Book Spotlight with Jeanette Levellie

Jeanette Levellie is here to celebrate the second edition release of The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul. It's a wonderful book, full of insight and humor that does exactly what it says, nourishes the soul. (Check out my review below.)

As you might have guessed, Jen and I met through blogging, and she's since become a good friend. So I'm excited to help her spread the word about this wonderful book.

Welcome Jen! Can you give us an overview of The Heart of Humor?

By all means! Here is the back cover copy, which took almost as much time and thought to write than the entire book:

Welcome to a vacation from stress, worry, and global whining. Learn the secrets of how laughter can help you:

• Live healthier & longer
• Deepen your relationships
• Trust a God with the sense of humor that gives a 90-year-old lady a baby
  

In her sassy yet down-to-earth style, award-wining author and speaker Jeanette Levellie takes readers on fun trip through 45 short stories with titles like An Outhouse to Celebrate, Confessions of a Jailbird, and Swimsuit Shopping Stress. Accompanying the stories are comical drawings by a professional animator, articles, and lists revealing the superpowers of humor such as Got Pain? Laugh it Away, Everybody Loves Dummies, and Ten Ways to Help Yourself Laugh.

I can vouch for the fact that Heart of Humor is a fun and encouraging read. How did the idea for it come about?

I’d been writing humor columns for a Christian magazine for five years. I had so many on file, I decided to compile the best ones into a book. After writing articles about the benefits of humor and compiling lists of humor quotes and the best funny movies, The Heart of Humor was born. In this second edition, we’ve added 8 cartoons and a new cover, which has a laughing redhead who looks suspiciously like me!

 

Yes...I noticed that - the cover does somehow resemble you. :) What other books have you written? Can you share a bit about them?

Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top, my best seller, is a humorous devotional focusing on God’s bottomless heart of grace. Comical drawings from my son accompany nine of the chapters.

Shock the Clock is a fun time management system that focuses on different personality types. A great feature of this book is the list of time management tips by well-known Christian authors, agents, and editors.

Touchable God, features 25 personal stories about how I developed friendship with God through talking to him. The final 20 chapters are actual prayers for friends in crisis.

Thanks for stopping by, Jen! I know others will be blessed by your books. May you enjoy much success through every facet of your life and writing.

Thank you, Karen!

Find Jeanette 

Website 

Facebook  

Twitter

Pinterest  

Jeanette's Books 

Scoops of Grace  

The Heart of Humor  
Shock the Clock 
Touchable God

 

My Review of The Heart of Humor

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Jeanette Levellie’s gift for humor is evident, and shines through every chapter. Readers will appreciate her down to earth style, and will laugh (maybe cry, too) as she shares personal anecdotes and lessons learned. For example, one of my favorite chapters, “I Love My Hips”, reminds us that our worth goes beyond physical features. Ms. Levellie is the real deal; she understands how important it is to laugh at ourselves and keep a good perspective. I am sure that her wit and wisdom will entertain and lift you up.


Winner

Congratulations to Cecelia Lester! She's the winner of a copy of River to Redemption by Ann Gabhart. Thanks to everyone who stopped by for last week's post and interview. 

Do you think that humor helps us through the hard times? What questions do you have for Jeanette? What are you reading this week?

Happy writing, 

Karen

A Visit with Jeanette Levellie

Jeanette Levellie is here sharing about her new book, Touchable God, FInding the Lord's Friendship Through Prayer. This talented author and speaker has written several books, including The Heart of Humor and Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creatives. 

Jen is warm and funny and has a true heart for encouraging others. I think that she's one of the most genuine people I know. But don't let me sway you, of course. Decide for yourself through her post here. :) She's giving away a copy of Touchable God, so check out the details below.

With Love From Jeanette:

Have you heard the saying, “That sermon really stepped on my toes”? When I wrote my book, Touchable God: Finding the Lord’s Friendship Through Prayer, my own words constantly stepped on my toes. Like the prayer below about plans falling through. How many times have I doubted, cried in anguish, and sighed in despair when my plans fell through, only to find—sometimes much later—that God had a better plan? Aha. 

I hope this prayer helps you believe in the everlasting, bottomless love of your heavenly father for you. Even if it steps on your toes a wee bit. 

When Your Plans Fall Through 

Lord, my friend’s plans were like a towering tree that branched to the heavens, its leaves bright with promise of shade for everyone she knew and some she didn’t know, a glory for You and a joy for her. She believed the roots were formed in the soil of Your heart, of Your vision for her.

She watered her plans with worship to You for all the loveliness this tree would hold. She danced round the trunk as it grew and formed its stately shape. All who loved her rejoiced that it grew stronger and lovelier each year. As its fruit ripened and plumped, many partook of its sweet nourishment.

And now, its branches stare up at her, barren and twisted; its trunk a hollow shell where once a heart had beaten. Her vision is dead, her plans rotted and failed.

Lord, Your thoughts are only good for all Your children. Did my sister miss Your voice? Did she plant her own dreams, mistaking them for Yours? Afraid to blame herself, she’s tempted to blame You. Confusion hounds her soul like branches pounding on windows in an angry storm.

Will You please take her shattered aspirations, the splintered wood from fallen trees, and replace them with truer, straighter saplings from Your heart, dear Grower of perfect plans. Rain the gift of living water upon this new dream, born not of her design, but of Your holy purpose.

Or, if it’s Your will, resurrect her ruined plans, speaking life to the dead, proving You are mightier than death itself. You are life.

Whichever You choose, her times are in Your hand. Show Yourself strong on her behalf so she can dare to dream again, plan Your plans with You, and grow the tree of Your design. Give her hope for her future, a hope that’s rooted and grounded in Your love.

In Jesus’ name, so be it. 

References to Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 31:15; John 11:25; Psalm 89:8 

The above prayer is an excerpt from Jeanette Levellie’s newest book Touchable God: Finding the Lord’s Friendship Through Prayer. 

About Touchable God

“Every Christian longs for an intimate walk with the Lord, talking openly with their Heavenly Father and hearing from Him. Touchable God addresses this longing, helping you find a joy-filled relationship with the Lord instead of a joyless religion. In Section I Jeanette shares stories from her own journey in prayer. Written in her warm and casual style, these candid glimpses into Jeanette's tests and trials will help you believe the Lord's willingness to be involved in every area of your life. Section II consists of Jeanette's bold, often poetic prayers for friends in crisis. You need answers, and the Scripturally-based prayers will help you approach God's throne to find them. Touchable God gives caring friends, family members, and ministry leaders specific prayers for others' needs and guides you in praying for yourself during crises.”  





Jen's Bio

A spunky pastor's wife of forty plus years, Jeanette Levellie has published four books and hundreds of articles, greeting card verses, stories and calendar poems. She authors a weekly humor/inspirational column in her local newspaper, and enjoys speaking to church and civic groups, offering hope and humor in every message. She is the mother of two, grandmother of three, and waitress to several cats. Visit her blog, Hope Splashes.

 
My Review

Through true stories and uplifting prayers, Jeanette Levellie encourages readers, offering hope while illustrating God’s approachable, loving nature. These stories are relatable - I was engaged immediately. The prayers brought others’ needs (as well as my own) to mind, and were the catalyst I needed to begin to pray. This book will be a wonderful resource now and in the future, as it offers a lifeline of comfort and light.

Giveaway Info 

Jeanette is giving away a signed copy of Touchable God to one of my followers in the United States. Kindly note the following:

1) Please comment below, and leave your email address so I can contact you.  

2) I'd appreciate you following Write Now by Google Friend Connect or Facebook (see sidebar).
3) Giveaway ends Thursday, September 15, 2016 at midnight Eastern Time. Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or another name will be chosen.   

How do you handle it when your plans fall through? What are you reading this week?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen