Peering Through Life's Window

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2: 10 - 11) Some say Christ wasn’t born on December 25 th . They claim Christians took the date from a Roman holiday to rival the pagan feasts that took place during the Winter Solstice. This occasion honored a new age brought by the sun. Depending on location, the Winter Solstice occurs on or around December 25 th . However, it’s not the date we celebrate. It’s Christ’s life, His Gospel of love and sacrifice.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3: 16 – 17) “…They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he wil...

Hats.... Horns... Congratulations, Sonja!

A Warm Welcome to Carlene Havel Congratulations on your wonderful new book, Song of the Shepherd Woman Carlene will give away an eBook. The winner may choose from any of her romance or historical books. Make a selection from Carlene's Amazon Page  then enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.  Just click on Choose Your Own Option and leave an email address. Favorites Carlene Shares her favorite Bible verse and a favorite recipe Carlene’s favorite Bible verse (today) is John 3:17: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Carlene admits her favorite verse seems to change fairly often, but usually comes either from John or Romans. December is Carlene’s month to invade her husband’s domain, the kitchen.  She loves to make Christmas treats both to serve and to give away.  She loves quick, easy recipes that yield something cute as well as tasty.  One of her favorites is this ...

And the winner is... Hats, Horns... Congratulations, Connie!

A Warm Welcome To Terry Marsh Terry will give away a print copy of Deep Calls to Deep, A Devotional (U.S. Residents Only) Click on "invent your own option" and leave an email address on the Rafflecopter to enter to win. Hi Terry, first, tell us a little about yourself. Growing up, I wasn’t an avid reader.  Once I was older with two precious children, I became fascinated with the Word of God.  I knew there were hidden treasures waiting to be discovered providing that I would diligently seek for them.  Of course, along the way I reared my children in a Christian home.  They blessed me with six darling grandchildren, whom I adore. In recent years, I’ve devoted myself to writing.  Currently, I’m writing my second devotional and loving it. Tell us about your latest book. Deep Calls to Deep: A Devotional is my debut into the literary world.  It was my intention to write a Christian love story for many years, yet ten pages into the manuscript...

December 2017 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website . Contemporary: Rebecca's Redemption by Lee Carver -- A nurse seeking redemption for past sins joins a doctor contending against the jungle. Both healers need healing. (Contemporary, Independently Published) Contemporary Romance: The Christmas Baby by Lisa Carter -- Mistletoe Mommy Anna Reyes is pregnant and widowed, and a Christmas homecoming isn’t so simple. Reuniting with her best friend, Ryan Savage, makes it easier—even though she knows he’ll soon be leaving their small coastal hometown. After putting his career on hold for his family’s business, Ryan’s finally ready to pursue his goals. But as he and Anna work to make the holidays special for a group of at-risk kids, Ryan wonders if he can give up one dream for another. They’re determined to make this a Christmas to remember, but can Ryan and Anna also make their holiday family la...

And the winner is... Hats... Horns... Congratulations!  Janet!

A Warm Welcome to Leeann Betts Leeann will give away EITHER a print book (U.S. residents only) OR an ebook of  In Search of Christmas Past. To enter to win leave a comment and an email address below.  Hi Leeann, tell us about your latest book. In Search of Christmas Past is a romantic suspense about two people who want what the other has. Grace Bellows, a senior in college, receives a Christmas card one month after her grandmother’s death, where her beloved Grammie challenges her to an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Raised by her grandmother after her parents’ death in a car accident when she was eight, Grace has lived a jetsetter lifestyle with her wealthy grandmother. Now all she wants is to settle down and have a normal life. Luke Fisher manages his family’s Christmas tree farm out of a sense of loyalty to his deceased mother because she gave up her dreams of being an attorney. He doesn’t want to live with any regrets, and longs to escape the confines of l...

And the winner is... Hats... Horns... Congratulations, Sonja!

A Warm Welcome to Laura Hilton What fun — three Thanksgiving stories! Laura will give away an ebook of Love's Thankful Heart. To enter to win leave a comment and an email address below. Gingerbread Wishes As Thanksgiving approaches, Becca Troyer finds herself overwhelmed with an abundance of winter squash and pumpkins that she isn’t a bit thankful for. Desperately trying to sell them at a farmer’s market so she won’t have mountains to can, she’s surprised when a mime drops to his knee in front of her and proposes marriage. Yost Miller is helping the volunteer firefighter raise funds at the city park when he notices his long-time crush Becca selling vegetables. Drawn across the grass, he spontaneously proposes marriage. But afterward, Yost isn’t sure how to proceed to show her that his feelings are real. Just as he begins to find solid footing, confidence is yanked away, leaving him floundering. Will he lose Becca to another man? Or will this Thanksgiving be...

I mixed up the names and pulled one... And the winner is... Hats... Horns... Congratulations, Faith!

A Warm Welcome to Michelle Griep Michelle will give away  EITHER a print copy (U.S. residents) OR an ebook. To enter to win leave a comment and an email address below. Victorian Christmas Traditions by Michelle Griep It’s Christmas—practically. If you stroll in to any Michaels or Hobby Lobby or even swing by a Hallmark store, you can’t help but miss that the Christmas decorations are out in full bloom. Wrapping. Bows. Lit Christmas trees. Christmas music playing in the background. What’s up with all this Christmas craziness? Personally, I blame Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens. Believe it or not, before the Victorian era, the holidays really weren’t much of a wingding. Here are some traditions that you might still be enjoying all thanks to merry ole England. . . A Lighted Christmas Tree While Christmas trees had been around as a German tradition since the 17th century, it was Prince Albert, the German husband of Queen Victoria, who introduced the custom ...

November 2017 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website . Contemporary Romance: Rooted in Love by Valerie Comer -- A divorcé with a set of rambunctious twins falls for the boys’ daycare administrator, but does he deserve another chance at love? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Prescription for Romance by June Foster -- Though history teacher Scott Townsend made a commitment to the Lord as a teen, he can't relinquish his bitterness toward his younger brother after he squanders their parents' money. When a beautiful, young pharmacist seeks affirmation in a way that challenges Scott's values, he must uphold his Christian upbringing. (Contemporary Romance from Forget Me Not Romance [Winged Publication]) Believing in Tomorrow by Kimberly Rae Jordan -- Sammi struggles to accept the consequences for her actions and to live with her new reality—unwed mother instead of wife...

Hats... Horns... Congratulations to Linda!

A Warm Welcome to Eileen Rife Eileen shares a recipe for authentic Indian Chai and a Bible verse and gives away an e-Book. To enter to win leave a comment and an email address below. A Favorite Indian Recipe Enjoyed by My Character, Kenzie (I like it, too!) In Book one of my fictional missionary kid series, protag Kenzie lives with her family in India. Every afternoon around 4:00, Kenzie and her family enjoy tea and usually some kind of pastry or cake, all in good British fashion. She’d learned from her studies that the Brits ruled India as far back as the 1700s. India eventually gained its independence in 1948 but retained the custom of afternoon tea. The Indians add milk, sugar, and spices to their black tea, thus creating what they call chai. Various recipes abound for this drink, also now popular in the States. I’ve enjoyed chai on several occasions while visiting India, and whenever my missionary kids visit us in the States, they whip up a batch. The aroma alone is ca...

And the winner is... Hats, Horns... Congratulations, Wendy!

A Warm Welcome to Donna Schlachter Donna will give away a print copy of The Pony Express Romance Collection (U.S. Residents Only). To enter to win leave a comment and an email address below. Hi Donna, first, tell us a little about yourself. I am a Canadian by birth, an American by choice, and I consider myself more patriotic and more thankful for this country than many who were born here. When I was little, I would look at the map of North America, and wonder why my ancestors didn’t stay on the boat for another few months. Then again, when my ancestors came to Canada, there was no America. I am an accountant by training, and tend to be very linear. For that reason, although I’ve always wanted to take painting lessons, I’ve never tried because I’m sure I could paint cubes but not much else. Lots of writers loved to read as children. How about you? If so, what did you read? I was an avid reader. I once was so engrossed in a book I was reading on the school bus, I comple...