Women of Faith Writing Contest Winner Releases

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

Phoenix writer wins Women of Faith Writing Contest – Now Available on Amazon

Phoenix, AZ – Christian writer Giselle Aguiar’s first novel, Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century, won second prize in the 2011 Women of Faith Writing Contest sponsored by Westbow Publishers (a division of Thomas Nelson).

Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century is an historical romantic adventure set in Puteoli, Italy, in AD 69, a few years after the Apostle Paul arrived there on his last trip to Rome. (Acts 28:11-14)

Claudia, 20-year-old daughter of the Roman magistrate, is invited by her cousin, Paolo, to a clandestine meeting of a Christian church. There she meets and falls in love with Anthony, the son of a local merchant, and a leader in the church.

Unbeknownst to Claudia, her father, Marcus, has betrothed her to his middle-aged assistant, Darius. Meanwhile, her aunt Aurelia returns from 30 years of service as a Vestal Virgin hoping to marry her childhood sweetheart, Darius. At Aurelia’s welcome-home party, Marcus announces the betrothal, shocking everyone including Claudia.

Betrothed to a man she doesn’t love, in love with a man her family would disapprove of, told that the gods she grew up believing in are false, Claudia learns to seek and follow God’s Will while coping with her tyrannical father’s plan for her future.

The fact-based, historical setting details the lives of Roman nobility, their pagan beliefs, their homes, culture, mythology, a Roman wedding, the baths, government, and the eruption of Vesuvius and its aftermath. It provides a look into the early Christian church – where the people met, what they did, how they converted pagans and how the early church developed. There is also a fictionalized account of the Apostle Paul’s visit.

Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century is the first in The Christian Centuries series. Each story takes place in successive centuries, focusing on pivotal points in Christian history. “I am a seeker, on a journey, seeking a more intimate relationship with God.” Aguiar states. “As I seek, I find stories – stories that need to be told – messages of love from God directed through my words to be shared with the world.”

Deo Volente! won a full self-publishing package from Westbow Publishers and may be purchased in paperback and hardcover formats from Ms. Aguiar’s website: www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1 and now available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other outlets and also as an ebook for Kindle and Nook and other ereaders. Subscribe to the author’s email list to be informed of availability, special events and book signings. Discounts for churches and bookstores are available from WestBow Press. Visit the novel website for details. 

With the extensive research Ms. Aguiar did for the novel, she has become an expert in the Roman Empire and early Christian Church History. She is preparing several presentations for various types of groups. Visit her website for details and booking information.

One dollar from the sale of each book benefits Streetlight Phoenix to help combat child rape for profit.

Ms. Aguiar is available for media interviews, and her final galleys are available for review in pdf format. Please contact Ms. Aguiar at icreate@yahoo.com.

Paperback: ISBN: 9781449718282

Hardcover:  ISBN: 9781449718305

ebook: ISBN: 9781447118299

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Soon, very soon!

I thought I’d have it by now, but the publishing process takes time. It was cool to see the galley proofs of the cover and the inside of the book. The final is approved and submitted and I should have an “author’s copy” in about 2 weeks.As soon as I approve the final, then it will be available through the publisher’s site and in the major outlets (Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, etc.) 2 weeks after that.

Once the regular book is printed, then they create the ebook.

I will soon have bulk prices then I’ll start contacting local churches with bookstores.

My first book signing will be at my church, stay tuned for details!

Please go to the Facebook page and “Like” it to have a chance to win a signed hardcover copy! 

God Bless!
Giselle Aguiar
Award-Winning Christian Author
www.giselleaguiar.com  

It’s Not Too Much to Hope For — An End to Slavery in the World

$1 from the sale of each book benefits StreetLight Phoenix

Updated: 11/13/11

…“In heaven we’ll be all equal in God’s kingdom. Here in the Roman Imperium, there are still slaves and masters.”

“If it were up to me, I would free all our slaves.” As she said that, Claudia looked up to see Anthony standing next to her smiling.

“Hello, Claudia, you’ve learned quickly. I believe there will come a time when there will be no more slavery in this world.”

“Is that too much to hope for?” she asked him.

“No, Claudia, it’s not. If we work to spread the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, people will start to change the way they live. I’ve seen it already. Many Romans who joined the church gave their slaves their freedom.” … (from Deo Volente! [God Willing] the soon-to-published novel)

Author’s Note

This passage stood out for me as I reread the novel in preparation for publication. I wrote it years ago and since then, I’ve become aware of the gruesome fact that slavery still exists in the world – more now than ever before. Even in the city where I live – Phoenix, Arizona.

It’s child rape for profit. Girls – average age of 13 – are enticed, captured, branded and forced into prostitution.

When the pimps are caught, these girls had no where to go until Streetlight Phoenix came into existance. It’s a safehouse where police can take these girls and they get help, rehabilitation, education, counseling and spiritual guidance. Some have children. Some are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Some are malnourished. All are traumatized. All get help.

Streetlight Phoenix is a non-profit organization and it’s model is being replicated in cities across the nation. It’s not too much to hope for – help stop child rape for profit – modern-day slavery.

One Dollar from the sale of each book, no matter what format, will be donated to Streetlight Phoenix. 

For more information visit: www.StreetlightPhx.com

Just today, April 11, 2011, the “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls” campaign launched from the Demi and Ashton Foundation. The law of supply and demand applies here. As long as there is a demand, the pimps will be looking to supply. I salute the Demi and Ashton Foundation for this effort and I pray that it goes viral.

Update: 11/13/11: www.StreetlightPhx.com launches Campaign13 a national movement to eradicate child sex slavery.

Watch this video:

Now, become an abolitionist.

Like what you read? Then you’ll love my award-winning Christian novel: Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century a historical novel about the early church check it out! $1 from the sale of each book – not matter what format benefits StreetLight Phoenix to help eradicate child sex slavery. www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=singresoguid-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1449718280&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Award Winning Christian Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Looking at a June release

Have gone into production mode.

Re-editing, cover design, back cover content, acknowledgements, formatting…. there’s a lot to do to prep the book for self-publishing. The folks at Westbow are great and are walking me through the process.

Once the book is uploaded, then I have to go into marketing and publicity mode.

When the book is post-production, it will be available for sale in 3 formats – hardcover, paperback and ebook through Amazon, Barnes & Nobel and the Westbow site.

To be placed on the mailing list to be notified of the release date, please either leave a comment below with your name and email address or go to my website: www.giselleaguiar.com.

This past weekend I attended the Luis Palau City Fest and made great contacts with Family Life Radio, K-Love and Berean Christian Stores.

Because I feel so blessed, I’ve decided to donate $1 from the sale of every book – no matter what format – to StreetLight Phoenix. I’ll go into more detail on why in my next blog.

Stay tuned as I post the progress. You can subscribe to this blog, friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Giselle Aguiar
Soli Deo Gloria!

Deo Volente! Wins 2nd place in the Women of Faith writing contest!

9 years ago I started writing my novel. 7 years later I found an agent who believed in the story. 2 years later, I attend the Women of Faith conference at the invitation of a church friend who had extra tickets and saw that they were having this writing contest and it was free to submit.

2 weeks ago, I was notified that I had made the 30 finalists and today I found out the novel won 2nd place. Praise be to God!

The story was His inspiration and finally, FINALLY it will be published. Stay tuned to this blog for news and information on when it will be available. You can read about the novel here and you can sign up to be on my mailing list and get updates by going to http://www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1/Contact.html.

Hallelujah!

Soli Deo Gloria! To God Alone be the Glory!

Giselle