Valeria's Cross Featured in Romantic Times

Please check out this "behind the scenes" feature on Valeria's Cross in Romantic Times!

http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-daily-blog/take-look-behind-scenes-valerias-cross

Valeria's Cross Earns 4-1/2 Stars from Romantic Times

My co-author, Susan Wales, and I just learned that Romantic Times has rated Valeria's Cross a 4-1/2 star read, which I understand is as good as it gets. I've pasted the review in below. If you like an action-packed historical novel with lots of romance thrown in, you probably need to get a copy of this book!


RT Rating
Macias and Wales will win readers’ hearts as they reveal the lives of early Christians. The stories of an esteemed emperor, his family and the soldiers that follow him into battle make for quick reading. The authors give enough supporting historical evidence to bring the characters’ viewpoints to life; we willingly empathize with their circumstances.

***

In the third century, pampered Roman princess Valeria falls in love with Mauritius, captain of the Theban Legion. He and his entire legion are killed for their faith by the evil Galerius. Then Valeria is forced to become Galerius’ wife. She despises her new husband, but he seems to undergo a change of heart, adopting a child for her and giving her power and authority of her own. She knows that she must remain committed to him, but at the same time she knows she will never find the love she knew with Mauritius again. (ABINGDON, Sep., 383 pp., $14.99)

Reviewed By: Lindy J. Swanson

Another Great Review of Valeria's Cross

Please check out this excellent review of my latest release, Valeria's Cross, will you? Thanks so much, dear friends!

http://www.bookpage.com/reviews.php?id=10002691

Review of Valeria's Cross

I’d love to have you stop by Peg Phifer’s “purple” blog and leave a comment on the excellent review/interview she did with Susan Wales and me regarding our newest release, Valeria’s Cross:


http://goaheadandwearthepurple.blogspot.com/



Also, watch for details, but here's the basics: If you buy a copy of Valeria's Cross and post a review on Amazon, then let either Susan or me know about it, you will be entered to win an ancient silver coin on a sterling silver necklace. Supply is definitely limited, so get in on it early! Pass the word!


Blessings!

Valeria's Cross has arrived!

Guess what I discovered when I opened my back door this morning? Two boxes full of Valeria's Cross, hot off the press, waiting for me on the porch. How lovely is that??? The official release date isn't until September 1, but the countdown is on!!!

AWSA Friends in St. Louis

Here I am at the Golden Scrolls Award Banquet in St. Louis with my wonderful AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) sisters (from left): Rosemary Trible, Kathi Macias, Susan Wales, Susan Titus Osborn. We had a wonderful time! I'll post more soon. Blessings!

Dying to Live...

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:37-39).

With the recent release of the first two books in my new Extreme Devotion fiction series, plus working on three other novels with similar themes, I can’t help but be focused on the message of losing one’s life for Christ’s sake. In addition to the four-book series based on true-life accounts of modern-day martyrs of the faith, I have written a stand-alone third-century historical novel with Susan Wales, based on true events and titled Valeria’s Cross. However, the original title was First Allegiance, which so aptly summarizes the heart of all these books. It should also summarize the heart of all believers. But does it?
The above passage of scripture from Matthew has always been a hard one for me, particularly the part that has to do with family. The concept of laying down my own life for the sake of the gospel isn’t all that difficult to grasp; it goes with giving my life to Christ. Because I know that I no longer live once I’m His, but rather He lives in me, makes the commitment to self-sacrifice a given. But my family? A bit tougher, don’t you think?
Yet Christians around the world face not only personal persecution but persecution of loved ones as well. Can you imagine being a parent faced with the choice of denying Christ or condemning your child to prison or torture—or even death? Admittedly that’s far beyond our personal ability to comprehend, let alone yield to in our own strength. But the Scriptures promise that through Christ we can do all things—even the unthinkable.
I pray we are never faced with such a choice, but I also pray that today, right now, in whatever situation or circumstance we find ourselves, we will make a commitment to hold fast to our “first allegiance,” regardless of the price to do so—and to trust God for the strength to do it. “Well done, good and faithful servant” will surely be our reward.