Envision Publishing

Pursuing excellence in pursuit of the dream

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I have always wanted to read this book so was really excited to see it available for review from WaterBrook Multnomah. (I am a book review blogger and received a free copy.) The reason I wanted to read it was to see if I could use it for a girl’s youth group bible study. Its contents did not disappoint. While I haven’t used it yet, I do plan to. I also plan to use it for our ladies’ ministry. I think there’s a deep need in the church for women to know that they are forgiven and can have their lives restored completely by the grace of God and the love of Christ. This book gives examples and then asks the questions that help women know that they can truly be forgiven. No one is perfect. And they can emerge with the confidence that they don’t have to believe Satan’s lies because Jesus makes them worthy. God’s forgiveness makes it just as if it never happened. Liz Curtis Higgs is an award-winning speaker and writer. She has addressed audiences around the world and is the author of eighteen books, including Bad Girls of the Bible, Really Bad Girls of the Bible, and Mad Mary. Liz openly shares that she, too, was once a bad girl. I think this makes the book even more poignant and effective. I am more than thrilled to have this book and get to use it for my church. I give it five great big shining stars.

I have always wanted to read this book so was really excited to see it available for review from WaterBrook Multnomah. (I am a book review blogger and received a free copy.) The reason I wanted to read it was to see if I could use it for a girl’s youth group bible study. Its contents did not disappoint. While I haven’t used it yet, I do plan to. I also plan to use it for our ladies’ ministry.

I think there’s a deep need in the church for women to know that they are forgiven and can have their lives restored completely by the grace of God and the love of Christ. This book gives examples and then asks the questions that help women know that they can truly be forgiven. No one is perfect. And they can emerge with the confidence that they don’t have to believe Satan’s lies because Jesus makes them worthy. God’s forgiveness makes it just as if it never happened.

Liz Curtis Higgs is an award-winning speaker and writer. She has addressed audiences around the world and is the author of eighteen books, including Bad Girls of the Bible, Really Bad Girls of the Bible, and Mad Mary.

Liz openly shares that she, too, was once a bad girl. I think this makes the book even more poignant and effective. I am more than thrilled to have this book and get to use it for my church. I give it five great big shining stars.

Filed under book review

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When the Bottom Drops Out by Robert Bugh I chose this book to review for Tyndale because the bottom has dropped out of my life recently and is still continuing to drop. It happens to everyone. No one is immune to sorrow. There’s a saying in the south that says, “all God’s childrens gots troubles.” And it’s very true. All of us find ourselves at one time or another broken and in desperate need  of God’s grace. Author Pastor Robert Bugh lost both his wife and best friend to cancer within a year and a half of each other. This book outlines his journey from loss to restoration and assures the reader how to hold tightly to Christ through the most painful episodes of life. While pain and disappointment are unavoidable, God is still faithful, and holding us close no matter the circumstance. Pastor Bugh shares intimately the pain he experienced in the loss of his wife, and how much change is a hard thing to bear as well as the loss of a loved one. He also shares the joy of coming out the other side and the challenges of being a stepfather to his stepchildren and husband to his new wife. It seems that at every turn in life, we are given opportunities to rely on God’s grace. This book is an excellent tool for anyone dealing with loss or personal pain. For me, the examples of Joseph, Abraham, Jeremiah and other Patriarchs encouraged me and gave me courage to face the difficult days ahead. I plan on sharing this book with those who are suffering with me, and also to encourage those who have lost loved ones to read it. It’s a good book for churches to keep in stock to give grieving families, whether their loss is death, a child in trouble, or watching a loved one suffer with an illness or disability. I give this book five stars because it’s truly an anointed book that God uses as a healing balm. I highly recommend it for others. It is good medicine for the hurting soul.

When the Bottom Drops Out by Robert Bugh

I chose this book to review for Tyndale because the bottom has dropped out of my life recently and is still continuing to drop. It happens to everyone. No one is immune to sorrow. There’s a saying in the south that says, “all God’s childrens gots troubles.” And it’s very true. All of us find ourselves at one time or another broken and in desperate need  of God’s grace.

Author Pastor Robert Bugh lost both his wife and best friend to cancer within a year and a half of each other. This book outlines his journey from loss to restoration and assures the reader how to hold tightly to Christ through the most painful episodes of life. While pain and disappointment are unavoidable, God is still faithful, and holding us close no matter the circumstance.

Pastor Bugh shares intimately the pain he experienced in the loss of his wife, and how much change is a hard thing to bear as well as the loss of a loved one. He also shares the joy of coming out the other side and the challenges of being a stepfather to his stepchildren and husband to his new wife. It seems that at every turn in life, we are given opportunities to rely on God’s grace.

This book is an excellent tool for anyone dealing with loss or personal pain. For me, the examples of Joseph, Abraham, Jeremiah and other Patriarchs encouraged me and gave me courage to face the difficult days ahead.

I plan on sharing this book with those who are suffering with me, and also to encourage those who have lost loved ones to read it. It’s a good book for churches to keep in stock to give grieving families, whether their loss is death, a child in trouble, or watching a loved one suffer with an illness or disability.

I give this book five stars because it’s truly an anointed book that God uses as a healing balm. I highly recommend it for others. It is good medicine for the hurting soul.

Filed under book review

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Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl When I chose this book to review, I was excited to get a chance to read it because I admire Lis Wiehl on Fox News. However, I was disappointed to learn that she had a co-writer. That was my first disappointment. The book didn’t keep my attention very well at first, but to be frank, it’s hard to keep my attention. Still, I expected more from a crime/suspense novel in the first few pages. The story is about a high-school girl who is found murdered in a shocking way in a park in Westchester County, New York. None of the teens who were with her at a party the night of the murder can remember what happened, and they are all suspects. Dani Harris is a forensic psychiatrist who is obsessed with the murder and is also struggling with troubling dreams filled with blood, water, and destruction. She wonders if these are clues or signs, but she doesn’t know. Her old high school crush, Tommy Gunderson, is also attacked by an old woman with supernatural strength.  He begins to help Dani solve the crime. Once I got past the first few chapters the story was definitely a page turner, and even though Wiehl didn’t write it alone, the writing and pace of the story is stellar. It leaves you wanting to read the next one, and I will. I give this book 4 stars for several reasons: its inclusion of technology, motorcycles, and modern social networking. If you are a geek you’ll like this book. If you are a CSI fan, you’ll love it, too. And I you’re into computers and gadgets, you’ll appreciate the author’s knowledge of such things. It’s nice to read a crime novel that’s realistic and in touch with what people actually use to communicate. The story has just enough spookiness to make you a little nervous reading it in the dark. All lin all, it’s a very good crime novel.

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl

When I chose this book to review, I was excited to get a chance to read it because I admire Lis Wiehl on Fox News. However, I was disappointed to learn that she had a co-writer. That was my first disappointment.

The book didn’t keep my attention very well at first, but to be frank, it’s hard to keep my attention. Still, I expected more from a crime/suspense novel in the first few pages.

The story is about a high-school girl who is found murdered in a shocking way in a park in Westchester County, New York. None of the teens who were with her at a party the night of the murder can remember what happened, and they are all suspects.

Dani Harris is a forensic psychiatrist who is obsessed with the murder and is also struggling with troubling dreams filled with blood, water, and destruction. She wonders if these are clues or signs, but she doesn’t know. Her old high school crush, Tommy Gunderson, is also attacked by an old woman with supernatural strength.  He begins to help Dani solve the crime.

Once I got past the first few chapters the story was definitely a page turner, and even though Wiehl didn’t write it alone, the writing and pace of the story is stellar. It leaves you wanting to read the next one, and I will.

I give this book 4 stars for several reasons: its inclusion of technology, motorcycles, and modern social networking. If you are a geek you’ll like this book. If you are a CSI fan, you’ll love it, too. And I you’re into computers and gadgets, you’ll appreciate the author’s knowledge of such things. It’s nice to read a crime novel that’s realistic and in touch with what people actually use to communicate.

The story has just enough spookiness to make you a little nervous reading it in the dark. All lin all, it’s a very good crime novel.

Filed under book reivew

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Another of my critique partners has a novel out in time for Christmas! Do you know how excited I am? BEYOND EXCITED! You can get Polar Bear Plunge on Amazon right now for .99! Please reblog and buy a copy to boost her sales! Here’s the interview with novelist, Linda Glaz! (I don’t know why the formatting is all funky. I tried several times to fix it with no success…) Why a Christmas novella? White Rose had sent out a call for Christmas novellas and it sounded like fun to write.  Where is the story located? In my area, Anchor Bay. We’re on the water in the middle of the thumb (we Michiganders always show where we live by pointing to the mitten and saying “I live here.”) When did you know you just had to write this story? My oldest daughter had been asking me for years to write about a nurse named Aleni, (she’s a nurse) and she has a soft spot for the returning vets. So, a widowed nurse, Christmas, and a returning vet. All rolled into one. What is your writing technique? Pantser. Love to let the characters tell me where the story’s going. Do you have an office? Yes, just finished an official one. A favorite chair? Oh, a beautiful oak rocker my cast of Oklahoma gave me after the last show. What a rush to direct my all-time fave play. A coffee house? Actually, any place that sells frapuccino. Even the gas station.  What inspires you? People and the circumstances they knowingly or unwittingly get themselves into. Who inspires you most as a writer? Honestly, my crit partners. They all have these lives that are good, challenging, inspiring, but they all continue to inspire each of us and help each of us through really tough times as well as the good times.  Anything else you want us to know? I was raised with all brothers, I’ve always enjoyed stepping outside the box that society usually reserves for women. I grew up such a Tom boy. Short hair and all. I served in the military, taught karate and soccer, and don’t regret one minute of my life. With my wonderful husband and fabulous kids, I’ve had a great deal of encouragement. I feel like Mr. Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, I’ve had such a wonderful life. Even the bad times have helped make me who I am. A child of God, and happy to be so.
Another of my critique partners has a novel out in time for Christmas! Do you know how excited I am? BEYOND EXCITED!
You can get Polar Bear Plunge on Amazon right now for .99! Please reblog and buy a copy to boost her sales!

Here’s the interview with novelist, Linda Glaz! (I don’t know why the formatting is all funky. I tried several times to fix it with no success…)

Why a Christmas novella? White Rose had sent out a call for Christmas novellas and it sounded like fun to write. 

Where is the story located? In my area, Anchor Bay. We’re on the water in the middle of the thumb (we Michiganders always show where we live by pointing to the mitten and saying “I live here.”)

When did you know you just had to write this story?
My oldest daughter had been asking me for years to write about a nurse named Aleni, (she’s a nurse) and she
has a soft spot for the returning vets. So, a widowed nurse, Christmas, and a returning vet. All rolled into one.

What is your writing technique?
Pantser. Love to let the characters tell me where the story’s going.
Do you have an office?
Yes, just finished an official one.
A favorite chair?
Oh, a beautiful oak rocker my cast of Oklahoma gave me after the last show. What a rush to direct my all-time fave play.
A coffee house?
Actually, any place that sells frapuccino. Even the gas station.

 
What inspires you?
People and the circumstances they knowingly or unwittingly get themselves into.
Who inspires you most as a writer?
Honestly, my crit partners. They all have these lives that are good, challenging, inspiring, but they all continue to inspire each of us and help each of us through really tough times as well as the good times.

 
Anything else you want us to know?
I was raised with all brothers, I’ve always enjoyed stepping outside the box that society usually reserves for women. I grew up such a Tom boy. Short hair and all. I served in the military, taught karate and soccer, and don’t regret one minute of my life. With my wonderful husband and fabulous kids, I’ve had a great deal of encouragement. I feel like Mr. Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, I’ve had such a wonderful life. Even the bad times have helped make me who I am. A child of God, and happy to be so.

Filed under linda glaz polar bear plunge

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I’m SO EXCITED! My dear friend and writing buddy, Camille Eide has a new book out just in time for Christmas! Right now you can get it on Amazon for just .99! Do me a favor and boost her sales. You’d really be doing yourself a favor because as far as I’m concerned, Camille is one of the freshest most exciting new voices in inspirational fiction today. From the start I’ve told her how much I admire and love her voice. It’s like the softness and warmth of a cashmere sweater on cold winter’s day. I sort of like to think I was the first to recognize her talent, although she’s been writing in critique groups much longer than I. Please reblog this post and get the ball rolling for her, okay? Below is an interview with this amazing new author. Why a Christmas Romance? Good question. Christmas seems to be a favorite time of year for so many people, and comes already wrapped with that special sense of magicalness… why not add a touch of love in the air along with the scents of spices, cookies and a hardwood fire? You’ve written other romance novels. Why romance? Oh, Karla, I’m a sucker for romance, always have been. Particularly the kind that depicts a heart drawn to the strength and beauty of inner character and not superficial qualities—-the way we all want to be loved, even though we are flawed. This is why I like the work of Jane Austen. Romance reflects love, and since God is Love, I find love-stories can be timeless and life changing.  An intelligent, faith-inspiring romance can offer hope, gently touch a hurting soul, uplift a heavy heart. Where do you get your ideas? um…. you got me there. Observation, I guess. My latest novel idea came from a Christmas letter describing my niece’s work with kids in a foster group home. She felt awed to work at a place where she could make a difference in the lives of kids no one wanted. I wanted to write a story based in a home like that, about a character with a passion for unwanted kids because she herself was unwanted. My novel before that began with a simple idea of two pen pals who admired one another’s character from afar without really meaning to, without attraction because they believed the other to be of a certain age. Their mutual admiration and respect was already in place before they met in person and found themselves deeply attracted. To the whole person by that point. So I guess I start with inner character values and build a character and storyworld to embody that, then work out a plot that takes them on a journey to be what they long to be. Who inspires you most in your writing career? Jesus, family, supportive writing friends, and great writing. I’m awed by the modern works of Athol Dickson, Dale Cramer, Susan Meissner, my BFF Jane Austen (okay, she’s dead, I knew that) and many, many others over the years. When did you know you were born to be a writer? I was? Gee, I wish someone had told me sooner. I thought for the longest time I was born to annoy my older brother. What is your favorite scene in this book? Wow, Karla, you ask really hard questions! I’ve never thought about it. I guess I like a scene where Savanna discovers that being trapped in a ski lodge with the man whose heart she broke isn’t a misfortune, but a gift, and gets the courage to face a difficult task for the sake of another. She’s nicer than I am. And way more fun. Where is the setting in the story? a (fictional) beautiful rustic ski lodge in NW Oregon, near where I live. A twinkling, evergreen wonderland with a roaring fire and Christmas cookies everywhere. You can’t turn the page without running into cookies. Oh, I think I just figured out why. I’ve been off sugar for nearly 2 years. Sorry. Do you have any hobbies? Does writing novels count? Hey, this has been a really one-sided conversation here. Let ME ask — do YOU have any hobbies? In all your spare time after taking care of guys with special needs, teaching, blogging, studying, writing, going to school, researching, caring for others…. I could keep going. Oh, wait, motorcycling. I used to do that, but I am not as brave as you or Savanna. I like 4 wheels beneath me, in the form of a muscle car with at least 400hp. Or my desk chair. What is your favorite holiday activity? Eating cookies. Well, it used to be—-I had to give it up. I still like baking them for my family though (okay, that was a full out lie. It’s actually torture to bake and not eat them). Time we all can take off work and school and hang out with family and friends for a change, watching holiday flicks and our favorite trilogies. Anything else you’d like to share? Only that I’m honored and grateful to be here, Karla. Thanks for letting me babble on your blog. And thank you for mentioning Savanna’s Gift. It’s a breeze to read (a novella eBook) and a steal during December only at .99 I mean, really. You can’t even buy a decent iced gingerbread cookie for a buck. I hope Savanna’s story will inspire the hope of second chances in you as it did me.

I’m SO EXCITED!

My dear friend and writing buddy, Camille Eide has a new book out just in time for Christmas! Right now you can get it on Amazon for just .99!

Do me a favor and boost her sales. You’d really be doing yourself a favor because as far as I’m concerned, Camille is one of the freshest most exciting new voices in inspirational fiction today. From the start I’ve told her how much I admire and love her voice. It’s like the softness and warmth of a cashmere sweater on cold winter’s day. I sort of like to think I was the first to recognize her talent, although she’s been writing in critique groups much longer than I.

Please reblog this post and get the ball rolling for her, okay?

Below is an interview with this amazing new author.

Why a Christmas Romance?

Good question. Christmas seems to be a favorite time of year for so many people, and comes already wrapped with that special sense of magicalness… why not add a touch of love in the air along with the scents of spices, cookies and a hardwood fire?

You’ve written other romance novels. Why romance?

Oh, Karla, I’m a sucker for romance, always have been. Particularly the kind that depicts a heart drawn to the strength and beauty of inner character and not superficial qualities—-the way we all want to be loved, even though we are flawed. This is why I like the work of Jane Austen. Romance reflects love, and since God is Love, I find love-stories can be timeless and life changing.  An intelligent, faith-inspiring romance can offer hope, gently touch a hurting soul, uplift a heavy heart.

Where do you get your ideas?

um…. you got me there. Observation, I guess. My latest novel idea came from a Christmas letter describing my niece’s work with kids in a foster group home. She felt awed to work at a place where she could make a difference in the lives of kids no one wanted. I wanted to write a story based in a home like that, about a character with a passion for unwanted kids because she herself was unwanted. My novel before that began with a simple idea of two pen pals who admired one another’s character from afar without really meaning to, without attraction because they believed the other to be of a certain age. Their mutual admiration and respect was already in place before they met in person and found themselves deeply attracted. To the whole person by that point. So I guess I start with inner character values and build a character and storyworld to embody that, then work out a plot that takes them on a journey to be what they long to be.

Who inspires you most in your writing career?

Jesus, family, supportive writing friends, and great writing. I’m awed by the modern works of Athol Dickson, Dale Cramer, Susan Meissner, my BFF Jane Austen (okay, she’s dead, I knew that) and many, many others over the years.

When did you know you were born to be a writer?

I was? Gee, I wish someone had told me sooner. I thought for the longest time I was born to annoy my older brother.

What is your favorite scene in this book?

Wow, Karla, you ask really hard questions! I’ve never thought about it. I guess I like a scene where Savanna discovers that being trapped in a ski lodge with the man whose heart she broke isn’t a misfortune, but a gift, and gets the courage to face a difficult task for the sake of another. She’s nicer than I am. And way more fun.

Where is the setting in the story?

a (fictional) beautiful rustic ski lodge in NW Oregon, near where I live. A twinkling, evergreen wonderland with a roaring fire and Christmas cookies everywhere. You can’t turn the page without running into cookies. Oh, I think I just figured out why. I’ve been off sugar for nearly 2 years. Sorry.

Do you have any hobbies?

Does writing novels count? Hey, this has been a really one-sided conversation here. Let ME ask — do YOU have any hobbies? In all your spare time after taking care of guys with special needs, teaching, blogging, studying, writing, going to school, researching, caring for others…. I could keep going. Oh, wait, motorcycling. I used to do that, but I am not as brave as you or Savanna. I like 4 wheels beneath me, in the form of a muscle car with at least 400hp. Or my desk chair.

What is your favorite holiday activity?

Eating cookies. Well, it used to be—-I had to give it up. I still like baking them for my family though (okay, that was a full out lie. It’s actually torture to bake and not eat them). Time we all can take off work and school and hang out with family and friends for a change, watching holiday flicks and our favorite trilogies.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Only that I’m honored and grateful to be here, Karla. Thanks for letting me babble on your blog. And thank you for mentioning Savanna’s Gift. It’s a breeze to read (a novella eBook) and a steal during December only at .99 I mean, really. You can’t even buy a decent iced gingerbread cookie for a buck.

I hope Savanna’s story will inspire the hope of second chances in you as it did me.

2 notes

Kay Arthur’s Book: As Silver Refined, 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by Kay Arthur even though I’d heard of her and I’ve admired her work for a long time. I was not disappointed in this book that deals with that very topic: disappointment.

I’ve been going through a personal struggle for the past year, and I thought this would be a great book to help build my faith. I was right. Because of this book, I was able to look at the hurt I was facing in a whole new way. Rather than look at it as a failure, I looked at it as a way for God to teach me something new and wonderful. I was able to see on the other side of the situation to the victory that I could have.

I am impressed with how very scriptually based this book is. Bible scholars won’t be disappointed. Kay Arthur is very scripturally based and always has been. It’s one of the things I’ve long admired her for.

I used this book as a morning devotional. I’d read it as long as I could without feeling overwhelmed. There was so much information, and so much good meat in the book that I would put it down after I’d learn one new spiritual truth, which was about every five pages or so. I’d meditate on that truth before reading on. I highly encourage anyone reading this to be armed with a highlighter and a notebook. There’s much to learn from these pages.

This is an excellent investment for anyone’s library. However, I did receive this book in exchange for this review. But I was not in any way influenced to write a positive review. These words are all my very own, genuine opinion.

10 notes

Look what arrived today! My book! A bunch of them! It is the coolest feeling to see your hours of work in print. To God be the glory!

Look what arrived today!

My book! A bunch of them!

It is the coolest feeling to see your hours of work in print.

To God be the glory!