You may remember that a couple months ago I reviewed “Reluctant Burglar” by my new friend, Jill Nelson. It kept me up into the wee hours of the morning, as I couldn’t put it down. Well, book 2 in the “To Catch a Thief” series was just released and it was amazing!

I don’t do scary, folks. No scary movies, no scary books, no, no, no. But excitement? Now, that I do and Jill’s books are Exciting with a capital E! In book one we were introduced to Desiree Jacobs and her FBI agent boyfriend, Tony. In book two, we find Desi helping a friend whose niece has disappeared. Desi ends up involved in a mysterious array of villians, a cult, and (of course) art theft. When Tony’s organized crime case is revealed to be entangled with Desi’s investigation, they are dumped into a dark and sinister situation. (That’s sinister…not scary. )

I tore through this book in 2 days. You won’t be able to get enough and I bet you’ll be chomping the bit for book 3, just like I am!

Visit Jill at www.jillelizabethnelson.com

This week my four-year-old son was complaining to Daddy that his big sister wouldn’t buckle him into his car seat. (On a side note, he is perfectly capable of doing this himself!) Nevertheless, he announced to Daddy that “Kadi isn’t one of Jesus’ friends because she won’t help me.” His sister’s response, complete with crossed arms and rolled eyes…”It’s getting harder to get into heaven these days.”

While we all got a laugh out of this, I’m so thankful that getting into heaven has nothing to do with my deeds. The only thing I had to do was make a decision to accept Christ’s free gift.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Roman’s 6:23

The last few months have been out-of-this-world, crazy busy here. Since the first of the year, I’ve spoken fourteen times and attended a writer’s conference in California. Just managing the logistics of all those speaking engagements boggles my mind sometimes. Six more engagements in the next four weeks and then I’ll be taking a break until the fall. I delight in and thank God for each and every opportunity to speak and share His truth with women, but I also relish my summers when I can enjoy my family and spend time writing for Him. In the midst of it all, we have managed to maintain a fairly normal school schedule and even (Praise God) completed our Iowa Test of Basic Skills assessments this week. I’ve wrestled up meals on the table every night and Mike hasn’t had to buy clean underwear for anyone on his way home from work, as he has kept up the laundry. Now the dust….well, we’re calling that a science experiment for now. My motto this spring is…

Do your best and leave the rest!

How are you doing? Are you feeling the squeeze of end of the year activities? Are you longing to get outside and enjoy sights and scents of spring? Go for it! Today, commit to do your best and leave the rest. God understands. He won’t ask you to do more than you should. In fact, if you’re doing too much, take something off your plate and only do those things God asks you to do. Only then will He give you the strength and energy to do it. And above all remember that your deeds don’t get you a better address in heaven. In fact, they won’t get you to heaven at all. Only the acceptance of His free gift of salvation will accomplish that.

Now, tuck that little grace lesson in your hat and get outside…it’s beautiful out there!

THE HEIR
(Bethany House March 1, 2007)
by Paul Robertson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and former independent bookstore owner in Blacksburg, Virginia. This is his first novel.

Jason Boyer Just Got an Inheritance to Die For
The fortune wasn’t supposed to befall him. Jason Boyer had known all along his father’s business empire would pass to different hands. Which suited him just fine. The money was crooked and the power corrupt. But when an accident claims the old man’s life, everyone is stunned by the unveiling of the will. With the passing of the Boyer crown, power-hungry politicians and shady business partners all try to force Boyer’s hand. Fighting the temptation of influence and riches, he simply wants to be a better man than his father–but attempting to stand for what’s right soon brings murderous consequences. As those closest to him are endangered–and news emerges that his father’s accident may be something more sinister–Boyer finds himself fighting for his soul…and his life!

Is There Any Escape for The Heir?
All the money he could ever crave. In the splintering crash of a car plunging through a railing, Jason Boyer’s life is changed. All the fame he could ever desire. But the last thing he wanted was the throne of his father’s corrupt business empire. All the power he could ever wield.
The estate should have gone elsewhere, but the will was changed. And now everything is Jason’s. But gaining the whole world just might cost him his life.

THE HEIR is a Grisham-like tale of intrigue and murder with a lot of humor and well-drawn minor characters.

Endorsement:

“In THE HEIR, Paul Robertson serves up politics, privilege, and murder with a side of acerbic wit. What a fabulous book–a great mix of angst, humor, and ultimately, hope.”
T.L.HINES–author of Waking Lazarus and The Dead Whisper On

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brandilyn Collins is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Web Of Lies, Dead of Night, Stain of Guilt, Brink of Death, and Eyes of Elisha just to name a few.

Brandilyn and her family divide their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

She also maintains an informative blog called Forensics and Faith where she daily dispenses wisdom on writing, life, and the Christian book industry.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The figure remained still as stone. Leslie couldn’t even detect a breath.

Spider fingers teased the back of her neck.

Leslie’s feet rooted to the pavement. She dropped her gaze to the driveway, seeking…what? Spatters of blood? Footprints? She saw nothing. Honed through her recent coverage of crime scene evidence, the testimony as last month’s trial, the reporter in Leslie spewed warnings: Notice everything, touch nothing…

Leslie Brymes hurries out to her car on a typical workday morning…and discovers a dead body inside.

Why was the corpse left for her to find? And what is the meaning of the message pinned to its chest?

In Coral Moon, the senseless murder of a beloved Kanner Lake citizen spirals the small Idaho town into a terrifying glimpse of spiritual forces beyond our world. What appears true seems impossible.

OR IS IT?

And as Brandilyn would say…

Don’t Forget to Breathe!

Presently this Kanner Lake Series of books has its own character blog called Scenes and Beans. Stop by and visit the folks from Kanner Lake!

Check out Coral Moon here

Puppy Story with Human Lesson….last night we took Gracie to puppy preschool. We learned how to teach her the “leave it” command. We are supposed to put a treat on the floor, show it to her, and when she starts to go for it, cover it with our foot and tell her “leave it.” When she sits and looks at us for permission instead of digging for the treat, then we reward her with a different treat.

I think God does that to us too. He allows things/opportunities to be placed in front of us and then cHe overs it up with His grace and says “leave it.” He just wants us to sit at his feet and look at him for direction.

Have you found a quiet moment to sit at his feet and ask Jesus what He wants you to “leave”?

Today I challenge you to do your best and leave the rest.

Tom Morrisey is the author of four previous novels and numerous short stories, a world-renowned adventure-travel writer whose work has appeared in Outside, Sport Diver (where he serves as Executive Editor) and other leading magazines.

He holds an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Toledo and an MFA in Creative Writing from Bowling Green State University. He lives in Orlando, Florida.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

For Patrick Nolan, every climb tells a story. And now maybe it’s his own …. He’s right at the rim, staring over the cliff’s knife edge and wondering how things went wrong so quickly.

It all started after arriving home from a weekend climbing trip with his father, Kevin. That’s when word reached them. In a silent moment, they’d lost the person most important to them—her death raising unanswerable questions and dangerous doubts.

Launching a new life in a new town to escape their pain, son and father find themselves in danger of being torn apart forever. As his father seeks a route to solace on the dangerous high face of the rock, Patrick finds a path to hope with the unlikeliest of allies—a pastor’s daughter. Together they must discover the one answer that can bring Patrick and Kevin back from the brink of the precipice.

Endorsements: “It is rare to find a ‘man’s man’ who knows the human heart, much less one who can write with such a well-balanced combination of sensitivity and adrenaline-charged adventure.”
—Athol Dickson, Christy-Award-winning author of River Rising

“Beautifully exciting, haunting, and satisfying. Morrisey leaves you hanging by your fingertips.”
—Lisa Samson, award-winning author of The Church Ladies and Straight Up

“Tom Morrisey is a master wordsmith and an expert at weaving gripping stories. If I pick up a book with his name on it, I know I’m going for gold.”
—Angela Hunt, author of Uncharted

I just returned from an amazing trip to California where I attended the Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference only to find that my six-year-old has become a Styx fan while I was gone. He’s been humming “Too Much Time on My Hands.” Have mercy….Mommy’s away and Larry’s Silly Songs are replaced by Styx!

I really can’t blame Mr. Mom in this case. I think he had his hands full. God bless any man who leaves work for six days with three children and a new puppy. That alone would earn him a few extra jewels in his crown, but he blew me away by washing all the curtains, wiping down the walls and floor boards, and cleaning out all the kitchen drawers and cupboards. He also managed to squeeze in homeschool for two days and countless loads of laundry. Sound the trumpets! I think the Dad of The Year Award goes to Mike Tiede!

I have muddled my way through re-entry here at the homefront and am plowing ahead. After experiencing a rather miserable day on Saturday, the rest of the conference was one blessing after another. I was delighted to have several agents and editors request my proposals, so I’m scurrying to get those ready to send. And then we’ll do what we do best…wait and trust. God is the author of my life and the CEO of this ministry. Nothing that has been accomplished thus far has been a result of my trying to “make it happen” and the next step won’t be either. I trust that He knows where Grace Lessons is going next. I’m hoping He chooses to show me sooner than later. I expect He will be teaching me a few more Grace Lessons along the way.