Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

Readers’ Favorite 5-star Review of “What Good Is Jesus?” by Marv Nelson

posted on

Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review Seal

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

What Good Is Jesus? is an inspiring and captivating Christian non-fiction book written by Marv Nelson. Nelson writes the book from a fresh new perspective in consideration of today’s culture and ideas. He does not shy away from delving into difficult topics and questions that Christians tend to avoid. Targeted toward millennials, What Good Is Jesus? seeks to answer questions related to the identity and character of Jesus, the interaction between the church and politics, and the appropriate Christian approach to political agendas. He challenges Christians to remember that they are representatives of Christ here on earth and should, therefore, present the right image of Him. Nelson defends his viewpoint with appropriate scriptural backing as he navigates some of the most intricate areas of Christianity that are usually ignored or assumed away, but are equally crucial.

From the point I read the title of the book, I knew this would not be just any another Christian book. As I turned the pages, every chapter challenged me to look at Christianity in a fresh new way and not just what I have adopted through tradition. Marv Nelson wisely tackles difficult questions that are usually on the minds of many millennials. He helped me remember what Christianity is all about as defined by the Bible itself. Further, being a millennial myself, Marv Nelson helped shed light on areas that I find puzzling in the Christian faith. I couldn’t help appreciating his sheer honesty and pluck as I read What Good Is Jesus? Above everything, reading the book reminded me of the foundation values of the Christian faith such as love, compassion, faith, trust and complete surrender.

Learn more about What Good is Jesus? HERE.

***

Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

Why Did You Choose Me? Pre-order Perks and giveaway!

posted on

Katie Cruice Smith’s highly anticipated new book Why Did You Choose Me? is now available for pre-order! Katie Cruice Smith, a foster and adoptive mom, strives to answer that question in a way that young children can understand. Drawing from her own experience as an adoptive mom to three children, Katie uses the questions her own children have asked her and her husband in order to draw them to the response that there never really was a choice—she knew right away that they were hers.

Pre-Order Smith’s new book Why Did You Choose Me? and you’ll enjoy some great freebies and offers including:

+ Free download of The Itzels’ There is Hope (Siri’s Song)
+A downloadable adoption print by artist Sarah Strickling Jones
+A chance to win:
  • A copy of Hope CD by the Itzels
  • A LulaRoe $25 credit {provided by an adopting family}
  • A copy of Why Did You Choose Me? {to keep or gift!}

 

***
Simply purchase your book from an online retailer and forward your receipt to [email protected] to receive your free download and be entered in the giveaway!
***

 

Why Did You Choose Me? is available at the following retailers:
Ambassador International: https://buff.ly/2gxoSB2
Book Depository: https://buff.ly/2g4JEIr
Books-a-Million: https://buff.ly/2z83eJ1

**purchases from any retailers are accepted**

Tales of a Cosmic Possum Selected as Fall 2017 Okra Pick

posted on

 

Congratulations to Sheila Ingle, author of Tales of a Cosmic Possum for being selected as a SIBA Fall 2017 Okra Pick!

What is an Okra Pick? “Okra Picks are a dozen fresh titles chosen each season that SIBA Indie Bookstores want to handsell. These books should be southern in nature but can cover any genre, not just fiction. Southern readers love their writers, and we want to be at the forefront of bringing them a strong selection of southern titles not to be missed each season.” – Southern Independent Booksellers Association

 

Tales of a Cosmic Possum shares the the long-forgotten stories of eight hard working Appalachian women. Ingle brings these stories to life as she paints vivid pictures of the mill families who loved one another and shared their Southern Appalachian hospitality despite having to work long hours to keep food on the table and shelter over their heads.

Okra Pick

Apply for the “Why Did You Choose Me?” Launch Team

posted on

Ambassador International is presently accepting applications for the Why Did You Choose Me? Launch Team!

Most adoptive and foster children struggle at some point in their life with knowing who they are and where they belong. They want to ask questions, and parents need to be prepared with an answer that helps their child feel loved and secure.

After searching for adoption storybooks to read to her own adopted children, Katie Cruice Smith decided that there was a need for more books that parents could read at bedtime to connect with their adopted and fostered children.

In Why Did You Choose Me?, Katie Cruice Smith answers that question in a way that young children can understand. Drawing from her own experience as an adoptive mom to three children, Katie uses the questions her own children have asked to help them see there never really was a choice she knew right away that they were hers.

With beautiful illustrations by artist Sarah Strickling Jones, Why Did You Choose Me? lovingly demonstrates the uniqueness that each child brings to a family and is one book that should be in the homes of all adoptive families—and we’d like your help to make that happen!

 

Why Did You Choose Me

Apply here.

Applications will be accepted through 8/9/2017 and selectees will be notified by email by 8/11/2017.

Endorsements for Why Did You Choose Me?:

Why Did You Choose Me? explores a familiar adoption theme, but is pleasantly unpredictable. The illustrations are sure to put a smile on your child s face, and your own. Though the book is written in rhyme, the verse is not sing-songy and the book has just enough sophistication to be enjoyed by everyone.
Dr. Daniel Nehrbass
President of Nightlight Christian Adoptions

Why Did You Choose Me? is a perfectly simple way to make any adopted child feel like they are exactly where they need to be! When our daughter asks why we chose her to be a part of our family, even though she looks different than us, this book will be invaluable to communicate our love for her. I am always thankful for books that help to aide us in communicating with our child about adoption.
Shannon Patterson
Adoptive mom and President of Bethany Christian Services Board in Greenville, SC

As a foster parent myself, I believe Why Did You Choose Me? is the perfect emotional journey to answering the very sensitive question all foster/adoptive children want to know and would recommend families add it to their library.
Robert Whitney
Thornwell Foster Care Recruiter

As one who has served adoptive families for a decade, I’ve had countless parents ask me, “How do I talk to my children about adoption?” Now, after all these years, I finally have a go-to answer: “Read Katie Cruice Smith’s Why Did You Choose Me? to them, over and over.”
Dan Cruver
Co-founder of Together for Adoption, Author of Reclaiming Adoption

As any adoptive parent will tell you, our adopted children do ask many times, “Why did you choose me?” Now my clients who adopt have a fun and colorful resource to touch on and answer this all-important question. Katie Cruice Smith and Sarah Strickling Jones have prepared a learning tool adaptable to a child’s early years, which allows an adopted child and her parents to connect on different levels with the topic of adoption. Your child will laugh and smile while learning about adoption, love, and acceptance. I will be buying Why Did You Choose Me? for all my adoptive couples!
Raymond W. Godwin
Father of two adopted daughters and adoption lawyer in Greenville, SC
Co-author of The Complete Adoption Book

Why Did You Choose Me? is tender, genuine, and refreshing, and it does this adoptive mom’s heart and soul some good. Our daughter, from India, is now asking this very same question proposed in the book. This thoughtfully written and charmingly illustrated book is a great reminder to her of how special and unique she is, and it is a great reminder to her mom (me) of the beautiful gift of adoption. Any family, adopting or not, will be blessed by this sweet story.
Kelly McCorkle Parkison
Adoptive mom and author of He Knows Her Name

Happy Father’s Day from Ambassador International

posted on

Father's Day

In honor of Father’s Day and all the great dads in our lives, Ambassador International has selected an array of books to put on sale.

Armorbearers: There is a desperate need for effective leadership today: in our nation, in our churches, in our families, and even in ourselves. The Bible uses the term armorbearer to describe leaders who offer help, support and strength to those around them. These types of servant-leaders are needed now more than ever. Using Scripture as the guide, Armorbearers takes readers down a path of self-discovery, pursuing greatness by developing character that is forged on the anvil of self-restraint and tested through the heat of self-discipline. Packed with inspiring stories and powerful lessons, Armorbearers reveals the four revolutionary choices every leader must make, risking their own significance in order to encounter God in life-altering ways. Are you ready to become an armorbearer? Find it here.

You’re the Husband: Your wife needs you. God calls men to be exceptional, extraordinary, and exemplary. Somewhere between the Garden of Eden and the invention of the latest video game console, this concept got completely lost on a huge population of young men in our modern society. You’re the Husband seeks to provide a road map for men as they navigate through marriage. God did not design it to be easy, nor did He design it to be perfect or everlasting. Instead, He designed marriage to be full of commitment, sacrifice, and service. He has designed marriage to sanctify. You’re the Husband examines the biblical pillars of being a husband—where love and responsibility come together to produce a godly marriage. Find it here.

I Can Stand on Mountains: I Can Stand on Mountains assumes that each of the mountains mentioned in the Bible has a unique meaning and significance. They are more than topographical features; they are spiritual icons for us to understand.  Then, as the meaning of each mountain comes to light we find that God cannot be honored without faith; that He is capable of great wrath and great mercy, both; that He has a standard of conduct for all humans for all time; that He relates to us by grace and that He has appointed us to share that message with a fallen race, and more.  And, He promises that He, personally, is the resource we need to reach pinnacles of the right mountains. “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He makes me go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19a. Find it here.

Miracle Man: October 17, 2012 started as any other day for Navy airman and fitness trainer Brett Parks until he heard screams for help. Without hesitation, he ran towards the sound and apprehended the mugger, unaware that the criminal had a gun. Moments later, the attacker fired a devastating shot directly into Brett’s body. The bullet shredded Brett’s kidney, pierced his intestines, and destroyed several inches of the largest vein in his body. Three sets of surgeons’ hands applied pressure inside Brett’s open stomach to stop the bleeding while nurses delivered coolers full of blood to the operating room every 15 minutes. As the medical team worked fervently to save Brett’s life, his wife received the bleak news that their unborn daughter and young son may grow up without a father. But the God whom Brett had given his life to years before had other plans. After a medical battle that included a 20-day coma, multiple surgeries, and an unexpected amputation, Brett emerged from his coma to begin a long and challenging recovery—medically and spiritually. Miracle Man details Brett Parks recovery as he experienced it and the miracles and greatness of our God in heaven; however, Miracle Man is less about Brett and more about what God has done through his story. Miracle Man: A Bullet that Ignited a Purpose-Filled Life shows readers how to:
• prepare (by doing what God puts in front of you),
• set goals (by being who God wants you to be), and
• never give up (because God has a purpose for your life that only you can fulfill). Find it here.

Love Him Anyway Blog Tour Day 1

posted on

LHA-BlogTour

 

As the Chief Operating Office of Ambassador International, I don’t get to decide which books we publish, instead I have the joy of helping our authors and their books as they make their way through the publishing process. One of my favorite parts of my job, though, is the proofreading that I get to do. It helps me keep up with what we’re publishing.

I am honored to be opening the blog tour of Love Him Anyway by Abby Banks and to share with you my heart on this book. Here’s where I have to fully confess first. When I first started the {proof}reading of Love Him Anyway, I found myself thinking, Why are we publishing this book!?!? {Sorry, Abby.} The second thought that trailed not too far behind was, How am I supposed to get people to buy this book?!?! {Again, super sorry about that, Abby}. You should have seen me. Here I was trying to work, and instead I was a sobbing basket case. I couldn’t read through the tears pouring down my face! But as sad as I was, I had been “sucked in” to the story, and I couldn’t stop reading. Abby’s writing was so raw and real, she hooked me in. I am fairly certain I finished this proofreading in record time! And I can honestly tell you, I’m glad I did finish it and it’s a story that I now highly recommend.

I don’t want to give too many spoilers, but as you can find in the book description, Abby’s son, Wyatt, was paralyzed at 7-months old. {I am sure this book was especially hard for me to read because I’m “Mom” to a seven-month old son}. But this story isn’t just about Wyatt—it’s about the entire Banks family, and for me, it was a story about Abby, a fellow mom. As I read Love Him Anyway, I kept picturing the face of my baby and thinking, What if that had been me? What if MY son had become paralyzed? And this point here is what I’d like to focus on. What if it had been my son? Or, what if, instead of watching the livestream of a 5-month-old’s funeral from my living room {like I did yesterday}, I was the mom that had to stand there in the church, brokenhearted at my loss. I’m fortunate to still have my healthy, happy little 7-month old boy with me today, but I’m not guaranteed that, not even for the next five minutes. My boy belongs to Jesus first and foremost, and what Abby taught me through her story is to trust the Lord through the good times and the bad. It’s easy to say this from this side of the mountain, but my prayer is that if I ever face a trial like the Banks family, that I’ll respond as they did and cling to the Lord and “find hope in the hardest places.”

I was moved by Abby’s strength amidst the turmoil, and while she calls Wyatt her hero, I call her mine. She admits that their lives aren’t always easy and that she doesn’t always respond as she should, but that’s just a part of being human, and the overall theme you’ll find in Love Him Anyway is that the Banks family loves and trusts the Lord, despite of and through the trials they face.

You need to know in advance that Love Him Anyway is a hard read, especially if you’re a mom, but it’s such an encouragement and I highly recommend it—not because I’m the Chief Operating Officer of the company that published it—but because I believe you’ll get the same lesson from it that I did: Life may be hard sometimes, but God is good all the time and you can always find hope in those hard places. And sometimes, we need that reminder.

Love Him Anyway releases February 21, 2017 in paperback at all major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com. You can also purchase Love Him Anyway through Ambassador International’s online store and use the coupon code “LoveHim” for a 10% discount. Lastly, you can enter to win a free signed copy below.

And if you’re local, you can join the Banks family at the Barnes and Noble at The Shops at Greenridge on March 18th from 10am-12pm for a book signing. We’d love to have you there!

Win a signed copy of Love Him Anyway!

 

No matter where you get Love Him Anyway, just make sure you have tissues handy!

 

And stay tuned for Day 2 of the blog tour at rebelbookreviews.blogspot.com.

$.99 Kindle Sale!

posted on

Practical Disciplines of a Christian Life” is on sale for just $.99!

Practical Disciplines of a Christian Life is for women who are looking for helpful information on how to apply the various Christian disciplines into their lives. This book will also give readers encouragement through their reading about other historical figures (through short biographical sketches) who have struggled with the same issues as the reader. Each chapter ends with applications readers can use to begin growing in the individual disciplines each chapter covers.

 
practicaldisciplinesPractical Disciplines of a Christian Life ends with a chapter which encourages readers to continue growing and moving forward in their Christian life, reminding them that it is not a one-time deal, but that they are to grow each and every day. They are to look for ways that God has moved them forward in their Christian growth by being able to look back and see where they have come from. Overall, Practical Disciplines of a Christian Life is to be an encouragement to all women who read it that they, too, can move forward in their Christian growth and they don’t have to feel stuck in place. Some Christian disciplines are a ‘trial and error’ before acquiring the knack of doing it right.

Grab it Here!

Grab Brand New Fiction “Murder for the Time Being” for $.99!

posted on

Don’t miss this week’s Kindle deal! Joanie Bruce’s new fiction “Murder for the Time Being” is on sale for just $.99! 

“You’ll pay for this. I’ll get you both.”

Computer expert Lexi Wynn is frightened. Someone is after her, but she doesn’t know why. Is it because of her past or because she was thrust into a deadly bank robbery and might identify the ones responsible? Escaping a failed kidnapping attempt and not sure who to trust, she hopes her specialized skills with computers might flush out the name of the killer. When a tall, dark, and handsome stranger rams into her truck with the hearse he’s driving and puts his life in danger to save hers, can she ignore the attraction she feels for him to concentrate on the killers? Or is God the only one who can save her now?murdertimebeing

Drew Sheffield is irritated when a cute lady stops abruptly in front of him and he plows into the back of her pickup. After their initial confrontation, flashbacks of honeysuckle and sassy green eyes linger in his thoughts. When Lexi is threatened, he steps in to help the feisty young woman, in spite of agonizing over a past relationship.

Can Lexi and Drew forget the tragedies of the past and embrace the feelings between them or will ghostly memories snub out the promise of a future together?

GET IT HERE!

BLACK FRIDAY EBOOK DEALS START NOW!

posted on

HUGE THANKSGIVING – CYBER MONDAY EBOOK SALE!

It’s that time of year again when we all load up our eReaders and Tablets with great titles to get us through the winter! We’re kicking off sale our today! We’ve dropped the price on over 20 titles to just $.99! SALE STARTS NOW! Full list of titles below:

Thanksgiving (Nov 24) – Black Friday (Nov 25) eBook Deals:

Rebecca Stubbs: The Vicars Daughter  BUY NOW!

Caged Dove BUY NOW!

Good-Bye, Lover BUY NOW!

From Driftwood to Sapphire BUY NOW!

From Dishes to Snow BUY NOW!

Alana Candler, Marked For Murder BUY NOW!

A Memory Worth Dying For BUY NOW!

The Color of My Heart BUY NOW!

Guardian Spirit BUY NOW!

Patch Town: Up From The Ashes BUY NOW!

Patch Town: A Letter From Miss. Wingate BUY NOW!

A Star to Steer By BUY NOW!

Till The Storm Passes BUY NOW!

Cleared for Planting BUY NOW!

Sown In Dark Soil BUY NOW!

Uprooted By War BUY NOW!

Transplanted to Red Clay BUY NOW!

To Comfort a King BUY NOW!

Just One Touch BUY NOW!

No Turning Back BUY NOW!

Mine To Love BUY NOW!

All That Glitters BUY NOW!

Black Friday (Nov 25) – Cyber Monday (Nov 28) eBook Deals:

Grace In The Middle: An Imperfect Journey to God’s Perfect Plan BUY NOW!

Love Into Light: The Gospel, The Homosexual and the Church BUY NOW!

An Infinite Journey: Growing Towards Christlikeness BUY NOW!

Choosing Him All Over Again: A Story of Romance and Redemption BUY NOW!

Finding Joy: The Year Apart That Made Me A Better Wife BUY NOW!

The Warrior’s Bride: Biblical Strategies to Help the Military Spouse Thrive BUY NOW!

Chaplains of the Bible: Inspiration for Those Who Help Others in Crisis BUY NOW!

From The Mind of God: A Layman’s Guide to How We Got Our Bible BUY NOW!

Shorter Catechism Made Simple BUY NOW!

There’s No One Like Jesus BUY NOW!

Touching the Hem: A Biblical Response to Physical Suffering BUY NOW!

Beginning At Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament BUY NOW!

What Good Is Jesus? BUY NOW!

On Borrowed Time: Stories of Unlikely Survivors and the Grace That Conquers All BUY NOW!

Astonished Beyond Measure BUY NOW!

Undefeated: God’s Strategy for Successful Living BUY NOW!

Forgiven: The Power of the Cross BUY NOW!

He Knows Her Name: An Amazing Pursuit to Adopt from India BUY NOW!