Lyn Reviews Author Susan Page Davis’s Captive Trail

Posted on January 27, 2012 by StrongWomen

Captive Trail (The Texas Trail Series)Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Captive Trail especially since I had done some research on the Comanche tribe in Texas for my Texas Star of Destiny series. Susan Page Davis evidently did hers too. Right on target! Fans of the Old West will welcome another tale with classic elements–a beautiful captive, her rescuer and her pursuer. Susan Page Davis knows how to immerse her readers in the frontier setting. A compelling read, reminiscent of Louis L’Amour.



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My Friend & Author Edward Semon, Tennis Anyone? #ebookgiveaway

Posted on January 24, 2012 by StrongWomen
My guest today is an author and a personal friend, Ed(ward) Semon. He lives on a lake not too far from my lake. :-) He is a retired teacher and a very interesting person. Recently my daughter helped him take his Out of Print book into the digital age! Here’s Ed’s interview:

1-Tell us about your book, Over the Net and Between the Lines.
ED: After I retired from a/my teaching career, I started playing tennis, a lot of tennis. I loved the game and I started playing five days a week, indoors at an indoor tennis facility in Glendale (suburb of Milwaukee.) I had many enthusiastic tennis partners, mostly men, but not all, and with all the practice, I improved my game to the point where people were asking me to join their game. At the same time, I thought I had the time to write a reading and vocabulary textbook, time I never seemed to have when I was teaching. “Gates to Understanding” was published and sold all of 136 copies. Lesson, if a teacher is going to write a text, do it while you have students in front of you. I also started writing stories about my experiences on the tennis court, I never told anyone how to play the game. The stories were published monthly in a tennis periodical-”Crosscourt News”-out of a Chicago suburb. My wife suggested I put the stories into a book. That’s how Over the Net and Between the Lines was born.
2-What story in the book is closest to your heart and why?
ED: My first and most favorite story is “Men Do Talk.” After playing, the guys all sat together, talking about the game and about their aches and pains. Sometimes the talk was serious, but mostly it was hilarious, especially when it came to out of the world cures for whatever hurt-emu oil, the cherished ointment for a close friend. Years later, I’m still laughing about the efficacy of emu oil. Second favorite, a piece of poetry I wrote about Dr. Dan Rudman, a great gentleman tennis player, intellect and medical researcher who died prematurely and was sorely missed. Its called “Waiting for Dan.”
3-Who do you think would enjoy receiving this book as a gift?
ED:You don’t have to play tennis to enjoy the book. These are human people stories which happen to take place on tennis courts. Personalities, disputes over rules, rejection and acceptance, wearing apparel, and the the day I participated in medical research. A book for younger and older men in a recreational activity.
4-What are you working on now?
ED: I’m currently editing a novel-Biblical Fiction. The Bible has many many stories, I picked this one-Capture a Comely Woman-Deuteronomy 21, Verses 10 to 14 because it tells of the first in history humane treatment of women captured in battle. I asked, “What happens to those women after capture, their lives, adaptations to a new culture and acceptance in a new and different society. Rami, a Hittite beauty is captured, brought home and her adventure is played out.
Thanks, Ed.  I love that you are letting the creative juices flow in retirment. Ed has offered a free EBOOK (not print) copy of his book to someone who leaves a comment here. Here’s a question for you–What do you plan to do in retirement? Follow a dream? Travel? Spend time with grandchildren?  Please share!–Lyn

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Lyn Reviews Author Melody Carlson’s River’s Call

Posted on January 24, 2012 by StrongWomen

River's CallRiver’s Call by Melody Carlson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

River’s Call caught me on page one. I love the heroine who has found her roots. I read the first book in the series River’s Song but one doesn’t need to have read it to follow and burrow deep into this warm, satifying tale of redemption–in spite of family curses or family grudges carried from one generation to another. Colorful characters, entrancing setting and a twisting yet natural plot carried me along. A lovely read.

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This book really spoke to me about loving difficult people, people who resist being loved. And loving yet not enabling the person loved. This book really delved deeply into loving and families. Put this and the first book on your TBR list!–Lyn

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Author Pat Simmons & What has God’s Love Brought You Through?

Posted on January 19, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is Author Pat Simmons and she shares her thoughts on love and her latest release, Guilt by Association. Here’s Pat:

“My love article:

In Guilty by Association, the scripture 1 Peter 4:8: ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins,’ is proven effective when two women smother Kidd Jamieson with all the love they have to eradicate the devils that has plagued him from his youth.

Mrs. Valentine, who is an elderly resident in a premier nursing facility, is the roommate of the worrisome Grandma BB. Oddly, she uses atrocities of slavery as a way to show Jesus’s deliverance in the worse of situations. Just like those who were enslaved and trusted in God to deliver them, Mrs. Valentine uses scriptures to settle Kidd’s angry and bitter heart to show that Jesus is still setting captives free.

His eventual love interest, LPN Eva Savoy, is not one to back down from a spiritual battle that is trying to defeat Kidd, but she tirelessly begins to equip Kidd for the battle with Ephesians 6: 11-18, focusing on verse 1:1 ‘Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’

When his soul is redeemed, the rejoicing among with family is endless because Jesus has always been on the side of the underdog.”–Pat

January 2012 release: Guilty by Association, Book I of the Jamieson Legacy series

My main character is Kevin “Kidd” Jamieson. Here’s the premise or synopsis:

In Guilty by Association, Kevin “Kidd” Jamieson suffers from the “angry man syndrome”. With an absentee father, the Jamieson name is worthless. Kidd’s anger is seeping out into every area of his life as he carelessly becomes as a roaring lion, seeking whatever and whomever he can devour. When he receives an invitation from a distant cousin, Parke Jamieson VI, to come to St. Louis, he is hesitant but accepts, almost as a dare. Though he initially bumps heads with Parke, a series of events that involve a dog named Silent Killer, Stacy Adams shoes, and two women who enter his life to calm his raging storm, Kidd makes St. Louis home. One woman is Eva Savoy who becomes his “Eve,” a woman God created out of the underlying goodness in Kidd’s own heart. Reluctantly, Kidd allows Parke to walk him through generations of his royal African tribe heritage. Overwhelmed by the care and compassion of new friends and family, Kidd struggles to keep up the bad boy attitude. His walls are starting to crumble and he knows he’s going down. Eventually, Kidd learns it’s not his association with the name that identifies him, but the man he becomes that defines him.

My social sites are www.patsimmons.net;  facebook.com/patsimmonsauthor; facebook.com/theguiltyseries; twitter.com/@patsimmons.net; www.Goodreads.com/patsimmons.

My biography:

Pat Simmons has been married to Kerry for almost twenty-nine years. She praises God for a good marriage. Pat has converted my sofa-strapped, sports-fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, and GPS-guided chauffeur.

Pat Simmons describes her Christian walk as an amazing, unforgettable, life-alternating experience. She is a baptized Believer who is always willing to share her testimonies about God’s goodness. She believes God is the true Author who advances her stories.

Pat has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She has worked in various media positions in radio, television, and print for more than twenty years. Currently, she oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She has been a guest on several media outlets, including radio, television, newspapers, and blog radio.

She is the award-winning author of Talk to Me, ranked #14 of Top Books in 2008 that Changed Lives by Black Pearls Magazine; she also received the Katherine D. Jones Award for Grace and Humility from the Romance Slam Jam committee in 2008. Pat is best known for her Guilty series: Guilty of Love, Not Guilty of Love, and Still Guilty, which was voted the Best Inspirational Romance for 2010 by the RSJ committee. Her 2011 release, Crowning Glory, was voted the Best Inspirational of the year. Fans are giving her January release, Guilty by Association, five stars.

Award-winning & Bestselling Author

The Jamieson Legacy, a man is more than his name:

Guilty by Association, available now at Amazon

The Guilt Trip, June 2012

Free from Guilt, October 2012

Pat, thanks for sharing your new book and your verses on love. And you point out that Christ is always on the side of the underdog. Many times in my youth, I clung to my Bible reading of God’s love for me –when I thought myself unworthy of love. What does God’s love mean to you? What has it brought you through?

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Author & Mom Kim Doebler & ESP, Teaching Kids Character

Posted on January 17, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is an “in my real life” acquaintance, Author, Speaker, and Mom Kim Doebler. Kim and I met at the church we attend in the northwoods of Wisconsin. She learned I was an author and asked my advice about getting her book on parenting published. I gave her a few tips and as they say, the rest is history! Here’s Kim about her book ESP, (Explain, Show Practice) Character Training:

“In I Corinthians 13: 4-7 we learn what God says love is. Love is patient, kind, not proud, not easily angered and always perseveres. These are all traits ESP Character Training gives practical steps to instill in our children. Ultimately, God is love and it is the books goal to help parents pass on His wisdom to their offspring. This book is a guide to purposeful proactive parenting.

The book ESP Character Training was first written to have an outline to pass on to our children. After sharing these examples with other moms, a realization came that there was a bigger need. Many young moms were longing for someone to come along side them. A book seemed the most realistic way of doing my part to fill this need.

Since writing ESP Character Training we have received testimonies of how the book has been the thing families have needed to go from theory to application. This book allows our family to share what we have learned and to be mentors one page at a time.”–Kim

“Character entails living the way God calls us to live.

Sometimes we expect our children to learn the most important traits in life by chance. This book presents a process that incorporates Explaining, Showing and Practicing, in other words ESP, as a way of teaching character. Each chapter holds Biblical reasons for training, an abundance of ideas and practical examples to inspire and motivate every parent.

Honesty, Respect, and Self-Control are some of the character traits expanded on in these pages. Haven’t we each noticed a child that stood out because of his/her character? With God’s grace and a planned approach we too CAN instill character that shines bright. Let Kim come along side you as she shares her personal stories of training children in character. Then as families produce an abundance of young people with godly character there will be a noticeable light spreading throughout our dark world.

‘When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.’ Billy Graham

May be purchased in print at Kim’s website: www.espcharactertraining.weebly.com

May be purchased in e-book form at: amazon.com

Kim is also available to speak to groups. Again go to her website for more info.

I think it’s really interesting that Kim wrote the book first to pass it on to her children. I think the most important character traits I wanted to “pass down” to my children were honesty and kindness. What intangibles do you want to leave behind as a legacy to your children?–Lyn

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Author Lillian Duncan & Wronged by Her Twin Sister

Posted on January 12, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is Author Lillian Duncan, a new author too. She writes about strength and love and her new book. Here’s Lillian:

“Strong Women, Brave Stories…interesting topic. This was so hard for me to write about and yet I know tons of strong women who have overcome a myriad of obstacles in their life. For some it was breast cancer, others it was substance abuse, abusive marriages, or a personal tragedy.

I think there are certain characteristics they have in common that put them in the category of Strong Women. First they don’t give up. They keep taking that next step, that next breath, and refuse to give up. Second, they keep smiling. In other words, they don’t invite you to a pity party every time they see you. And finally, they keep their focus on others and not just on themselves and their problems.

One woman I know went in for a routine mammogram and discovered she had stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes. To say it was a shock would be an understatement, but she didn’t give up.

Yes, there were tears and she expressed her worries, but she also kept smiling, kept taking care of her loved ones, and never gave up. She’s a seven year survivor at the moment and all looks good. She was in inspiration to me then and now. Her focus has always been on taking care of her family and I believe this was one of the keys to her recovery.

In my newest book, DECEPTION, Patti Jakowski doesn’t start out as a strong, brave woman. She’s been wronged by her twin sister and has let it affect her attitude and her actions. When her sister disappears and she begins to focus on someone else instead of herself, then she gradually becomes a Strong Woman with a Brave Story.

To celebrate the release of DECEPTION, I’m having a contest on my website: www.lillianduncan.net so be sure to stop by and sign up. Grand prize is a NOOK!

Thanks for having me on your blog.”–Lillian

www.lillianduncan.net
www.lillianduncan.wordpress.com
Twitter @lillianduncan

I highlighted a few of Lillian’s key sentences. The two in blue are the ones that I think show that the fruit of the spirit, love, was at work. Can love heal even a physical ailment? What do you think?

Also don’t forget to drop by Lillian’s website and put your entry in for that NOOK!–Lyn

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Lyn Reviews Author Melody Carlson’s River’s Song

Posted on January 11, 2012 by StrongWomen

River's Song (Inn at Shining Waters, #1)River’s Song by Melody Carlson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melody Carlson’s River Song eased through me gently layer by layer, deeper and deeper. This story of re-awakening or renewal appears, deceptively simple but wields great emotional power. I look forward to, book 2 in The Inn at Shining Rivers series.

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Author Andrea Boeshaar & Threads of Hope & Home

Posted on January 10, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is another Wisconsin author, Andrea Boeshaar, a friend of mine. Andrea is going to share about hope & love. Here’s Andrea:

“My aunt and I were talking on the phone last night and discussing two young women we know. Their behavior saddened us because these young women are “party girls” and being in the wrong environment night after night led to infidelity and, ultimately, the ruin of their marriages. This saddened us and my aunt asked the question, “Why don’t young people love their homes anymore?”

I’m sure some young people to love their homes. They enjoy putting those personal touches like a handmade quilt on the bed or on the back of the sofa to make rooms feel cozy and comfortable. But what many people fail to realize is that a home is more than a big house, condo, or rented apartment. It’s more than the place you “stay.” A home is where there is love. Love makes a house a home. I realize that last line is cliché, but it’s oh, so true.

When my character in my latest novel Threads of Hope comes to America, she’s in search of that special place she can call home. She’d been orphaned in Norway and lost her brothers as well. There’s a swell of hurt in Kristin Eikaas’s heart and she’s looking to replace it with hope and love.

And what about you? Is your place of residence a home – or just your place of residence? Love makes the difference. “–Andrea

Bio:

Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has 26 published novels, 8 published novellas, and a host of collective nonfiction under her belt. She knows the peaks and valleys of the publishing industry and loves to share her experience with other writers. She was an agent for more than 10 years, but is now writing full-time and is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Additionally, Andrea is a certified Christian life coach. She is presently taking classes to be certified in Christian counseling.

Andrea is a cofounder of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She’s taught at several of the organization’s conferences as well as the Oregon Christian Writers Conference, Write-To-Publish, and Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

For more info, visit Andrea on the web, at: www.andreaboeshaar.com

I think Andrea’s aunt brings up something which the X or Y or whatever generation fails to think about until they’ve lost it–home and what that word means. Home is where you belong, where you must be taken in because it’s home. Home is deeply rooted in family and love. Don’t we often refer to our homes in heaven? Have you ever been without a place to call home?–Lyn

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1st Fruit of the Spirit-What True Love Is & Where Does It Lead?

Posted on January 9, 2012 by StrongWomen


This video portrays the love which Christ showed us sinners. Parts of it are hard to look at, but it answers the question: What is Love?

I’ve been finishing up my next Love Inspired Historical, Their Frontier Family, which will debut this November. My heroine Sunny is a single mother who has just left the life of prostitution. She has become a baby Christian and married a man who is essentially a stranger to her. She does all these things for the sake of her baby Dawn. She wants to save Dawn from being born into the saloon life as she was. This is love. Sunny is willing to do anything to save her child. But she can’t understand how God could wipe away her sins. She can’t wipe away the nights above the saloon from her memory. How can he?

I think that love springs from God’s forgiveness and from realizing we have no right to expect or can ever deserve that love. If we keep that in mind, I think we will love others better. I think that might be why forgiveness is not stated as one of the fruits of the spirit because the two are intertwined.

What do you think?  Is it possible to love and not forgive? Do the two go together? Have you ever struggled to forgive someone?–Lyn

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Author Terri Reed & Does Love Take Courage?

Posted on January 5, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is Terri Reed, another Love Inspired author, who is offering a book giveaway and is going to share about her latest book and her latest heroine who shows true strength. Here’s Terri:

“Thank you Lyn for having me here today.  I love that your blog focuses on Strong Women, Brave Stories.  Like you I try to make my heroines brave and strong and smart. In my current release my heroine Caroline Tully is all of this and more.  I tried to make her realistic and vulnerable yet courageous.  As an adopted child, she longed to know who her biological parents were.  When she’s given the opportunity to visit her biological, maternal grandfather’s estate she can hardly say no, even after attempts are made on her life.  But she was smart enough to know she needed protection so she hired a professional bodyguard.   During the course of her journey she realized she needed to be brave enough to risk her heart for love, even though she’d had her heart broken in the past.

I think we can all relate to overcoming wounds whether they come from a past love or a parent or some other hurt that feels like it will never heal.  It takes great strength of character, bravery and faith to love others. We can see an example of this in the life of Abigail (1 Samuel 25).  She had every humanly reason to be a bitter, untrusting and broken woman.  Yet she was humble, smart and brave.  And risked her heart to love again.”–Terri

We just discussed focusing on the first fruit of the spirit, LOVE. I hadn’t had time to let Terri know of this new feature but she wrote about love anyway! How about that? Terri also points out that love requires bravery.

Terri is offering a book giveaway the first book in her Protection Specialists series: The Innocent Witness. So you need to leave a comment in order to be entered into the drawing and here’s the question–give an example of a character in a book (Bible included) that showed bravery in offering to love. Terri gave us Abigail. Who do you think of? Or tell us why loving takes courage.”–Lyn

For more about Terri

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