Friday, May 24, 2019

Book Spotlight: The Heart Changer By Jarm Del Boccio

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Heart Changer  
Author: Jarm Del Boccio  
Publisher: Ambassador International  
Release Date: April 26, 2019  
Genre: Middle Grade Biblical Fiction

Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?

Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness.

Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission far beyond what she could imagine.

This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.




EXCERPT FROM THE HEART CHANGER

Now alone, Miriam climbed onto the lumpy bed padded with straw. Her eyes wandered once more to the high windowsill. She carefully stood on the edge of the bed and reached up to touch the small figure standing still and straight. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The commandment repeated itself in her mind. But what other gods are there? Will You forsake me in this strange new land? Will I forsake You?
            Suddenly, her foot slipped, knocking herself and the idol to the floor with a crash. Miriam’s eyes squeezed shut listening to the swift footsteps heading her way. She held her breath, hoping it wasn’t —
            Rana burst into the room, but stopped short, staring down in horror at the broken image on the unforgiving stone floor.
            WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?“ HER eyes blazed with fire. “How could you? It was NOT yours to touch. Now we are both in trouble with the gods.”
            Miriam attempted to pull herself off the cold surface, and up onto her knees. “I am sorry. Truly sorry. I did not mean to break it. I was curious.”
            “Ha! Doesn’t your God forbid other gods? Isn’t He jealous? Now you are twice in trouble.”
            Miriam wondered how she knew so much about the Hebrew’s Jehovah.
            “Last year we had an Israelite slave boy to serve the master. He didn’t last long.” Rana sneered. “But we got an earful of your strange ways before he departed. And you? How long will you stay? A week? A month?” She derided. “We will see what we can do about that.”
            “I will fix it. I will try.” Miriam reached for the jagged pieces.
            “Don’t touch it. Don’t you dare.” She pointed a long, slender finger at Miriam. “I don’t want your filthy Hebrew hands touching my god.”
            No more words were needed. Miriam flung herself on her bed, with her face to the wall. She listened as Rana hurriedly picked up all the pieces, and stomped out of the room, talking under her breath in harsh tones. A tear found its way through Miriam’s eyelids, squeezed shut from grief. What she wouldn’t give for a hug from her ima, or a pat on the shoulders from abba. Is there no one to love me? Exhausted with these thoughts, she fell fast asleep.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Jarm Del Boccio (‘J’ pronounced as a ‘Y’) finds her inspiration in everyday life, but in particular, when she travels the globe, observing the quirky things that happen along the way. Focusing on lives of characters from the past, Jarm is devoted to breathing new life into the pages of history. 

Jarm has a background in elementary and high school education, and served for seven years as a school librarian. Grateful for the opportunity, she taught three missionary kids in an isolated area of Papua New Guinea. She is part of SCBWI and American Christian Fiction Writers, and has published articles in “The Old Schoolhouse” magazine. 

“The Heart Changer,” her debut MG historical/biblical fiction, released with Ambassador International April 26th 2019. Jarm is content with the journey God has placed her on, and lives with her husband and adult son and daughter (when they are not away) in a tree-lined suburb of Chicago.

CONNECT WITH JARM: Website | Facebook | Twitter


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive 1 print (US only)

AND (1) winner will receive 1 ebook (open internationally except where prohibited by law)  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 20, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm May 27, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


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