Rugged Roads by Anna Jensen… is a pure delight to read. It is based on the author’s travels on sometimes extremely rugged roads into various exotic places in southern Africa. The book covers seven journeys, divided into fourteen days of devotional readings. Prose alternates with poetry to give an absorbing reading experience. Keep Reading!
Question of the Week
The question to answer in the Welcome To My World challenge for this week is:
“What is your favourite type of scenery?”I have to toss up between mountains and the sea. I have never grown tired of the journey into Cape Town from my home in Port Elizabeth. Within a few miles of P.E., the drive along the high-speed national road, (the N2) takes you past incredible mountain scenery. As you draw closer to the mother city, the mountains of the Western Cape tower on either side, the peaks often snow-covered for some time even after winter. They never cease to take my breath away. How mighty and wonderful is our God.
But then I have a passion for the sea. Not in it. Or on it. But looking at it. Looking over it. Wondering what is over there, on the other side. I love how, here in P.E., the mighty waves may crash on the shore, often leaving the beach denuded of sand. Then, a few weeks later, the tide seems to repent and returns the sand to cover the pebbles once more. Where does the sand go in the meantime? If I were a children’s writer, that’s a book I’d like to tackle.
The sea fascinates me with its ability to change from a tranquil massive body of water, gently lapping onto soft white sand, to a raging, angry, grey scene threatening all onlookers to keep their distance.
And that brings me to the topic of today’s blog.
Don and Katie Fortune have updated their bestselling handbook Discover Your God-Given Gifts, The books has been fully revised and expanded for a whole new generation.
Using the listing in Romans 12:6-8, the Fortunes help readers see how these “motivational” gifts are the driving force in our lives. They shape our personalities and help us serve God and others more fully.
With interactive worksheets and guides, Don and Katie help readers recognize their own unique gifts and why they act and think the way they do. With this knowledge, readers will be empowered to use their motivational gifts to further the kingdom–bringing the greatest sense of joy and fulfillment they have ever known.
This was the first time I had read any of this series. As a South African, I do not normally jump at military or politically-motivated stories as they don’t necessarily tie in with experiences in my own country. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this incredibly gripping and baffling story produced by Susan May Waren. It is her final (third) adventure in the Global Search and Rescue Book series. read more
I love Irene Hannon’s books. Point of Danger, the first of her Triple Threat series, was no exception.
Point of Danger Story
Who is Marion Ueckermann?Not only is Marion the author of A Time to Laugh, she is a personal friend, and is quite the most prolific writer I know. I have totally lost track of how many books she has written, or how many stunning book covers she has designed, both for her own books and for other authors.
So why am I writing about her today? Because we have an exciting adventure coming up in a few months, and she is helping me head it up. As writers in Southern Africa, we have a number of problems.
Several of us are banding together in the near future to tell you a bit about ourselves, our writing, and in particular, to promote one book written about Africa. There will also be a number of freebies on offer, so don’t lose out! A Time to Laugh takes place in a beautiful seaside town in Africa, called Ballito Bay. It will not, however, be the one covered in the event, but you’ll hear more about that later . . .
Watch this blog, and sign up for my newsletter for up to date information.
Here is one of Marion’s books which I absolutely love . . .
For thirty years, Brian and Elizabeth Dunham have served on the mission field. Unable to have children of their own, they’ve been a father and mother to countless orphans in six African countries. When an unexpected beach-house inheritance and a lung disease diagnosis coincide, they realize that perhaps God is telling them it’s time to retire.
At sixty, Elizabeth is past child-bearing age. She’d long ago given up wondering whether this would be the month she would conceive. But when her best friend and neighbor jokes that Elizabeth’s sudden fatigue and nausea are symptoms of pregnancy, Elizabeth finds herself walking that familiar and unwanted road again, wondering if God is pulling an Abraham and Sarah on her and Brian.
The mere notion has questions flooding Elizabeth’s mind. If she were miraculously pregnant, would they have the stamina to raise a child in their golden years? Especially with Brian’s health issues. And the child? Would it be healthy, or would it go through life struggling with some kind of disability? What of her own health? Could she survive giving birth?
Will what Brian and Elizabeth have dreamed of their entire married life be an old-age blessing or a curse?
A Time to Laugh is a delightful novella written by Marion Ueckermann.
There are a number of references and similarities to the story of Sarah in the Old Testament, yet this story line is fun while at the same time serious. Brian and Elizabeth Dunham have just returned from the African mission field where they cared for orphan children. They experience more than a little trepidation when Elizabeth develops symptoms indicating pregnancy. She is in her sixties. Is it possible? And if she is, will the baby be normal?
A beautiful story, well thought out. Well done, Marion!
Read more about Marion and her amazing selection of ever-publishing books here.
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Troubled Waters is the 4th book in the Montana Rescue Series by Rita Award winner, Susan May Warren.
Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants–except a happy ending. Or at least that’s what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.
Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.
When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.
It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra’s relationship.
I enjoyed Troubled Waters and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fast-paced suspense novels. This is a continuation of the Montana Rescue series and although it could stand alone, I think it’s a help to have read one or more of the earlier books.
There were times when I felt frustrated with the on and off approach of the two main couples. I also found it difficult to keep track of the characters. For that reason I’m awarding 4 stars. I nevertheless look forward to the next in the series.
Melborne Memories: Escaping his dangerous past, former British rock star Justin “The Phoenix” Taylor flees as far away from home as possible to Australia.
A marked man with nothing left but his guitar and his talent, Justin is desperate to start over yet still live off the grid. Loneliness and the need to feel a connection to the London pastor who’d saved his life draws Justin to Ella’s Barista Art Coffee Shop—the famous and trendy Melbourne establishment belonging to Pastor Jim Anderson’s niece. read more
“Nikki Boyd grabbed the armrest of the aisle seat as the plane hit another air pocket and the FASTEN SEAT BELT light flickered on above row 29 on the Airbus. Her stomach lurched at the sensation, rattling her nerves like it had throughout the past hour of the flight.” read more
Who is Nicholas Gallagher?Today I’m bringing you an interview with Nicholas Gallagher, the fictional protagonist in Sean Young’s To Fear the Dawn. read more
Rugged Roads by Anna Jensen
What Does my Character Really Want? – or Me? or You?
Books and More Books to Celebrate Mother’s Day
Have you Ever had to Move your Goalposts?
When the Characters Call the Shots
He has Plans for Our Good ~ and for My Main Character!
He is Not Here for He is Risen
Meet Amanda, the Pastor’s Wife
