Another Resolution

People make New Year's resolutions, but statistics show they aren't usually successful. Only about 8% of the resolutions made around January the first are kept. In fact, so many people have failed to keep them that only about 40% of Americans make them anymore.

But what if your resolution centered around your faith? What if you allowed the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you needed to work on during the coming year? And what if, instead of trying to live up to that resolution on your own, you relied on God's strength and power - you allowed Him to take control? 

I think we sometimes view setbacks as failures and see failures as permanent. Jesus didn't. Look at how he dealt with the people most others considered failures - tax collectors, beggars, prostitutes, etc. He not only ate with tax collectors, like Zacchaeus, but He called one to become His disciple (Levi who became Matthew). He told of Lazarus, the beggar, who sat at the rich man's gate and of others who won favor by their humble, kind spirit. And, look how He dealt with the woman at the well. He offered her living water if she would accept who He was. When the Pharisees were about to stone a woman caught in adultery, He saved her with a simple statement and then said He didn't condemn her but told her to go and sin no more.

I've talked with Christians who'd become so discouraged with their failures they were ready to give up. But when they asked for forgiveness, their sins are wiped away, and they had a new start. If you'll let Him, God can even use your failures for good. If you're willing to learn, you can become a better person each time. Resolve to surrender to God and live by His directions and His grace in this New Year!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

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 My Publishing for the Year

 For the first time in my five years of publishing, 2021 is all planned out. I have a five-book series that will cover most of the year, and I'll finish up with a Christmas book. Second-Choice Bride, the first novel in the Cactus Creek, New Mexico series, should be out around the end of December. It begins in Virginia in 1822, moves to St. Louis in a covered wagon, and then continues on to New Mexico along the Santa Fe Trail. Preston and Abby's story is a rough ride, both in the wagon and in their relationship.

Sterling Orphans should come out in late February, followed by Poor Relation in April, Returning Neighbor in June, and Southern Belles in August. The Sweetest Christmas, a holiday release set in Kentucky in 1882, will be ready toward the last of October. This is a rather tight schedule and may change - even some of the covers might change - but these are the plans right now. I'll post more about the storylines later. I'm excited about them all.

                                                                                                                                           

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 Arranging Christmas

Many events had to fall into place to bring us to the birth of our Savior. Fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, not only was Joseph of the house and lineage of David but most Bible scholars believe so was Mary. They attribute Matthew's genealogy to Joseph and Luke's to Mary, stating that during this time in history, a woman's name would not have been used but her husband's in such a list. So, a man and a woman, both of whom could trace their genealogical line to David, became betrothed.

And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus (Luke 1:30-31).

Then, both the man and the woman needed to accept this incredulous event. Mary had such a strong faith that she believed the angel's proclamation that she would have a child without knowing a man, and this child would be the long-awaited Messiah. She didn't try to shrug it off as a dream or a strange vision. Instead, she said, "Be it unto me according to thy word." She was willing to face whatever was needed and to make whatever sacrifices asked of her to follow the will of God.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

And Joseph had to accept all of this, too. By law, he could have had her stoned for being with child apart from him while they were betrothed. However, when he found out, he decided to send her away quietly. But the angel also appeared to him in a dream, and Joseph believed what the angel told him, kept Mary to be his wife, and did not know her until after Jesus was born.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,  into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child (Luke 2:1 & 3-5).

Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to Micah 5:2. Something needed to get Mary and Joseph the ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a great distance to be traveling in those days, especially for a pregnant woman. So, Caesar Augustus, the Roman ruler issued a decree that all in the Roman world must go to the city of their ancestors to be counted in a census and taxed. Therefore, being of the lineage of David, Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem.

Do you see how God orchestrated these events so that everything would fall into place for his Son's birth? I'm sure that, like me, you have seen things coming together in your own life to support God's plan for you. Don't we serve an amazing God? And one of the most amazing events in history happened in the Christmas story. The Savior of the world was born in a manger so that he could go to the cross, rise again, and provide a way for mankind to have a relationship with the Father and spend eternity in His presence. Praise God!

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From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea Audible

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PMPSXS1

After six months, From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea: Lessons from Elijah and Jonah is now available on Audible as well as on Kindle and in paperback. I am thrilled with this production. Not only did the whole recording process go quickly and smoothly (although ACX approval was delayed), but I am very pleased with the final product.

We can always learn much from God's prophets, and this is certainly true of Elijah and Jonah. At first glance, their stories are very different, but they also have some remarkable similarities. And, although some might think they know the stories well, this book may prove otherwise. One reviewer writes, "From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea is very well written. It is inspiring and faith enriching and thought-provoking."

I would like to introduce the narrator who produced this Audible. Ryan Parish grew up in Southern California but now lives in Central Pennsylvania where he pastors a church congregation. He has narrated and produced 15 Christian or clean audiobooks so far. He's passionate about sharing the life-giving truth of Jesus and teaching about His kingdom and sees audible books, like this one, as a way of doing that. I was impressed with his voice, how easy he was to work with, and his professionalism. I'm sure listeners will be impressed, too.

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 Have We Lost the Wonder?

Read Luke 2:8-18.

And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them (Luke 2:20).

Can you imagine how the shepherds felt that first Christmas? They must have been filled with amazement and awe and wonder. They believed what the angels told them. They didn't try to rationalize that it was only some vision or hallucination, and they rushed to find this special child, their Savior. After they had seen Him, they told others of the miracle, the wonder of it all. 

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds (Luke 2:18).

Read Acts 2:1-7.

After Pentecost, the early church was filled with wonder at all that had happened and the power of the Holy Spirit. The first congregations were committed to their faith. Through the years, the world and familiarity have chipped away at this. As A.W. Tozer writes in Paths to Power:

The greatest event in the history of the world was the coming of Jesus Christ into the world to live and die for mankind. The next greatest event was the going forth of the Church to embody the life of Christ and to spread the knowledge of His salvation throughout the earth.

Do we still recognize the Christmas story and the message of what Christ has done for us as the greatest event the world has ever known? Or have we let worldly pursuits and values make our faith lukewarm or biblical accounts too familiar to be appreciated. Have things of the world erased our awe and amazement? Have we lost the wonder of it all?

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Maneuvers Audible

For the first time among all my Audible books, I had Maneuvers in Audible production before I even got my print copies of the book. However, it has taken about 4 months for ACX to release it. Although their information says they will release a book within 20 business days of when the book is accepted, this is just not happening. The wait-period gets longer and longer all the time.

Regardless of these frustrations, however, I am very proud of the Audible book that's finally been released. I knew Maneuvers would be the most difficult to narrate of any I've written so far. Set during World War II, Paul and his family are from Pennsylvania, and Donna and her family live in North Carolina, requiring two very different accents. In addition, Paul's military friends were from all over, like New York and Tennessee.

For this production, I went to a new narrator. Brad Leaf is a television and film voice actor, as well as a screenwriter and audiobook narrator, who lives in California. He managed the demanding challenges of producing this book with ease. He has also produced my newest book, Buy the Book.

Check out Maneuvers:   https://www.amazon.com/Maneuvers/dp/B08PQ4SCNH

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 God's Story

To have a relationship with someone, we need to learn about them and get to know them. It's harder to even like someone, much less come to love them, if we know little about them. But what if someone you were interested in gave you their journal or autobiography to read. Most of us would want to read as much of it as possible.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).

The Scriptures are God's story and one way we can get to know Him. Since they were written specifically for us, we should turn to them more than we do. It boggles my mind when Christians tell me the only time they read or hear the Bible is from the verses in their Sunday school lessons or when the preacher reads it. 

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it (Deuteronomy 30:11 & 14).

I cannot imagine why anyone would not want to learn more about the awesome God we serve. How can we ever come close to being obedient if we don't know His word? Why would we pass up the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with our Creator and Lord? This book holds the wisdom of the ages and the truths of God.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

You don't even have to devote a lot of time reading and studying your Bible. It would be great if you did, but you'll likely be surprised with how much you can cover in just five or ten minutes of reading each day. Couldn't you shave five minutes off some other activity to read God's Word? As you draw closer to God, you'll find you lose yourself in what He has to say, and time will slip by before you realize it. Why not start today?

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 Buy the Book Audible

Buy the Book has just been released for Audible. It's the first book I've written that can be marketed as a Christmas book. In it, Grant Spencer figures the woman sent to set things right at the publishing house is Linwood’s spy, likely sent to see him fail and push him out. Grant might be forced to have her here since Linwood owns the controlling interest in the company, but he didn’t have to like it. However, he hadn’t expected her to be so young or attractive. But if she thinks that will cause him to change his mind about her, she can just think again.

Meredith Reed has agreed to do an old friend a favor and see if she could put a struggling publishing company in the black, but she hadn’t expected to be met with such resistance. Grant Spencer acts more like a fire-breathing dragon than the handsome man he is. However, she's determined to treat him as she should, no matter how he acts toward her. She’s determined to pull the company out of the red, regardless of him, even though she has only from October to February to do so.

Brad Leaf, the same narrator I used first for Maneuvers, is a television and film voice actor, as well as a screenwriter and audiobook narrator. He lives in California and has a smooth, versatile voice that would fit many books. After working with him on Maneuvers, I was thrilled to find him available to produce Buy the Book. 

Audible Link - https://www.audible.com/pd/Buy-the-Book-Audiobook/B08PDCYYBS

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 Hungry for the Word

See Mark 8.

I have great compassion for the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat (Mark 8:2)

The crowd of around four thousand people had been listening to Jesus teach for three days, and they'd had no food for that length of time. Think about this. How many people today consider spiritual food more important than physical food and would fast for three days to hear God's Word preached?

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way; for divers of them came from far (Mark 8:3).

In addition, some of them had traveled great distances, and travel wasn't easy in those days. Most of them would have walked like Jesus and His disciples. But even for those who rode a donkey or horse, the journey would have been taxing with few conveniences, and the return trip would be just as grueling.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world. and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36). 

Today, some people get upset if the preacher ends the service a few minutes past noon because they're too concerned about Sunday dinner. Would most of us stay for three days without food to listen to the Word of God? Do we even read the Bible daily? What is really important to us? It should be the Lord.

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 Gifting Books from Contests

Recently, I've won several contests where books were given as prizes. I expected to get a real book, hopefully, a Kindle copy. However,  instead, I received either a file or an ebook through Book Funnel. I have trouble getting pdf or word files to download so that the font is large enough to read, and I can't change the size on them. And copies through Book Funnel cannot be sent to cloud and therefore clog up my device. This is important to me because I have so many books on my Kindle that space is getting to be a problem, and it slows down my device.

I've also given books away in contests, and I always gift the reader an Amazon copy. It doesn't cost that much because I still get the royalties on the book, and it counts as a book sold. It also pleases the winner which makes them more likely to buy other books from me, especially if they enjoy their free copy. I think it's a win-win situation. So, don't be cheap when you run a contest. Just a tiny investment will pay off much better in the long run.

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 Being Thankful

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 107:1).

Some form of the word thankful or thanksgiving is used 102 times in the Bible. Giving thanks should be more than a once a year event or something quickly done before meals. It should be an attitude that permeates everything we do. When this happens, life becomes filled with happiness and joy. It's hard to be bitter, angry, or depressed when the heart is filled with thankfulness.

As ye have therefore received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).

And we do have much to be thankful for if we have Christ in our lives. Most of us have our daily needs met. In fact, many have much more than they need. And even if problems arise, they don't have to face them alone. He will never leave or forsake us. He stood beside Daniel in the lion's den and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and he'll stand by you, too.

Saying, Amen: Blessing and glory wisdom and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation 7:12).

So, let's capture the thankfulness the Bible speaks of and always give thanks to God. 

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms (Psalm 95:2).

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Time-Told Tales, Volume Two, Audible

 I am happy to announce the release of Time-Told Tales, Volume Two. It contains two classic tales set in the Middle Ages. Part One is Patricia's Prison and Part Two has Jack's Jewels. You can check them out as Kindle books on Amazon. They come after the stories in Time-Told Tales, Volume One, and feature some of the same characters.

Patricia's parents want her to marry an older duke for his title and wealth, but Charles, one of her father's knights, holds her interest. When she defies her parents, her stubborn, unpredictable father locks her away from everyone. What will happen to her and Charles now?

In Part Two, when Jack's mother tells him to leave home for good, he ends up in Fairleigh where he meets Keynan and Pearl, Patricia's brother and sister. When his special seeds land him at the earl's table, his interest in Pearl grows. But he knows very well her noble parents will never approve of a commoner for their daughter, not unless he comes up with some sort of plan.

The producer that narrated Time-Told Tales, Volume One was not available to produce Volume Two, so I found another British producer. Dominic Olcan started acting as a child and has taken part in many school productions throughout the years. He also presents and schedules speaking engagements for conferences. In addition, he produces audiobooks from his floating studio on his narrowboat in the Kennet and Avon Canals. He says he enjoys using his talent and creativity to bring the books to life. I know he did just that for Time-Told Tales, Volume Two.

 Check it out - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NWK3DT7

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Staying Power 

John, called the beloved disciple, was close to Jesus. He was one of the three Jesus called to go with Him on the mountain (likely Mount Tabor) where the transformation took place (see Matthew 17, Luke 9, or Mark 9). Those same three went with him into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before His arrest. John was the only disciple to stay with Jesus during his trial (see John 18:15-16). He was also at Jesus' crucifixion. In fact, at the cross, Jesus told John to take care of Mary, his mother (See John 19:25-27).

John was loyal and stayed with Jesus through everything. He never denied or deserted his Lord as some of the others did. He persevered in his later life, too, undergoing some difficult situations, including being exiled on Patmos. But wherever he found himself, John lived his faith and glorified his Savior. 

Being a Christian today isn't as popular as it once was. With discrimination and persecution on the rise, it's even more crucial that Christ-followers have staying power and remain loyal. Like John, we must keep our eyes on what is really important -- our Lord and our faith. Those ensure us a heavenly eternity; things of the world do not.

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Learn from Reviews

I once heard an author say she never looked at the reviews on her books. I can't imagine. I look at mine almost daily, and I gain insight from them. I evaluate whether any criticism is valid, and how I might improve if it is. And the positive comments and high ratings serve as an encouragement to motivate me.

Sometimes, I even get marketing ideas from reviews. This happened recently. Here is what one reviewer wrote about my novel, Unexpected:  "... I loved this story! It focuses on how young girls like myself, seek love from a man when they don't feel it at home from the family. I can

completely relate to the ease to go down the wrong path. But this book speaks about grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust in God's plans! It is a wonderful and entertaining story but also a very educational one. It can show young innocent women how manipulative and selfish some men can be while highlighting the kind and self-sacrificing nature of other men. I highly recommend his book for girls twelve and older."

I write for the inspirational adult market, but sometimes I inadvertently write crossover books that can go into another category. This happened with "The Farmers" trilogy (Promise, Peace, and Pardon). I've had high schools buy them for their students. And the reviewer mentioned above thinks Unexpected could also fit into the Young Adult category, as well as the adult market. I find reviews like this interesting and helpful. It shows that authors can learn and gain much from studying their reviews.

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