Giveaway Book Tour Love’s Christmas Blessing

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Review:

Are you an Amish fan like I am?  Reading about their lifestyle takes me away to a world I wish I could live in but know I cannot.  I am too much of a modern conveniences girl.  The family and friendship bonds are enticing to me as are many other things.

These two novellas were charming.  In the first one, Winter’s Treasure by Laura Hilton, we meet birthday girl Paris, her friend Sarah, and newcomer Quil.  I loved the way Paris’ father celebrates her birthday.  It was a new one for me and I wish I had known about something like this when my kids were growing up.

This story is about true friendship, jealousy, and forgiveness.  It has a nice message which anyone will appreciate.

The second novella is Mistletoe and Miracles by Rachel J. Good.  It is the story of Daniel Graber and his father, who is recovering from a broken hip.  We meet Fern and her young daughter Lyddie.  The characters are relatable and likable.  In this tale it shows how a young girl can make friends and overcome sadness.  We also see how her mom might love again.

I enjoyed both of those novellas.  They were short reads and very charming.  I preferred the second just a little bit more.  This gets a 4 out of 5 star rating and definite recommendation from me.

I received a copy of this book from CelebrateLit.  These are my own honest opinions.

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About the Book

Book: Love’s Christmas Blessings

Author: Laura V Hilton, Rachel J Good

Genre: Christian Fiction, Amish, Christmas

Release Date: November, 2018

Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing

Winter’s Treasure

Paris Kauffman believes she is about to embark on her family-tradition birthday treasure hunt, but for the first time ever, her daed is sending her to various businesses and homes in the community. Little does Paris expect that when she enters the bakery to collect her gift, the bus will drop off none other than her old crush, Aquila Stutzman, the man she’d done everything except cartwheels and handstands to get his attention. And failed. Of course, Quil doesn’t remember her.

Quil was offered employment working on his grandparents’ new tree farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since he’s recovering from a broken heart when his longtime girlfriend Priscilla up and married his cousin, a move Quil never saw coming, he decides to take the job. This will give him time to separate himself from the hurt and maybe, eventually, move on.

Paris and Quil have sparks from the beginning, especially since his appearance causes a vicious rivalry between friends. But who can resist when a chance meeting beginning with donuts and coffee ends with a missing person, puppies, a skunk, and a sleigh ride—not to mention a trip the Amish young people plan to Niagara Falls. Could it also involve falling in love?

Mistletoe and Miracles

Daniel Graber has spent years caring for his aging parents. Now Daed’s in rehab with a broken hip and a bad case of irritability. He snaps at the workers and complains about doing physical therapy, so Daniel is grateful for the new aide, Fern Chupp, who uses her sweetness and charm to convince Daed to cooperate. Turns out, Daed isn’t the only one she charms.

As a widow, Fern is grateful for her new job at Fairview Rehab Center, even though it meant relocating to Ephrata, Pennsylvania, with her nine-year-old daughter, Lyddie. But Lyddie is grieving the recent death of her grandfather and dislikes leaving her Ohio home. Lyddie’s shyness also makes it difficult to make friends orh recite school lessons.

When her class goes to the rehab center to interview patients, Lyddie’s too scared to do her assignment, so she runs away. During the hunt for her missing daughter, independent Fern learns to accept and appreciate Daniel’s help and support. By the time they discover Lyddie, she’s made a very unusual friend, and Fern and Daniel have developed a friendship.  Can four lonely heart create special bonds to make it a Christmas to remember?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Authors

Laura pictureLaura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with over twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

rachel goodInspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Surprised by Love (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.

To learn more about Rachel, visit her at www.racheljgood.com.

Coconut Potato Fudge Recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain, mashed potatoes, either instant or one medium potato, cooked

1/8 cup finely chopped (or crushed) almonds (optional)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
give3 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

Beat powdered sugar and coconut into warm potatoes; then add the vanilla extract and almonds.

Press into a lightly-greased 8-inch square pan; set aside.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. When melted, pour over top of the potato mixture.

Refrigerate until set and then cut into squares.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, November 11

The Avid Reader, November 11

Bigreadersite, November 11

Among the Reads, November 12

Wishful Endings, November 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13

Britt Reads Fiction, November 13

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 14

Maureen’s Musings, November 14

Quiet Quilter, November 15

Blossoms and Blessings, November 15

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 16

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 16

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, November 17

Through the Lens of Scripture, November 17

Bibliophile Reviews, November 18

Splashes of Joy, November 18

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 19

Mary Hake, November 19

Miss Tina’s Amish Book Reviews, November 20

Just the Write Escape, November 20

Moments, November 21

Bukwurmzzz, November 21

Blogging With Carol, November 22

Texas Book-aholic, November 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 23

Janices book reviews, November 23

Carpe Diem, November 24

A Baker’s Perspective, November 24

 

Giveaway

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To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away

Grand prize of $25 Amazon gift card

1st place: Paperback copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings

2-4th place: eBook copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings!!

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/d8a0/love-s-christmas-blessing-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess
The Minimalist Home by author Joshua Becker is a book filled with ideas on how to simplify your life.  Decluttering or minimalizing is a hot trend now.  Most people talk about it but few seldom actually do it.  This book helps readers go from the dreaming to the doing stage.
It was a tough sell for a sentimental old bird like me.  Am I a minimalist?  Absolutely not.  Just a wannabe.  It sounds good until the garbage bags come out and my cherished items start clinging to me.  After reading Author Becker’s book, I have decided enough is enough.  I can and will do this.
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The author goes room by room giving readers encouragement and a well written plan.  He has traveled this road before so he understands all too well the emotional roller coaster participants will ride.  Giving encouragement of “Less house means more home” and “Just because you have space doesn’t mean you have to fill it with stuff” spurred me to change.
By decluttering your home, it will allow you to live your life there and do things you were created to do.  Let that sink in.  If my home is less cluttered basically I can focus more on my family and God. Sold!  There will be less distractions and less upkeep.
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Have the things I owned cluttered my house to the extent that they caused me not to have friends over because my house was too messy?  Certainly.   Okay, no I see the problem.  I am basically being owned by my possessions instead of me owning them as the author explained.
This is a well thought book that is written to help.  It is broken down into three sections and twelve chapters.  The author has done his research and organized his ideas wonderfully.  It will take a while but thanks to this book and its author, I have begun the journey.
I would definitely recommend this life changing book.  It gets 5 out of 5 stars from me.  Get a copy for yourself and start the process for yourself.  A copy was provided by the publisher but all opinions are my own, honest ones.54641D6B-7A59-4296-B104-CBFB182CC7DE

The Light Before Day Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Light Before Day by author Suzanne Woods Fisher is Book 3 in her Nantucket Legacy Series.  Whether writing contemporary, Amish, or Quaker Christian fiction, author Fisher always delivers a great book.  She does her research in-depth and I always learn something.

This is the story of Hitty and Henry, twins that have inherited their grandmother’s estate.    She has placed some stipulations on the inheritance and those restrictions might prohibit them from receiving it.

I was immediately drawn into to this story and could not put the book down.  The characters are believable and well rounded.  I became invested in their lives.  The villains were very bad guys.  It was easy to dislike them.  The author is talented and always sweeps me away to another time and place.  I loved the formal way people spoke back them.  Everything in the book has been written realistically like that.

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Subjects tackled in this page turner include family, love, submission, respect, and trust in God. The Light Before Day is a 19th century historical Christian novel which includes so much.  It has history, drama, mystery, romance, faith, good deeds, friendship and family bonds. One of my favorite things is for author’s to include group questions.  This one has them.  There are discussion questions, author’s notes, and a section on what is true/false included in the book. If you enjoy historical fiction or reading about Quakers, you will not want to miss reading The Light Before Day.

I highly recommend The Light Before Day.  It receives a 5 out of 5 stars from me.  I received a copy from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to leave a review.  These are my own, honest thoughts.

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About the Book:

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Book: The Light Before Day
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: October 2, 2018

“Henry, this . . . fortune, this sudden wealth . . . I fear it will change our lives. And I don’t want my life to change.”
After three years on a whaling voyage, Henry Macy returns to Nantucket to news that his grandmother has passed, bequeathing her vast fortune to him and his sister, Hitty. And it was truly vast. But Lillian Coffin was no fool. The inheritance comes with a steep cost, including when each should marry and whom—a Quaker in good standing, of course. But if they relinquish the inheritance, it all goes to Tristram Macy, their father’s thieving business partner.

As Hitty and Henry seek a way to satisfy the will’s conditions, they’ll be faced with obstacles on every side—and it may be that Lillian Coffin will have the last word after all.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Phoebe’s Light and Minding the Light, as well as the Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She has also written several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. Fisher lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow her on Twitter @suzannewfisher and Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor.

Guest Post from Suzanne:
 

The Mortgage Button

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In each story of the ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series, there’s a reference to a mortgage button in the newel post of a stairway. Phoebe Starbuck, the main character in Phoebe’s Light, made a point to notice it in the captain’s house on Orange Street, the famous residences of sea captains. In Minding the Light, Daphne Coffin touched the mortgage button on the newel post of her horrible mother’s grand house each and every morning. Hitty and Henry Macy were well aware of the absence of their childhood home’s mortgage button—and all that its absence symbolized—in The Light Before Day.
Mortgage buttons meant something to each of those characters. It made a statement to anyone who walked into a house.
Have you ever seen a mortgage button? It’s a very Nantucket-y tradition. In fact, some say the mortgage button originated on Nantucket Island, thirty miles out to sea.
Supposedly, when a house’s mortgage was fully paid and there were no liens against the property, the homeowner drilled a hole in the newel post of the main staircase, rolled up the mortgage document, put it inside, and capped the hole with a decorative plug of scrimshaw.
Scrimshaw is a term for an American folk art developed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Whaling in New England was an industry that lifted Nantucket Island to become the world’s wealthiest port. After a whale’s oil was rendered, the ship’s captain would give his crew the sperm whale’s teeth or bones to carve during long tedious hours at sea. Whaling had its exciting moments, but they were far and few between. As a pastime, sailors carved all kinds of useful gifts to bring home to their loved ones: needles, combs, games, clothespins, busks…and mortgage buttons.

But let’s jump back to the mortgage button. Some legends say that the actual mortgage papers were ceremoniously burned and the ashes stashed inside the drilled hole before sealed with the button. However, as appealing a thought as that might be, it is most likely a myth. There’s never been any evidence of ashes or even hidden mortgages found in salvaged newel posts. Still, mortgage buttons are common among Nantucket homes, and the tradition has spread to other parts of the country. In southern states, for example, they’re called brag buttons. Whether myth or truth, today it’s more a matter of a charming nostalgic custom than a nod to your healthy (or…not so healthy) net worth.

Blog Stops
The Avid Reader, November 4
Texas Book-aholic, November 5
Godly Book Reviews, November 5
Among the Reads, November 8
Mary Hake, November 10
Carpe Diem, November 11
Captive Dreams, November 14
Bigreadersite, November 14
By The Book, November 15
Pause for Tales, November 16
Book by Book, November 16
Bibliophile Reviews, November 17
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Suzanne 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 the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/d773/the-light-before-day-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

Posted on 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!
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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 Reviews, 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.

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

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

About the Book

Miles from Where We Started

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 ruchtiCynthia 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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Book Review: Shelter of the Most High

Posted on 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 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 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.
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About the Book

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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

Leena DooleyMulti-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
Among the Reads, October 10
A Diva’s Heart, October 10
Baker Kella, October 11
Britt Reads Fiction, October 13
Texas Book-aholic, October 13
Susan Loves Books, October 14
Splashes of Joy, October 15
Creating Romance, October 16
Bigreadersite, October 16
Mary Hake, October 17
Maureen’s Musings, October 18
Bibliophile Reviews, October 20
Pause for Tales, October 20
More Of Him, October 21
Carpe Diem, October 22

Giveaway

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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.

 

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

Posted on 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.

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About the Book

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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.
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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!
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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

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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

Book Review: Marked by Love by Tim Steven

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess
Marked by Love: A Dare to Walk Away from Judgment and Hypocrisy by author Tim Steven is a frank, real, honest look at how we see and love others.  It is an in your face, step on your toes, search inside yourself book that challenges readers.  Are others able to identify us by our actions that we are Christians?  Can they see Jesus shining through us?
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It is not always easy but we are told to love everyone.  Scripture says to love and pray for your enemies.  Sinners, too, need your love.  Perhaps you don’t agree with them, but you can still love them.  Love the person and hate the sin.
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How do you think we are doing? Are we Christians living as the Bible commands?  Are we lovings others?  Do we not judge?  These are stinging questions but this book is a wake up call to anyone who has forgotten.  We are to be Jesus to others and live as He taught us everyday, not just the hour or two on Sunday when we are in church.
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The author explains God said twice in scripture “Jesus is marked by my love”.  Jesus did not have a tattoo or certain color he always wore to mark Him.  The only thing that marked Jesus Christ and the only thing that would mark His followers is love.  We as followers are also marked by love.  Do we act like it?  Can we treat everyone with love?  We are commanded to do just that.  Not just people we like but everyone.  Even those we disagree with in choices, politics, lifestyle, and anything.
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I would highly recommend this walk the walk book to anyone.  It is very upfront about people needing to change.  We need to stop this bickering, judging, and hating.  How would our world be if we treated everyone with love and showed them Jesus?  Think of the changes!  This is a great group read.  Believe me, you will want to discuss it with people.  You will want to change for the better.  This reader did.   It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me.  I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.  All opinions are my own honest ones.
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