Welcome Karen Malley!

 

Hello everyone! Welcome Karen Malley as she tells us about her debut novel. Isn't that cover the most beautiful thing? Tell us all about it, Karen:)

I’m excited to tell you about my debut novel, Following the Sparrows, but first, I’ll give you a little background about me. I’m a little unique in the world of Christian romance authors in that I work full-time as a scientist. I write whenever I have time, but sometimes it’s hard to fit it in! I live in Pennsylvania with my husband and two teenaged sons. When I’m not writing (or working), I love to spend time with my family. We play lots of board games and enjoy camping and hiking. I also enjoy cooking and baking. My guys love the baking part, since there are usually good treats to be found in my kitchen.

I’ve always loved books, and always wanted to write my own, but only started getting serious about it about five years ago. Following the Sparrows was written in bits and pieces over quite a long period of time. Here’s a quick blurb about it:

Kathryn Baker is trying to escape her past...

After the tragic death of her husband, Kathryn throws herself into her scientific career. She hopes to right the wrongs of her past before they catch up to her. But when she runs into a handsome stranger, she discovers he just might hold the key to her future.

Adam Harrison is tired of running from his past ...

After losing everything he worked for in life, Adam is finally ready to follow the path God has for him. When a series of chance meetings brings him to Kathryn, he considers the possibility of loving again. But Kathryn is still on the run from God and from her past.

Can Adam convince Kathryn to stop running and trust him with her secrets, or will her fear make it impossible for them to have a future together?

Yes, my main character is a scientist. I couldn’t resist. It makes her unique in this genre, but I promise, the book isn’t full of beakers and test tubes. 😊 It’s full of flawed characters who try to seek God’s will for their lives, in spite of some difficult circumstances. If that sounds like the kind of book you’d like to read, you can find Following the Sparrows on Amazon at:

https://amzn.to/3jvQNNE

If you enjoy Following the Sparrows, you’ll be glad to know the story doesn’t end when the book does. I loved the characters in Pine Springs so much, I made the story into a three-book series. All can be read on their own, but it’s much more fun to follow the stories from book one through book three.  All the lovable characters from Following the Sparrows continue on in the following books, but we get to meet new characters as well. It's so exciting to me to have my book in the hands of readers. I love to hear from readers and welcome questions.

You can reach out to me on my website: www.KarenMalley.com

 Connect with me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenLMalley

Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20700661.Karen_Malley

Check out my blog: https://karenmalley.com/blog/

 

Thank you, Jody, for sharing your blog space with me!

Ramona K. Cecil

Welcome author Ramona K. Cecil as she tells us about her new release! So exciting, Ramona. Really looking forward to this story.

Hi! I’m Ramona K. Cecil and I live in southern Indiana. I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and author of historical romance novels for the Christian market. My husband and I have been married for forty-seven years and are now empty-nesters. We have two grown daughters and three young-adult grandchildren. We make our home in Seymour, Indiana, the “small town” made famous in rocker John Mellencamp’s song of the same name. I’ve always loved history, especially the history of my Hoosier state. Like The Time for Healing, many of my stories are set in Indiana’s past. When not writing, my hobbies include reading, gardening, and visiting places of historical interest.

My latest book, The Time for Healing, releases August 7^th with Pelican Book Group. This award-winning story is inspired by a real life event—The Pigeon Roost Massacre—that happened in 1812 about thirty miles south of where I live. Here is a little bit about it:

Winner - Best in Fiction Indiana Faith and Writing Contest 2014

Ginny Red Fawn McLain is determined to hold fast to her adoptive Shawnee culture despite her sudden reentry into her white birth family. She rejects their Christianity, fearing the tenets of the white man’s religion will prevent her from practicing as a Shawnee medicine woman. But her heart refuses to shun her uncle’s young friend and apprentice minister, Jeremiah Dunbar.

Jeremiah Dunbar has never doubted what he would do with his life—he’d follow in his father’s footsteps as a minister of the Gospel. But a mission trip west to the Native American tribes makes him begin to question his future plans. At the discovery of his fellow missionary’s long lost niece living among the Shawnee, Jeremiah is immediately smitten. But unless Ginny Red Fawn McLain joins Christ’s fold—something she adamantly resists—Jeremiah will have to choose between the woman he loves and the work God has called him to do. 

Ginny and Jeremiah struggle to discern the will of God, the Great Spirit, for their lives, and if fitting their love into His plans is even possible. Dreams and cultures clash amid an atmosphere of contempt and distrust, threatening to make their love the last casualty of the Pigeon Roost Massacre.

 

Purchase links for The Time for Healing:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Time-Healing-Ramona-K-Cecil/dp/1522302328/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S3QFJVY2ZESB&dchild=1&keywords=the+time+for+healing+ramona+k.+cecil&qid=1593278046&s=books&sprefix=The+Time+for+%2Cstripbooks%2C152&sr=1-1

Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-time-for-healing-ramona-k-cecil/1134332259?ean=9781522302322

Thrift Books: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-time-for-healing_ramona-k-cecil/24295657/#isbn=1522302328

Book Despository: https://www.bookdepository.com/author/Ramona-K-Cecil

Ramona's Contact Information: Website: www.ramonakcecil.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RamonaKCecilAuthor/

                  https://www.facebook.com/ramona.cecil1

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/RamonaCecil

Be sure and say Hi! to Ramona in the comments. She's giving away an e-book! 

Inspiration Wednesday: Meet Alexsis Ramirez!

It's inspiration Wednesday. Our inspirational guest today is quite an accomplished young lady, and does a lot to help our church thrive. Alexsis, tell us a little about yourself, your family, and where you live.

I was born and raised in Fort Stockton Texas. Lived in Waco for 6 years attending college then stayed to work as a speech therapist. Married my husband 1.5 years ago and became official step mom to his 2 twin daughters. Just had a baby girl, she is 5 months old.

And Aura is the sweetest little thing! Her bright eyes and sweet spirit make us all feel inspired. Love those twins of yours as well. Can't forget Robert, he's awesome. What are your passions, hobbies, or businesses?


After gaining weight in college and taking years to work it off, it lead to me becoming a fitness instructor. I’ve learned that to become strong and healthy it takes more than just exercise! But also healthy eating and practices for a sound mind like prayer/meditation and sleep. I’ve been a fitness instructor since 2009, I love getting to be a part of someone’s journey to becoming their healthiest most FiT selves. My husband and I own a business, Faith Inspired Fitness, where I lead FiTcamp sessions for both men and women. In the summer we host FiTkids and we teach children about the Word is God while exercising and learning about nutrition. If we aren’t exercising, we as a family are singing, painting, we love board games, watching Marvel movies or serving at church together.

Your business is making an impact on our community. It's a joy to watch your entire family serve at church. I didn't know you guys liked board games! We'll have to get together, but I warn you that Randy is quite competitive. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Spending more of my day ministering to people about the love of God and the truths in His Word.

A worthy goal. What are you reading these days?


I have a few books I want to pick up to finish but haven’t in a few weeks. Currently reading through the chronological Bible, for years I didn’t know the books were not in chronological order.

I'm reading the Chronological Bible as well. Lends a whole different perspective. Alexsis, if you could have the world stage for five minutes, what would be your message to the world?

Jesus loves you, and I would want to empower women to consider home birth. After delivering my daughter at home and having the most amazing experience and recovery-I want every woman to experience it. We have been taught so wrong by society about birth and what should/shouldn’t happen to our bodies. God designed us to perfectly deliver babies without interventions. Too many times intervention causes issues that lead to more intervention. There are some cases were interventions have helped to keep momma and baby alive, so I’m not talking about those instances. I just hope to inform women so they can trust in their own bodies ability to birth a child they have carried for 9 months.

I totally agree. I pray, along with you that women will consider more natural birth methods. I'm one that has had six "interventions" that were necessary, so I'm also glad that is available for complications. THANK YOU so much for sharing your life with us!

Click to Tweet: I want people to know that Jesus loves you, and I want to empower women to consider home birth. After delivering my daughter at home and have the most amazing experience and recovery-I want every woman to experience it.