You could win this ebook! It’s easy!
Since most readers don’t bother to comment or leave a reply, your chances of winning my Book Blast giveaway are much higher than winning most other contests. See the end of this post to find the easy way to enter. I’d love to hear from you.
As I write this Book Blast, my husband, Art, is in Liberia, West Africa, speaking to a group of 450 people from 48 African churches. This ministry is hugely different from the ministries we’ve had in Taiwan and New Zealand. For one thing, five of the times he spoke he had three interpreters, interpreting into the Bassa, Mano, Kpelle languages, one right after another. “With three interpreters,” Art says, “fifteen minutes of English can turn into a one-hour sermon!”
While he’s serving in Africa, I’m working on some author projects that I haven’t been able to do for the last five or so years. Since 2021:
- I published my most recent book series, “New Beginnings”
- Art and I brought our 47 years of full-time missionary service to a close
- We passed our work on to a national pastor
- We moved our “home” back to America
- We found a new church home and began new ministries in it
I had to put many author tasks aside during these five years, but now, as an indie (independent) author, I know I have to work harder to find new readers for my books. While Art’s gone, I’m beginning to make plans to do that. Deb’s Book Blast is a major part of that plan. You’ll see some new changes in coming Book Blasts which, I hope, you will enjoy.
Along with working with Bible college students, in our home church and singing in our church choir, I’ve also become the librarian for our church library. It has needed a revamp for some time and our pastors have fully supported it moving forward. Part of that has been adding newer Christian books which will be helpful and enjoyable to our church people. What’s the top thing I look for in Christian fiction? Books that show Christian characters who are active in ministry, reaching out to help others around them. Finding Christian ministry as a main part of a fiction book plot can be challenging, but worth the effort.
Goodreads has been an important tool for me, making this task far easier. For many years I’ve kept a record of almost every Christian book I read on my Goodreads bookshelves, along with a star rating and a review that helps me know what I liked or didn’t like about the book. Now, years after I’ve read books, I can consult my reviews to know which books to recommend to others, include in our church library, and mention in my Book Blasts.
Here are some books, each the first in a series I’ve brought into our church library, plus one that I may bring in soon. Each of these fiction series show Christians in ministry reaching out to others with spiritual, and sometimes physical, needs. If you’re looking for a new book to read, you might start here. I’ve loved these and I hope you will too.
Fiction books about ministry:
Beneath a Southern Sky by Deborah Raney (Camfield Legacy Series)
Short Poppies by Deb Brammer (New Beginnings series)
Callie by Sharon Srock (Women of Valley View series)
Private Justice by Terri Blackstock (Newpointe 911 series)
Cape Refuge by Terri Blackstock (Cape Refuge Series)
Now for the Giveaway!
Beneath a Southern Sky by Deborah Raney.
Warning! If you read the Amazon review of this book, it will spoil the most compelling parts of the plot! I don’t want to do that, so just let me say that this story begins in the Amazon jungle with tensions that are natural in that setting. Then the location moves to America and the plot twists in ways I never ever expected. The book challenges the reader to trust God, to seek his will, and follow his leading. I just finished reading this book for the second time and, though I knew the plot twist ahead of time, I still really enjoyed it. Such an intriguing situation with no easy answers, but I appreciate how the author resolved this. Though the content is entirely appropriate for a Christian marriage, there are some brief mentions of marital intimacy that make it most suitable for married adults.
To enter the giveaway for the free ebook, simply leave a comment below or send a comment to: DebBrammer@gmail.com. You can enter by sharing the name of one of these things:
- A Christian book that inspired you to live for Christ
- Your favorite subgenre of fiction (contemporary, historical, romance, mystery, suspense)
- A book that includes Christian ministry as a major plot line
- A book you’ve enjoyed reading recently
Thanks for taking the time to enter. I’ll announce the winner’s name in the next Book Blast.
This book sounds intriguing.
Yes, very much so. I’ll put you into the draw for the book giveaway.
You are the winner of my Giveaway for this Book Blast! I’ll be sending you a letter shortly.
I love your books. So inspirational and well-written.
That’s so nice of you! Are there any particular books you’re referring to?
Sophie’s Heart by Lori Wick has been a longtime favorite of our family’s. This involves people ministering to each other on different levels. I generally read Christian romance or historical fiction.
Thanks for recommending this! I read a lot of Lori Wick books some year ago and really liked them.
I recently read The Wright Heroes of of Maine series by Robin Patchen.
This looks like an interesting series. I’m assuming this is historical fiction, is that wright? (I mean write.)
I like about all genres of books. This sounds like a great book. Hope you enjoy your retirement.
Thanks, Vickie. So far our “retirement” has been super-busy, but we’re very glad to be close to family as well as very active in our church.
I recently enjoyed The Heart’s Choice, by Tracie and Kimberley Woodhouse, the first of The Jewels of Kalispell series.
I meant Tracie Peterson.
That looks like a fun book! Jewels of Kalispell! Has Montana written all over it! I’m keeping the name. Too bad the Kindle version is so expensive, but it looks like a good book. Thanks for your reply, Ruth.
Sounds great. I try not to read previews because I don’t like spoilers. BUT I have been skimming lately bc I get Free ARCS then see they are LGBT or such. Eeeww
Yes, Beneath a Southern Sky is really a compelling book. Thanks for your reply!
My favorite sub-genres are probably sci-fi and fantasy. Honestly, though I’ve read some books with Christian themes, I can’t really think of a book (fiction-wise, at least) that involved a Christian ministry.
Thanks for your reply, Eric. I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but I feel like every Christian should read the Chronicles of Narnia, if for nothing else, to feel the price Christ paid dying on the cross. Aslan makes us think of Christ, but his death on the Stone Table makes us appreciate in a new way the humiliation Christ endured on the cross.