Books, books, and more books!

Yes, yes, you've probably already seen this... that I've joined a group of other Indie Authors to offer you some great sales for books...this is the last time I'll post about it on my blog, promise. ;)

There are pages and pages of books to look through over at Indie Christian Books. Because of a mental glitch (yeah, it was mental, not something I can blame on technology), I wasn't able to offer my short stories for free like I had hoped, but there are many other authors who have their eBooks either free or discounted (some of which I'm looking forward to reading!).

Like the image above shows, all of my paperback novellas are on sale! Here are direct links:
Journey to Love: http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/shophistorical/journey-to-love-by-amanda-tero
Befriending the Beast: http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/shopspeculative/befriending-the-beast-by-amanda-tero
The Secret Slipper: http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/shopspeculative/befriending-the-beast-by-amanda-tero-s2l84
Tales of Faith set: http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/package-deals/tales-of-faith-series-books-1-2

If you know a reader, feel free to send them this way. I'm just sending links to my own books, but there are many other authors whose work is worth checking out! Better be quick, though! The sale doesn't last much longer!

For Fun:

I always have books on my Christmas list.
Here are a few I'd love to get in paperback form this year:
Elizabeth George Bible Studies
Ancient Words series by A.M. Heath
Suit and Suitability by Kelsey Bryant
A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna White
Research Books (I'm still figuring out my list here)

I tend to ask for paperbacks of books that I've already read (or, in Roseanna White's case, to complete a series that I've begun yet haven't finished). What about you? Do you ask for many books for Christmas? If so, do you like to get books you've never read, or books that you've read before, yet don't own for your shelves? What are a few of the books on your list?
 
I'd love to hear from you!

Scripture Graphics #67

In our political arena, too much of this goes on. Yet, it is also seen in the Christian realm. Relationships are too precious—so we justify the wicked and say, “Maybe it’s not sin” on the one hand, when on the other hand, if someone stands up to declare Biblical righteousness, we try to shut him up. Do we, in a society like this, truly stand on God’s Word?

Whatever we fear most dictates our choices. As a child, we obey because we fear our parents’ discipline or we disobey because we don’t fear it. As adults, “fear of people’ will prevent us from talking to someone. Fear of an accident will lead us to buy vehicle insurance. The question is: do we fear God? The answer is proven by our life, what we do or fail to do. If we fear God, we will not be led away from Him by the persuasion of others (vs. 19).

Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. (Isaiah 10:15-16)

We forget that we are just human—we cannot really control our lives and circumstances, and we cannot be rulers of our health and mortality. And in forgetting that, we also forget just how powerful our God is.

Share a verse that stood out to you recently.

Paperback Sale!

There was a glitch in my brain when I schedule the Black Friday sale, so unfortunately, none of my eBooks are free. :/

HOWEVER, I still do have a sale on my paperbacks! You can find them: http://www.indiechristianbooks.com

Look under Historical and Speculative.

OR contact me directly with your order.

Review, Giveaway, Book Sale, and more!

It's Black Friday Book Sale!!!!!!

And First Line Friday.

And giveaway time.

Yeah, a lot of great things! I'm gonna try to keep this post short. ;) Because after this, you'll have a lot of reading to do. I guarantee it!

I'm joining a whole group of Indie Christian Authors for a huge book sale! From November 24-30, a huge selection of discounted books is available at indiechristianbooks.com. You can also join the Indie Christian Authors for a week long Facebook party during the same dates.

As an added bonus, enter the giveaway and see what books you can win from Christian Indie Authors!

Specially for this weekend, I read and reviewed on of the Indie Author's books: Resistance by Jaye L. Knight. Here's the first line.

Okay, so maybe the first paragraph. It was too good to not include it all! ;)
Going to add this to the First Line Fridays group (which, if you've not heard of them and are a book blogger, the doors are open for anyone to tag along!)

This week, what Indie books do you like? 
What first Friday line do you have?
Or... what are you reading this weekend?

My Review

I have been eyeing this book for a couple of years now. If I judge it primarily for storyline, wow! But there is a hint too much fantasy for me. The whole half-human/half animal (half-Ryric)… if it were just a race mixture, it wouldn’t have been an issue, but it was emphasized that Ryrics are animals, not humans (even though they look human), which then brings the question about whether or not they have a soul—or if a half Ryric/human has a soul, since they do have some of the human race in them. Because this ventures a bit from Biblical principles, I found it disturbing. I did go into this book aware of this, though I did not fully know the extent of it. So, up front, this would be the one main qualm I have about this series.

Now, that’s over with. I liked the book as a medieval-type fantasy era. There was no magic in it, and it wasn’t a defined era (given the fantasy description). Because of that, I could shrug off some of the modern phraseology that I wouldn’t usually like in medieval fiction.

This was very well thought-out. I really did like all of the characters. There were tons of characters, but because of their uniqueness (between names and personalities), I didn’t find them confusing at all.

The storyline was great. It took me a while to get into the story, but once things got rolling, I enjoyed it. Some things were predictable, and it took a little while to figure out exactly what the plot of the book was, but overall, I ended it with really enjoying it.

Biblically speaking… this is where it’s difficult with fantasy. Because God is renamed as “the King” or “Elom,” it’s a little different (which, leads to the point that there isn’t a mention of Jesus Christ or the Gospel). There is no Scripture mentioned in this book (I understand that a future book in this series may cover that), just a lot of praying and following the King, doing Elom’s will, being placed in situations for Elom’s purposes. At the same time, there seemed to be just a general understanding of Biblical principles, but nothing really preached as “this is the way, the truth.” I realize, this is book one, so it may just be being established.

Romance was also very light. There is what I’d say friendship bonding and attraction between a few of the characters, but really nothing much. There are some scenes with heroic actions, but feelings aren’t exactly mentioned.

Because of the violence, a lot of sword-fighting, executions, tortures, and gruesome, evil plans mentioned, this would be better suited for older readers.

*I received this book from the author and happily provided my honest review* 

Music Sale for Black Friday!

First ever physical sale at With a Joyful Noise!! I have been behind in promoting new releases, so there are a couple of books out that I've not announced yet on the site or social media. But, these are included in the sale! You can get the books for 20% off, CDs for 10% off.


Purchase the books here. Purchase the CDs here.

Therefore... give thanks.

Our family has adopted a memo for this year: “This has been THE year.” It seems like life has thrown so very much our way—a lot of hard things, difficult choices, sad days...yet also joy and blessings. On a day like Thanksgiving, we all think, “What can we be thankful for?” Today, I decided to do a quick Bible study about why we should “Give thanks.” I didn’t get past the first verse: “Therefor I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy Name.” (2 Samuel 22:50) Of course, I had to see what the “therefore” was there for. For what cause was David giving thanks? Hang on, because this “quick study” took a little time as I read through the chapter and listed out reasons that we ALL can be thankful to God.

- He is my rock, fortress, and deliverer (vs. 2)
- The Lord is my shield, my salvation, my high tower, my refuge, my Savior (vs. 3)
- The Lord hears me in my distress (vs. 7) and moves on my behalf (vs. 8)
- He sends from above, and draws me out of many waters (vs. 7)
- He delivers me from my strong enemy, and that which is too strong for me (vs. 18)
- He is my stay/support (vs. 19)
- He delivers me and delights in me (vs. 20)
- He rewards and recompenses (vs. 21)
- He shows us mercy and uprightness and purity (vs. 26-27)
- He is my light in darkness (vs. 29)
- By Him, we leap over a wall (vs. 30)
- His way is perfect, His Word is tried (vs. 31)
- He is a buckler to all who trust in Him (vs. 31)
- He is God, our rock (vs. 32)
- He is my strength and power; He makes my way perfect (vs. 33)
- He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, sets me on high places (vs. 34)
- He teaches my hands and gives me strength (vs. 35)
- He has given me His shield of salvation (vs. 36)
- His gentleness has makes me great (vs. 36)
- He enlarged His steps so we wouldn’t slip (vs. 37)
- He gives us power over the enemy (vs. 38)
- He gives us strength for battle (vs. 40)
- He delivers us from the striving of people (vs. 44)
- The Lord lives, He is the rock of our salvation (vs. 47)
- He avenges for us (vs. 48)
- He brings us forth and delivers us (vs. 49)
- He is our tower of salvation and shows us mercy (vs. 51)

THEREFORE we can give thanks go Him.

On days like Thanksgiving, we often face things that have been hard for us in the year, and struggle to be thankful around them. Only God knows what each of us are going through, but if you’re struggling to focus your eyes on your blessings, why not take a look into God’s Word and see why we CAN be thankful?

Scripture Graphics #66

Part of glorifying God in our everyday life and responsibilities is to do it with an attitude of gratitude. It doesn’t matter what the task is, if we are doing it with murmurings and disputing, we are not glorifying God (Philippians 2:14-15).

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8)

The believers of Thessalonica are an example to us—they received the Word when it was no easy to be a Christian, and they did it with joy. Their faith was a thunderous faith, heard of across the miles. And here we are, struggling to make simple choices between our flesh and spirit when our lives are not in danger, ashamed to quote a Bible verse when the majority may frown (but they’re not about to stone us).

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

Love and holiness go hand in hand—we cannot truly love unless we are holy, and we cannot be holy without love. For both of these, we must have the help of the Holy Spirit—we cannot do it on our own.

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (1 Thessalonians 4:9-11)

To love (sincerely), be quiet (not meddlesome), mind our own business, and work (toil, as occupation) are all ways in which we can live honestly among the world and be profitable: “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.“ (1 Thessalonians 4:12). How are we living in this world? Does our lifetstyle reflect that we are children of God?

These verses all reflect the practical side of Christianity. What is a verse you'd add to this collection on how to live out the Christian life?

Christmas Comes Early | First Line Friday

 

Christmas time is here! Okay, so not quite yet. It's still over a month away, but that doesn't mean we can't start celebrating early, right? So today, we're celebrating the release of not one, not four, but eight new Christmas books! All written by Rebekah A. Morris. I'll be spotlighting two of her books today and you can find out more about the others as you follow the tour. Before I do so, though, Rebekah has shared the first lines from ALL eight of her stories!

Add to Goodreads

Add to Goodreads

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Add to Goodreads

Add to Goodreads

Add to Goodreads

Add to Goodreads

Add to Goodreads

To read some other great first lines, I'm participating with Hoarding Book's First Line Fridays! Hop over for other great lines!

About the Books

Klara Ivanski arrives from the Old Country with her Papa, Mama and ten brothers and sisters. “All vill be vell,” Papa assures them, but Mama and several of her brothers and sisters must remain at their aunt and uncle’s because of sickness. With barely enough money for food, Klara is quick to assure her papa that they only need Mama and the other to make Christmas special. But will the family be together for their first Christmas in America?

When Desirae Richey agrees to go home with some college friends for Christmas, she expects a small family gathering. Instead she is taken to the Christmas Lodge in the snowy mountains of Canada to a noisy, fun loving, adventurous group of family and friends who welcome her as one of their own. Everything seems to be going as planned until an unexpected snowfall occurs.

About the Author

Rebekah A. Morris is a homeschool graduate, an enthusiastic freelance author and a passionate writing teacher. Her books include, among others, Home Fires of the Great War, The Unexpected Request, Gift from the Storm, and her bestselling Triple Creek Ranch series. Some of her favorite pastimes, when she isn't’ writing, include reading and coming up with dramatic and original things to do. The Show-Me state is where she calls home.

Tour Schedule

November 13

Bookish Orchestrations – Introductory Post

Read Another Page – Book Spotlight from the author

Kaylee's Kind of Writes – Book Spotlight

Resting Life – Review and Excerpt

Perry Elisabeth – Excerpt

Rachel Rossano's Words – Book Spotlight and Excerpt

November 14

Read Another Page – Book Spotlight from the author

Odelia's Blog – Author Interview and Book spotlight

Bryce’s Creative Writing Corner – Author Interview, Review, and Excerpt

Counting Your Blessings One by One – Review and Excerpt

Perpetual Indie Perspective – Book Spotlight

November 15

Read Another Page – Book Spotlight from the author

Whimsical Writings for His Glory – Author, Review, and Excerpt

Maidens for Modesty – Author Interview and Review

The Destiny of One – Book Spotlight

Rebekah Ashleigh – Book Spotlight

Once Upon an Ordinary – Review

Stephany's BLOG Snippets – Book Spotlight and Excerpt

November 16

Read Another Page – Book Spotlight from the author

Laurel's Leaves – Author Interview

Stories by Firefly – Review

Claire Banschbach – Author Interview

Kelsey's Notebook – Review and Excerpt

Jaye L. Knight – Book Spotlight and Excerpt

November 17

Read Another Page – Book Spotlight from the author

Ruffles and Grace – Book Spotlight

With a Joyful Noise – Book Spotlight

Ordinary Girl Extraordinary Father – Review  

Bookish Orchestrations – Closing Post

Scripture Graphics #65

If wisdom is so silent, are we seeking it (Proverbs 18:1)? Or do our ears tune into the frequency of who’s loudest, who’s speaking most, who’s most convincing?

If our eyes are on the circumstances around us, it will keep us from doing. How often do we reason out following God with “wind and clouds?”

If our thankfulness is weak, these are good verses to review and mediate on. We are redeemed, promised an inheritance, forgiven—all because of Jesus Christ!

There was nothing secret about Jesus’ death and resurrection. He openly triumphed. So it makes absolutely no sense to be a “secret Christian” or try to hide our identity as a Christian.

What are you thankful for today?

Vintage Jane Austen Tour | First Line Fridays, Review, Giveaway

How many of you are Jane Austen fans? I was raised with aunts who adored Jane Austen, so I've watched the movies since I was little--then, as I got older, read some of the books. Well, today, I'm excited to be a part of a Vintage Jane Austen tour! 

I have gotten to read three of these books and they have been great fun. Today, I'm sharing the first lines from three of these books...but keep reading! There's more to this post than just First Line Friday!

See my review HERE

See my review HERE

See my review HERE

Now that you've read some first lines, hop over to Hoarding Books to read more (after, that is, you read the lovely information of this unique series ;) )!

Have you read any retellings of anything? What is your favorite retelling?

My Review of Suit and Suitability

(Since I had to choose one or else this post would be a mile long!)

Out of all of the Jane Austen’s I have read and watched, Sense and Sensibility was my least favorite. I could get through the movies, but the book I just couldn’t finish. There was nothing substantial in it. It was all frivolous, worldly matters. At the same time, I really did like the storyline and I could imagine it retold in a way where Eleanor was the strong, godly sister, and Marianne the flighty dreamer, pulled to the lures of the world. This doesn’t happen often, but Suit and Suitability met my expectations—and I had high expectations going in. Wow. Ellen was SUCH a great, godly character—yet real-life and human. Marion. Oh, Marion. I have a sister of her personality so could completely sympathize with Ellen’s fears.

For a retelling, I really liked this. It was a fresh approach to an old story—not merely changing names, faces, places, and time. There were some things that took place in Suit and Suitability which are original. For me, that’s important in a retelling. If I want the original, I’ll read the original. If I want a retelling, I want the familiarity of the original, but I want to be surprised. This suited it completely.

Calvin Bradley had to be my utmost favorite character. He was solid, likeable, and godly—yet again, still human. I love it that the characters were human.

The setting was marvelous. I actually felt like I had stepped back in time with all of the phraseology and descriptions. Very well done.

There was definitely a God-centered theme throughout this book. It wasn’t as strong as some Christian books I’ve read (as in, it didn’t particularly challenge me in my personal walk, but that could just be because I’ve learned many of the lessons that Ellen and Marion learned throughout the story), yet the story would have been very weak without it.

Yes, there was romance. There is Marion’s infatuation with Wilkie, which I think was handled very well—in a way that will cause girls to think about their actions and daydreams. Ellen constantly guarded her heart and gave her romantic life over to God. I really appreciated that. I consider this to be a very clean romance and would allow my younger teen sisters to read it.

In conclusion, this book left me wanting to re-read it. Definitely a 4.75 star rating in my book.

*I received this book from the author and happily provided my honest review*

What would it be like to see Elizabeth Bennet in 1930’s clothes? What if Emma Woodhouse was the daughter of a car dealership owner? What if Marianne Dashwood was seeking to become a movie star in the golden age of film? The Vintage Jane Austen series explores the world of Jane Austen, set in 1930’s America. Five authors took on Jane Austen’s five most popular novels and retold them set in the depression era, remaining faithful to the original plots. As an extra bonus to the series, there is a collection of short stories that were inspired by Jane Austen. Which of these books do you most want to read?

Giveaway!

As part of this special blogging event, we are giving away a $25 Amazon gift Card.

Enter to win below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Series

Emmeline by Sarah Holman (Emma): The talk of stock market crashes and depression isn’t going to keep Emmeline Wellington down. Born to wealth and privilege, Emmeline wants nothing more than to help her new friend, Catarina, find a husband. Emmeline sets her sights on one of the town’s most eligible bachelors, but nothing seems to go right. Even her friend and neighbor Fredrick Knight seems to question her at every turn.

Suit and Suitability by Kelsey Bryant (Sense and Sensibility): Canton, Ohio, 1935. Ellen and Marion Dashiell’s world crumbles when their father is sent to prison. Forced to relocate to a small town, what is left of their family faces a new reality where survival overshadows dreams. Sensible Ellen, struggling to hold the family together, is parted from the man she’s just learning to love, while headstrong Marion fears she will never be the actress she aspires to be. When a dashing hero enters the scene, things only grow more complicated. But could a third man hold the key to the restoration and happiness of the Dashiell family?

Bellevere House by Sarah Scheele (Mansfield Park): It's March, 1937 and Faye Powell couldn't be happier. After moving to live with her uncle, a wealthy banker, she's fallen into the swing of life with his exuberant children--including Ed. The one she'll never admit she's in love with. But she hadn't reckoned on the swanky Carters getting mixed up in that vow. Ed seems to be falling for charming, sweet Helene Carter. And when Faye's cousin BeBe trusts her with a secret about Horace Carter, Faye is in over her head. Will she betray the confidence BeBe's given her? Will she lose Ed to Helene? The days at Bellevere House are crowded with surprises and only time will tell how God plans to unravel Faye and Ed's hearts.

Perception by Emily Benedict (Persuasion): Upstate New York, 1930. Thirteen years ago, Abbey Evans was persuaded to break off her engagement to a penniless soldier headed to the front lines of the Great War. A daughter of one of America’s wealthiest families could never be allowed to marry so far beneath herself. But Black Tuesday changed everything. With her family's prominence now little more than a facade, Abbey faces the loss of her childhood home. As if that weren’t enough, the only man she ever loved has returned after making his fortune – and he wants nothing to do with the young woman he courted before the war. With the past forever out of reach, the time has come for Abbey decide her own fate, before it is too late…

Presumption and Partiality by Rebekah Jones (Pride and Prejudice): Coming soon…A retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice… set in 1930s Arizona.

Second Impressions: Jane Austen's stories have inspired writers for generations...in this collection they inspire fiction across the genres! From the English Regency to the American 1950s, in Houston or a space freighter, fairytale land or a retirement center...Austen's timeless characters come to life again.

Visit these blogs during this week to find interviews, book reviews, and much more!

November 5

Review of Emmeline - Once Upon the Ordinary

Review of Bellevere House - Kaylee's Kind Of Writes

Series Spotlight - A Real Writer’s Life

Interview with Kelsey Bryant - Resting Life

Series Spotlight - Kelsey’s Notebook

November 6

Interview with Sarah Holman - J. Grace Pennington

Review of Emmeline - Kaylee's Kind Of Writes

Mini-Reviews and interview with Sarah Scheele - Deborah O’Carroll

Interview with Rebekah Jones - Livy Lynn Blog

Review Suit and Suitability - Resting Life

November 7

Interview with Kelsey Bryant - J. Grace Pennington

Review of Perception - Kaylee's Kind Of Writes

Review and Interview of Perception - Purely by Faith Reviews

Review of Second Impressions - The Page Dreamer

Series Spotlight - Finding the True Fairytale

November 8

Interview and Review Suit and Suitability - Once Upon the Ordinary

Review of Suit and Suitability - Kaylee's Kind Of Writes

Review of Perception - A Brighter Destiny

November 9

Series Spotlight - God’s Peculiar Treasure

Review of Second Impressions and Suit and Suitability - Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Father

Interview with Rebekah Jones - Kaylee's Kind Of Writes

Series Spotlight – Christian Bookshelf Reviews

November 10

Review of Suit and Suitability - With a Joyful Noise

Series Spotlight - Liv K. Fisher

Review of Second Impressions- Kaylee's Kind Of Writes

Review of Perception - She Hearts Fiction

Interview with Sarah Holman – Rebekah Ashleigh

November 11

Series Spotlight - Reveries Reviews

Review of Suit and Suitability - Faith Blum

Interview with Sarah Holman - Kaylee's Kind Of Writes

Interview with Hannah Scheele - Peculiar on Purpose

Review of Bellevere House - Seasons of Humility