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EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY by Shannon Kent 1/15/2021 11:30:00 PM BY Patti Shene
FEATURED BOOK: Decoy Valentine
AUTHOR: Shannon Kent
PUBLISHER: Kindle Direct Publishing
GENRE: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: standalone (for now!)
TARGET AGE: 15 and up
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR SHANNON KENT TO PATTI’S PORCH. SHANNON TALKS ABOUT WHETHER THINGS ARE REALLY AS HARD AS WE SOMETIMES THINK THEY ARE.
SHANNON IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF DECOY VALENTINE.
EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY
by
Shannon Kent
When you grow up on a church pew as I did, many Bible stories become familiar. David killed Goliath. Esther saved her people. Balaam got told off by a donkey. But I recently read an Old Testament passage that drew me in with its unpredictable tale.
Three kings went to war with the evil nation of Moab and, for some inexplicable reason, they took a roundabout path through the desert for their attack. Not the brightest battleplan. Seven days later, their armies ran out of water. The situation was dire, and they sought out the prophet Elisha for help. He didn’t much like the Israelite king, but provided assistance anyway. Elisha told them to dig some ditches because the valley would be filled with water even without wind or rain. The prophet said, “This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD;” (2 Kings 3:18a NIV). The very next morning flowing water appeared. They routed the Moabites and gained a great victory.
Life is hard. Right? Especially now. But … is anything too hard for the creator of the universe?
COVID? Taking care of family members? Publishing a book? Dare I say it … politics? So many things don’t make sense in our crazy world. Sometimes it’s outside forces, and sometimes it’s our own foolish battleplans that leave us feeling bone-dry and dying of thirst in an emotional desert. But don’t look for a great wind or a giant raincloud to bring refreshment. Grab your shovel, dig a spiritual ditch, and look to Heaven. The same God of the Old Testament watches over us in 2021. I’ve even written a reminder to myself with the verse from 2 Kings because I never want to forget. No matter what problem seems impossible to me, for God it’s easy peasy.
Blurb for Decoy Valentine
FROM FAKE RELATIONSHIP TO TRUE LOVE
A broken engagement drives Susanna Kelly back to her hometown of Sweetheart, Texas and the arms of its quirky, lovable citizens. But her peaceful return to her roots is shattered when heart-shaped notes with sinister messages start appearing. The support of Daniel Sheppard, Asian American bestselling author and her childhood friend, gives her a much-needed ally amidst the turmoil. He offers to play the role of her boyfriend to discourage the stalker, but Susanna resists. Pretending to be a couple? And with Daniel of all people? Who would buy it?
The note writer's mind games force her to reconsider. Susanna accepts Daniel's crazy plan, but the make-believe romance has the opposite effect intended. Harmless notes turn into life-threatening accidents, and Daniel and Susanna must find out who's behind the chaos before they can decide if their temporary relationship is a heaven-sent gift meant to last forever.
Decoy Valentine has a perfect mixture of romance, small town life, action, and intrigue. The characters were well-defined and engaging. The plot deepened at just the right moments and kept me guessing as to who would want to threaten sweet Susanna Kelly and why. Might I add that the author did not make it obvious as to who the mysterious note writer was until well into the story. The residents of Sweetheart, including Susanna’s friend since childhood, Daniel Sheppard, demonstrate a fierce protectiveness toward Susanna that reflects small town loyalty. I especially enjoyed the details of preparations for the upcoming Candy Hearts Festival. This was a fun and suspenseful romantic novel. I look forward to reading more of Shannon Kent’s work.
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF DECOY VALENTINEBETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY, JANUARY 26TH AT MIDNIGHT MST.
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
Shannon Kent loves God, her family, and classic movie musicals. She gains inspiration for her novels from her many travels around the world. Her other two romances are Flower Boy Tour Guide and Reality Show Romance. She holds a special place in her heart for South Korean culture and loves to infuse her stories with a Kimchi-flavored spice. You can follow her at Facebook.com/shannonkentauthor.
FORGIVENESS IS A TOUGH CALL by John Murray 1/13/2021 12:30:00 AM BY Patti Shene
FEATURED BOOK:Discover Your Hidden Self:
AUTHOR John Murray
PUBLISHER: Pagemaster Publications
GENRE: Christian/Self-help
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand alone
TARGET AGE: Thirty-plus
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR JOHN MURRAY TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. JOHN SHARES IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT FORGIVENESS.
JOHN IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR A PRINT COPY OF DISCOVER YOUR HIDDEN SELF.
FORGIVENESS IS A TOUGH CALL
by
John Murray
It is hard to understand how anyone can forgive some atrocities, like the murder of a child, the killing of a family member by a drunk driver or even being swindled out of your life savings. We know these things happen, all too frequently. We also know that people have to live on after the events suffering the devastating effects of the wrong. But how do they forgive when life carries so much pain?
I am sure we all have been subjected to false accusations, misunderstandings, unfair or unjust criticism or even outright lies. This too is not easy to handle. You experience an overwhelming desire to put the record straight. You want people to know the truth, that the criticism and lies are false. Yet the opportunity is not always available. You find yourself forced to live with the hurt and the unfairness of others not knowing the true facts. The only release from that frustration is forgiveness.
The other side of the coin is when we are wrong. My father left school at the age of 14 so his formal education was not great, but at times he came out with some wise words. On the occasion of my starting full time employment, his parting words were “Never be too proud to say you are sorry.” In other words he knew that I would make mistakes along the way and encouraged me to be willing to admit being wrong and seek forgiveness. It can be hard and humiliating to say “Please forgive me, I was wrong.”
Along with the words, “I love you” three of the most powerful words in the English language are “I forgive you.” There are times in our lives when we need to use these words and other times when we need to hear them. It’s so easy to see the wrong in others and overlook our own shortcomings. Forgiveness is a two way street. So how do we handle these delicate situations?
What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is to pardon a wrongdoing. It is to remit a debt, to release someone from further remission and remorse. It means totally closing the book on the incident. Forgiveness is certainly not excusing or overlooking bad behavior – that’s tolerance. Neither is forgiveness approving or condoning whatever was wrongly perpetrated. Forgiveness recognizes the wrong but no longer holds the act against the perpetrator. It frees them and it frees you. You no longer look for retribution. Forgiveness is a choice. You can grant it or you can withhold it.
Why is it so hard to ask for forgiveness? It is hard because we are admitting that we have done wrong and we have to eat humble pie. We have to walk the path of humility. We like to think that we are better than we really are. By asking for forgiveness we are saying that reconciled relationships are more important than our feelings. We have to climb out of the pit of self-centeredness and self-righteousness. We give up our rights to pride. When we ask to be forgiven we admit the problem is within us. Every time we ask for forgiveness we are reminding ourselves we are human and we make mistakes and that we need to be forgiven. At the same time we have to offer genuine remorse and be willing to make amends.
The benefits from offering forgiveness are multiple. Although you may be releasing someone else from their debt, you release yourself from prison - a prison of anger and resentment, a desire of retaliation, an attitude of vengeance, of hurt feelings and broken relationships. Once offered the sense of freedom is overwhelming. It’s like experiencing a new birth, a new day, a new release on life. Why would we ever hold on to the thought “but I was right!” Does it really matter when compared to the big picture and in the light of healed relationships?
Forgiveness is a choice and we live with the consequences of the choices we make. The experience of freedom from forgiveness is superlative – difficult to describe. It brings a peace indescribable. It is worth all the time and the effort, to put things right. If we have the opportunity to forgive we need to take advantage while we have it. Forgive and be forgiven. You have heard the phrase, “To err is human. To forgive is divine.” In the light of God’s readiness to forgive us, should we do any less?
In my book Discover Your Hidden Self the chapter which is attracting much attention is the chapter on forgiveness, especially the aspect of forgiving oneself. If you want to check it out you can do so using this link https://www.jmurray.ca/product.Discover-Your-Hidden-Self/
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A PRINT COPY OF DISCOVER YOUR HIDDEN SELF BETWEEN NOW AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 23RD AT MIDNIGHT MST.
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
John Murray was educated in England and Canada. His life experience has been in business, journalism, the church and overseas missions. He is retired and lives with his wife in White Rock, on the West Coast of Canada.
SPIRITUAL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS by Christina Sinisi 1/9/2021 12:30:00 AM BY Patti Shene
FEATURED BOOK: Christmas on Ocracoke
AUTHOR: Christina Sinisi
PUBLISHER: Anaiah Press
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand alone
TARGET AGE: All adult
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR CHRISTINA SNIISI TO PATTI’S PORCH. CHRISTINA SHARES SOME NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS THAT ENRICH THE SPIRIT.
CHRISTINA IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF CHRISTMAS ON OCRACOKE.
SPIRITUAL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
by
Christina Sinisi
On my blog this week, I posted a few tips as to how to write successful New Year’s Resolutions—yes, I do them every year and I actually reach most of them (which is one of my tips—be happy with reaching those you can, life is challenging). So, I invite you to come over and comment and let’s discuss!
I wanted to do something different here. I’d like to give examples of spiritual New Year’s Resolutions and some ideas on how to accomplish them. Per my blog, I recommend having categories for your resolutions and putting first things first—our faith.
#1 Prayer. Over the years, I have slowly grown my prayer life in frequency and depth. As a child, I said nighttime prayers and still do. Now, I pray before every meal and in the car on the way to work. I add special prayers before my devotion time. I do love the car idea because many of us just have that as captured time that we can put to good use. Other ideas?
#2 Devotion. I’m a busy person and odds are that you, dear reader, are too. So, finding time for quiet time is almost impossible. At night, I’m often too tired to do the Word justice and I’m sleepy, etc. The rest of my family are night owls and I’m a morning lark, so breakfast it is. I’m sitting there at the table anyway and I can add extra time after I’m finished eating to write and go deeper.
#3 Reading the Word. I do this as part of #2, but I want to share what worked for me. I didn’t start at the beginning. Getting through Numbers and Deuteronomy is hard (go ahead and laugh) so I started with Daniel. I’ve read a chapter or page a day and am now on my third go around. Breaking it into sections and using Study Guides works!
#4 Mindfulness Walks. This is a spiritual practice that has a distant history in the Christian church, just as do meditation and chanting. Somehow, the modern world forgot all that and attributes these practices to Eastern philosophies which causes some Christians to shy away. I hope you’ll consider changing that mindset because all of these are wonderful practices that we can own. Jesus certainly walked and went off on his own. I highly encourage you to take everything to God in prayer on the way out on your walk, turn around and leave your concerns with the Lord. Concentrate on the scenery, look up and actually see the sky. I wouldn’t put a schedule to these practices.
We definitely need to be led by God and stay open to what He wants us to do, but it certainly helps us in our walk to make time and a place to just be with Him. Notice I didn’t put attend worship. I don’t want to lecture about that, but I truly believe being part of the living, breathing community of God is crucial for well-being in all areas.
Any other ideas for helping others on their path? God bless you and keep you. I pray that 2021 is a time of spiritual growth and joy for all.
Back Cover Blurb for Christmas on Ocracoke:
Reeling from the upheaval of a failed marriage, Annie Hanahan is desperate for a new start—and when she inherits a cottage on Ocracoke Island, she may finally get it. Without a second thought, she packs up and leaves everything behind: her first name, her job, and her ex-husband. But when she arrives in the Outer Banks, she finds the island—and her promised refuge—ravaged by Hurricane Dorian. As a contractor who has given so much of his time to helping Ocracoke recover, it surprises no one when Trey Kingsley offers to help the beautiful newcomer, but something is holding her back. Life keeps throwing them together, though, or perhaps God’s hand is giving them a nudge. Will a little bit of divine intervention be enough for a Merry Christmas on Ocracoke?
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF CHRISTMAS ON OCRACOKE BETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY, JANUARY 19TH AT MIDNIGHT MST.
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest and the American Title IV Contest in which she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. Her published books include The Christmas Confusion and the upcoming Sweet Summer, the first two books in the Summer Creek Series, as well as Christmas On Ocracoke. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina with her husband and two children and cat Chessie Mae.
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FEATURED BOOK: Decoy Valentine
AUTHOR: Shannon Kent
PUBLISHER: Kindle Direct Publishing
GENRE: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: standalone (for now!)
TARGET AGE: 15 and up
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR SHANNON KENT TO PATTI’S PORCH. SHANNON TALKS ABOUT WHETHER THINGS ARE REALLY AS HARD AS WE SOMETIMES THINK THEY ARE.
SHANNON IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF DECOY VALENTINE.
EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY
by
Shannon Kent
When you grow up on a church pew as I did, many Bible stories become familiar. David killed Goliath. Esther saved her people. Balaam got told off by a donkey. But I recently read an Old Testament passage that drew me in with its unpredictable tale.
Three kings went to war with the evil nation of Moab and, for some inexplicable reason, they took a roundabout path through the desert for their attack. Not the brightest battleplan. Seven days later, their armies ran out of water. The situation was dire, and they sought out the prophet Elisha for help. He didn’t much like the Israelite king, but provided assistance anyway. Elisha told them to dig some ditches because the valley would be filled with water even without wind or rain. The prophet said, “This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD;” (2 Kings 3:18a NIV). The very next morning flowing water appeared. They routed the Moabites and gained a great victory.
Life is hard. Right? Especially now. But … is anything too hard for the creator of the universe?
COVID? Taking care of family members? Publishing a book? Dare I say it … politics? So many things don’t make sense in our crazy world. Sometimes it’s outside forces, and sometimes it’s our own foolish battleplans that leave us feeling bone-dry and dying of thirst in an emotional desert. But don’t look for a great wind or a giant raincloud to bring refreshment. Grab your shovel, dig a spiritual ditch, and look to Heaven. The same God of the Old Testament watches over us in 2021. I’ve even written a reminder to myself with the verse from 2 Kings because I never want to forget. No matter what problem seems impossible to me, for God it’s easy peasy.
Blurb for Decoy Valentine
FROM FAKE RELATIONSHIP TO TRUE LOVE
A broken engagement drives Susanna Kelly back to her hometown of Sweetheart, Texas and the arms of its quirky, lovable citizens. But her peaceful return to her roots is shattered when heart-shaped notes with sinister messages start appearing. The support of Daniel Sheppard, Asian American bestselling author and her childhood friend, gives her a much-needed ally amidst the turmoil. He offers to play the role of her boyfriend to discourage the stalker, but Susanna resists. Pretending to be a couple? And with Daniel of all people? Who would buy it?
The note writer's mind games force her to reconsider. Susanna accepts Daniel's crazy plan, but the make-believe romance has the opposite effect intended. Harmless notes turn into life-threatening accidents, and Daniel and Susanna must find out who's behind the chaos before they can decide if their temporary relationship is a heaven-sent gift meant to last forever.
Amazon buy link
Patti’s Review of Decoy Valentine
Decoy Valentine has a perfect mixture of romance, small town life, action, and intrigue. The characters were well-defined and engaging. The plot deepened at just the right moments and kept me guessing as to who would want to threaten sweet Susanna Kelly and why. Might I add that the author did not make it obvious as to who the mysterious note writer was until well into the story. The residents of Sweetheart, including Susanna’s friend since childhood, Daniel Sheppard, demonstrate a fierce protectiveness toward Susanna that reflects small town loyalty. I especially enjoyed the details of preparations for the upcoming Candy Hearts Festival. This was a fun and suspenseful romantic novel. I look forward to reading more of Shannon Kent’s work.
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF DECOY VALENTINE BETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY, JANUARY 26TH AT MIDNIGHT MST.
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
Shannon Kent loves God, her family, and classic movie musicals. She gains inspiration for her novels from her many travels around the world. Her other two romances are Flower Boy Tour Guide and Reality Show Romance. She holds a special place in her heart for South Korean culture and loves to infuse her stories with a Kimchi-flavored spice. You can follow her at Facebook.com/shannonkentauthor.
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