Audra Jennings

  An interview with Tamera Alexander, Author of To Win Her Favor Against the backdrop of one of the most turbulent times in American history, the post-Civil War era, one woman struggles against prejudice, injustice and suffocating conventions of the 19th century to pursue her dream. Tamera Alexander’s To Win Her Favor (Zondervan/May 12, 2015/ISBN: 9780310291077/ $15.99) , the second stand-alone novel in the Belle Meade Plantation series, is already receiving high praise. According to Library Journal , “Strong characters, a sense of the times and the themes of love, friendship and the importance of loyalty and determination make To Win Her Favor a triumph.” Maggie Linden lost nearly everything in the Civil War — including most of her family. She ’ s about to lose her stables and land at Linden Downs, and her racing hopes as well. A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie is determined that her mare, Bourbon Belle, will become a champion. Indeed, her o...

Jump back into life at Chicory Inn as Corinne and Jesse find out if their marriage has what it takes to weather life’s rough patches in  Deborah Raney ‘s  Two Roads Home .  Too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk. With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them? Click here to enter to win a copy of  Two Roads Home —five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced July 6 on  the Litfuse blog ! {MORE ABOUT  TWO ROADS HOME } (Abingdon Press, June 2015) What if it’s too late for dreams to come true? Minor-but-nagging setbacks continue to sour Grant and Audrey Whitman’s initiation into the world of innkeeping, but larger challenges b...

When asked about what God is like, do toxic images come to mind: God the punishing judge, the deadbeat dad, the genie in a bottle?  Bradley Jersak  wants to right the wrong view of God in his new book,  A More Christlike God .  What if His love is more generous, his Cross more powerful, and his gospel more beautiful than we’ve dared to imagine? What if our clearest image of God is the self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering Love revealed on the Cross? Click here to enter to win a copy of  A More Christlike God —five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced June 26th on  the Litfuse blog ! {MORE ABOUT  A MORE CHRISTLIKE GOD } (April 2015) What is God like? A punishing judge? A doting grandfather? A deadbeat dad? A vengeful warrior? Believers and atheists alike typically carry and finally reject the toxic images of God in their own hearts and minds. Even the Christian gospel has repeatedl...

Coming to terms with your family’s secrets Award-winning author pens epic multi-generational story about the cost of living authentically Every family has secrets they’d prefer to stay hidden, but where is the line between protecting the ones you love and simple self-preservation? The theme of Melanie Dobson’s sweeping new novel, Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor (Howard Books/May 5, 2015/ISBN: 9781476746142/$14.99) is how the choices of a few can impact generations. In Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor we meet young Libby Doyle, a free spirit who spends much of her time dancing with the butterflies in Ladenbrooke’s gardens. Even though she struggles socially, Libby is enchanted by the beauty of the butterflies. Libby has captivated the heart of Oliver Croft, the young heir of Ladenbrooke Manor. When Oliver’s body is found drowned in the River Coln, authorities search for answers but find none. Soon after, Libby vanishes, and her parents, Walter and Maggie Doyle, wonder wh...

My friends had a t-shirt made for me once that said, "I have lots of major issues." Nice friends, huh? Well, any guy on The Bachelorette this season could wear that shirt. I am oh, so very thankful to be live blogging tonight instead of starting my watching experience at 10 PM. I was exhausted the next days after doing that. I'm too old to start 3 hours later. Of course, that really odd conversation I had last week after the softball game sucked it out of me too. (You'll have to look back at that post for a reminder.) Tonight's episode picks up with Nick coming out of the elevator and walking in the door to the men's suite. It's a very quiet room when he says, "what's up guys?" other than a couple of people being cordial. Someone asks him what he's doing here - truest intentions - fame or love? Why now? The guys don't even try to fake it. Tanner quizzes him, especially after being spotted with Andi recently. Joshua jumps in...

Trust and Obey When we walk with the Lord, In the light of His word, What a glory He sheds on our way! Let us do His good will; He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. But we never can prove, The delights of His love, Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Then in fellowship sweet, We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go, Never ...

I have been so busy on every front lately and need a paper bag for hyperventilating when I think of what I need to do for work, for VBS and to get ready for some upcoming craft shows. But there are a few things I have squeezed in lately. And yes, I have been planning out Christmas trees for a Christmas in July show next month. Pictures are coming to update this post. There are pictures on my phone, but blogging from my phone, the pictures are not cooperating. OR I may just have to update next weekend.