Wednesday, October 24, 2012



Hello!  Be sure and pay attention to this interesting posting below.  Thanks to Julie Lessman and her mighty pen, she wants to giveaway some books and a Kindle Fire!  Read on and then run, not walk...to the nearest contest for Julie's prizes!

CONTESTS!

WHOO-HOO ... THREE CONTESTS: 
Kindle Fire Contest!!
Review Contest!!
A Light in the Window Facebook Giveaways!!

A.) KINDLE FIRE CONTEST1st place with the most points wins a Kindle Fire (or equivalent gift card). If more than one top entrant with equivalent points, winner will be selected via random drawing.
Next three runners-up receive signed printed manuscript of A Light in the Window or $20 gift card.
There will be a random drawing for those with even just one point (with extra entry for each point accrued) for a signed manuscript of A Light in the Window or $20 gift card.
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:
1.)   ORDER A Light in the Window (5 points in contest) at Amazon NOW or Barnes & Noble, CBD.com or Smashwords on November 9.
 2.)   GET SOMEONE ELSE TO ORDER A Light in the Window (2 points per order).
 3.)   SHARE this contest page on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, Goodreads, wherever (2 points per 1-time share each).
 4.)  "LIKE" the book on Amazon and B&N or get someone else to do so (1 pt. per LIKE).
 5.)   E-MAIL ME through the "Contact Julie" tab of   this website to let me know which of the points above you have done, and I will enter you in the contest. NOTE: Kindle winner MAY be required to show proof of purchase via the Amazon Order Confirmation number listed on their confirmation e-mail from Amazon.
Contest ends December 31, 2012 and winner will be announced here on the Contest page and in my January 4th Journal Jot.
B.) REVIEW CONTESTPublisher's Weekly states that good reviews are critical to an author's success!! 1st place (the most points accrued for good reviews posted) wins a character named after them in Love at Any Cost (release date April 1, 2013), a $50 gift card and signed copy of Love at Any Cost.
Runner-up wins a bit character named after them and signed copy of Love at Any Cost.
Random drawing for those with even just one point (with extra entries for every point accrued) for a signed copy of Love at Any Cost.

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:
1.)  POST A BRIEF, POSITIVE REVIEW for A Love Surrendered at AmazonBarnes & NobleCBD.com, other online bookseller, personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc. (1 point per each review posted.)
2.)  CLICK THE “LIKE” BUTTON for A Love Surrendered on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. (1 point per LIKE).
3.) E-MAIL ME through the "Contact Julie" tab of this website to let me know where you have posted the reviews and the links to each review.
NOTEThis contest is to promote reviews for A Love Surrendered, but if you are a new reader who has NEVER posted a review for any of my books before, you may do so and accrue points that way as well. However, I regret I cannot count reviews posted in the past for my books as part of one of my prior contests. Winners will be announced in my next newsletter scheduled to mail in FEBRUARY so make sure you are signed up for it via theNewsletter tab of this website.

C.) A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW FACEBOOK GIVEAWAYS:  Join me on FacebookNovember 1 - 30 for fun trivia and tips on making Christmas memorable for your family and those you love. The discussion takes place on my author page each day, where I'll be giving away FIVE copies of A Light in the Window over the course of the month, either e-book or signed printed manuscript, so I hope you'll be a part. Here's the link and hope to see you there!
GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!!!
Hugs,
Julie
WOW!  Thanks for sharing Julie, I'm very excited!  I've read ALL of your books and feel like part of the O'Connor family...except I'm not Irish! LOL!  I have read your awesome "A Light in the Window" and am preparing my review to be published very soon.  Honestly, I'm not sure what more I can say...those already published reviews have already said it all.  I'll just have to scratch my head and hope something pops out!  I've already decided that this is another five star read.  So - friends, followers and visitors - go for it.....you will be blessed for sure.
Hugs,
Barb


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Southern Writers: Suite T: Writers as Reviewers?

Southern Writers: Suite T: Writers as Reviewers?: By  Michelle Sutton Should you write reviews once you are published? I was a book reviewer long before I had my first published ...

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

WRITING TO DISTRACTION BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY

Blog Tour & Giveaways for Colonial Courtships

COMMENT BETWEEN NOW AND OCT. 21ST AND YOU MAY WIN THIS GIFT BASKET!

Be sure and click on the blogsite address at the bottom of this page 
and go to  
WRITING TO DISTRACTION 
to post a comment on the giveaway.

COMMENT BETWEEN NOW AND OCT. 21st AND YOU MAY WIN THIS GIFT BASKET!
Contents includes Colonial Courtships, Liberty's Promise, The Glassblower, fall napkins, wooden spoon, gingerbread scented tapers, & cranberry candle jar.MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

This is a big week for me on my blog tour for promoting Colonial Courtships.

What's a blog tour? It is an online tour of interviews, reviews, and conversations around the web to raise interest in a newly released book. It is lots of fun with fun insights and behind the scenes info from the author and there are usually book giveaways...and in my case you may even win a book gift basket!

Sunday, the 14th, you'll find another interview with the authors at Lena Nelson Dooley's A Christian Writers World.

Monday, the 15th, the Colonial Courtships authors begin there long visit with Valerie Comer, the hostess of Barbour's Romancing America blog. I'll be featured  for several days this week to talk about my novella Carving a Future, the first book included in theColonial Courtships anthology.

I'm visiting at From the Heart with Cheryl St. John on Tues., the 16th, to talk about Colonial Detours.

And tomorrow, the 15th, I celebrate my Colonial American fiction debut with a tea party at Colonial Quills, the Colonial American Christian Writer's blog that I contribute to each month. There is another gift basket giveaway there as well!
Be sure and click on the blogsite address below and go to  
WRITING TO DISTRACTION 
to post a comment on the giveaway.
http://writingtodistraction.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-tour-giveaways-for-colonial.html?showComment=1350443080338#c5794639800667935664

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღ♪♥ღ ♪♥ ღ ♪♥ღ ♪♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Monday, October 15, 2012

Seekerville: October Birthday

Seekerville: October Birthday: Welcome to our Fifth Birthday Giveaway Page. The rules are simple.  Comment during any week for a chance to win that week's birthda...

Thursday, October 11, 2012

DONNA LAY OF PROJECT MUSTARD SEED

Hi Friends, Followers & Neighbors........

Today, through a friend, I was led to A Project Mustard Seed which caught my interest immediately and was led further...sensing by the Holy Spirit...to read about the lady behind this intriguing idea, Donna Lay.  From there, I journeyed to her blog and that is where I found something wonderful I now share with you.  I know you will find Donna and her words just as fascinating as I do.  Take it, Donna........
DONNA LAY
SPEARHEAD OF PROJECT MUSTARD SEED



DONNA'S BLOG
Blessed Beyond Measure
A Journey of Faith, Love & everything in between

Several months ago, I came across a poem written by an unknown author called, Are you a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime? A poem filled with beautiful inspiring words took first place in the mad game of ping-pong. By now, God has taught me enough to recognize and to seize the moments when “people come into your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime.” Immediately I knew I must give credit to where credit is due, saying a tremendous thank you to all who had a hand in the development of Project Mustard Seed! Primarily I thank God for blessing me beyond measure! For remaining faithful in his promises that laid ruminating in my soul and revealing my potential for greatness in the ability to dream dreams. The right people he placed in my life that possessed the talent to fulfill the impossible. In his unfailing love, through selfless acts of kindness, to lessons learned . . . friendships flourished. With each person, his light shines through, illuminating within me an endless supply of strength, courage, and peace.                            
 Donna Lay
Are You a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
                                          Author Unknown  

ABOUT DONNA LAY 

Donna is a full-time wife to the man of her dreams and a mother to five amazing kids! Since giving her life to God six years ago, God has blessed her family beyond measure. She is finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a major in Christian Counseling from Liberty University DLP, and she is interning at Freedom House Church of God under the supervision of Pastor Travis Ballinger and Associate Pastor John Unthank. A member of Freedom House, she also serves as an Elder of the church alongside her husband, Michael Lay, where both teach and mentor the College & Career Class ministry. God gifted Donna with a passionate desire, proficiency, and calling to help others “break free,” as she broke free, and become more productive in personal and family goals with a focus on Godly living. She dedicates her life to helping and teaching others see and achieve their fullest potential.   
About Project Mustard Seed 
Come Grow With Us: Relate, Experience, Journey, 
and Celebrate with God!

Our Mission at Project Mustard Seed is to help others experience the joy that comes by knowing God. We want to encourage spiritual growth and provide support throughout your journey to find God's place in your life, and to find your place in God's plan. Together we will celebrate with God by using our gifts and talents to help others improve the quality of their life.Our Vision is for everyone to experience God through encouragement, enlightenment, and exhortations -- connecting individuals through common interests, goals, assistance, and useful information that ultimately promotes growth and positive change.
Our Goal is to help individuals reach their full potential. Project Mustard Seed will continue to add resources that can help individuals grow spiritually, physically, and emotionally to help improve the quality of life for the individual and their families. This site stands on the foundation of Godly living, providing faith, abilities, and strength to those who seek to be more productive in their personal and family goals.

"If you have faith as a mustard Seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
Awesome poem, wasn't it?  Having faith as a mustard seed has always been a mysterious concept to me, but it also gives me hope on those days I see things a bit grey and desolate.  Friends and persons coming in and out of my life at certain times and places increases my hope that in some way each of my relationships with others will bless them in such ways as introducing them to Jesus and the love of our awesome Abba Father.  It's in this very way that I have learned many lessons of life and enhanced my love of the Lord.  Hallelujah and Amen!!  That's it for today, and please come back and bring your friends with you.  I'd love to meet them and make new friends.

Hugs,
Barb

BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE BLOG http://www.gomustardseed.org/blog/?p=20
PROJECT MUSTARD SEED http://www.gomustardseed.org/index.html
   
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღ♪♥ღ ♪♥ ღ ♪♥ღ ♪♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ


Friday, October 5, 2012

JEANNE BROOKS - I WOULD DRAW NEARER TO JESUS

Today I am pleased to share a posting from my friend Jeanne Brooks, author of several great books.  Two, I enjoyed reading and reviewing.  At the end of this first week of October, and the holidays fast approaching, some of us can relate to her words and the words of this old lovely hymn and take comfort in the words.

I WOULD DRAW NEARER TO JESUS


JEANNE BROOKS
Across the Wilderness
Through the Waters



























I Would Draw Nearer To Jesus



  • When you feel sad or discouraged, angry or frustrated, what's one of the things yo want to do? For me, it is to talk to someone who will understand, usually a friend. Lately I've been car-pooling with a friend, and I find that venting our frustrations about or talking about a home issue of concern helps lift that weight off my shoulders, even if for only a short time. Drawing close to family and friends at the time of my daughter's death certainly helped me over that hurdle!

    Last night, I was on the airplane and next to me sat a woman who talked of her reasons for traveling. She had lost one of her sons (and his wife) in a car accident 8 years ago, and almost to the day, this past week, her sister also lost a son in a car crash! She rushed to her sister's side to give her comfort, as well as helping her make decisions about organ donations, as she had done 8 years prior. She mentioned, "Who would have thought two sister would experience such similar loss, and that I would need to be there for her 8 years later?" Only God! "He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble." (2 Corinthians 1:4 CEB)

    My ♥ song this morning reminds me of how important it is to actively seek that comfort; don't just expect to feel it because you've been a Christian for whatever number of years. Feelings can be deceiving! They are often based on an emotional, gut response, but true comfort comes from the knowledge that Jesus is the one Friend on Whom you can always depend and He understands EVERY sorrow, pain, or challenge you face!

    "I would draw nearer to Jesus,
    In His sweet presence abide,
    Constantly trying to serve Him,
    Safe and secure at His side.

    REFRAIN:
    I would draw nearer to Jesus,
    I would draw nearer to Him;
    Fully surrendered each moment,
    I would draw nearer to Him.

    I would draw nearer to Jesus,
    Nothing withholding from Him,
    Knowing He loves to be gracious,
    I would draw nearer to Him.

    I would draw nearer to Jesus,
    Seeking His strength to be true,
    Willing to tell of His goodness,
    Gladly His blest will to do."

    "...and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 30:21 KJV). Have a blessed day.

    Unfortunately, I can't find a youtube of this great hymn, so hopefully the words suffice.

    ><> ♥
    Jeanne

    :^)




    Knowing he loves to be gracious, seeking the strength, and willing to tell of His  goodness...... all these wonderful things about Jesus we can take to share now and always.  Have a blessed weekend.


    Hugs,
    Barb



     ♥                      


Monday, October 1, 2012

BIG NEWS TODAY...OCTOBER & JULIE LESSMAN'S A LOVE SURRENDERED!!