What is Book ‘Em NC?

/ Dora Hiers

Book ‘Em North Carolina
Writers Conference and Book Fair

ABOUT BOOK ‘EM NORTH CAROLINA

The Inaugural Book ‘Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair is scheduled for Saturday, February 25, 2012.

It is hosted by Robeson Community College, The Book ‘Em Foundation, Friends of the Robeson County Library, Robeson County Arts Council, Lumberton Visitors Bureau, the City of Lumberton and Communities In Schools.

An annual event is planned for the last Saturday each February. These events are open to the public and free for attendees, presenters and participating authors.

Book ‘Em North Carolina brings together authors under one roof to speak on a variety of subjects. Headliners are Carla Neggers, a suspense author who has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list more than 24 times; and Michael Palmer, author of medical thrillers, who has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list more than 9 times. They join more than 24 award-winning authors and more than 75 authors, total.

A series of talks will occur from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm:

  • Writers Conference Talks – for aspiring or published authors of all ages; 
  • Children’s Corner – readings for younger children as well as talks through young adult level; 
  • The Fictional World – for readers of various fiction genres, including mystery/suspense, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and others; 
  • Historically Speaking – for readers of non-fiction, including historical work, biographical or autobiographical, true crime and events.

Authors will also sell and sign their books throughout the day. Publishers and authors pledge a portion of the proceeds raised from sales (a minimum of 40%) for Robeson County and Lumberton, North Carolina for the express purpose of increasing literacy and reducing crime. For additional information, visit http://www.bookemnc.org.

Stressful Day?

/ Dora Hiers
Stressful day?
Sit back and enjoy I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me.
Feel the pressures and troubles slip from your shoulders.
Take a deep breath.
Relax.
Worship.

My Review of CHRISTMAS SANCTUARY by Merry Stahel

/ Dora Hiers / 1 Comment

The Blurb:

Dea Lacey is on the run. Scared and alone, she has to protect her endangered nephew. If she can find Garrett’s father, perhaps he’ll keep the boy safe and learn to love the child she’d trade her life to keep.

Jesse McTavish has lost his family. Abandoning his faith, the seeds of destruction are sown. As he struggles with grief, the last thing he needs is a woman showing up with a child who’s the mirror image of his dead son. But he can neither ignore nor reject the woman and child who threaten to break through the protective shield he’s built around his heart.

Through the ensuing storm of pain and loss, Christmas teaches Dea and Jesse about faith and forgiveness.

Sanctuary may be what we ask for, but God gives us so much more.

My Review:


Emotion packed!

I enjoyed so many aspects about this book. Let’s start with the characters. Dea Lacey has raised her young nephew, Garrett, since birth, without finalized adoption papers. When Garrett’s mother terrorizes them, Dea takes off with Garrett, her only concern protecting her little boy while she tries to find his father. She’s determined to find a safe haven for Garrett, even if it means prison for her.

With the devastating loss of his wife and son two years before, Pastor Jesse McTavish rejects his faith and the ministry. When Dea shows up with Garrett, a replica of his dead son, Jesse dives back into his grief and rejects them. Ms. Stahel does a fantastic job showing Jesse’s transformation from pain and grief to love and life.

Christmas Sanctuary is 246 pages of emotion-packed romance mingled with a message of faith and forgiveness that kept me turning the pages, never quite knowing what to expect. I enjoyed Jesse’s transformation, the connection between Garrett and Alex (Jesse’s dead son), and the correlation between Jesse and Jesus (carpenter & pastor).

I regret that I didn’t have time to read Christmas Sanctuary during the Christmas Holiday Extravaganza offering by White Rose Publishing, but don’t let the Christmas title bother you. Christmas Sanctuary is a timeless message of renewed faith, forgiveness and love, which is nice to read anytime!

Merry Stahel is a new author to me. I won’t wait until after Christmas to read her next book. Congratulations, Merry Stahel.

Disclaimer: The author provided a review copy in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.