While Joanna is away...

Amy here, Joanna's assistant. I thought I would pop in and say HI on Joanna's behalf and give you some summer reading ideas for the lazy days (I hope there are at least a few) ahead!

Joanna has long neglected her blog, but I have good news. Her website is near completion and she hopes to unveil it this summer. (happy dance!)

Currently, Joanna is busy at work on her new book (look for it winter of 2010) The Lazarus Factor and traveling around the country speaking at various events and conferences. To find out if Joanna will be near you later this year, go here!

Okay...now for the books!

Amy Wallace's Enduring Justice, book 3 in the Defenders of Hope series (which she's giving away - so hurry over and leave Amy a comment before the 13th!)

Enduring Justice Secrets Can’t Last Forever

A PAINFUL PAST
Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her memories.

A RACIALLY-MOTIVATED KILLER
As a Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. Difficult cases and broken relationships have plagued his entire year. But when the system fails and a white supremacist is set free, Michael’s drive for retribution eclipses all else.

A LIFE-ALTERING CHOICE
A racist's well-planned assault forces Hanna and Michael to decide between executing vengeance and pursuing justice. The dividing line is the choice to heal. But when the attack turns personal, is justice enough?

Want to read more? Read the first two chapters of Enduring Justice here!



Mary Byer's Making Work at Home Work: Raising a successful business and a family under one roof
Mary's also has a great contest going on AND she has started a blog ring for all Work at Home Moms - get free articles and helpful information about Working at Home and managing your family (what a blessing!)

Making Work at Home Work shows moms how to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set without sacrificing their families. It covers important topics such as developing a successful business philosophy, balancing time between work and family, setting realistic goals, and handling the challenges of being both "Mommy" and "CEO" while running a profitable home-based business. In addition to including her own experiences, author Mary Byers profiles real moms with home-based businesses who offer their hard-won advice.



Susan May Warren's Nothing But Trouble! Oh wow...look at the fun Sugar Bomb she's got going on! Click the button below and find out all about it!

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her hometown, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder--who also happens to be PJ's former flame--is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend's husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right.



And, Joanna's dear friend Tricia Goyer's latest release, Blue Like Play Dough will release in just a few short weeks! Be sure to follow Tricia's blog for more information on the blog tour and Facebook Launch party she'll be holding!

In the squash and squeeze of a mommy's day, could God be shaping something beautiful? In this spiritual memoir, Goyer invites women to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary! Learn to see God's hand lovingly at work in every aspect of your life---from laundry-folding to the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon. Read an excerpt!


What about you...what summer reads are on your list. Do share! Leave a comment with your suggestions and I'll choose a winner at random to win a copy of Having a Mary Spirit AND a copy of The Lazarus Factor when it releases!

And the winner is...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

25
Timestamp: 2009-03-09 15:56:59 UTC


Robin, who said...
God used "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby in my life in a powerful way -- I really came to know who my Faithful God is. Another is Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" -- the depth and breadth of what God invites us to realize in relationship with Him is worship-inspiring.Francine Rivers' 5 novella study books on the women in Jesus' geneology -- breathed life into these women and what God has to teach us today through their walk with Him.Thanks, Joanna, for collecting these "top three" lists for the rest of us to benefit from.
February 15, 2009 12:25 PM

Congratulations! Send your mailing address to us (amy@litfusegroup.com) and we'll get your books out ASAP!

Thanks so much for all your imput -- wonderful suggestions!

Bible Study Weigh-In

Hello friends!

I need your help...and I'm willing to give you a prize for it! :)

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I'm hard at work on the book and life. I've got exciting news! Looks like the website will be up and running by mid-March. I'm just thrilled at how it's turning out! I can't wait to share it with you.

Here's where you come in. I often get emails asking me what Bible studies I recommend. I have a few I love, but I want to get your recommendations too. I only want the best. I'll be posting your suggestions along with my favs on the website. So leave me a comment and share your favorite Bible studies! Please list your top three (in 1, 2, 3 order). Oh, and don't list Mary Heart and Mary Spirit!

On March 1st I'll draw a name from the submissions for a chance to win 5 copies of one of my books!

Thanks for your help!

2009 Speaking Schedule!

As I mentioned, I’ve left much of spring 09 open for writing, but here are the dates for the upcoming year. If the Lord brings me to mind, I’d sure appreciate your prayers. I’m convinced nothing of any eternal importance happens that is not birthed in prayer. It is a blessing to have many of you praying for these events.

April 17-18 First Baptist – Athens, Alabama

September 25-26 United Methodist Church – Shrevesport, LA

October 23-24 Soul Sanctuary – Winnipeg, MB – Canada

November 5-7 New England Assemblies of God – Bartlett, NH

November 12-14 New England Assemblies of God – Bartlett, NH

Speaking News

A special shout out to all the incredible women I had the chance to meet last year at conferences and retreats all around the country and even the world!!

February found me in Lethridge, Canada and then in Los Cabos, Mexico with my college roommate and her wonderful church. Then two weeks later, my sister Linda, daughter Jessica and I flew to Hong Kong for a conference at an international school there. What an amazing time! A week later, we were in Shanghai for another conference and more wonderful ex-patriates (English speaking women living abroad).

Quite the whirlwind tour for my first foray into international speaking! Three countries in the space of five weeks!

But the rest of the year was just as special. Thank you so much to the following churches for the privilege of speaking to their ladies. I am humbled and blessed.

- Bigfork Chapel – Bigfork, MT
- Lethbridge Evangelical Free – Lethbridge, Canada
- Rocky Mountain District Assemblies of God Ministry Women
- Maranatha Summer Breakaway – Muskegon, MI
- Mount Hermon Women’s Conference – Mount Hermon, CA
- North Dakota Assemblies of God Women’s Conference – Mandan, ND
- Roswell United Methodist – Roswell, GA
- Chapelwood United Methodist – Houston, TX
- Wisconsin Wesleyan Women – Rothschild, WI

I'll be posting my 2009 Speaking Schedule next week.

Writing and website news...

My spring calendar is wide open this year as I work on my new book. Speaking of which,I’d really appreciate your continued prayers. I need a breakthrough on the writing front. My deadline came and went without a lot of progress on the book because of all the changes in our lives. It was a hard day.

I’m not like the famous author who once commented, “I love the sound deadlines make as they go whooshing by.” Missing the promised date bummed me out pretty good. But my publisher has been very gracious, so we forge on!

My assistant Amy and I have been working with a design firm on my website and hope to launch sometime in the spring. We’ll give you a heads up so you can check it out when it arrives at http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/ . Meantime, I’d love to have you come by and visit my blog at http://www.joannnaweaver.blogspot.com/ . My assistant, Amy, does her best to keep it active despite her spacey client, namely me! Thank you, Amy!

BLESSINGS ON YOUR NEW YEAR

I love the blank slate a new year brings. A new start, a new chance to become all that God wants us to be. I pray that you have a blessed Christmas, but even more that your New Year be filled with the joy that only comes from the sweet presence of Christ.

May everything we do be dedicated to one thing…

Becoming His.