Dina Rae's Write Stuff: May 2020

Monday, May 25, 2020

VBT Presents: The Spa at Lavender Lane by Phyllis Melhado

Women’s Fiction

Date Published: May 7, 2020

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

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Take a peek behind the curtain of wealth and glamour in Phyllis Melhado’s sassy and sultry beach read. The guests who arrive for a 10-day stay at the nation’s premier spa at Lavender Lane seem to have everything a girl could want: high-flying careers, social and financial prowess, access to the top fashions and beauty products, and even a dash of fame. Yet each woman is in need of rejuvenation from insecurities, flatlined business motivation, or failed relationships – problems that will require more than the spa’s renowned anti-aging quince cream to fix. As the women learn to trust one another, they each figure out how to take a second chance at life, and reclaim what’s most important.

About the Author

The former Vice President of Public Relations for Estee Lauder, Phyllis Melhado has had her work published in Town & Country, Cosmopolitan, and The Scarlet Leaf Review. She has also ghosted a best-selling beauty book as well as a nationally syndicated beauty column. She earned her Master’s degree in Communications from NYU and lives in New York City. The Spa at Lavender Lane is her first novel. To learn more about Phyllis and her work, visit https://www.phyllismelhado.com.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2020

RABT Presents: Letters to an Apprentice

Christian, Spiritual growth, Christian mentorship

Date Published: April 7, 2020

Publisher: Lucid Books

The narrow road is dangerous and full of hardship; it was never intended to be traveled alone. We were always supposed to have guides. And we are also expected to lead others along that path.

Unfortunately, Christian mentorship has been neglected far too long. We are in danger of losing yet another generation to mediocrity and self-interest if we do not act now.

Letters to an Apprentice invites you on a journey--occasionally uncomfortable and revealing--as one young apprentice develops and matures through the influence of one mentor after another. These lessons are shared through a series of letters that use real-life scenarios to prompt innovative ideas that inspire you to become a better mentor or apprentice. Letters to an Apprentice is filled with practical examples and steps to help you:

- find your mentor and make the best of that relationship.

- find your apprentice and pass on what you have learned.

- Create a culture of mentorship in your family, church, ministry, or team.

Join us as we rekindle the ancient discipline of Christian mentorship. Start your own journey, and wade deeper into your place in the body of Christ as you deepen your understanding of the kingdom of God.

About the Author

J Taliaferro is not your stereotypical missionary. From a small Texas town to traveling the world for the sake of the Gospel. J has 20+ years of cross-cultural experience, the majority in partnership with the International Mission Board. On this journey with him are his wife Susan and four children: Victory, Memphis, Ember, and Daniel. From church planting with remote tribes in the Amazon and Andes to impacting war torn lands and refugee populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, J has demonstrated his dedication to God’s calling and his passion for Christian mentorship. The numerous missionaries trained by J are currently serving all around the globe. Check out www.jtaliaferro.com for his most recent thoughts on mentorship, church planting, biblical manhood, Christian growth, and current events.

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Monday, May 4, 2020

VBT Presents: End Average by Ryan Hansen

Christian, Personal growth

Date Published: March 3, 2020

Publisher: Lucid Books

Everything we do either gets us closer to or further away from becoming the husbands our wives deserve, the fathers our kids need, and, ultimately, the men God intends us to be. 'End Average' is a reality check for men identifying as Christians. Ryan Hansen dives into what it takes to achieve permanent heart change that leads to balanced and consistent growth in faith, relationships, health, and finances. Through examples from his own hard-learned lessons and from wisdom found in the Bible, you'll see what faith in action looks like between Sunday sermons. 'End Average' will challenge you to start living with intentionality and purpose as you seek to glorify God in everything you do.

About the Author

Ryan Hansen is a coffee-loving author and speaker with a calling to help those around him find Jesus. He is married to his lovely wife, Jenna, and together they are raising their four children in California. After growing up as a missionary kid in Italy and Germany, Ryan joined the U.S. Army and spent eight years as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division and as a psychological operations staff sergeant. After leaving the Army, he earned an MBA while pursuing a sales career in the medical industry. Aside from daydreaming about being able to one day play the guitar well, Ryan spends his time playing with his kids, improving his beer-brewing abilities, and (unsuccessfully) talking his wife out of more Disneyland trips.

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Sunday, May 3, 2020

RABT Presents: World for the Broken

Dark Post-apocalyptic Romance

Date Published: 4/21/2020

Fading into unconsciousness, Christian watches psychotic thugs drag his sister-in-law and nephew away to suffer in the city they just escaped. Left for dead near his brother’s corpse, he has but one hope for survival, rely on the pretty stranger who stumbled across him. Not exactly smart after the apocalypse.

Encumbered by the lingering effects of her own violent past, Chloe struggles against her need for independence. Trusting a stranger found lying in the snow is risky, to say the least. Yet, she patches him up.

As they strive to rebuild their hearts, the harsh world they’ve been thrust into promises to tear them apart. Because Christian’s rescue attempt can’t wait. Every second in Chloe’s idyllic hometown means another second of pain for Christian’s family, leaving Chloe with a choice. Risk her life to help Christian save his family? Or condemn them all to a slow death?

About the Author

Elexis Bell is a quiet nerd with too many hobbies, including everything from gaming to shower-singing and even archery, weather permitting. She specializes in sarcasm and writing stories that make people feel. She's made a home for herself with her husband, their dog, and a small army of cats.

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Website

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Twitter: @bell_elexis

Blog

Instagram: @elexis_bell

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Saturday, May 2, 2020

VBT Presents: Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light by Jaimie Engle

Clifton Chase Series, Book 1

Juvenile Fantasy Thriller

Publisher: INtense Publications

Date Published: 4/11/2020

There were plenty of other middle schoolers it could've chosen. Six-hundred and eighty-six, if you didn't count Clifton. The Arrow of Light appeared in his closet then whisked him away to a far-off land, where a dwarf and magical bird led him to two princes. He returned their arrow that he had somehow found and went home to his normal life. But the Arrow of Light had other plans. When Clifton found out that the king locked the princes in Drofflic Tower, he knew he must return to the past to protect the future. Enlisting the help of many mythical creatures and the princes' own sister, he managed to find the reason the Arrow of Light chose him. But magic can be wrong. And history longs to be told.

About the Author

Jaimie Engle writes fantasy thrillers for teens and tweens. Her anti-bullying message has reached tens of thousands of students throughout the US, and her books have hit #1 on the Amazon New Release List. Metal Mouth, her magical realism for teens, is a contender for the 2020-2021 Florida Sunshine State Book List! Before publishing her first novel, Jaimie danced at the Aloha Bowl halftime show, was an alien on Sea Quest, and modeled bikinis for Reef Brazil. When not writing, Jaimie can be found on TikTok or cosplaying at comic conventions. Learn more at www.theWRITEengle.com.

Contact Links

TikTok @thewriteengle

Snapchat @thewriteengle

YouTube @thewriteengle

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Amazon

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Publisher ebook format

Also available on iBooks

Giveaway

1 paperback & 2 ebooks

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Friday, May 1, 2020

VBT Presents Hundredth by Tom Aish

Christian, Children’s

Date Published: March 3, 2020

Publisher: Clay Bridges Press

Inspired by Jesus's parable of the lost sheep, 'Hundredth' is the second book in the 'Pillow Stories from Heaven' series, sharing an imaginative retelling from the lost sheep's perspective. At bedtime with family or in a group, both children and parents will delight in listening to the unusual adventures of Hundredth as he goes from one personal transformation to the next. In the end, 'Hundredth' will lead the audience into deeper reflection and create opportunity for conversation.

About the Author

Tom Aish grew up behind the Iron Curtain where he first met the risen Messiah. He studied studio art (MFA, Academy of Fine Arts) and later intercultural and film studies (MAICS, Fuller Theological Seminary). His many hobbies include photography, film, travel, nature and especially the mountains. He and his wife, Aly, currently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he writes children stories in short story format.

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