Lisa Harris's Blog, page 14

WELCOME!

Yeah! You've made it to stop fifteen on this spring's Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! Remember that the Hunt officially goes live at noon Mountain time on April 4th, even if some posts are up earlier. The hunt begins at Stop #1 which is Robin Lee Hatcher's website, so if you haven't already done so, be sure and start there.

You will have until April 6th at midnight Mountain time, so you have all weekend to finish the hunt! No need to race! All you have to do is collect the clue in red at each stop and write them down as you go. There are some fantastic books and prices being offered you won't want to miss! And remember that the hunt is open to international entries, and prizes include a Kindle Fire HDX (valued at $229) + $100 gift certificate and two runners-up will receive all 32 of our books. 

Read to the end of this post and you'll discover how you could win a bonus copy of my new release, Fatal Exchange and book one in my Southern Crimes series, Dangerous Passage! So while you're at each stop, be sure and read the posts from the different authors along the way, and have fun!

In case you find a broken link. . .

We have prepared a page with direct links to each author's post in case a site goes down or a link gets broken. We'll be working on getting all of the links prior to the start of the hunt, but sometimes there are still issues even after the hunt starts, so make a note of the URL for the Participating Authors & Stops Page so you can check back and be able to complete the hunt.
_________________________________________________________________________________


CYNTHIA RUCHTI

Ready to get started with the next author? It's my pleasure to introduce Cynthia Ruchti as my guest for the hunt! Cynthia writes stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels, novellas, devotions, nonfiction, and through speaking events for women and writers. Her latest releases include When the Morning Glory Blooms, Ragged Hope: Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices, and All My Belongings. Before you head on to the next stop, be sure and connect with Cynthia on her website or on Facebook!




ALL MY BELONGINGS

To see the unveiled version,
visit Cynthia's blog!First of all, BIG NEWS! A brand new, hot off the press cover for All My Belongings is officially being revealed to the public today. Here's a hint. Make sure to go to the next blog stop to see it in all its glory on Cynthia's blog. It's a stunning cover. I think you'll agree. All My Belongings will debut from Abingdon Press on May 6th! 
ABOUT THE BOOK 

A new identity can’t protect Becca from a past that refuses to go away.
Where do you turn when changing your name doesn’t give you the anonymity you want? When running hundreds of miles away isn’t far enough? When your search for a place to belong lands you right back where you began?
You can purchase All My Belongings at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD or your local bookstore!
_______________________________________________________________________________

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

Cynthia has sent me a very informative guest post about Caring for the Caregiver: Moving Beyond Good Intentions, that touches on something extremely important we will all face at one point in our lives.

From Cynthia:
It’s a rite of passage. Before our lives are complete, most of us will serve as a caregiver, long-term or short-term.
An elderly parent, a disabled loved one, a special needs child or adult, an infant, a friend with cancer… The reasons for stepping into a caregiving role are many. Blessings and challenges battle for dominance every day of the process.
I’ll share some of my own caregiving experiences in another post someday, but today I’m thinking about Becca, the gifted but troubled caregiving character in the May 2014 release from Abingdon Press—All My Belongings.
Becca walked through four caregiving experiences: in her youth as the child of an emotionally distant woman with a life-threatening illness, in her nursing school training, in her occupation as caregiver for an elderly woman suffering from heart disease and dementia, and in a caregiving role that cost her everything to fulfill.
What simple acts might have fed her courage, lifted her spirits, and strengthened her resolve? What could those around Becca—or around you—have done to help shoulder the mixed burden/blessing of caregiving? What will move us who care about a caregiver in our lives past good intentions to actions?  Send flowers to the caregiver.Write a note of admiration and gratitude to the one who serves selflessly.Volunteer—don’t wait to be asked—to offer respite care even for a couple of hours so the caregiver can attend to errands. Better yet, allow him or her free time that has nothing to do with duty or responsibility, like attending a concert or book club.Offer to pay for professional respite care so the caregiver can have extended time away from the pressures of caregiving. Even a weekend can make a difference. Show you recognize the caregiver as a whole person, not merely for the role he or she plays.Remember the caregiver long into the caregiving process. As the caregiving goes on, support often wanes as life keeps moving for the rest of us.Avoid statements like, “Call me if you need me” or “Let me know if there’s something I can do.” For many caregivers, those words add one more thing to their list of responsibilities. Consider rephrasing. “Would it help if I—?” “Can I bring dinner for you on Wednesday nights?” “I’m going to the store. What can I pick up for you?”Pray specifically. “Today I asked the Lord to build a sweet memory into your morning.” “Praying for your sleep—little as it is some days—to completely refresh you.”The world is full of unsung heroes. They work their way into our stories and our lives. Ask God today to help you think creatively regarding the support you can offer an unsung hero caregiver you know.
Gentle caregivers like Becca in All My Belongings love and serve whether it’s convenient or not, comfortable or not. What can we do to make their hearts soar?
 ________________________________________________________________________________
THE SCAVENGER HUNT SKINNY!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! Before you move onto stop #16, Cynthia Ruchti's website, to pick up your next clue, be sure to write down this Stop #15's clue: think what
But wait, before you leave there is one more BONUS PRIZE I'm giving away elusively on my site. 
I will randomly draw two names from everyone who signs up for my Author Newsletter (sign up box is on the top left of this blog!) while the Scavenger Hunt is live. Those two winners will each receive one copy of the first two books in my Southern Crimes Series, Dangerous Passage and Fatal Exchange. If you live outside the US and win, I will send you an ebook version. And just for signing up for the newsletter, you will receive an ebook copy of Recipe for Murder! 
So sign up now then jump to the next stop and enjoy the Hunt!
Lisa Harris


Terms and Conditions: ONE entry per person. If we find you've registered under separate IDs, you'll be disqualified. Please, be HONEST. Because, you know, Jesus would WANT you to be. If you're an international winner, your prize will be the equivalent of what we're offering in the USA in terms of USD$$, based on that day's exchange rate, and what we can figure out in terms of online options (ex. Apple in Australia, etc.). If the Kindle Fire HDX is more expensive in your country than it is in the USA ($229 USD), we shall give you an Amazon gift card for the equivalent of the USD value. International runners-up winners will receive most of their books via Book Depository, and therefore, they cannot be autographed—sorry.

If you're interested in the inspiration behind a book, here is a video I recently put together where I share some of the background behind Dangerous Passage. Just press on the video below to watch.

And don't forget that book two in the Southern Crimes series, Fatal Exchange, is now available for pre-order and releases in just a few short weeks!













Behind the Scenes: Dangerous Passage from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

A few months ago, I shared about a trip to a village that seemed to be 'at the ends of the earth.' If you missed that video, you can watch it here. Here is a second video when the disciples more recently returned to Maria's village. Push on the arrow to watch the video below.

Return to Maria's village English from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

 

 A 21st century doctor dropped into a 3rd century plague. . .

If that doesn't grab your attention, I don't know what will! I'm so excited to share with you a brand new series by author and my close friend, Lynne Gentry. The first book in The Carthage Chronicles,  Healer of Carthage, has just been released.

I was honored to be able to endorse this story and read it early on. Lynne has incredible talent as an author, and if you love adventure, time travel, history, and a strong heroine, you'll love this story.






Watch this short video, and learn the background to this series.



Here's the blurb from the back cover:

A twenty-first-century doctor. A third-century plague. A love out of time.

First-year resident Dr. Lisbeth Hastings is too busy to take her father’s bizarre summons seriously. But when a tragic mistake puts her career in jeopardy, answering her father’s call seems her only hope of redeeming the devastating failure that her life has become.

While exploring the haunting cave at her father’s archaeological dig, Lisbeth falls through a hidden hole, awakening to find herself the object of a slave auction and the ruins of Roman Carthage inexplicably restored to a thriving metropolis. Is it possible that she’s traveled back in time, and, if so, how can she find her way back home?

Cyprian Thascius believes God called him to rescue the mysterious woman from the slave trader’s cell. What he doesn’t understand is why saving the church of his newfound faith requires him to love a woman whose peculiar ways could get him killed. But who is he to question God?

As their different worlds collide, it sparks an intense attraction that unites Lisbeth and Cyprian in a battle against a deadly epidemic. Even as they confront persecution, uncover buried secrets, and ignite the beginnings of a medical revolution, Roman wrath threatens to separate them forever. Can they find their way to each other through all these obstacles? Or are the eighteen hundred years between them too far of a leap?

GIVEAWAY!: Lynne has graciously offered to give away this beautiful perfume decanter to one winner on this blog. Please leave a comment on this blog post as well as a way to contact you for a chance to win in this random draw. US addresses only please. Giveaway closes Saturday March 15th at 11:59 pm PST.

To learn more about Lynne and her new series please visit her website.

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.

So much has happened since the first of the year, I feel as if I'm constantly playing catch up in order to get everything done. And somehow, we're already into March! I thought I'd share a few recent photos below as I catch up on my blog.

First though, here's a quick writing update:

I'm so excited about the release of Deadly Safari, my latest romantic suspense from LIS. It's available now at Amazon and other online retailers. This book is set in South Africa and was one I had so much fun writing! Leave a comment and a way to contact me, and I'll draw one winner to receive a copy. If you live in the US, a paperback, or an ebook copy if you live outside the US. Giveaway will end Sunday night at midnight, PST.

I'm also thrilled announce that I just sold another three book series to Revell. I'm really excited about writing another romantic suspense series. More details to come!

Lastly, on Monday, I will be sharing with you a video interview with a close friend of mine, Lynne Gentry, whose incredible book, Healer of Carthage, has just been released. She will be giving away a perfume decanter to a US reader.

Be blessed,  Lisa


The ECHO Project has been able to continue helping a number of people recently,
 including eye glasses for a young student, monthly food gifts for orphans,
and the hook up of water for a small community.
We have had a number of baptisms over the past few weeks, both
in the village and in town. We are excited about 3-4 more this Sunday.

We were able to spend ten days in Kenya with the boys and had a fantastic time.
The parents of the junior class were all invited to help work on the banquet given for the seniors.
One of the highlights for me was hanging out with the boys and watching them play basketball.


Gabriel and his girlfriend, Njema ready for the banquet.
Mariah posing with her big brother.


So thankful to be together as a family again!


For the giveaway: 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.

We are currently in Kenya, spending a week with our boys at school. It's a special time for the parents of juniors to help out with this weekend's banquet for the senior class. And yes, I'm enjoying every minute of it! I'll post photos later, but for now, I want to share a powerful video I recently put together of one of our young men sharing his testimony.

New Project 11 - Medium from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

To be honest, I'm not sure where the last month has gone! It's hard to believe that not only has a new year year come, but the first month is almost over.

We enjoyed time with our kids during the Christmas holidays. It was such a blessing to have them home. The boys left the beginning of January, while our daughter has decided to finish out the year at home, with plans to return to boarding school for tenth grade. This means I'm back to homeschooling again along with ministry and writing, so things have been busy.

Our family hit a landmark this month. We've now been living in Africa for ten years! To celebrate, I put together a video of our ten years in Africa. (click on the play button below to watch) What really struck me as I looked through the photos was how God has put people in our lives, time and time again, who would at a later point become a significant part of our ministry. I see His hand so clearly, and am so grateful that through both the good and difficult times we've gone through, He has been faithful.

We are also so thankful for those who have visited us, encouraged us, worked beside us, prayed for us, hosted us in their homes, and supported us financially. Because in reality, our work--and our lives--have been impacted from so many from all over the world.

10 Years in Africa.mov (iPad, iPhone 4 & Apple TV) from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

Be blessed,

Lisa

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and blessed time with friends and family. If you love romantic suspense, I wanted to let you know that ebook version of Dangerous Passage is now on sale for only $2.99 until January 11th!  If you already have a copy, you can easily give the ebook as a gift, and please let your fellow readers know about the discount!
Buy now at:
Amazon   Barnes&Noble   Christianbook.com
"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."
Happy Holidays,
Lisa Harris

It cost me almost nothing. Nothing more than a few minutes of my time and a couple dollars.

I noticed him for the first time at church out in one of our villages. A sweet little boy of five or six with an ugly sore on his head. He sat quietly, listening to the lesson, and trying to keep the flies from landing on the sore.

After church I spoke to his grandmother and asked if I could take a picture of his head with my phone so I could ask my nurse friend what I could do to help. The old woman smiled at me, grateful for my offer.

We return with some medicated shampoo and anti-fungal cream along with simple instructions on how to help clear up his head. It was a simple solution. Nothing hugely significant in my mind at least.

And yet the grandmother thought otherwise.

She invited the disciples back to her home, a long walk from the church, and offered tea and bread. Then she served lunch of rice and greens and sent dried manioc and mangos home with us. It was all an offering of thanksgiving out of her poverty.

She was grateful, but I was humbled.

I was amazed that something so simple could have affected someone so much. I was reminded of all the things I take for granted without ever giving glory to the One who provided.

But isn't that what Jesus taught?

He said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward." (Mark 9:41)

God always uses the least of us to show His greatness. The seemingly insignificant to show His significance. Again, I am humbled.

The boy's head is healing. Just a bit of time and money was all it took to make a major impact on this family and to glorify our King.

Take a moment to look around you and see how you can touch someone.

To find out how you can help us make a difference to those around us, please visit The ECHO Project.

Lisa

Wishing you and your family a very blessed Thanksgiving as many of you stop on this day to remember all that there truly is to be thankful for.

Lisa