A Review–Frontier Preacher

Author: David Millican

This is a moving story for those who have never been introduced to Christ, but for the Believing, it might be lacking in the obvious use of scripture references that appear to be a bit awkward. I can imagine if the references were inserted as analogy they would appear more beneficial in the telling of a fictional story. However, if this was meant to be a testimony of God’s goodness, an omniscient point of view would have worked better so the reader would have some insight as to the thoughts of all involved—particularly—Minnie.

I could not find myself empathetic to Hollis at all. He seemed to be a weak-minded individual who found it difficult to trust God. I also think had he moved to Gillette after seeking God’s Wisdom, rather than as a tribute to his uncle, he may have come off as a stronger character—having made a difficult decision to be obedient. His lack of worldliness did not inspire any trust in him at all. So what happens in the end to rid the town of evil—lacks credibility. Had John and Ben been stronger characters, they may have motivated Hollis, but since that was not the case, the weaknesses of the story epitomize the weaknesses of the man.

The most believable character is Minnie and I had no doubt from the beginning what her role would be.

The Sheriff and Mayor depicted as dastardly villains works in the space they’re given, but they would be more credible if the reader had more information about them and their involvement in the prostitution ring before it’s revealed the way it is.

On the mechanics side—the story needs editing and proofreading. There were several areas in which stone—is written as story and vice-versa. The author’s grasp of grammar mechanics is good.

The writer’s style is different–at least it is not a style I’ve read. Written in limited third person point of view, I found myself working diligently to stay focused on the storyline. There were segments of the story that appeared to lack connection to some of the rest, but overall, I got the gist of it—salvation and redemption—for all sinners.

I’d give this four out of five stars for a rating on Amazon or other communities.

Media Kit for Frontier Preacher

 

About the Book

Hollis feared the loneliness would swallow him whole. He had arrived in Wyoming to fulfill his uncle’s dying wish – that he save the people of Gillette – but his education and faith had not prepared him for the bitter cold and hardened hearts of the west. A dark secret in his new home threatens to destroy his very soul. Will Hollis be strong enough to stand against the tide of evil? Can he overcome where stronger men failed, before the west claims another victim?

 

eBook: www.amazon.com/dp/B017QRMMM8/

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/6236943

 

About the Author

 

David was born and raised in Wyoming then spent his twenties traveling the world. He now spends his time in McKeesport Pennsylvania with his wife Emily. He has been writing since he was a child, enjoying success in the young authors program, local literary magazines, and blogging. You can follow David’s new projects and release dates on his Facebook author page.

 

Facebook | Twitter | Website

What Reviewers are saying

“Definitely worth reading.“-Amazon Reviewer

“The author makes great use of his setting offering many rich details”-Amazon Reviewer

“I loved the writing and the story. Then [sic] ending is unexpected and inevitable at the same time. “-Goodreads Reviewer

Discounts

David is offering a 50% discount for the paperback book! To get your copy, go to the Createspace estore and enter this code when you checkout: GYM7ACWX.

From May 27-31, Frontier Preacher will also be on sale for just $1.99. That’s a $3.00 savings!

Links:

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/6236943

eBook: www.amazon.com/dp/B017QRMMM8/

 

 

Giveaway

 

Enter to win one of three giveaways! Giveaway #1 is a paperback of Never by J. Grace Pennington and a $15 Amazon gift card. Giveaway #2 is a paperback of Revel Knox by Michael Shank and a $15 Amazon gift card. Giveaway #3 is a personalized notebook from Faith Blum and a $15 Amazon gift card.

 

To enter the giveaway, please fill out this form. The only required entries are your name and your email address. Everything else is optional.

 

Links in case they don’t stay for you:

 

Never: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A84OQ1C

Revel Knox: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DH3W9TQ

Faith Blum: http://www.faithblum.com/

Giveaway Entry form: http://goo.gl/forms/il0U1wURG37SMDbI2

https://www.dropbox.com/s/14jum0aeqnv8aze/Media%20Kit%20for%20Frontier%20Preacher.docx?dl=0

 

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The Purpose of My Books!

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” Toni Morrison

Though I will be the first to admit that I am not a particular fan of Toni Morrison’s works, I agree wholeheartedly with her stance about writing. Before I even read this quote, I knew what type of books I wanted to read and wrote them–with the hope that I was not the only one who wanted to read–wholesome literature–devoid of voyeuristic scenes and profanity.

You see, as much as I love mysteries and romance novels, I started avoiding most of those on the market. Most of the suspense and thriller novels are so laced with profanity that I can’t get past the first chapter. When that happens, I simply stop reading. The same is true of some of the books that people are trying to pass off as romance, when they’re actually only about sex.

I’m not trying to tell other people what to write or how to write it, but I won’t read literature that opposes my faith and my stance with moral issues.

Therefore, I’ve written a number of books–that are romantic in nature without making the reader feel like they’re taking part in a perverse act–and have an actual story line, with lovable characters and those the reader can hate as well.

The suspense and thriller novels–are filled with all the stuff we love–intrigue, murder, human trafficking, kidnapping, but no profanity and the characters have developed “alternate” expressions that work well when they are emotionally charged.

I want to see a return of moral values and structures that all can read in the literature produced. So I have accomplished–at least I think I have–this goal with my books. Why am I saying this now? An author on Twitter posted that Indie Publishers should be blogging about their books, not their blogs. I agree and here I am.

I’d love to know what you think–regarding my purpose.  Did I accomplish my purpose or am I just whistling in the clouds of hope?

There are two fantasies for kids and I’m working on the third in the series. In these books, kids are empowered to overcome good with evil by relying upon innate powers within them– myBook.to/SuperTweens and myBook.to/OtherSide.  Both were written to empower kids between the ages of 10 and 12 and beyond with the latest effort–not yet available. Kids need all the encouragement they can get to do the right thing and to know others see them as worthy and not just a nuisance to be tolerated.

The suspense/thriller works are: myBook.to/Sword about a serial killer in a small town in South Carolina. I introduce Tyson and Tiffany as they team up to find the serial killer. In the second book myBook.to/TNT Tyson is working for the FBI and Tiffany is battling demons from her past, but it is with the struggle they discover who’s kidnapping mentally challenged girls and are able to defuse all the bombs the crazy Russian plants, except one. In  myBook.to/ElevatedHijinks Tyson and Tiffany and their team must find Swatere’s kids who have been kidnapped as revenge against Tiffany. They find the kids, but will a blazing mountain fire defeat their attempt to rescue them?

Two of the romance novels are based upon two ministers who meet over the phone and begin the journey that is overwhelmed with obstacles. myBook.to/Gifts begins the story, but even after they overcome the barriers set before them, others attempt to cloud the issues in myBook.to/Storms.  The last romance is more secular in nature, but still provides insight into matters of the heart and love without being erotically perverse. There is a wonderful story line in myBook.to/MoneyTalks about love, trust and betrayal.

There are many more found on Amazon–mostly Christian Living and can be accessed through this link  viewAuthor.at/maryglobal.  My goal with this post is to entice you to read my books and let me know if I have accomplished my purpose.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

A Different Idea in Teaching!

Supplementary Reading Materials
For any educator who teaches reading and has reluctant students who don’t want to read—here is a solution!
Found on Amazon.com most for only 0.99!

viewAuthor.at/maryglobal

This multi-genre catalog of literature includes:
Romance
Mystery
Suspense
Fantasy
Poetry
Essays
And Christian Living (according to The Word)

All books include “Look Inside” on Amazon for a preview of content!
Teaching strategies might include discussions about: What’s right, what’s wrong, adherence to writing standards, grammar, audience consideration, point of view, an analysis of content and online review. The author has a stage play available for dissection or production and is also currently writing a selection of short stories regarding environmental protection issues, politics and education. If interested, please send email to:

mary.hallrayford@gmail.com
Wholesome Literature is making a comeback!

Disappointing Joy

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (I John 2: 1,2 NIV)

Things that bring great joy

Sometimes allow disappointment to seep

Into our beings, clinging, cloying our minds,

Taking away the good, replaced with evil thoughts,

Designed to lead one into temptation’s snares,

Choking back the warnings aired, stifling desire to do right,

Ignited by temptation’s blinders, shackled by flesh

Ignoring Spirit’s, “Warning, Warning, Danger ahead!”

And then when speckled, stained, tainted memory’s dust,

Takes time to see beyond the smeared rainbow bent,

By disobedience, and distrust, joy once known, disappoints

And the nerves once tinkling with anticipation, now dulled

By pain and anguish, frustration and guilt–Not by what’s done,

But the warning ignored and disregarded, like so many

Who came before, refusing to heed the signs of the times,

Determined to do things our own way, without clear vision,

Minds clouded by love and lights that falsely portray.

No matter what we do or have done, John reminds us,

Our lives are not about us, but Him, and our missteps,

Forgiven, forgotten when we repent,

Sincerity ballooning our hearts and mouths, as we seek,

Forgiveness of others and forgiving ourselves,

Remembering great joy can be disappointing.

Although we claim the joy of the Lord is our strength, we sometimes forget that it is because of His sacrifice that we are saved from ourselves and that is the joy we have in Him. However, He takes great joy in our success when we obey and then when we are tempted beyond our own ability to resist, we are disappointed with us. When we don’t know how to forgive “self” for not heeding warnings, we make matters worse by taking our disappointment out on others.

Let’s heed the warning of God’s Word and all who have our best interest in mind. He gives us warnings to keep us safe from harm and when we do not heed them, we step into the snare set by enemy to create chaos and confusion. Let’s give the devil no place in our lives and kick confusion in the outer realms of Satan’s domain, so he is the only one confused.

There is great joy in serving The Lord and derived from our obedience, but we must take care to do all things according to The Word and not attempt to rely upon our own wisdom. Holy Spirit’s job is to remind us of those things we have been taught, and show us things to come and when we see danger, we must be diligent to warn those in harm’s way. If we see danger and say nothing, the end result is on us; but if we see danger and warn others and they don’t pay attention to the warning, the end result is on them. God’s Word has not changed and will not change and we must learn to hear Holy Spirit or those to whom He has spoken.

When we do what God would have us to do, we will not know–disappointing joy, but joy to the full in Jesus Christ!

Cultural Ignorance! Part I

The diversity of people should be celebrated instead of being used as a benchmark to divide and segregate. What happens when people are ignorant—have no knowledge of anything—is that we create even greater divides—an ever-widening gap—between people when we should be coming together as one race—the human race. And then we wonder why we can’t get along with one another.

If we took the time—and it will take time—to review history and to cultivate our knowledge of each other and the ills of the past in order to keep them from resurfacing, then and only then will we understand the need to stop blaming one group of people for the demise of things and get ourselves together to build instead of tearing down. When we think that the world’s ills are because of one group of people, we deceive ourselves. The problems of our world are not problems caused by White people, Black people, Red people, Brown people or Yellow people. The problems in our world are caused by greedy, needy, and lazy people. And many of the greedy, needy, and lazy use religious banners to justify what they do—in error—or they use what they think is their superiority over others.

Here’s a newsflash—there is no superior race or religion—there are simply people who have chosen to think they are superior by the very nature of their birth or affiliation with others who think they are superior. And while there is no superior group of people, there is also no inferior group of people. We are all in the same boat—living on planet earth—an environment that desperately needs to be overhauled so this planet—the only one in which know has life—can continue to support life for future generations.

Instead of hating one another because of skin color or religious beliefs or nonbelief, why can’t we take the time to get to know one another, share what we know and help one another to grow—increasing awareness of need and perspective based upon how we all view life through the lenses that have been a part of our growth?

For the most part—many Black people do not understand how to amass wealth because we are too busy spending money rather than investing money—in our children and in our futures. We’d rather spend two hundred dollars for a pair of gym shoes than ten dollars for a book. We’d rather look good—spending tons of money beyond our means—than in reading and expanding our knowledge on how the world really works. We’d rather complain about minimum wage jobs than to continue our education in order to obtain the skills we need to live the lives we want. We know nothing about volunteerism because we think we should be paid for every little thing we do. We have our children grow up thinking that someone owes them something, when the reality is no one other than their parents owe them anything, but the parents haven’t figured that out yet and we know this by those who still think, everything they want—should be handed to them.

We complain about White people and how they do things, but we don’t understand that it’s not about how White people do things to accomplish goals, but about people understanding that without goals and purposes and work to accomplish them, nothing ever happens or changes. A quality education makes a huge difference in the perspectives people have in life—knowing that nothing worthwhile is ever simply handed to anyone, but must be earned.

On the other hand—many White people think that Black people are lazy, good-for-nothing, trouble-makers. There are just as many white people who are lazy and good-for-nothing trouble makers as any other group of people. The problem is the perception of any group of people is colored by media coverage—the news, the movies, and the music. If we bothered to take the time to get to know one another, we might discover that underneath the surface lies the same color blood, bone, tissue, marrow, and muscle. Our hearts have the same rhythm (for the most part) and the blood flows in the same direction, carrying oxygen to our brains—allowing us to “think” before we act. We simply choose to have differing opinions and likes and dislikes which should be respected, not abhorred or demeaned. If God had wanted clones—He could have managed that, but He chose to create us uniquely, wonderful, individuals with a purpose designed by Him, not people.

Part II–coming soon!

“Best Seller” Hour Reminder

ON YOUR MARCH, GET READY, GO!  myBook.to/TNT  Between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. every sale matters!

The first 5-star review for this book:

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5Worth the wait- would love to see a series!

ByTammy DreamWriteron April 19, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and I’m so glad I bought it! There were a few minor spelling and formatting errors, but nothing that really made me want to stop reading.I loved how the author used humor to replace swearing, and thought it was a very clever idea. The plot flowed at a snappy place- so snappy that I couldn’t put this book down until it was finished.

Here’s hoping that there will be more books to come!

Love to love you!

The Push for “Best Seller” Hour

I am so excited about the release of my latest book! I’ve already had a 5-star review and it was just released Saturday! My God is awesome!

At any rate, I’m pushing to make the best seller list for sales in one hour–from 6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. EST tonight. The book is selling for .99 and if you would join me in this quest, I’d appreciate it. This is the preliminary announcement of tonight’s event. I’ll send out a reminder around 5:30 EST.

While you’re waiting, go ahead and a look at the preview (Inside on Amazon) myBook.to/TNT

Not too long ago, my husband and I asked God for one million plus readers reading my books. Whatever I write, I have Him in mind–the romances, the mysteries, the fantasies, my blogs, everything. Now, I can see His response to our request coming to pass. If you’re reading them–thank you. If you’re not, God blessings upon you anyway :).

Gotta run to get on with my day. Don’t forget!

Goodreads and Amazon Review!

Seeking entertainment, murder mystery, without bloodshed, no profanity, just envy and a serial killer? Here it is myBook.to/Sword  

Thanks For The Support!

Over a year ago, I was praying my writing and the Lord showed me that He would have 1 + million readers read my books. Well, of course He didn’t share His timeline, but I’m so grateful to those who are hearing Him speak to their hearts and we’re getting closer each day. My God is an awesome God and He is more than able to fulfill His promises to us and through us!

So, for those who are reading my books–Thank you! For those who haven’t–what are you waiting for–you’re missing out on good, wholesome literature–Mystery with no profanity or violence, Christian Romance with no porn, Christian literature clarifying scripture, poetry, and fantasy for kids–I’m writing so there is something for everyone!

Reading–research has shown–increases literacy and for the older generation, helps to allay the onset of dementia or Alzheimer disease.

So, let’s get away from the television and curl up with a good book.

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ/