Tuesday, October 9, 2012

BENNY'S ANGEL in CAPE CORAL and NAPLES, FLORIDA 

Saturday, October 13, will be a busy day for Benny's Angel and for me. Between 9 a.m. and noon we will be at the Art and Book Fest at Hampton Inn and Suites located at 619 SE 47th Terrace in Cape Coral, Florida. This is a free event and features a free book for children 3-18. Artists and authors will display their work for sale and authors will be available to sign copies of their books. A children's book reading will take place at 11 a.m.

Saturday afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., join  us for the Local Author Meet & Greet, Part 2 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers Waterside Shops, 5377 Tamiami Trail, Naples, Florida. A number of area authors will be available to chat with visitors and sign copies of their books.

Benny's Angel, the first book in the children's series, God's Secret Garden Adventures, illustrates the importance of prayer. Book 2, Fred D's Amazing Escape, shows the need for obedience. It will be released by Tate Publishing in March 2013. In Book 3, Catie's Secret, children learn why they should not tease or bully. It also will be released in 2013.

Why not consider starting your child off this Christmas with a signed copy of Benny's Angel and later adding the sequels at Easter or for a birthday gift? With Christmas fast approaching, enjoy browsing these events and getting a jump on Christmas shopping!

                                                                                         Laura Allen Nonemaker

Tuesday, October 2, 2012


FRED D'S AMAZING ESCAPE - A FROG'S TALE

Fred D is a determined little frog. I first met him in what I call my “secret garden” as I followed my usual routine of watering my plants. I had left some water in the watering can the day before and decided to use it up. When I tipped the watering can, nothing came out. Oh well, I thought, I guess some leaves are clogging the spout. I grabbed a twig to poke the leaves down and saw two big eyes staring at me. Apparently, a little frog had fallen into the watering can. When it couldn’t get out, it somehow crawled up into the spout.

I decided that the plants didn’t need to be watered right then and ran into the house to get my camera. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a very clear picture of the cute little fellow, but I wanted my husband, Paul, to see him when he got home. When we returned later, the frog was gone.  I guess I scared him so badly that he was determined to get out somehow…and apparently he did.

That’s how I came to write the second book in my children’s series, God’s Secret Garden Adventures. I titled it Fred D’s Amazing Escape. When Fred D (for determined, of course) Frog disobeys and leaves God’s Secret Garden, he almost doesn’t make it back to Promise Pond. Unfortunately for him, he faces more serious dangers than just getting stuck in a watering can. Fred D ultimately learns that obedience is even more important than determination.

Like my first book, Benny’s Angel, which launched in 2011, Fred D’s Amazing Escape is written for children between three and eight. It will be released in March of 2013 and followed soon after by the third book in the series, Catie’s Secret. Each God's Secret Garden Adventure is crafted to entertain young children and at the same time impart sound biblical principles. 

 I’ll tell you about Catie's Secret next time, so tune in.   

                                                          ©2012 Laura Allen Nonemaker  All Rights Reserved

Monday, August 27, 2012



Benny’s Angel Sequels Coming

As I return to my social media activities with this, my first post in several months, I ask myself, “Where did the summer go?” No doubt, others wonder the same thing, especially youngsters heading back to school.

Time has a way of sliding on past us while we are “doing life”. It began to get away from me way back in the spring, when a couple of unexpected hospitalizations and subsequent doctor visits derailed me. Thank God, the outcome was positive and later on, we traveled up north to visit family and friends. We also enjoyed bringing two granddaughters back to Florida for a couple of weeks.

In spite of all this, my creative juices continued to flow in at least one important area of my writing. I am excited to announce that, with God’s help, I completed two more children’s books in my series, God’s Secret Garden Adventures. The first book, Benny’s Angel, released from Tate Publishing in 2011. Book two, Fred D’s Amazing Escape, will launch in April of 2012. The third book, Catie’s Secret, releases shortly after that.

Children, parents, and grandparents alike have delighted in Benny’s Angel and its charming animal characters. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to introducing you to some new animal personalities that will join existing ones in books two and three of God’s Secret Garden Adventures.

                                                                                                     Laura Allen Nonemaker

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Best Benefit Package of All

It was Christmas evening and we had finished a wonderful dinner at my daughter's home.  My grandson, Brandon, was stretched out comfortably in an easy chair with his feet propped up on the oversize ottoman. Reyna, my six-year-old great-granddaughter, nestled in the crook of his arm, obviously enjoying the security and contentment of being close to her daddy.

Meanwhile, the rest of us pitched in to clear up the dishes. That's when Reyna twisted around to where she could see her grandmother and called out, using the German endearment for grandma, "Oma, thank you for making such a good daddy!" I was amused and touched by Reyna's expression of gratitude for the blessing of her daddy's special love and attention. In her young mind, her grandma was the reason she enjoyed the benefit of a good daddy.

Reyna's comment made me think about how important it is to express my gratitude for the benefits I enjoy. I praise God for the many benefits with which He has blessed me, which include a loving family, provision of all my needs, and a church where I can enjoy God-anointed worship and Bible study. But what if some of these benefits were removed? What if I did not have the resources for some of the necessities of daily life. Suppose I could not worship God or read my Bible openly, as in many countries. Would I still be grateful? Would I still praise God if the benefits I enjoy were restricted or withdrawn entirely?

These days, a chaotic economic environment and forces hostile to our values and beliefs threaten the security of our country and the world around us. Many people are depressed and nearing panic over the changes that are taking place and wonder what the future holds for them. They realize that no matter what benefits are offered by the powers that be, they are subject to being changed or eliminated.

In Psalm 103, I have found some benefits that will not be eliminated. They are not dependent on the whims of those who think they know what is best. They were promised and enacted before the foundation of the world by our Creator. These benefits include forgiveness for ALL our sins, no matter how grievous (v.3); healing and deliverance from destructive bondages inflicted by Satan (v.4); the lovingkindness and mercy of our God (v.4); good things that truly satisfy our body and soul (v.5); a renewal of our body, mind, and spirit (v.5).

As we approach Easter, I thank God for the greatest blessing and benefit of all, the gift of eternal life. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for you and me when He hung on the cross and died for our sins. Have you signed up for the best benefit package of all, one that you can enjoy for all eternity? Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart, forgive your sins, and be your Lord and Savior? If not, won't you ask Him now?

                                                                                                 © Laura Allen Nonemaker

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Imagine It!

This coming Thursday, March 15,  I will do a reading of my children's book, Benny's Angel, as part of the Southwest Florida Reading Festival event at The Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers, Florida. Each child will have the opportunity to participate with me during the reading, using character puppets. Also, they may make a puppet to take home with them. The Florida Rep will present a children's performance called The Imaginators and the children can join in guided, hands-on art projects with local artists and meet other local children's authors. This family event runs from 4 pm to 6 pm and is free. A $5 donation is suggested. 




Share this with those you know who have children and grandchildren and visit my website at http://godsgarden.tateauthor.com/




Friday, March 2, 2012

Seaside Surrender

The setting was out of a travel brochure, with waves rolling onto the sun-drenched sand, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and seagulls piercing the air with their shrill cries. It was the annual retreat of the women's ministry at Sundial Resort on Sanibel Island. One hundred women from First Assembly of God, Fort Myers gathered last weekend to reflect, refresh, and connect with God..

The theme this year was "Seaside Surrender" and Pastor Connie had prepared a series of teachings that brought us quickly into the center of what God wanted to do in our lives. She used the amazing chambered nautilus shell to demonstrate what God wanted from us this year. First, she showed us the outside of one of these exquisite shells. Then she held up a cross section of the chambered nautilus, which, true to its name, was divided into many compartments, each progressing in a circle towards the outer opening of the shell.

Pastor Connie explained how the inhabitant of the shell begins as a microscopic sea creature. As it grows, a larger chamber is created to accomodate its size. By the time it outgrows one compartment, a larger one has formed and it moves in. This process continues until it is mature.

A unique characteristic of the chambered nautilus is that each time it moves into a new chamber, the previous one is emptied and sealed shut.That means that it cannot move back into its old residence. It must continue to move forward in its spiraling journey toward completion and freedom.

The chambered nautilus holds a valuable lesson. If we stay mired in regret for the mistakes and pain of the past, we cannot experience living fully and successfully in the present. We are prevented from moving on to the next step in our journey to fulfill the call of God on our life.

Isaiah 43:18, 19 says, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth..." NKJV. Only when we willingly and intentionally surrender the baggage from the past can the Holy Spirit heal our wounded spirits and open up the next "chamber" of our life. Then we are free to move unencumbered toward our destiny in Christ.

As we surrendered our hearts to be cleansed, healed and renewed, God gently moved us to a new place in our walk with Him and we were set free to become the godly handmaidens He desires us to be.

                                                                                       © Laura Allen Nonemaker

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sunny Signing in Fort Myers Beach

Annette Stillson welcomes Laura Allen Nonemaker and Benny's Angel to Fort Myers Beach

Saturday was an ideal day for a book signing in sunny Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Annette Stillson kindly hosted the signing at her shop, Annette's Beach Book Nook, in Santini Plaza. Many of the  friendly people who stopped to investigate my display of Benny's Angel picture books, 3-D books, and T-shirts were escapees from the cold, snow, and rain of northern states.  Happily, sales were good and to top it off, Paul had the privilege of praying with an elderly gentleman who was in Florida to sell his condo due to the critical illness of his wife. It is always a blessing when the Lord allows us to minister in some way, while at the same time making available my little children's book with its timely message of the importance of prayer and trusting God.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Benny's Angel in Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Let Benny lead your little ones on an adventure that teaches them about the importance of prayer!

Event Date: 
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Artist/group: 
 Laura Allen Nonemaker
Artist/group e-mail: 
 lauranonemaker@gmail.com
Annette's Book Nook will host author, Laura Allen Nonemaker, on Saturday, January 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when she introduces her colorful new picture book, Benny's Angel, to the Fort Myers Beach community. Benny's Angel was written for pre-K through early elementary age children and is the first book in the God's Secret Garden Adventure series. Pastor Dan Betzer of First Assembly of God, Fort Myers,author of the Dan and Louie Bible Stories, says of Benny's Angel, "In this charming book, she will take her readers into a garden of flowers, aromas, and beauty. This book will be an asset in the child's spiritual foundation and faith in God." Benny and his animal friends are sure to delight the little ones on your gift list!

Location

Annette's Book Nook
7205 Estero Blvd. # 701, Villa Santini Plaza, Next to Bank of America
Fort Myers BeachFL 33931

:In addition to being at Annette's this coming Saturday, I will be at Ornery Attitude Cafe in Fishermen's Village, 122 W. Retta Esplanade #28 in Punta Gorda, Saturday, February 4, from 1 pm to 3 pm. David Jones has been kind enough to allow me to set up right outside his popular meeting place. If you like Blue Bell Ice Cream and gourmet coffees and latte's, Ornery Attitude is the place to be...and they claim to be able to change the most ornery attitude out there!

Fishermen's Village is an upscale shopping arcade and resort with an island flavor. Drop in and visit me at Dave's place and check out the mall before you leave!