Posts Tagged ‘authors’

Invite an Author to Your Book Club

posted on by Susie

BookClub_LogoFree Service Encourages Reading Through Rare Access to Authors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Greenville-based publisher Ambassador International is launching a unique book club that offers readers personal access to some of their favorite authors. Select Ambassador authors are available to attend book club meetings across the country via phone or Skype through the launch of this exciting new program.

To take part, book club leaders must feature one of the Ambassador titles from the evolving list found at ambassador-international.com/about/bookclub.  Book clubs can then invite the author to be a part of an upcoming meeting by filling out a short online request form.

The author will join discussions via phone or Skype. “In addition to inviting your neighbor or your cousin to your book club you can invite the author as well,” explains Ambassador International COO Tim Lowry. “Our authors are really excited about the chance to engage on such a personal level with their readers and we think book clubs across the country will be thrilled for this unique and free opportunity.”

Both fiction and non-fiction authors are featured in the program including:

    • Anna McCarthy, Forgiveness is Not an Option
    • Stephen Goode, Marriage Triage
    • Renee Metzler, Total Home Makeover
    • Lindon and Sherry Gareis, Declutter Now
    • Carrie Daws, Romancing Melody
    • Will Montgomery, Lukewarm

About Ambassador International: Ambassador International was founded in 1980 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and expanded into Greenville, South Carolina in 1995.  Ambassador International’s books and materials have been distributed in dozens of countries and are sold worldwide.

For more information about the Ambassador Book Club visit https://ambassador-international.com/about/bookclub.  To request an interview or more information please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

 

Guest Post: What is Romance?

posted on by Susie

In honor of the release of her third novel, Romancing Melody, author Carrie Daws provides today’s guest post. Romancing Melody is available in paperback starting today and in various eBook formats.

roseWhat is romance? Long-stemmed roses and fancy dinners, boxes of chocolate and nights on the town. Truth be told, I’ve always been a simple girl.

To me, one rose of the right color is even more perfect than a dozen roses in an expensive vase because one rose conveys three things: 1) my husband thought of me and took time to stop to buy something for me, 2) he cares enough to remember and look for a rose in my favorite color, and 3) he knows me well enough to comprehend that while I’ll enjoy the rose immensely, I will also be thinking of the financial cost to our checkbook.

And that’s really what romance is all about: lavishing love on another. I treasure that my man knows me well enough in big ways and small ways to understand what I like and what I think. Picking the right color tells me he listens when I speak. Choosing to purchase one rose over a dozen tells me he is cognizant of my preferences and personal convictions between stewarding our resources and wasting them.

I believe the whole point of romance should be relationship. Romance draws you in, makes you yearn for relationship. Relationship drives you forward, makes romance fun and Romancing Melodyexciting. They can work together, forming an ever-deepening circle.

But have you ever thought of romance outside of the dating or marriage relationship? If romance is nothing more than lavishing love on another to draw them into relationship, then romance could be used in broader terms. Yet I think we tend to limit its usage because we understand that romance encourages intimacy. And intimacy is scary.

Opening our hearts to those who may let us down. Sharing our fears with those who may belittle them. Discussing our dreams with those who may tell us to be realistic.

But no matter what person comes to your mind as you read this, God waits, quietly romancing you. Pursuing you. Wanting to draw you into a relationship with Him.

Just a few months ago, a friend went through an incredibly difficult time. And as I loved her and prayed for her, I could see God working all around her. Yet her heart hurt and she couldn’t see clearly through the pain.

As I prayed for her, God drew me back to some painful times in my own life. And I began to see the romance, God weaving His love all around me and drawing me into a relationship with Him.

It seems to be a unique perspective on this holiday about love. Yet it’s all over the pages of history. God so loved, He created. He called a people to Him. He knew the law wasn’t enough and He came to save His people.

And now, 2,000 years later, God still loves His people. He still calls, to you. He still comes. To you.

Do you see the romance?

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Novel Addresses Hardships Facing Military Families

posted on by Susie

Romancing MelodyRomancing Melody is the Third Installment in Popular Crossing Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  More than half of 3.6 million Active Duty military personnel in the US are married, 85% are under the age of 35 and slightly less than half have children.  The life of a military wife and mother is one author Carrie Daws knows personally and one she writes about in her latest book, Romancing Melody (Ambassador International; Feb. 2013; $11.99, paperback) in which she tells the story of a young newlywed and mother who must learn to trust that God has a plan for each of us.

Melody Podell is a new wife and mother when her husband is deployed to a dangerous region of the world. Feeling alone, she is unprepared to handle the tragedy that strikes and soon pushes away family and friends as they try to help her find solace in God. “The first problem is that Army life is not what she expected and she struggles to adapt. Shortly before her husband is deployed, Melody gives birth to their first child, and just as she is settling in, tragedy strikes,” explains Daws. Romancing Melody follows a relatable character as she faces tragedy and loss while focusing on the power of love and how God romances each and every one of us.

Romancing Melody is the third installment in what Daws says will be a four-part series. Crossing Values was released in early 2012, followed by Ryan’s Crossing in August. Just as with Daws’ other books, readers will find a free book club discussion guide as well as a character list available at CarrieDaws.com/Freebies. These tools will help book clubs, small groups and individual readers delve further in to the themes and characters of Romancing Melody.

About the Author: Carrie Daws currently lives in North Carolina with her three children and her military retired husband.  She finds time to write when she’s not homeschooling her children, working at the church office, or volunteering with military ministries that are close to her heart.

To learn more about the author and her book Romancing Melody, visit http://carriedaws.com or https://www.facebook.com/CarrieDaws.  For Interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

 

Romance and Suspense Collide in New Christian Thriller

posted on by Susie

Alana Candler, Marked for MurderNovel Reminds Readers How Living a Christian Life Can Be a Powerful Example of Faith to Others

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  What would you do if someone was trying to kill you?  How do you love someone who doesn’t share your belief in God? Who do you trust? These are questions that Alana Candler faces in Joanie Bruce’s new thriller Alana Candler: Marked for Murder (Ambassador International; February, 2013; $14.99, paperback).  This suspense-filled novel follows Alana, a freelance photographer, as she flees from an unknown killer who wants her dead.

Soon after photographing a crime scene for her Police Chief brother Brad, Alana has the strange feeling that she is being followed.  Her fears come to fruition when she is kidnapped and left for dead.  After a handsome stranger, Jadyn Holbrook, saves her life and promises to protect her the two must race against time as the attacker chases her tirelessly.  As they spend more and more time together, Alana’s example of faith in God challenges and inspires a skeptical Jadyn who must come to terms with his own demons and reservations about God.

In a combination of nail-biting suspense and romance, Alana Candler: Marked for Murder centers around the importance of living your Christian faith, not simply declaring it.  “I hope with all my heart that my book will be a blessing and encouragement to someone,” says Bruce, “I pray that each of my readers will be encouraged, inspired, and that it will bring you a closer relationship to God”.

About the Author:  Joanie Bruce and her husband, Ben, live in a country home near Madison, Georgia where they raised and homeschooled their three children who are now grown.  She enjoys writing, cooking, taking long walks, and painting oil portraits.  Alana Candler: Marked for Murder is her first published book.

For more information about the author Joanie Bruce please visit joaniebruce.com or facebook.com/joaniebruceauthor.  For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

 

Use Declutter Now for Church Book Studies

posted on by Susie

Today’s guest post comes from Lindon & Sherry Gareis, authors of Declutter Now! Uncovering the Hidden Joy and Freedom in Your Life. They are Christian Life Coaches and small group leaders from Glendale, AZ. They’re announcing a new initiative to take Declutter Now! into churches.

Declutter Now group studyDeclutter Now! tackles the clutter taking up space in many areas of life. Decluttering your heart, mind, body and soul will leave you with the time, money, energy, freedom and joy that God desires for you. Less is truly more.

Declutter Now! has ‘Gone Group’! We’re delighted to have Northern Hills Community Church in Phoenix, AZ launch an eight week book study class. Each week, a new chapter is presented and discussed. Ideas are shared, truths are revealed and hearts are inspired.

Each chapter of Declutter Now! deals with a different area of life, so we cover a considerable amount of ground. The comprehensive nature of the material is ideal for group study since there’s ‘something for everyone’. Whether you need to declutter cram-packed physical spaces, harmful relationships, unhealthy eating habits, stinkin’ thinkin’, overwhelmed kids’ schedules or an unbalanced budget, most people can relate on some level, if not many. This sets the stage for insightful and provocative conversations.

We’ve found in group environments, the nature of the dialogue not only encourages personal growth, but meaningful relationship building as Declutter Nowwell. There’s a special bonding which occurs when people speak openly about their challenges and allow their weaknesses to break through. Just this past week during the current NHCC bible study, a class member shared her embarrassment over the clutter she’s living with. Her fellow class mates offered unconditional love, support and ideas void of any judgment. The acceptance and encouragement she received gave her strength to commit to the next step of her decluttering journey. Oh how we long to see her free from the bondage she’ suffering.

Declutter Now! is more than just a book. It’s a paradigm shift; a lifestyle change. A study through Declutter Now! offers inspiration to help get you from where you are to where you want to be. Group discussion takes our ideas, practical tips and life applications to an entirely new level. Unique situations can be personally addressed, support can be extended first hand and emotional connections can take root.

We encourage you to consider Declutter Now! for both individual and group study. We’d be delighted to help you construct a plan specific to your group or organization. Please contact us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

New Children’s Book Encourages Young Readers to Help the Needy

posted on by Susie

Charming Children’s Book Donates Proceeds to Soles4Souls and Higher Ground Ministries

Jazzy and the Dog WalkFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, nearly 15 million children in the United States live below the poverty line. In her first children’s book, Jazzy and the Dog Walk (Ambassador International; January 2013; $14.99, hardcover), Tica Tallent sheds light on the issue of child poverty in order to remind readers what it means to care for others.

Jasmine (aka Jazzy), a young girl, with a love of clothes, jewelry, and music, reminds readers of all ages the importance of giving back.  After being troubled by a video in school showing young children who have no shoes, Jazzy is determined to do something. With the help of some furry friends and a miracle from a beautiful angel, Jazzy organizes a dog fashion show to raise money. “My hope is to inspire young readers to get involved in helping others,” explains Tallent. “And I want to bring attention to two of my favorite charities at the same time.” Following Jazzy’s example, a portion of each sale of Jazzy and the Dog Walk will support Soles4Souls and Higher Ground Ministries.

Tallent reminds readers the importance of being thankful and caring for others while simultaneously captivating young girls with frilly dresses, shining jewelry, and adorable puppies.  With a combination of beautiful illustrations and charming writing, Jazzy and the Dog Walk is sure to entertain and inspire again and again.

About the Author: Tica Tallent is a writer and freelance speaker who currently resides in Anderson, SC with her husband.  In both her first book, What is Beautiful: Secrets of a Personal Shopper ,and Jazzy and the Dog Walk, Tallent draws from her ten years of experience as an educator as well as her love of fashion.

About the Illustrator: Marquin Campbell studied drawing and painting at the University of Georgia before going on to study fashion design at Parsons in NYC.  She now resides in Greenville, SC as owner of Vino & Van Gogh art studio designing jewelry, painting, and teaching art classes.

To learn more about the author and her book Jazzy and the Dog Walk, visit ticatallent.com or Facebook.com/JazzyAndTheDogWalk.  For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at [email protected].

Should We Forgive Lance Armstrong?

posted on by Susie

This guest post on Lance Armstrong’s recent doping confession comes from Anna McCarthy, author of “Forgiveness is Not an Option”:

lance armstrongThere has been a lot of talk recently about Lance Armstrong and his public “apology”. Many say it wasn’t genuine or it was too vague; in summary many are unhappy with his public confession and believe he has not earned their forgiveness.

I’ve wrestled with this too, given there have been many Lance Armstrong’s in my life. Many who wronged me, lied to me, cheated to get what they wanted and left me with a seemingly half-hearted apology that was magically supposed to fix everything. The truth is, when we’ve been wronged and feel as though we’ve been deceived, hearing an apology that doesn’t meet the level of the gravity of the crime, almost seems to make it worse.  I get it and have admittedly struggled with this.

The problem, however, is that if we profess to be followers of Jesus, then we must choose not to be led by our emotion, especially in areas of the heart. Jesus taught that we must forgive; even if the apology doesn’t meet our standards or if there’s no apology at all. We still have to choose to forgive. Here are Jesus’ own words: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 6:14-15)

I don’t know about you, but this passage is not easy to read! For some reason, all of us want to defend our reason for withholding forgiveness believing it somehow escapes this Forgiveness is not an optionprinciple. Yet, Jesus didn’t give any clauses; in fact, he goes further on to say that we are supposed to actually do good towards those who aren’t kind to us (Matt 5:44). This sounds nice in a Sunday school class, but when you are in the context of a situation, facing a betrayal and that person doesn’t offer the kind of apology you believe is deserved, this verse can feel like an impossible pill to swallow. This may be one of the reasons Paul prayed this way, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…” (Eph. 3:16-18)

What Jesus asked us to do in the area of forgiveness is impossible without the power of Christ working through us. I know, because I tried in my own strength and failed miserably. However, having embraced his spirit in my heart in this area, I have seen forgiveness and love deepen and grow for those who I may never receive an apology from; and actually found myself able to do good towards them.

So, whether it’s Lance Armstrong’s apology you are wrestling with or someone else’s, I encourage you to pray the way Paul did and ask that Christ’s power may dwell within you, strengthening you to extend his love and grace towards those who may not deserve it.

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