Review and Giveaway for "Because You Care"

CONGRATULATIONS TO
JENNIFER HALLMARK
WINNER OF "BECAUSE YOU CARE"

"BECAUSE YOU CARE: SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CAREGIVERS"

by Cecil Murphey

and Twila Belk

I saw this book on a friend's FB page. "Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers" and wanted to find out more about it. I've been a caregiver all my life and I can use all the encouragement I can get. My mother had Rheumatoid Arthritis and I helped care for her as a child. I still take care of my adult disabled daughter as well as my dad for the ten years before he passed away. I think I have pretty good creditials as a caregiver.


 I wanted to know how the authors faced their life as caregivers. Twila Belk and Cec Murphey are the co-authors for this book. Both of these authors are prolific writers and speakers. How do they do it. How do they manage to keep thier own sanity and also have a productive life of thier own?  I hope to have an interview with Twila to add to this post. I'm sure she has a lot to add for other caregivers who are also trying to be writers.


This is a little book, but it packs a whollop. Stories of trials and faith from both Twila and Cec. There are beautiful and tranquil photographs by Betty Fletcher. This book would make a great gift to someone who has the job of being a caregiver to someone they love. It is also nice just to buy for yourself if you are the caregiver and need a little boost.

BACK COVER: As someone caring for an ill or elderly loved one, you understand that your role can push you to the limit, press on every nerve, and yet fill you with a deep sense of love and peace of mind.

Beloved authors Cecil Murphy and Twila Belk know this, too. Beautifully written and full of gentle wisdom, their personal stories of caregiving will help you face some of the ups and downs of your journey.

   

                                               Feeling guilty for doing too much, or nothing at all.

                                               Answering others well-meaning but insensitive questions.

                                               Watching someone you dearly love suffer or die.

Here the stories from those living the life. Let their encouraging words lift your heart.



From Cec and Twila

(excerpt from first page)

Others may call you brave. They'll use words like noble or sacrificial. They'll admire and applaud you because you've offered your life to make yourself available to someone who needs a long-term caregiver.

"I couldn't do what you're doing for him," a friend says.

You listen to the words your friend speaks, and you like hearing the compiments. Yet as you listen and smile, you don't see yourself as exceptional. You're doing the right thing for someone you love, and that gives you peace. You also know the reason you've devoted your energies to another person.

You can express that reason in a single sentence: "I do it because I care." You might say it's because you love the person, or you may do it because of a strong sense of commitment to God and to your loved one. egardless of how you express yourself, you're determinded to give yourself as fully as you can.

Some days you may not feel like loving anyone. You get tired, lose your temper, or think of the things you didn't accomplish. During the worst times, you wish the situation would change. And in those dark moments, you've probably prayed, Dear Lord, please take this burden from me.

The situation probably won't change for a long time - perhaps years. It's not the kind of life you would have imagined. You probably  envisioned living out your years in blissful peace. Caring for your loved one wasn't part of your dream, but this is the life you have. Despite the moments of sadness, perhaps even regret, your answer remains the same: "I care."

TO ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS BOOK PLEASE:

1. Be a follower or become a follower. Please leave your email address so I can contact you.

2. Sign up to recieve my blog posts by email. (these are only a couple a month and usually giveaways you don't want to miss)

3. Let me know if you are a caregiver or if you know someone who is a long term caregiver. What is something you do to cope?
4. The giveaway ends April  30, 2012.

HAPPY READING

Spring Pictures from Gibbs Gardens in Ballground, Georgia

Interview and Giveaway for "Deer Run"

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANN KNOWLES



WINNER OF "THE ROAD TO DEER RUN"

The year is 1790

The American Revolution has long been over, but the wounds of batter still linger in the hearts and minds of many.

A verteran Continental soldier still awaits the return of his missing father, years after the last battle. Haunted by the painful memories of war and scarred from betrayal in love, the young man turns away from faith. The only hope he clings to is that perhaps his father still lives.

Then he discovers his hope is shared by a young woman, who understands loss and the longing for a father. As they encounter this unexpected connnection, their hearts become drawn together. But jealously, slander, and misunderstandings ignite a fire of doubt and mistrust - distroying their relationship.

Can two souls longing for healing and trust, love again? Can faith - and a family - be restored?

Elaine Cooper is an award-winning author currently living in the Midwest. She grew up in Massachusetts, the setting for her three-part Deer Run Saga that takes place during the period of the American Revolution. The novel is the second in the series. Elaine is a registered nurse and has been a magazine freelance writer for many years.

Interview with Elaine

1. Tell us a little about yourself. I am a wife, mom of two grown sons, and grammie to two-year-old triplets. I am a registered nurse but I now work fulltime at writing. My writing career started in freelance work for newspapers, then as a magazine freelancer. My life is more
hectic now than it has ever been, but I LOVE writing! I am also quite addicted
to tea and coffee. J
2.
Tell us
about your most recent book/or the book we are focusing on. “The Promise of
Deer Run,” was released in 2011 and I was so honored to have this novel win the
Romance Category at the 2012 Los Angeles Book Festival. I praise God for His
goodness and grace in my writing. This novel is set in 1790 in Western
Massachusetts, and focuses on a young veteran from the American Revolution. He
suffers from, what we now know to be, posttraumatic stress. It is a story about
healing, forgiveness, commitment, and love in the midst of life’s harshest
realities.
3.
Why did
you choose this particular genre? I love the history of our country.
Growing up in Massachusetts, I was surrounded by the history of the American
Revolution and just immersed myself in it. Finding out that one of my ancestors
fought in that war—as an enemy soldier from England—prompted the plot for my
first novel, “The Road to Deer Run.” It quickly grew into a three book family
saga.
4.
What was
your journey to publication like? When “The Road to Deer Run” was ready to
be sent to an editor, the publishing industry was in a huge spiral downward.
Undaunted by the discouraging news, I opted for self-publishing my first two
books without ever sending in a query to any traditional publisher. My third
book was contracted by Sword of the Spirit Publishing and will be released by
this summer.
5.
What is a
couple of your favorite books and what are you reading now? Right now I am
reading “Map Quilt” by Lisa Lickel, which is a cozy mystery with a touch of
historical drama in the plot. I am loving it! It will be released later in
April. I have lots of favorite books. Of course “The Bible” is THE favorite in
my collection. I love the historical fiction genre: “The Chamomile” by Susan
Craft, and “Daughter of Liberty” and “Native Son” by J.M. Hochstetler are some
of my favorites. I also like contemporary romances, especially by Karen
Kingsbury. But I am one of the strange readers that also likes non-fiction
biographies. What can be more interesting than the true tale of someone’s life?
I read Bob Dole’s biography as research for “The Promise of Deer Run” and was
completely caught up in his amazing story of surviving his injuries from WWII.
Inspiring.
6.
What are
you working on now and can you give us a little peek inside it? I just
finished Book Three in my saga, called “The Legacy of Deer Run.” It is set in
1800 in Western Massachusetts and involves political intrigue, class struggle,
terrorism at the Springfield Armory, and of course, plenty of romance at the
core of the story. As always in these novels, the themes of faith and
forgiveness flow through the chapters as well.
7.
What
advice would you give authors who are on their own journey to publication?
Pray! Learn the craft from other writers, but don’t be so overwhelmed by
someone else’s style that you lose your own writer’s voice. Each author has a story
to tell. While there are certain guidelines that are necessary to learn, don’t
get so caught up in technique that you lose a really great story.
8.
Do you
have any books or websites that have helped you with your writing that you
could share with us? One of the most helpful authors that I know is Cec
Murphy. He gives the most practical, worthwhile advice of almost anyone. Here
is his website: http://cecmurpheyswritertowriter.blogspot.com/
9.
Is there
anything you’d like to tell us we haven’t covered? I have to say that the
biggest influence in my writing has been the death of my daughter from a brain
tumor eight years ago. It was on the fourth anniversary of her passing away
that I felt inspired to begin my first book. I was driven in a way unlike
anything I have ever experienced before. I know that the Lord used my writing
to help me heal from this loss, which still grieves my heart every day. My
first book is dedicated to my daughter, Bethany.
10.
Please
let us know where we can find you on the web. You can friend me on Facebook
at http://www.facebook.com/elainemariecooper
And I have two
websites:
www.DeerRunBooks.com
www.PromiseOfDeerRun.com
I also write a
blog every Friday at http://ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com,
every second Wednesday at www.colonialquills.blogspot.com,
and the first of every month at http://www.thebarndoor.net/.
No wonder I drink
so much caffeine! J

Thank you so much for being with us Elaine. What an interview!

To enter for a copy of "Deer Run" please:

1. Let me know if you are an old follower or a new follower.

2. Sign up to follow my blog by email.

3. Have you ever read a book set during the Revolutionary War?

4. Leave an email so I can contact you if you win.

5. Contest ends 4/20/12.

HAPPY READING!

John 3:16 Blog Hop

Only one month to go until the John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop –May 7th – 14th!

Join over fifty authors and bloggers who will be offering great books and other prizes on their blogs during that week. As a reader, you just “hop” from blog to blog and sign up to win some great prizes at each blog.

But wait…you also have a chance of winning one of two Kindles! How’s that for fun?Tell all your friends and join us May 7th – 14th for the John 3:16 Marketing Network Giveaway Blog Hop

Winners!

And The Winners Are:

Wendy - "To See the Sun"

Faith - "Deeply Devoted"

Lorlyn - "Rest In Peace"

Pam - "Sarah's Garden"

Aly - "Maple Notch Brides'

Congratulations and thank you all for leaving your comments!

"DEATH IN DAHLONEGA" GIVEAWAYS

http://www.johuddleston.com/

http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com/

http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/2012/03/please-welcome-debbie-malone.html

Five Book Giveaway!!

I love to do these giveaways. I remember when I first discovered blogs and giveaway books. I couldn't get enough of them. As much as I love to read and to be able to learn about the author and then have a chance to win one of their books was a little bit of heaven on earth.

Then I discovered the other side of blogging. That is having the books for giveaways. It is so much fun having books that someone might win and if so discover a new author. So it is with this in mind that I'm now having a five book giveaway with five different winners.

TO SEE THE SUN by Peggy Blann Phifer

Erin Macintyre never expected to be a widow and a new mother in the same year, any more than she expected mysterious notes, threatening phone calls, and a strange homeless man who seemed to know all about her. The thought of raising a child without a father is daunting enough - - worse when you have no idea who might want to harm you. Put an old flame into the mix, and her life began as a tailspin into a world she never knew existed. When P. I. Clay Buchanan stumbles upon Erin at her husband's grave site, he is totally unprepared for her advanced pregnancy. Her venomous reaction at seeing him, however, is predictable. But Clay can't let her distrust, or his guilt, get in the way --not when he has evidence that proves Erin's life is in danger. With a few options left, air and begrudingly accepts Clay's help... And it just might be her undoing.

About: Peggy Blann Phifer is a retired executive assistant after working 21 years in corporate America. She resides with her husband of almost 25 years in Clark County, Nevada. Peg is also an avid reader who has been known to panic if she doesn't have a book to read. She enjoys hand crafts of all kinds and her home shows off some of her work. To See the Sun is Peg's debut to the world of fiction writing.

Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan

When Catharine Olsen leaves Holland for Wyoming as a mail order bride, she brings some extra baggage with her: Two sisters, her mother's set of Blue Willow china, and a tragic past. As she steps off the train, Peter Anderson is glad to see that she is everything her letters showed her to be. But he has a bit perturbed by her unexpected companions. How will he support them all? And what other secrets might Catharine be keeping from him?

Filled with sweet romance and vivid characters, Deeply Devoted, highlights a clash of cultures as a highborn European and a simple wheat farmer learn to love one another and trust God with the past - -and the future.

About: Maggie Brendan is the author of No Place for a Lady,The Jewel of His Heart, and A Love of Her Own. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writer's of America, and Georgia Romance Writers, Maggie lives in Georgia.

Rest In Peace by Frances Devine

In Cedar Chapel, where Victoria Storm runs a Senior boarding house, things are quiet. That is, until she enters the local pet store and finds the owner dead and his parrot, Whatzit, frantically schreeching. What clues will this bird reveal regarding a murder most foul? Unable to resist a mystery, Victoria, her fiance, Benjamin, and her senior coherts begin their own investigation, landing them headfirst in a dangerous adventure. When their friend Miss Aggie disappears, leaving a blood-stained trail, no one seems safe. Will Victoria live long enough to unravel the clues and tie the knot?

About: Frances Devine the mother of seven children and fourteen grandchildren lives in southwest Missouri wrote her first novel at nine.

Sarah's Graden by Kelly Long

Tucked into the majesty of Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains is a garden Sarah King has been nurturing for years. She never feels more alive than when she is along with her thoughts and her Creator among the delicate rows of plants. But then duty calls her away from her beloved garden and into a world she knows little about.

Grant Williams, a handsome young veterinarian, has left the city to open a rural practice among the Amish. Within minutes of meeting shy but fiesty Sarah King, he is captivated by her.

As their feelings grow for one another, Sarah insist they can never be together. Marrying Grant would mean being uprooted from her home, her family, and her community. Throughout the cold Pennsylvania winter, with her garden tucked away until spring, Sarah begins crafting a quilt that illustrates her pain. Can anything lasting blossom from a love that's forbidden?

About: Kelly long is the author of Sarah's Garden, the first novel and a Patch of Heaven series. She was born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania. She's been married for nearly 25 years and has five children.

Maple Notch Brides by Darlene Franklin

Sally Reid and her family of Patriots are in a dangerous spot after the Tories of Maple Notch Vermont, force them off their land in into hiding. Joshua Tuttle discovers their secret, but can Sally trust this Tory's son when he offers to help?

Beatrice Baily's father is not about to let his only daughter marry a farmer. But Beatrice only has eyes for Calvin Tuttle, a young farmer full of innovative ideas. But Calvin and Beatrice trust that God will have his way in their lives -but how will they ever build a bridge to love?

While other women in Maple Notch are focused on marriage and raising children, Clara Farley is resigned to be a spinster and devoted to opening an academy for girls. But when Clara attracts the attention of a wounded soldier, will the two keep love at arm's length or fall to love's raid?

How will God work to His glory in the lives of these Vermonters?

HERES HOW TO ENTER:

1) BE A FOLLOWER OR SIGN UP AS A NEW FOLLOWER

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HAPPY READING