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Description: Professor Scrooge is a former pastor turned atheist. He despises anything to do with Christ - especially Easter. Determined not to celebrate the day, Scrooge lashes out at all who do. But then he meets with a surprising visitor, and is led on three different journeys by the spirits of Easter Past, Easter Present, and Easter Future. Will Scrooge change his views on Christ, Christianity, and Resurrection Sunday?

Since I am familiar with both the Christmas Carol and Tetzlaff’s work, I have been very curious to read her adaptation for my favorite holiday of the year, Easter. I was not disappointed in the least.

If you have read or watched any version of The Christmas Carol, you will be well acquainted with this story. As it says on the cover, this is an adaptation. She didn’t try to change the story, just translate it into a modern story about Easter and she did a wonderful job.

The setting and characters were translated well and felt very realistic, while still keeping a few of the smaller elements that made the Christmas Carol memorable. Scrooge was well done, and didn’t become ridiculous, which some versions make him.

The writing was strong, descriptive, and memorable. I know that I will be thinking about this story for many days to come. I probably will start making it a tradition to read it around Easter time as well, as it a good reminder of the joy Easter should bring into each of us.

I highly recommend this to those who enjoyed A Christmas Carol, like shorter reads, and want to be reminded of the joy of Easter.

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I have never been someone who has spent hours and hours in prayer, though I really wish I was. I start to pray silently, and my mind starts to wander. I walk outside and pray aloud and for a while I am focused, but then nature draws me, and I find myself just walking and admiring the things God has made. I pray as I am going to sleep, but struggle to keep my mind on track. I try to pray first thing in the morning, but my mind keeps going to my to-do list.

This summer, I was very blessed to work at Austin Disaster Relief Network. The people there are some of the best prayer warriors I have ever met. They were amazing examples of people who lived out a life of unceasing prayer in a way that was authentic, not forced, not just a practice that they felt made them better.

I stood in a room of frazzled volunteers and watched as taking fifteen minutes of prayer and reciting scripture completely transformed everyone, including me, into a peaceful worker. I watched as a whole room prayed for an angry caller, and his anger melted away. I also saw how prayer took the burden from my heart and placed it back on Jesus.

Prayer should:

Be Unceasing: I am to pray constantly, taking everything to God in prayer. It reminds me who has the power, and who is in control.  It helps me keep my focus upward, not on the things of earth.

Be Full of Thanksgiving and Praise: It shouldn’t just be about what I need, it also supposed to be about praising God for who He is and what He has done.

Bring Peace: If we lay everything at Jesus’ feet, there is no reason for us to pick it up again.

Now, I am trying to learn to pray as I go to sleep for each member of my family, and stop throughout the day to lift people, situations, and thanksgiving to God.

Well, are you ready to join me? We are going back to the basics! Feel free to share your thoughts and/or struggles in the comments, or by using #FaithBasics.

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Description: After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

Finally, I read To Win Her Heart! It has taken me so long to get to this story, and I have heard nothing but good things about it. However, even the best of books can be drowned in a to-read pile.

As I read this book, it felt a lot like a beauty and the beast story. Was it just me? I saw all sorts of parallels to that fairy tale, from the arrogant man who was attracted to Eden, to a man who never thinks he can win the love a woman, to the books that Eden loves so much. For me, it made the story even better to have that comparison.

The one negative thing about this book was how steamy it got at times. While I have no problem with physical attraction, some touching and even a kiss or two, I felt that at times the characters thought of little else. However, this was made up for by the strong Christian message and that they truly seemed to care more about character than what the other looked like.

As always, Witemeyer nailed her Christian message and made it very powerful. While I was not as deeply affected by it as I was some of the others, it still got me to thinking about forgiveness, redemption, and being kind to others.

I recommend this book to older readers who enjoy romance, well portrayed messages, and characters that leap off the page.

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God has been working on my heart a lot the past few months. I just haven’t been doing a lot of the basic things that make the Christian life work well. Simple things like daily Bible reading and praying throughout the day. In the past few years I have slowly lost my grasp on the basics of my faith.

Through both some of the books I have been writing, the people I have been fellowshipping with, and still small voice inside, I realized how neglectful I have been. I have forgotten the very basics, which make up the foundation of my faith. I wonder why my heart is not right, only to be reminded I have not been turning to the source of renewal.

Today is the beginning of a series that I have dubbed Faith Basics. I have even created a hashtag (#FaithBasics) so that all of us can share this journey together on social media. I encourage you to join me in this journey back to the basics.

The Bible

I am very guilty of getting up in the morning and starting on my to-do list and forgetting to crack open my Bible. So what are the most important habits when it comes to the Bible?

Reading: Obviously, I cannot expect to know what the Bible contains unless I am reading it often, preferably every day.  For me, I am trying to read one chapter before I get out of bed and one before I go to sleep. This won’t set any reading records, but it is a good way to start and end my day.

Meditating: As I get dressed and started on my day, I try to think about the chapter I read. I am not very good at this, but it is my goal to get better at it. One of the ways I am doing this is working on memorizing.

Memorize: I have not set out to memorize scripture in a long time. To help aid me in my quest to return to the basics, I am using My Scripture Journal: Gratitude. It has already helped me both in learning verses, but also in meditating more of scripture.

Search: Often, I hear people espouse ideas that they say are from the Bible, but when was the last time I searched the scriptures to make sure that was true? Sadly, I rely on my memory or trust the person who had the idea. I want to strive to be better and searching the scripture and checking what others say against it.

Well, are you ready to join me? We are going back to the basics! Feel free to share your thoughts and/or struggles in the comments, or by using #FaithBasics. 

November is a big month for writers because it is National Write a Novel Month! Yes, I am already starting to countdown because….

I am writing the sequel to A Different Kind of Courage!

That is right; William and Selah (among others) will make their return in a book sometime next year. November will be the month that thier story gets written.

Right now, I am knee deep in research. While some of the main historical characters have been identified for my story, others I am still trying to work out. I am reading a wide variety of books. My favorite sources are first-hand accounts; letters and documents of the people who lived and breathed during that time, such as the letters between John and Abigail Adams.

As you can see from the shelf (pictured above), I have a lot of books to work through. I am planning on rereading 1776, as I think the majority of the book will take place in that year. I am also reading a wide variety of biographies to help identify more historical characters to include, and get a better feel of the time.

As I come across a historical fact that I think I might find useful, I am writing it down on an index card along with the source. I am hoping that this will avoid the issue that I had with the last book, having to go back and find my sources again.

I have also created a timeline so I can easily keep track of the events that were going on and can build my story around it, but more of that next week.

Are you doing NaNoWriMo? Join me for the #NaNoCountdown series! You can even join with posts of your own.

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Description: Popular Author & Speaker Equips Women to Live Focused and Free

Women today are stretched thin, worn weary, and tired of living hurried lives. And nothing drains us more than signing up for things God never asked us to do, even if they are well-intentioned. Yet, all too often that's exactly where we lose our way.

In "Your Sacred Yes," Susie Larson shares personal stories and biblical insights to help you:

- Learn how--and when--to say "no" without guilt or shame

- Say "yes" to "life-giving," not life-draining, activities

- Find joy and abundance, fulfillment and freedom, each day

When we can't, or won't, say "no," we become captive to our commitments instead of free to respond to God's invitations. Here is your chance to say no to others' obligations and yes to the One who will rejuvenate your weary soul. Will you say "yes"?

I received this book for review back in June, and slowly read through while I was working full-time. I wish I could have read it in one sitting, it was so good, but perhaps reading it during a stressful job did more for me.

While many of the concepts in this book were not new to me, I found that I needed the reminder. Larson’s books feel like a conversation with your best friend over tea or coffee, not some spiritual guru trying to help to fix your life. Larson shares her own struggles and speaks from her own failures and issues, not from her strengths. The style itself is enough to draw you in and help you to be more open to the message.

 The layout of the book is very inviting and pretty. It just begs you to pick it up and read. The chapter lengths are perfect. They aren’t very long, but also not very short. I found them the perfect length to read in the morning during my quiet time.

This book was as good as Your Beautiful Purpose, with the same inviting style. I know that it has changed how I view requests for me to do something. It reminded me of the importance of commitment, doing what is best, and saying no sometimes.

I highly recommend this book to women who have a hard time saying no, are looking for some encouragement, and enjoy Christian non-fiction.

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I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

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Description: A Blessing a Day from Popular Author and Radio Host

This beautiful devotional gift book is for readers who want to start their day with a reminder of God's love and purpose for them. So often we wake up worried about our to-do lists and responsibilities and need a reminder of how God feels about us and who we are in him. Several years ago Susie began posting daily blessings on Facebook, and since then thousands have responded and forwarded the blessings along to others.

The blessings take only moments to read, but are packed with biblical promise and perspective. Along with a blessing, each day's spread also includes a related Scripture to point readers back to God's timeless truth.

Are there times during your day that you could just use a little pick-me up? I find that I have few of those each day. How quick I am to go for the tea (since I am not a coffee person) or something else. Yes, I am very slow to learn that what I really need is not found in a cup, but within the pages of a book. This gorgeous little devotional helps remind me.

Each page of this little book is just lovely. The pictures are stunning and the script inviting. The cover just begs to be opened, and the bookmark that is attached makes it easy to keep your place. It couldn’t be a more attractive book.

This devotional sits in my bathroom, and often I will sit there and read one of the entries. While the devotionals themselves are not incredible or deep, they helped turn my focus where it needed to be: on God. If you want something that you can use to study the Bible or be the center of your quiet time, this is not it. But if you need a little something just to turn your focus on God during the day, this is perfect.

I highly recommend this for those who love beauty, short devotionals, and just need a little something to brighten their day. It would also make a wonderful gift.

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While I did enjoy my job this summer, I am so thankful to be back to work on my writing. I also am really enjoying being part of the daily home life. There is nothing like it, and I wouldn’t trade the daily trials and joys of living with my family for anything.

I have already made significant progress in my writing. Those who have been waiting for Kate’s Case Files, will be happy to know that editing is almost complete. Those who want to be part of the advanced reader team should be getting an email by the end of the week.

With Kate’s Case Files out of my hands for a time, I am well beginning the first round of editing Emmeline, and writing a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

My writing might suffer a little because two friends are coming to visit me from out of state!