SPECIAL OFFER from author Cathy Bryant!!!

Y'all, I'm sorry I didn't get this announcement out sooner! I hope it makes it to some of you in time to get it FREE. Just make sure it is still free before you hit BUY, unless you actually want to pay for it. :) 

I've been reading Cathy's devotionals for a while now and I can say that she is a gifted writer and a godly woman. I always come away with much to think and pray about. I highly encourage you to download her book and devotional. Even if you don't have an e-reader, Amazon offers a FREE KINDLE APP for your computer!

FREE on AMAZON for KINDLE until JAN 31, 2015!!!

click on image to be taken to Amazon

 

Christian Romantic Suspense and Companion Bible Study

 

Now bundled in this digital collection, the fifth Miller's Creek novel A BRIDGE UNBROKEN and its companion Bible study THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS both explore the difficult topic of forgiving the inexcusable.

A BRIDGE UNBROKEN

Not all scars are visible...
Frightened and on the run, Dakota Kelly just wants to erase the painful past. But her plan to start afresh is derailed when she co-inherits her late grandfather’s farm with her high school sweetheart--the one responsible for the scars on her heart. Unfortunately, he's not the only ghost from the past. Someone else is on her trail and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will Chance and Dakota lay aside old wounds and a harbored secret to restore the old farmhouse and bridge, or will evil forces sabotage their attempts to forgive?

THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS

A Bible study on forgiveness...
What do we do when someone seems determined to bring us down through an attack that is personal, public, and unfounded? How do we deal with meaningless acts of destruction especially when the offender shows no remorse? In short, how do we move past the emotional pain to a place of forgiveness?

This forgiveness Bible study examines relevant scriptures for the purpose of building a Biblical understanding of:

• what forgiveness is and what it isn't
• God's role in the process of forgiveness
• what Jesus accomplished at the cross for each of us
• our mandate to forgive as we've been forgiven
• what gets in the way of forgiving others
• and how to truly forgive the unforgivable

Other stand-alone books in the Miller's Creek novels:
Texas Roads
A Path Less Traveled
The Way of Grace
Pilgrimage of Promise
(Coming Soon: Crossroads)

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About Cathy

I’m passionate about Christ and my faith. To that end I do my very best to write uplifting devotional posts and heart-stirring stories about God’s life-changing grace. I hope to use the gift of writing He’s given me to glorify Him and inspire others. 

Most of my blog posts are devotional in nature. I love to share what God is teaching me in His Word through His Spirit. I also occasionally share book-related news and Christian book or product reviews and giveaways. And sometimes I write posts that don’t fit neatly into any of those categories.

My novels all take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, Texas and are Amazon Kindle Best Sellers. The first book, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist. (The next two books in the series are listed below.) PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE was reader-nominated for the 2013 Grace Award. The latest stand-alone book in the series was added in 2014, A BRIDGE UNBROKEN, along with its companion Bible study on forgiveness, THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS. Two Miller’s Creek digital collections were added in 2014-15, and CROSSROADS, the next Miller’s Creek Novel will release in Spring 2015. Readers have compared my books to those of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks. I’ve also written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books, and for various online devotional sites.

~ Happy Reading ~

Review ~ Gabriel's Atonement by Vickie McDonough

All Gabe Coulter ever wanted was to live a comfortable life as a successful gambler, but a confrontation with a disgruntled cowboy who’d just lost to Gabe leads to a family man dying in his arms. Even though it was self-defense, the only way Gabe knows to get rid of his guilt is to return the money he won to the man’s wife. Lara Talbot sees Gabe as a derelict like her husband and wants nothing to do with him. But as she struggles to provide for her family and makes plans to claim property in the upcoming Oklahoma land rush, she wonders if God might have sent the meddling gambler to help. 

My Review 

Gabe Coulter is an expert gambler who never cheats his opponents. Regretfully, one particular man ended up a dead-head, literally. When Gabe finds out that Tom Talbot, the man he killed in a back alley in self-defense has a wife and son, he feels a tremendous amount of guilt. He desires to make amends by returning the money to Talbot’s widow, Lara.
Lara Talbot is wise to her husband’s gambling habit and has essentially been taking care of her son, grandfather and younger sister for years on her own. She actually feels a bit of relief when she finds out Tom is dead because he was a good-for-nothing husband. When her family is evicted from their rented dwelling, the seemingly only way to achieve a home of their own is to ride in the land rush and try to stake a claim.
Once again Vickie McDonough has penned an intriguing and historically fascinating tale of greed, repentance, forgiveness, and love. I vaguely remember learning about the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 in school but I was so much more fascinated with the whole process by the action and adventure in Gabriel’s Atonement. The pictorial scenes ran like an old western movie across my mind’s eye. I could perfectly envision the showdown in the back alley, and I felt like an eye witness as dust rose like clouds from horses hooves pounding across Unassigned Lands. 
I believe this easy-to-read novel will appeal to many inspirational and historical western fiction fans. The plot is sound and mesmerizing. The main characters are flawed but easily likable, except maybe Joline (the younger sister), but her story comes next. The spiritual theme of atonement is beautifully presented. I always appreciate the manner in which McDonough weaves Christ into her stories.
I want to thank the publisher (Shiloh Run Press an imprint of Barbour Books) for offering me a print copy for review purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, only my honest opinion of the book, which I have done. No compensation has been received.

Take52 & The Barn Collective - Two-for-One

The Week 3 theme for Take 52 was ENTRANCE.

I contemplated the following three photos.

This first photo is looking back toward the entrance to our property. I was pleased with capturing a natural sun glare and not having to manufacture one in PicMonkey.

I wasn't pleased that it came out a bit blurry but that is what I get for taking it with my phone camera. Not too bad, but not great.

This second photo is of a church not far from where we live and the entrance is one I find quite attractive. I love the stonework arched doorway! And as it was taken in the late afternoon, the sun was giving it a nice hue.

I realized after I uploaded the church photo that the bushes are not symmetrical and I felt that took away from the overall image.

So ultimately I went with this third photo. You know I love barns of all shapes and sizes, and rustic old outbuildings. Well this one fit the bill on all accounts! This is such a pleasing entrance to the occupants property. It sits relatively close to the road but far enough back to where I had to zoom a bit. But do you see that tree on the right? It is twisted! That is so cool, and one the reasons I chose this photo. I felt like there was so much interest in this image; fading wood, dappled shade, textured and weathered siding, and that twisted tree.

I'm also linking it to The Barn Collective @ Rose Street Reflections.

Hop on over there to see more gorgeous barns.

Have a blessed day!

Take 52 Catch Up

Week 2's theme was Local. The weather was not cooperating for most of the week, in that it was dreary, cloudy, and rainy...again. But on the first clear day, which was Saturday, I hopped in the car with my son and let him drive to work while I took photos.

This was once a 'local' grocery store but is obviously not anymore. :)

I liked the image but not enough to submit it for the challenge.

Here we have the children's dept at our 'local' library all decorated for Valentine's Day. Isn't it pretty? I was going to use this image until I realized that the bulletins boards promoting "love books" and "sweet reads" are sitting directly above the computer stations. Somehow that just didn't make sense to me. I would like to have seen some comfy couches, chairs, or bean bags and lots and lots of books, but then it wouldn't look so neat and clean, would it?! And I'm sure my son has a little bit to do with it being so orderly and precise looking. He works in that department.

And now for the winning submission photo...

I just love Winnie the Pooh! When my children were little we watched lots of movies and read tons of books about Pooh. I even learned the song so I could sing it to them! 

Well, look who I found reading one of his favorite stories at our 'LOCAL' library. None other than Winnie the Pooh! :)

 I took many photos of Pooh Bear positioned in different areas, with different lighting, but ultimately I liked this one best, even with the "harsh" lighting (as one commenter in Take52 pointed out).

What are some 'local' places you like to visit? 

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Week 3's theme is Entrance and I'll be posting those photos on Monday.

WINNER!!!

You won a copy of Wind in the Wires by Janet Chester Bly!

Check your email for instructions.

Thanks to all who came by and entered the drawing.