Stolen Identity winners!!

Congratulations to the five winners of Stolen Identity! The randomly drawn winners from my newsletter list and blog are: Marilyn  Carol VeAnn Nancy Mandy Congratulations! I will email you this week to get your snail mail address. For those of you who didn't win, you can still pre-order a copy this week, or wait until June first when it officially releases!!! Happy reading! Lisa

Excerpt from Stolen Identity with GIVEAWAY

FROM STOLEN IDENTITY:

Jason Ryan snagged his cell phone from the kitchen table, then fumbled to answer before the caller hung up. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he checked the ID. Great. So the long lost prodigal had finally decided to check in.

He took the call, skipping any formalities with his best friend and business partner. "Where are you, Garrett?"

"Listen, I just have a minute. Some things have come up, and I…I need a few more days off."

"A few more days to do what?" Jason shoved the last file into his briefcase then slammed the lid shut. He didn't have time for more of Garrett's excuses. Not today.

"I can't tell you." His friend's voice faded in and out with the choppy connection.

"You can't or won't tell me? Come on, Garrett. I've put up with your excuses for weeks, and now you won't even answer my phone calls or respond to my emails. What am I supposed to do?"

"You don't understand—"

"No…" Jason let out a loud humph and started pacing the kitchen's mosaic tiled floor. "You're the one who doesn't understand, Garrett. I need you here. I just finished our final analysis of Simon's company and discovered another million dollars' worth of misappropriated funds. Do 

you realize how much work we have ahead of us?"

"I'm sorry, for everything, but I've gotten involved in something…something serious."

"Tell me what's wrong, and I'll help you fix it," he insisted, trying to reason with his friend.

"I don't think this can be fixed."

Jason rubbed the back of his neck. He could read the aggravation in his friend's voice, but he wasn't buying the excuses anymore. They might have become close friends over the past seven years, but even that didn't make up for Garrett's recent erratic behavior. Or the fact he'd been AWOL from his job the past two weeks. "Convince me why I shouldn't terminate you."

"Because I need you to trust me."

Jason frowned. As far as he was concerned, trust wasn't one of his friend's fortes at the moment. "It's a woman, isn't it?"

"Yes. No. It's not what you think."

Jason felt the last thread of patience snap. Garrett's record with women was worse than his own. While a fourth date always seemed one date too close to commitment for Jason, Garrett rarely got past a second date before he was playing the field again.

"Come on, Garrett…tell me what's going on." Jason rummaged through the kitchen cabinet for a bottle of aspirin to take the edge off the headache that had been brewing all morning. "Your mother called me yesterday, worried sick because she hadn't heard from you in over a week. Plus, I'm covering for you at work, even though I can't even tell anyone where you are or what you're doing because I don't know myself."

"Like I said, I can't tell you. Not yet, anyway."

"Then at least tell me where you are?"

There was a slight pause on the line. Jason downed the tablets with a glass of tap water. He set the empty glass in the sink, still awaiting an answer. "Garrett?"

"I'm in Pacific Cove, but nothing is secure…not on-line…not this call…."

Garrett's voice faded away.

"Garrett? Can you hear me?"

Even though the small coastal town was only twenty miles from his father's cabin, he hadn't been to Pacific Cove for years. What in the world was Garrett doing there?

"The connection is…bad." Garrett's voice returned. "I'll call you again in a few days. I've got to 

go."

"Garrett, wait—" The line went dead.

Jason braced his hands against the sides of the kitchen sink and stared off into the distance at Mt. Hood shimmering in the morning sunlight. If Garrett was involved with a woman, why all the secrecy? Nothing made sense. He grabbed his car keys and briefcase and headed out the front door of his downtown Portland condo. Knowing Garrett, he was sitting at a beachside cafe eating crab cakes and oyster shooters with some girl he'd fallen for.

Some dire emergency. More like another one of Gar-rett's romantic liaisons. Or at least it had better be.

Four days later

Four-year-old Lauryn tugged on her mother's hand, her mouth drawn into a deep frown.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Danielle Corbett followed her daughter's gaze past the foot-tall sandcastle wall they'd just finished. Another few minutes and the structure would completely disappear into the shoreline.

"Someone's out there." Lauryn pointed to the swirling gray-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean dancing beneath the yellow sunlight that glistened off clusters of jagged rocks.

Something orange flashed in the water.

Danielle's gaze shifted to the right, and she squinted against the glare of the water. Another flash of color rose then disappeared. She scanned the deserted shoreline for help. Mr. Johnson walked his golden retriever most mornings. Reagan Garland jogged on the days he worked the night shift. Today, there was no one.

Grabbing Lauryn's hand, she ran toward her mother who had just finished gathering up their picnic supplies and handed her the beach bag. "Mom, there is a swimmer in distress. I need you to call 911 then take Lauryn with you up to the restaurant. Send someone for help, then wait for me there."

Not waiting for a response, Danielle hurried back into the surf, her tennis shoes soaking up the water and squishing beneath her sock-clad toes. Ignoring the Pacific Ocean's frigid temperature, she kept her focus on the figure as his head emerged gasping for air then vanished into the white foam.

A spray of water splashed her sun-chapped lips leaving behind its salty residue. Wiping the back of her hand against her mouth, Danielle trudged deeper into the ocean until she was only a few feet from the struggling body.

In an instant, he was gone.

Her toes barely touching the sandy bottom, Danielle searched the murky waters. Turning a full 360, her heart pounded frantically. Tufts of dark hair appeared at the surface. Diving into the water, she opened her eyes and aimed in the direction of the body. An eternity seemed to pass before the form appeared. This time he no longer struggled against the waves. An orange shirt hung off one shoulder. Heavy jeans hung like weights on his legs. Grabbing his shoulders, 

Danielle turned against the strengthening tide and headed for the surface.

Stay calm. Don't panic.

The emergency training course she'd taken last summer flashed before her. She took a deep breath and struggled to keep her head above the waves.

Pulling the man toward her, Danielle rested the back of his head against her chest. He lay limp in her arms. 

Please God, don't let me be too late. 

She checked the beach. It was empty.

One second at a time. One stroke at a time.

Pulling her free arm against the waves, Danielle pushed against the water until her feet touched the sand beneath her. The weight of the man grew heavy in her arms, but at least he wasn't fighting against her.

Danielle shivered, willing her body to keep swimming toward the shore, but even her training for this year's local triathlon hadn't prepared her for this. Underwater waves pushed against her legs. The sand sank beneath her feet making progress difficult. Ten more feet. She could see the edge of the water now. Five more feet.

Finally collapsing onto the wet sand, Danielle dragged the man far enough away from the incoming tide so that she could work unhindered. She looked to the deserted shoreline for help, worried that she didn't have time to wait for the paramedics to arrive, then gently shook his body. She felt for a pulse beneath his jawline and checked his breathing.

Nothing.

Danielle fought the alarm that rose in her chest as she placed the heel of her hand in the center of his chest and started chest compressions. A lock of dark hair rested against his forehead. Freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks. A small scar crossed his left eyebrow. He was somebody's son, brother, husband….

Lord, I need a miracle.

Danielle glanced up and drew out a labored sigh of relief at the man running toward her. Athletic build, dark blond hair… Pale blue eyes met hers a moment later as he knelt on the sand across from her.

"What happened?"

Danielle heard the urgency in his voice as she tried to catch her breath. Surely she was seeing things. Jason Ryan?

His gaze shifted from her face, to the body, then back to her again. "Danielle? Tell me what happened," he said, his expression full of questions.

There was no time to process the familiar features…or the ten years that had passed since she'd last seen him. "I pulled him out of the water. I've tried CPR, but he doesn't have a pulse, and he's not breathing." Danielle felt her own heart pounding inside her chest. "My mother called 911 and has gone to the restaurant to get help."

He caught her gaze, then grabbed her hands, turning them over palms up. Danielle felt the air rush out of her lungs. They were covered with blood. "I don't think he drowned, Danielle. He's been shot."

Jason fought the panic as he tried to process the blood on Danielle's hands…and the fact that he'd just found Garrett. But if there was any chance of saving his friend, they both were going to have to keep their focus.

Needing to find the source of the injury, he turned his friend on to his side where the blood had seeped onto the sand. Two holes punctuated his back, leaving dark circles of blood behind. No pulse. No heartbeat. A sickening feeling flooded through him. Garrett was dead.

"We can still save him." Sirens wailed in the distance as Danielle knelt in front of Garrett's lifeless body and began the chest compressions again.

"It's too late...

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed the beginning to my new romantic suspense! This book will be released the first of June, but you can pre-order now both paperback and ebook.

In anticipation of it's release, I'll be giving away five paperback copies this week. Leave a comment below with a way for me to contact you. For an additional chance to win, sign up for my Author Newsletter here! (One book per person) Everyone signed up for my newsletter will be automatically entered PLUS for signing up, you receive a free ebook copy of the first book in my cozy mystery series, Recipe for Murder. Giveaway ends Tuesday at midnight (PST)

If you’re reading this on Good reads, Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please visit to my blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing so I don't miss you.

Happy Reading!!

Lisa

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

Our China Story Part One

From the time he was about four, our youngest son began taking about China. I never really understood why. We were living in South Africa and China was a world away. We know nothing about the country that holds the world’s largest population, but over the years, Jayden’s interest has never waned. About six months ago, I was convicted that his interest in China—a subject that seemed to come up everyday—was more than a passing childhood interest in another culture.

I sat down with Jayden and asked him if he remembered the story of God calling Samuel, and how Eli finally told him to go back to bed and to listen because it was the Lord.  We decided that we would start praying that God would open his heart to God’s calling on his life. We also started reading the biography of Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China in the 1800’s, and were challenged by this man’s incredible faith.

A few weeks later, Scott was at church in South Africa and felt God communicate that He wanted us to take Jayden to China for a visit and that it needed to be soon. When Scott told me this, I could see the importance, but had no idea how we could do this financially, or when we could fit it into our schedule. So we continued praying, and in the meantime, every school report Jayden did was focused on China as he continued to learn everything he could about the country and its people.

The next few months were increasingly challenging beginning with the death of Reiner, our teammates’ son. With that and a number of other challenges we were facing, thoughts of a trip were pushed onto the back burner. Then early this year, I was thinking about China and, inspired by Hudson Taylor’s faith, I decided to pray specifically about the funding of a trip. I knew we couldn’t take him unless God provided, so I asked Jayden to pray with me. If God wanted Jayden to go, then He was going to have to provide a way.

Two days later, I received an email from my agent. With Gabriel in boarding school in Kenya, and Mariah and Jayden hoping to join him in the fall, my writing has helped to supplement the cost and allow us to visit the school a couple times a year which has become very important to me. I was hoping to sell one book, but to my surprise, the contract was for three books.

At first I was simply excited about the three-book sale. Then it hit me. The Lord was providing not only for me to visit our kids in boarding school, but the trip to China as well. I was completely humbled as I hurried to tell Scott and Jayden what had happened. God had not only opened Jayden’s heart to the Chinese people, but He had just opened up a way for him to go.

Add caption

I have no idea what God has in store for Jayden’s future, but we now spend time praying for God to show Jayden His plan his life. 

In all of our lives, may we each have the same answer as Samuel. “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Be blessed,

Lisa

P.S. I'll be going through the photos and will post more in a few days.

Update from the Heart of Africa

Sometimes I feel as if time is speeding past me like a whirlwind. Maybe I'm just getting older. :-) The past few weeks in particular have been extremely full, and I've had to take a bit of a step back from blogging and facebook. We've had a lot of ups and downs lately (including our sweet Jack Russell unexpectedly dying), but God continues to be so faithful!

Ministry: 

Scott and the disciples have started going to a new preaching point north of us on Saturdays, after being invited to teach by a woman David met on the boat that goes across the bay. They also have the opportunity to begin teaching in another area of this town. I've also started going to the villages on Saturdays with a group of the women from Inhambane. There are usually at least six of us who go out to share with the women in Magola and Guinjata, alternating each week. It's turned out to be a big blessing to both the 'city girls' and those in the village. David and several of the disciples also just returned from a trip to Zonguane where they spent four days teaching.

Praying together at David's house church

Meeting inside for church during a downpour.

New Truck: As many of you know, our truck was totaled earlier this year. We use this vehicle for so many things that it was really missed. Thanks to many generous donations, we were able to replace the vehicle (the shortage from the insurance) with a used truck that is in really good shape, something hard to find here. It's allowed Scott and I to go to different villages on the same day, and as our last truck, it's always helpful to be able to haul things, like when rebuilding the woman's house that burnt down.

Our new-to-us truck!

Le Roux Family:  When the Le Roux family headed off to language school in January, just a few short months after the death of Reiner, Scott felt it important that he and Des Stephenson, from the le Roux's home church, visit them during their stay in Brazil to make sure they were doing okay. A church in Brazil has taken them in as one of their own and has turned out to be such a blessing to them. Members in the church do all the language teaching, plan activities, provided a house and a car, and much, much more. Scott was also able to see Luis and Fernanda (former teammates) as well as Ricardo and his family and many more familiar faces who have had a part in the work here in Mozambique over the past few years. 

Scott and Des (from South Africa) visit Jaco and Inge and their boys in Brazil

The Le Roux family in Brazil

New Book Release: Stolen Identity  

Lastly, be sure and sign up for my new author newsletter here for a chance to win a copy of my June 1st release, Stolen Identity. I'll let you know more about that next week. In the meantime, here's the blurb from the back of the book, and a link where you can pre-order copies both as paperback and as an ebook.

Who would want her life?

Danielle Corbit doesn't understand why someone would want to steal her identity. A single mother running a small business—nothing special, right? But after discovering a dead body on the Oregon coastline, she's attacked by a dangerous hacker who will stop at nothing to frame her. Only her former fiancé, Jason Ryan, is willing to help. Years ago she broke his heart, but he can't walk away from a woman in need. He'll do anything to protect her from their unseen adversary. But is there enough time to work together and untangle this twisted web of fraud and deception?

Sign up for my author newsletter here for a chance to win a copy next week!

Blessings,

Lisa

Called to be a light

Two weekends ago, a woman in the neighborhood of one of our churches burnt down. She and her two children lost everything. One of the reasons we started The ECHO Project was so we could help people in our communities who are in need. We are so thankful for those who have given and for the disciples who helped rebuild her a home.



To help make a difference in the lives of individuals like this family, you can donate here or contact me for information on how to get your church or youth program involved.

Be blessed,

Lisa

30 seconds in Black & White

Life in Africa

Visiting our newest set of twins!

We learned this week that the mama who just had twins was having problems feeding them as she doesn't have enough milk. We went visiting with some of the Christians after church and took her formula for the twins as well as some food like fish, peanuts, and greens, to help with her strength.

A big thanks to those who have given to The ECHO Project, allowing us to help in situations like this. We will be monitoring their progress over the coming weeks and months. Donations to The ECHO Project are greatly appreciated and will used to help families in need.

Blessings,

Lisa

Some of the boys offered to help carry the food.

The babies are so tiny!

The twins with their mama and sister.

Silva helped me hand out the food.

Baptisms (plus giveaway reminder!)

Here are a few photos of the baptisms in Guinjata this Sunday! Praising God for the way He is working!

Also, if you haven't signed up for my Author Newsletter, be sure and do that for an automatic free copy of book one in my Cozy Crumb Mystery Series (ebook version) and I'm giving away a copy of of Kyle Idleman's Not a Fan on Tuesday, but you must be signed up! It's and easy and fun way to keep up with my books and book giveaways.

Be blessed,

Lisa

Not A Fan

I recently finished reading Not a Fan, by Kyle Idleman, with my kids. While I knew the subject was important for them, I was surprised at how much the book challenged me as well. 

Here's the blurb on Amazon: 

"If someone asked, 'Are you a fan of Jesus?', how would you answer? You attend every movie featuring a certain actor, you know the stats of your sports hero, and you can recite lyrics from your favorite songs. In short, you're a huge fan. But are you treating Jesus the same as the other people you admire? The truth is Jesus wants more than the church attendance, occasional prayer, and the ability to recite Scripture---the fan response. He's looking for people who are actually willing to sacrifice in order to follow him. In this teen edition of Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman uses humor, personal stories, and biblical truth as he challenges you to look at what it means to call yourself a Christian and follow the radical call Jesus presents. So, will you be a fan, or a follower?"

I certainly wasn't the only one challenged. It brought up great discussions with my kids that I think are extremely important in a too-often materialistic, me-centered world. Whether you have teens or if you're just looking for a book that can change your life, I highly recommend Not a Fan.

I think the book is so important that I'm giving away an ebook copy to one person from my new author newsletter list. Sign up before Tuesday, April 9th here and you will be automatically entered. By signing up, you will also automatically receive a free copy of Recipe for Murder, book one in my Cozy Mystery Series, and you can look forward to more giveaways in the coming months.

Happy reading!

Lisa

He is Risen!

Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”

Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 

So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 

They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”

She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”

Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”  When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! 

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 

Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me,you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.  

(John 20 World English Bible)

A Matter of Trust

I’m reading through Exodus right now, and while it’s a story I’ve heard many times, I was struck again at the lack of faith of the Israelites. And how far too often, I am no different.

In Exodus 14, thousands of men, women, and children stood at the edge of the Red Sea. Their escape from a life of slavery in Egypt had already been marked by miracle after miracle—ten plagues of pestilence and death—until the Egyptians had begged them to leave.

            

Now, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them by day, and a pillar of fire to give them light at night. But when the Egyptian army decided to pursue them, the Israelites grew terrified. Moses told them not to be afraid. He stretched his hand out over the sea like the Lord told him. All night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned a section of the Red Sea into dry land by dividing the water. The Israelites went through the sea with a wall of water on both sides of them.

It had to have been a spectacular event. Can you imagine walking across the Red Sea on dry land, towers of water on either side as you walk to safety?

But three days later they seemed to have forgotten this great display of power. They left the sea and traveled through the desert, but couldn’t find water. They started to groan and mumble.

Hmm. . .I have to ask myself a question. Would I have been any different? Am I any different today? Things go wrong. I worry. I want a miracle that proves to me (once again) that God is really there. A sign. . .anything.

        

Would I really have been the one who stood up and told the crowds to stop complaining and worrying? "If God could part the Red Sea, surely he can find us a large stash of fresh water?"

          

Would I have said that? Or would I be the one grumbling right along side them?

            

Sadly, I’m afraid I would have been the later.

           

How many times has God shown his power in my circumstances, then I go on to doubt and fear I forget and wonder where he is.

           

As the Israelites complained about the lack of good water, again God showed them He was God. He turned the bitter water they found in Marah to drinkable water. But they complained again. Next it was food they craved. They wanted the food they’d had in Egypt. Even thought they’d just left a life of slavery, at least they had all the food they could eat they reasoned.

           

They had forgotten.

            

Forgotten where they had come from.

            

Forgotten God’s power.    

Forgotten where they were going.

            

God provided food for them in the form of manna. He gave them exactly what they needed. No more. 

No less. Which is another point that hits home to me. I like my pantry filled, my bank account with enough for the next few weeks (or longer), but they were to gather what they needed for the day and trust that he would provide for tomorrow.

            

That's way Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6:34 to stop worrying about tomorrow. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's worries are enough for today."

Tough sometimes, isn't it? 

            

Which is probably why this wasn’t the end of the Israelites grumbling. And sadly, I know I will continue to have times when I will struggle. But I can’t put all my trust in my job, my abilities, my material possessions, or my bank account. 

It's a daily decision to simply trust in Him. 

Every day. 

            

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I trust; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 56: 3-4

“Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

Be blessed today,

Lisa

PS If you haven't signed up for my brand new author newsletter, be sure and sign up here! Not only will you automatically get a free copy of my cozy mystery ebook, Recipe for Murder, but there will also be many more book giveaway opportunities coming soon including Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman, and my soon to be released romantic suspense Stolen Identity.

Free Ebook!

I'm excited to announce that my cozy mystery series is now available for the first time as ebooks for your Kindle or other ebook readers!

And to sweeten the deal, I'm giving away book one. All you have to do is sign up here for my brand new Author Newsletter. This will keep you updated on all my upcoming releases!

Happy Reading!!

Lisa

RECIPE FOR MURDER


Pricilla Crumb, a superb cook and articulate hostess, plans an informal buffet at her son's mountain lodge, but the dinner party turns to chaos when a guest is found dead after sampling one of her salmon-filled tartlets. Pricilla's determination to save her reputation and find out the truth begins her unofficial career as a novice detective--and gives her a second chance for romance.

BAKER'S FATAL DOZEN


When Reggie Pierce, who runs Pricilla Crumb's favorite bakery, is found dead, Pricilla finds herself hot on the trail of another sticky scandal that begins with murder. But as Pricilla chases after clues to catch a killer, will the road to her long-distance romance with Max hit a permanent detour? 

CHEF'S DEADLY DISH                                                                 The chef is cooking up trouble! One of Pricilla Crumb’s former students from the Willow Hill Private Academy for Girls finds herself in hot water—and the situation is about to reach its boiling point. Arrested for murder at the prestigious Rocky Mountain Amateur Chef Competition, things are looking mighty grim for the young chef. . .until Pricilla follows up on a batch of clues. 

Photos from Africa

I thought I would post a few photos as things have been very busy this side of the world between ministry, homeschooling, and writing. While much of the northern hemisphere seems to be struggling with cold weather and storms, we've been thankful for some rain and cooler weather that is a break from the heat. 

Enjoy!

One of our sweet Christian women in Magola gave birth to twins last week!

Scott and the disciples have recently started teaching at two new places north of where we live.
 

Our garden is full of butterflies and flowers right now. 

View from our land.

Work continues with the roof. They are laying out metal rods to support the cement slab.

This is the structure beneath the roof that will help support the slab until it dries.

Book Covers and Basketball

It's been a crazy week as I worked overtime to finish up the manuscript I've been working on the past few weeks.

While I've been working on book two in the series, I'm finally able to share with you the cover for book one, Dangerous Passage, that comes out in September. So what do you think about the cover? Personally, I love it!

Here's the back cover blurb. And, it's now available for pre-order on Amazon!

"When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common--a tattoo of a magnolia on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. But it doesn't take long for them to realize that there is much more to the case than meets the eye. As they venture deep into a sinister world of human trafficking, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities--and their hearts.

Dangerous Passage exposes a fully-realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead. Romantic suspense fans will be hooked from the start by Lisa Harris's first installment of the new Southern Crimes series."
                                           
On another note, most of you know that I recently went to visit our eldest at school. Here are some highlight from the two games I was able to watch. Loved getting to watch him play his favorite sport!



Be blessed,

Lisa