Archive for the ‘Author News’ Category

Five Things about J.M. MacLeod of “The Siege of Logon’s Bridge”

posted on

Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “5 Things” series. J.M. MacLeod is the author of Tolkien-esque fantasy series, The Saga of the Singing Sword Brigade, with book four The Siege of Logon’s Bridge releasing on March 7th! Check out John’s five fast facts below…

J.M. MacLeod, author of Saga of the Singing Sword Brigade seriesBeing at least half-Scottish heritage, I’ve always had a fascination for sword and crossbow stories. The novels of Kidnapped and Rob Roy and Treasure Island often took over my imagination and filled my playtime hours in the mountain woodlands of eastern Pennsylvania as I grew up. The Sunday School and Church my family attended taught us songs like “I’m in the Lord’s Army” and “Onward Christian Soldiers” likening the adventure of soul-winning to fighting against the Devil and his kingdom and rescuing people from a horrible fate.

As a teen, I learned to play guitar, thanks to the Ventures and The Beatles. When I volunteered working with Youth for Christ I met a fellow believer who played keyboard; together we formed The Owl of Light, a Christian folk/rock band, explaining in our testimony that like owls, we were creatures of darkness but came to the light. Actually, we chose the name because we had a big, old stuffed owl that we took along on our gigs.

I met my soul mate, Beverly, in college and married her asap. Immediately after we went from Pennsylvania to Indiana where I had a Summertime ministry/job running a Christian coffeehouse called “The Sign of the Fish” where we tried to introduce counter-culture teens to the Gospel. After returning to PA we were attracted to a local Bible Study group calling themselves “The Move of God” that seemed to take teachings of Scripture to a new level of revelation. Through a series of supernatural events we wound up on one of the Move’s communal farms to await the End Times and the Return of Christ. The revelations and supernatural phenomena soon became weird and quite a few of the leaders of the group became abusive to many of the “non-elite.” We left not only the farm but The Move as well.

We started raising children, four in number, all born in the 1970’s spaced about 2 years apart. I became a commercial school bus driver and did odd jobs during the summer months to support the family. The lay-over hours between bus runs is when I started to write about our journey through deception in The Move and what we learned from that bitter experience. I also was enchanted with Tolkien’s writings, reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings several times, enjoying them again and again as if I was visiting old friends. Then I began to wonder if I could ever write a Christian fantasy like C. S. Lewis but following more the genre of Tolkien. Thus began The Saga of the Singing Sword Brigade.

While learning the craft of writing (as I still am) in addition to school bus driving, I worked as a reporter/photographer on two New England newspapers, manager of a school bus company in New England, truck driver in Tennessee and am currently retired but still driving for LYFT— until royalties come rolling in.

Our four children and their spouses have produced for Beverly and I fifteen grandchildren who, in my unbiased opinion, are the smartest, most good-looking, best-natured and obedient children ever born.

 

You can find John on his website, Goodreads, and Bookbub! Learn more and order John’s newest novel, The Siege of Logon’s Bridge, here!

A Timeless Holiday Classic About the Woman Who Helped Make Thanksgiving a National Holiday

posted on

A delightful children’s book that makes history come alive through rhyme and imagery.

A new holiday classic for the whole family to enjoy about how Thanksgiving came to be. From the historical pen of Jen Tousey comes Sarah Had a Little Plan (Ambassador International; October 19, 2021; $15.99), the story of Sarah Josepha Hale and her decades long mission—that spanned four presidencies—to make Thanksgiving a national holiday.

About the Book: Author Jen Tousey writes, “In the early nineteenth century women did not go to college, there were not many options for a woman who needed a career to survive, and the country was headed toward Civil War. It was a tough time to be a widow with five children.” Sarah Had a Little Plan is equally the tale of a brave woman who used her pen to provide for her children and shape the history and policy of a nation, as it is the story of how a national holiday came to be. For decades, Sarah wrote to four different presidents, trying to convince them that a day of Thanksgiving was worthy of becoming a national holiday. Written in catchy, singsong phrasing, the book teaches children about Sarah’s dedication to the idea of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. With colorful illustrations, historical imagery, and an attention to detail, Jen Tousey creates a holiday classic for families to read and enjoy year and year. Parents and children alike will marvel at Sarah’s decades-long dedication to Thanksgiving and the unity of the United States, and parents might just chuckle at the nineteenth century red-tape that Sarah Josepha Hale faced long ago.

About the Author: Jen Tousey is just as feisty and tenacious as Sarah Josepha Hale. They are both passionate about education for all, American history, patriotic stories, and Thanksgiving! When Jen isn’t researching or writing about something historical, she’s likely touring a somewhat forgotten landmark with her family, parading around a reenactment in a fabulous outfit, or recreating some lost remedy or historic recipe with her daughter.

5 Things About Author Beth Grisham

posted on

Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author Beth Grisham compiled  inspirational true life stories in  “Seeds of Perspective: Planting Hope and Healing In The Baggage Of Life.”

Beth Grisham is a wife, mother, and non-profit ministry leader.  Beth graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. However, she believes her greatest education came through her role as mother to her six children, now thirteen to twenty-five years old.  After working at home for 17 years Beth became the Executive Director of a non-profit crisis pregnancy center.   She prayed to receive Christ at age eighteen, but it wasn’t until age twenty-six with the loss of her third child that Beth developed a personal relationship with Christ and fell in love with studying His Word.

Her loss was the beginning of a whole new way of life and a totally different perspective regarding things of importance in this world.  It has been said that your greatest ministry will come from your greatest pain, and that has certainly proven itself true in Beth’s life.  She considers motherhood and the raising up of a next generation of Christ followers to be her greatest blessing and her greatest opportunity to make a Kingdom impact on the world.

Here are Beth’s “five things”:

  1. The miscarriage of her third child opened Beth’s eyes to the horrible realities of abortion.
  2. Beth has a desire to become involved in international missions so that she can help women in other countries find ways to support and care for their families.
  3. Beth helped to start a coffee roasting business as a means of raising funds for the non-profit that she oversees, with an even greater goal of seeing that business grow to support centers just like theirs across the U.S. She firmly believes that when we are blessed it is so that we can bless others in return.
  4. Beth and her husband of twenty-eight years have five daughters and one son.
  5. God uses nature to inspire many of His lessons for Beth. She especially loves birds, trees, and butterflies.

Seeds of Perspective by Beth GrishamWhat if your greatest downfall could be redeemed to become your greatest calling? In Beth’s new book Seeds of Perspective: Planting Hope and Healing In The Baggage Of Life, gain a new perspective about old baggage that has kept you from experiencing freedom in Christ and from pursuing the purpose God has for your life.  Let the experiences of others remind you that you are not alone, and that God can use all things for your good and His glory. Learn more HERE.

Merry Christmas in July!

posted on

It’s Christmas in July and it’s our biggest event of the year!

Our annual Facebook event is the perfect way for you to browse our new releases and get to know our authors. You can ask questions, dig in deeper, and add a stack of books to your to-be-read list. We know, we know – that list never stops growing. But we have so many titles and don’t want anyone to miss out!

From exhilarating sci-fi to historical fiction set in the French Revolution, to books on end-time theology, and one person’s struggle with a terminal diagnosis, our books will leave you inspired and draw you closer to Christ.

 

But first – you have to join the group! Click here for this exclusive opportunity to browse new releases and chat with our award-winning authors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Ambassador International, our mission is to provide the Church with Christian books written by Christian authors – published by a Christian publisher. It is no small feat to go against secular media and houses, but we are not called to do easy things. Every time you purchase a book, leave a review or recommend one of our books, you are helping to continue our mission.

 

We hope to see you soon!

 

 

 

Illumination Awards Bronze Medalists

posted on

 

Ambassador International is thrilled to announce that Chris Paxon and Rose Spiller won a bronze medal in Theology at the Illumination Awards for their book, No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding The Complete Gospel Message.

Well done, ladies. We are so excited by this prestigious accomplishment, and more importantly, grateful for the kingdom-work you are doing through your ministry.

If you haven’t already read No Half-Truths Allowed, now is the time to pick up this elucidating, engaging discussion of the Gospel. 

For fans of the book, this comes as no surprise. With its clear theology and the authors’ understanding of the global implications of the Gospel message, No Half-Truths Allowed gives its readers the gift of going back to Sunday School – this time as adults. Gone are the weak, palatable clippings of Scripture, and present is the solid, true meat of the Word. In a time where truth is subjective and words lose their meaning, this book directs people back to the Gospel and the Bible, teaching them to understand and truly know of the Word of God.

For those who want to dig in more, No Half-Truths Allowed also has a study guide, allowing readers to read and study the Bible with this book as a guide. Buy them in a pair here!

As always, Ambassador International thanks our authors and readers for their support. But today, a round of applause for these hard-working authors!

 

Fire & Life Safety Instructor Releases New Children’s Book in Safety Series

posted on

In the first book in her new children’s series, Fraidy Brady and the First Field Trip, fire and life safety instructor Maria Bostian addresses the fears that many young children might have on their first field trip.

“Most kittens were curious. Most kittens were downright nosey. Most kittens loved to go to new places and do new things. But not Brady! Everything new seemed to make him anxious. He was different. All the kittens knew him as Fraidy Brady,” writes Bostian, focusing on the feelings that many kids have when experiencing the unknown.

Through the eyes of a literal scaredy cat, Bostian walks kids through many possible scenarios that could happen on a field trip. Drawing from her own knowledge as a fire and life safety instructor, Bostian gives tips on how to handle strangers, what to do if you get lost, and how to identify safe adults. She even includes a quick guide at the back of the book to remind children of the “Stranger Safety Tips” she mentions throughout the book.

Parents and children will enjoy reading the light-hearted story together, but it’s also a great opportunity for parents to talk to their children about safety and what to do in scary situations.

NFPA Names Maria Bostian 2020 Educator of the Year!

posted on

Ambassador International congratulates Maria Bostian of the Kannapolis Fire Department who has been selected as the NFPA 2020 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year. Bostian has 21 years of experience delivering fire and life safety to her community through presentations to varied audiences, a robust Fire Prevention Week campaign, and an ongoing social media initiative.

Maria is also the author of Firefighters’ Busy Day! released by Ambassador International in 2016. Fire safety education is essential for children, and Firefighters’ Busy Day! presents a fun, interactive resource book to teach children about the responsibilities of firefighters!

In her upcoming series, the Fraidy Brady series, Maria has written resources to give educators, parents, caregivers, and those working with children an opportunity to start genuine conversations with the young children in their lives. The first book Fraidy Brady and the First Field Trip, set to release August 4, 2020, is an opportunity to introduce stranger safety and awareness in a gentle manner. Book two, Fraidy Brady and the Fire Station, is a resource to  introduce firefighters, true heroes in their community, to young children.

Read the National Fire Protection Association announcement HERE.

Ambassador is now an IBPA proud member

posted on

Independent Book Publishers Association

From IBPA’s website:

IBPA’s organizational culture is made up of four things: Mission, Vision, Core Values, and a membership-wide Code of Ethics. As always, we welcome your feedback on each.

The IBPA Board of Directors has defined an organizational culture for IBPA that aligns the staff, Board, volunteers, and members with not only a shared view of “what is” but also of “why is.” This organizational culture is the story in which people within IBPA are embedded, and the values and rituals that reinforce that narrative.


Mission

A summary of why IBPA exists.

IBPA’s MISSION is to lead and serve the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success.


Vision

A summary of what’s possible because IBPA exists.

IBPA’s VISION is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry.


Core Values

The implicitly understood, deeply held convictions that guide the spirit and nature of the IBPA Board, staff, and volunteers.

IBPA’s CORE VALUES are:

  • Service, which expresses IBPA’s commitment to openness and accessibility. IBPA’s desire to be authentically helpful without further agenda reflects an understanding that the essence of leadership is service.
  • Leadership, which is expressed through IBPA’s position as the largest professional publishing association in the United States, as well as in its commitment to providing expert programs and perspectives to aid independent, hybrid, and author publishers in the business of publishing.
  • Independence, which reflects a deep commitment to independent points of view and the belief that enabling access to these points of view is essential to creativity and innovation.
  • Inclusivity, which reflects allegiance to a publishing industry where everyone can tell their story and find themselves in the content they read.

Code of Ethics

A commitment to professionalism, confirming IBPA’s collective belief that the production of content of lasting financial and/or cultural value is just as important as securing open markets for this content.

As part of the independent publishing community, IBPA members pledge to the following CODE OF ETHICS:

  • To uphold the highest standards of our industry, to create works of lasting financial and/or cultural value, and to pursue editorial, design, and production excellence.
  • To respect the rights of authors and other creators and stakeholders, to observe all copyright laws and conventions, and to never knowingly publish plagiarized work.
  • To reward authors and contributors for their work, to be honest in our financial dealings, to write contracts in understandable language, to resolve all disputes promptly and fairly, and to foster equal opportunity in our workplaces.
  • To not mislead readers or buyers with false promises, inflated sales data, or manipulated reviews.

 

To learn more about IBPA, visit their website at www.ibpa-online.org.

Five Things about Michael Gryboski of “A Spiral Into Marvelous Light”

posted on

Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author Michael Gryboski wrote the thought-provoking A Spiral Into Marvelous Light, a novel in which a liberal reporter writes an in-depth obituary about a controversial conservative pastor. Here are Michael’s Five Things:

Michael GryboskiI ran a half marathon in 2016. I started jogging in my early twenties in my spare time. However, it was not until I turned 30 that I finally did an official race, a half marathon in Richmond, Virginia. That was 13.1 miles, which took me a little over 2 hours. Since then, I have done several smaller races, including multiple 10k’s and 8k’s, and one 5k. Last November, I ran in the VCU Health 8k, averaging 7 minutes, 12 seconds a mile.

I have had other novels published before this one. “A Spiral Into Marvelous Light” is not my first published book. From August 2014 until September 2017, I had seven novels published via Inknbeans Press, a small California-based publication that sadly closed down by the start of 2018. I had a couple of those books re-released last year. BOCH Publishing re-released my science fiction novel “Thoughtreal” last September and Jan-Carol Publishing re-released my suspense novel “Carla” last October.

For work, I have interviewed people including Roma Downey, Andy Garcia, the Rev. Franklin Graham, and Timothy Keller for news stories. When I am not writing novels, I am writing articles for The Christian Post, a Washington, DC-based online news publication. Over the years, I have gotten to interview some notable folks in-person and over-the-phone. Others of worth included former U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, former Congresswoman Karen Handel, radio host Eric Metaxas, and famed evangelist Tony Campolo. If you include times when I was in a group of journalists, then I can add U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to the list of notables.A Spiral Into Marvelous Light

I have two famous cousins, one a professional baseball player, the other a professional actor. Fame runs in the family? On my father’s side, I have former Major League Baseball player Kevin Gryboski. He was a relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves; he once struck out Ken Griffey, Jr. On my mother’s side, I have actor Darin Cooper. He was in films like “The Social Network” and “Gone Girl,” as well as episodes of TV shows like the original “Charmed,” “Monk,” the TV series version of “Shooter,” and “The Resident.”

I have contributed hymns and liturgy to worship services. When I am neither writing novels nor news articles, I occasionally write works of a sacred nature. I composed a few hymns, a couple of which have been used by a few churches here and there. My home church has used two of my hymns and also some liturgy that I wrote up. If you are interested in learning more, might want to use my music, feel free to reach out!

Keep up with Michael’s novelist career and learn more about A Spiral Into Marvelous Light by liking and/or following him at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCGryboski/.