SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY…

In the John 3:16 Blog Hop, you will find something for everybody. That's because there are nearly two hundred (maybe more, now) dedicated authors who are committed to getting good books -- inspiring books -- into the hands of readers. They will literally go "the second mile" to get their books out there. And while you can find a great variety of categories, I have to confess I usually stick to the few I like most to read in. I think everybody does. Because no matter how organized any of us are, none of us gets more than twenty-four hours in our day. 

FREE
on Amazon, today!

But I have a lot of gifts to buy throughout the year. And a huge variety of personalities (and ages) on my list of people to buy for. Of course, there's no way I can read all the books I buy for everyone. I used to, but my family kept expanding. Now, I have to depend on perusing a chapter, or two, and reviews. I put a lot of store in reviews. Still, the amount of time it takes to comb through books online until you find something that fits, is another matter. 

Which is why I was so extremely pleased to discover the John 3:16 Network's anthology of first chapters called TASTE AND SEE. What a boon! Now I can browse through a distilled collection of excellent literature for almost any age and type, without always having to wade through hundreds to find something appropriate. 

For instance, I came across a delightful two-book set by Carol Brown, called SASSY PANTS and SASSY PANTS MAKES AMENDS. I don't mind saying I read both of those straight through, even though they were for kids. And you know what I think? 

I think there are a lot of adults out there that could do with reading that book, too. What a beautiful explanation of not only what "making amends" means, but how to do it. Not to mention the lively writing style and all the fun characters. But there's a message hidden in there… a very important one. I'm so glad I met Carol Brown and her books (she writes wonderful adult books, too) because it has definitely been a pleasure. One I would have missed out on, if I hadn't discovered the John 3:16 Marketing Network.

Have you found any new books you would like to add to your summer library? Feel free to share them with me (I'm always on the lookout for good books). I hope, by now, you're enjoying some unexpected pleasures along the John 3:16 blog hopping trail, too!

WHERE'S THE ADVENTURE?

The winner of the Captain's Hat drawing for day four of the John 3:16 Blog Hop has been posted. If it wasn't you, try again!  I'm going to give another ebook copy of GOLD TRAP away, today... 

I love adventure. There's no secret about that. Which is probably why I like reading about adventure, too. I especially like reading about people out of history who have done things I would hope I would have the courage to do, if faced with a similar situation. In this day and age of total luxury that has evolved into necessity in many places, it's hard to imagine the things some folks have had to live through in our own near history. There are people who have told about these things and written about them so well, that you come away feeling almost as if you had had the experience, yourself.

Rather amazing.

One of the books I have in my summer reading library is just this kind of book. It is called NIGHT OF THE COSSACK by Tom Blubaugh, and is the retelling (in novel form) of an incident that happened in his own family history. I confess, I have read the first chapter of this book, too. I can't help it, the same thing happens to me when I bring books home from the library… I get so excited, I have to read the first chapter of each before I can settle down enough to pick which one to start with. Anyway, this exciting book is second on my list to read on my summer travels. And I have a feeling it will be a very quick read, as this is one of my absolute favorite types of adventure stories. The account of a boy's transformation into a man.

It starts off with a disaster (often a major turning point in people's lives, eh?) and I don't have to tell you how hard it was for me to tuck that one away for summer. I'll let you know how it affects me, and if I find anything of value to bring back into my own world. But, once again, you don't have to wait for my opinion. You can get it yourself, instantly, over at the kindle store. Just click on the book cover to go there. 

Come back and tell me what you think. Oh, and don't forget to head over to the John 3:16 Blog if you would like a chance to win one of the two Kindles they are giving away. Really quite the revolution in reading.

I think you're going to like it.

Meanwhile, pick another blog from the sidebar on the right of this page and enjoy yourself. That's what I'm going to do...

PLAY IT AGAIN...

What does John 3:16 and a novel called PLAY IT AGAIN have in common? It's all in the launch. I recently came across the John 3:16 Authors while doing one of my favorite things, and that is visiting author blogs. I forget exactly which one, but the thing that caught my eye, that day, was a button that announced, "I'm a John 3:16 Author." Well, having thought highly of John 3:16, myself, for a good many years... I clicked on it.

 After which, I found myself on the site of a marketing network that specializes in launching Christian books with a very aggressive goal: they aim to make all the books they launch a bestseller. Easier said than done, you might say. But I'll tell you something. They have a lot of bestselling authors in that group. But how do they do it? I'll tell you that, too. They do it by giving things away. 

This large group of authors (membership is nearing 200, now) have made a commitment to promote each other's books. They do that by having one specific day when they all help at the same time. The book launch day. They announce the book through their own social networks, turn the spotlights of their blogs in that direction, and give downloadable gifts of their own (many of which are more books) away to anyone who will buy the featured book on that particular day. So, for the price of one book, you could come away with ten, or more, wonderful items that you weren't even expecting. Wonderful items. Many of which have the power to change people's lives in some way. 

I'll tell you, right now, I love John 3:16 people. They are a stellar example of what happens when good people put good ideas and good work together...

Everybody wins.

Today is the official John 3:16 launch day for a novel called PLAY IT AGAIN, by Tracy Krauss. It is the first time I will get to see a John 3:16 book launch in action, and here are some of the gifts authors are giving away:

• An e-copy of Lisa Lickel’s award winning novel Meander Scar
•  Sample chapters from The Promise of Deer Run by Elaine Cooper, Warring Spirits by April Gardner, and The Right Person by Stacy Padula
• Beautiful downloadable art cards by author and artist Brenda Hendricks
• A free subscription to ‘PixApple’
• Your copy of Frazzled No More by Shelley Hitz
• A cool ‘Daily Scheduler’ developed by author Janalyn Voigt
• And much more!

About the book:

An unlikely duo meet in Play It Again, a story of love, life and faith. Sparks fly when an ex-rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant rendezvous at a local resort, but neither are prepared for the emotional entanglements, family complications, and threat from the past that unexpectedly resurfaces. Set in the 1980s, this story brings two opposing forces together in a clash of romance and danger, while its musical undertones highlight the theme that God can turn anything into beautiful music. Play It Again is the much anticipated prequel to Tracy’s debut novel And the Beat Goes On. Find out where Mark Graham’s journey began in this, the story of his parents. 

About Tracy Krauss:

Tracy Krauss is a high school teacher by profession, and a prolific author, artist, playwright and director by choice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has gone on to teach Art, Drama and English – all the things she is passionate about. After raising four children, she and her husband now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests. Her first two books were both nominated for the ‘Indie Excellence Book Awards’ for religious fiction in 2011. 

If you would like to check out this John 3:16 book launch for yourself, you can do so by going to Tracy's landing page, where she gives instructions on how to participate in her special day. I guarantee you will run into some very wonderful books and people there. When you do, let me know what you think!