Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

New Book Shares Fictional Account of Devastating 1913 Ohio Flood

posted on

Catching RaindropsAuthor Shares Story Through the Eyes of 12-year-old Maggie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Heavy rains in March of 1913 created what is still known as the greatest natural disaster in Ohio history. Dayton flood levies broke putting downtown under 20 feet of water, gas lines ruptured sparking a series of fires and in the end at least 428 people were killed. A century after this devastating natural disaster author Crystal Hoblit is transporting readers back in time through the pages of her new book, Catching Raindrops (Ambassador International; November 2012; $ 9.99, paperback).

The book shares the disaster through the eyes of 12-year-old Maggie, visiting family in Dayton when the flood strikes. Maggie endures heart-wrenching tragedy and harrowing danger as she attempts to escape the devastation. “I’ve lived in Ohio my whole life,” explains author Crystal Hoblit. “I’ve always been intrigued by this event in Ohio history and I wanted to teach a new generation about what happened through this piece of historical fiction.” Catching Raindrops also includes important life lessons about living each day to the fullest. “We should cherish every moment and always believe that God is there around us,” says Hoblit.

Crystal Hoblit lives in the flat, but lovely area of southwest Ohio. Catching Raindrops is her first novel, a project she has been working on for five years.

To learn more about the author Crystal Hoblit and Catching Raindrops, visit Facebook.com/CrystalHoblit. For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

 

 

Novel Explores the Power of Writing Upon One’s Inner Journey

posted on

Young Author Addresses Relatable Topics of Grief, Faith, and Hope

Finding TomFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Although set in 1950’s America, author Simeon Harrar’s first novel Finding Tom (Ambassador International; November 2012; $13.99, paperback) addresses issues that are still relevant today for people of all ages. Harrar explores the question of where one is most likely to find and be closest to God while simultaneously demonstrating the cathartic power of writing.

Protagonist Tom Weston grows up in rural America until his world is turned upside down by the death of his mother. Floundering Tom has no goals for the future until an unexpected writing contest leads him to an equally unexpected mentor. His path takes him to the prestigious Locklear University where he finds himself a stranger in a new world in which all of his peers come from a very different background. Encouraged by his mentor, Dr. Emory, Tom turns to writing as a means of expression. While addressing issues from loss and change to peer pressure and finding your first love, Harrar attempts to demonstrate the power of writing in discovering God and thus oneself.

Harrar’s passion for writing and desire to inspire young Christians led him to publish his first novel. “I hope that Finding Tom will be a breath of fresh air for those of you who are like me and love stories but also want depth and literary merit,” he states.

Born to missionary parents, Simeon Harrar lived his early years in Senegal, North Africa and Papua New Guinea before attending Erskine College. He worked as a missionary in Thailand with families affected by human trafficking before getting married. He now lives in Pittsburgh where he is earning his Master’s degree with the hopes of becoming a bi-vocational church planter.

To learn more about the author Simeon Harrar and Finding Tom, visit simeonharrar.com.  For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

 

Declutter Now! Blog Tour: Win Free Copies This Week!

posted on

Declutter NowStarting today several blogs are hosting stops on the Declutter Now! book tour! For the entire week you’ll be able to read reviews, exclusive guest posts and even have chances to win this powerful book by husband and wife team Lindon and Sherry Gareis! Now is the time to get organized for the holidays and focus on what’s really important– Declutter Now! is the perfect tool to help you do that.

Sunday, November 11: Book Spotlight at By the Book

Monday, November 12: Win a copy of Declutter Now! and a free Skype coaching session from the authors at the Belle Magazine Facebook page

Tuesday, November 13: A review and giveaway from Homemaking Organized

Wednesday, November 14: A Review at LindseyHolder.com

Thursday, November 15: A Review from LuxuryReading.com, a Review and Giveaway from Raising the Barrs and a Review from Thoughts from Mill Street

Friday, November 16: A Review and Giveaway with Mom Does Reviews

Saturday, November 17: A Guest Post on Creative Madness Mama, a Guest Post at By the Book, a Review by 2 Kids and Tired Books

New Novel Address Race Issues in the American South

posted on

the color of my heartAuthor Believes Heart Matters More Than Skin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Do you see the color of someone’s skin or the color of their heart? That’s the question author Sarah Martin Byrd hopes readers ponder as they enjoy her new novel The Color of My Heart (Ambassador International; October 2012; $14.99; Paperback). The book follows Laura Carter, whose perfect life is rocked by a shocking letter from her great-grandmother revealing secrets about her birth family. A stack of diaries traces Laura’s ancestors’ heartbreaking voyage from Africa to Georgia on a slave ship. “Laura is thrown face-to-face with prejudices that exist in her community and in her own family,” says Byrd. “Ultimately she understands that we all have one maker. No matter what color we are on the outside, it’s the inside that truly matters.”

Byrd quotes scripture to highlight the theme of the novel The Color of My Heart. “28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:28-29, NIV). “God does not judge us based on our race, skin, beauty or lack of,” says Byrd, “He judges us by the condition of our hearts. Not our wealth, color, or position in life. So the color of one’s heart matters more than the color of skin.”

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. The Color of My Heart is Sarah’s second published novel.

To learn more about the author Sarah Martin Byrd and The Color of My Heart, visit www.sarahmartinbyrd.com. For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

 

-END-

 

Life in the Special Needs World the Central Focus of New Novel

posted on

dancing from the shadowsAuthor Draws From Personal Experience with Autistic Son

For immediate release: Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, impacting 1 in 88 children. Author D’Ann Renner intimately knows the struggles associated with this disorder. Renner pulls from her own personal experiences as well as those of others to write about the love, fear, stress and joy that accompanies life with a special needs child in her new novel Dancing From the Shadows (Ambassador International; October 2012; $14.99, paperback). Early reviews from professionals and parents praise the book as accurate, painful, funny and encouraging.

Renner left a successful career in marketing to follow God’s call to adopt a sibling pair of third-world orphans. A year later her son Luke was diagnosed with autism.  “For a long time I was angry at God for putting this burden on me and my family,” explains Renner. “But eventually I discovered that from adversity comes remarkable growth. That, plus acceptance of special needs as a gift are themes I carried through Dancing From the Shadows.”

Dancing From the Shadows follows successful businesswoman Tori St. John who adopts two children from a third-world orphanage. When Tori’s son Gabe is diagnosed with autism, she becomes obsessed with finding a cure, a fixation that threatens to unravel her family. Tori must learn how to balance a life she can’t control and embrace a different concept of normal.

Renner lives in John’s Creek, Georgia, with her husband Bruce, and teenagers Sophia and Luke. When not busy as a Home Front Manager, Renner delivers humor-dipped truth to groups across the country as a public speaker. She also facilitates her church’s Guatemala Child Sponsorship Program. For more information visit the author’s website at dannrenner.com. To connect with the author please contact Ambassador International publicist Alison Storm via email at [email protected].

 

-End-

Business Parable Offers Leadership Insight Through Captivating Story

posted on

Secret of NexusAuthor and Family Business Operator Jeff Miller Combines Passions for Writing and Leadership in Debut Novel, The Secret of Nexus

For immediate release:  If you want to succeed in business, read more novels. That’s according to research that found reading fiction can improve sensitivity in decision making and relationship building. But The Secret of Nexus (Ambassador International; October 2012; $12.99, paperback) does both: entertains readers with a fascinating story and enlightens them with inspirational leadership lessons. “This leadership parable is unique because of the analogy connected to the story,” says author and entrepreneur Jeff Miller. “Through a suspenseful story I try to renew the reader’s passion to lead, and also reveal the five attributes that help make leaders influential.”

The Secret of Nexus follows Garrett Thompson, a doctor-turned-entrepreneur, as he launches his company Nexus, Inc. Garrett develops a secret product that could change the world, but running a successful business and developing a potentially life-changing product puts his personal strength and leadership abilities to the test. “This book is for leaders who sometimes feel like they have tough circumstances to lead under,” explains Jeff. “In the book, Garrett models what it means to truly make sacrifices for his employees, family and community.”

Author Jeff Miller’s family business has grown from a small business started by his parents in the late 1960s into a successful chain of restaurants, hotels, gift shops and wholesale food distribution. Essenhaus, Inc and Dutchman Hospitality Group, Inc have locations in Indiana, Florida and Ohio. Jeff lives in Indiana with his wife and children. The Secret of Nexus is his debut novel.

To learn more about the author and The Secret of Nexus, visit http://jeffjmiller.com. For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

-End-

The Last Remaining Christians Fight to Survive in New Political Thriller

posted on

the-unreconciledAfter the Christian Holocaust, Islam Rules

For immediate release: In the time it takes to read these paragraphs, another Christian will be killed because of his or her faith in Jesus Christ– 160,000 believers around the world will be slaughtered this year alone. Over the last 20 centuries 70 million Christians have been murdered for their belief in Christ. It’s happening now in countries like Iran, Libya and Egypt, but The Unreconciled (Ambassador International; September 2012; $16.99/paperback) a new suspense-filled political thriller from Eric Young explores the idea of a Christian holocaust on American soil. “The Unreconciled articulates the fears of many. Religious wars are unimaginable to the American mind because we enjoy a safe harbor from religious persecution. But from the Iranian hostage crisis in ‘79 to 9-11 to the assassination of our ambassador in Libya just weeks ago, radical Islamists have been at war with us for four decades. Our attackers do not want our money, our industry, or our land. They want to rob us of our most fundamental liberty—our faith,” says Young. “Can you imagine how dark and pitiless the world without a Christian America would be? I have.”

Set in 2084, The Unreconciled follows Denisa Graceon, an archeologist, as she searches for relics of the extinct Christian faith. While searching in the Appalachian wilderness, she is shocked to discover a few forgotten Christians still exist, “the Unreconciled.” Enamored by them and immersed in their faith, Denisa becomes a believer and falls in love with the sworn guardian of the very relic she was commissioned to steal. When she discovers the all powerful Caliph plans to massacre these last Christ-followers, she launches a desperate gambit to save them.

Author Eric Young graduated Summa Cum Laude from Emory & Henry College, majoring in Political Science with a focus on International Studies and Politics of the Contemporary Middle East. Eric earned his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, the setting for much of The Unreconciled. Young lives in rural Virginia with his wife and children.

For more information or to connect with Eric Young please contact Ambassador International publicist Alison Storm via email at [email protected]. You can also learn more at Facebook.com/TheUnreconciled or Twitter.com/TheUnreconciled.  

 

-End-

Christian School Movement Must Face Realities, Needs Transformation According to New Book

posted on

A Scent of WaterAuthors Deliver Message of Hope for Christian School Ministry

For immediate release: The Christian school movement currently lacks vision, struggles with enrollment declines and battles budget limitations, according to the authors of a new book that aims to restore hope and vision to the ministry. A Scent of Water: Bringing Life Back to the Christian School Movement (Ambassador International; September 2012; $15.99, paperback) combines scriptural truth with empirical research to provide a roadmap for the Christian school movement for the 21st century.

Authors Edward Earwood and Phil Suiter have combined experience in Christian education of nearly 75 years. “A Scent of Water is designed to take a look at the realities of where we are in the Christian school movement,” says Earwood, Executive Director for the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools. “We address some of the realities and lay out a protocol to infuse hope into our movement.”

Named for Job 14:9, “through the scent of water it will bud” and sprout anew, the authors explain what is needed for growth and improvement. This includes active leadership, vibrant teachers and strong vision that will revitalize and transform the movement. “We believe the Christian school movement is helping the church fulfill the task of taking the gospel to the world,” says Suiter, a pastor, educator and former West Virginia Assistant State Superintendent of Schools. “But we also see room for improvement.”

Author Edward Earwood has served 34 years in Christian education with positions ranging from teacher and athletic director to principal and pastor. After more than two decades in Alabama, he now serves as the executive director of the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools.

Author Phil Suiter taught in the School of Education at Marshall University. After leaving public education in 1980, Suiter has served in a variety of leadership roles within the Christian school movement both at state and national levels.

To learn more about authors Edward Earwood and Phil Suiter visit Facebook.com/AScentofWater. To receive a review copy of A Scent of Water or to connect with the authors please contact publicist Alison Storm by email at [email protected].

Find Greatness in Ordinary Moments With New Book

posted on

The Twelve Gifts of LifeAuthor Cindy Champnella shares 12 gifts of her life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Cindy Champnella believes life is not meant to be survival of the fittest. We all face uncertainties– floundering finances, failing families and fickle friendships. Champnella’s new book The Twelve Gifts of Life: Finding Extraordinary Meaning in Ordinary Moments (Ambassador International; October 2012; $14.99; Paperback) shows that life gives us wonderful memories and experiences through every single unnoticed moment.  “The gifts of life restore us, they give us hope,” she says. “They give our lives meaning. They are meant to be savored. ”

Champnella says The Twelve Gifts of Life is a guidebook to her younger self. “Sometimes we miss the gifts that are right in front of us until we are at the end of our lives and we more clearly understand the beginning,” she says. “If we view the world as a gift we will be much more joyful. If we spent as much time giving thanks for what we have instead of yearning for what do not have, we would be a lot happier.” Also, The Twelve Gifts of Life encourages readers to use prayer as a source of strength. “It should be the place we go to for directions to the right path instead of the place we go for help when we crash,” says Champnella.

Cindy Champnella is a PhD prepared psychologist, author and acclaimed speaker. She has assisted hundreds of families in their international adoption efforts. She is married and has five children, including two daughters adopted from China. The Twelve Gifts of Life was inspired by her daughter Jaclyn, an orphan from China.

To learn more about the author Cindy Champnella and The Twelve Gifts of Life, visit www.cindychampnella.com. For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].