GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!!!

In 6 days I will begin 10 weeks of giving away some of the most favored books I have read in my ten years of blogging. My 10th anniversary is January 1, 2017. The week of January 1st, I will giveaway a $10.00 gift certificate to Amazon.

Next Monday, October 24th I will feature Laura Feagan Frantz. One of my favorite historical romance authors. We'll giveaway a copy of The Frontiersman's Daughter.

Each week I will feature an author, one of their favored books that I have read over the last ten years, reviews and interviews. It will be a lot of fun looking back.

Here is a sneak peek.

About the book:

Lovely but tough as nails, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's former captivity with the Shawnee Indians, as well as the secret sins of her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. Though she faces the loss of a childhood love, a dangerous family feud, and the affection of a Shawnee warrior, Lael draws strength from the rugged land she calls home, and from Ma Horn, a distant relative who shows her the healing ways of herbs and roots found in the hills. But the arrival of an outlander doctor threatens her view of the world, God, and herself--and the power of grace and redemption.

This epic novel gives readers a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman. Laura Frantz's debut novel offers a feast for readers of historical fiction and romance lovers alike.


Program note:

Please remember that some books are going to be coming from the authors them self and that we will be entering the holiday season or in it. So, mail may take longer than usual.

Thanks!

 

Rachel Scott . . . Columbine H.S. Massacre

Seventeen years ago a high school in Columbine, Colorado became the high school shooting known simply as Columbine. Whenever you hear that you know exactly where you were and remember the images that flashed across our t.v. screens for days.
A young girl named Rachel Joy Scott was the first student killed. Here's where the story gets foggy. Rachel was known by the killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, they knew that Rachel was a believer in Christ. So, did Rachel say Yes, or is it just assumed that she did. I don't think she said Yes, I believe that Dylan and Eric knew she was a believer and therefore killed her for that. She had faith and it was clearly evident in her life.
A movie about Rachel is set to release in five days, on October 21st.  See the trailer below.



I remember watching the news stories and how Rachel's parents reacted to Misty Bernall's statement that her daughter, Cassie said YES! They were annoyed and quite angry that Misty would have the nerve to say and believe that Cassie said yes! There for awhile it seemed as though the Bernall's and Scott's debates were a constant staple on 20/20 and Dateline. I remember the Bernall's as gracious and kind; the Scott's on the other hand were angry, more at the Bernall's than the killers.
I read the book She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall. Each of my daughters read it, we planted a Columbine flower in our yard in remembrance of her. I am not wanting to take away from Rachel's faith or add to her family's pain. However, I believe there needs to be some honesty. Rachel wasn't the girl who said Yes, Cassie was and I feel as if the Scott's are wanting to believe that Rachel did say yes, instead of just being extremely proud of the fact that she was known for her faith.

Michael W. Smith wrote a song about Cassie Bernall. I highly doubt that a major song writer and  musician would write a song about Cassie if he didn't believe in the pit of his soul that she said yes!
Also, Michael W. Smith added bagpipes in the song not knowing that Cassie loved bagpipes. Think that was an accident? Nope! That was a God thing!

Here is the song.


Again, I am not wanting to take away from Rachel's faith or add to her family's pain. I just can't sit by and watch a movie release that is not full of truth, especially when it is based on God.

First Line Friday - Accelerant by Ronie Kendig

About the book:

He'll destroy the world. But first he has to save it.

The Nine Kingdoms bleed. Leaderless, ravaged, the land awaits deliverance from Poired Dyrth's devastating campaign. But what if one blight can only be cleansed by another?

The promised Fierian is known by many names. Judge. Destroyer. Scourge. And now one other: Haegan, Prince of Seultrie. Once a cripple, now a gifted Accelerant, Haegan can no longer run from the truth. But neither can he be reconciled to it. He knows only one thing for certain: as the only able-bodied heir to the Fire Throne, he must return to the Nine and fight for his people.

But there are insidious forces at work. When reality itself falls into question, Haegan struggles to know where to fight, who to trust. Caught between duty to his country and duty to the world, Haegan must see clearly enough to choose the right path to save his devastated world.


First Line: Somewhere over Zaethien.

Visit the blogs below to see more first lines and leave yours.

Rachel

Beth Erin

Sydney

Carrie

Experiencing God Through His Names by Sheryl Giesbrecht

{More about Experiencing God Through His Names}

Experiencing God Through His Names (Bold Vision Books, June 2016)
What’s in a name?
Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person’s character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God’s attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God’s character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?
Learn more and purchase a copy.

{More About Sheryl Giesbrecht}

Sheryl Giesbrecht has written three books, hundreds of articles, blogs, and columns. A nationally syndicated radio host, Sheryl is a sought after inspirational speaker who facilitates leadership training for thousands internationally.
Find out more about Sheryl at http://www.FromAshesToBeauty.com.







My Thoughts~

This is a 31 day devotional with easy to read devotions. This is perfect for those times when you just don't have tons of time to spend in the Bible, but you want to study something. With 31 days you can do the complete study in a month.
I've studied the names of God before and I again walked away with something new. I highly recommend this.

A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck

About the book:

It’s been five years since Avery Truitt and Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom fell in love. But he broke her heart with no explanation.

Fast forward to present day, and Colin is Brighton’s most eligible bachelor now that cousin Stephen has married. When Avery’s father dies of a heart attack, she puts her life on hold and returns home to St. Simons Island, Georgia, to help Mama with the family restaurant. But Mama misses Avery’s sister Susanna, who lives four thousand miles away in Brighton Kingdom—and is expecting her first child. So Mama insists she and Avery spend the Christmas season in Brighton.

Colin and Avery are going to see each other a lot while she’s visiting. But she can’t forget the way he hurt her, and he didn’t expect his feelings to still be so strong.

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.

A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and sits on the Executive Board of American Christian Fiction Writers..

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Urban Meyer.

An avid Diet Coke fan, she is caffeine free. Sometimes you just have to compromise.

She's never skied or jumped out of an airplane. She leaves such hijinks to Jason Bourne.

Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

www.rachelhauck.com


My Thoughts~

First, isn't the cover just gorgeous?! Covers really draw me into the book, and this one drew me in immediately! I told Rachel when I received the book for review that I hoped it put me in the Christmas spirit and it did!

Rachel is the Queen of weddings, whether she is writing about a wedding chapel, wedding shop, or the wedding itself it is beautiful, romantic, and meaningful.

The Brighton Kingdom, the Royal family, a baby on the way, a talk show, and the ringing of a bell are the background for this book. When the Pembroke Chapel Bell is rung during the Harvest Celebration the kingdom is a buzz as to who rang it and if there will be a wedding on Christmas day.

Rachel creates characters that deal with inner personal struggles just like all of us. We have a front row seat to Colin's struggle. Does he do what his heart is telling him, allow his father to dictate his life choices, or listen to his Heavenly Father?

This is not just a romance about a fairy tale wedding, it is a book about faith, trust, and love. Faith in the Father who created us. Trusting His will for us, and love.

I highly recommend this book! There is a link in my sidebar for you to pre-order it.

First Line Friday

About the book:
Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible. The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant’s fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there’s healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what’s needed to finally guide him home…

First line:
Decision making's a bear. 

Click on the links below and leave your first line.

Beth Erin

Sydney

Carrie

Rachel

Vagus Nerve Stimulator . . . VNS . . .1 Year

On October 4th last year (20015) I had the Vagus Nerve Stimulator put in my chest, image A. The device sends a small impulse through my vagus nerve into my brain stem in attempts to control my seizures. It took eleven months to get the device up to therapeutic level. Which is 2.75 miliamperes per every 1.7 minutes. I have no clue how all of that works, I just know that it is a huge answer to prayer for me.

Every three months for eleven months I saw my doctor, Robert T. Wechesler or the PA Jessica Bishop for adjustments. My device was adjusted slowly and if the pulse was too much for me to take I went in and had it turned down. The wand in image B is placed over the device in my chest and after receiving information from my device it is used to adjust the settings.

Ten days after having the device installed it is turned on. It doesn't happen the day of the surgery or even the day after. That was the most frustrating for me. I wanted it turned on that day. I now know that my vagus nerve would've been in a lot of pain immediately afterwards.

I have the newest model which has a heart sensor in it. At the time of surgery I had an EKG just before to get my resting heart rate. Why? It is believed that a patient's heart rate increases when they have a seizure. So, the device is set to a percentage above the resting heart rate to catch seizures. At one point the sensitivity was so sensitive that just standing up had the device going off and it hurt! That had to be adjusted several times. I was in the office three or four times in one week. It was a little crazy!

While the device has been on for a year I have not been seizure free from the moment it was turned on. Getting the device set to me took lots of trial and error. Now that I am at therapeutic dose for the VNS and my medication I have been seizure free for six weeks!
The VNS is not in replacement of medication, nor is it the be all end all. Most patients still require medication although the dosing may be less if they have the VNS.
At this point I am still taking two medicines along with the VNS. I don't know if my doctor will consider lowering my anti-seizure meds. I doubt it because I have been seizure free and I want to stay that way.
Please feel free to leave questions in the comment section. I'll do my best to answer them.

Thanks!
Shining a light!