December 31, 2012 by Karen Baney

True Power & Real Peace by Staci Stallings

Genre: Christian Living

Format: ebook

Why is life so very difficult? Can anything make it any easier? Why do some people get all the breaks, and I’m always struggling?

Now, from #1 Best Selling Christian author, Staci Stallings, learn the secrets to living with True Power and Real Peace– no matter what storms come up in your life! Stop struggling. Start living.

Learn the importance of taking “this step.” Learn how to work with God’s Will instead of against it. Learn how to live with the Source as your strength instead of trying to get strength from resources that are bound to fail.

Every page is packed with deep insights and real life solutions to your deepest problems. Be a better parent, a better friend, a better you!

Today can truly be the day to start on your path to True Power & Real Peace!

1. Tell us about your new release.

This one is a little different for me–okay, it’s a lot different. First of all, it was not one I planned on writing or even knew I was writing until huge chunks of it were already done. Crazy, I know. I thought so too.

You see, I was writing this book called “A Light in the Darkness.” It was the third book in this romance series I was writing. In the book, the guy is into reading good books–like life-inspiring books. Now, I’ve read countless types of these books, so that should have been easy, right?

Not so fast. I quickly realized that I had two problems–I couldn’t just lift whole sections out of some other book, and I needed my character to actually read with the reader what he was reading. So what to do? I finally decided I would have to write the book he was reading.

This didn’t start out to be a big deal, but as I wrote, I fell in love with what this other book was saying. So after finishing “A Light in the Darkness,” I went back and wrote “True Power & Real Peace.” The funny thing is, after A Light was published, several readers contacted me. They had been searching and searching for “True Power and Real Peace,” but they couldn’t find it.

Why? Because it was sitting on my computer! After the fifth person asked, I decided it was time to take a deep breath and let God have what amounts to my spiritual journey and the things I’ve learned on the deepest level of living and being with Him.

2. Can you share a little of True Power & Real Peace with us?

Here is one little excerpt that appears both in “A Light” and in “True Power & Real Peace”

True Power lies in following God’s lead and letting His Power flow through you at every moment, in every situation—no matter how big or small. Doing so gives the rich soul as the Gifts of the Holy Spirit imply: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Right Judgment, Piety, Fortitude, and Fear of the Lord. Perpetually acknowledging His presence in you and in your life will lead you to see that His Power works. Your power doesn’t. The power of the world doesn’t. Only His does.

The Bible says it best: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Seek Him, put every moment in His hands, watch how He handles them, get to know Him, and you will begin to derive your power from The Source of True Power.

3. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

This is one of the most personal books I’ve ever written because it is how I live spiritually–surrendering to God, letting Him work in my life, breathing and stepping into what He’s asking me to do–even when it’s hard and especially when it’s scary. To be honest, I’m not even sure that a lot of people will “get” what the book is talking about because it is so 180 from how we normally live. However, if you can ever get off the treadmill of the world, and really get your life meshed into this way of living, it is a freedom that is literally indescribable.

4. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The way it came about. Most of the time when you write a book, first of all, you know at least some of what you’re going to write. With this one, in the novel, Gabe would pick this book up, and what he read had to speak to where he was in life, what was going on, what he was facing. In many of those instances, I didn’t know what God would want to say to this young man. I knew it couldn’t just be nice words and platitudes because he’s going through some very dark and confusing times. So I would put my fingers on the keys and ask God what He would want to say to this young man.

When I then went to put all these pieces together, that’s what I had–a bunch of pieces. I then had to link them with bridges that helped the reader to make sense of them. So it tends to be written all over the place in terms of tense and person, but it was the best I could do at wrapping some semblance of understanding around the immensity of what it means to really live with God at the center of everything.

5. Who designed the covers?

The story of my covers is one only God could write. For a long time, I had a hodge-podge of okay but not incredible covers. After putting one of my books for free on KDPSelect, a very good writing friend of mine posted a new cover for one of my very old books on a writing site we were a part of–literally out of the blue. I had not asked for one. We had not talked about it. Suddenly there it was. He then said that my books would take off with the right covers.

So I had him redesign two of my covers. But he’s busy with his own stuff, so I went on a cover design site, hoping but knowing the chances were slim that I would find somebody great. Well, God had other plans. This guy came on and posted the most incredible cover for “Deep in the Heart.” Within 2 days I had hired him, and over the course of the next 2 months, we redesigned every one of my 15 covers.

When I was going to do “True Power & Real Peace,” I asked my friend, that original one, to do this cover because he had done several that I just loved for other books much like this one. And that’s how this cover came to be. I will tell you though that I am incredibly blessed by BOTH of my cover designers! They truly are gifts from God!

6. What books have influenced your life most?

I read a lot of nonfiction Christian self-help. John Ortberg’s work is mentioned in “True Power,” and he really taught me the true meaning of love. Others that have shaped and influenced me are Steve McVey, Brennan Manning, and Joe Beam.

7. How did you come up with the title?

As I was writing, I knew the title had to capture what Gabe needed most in his life. In the story, he really feels powerless because of circumstances. He’s the son of the head groundskeeper and as such feels “less than.” However, I knew he is far more powerful than he feels because he has learned to put his life on The Rock and trust God. So the book title had to be something about power, but not like worldly power that’s selfish and harsh, but actual power that comes from God.

The other thing was, poor Gabe was just not at peace. He was fighting against so many things–how he feels about himself for past mistakes, how he feels about his parents, going to school, chasing his dreams. There is just this… yearning for something more than striving and searching and worrying. Of course, that is peace. But not just any peace, not peace that could be gone tomorrow if you mess up. Real Peace.

And thus the title, “True Power & Real Peace.”

Amazingly, the title is exactly what I have found in God. Don’t you just love how He works?

A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, #1 Best Selling Christian author, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including: http://www.stacistallings.net, http://ebookromancestories.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

December 26, 2012 by Karen Baney

I Thought I Knew What Love Was by Erin Lamb

Genre: Christian Living, Poetry

Format: ebook, paperback

Buy: I Thought I Knew What Love Was: The Journey to Intimacy with God

From the time Erin Lamb was a child, she was curious about the God of the Bible. She grew up in a home with a pastor and Sunday school teacher, which made knowing God a part of everyday life. More than reading about Him, her heart longed to know Him personally, as Moses knew Him. Along this journey, she picked up a pen and paper and began to write about her experiences with God and His responses.

I Thought I Knew What Love Was is a book for every person who wants to plunge deeper into the heart of God. If circumstances or life have made God seem distant or cold, the words on these pages will lure your heart on a journey with the God of the high and low places. Understanding the depths of God’s love during the good and the challenging times is essential to living a joy-filled life. Erin has captured the heart of God through prayers, sonnets, and poems that reveal the human experience in relation to God. If you have ever felt as though God doesn’t understand you, then poems like “Agape” “Even If” and “Our Deepest Need” will reveal God’s unfailing love for you. Whether you find yourself in the difficult places, or on the mountaintop, your heart and mind will be drawn to a more intimate place where you commune with God.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a Researcher/Engineer. I spend most of my time overseeing experiments and managing projects. Along with science, writing has been an integral part of my life. I’ve found that words are like paint on a canvas. Creativity is unleashed when words form sentences, and those sentences evolve into a story, devotion, or poem.

2. When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing as a young child. I am an introvert by nature; writing is external expression of my internal reality and/or imagination. As a child I spent more time with a pen and paper than with conventional toys. In middle school and high school I began to write short stories. I wrote a fictional novel in college that has yet to be published. I enjoy writing more than talking or socializing.

3. What inspired you to write your first book?

I did not set out to write a book. I write constantly. After college I began to share the things I wrote with friends and family. After years of sharing, people began to recommend I publish the things I sent. The first book is a collection of 7 years of reflections on life with God.

4. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

There is always hope in God. There is always encouragement in His love. God is love. Despite how the world has portrayed Him, He will never cease to be love. He is kinder than we think; more compassionate than we can imagine. The way God feels about all of us is amazing. I would say to each person, “You are loved beyond what you can imagine. Invest time in knowing God. It’s a love that will change your life.”

5. Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I am working on a book about suffering with Christ. There are so many people in the world who are suffering and they ask the question, “Where is God?” The book covers many of the things we see on the news and some we have faced in life. In the middle of suffering God is there. He knows the depths of suffering, and He does not delight in our pain.

6. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I would include images inside the book or some of my paintings. I love words. Some people respond to art or images. I would also include space for people to write down their own reflections in response to the book.

7. How much of the book is realistic?

The entire book is based on my life experiences. There are letters to God and letters from God. There are things written during times of great sorrow and grief. There are prayers of praise written during times of tremendous joy.

8. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

One of the greatest challenges was trying to find a publisher. I searched for a year before selecting my current publisher. The second challenge was editing. I love to write. I am not so fond of editing my own work. When you self publish or do assisted publishing, it is expensive to pay for a professional editor. I asked friends and family who are masters of the English language and grammar for help. The challenge now is marketing. As an unknown author, it is challenging to grab people’s attention and market your work.

9. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Start a blog. Share your work with the world. We grow by using our skills often. I write for three blogs, and I write Bible studies. Writing is a priority. I would also say take risks. There will be people who love your work and others who do not. Be willing to rejected and criticized. Learn from the criticism. Someone once said, “Don’t allow praise to go to your head or the criticism to your heart.”

Erin Lamb is an engineer, a Bible teacher, and a facilitator of a women’s discipleship group. She has served on short-term missions in Brazil and as worship leader for missionary teams. Erin has written over 150 poems; some have been read at weddings and other special events. Her poems have also been used for various bible studies. Her passion is to know who God is, to maintain an intimate relationship with Him and to direct seeking hearts to Him.

Visit Erin at her blog: http://ithoughtiknewwhatlovewas.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

July 25, 2012 by Karen Baney

Bless Back by Julie Saffrin

Genre: Self-help, motivational non-fiction

Format: ebook, paperback

Buy: BlessBack®:Thank Those Who Shaped Your Life

Imagine if you and your memories held the power to create positive, lasting change both in your life and the world around you. In BlessBack, Julie Saffrin guides us to reflect, connect with, and thank the significant people who shaped our lives.With a blend of true stories and research, BlessBack:Reveals the benefits of why giving thanks matters to you, both mentally and physically, as well as to your recipients.
Explores how practicing gratitude creates a cycle of sustained happiness and a transformed life.
Offers 120 creative and compelling ideas to help you journey toward positive, lasting change.

To read an excerpt of BlessBack, click here.

1. Where are you from?

I was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, but moved to Bloomington, Minnesota when I was 4. For the past 18 years, Chanhassen, Minnesota is my home. So, when the Vikings play the Packers, I root for Minnesota but have empathy for the Packers. Some of these conflicting feelings were greatly aided when Brett Favre became a Viking for two seasons.

2. Why did you write BlessBack?

About 15 years ago, on a particularly blue day, I found myself knowing I was in a funk but not knowing how to get out of it. I was also in a reflective mood, reassessing my life. I went to my bedroom closet and took a shoebox down filled with saved thank-you notes and letters I had received.

I sat down on my closet floor and started reading. Time spilled out as I read saved letters and cards. I spent the afternoon filling my soul with altruistic feelings by rereading these messages of my life and gratitude. I discovered in these letters the great give-get of thanks, both in its ability to validate the receiver’s existence as well as to reinvigorate the giver’s soul.

Because of my having felt the benefits of gratefulness expressed, I determined to start writing what I call BlessBacks. BlessBacks give thanks backward when we look into our past and express thanks to those people who were our illuminators. These people helped us take a pause, pivot or advance in our life journey. They are the people who when we think of them, we think, “I can breathe deeply here.” They can be safe harbors, trailblazers or maybe even foghorns, depending on what we needed or where we were at the time.

I started on my BlessBack journey by writing thank-yous to people like Tony Blair and John Grisham because I knew the chances of their seeing my letter was slim to none. Besides, I wanted to do the thanking, not be thanked in return. Each time I wrote a BlessBack, it changed my mood. Today, if I start to feel in a funk, I take out a pen and notecard and being with, “Thank you for. . .” It never fails to change my mindset and uplift my spirits.

Shortly after discovering the power unleashed in thank-you notes, I began to receive stories of people giving and receiving thanks, both one-to-one as well as community- and world-changing stories. These were stories about people who had looked into their past and thanked their life influencers. As I began to shape them and research gratitude, before you know it, I had a finished book.

3. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I think I fell in love with words the moment I started to read them in kindergarten. In seventh grade, my English teacher, Pat Fatchett, required that our class keep a daily diary, a practice I continue, somewhat sporadically, to this day. Keeping a diary forced me to write everyday and I learned how to feel feeling and express myself with words.

Emma, my majoring-in-psychology niece, recently told me about empaths. Simply put, empaths are people who feel, at the deepest level, what another person is feeling. Though I don’t think I do this in real life, I think I do this when I read a book. I so deeply embed myself in the story that I take three times as long as the average person to finish a book, especially a fiction book. I do this watching movies too. Yet, to skim a favorite book, (Frankenstein) or to watch a favorite movie (French Kiss) only once, would deprive me of fully feeling what the protagonist is feeling, whatever the genre.

4. What do you do when you are not writing?

I guess I’d say that I like to go to the deep end of life. This expression probably sums up why I take so long to write a book. I tend to turn over each of life’s rocks presented to me and while I’m doing do, looking at facets visible there. Perhaps this comes from writing human-interest stories and always being on the hunt for the “money quote.” Whether I’m entertaining or visiting with someone, I’m involved in the varied aspects of the situation. Summer is in full swing here in Minnesota so I’ve been up at my cabin for a good part of it, enjoying writing in my chair on my dock and soaking in as much Vitamin D as I can before winter comes and takes it away. I’ve also enjoyed the company of visiting family and friends and the fact that suddenly all three of my grown sons have girlfriends. Hallie, Anna, and Jenny are three confident, beautiful women. I am enjoying getting to know each of them and I love that I finally having some women around. I love sitting around the dinner table, listening to what people, and their thoughts and ideas, bring to the table.

5. What sort of support system do you have for your writing? Do you connect with other authors in person? In the virtual world?

God knows that I am a social girl and that I’m living my father’s motto of “Who’s more fun than people?” I love writers, love seeing their writing space where they birth their quirky characters.

I have a strong support system with other writers, Barb Marshak and Joy DeKok, to name two great ones. They are my link to sane living and sane writing. They provide honest feedback when I need it and even offer unsolicited advice when they can see I need it. This is especially true when they see me taking on another “something” and letting my writing slide away from me. We email each other every couple of days. Recently we’ve met once a month to talk about what we’re learning, both writing-wise as well as in the ever-changing world of social media. I also belong to several online writers’ groups where I have learned much from this virtual continuing education.

6. When and why did you begin writing?

I took a decade in my early 30′s to learn how to craft articles and started seeing my articles regularly published. I took another decade to get my print journalism degree, finally accomplishing that feat at 50. But without my having kept the spoken and written words of my life influencers in my head, cheering my on, I would never have had the courage to keep going. The power of others’ words, when they implore us to keep going toward that writing dream, must never be ignored. The “memory’s ear” that poet Marianne Moore wrote about, is so true. We must allow ourselves to hear our illuminators’ voices and use that to advance what we see in our mind’s eye into a reality.

7. What or who inspired you to write your first book?

People― and discovering the illuminators who instilled dreams in them. I love discovering the answers to why? and how? The time I spent revisiting my past by rereading old cards and letters unleashed for me altruism’s power. We truly can change our lives if we will invest the time to thank those who really shaped our lives.

8. How did you come up with the title, BlessBack?

A very good friend created the word, “BlessBack.” She gave me full rights to the word. I trademarked it and went to work shaping sentences into chapters, scenes into stories and voila, I soon had a completed manuscript.

9. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I believe that we each have a reason for being here at this time, this place. I want people to how important and needed they are right now. Each person matters. If people believed that and encouraged others to believe it, the world would change in a day. We truly have the power to change the way we think, the way we view life. You cannot have a positive and a negative thought at the same time. The two states are counter-intuitive to one another. The average person has 45,000 negative thoughts a day. Imagine if, by expressing our thanks to those who lit up our lives by their good words, we could instantly change our thoughts.

We don’t need to imagine. We simply need to pick up the phone or write a letter to say thanks in a meaningful way. Each time we do this, we train our brain to be happier and stay on the road to living a BlessBack Life.

JULIE SAFFRIN is the author of numerous articles and essays. She received her bachelor’s degree in print journalism and English from the University of St. Thomas. She divides her time between her home in Minneapolis and her Adirondack chair at her cabin on a lake in Ottertail County with her husband Rick, sons Sam, Joe and Jake, and a golden retriever named Mick. She can be reached at www.JulieSaffrin.com.

Give a BlessBack. Change your life. Change the world.

Visit Julie her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.