All parents want their daughters to marry godly young men. But which qualities, specifically, should they be looking for?
What will you say when that certain young man sits down in your living room, sweaty-palmed and tongue-tied, and asks your permission to marry your daughter? What criteria should he meet before the two of them join together for life? What He Must Be… If He Wants to Marry My Daughter outlines ten qualities parents should look for in a son-in-law, including trustworthiness, a willingness to lead his family, an understanding of his wife’s role, and various spiritual leadership qualities.
Author Voddie Baucham follows up on his popular book Family Driven Faith with this compelling apologetic of biblical manhood. By studying the principles outlined in his book, parents who want their daughter to marry a godly man—as well as those who want their sons to become godly men—will be well equipped to help their children look for and develop these God-honoring qualities.
Voddie Baucham Jr. is the preaching pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas. Author of Family Driven Faith and The Ever-Loving Truth, Baucham is also a sought-after preacher and conference speaker. He and his wife, Bridget, live in Texas with their children. You can learn more about Voddie by visiting his website.
When I received this book for review, I immediately thought this was a book for Brian to read. Brian is not much of a reader (actually, it's not a reader at all, unless he's reading something to do with the dirt-track races or something written by Glenn Beck). So, when he told me there was a new Glenn Beck book out and that I could buy it at Amazon.com, I thought to myself "hmm...this just might work...."
I ordered the book he wanted, but I gave it to him with an ultimatum .... first, before he could read that book, he needed to read this one, by Voddie Baucham, and let me know his thoughts on it. I didn't think he would take me seriously, but HE DID! I noticed the book was missing; he was taking it along to work to read on his breaks. Each night, when he'd come home, I noticed the bookmark rapidly working it's way through the book!
Brian started telling us things about the book - things he was reading and agreeing with, ideas that Mr. Baucham presents, etc. A few times, he even handed me the book and said "hey, you have to read this!" When it was all said and done, he said he'd like for me to read this book soon. He'd also like for Ashley to read it sometime in the next few years. We've been discussing dating and marriage with her, and sharing some ideas and/or suggestions that we have. He thinks this book might help cement some of that.
So, this book is now on my "to be read" pile. I think it's a keeper. If you're wondering what qualities you should be looking for in a future mate for your spouse, or if you're raising up young men that you'd like to see become men of integrity (ones who will take their marriage vows seriously), then this may very well be just the book for you!
Who doesn't love this part of the Magic Kingdom? First of all, everyone recognizes the center of the park (and the Magic Kingdom icon) - Cinderella's Castle.
(Ashley took this - one of our favorites)
(make a wish in Cinderella's fountain)
Behind the castle, the fantasy becomes reality! I don't think I ever realized how much we enjoy this section of the park, but our photos from this past trip really prove that we do! We took a ton. I'll just share a few favorites.
From Peter Pan's Flight
From It's a Small World (yes, the song gets stuck in your head - but it's worth it!)
From Dumbo the Flying Elephant
From The Many Adventures of Winner the Pooh
And from Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
We always skip over Snow White's Scary Adventures. We DID ride the Mad Tea Party, but we crammed a bunch of us into one tea cup and it was too crowded to get a decent picture. Ashley loves this one though:
We also enjoy Mickey's Philharmagic 3-D Show. What do YOU like?
Sarah Harper is driven to achieve success no matter what the cost. She wants to do good and not hurt the people she loves--especially children and her husband, Joe--but her desire to succeed in her career too often leaves little time for family.
One cold, autumn afternoon, all of that changes when Sarah's car plunges off a bridge and into a river. She is presumed dead by those on the "outside," but Sarah's spirit is still very much alive. What she discovers on the other side transforms everything about Sarah's view of life--past, present, and future.
When Sarah is revived, she is a changed woman. And the unsuspecting world around her will never be the same again.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Any Minute, go here!
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, I Dare You, the entire Battlefield of the Mind family of books, her first venture into fiction with The Penny, and many others. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.
Deborah Bedford is a career fiction writer who began her professional life as a journalist in a Colorado mountain town.
A Rose By The Door, Deborah's first with Warner Book (name changed to FaithWords in 2006), hit bookstores in November 2001. A Morning Like This was released by Warner Books in 2002. Deborah's short story, “Connor Sapp's Baseball Summer,” is included in Multnomah Publisher's The Storytellers' Collection, Tales From Home, alongside stories by Chuck Colson, Terri Blackstock, Randy Alcorn and Karen Kingsbury.
Deborah and Jack have two children, Jeff and Avery. When she isn't writing, Deborah spends her time fly-fishing, cheering at American Legion baseball games, shopping with her daughter, singing praise songs while she walks along the banks of Flat Creek, and taking her dachshund Annie for hikes in the Tetons where they live.
This was just not my favorite book. I have a friend who is very "into" Joyce Meyer; so when this book became available for review, I thought I'd check it out. It's finely written, I just didn't really appreciate the storyline. The main character pretty much made me angry at every turn - she was just not nice, very into herself. When she finally made a bad judgement call and should have died, she instead had an "out of body" experience and ended up getting a 2nd chance. She did end up turning herself around in the end, but it just seemed unrealistic to me (I'm sure it was supposed to).
The message was good and a reminder we all need - live as if every day is your last - make it count!
In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.
Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.
In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognizes the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind. Tricia Goyer is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including Generation NeXt Parenting and the Gold Medallion finalist Life Interrupted. Goyer writes for publications such as Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family, speaks to women’s groups nationwide and has been a presenter at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) national convention. She and her husband, John, live with their family in Montana.
I really loved this book. There is rarely a nonfiction book that I read clear through to the end, but this book really held my attention. Tricia's transparency made me feel like I was reading a book by a good friend. Many times, I felt like she was writing my story; other times, I was wishing I could be more like her. I appreciated how she tied so much of life into being molded by God to be what He wants us to be.
To you homeschooling moms out there, you'll be especially interested to know that Tricia is a fellow homeschooler! She shares a bit about some of her homeschooling experiences in Blue Like Play Dough - you won't want to miss it!
I'm so glad I read this book! I'll definitely be watching for more of Tricia's books and would highly recommend Blue Like Play Dough to everyone!
CONTEST! Guess what? I have a copy of Blue Like Play Dough to give away to one of you! If you'd like to win it, simply leave a comment telling me what appeals to you about this book.
If you want extra entries, share about this contest on your blog, facebook, or twitter, with a link back to this post (leave an extra comment telling me you did so).
I'll draw a winning entry this Friday, via random drawing. Good luck!
... your mom goes to what the locals refer to as "The Amish Mall"
and comes home with 2 pairs of suspenders for your 3-year-old son.
(In navy blue and black - because they were "buy one get one free")
You know you have a teenage daughter when she says ...
..."Mom, please do not let him out of the house in those things!"
You know your son is definitely NOT Amish when he wants to wear his suspenders like this:
(Luigi & Guido never looked so good!)
You know your son is crazy when he says ...
"Hey, I look like a special man!"
Special? I'll say! You know your son is going to kill you when ...
...he turns 16 and realizes that Mom posted this picture on the internet
for all the world to see!
But what can I say?! This was just too cute not to share!
The Italy pavilion in EPCOT center is patterned after Venice. I'm not sure why I never noticed it before, but I snapped this picture of a gondola in the lagoon on our trip this past January:
I can vaguely remember a real-life trip to Venice in 1975, at which time I rode on a gondola very similar to this one; so it brought back memories!
What's your favorite part of Italy? Do you enjoy watching the laser show from the bridge? Do you like eating Italian food? Please share your favorites with us.
Every family--and every house--has its secrets. Jo-Lynn Hunter is at a crossroads in life when her great-aunt Stella insists that she return home to restore the old family manse in sleepy Cottonwood, Georgia. Jo-Lynn longs to get her teeth into a noteworthy and satisfying project. And it's the perfect excuse for some therapeutic time away from her self-absorbed husband and his snobby Atlanta friends.
Beneath the dust and the peeling wallpaper, things are not what they seem, and what Jo-Lynn doesn't know about her family holds just as many surprises. Was her great-grandfather the pillar of the community she thought he was? What is Aunt Stella hiding? And will her own marriage survive the renovation? Jo-Lynn isn't sure she wants to know the truth--but sometimes the truth has a way of making itself known.
Eva Marie Everson taught Old Testament theology for six years at Life Training Center in Longwood, Florida and has written numerous articles for Crosswalk.com (including the acclaimed Falling Into The Bible series), and has had articles featured in numerous publications, including Christianity Today, Evangel, Christian Bride, Christian Retailing, The Godly BusinessWoman and Marriage Partnership magazines. Eva Marie has been interviewed by radio, television, newspaper, and Internet media outlets. In 2002Eva Marie was one of six Christian journalists sent to Israel for a special ten-day press tour.
Eva Marie’s work includes the award-winning titles Reflections of God's Holy Land; A Personal Journey Through Israel, Shadow of Dreams, Sex, Lies and the Media, and The Potluck Club series.
She is married, has four children and five grandchildren, and lives in Central Florida.
I absolutely loved this book - so much so that I found myself taking extra bubble baths this week, and sneaking away to the porch for a few extra moments of reading time. This evening, I even dropped the book in water - it was too good to wait until the pages dried, so I just kept reading through the wetness! This book was THAT good.
This was the first book by Eva Marie Everson that I had read, but now I'll be keeping my eyes open for The Potluck Club series as well. Ms. Everson has a real gift at storytelling. I loved all the characters in this book - they were fun and full of depth, and amazingly real. I especially enjoyed the references to the old family homestead, along with the other homes and places of business in the small town that was being restored. History is something of huge interest to me, and this storyline was just jam-packed with interesting history, on so many levels.
Kudos to Eva Marie Everson! I'm very impressed and won't be picking up another book to start tonight - this one was too good - I need to ponder on it for awhile. (Then, in the morning, I'll pass it along to my mom, cause it's also too good to keep to myself.)
I just have to preface this blog tour post by sharing a little story behind it...
A few weeks ago (June 29th), I received an e-mail from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications, offering a copy of this little gift book in exchange for sharing the information about it on my blog. I remember reading it and thinking to myself "I don't need this book, so I'm going to pass so that those who may need it will be sure to get it."
The very next day, my friend called to tell me that she most likely had cancer. As I went throughout that day, shocked and saddened and scared, I thought back to the e-mail about this book. I came home that night and e-mailed to say that I did NEED this book, after all, and that I'd gladly participate in the blog tour, because I felt that it was meant to be.
God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He? The day before my friend called me, I was going to pass on the opportunity to receive a blessing and some encouragement from this little book - two things that I needed and have received from it. AND, as it turns out, a good friend of Brian's, who has struggled with cancer for many years, may very soon be coming to the end of his battle (if you can believe what the doctor's say). So, he too is needing this little book.
If you are walking this scary road called cancer with someone precious to you, I'd encourage you to purchase this little book. It's considered a "Gift Book" so it's a quick and easy read. When you're done, you'll want to pass it along to someone else who can benefit from its message.
The World Health Organization reported that by the year 2010 cancer will be the number one killer worldwide. More than 12.4 million people in the world suffer from cancer. 7.6 million people are expected to die from some form of cancer. That's a lot of people, but the number of loved ones of cancer sufferers is far greater. What do they do when a special person in their life is diagnosed with this devastating disease?
Murphey brings his experiences as a loved one and many years of wisdom gained from being a pastor and hospital chaplain to his newest book When Someone You Love Has Cancer: Comfort and Encouragement for Caregivers and Loved Ones (Harvest House Publishers). His honest I've-been-there admissions and practical helps are combined with artist Michal Sparks' soothing watercolor paintings.
Readers of When Someone You Love Has Cancer will receive:
· Inspiration to seek peace and understanding in their loved one's situation
· Help in learning the importance of active listening
· Guidance in exploring their own feelings of confusion and unrest
· Suggestions on how to handle anxiety and apprehension
· Honest answers to questions dealing with emotions, exhaustion, and helplessness
· Spirit-lifting thoughts for celebrating the gift of life in the midst of troubles
Murphey explains why this is a much-needed book: "Most books about cancer address survivors. I want to speak to the mates, families, and friends who love those with cancer. I offer a number of simple, practical things people can do for those with cancer."
Cecil Murphey is an international speaker and bestselling author who has written more than 100 books, including the New York Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper). No stranger himself to loss and grieving, Cecil has served as a pastor and hospital chaplain for many years, and through his ministry and books he has brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world. For more information, visit http://www.themanbehindthewords.com/.
A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR: When Shirley walked in from the garage, she didn't have to say a word: I read the diagnosis in her eyes. I grabbed her and held her tightly for several seconds. When I released her, she didn't cry. The unshed tears glistened, but that was all.
I felt emotionally paralyzed and helpless, and I couldn't understand my reaction. After all, I was a professional. As a former pastor and volunteer hospital chaplain I had been around many cancer patients. I'd seen people at their lowest and most vulnerable. As a writing instructor, I helped one woman write her cancer-survival book. Shirley and I had been caregivers for Shirley's older sister for months before she died of colon cancer.
All of that happened before cancer became personal to me--before my wife learned she needed a mastectomy. To make it worse, Shirley was in the high-risk category because most of her blood relatives had died of some form of cancer. Years earlier, she had jokingly said, "In our family we grow things."
In the days after the diagnosis and before her surgery, I went to a local bookstore and to the public library. I found dozens of accounts, usually by women, about their battle and survival. I pushed aside the novels that ended in a person's death. A few books contained medical or technical information. I searched on-line and garnered useful information--but I found nothing that spoke to me on how to cope with the possible loss of the person I loved most in this world.
Our story ends happily: Shirley has started her tenth year as a cancer survivor. Not only am I grateful, but I remember my pain and confusion during those days. That concerns me enough to reach out to others who also feel helpless as they watch a loved one face the serious diagnosis of cancer.
That's why I wrote When Someone You Love Has Cancer. I want to encourage relatives and friends and also to offer practical suggestions as they stay at the side of those they love.
The appendix offers specific things for them to do and not to do--and much of that information came about because of the way people reacted around us.
It's a terrible situation for anyone to have cancer; it's a heavy burden for us who deeply love those with cancer.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR:
The first sentence of your book reads, "I felt helpless." Tell us about that feeling.
Because her doctor put Shirley into the high-risk category, I felt helpless. To me, helpless means hating the situation, wanting to make it better, but admitting there was nothing I could do for her.
On that same page you also write, "One thing we learned: God was with us and strengthened us through the many weeks of uncertainty and pain." How did you get from feeling helpless to that assurance?
Shirley and I sat down one day and I put my arm around her. "The only way I know how I can handle this," I said, "is to talk about it." Shirley knows that's my way of working through puzzling issues. "Let's consider every possibility." If her surgeon decided she did not have breast cancer, how would we react? We talked of our reaction if he said, "There is a tumor and it's obviously benign. Finally, I was able to say, with tears in my eyes, "How do we react if he says the cancer is advanced and you have only a short time to live?" By the time we talked answered that question, I was crying. Shirley had tears in her eyes, but remained quite calm. "I'm ready to go whenever God wants to take me," she said. She is too honest not to have meant those words. As I searched her face, I saw calmness and peace. I held her tightly and we prayed together. After that I felt calm. Since then, one of the first things I do when I awaken is to thank God that Shirley and I have at least one more day together.
When most people hear the word cancer applied to someone they love, they have strong emotional reactions. What are some of them? What was your reaction when your wife was diagnosed with breast cancer?
As a pastor, a volunteer chaplain, and a friend I've encountered virtually every emotional reaction. Some refuse to accept what they hear. Some go inward and are unable to talk. Others start making telephone calls to talk to friends.
Me? I went numb, absolutely numb. That was my old way of dealing with overwhelming emotions. I heard everything but I couldn't feel anything. It took me almost two weeks before I was able to feel--and to face the possibility that the person I loved most in the world might die.
"What can I do for my loved one with cancer?" That's a good question for us to ask ourselves. How can we be supportive and helpful?
Many think they need to do big things; they don't. Express your concern and your love.
Be available to talk when the other person needs it--and be even more willing to be silent if your loved one doesn't want to talk. Don't ask what you can do; do what you see needs doing. To express loving support in your own way (and we all express love differently) is the best gift you can offer.
Why do you urge people not to say, "I know exactly how you feel"?
No one knows how you feel. They may remember how they felt at a certain time. Even if they did know, what help is that to the person with cancer? It's like saying, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I know what it's like and I'm fine now."
Instead, focus on how the loved one feels. Let him or her tell you.
Those with cancer suffer physically and spiritually. You mention God's silence as a form of spiritual suffering. They pray and don't seem to sense God. What can you do to help them?
God is sometimes silent but that doesn't mean God is absent. In my upcoming book, When God Turns off the Lights, I tell what it was like for me when God stopped communicating for about 18 months.
I didn't like it and I was angry. I didn't doubt God's existence, but I didn't understand the silence. I read Psalms and Lamentations in various translations. I prayed and I did everything I could, but nothing changed.
After a couple of months, I realized that I needed to accept the situation and wait for God to turn on the lights again. Each day I quoted Psalm 13:1: "O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?" (NLT)
I learned many invaluable lessons about myself--and I could have learned them only in the darkness. When God turns off the lights (and the sounds) I finally realized that instead of God being angry, it was God's loving way to draw me closer.
Guilt troubles many friends and loved ones of caregivers because they feel they failed or didn't do enough. What can you say to help them?
We probably fail our loved ones in some ways. No one is perfect. If you feel that kind of guilt, I suggest 3 things:
(1) Tell the loved one and ask forgiveness.
(2) Talk to God and ask God to forgive you and give you strength not to repeat your failures.
(3) Forgive yourself. And one way to do that is to say, "At the time, I thought I did the right thing. I was wrong and I forgive myself."
Do you have some final words of wisdom for those giving care to a loved one with cancer?
Be available. You can't take away the cancer but you can alleviate the sense of aloneness. Don't ever try to explain the reason the person has cancer. We don't know the reason and even if we did, would it really help the other person?
Be careful about what you say. Too often visitors and friends speak from their own discomfort and forget about the pain of the one with cancer. Don't tell them about your cancer or other disease; don't tell them horror stories about others. Above all, don't give them false words of comfort. Be natural. Be yourself. Behave as loving as you can.
SOMETHING EXTRA
Cec designed the appendix to be the most practical part of the book. He's witnessed too many situations where genuinely caring people had no idea what to do, so he has tried to givea few general guidelines.
1. Before you offer help. Learn about the disease before you visit. Determine to accept their feelings, no matter how negative. Pray for your loved one before you visit. Don't throw religious slogans at them, such as, "This is God's will" or "God knew you were strong enough to handle this."
2. What you can do now. As the first question, don't ask, "How are you?" Instead, ask, "Do you feel like talking." Don't offer advice. Be willing to sit in silence. If you need to cry, do so. Be natural. If appropriate, hug your loved one. Human touch is powerful.
3. Long-term caregiving. The overarching principle is to let the seriousness of the disease determine the amount of time and commitment you offer. This can be a time for you to help them spiritually. Think about tangible things you can do that say you care. Plan celebrations for every anniversary of being cancer free.
Ask them reflective questions such as:
· What have you discovered about yourself through this experience?
· What have you learned about relationships?
· How has your faith in God changed?
GRAND PRIZE
The blog tour participant who receives the MOST COMMENTS on this post will be able to select a Grand Prize Winner who will receive the following prize package (retail value over $300):
When Someone You Love Has Cancer 90 Minutes in Heaven (hard cover) Heaven Is Real (hard cover) Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven (hard cover) 90 Minutes in Heaven, gift edition (selections) 90 Minutes in Heaven, audio (5 CD set) Heaven Is Real, audio (6 CDs) Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story Think Big Everybody Loved Roger Harden Everybody Wanted Room 623 Everybody Called Her a Saint Committed But Flawed Immortality of Influence (hard cover) Touchdown Alexander (hard cover) Aging Is an Attitude My Parents, My Children: Spiritual Help for Caregivers
So leave a comment here! You just might be the winner!
(If you are not a homeschoolblogger, be sure to leave a blog address or e-mail address where I can contact you. FACEBOOK USERS - if you are reading this on my Facebook page, please take a moment to pop over to my blog - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/709549 and leave your comment so that it counts. Thanks!)
Firefighting burns in Aidan O'Neill's blood. The son of a fireman, O'Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O'Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.
Called back to Reno, he's now haunted by visions of hell and paralyzed in the face of fire. And at the worst time, because an arsonist is targeting Reno. With a growing love interest with one of the investigators complicating everything, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the fires creep ever closer.
Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. Through the Fire is his debut novel.
Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.
Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University as a Theology undergrad before shifting direction to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College.
Shawn currently lives in Reno, Nevada, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children and yellow Labrador.
Wow! I really enjoyed this book. Ashley picked it up yesterday afternoon and said "you're this far already, Mom?!" I snuck out to the front porch for some privacy and finished it!
Shawn Grady has a writing style that I really enjoy. Though some of the firefighter situations and terms were over-my-head, they did not hinder me from understanding the main storyline and appreciating the book. I loved the main character, Aidan; and Mr. Grady did a wonderful job of writing in Aidan's personal struggles to make them believable. The mysterious aspect of the story kept me guessing right up to the time when the "bad guy" is revealed.
I will definitely be picking up future books by Shawn Grady.
You may enjoy the following videos - the first is the book trailer for Through the Fire, the second is the news coverage of the book's release at a local (to the author) bookstore.
We've never had opportunity to participate in any of the special, backstage tours at Disney; though it's something I would certainly like to do sometime. The DISboards has a great chart with information about all the various tours you can take part in, including days, times, and prices. Be sure to check it out.
Have you taken any of these tours? If so, we'd love to hear about it.
Myles Parsons is just another inmate in Kenzie Thorn’s GED course until he kidnaps her, offering only a feeble explanation–that he’s actually FBI Special Agent Myles Borden. Terrified, Kenzie doesn’t want to believe his story of being undercover to protect her. Moreover, she can’t believe that someone might really want her dead.
But just when Myles thinks he has her out of harm’s way, his plans start to fall apart. He attempts to take Kenzie to a safe house—but the stubborn woman won’t go! So together they must uncover the clues that will reveal a most shocking perpetrator. All the while Myles tries to keep his distance from Kenzie … but finds himself falling in love.
After graduating from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations, Liz Johnson set out to work in the Christian publishing industry, which was her lifelong dream. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working as a publicist in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream-being an author. Along the way to having her novel published, she wrote articles for several magazines and worked as a freelance editorial consultant. Liz lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she enjoys theater, ice skating, volunteering in her church’s bookstore and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nephew and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn is her first novel.
I really enjoyed this little book. I've read other books in the Love Inspired series, but this may be the first one in the Suspense series that I have read. I always enjoy a good suspense book, but don't like when they get too scary. This book was right up my alley - good suspense, with a nice little romance mixed in, and not too scary to read at bedtime!
The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn will make a great addition to your summer reading list. Though I'm not too crazy about the smaller size of the Steeple Hill books, they're perfect for throwing in your purse or beach bag and taking your reading with you this summer!
I've been corresponding with Liz for some time now, as she works as a publicist for Waterbrook Multnomah - a company that I have reviewed many books for. I was excited to find out that she had gotten a book of her very own published! I'm sure it must be very exciting for Liz as well, so I've asked her if I might do a little Q&A with her, to share with my blog readers. Hi, Liz! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit with me and my readers. I really enjoyed your book – The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn – great work for a first novel!
Thanks so much for having me, Heidi! It’s a pleasure being here.
Could you tell us a bit about the path to publication?
I suppose it all started with a love of books, passion for the written word. I’ve always loved reading and writing, so I always knew I wanted to work in the Christian publishing industry. After earning a degree in public relations, I discovered that finding a job was harder than I thought it would be, so I signed up for the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course. I learned a lot about writing, and I continued playing around with stories (terribly written stories) until I was hired into the industry. And then it was a my good friend and fellow publicist Kelly Blewett who told me she couldn’t wait to read the book I had told her I wanted to write. Her accountability got me from the dreaming stage to the sitting down and really working out The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn. But finishing the manuscript turned out to be just the beginning. I was originally rejected by Steeple Hill, but persistence paid off. More than 9 months of revisions back and forth and then in July of 2008 I finally got the call that Steeple Hill was offering me a contract. A year later, and my book is on the shelves. It’s really a dream come true.
What inspires you to write?
Like most writers, I have stories that just won’t go away, characters and situations that just keep growing. My imagination is completely overactive, usually to distraction. But I think one of the things that drives me to write is a desire to use the talents that God has given me. I don’t want to be like the man in the Bible in the parable of the talents that buries his talent and has nothing to show for them. I want to have something to show for the love of writing that God has given me.
Did you base either of the main characters – Kenzie and/or Myles – on anyone you know?
Nope. Neither of the main characters are based specifically on anyone I know. But they definitely have qualities that I admire in certain friends and family members. Kenzie has a spunk and sarcasm that is something that draws me to a lot of my girlfriends. As for Myles, well, he has a lot of qualities of my brother and brother-in-law—a willingness to serve others and a genuine concern for not only those that they love but also complete strangers. I think subconsciously I gave Myles and Kenzie characteristics of all of my friends, the people that I like hanging out with, because I view reading like spending time with fictional friends.
I enjoy reading the “Questions for Discussion” section at the end of books. #5 in The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn is this: “Myles gives Kenzie a special gift for her birthday – he celebrates with her. What special gift have you received? What made it so exceptional?” Do you have a special gift story to share?
Okay, before I share my gift story, I have to confess that I wrote those questions at the back of the book in an awful hurry. My editor e-mailed me on a Friday and said she needed my “Dear Reader” letter and discussion questions by Monday. I had already planned a busy weekend, so I was sailing through those questions. My roommate and I were tossing out some of the worst possible DQs ever suggested. And then we went through and got rid of the really terrible ones. It was like a bad DQ massacre, but it sure was funny coming up with the terrible ones.
Now to my gift story … probably the most special gift to me was from my sister Hannah, and it too, was a gift of celebrating with me. It was my 25th birthday, and I had moved to Oregon from Arizona to take a job at a Christian publisher just 2 months before. Only a month after my move, my sister’s newborn son passed away. While I was able to go home to be with my family for the funeral, to spend time grieving, I had to return to Oregon too soon. By the time my birthday rolled around a month later, I’d also learned that my company had been sold, and I didn’t know if I was going to lose my job. It also meant that the budding friendships I’d started were suddenly disappearing, and I was alone. My mom and sister had both sent gifts that I planned to open on the actual day, but I had no one to celebrate with when I got home from work that night. What was so special was my sister’s phone call. She called so that I would have someone to talk to and celebrate with while I opened my presents. She set aside her grief to make my birthday special, and it meant the world to me. I’m just so thankful for her.
Like me, you are a big-time book and music lover. Can you offer one suggestion for good summer reading? Is there a certain cd you’d say is a must-have in a music library?
Just one suggestion for a good summer read? Hmm … I just finished reading The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall. It releases in August, and it is wonderful. It’s full of hope and heart and really made me think about how willing (or sometimes unwilling) I am to reach out to others with the love of God. I loved it!
As for a must-have cd, I’d recommend Brandon Heath’s What If We. For anyone who reads my blog, it’s no surprise, that I love Brandon’s music. But apparently I’m not alone. He won three Dove Awards this year and was even nominated for a couple Grammys. He’s got a smooth acoustic sound, and he’s fantastic! He has a love song on there called London that just melts my heart. But if you’re looking for something a little more rockin’—Third Day’s Revelation cd is amazing. I don’t skip a single song on it. And it’s perfect for the gym. Really keeps me going for an hour.
I read on your blog that you’re still looking for Mr. Right. I’m a hopeless romantic, with an addiction to matchmaking. What might your Mr. Right be like (just in case I come in contact with him)?
Oh, dear. It’s true. I haven’t met Mr. Right yet, even if my dad has been offering to arrange a marriage for me for the last several years. (I think he’s joking. I hope he’s joking.) But it’s great to know I’m not the only hopeless romantic out there. :) I appreciate the matchmaking offer. You’re the first interviewer to offer, so I’m thrilled to be the start of your online dating service. :)
So, what might my right guy be like? We’d definitely need to both have creative outlets—I’m a sucker for musicians and other writers. He’s got to enjoy going to live sporting events as much as I do—I’m a big fan of Air Force Academy football, minor league baseball and anything hockey. Honesty, compassion, and kindness are musts. But really all of that pales in comparison to his love for God. I just want a man who will know and follow hard after God. Everything else will fall into place.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers? I’ll pass over the mic and you can wind things up …
I’d just like to say thank you, Heidi. This has been so much fun. I hope everyone will find a copy of The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn to enjoy this summer. And you can always keep up with my writing adventures at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.
All parents want their daughters to marry godly young men. But which qualities, specifically, should they be looking for?
Voddie Baucham Jr. is the preaching pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas. Author of Family Driven Faith and The Ever-Loving Truth, Baucham is also a sought-after preacher and conference speaker. He and his wife, Bridget, live in Texas with their children. You can learn more about Voddie by visiting his website.
When I received this book for review, I immediately thought this was a book for Brian to read. Brian is not much of a reader (actually, it's not a reader at all, unless he's reading something to do with the dirt-track races or something written by Glenn Beck). So, when he told me there was a new Glenn Beck book out and that I could buy it at Amazon.com, I thought to myself "hmm...this just might work...."
(Ashley took this - one of our favorites)
(make a wish in Cinderella's fountain)
(yes, the song gets stuck in your head - but it's worth it!)
In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In 
Tricia Goyer is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including Generation NeXt Parenting and the Gold Medallion finalist Life Interrupted. Goyer writes for publications such as Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family, speaks to women’s groups nationwide and has been a presenter at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) national convention. She and her husband, John, live with their family in Montana.
(Luigi & Guido never looked so good!)
The World Health Organization reported that by the year 2010 cancer will be the number one killer worldwide. More than 12.4 million people in the world suffer from cancer. 7.6 million people are expected to die from some form of cancer. That's a lot of people, but the number of loved ones of cancer sufferers is far greater. What do they do when a special person in their life is diagnosed with this devastating disease? 
Cecil Murphey is an international speaker and bestselling author who has written more than 100 books, including the New York Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper). No stranger himself to loss and grieving, Cecil has served as a pastor and hospital chaplain for many years, and through his ministry and books he has brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world. For more information, visit http://www.themanbehindthewords.com/.
Myles Parsons is just another inmate in Kenzie Thorn’s GED course until he kidnaps her, offering only a feeble explanation–that he’s actually FBI Special Agent Myles Borden. Terrified, Kenzie doesn’t want to believe his story of being undercover to protect her. Moreover, she can’t believe that someone might really want her dead. 
After graduating from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations, Liz Johnson set out to work in the Christian publishing industry, which was her lifelong dream. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working as a publicist in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream-being an author. Along the way to having her novel published, she wrote articles for several magazines and worked as a freelance editorial consultant. Liz lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she enjoys theater, ice skating, volunteering in her church’s bookstore and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nephew and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn is her first novel.