Julianna Deering -- Overcoming the Loss of Beloved Pets

Julianna Deering, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers.  

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?   

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my cats. I love most animals to tell the truth, but I keep cats because they’re so easy to take care of and so loving to have around. One of the most difficult things for me was when I lost three of them over a short period of time due to cancer. For me, losing one of my babies is as painful as losing a child. Losing three was very difficult. They each had a unique personality that can never be replaced.

CFP: I am sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing all three of them so close together. 

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?

My very favorite verse for difficult times is Isaiah 41:13:  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear. I will help you.” No matter what I’ve gone through, I have always found this to be true. I may not see it at first, but eventually I can see His hand guiding me and comforting me through whatever comes.

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty?

God’s help and comfort, of course. But getting new cats (especially the ones from the shelter who desperately need homes) always lets me know that life goes on and that He provides us with love and companionship if we just look for it.
CFP: I found that picture of a trio of adorable kittens on the internet and am sharing it here. There are so many pets looking for adoption -- and love!

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?  

At present, only the first book in the series, Rules of Murder, is available as an audiobook, however every book in the series is text-to-speech enabled and available in a large-print version.
CFP: My audiobook review will be up on Tuesday!

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

I’m not sure if this is the kind of situation you’re looking for, but I do happen to have someone in Murder on the Moor who is blind. I didn’t plan on her being blind originally. I didn’t even plan on having her in the book at all, but she appeared and fit into my plot just perfectly. I especially like her because her blindness doesn’t define her. 

BIO:

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross-stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her series of Drew Farthering mysteries, set in 1930s England, debuted from Bethany House with Rules of Murder (2013) and is followed by Death by the Book and Murder at the Mikado (2014), Dressed for Death (2016), Murder on the Moor (2017) and Death at Thorburn Hall (coming Fall 2017). Also, as DeAnna Julie Dodson, she has written a trilogy of medieval romances (In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered) and six contemporary mysteries for Annie’s Fiction. She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz).

Julianna’s Links:

On the web:

 www.juliannadeering.com

&

www.deannajuliedodson.com

On Facebook:

Author Julianna Deering

Author DeAnna Julie Dodson

On Twitter:

@DeAnnaJulDodson

On Goodreads: Julianna Deering

Book Links:

Christianbook.com: Drew Fathering

Amazon:

Drew Fathering Mysteries

Barnes and Noble:

Murder on the Moor

Books-A-Million:

Murder on the Moor

Book blurb:

            At the urgent request of Drew's old school friend, Hubert "Beaky" Bloodworth, Drew and Madeline Farthering come to Bloodworth Park Lodge in the midst of the Yorkshire moors, a place as moody and mysterious as a Brontë hero. According to Beaky, there have been several incidents of mischief making out on the moor, property destroyed, fires started, streams dammed up, sheep and cattle scattered and, if local gossip is to be believed, the sighting of the shadowy figure of a great black hound. Worst of all, the vicar has been found dead on the steps of the church, and no one can imagine who would want to kill him.

            Beaky is obviously smitten with his wife of eight months, the gorgeous and vivacious Sabrina Bloodworth, though it's hard to imagine what she sees in a man as awkward and plain as he. Drew can't help wondering if Sabrina's affections lie more with Beaky's money than himself and, just perhaps, with the fiery Welsh gamekeeper, Rhys Delwyn. Delwyn says poachers are to blame for the recent trouble, Sabrina claims the moor is haunted, and Beaky suspects that Carter Gray, a neighboring landowner with a longstanding grudge against the Bloodworths, is behind the episodes. But when someone else is murdered and the troubling incidents grow more threatening, Drew begins to suspect local ne'er-do-well Jack Midgley of more than poaching. But just how does Midgley fit into the scheme and who is paying him? It's up to Drew to look past his own prejudices, determine what is really going on, and find the killer before it's too late.

GIVEAWAY: Juliana is giving away a paperback copy of Murder on the Moor. Answer this question: What would you like to see in cozy mystery that you haven’t seen before?

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Audiobook Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Triple Power--Bibliotherapy, Audiobook, and Overall Novel (Kim's book will be included on my 2014 Best of List in December for ALL three components)

Amazing Story and Characters!  Kim Vogel Sawyer has hit a home run with this story. Continues to have her no nonsense but sweet voice, this has a solid believable story, and all the characters, even the minor ones, are well developed.

Heroine, Christina Willems, is left with a legacy of caring for others. But her shoulders cannot bear the weight all alone, despite her efforts to do so.  The author beautifully shows how God has to be trusted to provide. She's been running a poor farm with her father but now he has passed away.  But she is determined to continue caring for those in her charge. After the home is damaged she is able to place all the residents elsewhere except for a blind boy.

Levi Johnson has hidden off by himself for so long that his connections with others are almost nil. But when the mill owner is forced to take in a blind boy, he finds a part of himself that had gone missing. And as his heart softens, he makes room for Christina, too.

I listened to this book through Audible.com, as an audio download. I have a Platinum membership and will offer a credit for this book to one commenter who enjoys audiobooks if they would prefer this option for reading. Narration was excellent.

Bibliotherapy elements: Father's pocket watch is somewhat of a talisman for Christina and becomes an important item in the plot. Having one's faith tested. Fellowship with others. Coming back to the Lord.  All kinds of bibliotherapy elements. Also coping with unexpected pregnancy--one of the secondary characters, Cora, is dealing with the shame of unwed pregnancy. Hypocrisy in the church. Levi has the elements of not fully using his God-given talents. He also has to reconcile his feelings about his depressed father, who died a broken man. And the sweet blind boy at the core of the story becomes so competent under the tutelage of Levi that one begins to forget he was blind.


Skillfully told tale. Highly recommend! This book will be up for my 2014 Books of the Year for three categories: Book, audiobook, and bibliotherapy book.

Giveaway:We are giving away 2 copies of choice of Kim's books this week - Reader's choice of book and format including audiobook choice, as mentioned. (International winners ebook only or paperback if book is available through the Book Depository.) And a Starbuck's $10 gift card! "Like" Kim's Amazon Author page and put "AA" and answer this question to enter: Have you ever read a book about a poor house set in America? 

Here are a couple of other of Kim's new books:

                                                          

Kim's May 6th Release

Kim's January Release

WHAT ONCE WAS LOST by Kim Vogel Sawyer and Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

What Once was Lost

What Once Was Lost

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

WaterBrook Press (September 17, 2013)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

Heart Warming and Gripping

Set in Kansas in the late 1800’s, this thoroughly captivating story with its skilfully-crafted charming characters, and unique story-line, completely grabbed my attention and my heart from the very beginning!

Christina Willems faithfully runs the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor, having taken over after the passing of her father. The poor and displaced individuals that live in this beautiful old 3-story Victorian house have in a sense become Christina’s family. She has opened her heart fully to them all and sees to their every need, even to the detriment of her own. She had become their provider, protector, and friend. So how will Christina cope when there is a mysterious fire that makes the house uninhabitable for her and the poor residents to dwell in? Can she find suitable places for all on such short notice, and will she cope having her ‘family’ scattered about until the damaged house can be repaired?

Mill owner Levi Jonnson is a loner and likes it that way… or so he thinks. That was until the lovely Christina came begging him to look after little Tommy, the blind boy that everyone else rejected. Levi’s painful past has caused him to place a barrier around his heart against people and God alike, but will young Tommy be the one to break down some of the confines that Levi has erected? Or will Levi conclude that it’s not worth the pain and forsake Tommy also?

Another prominent character of this story is the aforementioned 11 year old Tommy Kilgore, who was abandoned by his father and dumped at the Poor house after Tommy became blind. Mentally abused before he was finally discarded, Tommy also bears many imprinted scars invisible to the naked eye, but glaring in his personality. Reading Tommy’s viewpoint in the story gave me an opportunity to see through his unseeing eyes into his world and his needs. I adored this character and silently cheered for Tommy for every small accomplishment he mastered. However, Tommy has a fear-driven secret which results in some very dire consequences for him and all those he loves!

‘What Once Was Lost’ is an immensely stirring tale of people who have allowed their past to deeply impact their present lives. And it expressively illustrates how God can be busy directing new paths when all seems lost to us, while highlighting the importance of sharing our burdens with God and others. I loved the unpredictability, the heart-rending moments regarding Tommy, and the sweet charisma that hovered between Christina and Levi. Suspense, drama, and a fulfilling conclusion complete this wonderful novel. Highly recommended!!

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This book may be purchased at Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and The Book Depository (free Worldwide delivery)

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GIVEAWAY: Answer this Question to Enter: Do you know of someone who has impaired vision or is blind and what do you think is their greatest strength? 

We are giving away 2 copies of Kim's book this week - Reader's choice of book and format (International winners ebook only or paperback if book is available through the Book Depository). And a Starbuck's $10 gift card!

*Follow Kim on Twitter (put"T") or 'Like' her page on FB (put "FB") in your comments. 

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Interview with Nancy Rue – Overcoming Depression

Nancy Rue

Nancy  Rue is the co-author of The Merciful Scar, written with Rebecca St. James.

Nancy, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

It’s an honor to be asked.

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? 

I would have to say my struggle with clinical depression. I’ve been through a lot of loss of loved ones and have had some physical issues myself, but the mental challenge has been the most difficult to deal with and heal from. It’s largely under control now, but daily I, first of all, thank God for both medication and deep spiritual healing, and secondly, stay conscious of my thoughts and how they can lead me into trouble! The loss of perspective that comes with depression can be frightening and I have to say that having lived through a number of episodes, I am closer to God and get my perspective from him. 

(CFP: PTL that you are doing well, Nancy. Thank you for sharing. This is a relatively common disorder but few people talk about it. Somewhere near 10% of the general population suffers from it at any given time.)

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?  

All of my adult novels before The Merciful Scar are available as audio books: the three Sullivan Crisp novels (Healing Stones, Healing Waters, and Healing Sands) and the three Reluctant Prophet novels (The Reluctant Prophet, Unexpected Dismounts, and Too Far To Say Far Enough). Since Thomas Nelson, the publisher of this most recent book, traditionally produces an audio version, it’s safe to assume they will for The Merciful Scar as well. My father was blind for several years before he died, and in those days (the 60’s) he had what were known as “Talking Books” – read on vinyl records. I would sit with him for hours listening; in fact, that was my first “reading” of Pride and Prejudice.  All that to say, I am a great supporter of audio books.    

(CFP: My daughter and I LOVED all of Nancy Rue's books for young people. We'd read and re-read them.  I've also read the books on history with my son, who is a history buff.)

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

Absolutely. The presenting problem for the protagonist, Kirsten, is self-injury, also known as “cutting.” The story is actually about her healing, not simply to stop hurting herself, but to understand why she feels the need to cut into her flesh, and what the healing power of God is truly about. Another character in the book suffers from Post Traumatic Stress after serving two tours in Afghanistan (a young woman). A third, a young man, is becoming present to repressed memories. All three of them are under the care of a spiritual mentor who asks them the right questions and presents them with the opportunities to find God and thus their healing. A great deal of research went into this book, and Rebecca and I feel that it is not only relevant but accurate. Actually, all of my books are what I would call therapeutic. The Bible is always there. The mentor is always there. And God is always there. 

Thank you, Nancy, for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

That’s my plan! And thank YOU.

GIVEAWAY:  This week we will be giving away readers choice of ANY of Nancy's many books, choice of format. International winners ebook only unless the book is available on the Book Depository.

Book Review – Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Book Review – Highland Sanctuary

by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Abingdon Press 2011

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

This book really parallels what this blog is all about - people overcoming problems, through time, with God's help. In Highland Sanctuary, Jennifer's characters live in a village of outcasts. Serena Boyd has suffered since infancy from seizures, which the people, including her father, believe reflects demon-possession. As Jennifer shared in her interview on Monday, she has a daughter with seizure disorder so she well knows what the heroine, Serena, in her story is going through. Mothers will relate to Serena's mother, a true lady in every way and heroic in her love of her daughter.

The hero, Gavin, comes to help repair the castle in the village, along with his men. He is as faithful and steady as they come, something I really like. Those rogues are fun to read about once in a while but in my way of looking at things, a loyal steady man is a lot more romantic than an impulsive dashing rogue! The laird of the castle has his eye on Serena, too. I won't do any spoilers here, but you will have to read to find out how the two compare. The laird is a kind and thoughtful man who goes to great lengths to include Serena in activities at his castle and to make her feel welcome.

Be prepared to set all other activities completely aside as you get near the end because you will not be able to stop reading the last tenth of the book until you are entirely done!  Great wrap up, a nail digger!  Well done, Jennifer!

Bibliotherapy: This book really packs a punch when it comes to people overcoming problems, through time, with God's help. 

This book could be used for bibliotherapy in mental health practices and by special education teachers, also, as well as by other groups who minister to persons with disabilities.  

The entire book ministers to people with disabilities.  Seizure disorder, blindness, stuttering, and more are addressed in the village of the Outcasts. It also tells a great story.  

Disability Friendliness: Available in paperback and Kindle. I received this as a PDF file and began to read on my computer but switched to the Kindle version as soon as that came out. Apparently Abingdon had a tiny hitch in getting the Kindle version out near the time that the print version became available.

GIVEAWAY THIS WEEK - Highland Sanctuary. Leave a comment and your email address!

She Sees With Her Heart

Lady in the Mist, Laurie Alice Eakes’ new book, was delivered to me as an advance copy and thank goodness for that because my other copies have not arrived yet. ACK!!! I don’t know why, maybe because it just released. I am over halfway through and she kept me waiting to figure out if the hero really was going to be the hero or not. I think he is. ------- Okay, so I read some more. I keep doing that instead of all the chores I have waiting after my vacation to Disney with my in-laws.

Laurie Alice is blind but it really struck me as I was reading the great book that she sees with her heart. Her guide-dog, Nick, is a fantastic help, but he could not be her eyes for her writing. That just all comes from inside her and her relationship with the Lord. Will post my full review when I am done reading but then again this is one of those books you want to savor. It is a suspense as well as historical romance but not one of those must-rush-through types. I prefer getting to know my characters better.

Apparently this is available in a Kindle Audio version. Off to see what my hubby wants to buy me for Valentine’s Day. A Kindle is very romantic. Do you think so?

Large Print Books

"I just learned that When the Snow Flies and Lady in the Mist are both coming out in large print. February and May respectively."

Emailed to be by Laurie Alice Eakes—Lady in the Mist, February 1, 2011

Read an excerpt at:

http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com/

BTW, Laurie is completely blind, the only contemporary American author I know of who is.

Why am I excited? Because I wear trifocals and have an eye problem that sometimes causes my vision to get blurry even with the glasses. I am happy for people who have poor vision but will now be able to read Laurie Alice's books. Prayers have been answered. Sometimes I get discouraged when I really want to read a new or newer book and it is not on audio or in large print. The Kindle versions on a computer screen are better, too, but not everything is available in that format.

What about you? Please leave a comment on Laurie Alice's website AND on mine, to be entered for a chance to win a copy of Lady in the Mist, her book releasing later this month. It will be in standard print and if you can read that easily, please thank your Maker today.

Blessings! Carrie