Book Giveaway & Guest Blogger, Caryl McAdoo

It's Wednesday's book giveaway - make sure to read to the bottom to see who won from last week.

We have a fabulous guest back with us - Caryl McAdoo. Welcome Caryl.

Caryl McAdoo currently writes three series: the historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; and The Generations, her Biblical fiction offerings. The novelist loves singing new songs the Lord gives her, and she paints.

In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-five years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fourteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God
glory, she hopes each one will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

Where to find Caryl and her books:
All Books - http://tinyurl.com/CarylsAmazonPage
One and Done http://www.amazon.com/One-Done-River-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B0119YGNSS
Website - http://www.CarylMcAdoo.com (All First Chapters are offered here)
Newsletter - http://carylmcadoo.com/sign-up-to-the-caryler/
(Get FREE books for subscribing!)
Reviewer? - http://carylmcadoo.com/christian-evaluaters/ (Join Caryl’s Street Team!)
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/CarylMcAdoo.author
Blog - http://www.CarylMcAdoo.blogspot.com
GoodReads - http://tinyurl.com/GoodReadsCaryl
Google+ - http://tinyurl.com/CarylsGooglePlus
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/CarylMcAdoo
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/CarylMcAdoo


Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6

This is one of my favorite scriptures, and I committed it to memory many years ago. What a
blessing too have God's divine direction! But like most of His promises this one comes with conditions. When the future doesn't seem certain, and life is falling apart on so many levels, human nature is too try and figure it out.

What’s going wrong, why, and how can it be fixed?

Or perhaps it’s something fervently wanted, desired wholeheartedly. Something prayed for in faith with groanings, and yet it hasn't - or didn't - come to fruition. What do do next? Which way is right? Which direction?

Three actions are required. (1) Trust in God (2) Don’t try to figure it out and (3) Acknowledge Him in everything. If obedient in these areas, He will guide, show which way to go and how to change things for the better. His Word says so, and His Word is True, so that settles it. Pure and simple. No matter what else happens, that never changes.

In the boom and bust ’80s, I founded an asphalt company—I know, a strange sort of business for a lady to start, but I'd been working for asphalt contractors selling repairs and new construction jobs. Bosses kept doing me wrong though, stealing my earned commissions, firing me because I'd brought in too many contracts and booked them to far ahead. So we prayed, and I formed my own company with my husband's blessing.

My third year in business, I grossed a million two. Things couldn’t have been better as I sailed busily through those boom days. Then the bust showed its ugly face, and what could possibly goo wrong, did. Back then, my husband and I prayed every morning at our church from 6 until 7, had for a couple of years, only missing a handful of days.

I truly had no problem trusting in God by that time in my life (mid-thirties). He’d proven Himself over and over, and I had no doubts that He’d see me through—of course, thinking He'd save the company. Leaning to my own understanding was a different story and proved much tougher. I do think I acknowledged Him in all my ways though; since the '70s. I've loved giving Him praise and glory. But I needed to know which way to go, what to do to save the company, and I needed to know fast - I thought.

Though bathed in prayer, God eventually gave me peace in closing the doors. We didn’t go bankrupt, though we did lose some property, equipment, and vehicles to foreclosure and repossession. A humbling experience. And I say we because my husband had quit his job after the rapid growth when it became evident I couldn't handle everything on my own.

Closing the doors meant we were both unemployed with four children from seventeen to four years old.

Then the IRS audited us—of course! The man came to our house every day for a week since we no longer had an office. And I called my poor ex-boookkeeper and accountant several times each day since I'm a salesman and knew little about that aspect. The auditor said he had good news and bad. No shred of fraud, but we owed over forty thousand dollars!

Ha! You cannot get blood out of a muppet! We would’ve still been in business if we had that kind of money! The next months proved to be some of the best in our lives in so much as spiritual growth. God sent cash every day, His faithful provision. He spoke to us more as we drew ever closer in obedience.

Driving a taxi, my Ron read a lot and found a book called Noah. He declared it no good and claimed if that woman could get published, so could he. Instead of reading while waiting for a fare, he went to writing. I got involved. God led us to the DFW Writers' Workshop, and here I am thirty years later with twenty titles published and four more coming this year.

I love writing Christian novels and pray my story gives God glory! He always has a plan, a good plan, one of peace, not evil, and to give me an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11 ) Another of my favorite scriptures! Truth be known, I love them all! 

My twentieth title launched this month ONE and DONE, the third contemporary Red River Romance.

ONE AND DONE

ONE AND DONE is an unlikely love story born of prophesy, nurtured in full view of the probing public eye, and seemingly doomed at its inception due to the condition of Samanthas Danielle's soul. The pitcher follows Christ through, but can his faith that she is God's woman for him carry them through to their happily ever after?

In this love story - sure to be enjoyed by  men as well as women - with its Texas Ranger baseball backdrop and strong pitcher/batter hero, Samantha Danielle, cutest weather girl on Dallas TV, only dreams of sports reporting. Then her station sends her to scoop an interview with a pitcher Rangers' management is hot after. George Herman Walter Johnson is undeniably a phenomenon on the mound, playing for a Mexican team. His charm and debonair owls her over, but turns out, he's such a goody two-shoes she can't even get him to first base.

Conflict flies as the wealthy ex-poker player, oldest Ranger rookie ever lays everything on the line in his quest to win her heart. She remains wary of his resistance. Will her bunt snag the man of her dreams ... or his home run drive her home?

Reviews

Faster than a major league outfielder pulling down a popup fly ball, Caryl McAdoo's romance is guaranteed to snag baseball lovers and romance readers alike. This Christian story is written with wit, verve and Caryl McAdoo’s usual flare for dialect and spicy dialogue. Be warned. Those readers searching for a saccharine, man-meets-woman story will soon discover this is no sanitized
romantic fairy tale.

From the beginning, the reader will identify with real people who live clearly in the mind, so much so clearly, that a person can almost smell locker room sweat or the mouthwatering scent of spicy Mexican food. Identification with the hero and heroine is nearly immediate. With so much to rave about, this review cannot begin to cover all the delightful surprises, so the reader simply must buy “One and Done” to see for themselves.

--Cassandra Wessel, a multi-published author of devotionals


Thank you for sharing your story, Caryl. What an encouragement to trust in the Lord.

Caryl is giving away one copy of her new boook. Just leave a comment with your email address and you will be included in the drawing.

And we have a winner from last week.The winner of Where Treasure Hides is Marie. Congratulations! 

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Book Giveaway & Guest Blogger Johnnie Alexander

Welcome to Wednesday's book giveaway! And I'm  thrilled to have Johnnie Alexander as my guest blogger. She has a beautiful message to share.

Johnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011) and Golden Leaf Award (2014). The first of her three contemporary romances, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), releases from Revell in January 2016.

She also has won Best Novel and Best Writer awards (Florida Christian Writers Conferences), and Bronze Medalist (My Book Therapy Frasier Contest).

A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas.

Where to find Johnnie online:

Blog  

Facebook Profile (Friend or Follow!)

Facebook Author Page    

Twitter

GoodReads

Amazon Author Page

RSS Feed

A Gentle Whisper

When my father passed away, we held a memorial service to celebrate his life. A funeral without a casket.

You see, Dad’s last request was that his body be donated to research.

About eighteen months later, the immediate family gathered around a cemetery plot to bury his ashes.

Mom had asked me, as the oldest, to say a few words.

In the weeks leading up to our private service, I agonized over what to say about the dearly loved father who’d lived a simple, unassuming life. A man who worked long hours, often six days a week or more, but was never too tired to play a game or go hiking. A man who didn't earn oodles of money but gave his family the precious gift of fond childhood memories.

This was almost twenty years ago. I vaguely remember sitting at my computer, playing with words, trying to make them fit the right way, the most honorable way, and praying for guidance.

Later, while I was writing a note to one of my brothers, God reminded me of the prophet Elijah.

I found my answer in II Kings 19.

Elijah didn’t see God in a fierce wind or in a powerful earthquake or in a blazing fire.

Elijah found God in a gentle whisper.

This was the kind of life my dad had lived.

He didn’t change the world. He wasn’t a VIP (except in our eyes) or a superstar. He didn’t blow people away with brilliant discoveries or rock the world with amazing insights or set the world on fire.

Here’s what he was: a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful friend, someone who didn’t know a stranger.

A man who was generous with his time and his talents.

A dad who could fix just about anything. A dad who sang. A dad who teased. A dad who laughed.

At the family memorial to bury Dad’s ashes, I talked about God’s gentle whisper and about Dad’s quiet ways. Then I gave each of his grandchildren a stone imprinted with a word that fit their grandfather’s legacy to them.

These words: faith, courage, humor, imagine, celebrate, peace, and play.

I placed the final stone in my mother’s hand.

Written on it is the secret of my parents’ blessed marriage, the guiding principle for raising their children, and their precious gift to their grandchildren.

This stone simply says love.


'What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this Johnnie. I wish I'd known your father. He sounds a bit like mine.'

Johnnie's New Book

Artist Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery, determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the Netherlands to America and back again. She's certain that true love will only lead to tragedy--that is, util a chance meeting at Waterloo station brings Ian Devlin into her life.

Drawn to the bold and compassionate British Army captain, Alison begins to question her fear of love as World War II breaks out, separating the two and drawing each into their own battles.

While Ian fights for freedom on the battlefield, Alison works with the Dutch Underground to find a safe haven for Jewish children and priceless pieces of art alike. But safety is a luxury war does not allow.

As time, war, and human will struggle to keep them apart, will Alison and Ian have the faith to fight for their love, or is it their fate to be separated forever?

Chapter One:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3f5X1OTj89OZFU0MllxcFFaSkU/edit?pli=1

Where to find this book online:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book Distributors

Target

Walmart


You can have a chance to win a FREE copy of Where Treasure Hides. All you need to do is leave a comment and make sure to include your email address so Johnnie can contact you.

We have a book to giveaway from last week. Renee Blare is giving away a copy of her book, To Soar On Eagles Wings. And this week's winner is Lyla Swafford! Congratulations!

See you all again, soon.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Book Giveaway & Guest Blogger Renee Blare

Wow! Life has been busy here on my mountaintop in Southern Oregon, but I'm glad to be here today to welcome my guest Renee Blare. You are going to love her and her new boook!

Raised in Louisiana and Wyoming, Renee started writing poetry in junior high school and that, as they say, was that. After having her son, a desire to attend pharmacy school sent her small family to the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and she's been counting pills ever since.

While writing is her first love, (After the Lord and husband) she also likes to fish and hunt as well as pick away on her classical guitar.

Nestled against the Black Hills with her husband, crazy old dog and ornery cat, she serves the community of northeastern Wyoming as a pharmacist and pens her Christian stories, keeping them interesting with action and
intrigue. She loves to interact with readers and invites you to check out her website, blog, and social media.

Website: http://www.reneeblare.com/
Group Blog: http://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/


Life is good. 

I was sitting around my house one day and got a notion. “Why don’t we get a fish tank?”

A trip to the local pet store revealed an interesting revelation: there are a multitude of choices that surround one categorical fact. It’s more work than I thought.

Undaunted, I loaded my car with a ton of paraphernalia and headed home. A few hours and shredded boxes later, the tank was up! Then came the rocks, the plants, and filter. A few drops here, a few drops there, and the water sparkled.

After several days and numerous trips back to the store, the tank came alive. Guppies, mollies, and neons…vibrant colors splashed across a field of blue. A mass of tropical life swarmed to the surface with a sprinkle of food.

It was perfect.

And then I thought was it may be like from the other side of the glass. I stopped and watched the little fishes swim around their home. What did the marbled molly think of her new home?

Life is so good. I have a place to live, food, a big guy to clean the place. It can’t get any better than this. Hey, the master put a new air stone in yesterday, so the water tastes really fresh today.

But I wonder when he’s going to change the filter. There’s algae everywhere. Poor Windex can’t keep up. Plus that food’s a little stale. I wish he’d buy some new stuff soon. Not to mention the man’s a little stingy with it. I mean, look how many fish are in this place.

And those guppies are such a pain…darting here and there all the time. As if the current doesn’t disturb the water enough. Oh well, I guess I’ll stay out of the way. It’s for the best anyway.

Do I do this? Does it sound familiar to you? How many times do I have everything I need, but still am not happy? I have air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and a roof over my head, but for some reason, it’s not enough. I want more.

Often, I act like that fish. I live in comfort, but complain about everything and everyone around me. Or vice versa, I hide…and avoid the chaos of life.

Are you in the tank? Gobbling up all you are given, only to whine about it later. Or do you drift in the shadows and escape the world?

Either way, before the next casual comment, whether complement or complaint, leaves your lips, stop and look around. Dry your gills, and thank the Lord…for everything, even the stale food. J

Remember, God and His gift of life is good…no matter which tank you’re in.

Act 26:16 (NKJV) “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.”

Thank you, Renee, for this glimpse from the other side of the

glass. 

Renee's new book.

To Soar on Eagles Wings.

Spring’s in the air. While the sun shines in Timber Springs, snow falls on
the Snowy Range, and trouble’s brewing in the meadows. The area’s new
game warden, Steve Mitchell launches his first wildlife investigation of the
season but the trouble follows him—straight to town.

Rachel Fitzgerald’s on Spring Break. Or at least she’s trying. Between
paperwork, and harassing phone calls, she may as well have stayed in her
classroom. So much for relaxation. A ‘chance’ meeting with her brother’s
old roommate offers her weary soul a shred of hope, but she discovers
love, like life, isn’t easy.

He talks with the wisdom of the Lord but rejects the future. She wants to
soar with the eagles but walks alone. And trusting God proves to be more
of a challenge than ever before...


This sounds super. Can't wait to get a copy. 

Readers, please leave a comment with your email address and your name will be added to a drawing for a FREE copy!

We have a winner from last week's drawing. Karen Barnett congratulations! You have won a copy of The Journey of Eleven Moons. Please send your mailing address to bonnie.leon52@gmail.com.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Book Giveaway & Deep Roots

It's Wednesday, but I'm posting a day late. I've been working hard on a new book and just didn't get my blog done. I know you'll forgive me, because that's the kind of people you are.

My thoughts today are about change. Once again, it's come knocking at my door. And, again, I don't like it. I never have liked change, and as I've gotten older it's become more difficult to "go with the flow".  

Like death and taxes, change is a certainty in life. No matter how tightly we hang onto the familiar it will eventually slip out of our grip. And whether we want to let go or not, we need to find a way to release our personal plans and accept a new direction.

For me, this is a big one. It' not going to be easy. I've already shed more tears than I have too spare. And though our tears are a way of releasing emotions it's time for me to let go and move on.

One thing I know is that I do not carry this heartache alone. God knows what I know and far more. He will sustain as he always has. And even now is telling me to rest in him, not to worry. He's got this.

My roots are deep. I am like a tree planted and tended by God.

It is a comfort to know he will never leave me nor forsake me. He will always be my friend, my comforter, my redeemer. Because of him I have no reason to fear. And he will wipe away every tear.

How do you feel abougt change? Love it? Hate it? How do you deal with it?

I'll be giving away a book, one of my favorites - The Journey of Eleven Moons. All you have to do for a chance to win a FREE copy is leave a comment.

 

A successful walrus hunt means Anna and her beloved Kinauquak will soon be joined in marriage. But before they can seal their promise to one another a tsunami wipes their village from the rugged shore - everyone except Anna and her little sister, Iya, who are left alone to face the Alaskan wilderness

A stranger a Civil War veteran with golden hair and blue eyes, wanders the untamed Aleutian Islands. He offers help but can Anna trust him or his God?

And if she doesn't, how will she and Iya survive?

We have a winner from last week's book giveaway. Congratulations to Jayne! Donna Robinson will be contacting you.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie