Free E-Books – January 30, 2013

Today there are two free e-book downloads. Get them while they are free!  Click on the highlighted/underlined e-reader and you will be taken directly to the website to download your free book.

• NO LONGER FREE (2-23-13) FREE on Kindle and Nook:  Beside Two Rivers (Daughters of the Potomac #2) by Rita Gerlach.  Last year Book 1, Before The Scarlet Dawn, was offered free.  So I would go ahead and download this book, with hopes that Book 1 will come back up as a free download this year.
• NO LONGER FREE (2-23-13) FREE on Kindle and Nook:  Valeria’s Cross by Kathi Macias

Free E-Books – January 29, 2013

Here are four freebies for you today.  As of posting time, they were all free, but just remember that prices change and always make sure the price is $0, before downloading.  Just click on the highlighted/underlined link and you will be taken directly to the website to download your free book.

• NO LONGER FREE (2-7-13)FREE on Kindle and Nook:  Secrets of the Heart (The Ravensmoore Chronicles #1) by Jillian Kent.  I’ve never heard of this author, but the description sounds good and the reviews look good.  So, for free, it may be worth a try.  You can always delete it if you don’t like it.
• FREE on Kindle:  The Obsession of Victoria Gracen by Grace Livingston Hill.  Those of us who are over 50 will remember books by Grace Livingston Hill.  She was probably one of the first Christian authors I read.  Wonderful Christian romances.
• NO LONGER FREE (1-31-13)FREE on Kindle:  How to Save Money at Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to Cut Spending by Kim Parsell.  I don’t know this author and I have no idea what ideas she has, but I love to save money and if I can get one good idea from this book then it will be worth the read.  After all…it’s FREE.

Free E-Books – January 27, 2013 (Part 2)

Click on the highlighted/underlined e-reader and it will automatically take you to that site to read more about the book and download.  Always remember to double-check to make sure it’s still free.

• NO LONGER FREE (2-3-13)FREE on Kindle and Nook:   Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity by Drew Brees

I haven’t heard of these authors, but the reviews sound good, so they might be worth a try.

• NO LONGER FREE (2-7-13) FREE on Nook:  McKenzie by Penny Zeller
• NO LONGER FREE (2-23-13) FREE on Kindle:  A Lady in Defiance (Romance in the Rockies) by Heather Blanton

Free E-Book – January 27, 2013

Here’s one for American history buffs.  FREE from Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2013

NO LONGER FREE (2-3-13)FREE on Kindle and Nook:   The Big Book of American Trivia by J. Stephen Lang (published by Tyndale House)  Impress your friends with knowledge of all things American—geography, history, entertainment, people, culture, and quirky miscellany. More than 3,000 questions will fill countless hours of fun as you learn fascinating facts about our country. Now with facts and trivia related to the American flag and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” The Big Book of American Trivia has hours of fun packed within its pages. Perfect for party games, family gatherings, and vacations.

Free E-Book – January 25, 2013

NO LONGER FREE (2-18-13) FREE on Kindle and Nook:  Fools Rush In (Weddings by Bella #1) by Janice Thompson

And for Christian history buffs, for $2.99 on Kindle you can buy:  Radical Integrity: The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Michael Van Dyke

January 25, 2013

8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
9 Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth. (Psalm 96:8-9 NKJV)

In the old, old cartoons, now I mean the really old ones, like Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig, there was a hunter named Elmer Fudd.  Elmer had two voices warring in his head.  The angel voice and that other voice (you know the one).  The voices were visible to those of us watching the zany cartoons.  One materialized into a real angel and coaxed Elmer into doing the right thing.  The other voice was also an angel, but an angel with little horns and a pitchfork well concealed from Elmer’s view.

Some Sunday mornings, I feel those two little angels warring in my head.  Some mornings I have the passing thought of skipping church.  That other angel is very persuasive.  “Maybe you need to stay here today”, I hear a soothing voice say to my subconscious, as I try to wake up.  “You could worship the Lord here today, and even go for a walk later and meditate on His Word while you enjoy the scenery.  It’s probably raining out there… ”

Does this sound familiar to anyone?  Or am I the only one to ever be tempted this way?  I am so glad that my guardian angel has a beautiful, sweet, persuasive and firm voice.  “Worship the Lord in His sanctuary. Worship God in the beauty of holiness”, the voice said.  Then I started hearing a chorus I love:

“I will worship You in the beauty of holiness
And I will worship You for the things You’ve done in me
And when my life’s complete
I’ll place my crown at Your feet
And I will worship You my King on bended knee.”

I got on my laptop and looked up the lyrics.  The chorus is by Matthew Ward, and the words convicted me.  I knew they were from a Psalm, so I looked up the Psalm.  The words of Psalm 96 invite us to give the LORD the glory due His name.  The word LORD is capitalized for emphasis.  To give glory to the Lord, we are to come into His courts and bring an offering.  He is the ONE who can make the whole earth tremble.  It’s time to get ready for church.

Dearest Heavenly Father,

You are everywhere.  There is nowhere that I can hide from your presence.  However, You want us to make the choice to come to You.  LORD, we are so blessed to be able to come into your presence, to assemble with other believers for study and worship.  How can we say no, when the King invites?  You have our “yes.”

In the name of Jesus who made long journeys to the temple to worship with other believers,

Amen

Free E-Books – January 24, 2013

• NO LONGER FREE – NOW $2.51 (1-27-13)  FREE on Kindle and Nook:  Sing (The Homeward Trilogy #1) by Lisa T. Bergren.  We have the complete series in the Media Center, so after you finish this free e-book, come by the Media Center and check out the next two books.
• NO LONGER FREE (2-25-13) FREE on Kindle:  Blood Sisters by Melody Carlson.  I’ve read books by Melody Carlson before and liked them, but have not read this book yet.  So since it’s free, give it a try.  But remember to always make sure the theology is based on the Bible.

Media Center Photos

Book Club Photos

Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (1-12-13)

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock – March 23, 2013

New Arrivals – January 17, 2013

Click on each book title and you will be directed to the authors website to read about the author, their books, and if available, watch a trailer of the book.

• Lion of Babylon (Marc Royce Adventures #1) by Davis Bunn
• Rare Earth (Marc Royce Adventures #2) by Davis Bunn
• Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
• To Have and To Hold (Bridal Veil Island #1) by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
• To Love and Cherish (Bridal Veil Island #2) by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
• To Honor and Trust (Bridal Veil Island #3) by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller

Women’s Book Club on March 9, 2013 Has Been Cancelled

Our meeting of March 9th has been postponed due to the death of a dear lady from our church.  Her memorial service will be that day and I know most of us will be going to pay our respects to her.   We will let you know when the date is rescheduled.  Our next meeting TBA at the home of Jackie Chastain.  We will be discussing, Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock. This book was a 2012 Christy Award Winner and named as one of the Top Ten Historical Novels of the year by Booklist Magazine.  Visit the author’s website at www.anntatlock.com for more information about her and her books.

You may purchase the book yourself (either e-book or regular book) or read the Media Center copy.  Carmen ordered books for several of you and three of you still need to come by to pay and get your book.  Those who are reading the Media Center copy, get your name on the list and please read it within a week, so others will have time to read it also.  Ladies, we only have TWO weeks until the meeting.

If you need some motivation to get started, read this review by Zu:

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock promises to keep you up at night or away from your work at work because you’re just not going to be able to put it down! The author draws you into the story and you can feel what each character is feeling…you laugh with them, you cry with (and for) them and you sit right now and have dinner with them. It’s one of my favorites and I can’t wait to discuss it in our March book club meeting.

We have a wonderful time at each Book Club.  First we always eat a delicious breakfast (of course!) and then settle down to have Carmen lead us in a discussion of our book selection.  We always have a wonderful time sharing our thoughts about the book and how God is working in the lives of the characters and how we can relate this to our lives.

In the past we have had a few special treats!  One meeting was hosted by our local Christian bookstore, The Carpenter’s Shop in Athens, GA, and Cindy Woodsmall (The Hope of Refuge) talked to us about her book and her life.  That was so special.  And two other meetings we arranged telephone conferences with the authors…Ann Gabhart (Angel Sister), and Jennifer Erin Valent (Cottonwood Whispers).  It was so wonderful to talk to each author and ask her about her book and how she comes up with her ideas and any future book plans.  We even watched a Youtube video from author Ginny Yttrup (Words) telling us about how she became a writer and a little bit about her book.

It’s always a great day at the Book Club meetings and we would love to have you join us.  You do not have to be a member of our church to join our group.

Happy Reading!

Free E-Books (January 24, 2013)

Click on the highlighted web address or the underlined Kindle/Nook and it will take you directly to the website.  If you have a different e-reader make sure you check out their site also to see if they are offering these books as freebies.

These books don’t stay free for long, so get them as soon as possible.  Since prices do change, sometimes without notice, please double check to make sure they are still free or at the reduced sale price I have listed.  The most recent posts are located at the bottom.

• FREE on Kindle and Nook and Apple (1-7-13 thru 3-30-13):   Land of My Heart (Heirs of Montana #1) by Tracie Peterson. We have this complete series in the Media Center, so when you finish reading this freebie, come by the Media Center and check out the rest of the series.
• FREE on Kindle and Nook (1-1-13 thru 3-30-31):   Secrets (The Michelli Family Series #1) by Kristen Heitzmann. We have the complete series in the Media Center, so when you finish reading this freebie, come by and check out Books 2 & 3.
• NO LONGER FREE (2-1-13)FREE on Kindle:   The Vanishings (Left Behind:The Kids #1) by Jerry B. Jenkins & Tim LaHaye (free through January 31, 2013)
• NO LONGER FREE (1-27-13)  FREE on Kindle and Nook:   It Happens Every Spring (The Four Seasons of Marriage #1) by Catherine Palmer & Gary Chapman (free through January 26, 2013) 
• FREE on Kindle and Nook (1-1-13 thru 3-31-13):   Gods and Kings (Chronicles of the Kings #1) by Lynn Austin.  This is a FANTASTIC series of 5 books.  Download and read this freebie on your e-reader and then come in the Media Center and check out the rest of the series.
• FREE on Kindle and Nook (1-8-13 thru 2-28-13):   The Widow of Larkspur Inn (The Gresham Chronicles #1) by Lawana Blackwell.  Great author and great series.  The Media Center has the complete series, so come check them out as soon as you finish this free book download.
• FREE on  Nook:   Paper Roses (Texas Dreams #1) by Amanda Cabot.  Wonderful early American romance.  The Media Center has all 3 books in this series.
• FREE on Kindle and Nook:   Gentleman of Her Dreams (A Ladies of Distinction Novella) by Jen Turano.  This is a short novella.  I haven’t read it yet, but I downloaded it because sometimes I need a short book to read and this might just be the perfect book for that occasion.
• FREE on Kindle and Nook:   The Beginning: A Prequel to The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury.  Get this one quick, I paid for it a few weeks ago.  Karen’s book The Bridge is in the Media Center and it is so good, so you’ll love reading this book after you read The Bridge. (posted 1-22-13)

January 18, 2013

I waited patiently for the Lord.
He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
He pulled me out of a horrible pit,
out of the mud and clay. (Psalm 40:1-2 GWT)

Jesus wept for the people of his time.  He described them as sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)  Nehemiah also wept when he got news from the survivors of the captivity of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1:4)  The news he heard tore him apart.  Messengers came telling him: “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

Bad news.  Sometimes it comes at us from all directions.  Newspapers, TV, and the Internet carry the bad news from around the world and bury it in the very depths of our psyche.  Sometimes the bad news comes from friends, family, and loved ones near and far away.  We pray.  We weep.  We hope.  We trust. We try to leave it at the Lord’s feet, but often we take it back and try to carry the burden ourselves.

Many of our daily worries are inconsequential. I might worry about catching up on my housework, a new recipe I’m trying for a covered dish supper.  I may worry over deadlines I have to meet, and people I want to please, and I might even worry about something that may or may not happen in the future.  I know better, but I still fall into the pit of worry.

There is a phrase in Isaiah 24:18, which describes the progression from fear, to anxiety, and from anxiety to despair.  It says: “he who flees from the noise of fear shall fall into the pit…”

The noise of fear drowns out my joy.  Then, worry sets in compelling me to flee, and in fleeing, I stumble and fall into a pit of anguish and despair.  When I am there, I know it because the Lord is good to send me physical manifestations of my condition: a fluttering stomach, a rapid heartbeat, headaches…

That’s when I realize, as the psalmist did, that I must wait “patiently” for the Lord.  Once I look up from where I am to where God is and realize he is more capable than I, I cry out to Him, I lift my hand, and then he pulls me out.

Dearest Heavenly Father,

You are our deliverer.  Deliver us from the sin of worry.  Remind us daily to rest in you, to cast all our cares upon You, who are powerful and able to do what we cannot.  Thank you for rescuing us when fear drives us into the pit of anguish and despair.  Restore us to the joy we have in You, our Father, Lord and Savior.

In the name of Jesus, in whom we remain confident and joyful till He comes again,

Amen

No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom #1) – Elizabeth Ludwig

No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom #1) by Elizabeth Ludwig

Elizabeth Ludwig is a new author to me, so I didn’t know what to expect when reading this book. I was pleasantly surprised. She was able to put together in one book all the genres I love to read. Historical, mystery, suspense, and romance.

The main character, Cara Hamilton is looking for the only family she has left. She leaves Ireland and heads to New York City in 1897 in search of her brother. But she could not possibly predict all the dangers that awaited her. Even though her brother warned her in a letter to not trust anyone, she befriended three people. Will they turn out to be friend or foe? Will she find her lost brother? Will her quest cost her her life or the life of someone she loves? You’ll have to get the book and read to find out, because I will not tell.

You will not be disappointed by this book, even though sometimes I thought things were moving too slowly, it was only because I was so eager to find out what was going to happen that I could not wait patiently. I tend to do this, hurry through a book because I can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen, but I’m learning that good books need to be read slowly and savored, to enjoy every minute.

I can’t wait for the sequel, Dark Road Home, to be released in August 2013.

Debbie

The Choice – Robert Whitlow

The Choice by Robert Whitlow

Robert Whitlow has done it again.  He’s written a wonderful book on a tough subject.  This is the story of a young teenager who finds herself pregnant and is faced with 3 choices.  1.  Abortion 2. Adoption 3. Keep the baby.  You will go through this process with her and her family and then you will see what happens in her life many years later.  It’s hard to give a review about this book without “spilling the beans” and letting you know details that would be better for you to enjoy finding out yourself.  I thought it was amazing that God placed this book in my hands to start reading on the Sunday we celebrated the Sanctity of Life.  It really reiterated how precious every life is to God and how He can use each one of us for His glory, if only we let Him.

Come by and check this book out and read it for yourself.  It was a very good book and the way I know that is when I turn to the last page and finish the book and say “I wish there would be a sequel to this book!”.  That means it’s an excellent book to me.

Debbie

 

PREQUEL TO THE BRIDGE BY KAREN KINGSBURY

Hey, I just posted this on the Free E-Book page, but I wanted to make sure everyone saw it.  We have Karen’s book The Bridge in the Media Center and it’s a wonderful book.  This prequel (which I downloaded a few weeks ago…not free!) is really good background info.  Get it quick…it may not last long.

The Beginning: A Prequel to The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury (FREE on Kindle & Nook)

Free E-Book Info

Free and greatly reduced books are constantly changing.  So I will be updating the FREE E-BOOK page daily as new ones come available and old posts are no longer free.  So check this page often if you want to make sure you don’t miss your next favorite book!

Under Construction

This has been a long time coming, but finally I’m getting this blog started.  It’s a work in progress right now.  So come back often and see updates and maybe even a new format…who knows what will happen as I learn WordPress!  I pray the Lord will direct and lead me in this venture to share with our patrons and anyone else who comes across this blog our love of Christian books!

Debbie

“…whatever is…

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Books for Appalachia

We are excited about this new mission opportunity to collect new and gently used books to send to Bill Barker, Director of The Appalachian Regional Ministries. You can drop your donations off at the Media Center during our normal hours. Suggestions are: Bibles for all ages, board books for young children, chapter books for grade school children and teens, fiction and non-fiction for adults. Please make sure all these books meet with our Christian beliefs. We will look at all donations to make sure they are worthy of our giving to these precious people in Appalachia.  We hope to be able to send a box of books to Mr. Barker every month or two. Monetary donations of any amount will be appreciated to help with our shipping costs.  We thank you in advance for your generosity in helping this mission. You can visit the NAMB Appalachian Regional Ministries website to read about the region and their needs and the wonderful work they are accomplishing for our Lord.