Help us spread the word about this upcoming release and get a promotional opportunity for yourself too!

It's a Book Party for The Untold Legend: The Warrior Queen

We are having a book party August 1st to celebrate the romantic fantasy novel The Untold Legend: The Warrior Queen and you are invited!

Just click this link BOOK PARTY. Since it's a Facebook party you can even attend in your pajamas no one will know but us! :) The party starts at 7pm EST until 8pm EST. Oh, did I mention there will be giveaways too? That's right, after all what's a party without prizes?

Amy I. Long, author of The Untold Legend: The Warrior Queen will be there as well to talk to fans and answer any questions you might have about her book and writing. So what are you waiting for click on that link up there and join the event so you don't miss out on any of the fun!

About the book 

Voda of Monarch never once believed she would end up as a queen. Now she must choose a husband, but she cannot because her heart belongs to Keldrick, the king of the faraway land of Ameri. A marriage between these two would be unsuitable, almost impossible.

Voda is thrown into a dangerous situation and is rescued by her heart’s desire. But their forbidden passion for each other must be denied. Keldrick promises only one night of passion, then he separates himself from temptation. Voda, being a warrior, faces many battles that only bring her closer to her beloved Keldrick.

How dangerous could a marriage between these two desperate souls be? The two struggle through cruelties and war only to discover that, in the end, love conquers all in this untold legend.

About Amy I. Long

Amy I. Long was raised in Sanford, Florida. She is working toward a bachelor's degree in molecular biology

and hopes to apply that knowledge to the field of disease control. She loves watching sci-fi movies, reading historic romance novels, studying history, medical botany, and astronomy.

Visit Amy's Website QueenVoda.com

Get your copy of this romantic fantasy 

Amazon

BAM

Barnes & Noble 

And don't forget to visit JLBCreatives.com for more great reads and coming authors! 

Encourage your child to read with Sydney Finds a Job

In Sydney Finds a Job, children follow Sydney as she tries to find a job that's right for her. Through humor, she tries several different jobs that just don't work out, but she finally finds one she loves helping children read.

Sydney Finds a Job is more than just a book. Sydney is a real dog with a real job, helping children learn to read. The Australian Shepherd/Chow mix was adopted from a no-kill animal shelter by author Thom Battisto about two years ago.

Sydney was trained and earned accreditation as a therapy dog and visits nursing homes to bring a bit of furry joy to the residents' lives. She also visits schools, libraries, and events to educate children about the human treatment of animals. Sydney’s favorite part of these visits is when the children are given the chance to read to her.

First Lady Laura Bush had this to say after receiving a copy of the book:

“Dear Shari and Thom,

Thank you...for your work with the Read to Sydney Foundation and for sharing Sydney with others.”

Sydney Finds a Job will delight early readers as well as older children and inspires a joy of reading in all ages. Sydney Finds a Job is also available in a Spanish-language version Sydney Encuentra un Trabajo

Where to buy your copy! 

Books-a-Million

Barnes & Nobel

Amazon

About the authors:

Shari Shaw Todd grew up in a small town that gave seed to big dreams of being an author. Co-writing this book with Mr. Battisto has helped her make two dreams come true: now she gets to be involved with kids and animals. Ms. Todd is currently dreaming up ideas for other books in the “Read to Sydney” series. Look for them to follow.

Thom Battisto was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in the Chicago suburbs. He is now a Florida resident and is a passionate advocate of animal rights. He has adopted several shelter dogs and has volunteered at a local shelter. Wanting to do even more, Thom and other supporters started the nonprofit organization called “Read to Sydney.” This is Thom's first book.

Find out more about the Read To Sydney Foundation 

ReadtoSydney.org

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Keep up with all the great books already on the shelf and soon to be released by JLB Creatives Publishing at:

JLBCreatives.com

Facebook Twitter @jlbcreatives 

Thursday Prompt: Superheroes

This week we're going to have a bit of fun playing with superhero fantasy.  Create an original superhero using the questionnaire below. Then write a story introducing your hero or heroine to the world with a minimum word count of 500 words.

The Mighty Isis

Superhero/heroine Questionaire

Name:
Species: (human, alien, animal and so on)
From: (from earth or another planet or plane of existence?)
Superpower/s:
How did they get their power/s?
Do they have a base of operations? ie the Batcave
Are they part of a group?
Do they have an alias?
Do they hold a day job as their alias?
What is their weakness? ie Superman's Kryptonite


There you have it a short formula for creating a superhero/heroine. Now get busy saving the world or universe! :) Need a little inspiration or a place for ideas? Try here the Superhero Database

28 Months of Heaven and Hell, one man's tribute to his brother's gift of service.

28 Months of Heaven and Hell is a historical fiction novel set in WWII pacific campaign. What sets this book apart from others about the era is the story behind it.

"I'll tell you someday..." Those were the words spoken from a Navy shipman to his younger brother after returning home from 28 months of war. That day finally came just a little over a year ago. Carl Young began to write his younger brother daily emails about his adventures aboard the DE-416 USS Melvin R.Nawman.

Carl's younger brother began to put this treasured diary together and write a fictionalized version that will make you cheer, laugh, cry, and maybe even grip your chair anxiously. Through the eyes of these two young men, you will relive their lives during the war. What it was like to enlist and leave behind a sweetheart and family for the young seaman. To live through a typhoon, enemy attacks, and shore leave shenanigans. What it was like to be the kid left behind during one of the most iconic wars in history. A family holding on to hope that it will end soon and their son and brother will be home again.

28 Months of Heaven and Hell by JD Karns available at most retailers or get your copy at the links below.

Barnes & Noble  Amazon  Books A Million Scribd

Thank you to Carl Young and all those who have and do serve to protect our country and freedom. 

For more about this book and other great reads for all ages visit our website JLBCreatives.com

Read and sing along with Miss Amy's Rhyme Time Collection

“Miss Amy's Rhyme Time” collection is full of whimsical original rhymes and art by the multi-talented Amy Sellers. This book will delight the entire family; it’s one you'll love to read again and again with kids and grand kids.

There are four books in “Miss Amy’s Rhyme Time” collection.
Book one: Snorts, Paws, Tails & Claws!
Book two: Cats & Mice, Twice as Nice!
Book three: Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops?
Book four: Whooo's Coming to Dinner?

In addition to the books, the rhyming stories from each book have been put to music and recorded on CDs. All songs are composed and performed by Amy’s son, Asa Sellers. They are available for sale in Amy Sellers’ Art Gallery or through her website amysellersart.com.

Where can you find these fabulously fun books? 
Amazon
BAM
Barnes & Noble
Scribd 

And other retailers in both print and ebook formats!

About Amy Sellers 

Amy has been inspired to create art her entire life. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 1987 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. In 2002, Amy became interested in creating children's books. She was inspired to help her son and many other children diagnosed with Autism. In October 2011, she opened her first retail art gallery, Amy Sellers Art Gallery in Mount Dora, Florida. 

She can still be found in her gallery creating realistic, impressionistic, or whimsical art for all to see. The Amy Sellers Art Gallery is located in The Renaissance Building at 411 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, Florida.

Where can you find Amy on the web? 

Website 

Facebook

Amazon Author Page 

Author's Den

JLBCP Author Page 

28 Months of Heaven and Hell available in Ebook!

28 Months of Heaven and Hell by JD Karnes is a WWII historical fiction novel based on the diaries of Carl Young who served abored the escort vessel DE-416 USS Melvin R.Nawman.  Experience everything from the great typhoon of 1944 to Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and from the atom bomb to the signing of the treaty that ended the Second World War. It is an emotional roller coaster ride between the onboard action and the family back home. The realism of not only the war but also the era has been captured with expertise.

In real life Carl's younger brother, Charles, longed to hear his big brother's WWII story. When Carl returned from the war he promised his little brother that someday he would tell him all about it. That day came recently when Charles began receiving journal entries from Carl via emails, totaling 168. Both Carl and Charles are excited to have their story turned into a historic novel. Both brothers are still living; they share the dream of holding a published copy of Carl's story in their hands before being called to Heaven. Carl resides in Arizona, and Charles resides in Florida.

Experience this part of history that changed so many lives but one sailor's in particular.

Now available in Ebook and Paperback!

Discover more great reads for all ages at the JLBCreatives.com 
Authors JLB Creatives Publishing is open of submissions! Find guidelines and our submission form on the website listed above!

Cover Reveal! Planet Water: Draugar of the Abyss

JLB Creatives Publishing is proud to reveal the cover for the next adventure in the Hidden Earth Series, Planet Water: Draugar of the Abyss by author Janet Beasley. Coming in early 2015!

About Planet Water: Draugar of the Abyss
In Volume three of the Hidden Earth Series Arrowanna is summoned by SUL on her 16th birthday to become The Carrier of Planet Water’s element. She boards an enchanted tall ship and her journey begins. The quest takes her above and beneath the waves, sails her to places such as the Island of Opposites, lands her in the midst of an underwater battle, and even leads her into the icy caves of the abyss. She finds love, but the pressure of her new love’s request causes her to doubt her ability of ever becoming The Carrier she knows she must be.

A few of your favorites from Maycly, including Iona, join in the action with Arrowanna and her friends. Twists, turns and danger abound in this fast-paced adventure that is delicately woven with hints of Old Norse and Icelandic Mythology.

Will the quest be too much for Arrowanna? Will she cast her destiny to the wind for the sake of love? Set sail with her on this mystical adventure, but… Beware the Draugar!


About Janet Beasley

Janet Beasley, author of The Hidden Earth Series (a six volume series), is successfully carving her niche` in
the YA fantasy genre. Even the young at heart are enjoying the escape her writing style presents. Her long term goals include landing The Hidden Earth Series with Scholastic and on Accelerated Reader lists, as well as bringing it to the big screen and/or developing a TV series of adventures. Her ultimate goals remain disclosed to the public at this time, but rest assured, Janet is not afraid to dream big. . .OK, ginormous!

Janet's debut novel, Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy, raised to the top 3 positions in its genre on Amazon, and even landed ahead of the Hunger Games. Maycly the Trilogy is being considered for classroom applications and being placed on national reader lists such as Macaroni Kid and YALSA.

Janet is one whom media pros have found to be quite a treat. She is not camera shy, and enjoys speaking to large groups. She has been interviewed through pod casts regarding her authorship on programs such as Judyth Piazza's Student Operated Press, and J Blair Brown's Livin' the Dream. Janet will spoke at the Florida Authors and Publishers Association fall convention in 2014. She and her husband have appeared in TV commercials, spread ads, and international conferences, and have done several radio spots as characters or themselves.

Janet is multi-talented when it comes to her creativity. She excels in technical theater, multi-media, audio visual, has developed a training center and its curriculum for AV technicians. She has produced and directed theatrical productions, and served as a theater lighting and special effects technician. She has written fiction - non-fiction – stage plays - and an autobiography. She has crafted award winning poetry, and been published in trade specific magazines. Janet enjoys the outdoors by kayaking and hiking with her husband, and photographing nature. She also loves animals (dogs are her favorite), spending time with her family, and baking cupcakes.

Find Janet on the web
Website
Facebook
Twitter 
G+
Pinterest

Planet Water: Draugar of the Abyss coming early 2015 

from JLB Creatives Publishing

Discover books for all ages at JLBCreatives.com

Reader gives 28 Months of Heaven and Hell 5 Stars!

About 28 Months of Heaven and Hell 
J.D. Karns' historical novel is based on the actual journal kept by Carl Lee Young while he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the escort vessel DE-416 USS Melvin R. Nawman. Karns has brilliantly woven Carl's journal entries together with fiction to create an entertaining, breathtaking, and highly factual account of the war from a sailor's point of view. 

Experience everything from the great typhoon of 1944 to Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and from the atom bomb to the signing of the treaty that ended the Second World War. It is an emotional roller coaster ride between the onboard action and the family back home. The realism of not only the war but also the era has been captured with expertise. In real life Carl's younger brother, Charles, longed to hear his big brother's WWII story. When Carl returned from the war he promised his little brother that someday he would tell him all about it. 

That day came recently when Charles began receiving journal entries from Carl via emails, totaling 168. Both Carl and Charles are excited to have their story turned into a historic novel. Both brothers are still living; they share the dream of holding a published copy of Carl's story in their hands before being called to Heaven. Carl resides in Arizona, and Charles resides in Florida. Both are still happily married and, through emails and phone calls, enjoy keeping each other informed of their day-to-day lives.

5 Star Reader Review! 
Absolutely loved this book!
While reading about Chester's decision to enlist and the hard times he went thru while serving, it also gave me the loving feeling that his little brother Jeb held for him. At home Jeb was the strong little soldier for his family, at war Chester was the strong soldier to battle thru the emotional sightes, smells and sounds. I cried over the changing relationship of father and son (priceless). Sue turns out to be a very smart women in making the decision on waiting for Chester to come home. ;)
 C. R. Collier

Were to get your copy of 28 Months of Heaven and Hell
Amazon
Barnes & Noble 
Books-A-Million

About JD Karns 
Author J.D. Karns is an 82 year old man who says you're never too old to start something new, so he became an author.


For a great read, head over to JLB Creatives.com  Authors we are open for submissions of most manuscripts click the link and go to the submissions guidelines to find out more.

Five Stars for Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops?

Another 5 star review for Miss Amy's Rhyme Time Collection by the multi-talented Amy Sellers.

Review
Book three in Miss Amy’s Rhyme Time Collection, Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops? will put a smile in your heart as well as on your face. Amy Sellers both writes and illustrates this collection of children’s poems that reach a little bit deeper than most. Not only do Amy’s rhymes ask the question about angels, but they also take young readers into the numerous possibilities that exist in the animal kingdom and other parts of God’s creation. In addition to these explorations, Amy explores prayer and finding comfort and strength through very simple words. All of Amy’s poems can also be put to music, giving the reader three different dimensions to enjoy.

Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops? is beautifully illustrated in bright, vibrant colors that brighten anyone’s day. Amy Sellers is not only brilliant as an illustrator, but the simple, yet profound words of her poems are a great way for a young reader to begin to see God as a powerful, yet loving being. With the full spectrum of colors, rhyming and music, Amy and her gang have made this and the other books of her series impossible to stay away from. I must say that I was completely fascinated by her art work and felt that it would stand alone and make the same poetic statements. Yet the simple verses added just enough to tease a young reader’s imagination. Brilliant, colorful and simple, Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops? is an essential addition to any child’s library, no matter what age they are.

About Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops? 
Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops? is book three in the "Miss Amy's Rhyme Time" collection and is full of whimsical original rhymes and art by the multi-talented Amy Sellers. This book will delight the entire family; it's one you'll love to read again and again with kids and grandkids. 

There are four books in "Miss Amy's Rhyme Time" collection. Book one: Snorts, Paws, Tails & Claws! Book two: Cats & Mice, Twice as Nice! Book three: Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops? Book four: Whooo's Coming to Dinner? These books are bright and colorful. The print is large and easy to read for early readers and adults who require larger print. 

In addition to the books, the rhyming stories from each book have been put to music and recorded on CDs. All songs are composed and performed by Amy's son, Asa Sellers. They are available for sale in Amy Sellers' Art Gallery or through her website http://amysellersart.com.

Where you can buy Can Angels Do Loop Dee Loops?  
Amazon
Books-A-Million
Barnes & Noble
And other favorite retailers near you. If this book isn't on the shelf ask for it by name or author at the counter.

Don't forget to check out the other books in Miss Amy's Rhyme Time Collection!


About Amy Sellers
Amy has been inspired to create art her entire life. She graduated from the University of South Florida in

1987 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. In 2002 Amy became interested in creating children's books. She was inspired to help her son and many other children diagnosed with Autism. In October 2011 she opened her first retail art gallery, Amy Sellers Art Gallery in Mount Dora, Florida.

She can still be found in her gallery creating realistic, impressionistic, or whimsical art for all to see. The Amy Sellers Art Gallery is located in The Renaissance Building at 411 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, Florida.


Be sure to join us on November 1st for a Facebook party celebrating these fabulous books! Join the event now for reminders and news then be sure to be there on event night to win some awesome prizes, signed books and two $20 dollar gift certificates for Amy Sellers Gallery! Join the event HERE

For more great books for all ages head over to JLB Creatives.com Authors we are accepting submissions now!

Coming Soon in 2014: Lill and Mewe Journey to the Ocean of Runa

Coming soon to global bookshelves from JLB Creatives Publishing, book two of the Lill and Mewe Series by science faction author Jean E. Lane.

About Lill and Mewe Journey to the Ocean of Runa  
 Book two of the Lill and Mewe series

​

Children of all ages will enjoy the sci-fi adventure Lill and Mewe Journey to the Ocean of Runa. The year is Mars Mission Space Center has established a cadet program. Both Lill and her brother, Merak, are accepted. Merak’s mission sets off with the science team to explore Neptune and one of its moons, Triton. Merak sees something very unusual on Neptune, but no one believes him!

2456MD, Martian time.

The rumors about “Runa,” the guardian of Mars, become more of a reality to Lill as she makes the journey to the Ocean of Runa alone. Lill learns that Runa means, “That which is hidden.” Meanwhile, Mewe, a water cat with webbed feet, is concerned for Lill’s safety and follows her to the ocean. While swimming out too far and too deep, they encounter the dreaded Wicky fish, coming right at them! This can’t be good. Lill’s mission encounters a major problem that the Martians must resolve before they can start their trek to planet Zanda in the Andromeda Galaxy. The trip will take them too long to get there, so they must find a solution. What happens next in this galactic fantasy?

What is science faction? 

Science faction is a blend of science fiction with scientific facts giving readers of all ages a unique reading and learning experience. Science faction is great for readers at home or for the classroom and school libraries. 

Author Jane E Lane

Jean grew up in the once active steel town of Youngstown, Ohio. Since then, she has moved to the Orlando, Florida area and considers this her home. Shortly afterwards, she met and later married her husband Ken; now they have a home just northwest of Orlando.

She studied Journalism at Writers Institute and Finance at Penn State. Most of her life included working in Accounting and Purchasing. Although she liked working with numbers, she knew she had an aptitude for writing at an early age. Jean had poems published in Seacoast Life Magazine, Wide Open Magazine, and was a poetic contributor to The Copy Desk Flash, a school newspaper. Later she signed a contract with Creative Directions as a free-lance writer of verse for greeting cards.

It was her love of science and science fiction that prompted her to write her first children’s novel, “Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars”, the first of her series. Her inspiration came with the birth of her niece Lily and shortly afterwards a nephew, Andrew. As with all children, she wanted them to enjoy reading…and there’s nothing like a good adventure.

Where to find Jean on the web!

Website 

Facebook 

Twitter 

G+ 

Blog 

To discover more great titles available and coming soon from JLB Creatives Publishing visit JLBCreatives.com For authors wishing to submit a manuscript we are currently open for submissions. Visit our submissions and guidelines page here

Visit another planet with Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars

About Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars
Lill and Mewe Series Book One
When Lill, a young Martian girl, receives a telescope for her birthday and locates planet Earth, she and her water cat, Mewe, "borrow" a new spacecraft called the Whisper 5 and travel to Earth, where they meet a girl named Lily. Back on Mars, Lill looks for her brother Merak, who, also on a mission, has lost contact when his warp drive safety failed and may have left the galaxy. Lill later learns Merak was rescued, but by whom? 

As Lill watches Mewe swim race at Frogscry River, where she competes with the other water cats, Lill discovers a glowing orb in the wall of a cave. The orb holds the thoughts of Martians who have died hundreds of years ago, along with ancient wisdom. What will she learn from the orb? Will she find Merak? What are the secrets of the history of Mars? Follow the exciting adventures of Lill and Mewe as they seek answers in a world of advanced computers, androids, and artificial intelligence.


What Readers' Favorite had to say about Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"Lill and Mewe" was written by Jean E. Lane. In this tale we meet Lill and her cat Mewe. While using her new telescope, Lill saw planet Earth. She and Mewe travel to Earth in her father’s space ship. While there they make a friend of an Earthling, Lily. Meanwhile, back on planet Mars, Lill’s brother Merak was in trouble. While on a mission his ship lost warp drive and he had to be rescued. Lil and Mewe’s adventures continue with Mewe in a swim race and Lill finding something beautiful in the wall of a cave. The orbs are very important as they contain the thoughts of Martians from long, long ago. The orbs are filled with important information about advance technologies. 


I enjoyed the way the author mixed fact and fiction to create a book that will teach and entertain at the same time. The author has created a language for Martians which is a bit different from what we speak on Earth but it is very understandable. I think my favorite character in this book is Mewe, the cat. We wonder what fun it would be If all our pets could talk with us. This charming book will encourage children to like science; they will learn about planets, stars and moons. This book will work well for children in the 2nd grade through 6th grade. The illustrations are cute and add much to the plot.

Where can you buy Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars? 
Amazon
Books-a-Million
Barnes & Noble
And other retailers. If Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars aren't on the shelf just request it at the counter.

About the author Jean E. Lane

Jean E. Lane is originally from Youngstown, Ohio. She now lives in Orlando, FL with her husband Kenneth, their energetic dog Prancer, and two curious cats: Muffy and Abby.

She has worked most of her life in logistics, financial accounting, and purchasing. Her true interest lies in the almost believable aliens of the classic science fiction stories she enjoyed growing up.

Skygazing is a hobby which led her write her first children's novel, Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars, the first of the Lill and Mewe series. 

She uses math, science, discovery, learning, humor, and adventure in her books. But don't be scared...the math and science are great for kids ages 8 -12. Adults appreciate the content being that her writing style is highly entertaining while delivering facts so their children so they can learn while having fun.

Get inspired with A Life Renewed by Lisa Andrews

About A Life Renewed: 
In 1995 twelve-year-old Lisa was diagnosed with AML leukemia. Two years later, after many chemotherapy treatments, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant, Lisa returned to "normal" life. She had maintained a positive attitude throughout the treatment process, but with each new chronic illness, Lisa became more and more bitter and resentful.

In 2003 Lisa finally realized this and began a healing process. She relived her past experiences by keeping a journal and talking to God about what was really going on at the time, sharing her honest thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. In doing so Lisa found freedom from the bitterness, anger, and doubt which had gradually set in and taken over her life, faith, and relationships.

The ten years she recounts in this book are marked by sicknesses and struggles, but ultimately Lisa's story is one of healing, which gives hope to those of us who are still suffering.

Available through most retailers in Print and Ebook 

About author Lisa Andrews:
Lisa holds a BM in Vocal Music Education and a MA in Ethnomusicology. She enjoys learning about other cultures. She and her husband, Charles enjoy cooking, listening to music, writing music, and spending time with friends and family. They hope to author additional books in the near future.


A Life Renewed Excerpt: 
Chapter 1
TRYING TO ERASE GOD FROM MY LIFE
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in
your minds because of your evil behavior." Colossians 1:21


In sixth grade I thought everything in my life was
lining up perfectly. I had finally become great friends with
some of the most popular girls at school. I was a part of the
“in crowd,” which was something I had longed for
since first grade. I had to make a few sacrifices along the
way, but at that point in time it was all worth it. I stopped
respecting my parents and started swearing. Actually, I
tried to insert profanities into as many sentences as I could.
I never swore around my family, only at school and
with friends. Now all I needed to feel complete was a cute
boyfriend.


My attendance at church slipped, too. I didn’t really
like any of the church kids. In my opinion they were
dorky, and I did not want to be associated with them. We
were in completely different places in life. I became a
Christian when I was five, but it didn’t mean anything to
me. Basically God wasn’t a part of my life anymore, and
I was getting along fine. I couldn’t tell the kids at school
about being a Christian…Christian kids were nerds, and I
didn’t want to be identified with them. Plus, I had changed
a lot since I was five. I was no longer a nerdy little
Christian. I was a mature preteen who had figured out the
truth about life. I could handle everything on my own, so
what was the point of going to church? Periodically I
would go to church. I made sure I had all of the books of
the Bible memorized in order, both the Old and New
Testaments. This helped me hide my true spiritual condition.
I couldn’t let any of them know that I had changed.
As far as anyone knew, I was just like all of them: a nice little
Christian girl who thought being a Jesus freak was more
important than popularity.


The reality was that my priority was popular, and I
would give up ANYTHING to be one of the popular girls.
Not only was I popular, but I was also doing well in
basketball. I was a starting forward on the A team. I won
the award for Best Bank Shot. I was talented at the
piano, too, but that wasn’t something to flaunt. Athletes
were cool, not musicians.


I took pride in a lot of things in life: my basketball
stats, my mature friends, and my new “mature” language.
But while everything was perfect on the surface, I
wasn’t the most content person on the inside. I was a very
angry, defensive kid. Deep down I didn’t like my new
way of life, but it was what I had to do. I felt very evil
inside, but I didn’t want to go back to being a nerd. I
remember getting so frustrated on the basketball court that I
would be in tears—not because of the game but because I
felt awful about some of the things I said to girls on the
other team.


And I started having some physical problems, too. I
was acquiring a lot of large bruises all over my body, but
I couldn’t remember where they came from. One time my
sixth grade homeroom teacher asked me, “Why do you
have so many bruises all the time?” I jokingly replied,
“Oh, my dad beats me with a stick.” She didn’t find it very
comical, but I honestly didn’t know where they came from.
And it wasn’t just the bruises. I would get this pounding in
my head all the time. I would walk across the street after
getting off the bus, and my head would start pounding. I
could literally hear my heartbeat. And then, if I would get
up from sitting down, I would start seeing spots, as if I
were going to black out. Sometimes I would black out for
a couple of seconds. It was really odd. Finally, it got to the
point where I mentioned something to my mom. She said,
“Well, if you really think it’s bad enough, I’ll take you to the
doctor. But just to warn you, they’ll probably have to do a blood
test.” The thought of needles and blood made me want to faint.


So I decided to wait and see if my conditions improved.
After all, I was always considered the “wimpy” one in the
family and I didn’t want to overreact again. As time went on,
however, my symptoms worsened. I distinctly remember one
basketball game in particular. We were scrimmaging against the
B team, and I was going up for the shot when a girl elbowed me
in the mouth. I remember thinking, God, I can’t stand her! Then
everyone looked at me in fear, and one of my teammates screamed,
“Lisa, your mouth is bleeding!” I put my hand up to my mouth
and it was covered in blood. I ran into the locker room, crying
because I thought I was going to pass out. I grabbed some
paper towels and collapsed on the bench.


My mom came in and said, “Wow, you must’ve gotten hit
really bad.” Actually, I did not get bumped very hard. And
it was a relatively painless injury. But my mouth bled for
at least ten minutes before it finally stopped. I had to miss
the rest of the game.


A couple of weeks later, our school had a natural gas
leak, and we were released from school early. Volleyball
tryouts were canceled, so I had a free day. I was planning
on getting together with some of my friends and going to
the mall. When I got off the bus, my head was pounding so
loudly I could barely hear the bus drive away. I came
inside and said, “Mom, I think it’s time to go to the
doctor.” So we made an appointment for 4:00 that evening.
I had no idea that this doctor visit would drastically change
my life forever.