Audra Jennings

God finds you, wherever you are William Sirls shares his own past in hopes of reaching others with God’s transforming message “God must be in prison, because that’s where so many people seem to meet him.” Gerald “Rip” Ripley speaks from experience, having been there himself. Now he is not only trying to put the past behind him and move on with the future, he’s trying to help the others in his life do the same. In The Sinners’ Garden (Thomas Nelson / December 17, 2013 / ISBN: 978-1401687380 / $12.99) , William Sirls shares some of his own hard-learned wisdom, writing more of himself into the character of Rip than he would sometimes like to admit. “I heard the line about God being in prison well more than ten years ago, and as funny as it seemed at the time, it’s interesting how its meaning has changed for me since then,” admits Sirls. In 2007, the author himself was incarcerated for wire fraud and money laundering. While in prison, Sirls learned a great deal more than he...

All of my Christmas presents have been purchased except for one. (I'm still waiting for a couple to be delivered.) I've mailed off everything to my 5 co-workers in 4 different states. The one illusive gift is the one that seems to haunt me every single year. Every. Single. Year. The one for my brother. He's one of those people who answers "nothing" or "I don't need anything" when you ask like that's the point of a Christmas gift. I've bought something small, and told Peyton about it. I asked her what else I should get her dad. Her answer? Without a moment's hesitation... "the receipt." Thanks Peyton for believing that my selections stink. You're no help. You told Granmal and Pops to buy him a camera for work when he already had one. They had to take it back. I should know better than to ask to you. Paige wasn't any more impressed. So, I still don't know what I'm going to do. Do you struggle with not the...

Today was one of their better singing days. I didn't get the video of their very impassioned impromptu version afterwards, but this is pretty good. This morning -- and it could be my sleep deprivation -- was like herding cats. Here's what Peyton learned last week from the lesson... When it comes to the fruits of the spirit, I need to have more patience with her. Then, and only then, might she have more self-control.

I always make too much candy for my Christmas parties. Anyone want leftovers? And can you believe I took zero pictures of the party? We had great laughs and great food, but no karaoke or games.  I love my friends!

Poor Peyton. She always spends the night at my house before I have a party, and helps me in the kitchen. Then, she never gets to party with me. She helped me make candy and dip in preparation for my annual party tomorrow night. She was a terrific helper though! I would like to mention that the t-shirt is for her mom's family's propane company. The we is not me and her.

Suzanne Woods Fisher invites readers to join her in support of local charity Revell author to donate proceeds from pre-sale of The Calling to San Francisco area soup kitchen Author Suzanne Woods Fisher is inviting readers to give back this holiday season. From now through December 31, Fisher will be donating one dollar for each verified pre-sale purchase of The Calling (Revell/January 14, 2014/ISBN: 9780800720940/ $14.99) to a San Francisco Bay Area soup kitchen. The Calling , the second book in the ‘Inn at Eagle Hill’ series, was inspired by a remarkable woman called “Mother Williams.” At the age of 77, Mother Williams started a weekly soup kitchen in her community to feed the homeless. Eleven years later and she’s still going strong. Every Friday, Mother Williams serves more than 100 lunches.   “Talk about an inspiring individual!” Fisher said. “Mother Williams doesn’t plan on retiring. She says she wants to keep serving God ‘until the day is done’. Imagine if...

An interview with Anita Higman, author of A Marriage in Middlebury Can you pinpoint one decision, one moment, one action that changed your life forever? We all have definable moments that shape who we are and the path we follow, but sometimes other people make that decision for us. In A Marriage in Middlebury (Abingdon Press/November 5, 2013/ISBN: 978-1-4267-3387-1/$14.99), Anita Higman weaves a heartwarming tale of how one choice takes a woman down an unexpected path to forgiveness. Q: What was your inspiration for A Marriage in Middlebury ? The idea for this book came from my absolute love of tearooms in Texas. More than a decade ago I met a woman named Linda Becker who opened a tearoom in the Houston burbs called Tea for Two. Her eatery and gift shop did so well she opened a second shop. Throughout the years I’ve enjoyed her wonderful tearoom fare as well as the quaint ambiance. Linda’s tearoom isn’t just a café — it’s a gathering place for friends, a place to eat h...