Blog moved to AngelaBreidenbach.com

Hi friends,
If you haven't noticed already, this blog has merged with my website. Please consider reading and visiting with me at http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com and click on the tab called A-Muse-ings. That's the integrated blog of God Uses Broken Vessels and my website blog.

At A-Muse-ings you'll find interviews with celebrity pets by Muse, Writer's feline investigative reporter, humorous explanations of Bible verses, and sometimes Muse Reviews of great books, movies, and events.

What? You thought Writer wrote all this stuff?
She just types what I dictate ^~~^
~Muse~

Delightful review of A Healing Heart

Can I just use this as an example of how amazing and thoughtful reviewers are about A Healing Heart? This is from Amazon and the reviewer was so very thoughtful and thorough. Thank you to this reviewer and to all who are taking time out of their lives to read and review A Healing Heart!
Angie

Snoopy Dancing over great reviews!

 This book will speak to your heart., July 9, 2013

By 

IBakeCakes4You

This review is from: A Healing Heart: Quilts of Love Series (Paperback)

This book will speak to your heart. It spoke to mine in several ways. As I watch my quilting mother's health decline, it spoke to me about pouring my love into my family. It spoke to me about not getting so caught up in my circumstances that I forget to enjoy those around me. It spoke to me about never forgetting that God has a grander plan than I could ever think or imagine for myself. It spoke to me about allowing God to heal hurts and wounds that have cut into my inner core.

A Healing Heart will do just that--heal your heart. Sometimes we can see ourselves through a character even when the story is different than ours, and we can learn through their lessons even when the lesson that needs to be learned is a little different. Because truly, the only lesson we need to learn is to allow God to heal us in His time and His way. We may make some bad choices in our quest for healing, and we may need to voice a couple of "I'm sorry" phrases along the way, but God has a master plan for piecing our lives back together and making them beautiful just as Mara pieced together that wonderful quilt.

... Angela Breidenbach will keep you turning the pages to see how Mara's story unfolds.

A Healing Heart
by Angela Breidenbach

AWSA Conference and ICRS Photo montage

In St. Louis, June 2013, for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association conference and then the International Christian Retail Show. We ran hard and fast through the entire week, but here's a few photo moments and highlights. Scroll through to the bottom for my big news :D

Rhonda Rhea & Angie share lunch, literally, before AWSA conference starts. The waiter didn't even bring a separate plate to split it or silverware.

Angie has the rental car. I shuttled 4 carloads of people to the Christian Authors Network dinner at Mangoes Peruvian Restaurant while it poured buckets!

Angie with her editor, Ramona Richards, a finalist for the Golden Scroll Fiction Editor of the Year award at the AWSA awards luncheon.

Angie with publisher, Pamela Clements, from Abingdon Press at the Golden Scrolls awards luncheon.

1st table of CAN (Christian Authors Network) members at Mangoes Peruvian. When in St. Louis, you MUST eat here. It's amazing and affordable!

2nd table of CAN author members at Mangoes Peruvian.

Gary Roe, Cec Murphey, and Angie at their co-author signing.

CAN authors with our first winner, Candy, representing the

Christ & We bookstore Ibadan, Nigeria. They won $800 in books from CAN authors.

Angie Breidenbach, Bonnie Calhoun, Linda Attaway celebrate at the Christies.

Winners of $800 in books from CAN authors. Their bookstore is in Illinois!

My new "boss" at Choose Now Publishing. Nicole O'Dell founded Choose Now and hired me to edit books for her. I'm honored and super excited to be part of this ministry, publishing company, and online magazine.

Torry Martin and Angie. He's been part of my life via radio and didn't know it! My kids and I have listened to Adventures in Odyssey for years! Love this guy!

Regina came by to get a book at the Quilts of Love signing. She shared her quilt photos and is going to be my first interview on the new Quilts of Love blog!

The sales crew at Abingdon Press are amazing people! Thank you, David, Preston, and Nancy for all your help and support.

Photo bombing the Duck Dynasty guy...Preston is photo bombing us :)
We laughed so hard! I have a ton of silly pics of this.

CAN authors award $800 in books to a Nigerian bookstore!

This trip was one of my most successful ever! We ran out of books at my signing, I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing 5 celebrity authors on the Heritage of Truth TV and then was interviewed myself, acted as the official tweeter for the Christy Awards, and spoke twice during the week. My mind and heart are both so full of great experiences and memories. I also confirmed two book sales that week for the 2014 publishing year. Woot Woot!

Have you had one week in your life where everything seemed to come together really well? Can you remember all the details? I can't. But I'm savoring those I can ;) 

Amazing Answers to Prayers

In the last month, I've had some amazing answers to prayers. Prayers that started over eighteen months ago. Sometimes it feels like a wilderness, the waiting for answers and healing.

After the car crash Christmas of 2011, I spent four months with hours and hours each week in physical therapy and doctor visits, then into a shoulder surgery, and then back into another seven months of PT.

Discouraged, I wondered what my lesson would be in all the lost time. Besides making my mark on the world ;) How would all that lost time translate into something good? God promises to work all things for good for those who love the Lord. He had me really curious as I thought I wandered the wasteland.

Angie's Mark on the World
Crash spot a few months later the ground is still torn up.

(It doesn't seem like all that time passed. But it took a year from turning in the manuscript to the release of A Healing Heart, in April 2013. That entire year rather than waiting for my book to release, I was in recovery from the car wreck and surgery.)

Have you ever been in that place where you had no idea how to pray? With so much time spent recuperating from the shoulder, neck, back injuries the creative part of me chomped at air. I wondered how long until life felt normal again. Writing and speaking, still so important to me, had to slow down to fit in all the medically necessary appointments. I prayed for it all to be over, to be healed, and to return to the writing world. And God answered.

But God allowed me to wait for some very good reasons.

1. How it felt to have a long illness.
2. How to help my fitness and weight loss clients with comprehension and compassion for injuries.
3. Editing for income.
4. Changing directions I wouldn't have thought of prior.
5. Learning, learning, learning to overcome a fear of driving.
6. Opening my eyes to opportunities.
7. New friendships and deeper relationships with old friends.
8. Trust. That people really wanted to help and I didn't need to do everything myself.
9. New ideas for more novels because of the many experiences in the long process.
10. A willing heart to take the path God puts me on.

Rainbow near the crash site.
God's love shines in every circumstance and He does bring good out of rough circumstances even if it takes a long time for us to see it.

A Place I Didn't Belong - Hope for Adoptive Moms

A Place I Didn't Belong - Hope for Adoptive Moms Offers Validation, Healing Life is messy. Some adoptions are, too. Through the compelling stories of adoptive moms who've "been there," you'll learn to be okay—even when your child is not! In her new book, A Place I Didn't Belong - Hope for Adoptive Moms (Carpenter's Son Publishing, 2013), Paula Freeman explores a painful reality of some adoptions: Things don't always work out as planned. Unmet expectations, a child's compromised beginnings, and emotional wounds carried into the process can undermine often-fragile adoptive bonds. Families are turned upside down as their adopted children lash out with hostility and rage. Sadly, adoptive mothers often bear the brunt of their child's behavior. Their once-peaceful homes feel more like emotional battlefields. They may even begin to question their decision to adopt in the first place. Overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, misplaced guilt, and shame, they withdraw into self-imposed isolation and silence. They find themselves in a place they didn't belong. "Based on my personal and professional experience with adoption, I well understand the unique struggles many adoptive families face," says Freeman. "I wrote this book not only to give voice to their pain, but to validate their experience, and offer them hope for the future." With compassion and grace, Paula Freeman articulates the reality of these shattered adoptive dreams. She shares poignant stories of mothers who experienced not only the distinct joys - but the unique challenges - of adoptive parenting. Told through the lens of introspection and personal growth, their real-life experiences offer hope, practical coping strategies, and spiritual renewal for the on-going adoptive journey . . . imperfect though it may be. "Things can get better," adds Freeman. A Place I Didn't Belong releases June 1, 2013, and by pre-order, through www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. For more information about the book and the author, visit www.hopespromise.com. About the Author: Paula Freeman, MSW, is founder and executive director of Hope's Promise (www.hopespromise.com), an adoption and orphan-care ministry headquartered in Colorado. As a social worker, author, speaker, wife, and mother of seven grown children - three by adoption - she articulates the heart of adoption with candor and grace.

Twitter Mini-tutorial

I've been asked a few questions about twitter and thought this mini tutorial might help. I sent it to one person and then realized it might help a bunch more if you aren't feeling confident about the twitter monster yet ;)
Here's a real tweet I'm using now and what my tweet means broken down into segments:

Goodreads #giveaway 3 books, A Healing Heart by @angbreidenbach http://ow.ly/klvWJ 1 man can help, but can she trust him?

1. The tweet is 125 character spaces long, but can go to 140. If you use all the characters, there's no room for people to retweet or add a comment on it. Try to leave 15-20 character spaces. Punctuation, characters, and spaces count in the 140 character space message.

2. I used the # (number sign is called a hashtag) to specify giveaway is a topic on twitter that people follow so #giveaway might be a topic on twitter.

3. A Healing Heart by @angbreidenbach is both my book title and my name, but I used my twitter handle so other twitter folks can follow, but also so I know the tweet has happened. Then I can thank the person, favorite the tweet, and retweet the tweet. I can also check to see if I'm following the friends who tweeted for me if my twitter handle shows because it alerts me to a tweet about me or my book. Without it, I never see the tweet come through and have no way to track or respond. Lately I've used this a lot to specify my "book title by author's name". It will easily bring anyone back to my twitter account where my website is listed on my bio. I used to just use my actual name, but then realized the marketing opportunity I was missing. So I added my twitter handle as my name in shared tweets.

4. The shortened link means I've gone to hootsuite (or another website that lets me put a long link in and get a short one that looks like this: http://ow.ly/klvWJ Here's what the link really is: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/50843-a-healing-heart Do you see how much longer and how many more characters it takes? This gives me a lot more room to write more of my message.

5. Other websites that shorten links are places like bitly. You sign up for a free account, copy/paste the long link, and click shrink. Then you can copy/paste or use as needed the shortened link for purposes like twitter or saving space in the html coding on your blogs and website and newsletters.

6. Here's my hook to get people to click the link and sign up for the contest: 1 man can help, but can she trust him?

7. I use hootsuite.com to preload my social media for twitter, facebook, linked in, and my facebook fan page. I have a free account that allows up to 5 different social media accounts. I can switch between them right on the home page. I can shrink links too. I often write the tweet, then copy/paste to send out via email for friends to tweet. But I know the length and have shrunk the link in hootsuite first. I've also preloaded it to go out to the social media for the date and time I want in advance. I'm getting better at this each day, I hope.  :)

So when you send your tweets, put in those elements. Put in your twitter handle, not mine, lol. Then you'll see when people tweet for you. Use a hashtag on an important word that could be a trending topic on twitter. Some are #mustreads, #fiction, #contest, #Amazon, and more. You can create your own too. But the reason for the hashtag is that you want to be in a line of topical conversation. the # sign means you can use that word to search out that topic on twitter.

Do you tweet?


And yes, I'd be honored if you copy/pasted my original tweet into your timeline and told folks about the Goodreads contest!

Here it is again: 

Goodreads #giveaway 3 books, A Healing Heart by @angbreidenbach http://ow.ly/klvWJ 1 man can help, but can she trust him?

Bridger Mountains

View of the Bridger Mountain Range from rural Bozeman, MT

Come visit the beautiful mountains of Montana! The Bridgers are just outside the Bozeman city area and a lovely tourist destination year round. From spring, summer, and fall hiking to winter sports, the Bridgers are a majestic year round playground.

In my new release, A Healing Heart, it was important to me to be true to the setting. I drove around the Bozeman area. I wanted to excite my readers through the descriptions. Bozeman and the Bridger mountain area is a part of some major scenes in healing Mara's heart and the hearts of her children.

When I've spent time in a natural setting, God's power and creativity speak to me. Some of the most important times of prayer have been spent sitting on a log in a mountain clearing. The soul healing that comes from time spent alone with God is amazing. But so is time spent playing and enjoying the earth that God created just to house us. And when I think about the fact God created this planet for us to live in and on? It overwhelms me.

Have you been to the mountains, spent time communing with God, and felt He spoke to your heart?
Do you marvel at the fact God made this planet to be a beautiful home for you?

Second Chance In Love

Hi,
Today is a special day. It's our 15th Anniversary! Wow! We both are a little stunned at how fast time passed. Our combined family is grown now and we have four grandchildren, all under four!

When I wrote A Healing Heart, I didn't necessarily have second chance at love as a theme. I focused on workaholism and trust issues. But when a reader mentioned it, "So many "love stories" seem to be written about first time love--A Healing Heart captures the beauty of a second chance for love when God is in control."  (click the link for the full review) I did the hand slap on my forehead.

Of course!  It made perfect sense because God blessed me, a single mom of four, with a second chance at love.

Breidenbach Family Wedding Photo. Yep, we combined into a family of eight!

With all these personalities, our household has been very energetic and interesting from the start! Sibling rivalry, settling into comfortable family positions, and learning to understand people from different backgrounds were just some of our challenges. (My daughter wanted to sit on my lap too. I didn't think about that when I wore an entirely pearl covered dress. I still love this picture! It's so, well, us.)

Mara Keegan in A Healing Heart has three teens. When Mike and I married, three of our children were already teens. They ranged from six to fourteen. Second chance love with children was something I knew firsthand and could write about. Kids and a dating relationship? Let me tell you, it's a challenge. Especially with the numbers we juggled. But a challenge I'm glad we chose to take on even though there's a lot more than two in the relationship!

Fifteen years. Wow! Now we stay connected with a Sunday night family dinners. Mike and I really enjoy the empy-nester phase. (Shh, don't tell all the kids.) We've often looked at one another and smiled at the stunning quiet around us. And then someone shows up with a baby to watch or several kids stop in with various dogs and we're right back in the familiar menagerie.

But the one thing I love most is that we took the second chance at love. It's been exponentially multiplied by more than two ever since.

Is there a second chance in love? I think so.

Do you know anyone with a successful second chance marriage?
What do you think helps them succeed?

What's A Healing Heart About?

Both paperback and Kindle versions!

Montana's Taylor Planetarium

Taylor Planetarium opened Mar 2, 2013!

This is a special event both in real life and in fiction. A cameo feature in my novel, A Healing Heart, I wanted to share some of the wonderful family spots to visit that are awesome Montana attractions. A Healing Heart is set in Bozeman, MT, the home of the Museum of the Rockies (next post) and its attached Taylor Planetarium.

Where is Taylor Planetarium? 
Right next to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, MT.
Here's a map and driving directions

What are the hours? Usually 9am-5pm M-Sat, 12:30pm -5pm on Sunday, but during the summer the hours are extended 8am-8pm. Here's more information on hours and holidays.

Are there any special  events surrounding the solar flares this year?
There sure are. Here's the full page of show information.
But this one from the planetarium's description is perfect: Experience the Aurora
Showtimes: M-F – 11am, 1pm & 3pm; Sat – 10am, 1pm & 4pm; Sun – 1pm & 4pm
To showcase the amazing capability of Digistar 5, we’ve selected Experience the Aurora for our premiere show. Seven months of winter sky watching, hundreds of thousands of photographs and hundreds of hours under the spell of the Aurora have been condensed into the world’s first full dome three-hundred-sixty degree, high resolution movie of the Northern Lights. Get ready to experience the Aurora as you’ve never seen it before—in the comfort of the Taylor Planetarium! For a preview, check out the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZXtIF9nnrA

How much does it cost? It's a free bonus with admission purchased to the Museum of the Rockies!

• Adults $13
• Kids (5-17) $9
• MSU Students (with valid MSU ID) $9
• Children (4 and under) Free
• Senior Citizens $12

With your admission, you'll receive a non-transferable Museum admission sticker that gives you unlimited access to the Museum for two consecutive days. All exhibits and attractions are included in the price of admission.
 

Cadence Keegan is the oldest teen in A Healing Heart. She has a special reason to be excited about the grand opening of the Taylor Planetarium. But you'll have to read nearly to the end to find out why.

Available by clicking the book cover or at your favorite local bookstore

I love planetariums and the laser shows and the stars and, well, everything about them!

Have you been to one?

I hope you'll visit Montana and make time for a leisurely stop at the Taylor Planetarium.

Near Death Experiences?

Angie's Take on Revealing Heaven: The Christian Case for Near-Death Experiences: How do near death experiences fit into Christian beliefs? A question I've often wondered. I was offered the opportunity to review Revealing Heaven by John W. Price and decided to explore this theological question that's been boggling me. What about you? Is it something you've wondered? I have.

I never believed in the stories until something happened I couldn't explain. Several years ago I was a youth ministry director. One of my ministry kids was in a roll-over accident on the way to church, but I didn't know. I expected her for bell choir practice. She'd missed church and I had just asked if anyone saw Jenna.

Then I looked up at the entryway and there she stood. I called out, "Jenna, come on. We're starting." Everyone looked at me and looked at the door and back at me. They saw nothing. I looked back at the door and she was gone. Later that afternoon I found out she'd passed away a few hours before I "saw" her.

But that wasn't the end. She visited me twice more. The last time was the day her family buried her ashes in private. I had no idea. The small ceremony was early in the morning and the family told no one. I woke up from what I thought must be a waking dream where Jenna said goodbye to me. I still have a very clear memory of it. Weeks later I had lunch with Jenna's mom. I hesitated to tell her, not wanting to cause pain, but felt compelled. It was at that lunch I learned Jenna's ashes were buried at the same time I thought I was dreaming of her saying goodbye. The oddity was that I wasn't asleep. I was simply lying in bed with my eyes closed. A further oddity was that Jenna's mom had been hearing stories like this from other people. Mine wasn't unique and none of us knew about the others.

So do near-death experiences happen? I'm thinking they do if I could experience something I didn't think possible. At least I will no longer scoff or try to explain them away. There are things in life and beyond life that God knows and I don't. I'm willing to acknowledge I don't understand it all. Read this book and see what you think.

About the book: Revealing Heaven: The Christian Case for Near-Death Experiences Millions has the testimonies of those who have been to heaven and returned. But what do these stories mean for Christians? How do they fit with what the Bible teaches? What do they say about who goes to heaven? After hearing over 200 accounts of near-death experiences, the Reverend John W. Price narrates the stories of these eyewitnesses and now makes a case not only for why Christians can trust near-death accounts but for why we should treat these amazing stories as precious gifts from God.

About the author: John W. Price serves as a pastor and spiritual director and was a chaplain at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston. He is also a member of the Near Death Experience Research Foundation, which has the largest near-death experience website in the world.

Icecutter’s Daughter by Tracie Peterson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance introduces Icecutter’s Daughter Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013) by  Tracie Peterson   Angie's Take: I always love Tracie's writing ability, but this one is special. I love her name, nice pick, Tracie ;) and I love her family occupation. I haven't heard of other books about ice cutters so this was a delightful change of pace from seamstress, rancher, etc. A lot of the names in the book were fun for me because my heritage is Swedish on my mother's side. But I married a fellow of German descent. Bonding with a character or a story happens when we connect to something familiar or something that fascinates us. I love getting immersed in Merrill's story world and learning through fiction because Tracie Peterson weaves tidbits of research seamlessly into her novel, the Icecutter's Daughter. She makes the historic world of Minnesota sparkle like the ice on one of its 10,000 lakes.

Green Juice & Smoothie Recipes

Green, the color of March because of spring, St. Patrick's Day, and we start to see the blades of grass poke through the veil of winter. But did you know drinking green juices and smoothies is good for your heart? It's also great for weight loss. The reason? Dark leafy greens are full of magnesium.

My character, Mara Keegan, in A Healing Heart, has to learn a lot about heart health fast after her heart attack. I think this book would be on her kitchen counter. I learned a lot from The Juice Lady's Big Book of Juices & Green Smoothies. I'm really enjoying learning how to juice and about the health aspects associated with juicing. I didn't think I'd enjoy all the green recipes, but I do!!

Click here to learn more about Green Juices!

I think you will too. One of my favorite articles in this book is on magnesium. I learned magnesium affects over 300 processes in our body. It's crucial for weight loss, bone building, and heart health. Wow!

One thing I wish the author had included? Calorie and nutrient content on each recipe.I don't worry about the veggie recipes, but when the fruit recipes have several fruits the calorie content can be very high. So now I just focus on her green recipes. I need to master those anyway since it's a new element to stewardship of my body.

What new practice are you doing to be a good steward of your body?

The Next Big Thing

Quilts of Love author, S. Dionne Moore (Sandra) asked me to join in The Next Big Thing. Each author answers interview questions about their book and their next project. This one is a wonderful showcase for the Quilts of Love Books from Abingdon Press. Please enjoy!


Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing

NBT: What is the working title of your book?
Angie: A Healing Heart (as of this writing moment, it's on 50% off for pre-order on Amazon). I had no idea this special was happening ($6.98) until I accidentally hit a link to amazon and this popped up. Take advantage asap. I hope it's still happening when you read this post.



NBT: Where did the idea come from for the book?  
Angie: My agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, asked me if I knew anything about quilts. All six of my kids received a photo memory quilt for their high school graduation. Combine that with watching a Denzel Washington movie that sparked a brain storming conversation with my hubby about a woman sorting through photos of both regret and joy. What would she choose-joy or bitterness?

NBT: What genre does your book fall under?
Angie: It falls in a couple of genres, contemporary inspirational romance and women's fiction. But it has strong elements of humor as well.

NBT: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Angie: I'm delighted you asked! I chose Jeffrey Donovan as the inspiration for Joel Ryan and Kimberly Guerrero as the inspiration for Mara Keegan. I'd love to see this duo in a movie version! Anyone know them and a producer? We need more movies made in Montana :)

Jeffrey Donovan would be perfect as Joel Ryan

Kimberly Guerrero, Native American actress, perfect for Mara Keegan

NBT: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Angie: Mara Keegan, a workaholic, has to trust her business to Joel Ryan, the one man who nearly destroyed it, when she suffers a heart attack.
 
NBT: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Angie: My book is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. She sold it to Abingdon Press for the Quilts of Love Books line. I'm delighted it releases on April 1st and shocked at how quickly that is coming!

NBT: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Angie: I wrote the rough in about three months. Then I polished (after a break for Christmas, a car accident, and pneumonia) for about five weeks.

NBT: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Angie: How about a few endorsements and a few paragraphs?

Opening Sample -- A Healing Heart

 “Why in the world did I agree to do this?”

Mara Keegan’s vision blurred as she stared at the old photo she’d picked from the box for the first block on Cadence’s memory quilt. David's arm curled tightly around her pregnant waist, his other balanced a precocious three-year-old Cadence, and one-year-old Toby grinned up into his mommy's eyes. Louie, the new family border collie/lab pup sat at their feet ready to catch Toby’s graham cracker.

A smile stole across Mara’s lips. Louie nabbed that cracker, and Toby wailed, right after the shutter clicked. But the picture captured the split second happy moment forever. The perfect family with so much promise. A promise broken off prematurely by a whimsical God.

Mara’s smile faded. She glanced over at her sleeping fourteen-year old dog curled up on one of his favorite oversized mutt mats. He’d been with their family since the early days. His black muzzle sported more white around his nose now. Louie seemed like the bridge from past to present as she looked back at the first picture. When would she be ready to try love again? Did she even need it? She broke out in a sweat in spite of the cold wind blowing the last of December past her windows. Not until she could trust God again. How could it have all gone so wrong? The wind gust whooshed against her office door and rattled the inset glass.

A burning sensation started in the center of Mara’s chest. She wrapped her ankles around the wooden stool legs and anchored her feet as she rubbed her midsection. This gift took more out of her than she thought. With less than five months to Cadence's graduation, she had to design and create a quilt full of memories. Memories Cadence needed as she left for college. Memories to wrap around her when she felt far from home and family. Memories Mara promised Cadence, and Mara never broke a promise.

More Praise for A Healing Heart

“A Healing Heart is an emotional story of learning to let go of the past and embracing the future. Angie Breidenbach deftly creates lifelike teenagers, a frazzled mother, and a caring hero you will love. This charming book tugs at your heart and encourages you to reevaluate what’s important in your life.”
—Vickie McDonough, author of 25 books and novellas, including End of the Trail

“Restoration and hope drive this emotionally charged novel by Angela Breidenbach. Mara Keegan’s healing journey will keep you turning the pages as she uncovers promises of a life she never thought she would have again. Family dynamics, made richer through the process of gathering photos for a memory quilt, come full circle as Mara learns to let go, let God, and let love into her heart; a truly healed heart.”
—Lindi Peterson, award-winning author of Her Best Catch and Summer’s Song.

“Angela Breidenbach's A Healing Heart is a compelling story of love and letting go and is a poignant reminder to follow our dreams. Novel Rocket and I recommend it as an immensely satisfying read.”
—Ane Mulligan, Senior Editor, Novel Rocket (www.novelrocket.com)

“Breidenbach’s latest novel, A Healing Heart, paints a knee-bending word picture of our Healer God. Whether the physical, spiritual, or emotional heart, the Big Guy can handle it. Laden with conflict, sweet romance, and humorous contradictions, the story propels the reader forward while giving her pause to wonder . . . ‘What places in my heart need healing? What wounds will I allow God to stitch?’ A Healing Heart sports an endearing and motley cast of characters, and the frigid Montana landscape contrasts nicely with the hero’s warm, sigh-worthy persona. It’s a unique and touching addition to the Quilts of Love series.”
—April W. Gardner, librarian and award-winning author

“Some stories provide pure entertainment, while others teach a lesson. A Healing Heart by Angela Breidenbach does both and is one of those books that every over-achieving, God-loving woman should read. Not only did I enjoy this book, I found myself reflecting on my own life and how much of myself I saw in the story.”
—Debby Mayne, author of Sweet Baklava, Waiting for a View, and the Class Reunion series

 

True Love

Please welcome my guest: Pam Hillman

True Love

How much more talk about roses, chocolates, and romantic dinners can we stand? It’s all been said, it’s all been done, over and over and over.

There’s nothing new under the Valentine’s Day sun.

Or is there?

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about the day itself, it’s about the days, weeks, months, and years leading up to the actual day. Seriously, I’ve never known of anyone just popping up on February 14th and presenting a complete stranger with roses, a ring, and a declaration of love.

Love at first sight?

On Valentine’s Day…literally? I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but odds are that any guy who makes a romantic declaration on February 14th has some kind of emotional connection with the girl already. If not, I’d say his motivation is highly suspect.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I like roses just as much as the next girl, and I have nothing against chocolate, so we’re good there. But bear with me…

What is true love? Is it found in roses and fancy dinners?

No…

True love recognizes that when the chips are down, sticking together is all that matters.

True love wipes her tears when the promised promotion falls through.

True love is when she knows he longs to give her the world, but can barely cover the rent for another thirty days.

True love holds her when her heart is breaking over another year gone by without a child.

True love sees her faults and accepts them.

True love listens.

True love remains by his side when he’s old and feeble.

True love gives his heart.

And, yes, a true Valentine might also give roses, chocolates, and a romantic dinner if the mood strikes, but when he’s already given his heart….what else matters?

For a host of true love moments that happen spontaneously, visit Pam’s Seekerville post from yesterday, Things That Make You Go Awwwwww.

~

Breaking News!!!

Claiming Mariah is

ON SALE for $1.99 February 10-16th

Click here for links to your favorite etailer

>>>> Tyndale ebook Promos <<<<

Mark your calendar, put a string on your finger, tattoo your forehead, but whatever you do,

don’t let this opportunity slip by. The #Digital1st authors are counting on you!

 To celebrate, Pam is giving away two eReaders (choice of Kindle Wi-Fi, 6" Display, or Nook Simple Touch)

Two Winners: One on facebook. One through Pam’s Newsletter.

Facebook Drawing for Kindle/Nook

Pam’s Newsletter

Registering both places is not required but will double your chances of winning. Also keep in mind that you will receive updates more often being connected on facebook than through the newsletter. Just sayin’
Contest runs from January 1st until March 31st, 2013.

And....that’s not all! There will be prizes offered randomly throughout the tour.

Click here to View Current Giveaways!

(1 Year Subscription to E-cards by Jacquie Lawson)

PREVIOUS STOP ON TOUR:

February 12th: Seekerville

NEXT STOP ON TOUR:

February 14th: Calico Trails

Click for a Complete List of Stops Along the Tour

www.pamhillman.com

How Do I Get Rid of Bulges in Clothing

Weight Loss Coaching moment: Always good for the heart.

Client question asked by one of my fitness/weight loss clients: Why don't you ever have any bumps and bulges under your clothing?

Feeling like an Amazon woman: I'm 5'6
scrunching down a little for the photographer.
Without her up-do and heels, this dear lady is about 4'6

Stunned, I didn't think anyone but me noticed something like that. I'm always analyzing how I look. I think most women are self-analyzers. Don't you? But we're told no one else analyzes us like we analyze every little part of us. In the regular day, I don't think that's a wrong statement. But when you're a coach like I am, clients want to believe you know what you're talking about. I have to live what I teach. So physically, I think I'm more prone to being analyzed because it's a trust factor for people who receive my coaching. Same as a band teacher needs to know how to play instruments. The teacher must be able to display their knowledge and ability to the student.

She followed up with: How do I get rid of bulges under my clothing?

In the photo above, the sweet lady at one of my speaking events is a very petite and fine-boned gal. She's really about a foot shorter than my average 5'6 (and a quarter). I'm wearing a size 6. But could have fit into a size 4. I not only look like an Amazon woman, next to the petite woman I look down right chubby! (Um, that would be a good reason why you've never seen this particular photo before, lol.) Yet there's no bumps or lines in the "wrong" spots. How is that possible?

But let me tell you a few little things that make this picture a perfect example for getting rid of bulges under clothing and then I'll give you a few tips.

The fabric is a tweed. It hangs well and wears well.
*The photographer is below the two subjects. Not ever flattering for anyone.
*I'm hunching down so you see a little belly that isn't there when straightened up. Chub factor.
*One subject is a foil for the other. Next to a 6'6 muscular man, an average subject looks like a twiggy. (Look at the photo below for an example. These pictures show me the same size, but in different perspectives.)
*Perception and perspective matter. Notice the gal behind us? She's quite a distance back and so also looks much smaller.
*My photo partner's clothing reveal no bumps and bulges though she has a very different figure.

Wearing red satin is possible.
The dress is lined to help the fabric flow.
It helps to stand next to my 6' hubby to look smaller too ;)

So what are a few tips will help any woman get rid of bulges under clothing? I learned these from charm school. Yes, I really did go back when they still existed. Do they now? I have no idea. But the lessons are still strong in my way of being.

Tips for Banishing Bulges Under Clothing

1. Toss out fixed sizing. There ain't no such animal. Use the size as a guideline, not a law. Even within the same brand, you'll find two garments the same size on the tag that are not the same size in real life. I use the size number to guide me and then try on one up and one down to see what really looks good on my body. I can buy sizes from 4-8 and XS-L. It isn't about what is on the tag. It's how the garment fits and feels. My husband can't figure out what size I wear. Because I don't wear "a size".
2. Buy one size larger of undergarments than the package says. Make sure the item fully covers derriere and doesn't cut into your skin causing a dimply effect under your clothing. Often the bumps, dimples, and bulges are simply caused by poorly sized underwear.
3. Avoid undergarments that hit at the largest curve of the hip. Instead of an hour glass figure, you'll appear to have scalloped edges.
4. Get fitted properly for bra and support garments. Proper support and fit make a major difference in how your clothing flows over your body. Go to a full service department store, not the fad lingerie shop to get fitted. Allow the trained and expert staff to help you find the proper fit for your body type. Lifting the bust line properly allows the lines of the ribcage to show and slenderizes to a sleeker silhouette.
5. Buy tight-fit clothing (like yoga pants, skinny jeans, etc.) one size larger. Clothing should skim, not grip your body. Tight, tight accentuates little bumps, bulges, and undergarment lines.
6. Avoid muffin-top. If the waist is too small, we overflow. It looks plain awful. Psychologically, the number on the tag doesn't make you feel better if you see a muffin-top.
7. Wear slacks and skirts just above the hip, not at it. Wearing anything at the largest curve of the hip draws the eyes to that larger circumference. You'll appear larger. Elongate your body by wearing waistlines above the hip bone, not at it.
8. Skim, skim, skim. The picture in my charm school book is emblazoned in my mind. A belt cinched around a pillow. Clothing should lightly skim your body to cause the perception of a smaller body. The biggest error in fashion I see is women, no matter what size or body type, wearing their clothing too tight. They appear chubby even when they aren't.
9. Belts. Wear the width of a belt to fit your frame. For instance, I have a shorter area between my ribcage and my hips. Wide belts make me look like I don't have a waist while pencil thin belts look great. Look at the length of your torso. If it's long between the ribs and hips, have fun with wider belt styles. If not, pencil them in ;) Choose the belt to fit you, not the fad.
10. Fabric choices matter. Certain fabrics like satin and clingy polyester can cause anyone to have unsightly bumps and bulges. I avoid them unless they are cut properly to flatter and these fabrics are often made cheaply without lining. Some fabrics are almost always flattering like jerseys, denims, and stretch denim. Always, always look at the cut and fit.
11. Take your clothing to a seamstress. Have your clothing altered. It's very inexpensive and helps get rid of gaps in waists, tucks in extra material, and fits the clothing to you. I do this often because clothing off any rack is made for a general population. But our bodies are unique. Spend a small amount (for me it runs $5-20 depending on if I need a simple dart or to re-cut a piece down) to make your clothes really fit you.

12. Exercise daily for your heart, your life, and your goals. By being a good steward of the body you have, you'll be able to reach those dreams. But battling health, pain, and weight slow us down from living out our God-given purpose.

Bottom line? Toss out the number and look at each piece of clothing for its specific fit and style. Feel good in your clothes and you'll always be a more confident woman.

Win a Glacier Bay Prize Pack for Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Angie's Take:  What a treat to read this book by authors, Tricia Goyer and Oceanna Fleiss. I'm impressed by the seamless story telling between the two partner writers. I also really enjoyed their character, Ginny Marshall, as she listened to her heart to take a risk at a major crossroad in her life. That spoke to me because often we rush into the dream we think we have and miss the part where God said to take a turn on our journey to His plan for our lives. A great story question is raised though. Does a skewed childhood perception still rule our adult world? Another great story question: Would you be willing to give up a dream for love? Great things to explore in the lovely story of Ginny Marshall in Love Finds You in Glacier Bay Alaska.

About Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska: 

Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams-a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests-her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town's colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA's pressures.

In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children's governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover-as Ellie did-that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/gQiNn    

Meet the Authors:  Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.

  

Ocieanna Fleiss is a published author 

and editor. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area.

Find out more about Ocieanna at http://ocieanna.com/.

Here's a link to what others think of this book:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/Tgoyer 

Celebrate with Tricia and Ocieanna by entering their "Glacier Bay" Giveaway and RSVPing for their Facebook Party on Feb. 12th!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A gorgeous handmade “Glacier Bay” bracelet
• A handmade cowl in "Glacier Bay" blues and greens
• A bottle of custom-made "Glacier Bay" sparkle polish in blue
• Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss and their two other “Love Finds You” titles {Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana, and Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 11th. Winner will be announced at the "Glacier Bay" Author Chat Party on February 12th. Connect with authors Tricia and Ocieanna, get a sneak peek of their new book projects, try your hand at the Alaska trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways—gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, and join Tricia and Ocieanna on the evening of February 12th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. 

Hope to see you on the 12th!