Tuesday, November 17, 2009

WHAT I SAW IN THE THORNS ~N~ THISTLES - Shirley Kiger Connolly - Free Book


Today, we're featuring a nonfiction book by an author who hasn't been on the blog before. Welcome, Shirley. You are writing nonfiction. Do you also write fiction?


I write both, so for me it is like wearing two hats. I love sharing my thoughts and reflections in my nonfiction writing, but I take great delight in using my creativity and spending time in research for the historical work I do. Both reflect who I am.

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

Let’s see. Many might have read already about much about my personal life, so I think for you, Lena, I will share something different. Although my husband and I, at the time of this writing, live on the Southern tip of Oregon, here at the coast, we both are avid travelers and vagabonds, of a sort. Since we married (over 100 years ago, it sometimes seems) we have lived and traveled in some of the most amazing places. I have been blessed to have lived in North Queensland, Australia, and we have also spent some time over in Grenada, over in the West Indies. I’ve lived from here in Oregon, down to California, over to Indiana, and all the way across the US to New York, and had the pleasure of visiting many states in between. Right now we are praying about where the Lord would have us go once this house sells. We are open to anything. (I guess you would say we are somewhat gypsies more or less!)

Tell us about your family.

My husband and I have three children, all grown, and four grandchildren, three grandsons and one step step-granddaughter. One of my sons is an officer in the US Military, while the other lives with his wife here in Oregon. My daughter is praying for a husband.

I have a grandson who who is active military right now. Have you written other nonfiction books?


The book we are talking about today, I See God in the Thorns n Thistles, is the second of a three-book series. The first was I See God in the Simple Things and I have another coming out next spring, I See God on That Narrow Road.

What other books have you written, and where can the readers of the blog find them?

Flame from Within and It Happened Near the Cliff Rock and I have one is in the oven! Readers can find all my books at http://www.amazon.com/  or http://www.bn.com/ , http://www.booksamillion.com/ , http://www.vrpublishing.com/ and Target Stores. They can also be ordered at any bookstore if they don’t happen to be in stock. (But I guarantee, most can get the best deal probably at Amazon.)

Actually, I went to Amazon just now and didn't find the featured book there. Your others were though. Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I told you the third devotional, but there is something else in the works that I’m not yet supposed to discuss.

Sounds intriguing. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Please tell the readers to come visit me at http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/  or at http://shirleykoinonia.tripod.com/  or they can drop me an email at shirleylovestowrite@gmail.com  I am good at responding.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I love walking. I also love to play my piano and sing, but I don’t have time much on my piano lately. And when it’s raining and dreary outside and I’m sitting by my fire in the evening, I love needlework, or reading, or watching old classic movies on TBN or just plain vegging out.

Why did you write the featured book?

This devotional (as well as the others I am writing) came by way of simple reflections on my heart that I used to share only with my Koinonia Community (a very large group of readers, writers, and women who love the Lord). Each month I would send out a Koinonia Update, and in it I would pass along a reflection of my heart—something God showed me that day about life in general ,and how He could minister to us in any circumstance…whether it was in a simple situation we were in, or some thorny issue we were involved with, or even perhaps something poignant having to do with the seriousness of our personal walks with Him. The responses I continued to receive from my readers drove me to compiling these together into devotionals that could be available for anyone, saved or unsaved, who just needed a pick-me-up at that perfect moment. I hope all that makes sense, Lena.

Yes, it does. What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

How God can be with us no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, no matter how we feel. It is so easy to take Him for granted. He shows us through the simplicity of these devotionals, that this is not His hope for us. He wants to be real to us 24/7. It’s up to us to allow Him that privilege and blessing.

Thank you, Shirley, for spending this time with us. I'm partial to your name. My younger sister was named Shirley, and she's gone on to be with the Lord.
 
Readers, Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


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.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great post. Sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

apple blossom said...

Love inspirational stories. Thanks
Please enter me.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot]com

Unknown said...

Thanks for writing in, April and Abi. I look forward to sharing Thorns n Thistles with someone soon. (I also look forward to seeing it in print myself! It is yet to release.) Won't be long now.
Shirley

Katherine said...

This book looks very good. Please enter me.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Thanks for writing in Wanda and Katherine. If you ever go through trials (as I think we all can confess) I have a sense you will get something good from a few of the reflections in Thorns n Thistles.
Blessings to you
Shirley

Lady Araujo said...

Thanks for this post. I'd love to be enter in the drawing.

God's blessings

Linda said...

I have wanted one of Shirley's books forever! Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

mariska said...

love to win this book ! please count me in :)

Anonymous said...

I could use this inspirational book...thanks.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)Com

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this book.

Unknown said...

So great to hear from you all. Trials are so real to each one of us. It sometimes helps to look at them and realize as we do we are not the only ones in the middle of the experience. I hope to hear from whoever gets the book, to learn what your thoughts are after reflecting on the lessons in the book. Even as I write fiction, I also have a tremendous affection for stopping what I am doing to put my thoughts down on page, if I think it will also help someone else.
Looking forward to sharing this book with one of you in the near future.
Shirley

Pamela J said...

My heart is partial to devotionals. I'd love to read how Shirley writes hers. Please enter me. Thanks.
Pam W
cepjwms at wb4me dot com

Anonymous said...

It does sound like a good book. Please enter me in the drawing. ~Abby

abster dot rose at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

My heart is partial to devotionals too, Pamela. I have several and I enjoy referring to them often. I wrote "I See God in the Thorns~n~Thistles" with a lighthearted touch because so many of the devotionals out there are deep. I love the deep ones, but the lighthearted ones, on the other hand, can hit the high spots and help us to take some of the trials we go through with a less troubled heart. It doesn't make our trials any easier, but it sure can help us minister to others with compassion and gentility...even in poking thorns, and even in troublesome thistles that often don't want to go away. I'll bet all of you who are interested in the book know exactly what I mean when I say that. It's kind of like showing our scars one to another.
Thanks for the additional comments. I'm loving them all. I'm even more excited to find that "I See God in the Thorns~n~Thistles" has just gotten on Amazon for early release! Isn't God good!

Shirley

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me. Love inspirational stories.

dancealert at aol dot com

JJ said...

My first Christian romance book that I read was Shirley's. I enjoyed "Flame From Within".


gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Marla said...

Looks like a good series. Thank you for the giveaway.

lpompmoa572001@yahoo.com

prashant said...

Love inspirational stories. Thanks
Please enter me.

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