ENTRY FOR 2/20 – Personally invite two people to sign up for this street team’s blog (then, they can be a part of this giveaway too!)
Submit your entries here.
Author: Amanda Tero
Music has always been a part of Amanda Tero’s life–from her mom singing Steve Green specials to her dad honking out the rhythm of “Jingle Bells” in the driveway. She began teaching in 2007 and fell in love with sharing music. Amanda started arranging hymns for herself in her teens, with fast and furious advanced hymn settings. Then, as her students began requesting hymns at their levels, she branched out to hymn arranging for pedagogical reasons. Because of Amanda’s interest in various genres, in her shop, you will find hymn arrangements of various levels embracing classical elements, light jazz style, Southern Gospel flair, and more.
Now Ready for Kindle…
I’m getting off the computer–I promise I am (not saying HOW many hours I spent on here today)…but lookie! “Journey to Love” (Kindle edition) is now on Amazon, ready for pre-order! 😀
Order here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BZ7S3PK
Special Giveaway
Guess what! Guess what!!
I’ve decided to do a giveaway–a special giveaway JUST for my street teamers (starting now, ending on release day, March 14). Because you are all so amazingly supportive and encouraging! I’ll be giving away at least one paperback copy of Journey to Love (if I have a lot of entrants, I just might make it two).
The way you can earn entries is simple: I will post a “challenge” for the day (this may not come every day, as some days I’ll be too busy to post here). If you do the challenge, then you can go to the giveaway link and enter it in.
ENTRY for 2/19 – RSVP to the Journey to Love Release Party on FB (You will have to ask me for an invite if you can’t access it. Aren’t on FB? It’s okay, you can still have one free entry 🙂 )
Orphan Train Rider | Book Review
This week, I didn’t have any books I had to review…and actually, I haven’t finished a book since two Saturdays ago (perhaps I’ve been a bit busy). I’m stuck on an orphan train research book. While it has a lot of facts, that’s just what it has: facts (that are a little dry to swallow a lot at a time). But! Here’s an orphan train book that I recently read and really enjoyed–I give it five stars.
My Thoughts
So much information is packed into this short book. Warren paints a very detailed picture of the situations and circumstances different orphans faced. Warren follows the true story of one orphan, Lee, and adds historical references. I thought the book was very well-rounded. Though I’ve researched the orphan train saga, I learned a lot from these 72 pages.
I would say that this is acceptable for all readers. There is one sentence that states that some orphans were physically and sexually abused, but other than that, I didn’t notice anything unacceptable. Some younger readers may not like the very real, dismal picture painted of the hopelessness of orphans in that time period.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and found it helpful for research.
About the Book
Between 1854 and 1930, more than 200,000 orphaned or abandoned children were sent west on orphan trains to find new homes. Some were adopted by loving families; others were not as fortunate. In recent years, some of the riders have begun to share their stories. Andrea Warren alternates chapters about the history of the orphan trains with the story of Lee Nailling, who in 1926 rode an orphan train to Texas when he was nine years old.
Formatting…one step closer!
My sister, Elizabeth, drew an adorable train for my chapter headers. I’m in love with it!!! 🙂 Working on ARC edits now! (the formatting is changing from what I have picture here)
Celeste and Pastor Owens | Journey to Love
Get to know two more important characters from “Journey to Love” – Celeste and Pastor Owens.
Celeste Thornton
Mary’s younger sister, Celeste, is cheery, chatty, and totally little girlish. She reaches out to Marie even though Marie never encourages the friendship.
Pastor Owens
Solid in the Bible, Pastor Owens is the faithful pastor of the church that Mr. and Mrs. Bowles attends. However, his words make Marie feel uncomfortable.
Word Wednesday #94
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Genesis 22:12
Abraham loved God enough to obey Him…above his only son. Yet how often do I struggle to obey God when it means sacrificing my dreams and projects for just a short time? Abraham obeyed, unable to see the future. Yet I like to balance the pros and cons before maybe, possibly, obeying. Oh Lord, help me to have a heart more dedicated to following You!!
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Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog! Did you post on your blog? I’d love to see — share your link in a comment!
Mr. and Mrs. Bowles | Journey to Love
Get to know some characters in “Journey to Love.” Today, meet Mr. and Mrs. Bowles.
Mr. Bowles
An older, gentle farmer, there is a special connection between Marie and Mr. Bowles. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that neither of the talk much.
Mrs. Bowles
What Mr. Bowles lacked in words, Mrs. Bowles made up for double–or triple. She seems inclined to keep up a steady monologue whenever she’s around.
Come back on Thursday to meet Celeste and Pastor Owens.
Biblically Speaking – These Seven Things: Feet Running to Mischief
Part 15 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.
Recap:
Many believers have fallen into accepting that which is abomination in the sight of God. Unless we study God’s Word to learn His Mind on what is abominable, how will we know to purge ourselves from abomination? Lord willing, I will be posting the fruits of my study on the word “abomination,” but feel free to leap ahead of me and study it for yourself. What is an abomination to God?
These Seven Things
Proverbs 6:16-19 – These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
If ever there was a clear list given in God’s Word for abominations in His eyes, Proverbs 6:16-19 holds the key. It is distinct and unarguable. Above that, sadly, this list can be found in many believers’ lives.
– Feet Swift in Running to Mischief
“Mischief – OT:7451 ra` (rah); from OT:7489; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral):”
Am I quick to jump on the bandwagon of mischief? Do I find myself following after those whose actions are not “necessarily good?” God does not have a “gray area.” Either it is evil or it is good. Psalm 37:27 commands, Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. When was the last time I stopped to consider my ways–if they are (in God’s eyes) evil or good?
An example of a man who lived uprightly in this area is Job:
Job 1:1 – There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
To “eschew” means to “turn off.” Not only did Job refuse to run to evil, he went the opposite way. A concept repeated in 1 Peter 3:11, Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
Journey to Love ~ Cover Reveal and Blog Tour Sign-Up
Finally, after much work, “Journey to Love’s” cover is completed! I guess I learned something new–just like one can have writer’s block, they can also have graphics designer’s block. 😉 So thankful for the help and advice of Sarah Johnson in bringing this cover to “good enough” to “great!”
So…*drumroll*…
Also, I’m having a blog tour for “Journey to Love” on March 14-26, 2016, and you’re invited to join me! Are you interested in joining? If you have a blog or are on Amazon or Goodreads, you may sign up over HERE–and get a free e-copy of “Journey to Love!” Do you have a friend you think may be interested? Send them to this post and they can sign up!
About “Journey to Love:”
Now orphaned, Marie is swept miles away from the only life she knew to be sheltered by unknown guardians. Caught in the challenges of a new life, she cannot prevent changes from happening, but she can keep the Bowles and their friends at arm’s length. Or can she?
While things appear to transition smoothly on the outside, Marie struggles against the turmoil she faces on the inside. She sees something in the Bowles and her new friends that she had never experienced before…but should she trust what the preacher is teaching when it goes against everything she had accepted as truth? Is God really a God of love? If He is, then is Marie willing to accept it?
Follow Marie as she begins the journey to love.
Amanda Tero Books 