giveaway

We met a young woman last October and adopted her. She was just here for a visit last weekend, and we loved her all the more.

“Too late now,” we said. “You’re our kid.”

She’s got siblings. A mom and dad. But now she has us too!

At the end of the day, I still don’t know who will take care of Hubster and me when we’re old. I mean, Yes, the Lord! He’s promised in His Word to take care of us in our gray hairs.

So, I don’t have children of my own but—

Oh hey, did I tell you about my nearly eight-year-old niece who Facetimes me just to talk?

Yeah, I’m blessed.

Family. It’s everywhere. Because family is anyone you fit in your heart.

About Rachel

Rachel Hauck is a best selling, award winning author. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship for their annual conference. She was named ACFW 2013 Mentor of the Year.
She lives in Florida, where she is also a worship leader, with her husband and mini schnauzer. Her novel, The Wedding Dress, was named Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year and is an Amazon #1 Best Seller. Her novel, Once Upon A Prince, earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher’s Weekly, and hit #1 on Amazon in Christian romance. Her next release, Princess Ever After, released February 4th. Visit Rachel at her website.

About Princess Ever After and a Giveaway

Regina Beswick was born to be a princess.

But she’s content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother’s hand-painted book of fairytales.

Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation’s future—and his own.
Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever.

Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she’s destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together—with a little divine intervention—Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love. Purchase a copy here.

To celebrate the release of Princess Ever After, Rachel is holding a giveaway where you can enter to win a $200 Visa cash card! Details and entry forms are here. Rachel will announce the winner at her upcoming author chat party this Thursday, March 6! You can also enter to win a copy of Princess Ever After below. Only those in the U.S. are eligible to win.

What books influenced @ColleenCoble and @DeniseAHunter most?

February 25, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 58 Comments

The Books Authors Read | The Authors of ‘Smitten’ (Plus a Giveaway)

What was your favorite book as a child?

Colleen: Bambi’s Children.

Denise: The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

What book did you read that first made you want to be an author?

Colleen: All of them. I’ve been a reader as long as I can remember.

Denise: It wasn’t really one particular book, but an accumulation of all the great books I’d read.

What was the last book you read, just for fun?

Colleen: Love You More by Lisa Gardner.

Denise: A January Bride by Deborah Raney.

What upcoming release are you most looking forward to?

Colleen: That’s like saying who is my favorite child. The next one is always the most exciting. And then next and then next.

Denise: Francine Rivers’ Bridge to Haven

About the Smitten Authors

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. * Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include A Billion Reasons Why and What a Girl Wants. * Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including A Cowboy’s Touch and Sweetwater Gap. She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. *Diann Hunt was a writer of romantic comedy and humorous women’s fiction. She lost her courageous battle with cancer last fall. A Hallmark Channel adaptation of her novel For Better or For Worse will air fall 2014. Find out more about Coble, Billerbeck, Hunter, and Hunt.

About Smitten Book Club

The thick, leathery tome Heather pulled out of the dusty cardboard box was definitely coming home with her. Not only was The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship an appealing curiosity by virtue of its title; it was also written by Smitten, Vermont native Pearl Chambers, a local gentlewoman from three generations back.

Little did Heather know the repercussions this little curiosity would have on her and her friends’ romantic exploits.
When Heather and her fellow book club members begin passing the book around, their respective interpretations are unleashed on their respective love lives . . . for better or for worse. Is it a mystery? An idealist fantasy? An intimation of Jane Austen? As romantic love finds its way to each woman, the Guide proves itself both surprisingly prescient and hilariously irrelevant.

Giveaway

Kristin, Colleen, and Denise are giving away a copy of Smitten Book Club to one lucky reader! Enter using the widget below. Only those in the contiguous U.S. are eligible to win.

Five ways to become a smart stepmom (plus a #giveaway)! @TheSmartStepmom @TriciaGoyer

February 21, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 8 Comments

Learning to Become A Smart Stepmom (Plus a Giveaway) | Guest Post by Laura Petherbridge

5 Ways to Become a Smart Stepmom

As a child of divorced parents and then having two stepmoms myself, and now being a stepmom for more than twenty-eight years, I understand the complexities associated with stepfamily living.

A few months into my second marriage I was discouraged by the difficulties associated with being a stepmother of two boys ages eleven and thirteen. I often wondered, “How can I run away from home?” I loved my sweet husband, and his kids weren’t horrible brats. It was merely that stepfamily living was so much more frustrating, time-consuming, and hurtful than I thought it would be. I was ambushed by feelings of isolation, rejection, and loneliness. Plus none of the resources for mothers, or on parenting, addressed my unique issues.

I wondered if Disney had patterned the wicked stepmother after me. Learning how to function in a blended family has been a slow process for all of us.

Learn all about @TheSmartStepmom’s journey (plus a #giveaway). @TriciaGoyer

But I did discover a few insightful tips that taught me how to become a victorious smart stepmom.

1. Stepfamilies are Formed Out of Loss

An estimated one-third of children will live in a stepparent home before the age of eighteen (1), and 50% will have a stepparent at some point in their lifetime (2). Whether death or divorce has disrupted the biological family, children often struggle to adjust. The family unit provides a child with the safety and security he or she needs. But when a parent dies or divorce occurs it’s likely to induce insecurity and fear in a child’s life.

Many Christians falsely assume that a stepfamily formed due to the death of a parent is easier on the children than a remarriage after divorce. However, all loss is painful. Kids who are grieving often display frustration, depression, or belligerence. It’s crucial for the stepmom to understand how loss can shatter dreams and instill long-term anxiety. A tremendous way she can learn is by attending a support group designed for kids who are suffering from the emotions associated with grief. DivorceCare for Kids is a great choice.

2. A Healthy Stepfamily Takes Time

About 75% of those who divorce will eventually remarry. (3) However, one of the most common misconceptions about stepfamilies is that everyone will bond quickly and smoothly. Stepfamily expert Ron Deal shares, “The average stepfamily takes seven years to integrate. Parents want to believe their kids will be okay, thus the power of hope blinds couples to the realities of stepfamily integration.” (4) Many couples enter a remarriage without researching or believing that it’s not uncommon for the kids to struggle or battle the relationship. When parents attempt to rush or force the relationship between stepchildren and stepparent, it creates tension and sets the marriage up for failure.

3. Kids Need Dad

I had to lean that a smart stepmom encourages her husband to spend time alone with his kids. When dad remarries, a child may view the new relationship as a threat. My husband didn’t know how to respond when his kids were jealous and didn’t want to share him with me. Therefore, it’s important for the stepmom to initiate and support activities between dad and his kids. Gradually integrate activities together as a stepfamily.

4. The Marriage Must Come First

Thirty percent of people remarry within a year after a divorce, and many do not take into account the tug-of-war that may result between their new spouse and their kids. (5) If a marriage is going to thrive, it’s necessary for the relationship to be the first priority. However, guilt may prevent one or both parents from placing the marriage before the children. The dad and stepmom must create a unified team. Working through the issues that cause stress can build a firm foundation.

5. God Can Teach You How to Love

Many stepmoms deal with stepkids who are difficult and unloving. I had to be taught that hurt people—hurt people. It’s not uncommon to love your stepkids differently than you do your own biological children. However, the goal must be to learn to love your husband’s children even if they never love you in return. This sacrificial love is often necessary for a stepfamily to survive.

Jesus taught me his method of showing compassion and grace. The more mature I become in him, the stronger my ability to love others grew. He longs to fill us with love for others as he loves us. (Philippians 2:2-5)

You can purchase a copy of The Smart Stepmom here.

My journey as a stepmom has been filled with mistakes and victories. One of my greatest pleasures is to use my sometimes painful experiences to help other stepmoms. I have written resources to provide insight, and then I formed a team of fellow stepmoms and we provide retreats where stepmoms can find help, healing and hope.
My stepsons are now 36 and 40, with children of their own. We continue to build our relationships, seeking the Lord’s guidance every step of the way.

(1) Parke, M, Couples and Married Research and Policy Brief: Center for Law and Social Policy (May 2007) www.clasp.org

(2) Susan Stewart, Brave New Stepfamilies: Diverse Paths Toward Stepfamily Living. (Sage Publications, 2007) p. 148.

(3) U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2006

(4) Ron Deal, The Smart Stepfamily, (Bloomington, MN, Bethany House, 2002), p 64

(5) Ganong & Colman, Stepfamily Relationships: Development, Dynamics, and Interventions. (New York, Kluwer Academic, 2004) p.68

About Laura

Laura Petherbridge is an international author and speaker who serves couples and single adults with topics on stepfamilies, relationships, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery. She is the author of When “I Do” Becomes “I Don’t”—Practical Steps for Healing During Separation and Divorce, and The Smart Stepmom, and 101 Tips for The Smart Stepmom (may 2014). She is a featured expert on the DivorceCare DVD series. Her website is www.TheSmartStepmom.com.

About The Smart Stepmom

The stepmother’s role often is ambiguous and underappreciated, and frequently it carries unrealistic expectations. The book answers women’s concerns and questions, including: How can I be a caretaker and a key emotional connector in the family if the children don’t accept my influence? How shoud I cope with children who are confused about their family and torn between loyalty to their biological mother and me? When should I step back in conflicts and when should I insist that my husband stand up for me? In addition it addresses the spiritual and emotional climate of the home, providing perspective and guidelines to help stepmothers and their families thrive.

Giveaway

Only those in the U.S. are eligible to win a copy of The Smart Stepmom. Enter using the widget below.

What books influenced @SuzanneWFisher most? She shares with @TriciaGoyer:

February 18, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 9 Comments

The Books Authors Read | Suzanne Woods Fisher (Plus a Giveaway)

What was your favorite book as a child?

The first book I remember my mother reading to me was Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field. Hitty was a doll who belonged to a little Quaker girl during the whaling days. The irony is not lost on me that my next series will be set in Quaker Nantucket in the early 1800s. I’ve gone full circle!

What book did you read that first made you want to be an author?

In high school, I read a lot of Luci Shaw and Madeleine L’Engle—two women who happened to be good friends. There was something about their writing that spoke to me, deep down. At that point, I’m not sure I felt like I could be an author, but I felt like I loved language and writing.

What was the last book you read, just for fun?

Anne Lamott’s Stitches. She is such an original.

What upcoming release are you most looking forward to?

I’m right in the middle of writing an historical fiction, set in 1737, about the first Amish who crossed the Atlantic to reach Pennsylvania. If this story comes together in the way I envision it, then I will be thrilled. I’m starting to think and talk in pirate lingo. . . .

Purchase a copy here.

About Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including “Amish Peace.” She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your mobile device! Download the free app!

Find out more about Suzanne at her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

About The Calling

Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher–and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.

When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves–and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.

Giveaway

Suzanne is giving away a copy of The Calling to one lucky reader! Enter using the widget below. Only those in the contiguous U.S. are eligible to win.

Want to see #MonumentsMen? Read @Cara_Putman’s review, then enter to win movie tickets! @TriciaGoyer

February 11, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 6 Comments

A Review of ‘The Monuments Men’ Movie (Plus a Giveaway) | Guest Post by Cara Putman

If you haven’t yet heard, The Monuments Men movie released this past weekend—just in time to coincide with my Monuments Men-era book The Swiss Courier going on sale for $1.99!

My good friend and fellow author of her own Monuments Men story, Cara Putman, recently had a chance to see and review the movie; here’s what she had to say! (Read the original post here.)

Last night, Eric and I got a chance to watch The Monuments Men on opening night. This is a movie I have anticipated since learning George Clooney was in production in the fall of 2012. That’s a long time to anticipate the movie!

I wasn’t disappointed.

This movie captures the tone of The Monuments Men. It grasps what this small group of men was trying to do and honors their memories. It also communicates their sacrifice and devotion. It visually portrays a piece of what was at stake during WWII — and the balancing act. Yet it did this without becoming dark and maudlin. Eric and I saw the 9:15 p.m. showing — in a theater filled primarily with college students — students who laughed out loud multiple times. The humor never detracted, but in enhanced the movie because it didn’t become slap-stick.

The Monuments Men has an A cast: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Boneville and more. They all fell into their characters and became the Monuments Men they portrayed. The movie is a war movie, but the violence is limited and at a level I can take my 13 and 10 year-olds to see. There was some language, but not heavy . . . I didn’t count, but it wasn’t a distraction.

There is also only mild innuendo and the outcome to that was PERFECT. I literally bounced in my chair because it mirrored history!

There were a couple twists to the story. Nothing major — the key one being the kid who interpreted didn’t show up as early as they portrayed, but he did play a role later in the process. This is a movie I will see again — and enjoy.

Enter Today | 2/10 – 2/23!

Cara Putman Shadowed By Grace Monuments Men

Do you also want to see The Monuments Men movie? Cara is giving away 10 pairs of tickets to see the movie, and to accompany the tickets, she’ll also be giving away copies of her new book based in the same era, Shadowed by Grace! Enter to win using the widget below.

What books influenced @RobinLeeHatcher most? She shares with @TriciaGoyer:

February 3, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 7 Comments

The Books Authors Read | Robin Lee Hatcher (Plus a Giveaway)

What was your favorite book as a child?

Anything to do with horses. Everything to do with horses. Two books that I still own today (although the paperback is seriously ready to crumble into a thousand pieces) are: Golden Cloud and Old Bones.

What book did you read that first made you want to be an author?

I won’t give you the title because the book that made me want to try to write a novel was one that I didn’t like. I basically thought, If this can get published, I could get published. (I’m sure my early books launched a few careers for the same reason.) Aspiring writers don’t realize how arrogant that statement is until we actually begin to write, one book, then another and another and another. By the time we discover just how hard this particular career path is, it’s too late. We are hooked on storytelling.

What was the last book you read, just for fun?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

What upcoming release are you most looking forward to?

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

About Robin Lee Hatcher

Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. A best-selling author, she is the winner of the Christy, the RITA, the Carol, and many other awards, including the prestigious RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the author of 70 novels and novellas with more than five million copies in print. Her latest release, A Promise Kept, is a deeply personal story to Hatcher, based on her own experience of being an alcoholic and the reconciliation God brought to their relationship.

For more information about Hatcher and her books, visit her online home at www.robinleehatcher.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

About A Promise Kept

Tony Kavanagh had been Allison’s dream-come-true. They were in love within days, engaged within weeks, married and pregnant within a year. Her cup bubbled over with joy . . . but years later, that joy had been extinguished by unexpected trials.

The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised to heal; it was clear that she’d misunderstood.

Now, living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her single, self-reliant Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma’s attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman surprisingly like herself.

As Allison reads the incredible story of Emma’s life in the 1920s and 1930s, she is forced to ask a difficult question: Does she really surrender every piece of her life to the Lord?

Drawing from her own heart-wrenching story of redemption, A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher’s emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers—in His own time and His own ways.

Giveaway

Robin is giving away a copy of A Promise Kept to one lucky reader! Enter using the widget below. Only those in the contiguous U.S. are eligible to win. You can enter to win more copies of the book and a Kindle HDX by clicking here, plus RSVP to her upcoming author chat party!

How to miss a moment as a #parent: @LindseyMBell @TriciaGoyer (plus a #giveaway)

January 31, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 16 Comments

How to Miss a Moment | Guest Post by Lindsey Bell

Last year, I read Tricia’s book called Lead Your Family Like Jesus. In the book, Tricia asked this question: “If your child’s most vivid childhood memory was of today, what would he or she remember?”

This quote has stuck with me and challenged the way I spend my days.

Because here’s the truth. I’m afraid of what my kids are going to remember most about me.

I’m afraid that instead of remembering a mother who adored them, my kids are going to remember a mother who always had her iPhone in her hand. A mother who dropped whatever she was doing (not to come look at a picture or lego tower) but to check her text messages or emails. A mother who lived distracted instead of in the moment.

I don’t want to be remembered like that.

And twenty years from now, when I’m looking back on these days as a stay-at-home mom, I don’t want to regret the moments I missed.

What kind of #mom do you want to be? @LindseyMBell @TriciaGoyer #giveaway

As I look at my boys (now five and two) and realize they will both be in school full-time in just a few short years, I’m beginning to understand what everyone meant when they said time would go by fast.

They were right.

My five-year-old, who used to cry when I dropped him off at nursery at church, is now running joyfully into his preschool class (and sometimes not even looking back to wave goodbye).

My two-year-old, who used to cling to my legs and didn’t ever want to be put down, is now gaining independence and wants to do everything “by self.”

These days can be long, absolutely, but the years go by so fast.

These moments that are sometimes hard, sometimes exhausting, sometimes frustrating, are also the moments that make up our lives.

And I don’t want to miss them anymore.

I no longer want to be the mom . . .
with her phone in her hand all the time,
with a to-do list that trumps the needs of the moment,
with her mind on everything but her children.

Instead, I want to be the mom . . .
who misses a few phone calls and text messages because I’m busy with my kids,
who says “no” to other things so she can say “yes” to the best things,
who focuses on her children more than on her to-do list.

If I have to miss something, I don’t want it to be the moments. I don’t want it to be my kids.

Distracted living has taken too many moments already. Not anymore.

Let’s talk: Have you ever struggled with distracted living? Leave a comment to be entered to win a gift card from Lindsey for her blog tour contest!

This post is part of a Lindsey’s blog tour for Searching for Sanity, her new parenting devotional. You can read other posts in this tour by going to her blog.

To kick off her book launch, Lindsey is giving away one copy of Searching for Sanity to one of you! Use the Rafflecopter form to enter to win!

Her blog
Her website
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest

About Lindsey Bell

Lindsey Bell is the author of Searching for Sanity, a new parenting devotional. She’s also a stay-at-home mother of two, minister’s wife, avid reader, and chocolate lover. You can find Lindsey online at any of the following locations:

About Searching for Sanity: Have you ever looked at your beloved children and wondered, what in the world am I doing? Why did God trust me—of all people—to raise them? Motherhood is the most difficult job many of us will ever take. Searching for Sanity offers moms an opportunity to take a breath, dig into the Word, and learn from parents of the past. In short devotions designed for busy moms, this book uses the parents of the Bible—both the good and the bad—to inspire today’s mothers.

January 28, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 16 Comments

The Books Authors Read | Sarah Ladd (Plus a Giveaway)

What was your favorite book as a child?

Any book in the Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard. In fact, I STILL love the Mandie books! I remember how excited I used to get to go to the bookstore and see the covers for the new books as they came out.

What book did you read that first made you want to be an author?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. Even to this day, if I need a little inspiration, I flip open my worn copy of Jane Eyre and read a page or two.

What was the last book you read, just for fun?

I just started reading Laura Frantz’s Love Awakening—so far, it is great! I am a huge fan of Laura’s past novels. Her writing has such a beautiful, haunting quality to it; I know I will be sad to see this one end.

What upcoming release are you most looking forward to?

Julie Klassen’s The Dancing Master. I have been a fan of Julie’s for a long time, and I am in awe of her ability to bring the Regency period to life. I am counting down the days until my copy arrives!

What books influenced @SarahLaddAuthor most? She shares with @TriciaGoyer:

About Sarah Ladd

Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. “The Heiress of Winterwood” was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever. Find out more about Sarah at her website or via Facebook and Twitter.

About The Headmistress of Rosemere

Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she invests herself in teaching at her father’s school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to make the school successful.

Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin’s edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of property — including the land where Rosemere School is located — but possesses little money to manage its upkeep. When debtors start calling, he is desperate to find a new source of income, even if it means sacrificing Rosemere.

When a fire threatens the school grounds, William must decide to what lengths he is willing to go to protect his birthright. And when Patience’s brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience suddenly finds herself unsure of her calling. After a surprising truth about William’s past is brought to light, both William and Patience will have to seek God’s plans for their lives—and their hearts.

Giveaway

Sarah is giving away a copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere to one lucky reader! Enter using the widget below. Only those in the contiguous U.S. are eligible to win. For more chances to win from Sarah, attend her author chat party tonight on Facebook or enter her Kindle giveaway.

What books influenced Julie Klassen most? She shares with @TriciaGoyer:

January 24, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 3 Comments

The Books Authors Read | Julie Klassen (Plus a Giveaway)

What was your favorite book as a child?

The Secret Garden and The Trixie Belden Mysteries

What book did you read that first made you want to be an author?

Jane Eyre

What was the last book you read, just for fun?

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

What upcoming release are you most looking forward to?

The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah Ladd

About Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–”Jane Eyre” and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She is a three-time Christy Award winner and a 2010 Midwest Book Award winner for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. Connect with Julie on her website or via Facebook.

About The Dancing Master

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch’s daughter. Though he’s initially wary of Julia Midwinter’s reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul–and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master–a man her mother would never approve of–but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec’s help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village…and to her mother’s tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a “good match” in Regency England.

Giveaway

Julie is giving away a copy of The Dancing Master to one lucky reader! Enter using the widget below. Only those in the contiguous U.S. are eligible to win.

How can you stay on top of things w/your #teens? @nicole_odell shares her tips:

January 8, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Four Tips to Stay on Top of Things with Your Teens | Guest Post by Nicole O’Dell

As I was preparing this post for Tricia’s blog, I considered what you all might like to hear about. You see, Tricia and I, in a lot of ways, are very similar. I have six kids, I’m a busy author, I’m running a busy ministry, and I’m parenting littles and teens at the same time. Tricia has been there, done that, and is doing it again . . . in circles around me. Which I’d never have thought possible, had I not met Tricia. And it only annoys me a little bit! 😉

As a busy work-at-home’ish*** mom, I know just how important it is to stay on guard when approaching the teen years. It’s easy to miss the cues of impending disaster if you’re not watching closely. Here are the top four questions you need to ask yourself on a weekly (preferably daily) basis to ensure you’re on top of things with your teens:

Can I confidently describe where my teens and pre-teens were every night of the past week.
When is the last time my teens confided in me about something personal?
When was the last time I said no to something big?
When is the last time I prayed for my teens?

In quick-fire answer to the questions above, I’d say:

1. At no age, as long as your kids are living in your home, do I think it’s OK to offer up a curfew with no accountability for whereabouts. Not only is it asking for temptation and trouble to put that much freedom in the hands of a teenager or (heaven forbid) a pre-teen, but it’s also just illogical. Why would we not err on the side of safety by keeping track of our kids’ location? We owe it to them to able to help them in moment’s notice.

Bonus question: Do I have phone numbers of the parents of those involved? This step will annoy your older teens especially, but they’ll treasure the thought that you care that much. They’ll also notice that their friend’s parents don’t.

A challenge for you and your #teens (plus a #giveaway) from @nicole_odell:

2. Do your kids feel comfortable coming to you with their BFF troubles and dating woes? Are they open to you about the peer pressure they encounter and the struggles their friends are having at home? Do they tell you their worries, their dreams, their fears? If not, you can do two very important things about it: Ask questions and listen. No, it won’t change things right away. Trust me, your teens will make you work for this one. But when they believe you’re not backing down, that you’re going to keep at it because they are worth it, they’ll soften toward you.

Bonus question: How available have you been this week? Does your teenager have to fight for minutes between your activities or have every conversation with you over your laptop screen? Consider that your perceived availability might be a turn-off.

3. Yes is fun. It’s awesome to see your teens excited and happy. It’s a lot easier to say yes than it is to say no. But the yes is rarely where the teaching happens. It’s in the no that our kids learn about disappointment, respect, patience, and trust. Be sure you’re willing to say no to your teenager in order to teach those important, godly traits.

Bonus question: Can you think of a yes that you regret? Do you need to pull back and turn your yes into a no? It’s OK to do that. In fact, as difficult as it is, it will be a great teaching moment. Let your teen know that even you make mistakes, but that you love him/her so much that you’re willing to take the heat in order to do what’s right.

4. Do you pray for your kids daily? It’s so important, not only that you do it, but that they know about it. Whether they admit it or not, it means so much to them to know you’re taking them before the throne of God every single day.

Bonus question: When’s the last time you prayed together? And even deeper, when’s the last time your teenager prayed in front of you? Are you creating a culture of prayer in your home? This is vital in order to set an atmosphere of faith and surrender.

What books influenced @WriterDorothy most? She shares with @TriciaGoyer:

I’m Nicole O’Dell, author, founder of Choose NOW Ministries, and mom of six. I believe that preparation is the number-one thing when it comes to raising teens who will make good choices even when you’re not looking. And, in order to help with that, I and my team at Choose NOW Publishing have just launched an incredible set of resources that hits right in the heart of your need. Powerline365 is just the companion you need to prepare now to victoriously power through this next year and beyond.

Powerline365
Plugging Parents of Teens into the Source

Powerline365 is a high-voltage, multi-format daily devotional to help parents raise Christian teens without losing connection.

Tap into the power you need to lead your teens into a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus. Many teens, even those from Christian homes, fail to connect with Him on a personal level. They forge on alone, searching for identity as the enemy pelts them with temptations and doubts. As parents, we’re left reeling, wondering where we went wrong.

Powerline365 offers daily insight to ground you in truth as you plug into the Source. It’s time for you to power-parent from a place of confidence and surrender, believing God’s Word is true, and His promises will never go unfulfilled.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within [your teenager], will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

Now for the fun part!

Crowdfunding is a super-risky (for me!), but potentially awesome (for you!) way to make products available to the public. It allows Powerline365 users or those who believe in the project and want to support the raising up of a godly generation of teens to fund at various levels. And it means EARLY ACCESS for you! Would you pop over to our campaign page and see what we have going on? There’s a lot of great opportunity and interesting things you’ll only have access to through this campaign. Plus it’s the ONLY way to get ahold of these resources now, in time for 2014.

GIVEAWAY: And all who participate in the campaign and leave a comment here will be entered to win a Spark30 devotional subscription. We’ll give away one for every ten participants. This can also be gifted!

My heartfelt prayer is that you’ll find victory in your relationship with your teens as you lead them to good choices and a strong faith in Jesus.

Nicole O’Dell is the founder of Choose NOW Ministries, bringing a message of hope for today’s families through daily articles, weekly radio shows, and the printed word. A mother of six herself, she has authored 23 books for parents and teens, both fiction and nonfiction, all with the goal of helping the reader make good choices NOW.

***work-at-home’ish: adj. A working mom who does a lot of it at home, but, thanks to he wonderful church who built her an office, has a great place to go, offsite, to really get ‘er done. Tune in back here later in January to see pics of my church work space!

January 7, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 7 Comments

The Books Authors Read | Dorothy Love (Plus a Giveaway)

What was your favorite book as a child?

Little Women

What book did you read that first made you want to be an author?

To Kill a Mockingbird

What was the last book you read, just for fun?

Silver Girls

What upcoming release are you most looking forward to?

A Beauty Most Rare

About Dorothy Love

A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere. She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee. After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut. Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.

When she isn’t busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country. Connect with Dorothy on her website or via Facebook and Twitter.

About Carolina Gold

Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father’s once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce.

To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation. Then Nick’s quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery—and threatens all that she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter, Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love’s winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman’s struggle to restore her ruined world.

Giveaway

Dorothy is giving away a copy of Carolina Gold to one lucky reader! Enter using the widget below. Only those in the contiguous U.S. are eligible to win. You can enter to win more copies of the book, other southern essentials, and a $100 Visa cash card by clicking here, plus RSVP to her upcoming author chat party!