Celebrate Lit: Are you in the Game or in the Way? by Ross Holtz

About the Book

Book: Are You in the Game or in the Way?

Author: Ross Holtz

Genre: RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Pastoral Resources

Release Date: March 10, 2017

Are You in the Game or in the Way?

A men’s ministry reality check: What is standing in the way of a vital men’s ministry in your church? 

The guy who should be at the forefront is often in the way of the program getting off the ground. 

·         Are you, as pastor, the main obstacle to the growth of a vital men’s ministry? 

·         Are you the guy who wants to start a men’s ministry in your church but don’t know how? 

·         Is fear or a sense of inadequacy keeping you from starting such a ministry? 

Pastor Ross Holtz tells his personal story of how he became a catalyst for growth, instead of an impediment will inspire pastors and men’s ministry leaders. 

What works, what doesn’t, and what is required in forming a vital men’s ministry. Practical and honest teaching filled with relevant and tested examples from recognizing the problem to finding the fix.  

Pastor Ross Holtz is a man who has earned the right to speak on ministering to and through men . . . One man’s journey from being a sceptic to a fully-engaged pastor who sees the power of a clear ministry to and through men . . . Pastor Ross bares his heart, and is, at times, brutally honest in a way that will resonate.  

—Chuck Stecker, president, A Chosen Generation

Author Interview

When did you decide to become an author?

I have always been intrigued with writing. In Jr Hi, writing compositions was one of my favorite things. I’ve been writing articles and columns for decades. About five years ago I finally got serious about writing a book.

Who most influenced your writing?

Dave Berry. He’s a humorist and columnist. I like the way he makes his points with humorous, sometimes absurd, observations from real life. I would like to write with more humor. 

What was the best advice you received about writing?

I once heard William F. Buckley asked about what he felt about deadlines. He answered that he loved deadlines, that without them he’d never get anything written. I’ve always needed deadlines but felt like there was something wrong with me until I heard his statement. The advice is to learn to love deadlines. 

Who is your hero?

I’m a Christian, so, Jesus must  be the main hero I have. From a more contemporary view, I’d have to say Billy Graham. He was able to maintain his moral balance and reputation for the long run. As for writers, I’d have to list C.S. Lewis and Charles H. Spurgeon as heroes of the pen.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Oh, there are almost too many things to list. I’ve been at this thing called life for a long time. I guess it would have to be an ability to stay focused. I have a serious case of attention deficit. 

You are leaving Earth to start a colony on Mars, what's in your luggage?

A computer with a very long cord. Everything I know is on my computer, or on the cloud. 

Where do you do most of your writing?

I’d like to do most of my writing in Tampa, Florida. But, that being unavailable, I have an upstairs study with very large windows. I seem to need to be in contact with the outside world to concentrate. I live in a very old neighborhood where all the houses are different and interesting to look at while I’m thinking. 

Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what's your favorite genre?

I don’t listen to music when writing. I need quiet. When I listen to music I concentrate on the music and not on what I’m supposed to be thinking about. 

Who would be your ideal editor/writing partner?

 Shakespeare would be good. But since he doesn’t do that anymore, I have my ideal editor. My wife is a writer and publisher. Everything I write goes by her before it goes out. She is very objective, sometimes painfully so. 

As for a writing partner, I am not great with teams, even teams of two. I’ve never tried writing with another person but I’m not at all sure I would like it. If I could have written with Francis Schaeffer or C.S Lewis, that would be cool.

What's currently in your To Be Read pile?

Ha, I’ve just finished a doctorate and I have exhausted my reading list for the dissertation. I am currently on sabbatical from reading anything but murder mysteries.

About the Author

Geoffrey Ross Holtz, DD, is founding and senior pastor of The Summit (ECFA) in Enumclaw. He was awarded “Pastor of the Year” in 2014 by the National Coalition of Ministries for Men. Ross and his wife, Athena, the founder and publisher of Redemption Press, have a blended family of eight adult children and seventeen grandchildren and enjoy time spent sailing.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11

Vicky Sluiter, November 12

Artistic Nobody, November 13 (Author Interview)

Just the Write Escape, November 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 15

A Baker’s Perspective, November 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 17

janicesbookreviews, November 18

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, November 20

Inklings and notions, November 21

My Devotional Thoughts, November 22 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 23 (Guest Review from James Barela)

Lukewarm Tea, November 24 (Author Interview)

5 great fall fingerfood ideas!

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and with all the craziness of the holidays comes so much prep time. What if I told you that you could cut down on some of the time in the grocery store? You can order all these things on Amazon Pantry and have them delivered to your home in time for the big day! Plus click here to find out how you can get $10 off your first order!

So to help you out, here are 5 Fall Fingerfoods Ideas the can save your sanity and keep the munchers busy until the turkey is done!

1. Mini Bruscetta - These are great little appetizers! You simply take a can of Cento Caponata and a package of New York Style Bagel Crisps. Place about a teaspoon of the caponata on each of the bagel crisps to make a beautiful display! You can also top them with a little cheese and pop them in the oven for a minute or 2, just long enough to melt the cheese.

2. A bowl of olives is always a welcome site! These pitted black olives are my favorites! Or put them on a charcuterie board with cheese, veggies and crackers! Also, supply some service toothpicks to keep fingers out of the bowl 😀

3. Bread with Oil and Vinegar Dip - Pick up a loaf of french bread and slice it into 1/2 or 1 inch slices. Mix together equal parts Olive oil and Balsamic vinegar in a ramekin or small bowl. Add salt, pepper and italian seasonings. This looks really nice on a platter with the dip in the middle and the bread in a sort of wreath around it.  Guests can give it a stir and then dip their bread. The was inspired by a fancy restaurant we visited where they did this. It's been a favorite since.

4. Multi-layer dip - Just layer in a pie plate or any small serving dish and serve with chips or crackers. You'll want to do a layer each of refried beans, queso, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce and top with sour cream, salsa and some olives for garnish.

5. Chicken salad bites - This is a family favorite! This one is really simple and my family loves it! All you need is some canned chicken, mayo, mustard, a little pickle juice or pickles and seasonings of your choice. You will want to drain the chicken and I like to add just enough of the mayo and mustard to make a paste like consistency but you may like your chicken salad a little smoother. I add a little pickle juice from whatever pickles we have or chop up a few pickles and add them. Then add salt, pepper and I like a dash of garlic and onion powder. You can then chill this or serve it right away. It's awesome on crackers or on french bread!

So there you have it. 5 super easy ideas to have out on the table to munch on while the turkey is still in the oven! If you try any of these please let me know. I'd love to see your results!

Celebrate Lit: Aiming for Love by Mary Connealy

My Review:

As usual Mary Connealy has written a story that will pull the reader in and make you want more. I was reading this amazing story on my kindle and I happened to look down at how much was left and it said "19 minutes of reading left" and I just about started crying. I can't wait to read more of this series! It went by way too fast!

Jo is a great heroine and the three sisters are really well written. I loved that they all had unique gifts that helped with wilderness survival. I'm always excited to read stories about Colorado. I highly recommend this and pretty much every book that Mary Connealy has written. She's also really fun to follow on social media. 

About the Book

Book: Aiming for Love

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: October 2, 2019

Josephine Nordegren is one of three sisters who grew up nearly wild in southwestern Colorado. She has the archery skills of Robin Hood and the curiosity of the Little Mermaid, fascinated by but locked away from the forbidden outside world–a world she’s been raised to believe killed her parents. When David Warden, a rancher, brings in a herd much too close to the girls’ secret home, her older sister is especially frightened, but Jo is too interested to stay away.

David’s parents follow soon on his heels, escaping bandits at their ranch. But his father is wounded and needs shelter. Josephine and her sisters have the only cabin on the mountain. Do they risk stepping into the world to help those in need? Or do they remain separated but safe in the peaks of Hope Mountain?

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

More from Mary

What it would do to someone to run wild from nearly their earliest memory?

What if three young girls had the basic skills to survive a rugged life but no adults to guide them?

Would they grow up to be a completely odd and untamed version of themselves, or the truest, in some ways most honest version?

I wanted to explore that idea: wild children, tough young women, afraid of the invading world, but lonely, too. So I created the plot for my Brides of Hope Mountain series by mixing the three little girls who’d grown up wild on the top of a mountain with some fairy tale ideas.

Book one, Aiming for Love, is Josephine Nordegren’s story. I had this vision of Ariel the mermaid seeing a man for the first time when strangers invade the high valley she lives in with only her two sisters. Curiosity is her besetting sin, or so she’s always been told. She has wilderness skills, mainly in the form of owning a bow and arrow and understanding wild animals, but for the first time, she is drawn to a man.

Jo needs to be tamed, or Dave, the man she can’t stop watching from in the woods, needs to learn the ways of the wild, because they’re out of place in each other’s worlds.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, October 25

Moments With Mercy, October 25

Bigreadersite , October 25

Emily Yager, October  25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 26

Books, Life, and Christ, October 26

Quiet Workings, October 26

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 27

For Him and My Family, October 27

Stories By Gina, October 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 27

Older & Smarter?, October 28

Betti Mace, October 28

Wishful Endings, October 28

The Becca Files, October 29

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 29

Mary Hake, October 29

Mamma Loves Books, October 29

A Baker’s Perspective, October 30

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, October 30

Britt Reads Fiction, October 30

For The Love of Books, October 30

Hallie Reads, October 31

Connect in Fiction, October 31

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, October 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , November 1

To Everything There Is A Season, November 1

Daysong Reflections, November 1

Splashes of Joy, November 1

Moments, November 2

Simple Harvest Reads, November 2

Batya’s Bits, November 2

She Lives To Read, November 2

EmpowerMoms, November 3

Seasons of Opportunities, November 3

Remembrancy, November 3

Blessed & Bookish, November 4

For the Love of Literature, November 4

Through the Fire Blogs, November 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 4

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 5

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 5

Pause for Tales , November 5

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6

janicesbookreviews, November 6

A Reader’s Brain, November 7

Inklings and notions , November 7

Leona J. Atkinson, November 7

Lukewarm Tea, November 7

Giveaway

Here is the link to the giveaway! Good luck!

https://promosimple.com/ps/ed95/aiming-for-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

Rebel's Son Review with Author Interview!

I'm writing today to introduce you to a wonderful author and a new book. But before I introduce the book, here is a treat. I had the fortune of asking Michelle Janene a few questions about writing and life and such. Here is the interview: 

1. Who has been your favorite character to write?

Aria in Hidden Rebel (book #3 in the series). She is a female warrior who fights with two short swords. Her fight scenes were a blast to write.

2. Who has been your most difficult character to write?

Any villain. Character flaws and obstacles are one thing but writing bad guys is tough. I don’t know how they think and can make the decisions they do.

3. Where is the weirdest place you've found inspiration?

A commercial once inspired a story.

4. Is there a setting/time period you'd love to write about?

High Middle Ages are my favorite. Knights and castles fascinate me.

5. Who is your book crush?

Any Scottish Highlander who his fighting for his love.

6. If you could spend a day in any book, what book would you chose?

Stephen Lawhead’s Pendragon series. Reading these books about Arthur, Merlin, and the Grail made me fall in love with reading, the medieval time period, and historical fantasy.

Book link

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/2xpumfpgl6

Back Cover Synopsis

A struggle to earn forgiveness and find redemption.

A spoiled, irreverent, prankster, Prince Shane waits for the day he’ll wear the crown. Days before receiving his spurs making him a knight, Shane learns he isn’t his parent’s child. He embarks on a journey to discover the truth and keep the crown. But his search digs up an evil that threatens his family, and his very soul. Shane struggles to put things right and earn redemption.

Marg runs her late husbands tavern hidden in a distant corner of the kingdom. She’s trying to forget her past and the blood on her hands. She keeps people at a distance until the night she finds a near naked man left beaten in her pigpen. Nursing him back to health will change everything as God works to restore them both.

Author Bio

Michelle Janene lives and works in Northern California, though most days she blissfully exists in the medieval creations of her mind. She is a devoted teacher, a dysfunctional housekeeper, and a dedicated writer. She released her first novella Mission: Mistaken Identity in the fall of 2015, followed by seven novels, and has been published in several anthologies. She leads two critique groups and is the founder of Strong Tower Press—Indie solutions for indie authors.

Authors Social Media

https://www.michellejanene.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MichelleJaneneNovelist/

@MichelleJaneneM

https://www.pinterest.com/michellejanene/