Friday, December 5, 2014

Great Holiday Family Read - Theodora's Children

Theodora’s Children: a tale of hope
Rick Nau

November 2014
E-book
Buy on Amazon
$2.99

About the Book:
Meet Gretchen, a young girl who seems to have everything a person could ever want. She lives on a great estate, so wonderful it would make the children of kings and queens envious. But something is missing from her life, something that all the money in all the banks in all the world cannot buy, something that almost drives her to madness–as you’ll see from this snippet:

Could it be that what the counselors said about her was true? Was she delusional? Had she imagined everything that had happened thus far–the fire, the rescue, the midnight rendezvous, the terrible hovel, the faces of the children, grim and blue in the bitter cold. All these thoughts raced through her head, causing her to wonder whether everything in her life had been a nightmare, from its beginning to what would soon be its end.

Be prepared for Celebration and Despair; Loneliness and Wonder, Villains and Heroes, Palaces and Dungeons, Kings and Queens, Ice Cream and Avalanches, and Much, Much More. But most of all, be prepared for a celebration of Christmas.

My Review:
Told by a grandfather to his grandson and granddaughter, this sweet story of a lonely girl whose only wish could never come true is a lesson in coping with disappointment. When we learn the mystery of faith, we have a Father who never leaves us truly lonely.

Josh and Daph bicker as much as any siblings comfortably in front of their grandfather, Jesse, who would like to pass on life lessons to them in a challenging and memorable way. He does this through his stories, this one of Theodora’s Children, is rich with allegory and character. A girl who has everything, Gretchen, wishes for only one thing: a sibling. When she can’t have a brother, she imagines one.

Read on to learn what Gretchen does when life doesn’t go her way. She’s not spoiled or greedy, the grandfather says. Just lonely. I would say that when a child can’t learn to be content, peace is difficult to accept. In the story, Gretchen meets a mysterious girl who tells her about a woman named Theodora who finds lost children, and a Father who loves her more than anything. When the girl disappears, Gretchen risks her safety and the law of her entire realm to find her and learn about her Father. Along the way, Gretchen and her parents learn that poverty comes in many forms.


Told from Jesse’s voice to the grandchildren, parents and grandparents will delight in this story which begs for meaningful conversation. Theodora’s Children is a great read over the Christmas holiday.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

M Ann Ricks and The Shift

BANNER
Genre: Christian Fiction
Paperback: 342 pages
ISBN-10: 0991039955
ISBN-13: 978-0991039951


About The Book
book cover
There is a sense of urgency in the atmosphere as God is transitioning what the world has deemed impossible and unbelievable into the possible and the believable. Don’t be alarmed by the "sudden" moves of God. Pastor Douglass and his family have been positioned for such a move but because of the dense fog of deception that seems to surround them, some in the Douglass family have created their own beliefs, fabricating their own sense of self; negating the truth, God’s truth, even when truth is staring them in the face. They, like many, are living lives devoid of the knowledge of who they really are and robbing themselves and those they love of their true identity and freedom. Deeply embedded lies from enemy have blinded eyes, impaired hearing and hardened hearts and Angels from the army of God have been deployed. The assignment: the execution of God’s divine design. Dreams, supernatural revelation and actual attacks from man's ultimate foe will expose all and confirm God’s plan for Xion, Veronica, Zeborah, Bo and Pastor Douglas. Can they handle the truth and surrender? Will the infrastructure of unbelief crumble? The lives of the Douglass family will never be the same and neither will you, because of THE SHIFT !


About The Author
author pic

M. Ann Ricks, (Melissa Ann), is a Christian Fiction novelist residing in Bear, Delaware with her excellent husband and two awesome sons. She is a graduate of Rider University and formerly a national accounts insurance executive. Using Jesus Christ as her example, as He shared many parables, she creates stories with fictional characters that contend with real life issues and inserts the Word of God to communicate the genuine and unfailing love of God while making it abundantly clear that Jesus is the ONLY answer. M. Ann is determined to tell the world how wonderfully awesome Jesus Christ is and can be in our lives if we just allow Him to be. She is honored to be used by God to spread His message with the stories she creates with the leading of the Holy Spirit, knowing that He will provide her with stories and the insight that will lift up the name of Jesus as He promised that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Him. She is the author Awesome Wonder: The Gift of Remembrance, The Son and THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME.

An interview with the Ann:
What do you love about this book? 
I love how God shows Himself strong! Because He is more than a conqueror, WE ARE! No Demon in hell can stop our purpose or the prayers of the righteous. I love how God is so loving and so true to His word. I love how we WIN when we truly surrender and simply say YES!

Would you please introduce us to your favorite secondary character? 
There aren’t main characters or even secondary characters in THE SHIFT because each character is considered vitally important to the story. Admittedly, I did have fun with the creation of Mr. Bo Pillar, a man after God’s own heart.


What do you hope readers will tell others about the book when they’re done reading it?
It’s time for the eyes and hearts of the hurt and confused to be opened so that they can truly experience the freedom and power that being a true and unapologetic follower of Christ affords. The truth is, only GOD can define who we are and only then can we be who God has purposed us to be. God is ABLE to do it all because His blood and sacrifice guarantees it!

connect-with-the-author
website
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Buy Link
amazon

Tour Hosted by Write Now Literary
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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Love Brings Us Home, 7-Book Box Set

Love Brings Us Home
7-Book Boxed Set
only 99cents!

By Hallee Bridgeman, Valerie Comer, JoAnn Durgin, Kimberly Rae Jordan, Lynette Sowell, Staci Stallings, and Debra Ullrick

Amazon Buy Button

About the Book

Seven sweet stories celebrating love and home in one amazing, 
limited time collection!

Greater Than Rubies by Hallee Bridgeman: Antonio Viscolli asked and Robin Bartlett said "yes!" Soon, she will say "I do." Or will Boston's "Royal Wedding" leave someone standing at the altar? Raspberries and Vinegar by Valerie Comer: Josephine Shaw, a feisty environmentalist and local-food advocate, falls for Zachary Nemesek, the junk-food-loving reluctant farmer next door. Awakening by JoAnn Durgin: When Lexa Clarke tumbles from the top beam of a house and straight into the arms of TeamWork Missions Director Sam Lewis, Sam suspects his life will never be the same. Home is Where the Heart Is by Kimberly Rae Jordan: Free spirit Violet Collingsworth never expected to return home to live. But when she goes back to attend her grandmother’s funeral, she meets the sheriff and begins to reconsider. Wildfire Wedding by Lynette Sowell: During the height of Texas wildfire season, Krista and Luke prepare for their wedding while battling past guilt and future fears, when a fire breaks out, threatening the town. Cowboy by Staci Stallings: To all the world, Ashton Raines has it all: fame, money, and the adoration of millions of fans. Then one night he walks away from it all. Can down-on-her-luck waitress, Beth, let God work through her to lead Ashton back to hope and faith? Reunited at Christmas by Debra Ullrick: Shelby Davis thought she’d never again see the ex-fiancĂ© who dumped her. Then Ryker Anderson gets lost in a blizzard, and she’s on the snowmobile search and rescue team. Now what?


The Authors of "Love Brings Us Home"
Hallee
Hallee Bridgeman
Greater Than Rubies
Valerie
Valerie Comer
Raspberries & Vinegar
JoAnn
JoAnn Durgin
Awakening
Kimberly
Kimberly Rae Jordan
Home is Where the Heart Is
 
Lynette
Lynette Sowell
Wildfire Wedding
Staci Stallings New Headshot 1
Staci Stallings
Cowboy
Debra Ullrick
Debra Ullrick
Reunited at Christmas

Follow The Authors at the Links
with their pictures!
 

Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Sophie Dawson! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Stocking Stuffer Books Today from the comfort of your computer

Cyber Monday Book Special - Book Comparisons Uniquely Picked Out for Christian Readers

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I am really excited about our  
Cyber Monday Book Special.

John 3:16 Authors
have compared books and made it easy
for you to discover
Christian books similar to well-known secular books in
genre and content (but that are family-friendly).

Take a moment and click on bit.ly/LRSave 
to see our
special Christmas feature

that is unique and easy to navigate with

links to Amazon for easy purchase.

Enjoy!

Friday, November 28, 2014

New books from Splashdown with Grace Bridges

Splashdown Books

Dear friends of Splashdown,

I'm very excited to tell you about our three new releases for the season - a great way to round out our year. Telepaths, time travel and epic fantasy make awesome additions to our selection. Check out the details below and then add yourself to the draw for free books - just choose which one you'd most like to read!
Psionic healing. Psionic combat. Inside the mind, there's a landscape of glass.

Thomas McCrady, a telepathic negotiator from Haidar Station in Earth orbit, is faced with his biggest challenge yet when he is sent to broker peace with only a rookie partner to help him. Worse, she's the doctor he blames for the death of his last partner.

Calla Geisman's telepathy is not the same as a standard Haidarian's. Some people think she's a waste of space. Some people want her dead. But she's assigned to go with Thomas to Ologo anyway, and must gain his respect before she can play her part in the war's end.

258 pages / Paperback $13.98 / Ebook $3.99 
(Discounted at some retailers)



Buy Now
Amazon

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MXW2MEK/

Kindle

Barnes & Noble


Nook

Book Depository
Free shipping worldwide
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/490566?ref=splashdown

Smashwords
All ebook formats
 



Tales of a Time-Traveling Historian in the Roman Empire

In the 27th century, humanity’s greatest technological achievement is the massive, star-powered Temporal Displacement Ring: a portal to the past. Professor Robert Cragg, reeling from his own personal losses, volunteers to be the first-ever time-traveling historian, fleeing into the shadow of the Roman Empire. 

Instead of dry, dusty bygones, he encounters real people. Commoners and nobility, sailors and businessmen, zealots and legionaries, druids, gladiators and philosophers all cross his path. The past, he finds, is not dead and gone, but very much alive... alive with wonder, fear, and, perhaps, love...

274 pages / Paperback $13.98 / Ebook $3.99
(Discounted at some retailers)



Buy Now
Amazon

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1927154383/

Kindle

Barnes & Noble


Nook

Book Depository
Free shipping worldwide

Smashwords
All ebook formats


"Come. Let us go and sit somewhere comfortable, and I will tell you the story.

Orienne Seritan is a loyal Adelfian who wants nothing more than peace for her country and a life free from the darkness and violence of war. But when the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy entangles her life and the fates of those she loves with the destiny of an embittered traitor, she finds herself being dragged even deeper into the darkness.

Enemies are pouring over her nation’s borders. People she loves are dying. The cryptic prophecy offers no clues as to who will be left standing at its end...nor does it disclose the magnitude of the role that Orienne is destined to play.

376 pages / Paperback $13.98 / Ebook $3.99
(Discounted at some retailers)



Buy Now
Amazon

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1927154383/

Kindle

Smashwords
All ebook formats



(Other retailers coming soon)



Don't forget to join the Splashdown Books Fan Page and connect with authors and fellow readers. Come and hang out - and hear the news as it happens! New authors and contracts, updates from behind the scenes, progress reports on coming titles, and yes of course you'll have the chance to win stuff from time to time. We look forward to seeing you there!

This time we are running our Reader Survey there. Log in to the group above and let us know which of the new releases you would most like to read, and why. One lucky person will win a new release paperback of their choice! Second prize will be a bundle of all three ebooks, and third, fourth and fifth will receive an ebook of their choice.


Coming Up at Splashdown

Very soon now we will be preparing for our next round of new releases! These are going to be very cool indeed:

The Darby Shaw Chronicles by Liberty Speidel - Superhuman Detective Novels
Children of the Blood Moon by Sarah Grimm - Epic Fantasy

Plus new work from your favourite Splashdown authors!


News from Grace

What a year! Right after publishing 2014's first three Splashdown titles, I headed out to the Realm Makers Conference in Philadelphia to meet with the tribe. I travelled around a little, then moved house 12 days after returning home! Since then I've been working on our new releases and large amounts of translation work (my "day job" although it frequently happens at night). 

I recently completed my first translation of a novel from German into English - and you can find that here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OD935GU
Though I didn't create the story, I did write the words, and I hope you'll enjoy my style the same as ever! It's a dystopia that reminds me a little of Divergent. Check out the free sample and let me know if it reads like a translation... or not!

Work is proceeding apace on my own novel Mariah's Dream, and I think we can realistically expect a release date in the first half of 2015. I'll be sure and tell you all about it when it arrives! In the meantime, read an excerpt at Port Yonder Press - and if you're wondering why a publisher needs a publisher, just remember: Even an editor needs an editor.

I've also been dipping my toes into nonfiction and have had one piece published so far - you can read about that here: http://www.gracebridges.kiwi/nonfiction


Call for Reviewers

Do you consider yourself a supporter of Splashdown? Would you like to help us gain a broader exposure? We are always looking for reviewers to read any of our books, and post reviews on retail sites, library sites, blogs etc. You'll be provided with free ebook copies of your choice from our catalogue. If you'd like to get involved, shoot me a reply with the title of the book you're requesting, and which ebook format is best for you (Kindle, Nook, PDF). And once you've posted your first review, you may request another book! 

To check out our full listings, go to http://www.splashdownbooks.com/bookshop - and click on the covers for details and summaries of each book.


Thanks for reading! Come on over to the Fan Group and tell us what you'd most like to read - you've got great odds of winning a book! See you there :)

Grace Bridges

~~~


Saturday, November 22, 2014

Book Ideas

     A Special Deal for all Readers

Below is a wide selection of John 3:16 books to help you with your Christmas shopping.BEll.jpg
 
We have compared books that you may not have discovered
with more well-known books that have a similar style or flavor.
 
Enjoy perusing these 40 plus books which are linked to Amazon for easy purchase.
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And don’t forget,
Jesus is the reason for the season.
 
Merry Christmas! Christmas.9.gif
 
Be sociable – please share.
Nonfiction
If you were helped by “The Highly Sensitive Person” by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D….
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You will be helped even more by “The Mystery of Spiritual Sensitivity” by Carol A. Brown because of its Christian Perspective.
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Fiction
If you liked “The Lake of Dreams” by Kim Edwards…
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You will love “Crooked Lines” by Holly Michael.
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Memoir
If you liked “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom…
 
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You will love “Children of Dreams” by Lorilyn Roberts.
 
 

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Fiction
If you liked “Finding Rebecca” by Eoin Dempsey…

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You will love award-winning “The King, A Young Adult Fantasy” by Lorilyn Roberts, with its faith-based overtones.

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Creative Nonfiction
If you liked “Two From Galilee: The Story of Mary and Joseph” by  Marjorie Holmes…
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You will love “Come to Me” by Laura J. Davis.
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Fiction
If you liked “The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks…
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You will love “Meander Scar” by Lisa Lickel.
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Fiction
If you liked “True Believer” by Nicholas Sparks…
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You will love “Healing Grace” by Lisa Lickel.
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Fiction
If you liked “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkien…The_Hobbitt.jpeg
You will love “Prisoner of Reign” by Emma Right.
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Children – Fiction
If you liked “Frozen” by Random House Disney…
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You will love the “Princess Castle Adventure Mystery Series” by Emma Right.
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Fiction
If you liked “Redeeming Love” by Francene Rivers…
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You will love “The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman” by Carole Brown.
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Fiction
If you liked “Beguiled” by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand…
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You will love “With Music in Their Hearts” by Carole Brown.
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Nonfiction
If you liked “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman…
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Then you will love “How to Restore Your Marriage and Fall in Love Again” by Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC.
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Nonfiction
If you liked “The Prayer That Changes Everything” by Stormie O. Martin…
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Then you will love “God Restores” by Violet James, MSN.
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Nonfiction
If you liked “Prayer” by Charles F. Stanley…
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You will love  “Feed Your Spirit – A Collection of Devotionals on Prayer” by Kimberley Payne.
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Nonfiction
If you liked “Reshaping It All” by Candace Cameron Bure…
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You will love “Women of Strength” by Kimberley Payne.
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Nonfiction
If you liked “Healing Path” by Dan Allender…
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You will love “From the Other Side of the Couch” by Judy Lair, LPCC.
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Nonfiction
If you liked “Rees Howells Intercessor” by Norman Grubb…
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You will love “One Lamb Redeemed” by Shoshana Goldberg.
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Fiction
If you liked “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell…
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Check out a great Christian equivalent that’s receiving rave reviews, “Summer’s Winter,” by Robin Johns Grant.
To learn more or to purchase, click here.

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Fiction
If you liked “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte…
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You will enjoy “Gatehaven” by Molly Bull with its Christian influence.
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Fiction
If you liked “If I Stay” by Gayle Forman…
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You will love “Spiralling Out of Control” by Michelle Dennis Evans.
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Fiction
If you liked “Anna and the French Kiss” by Stephanie Perkins…
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Don’t miss “Spiralling Out of the Shadow” by Michelle Dennis Evans.
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Fiction
If you liked “Mind’s Eye” by Douglas E. Richards…

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Then you will love “Wake the Dead” by Victoria Buck.
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Nonfiction
If you liked “The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke” by Suze Orman…
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Check out this Christian alternative, “Financial Empowerment, Realign Your Finances to God’s Will” by Pamela Carmichael.
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Fiction – Children
If you like “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis…
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You will love the award-winning book, “The King of the Trees,” by William D. Burt.
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Fiction – Children
If you liked “The Berenstain Bears’ God Made You Special” by Jan and Stan Berenstain…
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You will love “Tadeo Turtle” by Janis Cox.
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Fiction
If you liked “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford…
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You will love “Under the Silk Hibiscus” by Alice Wisler.Click here to order or learn more.
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FictionIf you liked “Truth Stained Lies” by Terri Blackstock…
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You should check out “Shadow Stalker” by Barbara Ann Derksen.Click here to learn more or purchase.
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NonfictionIf you liked “Experiencing God” by Richard and Henry Blackaby…
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You will love “Do You Know the Names of God?” by Paul Muinde.
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FictionIf you liked “She’s in a Better Place” by Angela Hunt…
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You will love  “Lake Surrender” by Carol Grace Stratton.
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FictionIf you liked “Unlucky 13″ by James Patterson…
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You will love “Essence of Evil” by Barbara Ann Derksen.Click here to learn more or to purchase. 
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NonfictionIf you liked “Your Best Life Now” by Joel Osteen…
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You will love “When Will My Life Not Suck” by Ramon Presson.Click here to learn more or to purchase. 
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Fiction
If you liked “The Shack” by William P. Young…
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You will love “The Invitation” by Jim Edwards.Click here to learn more or to purchase.
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FictionIf you liked “Like Dandelion Dust” by Karen Kingsbury…
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You will love “The Grace Assignment” by Terri Nighswonger.
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Fiction
If you liked “Bourne Identity” by Robert Ludlum…
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You will love “Brother Half Angel” by Martin RothClick here to learn more or purchase. 
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FictionIf you liked “Batman” by Frank Miller…
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You will love “The Good Fight” by Matthew R. Horn.
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FictionIf you liked “Watchmen” by Alan Moore…
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You will love “Nothing Good is Free” by Matthew R. Horn.Click here to learn more or to purchase.
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Fiction – ChildrenIf you liked “God Gave us Christmas” by Lisa Tawn Bergren…
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You will love “Santa’s Birthday Gift” by Sherrill S. CannonClick here to purchase or learn more.
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Fiction If you liked “Split Infinity” by Piers Anthony…
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You will love “Seventh Dimension – The Door” by Lorilyn RobertsClick here to purchase or learn more 
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NonfictionIf you liked “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young…
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You will love “Journaling with Jesus” by Carol Round.Click here to learn more or to purchase. 
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Nonfictionif you liked “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle…
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You will love “Prayer Never Fails” by Berney K. Dorton.

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FictionIf you liked “Indelible” by Karin Slaughter…
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You will love “One Smoothe Stone” by Marcia Laycock.Click here to purchase or learn more. 
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Read more at http://lorilynroberts.com/christmas.html#zg0d6I23mclXhQR0.99