Tuesday, June 15, 2010

I'm Backkkkkkkk

by Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

I’ve been involved with family matters for over a month—sickness, babysitting a grandchild, writing, etc. Now that I’m back, I would like to give this blog a new focus.
As writers, we still need rest. Christians do too. I hope you will always find rest while remembering that only Jesus can give us true rest. I will still write book interviews and book and movie reviews, but I will also include articles that I hope will be of interest to you in these end-times.
So, let us begin.
Before I was saved, I didn’t read the Bible at all, but afterward, I read those scriptures of interest to me. I am very interested in Bible prophecy; so I read mostly the first five books of the Bible, the Major and Minor Prophets, the Psalms and the Book of Revelation. Later, the Lord reminded me that the Children of Israel were told to eat the whole Passover Lamb—all of it—and not merely those cuts of the meat they particularly liked. Suddenly, I realized that I hadn’t read the New Testament is much as a Christian should.
Since then, I read the entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—including all the dots and tittles.
Yes, I even read all those begets and begets. I might not be able to pronounce all the names mentioned in those scriptures, but I always try to do my best.
Normally, I only read one chapter a night. Yep, just one.
Therefore, I don’t read the Bible in one year. You are probably wondering why.
For me, only reading one chapter a night gives me time to meditate on what I’ve read—think about what I read—listen to see if the Lord has insights he wants me to learn regarding that chapter.
And how long does it take me to read the entire Bible that way? Years.
But once I complete the entire Bible, I start reading it again the next night or as soon after that as I can. When I miss a night, I try to catch up later by reading several chapters per night.
Idolatry is a sin that most Christians know little about. Yet if I could mention two things that I have discovered from all my readings it is that God hates Idolatry, and He also hates it when we put other gods before Him.
To learn more, read the Ten Commandments, especially commandments one and two.
(See Exodus 20 1-17) I will have more to say on this topic in later blogs.
Currently, I am reading in the Book of Ezekiel. If you haven’t read the first chapter of Ezekiel, you should. It’s super interesting, describing a chariot that the Lord rides around in.
Tonight, I will be reading Chapter 16. It would be great if you decided to read one chapter a night with me, and if you do, please leave a comment to let me know.
Here is my schedule until the end of the month. Jump in any time.
Book of Ezekiel
Tuesday (June 15, 2010) -- Ezekiel, Chapter 16
Wednesday (June 16, 2010) -- Ezekiel, Chapter 17
Thursday (June 17, 2010) -- Chapter 18
Friday (June 18th) -- Chapter 19
Saturday (June 19th) -- Chapter 20
Sunday (June 20th) -- Chapter 21
Monday ( June 21st) -- Chapter 22
Tuesday (June 22nd) -- Chapter 23
Wednesday (June 23rd) -- Chapter 24
Thursday (June 24th) -- Chapter 25
Friday ( June 25th) -- Chapter 26
Saturday (June 26th) -- Chapter 27
Sunday (June 27th) -- Chapter 28
Monday (June 28th) -- Chapter 29
Tuesday (June 29th) -- Chapter 30
Wednesday (June 30th) -- Chapter 31
*Thursday (July 1, 2010) -- Chapter 32

Sunday, April 25, 2010

A Book and a Very Funny Movie

by
Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

Last night, we saw the funniest movie we have seen since My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Today, I am going to tell you about the movie first, and then my friend, Cecelia Dowdy, is going to tell you about her newest book.
First, the movie.
The title is Date Night, and the premise of this movie is that married couples need a date night out once in a while without the kids. I laughed almost constantly. The movie is PG 13; so be prepared. There will be some elements of the movie you won't like. But if you need a really big laugh, this is the movie to see.
I give this movie Five Stars for the humor alone.
And now for the book. Take it away, Cecelia.

Hi, Molly. Thanks for hosting me on your blog today. I thought I’d talk a little bit about how I happened to write the stories for Chesapeake Weddings, my new 3-in-1 collection from Barbour Publishing.
I got the idea to write John’s Quest from working at my day job. I work at a place where there are a lot of scientists and learned men who hold doctorate degrees. One day during lunch, I looked at the scientists sitting at their table, conversing, and thought: I wonder if they believe in God? I imagined that there were some scientists out there who doubted God’s existence, so the idea for John’s Quest was born.
The story idea for Milk Money came to me since I was raised in a rural farming community and I recall visiting the farms of friends while I was growing up. I just thought it would be a neat idea to set a book on a dairy farm. Since I’ve known several people who’ve suffered from alcoholism, I thought I’d show how an alcoholic could accept Jesus to help overcome his addiction. Both Frank and Emily learn that having faith in God will help get you through life’s troubles.
For my novel, Bittersweet Memories, I tapped into my interest in identical twins, and I also wanted to show how money can ruin familial and personal relationships. My story gives an example about how we can learn to forgive others over monetary matters. I enjoyed writing Karen and Keith’s story since the subjects of money and having faith in God became dominant factors in their lives, affecting their personal relationships.
These stories were a joy to write, and I hope you’ll leave a comment to enter the book giveaway! If you have any questions about me, my writing, or Chesapeake Weddings, feel free to leave them in the comments section, too! If you want to know what others think of my book, you can visit Amazon.com and see the book reviews there. So far, I've gotten a lot of positive feedback, which is a blessing!
~Cecelia Dowdy~
Thanks, Cecilia.
You can buy Cecilia's books at any online bookstore by writing Cecelia Dowdy in the search slot. Or ask for Cecilia Dowdy at walk-in bookstores.
And don't forget about the movie.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Free Fiction Novels by Kathi Macias

To kick off her new fiction series, Kathi Macias would like to give a copy of No Greater Love and also one of More than Conquerors.
To win a copy of one of these books, leave a comment below by April 1, 2010 and leave your contact info at bull.mollynoble@gmail.com.
Molly Noble Bull

Monday, March 15, 2010

Kathi Macias, author of No Greater Love

by Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

Molly:
Today my guest is Kathi Macias, a friend and an extreme talent. My questions are going to be a little different because Kathi has so many books coming out. She has a series of contemporary novels as well as a stand-alone historical novel. Wow!
The first book in the series is titled No Greater Love, and it is set in South Africa. But all the books in the series are set in exotic places. Kathi, start by telling a little about yourself, and then tell us about all those far away places and about each of the books set in those locations. Finally, we want to know about your historical and the person who is writing that book with you. So Kathi, take us away.

Kathi,

Thanks for the great introduction, Molly. It’s a pleasure to be here.

As a personal introduction, I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who rides with my husband on his Harley (hence my road name of “Easy Writer”). I have published 30 books over the last couple of decades, plus edited/ghostwritten about 100 others.

As for current releases, it’s going to be quite a year! First (March 2010) is the release of the Spanish edition of Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today, one of three nonfiction books that released in English in 2009. Next, on April 5, 2010, is the simultaneous release of books 1 and 2 of The Extreme Devotion Series from New Hope Publishers (their first-ever venture into fiction). Here is a brief run-down on the four books in the series:

No Greater Love (April 2010) is set in South Africa in 1989, during the violence and upheaval just prior to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the fall of Apartheid. The main character is a 16-year-old black girl, the orphaned daughter of ANC members, who has found live-in work on an Afrikaner farm. When she and the white son of her employers find themselves attracted to one another, they are forced to choose between the dictates of an Apartheid government/society and sacrificial love.

More than Conquerors (April 2010) takes place in two settings: the San Diego/Tijuana area and the Mayan culture of San Juan Chamula in Southern Mexico, where outsiders, particularly “Evangelicos,” are unwelcome and sometimes disappear. When the pastor of a small church in Tijuana ventures into the area to deliver Bibles, he ends up making more of a personal investment than he could ever have imagined. The price is so great that it causes him to question if should return.

Red Ink (October 2010) is set in China, where a young wife and mother is arrested for distributing Christian materials to children, a twofold violation of the law. Separated from her husband and child, she struggles in the most adverse of situations to maintain her faith and to continue to evangelize the others God brings across her path.

People of the Book (January 1, 2011) takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where two cousins—teenaged girls—are exposed in different ways to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Saudi Kingdom, where women have no rights and conversion from Islam to another religion can mean death, the girls must make some life-changing decisions, compounded by the fact that one of the girls has a brother who is determined to discover their secret and subject them to the worst possible punishment.

Valeria’s Cross (September 2010) is a stand-alone historical novel (third-century Rome) based on true events. It is a story of war and sacrifice, and even love in the midst of the worst circumstances. This book is published by Abingdon Press and co-authored with Susan Wales, wife of movie producer (Amazing Grace, Pink Panther, etc.) Ken Wales.

I look forward to hearing from your readers. I can be contacted at ezyrtr@ca.rr.com, www.kathimacias.com, and http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com.

Molly:
Thank you, Kathi, for telling us about all those exciting books. To find books by Kathi Macias, write Kathi Macias in the search slot at online books stores and ask for books by Kathi Macias at walk-in bookstores.
Until next time.
Molly

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Introducing: author Michelle Griep

And E-Books—the Wave of the Future

by Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

Michelle Griep has written what sounds like a fantastic novel titled Gallimore. I can hardly wait to read it because it combines a modern story, time travel and a historical romance all at the same time. Yet there is another element that makes Gallimore hard to resist. It’s an e-book, and I have a special interest in e-books.

My novel, The Winter Pearl, was first published in trade paperback in 2004, and it is also available now as an e-book.

Molly:
So Michelle, tell us in a sentence or two about Michelle Griep, including your web and/or blog address, and then tell us about your exciting first novel, Gallimore.

Michelle:
When my superhero cape is at the cleaners, I'm a garden-variety stay-at-home mom who teaches Creative Writing and Civics at a local homeschool co-op. You can read more about me at www.mmgriep.com

My debut novel, put out by Black Lyon Publishing, is a Wizard of Oz tale with a medieval twist. Seriously, who wouldn't want to escape the ol' laundry pile and take a trip back to the chivalrous times of big, beefy knights and mysterious castles?

Molly:
Interesting. Would it be possible for you to give us a taste of your actual book?

Michelle:
Sure. Here's a clip...
"The gates are shut for the night. They'll not be opened 'til cockcrow."
"I'm not staying here that long." She turned on her heel in a perfect military pivot and marched off.
Colwyn sighed, tiring of the game. Where could she possibly go? He trudged after her as she entered a stairway leading to the top of the walls.
An unseasonably cool breeze met them on the narrow walkway. He let her stop and peer over the edge. "What are you doing?"
She glared at him but kept up her silly probing along the length of the battlement. As they came to the end at a tower door, he decided to save them both from having to walk the whole of Gallimore. "The western wall bears a more treacherous drop than what you've already seen. There's no point in continuing."
The look in her eye made him glad she was but a woman. He'd not want to face that kind of hostility from a man.
"You enjoy seeing me squirm, don't you?"
The acidity of her voice, or maybe the desperation, gave him an unexpected twinge in his gut. "Nay. Not so. As much as you've been an irritant to me, I bear you no ill will. I do not possess my brother's penchant for evildoing. Truth be told, when his focus is on you, it is off of me."

Molly:
Excellent. Now, explain how e-books work. Must we have special equipment to read your novel? Besides novels, what else can we read via this equipment?

Michelle:
E-books are the wave of the future. Okay, so that's cheesy, but truly...they are currently the trend. You don't need 'special' equipment to download an e-book. Any PC or Mac can run them. The bonus is that it's cheaper than a paperback and available at the snap of a finger - or click of a key, as the case may be.
That being said, there are several techie toys on the market that are pretty sweet to use and incredibly easy to come by. You can pick up a Sony Reader at Target, Amazon has the Kindle, Barnes & Noble has the Nook, and even Apple is coming out with a new iPad, which will be on sale next month. Depending on what piece of equipment you buy, applications vary from simply reading a book to full-blown internet capabilities.

Molly:
Wow! Thanks, Michelle, for visiting with us today and for telling about your book and e-books in general. To find Gallimore and my novel, The Winter Pearl, at online bookstores, write our names in the search slot or mention our names at walk-in bookstores.
Michelle Griep
And/or
Molly Noble Bull

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Are We Living In The End-Times?

By Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

Wars, Rumors of Wars. Earthquakes, Waves Rolling:
Today there was an 8.8 earthquake in Chili and a 6.2 aftershock, so far. A giant wave could be headed for Hawaii.
Are we in the end-times? The last days?
If yes, what should we do to prepare?
The Bible isn't clear as to when the Rapture will take place. We have all heard about a pre-trib rapture, and I sure hope it will happen that way. But there are other possibilities.
Whenever the rapture takes place, the Lord will protect His saints. And those who truly follow Jesus ARE His saints.
As Christian Believers, we can rest in the blessed hope.
So, today I would like to leave you with a question. How can we best follow Jesus during these last days? Please leave a comment, telling how you follow Jesus.
I have some thoughts that I will share later. But for now, I would like to hear what following Jesus means to you.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Maid of Honor -- a DVD movie review

by Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

My huband and I have gone to so many awful movies, we had almost stopped going to movies. But I wanted to give Maid of Honor a try. My sweet husband was kind enough to take me to see it when it first came out, and since it is still available on DVD, I decided to discuss it.
And yes, there were some things in the movie I didn't like. (We won't go into that.) But there were a lot of things I liked.
Here a few.
Women, like me, want to know what a guy in thinking, and Maid of Honor was almost completely from the male POV.
It was romantic with characters I wanted to root for.
It was cute and funny. (Humor is important to me.)
Part of the movie was set in Scotland. If you like everything European, as I do, you will love the settings.
I give it four and a half stars. The first scene and a scene near the end of the movie didn't inspire me. But if the first scene had been left out, it wouldn't have made the last scene "full circle" and therefore not as funny.
Now that I have told you what to expect, I recommend this movie.
If you have read my other reivews, you know that I dislike cursing in books and movies. I also dislike bedroom scenes. But I would like to hear what you thought about Maid of Honor or movies today in general.