Thursday, March 15, 2012

Book Review: Deep in the Heart by Staci Stallings



    Romance, faith, forgiveness, reconciliation, Deep in the Heart has them all. Like each of her books I've read, Staci Stallings' new romance quickly draws you in. Deep in her readers' hearts is where she plants her two main characters, down-to-her-last-dollar Maggie Montgomery and handsome Keith Ayer, son of wealthy, blue-blooded Conrad Ayer.
    Both Maggie and Keith have deep wounds from painful childhood experiences. Maggie's wounds are healed…almost, but Keith's are still festering. Coming from socially opposite ends of the universe and scarred by their past, can these two ever find enough common ground to share what each has that the other desperately needs?
    Rather than spoil the story and its many surprises, I'll let Staci's skillful writing spoil you with her rich character development and captivating story line, combined with a strong cast of supporting characters.
    Set deep in the heart of Texas, this is a story all romance readers are sure to enjoy, especially those who like a solid faith component to their romance.

About Staci Stallings:
    Staci attended Texas Tech Universitythe Texas Aggie writing this review forgives Staci for being a Red Raider :)where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Journalism along with minors in Secretarial Business and Education. After graduation Staci worked at Alamo Catholic High School  in Amarillo, Texas, where she taught English, literature, journalism, and typing. She lives in Amarillo, Texas where her main career now is her family. She continues to write and has several novels in print, ranging in genre from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian.

    You can read more Staci on her web site: http://www.stacistallings.com/

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Guest Post: Author-Editor, Fay Lamb


GOD’S LEADERSHIP: AN AWE LIKE NO OTHER
(Fay Lamb)

The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied;
 he shall not be visited with evil.
Proverbs 19:23

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Hebrews 10:31

On occasion a character will ask a question the author isn’t sure how to answer. Dig deep enough and a writer might find that the question is one she needs answered for herself. If we’re asking, it is logical to think this might be a teaching moment for our readers.

Recently, while writing a scene between a football coach and his favorite quarterback and team captain, the young man challenged the teaching of his angry, oppressive father saying, “I’ve been told a good leader is one that makes his followers fear him. Is that true, Coach?”

The question seemed to come out of nowhere, but I needed an answer for the kid, for myself, and for my reader.

Proverbs 19:23 tells us, “The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”

Because I fear my God and my Savior, I never fall into His hands. I am covered by them. I receive protection from my mighty King, and His word promises I will never be taken from His hold.

All about me, my enemies rage, yet Psalm 23 tells me God sets a table before me in their midst. Because I fear Him and not my enemies and because I follow in His ways, the Lord’s hands fill my cup with goodness and mercy.

The waters of troubles might billow and roll, but I do not need to be afraid. God bids me to keep my eyes upon Him, and I am able to rise above the crashing waves that threaten to pull me under. Should I take my eyes off of Him and be swept out to sea, He is the very lifeline that will bring me safely into His grasp.

When I walk with a reverence, with an abiding awe of my Father’s love for me, the past, the present, and the future have no hold. My Father is the Great I Am. And wherever I was, wherever I happen to be, and wherever I go in the future, His Word was, is, and will be a light for each step on my path, and His hands will bid me safely follow.

But what about those who disregard God’s love, those who do not fear Him, those who fail to accept the wondrous sacrifice He made for us? Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” This same God who will one day take righteous vengeance upon His enemies is the same God that freely gave His only son so that no one has to fall into His hands. Instead, they can find protection in them.

So what did the coach tell this young man? He said, “When it comes to God, son, respect and fear are intertwined. Fear is reverence, and when we look to God with awe in our heart, He walks with us and guides us. Who are we that anyone should fear us? True discipline, the desire to do our best, is born of respect and not fear of retribution. Shouldn’t you and I lead by God’s example?”

And that, I discovered, is a question, that each leader should ask.

Fay Lamb
January 25, 2012

 Read Fay's latest book

Because of Me

Not your typical Christian fiction.

Michael’s fiancĂ©e, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.

Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.
Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago?

Available through all fine book retailers, Amazon.com, and Mountainview Publishing, a division of Treble Heart Books.