Book Review Sisters: Monday Morning Musings: Don't Judge A Book By Its ...

While I'm working away at galleys for Love's Reckoning, I thought I'd share some posts from other blogs I found interesting. Thanks, Helen!

Book Review Sisters: Monday Morning Musings: Don't Judge A Book By Its ...: It's an age old saying, and everyone understands the premise behind it.  But, it's a proverb that's rarely put into practice.  Particularly...

Before the Scarlet Dawn: At last comes the novel readers have been waiting ...

Before the Scarlet Dawn: At last comes the novel readers have been waiting ...: At last comes the novel readers have been waiting for. Book 1 in the long awaited 'Daughters of the Potomac Series' by author friend Rita Gerlach...

Please click on the link above to read more about this new release set in the 18th-century ~

Happy reading!

rests

There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life, the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. God sends us times of forced leisure by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent.

God does not write the music of our lives without a plan. Our part is to learn the tune and not be discouraged during the rests. If we will only look up, God Himself will count the time for us. With our eyes on Him, our next note will be full and clear. If we sorrowfully say to ourselves, "There is no music in a rest," let us not forget that the rest is part of the making of the music. The process is often slow and painful in this life, yet how patiently God works to teach us! And how long He waits for us to learn the lesson!

~John Ruskin, 1818-1900

oh JOY!

Funny what a mere 24 hours can bring! Things like galleys and NEW BOOK COVERS and such:) Yep, I received the final design for Love's Reckoning late yesterday and was pleasantly blown away! In fact, I was so excited I had a hard time sleeping last night, kind of like a little kid. But it was the best kind of sleep deprived to be!

I wanted to announce the news here so any serious cover spotting can begin. Don't know when it will appear, or just where, but now it will happen. Soon. And I have an Amazon gift card here for the first one who finds it online and emails me.

This morning I showed it to my mom who said, "She looks so real I keep thinking I can touch her if I just reach out my hand." But no spoilers!! I will say it's a beautiful glimpse into the heart of the book. This heroine is the most lifelike of all so far. A thousand thanks to Revell's art team and designer Brandon Hill for getting it right:)

Then today, like icing on the cake, the galleys for Love's Reckoning came. WOOT! I love reading through the editorial comments, especially when I spy a smiley face or two:) I'll be offline till February 14 or so, polishing the book to a high shine for you. Prayers appreciated. If things are going well, I'll sneak in a devotional post or two. And that cover, if you find it;)

See you soon!

lael sets sail

A SMOOTH SEA NEVER MADE A SKILLED MARINER 

~OLD ENGLISH PROVERB

Here are a couple of photos for us sun-deprived folks, compliments of my friend, Hannah. She's sailing the high seas in the Caribbean right now...with Lael! We've had so much snow here of late - lots of swirling white stuff and wind and ice. So imagine my delight when she snapped these photos a few days ago and warmed me right up:)

I've been wanting to do a post on Hannah's family, the Millers, as they have the most amazing ministry. When she sent me the pics I knew the time had come. Hannah is a writer and avid reader who's just revamped her blog beautifully and somehow manages to stay on top of things while sailing with her family and sometimes making landfall in Canada and the U.S.

They have a marine-based ministry delivering vital cargo such as Bibles, clothing, food and other supplies to faithful coworkers in Christ who minister to many, often the very needy. They really are Christ's hands and feet and I love following them on their travels. Never a dull moment aboard their boat! Just read their newsletters/updates and you'll find out.

I think Lael looks quite happy at sea! Hannah has read TFD more than once so it means a lot that she cared enough to bring Lael along this time. But she's like that:) Love you, Hannah!

If you'd like to learn more about their family and ministry, please send them your email info at paul@millersemmanuel.com Prayers are so appreciated as they continue their much needed work.

Is there a missionary who has inspired you, past or present? Ever been on a missions trip? If not, where would you like to go? 

*I'm trying to implement the new Blogger comment thread today so we'll see if it works. If there are no comments, I guess it's not!

HighlandCrossings

It's always fun to celebrate releases with author friends. Highland Crossings is just out and combines all the elements I love - Scotland, immigration, the 18th-century, North Carolina, kilts and lasses and more;) You have four distinct stories in one volume.

The book trailer follows here so I'll hush and let it happen;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

And happy reading...

more whitefield...

I lose nothing by being quiet and leaving all to Him.

True and undefiled religion does not take away but greatly enhances the comforts of life.

I have no thoughts of settling till I settle in glory.

When a soul is turned to God, every day is a Sabbath, every meal is a spiritual refreshment, and every sentence he speaks should be a sermon.

~George Whitefield 1714~1770

book bliss

I'd love to hear what state of book bliss you're in;) Feel free to tell what you last read, what you're reading now, and what's next, if you like. We all benefit!

Guess I'll begin...

I just finished HEIRESS by Susan May Warren. Am now reading THE ROSE GARDEN by Susanna Kearsley. I hope to read GIVING by Melissa Lester (non-fiction) and A MOST UNSUITABLE MATCH by Stephanie Grace Whitson next. I won't bore you with research books!

Your turn!

And happy reading to you!

the joy of courtship

I think courtship is so very important, even between the pages of a novel. It's critical not to rush things of the heart. Here's a quote I love from the 18th-century author of Tristam Shandy (remember Colonel McLinn recommending this book to Roxanna and her raised brows?) - well, Laurence Sterne wrote, "Courtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood."

Why courtship is so important is explored a bit by an author in the general market on a blog I recently came across. See if you agree:) I believe it's worth pondering...The Heroine Addicts: Getting to Know You

Happy writing!

comfort

Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God. ~Isaiah 40:1

Store up comfort. The world is full of hurting and comfortless hearts. But before you will be competent for this lofty ministry, you must be trained. And your training is extremely costly, for to make it complete, you too must endure the same afflictions that are wringing countless hearts of tears and blood. Consequently your own life becomes the hospital ward where you are taught the divine art of comfort. You will be wounded so that in the binding up of your wounds by the Great Physician, you may learn how to render first aid to the wounded everywhere...God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to make us comforters.

~Streams in the Desert