Weaving Roots Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on August 24, 2024August 23, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Review

Weaving Roots is the first book in A Gathering of Mercies series by author Heather Wood. This is a Christian Historical Romance Fiction novel set in 1828. It is a poignant book about people, their relationships, and choices. I became easily invested in the characters and story.

This is the story of Betha, her nephew Henry, and Colm. Betha has taken on the mothering of her nephew and tries to shield him from unkind talk about her family. His father has not been very involved in Henry’s life. It has been very difficult for him.

Betha works hard taking care of her nephew and spinning flax into thread for her brother. She is a loving, caring woman that worships God. Her desire is that Henry will follow God, too. Colm is a schoolteacher and loves instructing the boys. He has ideas about new ways to teach, but is unsure of how they will be met.

The characters are believable and relatable. Some are so lovable while a few I did not care for at all. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It was engaging and kept my interest throughout the book. One of the things I loved was learning about the history of camp meetings, the start of Sunday Schools, and even the Lancaster method of education. Books that entertain and educate are my favorites, especially when the Christian message is mixed in like this one. At the end of the story be sure to read the author notes for more information.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming family story and romance. It has a lot of substance and provides food for thought. This would make a fabulous book club choice. I highly recommend it and give it a four star rating.

About the Book

Book: Weaving Roots

Author: Heather Wood

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction with Romance

Release date: June 25, 2024

Baltimore, 1828

Spinning. Turning flax to fine linen thread for her family’s weaving business keeps Betha’s hands occupied all day, but it’s the concerns spinning in her heart that never truly rest. How can she give her nephew Henry a secure, loving home when his father remains indifferent? How can she guide the boy who calls her “Ma” to know and follow the Lord for himself? And when past secrets and future changes collide, will she lose Henry altogether?

Colm Gallagher is passionate about teaching boys using innovative educational methods. But is his kind and thorough instruction enough if he is not allowed to give his students the ultimate truth of God’s Word? Confronted by his student Henry Young and the boy’s lovely but determined aunt, Colm considers if he has allowed practical considerations to outweigh his deepest-held beliefs.

Even as Betha and Colm are drawn to each other, family loyalties, financial pressures, and personal uncertainties push them further apart. Will the threads of their lives unravel or become knit together into something stronger?

Weaving linen is her family’s legacy. Weaving roots of truth and grace is her calling.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Heather Wood grew up in the Chicago suburbs, loving history, classic literature, writing stories, and Civil War reenacting. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Bible/Theology from Appalachian Bible College, she settled in Virginia with her husband David. Her early passions fuel her writing today, although she spends most of her days now working to infuse her love for God and good literature into the hearts of her four children.

More from Heather

I’ve gone through a lot of phases in my life. I’ve been involved in different hobbies and activities, only to have them fizzle out after a few years. So when I started writing, I thought it was the same thing—that it was another short-lived hobby and soon I would get back to my regular life.

My third book was about to be released when one day, it felt like God turned a light bulb on in my mind: This is what I’ve been preparing you to do all along. When I look back at my parents, my education, and the experiences of my life, I realized that God had specially equipped me to do exactly what I was doing: write Christian historical fiction about real American church history.

The epiphany was more scary than exciting. I’m a “one idea at a time” kind of author. I don’t have multiple projects going at once. I had no idea, as I went to publish my third book, if I would even be able to come up with a plot and characters for a fourth. Would I announce to my friends that this writing thing was here to stay only to find I never got another story idea? What about the sacrifices it would require of my husband and kids?

That was just in 2022. Releasing this summer is Weaving Roots, my fifth book and the first in a whole new series with entirely new characters. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series unfolds from the idea seeds God has planted! I regularly offer my writing up to God, willing to walk away if He were ever to ask me to do so. Until then, I will work diligently and trustingly at the work He has given me to do.

You see, while each book does start with an idea seed, it’s watered by real history. As I take my spark of inspiration to the history books, I delight in finding out what God was doing in the time and place I’m writing about. My plots grow up around the real people He used and the work He was doing (although I usually make people who really lived into minor characters at best. Most often, I merely refer to them off the page while using what I do know about them to inspire my characters). I always try to drop vivid characters into the world as it really existed and watch and see how they respond. I dig into Scriptures and the theologians and Christian thinkers of their era or the one before to round out my themes and take the book’s message deeper. As a result, I am always the first one who is convicted and challenged by the message God brings to my stories.

Weaving Roots introduces us to the father of the siblings in my Finding Home series when he was just ten years old in 1827. He’s a second-generation Irish immigrant in a family of linen weavers in Baltimore, more than a decade before the Irish Great Famine. To the best of my knowledge, no one in either Christian or general market fiction has written about this time, place, and people group. Not everything on the page will be what you expect, as this generation between Colonial and Civil War/ Victorian Americans was very unique in their beliefs, struggles, and priorities. Henry Young is brought to Baltimore by his father, who is looking for a fresh start for his son and himself. Henry soon finds that his new schoolmaster is not what he expects and his father has more major changes coming into his life.

I can’t wait to share Weaving Roots with you and see how God uses His words to bless and encourage you!

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, August 17

Stories By Gina, August 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 20

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 22

Devoted To Hope, August 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 24

Batya’s Bits, August 25

For Him and My Family, August 26

Labor Not in Vain, August 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 28

The Sacred Line, August 29

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Heather is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback of Weaving Roots, a special handstitched bookmark and a sticker designed especially for Weaving Roots, a copy of The Virginia Housewife, an 1820s cookbook referenced in Weaving Roots, and a $15 Amazon gift card!!

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/2ddab/weaving-roots-celebration-tour-giveaway

A LittLe Christian’s Animals Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on August 14, 2024August 13, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

A Little Christian’s Animals is a Christian Children’s book by gifted author Lila Noffsinger. Lucy Shin expertly illustrates the charming animals and scripture scenes to coincide with the accompanying words. Children will delight in the rhyming prose as they hear about animals from the Bible.

Author Noffsinger offers a unique, entertaining, and educating book for children to learn the Bible beginning at a young age. With poetic phrases it will be easy for littles to memorize the verses and read along. Some of the animals include lions, dove, sheep, and even the snake from Genesis. The pictures are endearing and the short lesson engaging. This is a brilliant way to teach children about the Bible in a fun way.

This is a lovely book for children and works perfectly together with a child’s Bible to further explore the lessons. After the stories, there are a couple of pages of scripture references to expand on the lessons entitled Let’s Read More In Your Bible. References for The Jesus Storybook Bible and The Beginners Bible give the page number in each for the same stories.

I highly recommend this educational, entertaining, and enlightening book for children. This would make a great gift for any child aged one to five. Sunday School and Children’s Church teachers would benefit from having this in their classrooms. Church libraries will definitely want a copy or two. It would be great for a baby shower gift, also. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the author and Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: A Little Christian’s Animals (The Little Christian Learning Collection Book 2)

Author: Lila Noffsinger

Genre: Christian Children’s Picture Book

Release Date: February 20, 2024

A Little Christian’s Animals is the newest installment of the Little Christian Learning Collection, which teaches preschool level learning concepts with Bible stories! In A Little Christian’s Animals, children journey with sing-songy rhymes through ten animal-centered Bible stories. Children will be captured by Lucy Shin’s adorable illustrations, and parents will enjoy nourishing their kids’ hearts and minds. Big Biblical truths are packed into this bite-sized book, the perfect length for little attention spans. Little animal enthusiasts will love Jonah’s whale, Daniel’s lions, Egypt’s frogs, and many more animals! A Little Christian’s Animals is sure to become a family favorite of kids and parents alike!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lila Noffsinger is a Christian, wife, and mama to three. Her kids are her inspiration for writing, and she loves creating for them books that are cute, fun to read, educational, and biblically enriching. When she isn’t writing or playing with her family, she loves to read, craft, and hike. Lila lives with her family in San Jose, CA.

More from Lila

I don’t need to look far to find inspiration for my books. Literally. My little inspirations are usually physically touching me. My three kids (ages 3 and under) bring joy, laughter, and a lot of books into my life. As a mom, I want books for them that are fun for me to read, engaging for them to look at, and enriching for their hearts and minds. What sprung up from that desire was The Little Christian Learning Collection, now including A Little Christian’s 123s, A Little Christian’s Animals, and the accompanying coloring & activity books.

It continues to fill me with joy when my kids pick these books off the shelf to read. My youngest daughter will toddle through the house with A Little Christian’s Animals in her hand, yelling “Am-mi-mals!” as a request to read it. If I accidentally skip the frog on the first page, she will turn back to it so she can point it out. Frogs have become her favorite animals, and, based on Lucy Shin’s adorable portrayal of them, I can’t blame her.

I’ve been so honored by the reports of these books being similarly loved in other households. It brings me so much joy to know that kids are asking to read these Bible stories over and over again.

I love the work that goes into constructing these books. The rhymes are fun to ponder over as I rock babies or cook dinner. I love the research that goes into making the illustrations historically and geographically accurate. Illustrator Lucy Shin is a joy to work with, and the way she turns my notes and scribbles into something adorable seems like magic to me.

I’ve also really enjoyed putting together the coloring and activity books. It’s yet another way to let kids engage with Bible stories, learn something new, and have fun doing it! I’ve been surprised by what a hit they’ve become, and I’m so glad that kiddos around the country are enjoying them. If you want a taste, ALL of the coloring pages are available for free here: https://www.seedlingsbooks.com/color

Overall, writing these books has been a huge blessing, and I’m continually honored to hear how they’re being enjoyed by little readers. Keep your eyes open for more in the Little Christian Learning Collection! There’s more to come.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 11

For Him and My Family, August 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 13

Girls in White Dresses, August 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 15

Lots of Helpers, August 15

By the Book, August 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 17

Stories by Gina, August 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 18

Labor Not in Vain, August 19

Cover Lover Book Review, August 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 21

Book Zone, August 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lila is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift Card with the entire Little Christian Learning Collection!!

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/2dbdb/a-little-christian-s-animals-celebration-tour-giveaway

Link to purchase book: https://tinyurl.com/2b7zd2ea

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham Book Review

Posted on August 14, 2024August 13, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Beyond Ivy Walls by extraordinary author Rachel Fordham is a Christian historical romance. It reminded me of an interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. This is such a beautiful story and drew me in quickly.

Set in early 1900s Monticello, Iowa this is the story of Sadie West. Due to a family tragedy, she has left her home and gone to work in a feather duster factory. It is also the story of Otis Taylor. He is returning home to handle the family estate after the death of his brother. The way the two meet is so imaginative.

The author has such an inviting style of writing. I became invested in the lives of the characters as well as the book. The characters were crafted with great care. They had depth, issues, and were believable. Some of them were absolutely lovable while others were despicable. The secondary characters were lovely, too. There were a few twists, a sweet romance, and history that provided knowledge on feather dusters. What do you know about feather dusters? After reading this lovely novel, you will know much more.

I highly recommend this exquisite tale. It will give you all kinds of feels. This would make a nice choice for a reading group to dissect. There is so much to discuss and many life lessons as well as faith ones to glean. I plan on buying a few copies as gifts. It gets a 5 star rating from this reader. I absolutely loved it! A copy was provided by NetGalley but these are my honest thoughts.

About the Book

Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis’s appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family’s affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only abandoned Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing toddler niece.

At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn’t a romantic job, but she’s hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building–and is thrown in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.

Otis’s wounds are deep, but as Sadie’s friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. Locating his long-lost niece, however, is more difficult than either could have imagined, and Sadie West may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.

About the Author

Rachel Fordham is the author of Where the Road Bends, A Lady in Attendance, A Life Once Dreamed, The Hope of Azure Springs, and Yours Truly, Thomas. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington. Learn more at rachelfordham.com; Instagram: @rachel_fordham; Facebook: @rachelfordhamfans.

Into the Starlight Book Review

Posted on August 6, 2024August 5, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today I have another five star book for you. It wraps up a trilogy written by the extraordinary wordsmith, Amanda Cabot. I would recommend reading the other two books first, but this could be read as a stand along with little trouble.

Into the Starlight by author Amanda Cabot is a Christian historical romance novel. This three-hundred-and-forty-three-page paperback is the third book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series. It concludes the series showcasing the three Vaughn sisters. At the beginning of the book is a map of the town to help readers.

This is a sweet family book with no vulgarity or profanity, but it does contain a mystery and some twists. There are many surprises hidden within the pages of this novel. This is the story of Joanne, the middle sister. She returns to Sweetwater Crossing from Europe a widow after having a serious illness. It is also the story of Doctor Burke Finley. He and Joanne are determined to solve the mystery of his uncle.

This novel took me to 1880’s small town Texas and gave me all of the feels. The characters were expertly crafted with a depth that made them believable. Through the author’s smooth writing, I felt at home in Sweetwater Crossing and found many friends. The story was fabulous. It tugged at my emotions and kept me invested. There were many twists and turns to keep me on my toes. A deeply buried secret had me turning pages into the wee hours of the night. This is an exciting story.

I appreciated the faith element and message. It was woven throughout the book. Scripture, prayers, sermons, and trust in God were all included. I did not like that they talked about praying for dead people or that when referring to God the pronouns were in lower case.

The writing is wonderful, the storyline is amazing, and the twists are surprising. There is so much to like in this excellent book. I highly recommend it. It receives a 5 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.

Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Series

Saved by the Matchmaker Book Review

Posted on August 5, 2024August 5, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome fiction lovers,

Today’s selection just might be my favorite book that I have read so far this year. High praise, I know, but it is well deserved. Let me tell you why . . .

Saved by the Matchmaker is Book Two in the A Shanahan Match series by author extraordinaire Jody Hedlund. It is a Christian historical romance series. While each book may be read as a standalone, characters are shared within the first two books.

I was intrigued with the cover and title of this phenomenal book that is set in 1849 St. Louis, Missouri. Enya Shanahan’s story continues as her father and oldest brother seek an annulment and then arranged marriage for her. Matchmaker Bellamy is back and endearing as ever.

There are so many facets to this captivating story. I was quickly engaged with the story and characters. Enya is a beautiful red-headed spitfire. Captain Sullivan O’Brien is large in stature and respected by others. He is a bit of a mystery. The characters are exquisitely crafted. Each one has many layers that unfold as the story does. I enjoyed the Irish brogue in the dialogue.

This story was filled with twists and turns, danger, adventure, and romance. It had me on the edge of my seat at times and giggling or tearing up at others. The beautiful writing took me to 1800s Missouri and Louisiana by way of the Mississippi River. I loved it and the Shanahan family.

I highly recommend this fabulous marriage of convenience novel. It gets the highest rating possible from me, 5 stars. Pick up a copy and put dinner in the crock pot before you start reading. This book will grab your attention immediately and refuse to let go! An advanced copy was provided by the author, but these are my honest words.

To Speak His Name Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on July 18, 2024July 17, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

“To Speak His Name” by author Tara Johnson is a Christian historical romance novel and Book One in The Wings of the Morning series. I was captivated from the very beginning of this riveting book. It pulled on my heartstrings and emotions.

I tend to shy away from books on slavery, which this one is. It is hard for me to understand the abhorrent way most slaves were treated. While the story did not gloss over the horrific things that were done, it did not go into excruciating detail. This book grabbed my attention from page one and absolutely refused to let me go.

Avalina was a wee child when she was stolen from her home in Ireland. Tragic circumstances turned her into a mute. She is a beautiful young girl with a sweet, kind spirit. However, she is stranded and marked as a slave on the island of Barbados.

Josiah Holland is the son of a South Carolina plantation owner. His father deals in crops and the sale of slaves. Josiah has been away at school and no longer agrees with his father on many things, especially the treatment or sale of slaves. He and Avalina meet when he travels to Barbados with his father for business with Avalina’s master. The connection they make is immediate and powerful. They are drawn to each other.

Tara Johnson has a fabulous style of writing. Her story flows like a river taking readers on a ride to a time and place faraway. There are many twists, turns, surprises, bumps, and smooth patches in this saga. Characters are finely crafted, believable, and engaging. They grow and mature in body and spirit. The Christian message is present even throughout trials and perilous times. Life lessons abound in this tale that will make readers ponder it long after they have finished the book.

I highly recommend this phenomenal book. It would be great for a book club to delve into. There is so much to discuss. Any historical romance fiction lover will devour it. I gladly rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: To Speak His Name

Author: Tara Johnson

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: March 4, 2024

Avalina is a woman trapped in silence. Stolen from her home in Ireland and sold as a slave to a Barbados plantation owner, the trauma of her past has left her mute, wrapped in a prison of loneliness and isolation amid an island of beauty. Though she longs to be free from the cruelty of her overseer, her heart yearns for a greater freedom…something just beyond her grasp.

Josiah Holland has been born into a South Carolina slave-holding family but all it takes is one trip to the island of Barbados to open his eyes to the ugly cruelty that abounds beyond the confines of his plantation. With the aid of fiery abolitionist Benjamin McGee, Josiah forges a new future, fighting the very ideals he was once a part of.

When Avalina and Josiah’s lives entwine, will their spark engulf them in destruction, or ignite a revolution?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tara Johnson is an author and speaker, and loves to write stories that help people break free from the lies they believe about themselves.

Tara’s debut novel Engraved on the Heart (Tyndale) earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and was a finalist in the Carol and Christy awards. Tara has been published by Tyndale House, Annie’s, and Guideposts. In addition to being published in a variety of digital and print magazines, she is a certified body language expert and has been on radio, television and podcasts. She is a history nerd, especially the Civil War, and adores making people laugh. She, her husband, and children live in Arkansas.

More from Tara

Barbados Sweet Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS

³⁄₄cup brown sugar
¹⁄₃cup shortening (or coconut oil)
¹⁄₃cup butter
2cups flour
1pinch salt
2 ¹⁄₄cups grated coconut
¹⁄₄cup raisins, chopped
¹⁄₄cup dried cherries, chopped
1tablespoon grated nutmeg
1tablespoon almond extract
1 ¹⁄₃cups evaporated milk
3tablespoons water
1tablespoon butter (for pan)
2tablespoons turbinado sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350*F and lightly grease a bread pan. The original recipe calls for 2 bread pans, but the bread doesn’t rise at all so it bakes nicely in one pan.
In a mixer cream together the brown sugar, shortening and butter.
Add flour, salt, grated coconut, raisins, cherries, nutmeg and mix well.
Stir in almond extract, evaporated milk, and water, until a firm dough is formed. (You may need to add additional water.).
Split the dough evenly between the two pans, and use a knife to cut a diagonal criss-cross pattern on the top of each loaf. Sprinkle 1 tbsp turbinado sugar over the top of each loaf.
Bake for about 1 hour, until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean (Or a digital thermometer reads 190*F.) Cool completely in the pans before removing.

The Story Behind To Speak His Name

By Tara Johnson

Who doesn’t love a toe-curling romance? I confess, when I began writing my upcoming story To Speak His Name, romance was the farthest thing from my mind.

This novel was prompted by two unique nuggets. First, I have always been fascinated with how those who have never heard of Jesus come to a saving knowledge of Him. How does the Holy Spirit reveal such marvelous truths to a soul who knows nothing of the spiritual world?

I began meditating on Psalm 19: 1-3: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” At the same time, I picked up a small nonfiction book about the Irish slave trade, and what I learned was astonishing.

The Irish slave trade began when King James II sold 30,000 Irish prisoners as slaves to the New World. From 1641 to 1652, over 500,000 Irish were killed by the English and another 300,000 were sold as slaves. Ireland’s population fell from about 1,500,000 to 600,000 in one single decade. Families were ripped apart and 52,000 Irish (mostly women and children) were sold to Barbados and neighboring islands.

My imagination quickly took flight. I pictured a young Irish girl named Avalina, stolen away from her home, shipwrecked and found wandering on a sandy beach in Barbados.

Oh, one other thing…Avalina is mute.

She is taken in by a cruel man and forced to work as a slave on his plantation, surrounded by strange people in a strange world who are steeped in polytheism and superstition. The years pass and, with her voice locked away in silence, she wonders if there isn’t something more to life than mere existence.

Enter Josiah Holland.

I never conceived having the son of a slave trader as my hero, but once I wrote the first scene with Josiah, I knew he would be the one to set Avalina’s heart on a path toward freedom. Just as the famed hymnist and former slave trader John Newton found redemption in the arms of Jesus, so Josiah turns away from the world he knows to embrace a broken woman and an uncertain future.

Is Josiah perfect? No. He struggles to please his demanding family. He grapples with his motives and his stained past, yet he is beautifully vulnerable.

When I finished penning the final scene, it hit me: Josiah is a picture of Christ. He redeems Avalina and carries her from the Land of Darkness into a kingdom of Light. He shows her kindness and compassion when all others treat her with disdain. What a lovely picture of grace.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Texas Book-aholic, July 12

Inspired by Fiction, July 13

Stories By Gina, July 14 (Author Interview)

The Book Club Network, July 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 16

Artistic Nobody, July 17 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 19

Simple Harvest Reads, July 20 (Guest Review from Mindy)

For Him and My Family, July 21

Through the Fire Blogs, July 22 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, July 22

The Lofty Pages, July 23

Holly’s Book Corner , July 24

Giveaway

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

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/2ca41/to-speak-his-name-celebration-tour-giveaway

Trail of Promises Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on July 14, 2024July 13, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Trail of Promises is book two in author Susan F. Craft’s the Great Wagon Road Series. This historical Christian romance is poignant wagon adventure from New York to South Carolina. I was invested within the first few pages.

Set in 1753, this is the story of Tessa Harris and Stephen Griffith. Unexpected circumstances have placed them together in this suspenseful adventurous tale. There are many dangerous things awaiting them as they traverse the wagon trail. The author researched well.

Filled with bits of history, this is an exciting pre-revolutionary marriage of convenience novel. The author has crafted two Christian characters that work well together. They encourage and support each other well. God’s plan and help is nicely included in the storyline.

I highly recommend this captivating book. It will keep you flipping pages to see what happens next. Be sure to read the Author’s Notes. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Trail of Promises

Author: Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 25, 2024

A marriage of convenience will protect her reputation on the long trail ahead, but he’s barely more than a stranger…

Tessa Harris is a woman without options. When she’s stranded nearly two hundred miles from her destination, her only companions are a former British Cavalry officer and his two young brothers. Society dictates they cannot travel without a chaperone, but can she trust this handsome stranger to protect her if they choose to marry? And if so, should she show her feelings or guard her heart? She’s learned the hard way how painful it is to love a man who doesn’t reciprocate.

Stephen Griffith has enough responsibility caring for his young brothers, and now he shoulders the massive responsibility of keeping his new wife safe as they cross the wilderness toward a new life. And though he tries to keep her at arm’s length, reminding himself their marriage may only be a temporary arrangement, he cannot seem to shake the feelings growing for her.

When they fall into the hands of outlaws, Tessa and Stephen must overcome their hardest obstacle yet. Only God can bring them safely to the end of the trail where enduring love awaits.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in writing, editing, and communicating in business settings.

She authored the historical romantic suspense trilogy Women of the American Revolution—The Chamomile, Laurel, and Cassia. The Chamomile and Cassia received national Illumination Silver Awards. The Chamomile was named by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance as an Okra Pick and was nominated for a Christy Award.

She collaborated with the International Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation to compile An Equestrian Writer’s Guide (www.lrgaf.org), including almost everything you’d ever want to know about horses.

An admitted history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, listening to music, and sitting on her porch watching geese eat her daylilies. She most recently took up the ukulele.

More from Susan

Tessa Harris and her father, Thomas, are portrait artists, limners, who travel from town to town seeking commissions.

Limners were among the first to record glimpses of life in colonial America. By the early 1700s, wealthy colonists hired limners to paint portraits of their families. These limners, mostly self-taught, generally unknown by name, turned out naive portraits in the Elizabethan style, the Dutch baroque style, or the English baroque court style, depending upon the European background of both artist and patron.

Rather than a true portrait, the paintings were most often idealistic and did not give a true representation of the personality of the sitter and were often two dimensional. Artists focused on the material wealth of the subject, giving much attention to their clothing and accessories. Some artists painted only the faces of their subjects, explaining that they need not bother with tedious sittings and that they would paint the bodies and clothing later. They would show their subjects English and French prints from which to choose whatever costumes and backgrounds they preferred.

Like most artisans of their time who found it difficult to support themselves with paintings only, limners also worked in pewter, silver, glass, or textiles or took jobs doing ornamental paintings of clocks, furniture, signs, and carriages. Many painted miniatures—tiny watercolor portraits—on pieces of ivory, often oval-shaped and commonly worn as jewelry. Limners also painted on paper and canvas and earned, on average, $15 per portrait.

Limners Samuel McIntire and Duncan Phyfe became celebrated painters of furniture. Famous colonial portrait artists included Joseph Blackburn, Peter Pelham, John Smibert, John Singleton Copley, John Trumbull and Charles Wilson Peale. An American artist, Benjamin West, became painter to the king and president of the Royal Academy in London. American artists flocked to his studio to learn under his tutelage, including Gilbert Stuart, who painted a famous portrait of George Washington.

In 1754 in British colonial New York, an artist took out the following ad in the Gazette and the Weekly Post: Lawrence Kilburn, Limner, just arrived from London with Capt. Miller, hereby acquaints all Gentlemen and Ladies inclined to favour him in having their pictures drawn, that he don’t doubt of pleasing them in taking a true Likeness, and finishing the Drapery in a proper Manner, as also in the Choice of Attitudes, suitable to each Person’s Age and Sex, and giving agreeable Satisfaction, as he has heretofore done to Gentlemen and Ladies in London. He may at present be apply’d to at his Lodgings, at Mr. Bogart’s near the New Printing-Office in Beaver-Street.

I pray that my Great Wagon Road series honors the Lord and the gifts He has given me and that you will love my characters as much as I do. Soli Deo Gloria.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, July 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Pens Pages & Pulses, July 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 10

Texas Book-aholic, July 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 12

For Him and My Family, July 12

Lighthouse Academy Blog, July 13 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Karen Baney Reviews, July 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 15

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 16

Holly’s Book Corner, July 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 17

lakesidelivingsite, July 18

Cover Lover Book Review, July 19

Blossoms and Blessings, July 20

Pause for Tales, July 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 21

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 22

Giveaway

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

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/2ca3e/trail-of-promises-celebration-tour-giveaway

12 Ways to Age Gracefully Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger by author Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS, is a Nonfiction, Christian Living, Health book. The author emphasizes faith and inspiration in her advice. I really appreciated that. She offers practical tips and counsel on a multitude of things in a clear manner.

Covering topics of eating right, exercising, brain health, hormones, stress, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health, and life balance, there is something for everyone in this educational book. The author has included science for more in depth information. Her style is open, upfront, and easy to understand.

There is a lot of information to absorb in the healthy book. It needs to be read slowly. Concluding each chapter are summary, life application, and personal reflection questions. The author suggests scripture memorization and prayer, which I agree with very much. Her advocation of Christian yoga gave me pause. I have never heard of that. It sounds like an oxymoron to me.

Overall, I enjoyed the author’s thoughts and gleaned useful information. I would recommend this book. Mature women would benefit most from reading it, but younger ones may want to take a look at what’s ahead for them. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: 12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger

Author: Susan U. Neal

Genre: Nonfiction, Christian Living, Healthy Living

Release date: May 28, 2024

Embrace the Youthful Spirit at Any Age

As you face the mirror each day, do you meet an older version of yourself? It’s a familiar journey, one where we acknowledge that we’re not as young as we once were, yet not quite ready to embrace being old. But what if there was a way to traverse this path with grace and vitality?

The good news is you can slow time down. By making the right choices, you can look and feel younger. You don’t have to spend a fortune on products either; simply learn the tools needed to move gracefully and joyfully through your senior years.

By making simple lifestyle changes, you’ll look and feel better. Discover how to choose vitality over disease; joy over depression; youthfulness over listlessness. 12 Ways to Age Gracefully, will empower you to:

boost your energy levels,
improve senior brain health,
learn how to feel better about yourself,
develop better stress management, and
fulfill your God-appointed purpose with renewed vigor.

What path will you choose? Discover the secrets to not just feeling better but also looking fantastic as you do so!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan Neal, an RN with an MBA and MHS, combines her passion for health and her faith to guide others toward wellness. As an acclaimed author and health coach, her works including the transformative 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates aim to uplift the health of the Christian community for God’s service. To help fulfill that mission, she wrote, Eat God’s Food: A Kid’s Guide to Healthy Eating.

More from Susan

Welcome to the Journey of Graceful Aging with 12 Ways to Age Gracefully

As we embark on this exciting blog tour for my newest book, 12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger, I’m thrilled to share the passion and purpose behind this project. This journey is about more than just sharing information; it’s about embracing each year with joy and vitality. This isn’t just a book tour; it’s a movement towards embracing a more vibrant, healthful approach to our advancing years.

Inspiration Behind the Book

The inspiration for 12 Ways to Age Gracefully stems from my personal journey of losing my health. After facing significant health challenges a decade ago, I’ve been on a quest to inspire others to improve their health and optimal weight. This book is my way of sharing those solutions, offering guidance on how to maintain vitality, strength, and joy as we age.

When a person integrates the holistic practices in this book, they not only combat the physical signs of aging but also enhance their overall well-being. This book is a culmination of years of research and personal trials that has been put into practical, actionable strategies that anyone can adopt to enrich their lives.

What Makes This Book Unique?

What sets 12 Ways to Age Gracefully apart is its holistic approach, blending scientific insights with practical wisdom along with spiritual considerations. Each chapter is crafted to help you implement changes that have profound effects not just on your physical health, but on your mental and spiritual well-being too.

This book isn’t just a guide; it’s an invitation to reevaluate lifestyles and make decisions that can profoundly impact health and happiness. To add a practical component to the book, each chapter concludes with a list of Personal and Practical Applications for the reader to evaluate and incorporate into their daily routines.

A Fun, Interactive Element

To make this journey interactive and truly beneficial, 12 Ways to Age Gracefully introduces a “21-Day Age Gracefully Challenge.” This challenge encourages readers to apply one tip from the book each day, helping to form habits that lead to long-lasting health improvements. It’s a great way for readers to engage actively with the content and see real changes.

Join Us on This Tour

Throughout this blog tour, hosted on Celebrate Lit, we’ll share more behind-the-scenes details, stories from readers who are already experiencing the benefits of the strategies in the book, and additional tips and surprises along the way.

I invite you to join in, leave comments, and share your experiences. And you can find out more about healthy living at my website. Aging gracefully is more than just a concept—it’s a practical, joyful path that we can choose every day. Let’s walk this path together, learning and growing as we go!

Blessings,

Susan Neal

—

This blog post is your gateway into a world where aging is not feared but embraced with energy and enthusiasm. Follow along on the tour for inspiration, community stories, and practical advice that can transform the way you view aging. Let’s age not just gracefully, but joyfully and purposefully!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 3

Lots of Helpers, July 3

Inspired by Fiction, July 4

Vicky Sluiter, July 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 6

Texas Book-aholic, July 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 10

Beauty in the Binding, July 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 12

Splashes of Joy, July 13

Artistic Nobody, July 14 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, July 15

Lily’s Corner, July 16

Giveaway

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

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/2d112/12-ways-to-age-gracefully-celebration-tour-giveaway

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on July 7, 2024July 7, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts by author Donna Wyland is a charming Christian children’s book. Beautiful illustrations are done by Courtney Smith. I loved this book and will definitely be giving it as a gift many times.

Psalms are written in rhymes to draw the attention of children. This helps them memorize the psalms, too. There are twelve psalms written this way with a short prayer following each one. After these, Psalms from the ESV (English Standard Version) translation are presented. I was happy to see Psalm 23 was not one that was changed into a rhyming one.

This precious book is especially for children ages 4 to 8. The illustrations are cute and engaging. It is important to start little ones early hearing and reading God’s Word. I think this is a fabulous way to expose them to Psalms. It is great for parents, grandparents, daycares, and churches to have.

I highly recommend this excellent Christian children’s book. It would make a perfect gift for any occasion or “just because”. This receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: : Picture Book

Release date: 2023

The sky is like a large blue tent

stretched high above the sun,

that floats and falls from end to end

and warms till day is done.

~ Psalm 19:5-6

Young hearts will cherish the sweet rhyme contained in Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts as they are gently guided to a closer relationship with God. From beginning to end, the colorful childlike illustrations bring the psalms to life and inspire children to hide God’s Word in their hearts.

Uniquely created for children ages 4 – 8, this book of scriptural poetry will inspire children to sing praises to God and help them understand and remember God’s constant presence and powerful promises. And, for parents who want to lead their growing children to the original Bible psalms, they are included at the end.

Whether for morning devotions or nighttime prayers,

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts will bless children seeking to know the Lord

and provide a foundation for intimate spiritual time

with parents, grandparents, and others.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

DONNA WYLAND is an award-winning author, busy mother, grandmother and friend. She is the author of ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus, a best-selling children’s picture book and is a contributor to many inspirational essay collections. Donna lives and writes at her home in Southwest Florida and her condo overlooking the ski slopes in Steamboat, Colorado.

More from Donna

“More than 30 years ago I discovered the meaning of the Book of Psalms. Whether I was struggling or celebrating, God led me to individual psalms that encouraged and comforted me and gave me the strength to persevere. It is my heart’s desire to see children learn the power and peace of the psalms early in life so they, too, will turn to God’s Word when they need hope and comfort, or they are searching for the right words to praise Him for His blessings and favor. This book of rhyming psalms protects the biblical meaning of each psalm while putting the message in a child’s vocabulary with rhyme to help them remember.”

Blog Stops

Divine Perspective, July 1

Blossoms and Blessings, July 2 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, July 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 3

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 4

Labor Not in Vain, July 5

Texas Book-aholic, July 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 7

Vicky Sluiter, July 8 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 10

For Him and My Family, July 11

Cover Lover Book Review, July 12

Guild Master, July 13 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, July 14 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Magnolia Market gift card!!

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/2c80a/psalms-in-rhyme-for-little-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

Mary’s Calico Hope Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on July 6, 2024July 5, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Mary’s Calico Hope by author Anne Blackburne is Book 5 in The Heart of the Amish Series. The Contemporary Amish series is written by multiple authors. Each book may be read as a standalone or together in the series.

This is the story of Mary Yoder. She is unmarried, twenty-nine, and has mobility issues due to a childhood accident. Rueben King is the new doctor in town. He is Mennonite. When he meets Mary sparks begin to fly.

The author has done a great job creating believable characters. Mary has a cheery attitude despite her situation. She lives alone with her calico kitten and has found a way to be independent and live alone. The doctor being Mennonite allowed for comparison between them and the Amish. I enjoyed this storyline and learned a lot while reading this captivating tale.

The Christian messages tucked inside this interesting story are wonderful. The life lessons are as well. If you are an animal or cat person, the escapades of Hope, Mary’s cat, will make you smile. There is so much to like in this novel.

I highly recommend this book to all lovers of Amish fiction. Expect some twists and turns to keep you on your toes. This book receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Mary’s Calico Hope (The Heart of the Amish: Book 5)

Author: Anne Blackburne

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release date: June, 2024

Mary Yoder Is Content Despite Challenges Thrown Her Way

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

If God wills it, Mary Yoder will do it, even if that means using crutches for the rest of her life. She was badly injured in a buggy accident as a child. Still, she is content living in the Dawdi Haus connected to her parents’ farmhouse and with her work weaving baskets and raising specialty roosters whose feathers she uses to make excellent trout lures. She is truly happy at twenty-nine, but. . .she wouldn’t mind finding a husband—if the Lord wills it. Along comes Reuben King, a Mennonite doctor. They are attracted to one another, but how could they ever be together? She’s a baptized Amish woman, so it seems impossible. Also, he wants her to have surgery to improve her mobility and lessen her day-to-day pain. She’s sick and tired of surgeries! But if God wills it, she’ll do it. And just maybe there will be a way for these two unlikely souls to connect.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Anne Blackburne lives and works in Southeast Ohio as a newspaper editor and writer. She is the mother of five grown children, has one wonderful grandchild, and a spoiled poodle named Millie. For fun, when she isn’t working on Amish romance or sweet mysteries, Anne directs and acts in community theater productions and writes and directs original plays. She also enjoys reading, kayaking, swimming, searching for beach glass, and just sitting with a cup of coffee looking at large bodies of water. Her idea of the perfect vacation is cruising and seeing amazing new places with people she loves.

More from Anne

Hello from Southeastern Ohio, where the sun is shining and it’s good to be alive!

Less than a year ago I wrote a kick-off post for the launch of my debut novel, Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise, which was also featured in a Celebrate Lit Book Tour in December 2023.

As a green newbie, I didn’t really understand what this meant, but I was (and am!) very happy for any help with my writing career. Well, the amazing bloggers who work with Celebrate Lit did a bang-up job promoting my book, and it is doing very well. So thanks to all of them, and to all who have read Ruth’s story!

Now, here I am again! I can hardly believe that my second book, Mary’s Calico Hope, is published and available to readers, and that once again I’m blessed to have the help of the Celebrate Lit folks in launching my book.

Mary Yoder will be familiar to anyone who read my first book. She appears several times in that story; you may remember her as the quiet young woman with a great attitude despite the fact that she has been using crutches to get around since a childhood accident injured her spine and legs.

Mary is the heroine of my second book, Mary’s Calico Hope. In fact, Mary is something of a heroine to me. I love her joy in living and her faith that God will get her through any challenge, even if she can’t begin to see how He’s going to do it.

We all face challenges, and would all benefit from a little more faith, and not just when times get tough, am I right?

I am so happy to bring you Mary’s story and can’t wait for you to experience her happy-ever-after. (Which of course is guaranteed, since we’re talking about a romance novel!) But how will she get there? Ah, that’s the question!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Mary’s story! This book is my second in Barbour Publishing’s new series, “The Heart of the Amish”. It’s actually the fifth book in that series, which also contains great reads from authors Mindy Steele and Lisa Baker Jones.

I’m currently writing my third book in the series, which will feature a young woman you met in both Ruth and Mary’s stories, Elizabeth Miller. Look for Lizzie’s Little Mouse next winter.

Oh! I forgot to mention, each of my heroine’s received a tiny kitten from an elderly friend, Lydia Coblentz. Ruth had Ginger Snap. Mary has her calico kitten, Hope. And Lizzie’s kitten is a little gray one that reminds her of—you guessed it! A mouse!

I hope you’re having as much fun reading about these remarkable young women—and their kitties! —as I’m having writing about them. Thanks for being part of our journey! Without you, it wouldn’t be possible.

As for me and mine, we are all well and enjoying spring in southeast Ohio. In other words, enjoying the sunshine, but carrying a sweater and an umbrella, just in case!

God bless you and yours!

Joyfully,

Anne Blackburne