CAPTURE THE MAGIC: A Sale and a New Release!

This contemporary retelling of Queen Esther's story is the first stand-alone book in the Mended Vessels Series. Not only can you get FOR SUCH A MOMENT for 40% off ($2.99) but today is the RELEASE DAY of the 3rd book of the Mended Vessels Series, THE SECRET HEART. Here's the information about FOR SUCH A MOMENT, but check below for the short version of THE SECRET HEART!

Get FOR SUCH A MOMENT!

Revealing her secret could save lives … or change hers forever. In this book that re-imagines the story of Queen Esther in a contemporary setting, Ellen Neilson enjoys her comfortable life as the wife of an American CEO. Having lived in America since the age of ten, she has forsaken her mixed heritage and kept aspects of her childhood secret. Her husband has become engrossed in his job, and she believes having a child will salvage their troubled marriage. When her cousin Manuel, whom she hasn’t seen for twenty years, shows up as one of her husband’s managers, Ellen fears that her past will be revealed. The company buys a banana plantation in her native country of Guatemala, and Manuel informs her that illegal pesticides have poisoned the water. People are dying, but she doesn’t know who’s to blame for the cover-up.

 Readers loved this book; twenty-eight of them gave it 4.9 Stars!

• "I couldn't put this book down!" 
• "This is one of those books that pulls you into the story and won't let go till you finish it!"
• "This book was very intriguing and inspiring. Very well written!"
• "A bit of mystery, intrigue, travel, espionage, betrayal ... Glad I read it!"
• "Loved it! Got hooked on the characters!"

And you also need to get THE SECRET HEART!

Truth is messy. But will their shared secret destroy his political career—or sabotage their marriage? 

After a whirlwind romance, beautiful Shawna Moore marries Hunter Wilson, the governor of Tennessee. Now, she wonders if the governor ever loved her or only hoped to avoid a scandal. 

In this modern re-imagining of the biblical story of Bathsheba and King David, an investigative reporter is asking questions—the wedding took place only six weeks following the death of Shawna’s first husband in Iraq. If he discovers the truth about Shawna’s baby, Hunter’s chances for reelection, as well as Shawna’s reputation, will be ruined. 

But keeping their secret is destroying their marriage. 

Will Hunter’s choice mean the end of his political career or his family?

Outstanding reading from a master story-teller! Don't miss this opportunity!

12 Books of Christmas: REVISING CHRISTMAS EXPECTATIONS by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu's Mended Vessels series
brings biblical stories into a contemporary
setting. Look for her newest, A SECRET HEART,
coming in February, and learn more about
Marie at her author page at WriteIntegrity.com

Christmas traditions when you’re growing up aren’t always what you end up with as a grown-up. And your own traditions change as your own children grow up and move out.

In our early marriage, some years we spent the Christmas holiday with one or the other family, but most years, we didn’t have enough time off from work to travel, so we developed our own tradition. We would read the Christmas story, open presents, have a small dinner, and read or play card games the rest of the day (we didn’t even own a television back then).

When we had children, of course, that changed somewhat. Opening gifts became a bigger deal, and playing with them and their new toys consumed more of the day. In the days leading up to Christmas, we spent a lot of time decorating the house—inside and out. My husband often played Santa Claus for various events. And every few years, we managed a trip to the grandparents for the holiday—which changed everything. More people, more food, more gifts, and more celebration.

Now our traditions have changed once again. A few years ago, with both children married and living a thousand miles away, getting together became more challenging. My son’s job kept him extremely busy during Christmas, and we began a custom of getting together at Thanksgiving and exchanging Christmas presents early. We still had a large tree, but when the kids weren’t coming to our house, the decorations became simpler.

Circumstances have changed again. We live only about four hours from each of our kids, but we have no desire to stay in snowy Iowa or Minnesota until the end of December. So even though job situations are different now, we continue our celebration at Thanksgiving, then my husband and I make like snowbirds and head south.

Again, our actual Christmas Day is observed with just the two of us. Because we celebrate in two different locations, we’ve become minimalist in our approach to decorating for Christmas. We attend the Christmas Eve service at our church, and go to a potluck dinner with other snowbirds. We’ve heard of some families who take a tiny tree to the beach to open their presents. But we’ll probably continue to spend Christmas morning with just the two of us, reading the Christmas story, opening a couple of presents that we’ve saved for that day, and feeling blessed to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Because, no matter what the tradition or what the day’s activities, we don’t want to forget the reason we celebrate.

About the Author:

Marie Wells Coutu claims she has been writing all her life. Through story, she hopes to inspire women to find God's purpose for their lives regardless of where they've been or what they've done.

A writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, nonfiction books, and government agencies, she has edited devotionals and other books published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Learn more about Marie and all of her books at her author page on the Write Integrity Press website: www.WriteIntegrity.com.

White Fruit Cake:
(makes 2 small loaf cakes)

Lots of people joke about fruit cake at Christmas, but this recipe is soft and tasty. My mother always made several to give away and my husband loves it.

FOR SUCH A MOMENT is the first
book in Marie's Mended Vessels series
and is available in print and e-book at
Amazon.

2 sticks butter or margarine
1 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 oz. lemon extract
2 c. flour
¼ t. salt
½ t. baking powder
½ lb. candied cherries
½ lb. candied pineapple
½ lb. pecans

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Chop up fruit. Cream butter and sugar well in separate bowl. Add eggs one at a time to butter and sugar. Beat well after adding each egg. Add other ingredients in order given. Pour into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake very slowly at about 250 degrees for 2 hours or more, until toothpick in center comes out clean.

12 Books of Christmas: 

You can win a copy of Marie's book, FOR SUCH A MOMENT, as part of our 12 Books of Christmas contest. Leave a comment below with your email address (US residents only). Your email address will also be added to our monthly newsletter list. (Unsubscribe anytime.) While you're commenting, share your favorite holiday drink. Is it cocoa, wassail, eggnog, something else?

Dog Daze of Summer Sale!

The "dog days of summer" are upon us, so what better way to get through them than a book sale!

The Dog Daze of Summer Sale!

For the next month - July 18 through August 19 - we're celebrating in three ways:

• With eight 99 cent Kindle books! (Yes, 8!)

and

• With New Releases! 

and

• With Coming Soon Releases!

The eight Kindle books on sale for 99 cents are:

Imperfect Wings

Book One in the Imperfect Series

by Elizabeth Noyes

Amelia’s Legacy

Book One in the Legacy Series

by Betty Thomason Owens

For Such a Moment

Book One in the Mended Vessels Series by

Marie Wells Coutu

Saving Eric

Book One in the Redeemed Side of Broken Series by

Joan Deneve

8 Notes to a Nobody

Book One in the Bird Face Series by

Cynthia T. Toney

This Dance

Book One in the Sisters Redeemed Series by

Jerusha Agen

Charisse

Book One in the Ties that Bind Series by

Fay Lamb

The Extraordinary Presence of God

by Ann White Knowles