 2006 is still watching over him today—and tomorrow as well.

4. Have you connected with others and/or learned something in the process of this project?

April: I've been amazed at how eager and desperate people are for encouragement during deployments. Not only family members but friends, as well, who want to do something to help. Many have already told me they can't wait for the release so they can buy the book for someone in need.

Elaine: Other than April and Edie, I have not connected with any of the other contributors as yet. I want to read the whole compilation of stories before reaching out to the others on a more personal basis as we share our struggles as fellow fighters of fear.

5. Anything else? Thanks for the opportunity to share about this much needed book. The war in the Middle East is now the longest war in American history. Our troops are weary. Their families are falling apart. Fighting Fear couldn't have come at a better time.