Archive for the ‘Ambassador News’ Category

Tiny Mouse Plays Big Role in the Christmas Story

posted on by Susie

The Manger MouseChildren’s Book Shares Tale of a Timid Mouse’s Decision to Serve God

For immediate release: A meek and lowly stable mouse plays an integral part in the Christmas story in Sarah Martin Byrd’s new children’s book, The Manger Mouse. (Ambassador International; August 2013; $16.99, hardcover) This charming story follows Matty the Mouse as he helps prepare the manger for Jesus’ arrival. Working to exhaustion, the tiny mouse takes on the important job of carrying bits of straw to the feeding trough that will soon hold the King of Kings. But as Matty discovers, God’s plan for him doesn’t stop there.

Matty is the only animal in the stable suitable for the task of helping to keep Jesus warm. None of the other animals, including Doris the Donkey, Molly the Cow or Randy the Rabbit, were small enough to slip through the crack at the bottom of the trough. God made Matty the perfect size for this task, showing that God can use anyone who is willing to serve. “I hope The Manger Mouse is welcomed into many homes this holiday season,” says Sarah. “It’s a unique perspective of the greatest story of all time—Christ’s birth.”

Sarah teamed up with her childhood friend on the project, illustrator Debbie Wall. Sarah and Debbie reconnected through their love of reading and children’s books. Originally written for Sarah’s granddaughter Emma as a Christmas gift, The Manger Mouse is their first collaboration.

About the Author: Sarah Martin Byrd is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature. She is a published novelist, newspaper columnist and blogger. Sarah loves sharing her life story with children of all ages.

About the Illustrator: Debbie Wall, a member of the Pastel Society of Virginia, is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Manger Mouse is available online through Amazon.com, BN.com and many other retailers. For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm via email at [email protected].

 

 

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Renowned Cookbook Author Releases New Collection of Authentic Irish Christmas Recipes

posted on by Susie

Christmas Flavors of IrelandMargaret Johnson Creates 9th Collection of Irish Recipes

For immediate release: Acclaimed cookbook author Margaret Johnson is back just in time for Christmas with a collection of great new recipes. More than 90 authentic dishes fill the beautiful pages of Christmas Flavors of Ireland: Celebrating the Festive Season (Ambassador International; August 2013; $19.99). It’s Johnson’s tenth cookbook overall and ninth focusing on Irish cuisine.

The book not only celebrates the festive holiday season, but introduces readers to a little piece of Ireland. Christmas Flavors of Ireland “invites readers on a holiday tour of Ireland,” says Johnson, who often visits the Emerald Isle to taste great recipes that are both old and new. Over the course of her travels, Johnson has learned and perfected hundreds of great Irish recipes.

Recipes from all over Ireland are featured in this book—there’s truly something for everyone. In the pages of this collection, readers will be introduced to everything from Spiced Beef Sandwiches to Mincemeat Tarts, from Roast Goose to Apple and Cranberry Crumble. Chef Wade Murphy, named “Best Chef in Munster, 2012,” contributed the foreword to the book.

Johnson is a frequent contributor to Intermezzo Magazine, irishabroad.com, and has served as travel editor for House Magazine. She’s shared her love of food and drink at Irish cultural events, food festivals and even on cruise ships. Learn more at MargaretMJohnson.com and IrishCook.com. Email publicist Alison Storm at [email protected] to connect with the author.

Facebook Giveaway: Win a Copy of Marked for Murder!

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Alana Candler, Marked for MurderWhat better way to start the new school year off than WINNING a free book! Ambassador International is giving away a free copy of Marked for Murder to one lucky reader! Make sure you enter to win our monthly giveaway on Facebook!

Alana Candler is being stalked. After being kidnapped, Alana is saved by Jaydn Holbrook, CEO of one of the largest companies in Tennessee, and promised that he’ll keep her safe. Alana’s faith in God to protect her intrigues Jadyn. As the tension builds, their bond remains as fragile as ever. Will Alana figure out why she has been marked for murder? How does faith in God impact situations? Make sure you enter to win your free copy of Marked for Murder to find out Alana’s fate!

New Children’s Book Teaches Young Readers the Importance of Making Choices

posted on by Susie

Fickle FionaIN HER NEW BOOK, AUTHOR KATE HANSCOM BOTH ENTERTAINS AND EDUCATES

For immediate release: When you’re a kid, sometimes it seems like the world is your oyster. You can chose whatever it is you want to wear, want to go, or want to eat. But sometimes having so many things to choose from can make life pretty hard! In her new book Fickle Fiona (Ambassador International; September 2013; $14.99, hardcover), author Kate Hanscom shows how important it is to be decisive.

This fun story takes readers through a day in the life of Fiona, a little girl who has a hard time making choices—even easy ones! After waking up to go to the park with her brothers, Fiona finds it hard to decide what she should wear. Growing impatient, her brothers decide for her—with unfashionable results! As the day goes on, Fiona finds herself faced with many more choices to be made.

The book also includes a resource page with questions to help children learn about similes. “I really wanted to have a book that can certainly be read as a bedtime story, but can also be used by educators or parents to support teachable elements,” explains Hanscom.

Hanscom is also the author of Literal Lily, which tells the story of a little girl who takes things a bit too factually.  Drawing from her own family members, the characters in both stories come to life to teach kids about the use of language—and to entertain them!

About the Author: Kate Hanscom resides in central Massachusetts with her husband and daughter. With the love and support of her family, Kate decided to fulfill her dream of publishing a children’s book. Self described as loving “bright colors, fancy paper, fresh-smelling candles, writing, music, swimming, making lists, flip-flops, a really good pen, and French vanilla coffee”, Hanscom allows her own personality to shine through in all of the children’s books she has written.

About the Illustrator:  Lynda Hansocm earned a BFA from St. John’s University and an MAT from the Rhode Island School of Design. Working as an art teacher for years, Lynda taught young children and teenagers alike how to express themselves through artistic forms. She continues expressing her passion and talent through book illustrations such as Literal Lily and previous book Tough Tommy. She lives in Northern Connecticut with her husband and credits her daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and grand-daughter as inspiration.

To learn more about the author and her book Fickle Fiona, visit www.katehanscom.com or www.facebook.com/KateHanscomAuthor.  For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

Fantasy Author Takes Readers on Epic Journey of Self Discovery

posted on by Susie

The Red StonesAUTHOR ANNA MCCARTHY RELEASES THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THE MANTESSI TRILOGY

For immediate release: What if you had to lose everything to discover your purpose? That is what Jehan faces in The Red Stones (Ambassador International; August 2013; $14.99, paperback), the first book of the Mantessi Trilogy.

The first book in this epic series is entertaining, riveting and offers an emotional ride that will leave the reader hungry for more. Being compared by readers to books such as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Red Stones is sure to captivate its audience by its enchanting and mysterious world.

The story centers on a young boy named Jehan who is left with nothing after his beloved home, the city of Mantessi, mysteriously disappears. He struggles to find shelter and work in a nearby village as he tries to understand what went wrong. Knowing he must find answers to why his home vanished, he sets out to uncover the truth behind the loss of Mantessi and his family.

Jehan’s journey becomes even more complicated—and difficult—when he realizes he isn’t the only one on a quest to find Mantessi. Not long after, Jehan is immersed into a mystical world that he is struggling to believe exists. Over the course of his journey, he finds himself forced to face a destiny that he didn’t choose—and doesn’t want. Along the way, Jehan is joined by some unlikely companions and learns that his role in this enchanted world is much bigger than he ever could have imagined.

Read The Red Stones to see just where his quest to find his home takes him. The Red Stones is McCarthy’s first work of fiction, but she also wrote Forgiveness is Not an Option, published by Ambassador International in 2012.

July: Ambassador Authors in the News

posted on by Joe H

Summer continues to roll on, and our Ambassador authors have been hard at work promoting their books. Here are some of the avenues that they’ve been featured on during the month of July:

Carolina’s CW | WYCW-TV

 

Facebook Giveaway: Win a Copy of Till the Storm Passes By!

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Till The Storm Passes ByAre you interested in getting a free book? Make sure you check out our monthly giveaways! We are celebrating the end of this hot July by giving away a free copy of Till the Storm Passes By. Check out Facebook for more details!

Evie Parker is plagued by a recurring nightmare from her childhood. After years of not knowing what the nightmare means, a deathbed confession points her to leave her home in Rhode Island and travel all the way to Alaska. How does she unravel a past that is shrouded in mystery? Can she make it through both the physical and emotional storms and open her heart to her one true love? Enter to win your free copy and find out!

Author Uses His Life Experience to Show the Healing Power of God

posted on by Susie

One Way To GraceNEW BOOK SHOWS HOW STRUGGLES CAN BRING A PERSON CLOSER TO GOD

For immediate release: Author David Daly tells the story of his life growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, the period of great civil unrest that struck the country during the Twentieth Century, and shows how it led him to become a devout believer. As his story unfolds in One Way to Grace: A Memoir through Scripture (Ambassador International; July 2013; $13.99, paperback), Daly uses his powerful testimony to show how a person can come closer to God—even in times of struggle.

David Daly’s life didn’t start out easy. Growing up in Belfast, surrounded by haunting murals signaling which areas were Catholic and which were Protestant, the danger around him was real. Without God in his life, Daly felt aimless. In One Way to Grace, Daly explains how he found himself battling numerous demons, some of which threatened everything he held dear. Eventually he was faced with a choice: overcome them, or else lose everything.

Daly’s life has taken him around the world, from Israel to America, and the lessons he has learned along the way have forged a devout believer. This story of a man learning to love God despite hardship is a powerful testament to faith. “I thank God for these chances to be heard, to have the potential to touch just a single lost soul and bring them to Christ,” Daly says.

About the Author: David Daly currently lives in England with his wife, Gay, where he spends his time sharing his testimony, studying Scripture, and engaging in his church community. Dawn Merrow is a freelance writer living in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Benjamin. To learn more about the book visit onewaytograce.com. To connect with the authors, please contact Alison Storm at [email protected].

Facebook Giveaway: Win the Water Baby Prize Pack

posted on by Joe H

WBLTS_ENTER_Square_612X612Have a little one that loves the water? Enter a photo of your baby enjoying the pool, lake, or beach into the Facebook Water Baby Photo Contest for the chance to win a Water Baby Prize Pack valued over fifty dollars from Ambassador International!

To enter the contest, go to the Ambassador International Facebook page and submit a photo of your baby. We can’t wait to see your favorite photo.

With the warm weather and cool waters of summer, what better way is there to spend an afternoon than hitting the waves? Perhaps you can even take inspiration from Water Baby Learns to Ski by Barbara Collins and bring your baby out on the boat!

Water Baby Learns to Ski is the true story of a baby who grew up to be the national ski champion. With beautiful illustrations and a delightful story, this book will be sure to be one of your favorites!

The Water Baby Prize Pack is full of great prizes that will make the water even more fun than it already is! Here are all the awesome things you’ll get if you win:

  • Aqua Sphere Kids Seal Mask
  • Munchkin Bath Fun Bubble Blower
  • Munchkin Marine Adventure Foam Playset
  • Munchkin Gone Fishin’ Bath Toy
  • Autographed copy of Water Baby Learns to Ski by Barbara Collins

Check out author Barbara Collins on Carolina Now!