The Kitchen Marriage Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

Posted on November 9, 2018November 6, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

About the Book

Book: The Kitchen Marriage

Author: Gina Welborn & Beccan Whitham

Publisher: Kensington Publishers

Genre: Inspirational romance/Historical America set in the old west

Release Date: September 25, 2018

A bright future awaits the women of courage and faith who boldly chase their dreams across the wide-open Montana Territory, prepared to embrace adventure and forge their own destinies . . .

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When French immigrant Zoe de Fleur is forced out of her position as household cook for a high society New Yorker, the pretty and talented chef seizes an unexpected chance to head west for a new beginning. She pursues what she thinks is a prestigious job in the frontier’s “finest kitchen,” but instead finds herself in a matchmaker’s agency . . .

Isaak Gunderson is one of Helena, Montana’s most eligible bachelors, but he’s too focused on running for mayor and his family’s business to think about a wife and family. His twin brother, Jakob, is supposed to be too busy as well, yet sends for a mail-order bride anyway. Isaak doesn’t want to fuel an ongoing rivalry with his twin, but this tempting newcomer can’t be ignored. If only she’d come to Helena a different way and loving her wasn’t a betrayal . . .

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

GINA WELBORN is the bestselling author of sixteen inspirational romances. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers, and serves on the ACFW Foundation Board. Sharing her husband’s passion for the premier American sports car, she is a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum and a founding member of the Southwest Oklahoma Corvette Club. Gina lives with her husband, three of their five children, several rabbits and guinea pigs, and a dog that doesn’t realize rabbits and pigs are edible. Visit her online at GinaWelborn.com.

BECCA WHITHAM (WIT-um) Multi-published author, paper crafter, and Chai tea lover, Becca and her twelve-foot-long craft cabinet follow her husband of more than thirty years to wherever the army currently needs a chaplain. In between moves from one part of the country to the other, she writes stories of faith that touch the heart. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a Genesis Contest finalist. Connect with her online at BeccaWhitham.com.

Guest post from Gina & Becca

Dear Reader,

What’s better than fulfilling a dream? Why…taking the journey with a friend, of course. And we have the army to thank for it. Gina, whose father spent most of his army career at Fort Sill, had just moved back to Lawton, Oklahoma when Becca’s husband received orders to Sill. We were both looking for friendship and found a kindred spirit.

When we first conceived the Montana Brides series over Frappuccinos (Gina) and Chai Tea Lattes (Becca) at our local Starbucks, we set out to make our make our mail-order bride stories different.

The first thing we decided on was setting our series in Helena, Montana because, in 1888, the city boasted the most millionaires per capita in the United States. We liked the idea of a former mining town grown into a cultured city and that it wasn’t the usual isolated ranch setting for a Western.

We also wanted to create stories of mail-order bride romances gone wrong. In fact, our original series title was Mail (Dis) Order Brides. We brainstormed all the ways a mail-order bride story could go sideways and settled on our top three: a widow before a wife; two brothers, one bride; and a deceitful—though well-meaning—matchmaker. The Kitchen Marriage is the second book in this series and puts our heroine, Zoe de Fleur, between twin brothers, Isaak and Jakob Gunderson. Like our first bride, Emilia Stanek (The Promise Bride), Zoe shows up in town knowing no one. Does that sound familiar? As a former military kid and current military wife, we are very familiar with needing to start over, forge new friendships, and make strangers into family.

Thank you for taking a journey into the past with us. We pray you find our stories filled with hope, humor, and happily-ever-afters.

Sincerely,

Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, November 1

Christian Centered book Reviews, November 1

Carpe Diem, November 1

Cultivating Us, November 2

Remembrancy, November 2

Inklings and Notions, November 3

The Becca Files, November 3

Stories By Gina, November 4

A Baker’s Perspective, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Texas Book-aholic, November 5

KarenSueHadley, November 6

Luv’N Lambert Life, November 6

Maureen’s Musings, November 6

cherylbbookblog, November 7

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 7

SusanLovesBooks, November 8

Book by Book, November 8

Janices book reviews, November 8

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 9

Have A Wonderful Day, November 9

A Rup Life, November 10

Baker Kella, November 10

Bibliophile Reviews, November 11

Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, November 11

Britt Reads Fiction, November 12

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 12

Bigreadersite, November 12

Daysong Reflections, November 13

Vicky Sluiter, November 13

Singing Librarian Books, November 14

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her their tour, Gina and Becca are giving away a copy of The Kitchen Marriage to ten lucky winners!!

Be sure to comment of the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d772/the-kitchen-marriage-celebration-tour-giveaway

Giveaway and Celebrate Lit Tour Stop for “An Hour Unspent”

Posted on November 5, 2018November 5, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Review

An Hour Unspent by author Rosanna White is Book Three in her Shadows Over England series. I did not have any trouble following along but did wish I had read the first two books before reading this one. The author is a talented wordsmith and teller of tales. I was invested early in her story about Evelina and Mr. Barclay and stayed captivated until the end.

This Christian historical romance was well researched and organized. The story provided some twists and turns to keep me on my toes. Barclay’s large family was delightful. Life lessons were provided throughout this novel. Trusting God, making good choices, caring for family, choosing family and friends, and moral choices were just a few.

I was thrilled with the historical detail provided. Books that teach me something and have a good Christian message are tops on my list. This book gets a check for both. Intrigue, war, family, and choices make this a page turner.

I highly recommend this book and author. Author White always writes a page turning story with believable characters. This one gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me.

*CelebrateLit sent a copy but all opinions are my own honest ones.*

About the Book

Once London’s top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war. But not until he rescues a clockmaker’s daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold.

Evelina Manning has constantly fought for independence but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end the engagement and enlist in the army. When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clockwork repair with her father, she can’t help being interested. But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems.

As 1915 England plunges ever deeper into war, the work of an ingenious clockmaker may give England an unbeatable military edge—and Germany realizes it as well. Evelina’s father soon finds his whole family in danger—and it may just take a reformed thief to steal the time they need to escape it.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Guest Post from Roseanna

Last year, as I finished up the writing of An Hour Unspent, my great-grandmother passed away at the age of 103. As I sat at her funeral service and listened to the heartfelt memorial raised up to her by her kids and grandkids, I realized anew that this woman had been a matriarch in the truest sense of the word. She’d taught my family for generations how to love the Lord and each other, how to serve the Lord and each other, and how to trust the Lord and each other. Grandma Seward was, in so many ways, the one who instilled in me my idea of what family really is.

That idea—that it’s those knit together by love more than blood, and that faith is the strongest foundation—is what I built my unusual family of thieves upon in the Shadows Over England series. And strange as it is to liken my twenty-something reformed-thief hero to my 103-year-old-grandmother, Barclay Pearce is very much to his family what Maxine Seward was to mine.

The founder. The caregiver. The leader.

I knew as I began the series that I would write about Barclay in book three, and as I got to know him better throughout the series, I grew so excited to share his story! This is a man who led his family first into and then out of a life a crime, always for the right reasons—so he could provide for the children under his care. All he ever wanted to do was give them what he himself had lost. To show them love. To prove to them that they were worth any sacrifice.

It was truly a blessing for me to get to write the story in which Barclay found someone to come alongside him, to appreciate and learn to understand him. To finally share what started him down this path. I loved the idea that only a reformed thief could steal the time another family needed to overcome their own trials.

There are many historical items in the book that were such fun to explore—watchmaking of the era, the suffrage movement in England, technological advancements of the war—but at the heart, this isn’t a story about any of those.

It’s a story about how far people should go for love. I hope you enjoy Barclay’s story as much as I did!

To celebrate her tour, Roseanna is giving away a grand prize of a signed book, a London mug, and a 48-pack Twinings tea sampler. Be sure to comment on the blog stops (list below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway.

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, October 30

The Power of Words, October 30

Back Porch Reads, October 30

Kat’s Corner Books, October 30

Janice’s Book R eviews, October 30

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 31

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 31

Faithfully Bookish, October 31

Genesis 5020, October 31

Fiction Aficionado, November 1

Among the Reads, November 1

The Lit Addict, November 1

Just the Write Escape, November 1

Multifarious, November 2

Godly Book Reviews, November 2

Real World Bible Study, November 2

Madeline Clark, November 2

Reflections From My Bookshelves, November 3

Christian Bookaholic, November 3

Inspirationally Ever After, November 3

Bookworm Mama, November 3

Bigreadersite, November 3

Blogging With Carol , November 4

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 4

Life with the Tribe, November 4

The Becca Files, November 4

Kathleen Denly, November 5

Cordially Barbara, November 5

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 5

Simple Harvest Reads, November 5 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

God’s Little Bookworm, November 6

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 6

Faery Tales Are Real, November 6

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, November 6

Carpe Diem, November 6

Margaret Kazmierczak, November 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, November 7

Blossoms and Blessings , November 7

Maureen’s Musings , November 8

Connie’s History Classroom , November 8

Book by Book, November 8

Just Commonly, November 8

cherylbbookblog, November 9

The Christian Fiction Girl, November 9

Have A Wonderful Day , November 9

With a Joyful Noise, November 9

KarenSueHadley , November 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 10

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 10

Baker kella, November 10

Bibliophile Reviews, November 10

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, November 11

Inklings and Notions , November 11

Two Points of Interest, November 11

Inspiration Clothesline, November 11

A Baker’s Perspective, November 11

Henry Happens, November 12

Proud to Be an Autism Mom, November 12

Texas Book-aholic, November 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 12

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Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! See what other readers are saying by checking out other stops on the tour.

Click here for the giveaway form!

$50 and More Giveaway in Celebrate Lit’s “Miles from Where We Started” Book Tour

Posted on November 2, 2018October 31, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

About the Book

Book Title: Miles from Where We Started

Author: Cynthia Ruchti

Genre: Christian Romance/Family life

Release date: October 16, 2018

These no-longer-newlyweds want out of this road trip—and their marriage. Too bad they can’t find the off ramp.

Weeks away from their one-year wedding anniversary, Mallory and Connor Duncan can’t even agree on how to end their marriage. But when a last-minute crisis lands them on a three-thousand-mile road trip together, Mallory wonders if their story may not be over after all.

The trip begins to unravel before the key is even in the ignition, and an at-risk, trouble-seeking missile of an eleven-year-old is unexpectedly launched into their travel plans. Close quarters get even tighter, and the couple believes this whole experience will spell disaster.

Their first year of marriage hasn’t been the arm-in-arm togetherness they expected. How can they find a new beginning when the road ends?

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review:

This was the first book I have read by author Cynthia Ruchti. I found her writing style nice and easy to follow. She sprinkles humor in the midst of an emotionally charged book and provides relief. Her story was believable from quirky characters to the adventure taken.

This is the tale of the Duncans. Married couple Connor and Mallory Duncan are basically newlyweds, but not so happily wed. In fact, Conner is ready for a divorce. Mallory is still trying. The author did an excellent job in her writing. At times I had to just put the book down for a bit. My heart broke for them. Yes, I was invested in the story and characters.

There is a fabulous little guy, 11 year old Judah, that steals the show in this book. He is a foster kid and has many trust issues. The Duncans take a trip that will promote the joys of micro-camping for Connor’s job, and Judah is their sidekick. Like a reality show, social medial follows this trio on their trip, and we get to see their journey as they cross America and grow spiritually.

Life lessons are abundant in this lengthy book. Faith, hope, love, family, redemption, and trust are just some. The characters learn to trust God and His plans for their lives. Readers should take note. The book is not preachy but gets its inspirational message across.

I recommend this book. It would be great for a book club or reading group. There are discussion questions in the back to assist with deeper reflection. I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Gilead Publishing and Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own honest ones.

About The Author

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope through novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and speaking events. She serves as the professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences across the country. She married her grade school sweetheart, and the two live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

Guest Post from Cynthia

I have a confession to make. I heart millennials.

My other novels have had a few millennial characters. Some even played starring roles. But I knew there was more to the heart of millennials than I could gain from listening to the often unfair sighing or comedy routines about that generation. As a person, I wanted to know them better—what are they really like? What challenges do they face with which previous generations saddled them? What strengths to they offer our culture?

Until now, I hadn’t written a story about a millennial couple whose marriage was in crisis. Like, serious crisis. I-don’t-want-to-be-married-to-you-anymore. That kind of crisis.

As any good novelist knows, part of what we do to our characters is make the situation worse. So, millennial couple, approaching their one-year anniversary, ready to call it quits because “This marriage thing is really hard. Is it supposed to be so much work?” But what if…? What if they were forced to be together for three weeks…in a micro-camper…on America’s backroads…with an 11-year-old foster boy troublemaker…and both the husband’s AND the wife’s jobs depended on the trip’s success?

Plot idea in hand, I set off to write Miles from Where We Started, not entirely sure when I began the journey where they would end up or how they’d get there. It was an education for me in so many ways. The impact of the turning point of the story? In the words of my millennial friends, “That’s lit!”

Side note: I’m a big fan of a young teen musician at our church. The boy has mad skills as a keyboard artist. He approaches life as if it’s an endless game of Ninja Warrior. Why walk when you can vault into the room? Why walk up a flight of stairs when you can hop four at a time? He also sports a perpetual smile and is famous for his kindness, but his eyes give away that a little mischief may be hiding behind that smile. I asked Judah’s permission to use his name (and a little bit of his personality) as the foster child character in Miles from Where We Started. I can’t wait for him to read the part he inspired.

Can’t wait for you to read it, too.

Hemmed in Hope,

Cynthia

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 25

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 25

The Power of Words, October 25

All-of-a-kind Mom, October 26

Lighthouse Academy, October 26

Real World Bible Study, October 26

Quiet Quilter, October 27

Kristin’s Book Reviews, October 27

Christian Bookaholic, October 27

cherylbbookblog, October 28

Simple Harvest Reads, October 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Remembrancy, October 28

Godly Book Reviews, October 29

Captive Dreams Window, October 29

By The Book, October 29

Maureen’s Musings, October 30

Spoken from the Heart , October 30

SusanLovesBooks, October 30

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 31

Mary Hake, November 1

Book by Book, November 1

amandainpa , November 1

Pause for Tales, November 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 2

Just Commonly, November 2

Southern Gal Loves to Read, November 3

Baker Kella, November 3

Two Points of Interest, November 3

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, November 4

Inklings and Notions, November 4

Bibliophile Reviews, November 4

Texas Book-aholic, November 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 5

Janice’s Book Reviews, November 6

Carpe Diem, November 6

A Baker’s Perspective, November 6

A Diva’s Heart, November 7

Reader’s Cozy Corner, November 7

Bigreadersite, November 7

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Cynthia is giving away a grand prize of the Adventure begins” large tote bag, “This way to adventure” travel notebook, “Home is Where We Park It” metal wall hanging, a teardrop camper birdhouse, PLUS a $50 gift Visa gift card…to start your adventure fund!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d4ea/miles-from-where-we-started-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Praying for the Kids

Posted on October 28, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

As you can tell from this blog, I am a Prayer Warrior. Praying for my family, friends, and myself is extremely important to me. I firmly believe in prayer. Time spent with my Maker in prayer is a necessary part of my life. Once a day is never enough to go to God because things or prayer requests continue throughout the day. Do you pray often, too?

I was taught the Acts Method of praying when I was young and it has stuck with me. There is no right or wrong way to talk to our Heavenly Father. Jesus outlined the perfect way in Matthew with the Lord’s Prayer.

ACTS Method of Christian Prayer

Adoration: Give God praise and honor for who He is as Lord God.
Confession: Honestly confess the sin in your life.
Thanksgiving: Say what you’re grateful for in your life and in the world around you.
Supplication: Pray for the needs of others and yourself.

How do you pray? Are there certain things you pray about each day? I certainly do. The main thing is the children in our family. That encompasses the generations under mine. Ever since my children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews (which include my cousins’ children – we are a close family) were born or little, I have prayed for them. With a family our size I use a prayer journal to keep me on track. It also allows me to write praises when the prayers are answered.

What would I pray? First I asked for health, safety, and protection. I want them to be safe from harm and health issues. Then I prayed that they would grow to know God, be saved, and baptized. It is my prayer that they will recognize the purpose God has for them, why He created each one. I prayed for their future spouses that Abba was preparing them for their future lives together. Marriage needs more than two people to survive. It needs God in it, too. I pray that their spouses will be Christian and that a God will bless their union. Finally I pray that they would do their best in life and be happy.

Even though many are grown with children of their own, I continue to pray for them all. We are never too old for prayers. My prayer might provide the extra protection needed one day. Intercessory prayer is important.

How long should we pray about something? In Thessalonians the Bible says to pray without ceasing. Prayer has no time limit. Keep praying or P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens).

The next generation of children are included in my prayers now. Protection and safety is a concern in this world. Happiness is what every Mama, Gram, and Auntie desires for her little chicks. Don’t you agree?

After years of praying I was recently rewarded as God’s Army gained another Warrior. Yes, a family member was baptized and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. I rejoiced as I know Heaven did. There have been many more victories and each one is recorded without surprise. I delight in knowing that we will be together in Heaven one day.

Don’t stop with your family. There are many friends that need prayer, too. Let’s not forget society. The shootings and violence. Our leaders need prayers to make the right decisions. Our military need pray for protection. Our nation needs prayer for so many reasons.

If you are praying for something or someone, don’t lose hope. It may take decades for your answer, but everything happens in God’s perfect time. If you haven’t started praying for your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, I would urge you to begin today. The reward is priceless.

God is the Ultimate Author

Posted on October 23, 2018October 20, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

I love to read. Always have loved books. When I was young I can remember telling younger children to be easy with book because “books are our friends.” My family read to me practically from day one. Certainly that instilled the love of reading which has blossomed into writing.

Do you appreciate a good book? One that has twists and turns, things you didn’t see coming, and yet when you look back everything was lining up perfectly. All of the pieces were being placed to make a beautiful story.

That is how our lives are, my friend. Written by the ultimate author, God knows our complete story beginning to end because He wrote it. He is able to add characters, subplots, and even take things out that do not match His will.

Thinking about a current situation I was becoming discouraged. The “poor me” was setting in. Then I was reminded that God knew about this situation before it happened, and I clearly saw how God was setting me up to thrive. The Lord does not want us to fail. In Jeremiah 29:11 it clearly states “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God placed people in my life to mentor, guide, and befriend me. Lovely women that had been on this journey and could offer experienced counsel have helped me tremendously. Scripture tells us “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.” Proverbs 27:9. Yes, sage advice from ladies that knew exactly what I was feeling was a blessing. One treasured friend gave biblically referenced counsel. Our meeting had been orchestrated by God, and I have understood why time and again.

My circumstances might not have changed but my attitude certainly has. Abba saw this difficult situation before I got here, has prepared me and given me what I need for it, but most importantly, He has never left my side. I have never been alone.

What about your story? Is it like mine with some twists and turns in it? I bet if you look back you can see how God lined things up for such a time as this. There are no coincidences, just God incidences. He puts people in your life because you will need them. A lifelong passion becomes a path for supplemental income, years of studying the Bible reminds you that we are to love each other as Christ did. We are to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. The instructions for a spouse and caregiver are clearly outlined and how to be a good friend.

Has God placed you in someone’s life to mentor them? Maybe you are to give help in a different way. When you know someone is going through a difficult time, pray for them and ask Jesus how you can be a blessing to them. In the end, you, too, will be blessed.

Book Review: Shelter of the Most High

Posted on October 22, 2018October 22, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Do you enjoy biblical fiction? Maybe you are like me and are on the fence about it. I don’t like having the Bible retold using extra little things. This series, Cities of Refuge, by author Connilyn Cossette, however, is a delight for biblical fiction. In her second book Shelter of the Most High, readers are able to follow along without having read Book One. It does continue the story of Moriyah and Darek so I want to go back and read Book One now.

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Author Cossette has an engaging style of writing. Her book was well researched and took me back in time to a place and era of which I have often read. This time instead of reading about it, I experienced it. The year was 1388 BC, a time before Christ had come to earth. People were much different.

My emotions ran deep as I read. I had become immediately invested in the lives of the well developed characters. Sofea was the daughter of a pagan high priest. She and her cousin, Perez, were violently taken from their home in Sicily and ended up in Canaan. Aboard the slave ship they were beaten and starved. The tragedy was heartbreaking. One minute you are home and the next your home is attacked. You are enslaved and sent on a ship to an unknown land that cannot understand your language. I needed tissues.

Times of joy brought happiness to me. I was frightened with the characters. They experienced violence and such trauma. The girls received love and compassion. I could relax then.

One of the things I really loved about this book is that it is not about a biblical, historical person. As I said earlier, I don’t like it when people add words or thoughts to an actual biblical person. This is much better. It still provides a venue to enlighten readers to the people, area, and customs of the time.

The Old Testament is known for being a bit violent. This book has manslayers, murder plots, kidnapping, and slavery. It also has love. There is a sweet love story and a greater one. One inspiration message is that God loves us. Another is to let our light shine forth to others. Not everyone really knows about the one true God, our God. We can share Him with others and help them.

I highly recommend this captivating book. If you like bible times, you will adore this. It is packed with action, intrigue, romance, history, culture, and inspiration. There is much food for thought in its 335 pages. After the story are Author Notes and Discussion Questions. I love books that include those because it makes reading groups so much easier. Rating this book 5 out of 5 stars was my recommendation. A copy was provided by the publisher but I was under no obligation to write a review. All thoughts are my own, honest ones.

Romancing the Bride by Melissa Jagears Book Review

Posted on October 20, 2018October 19, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Romancing the Bride is another homerun for the extremely talented author Melissa Jagears. This author writes Christian historical romance fiction, but it gets even better than that. Have I got your interest yet? She writes God glorifying books. Her books while exceedingly entertaining provide food for the soul. Bravo! We need more Christian authors that are not afraid to speak or shout the Christian message instead of softly whispering it to help ratings. Okay, if someone will help me off of this soapbox I will tell you about her latest and greatest work.

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This historical romance is the tale of Annie Gephart, a ranch widow with a teenage daughter and younger son. The book opens with Annie distraught because her hired cowboys have all left her for green pastures. Sheriff Jacob Hendrix, the town’s most eligible bachelor, delivers a tax notice and Annie must come up with money or a plan quickly to save her land. Jacob might possibly be the perfect man. (Swoon.)

In this book there are so many issues brought to light. Tough subjects that affect people today as well as back in Annie’s time. Death of a spouse, children, and parent, parental guidance, parental approval, peer pressure, greed, despair, rebellion, jealousy, stealing, special needs, deceit, betrayal, forgiveness, love, faith, hope, and letting God be in control are some of the things the brilliant wordsmith packs in her story. Good versus evil, coming of age versus experience, trusting God versus going off on our own, judging others versus helping are some of the not so subtle lessons woven into this captivating story.

Characters are extremely believable. (Obviously the author has children to understand the dynamics of a sibling relationship.) Annie and Jacob make a formidable pair. I would love to have them for friends. Each are well rounded including some flaws, but aren’t we all? The children are realistic. The author took me to a place back in time for a while and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to know what happened but I was sad when the book ended. How could I say goodbye to these people with whom I had become so invested.

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If you are a fan of love stories, author Jagears is a professional when it comes to penning them. The cat and mouse tension between Annie and Jacob became almost unbearable at times for this reader. The obstacles and setbacks they faced each knocked the wind from my sails and I could feel their emotions. With each victory I was elated. I really enjoy the books by Mrs. Jagears.

It took me from page one to get pulled in to this book. My interest was held throughout. This is a “pick me up and don’t put me down until I am finished” type of book. There are some twists and turns as well as some predictable moments. Author Jagears always provides a bit of humor in just the right spots. She does her research and always seems to leave readers with a bit of knowledge after finishing her book.

I highly recommend this delightful novel. This is a perfect reading group book because there is so much to discuss. Lovers of Christian fiction, romance, historical, and western fiction will love it. Get yourself a copy and escape for a while. Since it is Book One in the Frontier Vows Series that gives us more to anticipate. Am I excited about that? You betcha! It gets 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by the author but I was under no obligation to write a review. This is my own honest opinion.

“12 Days of Christmas” Celebrate Lit Book Tour, Review, and Giveaway

Posted on October 19, 2018October 13, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Review:

The 12 Gifts of Christmas by author Lena Dooley is a 240 page Christian fiction book published by Whitaker House. This contemporary romance is different from most of the books I have read by author Dooley. Normally I pick up historical fiction.

This is the whirlwind romantic tale of Malcom MacGregor and Alanza Cantalamessa. He is a successful Texas business executive from a wealthy family. A descendant from the Scottish MacGregor Clan, he is a perfect hero. Alanza Cantalamessa, the daughter of a wealthy gourmet pizza restaurant owner, is the woman he has fallen in love with while eating lunches at her family’s restaurant. It is love at first sight for each of them. Both characters are nice looking, mannerly, polite, wealthy, and Christian. However, they aren’t totally relatable or realistic. Parts of their characteristic are great, but others I cannot fathom.

Author Dooley’s leads are just perfect, too perfect. Readers will want to be friends with them or maybe even switch places with them for a while. It is rare these days to find a man with a heart for God like Malcolm’s. That causes him to be dedicated to family and friends, too. Malcolm even asks Alanza’s parents if he may date her. Wow!

I was actually surprised when I received this book because I did not expected it to be a contemporary romance especially set in Texas. The majority of the author’s books I have read have been historic. I was so intrigued by Alanza’s family’s gourmet pizza restaurant that I wanted to go there. The descriptions were spot on. I could envision the quaint place and wanted to taste the pizzas.

For the most part I found this to be a predictable story. There was a monkey wrench thrown in to make it interesting. It goes along smoothly and fast. I loved that there was prayer in it. Malcolm prayed for a wife, specifically Alanza. There are worship services, missions, and prayer. I love Christian books where I don’t need to search and search for the message. The message is clear in this fiction. We need to pray, trust God, and listen to His guidance.

I would recommend this sweet, love at first sight romance to anyone that enjoys Contemporary Christian Romance. It gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own honest opinion.

About the Book

Book Title: The 12 Gifts of Christmas

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley

Genre: Christian Romance/ Christmas

Release date: September 4, 2018

Malcolm MacGregor is a descendant of Scotland’s Clan MacGregor and a successful young businessman in Fort Worth, Texas. Alanza Cantalamessa works at a gourmet pizzeria owned by her Brazilian artist mother and her Italian Poppa. Both of them are smitten with each other but Malcolm is too reserved to do much more than make small talk—until a promotion at work that will send him away to Australia for six months. It’s December and he has to do something—fast.

Praying about the situation, Malcolm decides to give her twelve gifts leading up to Christmas. Their families and friends think they are moving too fast. And a gold-digger who tossed Malcolm aside in the past has now decided he’s the man of her dreams.

Can Malcolm and Alanza overcome their obstacles before he has to go abroad? Or is it really not meant to be?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Multi-published, award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, her local chapter in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the Christian Authors’ Network, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. Her forty-plus books have sold more than 875,000 copies. Lena’s books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher Weekly bestseller lists, as well as some Amazon bestseller lists. She also writes a popular blog, A Christian Writer’s World, that features other authors’ books. The blog received the Readers’ Choice Blog of the Year Award from the Book Club Network.

Lena is a three-time finalist in the Carol Awards ACFW contest. Her 2010 release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Her next series, McKenna’s Daughters: Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers’ Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. The second, Mary’s Blessing, was a Selah Award finalist for Romance novel. Catherine’s Pursuit, released in 2013, was the winner of the NTRWA Carolyn Reader’s Choice contest, took second place in the CAN Golden Scroll Novel of the Year award, and won the Will Rogers Medallion bronze medallion. Her book, A Heart’s Gift, won RWA’s Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice Award in July 2017.

Lena is also the host of The Lena Nelson Dooley Show on the Along Came a Writer blogtalk radio network. She has experience in screenwriting, acting, directing, and voice-overs, and currently serves on the board of directors of Higher Ground Films. She has been featured in Christian Fiction Online Magazine, ACFW Journal, Book Fun Magazine, Charisma Magazine, and Christian Retailing.

Guest Post from Lena

She took the pan off the burner, dropped tiny marshmal-lows into the waiting over-sized mugs, and filled them with the fragrant hot chocolate. “Do you want to drink it here, or would you rather go in the living room? The sofa is more comfortable.”

“Whatever you want to do.” His honeyed tone wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

She handed a mug to him, picked up her own, along with coasters and two napkins, and headed into the living room. He followed.

Alanza’s Best Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

4 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup good quality cocoa powder

3 tbls. honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 dark chocolate bar

1 can real whipped cream

Maraschino cherries

Instructions:

Heat milk over medium to low heat, stirring constantly until milk starts to bubble slightly (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, mix sugar and cocoa together until well blended. When milk is ready, gradually add in sugar, cocoa, and honey, stirring constantly. Put heat on low and add shavings of chocolate bar and vanilla. Continue stirring until chocolate has melted. Remove from heat and pour into mugs. Add whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherries on top, as desired.

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, October 9

Two Points of interest, October 9

Among the Reads, October 10

A Diva’s Heart, October 10

Luv’N Lambert Life, October 11

Baker Kella, October 11

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 12

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 12

Britt Reads Fiction, October 13

Texas Book-aholic, October 13

Susan Loves Books, October 14

Proud to Be an Autism Mom, October 14

Splashes of Joy, October 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 15

Creating Romance, October 16

Bigreadersite, October 16

Mary Hake, October 17

Janice’s Book Reviews,October 17

Maureen’s Musings, October 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 19

Bibliophile Reviews, October 20

Pause for Tales, October 20

More Of Him, October 21

Carpe Diem, October 22

A Baker’s Perspective, October 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lena is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbuck’s Gift Card and a surprise Christmas gift!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d5c9/the-12-gifts-of-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway

“This Courageous Journey” Celebrate Lit Book Tour, Review, and Giveaway

Posted on October 18, 2018October 13, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Review:

“This Courageous Journey” is the first book I have read by author Misty Beller, but it will not be the last. While this was Book 3 in her Heart of the Mountains Series, it can easily be as a stand-alone. This reader loved it so much I am going back to read the other books now.

Author Beller is a talented storyteller. I quickly became invested in this book and stayed that way until the end. My emotions were all over the place while reading this book. I felt like I was on the journey with Noelle and Daniel. Frightened, happy, cold, excited, scared, tense, exhilarated, intrigued, worn out, awed, and even extreme romantic tension all transferred from the pages of this book into me.

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This is the tale of Noelle Grant who ventures through the Canadian Rockies with family friends to see her brother. Their guide, Daniel Abrams, is a rough mountain man, but when the two get together sparks fly. The journey is filled with danger and breathtaking adventure. They encounter fierce wild animals, severe weather, treacherous trails, and many trials. It took courage and faith to complete the trip.

The author did a fabulous job with her story. It was well researched, planned, and written. I love learning things from fiction books I read. This one taught me things I did not know. The author’s style of writing is nice. It flows smoothly and is easy to follow. Characters are well defined. I enjoyed the faith that Noelle had. If it is a Christian novel, I expect there to be some mention of faith, God, and prayer. This one excelled there. There are lessons in this book. God is faithful and always with us. When we do not know what to do, we should ask God for guidance. God gives us strength to carry on.

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If you are a fan of love stories, do not miss this one. The tension is so thick between Noelle and Daniel that I could feel it as I read. When he said “woman, you undo me” I started cheering her. When they kissed, oh, my! Oh, my! Author Beller knows her way around a good romance.

I highly recommend this page turning book. It is adventurous, romantic, historic, and inspirational. The book sweeps you up and takes you on a perilous journey across the Canadian mountains during a time you can only imagine. By the end of it, you feel like you have experienced it. It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me. Celebrate Lit provided a copy of the book but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest opinions.

About the Book

Book Title: This Courageous Journey
Author: Misty Beller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: October 9, 2018

As the fifth daughter in a family of nine children, Noelle Grant has spent her life working to be unique. Her love of stories helps define her goal—to be known around the country as one of the top news correspondents of her time. And what better way to uncover sensational stories than to travel through the mountain wilderness to visit the brother she hasn’t seen in years? The trip comes together perfectly as she plans to journey with family friends who will be settling in the same area. Her first inkling that things may not be as perfect as planned comes in the form of the mountain man they hire as their guide for the final leg of the journey.

When Daniel Abrams agrees to guide the small group of easterners along his usual journey northward to the Canadian mountains, his gut tells him he’s making the wrong decision. But if he doesn’t take them, who will? The man in charge refuses to consider turning back. As they start out, Daniel can’t help but notice the woman traveling under the care of her friends. Though she appears too genteel to last long in these mountains, she soon reveals a strength that draws him more than he should allow.

As the dangers of this wilderness become more than the group bargained for, Noelle is faced with the choice to delay her journey northward or proceed alone with the man she’s come to trust against all reason. She never imagines her decision will place her—and the man she loves—in a situation more hazardous than any story her imagination could conjure.

About the Author

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Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Guest Post by Misty Beller

Ever Been Struck by Lightning?

One of the fun things about being a writer is the crazy topics I get to research. Without giving away too much of the story, part of my research for This Courageous Journey included uncovering what happens when lightning strikes a person. It turns out anything can happen!

Surprisingly, about nine out of ten people struck by lightning live to tell their story. Each person’s experience seems to be different—some are knocked unconscious, while others are horribly aware of everything happening. One person who was struck said it seemed as if time slowed to a crawl and a white haze surrounded him like a bubble, as excruciating pain shot through him.

People usually try to determine the path the lightning traveled through them, based on where burn marks appear on both skin and clothing, but sometimes that can be difficult if jewelry or coins were touching the body. Survivors might suffer a variety of short- and long-term effects, including—but not limited to—cardiac arrest, confusion, seizures, dizziness, muscle aches, deafness, headaches, memory deficits, distractibility, personality changes, and chronic pain, among others. That may sound like an awful list, but it does beat the alternative!

As I considered the possible effects of a lightning strike when I was writing This Courageous Journey, I was reminded once again how magnificent God’s creation is. Both the incredible power contained in one streak of lightning, and the beautiful inner workings of the bodies He created for us. As the Psalmist said, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made!”

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click HERE to enter.

Blog Stops

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 11

Among the Reads, October 11

Singing Librarian Books, October 11

The Power of Words, October 12

Multifarious, October 12

Maureen’s Musings, October 12

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 13

Real World Bible Study, October 13

Splashes of Joy, October 14

Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Interview)

Joy of Reading, October 15

Mary Hake, October 15

Janices book reviews, October 15

Kat’s Corner Books, October 16

Livin Lit, October 16

KarenSueHadley, October 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 17

Remembrancy, October 18

Carpe Diem, October 18

Pause for Tales, October 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 19

Bigreadersite, October 19

A Baker’s Perspective, October 20

Blossoms and Blessings, October 20

Bibliophile Reviews, October 20

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, October 21

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 21

Wishful Endings, October 22

Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest post Mindy Houng)

Inspiration Clothesline, October 23

proud to be an autism mom, October 23

Texas Book-aholic, October 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 24

Grow Old with Me, the Best is Yet to Be

Posted on October 15, 2018October 12, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

How many times have you heard this saying? “Grow old with me! The best is yet to be…”? Very romantic, isn’t it? Did you ever wonder where this often misquoted phrase comes from or perhaps you know. Do we really know what the poet meant?

Nineteenth century Victorian English poet Robert Browning wrote “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in His hand…” My heart swoons every time I hear this verse.

My husband and I often recite this to each other and then break out in laughter. Is right now the “best” that we had anticipated? How many times have we lost sight of the “best” on our journey because of inconveniences you wonder? Many times. We are, after all, only human. As we age life takes its toll on our bodies and sometimes throws some twists and turns in our story. Then the why me sets in. Why did my retirement get cut? Why is my husband so ill? And the list goes on.

Reflecting on what exactly is this “best is yet to be” I think it would be different for everyone. It is actually a perspective thing, too. For me, the best is in the little stuff. My husband and I have been together for so long we just know each other better than anyone else. It is the familiarity that comes with time, love, and going through things together. Children, moving, jobs, family deaths, grandchildren, illnesses, and retirement all have a tendency to knit a couple closer together or at least they did us.

The best is him bringing me strawberries because he knows I like them more than other berries. It is him knowing I like my coffee hot, not warm, and that Caramel Vanilla is my favorite. Being able to finish my sentences or hearing what I mean, instead of what I say is a big part of the best. Sharing inside jokes and communicating with just a look or touch. Mimicking accents on movies or television shows is silly, but he knows I love it so he plays along.

Having precious memories of a treasured life together and reminiscing while swinging on the deck is awesome. It doesn’t get much better than that. My table surrounded by my parents, children, and grandchildren is the best of the best. Sure I am getting old, have tackled obstacles, but the best is still coming each day.

The poet says “our times are in His hands” and I am so grateful for that. Actually the Lord’s hands on me is the only way to have a good life. My life would have been and would be so different without God holding me. I cannot imagine it, and I am glad there is no need. He has carried me through many trials and tribulations.

Maybe the “best is yet to be” refers to Heaven. When speaking of the best of any and everything, Heaven is just that. The best of the best. Personally I can think of nothing better than going to Heaven after my time on earth is done. Living everyday with Jesus and my saved loved ones will be the happiest of times. No more pain, heartache, or sorrow, doesn’t that sound like “the best” to you?