Christmas Countdown Blitz: LOST SHEPHERD by Michael I. Judson

“Who were THOSE shepherds, and why were they so favored?” That one question stirred the imagination of author Michael I. Judson and led to the creation of Lost Shepherd, the fictional backstory of the first witnesses to the birth of the precious Babe of Bethlehem. After you read Lost Shepherd, watch for his answers to other compelling questions (his next books!)

When he’s not writing, he has a large family to love, gardens to grow, fun places to see, ancestors to discover, and even chickens to raise! He also has a full-time job that occupies the bulk of his waking hours. Though still a few years off, retirement beckons with aspirations of writing (with all the fun imagining and discovery that goes with it) becoming his full-time pursuit.

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Just who were the shepherds that were singled out from among earth's inhabitants to hear the angelic announcement of Christ's birth? What made them so special, or what uniquely qualified them to be His first witnesses? The Bible tells us very little about them. Now there is an answer!
 
Eleazar grows up awash in a culture of shepherding, but not among ordinary sheep. No, the flocks he and his companions tend are destined for sacrifice on the altar of the great temple at Jerusalem. Like his fathers before him, his life's work fuels the faith of a nation that tirelessly awaits the signs of their long-foretold Messiah. But unforeseen circumstances lead Eleazar away from his purposeful existence and onto a path of doubt and life-altering decisions that threaten to destroy both his faith and his future. 

Only the miraculous power of the Christ Child can reclaim him and restore to him to a life of hope and peace—and to an understanding of his importance as a shepherd in Israel.
 
Lost Shepherd is a tale of real hope and redemption, of faith lost and reclaimed. Let the story transport you back in time as you discover anew the timeless healing power found only in the Savior Jesus Christ.

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Top Ten List:

1. I've been a professional business writer for more than 30 years. Lost Shepherd is my first published work of fiction.

2. I have plans to make writing books a full-time pursuit in retirement.
3. I was an avid runner and ran competitively at the high school and NCAA Division 1 levels (800m, 1500m, cross country)
4. I am an amateur genealogist and love learning about my ancestors.
5. I am an avid gardener and grow more than 50 different varieties of fruits and vegetables each year.
6. i am raising chickens this year for the first time and enjoying many eggs, and the compost they produce for my garden.
7. I am a father of five and grandfather of 9 (so far).
8. I was raised in Northern California and now live in the Rocky Mountains, where I enjoy mountain biking and hiking.
9. I love Christmas and usually start listening to Christmas music soon after Halloween.
10. I am married to the most wonderful woman in the world! (35 years and counting).

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Christmas Countdown Blitz: THE GIFT OF A CHILD

Award-winning author, wife, mother, grandmother, Harry Potter geek, Army veteran, karate black belt, and online gamer girl.

Donna K. Weaver 

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 "Recently widowed Rae Cavanaugh just survived the worst birthday of her life. She and her two young children must now face a holiday season filled with so many reminders of what they've lost. But when a coworker who’s raising his young nephew moves next door, Rae discovers that the support of a good friend, and the gift of a child, can bring back some of the joy of the season. 

**A Novelette**"

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Top Ten List:

Fun Facts About Me
* Navy brat
* Army veteran
* Started school in South Korea
* Have sailed the Pacific (lots of it) three times and the bit between the West Coast and Hawaii two more times
* Survived a Typhoon that hit us dead on in the Philippines
* Karate black belt (started the year I turned 50)
* Ran municipal elections for over 20 years
* Was a moderator on the Leaky Cauldron's forum The Leaky Lounge for 5 years
* Mother to 6 kids (birthed 5 of them)
* Grandmother to 10 1/2

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Book Tour: The Librairian Picks Her Poison by Amber Gilchrist

Amber Gilchrist lives in New Mexico with her husband and six children. She writes YA , Romantic Comedies, and series mysteries. She calls her lifetime of jumping from one job to another 'experience' for her books and not an inability to settle down. Amber loves mysteries and a good, happy romance. She also loves to laugh. Sometimes she likes all of them together.

A fan of quirky movies and indie books, Amber likes to be with her family, is socially inept, and fears strangers and small yippy dogs. She alternates between writing and being a mom. She tries to do both at the same time but her kids don't appreciate being served lunch and told, "This is the hot dog of your discontent." So mostly she writes when everyone else is in bed.

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Audrey Scott might be a children’s librarian, but that isn’t all she can do. When her best friend, Gretchen Holden, stands accused of a murder, Audrey can’t handle doing nothing more than bailing Gretchen out of jail. She has to figure out who really killed Gretchen’s step-father, a universally hated federal judge.

With a not small list of potential people the judge has wronged, Audrey and her friends have a rough ride ahead of them trying to decide who had a motive, means, and opportunity to put the judge in an early grave. With the help of Derek Hennessy, erstwhile enemy turned very good friend, and her normal crew of cohorts, Audrey won’t stop until the threat no longer looms.

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I agreed to review both books in the Librarian series, and I was happy I did. Although there is enough backstory in The Librarian Picks Her Poison that it can be read as a stand-alone, for me, it flowed more easily because I already knew several of the characters from the first book, The Librarian Shoots a Gun.

Audrey Scott is quite the heroine. In the opening chapters, she comes across as mouthy and pushy—something a thirty-one-year-old woman who, at 4’11” with curly red hair and who looks like a teenager, would have to do to be taken seriously as an intelligent adult. As she settles into her role, it was easy for me to appreciate the quirky writing style of the author as she wrote about this librarian, a lover of reading and research, who seeks to find the killer of a man whose death postponed her cousin’s wedding--an insult to her family she does not take lightly. 

Audrey runs head-on into two homicide detectives, both of whom seem far too interested in her possible involvement even though she was nowhere around the crime scene and did not even know the victim. There is a man suspected of the murder, but Audrey is convinced he is innocent. Since the officials conducting the investigation seem more intent on finding and arresting him, and do not seem too anxious to find the real culprit, she, with her librarian skills, works to solve the crime herself.  

Audrey persuades her gorgeous, tall, blonde roommate, Gretchen, into getting documents from her federal judge stepfather, whom Gretchen hates, deals with her home being invaded, takes shooting lessons, even though she is not a gun fan, and ends up in a back alley in a bad part of town to ostensibly buy a big, illegal gun for her non-existent husband—all creating fun scenes in this delightful murder mystery.

This was a fun, delightful read which ended well and set up the second book, The Librarian Picks Her Poison. In that book, best friend and roommate Gretchen ends up being accused of murdering the stepfather most of her friends know she does not like.  Many of the characters from the previous book are in this one, some fleshed out more as they participate in clearing their mutual friend. The reader gets the opportunity to learn a lot about cyanide poisoning, but the fun of the case centers around the whodunit factor. Once again, Audrey Scott uses her reading and research skills as a librarian to investigate this crime.

The reader should also be aware that some of the books’ sub-plots deal with serious issues facing many people, no matter their upbringing. Part of Audrey’s mission is to help those who need support to overcome addictions and childhood trauma to receive what they need to better their lives. There is a hint of romantic feelings, but Audrey guards her heart, believing nothing will come of her relationship with the man who has captured her interest.

I recommend this series (I believe there is at least a third book in the works) to those who love great characters, interesting scenarios, and good murder mysteries that keep the reader guessing.

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Christmas Countdown Blitz: It's A Mall World After All

USA Today, bestselling author, Janette Rallison/ CJ Hill writes books because writing is much more fun than cleaning bathrooms. Her avoidance of housework has led her to writing thirty novels that have sold over 1,000,000 print copies and have been on many reading and state lists. Her books are fantasy, sci-fi, and romantic comedy because hey, there is enough angst in real life, but there’s a drastic shortage of humor, romance and hot guys who fight dragons. She lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, kids, and enough cats to classify her as eccentric.

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If they gave out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, Charlotte could graduate with honors. Ever since she got a job as a perfume spritzer, she's become an expert on all things shopping related―oh, and she's getting really good at spying on her classmates who hang out there. What she hasn't mastered is the art of convincing her best friend Brianna to dump her boyfriend Bryant. After Charlotte caught him flirting with a mysterious, blond-haired girl, she knows he's up to no good. Worse still, now Brianna is taking his side. Charlotte must prove who is right, once and for all, and that means catching Bryant in the act. This is where her mall roaming skills will come in handy. Perfume anyone?

Fans of Sophie Kinsella will love this book!

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Snippet:

Bryant strode up to the Santa chair. He scowled at me, his eyes narrow and his face a blotchy red. In a low voice he said, “You just can’t mind your own business, can you? You’re some kind of freaking stalker who follows me around and sends pictures to my girlfriend. I bet you think you’re real smart, don’t you?” I smiled back at him, refusing to be rattled. “Smarter than someone who doesn’t notice a stalker dressed in a bright red and green elf outfit.” “You think you’ve taken Brianna away from me? This isn’t over.” Colton turned to Bryant and still using his Santa voice—although not quite so jolly at the moment— said, “This is over for right now. My elf is busy. Go home, cool down, and we’ll talk about it later.” Bryant threw a disgusted sneer at Colton. “Don’t tell me what to do, fat boy. This doesn’t concern you.” Colton prodded T.J. off of his lap, stood up, and faced Bryant. He lowered his chin to let Bryant get a better look at his face. “Stop yelling at the elves,” he said with forced humor. “Or Santa will put you on the naughty list.” Bryant took a step toward Colton, squaring his shoulders. “Yeah, I’ll tell you what list you can put it on. You can put it on the list that you shove—” “Bryant,” I said, “will you please just go away. You’re upsetting the children.” Out in the audience every single eye was riveted on us. The kids had completely lost interest in their presents, and all stared at the guy who was yelling at Santa. Harris and Preeth took off in a fast pace for—I’m not sure where. They hurried into Bloomingdale’s and away from us. Maybe to call for mall security, or maybe just to avoid the ensuing bloodshed. “Oh, you’re worried about upsetting people?” Bryant flung at me. “Too bad you never worried about upsetting me. You’re nothing but a self-righteous, two-faced, piece of—” Colton put his hand on Bryant’s shoulder. His baritone voice had a growl to it. “Go. Home. Now.” Bryant shrugged off Colton’s grip. “Don’t touch me. You don’t own the mall. I’ll say whatever I want to you and your little ho-ho-ho.” “Bryant,” Colton said, and it was almost his normal voice. Bryant should have recognized him, but still didn’t. Bryant took a step toward me, but before he could reach me, Colton took hold of his arm and pulled him backward. That’s when Bryant yelled a few words that weren’t appropriate for a room full of elementary students and swung at Colton’s face. I heard a smack and saw Colton’s head jerk back. He took a staggering step backward. His Santa hat nearly fell off, but remained attached to his wig at a drunken angle. A collective gasp went up from the children, along with two or three shrieks from the girls sitting in the front. And then in the next moment, Colton convinced me that wrestling is not such a useless skill after all. He grabbed Bryant’s elbow, threw his right arm over Bryant’s head, and in one swift movement pulled him over his hip and to the floor. Bryant struggled to get up, but Colton stayed on top of him, keeping him headlocked and on the ground. Next to me T.J. let out slow breath. “Santa rocks!” The girls in the front row clapped, and the kids in the back row all started cheering at once. Colton said something to Bryant, which made him stop struggling, but I couldn’t hear it for all of the kids applauding. One girl said breathlessly, “I don’t care what my parents say. I’m staying up to see Santa this year.” “Wait until my mom hears what Santa does to the people on the naughty list!” her friend replied.“

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Christmas Countdown Bitz: Corporate Christmas

Chloe Richardson had just landed the biggest client of her career. A promotion was in her future, or so she thought until the handsome Jason Mitchell walked into her office with his gorgeous smile and searing blue eyes—and took her job.

Losing her job so close to Christmas, Chloe’s only choice was to go back home to Aubrey Heights, where the Christmas spirit is celebrated in a tourist loving, wonderland. Perhaps she can pull herself together before the new year—before her new career search.

However, Jason follows her to Aubrey Heights—with a mission of his own. First he stole her job—now he wants to steal her heart.

Is the spirit of Christmas alive enough in her to let that happen?

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Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011. Since then she has authored and published over thirty-five books. The married mother of five sons promises romances with a Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it because she lives it.

When not immersed in the writing/publishing world, Bernadette Marie and her husband are shuffling their five hockey playing boys around town to practices and games as well as running their family business. She is a lover of a good stout craft beer and might be slightly addicted to chocolate.

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Snippet:

Jason was sure that he'd bleed out before they could take him back and stitch up his head. A nurse had given him a gauze pad to replace the tissue that had dried to his skin.

Chloe sat next to him frantically filling out his medical record in her beautiful penmanship.

"Address?"

He gave it to her and watched as she made perfect fours.

"Phone number?"

She wrote it down.

"I'm a Pisces. My favorite color is red. I like my pizza with just sausage, and I'm sensitive to gluten, but I can't keep away from it."

She stopped writing and looked up at him. "I don't think I need all that. But thanks," she snapped, but it only made it funnier to him.

"I just thought it was a good time to get to know each other. My turn, why don't you answer those questions for me?" He tried to smile, but each time he did it hurt his head.

"Everything you need to know about me is in my employee file. You can ask H.R. if you need to see it since you're my boss."

She directed her attention right back to the form, but he got the message loud and clear. She wasn't happy about his new position.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page Part 1 
  Official Event page Part 2 

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