No God but One: Allah or Jesus?: A Former Muslim Investigates the Evidence for Islam and Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi

Having shared his journey of faith in the New York Times bestselling Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi now examines Islam and Christianity in detail, exploring areas of crucial conflict and unpacking the relevant evidence.

In this anticipated follow-up book, Nabeel reveals what he discovered in the decade following his conversion, providing a thorough and careful comparison of the evidence for Islam and Christianity--evidence that wrenched his heart and transformed his life.

In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi recounted his dramatic journey, describing his departure from Islam and his decision to follow Christ. In the years that followed, he realized that the world’s two largest religions are far more different than they initially appeared.

No God but One: Allah or Jesus? addresses the most important questions at the interface of Islam and Christianity: How do the two religions differ? Are the differences significant? Can we be confident that either Christianity or Islam is true? And most important, is it worth sacrificing everything for the truth?

Nabeel shares stories from his life and ministry, casts new light on current events, and explores pivotal incidents in the histories of both religions, providing a resource that is gripping and thought-provoking, respectful and challenging.

Both Islam and Christianity teach that there is No God but One, but who deserves to be worshiped, Allah or Jesus?

My review:

  I am thankful to be on the launch team for another of Nabeel's books. I found his first book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, a fascinating read. This one is different and more of an in depth book, but was still an interesting read.

  The idea of the book is to show the evidence for who is the real God, Allah or Jesus, and disprove whichever one is false. Since Nabeel converted to Christianity from Islam, it is obvious which one he disproves in the book, but it was still an interesting - and helpful - read. He covered some things in the book, such as evidence and proof of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection that I had not really considered, and I was encouraged and more convinced of Christianity/Jesus being right after reading the book than when I began.

 Throughout the book, Nabeel gives the Islam answer to things like the Crucifixion and Resurrection, and the Christian answer, then disproves the Islam view. He also shows the differences between Christianity and Islam and between Muhammad and Jesus. I learned a lot about Islam, the Quaran, Muhammad, and the thinking and beliefs of Muslims. One of the most interesting sections to me was on the Quaran and how Nabeel showed that it isn't well preserved at all, and relies mostly on verbal tellings of it by different people.

  This book would be ideal for Muslims questioning their beliefs, if they could be convinced to read it. Nabeel does a great in depth study into the differences in these two religions, and shows the many holes and inconsistencies in Islam and the Quaran. I highly recommend it.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.



About the author:

Nabeel Qureshi is a New York Times best-selling author and an itinerant speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Since completing his medical degree in 2009, he has dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel through teaching, preaching, writing, and debating.

Dr. Qureshi has lectured to students at over 100 universities, including Oxford, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Hong Kong. He has participated in 18 public debates around North America, Europe, and Asia. Following the release of his first book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, he received the Christian Book Award for the categories of both ‘Best New Author’ and ‘Best Non-Fiction’ of 2015.

Nabeel focuses on the foundations of the Christian faith, ancient Judaism, early Islam, and the interface of science and religion. He holds an MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School, an MA in Christian apologetics from Biola University, and an MA in Religion from Duke University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in New Testament studies at Oxford University where he lives with his wife, Michelle.

No God but One is available from Zondervan on August 30, 2016. Thanks to the launch team for the review copy.

Without Warning by Lynette Eason

Taut Writing and Breakneck Pacing That Will Keep Readers Up All Night 

Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business. 

Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again. 
Witty dialogue and a simmering attraction will have readers flying through this tension-laced thriller. Eason exercises complete control of her readers' emotions as they race through the pages to discover the truth.

My review:

  I have been hooked on Lynette's books since the first one I read by her. Although they tend to be written for women more than men, I have enjoyed every book I have read by her.

 This series bugs me a bit, as the idea of female body guards guarding men just seems......weird.....but once I put that aside, I have been able to really enjoy this book and the one it follows.

 Without Warning brings back some of the same characters from the first book, and moves Katie Singleton to being one of the main characters. I liked her character a lot, as well as Daniel.....who was portrayed as needing a bodyguard without making him look weak or helpless.

  The book is packed with nonstop suspense and action. A lot happens in this book, and it had me guessing to who the guilty party was, although I was proud of myself to figure out a motive before it was disclosed.

 The romantic aspect was done well and wasn't overly gushy as some authors do. I read the book in one evening, and couldn't put it down until I finished it..... it is that good.

 This is the second book in the Elite Guardian Series, and though I'd recommend reading them in order, it isn't necessary to do so.

I was given a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."



Without Warning is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

The Occupied by Craig Parshall

From "New York Times" bestselling author Craig Parshall comes a riveting story of supernatural suspense. As a youth, Trevor Black unleashed spiritual forces he couldn't comprehend. Years later, Trevor is a high-flying criminal defense lawyer in New York City, with a six-figure Aston Martin and a trophy wife. But in an extraordinary turn of events, he receives a burdensome gift: the ability to perceive the invisible. And the dark forces he now sees are all gunning for him.When one of Trevor's hometown friends is murdered, the MO is eerily similar to a shocking trail of murders that have already crossed the lawyer's path. So Trevor must return home to find the killer. . . and face not only his own personal demons, but supernatural ones as well.


My review:

  It has been a long time since I have read a book by Craig Parshall, but I remember liking everything I read by him. That made it an easy decision to request this book for review. And I was not disappointed.

  This book is totally different from his other works. It reminded me a lot of Frank Peretti's earliest books with the supernatural and the main character's ability to see demons in people. To be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to like the book at first, but the further I got in the book, the more I liked it.

What I didn't like:
The first person point of view. It isn't a favorite of mine, and I think the third person pov would have worked better for this novel.

What I liked:
The main character. Parshall did a great job on his character of Trevor Black. His internal struggle to do what is right is inspiring, even though the book is fictional.

The suspense. This was a book where I couldn't tell what was going to happen next, and there were a lot of surprises.

The "supporting" characters. The book is full of interesting and colorful characters both good and bad. The dialogue and interactions between them and the main character were done masterfully.

The supernatural aspect. A book like this is a great reminder that there is a spirit world out there fighting Christians and all that is good and right. I felt Parshall did a great job of portraying and describing those beings in the book.

  I was surprised at the identity of the main bad guy. The author managed to keep that difficult to figure out.

  I found this a very enjoyable read, and am looking forward to more in this series.

I was given a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

As a New York Times Best Selling fiction writer, Craig Parshall has authored or co-authored 11 suspense novels. His novels have been translated into multiple languages and have drawn high praise from the likes of veteran Hollywood filmmakers and producers Ken Wales and Phil Cooke, Publishers Weekly, and on his military thrillers, stellar marks from Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson, USAF (retired) who carried the "nuclear football" for the President of the United States. In addition to his work as a novelist and magazine columnist, Craig is a constitutional lawyer and Washington insider who serves as Special Counsel to the American Center for Law & Justice. Craig has testified multiple times on civil liberty issues before committees of both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives and before the Federal Communications Commission regarding the future of American media, and has represented clients before the U.S. Supreme Court. He speaks across the nation on issues of free speech and religious liberty, faith, culture & creativity, and law, and was the founding director of a groundbreaking effort to develop a First Amendment paradigm for Internet-based social media and communication platforms. Craig is married to nationally syndicated radio talk-show host Janet Parshall.


The Occupied is available from Tyndale Publishing.

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.

When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks

Gwen Marcey takes death in stride. Until she's faced with her own mortality.

Forensic artist Gwen Marcey is between jobs when she accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky---a small town facing big-city crime. But before Gwen can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others.

Gwen suspects a connection between the rapist and the "accidental" deaths that are happening around town, but the local sheriff has little interest in her theories. When her digitally-obsessed teenage daughter joins her there, Gwen turn her attention to a second assignment: going undercover in a serpent-handling church. She could get a handsome reward for uncovering illegal activity there---a reward she desperately needs, as it seems her breast cancer has returned. But snakes aren't the only ones ready to kill. Can Gwen uncover the truth---and convince anyone to believe her---before she becomes a victim herself?

My review:

  This is only the third book by Parks, and I have enjoyed all three and have found myself wishing she had more books out there to read. This one may be her best yet, and is one I didn't want to put down. The plot and story line were really great, and I found the whole snakes being used in worship thing fascinating. Even though I still think people who do that are nuts, I understand it a little more after reading this novel.

  I have never been - and will never be - a big fan of first person point of view writing, but Parks does it so well that I had to go back and look after finishing the book to see which point of view she used for writing.

 The author uses her expertise in being a forensic artist to bring authenticity to the main character's work in that area, and does a good job of making it interesting.

 The suspense element is always important to me, and this book is full of it. I was in the dark as to the identity of the killer until the last minute, and found myself totally surprised. It is fun to figure that out, but it is also fun to be surprised, and this book did just that.

 Loved and really enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to reading more about Gwen and her work.

This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Carrie Stuart Parks is an award-winning fine artist and internationally known forensic artist. She teaches forensic art courses to law enforcement professionals and is the author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing. Carrie began to write fiction while battling breast cancer and was mentored by New York Times best-selling author Frank Peretti. Now in remission, she continues to encourage other women struggling with cancer.



 Carrie Stuart Parks’ ‘When Death Draws Near’ Undercover Artist Starter Set

Plunge into forensic artist Gwen Marcey's world, full of cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects. Add Carrie Stuart Parks' new Gwen Marcey novel, When Death Draws Near, to the top of your must-read list. Gwen accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before she can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself?

Join Carrie in celebrating the release of When Death Draws Near by entering to win an Undercover Artist Starter Set.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of When Death Draws Near
• A $30 Michael's or Hobby Lobby gift card (winner's choice)
• Colored pencils
• A sharpener
• A pencil case
• An eraser
• A coloring prayer book
• A coloring notecard set
• A lap desk

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 22. The winner will be announced August 23 on the Litfuse blog.

Outcry by Ryan Romeo

   OUTCRY declares that local churches are at the heart of Christianity and you can make a difference in your community. The OUTCRY tours were born out of a desire to be the lights and sounds of the greatest movement in the world - the local church. While studies and critics may indicate a decline of the local church, Ryan Romeo's OUTCRY attests that the movement is only increasing. It's time we band together to empower the local church to influence the surrounding culture. It's you. It's us. Stand behind the church Jesus gave His life for. The part you play in your local church matters. You are an integral part of bringing God's story to all corners of the world. God's church isn't finished! Her best days are ahead.

My review:

   I wasn't familiar with the Outcry tour before I read this book, so I learned about it  while reading the book which is ultimately about the local church and how we can make a difference in our community, no matter how big or small the church is.

  At the end of each chapter is a short passage written by someone in the Christian music industry. The book is an interesting read, and the author does a great job of showing the need for churches to get involved in their community. I found it an easy and fast read that kept my attention, and it was refreshing to see someone giving credit to small churches as being as important in this as the larger churches.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

RYAN ROMEO is an artist, worship leader, writer and speaker. He has a deep passion for the church and all things creative. He currently works at his local church and is the Creative Director for OUTCRY Tour. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife Blake and their three children.


Outcry is available from Worthy Publishing.

Thanks to Worthy for the review copy.

The Witnesses by Robert Whitlow

Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise—until his grandfather’s mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.


Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.


While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.


Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future. 

My review:

  I loved Robert Whitlow's earlier books. They were the stuff legal thrillers were made of. And then he seemed to back away from the thriller part and wrote several books I just couldn't get into. This book sounded more like his earlier books, so I requested it. It doesn't quite fall into the thriller category, though there are some suspenseful moments, but it was a great read anyway.

 This is one of those novels that takes place modern day, but jumps to the past several times. The past it jumps to is the past of a German Captain under Hitler's regime. I enjoyed the whole book, but found these glimpses into the past of a fictional German soldier fascinating, especially one who wasn't all for what was going on.

What I liked about the book:

Plot: excellent, especially with the blending of past and present.

Characters: Loved them, especially Parker and the relationship he had with his grandfather.

Setting: Great setting for both past and present.

Content: The people who are bothered by "preachy" books won't mind this one, though the author doesn't shy away from Christian topics and there is several scenes in a church.

Language: no issues.

What I didn't like about the book: Nothing.... loved it

   This is the best book, in my opinion, that Whitlow has written for several years. Though it didn't have a lot of suspense like his earlier novels did, there is still a large suspense factor throughout the book. I learned a little about law process, and learned a new term "dram shops" and what that entails. The book had a great ending, and I enjoyed the whole book far more than I expected to. 5 stars for sure.

I was given a copy of  this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Robert Whitlow grew up in north Georgia. He graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a BA in history in 1976 and received his JD with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1979. A practicing attorney, he is a partner in a Charlotte, NC law firm. He and his wife Kathy have four children and three grandchildren.
Robert began writing in 1996. His novels are set in the South and include both legal suspense and interesting characterization. It is his desire to write stories that reveal some of the ways God interacts with people in realistic scenerios.


The Witnesses is available from Thomas Nelson Publishers

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for the review copy.

The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James Rubart

What if there was a place where everything wrong in your life could be fixed?


Corporate trainer Jake Palmer coaches people to see deeper into themselves—yet he barely knows himself anymore. Recently divorced and weary of the business life, Jake reluctantly agrees to a lake-house vacation with friends, hoping to escape for ten days.


When he arrives, Jake hears the legend of Willow Lake—about a lost corridor that leads to a place where one’s deepest longings will be fulfilled.


Jake scoffs at the idea, but can’t shake a sliver of hope that the corridor is real. And when he meets a man who mutters cryptic speculations about the corridor, Jake is determined to find the path, find himself, and fix his crumbling life.


But the journey will become more treacherous with each step Jake takes.

My review:

  I became an instant fan of James Rubart's books when I read his first novel, Rooms. His books are far from being the average Christian fiction novels out there, and he always has such an interesting way of writing.

  I had some extra time last night and decided to read a few chapters in this new book of Rubart's, fully intending to lay it aside...... and that never happened. The trials of Jake Palmer pulled me into the book and I read the entire book in one sitting....... and enjoyed every minute of it.

 Rubart has a talent for addressing issues in a fictional way that take a hold and stick with you far better than a non-fictional book ever could. The message of this book is two-fold: true healing comes in the heart, not outwardly/physically, and we need to stop hiding our scars and struggles and bring them into the light.

  I loved the characters, especially Jake, who had lost so much and had high hopes of finding this secret corridor where he'd get his heart's desire. The plot and setting were great, and Rubart wrote in such a way that I wasn't sure how the story was going to go and what all would happen. It didn't go  the way I thought it would, but it was an amazing book with an amazing ending. I highly recommend it.

I was given a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories.

He's the best-selling, Christy, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of seven novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com


The Long Journey to Jake Palmer is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for the review copy.

Dove Channel review

  I was given the opportunity to review the Dove Channel Website, and jumped at the chance. I don't often get the chance to review a website.

  The site has a lot of Christian movies, but not all of them are Christian. There are several movies and TV shows that are not Christian, yet are clean and Dove approved.

 You can browse by Dove rating or by genre', which there are 11 categories of: drama, comedy, westerns, etc. Each movie also has a description of the movie with a review, rating it on sexuality, language, drugs, and other elements. There is also a search bar to search for movies by name.

  There is also an option to personalize the site so movies by only certain ratings come up as choices.

 I don't know how many movies and TV shows are on the site, but there seems to be a very good and wide selection to view.

   There is some free content to view with just an email subscription. If you want to get access to all of the titles provided on the Dove Channel ad-free, along with the Dove Channel Customization Tool, you will want to sign up for a full Dove Channel membership. There are currently three different plans to choose from:

1. $4.99 billed each month which includes a free 30 day trial of the service.

2. $11.99 billed each three months (Savings of 20% a month).

3. $39.99 billed each year (Savings of 33% a month).

  I recommend the site. There are a lot of clean and family friendly choices on the site and you won't need to worry about exposing kids to the wrong kind of entertainment.

 Check them out at DoveChannel.com and get a free 30-day trial.

Duplicity by Newt Gingrich and Pete Early

The greatest nightmare for the free world today would be a master terrorist hiding somewhere, controlling and coordinating radical Islamic groups at the highest level around the globe.

In DUPLICITY, the newest thriller from former Speaker of the House and bestselling author Newt Gingrich, such an invisible hand overseeing havoc worldwide plays a major role. Gingrich has teamed with former Washington Post reporter and bestselling author Pete Earley to create a highly plausible mix of domestic and global action in this ripped-from-the-headlines thriller.
And of course, it's set during an American presidential election.

When President Sally Allworth decides to reestablish America's Mogadishu embassy in Somalia weeks before Election Day, her challenger says she is playing politics with American lives. That turns out to be true when the embassy is attacked and hostages are taken. Embassy station chief Gunter Conner and Marine captain Brooke Grant end up the unlikely survivors of this Benghazi-style attack. Suddenly, they are the only hope for saving their captured colleagues.

The firestorm of drama is compelling, set off by the intersection of Washington power and politics, a fragile third-world Islamic country, and Somali Americans here at home.

Only Newt Gingrich's unique in-depth knowledge of the political realities of friend and foe could weave such a spellbinding tale of events and personalities, one that could actually happen . . . if America's leaders aren't wary of a world full of DUPLICITY.

My review:

  I have never read a fiction novel by Newt Gingrich, but this sounded really good. It was a bit different from my usual fiction reading, as I wouldn't classify this Christian fiction. It has a lot of cursing in it, and though there are a few Christian elements occasionally, it isn't enough that I would call it Christian fiction.

  Outside of the curse words,  I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It deals with a very current topic and one that is on everyone's minds: radical Muslim extremists and terrorism. The plot was so close to what is happening in our world, that it made the book seem not so fictional.

 The authors came up with some great characters for these novels, some likable and some not likable at all. With Gingrich's political experience, I figure some of the scenarios he spun with the dealings between politicians and the cover ups attempted are probably way too close to what really does go on, which is a bit disconcerting to think about, but it did help me get a better idea of what goes on behind the scenes.

 There is a lot of violence in the novel, all to do with Muslim extremism and attempts by the military to take them out. I found it a very thrilling and interesting read and look forward to reading the next book.

I was given a copy of  this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the authors:

Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich (born Newton Leroy McPherson) is an American politician who served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. In 1995, Time magazine selected him as the Person of the Year for his role in leading the Republican Revolution in the House, ending 40 years of the Democratic Party being in the majority. During his tenure as Speaker, he represented the public face of the Republican opposition to Bill Clinton.

A college history professor, political leader, and author, Gingrich twice ran unsuccessfully for the House before winning a seat in the election of November 1978. He was re-elected ten times, and his activism as a member of the House's Republican minority eventually enabled him to succeed Dick Cheney as House Minority Whip in 1989. As a co-author of the 1994 Contract with America, Gingrich was in the forefront of the Republican Party's dramatic success in that year's Congressional elections and subsequently was elected Speaker of the House. Gingrich's leadership in Congress was marked by opposition to many of the policies of the Clinton Administration. Shortly after the 1998 elections, when Republicans lost five seats in the House, Gingrich announced his resignation from his House seat and as Speaker.

Since resigning his seat, Gingrich has maintained a career as a political analyst and consultant. He continues to write works related to government and other subjects, such as historical fiction. Recently, he founded the conservative 527 group American Solutions for Winning the Future.

Pete Earley is a storyteller who has penned 13 books including the New York Times bestseller The Hot House and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize finalist Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness.

After a 14-year career in journalism, including six years at The Washington Post, Pete became a full-time author with a commitment to expose the stories that entertain and surprise.

His honest reporting and compelling writing helped him garner success as one of few authors with ”the power to introduce new ideas and give them currency,” according to Washingtonian magazine.

When Pete’s life was turned upside down by the events recounted in his book Crazy, he joined the National Alliance of Mental Illness to advocate for strong mental health reform on the public stage.

Duplicity is available from Center Street Publishing, part of the Hatchette Book Group.

Thanks to Hatchette for the review copy.

God Made You Just Right by Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Amy Wummer

Here is a message that every parent will want to share with his or her child: You're brilliantly created and there's no one else like you!? With easy-to-understand descriptions and simple, rhyming text, Jill Roman Lord shares the message that God created each of us in just the right way in a manner that even the youngest child will understand. Bright and engaging illustrations from Amy Wummer pair perfectly with the text and enhance the appeal of the book.

My review:

   This is a really cute book geared for younger children to help them see how special they are and what a good job did on making them. It is a board book 22 pages in length. The author goes over different part of the body and how God made them so they could be used for things like throwing the ball, making cookies, etc. Each page has great pictures done by illustrator Amy Wummer showing small kids doing the described activities.

  A lot of rhyme is used in the book to make it easier for kids to understand and read, and consists of short enough sentences to keep their attention. I think it is a great book to help with self esteem at a young age.

  This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review. 

About the author:

After winning her first writing contest in first grade with an essay called “Patrol Boys are my Friends," Jill couldn’t keep herself from writing. As she grew, she soon found that with every boy she liked, every new friendship formed, every break of her heart, she wrote a poem and forever stashed it away in her file called “Stuff I Wrote”. 

Eventually she tried to write “stuff” for publication. In fact, she received her first request from a publisher for a completed manuscript when she was 9 months pregnant with her third child. Jill literally finished tweaking the manuscript between contractions in the hospital! It paid off with the acceptance of the manuscript, publication of her first book, and a bouncing baby boy! 

She continued writing stories for children and over the next few years accumulated enough rejections to jam a file drawer. She has quit several times, cried puddles of tears on her back porch vowing never to write again, only to hear one of her children say, “You have to write, Mommy. You’re a writer.” 

With those words and eventually the nudge from a "squirrel" she became a committed writer and loves it despite the rejections. Her eleventh book, The First Easter, will be released in the spring of 2013 by Candy Cane Press. Also watch for a Thanksgiving Book coming out in 2013, as well! Check out her book page for other books she’s written. 

Jill received her Nursing Degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, her Masters Degree from UNCC, and her Anesthesia Certification from Carolinas Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia. She works as a nurse anesthetist and absolutely loves this career, too. 


She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, three children and Golden Retriever. She enjoys running, hiking, golfing and cheering for her children in their sports and activities. 



God Made You Just Right is available from Worthy Publishing.

Thanks to Worthy for the review copy.