New Release Coming in June!

A blind woman seeks refuge at Camp Hope only to encounter the man who took her sight.

On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains. Unbeknown to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.

From the moment Loni Parker steps onto the camp ground, Michael knows who she is, and he doesn’t want anything to do with her. Yet, in spite of his guilt that drives him to push Loni away, he can’t deny his growing attraction to the determined woman. After all, she reminds him of himself. Beyond that, she seems to see more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present. 

Coming in June, just in time for vacation! Add this one to your summer reading list!

The Power of Hospitality

Once in a while you read a book you consider worth passing along. The Power of Hospitality is one of those books. In a culture that has largely forgotten the art form of hosting, we need more instruction like this book provides. Not only that, for the Christian, hospitality is a graceful action noted by the apostle Paul as significant (see Romans, chapter 12). Hospitality may even be the key to an unbeliever's heart.

THE POWER OF HOSPITALITY: An Open Heart, Open Hand, and Open Home will Change Your World

By Chuck & Kathie Crismier

Elijah Books, 2005

220 pages

$15.99

According to William Hendricks, author of Exit Interviews, “53,000 people per week are leaving through the ‘back door’ of America’s churches.” One of the reasons given by attendees is that church does not offer true community.

Chuck and Kathie Crismier offer the biblical solution for this dilemma. Broken into two parts: 1) the heart and power of hospitality and 2) the art and practice of hospitality, the book lends excellent support for the believer’s call to hospitality.

In a nutshell, the Crismiers contend that “your heart, hand, and home are God’s ordained access points for His Holy Spirit to reach locked hearts” (214). They stress the importance of hospitality beginning with leaders and extending to the laity with scriptures such as Titus 1:7-9 and 1 Peter 4:9 and the lives of biblical characters.

The Crismiers teach that hospitality is not a gift, it is a given for every child of God.  Hospitality is both a prerequisite for revival in America and a result of revival. Statistics reveal that 70% of all people come to Christ through personal relationships. Hospitality can cut through racial, family, societal, and denominational barriers.

In addition to theory, the Crismiers offer practical suggestions on how to implement hospitality. Phone calls, cards, home dinners, games, and providing a room or transportation are just a few of the forms hospitality can take. The important thing is to sit down with your family and set some goals, then follow through. Blessings come when believers practice hospitality.

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Hospitality-Change-Through-Divine/dp/0971842825/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352933241&sr=1-1&keywords=the+power+of+hospitality 

MISTAKEN IDENTITY by K. Dawn Byrd on the Edgy Christian Writers blog tour, Monday, August 1

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Mistaken Identity, her first young adult romance released on June 15 from Desert Breeze Publishing. Queen of Hearts, a WWII romantic suspense released in April 2010 and was the bestselling book for her publisher during its debut month. Killing Time, a contemporary romantic suspense, released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.


K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.


When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.





Book Blurb for Mistaken Identity
Eden Morgan longs for a boyfriend of her own, an impossible goal when her best friend, Lexi Branson, gets all the attention and all the guys. When they fall in love with the same guy, Eden believes she doesn't have a chance. She can only hope that sometimes the good girl gets the guy.

The Passion Behind the Story:
I admire Christian teenagers who take a stand for God so much. Life isn't easy for them in today's world. The idea for Mistaken Identity novel came to me when I wondered what would happen if a Christian girl and her non-Christian best friend fell in love with the same guy. To sweeten the plot, the best friend is a "wild child" who is popular with the guys if you know what I mean. Who will win the guy? My Christian good girl or the gorgeous best friend?

This book is dedicated to Christian young women who strive to live for Christ and wonder at times if it's worth it all. Temptation seems to come from all sides and sometimes it's hard to make the right decision. May God bless you richly as you carry on...

Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWeGQ6Ueu4
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-178/K-Dawn-Byrd-Mistaken/Detail.bok
www.kdawnbyrd.com
www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Chosen Ones, latest release in the Born for India trilogy, Take all three books to the beach this summer!

RESTORED HEARTS, your next summer read?

FOR BOOK CLUBS

If you’ve read JOURNEY TO JUDAH or RESTORED HEARTS, you know that the romance, adventure, and intrigue don’t have to stop when you’ve finished the last page and closed the book.

You can get together with your friends and use the Discussion Questions at the end of the books to generate thought-provoking conversation for quite some time.

JOURNEY TO JUDAH questions include:

•In what ways might Maggie’s journey be similar to the journey of Ruth in the Bible? In what ways are they different?

Journal where you are in your journey. What is God doing in your life? How does that make you feel? Are you willing to do whatever He asks you to do?

•When faced with a broken engagement, Gavin plunged into depression. What steps did Dr. Hauser suggest to help him regain emotional equilibrium?

•Read Psalm 37. List some of the things you can do when you don’t understand what God is doing in your life.

•Read Philippians 4. Describe God’s path to peace and contentment.

*And many more!

RESTORED HEARTS questions include:

•During one counseling session with Tim, Dr. Hauser says, “If you want to know what God thinks of you, look at the cross.” How did this statement help Tim? How might it help you?

•The word restore in 1 Peter 5:10 is the same word used to signify a bone that must be reset in order to heal stronger. How does Esha try to convey this message to Gavin ? Are her words effective immediately—or much later? Why do you think this is? How might remembering Esha’s words help you in your own life now, and in the future?

•During a counseling session, Dr. Hauser discusses the role of sex in marriage. He alludes to such Scriptures as Genesis 2:22-24 and Ephesians 5:31-33. Take a look at the headlines today re: approval of homosexual marriages in some of the states. Why do you think Satan is working overtime to destroy the marriage union between one man and one woman for a lifetime?

•At one point in the story, Dr. Hauser tells Tim, “Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

•What role do you think Dad’s letter might play in Tim’s and Gavin’s healing? How has it already influenced Tim’s thinking? If you could change anything about your own childhood, what would that be?

•The name Esha means “desire or wish” in Sanskrit. She longed for Tim, yet she demonstrated an even greater longing. What do you think that was? What are the current desires of your heart?

•And many more!

With questions included in each book, why not host a BOOK CLUB?

I’d love to come and share the story behind the story and answer reader questions! Contact me at eileenrife@yahoo.com.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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