Would You Rather?...A Few Meandering Thoughts from the Lovely Author Anabelle Bryant

Hello, my lovely readers! Today I have the very great honor of hosting my fellow author, Anabelle Bryant, who's recently released the latest installment of her popular romance series Regency Charms, called Defying the Earl...See what kinds of things she'd rather do (or endure) if posed with the choice... 

Would you rather basejump or skydive from an airplane? I love healthy adventure – zip-lines and crazy roller coasters are perfect, so I’d choose to skydive. I’ve parasailed before, but this would be even freer – as close to being a bird as possible.

Sing in front of an auditorium full of people or pose nude for a small art class? I’m not a very good singer, but I’d still expose myself to the embarrassment in front of an auditorium before I disrobed for the art class.

Win the lottery or live forever? Living forever means watching all my loved ones die, so I’d like to win the lottery and improve everyone’s life while we’re all on earth together.

Have the ability to travel back in time or have a crystal ball? I would definitely travel back in time and learn from history, change a few decisions and become smarter for what’s to come. Seeing into the future with a crystal ball would change my perception of things and that could be negative. I’d rather leave that alone.

Read people’s minds or be invisible? Make me invisible, please. I’d love to choose what I hear or see by slipping in and out of the room. Hearing other’s thoughts in my head might prove hurtful and distracting – not to mention noisy!

Eat cow’s testicles or goat brains? Really? This question is brutal. I’m going with the brains because I’m the intellectual type…but honestly, I’d rather starve.

Give up coffee or give up sex? Looks like I’m going to have to find another favorite beverage. I mean, I love coffee…but you know, that’s a bit extreme.

Live in a big city or a small town? I grew up in a small town very close to New York City, so I do love both locations. If forced to make a choice, I’m going to have to choose the small town. Cities are fun to visit and explore, but I prefer the peaceful simplicity of a small town.

Bio:

Anabelle Bryant writes historical romance for Harlequin/HarperCollins. Her fourth historical romance, Defying The Earl begins a new series of Regency Charms novels and was released May 2015. A firm believer in romance, Anabelle knows life doesn’t always provide a happily-ever-after, but her novels do. An avid traveler and novice photographer, she enjoys connecting with readers on Facebook, Twitter, and at AnabelleBryant.com.

Links:

Defying The Earl: http://amzn.to/1D8UUWB

Website: http://www.anabellebryant.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBryantAuthor  

Twitter: @AnabelleBryant

AmazonAuthorCentral: http://amzn.to/1Hako9p

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/anabellebryant/

Youtube Channel:  http://bit.ly/1r0TjsY

Watch Your Tongue!

Okay. Here it is––finally, after months of putting it off, shifting it from one burner to the next, re-jiggering the To-Do List and eyeing my Inbox with guilt as I know that it still holds a reminder e-mail that I need to blog...A BLOG! Ta-da! 

Strange as it may sound, I had a second of insight today that left me with the realization that––with as much pressure as I put on myself to write something absolutely, mind-blowingly spectacular for my blogposts––I let it become HUGE in my mind, the equivalent of writing assignments in school that left me physically unable to hold a pencil as I struggled to write the first words. As I got into those assignments, however, I always found that I had over-exaggerated them; and that they were, in fact, very much simpler than I had initially thought. And much less time-consuming. So now, instead of the school reports, I have THE BLOG, which I want to do, but which I have so over-stressed to the point that I sometimes dread it. Hence the loooooooong periods of time between posts. Well, that, and the legitimate writing deadlines that sideline any efforts to make a coherent post come out of my over-taxed little gray cells.

But I digress. Today's post (woot woot!) is one that reminds me (and all many millions of my readers, ha!) of the importance of words––words that we speak over ourselves and words that we speak over each other. Over the past few years especially, I've seen the power that words hold, even ones that seem, at their speaking, not to be that life-changing. But they are. They reverberate. Not always in the physical, but in the spiritual, in the mental, in the emotional. They cause death and create life. They encourage or destroy. It was in this spirit that Nelson Searcy wrote Tongue Pierced: How the Words You Speak Transform the Life You Live (released Jan. 1 by David C Cook). It's a guide for growth in that knowledge, of becoming aware of what you're saying, whether it's spoken in love or in anger. Explore its chapters and explore your head, your heart, and your tongue––and learn to speak life.

What's Cookin,' Good Lookin'?

Slow cookers are a thing of beauty for anyone who has one, and this new cookbook takes the slow-cooker meal to a whole new realm of possibilities. Packed with page after page of healthy, gluten-free dishes that taste divine, The Healthy Slow Cooker, Second Edition: 135 Gluten-Free Recipes for Health and Wellness by Judith Finlayson will be one of your favorites on days when you want to have dinner ready and waiting when you walk in the door. There are great variations on recipes that might not have ever crossed your mind as slow cooker possibilities, like "New World Leek and Potato Soup," which is not only vegan and gluten-free, but great because it uses sweet potatoes in place of the standard yellow or white variety found in most recipes for this soup. You can even try your hand at a Thai-inspired dish like "Mixed Vegetables in Peanut Sauce." Easy, delicious, and a fun way to get tons of veggies onto the plate! 

Got Chicken? Of course you do! The real question would be what to do with that chicken...And here's a great way to solve that mealtime mystery: 125 Best Chicken Recipes, by Rose Murray. It'll give you quick, tasty ideas for chicken that you'll love, like zesty tacos and fajitas, flavorful burgers, soups, and even stir fry dishes. No more boring chicken! 

Try your hand at becoming a queen of the casserole with 125 Best Casseroles and One Pot Meals by Rose Murray. You might find yourself scratching your head about what to do with all of those unused pots and pans after browsing this book, which is packed with great recipes that make mealtime and clean-up time a breeze. It'll be hard to pick a favorite!

For more info on all the books above, visit www.robertrose.ca 

Mug Shot

As a self-employed freelance writer, I'm tight on time; tight on budget; tight on space; and maybe just a little bit tightly-wound. Okay, a lot tightly-wound. I make coffee nervous. Which is why the idea of giving the coffee a bit of a vacation and using that mug to all its potential is so intriguing––who knew that, when it comes down to dinner, the mugs have it made? Take a flip through Camilla Sausbury's new cookbook 250 Best Meals in A Mug: Delicious Homemade Microwave Meals in Minutes, and you might just rediscover your love for this under-valued member of your kitchen. It's packed full of fun, easy recipes for one––all developed to be made and served in a coffee mug. There are gumbos and chowders, casseroles, and even cakes. Break out (but don't break) the mug and fire up the microwave, this cookbook has dinnertime handled (literally). For more info on the book, visit www.robertrose.ca
 

Course Correction...for Love?

You know, I never thought I'd have to pick up another "dating" advice book and have it actually be applicable to my life––after all, I do recall walking down the aisle in a pouffy white dress and saying vows. But here I am, single again. So I guess, on principal, if I decided to hit the stacks in pursuit of some dating advice, then it wouldn't be skeevy. In fact, with my track record, it might be a wise move. Something about the guys I've dated (and was married to) has been off––sometimes obviously, sometimes not so obviously.

Which is precisely what Dawn Maslar addresses in her book, From Heartbreak to Heart's Desire: Developing a Healthy GPS (Guy Picking System).  The book walks you through not only the types of guys you might tend to be"picking," but also what's shaped you and affected why you might be so prone to picking them. It's witty, it's insightful, and it's scientifically based. Best of all, it offers great advice on the ways that you can more finely hone your ability to spot men of quality and how to become more in-tune with your own needs as you learn to better value yourself. For more info, visit 
www.dawnmaslar.com

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away

I don't generally read sci-fi novels; but when when I ran across this one, I have to admit, my curiosity was definitely piqued. I mean, come on––the whole idea of this story is that people live on different planets where everyone eats strange foods that don't really have any kind of caloric impact, and gravity is a moot point. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill jaunt through outer-space and an off-the-wall bit of humor penned by a creatively-minded professor who obviously thinks outside the box, Chocolate Chocolate Moons is great for anyone who wants a break from reality and loves some sci-fi fun with a mysterious twist or two thrown in. Round out your reading list and satisfy your sweet tooth with this debut book from Jackie Kingon. Visit http://www.jackiekingon.com/ 

Sweating It

Anyone who really knows me knows that I love to read and that I'm a gym rat. All of which means I've read my fair share of books and been in my fair share of gyms. In fact, I do more than my fair share of reading while I'm in the gym, with my nose buried in pages and pages of words––which might be precisely why I might not be completely aware of my surroundings...And, according to Max Hawthorne, whose resume boasts more than 20 years of experience working in the health club industry, there are plenty of things to be aware of. In his book, Memoirs of a Gym Rat, Hawthorne candidly shares some horror and humor about all the things that may be going on behind the scenes at your gym. Every page is packed with odd stories and insights into the seemingly simple culture of the health club and fitness center industry; and by the time you're done reading, you just might find yourself thinking twice about how you conduct your workout...and where. Written with a great sense of humor and the perfect blend of information and observation, Hawthorne manages to get his point across in a book that makes reading about gyms interesting and funny, rather than dry and matter-of-fact. A great read! For more info, visit http://www.MemoirsOfaGymRat.com/ 

Anything But Boring

I don't know about anyone else here, but if I'm perfectly honest, most of the time I feel like the most boring person on the planet. For me, an exciting Friday night generally includes dancing with my Dirt Devil as we chase away the little bit of dirt and dust that might have accumulated on the apartment floor over the past week, sniffing the pungent odors of eau de Windex and Scrub Free as I'm scrubbing down the bathroom, and folding laundry as the latest string of Say Yes to the Dress and House Hunters plays in the background. A swingin' single I am not. So am I boring?
Perhaps yes, perhaps no.
But for me, there are moments of greatness even in the mundane. And even those are far less than the greatness that God is holding out to us, if only we reach for it.
In his book Boring: Finding An Extraordinary God in An Ordinary Life, Michael Kelley (B&H Publishing) challenges us as readers and fellow Christians to "see the greater purpose in the seemingly small and mundane details of life...When Jesus enters a situation, even the most mundane things become extraordinary." 
So what exactly does this mean, and how can it change us? Look at your life and be present. Appreciate the gifts that God has given you and continues to give you. These are the things that make our days far from ordinary, even if they seem boring on the surface. We are here, now, and God has a specific purpose for each of us. We are far from boring.

Getting Raw

Making raw dishes may seem like it would take forever, if you really want to find unique flavors and recipes that appeal to more than your teenie tiny handful of friends who are embracing the whole movement. Fear not! The new cookbook Raw, Quick, & Delicious! by Douglas McNish (Robert Rose Publishing) is full of more than 175 recipes for fun, tasty dishes that take only five ingredients and 15 minutes or less to whip up. Fun desserts like Mini Chocolate Banana Flax Cakes, silky smoothies, hearty breakfasts like Date Muesli, savory entrees including Mushroom Tarts, fresh drinks and juices,
tasty snacks, crunchy salads, dressings––even pasta and noodle dishes. You'll be absolutely blown away by all the possibilities and the colorful photos that bring the mouthwatering recipes to life. The book is informative and easy-to-follow, sure to make its way onto your favorite cookbook list. (www.robertrose.ca)

Something's Cookin' in the Kitchen

If you're looking for a way to work healthy foods into your lifestyle, check out a new cookbook from David Cote and Mathieu Gallant, co-founders of the Crudessence restaurants of Canada. Raw Essence: 165 Delicious Recipes for Raw Living (Robert Rose books) is packed with gorgeous, mouthwatering photos and recipes for healthful, easy dishes that embody the raw food philosophy...without being overly complicated. The recipes are supplemented by useful information and advice on how to embrace the raw lifestyle and the benefits it will bring. This is one inspiring book! (www.robertrose.ca)



Ah, pie...Who doesn't love a pie? In a cupcake and cake pop crazed society, pies can seem a bit...uncool? Flip through 175 Best Mini-Pie Recipes: Sweet to Savory, and pull out the napkins...your pie hole is fixin' to start watering! This colorful, inventive cookbook by Julie Anne Hession (Robert Rose books) proves that pies can not only be wickedly tasty, but also fun and portable. Traditional recipes are repackaged into mini versions, packed into smaller, turn-over style delights that make great additions to any party, lunchbox, or meal. Or maybe just because you're really craving pie...Whatever the reason, take a bite out of one of these great recipes, which range from traditionally sweet to more inventive new takes and flavor combinations––there are savory recipes as well as vegan and gluten-free versions. Try out Lemon Meringue Tartlets, New England Lobster Pies, and Classic Apple Pies. Get crusty! (www.robertrose.ca)


There's a reason you have that stand mixer...sometimes you just forget exactly why that is. Especially when you're having to dust around it as it sits, hulking and unused on your countertop. Re-discover your love for the mixer and become a Mixer Maven! A new cookbook from Meredith Deeds and Carla Snyder called The Mixer Bible (3rd Edition): 300 Recipes for Your Stand Mixer (Robert Rose books) includes user-friendly, scrumptious recipes with 125 step-by-step photos to aid you in your quest to conquer the kitchen by way of the mixer. This great book will walk you through each recipe and familiarize you with the various applications of that tried and true kitchen appliance. Mix things up a little! (www.robertrose.ca)

Dancing in the Dark

Crickets rubbed wings to the jitterbug dance;

Gila monsters swished to the monster-mash.

Centipedes tapped while the night hawks rapped–

Quail tangoed in the moonlit bash...

School is getting back into swing, so improving your children's reading is probably high on your list...Why not add a new book into the bed-time reading rotation? With its lyrical, fun narrative and beautiful illustrations, The Moon Saw It All by Nancy L. Young (Little Five Star, a division of Five Star Publications) is sure to be a hit in any household. Boys and girls will both love the imaginative little tale about creatures of the night coming out to dance and play under the light of the moon. For more info, visit www.moonsawitall.com)

Fun in the Fall

It might night be fall just yet, but it's creeping closer and closer...Which means the leaves on the trees will be changing their colors and parading their autumn allure. But who says you have to wait to enjoy all the natural beauty around you? Whether it's August, October, or April, get out and explore all the glorious colors and shapes in the gardens, parks, and forests––and keep a catalogue of your treasured trees in the pages of Fall Walk! 

This hardcover children's book by Virginia Brimhall Snow (Gibbs Smith, $16.99, Ages 4 to 8, August 2013, ISBN: 978-1-4236-3261-0) is filled with beautifully illustrated pictures and a fun narrative of an exploration through the wonderful woods, showing identifying characteristics of 24 different types of leaves and giving easy, helpful instructions on pressing and rubbing leaves. 

Make it a family activity and see who can find the most different kinds of leaves...just remember to stay out of the itchy stuff! www.gibbs-smith.com

Nature Narratives

Books are always a great thing, especially during summer vacation, when extra hours abound and long stretches of travel time need filling...so now's also the perfect time to check out some new children's titles, colorful books that will sharpen reading skills, teach about new wildlife, and offer up pages of pretty pictures to pore over.

GQ GQ. Where are You? Adventures of a Gambel’s Quail is a great book for younger audiences who don't have loads of attention to give and are just getting a handles on sounding words out. The colorful little tome, written by Sharon I. Ritt and illustrated by Nadia Komorova, follows a curious Gambel’s quail as he leaves home to look for playmates and explore the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. The book is full of interesting plants and animals that GC encounters on his journey; but as night comes and darkness gathers, he decides the best place to be is home. The book comes with a CD that includes narration by the author and a sing-along version of the story, set to the tune of “Frère Jacques” with musical accompaniment. The book also features an illustrated non-fiction section detailing some of the plants and animals in the story and a special section loaded with fun ideas for activities at home and school. www.GambelsQuailBook.com



Got an older elementary-age reader? Here's one for the stacks...In A Squirrel's Story: A True Tale (written by Jana Bommersbach, illustrated by Jeff Yesh), readers will meet Shirlee Squirrel, a mama squirrel who needs to find a home for her babies that keeps them safe and far, far from the clutches of a scary black cat! When they move into a birdhouse made for wood ducks, Shirlee and her young squirrels, Sammy and Sally, create a home of their very own in the backyard of a kind human couple named Rudy and Willie. Shirlee teaches her children everything gray tree squirrels need to know as they grow up in their North Dakota home. The book has the added bonus of curriculum and activity guides, making it a great addition to both the home and the classroom. Kids will be entertained at the same time as they learn about wildlife.  www.SquirrelsStory.com

Doodlie Doo

Billed as an activity book for kids, Doodle Your Day (Gibbs Smith, $16.99) by Anita Wood is really a great way to chronicle the happy (or maybe aggravating) days of our lives for a year––whether you're eight or ninety-eight. Each day sheet in the book has fun little prompts that channel your creativity in ways you might not think about on your own. By the completion of your book (and the end of that year), you'll have a keepsake unlike any other. “Doodle Queen,”  is back with , Paperback, 224 pages, March 2013, ISBN 978-1-4236-2368-7), a fun activity book offering doodle and journaling prompts for young artists every day of the year. For more info, visit Amazon.com

The Last Word...

I don't know about anyone else out there, but I won't be at all sad to bid adieu to 2012. It's been a year of epic highs and lows, with so many major events that I feel as though I've lived an entire lifetime in the space of one year.
It's amazing what can happen in twelve months, isn't it?
On my personal list, I went from engaged to married to widowed. I moved out of my parents' house into a home with my new husband and am closing out the year by signing on the dotted line to lease a one-bedroom apartment where I'll be living alone.
It's been strange and surreal, and I know I'm not alone in feeling that way.
It was an election year. The Eastern seaboard was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. A tragic shooting took the lives of schoolchildren in Colorado. And those are just a few of major events that I can recall right off the top of my head. 
One happy thing that 2012 will have left me with, however, is something that is invaluable: fresh perspective. And I can't wait to start 2013 with that new outlook, that new appreciation for things.
A sweet gift for a high price, perhaps, but one I will definitely hold on to.

With all that's gone on in life over the past twelve months, my faith has grown and deepened, and sometimes it's been the only thing that's gotten me through. Which makes finding great, faith affirming books all the more important and enlightening. Here are just a few I've had the pleasure of discovering....


In his book, Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life (Moody Publishers) Goins, a writer and blogger, defines being “wrecked” as an experience––a time when a broken world slams into our comfortable lives and what remains is a tension between a lifetime of adventure and our daily commitments. Wrecked centers on stories of ordinary people doing incredible things to be transformed from the inside out, and Goins explains that being wrecked can take place at any time, at any place. Goins touches upon other elements of being "wrecked," including understanding commitment issues, getting attached to feeling good while helping others, learning to know when to walk away, and helping others getting wrecked. The book is both powerful and relatable in its narrative, and Goins is a great story-teller, taking readers along with him as he explores what it truly means to allow your life to be "wrecked" for God's purposes.

Wives who choose to follow Ephesians 5:33 ("and the wife shall respect her husband") make a dramatic impact on their marriages. But many married women struggle with the concept of respecting their husbands. What does respect actually look like? Why should wives respect their husbands? Shouldn‘t husbands have to earn the respect of their wives? The Respect Dare by Nina Roesner is a 40-day challenge that makes the whole concept a little less confusing. Readers are given a series of dares that offer a more intimate connection to both their husbands and to God, and the book is filled with stories of struggle and success paired with practical applications of respect that have dramatically impacted marriages. The book is especially relevant in today's culture, when men and women's roles have become so undefined and have strayed so far from God's original intent for marriage.

 Dear Deb: A Woman with Cancer, a Friend with Secrets, and the Letters That Became Their Miracle. Follow Margaret Terry as she shares stories that represent a full lifetime of miracles, stories that changed the writer as she wrote them and stories that will touch the heart of the reader, one by one by one. These stories are not just stories. Instead, Dear Deb is a collection of letters about living to a dying friend, a search for love and how it’s found in the most surprising places. A book of short stories about past secrets, and the hopes and dreams of a messy, imperfect life. A memoir via email.   

Soup's On!!

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly not a lover of winter. Sure some of the sweaters can be super cozy, and the whole boot thing is a fun way to mix things up, a few sartorial happy additions does not a lover of winter make. Even if your idea of winter would only rate on some people's radar as tropical (I speak of the Florida winters that make people from Minnesota smirk). Well, you try living down here for awhile and see what happens to your cold tolerance. I guarantee you, sixty degrees will become as welcome as the Abominable Snowman. 
But. I digress....
Even the bitter cold of winter can have a few silver linings, and it's definitely the prefect excuse to break out the bread maker and Dutch oven. And here, thanks to the wonderful publishers at Robert Rose, are two fantastic cookbooks that will help keep the winter blahs away...For a little while, at least...


300 Best Soup Recipes
This fabulous book delivers with hundreds of recipes that will make even Seinfeld's Soup Nazi look like an amateur. Whether you're preparing dinner for your family on a busy school night or an elegant dish for entertaining guests, you'll have the perfect solution for making use of that soup spoon. And this comprehensive book has more than the soups you grew up loving...they've even got DESSERT SOUPS! Didn't see that one coming, did ya? By Carla Snyder & Meredith Deeds (Visit http://www.robertrose.ca/)


300 Best Bread Machine Recipes
Trick out your bread machine and make it one of the most valued small appliances in your kitchen...this book features all the information you need about baking bread using older and newer bread machine models. There are a great variety of both traditional and innovative recipes––including low-fat, international, sweet, savory, and even gluten-free recipes. These are breads taken to a whole new level! They've got cake recipes, pretzels, and bagels...Heck, they've even got some pasta recipes for making the machine pull double-duty! By Donna Washburn & Heather Butt (Visit http://www.robertrose.ca/) 

Book Smarts

A Year of Biblical Womanhood, Rachel Held Evans (Thomas Nelson) 
For readers like me who hate the dry tone of so many non-fiction books, this is really a great book. It's funny, relatable, well-written, and interesting. If you're drawn to navel-gazing books of stumbling self-discovery like The Happiness Project and Julie and Julia, this is sort of a mash-up of those two, only much more church-library-acceptable. Take a break from the novels and gain a little insight into what makes you special as a woman, and how you really can fulfill your potential to live Biblically without exiling yourself to a tent and calling your husband "Master"....


Lifted by Angels: The Presence and Power of Our Heavenly Guides and Guardians by Joel J. Miller (Thomas Nelson)
Miller incorporates historical reference with modern accounts of angels in both the everyday lives of people and in momentous events, tracking them through the Bible and showing just how much influence they are given. Check it out if you enjoy books that explore the role of angels and demons. 

Fishing for Ideas

Okay. So you're staring in the fridge, looking for dinner inspiration. And you come up with....nothing. So you move to the pantry. 
What to make, what to make? 
Your mumbling hunger is starting to scream for attention, but you've still got no ideas. All you have is a food-starved brain and...cans of tuna? But who wants just another, boring old tuna sandwich? 
Whip up a canned tuna dish that would rock a dinner party, yet is simple enough not to require oodles of ingredients or culinary skill. Check out 200 Best Canned Fish & Seafood Recipes (Susan Sampson) a new cookbook full of fun, inventive, and tasty recipes that use canned fish and seafood as the star ingredient. Great, colorful photos make this cookbook one that you'll be proud to have on your shelf. Go ahead––make Charlie the Tuna the king of your kitchen! Visit http://www.robertrose.ca/

Mmmmm...Small and Mighty

Guess what? You're not the only one who's fallen victim to the allure of the Cupcake Maker! And now, they have a great new cookbook to fuel the fire! Pick up a copy of The Big Book of Babycakes Cupcake Maker Recipes by Kathy Moore and Roxanne Wyss. The two women take their expertise on small appliances and rock out a colorful, fun book filled with great recipes that will completely legitimize your passion for that Cupcake Maker. (Yes, the color is beyond cute, too, but still, it helps to have tasty recipes to justify the counter space, right? No one can criticize if they're busy stuffing their faces with your scrumptious creations...) The cookbook is more in-depth, and with slightly more sophisticated flavors that reflect both current cupcake trends and old-fashioned delicacies. It’s a complete and wide-ranging cookbook that still packs in all of the fun of the first book; but also features specialty recipes for holidays, special occasions, entertaining, cooking for and with kids, and gluten-free and vegan diets. There's even a large selection of savory recipes––quiches, lunch and dinner pies, biscuits, appetizers, and finger foods. Dozens of large step-by-step photos depict decorating ideas and skills, providing easy-to-follow inspiration and ideas. They’ll show how to create various cupcake decorations, bake pies and phyllo cups, and more! Both novice and experienced bakers will delight in these photos and clear instructions. Visit www.robertrose.ca/books

Hit the Books

Finding Faith in Pain

The phone rings at three A.M., and you know it’s not good news. The doctor looks at you with somber eyes and takes a long pause. There are words we all dread hearing, words we brace ourselves for. Losses we never want to endure. If you have ever walked through the valleys of life, you understand how easy it can be to question God’s fairness, doubt His power, or even lose your own faith. In those moments, though, we learn to trust God and look for His guidance...And if we look closely, we can all see His divine intervention. Watch Out for Miracles (Carpenter’s Son Publishing) by Janet Tombow is an inspiring collection of true stories of hope and encouragement. With each story, these courageous individuals share their personal stories of sadness, loss, hope, and victory in order to demonstrate that we are not alone and we are never forsaken. Let this collection of encouraging true stories guide your own personal life. Each of us has a story....each of us are faced with unique challenges and struggles.....but in the midst of these circumstances is a loving and all-knowing God who can see you through to personal victory. Available at www.amazon.com

Faith on the Field

It takes more than heart to win a championship. It takes teamwork, equipment, and––most of all––a great coach. In southern Louisiana in 1957, the best coach Ronnie LeBlanc can find for his struggling American Legion Baseball team is black. Based on a true story, Stealing First (Legacy Publishing) by Drew Golden is a tale of poverty; corruption and bias; and, ultimately, a powerful message of honor and camaraderie. For more info, visit www.stealingfirst.net