Favorite Book Friday

Saints at War: The Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq by Kenneth L. Alford, who compiled brief experiences shared by military members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know one of the people who contributed. I also discovered that my younger brother knew one of the others. Insightful, inspiring, and educational for me to see through their eyes. 

Musical Thursday

Zach Williams' "Fear is a Liar"

https://youtu.be/sQTnREEtuNk

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

Another week without finding a word I can't use. Woohoo! A bit about editing. I'm currently editing on page 216 of 283. A couple of pages before, I fought with a paragraph that need tightening and clarifying. I'd make a change and walk away. Come back and make another change. The walking away gives me time to let it set while I cleared my head. After a week, I finally felt like I could move on. I hit page 216 and faced the same problem: material that needed tightening and clarifying. After shifting, reworking, and still not feeling like I'm done, I hit the point where I want to take the whole thing and trash it. Yep, welcome to the world of an author. However, after all these years of work, I've also learned wisdom. I'm taking a short break, read a few chapters of a book I'm enjoying, chat with friends, and come back to editing in a few hours.

Chocolate Cake Day

Celebrate with a novella, Chocolate Cake for Two, the second novella in the Holiday USA series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Freed, after being wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Henry Weaver needs a fresh start. The "Help Wanted" sign in the cupcake shop window couldn't possibly be the answer to his prayer.

Holiday Sweets, a specialty cupcake shop, is Annie Sweet's heritage. Everything would be perfect if only she could find competent help. An ultimatum demands Annie make a painful decision.

Choosing God is rarely the easy way, and sometimes the way to Happily Ever After appears impossible...

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cake-Two-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HYLK0P8/ref=sr_1_1

Or

Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

 

Sunday Scripture

Ruth 1:5-6

And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.

Saturday Links

Grace For My Heart's post needs to be shared every day:
https://graceformyheart.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/god-loves-you/

Some writing humor shared by Jean Fischer:
https://jeanfischer.wordpress.com/2019/09/17/ten-of-the-best-cartoons-about-writing/

Hallee Bridgeman, over at Inspy Romance, shares a post on Being Humble in God's Eyes. She also has a contest that ends on the 28th, so I'm adding her as an extra link, this week.
https://www.inspyromance.com/being-humble-in-gods-eyes/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan allegorical. Using scripture, John writes the story of Christian's journey in Life to return Home to God. He was imprisoned for his faith. I am awed by how a man, who wrote a story in 1678, spoke hope into my heart.

Musical Thursday

Francesca Battistelli's "He Knows My Name"

https://youtu.be/haLkLDfLBok

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

No out of place words, at present, so I'll share a different tidbit. "A Promise of Possibilities" was originally planned as a stand-alone story. Elizabeth Thorn's brother, Matthew, came to life, and I liked him. I wondered about his story. Book two whispered in my ear. I decided a trilogy wouldn't be too bad. I could combine James and Benjamin's story into a third. Jame's story became complicated. I could add Benjamin's story as a bonus novella. Benjamin sideswiped me. He wasn't who I though he was at all. I didn't like him, until I learned his story. One story became four, and then my publisher at the time suggested a Christmas gift to readers for free, a short story. Stories are the mind's potato chip or chocolate (choose your favorite); you can't stop at just one.

Monday Quote

Sunday Scripture

Ruth 1:3-4

And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there for about ten years.

Saturday Links

With the re-release of my first book, Elizabeth Maddrey, over at Inspy Romance, hit home:
https://www.inspyromance.com/expectations-vs-reality/

Sunshiny SA Site shared a picture of Jacarandas in bloom. Gorgeous.
https://sunshinysasite.wordpress.com/2019/10/23/jacarandas-in-bloom/

Bonus post: Helen Mira Tanner shares the adventures of Oscar and Horace, and it's adorable:
https://moonbunnycreations.wordpress.com/2020/01/11/leaf-races/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Defined: Who God Says You Are by by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. This is the companion book to the movie "Overcomer." The book isn't the movie; it's a study guide, like The Battle Plan for Prayer. An inspiring read.

Musical Thursday

Casting Crowns' "Voice of Truth"

https://youtu.be/tcuiuIwtpa4

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

Realization, as in the "action of forming a clear concept," doesn't officially appear until 1828.

That is hail, late last year.

Monday Quote

In today's world, following Jesus is an act of defiance.

Be defiant.

~ Bill Taysom

Sunday Scripture

Ruth 1:2

And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Saturday Links

Vicki Hinze, over at Christians Read, shared a blog on graciousness, something I'm working to learn:
https://christiansread.wordpress.com/2019/10/07/when-you-win-and-lose-grace-by-vicki-hinze/

Bridget A. Thomas, over at Christians Read (yes, I visit their blog every day; it's an inspiring blog), shared valuable insights to life:
https://christiansread.wordpress.com/2019/10/10/an-open-door-leads-to-a-lesson/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

The Battle Plan for Prayer: From Basic Training to Targeted Strategies by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. This is the companion study guide for the movie War Room. I read this the first time in 2015. I learned so much about prayer. I gained a great deal more with this second reading. 

Musical Thursday

MercyMe's Even If (Testimony and Song) Live

https://youtu.be/WHosmHnOrb8

Wordless Wednesday

Blog Interview Announcement

Tomorrow, Wednesday, at 7am EST, my written interview will go "live" over at Hallee Bridgeman's blog. I'm so delighted to be a guest.

Anyone who has followed me for a while knows that Hallee is one of my favorite authors. She writes Christian romance. I buy all her books and many in paperback, if I'm able. I was privileged to meet her, and her husband, at a Readers Conference. They're delightful. Their love story is amazing.

http://www.halleebridgeman.com/

Yes, I have the link to the interview, but it doesn't go live until tomorrow.

Here's the link:
http://www.halleebridgeman.com/interview-with-laurel-hawkes-and-a-giveaway/

Monday Quote

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

~ Frederick Douglas

Scripture Study

Ruth 1:1

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Saturday Links

For cat lovers, Gayle Jorgenson, over at Fuzzy Fanatic, shared her adoption by a cat:
https://fuzzyfanaticblog.wordpress.com/2019/10/01/rags-to-riches-my-cat/

Bridget A. Thomas, over at Christians Read, shares an important reminder:
https://christiansread.wordpress.com/2019/10/03/my-refuge-and-my-fortress/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

You Are Redeemed by Bridget A. Thomas 30-Day Devotional, a step-by-step journey. Bridget offered the Redeemed Challenge on her blog, during the month of September. It was inspiring. I'm grateful I participated.

Musical Thursday

Casting Crowns' "One Awkward Moment"

https://youtu.be/n_IBVPFvNVQ

Happy New Year