Today’s guest is one of my favorite authors, Christa Banister author of Around the World in 80 Dates and newly released Blessed Are the Meddlers. Listen in as we learn more about her, her writing career, and what’s next for her.

 

 Interview with Christa Banister [21:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Have you had a chance to read Around the World in 80 Dates or Blessed Are the Meddlers? If not, why not try before you buy… The first chapters are available, just click on the “Read the rest of this entry” link below.

Read the rest of this entry »

What is a slightly bad girl anyway? They’re women just like us—well-intentioned yet flawed. Liz Curtis Higgs, author of Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible (WaterBrook Press, September 2007) explains they are “women who love and serve God yet are unwilling to submit fully to God.” Sound like anyone we know?

Higgs continues her exploration of biblical women as well as vignettes of contemporary women in modern-day situations in this third book in her “Bad Girl” series. Her research is impeccable as is her ability as a storyteller. Throughout the book she reveals some of her own flaws and vulnerabilities using personal antidotes. Readers just may see a bit more of themselves in the pages of this book than is comfortable.

The skillful blend of well-researched biblical commentary and modern-day fiction are artfully woven together as Higgs reveals some of the bible’s often overlooked women: Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. None of these women was all-bad. They were simply not perfect. Which means each of them were a lot like each of us!

Read the rest of this entry »

Post a comment for your chance to win a free copy of Wild Goose Chase!

Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit – An Geadh-Glas, or “the Wild Goose.” The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be trapped or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something… Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure. ~ Excerpt from Wild Goose Chase.

Wild Goose Chase snippets:

Read the rest of this entry »

On Today with Takiela podcast we have guest author Sharon Oliver. She is an easy going and laid back woman that utilizes many gifts and talents given to her by the Lord. Listen in as we find out more about her, the characters she has created, and the story behind the book’s title Keeping Your Enemies Closer.

 

 Interivew with Sharon Oliver [19:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In two new books from best-selling children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall, clever rhymes and delightful illustrations help young children, ages three and up, understand God’s huge love for them and his joy in creating them. These enchanting picture books from the writer-illustrator team of Dandi Mackall and David Hohn will instill awe in young children as they revel in each page. Parents alike will appreciate the engaging stories that communicate God’s perfect plan and his divine purpose for little hearts.

In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!

In When God Made My Toes, kids are drawn into the wonder of their creation by God. Their masterful artist who fashioned them just right for amazing and delightful adventures, such as roller skating, finger-painting, doing flips, and drinking cocoa. Children will come to an understanding that God shaped each part of their amazing bodies with joy, delight, and humor.

Author Bio: Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million combined copies sold. She is the author of WaterBrook’s two other delightful Dandilion Rhymes books, A Gaggle of Geese & A Clutter of Cats and The Blanket Show. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats.

Illistrator Bio: David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as both a staff artist and an art director for a children’s software company in Portland, Oregon, a position which led to his art directing an award-winning project for Fisher-Price. Hohn’s recent projects include Lisa Tawn Bergren’s God Gave Us Christmas.

Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels?

During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.

Reuniting the best-selling author-illustrator team from God Gave Us You, this gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about heaven. Parents, grandparents, childcare professionals, librarians, Sunday school teachers, and others will appreciate the gentle approach to a topic that’s on the minds of so many “little cubs.”

Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender, biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to rejoice in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.

Author Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than one million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Heaven is Lisa’s fourth children’s book, following in the tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

Illistrator Bio: Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Chris Fabry must be one of the most down to earth guys that’s living for the Lord that I know! I love his personality. He is truly a great guy. Join us as we laugh and joke through a ’formal’ interview in an effort to find out more about him. He shares with us that Dogwood is his 68th book and he has 9 children, he is also the co-author of the Kids’ Left Behind Series. Whew!
TO ALL THE READERS - Don’t worry Chris put forth great effort not to spoil the book by revealing too much information.

 

 Interview with Chris Fabry [17:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Captured immediately by the age old human quandary concerning what is the meaning of life, Craig T. Feigh readdresses this dilemma by asking the question to his Sunday school class, “What is the most important thing you can do in your lifetime?” He states that since life is short (and eternity is a long time), mankind should spend the majority of their efforts concentrating on exactly “where” and “how” they will be spending forever. Feigh states that one cannot “do” the most important thing without “getting” something first. This something is Godly Wisdom as stated in Proverbs 4:7. It is only when we receive God’s Wisdom, can we do the most important thing in life, which is to be sure of going to heaven and not hell.

As proof that American’s doubt their eternal destiny, Feigh references a recent ABC poll where it states that 89% of American’s believe in heaven, yet 66% of them doubt that they will get there physically. Here it is assumed that Americans want to get to heaven, but the majority of them (200 Million) are not sure how to get there. “This is the premise for writing the book,” says Feigh.

Feigh uses the acronym S.U.R.E. to help illustrate the basic premise of Christianity. With accurate biblical references, he states that “S” stand for sin. Like an alcoholic, one must admit to their “disease” before they can be cured. The letter “U” stands for understand. One must understand that they cannot sin without the impending consequences (both temporal and eternal). The “R” stands for repent. The act of humbling oneself in order to be repentant is stressed nicely by Feigh in this section. Unlike other religions (which are mentioned briefly), Christianity is based on faith and not works. The letter “E” stands for enhance. It is the Christian “mission” to enhance the kingdom of God by sharing one’s faith with friends and family.

The introduction of how sin began by describing twelve characteristics of God that are immutable, and how this affects God’s response to any transgression against Him, is a nice touch. So too is Fiegh’s description of Lucifer and his fall. Feigh states that “seduction is the foundation of Satan’s world system and the lie is the cornerstone.” The “lie” is anything that takes mankind away from the saving truth of Jesus Christ as Savior. Ultimately, says Feigh, mankind will either have an allegiance to the “world system” controlled by Satan or to God’s “secret plan” of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Feigh states that when mankind is sure of their salvation they “win” life’s race. This allows each believer to live each day with a more positive attitude. Feigh goes on to address five biblical promises found in the third chapter of Proverbs. Here he uses the acronym T.O. H.I.M. to show God’s way to finding guidance, health, fulfillment, happiness, and intimacy respectfully. Feigh infers that there is no need to see a Psychiatrist when “the Bible is the best self-help book there is.”

In this intense sequel to Dead Man’s Rule, lawyer Ben Corbin finds himself caught between feuding brothers. Karl and Gunnar Bjornsen. Having built a pharmaceutical empire from the ground up, the Bjornsen brothers are now developing a revolutionary new drug, an neural stimulant that increases strength and intelligence. But its potential for success is rapidly destroying them. Warring for control of the company and the drug, Karl sues Gunnar, and Gunnar hires Ben Corbin to defend him

But the case involves more than bitter sibling rivalry. Signs of embezzlement, black market deals, and the grisly consequences of the Bjornsens’ new drug begin to emerge. Soon, Ben and his wife, Noelle, find themselves in Norway where the case takes a personal and violent turn.

Rick Acker does his best work while traveling, and he pecks out pages everyday on the commuter train to his “real job” as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice. Acker’s other books include Dead Man’s Rule and the Davis Detectives series for tweens; The Case of the Autumn Rose and The Lost Treasure of Fernando Montoya.

On the Today with Takiela show we have guest author Allison Pittman. Listen in as we discuss her books, Ten Thousand Charms, Speak Through the Wind, and With Endless Sight - which are all a part of the Crossroads of Grace series. We’ll also discuss the different trials that she has overcame not only as a writer but as a woman of the faith. She is very encouraging and uplifting. Tune in….

 

 Interview with Allison Pittman: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download