Peering Through Life's Window

A Warm Welcome to Lillian Duncan Lillian talks about love and her new book. To celebrate her new release, she's having a fantastic giveaway. To enter follow the directions under To Celebrate My New Release, Walking Through the Rain.  What's Your Love Story? Yesterday was Valentine’s Day—the day we celebrate love.  Everyone loves a love story—even if you don’t want to admit it. But since it was Valentine’s day, it’s OK to admit this time. My latest release, Walking Through the Rain is Rachel and Brandon’s love story. And as Shakespeare said, the course of true love never did run smooth. Truer words couldn’t be spoken about Rachel and Brandon. I’m not going to give the plot away, but I will tell you that both of their mothers aren’t happy about their relationship so…. You can imagine what happens next. Like I said, everybody loves a love story so I’ll tell you mine. I’ve sort of known my husband my whole life. His brother was married to my aunt. NO, we aren’t related to each othe

Hats... Horns... The winner is... Congratulations, Shirley!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY        It all started in the Third Century when Roman Emperor Claudius demanded young men not marry because it distracted them from their duties as Roman soldiers. A priest, Saint Valentine, secretly married soldiers to their young brides. Then the Emperor demanded Christians deny their religion and worship pagan gods, but Saint Valentine refused, was arrested and condemned to die. While he waited for his execution, his jailer asked him to pray for his blind daughter. After she  miraculously regained her sight, the jailer and many others were converted to Christianity and were baptized. Before Saint Valentine was executed on February 14, 269 AD, he wrote a note to the jailer’s daughter and signed it “from your Valentine.” * Mercifully, priests and ministers don’t have to pay such a price today for marrying those in love, or praying for those in need, nor do we have to pay for loving or showing kindness to someone. Today’s a good day to spread love, give hugs a

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Contemporary Romance: Finally Forever by Karin Beery -- Former competitive dancer Caroline Novak dreams of leaving the corporate world to work with special needs women at the Pathways nonprofit, but the organization can’t afford a fulltime director. All-American defensive end Ben Allen was on his way to the NFL when a knee injury sent him home and into the same office as Caroline, his best friend’s older sister. When Pathways participates in a Dancing with the Stars-inspired fundraiser, Caroline quickly volunteers, and Ben joins her as the local “star.” It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize it’s more than a dance competition, and Caroline is more than his best friend’s sister, but after two failed engagements, she’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man. When the NFL calls Ben, it looks like his dream might finally come true—but it could cost them the championship and Caroline her

  A Warm Welcome to Serena Clarke Serena shares an excerpt from  In Royal Ruins, which is a retelling of the Grimms’ fairytale, King Thrushbeard.  She also shares an excerpt and her favorite recipe, Chinese Chicken Salad. (see below). About In Royal Ruins Appalled by his daughter’s vain and impertinent attitude, the king forces her to marry a peasant, hoping to teach her a lesson. Feeling devastated by this decree, Alora loses everything she knows and is thrust into a world she is not prepared for. The skills she learned to help her rule a kingdom have not prepared her for the drudgery of living the life of a peasant’s wife.  Larik, her new husband, is determined to help Alora and show her kindness despite her unfriendly personality. Will Larik’s example and affection towards her be enough to heal her heart of anger and grief so that she can see the beauty in the world once again? Can she let go of the past and allow herself to be loved?  Praise and Reviews for In Royal Ruins This book

Happy New Year, Everyone!!! More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Contemporary Romance: The Love Penalty by Carolyn Miller -- With her fondness for tattoos and spider jewelry Sylvie Miles is used to being pre-judged and misunderstood. She has friends and connections but she still feels alone, and works several jobs while daydreaming about finding a guy who sees further than skin deep and won’t shy away from her battered heart. So when a hot pro hockey player with a smile as vast as his skills takes a shine to her what’s a poor girl to do but fall in love? Ryan Guillemette sure wasn’t looking for romance in a bookstore in his hometown but quickly becomes intrigued by the sassy Goth-like assistant with a snarky way with words. When an accidental kiss proves dangerously addictive, she soon becomes embedded in his heart. But even as the romance heats up he’s torn as she’s not following God. Can these two opposites make a match or sho

Merry Christmas!  Luke 2: 11-12, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.” The greatest love the world has ever known started in a humble stable in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.  Later He suffered and died to conquer death for us. Knowing what he endured, it’s difficult to comprehend the depth of unconditional love He has for us. Before He was crucified, he preached a Gospel telling us to love one another.     Today with wars popping up and hate rhetoric we might wonder if we’ve run out of love, if we’ve abandoned it, or if we’ve forgotten where to find it. We can’t manufacture it. We can’t buy or demand it because we can’t dictate what’s in a person’s heart.  It must be given and received. It was given on Christmas in Bethlehem and again on the cross when Jesus died for our sins. We only need to accept it. Once we do, it lives inside us and spills over to others.  A Christmas Giveaway: