Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Three More Days!!!

Only three days left until the end of the contest to name this little critter. One lucky person is going to win these books and a Starbucks gift card.
And I'm oh so close to a decision...

The Watchers by Mark Andrew Olsen
The Restorer's Son by Sharon Hinck
Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee (signed)
Embrace Grace by Lizz Curtis Higgs
Generation Next Parenting by Tricia Goyer
Reclaiming Nick by Susan May Warren
Only Uni by Camy Tang

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Discouragement

859675_book____3This past Sunday I went with my daughter to her church for the first time. When we walked in, I felt comfortable right away. I enjoyed the worship immensely, but it was the sermon that truly had me near tears.

The pastor* spoke about being discouraged, especially if you’re a perfectionist and disappointed because things just haven’t worked out like you expected. I almost jumped out of my seat and yelled, “That’s me!”

Almost.

The past few weeks have been rough and overall, it’s been a challenging year. Hearing him speak these words right to my heart captured my complete attention. I knew I was struggling, but to hear what from so clearly defined was like a cup of cool water to my parched lips. From that point on I had no doubts God intended me to hear this message.

The pastor shared five wise principles to remember in discouraging times:

Read the rest at S.U.M.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Finding Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

Here's a book too cute to pass up! Lisa Samson is an awesome writer and her new YA (young adult) series looks fun. Come check it out!

About the Book...
Scotty Fitzgerald, oft-neglected daughter of well-known Hollywood food stylist Charley, knows the “inside scoop” about the Hollywood stars we can’t get enough of. Having spent her life in an RV driving from set to set while her mom “styled food” for celebrities, Scotty sees what the fans do not. And she reveals it regularly on her Hollywood Nobody blog, though she’d rather be as far away from Hollywood as anyone can get. After all, Scotty has enough drama in her own life!

After learning that her ‘mother’ is really her grandmother, Charley finds out her real parents were probably killed in a mafia-style shooting reminiscent of The Sopranos. Scotty’s now certain a sinister “Biker Guy” who’s continued to track her and her mom must be connected to her parents’ shooting. There’s a pretty good chance, she decides, that he’s looking to finish the job by taking her life.

So Scotty and Charley do what they’ve always done—run and avoid the situation. But a life on the run is exhausting and Scotty’s had just about enough—enough to ignore Charley’s motherly direction and chart her own course. Let’s just hope it isn’t a course that puts her in the crosshairs of her own parents’ murderer.

Themes of the Book...
Finding identity. Teen Pregnancy. Exploring faith for the first time. Learning to listen to the Holy Spirit. Encountering new environments. Discovering the courage to act on your convictions.

About the Author...
Lisa Samson is the author of twenty books, including the Christy-Award-winning Songbird. Finding Hollywood Nobody is the second book in the Hollywood series. Lisa is the mother of three children. To learn more, visit lisasamson.typepad.com.

Discovering who you are is a major theme in Finding Hollywood Nobody. Scotty feels compelled to learn more about her real parents when she discovers that her "mother" is really her grandmother and that her parents were likely killed in a mafia-style shootout. What do you think principally defines who we are? genetics & family or how we see ourselves?

Being no expert in such things, I really couldn't say. There are way too many stories of twins separated at birth, growing up in very different homes, who end up living very similar lives. So I'd say genetics plays a large part. But just look and see what happens to people who are raised with many more advantages than those who aren't. So family as well as social standing hold a lot of sway as well. And then . . . how we see ourselves is a large part, especially how we see ourselves in light of God. Do we really believe God loves us? So can I answer yes to all three? I think we tend to get in trouble when we try and reduce the human psyche to one principle issue, anyway. As the Bible says, "we are fearfully and wonderfully made."

What would you recommend to people in a similar situation as Scotty either through adoption or other circumstances? In your opinion - is finding your genetic heritage worth risking everything?

I wouldn't recommend anything! I think every situation is different and I would recommend commiting the matter of finding one's biological parent to intense prayer before even thinking of making a move. Let the Spirit guide above all else.

What was your inspiration behind the Hollywood Nobody series?

I just wanted to write a fun series. There are a lot of good series out there with teens in a more typical home situation, with either one parent around or two, living in a town, going to school, dealing with friends. But I wanted to remove my main character from the everyday world teens find themselves in and see what she did. I'm fascinated by what happens in Hollywood so setting it in that world, but on its edges, was something interesting for me. I swear, there are times I read what's happening to some of these young actresses and singers and can hardly believe my ears. I wanted to be able to explore a teenage girl's reaction to some of these foibles.

What can you tell us about what's in store for Scotty in Book 3?

Scotty finds some romance! As does Charley. And, of course, Seth "hottie" Haas, finds himself feeling a little threatened! The search for her mother continues full force. The book takes place in the mountains surrounding Asheville, North Carolina on the set of a Scottish epic film. Lots of guys in kilts. I'm just sayin'!

(Q&A courtesy of Glass Roads Public Relations)

Friday, May 09, 2008

Interview with Nancy Kennedy

Lynn Donovan over at Spiritually Unequal Marriage has an AWESOME interview up with Nancy Kennedy, author of When He Doesn't Believe: Help and Encouragement for Women Who Feel Alone in Their Faith. Nancy has some wonderful words of advice and wisdom and some very encouraging news about her dear hubby! You don't want to miss this uplifting and encouraging interview. Blessings!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Indescribable by Chris Thomlin

Woke today with this song running through my mind. PMCavalier made this for U-Tube. Enjoy and may your day be filled the indescribable love and presence of our amazing God!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

The Warriors by Mark Andrew Olsen


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Warriors

(Bethany House April 1, 2008)

by

Mark Andrew Olsen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
MARK ANDREW OLSEN whose novel The Assignment was a Christy Award finalist, also collaborated on bestsellers Hadassah (now the major motion picture: One Night With the King), The Hadassah Covenant, and Rescued. His last novel was the supernatural thriller The Watchers.

The son of missionaries to France, Mark is a Professional Writing graduate of Baylor University. He and his wife, Connie, live in Colorado Springs with their three children.



ABOUT THE BOOK

A failed recon mission deep in the tunnels of Afghanistan has provoked a demonic onslaught that had been brewing for centuries. The mission's sole survivor is reformed black ops assassin Dylan Hatfield, and he once again teams up with Abby Sherman, now at the helm of the Watchers, an ancient spiritual force. Uncovering and preventing a secret wave of death whispered across cyberspace and threatening to be unleash against civilization will require another level of spiritual power and expertise--the Warriors.

Journeying across the Alps of Europe through the multilayered history of warfare in the unseen world, Dylan and Abby uncover an age-old stone engraving that rouses the church's Warriors to action, placing them dead center in one of the fiercest spiritual battles of their time!

And once again they are reminded: This is all part of a vast and perpetual war, a war beyond all human conflicts, one that has engulfed heaven and earth since before the dawn of history....

Abby Sherman is headed back to Israel, where a Watcher, the Sentinel of Jerusalem, lies dying. In her last breaths the old woman tells Abby of an ancient document prophesying humanity's full-scale entry into the ongoing conflict between armies of heaven and fallen angels.

Dylan Hatfield has decided to answer a summons from his old boss and join a secret operation, its mission to reconnoiter the Afghani tunnel complex from which Osama bin Laden escaped in 2001. What he discovers sears his very soul and likely will end his life.

Abby learns of the peril facing Dylan, and she sends out a call for intercession on his behalf. Her frantic email message sets in motion a series of harrowing events, propelling the two on a new mission and quest--one where the stakes are the lives of millions!

The Warriors is packed with high-octane action, featuring exotic international locales, with characters in a clash against spiritual "principalities and powers" with eternal consequences, The Warriors is a story that will enthrall, enlighten, and engage its readers.

If that piques your interest, you can read the first chapter HERE

"Olsen, one of the better writers in this subgenre, delivers powerful, action-packed plots that delve into mystical paranormal worlds."
~Library Journal, Feb. 2008

"Olsen delivers an entertaining thriller likely to be enjoyed especially by fans of the spiritual warfare genre."
~PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

I had the pleasure of reading Mr. Olsen's first book, The Watchers, last year and consider it one of the top ten books I read for 2007. He's a great writer and crafts a wonderful story. I'm giving a copy of this book away as part of the NAME THAT CAT! Contest. Click here details!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

CONTEST ENDS MAY 31st

Kittens Come From Eggs has a whole new look! And now you get to be part of the fun. This little guy (or gal!) needs a name. Leave as many comments as you want with name suggestions. The one who comes up with the name I like will receive a Starbucks gift card and a gift pack of 7 books to include:

The Watchers by Mark Andrew Olsen
The Restorer's Son by Sharon Hinck
Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee (signed)
Embrace Grace by Lizz Curtis Higgs
Generation Next Parenting by Tricia Goyer
Reclaiming Nick by Susan May Warren
Only Uni by Camy Tang

Now here's the plus. Send a friend over with his or her suggestions, and if he or she wins, you get a gift too! Just be sure they mention who sent them.

Be creative, be silly, be original! This little critter will have to live with this name for a long time, so give it a name to fit it's quirky character.

Contest ends May 31st! Meeeeeoooooooow...