“Hello, everyone,” she said, slipping in the door and tossing her purse on the cupboard.

“Where have you been?” they asked her. “You’re later than you said you would be.”

“Well, I’ve been writing and revising and picking and pickling and baking and blanching and listening and living and being a mom and being pregnant…all very necessary items of business, I assure you.”

They shrug. “Okay, I guess. We were busy anyway. Any news?”

“Well…actually…” she casually pulls a thing from behind her back. “This just came out. Wanna look?”

And so we introduce (drum roll please) ROSANNA in the Middle!

This story is based on my mom’s childhood, as The Arrowhead was based on an incident from my dad’s childhood. In case any of you don’t know about the first children’s book I wrote, here both of them are together. I love having a sort of a set–one about my dad and one about my mom.

A sweet lady named Laura picked up an early copy of Rosanna in the Middle at Christian Light’s bookstore, and here’s what she had to say about it:

 I was quickly skimming through until I reached those last two pages, and I just want to say – the ending of that book is absolutely brilliant. Every so often I read a book that I wish I had written, and now that’s one of them. Such a beautiful way to tie everything together and leave a child with the vision of also being a part of that line of Christians. . . Thank you.

You can see further samples from Rosanna in the Middle on CLP’s website, and order your own copy.

I’ll be back next week with an update from my life. :)

The post Introducing Rosanna in the Middle appeared first on Lucinda J Kinsinger.

Believe it or not, Turtle Heart turns 1 year old today. I don’t think I could have thought of a better birthday gift for her than winning a Golden Scroll award. She took third place in the memoir category.

I want you to buy a copy of Turtle Heart. Not because she won an award, but because I want to start honest discussions among God’s people about subjects we are often reluctant to talk about. I want to open a door to nonbelievers to think about who God is and where he is, which is not far from every one of us.

A few people have told me Turtle Heart gave them insight on sharing Jesus with others. Others said it made them uncomfortable, but in a good way–that it opened their eyes to their own prejudices.

From Turtle Heart, you will gain:

• Deepened understanding of Mennonite and Ojibwa cultures.
• Courage to ask the hard questions and to think unconventionally.
• The sense that a simple faith in God is more powerful than any religious dogma.
• Insight on how to share Jesus and grace to SEE Jesus in OTHERS.
• Hope, in a fractured world, that love can span gaps and heal wounds.
• A story of two flawed and beautiful women—of confusion and revelation, hairpins and hangovers, separated seating and nunny-bunny schools—that will settle in your memory for a lifetime.

You can buy a copy of Turtle Heart on Amazon for $15. OR, in honor of Turtle Heart’s birthday, you can buy 2 autographed copies from me, one for you and one to give to a friend, for $20. Maybe that friend you get into deep discussions with. Maybe that friend you want to show Jesus.

This offer ends Thursday, August 18.

As always, shipping when you buy from me is $2/book. (I can’t offer free shipping like Amazon, but I do defray the cost). U.S. addresses only.

Send $24 to my PayPal account (lucindajkinsinger@gmail.com) Be sure to tell me your address!

OR put a check in the mail to Lucinda Kinsinger, 8018 Garrett Hwy, Oakland, MD 21550, along with a note to my email (lucindajkinsinger@gmail.com) that your check is on the way.

I will send you two books with a grateful heart.

Let’s keep talking about the hard things, and let’s keep sharing Jesus.

The post 1-Day Birthday Sale appeared first on Lucinda J Kinsinger.

Several weeks ago, I announced that Turtle Heart was going on a blog tour and today I am here to announce that Anything But Simple is also headed out the door on a celebration tour! Okay, actually the tour already started on Saturday, and I am just now making the announcement. But there is still plenty of time for you to read all the reviews if you so desire and to enter the giveaway for a copy of the book plus a $25 Amazon gift card.

Anything but Simple: My Life as a Mennonite was the first book I published, and ironically, the simplest of them, as far as its journey to publication. Herald Press was a really lovely publisher to work with and gave me such a nice introduction to the publishing world. Recently, at my request and in honor of this blog tour, they’ve published an e-book version of Anything But Simple. If you are an e-book fan, check it out and buy from Amazon!

Here are a few things earlier readers have told me about Anything But Simple:

 “It’s not a large massive thing.  Instead it gets quickly down into you and starts its work on you to focus on God in all that you do and to include God in all that you.”

“Though we have never met, I consider you a friend because your book, Anything But Simple, is one of my best friends.

“Your story is very moving and so honestly told.”

“I read and reread your book and was intrigued by your story.”

Anything But Simple will be reviewed by each of the following bloggers. Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Texas Book-aholic, April 2

A Reader’s Brain, April 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

Inklings and notions, April 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 5

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 5

She Lives To Read, April 6

deb’s Book Review, April 7

A Melodious Sonnet, April 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 10

The Avid Reader, April 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 11

Rebecca Tews, April 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 12

Sodbuster Living, April 13

Boondock Ramblings, April 13

Vicky Sluiter, April 14

For Him and My Family, April 14

Spoken from the Heart, April 15

P.S. In the photo above, Annalise isn’t REALLY holding up the book with a giant hand…that’s a clever illusion of ours. ;-)

The post Anything But Simple Goes On Tour! appeared first on Lucinda J Kinsinger.

Today Turtle Heart goes on tour. (She’s just heading out the door in the photo above.) You can read reviews at the blog stops I’ve posted below from today through March 18 and if you like, join the giveaway over at Celebrate Lit.

Please consider sharing this opportunity with your friends and social media followers, either by sharing individual reviews or by sharing the link to Turtle Heart Celebration Tour page over at Celebrate Lit.

This might be a good time to thank all of you who took time to leave reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. Those reviews are so important! I am grateful.

Also, I rejoice to tell you that Turtle Heart is a finalist in the 2022 Selah Awards. There were 440 entries split among various categories this year–more than in any previous year–so I am doubly grateful to be among the four finalists for memoir.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 5

A Reader’s Brain, March 6

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

All-of-kind Mom, March 8

Lots of Helpers, March 9

A Melodious Sonnet, March 9

Inklings and notions, March 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 12

deb’s Book Review, March 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 14

For Him and My Family, March 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 17

Mary Hake, March 17

By the Book, March 18

The post Turtle Heart celebration Tour Announcement! appeared first on Lucinda J Kinsinger.

During a visit to my family in Rusk County, Wisconsin, I plan to participate in several book events promoting Turtle Heart. I look forward to talking about my friendship with Charlene in the place where both of us grew up and to connecting with the rich and supportive community of readers in Rusk County.

If you live in or near Rusk County, please come by!

Book Talk and Signing at the Toad House

Thursday, November 18, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Come by the Toad House in Ladysmith the evening of Thursday, November 18, and enjoy a reading and discussion of Turtle Heart. Book signing to follow, with an opportunity to buy a copy if you like. Treats and hot cider provided by Toad House.

Open House at Miller’s Country Bookstore

Friday, November 19, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Come to Miller’s Country Bookstore on Marshall Road the afternoon of Friday, November 19, for snacks, a chance to chat, and the opportunity to purchase a discounted copy of Turtle Heart. This is my parents’ bookstore, and they always offer all their books at a 15% discount, so it’s a great place to buy books in general.

Hope to see you in Rusk County!

And I’ll give you one more picture, just for fun. THIS is the little miss I get to show off to my family a week from now. She’s taken to playing with her toes and even holds her little bottom up for me, one fist yanking up each foot, when I change her diaper.

P.S. If you haven’t read Turtle Heart yet, remember, you can order on Amazon or Barnes & Noble or get an autographed copy directly from me by contacting my email address at lucindajkinsinger@gmail.com.

If you have read Turtle Heart, please leave an honest rating or review on Amazon or Goodreads. I would greatly appreciate it!

The post Come to these Book Events in Rusk County, Wisconsin appeared first on Lucinda J Kinsinger.