Amazing Kindle Sales!

I have NO IDEA how long Amazon is going to have these books on sale, but as they are by some of my favorite authors, and at FANTASTIC prices, I didn't want to let the chance go by to share them here. Remember to verify the price before purchase!

Mesu Andrews - $1.99 EACH:

• Love Amid the Ashes
• Love's Sacred Song
• Love in a Broken Vessel
• In the Shadow of Jezebel

Laura Frantz - $1.99 EACH:

• Love's Reckoning
• Love's Awakening

Jill Eileen Smith:

• Michal - FREE
• Sarai - $0.99
• Rebekah - $0.99
• Rachel - $1.99

Brock & Bodie Thoene: The Gates of Zion is currently just $0.99!

Act fast & enjoy! :)

Contentment Reading Challenge 2011

Hmmm...so, since one of my "reading resolutions" going forward is to read more and finish challenges, I might as well go crazy and join several before 2011 hits, no? :)

The Contentment Reading Challenge is being hosted by a new blogging friend of mine - Amber at Seasons of Humility. Here's the challenge details, copied from Amber's main challenge post:

Contentment Reading Challenge 2011

Hosted by "Seasons of Humility"

The "Contentment Reading Challenge" is based on the idea that we, as avid readers, have many books scattered around our homes (on shelves, in the closet, under the bed, etc.) that we have hoped to read again but have not made the time to do so. It is also based on my own struggles with greed and selfishness--continuing to buy more and more books, while forgetting the wonderful library I already own.*

If you perhaps are going through similar struggles or have had similar ideas, I would love to have you join my reading challenge. This is more of a personal challenge, so don't feel like you have to strictly follow all of the rules in order to be involved. What really counts is our heart attitudes, and while this isn't an overnight change, it's something we can be working on together.

Here are the guidelines:

I will be posting off and on throughout the year about the challenge, and I would love to hear your feedback at those times on how you are doing and what you might be learning along the way. I'd love to have this become a community event, where we can encourage and pray for one another, as well as share in each other's joys as we re-visit some of our favorite books!

In order for this to be a "challenge," it's good to set some goals. Since the ocean is the theme for the devotional posts on this blog ("Sundays by the Sea") here are some of the themed levels you can aim for:

• Floating: Re-reading 5 books you already own. Skimming the surface.
• Wading: Re-reading 10 books you already own. Getting your feet wet in your ocean of books.
• Swimming: Re-reading 15 books you already own. Immersing yourself again.
• Diving: Re-reading 20 or more books you already own. Going deep into the stories you love.  

The challenge officially starts on January 1, 2011 and officially ends on December 31, 2011. I'm sure there will be some fun activities along the way for those involved, and maybe even a celebration at the end, so I hope you can join me!

For us to remember: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

***

*True confessions time - contentment is something that I can really struggle with, so Amber's statement about "forgetting the wonderful library I already own" really struck a chord within me. The maxim "so many books, so little time" is so true - but I've let many years pass "meaning" to revisit old favorites and never getting around to it thanks to all of the  new "must reads" I insist on acquiring. *wink* So this year, I'd like to turn that wishlist of old favorites that I've longed to re-read for years into a reality.

For this challenge I'm going to start by committing to the "wading" level - 10 books.

EDIT 3/5/11: I've decided to simply count any books I've read before and re-read this year as eligible for this challenge, rather than setting a specific list. *whew* I already feel less stressed. :)

Wish me luck, and let me know if you decide to join in Amber's challenge! And help keep me accountable!!! :)

The Gathering Storm by Brock & Bodie Thoene

 

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing The Gathering StormSummerside Press (August 1, 2010)

byBodie and Brock Thoene 
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 50 works of historical fiction. Over twenty million of these best-selling novels are in print. Eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirms what millions of readers have already discovered—the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.

Brock has often been described by Bodie as “an essential half of this writing team.” With degrees in both history and education, Brock has, in his role as researcher and story-line consultant, added the vital dimension of historical accuracy. Due to such careful research, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles series are recognized by the American Library Association, as well as Zionist libraries around the world, as classic historical novels and are used to teach history in college classrooms.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie—and seven grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.

Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As Nazi forces tighten the noose, Loralei Kepler, daughter of a German resistance leader, must flee her beloved Germany. But is any place safe from Adolf Hitler's evil grasp? Loralei's harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives, and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret.

Explore the romance, the passion, and the danger of the most anticipated series of the last twenty years.

Born from the highly acclaimed and best-loved novels of three generations of readers -- The Zion Covenant series and The Zion Chronicles series -- Zion Diaries ventures into the lives of the inspiring and intriguing characters who loved intensely, stood up for what was right, and fought boldly during Hitler's rise to power and the dark days of World War II.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Gathering Storm, go HERE