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When Life Hands you Writing Days!

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Last Monday, I woke up planning to be very flexible with my week. As you saw from last week’s post, life kind of took a crazy turn. Things have settled back down for now–but I want to thank you all so very much for your prayers!
Now, back to writing… I seriously did keep my free hours of the week open, planning on being available if something came up and I was needed elsewhere. Would you know, though, that out of the last two months, last week gave me the most writing time I’ve had?! God is so good! I seriously feel a bit spoiled. 😉 All of that to say…
Yep. You see an “Edited” stamp on every single chapter for Nat’s story!!! As of Friday, Nat’s story is now in the hand of the beta-readers. I’m still going to project a Spring 2018 release. I imagine once I get my readers’ feedback in, I’ll have some more editing to do! And you never know when someone may make that great suggestion that calls for a little rewriting.
So… I’m currently in between projects! It’s such an odd feeling to have! I also realized… soon I’m going to have to transport all of my Civil War books back into my closet-bookshelf and out of my study-bookshelf, to make room for the next book’s research! I have a lot of planning to do for book two in Nat’s series (which, as a way of update, I have both a series’ title AND titles for all three books in it!! Can’t share quite yet… but I can’t wait to tell y’all!).
Last week was an exciting week for me! But do you ever get that feeling of, “Wow. This is done, now what?” I mean, I’ve been working on Nat’s story off-and-on for the last 1 1/2 years (praying, praying that book two doesn’t take me that long!). I’m still praying for wisdom with the next thing to focus on! Your prayers are also appreciated! 🙂
What are you up to this week? Anything exciting happen for you last week?

Scripture Graphics #62

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments

It is our own foolishness that maekes our way twisted and has “hard feelings” against the Lord. Too often, even believers blame God for the feelings of their heart, or they blame satan—but it is man himself.


Not all instruction out there lines up with God’s Word. There are many foolish men and women who have a voice in this world, which is why we must know the words of knowledge for ourselves.


The word “chosen” stood out to me. It is not that some people happen to have a good name or loving favor—we all have a choice how we behave. But many people choose something that fades away—like gold and silver—over godly character.

Which verse about wisdom vs. foolishness have you read recently?

KJV Know the Word Study Bible | Review

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
I was interested in this as a three-way approach to studying the Bible. I would love to find a study Bible that I can hand to a young Christian that would teach them how to study God’s Word for themselves. It was my hope that this may be one of those Bibles. Each book begins with a summary and how-to-study-this-book. As you read through the individual book, segments are highlighted and explained historically. This suits the book-by-book study advertised. 
When it comes to verse-by-verse, I guess I was expecting it to explain how to take a verse and study the definitions of the words. Instead, I think the highlighted segments are supposed to be the “verse-by-verse” study. It may just be me, but it didn’t seem to fit very well. 
Topic-by-topic is a little wanting. I realize that one needs a completely separate concordance to thoroughly study topically, but I suppose I was expecting more than 21 chosen topics. The topics seem to do well for a young Christian who has no basic knowledge of the Bible and they cover solid, doctrinal issues (like the Bible, the Trinity, sanctification, purpose, etc.), but what about digging even deeper?
So, in conclusion, maybe my expectations of a study Bible were slightly too high. I was hoping that it would be something that would teach someone how to study. Rather, it just hands the reader the information. I do appreciate it; I will likely be using it for a little more background on the history of events and such. I just wished for something slightly deeper.
*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers and happily provided my honest review of the product*

God Gave us Family | FLF and Blog Hop

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

It’s another Friday with sharing first lines!!

Remember, you can visit Hoarding Books to see all of the lovely first lines being shared today AND if you’re a blogger, you can join in on the fun!
For me, I’m sharing from a children’s book again. It’s perfect timing, because my first nephew was born last Friday!! Talk about love at first sight! ❤ It's a wonderful thing, being an aunt!

Review

Cute illustrations are coupled with a dialogue-themed story to explain how God fits everyone into the family that He chooses. It goes from some families having only one child to other families having several to children raised by grandparents to extended being a part of extended family. The little wolf learns that the cousins he thought were annoying one year were great fun the next year. It’s a pretty thorough little book, explaining all aspects of family and love, and how our earthly family is like being a part of a spiritual family.
Part of the thoroughness was that some mamas and papas couldn’t be a part of raising their family (divorce). I doubt the author intended to make it sound this way, but it could almost come across that God makes some families divided, because of the quote, “God gives us family in lots of different ways…look at Graham the Goose. His mama is raising all of those goslings by herself.” I realize this is me being nit-picky, but considering the children I’d read it to, it would bring up questions about “So is God the one who pulls a family apart?” (which, I’ll admit, would lead to a great discussion about man’s choice)
All in all, though, this book was very cute and had a good message of being content in the family you’re in.
*I received this book from Blogging for Books and happily provided my honest review*

When Life Happens…

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
Last week was a pretty insane week. One of my sisters is going through a hard point in life, so she and I decided to trek down to Louisiana for a weekend off (she had some other things to do, I visited cousins, friends, and grandparents). One of my brother’s girlfriend’s mom discovered that she has pretty serious breast cancer (please pray for Mrs. Linda!), and my dad got some negative health news as well. Add teaching 2 days plus a houseful of colds/fever going around and yeah… that’s how my week went. Writing was wayyyy on the bottom of things.
But you know what? As each new piece of news struck us, all I could do was give a little grin.  And it wasn’t a sardonic grin. It was just… “Really? Wow… just how much news could a family handle in one week? What will we hear next?” 
It was also amazing. It could have easily been a very depressing week, but instead, all I could see was God’s hand and His miraculous blessings on our lives. I really think that God had prepared my heart with listening to Choosing Gratitude. The hardships of life look different when you’re looking at them through eyes grateful to God of all the blessings He has bestowed upon our lives! Yeah, it’s been a tough week–more-so for certain family members than for myself–but God’s grace is still sufficient, and He is good. All the time.
Oh, and guess what the week of bad news ended with? A nephew!! Yep. God saw fit to make the week end with happiness (my sister-in-law took the all-natural route so no induction). Sorry, I can’t share pictures publicly, but trust me: Adam is the cutest, most adorable little infant there is! (And I’m not wholly prejudiced; many of our family and friends say the same thing) After waiting for what seems years and year for “our life to move on” (i.e. siblings getting married and having babies), here we are! And it truly seems like it all happened quickly–not after a decade of waiting. God’s timing is perfect, and seriously, it is wholly worth the wait. My siblings are all striving to follow God in their relationships, and so far, God has spared our family from much of the heartache that happens when people get impatient and try to take matters in their own hands.
So, writing week? No. But is it a week I’d live without? No, not really. Because in weeks like the one I just lived, it reminds me more and more of the great God that I serve and His hand over anything that happens in our lives. There is really nothing better I can ask for in life.

Scripture Graphics #61

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” Proverbs 13:4
“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” Proverbs 13:11
“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Proverbs 14:23


What is our diet—what do we crave? When we have free time to use, do we fill our minds with empty entertainment or do we seek that which encourages godliness?


We can justify pretty much anything we do and convince ourselves that there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing “this or that.” But we aren’t the judge of what is clean—God is. And if we truly want to know if He approves, we will seek His definition of what is clean and good. “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (vs 6)

Wisdom never comes by accident. We must desire it, separate ourselves, and seek it. Many people stop at just desiring it.


Share a verse you read today!

Books I Read – September 2017

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
Due to last week’s Five Fall Favorites fun, I’m a week behind getting my “books I read” up. But here they are! Thanks to a trip to Louisiana plus a full week of revival services an hour away, I got in quite a bit of reading time!
My Favorites
Ooh, I had two favorites this month!!
This book. Y’all. I really, really needed the reminder of how blessed I am and to make a conscious effort to BE grateful! I actually listened to this as an audiobook, but it was so, so good! I highly recommend it! (A more cohesive review here)
And this book!!! When I realized this was a legal thriller, I went, “Ugh…” cause I’m not so into legal things. But it was amazing. Hands-down my favorite mystery book that I’ve read this year. Full review with more details here.
No, make that three favorites, because I really liked…

Can you even imagine what it would be like to be blind in the twin towers? Yeah. This was an amazing read. More of my thoughts here.
Non-Fiction Books
I tried to make it an effort to read a little more non-fiction this month. That being said, I pulled out one photography book that I had begun in January and finished it, and then got another photography book to review and read it.
Review here.
Review here (note: this is excellent for most photographers, no matter what equipment you have)

Other Fiction

And… we reach the part where I dump all of the info about other books I’ve read. 😉 I was really excited to finish this series:

I really, really liked book one so was looking forward to books two and three. Unfortunately, they didn’t appeal to me quite as much as the first book. I think it’s because the first book had a somewhat balance viewpoint of North/South and the conclusion to the series made the South seem more stereotypical. So yeah… each of these kind of got a three-star from me. If you’ve read them, I’d love to hear your thoughts! As it stands, you may see my reviews for book two and book three on Goodreads.

After featuring this for a First Line Fridays post, I realized how very much I wanted to re-read it! So… I did! (the one luxury of making myself not agree to review-read everything that comes in my email: I have more time to read just whatever I want 😉 ) It’s truly a sweet book. I can see how some people may not like Janette Oke’s style. She definitely has an “older” voice but you’ve gotta love it for that era. I decided to give it five stars.
Last but not least, I read two WWII books!!

By one of my author-friends, I enjoyed this cute story. It wasn’t quite realistic to me (I just visited the WWII museum so maybe my critical eye is a bit harsher?), but it was a very good story! My full review is here.

My first book to read by Melody Carlson. It was a cute story, not my favorite ever, but not bad either. I really did love pulling out a Christmas story to read! I haven’t read many of them, and already this year, I think I’ve agreed to review three (three more Christmas books than I read last year!). Back to this book, though, I did give it four stars, and you can see my thoughts here.


Do you re-read books?
What are some non-fiction books that you enjoy?
What about Christmas books? Read them or not?



Paige Alder series | First Line Fridays

Published on by Amanda Tero12 Comments
So, a few months back, I shared the first line from Paige Torn. 

Within the last few weeks, I’ve read books two and three, so was going to feature just one of them. But then… why not all three? So here you go: the other two.

I initially didn’t think I’d like reading first person, present tense, but it worked for the series. If you’d like, my full review are up on Goodreads for books one, two, and three.

What’s the latest series that you’ve read in full?
– or – 
Open a book and share the first line!

If you’d like to join us on your blog today, then post a first line and share the link on Hoarding Book’s blog!

A Little About Me

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments

A few days ago, I shared my personal testimony on Instagram and Facebook. For those who aren’t there, I’d love to share it here… and hear your own testimonies of how you came to Christ!


I was born and raised in a Baptist preacher’s home. I knew all of the rules, and overall, I was the “good kid.” I rarely sneaked behind my parents’ back–and if I did, ​trust me, my conscience would beat me up! When I was about five or six, I was part of a church sign language class with a very zealous teacher. In one session, she asked who wanted to accept Christ as their Savior. I remember raising my hand. Since my parents were Christians, she told me to talk with my parents that night. I was all bubbly as I bounded up to my parents with, “I want to be saved!” 

I remember talking to them that night, but that’s all (in my parents’ words: my siblings were wondering why in the world they didn’t lead me in “the sinner’s prayer” — thank God for wise parents; they knew that I had childish curiosity, but not Christ-given conviction). However, when I was about seven, I vividly remember December 3. During Bible time for school, I had to read a few verses then jot down my thoughts. For at least two days, my answer was, “They need to be saved.” That day, however, God hit my heart on a personal level: *I* needed to be saved. 

That night, when my parents talked to me about Jesus Christ, His sacrifice for my sins, and that He is the only way to salvation, I understood and prayed, repenting of my sins. This, for me, was just the start. I was a good kid, and at seven, there is only so much “wicked” that a kid could do in action. Salvation goes much further than that, for me. 

God has continued to mold me and shape me to become more like Him, and as I have gotten older, I am struck with the grim reality of everything my life has been spared because I came to Christ as a young child. No, my life isn’t perfect, but my God is. What’s more, there is nothing like the certainty that He will never leave nor forsake me!!

I would love to hear your salvation testimony!