Christmas Book Signing Bash!

Just a reminder for those of you looking for Great Christian books to give away as gifts this year, this site, Christian Review of Books is hosting around 75 authors as part of their new online store. The books that are purchased will be signed by the author as an added bonus. And of course, yours truly, has her books listed there too!  There are also author interviews and changes to interact with the authors one-on-one.
Just go to :  http://christianreviewofbooks.com/index.php?page=

And Happy Shopping!

Got victory?

There's a story in Exodus 17 where the Israelites were attacked by the nation of Amalek as they were journeying toward the promised land. So, Moses chose Joshua and told him to gather the warriors and go fight while Moses stood on top of a nearby hill and watched. But he didn't just watch, he held up his hands.

And when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and when he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:11

So, I asked God what does this raising of the hands mean? And I heard the following words: Praise, submission and worship. To confirm, I searched Scripture for the raising of hands and here's what I found.

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:6


Hear the voice of my supplications.When I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2


Thus I will bless You while I live;I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:4

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2


Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41


I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; Timothy 2:8

 Are you or someone you love being attacked by the enemy? Is there some spiritual battle going on in your life? I have several battles going on in my family. Battles for lost loved ones, battles for marriages, for finances, for health.  I'm not saying that every problem is an attack of the enemy. Some problems we have brought on ourselves, others are just a part of this fallen world. But if you've turned to God and asked for His help, chances are Satan has sent his evil forces to stop whatever good thing God is planning.

I believe in this story in Exodus 17, God has given us the formula for victory over the enemy. And that is praise, worship, and submission. Instead of complaining about your circumstances or worrying or fretting or wallowing in self-pity and depression, try thanking God in advance for answering your prayer. And then take it a step further, try praising Him for coming to your rescue. Praise Him for the victory before it ever happens. Praise Him for who He is and Praise Him because He loves you and He will answer your prayer. I'm a firm believe that there is huge power in Praise! All of heaven looks down and the angels stand in awe when one of us lowly creatures praises God for something we haven't seen happen yet.

Now, I'm not talking about a way to manipulate God into doing what you've asked Him. In fact, God's victory may be something completely different than you had in mind! I'm talking about taking a step of faith into the Spiritual realm and actually taking God at His word. I'm sure you can find Scripture after Scripture that you can apply to your specific problem.   So take those promises and praise God in the midst of your battle. And I guarantee the enemy will scatter!  And if the battle goes on too long and you get weary, enlist some friends to help you pray like Moses got Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands. You don't have to go it alone.

Here's 4 things I've noticed that happen as a result of continual praise in the midst of battle
1. Freedom from Depression.
2. Increased Faith
3. Power over the enemy
4. Victory.

Try it. What have you got to lose?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all of you a fun time with food and family and love!!  Yet, in the midst of our celebrating, I pray we stop to remember, to bow our knees, and thank Almighty God for every blessing He has poured on us, our family, and our nation.

 Here's George Washington's proclamation that made Thanksgiving a national holiday!

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.


Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington

Wordless Wednesday!

Bring me that Horizon!

A hiding place

I don't know about you, but there are days when I wish I was a little kid and I could go sneak into a hiding place where and no one could find me. A place where my problems and my troubles and my fears and heartaches aren't allowed. A peaceful place. A safe place.

Then I read these scriptures

You are my hiding place;  You shall preserve me from trouble;  You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32: 6-7
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:114

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. Psalm 91:1

And then I realized, God's presence is my hiding place. Anytime I want, I can run and sit at his feet. I can talk to Him and hear from Him. I can receive His love and protection. It's the safest and most wonderful place on earth. It's what Jesus died to give us, relationship with the Father.

Just because I am a published author and I write books that glorify God, doesn't mean I have it all together. In fact, I have many troubles in my life. Lots of relationship problems within my own family and kids that have gone astray and loved ones who don't know God.  I also have a bad temper, break down and cry at the drop of a hat, eat too much, can't sleep at night, and am very insecure.  And sometimes when I get a phone call with bad news, I just plain lose it.  That happened to me last week. Instead of remaining calm and praying, I ranted and raved and got myself all twisted up with anxiety and fear and anger.  The devil had me in a tail spin.
But then I stopped and snuck away to a quiet place and just hung out with God. I poured my heart out to Him and then sat quietly. After a few minutes I felt His love pour over me and I could even sense Him smiling at me. I gave all my troubles and fears to Him and I felt SO MUCH BETTER!

The Lord is indeed a hiding place.  A safe place where as it says above, He surrounds me with songs of deliverance.The best place in the world to be. Like David said in Psalm 84

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God  than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless

So, don't be like me. Don't let life's troubles and heartaches get you all upset and angry and confused. Before you do anything else, sneak away to God's hiding place and let Him soothe you with His feathers of love and deliverance!

Friday news and quote!

I'm starting to work on my Christmas newsletter and wanted everyone to know that I'm planning on putting a link to a secret excerpt in it from my next release, Surrender the Night, which comes out in March. So, if you'd like to get a wee taste of coming attractions, you should sign up for it.

Writing news:
I've turned in the FINAL galleys for Surrender the Night. Now, I won't see that book again until the UPS guy comes to deliver my author copies!
Surrender the Dawn is coming along nicely. I've finished the first draft! Now, I'm doing a bit of research to answer some questions that arose during the writing before I dive back into it and spit and polish it before I turn it into my publisher on January 31st. This may be the best of the three. I adore the hero, Luke Heaton. But he really does get himself into quite a jam!

I also want to bring to your attention a huge Holiday book signing bash (see below for details) I'm one of the 75 authors participating. Just go to the ChristianReviewOfBooks website during the dates and you'll be glad you did.

Now for the Founding Fathers' quotes of the week!
During the Revolutionary war, the American Colonies had a shortage of Bibles. Consequently, Robert Aitken, publisher of The Pennsylvania Magazine petitioned Congress for permission to print Bibles here in America on his presses rather than import them. He pointed out that his Bible would be "a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools."  Congress approved the request and Mr. Aitken went to work.
On Sept 12, 1782, Congress approved the first Bibles rolling off the press saying that they "recommend this edition of the Bible to all the inhabitants of the United States."

An early historian of the day, W.P. Strickland, observed in an 1849 book. "Who in view of this fact, will call in question the assertion that this is a Bible nation? Who will charge the government with indifference to religion when the first Congress of the States assumed all the rights and performed all the duties of a Bible Society long before such an institution had an existence in the world!"

Wordless Wednesday

Oh, I just love the eerie mood of this one! Some poor pirate met his death searching for treasure in this cave!

My husband's road to Damascus conversion

Some of you have been asking me about my husband's salvation experience. So, I thought I'd post it here in His own words:

I came to accept Jesus Christ into my live as my personal Lord and Savior on March 24, 2004. This is the story of the events leading up to my conversion.
I was raised in a Christian family where both my parents were firm believers. We attended a variety of Protestant Churches as I grew up as an “Air Force brat”. At a relatively young age, however, I rebelled against God and stopped attending Church. I thus lived my entire adult life without Christ. I do not know quite why, but I never really felt the pull of God on my life during this time. I attended college and graduate school, got married and had children. I also worked at the most prestigious industrial research laboratory in the world. To most people in the world, I had it made. I was “a rich man” in that I did not believe I needed anything from anybody (including God). I note, in retrospect, that my situation at this time was not unlike the rich man spoken of by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke,
“How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Luke 18: 24, 25)
Then two major events occurred in my life that brought me to my knees. First, I lost my research position with IBM that I had held for 17 years. This coupled with a serious deterioration in my relationship with my wife brought me to the point where the Holy Spirit could work in my life. One morning following a particularly bad argument with my wife, I went to her with hostility in my heart. Before I could open my mouth, however, I saw in her a radiance that I had not seen before. She appeared so peaceful that I just gazed at her (without her knowledge) in amazement. I later approached her to ask about her “secret”. She immediately responded that the peace and joy she was experiencing was the grace that comes from having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She furthermore stated that I could also receive this same grace if only I would believe in Him. Much to my surprise, I asked how I should go about receiving Christ. Her suggestion was to approach God with a simple prayer that went something like this: “Lord I do not know if you exist, but if you do, can you please show yourself to me”.

At approximately 11:00 am on the morning of March 24, 2004, I went for a walk along the side of a hill that runs behind our house in San Jose, CA. It was a wondrous spring day, the sun was shining brightly, the sky was blue and wildflowers dotted the side of the hill. After walking about ½ mile, I asked the Lord, “God if you exist, could you show me a sign?” And as you might guess, God responded.
“Call unto Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know”. (Jer. 33:3)
While not knowing what to expect (if anything), I was surprised that immediately upon asking God to reveal Himself to me, I began to feel a tingling sensation that started in my thighs, ran up the entire length of my back and neck and ended at the very top of my head. While these “goose-bumps” certainly grabbed my attention, I didn’t quite know what to make of them. This continued for about 5 – 10 minutes. I then sat down and prayed. While I do not recall the essence of this prayer, this may not be as relevant as the fact that this was the first time I had spoken to God in decades.

When I got up to return home, I pulled out a cigarette and lit it. I took 1–2 puffs of the cigarette when I heard the Lord speak to me saying “put out that cigarette”. I did not immediately obey His voice, but rather I began to argue with Him. I remember thinking that it was silly to throw away a perfectly good cigarette. God patiently, and just as quietly, repeated the same thing “put your cigarette out”. Thankfully, I obeyed the second time. I say thankfully because as soon as I discarded the cigarette, the Holy Spirit began to vividly reveal to me a number of truths concerning the nature of “good” and “evil”. First, He showed me that in His eyes all people are either “good” or “evil”. Furthermore, He showed me that this delineation is black and white, i.e. there is no grey, you are either 100% “good” or 100% “evil”. He also revealed to me how those that are “good” cannot easily be around those that are “evil”. As soon as I saw this latter point, I realized I was on the wrong side, namely I was “evil”. This then explained why my “good” Christian wife had so much difficulty being yoked to a non-believer. Once I acknowledged in my heart, my acceptance of the fact that I was indeed a sinner, the vision I was having became even more intense. In particular, I was then shown that the battle between “good” and “evil” was one that is currently on-going and is being fought both on the earthly plane, and in the spiritual realm.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this work, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies.” (Ephesians 6:12)
The focus of the vision then shifted. Upon looking out over the Santa Clara valley, I saw a multitude of light beams (like a series of small flash light beams). The Holy Spirit then told me that these lights represented those people that were “good” in the eyes of the Lord. I suppose the Lord was showing me what He wanted me to become, a light in a world of darkness. I note that it was only later, when I started reading the Bible with regularity, that I realized that this was very biblical. In particular, it is stated in scripture that those who believe on Him are “children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8). Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount also taught of the light,
“You are the light of the world…..let your light shine before men in such that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16)
and finally the apostle John writes
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:4,5)
With this final vision, my initial encounter with Jesus Christ ended. In total it lasted about 40 minutes. I then returned home where my wife immediately saw that something had happened in me. While trembling, I explained to her what had just transpired.
Since my rebirth, God has blessed me mightily. Ten days after my rebirth, on Palm Sunday (4/4/04), I was baptized. Seven days after this, I had my last cigarette (after having smoked for 20 years, praise God!). Within a month, the Lord provided a job for me at Samsung electronics. Four months later, three of my daughters accepted Christ into their lives, and after approximately 9 - 10 months, my teenage son came to the Lord and was baptized.

The Lord continues to do a great work in my life. I thank Him daily through both worship and prayer. I also look to Him on a daily basis to teach me, through revelation and through the reading of His Word, what I need to know in order to follow Him. While not always successful, I try to remain attentive to His “still small voice” (1Kings 19:12) for “to obey is better than to sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22).

What is inscribed on the Liberty Bell?

The following scripture: 
Leviticus 25:10 Proclaim liberty throughout the land until all the inhabitants thereof

Dec 15, 1777  John Adams in a letter to his wife, Abigail, describing the activities of the Continental Congress
I have had many opportunities during the course of this journey to observe how deeply rooted our cause is in the minds of the people. . . One evening as I sat in the room I overheard a company of a common sort of people in another room conversing on serious subjects. At length I heard these words, "It appears to me the eternal Son of God is operating powerfully against the British nation for their treating lightly serious things."

October 12, 1778 Congress issued the following act
Whereas true religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness: Resolved, that it be and it is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States to take the most effectual measures for the encouragement thereof.

My new cover for Surrender the Dawn!

I just got this a few days ago. What do you think? The fort in the background is supposed to be Fort McHenry.

The Master's Wall by Sandi Rog

Hi all! Today I want to introduce to you a friend of mine, Sandi Rog, whose first book just released a few months ago. I had the privilege of reading this book for review.

HE FIGHTS FOR HIS FREEDOM. SHE FIGHTS FOR HER LIFE. TOGETHER, THEY FIGHT FOR EACH OTHER. After watching Roman soldiers drag his parents away to their death, David, a young Hebrew, is sold and enslaved to serve at a villa outside of Rome. As David trains to become a skilled fighter, he works hard to please his master and hopes to earn his freedom. However, an opportunity to escape tempts him with its whispering call. Freedom beckons, but invisible chains hold him captive to the master's granddaughter, an innocent girl with a fiery spirit. David vows to protect Alethea from his master, the murderous patriarch, and contrives a daring plan—sacrifice his own life to save hers.



 Here's my review
 There are so few books set during this time period that I was very excited when the author sent me her book to review! The last books that I adored from this time were Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series. There's something so exciting about the start of Christianity during the decadent Roman culture, a culture that reminds me much of today. Anyway, rarely does a book transport me back in time so intensely that I lose track of time and have to shake Roman dust from my shoulders throughout the normal activities of my day. From the start, the Master's Wall jumps into action when young David's family is murdered and he is captured as a slave. The relationship between him and the young daughter of the wealthy Roman family in which he serves is one of the most endearing and transforming relationships I've seen in a book. Ms. Rog has truly captured the giddiness, spoiled, and innocent character of a young girl born to luxury as well as the stalwart, responsible and honorable character of David, a young man that will imprint his memory on your heart long after you read the final page. Through years of trials and struggles, both these young people grow up in such significant ways. The ultimate sacrifice of love is a theme that ties the characters and story together in a poignant example of Christ's love for us. This is a story you don't want to miss!
 

The reason I'm bringing this to your attention is that Sandi has recently been diagosed with cancer. Here's a note from her publisher:

From Daniel DeGarmo with DeWard Publishing

I'm sure all of you are aware of Sandi Rog's latest battle (with cancer - Type T-cell Lymphoma) that just began last week.

As you can imagine, she's devastated, especially considering the timing of all this as her first novel just released last Monday.
Well, considering we are a small publishing company and can pretty much do whatever we want, my business partner and I have agreed to donate an additional $1 per book to a Fund that I'll be setting up this week.

Just so no one thinks we are being shady about the whole deal, this is above and beyond the royalties that Sandi (and her agent) is already incurring with every book sold.
The purpose of this fund is to help out Sandi's family (husband and children) while she is laid up fighting for her life. 

What I need from you is simply spread the word.  For every copy of "The Master's Wall" that is sold (including Kindle) we will donate $1 to this Fund.
I'll also be setting it up so that it can receive regular donations if anyone is interested in just helping out financially.

Hi, me again!. So, if you have a few extra bucks and would like to buy a great read, please consider buying Sandi's book at : Amazon

You can read more about Sandi and her books at  http://sandirog.com/index.html

Wordless Wednesday-On board the HMS Rose

Lines/yards/and crows nest

This is the ship they used in the movie Master and Commander. I had a chance to go on board a couple of years ago, so these are my pictures

Spit Fire.

Stern Light

Where crew ate their meals

God can save anyone!

Do you remember the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel? This guy fascinates me.  He was so narcissistic, it was funny. I mean building a huge statue of gold of yourself and forcing everyone in the kingdom to fall down and worship it?  Sound like some of our Hollywood stars and politicians today? But, I digress. Then, King Neb saw with his own eyes, Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego, whom he tossed into the fiery furnace for Not bowing down to his statue, emerge from the furnace without a single burn mark on them. In fact, they didn't even smell like smoke! Afterward, in Daniel 4, he sent out a note to all the peoples in his kingdom, proclaiming the mighty works of God.

Still, years later, Neb seems to have forgotten his own proclamation. He has a terrible dream which Daniel translates as basically this: You're going to go completely nuts in the head and live out in the wilderness, eating grass and being soaked with dew, until you acknowledge that God is God over all the kings of the earth.
Not exactly great news, huh?
But King Neb totally ignored the message. God gave him a year to repent of his terrible pride. But as he's walking on the roof of his palace he proclaims "“Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
A second later, God struck him down with madness and drove him away from the city.

Why do I tell you all this? Because God had a plan. And that plan including saving good ole King Neb for all eternity. Talk about your stubborn cases!! It took 7 years to get every ounce of pride out of him, but finally after living like a crazy homeless person all that time, King Neb finally humbled himself and praised God, giving the glory to God for everything.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble

Do you know someone, a loved one or friend perhaps, who is stubbornly resisting God? Who won't listen to you when you talk about the Lord, who maybe even laughs, or worse, who has cut off the relationship because of it? Are you praying for someone who seems so lost and so stubborn that they will never see the light? Then perhaps Neb's story will bring you hope.
Believe me, when God decides to save someone, He goes to GREAT lengths to open that person's eyes. In this case, extreme lengths! LOL. But he got Neb, and we have no idea how many other people in that kingdom came to know God and are in heaven now because King Nebuchadnezzar finally submitted to God.

My husband was very much like King Neb. For years I prayed, I fasted, I tried to convince him about God. But he wouldn't listen. Finally when I was nearly ready to give up, God showed up in a HUGE way. He gave my husband an experience similar to the one he gave Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul. Someday I'll share the story. But for now. Keep praying, Keep believing. God is a HUGE God.
And He can save anyone!

The US Naval Academy's first women Hockey team!

And my step-daughter, Christine is on the team for her second year. We are so proud of her! She's a senior this year and will graduate from the Academy in May. Thank you Coach Murph for these pictures!.

Announcing Charles Towne Belles' Omnibus!

I'm very excited to announce that Barbour, my publisher, has just released all three of my Charles Towne Belles series books combined into one volume! That's The Red Siren, The Blue Enchantress and The Raven Saint, three full length books for a pretty low price, around $14.00.  If you haven't read the series, this is a great way to pick up all three books at once and save some money. If you have read the series, this would make a really great Christmas gift for someone you love. Hours of Swashbuckling romance and entertainment for  such a reasonable price. If I wasn't the author, I'd buy this for all my friends. LOL
Anyway, I just love the cover! 

While some of you may not have been too pleased with the election results from Tuesday, I was very excited. I believe we will be sending some new faces to Congress who will do their best to uphold the values and principles of this great nation as well as the Constitution. I am neither for Republicans or for Democrats as both parties, I believe, have become corrupt. I am, however, for America and for returning to the ideas and principles that made us great in the first place.

On June 30, 1775, Congress passed the Articles of War to govern the Continental Army. In it, Congress directed that:

It is earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers diligently to attend Divine service; and all officers and soldiers who shall behave indecently or irreverently at any place of Divine worship shall... be brought before a Court-martial.

A congressional proclamation given by William Livingston on March 13th, 1776

The Congress. . .desirous. . . to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God's superintending providence, and of their duty devoutly to rely. . . on His aid and direction. . . do earnestly recommend. . . a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, that we may with united hearts confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, . . . and through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain His pardon and forgiveness.

Can you imagine the enormous blessing God would pour out on this nation if our current Congress did the same thing?

Wordless Wednesday!

Errol Flynn as Captain Blood, my fav all time pirate book!