This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Bond Never Broken Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Judith Miller


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A Word from Judith:

Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history...


With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For many years, Ilsa Redlich has helped her parents run a hotel in South Amana, but as the United States enters the Great War, she can feel her world changing. The residents of the towns surrounding the Amana Colonies used to be accepting of their quiet, peaceful neighbors, but with anti-German sentiment running high, the Amana villages are now plagued by vandalism, threats, and insults.

Things get even worse when Ilsa finds out her family won't be allowed to speak German in public--and that Garon, the childhood friend she's long been smitten with, has decided to join the army. Jutta Schmidt is shocked when several members of the Council of National Defense show up on her family's doorstep. Sure, the Schmidts once lived in the Amana Colonies, but that was years ago. She's even more surprised when the council demands that she travel to Amana and report back on any un-American activities.

Not daring to disobey the government agents, Jutta takes a job at the South Amana hotel, befriends the daughter of the owners, and begins to eavesdrop every chance she gets. When Jutta hears Ilsa making antiwar remarks and observes Garon assisting a suspicious outsider, she is torn at the prospect of betraying her new friends.

But what choice does she have? And when Garon is accused of something far worse than Jutta could imagine, can the Amana community come to his aid in time?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bond Never Broken, go HERE.

A Laundry List

1. I like doing laundry.  I find it therapeutic.
2. This may be due to the fact that I do laundry for a family of 1.
3. It also feeds my OCD tendencies because shirts have to be folded a certain way to go in the drawer right, underwear must be folded a certain way to fit in the drawer organizer next to the socks so everything stays in its rightful place.
4. Towels are my favorites.  I once reorganized my boss' linen closet because I couldn't find a washcloth when keeping her kids and since I find folding towels therapeutic I pulled everything out, refolded it, and put it back in.  There was a nice stack of washcloths when I was done.
5. Nothing was where I put it by the next week.  Oh well.  
6. If people dropped their laundry off at my house, I'd do it for them.  Just  know that I will fold it my way and not your way.  
7. In college I did my boyfriend's laundry for him because he dropped it off at my house so it would be there when he got out of class.  He was not happy I did his laundry for him.  He was an ID10T.  Yes, Whit, if you're reading this, you know this guy.  And you can confirm this statement for me.  
8. I will iron if necessary.  But if there is a lot of ironing, I'm going to need to have a movie playing to entertain me while I perform this chore.
9. I use free of perfume/dyes laundry detergent because I've had reactions in the past.  Plus I feel like this doesn't fade my clothes as fast.
10. I've considered making my own detergent, but haven't gone that far yet.  Since my stash is getting low that may be my next step.  Anyone done this?  Have tips or a recipe they really like?
11. I bleach whites.  I only use Clorox for this.  The generic bleach just doesn't get it as white.  I tried it.  I didn't like it.  

An Interview With Bono

Check out this post that is an excerpt from the book Bono: In Conversation With Michka Assayas


The statement that struck me most profound in the whole article is "Religion can be the enemy of God."  I find this a common statement amongst my Christian friends these days.  We're tired of being labeled and judged based on denominations rather than the Bible.  I always hear the commercials on the radio for www.notreligion.com.  It's not about the religion.  It's about the relationship and the desire to follow Christ and become more like Him.  My prayer for my friends who do not believe, is that they will see past the religious ideas of this country and see through to the Christian ideals set forth by God in the Word.  Because the Word is the truth.  No where in the Bible does it say I have to be Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, etc. to go to heaven. No, it says I must believe.  And I do.

Bye Bye Blackberry

I knew it was coming.  The news reports said it was coming.  Internal communications said it was coming.  And today I got the email that made it all a reality.  Sometime in the next two weeks I will say goodbye to this (and AT&T)

and hello to this (and T-Mobile)

Reviews to come, I am sure.  Not exactly the phone upgrade I was looking forward to, but we'll see how it goes.  The Windows phones get mixed review and if you know me, you know I like to give an opinion.  

The King's Speech

I don't know if I've ever done a movie review on this here blog, but if not, it's time I start.  And The King's Speech is a great place to start.  This movie was spectacular.  It was witty and moving and beautifully acted.  Colin Firth as King George VI was spot on.   There was never a slow moment.  And when you weren't fully involved in wanting him to be able to speak without stuttering you were laughing over the cleverness of the script.

It did receive an R rating for language, but it's a movie to be enjoyed for the ages.  I don't regret spending the money to see it in the theater and it wouldn't take much to talk me into going back.  The DVD will definitely be making a permanent home in my collection when released.  So, if you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you head on over to the movie house near you so you'll know what the hype is about come Oscar time.  

Christmas Baking

Tomorrow I am going to hang out with my friend Whitney are little ones and do some Christmas baking.  Here are my staples for the holiday:

1. Chex Mix -- I may or may not have already made 4 batches of this in the past two weeks.  I like mine a little spicy so I've experimented with using both Tobasco sauce and Sriracha sauce as additive to give it a nice kick.  The Tobasco gives it a barely there heat while the Sriracha sauce definitely had a lingering bite.  I must admit I was a fan of both.  My granny made the best Chex Mix ever.  Don't even try to tell me so-and-so makes better Chex Mix because you are wrong.  The end.

2. Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies - I saw these on Bakerella's website a couple of years ago and they are so good. With or without the frosting.  Even those who say they don't like pumpkin love these as they don't have an overwhelming pumpkin flavor.

3. Holiday Pretzel Treats - Easy, peasy, one, two, threesy.  A cool alternative is to use Rolos and pecan halves. Then it tastes like a Turtle.

4. White chocolate covered Nutter Butters.  These need to explanation as they are amazing on their own.

5. The basics - Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies, etc.

6. One of these days I might get brave and even try these: Decorated Christmas Cookies

Do you have any holiday baking traditions?  What is a must have for you to feel like it is Christmas?

Happy Thanksgiving

In keeping with the Thanksgiving tradition, here are a list of things I am thankful for.

1. My 3 readers who missed me enough to remind me it had been almost a month since I blogged.
2. My family.  They are crazy, but the more I hear about other people's families, the more thankful I am that mine is a normal kind of crazy.  
3. My friends.  Old and new.  The old ones keep me grounded, the new ones are a journey.  
4. My best friends.  You know who you are.  And you know why you fit in this category.  We may not have everything in common or be in the same stages of life, but God saw it fit for us to to do life together, and I'm thankful for you.
5. Netflix and Wii.  I know this is superficial, but being able to watch TV shows without commercial streaming over the internet into my TV keeps me sane during the long days working from home.
6. My health. I do not take it for granted that I am healthy.  I can get up each morning, care for myself, travel, visit, and care for others.  I am not constrained to a bed or a chair and for that I am thankful.
7. My church family.  Church is not defined by 4 walls, stained glass windows, and a pulpit.  Church is defined by the community of people who come together to share in the blessings and reach out to those around them.  I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of a community that is doing big things for His kingdom.  
8. My job.  It may not be glamorous (or even long term) but in a time when the economy is struggling I am thankful to be employed.  
9. My past.  It may not be pretty, but it's what has shaped who I am today.  I have made many mistakes, but each one of them was a growing experience and I have learned so much from each one.  I am thankful for the challenges I have faced and the hills I've had to climb.
10. My faith.  This is not last because it is least important, but last because it is most important.  God is good, all the time.  And while we may not see it always, His hand is in everything and He is orchestrating every minute of our lives.  I am thankful that I know He will always be there for me.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  It's a guarantee.

I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have been able to share time with people you love.  If you haven't, I am saying extra prayers for those who are away from loved ones or are feeling unloved at the moment.