Barn Door Book Loft

Gina Bovyn's White Lady

2012-02-27T00:05:00.016-06:00

Gina Bovyn wanted to pursue a writing career since she was a little girl. After moving to Wisconsin from Chicago and finding a personal relationship with Jesus, her mission became sharing the love of Christ with all through her work. At the age of nineteen, she is working on her fourth book and is taking courses in a Bible Correspondence school, hoping to grasp all the understanding she can of the Word of God and of His character so she can be used by Him in an even greater way. Lady White is her first novel.

You can find Gina online at:
http://ginabovyn.blogspot.com/
http://ginabovyn.tateauthor.com/
Facebook
http://twitter.com/GinaBovyn

White Lady

The Realm’s sole purpose was to glorify the God who created them. Yet as selfishness and greed grew in the hearts of men, the Realm’s purpose was forgotten. Only the Kingdom of Linolae withstood the power of the evil one and made a stand against his lusting allies, remembering the God who always caused them to triumph. But the times grow darker and an army must arise. Only a lass worthy can lead this kingdom to victory and save the Realms from their own destruction. From the loins of a very unsuspecting maiden will she come.

Alina aer Anya, otherwise known as the White Lady, carries a sordid past as she rides with her band of men killing for the nobles’ coin. She searches for her own path in life, one without trust, without love, and without the God of her mother. But as she rides to fulfill a task for a power-hungry ruler, she finds a crossroad in her path, and her hardened heart begins to soften. Will she allow evil forebodings and her sordid past to keep her from a trusting friend and the arms of the man she loves? Or will she turn at life’s crossroad and begin her days anew? As she pens her tale in the dungeon of King Richard, only her writings and the hope of escape keep her alive.

This is the tale of how the notorious White Lady became the beloved Lady White.

Here's an excerpt from White Lady:

Introduction
In the Realms of Higher Law, the kingdoms lived by just that. From the beginning of time, God’s law ruled the lands, and they were prosperous, rich in all things. But then men’s minds were ﬁlled with doubt; unbelief spread and evil entered the Realms. The people began to worship pagan gods, and those who knew Truth were killed by blood-hungry kings. It seemed the days of I AM were being forgotten. Only a few priests scattered throughout the Realms still believed in the Almighty King and taught without fear of death any who would listen.

For years the Realms were in darkness, but slowly Light began to return. More and more gave ear to the men of God and turned from their pagan rulers. But despite the evil that ﬂourished, one kingdom remained faithful to their Creator. This kingdom, ruled by a queen ordained by God, prospered more than all the others, being blessed with riches and might more than any had ever known. It was from this kingdom that the knowledge of God entered the minds of foreign rulers and began to bring the Realms back to the days of old. The lands were at peace for many a year.

But evil will not be spurned without a ﬁght; the adversary will not back down so easily. Slowly, quietly, the darkness moved throughout the Realms, taking hold of those men weak, gathering its army to overthrow the High King’s reign over the Realms. Many who were not strong in faith fell to these men. But a few stayed strong, and that kingdom of might stood unwavering. In this second tribulation, they fought this evil with all they knew.

These are the diaries of the daughters of Linolae.

Prologue

My name is Alina aer Anya, and I am writing this so my seed may know of some of the history of the blood that ﬂows through their veins. As a small youth, my days were ones ﬁlled with peace. I was free and unhindered by social status. But, as I grew older, bloodshed and war ruled our lands. It was at the beginning of these times that my life began to change. I became an orphan and, not many years after, some would say, a murderer.

I write this from solitary conﬁnement, in the dungeon of his majesty, King Richard III, ruler and lord of the lands called Rumanae. Imprisoned not for my past sins but for my most recent crime, one where any noble aristocrat would be given the highest honor. But, because of the way I live my life, I was put into this rodent infested hellhole, a dank cell smelling of must and ﬁlth with green fungus growing on the stone walls around me. I slumber on a mat ﬁlled with rotten straw, eating nothing but hunks of bread that had spoilt days afore with tepid brown water, and living with rats that now scurry about my feet. Daily the beatings grow worse, and I fear what’s next to come. The whip I have become accustomed to, but next, I’m told, branding will ensue. I hope I have found favor with fate and my plans go smoothly.

The guards make sport of me, when there is nothing better to be done. One even went so far as to reach through the bars to try to fondle my womanly curves, to put it in a modest way. They wouldn’t dare go any farther, fearing the wrath of the king. For reasons that have yet to be revealed to me, it appears important to him that my innocence remain intact. At least for now. I let them have their fun, laughing from the inside. They would remember if they stopped thinking from their lower extremities, that I do not fear blood. They would know they were sealing a doomed fate.

But I say, “Do not fear for me, my daughters!” Read this and know of the strength and courage you’ve inherited. Be not ashamed of me, your ancestor, because of the acts I committed. Everything I did was for the better, ridding these lands of certain kinds of evil, men who should never have left their mothers’ wombs, so you would not have to know of the pains I’ve felt. So again I say, do not fear for me. I have lived in worse conditions than these, and very soon I will make my escape. They should have known they could never hold the White Lady.

You can purchase White Lady at Amazon.

Gina is giving away a copy of White Lady. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Meet Nicole O'Dell

2012-02-27T00:01:00.015-06:00

Popular blogging trio—mother, Nicole O’Dell, along with daughters, Emily

and Natalie—offer trustworthy, biblically-based advice for all your ups, downs, and in-betweens. Culled from actual questions they’ve encountered on their blog site, this fabulous resource offers real-life helps for issues including relationships, character, body image, fashion, gossip, and more. You’ll find 180 questions along with answers and related scripture selections that will both encourage and challenge you in your faith walk.

The book is based on the Girl Talk column we write on my blog at www.nicoleodell.com. We wanted to give girls a place they could go with those tough questions about life. The column grew and the questions built up to the point when we, along with Barbour Publishing, decided to put 180 questions from readers and our answers into a book. But it's not just any book--the vibrant, trendy format has a scrapbook-y feel as each page is full color with graphics galore. Take a look at the trailer to get a better feel for what it looks like:

Check back tomorrow when Nicole answers questions to give us a little insight into her life.

Nicole is giving away a copy of girl talk. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Happy Reading!
Carole

Meet Zeke Lam

2012-02-26T00:01:00.010-06:00

Hi, Zeke!

Tell us more about yourself.

I am 27 years old and have been married to my beautiful wife, Kathleen, for 6 years. We have three children (4, 2, and 2 months) that we love very much. I have ministered since the age of 18 as a youth minister and evangelist. In addition to this, I operate a small business which constructs ornamental concrete such as flower pots, bird baths, etc. I also help out with the family furniture when time permits. We are passionate to see Christ glorified through our lives, and constantly remain seek to use our lives to share the Gospel. This has led our family all over the world. Our most recent “adventure” involved us literally driving to a town in Texas, renting an apartment, and seeking the Lord. Although we knew nobody or anything about the place, God gave us an entire church fellowship in 2 days! This turned into an incredible 7 month stay that is surely not finished yet.

What motivated you to write this book?

Compromise is way too commonplace today. I have seen it in the church, in families, and in my own life. If revival is to take place in or society, God’s people must be willing to operate with the level of obedience and submission God requires. Mixing our opinions with God’s commands or desires is the very recipe for disaster. If we will fully release ourselves to Jesus Christ, and be willing to follow Him the way He commands, a shift will take place in our society! Ultimately, shortcomings in my own life with regards to submissions sparked this fire.

What do you hope this book accomplishes?

My hope and prayer is that Christians nationwide will be challenged to step into a realm of Scriptural obedience that will spark revival!

Did you learn anything (or did God show you anything) as you were writing?

I certainly experienced moments where I was convicted about the level of submission I lived under. God revealed to me the importance of denying any and all voices that seek to lure us from His presence. Submission to Him will position us for spiritual greatness!

Do you believe people struggle with the idea of "submission"? If so, why?

Yes, we all struggle with the idea of full submission. It means releasing our control and desires to the Lord. When we do not feel in control, it creates an emotion of insecurity. This insecurity is what makes us resists submission on many levels. When it comes to submitting to our Lord Jesus, we must reject these emotions, and faithfully surrender our lives.

Your subtitle mentions obeying only God's voice. What are some ways people can hear God's voice?

God desires to interact with us in ways we could never imagine. The Holy Spirit is very much alive and active, but the question is, will we allow ourselves to get in position to hear Him. He speaks through the Scriptures, His written word. He speaks to our hearts as we intimately seek Him daily through prayer and fasting. He can speak through people and situations around us. God is not limited to anything and can therefore speak any way He chooses. The only real issue is that which restricts and hinders us from hearing.

Zeke is giving away a copy of Submission. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Happy Reading!
Carole

Meet Zeke Lam

2012-02-25T00:01:00.033-06:00

Prepare to be stirred by this authentic calling to return to Scriptural
obedience. —Pastor Gabe Turner, The Point Church of Charlottesville, Virginia

In my opinion Zeke has laid his finger on the defining message for our time. This message is essential for believers everywhere —Eric Stephens, Pastor of Life Changing Ministries and Fellowship in Sugarland, Texas

What is the greatest challenge that the Church is facing today? Zeke Lam suggests that one word is the greatest challenge: submission, or the lack thereof. It is not external forces that nullify the testimony of a Christ-centered believer, but rather the failure to humbly submit to the voice of

the Lord. This book will help you to live a surrendered life abiding in Christ.

Ø Is the approval of God more important to you than the approval of man?
Ø Is the presence of God evident in your life?
Ø Do you fiercely protect your intimacy with Christ?
Ø Do you desire to live a life of truth, free from the lies of the devil?
Ø Is God’s divine character visible to those around you?

Learn how to submit your life wholeheartedly to the Lord so that you can dwell continually in the secret place—a place of intimacy, surrender and joy.

ZEKE LAM is the founder of SUBMISSION Ministries—a ministry devoted to seeing lost souls encounter God and live lives fully surrendered to the risen Christ. A graduate of Liberty University, Zeke’s deep passion for following Christ’s will has led him through many years of youth ministry and itinerant evangelism. Both of these experiences have enriched and fueled his desire to hand others the keys to a Christ-centered life. Zeke resides in Virginia with his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and a growing family of future world-changers.

ISBN-13 978-1-9374-8100-1
ISBN-10 1-9374-8100-X
Author website: http://submissionministries.org/

Come back tomorrow for more about Zeke.

Zeke is giving away a copy of Submission. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Happy Reading!
Carole

Winners!

2012-02-22T00:01:00.033-06:00

The winner of:

Linda Glaz’s Polar Bear Plunge is Carol N Wong

Mary Ellis’s An Amish Family Reunion is Karen Schulz

Max Anderson’s Legend Of The White Wolf is Tom Blubaugh

Linda Rondeau’s The Other Side Of Darkness is Nancee

Winners, it's your responsibility to contact me (Sharon {at} BarnDoorBookLoft {dot} net with your address so the author can send you a book.

Subscribing by email will ensure you don't miss the winners list. ;-)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until Next Time . . . Sharon A Lavy