BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!!!!

Hey ya'll! I have something to tell you. I have started a new blog titled, Women of His Word. It is a blog based on Proverbs 31:10-31 and I created it to encourage and help Christian women. So if your following me here, go and give me a follow on my new blog.

Click Women of His Word to see my first post and to follow me.

Title & Cover Reveal for my YA Christian Romance!

Hey all!! So a few weeks ago I got an idea to write a story that is a retelling or loosely based on one of my very favorite Disney movies.....The Little Mermaid. I am only in the brainstorming stage, then I'll start outlining, and finally I will start writing. I predict I'll probably start writing it during Camp NaNoWriMo next July. I am so very excited to see where this story goes. And here we go........



                                                                   





                                                                       DRUM ROLL...............

Well there you go......my WIP is called, "Sandcastles", and I absolutely adore this cover. I can not believe I made it. Thanks GIMP 2!! Thanks for hanging out with me and reading this post. I'll share more soon.

Alyssa Faith ♥

Love's Refuge Blog Tour

                                                                Love's Refuge


       Hey ya'll!! If you have been here before, Welcome back! If your new and never been here before, Hey there and welcome. Today I'm here to tell you about a new literary release, Love's Refuge by Sandra Leesmith.

[About the Book]

Skye Larsen loves her peaceful life on Leeza Island in Puget Sound – the tranquility, the friendly neighbors, and especially the safety from big-city dangers. So when cruel pranks start to escalate and changes threaten to overtake the island, Skye is determined to fight for her haven. The presence of a handsome vacationer and the unexpected feelings he awakens can’t distract her from her goal.

Danny Fraser doesn’t realize how desperately he needs a rest until he meets Skye. By allowing him to glimpse her simple way of life, she helps him reorient his priorities – and steals his heart in the process. But his work and home in Seattle keep Skye at bay.

An isolated island girl with painful memories. A dedicated city boy with a wild past. What will it cost for them both to find a refuge from their storms?

[About the Author]

Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com.

Sandra's Facebook.

Sandra's Twitter.

Sandra's Goodreads.

Sandra's blog Seekerville.

Purchase the book HERE.

Enter in the Rafflecopter HERE.

Captives Review

                                                                         [About the Book]

One choice could destroy them all.

When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem—taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.

Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.

Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ façade before it’s too late?



                                                                                                           [Review]
OH MY GOSH!!!!! Where has this book been all my life!!! Captives is on my list of BEST books of 2013!! If you like dystopian and action adventure this is a book you need to get a copy of. :)

Clear Winter Nights Review

Synopsis:
Searching for Real Faith - or No Faith at All

What happens when a young Christian dealing with disillusionment and doubt spends a weekend with an elderly, retired pastor? They talk. And no subject is off limits. Clear Winter Nights is a stirring story about faith, forgiveness, and the distinctiveness of Christianity. Through a powerful narrative and engaging dialogue, Trevin Wax shows the relevance of unchanging truth in an ever-changing world.

Quotes from Clear Winter Nights:

“Truth is not a formula… Truth is a Person.”

“No Christian who truly understands grace can feel superior to anyone else. Grace shatters any sense of superiority.”

“A Christian is not defined by the sins of the past or the struggles of the present but by the vision of the future.”

“The world says, ‘Be true to yourself.’ King Jesus says, ‘Be true to your future self.’”

“The true rebellion is in the heart of the Christian who follows King Jesus by swimming upstream against the current of the world.”

“Don’t trust in your strength, because there is such a thing as pride. Don’t despair in your weakness, because there is such a thing as forgiveness.”

“Authenticity isn’t accepting your sins. It’s admitting your sins and then being true to the person King Jesus has declared you to be.”

When his life comes apart, will the center hold?

Chris Walker has everything. A career, a beautiful fiancée, a promising ministry opportunity, and a faith instilled in him from a young age. But when a revelation about his family comes to light at his grandmother’s funeral, Chris finds himself facing questions he didn’t even know he had about…well, everything.

Fighting a battle within and without from those that don’t understand his sudden doubts, Chris seeks refuge in a weekend with his grandfather to ask the tough questions and sort through the issues where faith meets life and disillusionment collides with truth.

For those searching for the historic Christian faith that is relevant to life today, or for those who believe that a completely new faith is called for, this stirring tale is a deep and powerful exploration of what being Christian has meant and still means today.


Review:
Meh. Did not really get in to this book. I had to force myself to finish it.

Aquifer Review

                                        Aquifer
                                       3.5 stars
                                   Thomas Nelson
                                          2013












                                                            [About]

Only he can bring what they need to survive...

In 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. And they’ll do anything to maintain their power – deceiving, dividing families, banning love... even killing those who oppose them.

But above all, they seek to control knowledge and communication – ensuring the truth that will bring their downfall will never be known. But one person verges on discovering it all.

Sixteen-year-old Luca becomes the Deliverer, the only one allowed to contact the people called ‘Water Rats,’ who mine the essential water deep underground and bring it to the ‘Toppers’ who desperately need it above. 

But when he meets a Water Rat who captures his heart and leads him to secrets – secrets about a vast conspiracy, and about himself – the net around him tightens. Luca and those around him must uncover and share the truth needed to overthrow tyranny – even as they fight for their lives.


                                                                              [Review]

 I liked most of this book, in fact it was a good read. But the lingo made it hard to read and get in to sometimes. If it did not have that new lingo I know I would have liked it more. i do, however, recommend this to pre-teen/teens who like dystopian literature.

So I Have Something to Say.......

I have posted this announcement on a few of the Writer Facebook Groups I am a part of, but I have yet to write up or type up actually that I dropped out of NaNoWriMo last Friday. I decided I was having a lack of inspiration for that particular story and I have also decided to set that story aside...for now. But not long after I made this decision I got another book idea. (Thank You Jesus!!!) My new story is a Fantasy re-telling of....... And that is all I am saying for now. So lets see where this story goes......

X Factor-Motown Week

Last night X Factor took on the stylings of Motown.Now, I became very excited because I am a huge Motown fan. But some of the performers I expected to do very well did not do it for me. Like Carlos for example, he has that jazzy, motown like growl in his voice yet it was completely smoothed out and I did not hear even once. What is his mentor doing??!! How about after Lillie sang her song and Demi called her old fashioned and outdated....ummm...HELLO it is Motown week of course it sounds old fashioned. They are old songs. Ughh. Next was when they brought back Josh Levi as a wildcard. He by no chance should have been brought back. Compared to others who were eliminated there was some much better choices, like Danie Geimer. And of course what would this season of X Factor be without some one, like Demi, to once again put down and criticize Tim Olestad. This is what really drove me crazy. I am pretty upset with how they, especially Demi, is treating Tim Olestad. She and the others, not Simon I mind you, from the very beginning made their decision about Tim before he ever even sang a note. They don't like what he is singing or doing, but the overtly-sexualized 15 year old Ellona is praised and cheered on every time. Hmmm...seems like some of the judges are trying to add to the purposeful dumbing down of the music industry. And get those dancers off the stage....this is a singing competition. And some how there was a "glitch" in the voting arena so all the contestants time was wasted last night and they all have to perform again tonight.

So there is a summary of most of what went on last night on the X Factor USA!

Until Next Time....
Alyssa Faith

Dear Mr. Knightley

                               Rating: 5 STARS!!!












[Synopsis]
Dear Mr. Knightley is a contemporary epistolary novel with a delightful dash of Jane Austen.

Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.

After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.

As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.

[Review]
I have nothing to say other than, WOW!!! Dear Mr. Knightley is Katherine Reay's debut novel, yet it does not read like one. If you are a Jane Austen fan than I tell you to go and pick up a copy of Dear Mr. Knightley right now!!

NaNoWriMo Day 6 & Yet Another Quote from "A Melody of Love and Murder"

                                                   

It is NaNoWriMo Day 6 and at the end of today you should have written 10k words or more. Today I finished with a total of 10,174 words. Yay for needing full song lyrics and Bible verses in my story. And just another reminder that NaNoWriMo is about quantity NOT quality! Write as much as you can so you can reach the 50k goal for the month, and then in December or January you can start the editing process. You can even find people who will edit your novel, but for a price, so take that in to consideration. But most importantly about this month....HAVE FUN!!!!!




And I have another quote from my NaNo novel, "A Melody of Love and Murder."

Beau gets off the couch and kneels in front of me. He reaches in to his pocket and pulls out a blue velvet box. He opens it and I see the most gorgeous engagement ring. It is a simple and dainty silver band with a modest sparkley diamond in the setting. Oh my gosh...Beau are you serious!? Scarlet Evelyn Comfort, I have been in love with you since the very day I met you when you first came to this town. I do not want to lose you again. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you. Scarlet, will you be my wife? Yes Beau! Yes, yes, yes! I will marry you! 

Happy NaNoing!

Alyssa Faith ♥

NaNoWriMo Day 5 & another quote from "A Melody of Love And Murder"

Hey guys...again! It is Day 5 of NaNoWriMo and I have only written 5857 words total. I am still about 2000 words behind, but what I am writing I am really in love with. Just a reminder to everyone participating, JUST WRITE!!! It may be some really terrible writing but WRITE! In NaNoWriMo it is about quantity, not quality. WRITE!! WRITE!! WRITE!!

For now I leave you with another quote from "A Melody of Love And Murder" (my 2013 NaNo novel).
This one ties with the other!

"Let's get you inside the truck and warm up before we have to get back out in this weather again. That sounds good to me. But what sounds even better is if we walk back and you hold me the whole time. Beau comes right up to my face and leans in to me. He cradles my face and smashes his lips in to mine. I am under his spell and I wish not to come out of it. Beau pulls away and then just smiles at me. A kiss for the ages. A kiss I will forever remember even when I am old, frail, and losing my mind. I will always remember."



Happy NaNoing!
Alyssa Faith ♥

A Quote from "A Melody of Love and Murder"

It is Day 4 of NaNoWriMo and I have written 4,084 words total, so far. I am about 2,000 words behind because on Saturday I went on a day trip and so I wrote 0 words that day. Well, today is not over and I plan to hop back on later tonight when I have less distractions. So, hopefully, I will have those 2,000 words on the page by midnight tonight. For fun here is my favorite part of my novel so far:

"Coloma, I still can't believe I am almost there. Almost back to a life I left behind. Almost back to a man I left behind. Beau Weston, even after all these years when I say his name my heart still skips a beat. I can smell his cologne and feel his arms wrapped around me. The spark when his soft lips touch mine."

And for everybody who is NaNoing here is something that a good friend of mine, Shannon, tweeted to me today while I was struggling to make my daily word goal. I hope it helps you too. Oh, and I did make my word goal today, I even went over it! Yay!

Happy NaNoing!

Alyssa Faith ♥

Summer Promise by Robin Jones Gunn Review

From a Wisconsin farm to a California beach, from a measly allowance to unlimited shopping sprees, from an uncomplicated life to a highly sophisticated one. These are the head-spinning changes that lead to Christy Miller's...

                                   Rating: 3.5 stars!                    














                                                          Summer Promise

As 14-year-old Christy leaves her family's Wisconisn farm to spend the summer at her wealthy aunt and uncle's beach home in Newport, she realizes this could be the best season of her life. She's full of hope that surfer Todd will like her; the beach crowd will accept her; and she can become like her gorgeous new friend, Alissa.

But the summer doesn't unfold as Christy hoped; she discovers this season also holds heartache. Todd wavers between Christy and another girl; 16-year-old Shawn dies in a drug-related surfing accident-and the police want to know how Christy was involved; Alissa discloses that her sophistication hides a painful past.

Through it all, will Christy keep her promise to her parents not to do anything she'll regret? Or will she do anything to get Todd, to be accepted, to force her summer to give her everything it promised?

Review:
Not much to say but it is a nice novel. It is not my favorite by any means but I do recommend it for young tween/teen girls.