The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport Celebration Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 23, 2019May 19, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Greetings! You made it to my stop on the Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport Celebrate Lit Book Tour. Today I will share my thoughts on the book, information on it and the author, have some words from her, a schedule of the other stops, and information on the giveaway. So keep reading and don’t forget to enter.

My Thoughts

The Inn at Hidden Run by author Olivia Newport is a dual time period (contemporary and historical) Christian mystery romance. Author Newport is a grand storyteller. She weaves past and present together flawlessly into one poignant tale.

This is the contemporary tale of genealogist Jillian and her attorney father, Nolan, from Colorado who together trace family histories for people. It is also the tale of a family of doctors and the yellow fever outbreak in Memphis, Tennessee in late 1870’s. The family turned up in research when Jillian began helping Meri, a new girl in town.

This is a very interesting plot. The author did a wonderful job with research and providing an authentic story. I am a historical fiction lover over contemporary, so needless to say, I enjoyed reading that portion just a tad bit more.

Author Newport’s tale pulled at my heartstrings. Parts of it brought tears to my eyes. I was invested in both of the intertwined storied. Her style of writing is easy and unrushed. She allows you to soak in all of the details and transport yourself to a different locale or era, and sometimes both. The characters were well rounded. They had good points and flaws. Some of them felt like new friends and I wants to have coffee with them.

The historical section read very authentic. The characters were likable and genuinely cared for people. I learned a lot about Memphis and the Yellow Fever. Like I said earlier, this is a well researched, organized, planned, and written novel.

The inspirational and faith element is laced throughout this lovely book. Life lessons of forgiveness, grace, finding God’s Will for your life, family, love, caring for ill, and hope are just a few things I found inside the pages.

I definitely would recommend this book. Get a book group together so that you will be able to toss some questions around. Genealogy lovers will enjoy the book as will mystery buffs. Contemporary and Historical fiction will each have a section to like and one to test. It gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own honest thoughts.

About the Book

A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees Meri flunks out of medical school—and runs from her parents. Genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy’s digging traces the family long tradition of doctors to an ancestor saved during a yellow fever outbreak in Memphis in 1878. As Meri’s family closes in, Jillian gets the final puzzle pieces in place just in time for them all to learn the truth. The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in the Tree of Life series. Readers will come back to backdrop of a lovely mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that inspire them to connect with their own family histories and unique faith journeys.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twentysomething children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.

More from Olivia

Of Family Lines and Family Lore

I suppose it all started in a cemetery.

Once, while a group of relatives were visiting a cemetery, one of my cousins and I wandered off and looked at all sorts of graves, speculating about the names we read and the lives they represented. We were duly scolded both for separating from our families, which caused some consternation, and for being disrespectful—though I think the second accusation was a false one!

Just because we were young children didn’t mean we were disrespecting the dead. Quite the opposite. We were respecting lives long forgotten with our curiosity about who they were and what legacies they left.

These days a lot of people are interested in genealogy. Entire TV series spin around the theme, and DNA kits show up in Christmas stockings. Lost branches of family trees find the main trunk—sometimes with big surprises.

My new Tree of Life series is set in the backdrop of a lovely Colorado mountain town I hope you’ll want to visit often, where a father-daughter genealogy team link present to past on family trees and characters learn about who they are, where they come from, and their unique faith journeys as they discover their own Tree of Life.

It all starts with The Inn at Hidden Run. When Meri arrives in Canyon Mines because she wants to run away from her family, true answers come from understanding the past that generations have forgotten—the accounts from another time and place no longer handed down but that still form the backbone of the family’s story.

What’s the backbone of your family’s history? How is it shaping your own future?

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 18

The Avid Reader, May 18

The Power of Words, May 18

Daysong Reflections, May 19

Texas Book-aholic, May 19

Through the Fire Blogs, May 20

Lighthouse Academy, May 20

A Baker’s Perspective, May 21

To Everything A Season, May 21

Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 22

Pause for Tales, May 22

Hallie Reads, May 22

Bigreadersite, May 23

By The Book, May 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 23

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 24

Connect in Fiction, May 24

Maureen’s Musings, May 25

Seasons of Opportunities, May 25

Inklings and notions, May 25

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 26

Godly Book Reviews, May 27

janicesbookreviews, May 27

Retrospective Spines, May 28

Mary Hake, May 28

Quiet Quilter, May 29

A Reader’s Brain, May 29

Remembrancy, May 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30

Just the Write Escape, May 31

Moments, May 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Inn at Hidden Run!!

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/e1c1/the-inn-at-hidden-run-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 22, 2019May 21, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today’s blog is a stop on the book tour for The Printed Letter Bookshop. I have lots of information for you including how to enter the giveaway. Be sure to enter. You can’t win unless you do.

My Thoughts

As a former Christian Bookstore owner I was delighted when I heard about this book. I actually got a bit giddy when I received it in the mail. This contemporary Christian romance is centered around books, a bookstore, and three women friends. How could it be anything other than fabulous?

Katherine Reay is a new to me author. I enjoyed her style of writing. The point of view changes for each of the three main characters, but it was done flawlessly. I actually enjoyed it. The story flowed at an even, natural pace. It didn’t lag or feel rushed. Conversations sounded genuine. There were some twists and turns to make it interesting.

The characters were easy to become engaged with and were identifiable. They were well rounded with quirks and all. The author vividly describes them and they become new friends. At times I felt their sadness, pain, and joy.

I was immediately invested since it was about a bookshop. However, the book opens with a funeral and takes a bit before it gets to a happy place. I was getting impatient and wanted to hurry through the story to get to the bookshop!

Madeline inherits her Aunt Maddie’s bookshop where she helped as a girl. Then something happened between her father and aunt making them estranged. We meet Janet and Claire. They are her friends or ladies working for her and are unique in their own ways.

It is a very realistic tale. Author Reay has done her research well. This book is well planned, well organized, and written exceptionally well. It was light on the spirit content for me, but it had great life lessons for hope, forgiveness, friendship, mercy, grace, and love. All in all it was an encouraging book.

I definitely recommend this book to all women. It has an entertaining story. Any reader should enjoy a book about books and a bookstore. It is a cozy, quick read that made me giggle a time or two. The romance is sweet. I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided from Celebrate Lit, but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: The Printed Letter Bookshop

Author: Katherine Reay

Genre: Women’s fiction, romance

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Amid literature and lattes, three women come together and find that sharing one’s journey with best friends makes life richer.

When attorney Madeline Carter inherits her aunt’s bookstore in a small town north of Chicago, she plans to sell it and add the proceeds to her nonexistent “investment portfolio.” But plans change when Madeline discovers the store isn’t making money and she gets passed over for promotion at her firm. She quits in protest, takes the train north, and decides to work at the store to prep it for sale. Madeline soon finds herself at odds with employees Jessica and Courtney; when she also finds herself attracted to an affianced man, it only confuses the entire situation.

After blowing up her marriage two years earlier, Jessica has found solace working at the bookstore and a kindred spirit within its owner, Maddie Cullen. But when Maddie dies and her niece, Madeline, barges in like a bulldozer, Jessica pushes at the new owner in every way-until she trips over common ground. Soon the women are delving into online dating and fashion makeovers, and Jessica feels the pull to rediscover her art, a love she thought long behind her.

After a night of bad decisions leaves the store in peril, Courtney arrives and tries to save the day. While she, too, found sanctuary in the little bookstore, she knows it’s under-insured, in the red, and will never survive. When she discovers her teenage daughter has played a part in vandalizing the store, Courtney taps into strength she didn’t know existed-or had long forgotten. The quietest of the three, she steps up and finds a way to save her family, the store, and the precious friendships that have grown within it.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is the story of friends who find each other-and themselves-in a place none of them ever expected.

About the Author

Katherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of Dear Mr. Knightley, Lizzy and Jane, The Brontë Plot, A Portrait of Emily Price, The Austen Escape, and The Printed Letter Bookshop. All Katherine’s novels are contemporary stories with a bit of classical flair. Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and isa wife, mother, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine now happily resides outside Chicago, IL. You can meet her at www.katherinereay.com; Facebook: KatherineReayBooks; Twitter: @katherine_reay; or Instagram: @katherinereay.

More from Katherine

Don’t you love bookshops?

Every time I walk into a bookstore, it feels like a rainbow cracked open and rained a kaleidoscope of light, life and possibilities before me. I find worlds within the world and a call to adventure.

Each bookshop tells a different story. It tells of its loyal beloved customer base. It reflects the personality of its owner and staff. It carries the aura of the stories it offers to us.

And it was the perfect place to dig into lives, hearts and book loves of Janet, Claire and Madeline. These three women, at different stages in life, meet at the Printed Letter Bookshop, with all the romance and wonder it holds, and learn to work through their challenges together. They become the friends that each didn’t know she was missing.

There is also a fourth woman I loved spending time with in the Printed Letter Bookshop — its original owner, Maddie Carter. Maddie doesn’t step onto the stage even once, but her presence, her love and her guiding hand are apparent from page one as Janet, Claire, and Madeline grow in friendship and in faith.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a love letter to books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship. I hope you savor your time with these three women — And, book lovers rejoice, there is a list of all the books they allude to in the back of the book!

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, May 14

Godly Book Reviews, May 14

The Power of Words, May 14

Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 15

Carla Loves To Read, May 15

Pause for Tales, May 15

Maureen’s Musings, May 16

Bigreadersite, May 16

By The Book, May 16

Inspirationally Ever After, May 17

Reading Themes, May 17

For The Love of Books, May 17

Lis Loves Reading, May 18

Emily Yager, May 18

Living Life Free in Christ, May 18

For HIm and My Family, May 19

Retrospective Spines, May 19

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 19

Girls Living For God’s Glory, May 20

As He Leads is Joy, May 20

To Everything A Season, May 20

All-Of-a-kind Mom, May 21

Through the Fire Blogs, May 21

Creating Romance, May 21

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 22

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 22

Reader’s Cozy Corner, May 23

Wishful Endings, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 24

Just the Write Escape, May 24

The Christian Fiction Girl, May 25

Lighthouse Academy, May 25

janicesbookreviews, May 25

Inspired by Fiction, May 26

Simple Harvest Reads, May 26 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Inklings and notion, May 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 27

amandainpa, May 27

A Reader’s Brain, May 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Katherine is giving away a paperback copy of The Printed Letter Bookshop to one lucky winner!

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/e4f1/the-printed-letter-bookshop-celebration-tour-giveaway

Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year by Mark E. Moore

Posted on May 21, 2019May 21, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year by author Mark E. Moore is a useful tool for anyone wanting to delve deeper into studying the Bible. It has a remarkable 15 minute daily lesson on popular, key or core scripture. Everything is covered from Creation to Heaven.

In this easy to follow guide the daily lesson includes an essay about a theme found in the Bible, verses to memorize, scripture to read, an “overachiever challenge,” along with a book suggestion that goes with the theme for the week. Some of the topics were prayer, grace, creation, prophesy, the Holy Spirit, heaven, among many others. I found the lessons kept my interest, gave me a fresh or newer perspective on some things, and enhanced my Bible study time. It increased my hunger for deeper study of the Word.

If you have ever wanted a book to assist with Bible reading and home study, this is it. I loved the concept, lessons, and everything about it. The author has done an exemplary job in his research, notes, planning, organizing, and writing this God glorifying book. Whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or new fledgling just beginning, you will glean much from this spirit filled book.

Some of the lessons were easier for me than others and the time flew by. Others I needed to slow down and let the information sink in. I had to ponder about what I had read. Don’t rush through the studies with a 15 minute timer. If you need more time, then slow down and let the words slowly flow from the pages.

This will be a staple in my home library and a gift giving idea for many years. It will be a perfect Bible Study for the Small Group I keep wanting to have even though it is for individuals. My dog was the recipient of many comments on this book as was my cat. It has the type of lesson you want to share.

I highly, most highly, recommend this fabulous study tool to everyone. It is in one word – amazing. The rating I give this is a high 5 stars out of 5. A copy was provided by the publisher but I was under no obligation to provide a review.

About the Book

In just fifteen minutes a day, you can master the 52 most important verses in the Bible in a year.
While there are lots of one-year Bible reading plans, few help you understand the words that you’re reading. What if we could introduce you to a Bible reading plan that would dramatically increase your mastery of the Bible in one year? Mark Moore coaches you through 52 of the Bible’s most important verses. These are the “core” of the Bible. Each verse clears the path to master and manage dozens of other verses that run along the same principle path. At the end of this journey, you will move from curiosity about the Bible to competence in the Bible. It is the quickest onramp to understanding the whole of God’s Word for your life.

About the Author

MARK E. MOORE is a teaching pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ, one of the fastest growing and most dynamic churches in America. Here he leverages two decades in a college classroom teaching New Testament. His goal is to make Scriptures accessible and relevant to people trying to make sense of Christianity. His two worlds of academic Bible study and practical Christian living come together in this powerful new tool called Core 52.

What is Being Said about the Book

“Core 52 will allow you to bridge the gap between your biblical training and your professional impact. If you want to speak confidently on biblical topics while helping to lead others on their faith journey, this resource is for you!”
—Kirk Cousins, pro quarterback

“When it comes to knowing and teaching the fundamental insights of Christ, Mark Moore is a maven. In Core 52, you will gain the tools you need for living the life God has called you to. His innovative ideas and colorful illustrations will grab your attention and motivate your will to know Christ and make him known. Start today with chapter 1, be diligent through chapter 52, and you will be satisfied.”
—Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church and author of Not a Fan and Don’t Give Up

“As a women’s Bible study leader, my heart is to help women know God’s Word better so they can learn to connect their everyday frantic lives with their faith in Jesus. Core 52 is a godsend and a perfect tool to help them do just that. Anything I can offer that will help women get the most out of their time in God’s Word is a precious gift indeed. That is what Core 52 does for me as a teacher and the women I lead. What a gift this is from a notable teacher who I have come to trust as an invaluable resource.”
—Lisa Laizure, Bible study teacher at WomensBibleStudy.com

“Through his earlier books, Mark has taught me more about the Bible than any other author. His clear teaching and sly wit always make me read more pages than I plan. Core 52 is his best yet. Move it to the top of your daily reading list.”
—Phil Smith, coauthor of Created to Flourish and creator of Eyewitness Bible Series videos

“With a pastor’s heart, a scholar’s mind, and a sage’s pen, Mark Moore has given us a gift in Core 52 to help us understand God’s words, be changed by them, and live them out!”
—Caleb Kaltenbach, author of Messy Grace and God of Tomorrow

“Faith is for Weak People, Responding to the Top 20 Objections to the Gospel” by Ray Comfort

Posted on May 20, 2019May 18, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts

This is a 224 page paperback Apologetic book by Ray Comfort that everyone should have in their Christian arsenal. Church libraries need this, also. In his book, author Ray Comfort takes the twenty most asked questions or objections to scripture and provides simple, accurate, easy to understand answers.

The writing is straightforward and so easy to understand. It’s in plain language so anyone will be able to comprehend it. The frank answers are biblically based and make sense. This is just the information any Christian needs to answer tough questions. Seekers would benefit from this book, also.

There are twenty chapters in this book, one for each question. The author answers them in a comfortable style that is like having a cup of coffee and chatting with a friend. The answers are so logical. Author Comfort has done his research and provided a remarkable book to aid in any discussion with non-believers in a non-combatant way.

The author has interviewed various people and incorporated their answers in this eye opening book. The answers to all of the questions are eloquently stated. This book does not want to offend but educate. Questions range from “If God is supposed to be in control of the world why does it seem so out of control?” and “If God is so loving why won’t Christians let gay people be themselves?” to “ The Bible was written by men. Men make mistakes?” and “ what’s so bad about other religions?”

This phenomenal book begins with a table of contents and then a short introduction. These are followed by its twenty chapters. Each chapter answers one of the questions and at the end has follow-up or study questions or further delving into its topic. After the twenty chapters are Conclusion, Notes, and information on the author.

I highly recommend recommend this book. It will be a staple on my bookshelf for future reference. Everyone should read this amazing book. Answers to hard questions are tackled and successfully answered in a magnificent way. It is biblically based and organized in such a way that the information flows from the pages into the readers’ minds and hearts. Anyone would benefit from reading this book.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by the publisher but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Every day that we interact with the world, we are in a battle. At stake is the eternal destiny of the souls of our friends, family members, and coworkers. It is a battle we wage not only in prayer but also in words. When we are faced with objections to the faith we profess, are we ready to respond?

Apologist and evangelist Ray Comfort has spent his entire career answering objections to the faith, and he wants you to be equipped to do the same. In this practical book, he shows you how to answer 20 objections to Christianity, including questions such as

– What physical proof is there that God even exists?
– Why does a “loving” God threaten eternal torture for not believing in him?
– If there’s an all-powerful God, why is the world so out of control?

Don’t go into battle unarmed. Let Ray Comfort train you to be ready with an answer, not so you can be right, but so you can help bring people from darkness into light.

About the Author

Ray Comfort is the Founder and CEO of Living Waters and the bestselling author of more than 80 books, including God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life, How to Know God Exists, and The Evidence Bible. He cohosts the award-winning television program “Way of the Master,” airing in almost 200 countries, and is the Executive Producer of “180,” “Evolution vs. God,” “Audacity,” and other films. He is married to Sue and has three grown children, and hasn’t left the house without gospel tracts for decades.

Tongues of Fire Celebrate Lit Book and Giveaway

Posted on May 19, 2019May 15, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Greetings from my stop of the Celebration Lit Book tour for Tongues of Fire, 50 days of celebrating Pentecost devotional book. There is information about the book, tour stops, and Giveaway. Don’t forget to enter!

My Thoughts

Tongues of Fire is a 50 day devotional celebrating Pentecost. The book opens and asks why we don’t celebrate Pentecost? We celebrate Christmas and Easter. It goes on to explain the importance of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.

There are fifty devotions to help better understand Pentecost by giants of faith both classic and contemporary. I knew most of them but a few were new to me. The devotions are all different and inspiring.

A great number of the devotions are about speaking in tongues. This Methodist raised gal is unfamiliar with that. I am open-minded and have heard various thoughts on it. Another topic given a lot of days was healing.

Some of the devotions spoke to me more than others. I agree that we all need to welcome and accept the Holy Spirit into our lives. Jesus sent Him to us for a reason. One devotion said “when you receive the power of the Holy Spirit, you become someone you could never be on your own”. I totally agree.

Another devotional said “Simply by paying attention to what He is doing and cooperating with Him, we come to understand God better. Who doesn’t want to know God better? I certainly do.

This was a devotional that is meant to be read over a period of 50 days. I read it in just a few days in order to write this review. Some of the days spoke straight to me and I was inspired. Other days were hard to understand. I felt chastised in a few places rather than enlightened.

I did not receive answers to some of my questions. It is a hard to read at times devotional and not exactly uplifting. It felt more scholarly. Scripture is plentiful. This is definitely biblically based.

I would recommend this for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. It is good for learning a little about speaking in tongues. I would not recommend it for a young person, simply because I had trouble in some parts. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars. Celebrate provided an e-book but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: Tongues of Fire

Author: Various Authors

Genre: Christian non-fiction, Pentecost Devotional

Release Date: April 19, 2019

A fifty-day devotional for Pentecost featuring the words and teachings of writings of faithful men and women of God, both classic and contemporary authors, regarding the miraculous power available through God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Includes excerpts from Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, William Seymour, Aimee Semple McPhearson, Maria Woodworth-Etter, Andrew Murray, E. W. Kenyon, R. A. Torrey, John Wesley, Mary K. Baxter, Guillermo Maldonado, James Goll, Bill Johnson, and many more. Let this collection of charismatic classics help you to celebrate the wild tongues of fire that signified the coming of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and be filled anew with the powerful presence of God.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 9

Mary Hake, May 10

Retrospective Spines, May 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12

Texas Book-aholic, May 13

janicesbookreviews, May 14

A Reader’s Brain, May 15

Inklings and notions, May 16

Artistic Nobody, May 17 (Spotlight)

Power of Words, May 18 (Spotlight)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 19

Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Spotlight)

Just the Write Escape, May 21

Giveaway

To celebrate the tour, Whitaker House is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbucks 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/e318/tongues-of-fire-celebration-tour-giveaway

More to Love Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 18, 2019May 15, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

I am glad you found my stop on the More to Love Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway. You will find information on the book, author, tour, stops, and the giveaway. Don’t forget to enter. You just might win!

My Thoughts:

More to Love is a charming reimagining of Pride and Prejudice by author Robin Helm. I was caught in its web immediately and had a difficult time putting it down. This Christian Regency novel was whimsical and took to to England where I made new friends.

The writing style was almost poetic with authentic words and phrases. I loved it. It flowed like sweet prose. The dialogues were well done and I was enchanted with them. Characters were well defined and rounded with flaws as well as good points. I was invested in their lives. The morals, manners, and etiquette are so endearing from that era.

The romance is sweet, clean, and fast. Personally I would have liked to have seen it a little slower and longer, but maybe editing changed it. There were a few twists and turns making it fun to read and a page turner.

The spiritual content seems light. Each chapter opens with scripture or an appropriate inspirational quote. Elizabeth does mention God a few times. The messages of forgiveness, hope, self acceptance, bettering oneself, trust, treating someone as you would like to be treated, and love are all in this sweet novel.

At the beginning Lizzie is teased and snubbed because she is overweight. She quickly begins to exercise (walk) twice each day and cut down drastically on her eating. Wouldn’t it be nice it the main man loved her anyway? Or that she did not have to make such drastic efforts to change. Her family was supportive and concerned about her health which is an important thing for all girls.

This is a delightful serving of romance which I devoured in one setting. It was just lovely. I highly recommend it. I was provided a copy by Celebrate Lit but I was not required to write a review. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars.

About the Book

Book: More to Love

Author: Robin Helm

Genre: Christian Historical Sweet Romance

Release Date: February 12, 2019

“She is tolerable, I suppose, but there is rather too much of her to tempt me.” Overhearing Mr. Darcy’s rude dismissal of her shocks and mortifies Elizabeth Bennet to the core. She is living her worst fear, and it galvanizes her into action. Soon, the gentleman cannot keep his eyes from her, but can she forgive his thoughtless judgment of her appearance and character? Especially since he faces a worthy competitor for her attention? Who will win the lady’s hand, along with the right to love her through thick or thin?

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Robin Helm’s books reflect her love of music, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction. Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy (Christian paranormal romance); the Yours by Design series: Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, and Forever Yours ( ChristianTime Swap romance), and Understanding Elizabeth (Christian Regency romance). She contributed to A Very Austen Christmas: Austen Anthologies, Book 1, an anthology featuring like-minded authors, in 2017, and A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 2, in 2018. New releases for 2019 include More to Love, a stand-alone Christian historical sweet romance dealing with body image; Lawfully Innocent, a Christian historical U.S. Marshal romance book in the Lawkeepers series; Maestro, a Christian historical sweet romance featuring a brilliant musician and his student; and A Very Austen Romance: Austen Anthologies, Book 3. She lives in sunny South Carolina where she teaches piano and adores her one husband, two married daughters, and three grandchildren.

More from Robin

Have you ever been judged on the basis of your appearance – what you weigh, how you dress, how you wear your hair or do your makeup? I am a professional dieter, and I have been on all of them. I lose, and I gain it back. I know the lengths a woman will go to after she overhears remarks about how she looks, so I relate to Elizabeth in More to Love in a way that’s a bit beyond my comfort zone.

Another aspect of this book which is personal is that I chose to base a supporting character on a wonderful, Christian lady at my church (with her permission). Mrs. Donna Bailey has been a constant encouragement to me in regards to my writing. She often gives me beautiful sugar cookies she painstakingly decorates with holiday themes. Mrs. Bailey is the housekeeper and dessert cook at Longbourn, and she helps Elizabeth through thick and thin, so to speak.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, May 13

Genesis 5020, May 14

Through the Fire Blogs, May 14

Carla Loves To Read, May 15

Blossoms and Blessings, May 15

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, May 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 16

Just Your Average reviews, May 17

Hallie Reads, May 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 18

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19

Pause for Tales, May 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 20

A Baker’s Perspective, May 21

Maureen’s Musings, May 21

My Devotional Thoughts, May 22

Remembrancy, May 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

janicesbookreviews, May 24

Inklings and notions, May 25

A Reader’s Brain, May 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away

Grand Prize: a $25 Amazon gift card
1st Place: An autographed paperback of A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 2
2nd Place: An autographed paperback of More to Love
3rd Place: A set of three eBooks – Reader’s Choice of any three of my books!!

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/e270/more-to-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

Past Forward by Chautona Havig Book Tour and Giveaway from Celebrate Lit

Posted on May 17, 2019May 15, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to the Past Forward Book Tour and Giveaway! This is my stop and I am so happy you found me. You will see information on the book, its author Chautona Havig, her thoughts, a list of the other stops (so you may enter again), and finally the giveaway. Enjoy!

My Thoughts

“Past Forward” by Author Chautona Havig is a contemporary Christian novel laced with romance, suspense, intrigue, inspiration and a bit of humor. I was immediately drawn into the story. The book held my attention all the way through this whimsical page turning delightful read.

The author has a lovely way with words. They flow eloquently from her mind to paper at a nice pace. The story didn’t lag or feel rushed. It was just right. The vivid descriptions took me inside Willow’s unique life. I wanted to read more about it. At times I forgot Willow was a modern day lady.

Author Havig has done an exemplary job with these characters. Willow is so likable and I became engaged with her immediately. The more I read the more invested I became. I felt her emotions through the writing. Great job, Ms. Havig!

The story has been well thought and organized. It taught me things I didn’t know. Willow’s life wasn’t the norm. It a lifestyle many wish for and few can handle. Sometimes it seemed there was a disaster waiting to happen around ever corner.

The inspirational message is there, and I enjoyed seeing the character’s growing faith. There is sweet romance and mystery. Anyone will love this captivating novel.

I highly recommend it. Even though it is a contemporary book, fans of historical (pioneer) fiction will devour this masterful serving from wordsmith Chautona Havig. A book club could find a lot to discuss. I loved it. It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me. Celebrate Lit provided a copy but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: Past Forward

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance, Suspense

Release Date: April 19, 2017

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.

The Finley women’s lives, while rich and full, aren’t easy. rejecting electricity and many other modern conveniences, they live purposefully and intentionally–alone and isolated from the world around them.

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother dead.

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can’t avoid.

The Past Forward series opens with Willow’s life-changing discovery and gently guides the reader through aspects of her life–the past weaving through the present and into the future. Experience her first morning in church, her first movie, and the culture shock of her first trips to the city. A birthday party and a street faire add welcome diversion from butchering, canning, and the beating of area rugs. Disaster strikes. Will she choose to continue her simple life, or will an offer in the city change it all? Find out in this first volume.

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

HOW DID MY WEIRD HIGH SCHOOL YEARS INSPIRE THIS BOOK?

December 1985. The time had finally come. After two months of living in a run-down motel in Rosamond, California, we were finally moving to our own place. Seventeen miles away.

Just off Highway 58, outside Mojave, California (about the place that Alton Gansky’s, Distant Memory opens), a huge billboard loomed. For the curious, it’s still there today. Aqueduct City.

For the record, there was no city. There still isn’t. Just a dirt road or three. Oh, and the aqueduct. In fact, that’s eventually how we got our water—stole it from the California aqueduct.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

At the edge of all those parcels lay our new land. Twenty-two acres of desert sand, creosote, sage, and a tiny, baby Joshua tree at the end of our long, U-shaped dirt driveway.

I took out that sucker with my first attempt at backing down the drive. It looked like a snake had slithered back and forth across the sandy strip of cleared dirt, and somehow I managed to run over the foot-high tree. It wasn’t often I managed to shock my mother speechless. That was one time. I now have mad back-upping skills. Thought you oughtta know.

On that land, my parents put an 18’ travel trailer.

We hauled in water in 55-gallon drum barrels—first from a friend’s house and later from that aqueduct. It was several miles closer. One of those barrels ended up on top of the trailer for showers. The water pressure depended on how full that sucker was. Navy showers? Ever had one? It goes like so:

Turn on water.
Make one slow turn under the water to get all wet.
Turn it off.
Lather up.
Shampoo hair.
Turn on water.
Turn off.
Work conditioner into hair.
Turn on water.
Turn off.
Get out.
Try to stop your teeth from chattering.

For the record, that chattering is no joke. When it’s twenty degrees out there, water gets cold. And we had no way to heat it.

Our plumbing also included a shovel. For… um… other plumbing needs. Winter was the worst and the best time for the call of nature. Worst because, well, 40 mph winds and twenty-degree weather. Best, because no snakes.

We used Coleman propane lanterns, a propane refrigerator (that sat outside our door), and eventually, a gas-powered generator. Once a week, Dad would fire that thing up so I could iron my church clothes. #darkages

For the curious, summer was blistering hot.

No fans (except for stiff cardboard we used arm-power to operate). No air conditioner. Not even a swamp cooler. Mom and I would go into town and read at the library when we just couldn’t take another minute in 112-degree desert heat. She’d drive me to Lancaster so I could go sit in an air-conditioned movie theater and watch another movie. If it came out in 1986 or 1987 and wasn’t pure smut, I probably saw it. Out of self-preservation.

Before long, I’d been relegated to the “porch.” That consisted of a redwood lattice “patio” enclosure in front of the trailer door. (For those who haven’t figured it out yet, I was the dictionary definition of “trailer trash” in some people’s books.) That space was eight feet wide and sixteen feet long.

I had a twin bed out there. When winter came, dad made sleeping out there more bearable by heating huge rocks in one of those 55-gallon drum barrels and wrapping them in old quilts. That went at the foot of my bed to keep my feet warm.

If only the wind hadn’t blown sand into my hair every night…

What does all of this have to do with Past Forward?

Just this. People have often asked why Willow would choose to live without electricity. Some have said you couldn’t live only five miles outside of town and be so isolated and reclusive.

I disagree.

We did it. By choice. Because it’s who my father is. And of all of my characters, Kari Finley, Willow’s mother, is the most like my father. The way Kari taught Willow? That’s exactly how Dad used to teach me—by making it a natural part of life.

I didn’t know it when I wrote the series, but Past Forward really does show exactly what kind of life my father would have chosen to live if he’d ever really considered it. The self-sustaining work, the emphasis on beauty, the isolation—all of it shows the kind of man I call Dad.

If you’d asked me as a kid what I thought of living out there in Mojave, I would have said I hated it. Not only that, I would have believed myself. But if you’d talked to me for a while, you would have figured out that I said that because I was expected to. No one thinks you’ll like living with almost nothing, in the middle of nowhere, especially as a teenager.

Looking back, though, I actually I liked it. Dad. Mom. Me. And Boozer, our dog. I’d tell you about her, but that’s a story for another day. Yeah, I liked my life there “out on the property,” as we called it.

Except for the Mojave green rattlesnakes. Not a fan of those. Not then or today.

Just sayin’.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, May 15

A Reader’s Brain, May 15

Godly Book Reviews, May 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 17

Blogging With Carol, May 18

Inklings and notions, May 18

Bigreadersite, May 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 19

All-Of-a-kind Mom, May 20

Texas Book-aholic, May 20

Aryn The Libraryan, May 21

Quiet Workings, May 22

Retrospective Spines, May 22

Inspired by Fiction, May 23

Carpe Diem, May 24

For Him and My Family, May 25

janicesbookreviews, May 25

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 26

Rebekah’s Quill, May 27

Inspiration Clothesline, May 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize that includes a complete paperback set of Past Forward & a custom Past Forward Lavender Lemonade candle!!

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/e319/past-forward-celebration-tour-giveaway

Strike the Mark Book Tour & Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on May 16, 2019May 14, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today on my blog is a stop on the book tour for Strike the Mark by James W. Gill. There is information on him, his book, the other stops, and his giveaway. Don’t forget to enter so you might win.

My Thoughts

Strike The Mark is a no nonsense book on prayer. Its subtitle says “Powerfully targeted prayers for victory and breakthrough.” This nonfiction book says “prayers that strike the mark are specific prayers authorized by the Holy Spirit and endowed with divine power to accomplish the will of God in your life and for the needs of the world.” Wow, heavy reading here.

The author included scripture as well as person stories to make his point. I particularly liked that each chapter was closed with a prayer. His writing was concise and for the most part easy to understand. However, at times I felt like I was in a theology class and my mind wandered.

There are twelve chapter in this book. Dealing with a wide variety of topics such as confessing our sins and praying for others there are some chapters that touched me more than others. I did learn a lot but sometimes I did not personally agree with his line of thinking.

I would recommend this book on prayer. It would be perfect for a small group on prayer. There is much to ponder and discuss after reading Strike the Mark. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: Strike The Mark

Author: James W. Goll

Genre: Christian non-fiction, prayer, spiritual warfare

Release Date: May 7, 2019

Prayers that strike the mark are specific prayers authorized by the Holy Spirit and endowed with divine power to accomplish the will of God in your life and for the needs of the world. On the cross, Jesus fulfilled the ultimate answer to all of our prayers, but He awaits our invitation to come into our situations and circumstances. When people of prayer intercede, they create a meeting place between the heavenly Father and His children. God comes upon the person who is praying and moves them from the natural to the supernatural. Empowered by God, the intercessor has the authority to cut down enemy forces and pick out “targets” for God’s lightning bolts of glory, bringing victory and breakthrough.

Intercession could be called “extreme prayer” because it links extreme needs with the extraordinary power of God. Inserting ourselves into the gap between God and a need, we call upon the Holy Spirit, our Helper, who is ready to move us from finite ability to infinite ability, take hold of difficult situations, and help accomplish the will of God. We have the great honor of being called to “paint targets” on cities, churches, ministries, family members, contemporary “Sauls” (those who persecute or cause difficulty), and even ourselves. Our believing, persistent prayers will Strike the Mark!

“He covers His hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark” (Job 36:32 NASB).

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

JAMES W. GOLL is the president of God Encounters Ministries and has traveled around the world sharing the love of Jesus, imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. He has recorded numerous classes with corresponding study guides and is the author of more than forty books, including The Seer, The Discerner, Releasing Spiritual Gifts Today, Passionate Pursuit, The Lost Art of Intercession, and The Lifestyle of a Prophet. James is the father of four wonderful children with a growing number of grandchildren, and makes his home in Franklin, TN.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 11

For the Love of Literature, May 12

Spoken from the Heart, May 13

Mary Hake, May 14

Genesis 5020, May 15

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 16

Just the Write Escape, May 17

Artistic Nobody, May 18 (Spotlight)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Texas Book-aholic, May 20

janicesbookreviews, May 21

Power of Words, May 22 (Spotlight)

A Reader’s Brain, May 23

Inklings and notions, May 24

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, James is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbucks 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/e2ac/strike-the-mark-celebration-tour-giveaway

Moments We Forget Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 14, 2019May 13, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my stop on the Celebrate Lit Book Tour for Author Beth K. Vogt’s “Moments We Forget” novel. I have lots of information for you on the book, series, author, and giveaway so be sure to read to the end and register to win!

My Thoughts

“Moments We Forget” is a contemporary women’s Christian novel. This is my first to read by author Beth K. Vogt and I quite liked her style. She writes at a steady pace. Nothing is rushed and yet it isn’t slow or sluggish. It is Book 2 in the Thatcher Sisters Series but I managed it okay without having read Book 1 yet. However, I wish I had read Book 1 first.

Her characters are down to earth. They are well defined and easy to imagine. In this Book there are three sisters with three distinct, unique personalities. Vogt gives voice to each one and they naturally come to life on her pages. I have one sister and always wanted another. This novel made me wish for even more.

The women are still grieving the loss of their fourth sister from years ago. Besides that each sister has her own particular trial or burden to bear. This book addresses grief, family, trials, death, cancer, adoption, infertility, and God. The subjects are timely and relevant to women today.

Author Vogt wrote in such a way that I became emotionally invested in the story. I wanted peace among the sisters. It was easy to identify with them. A text from their mother made me chuckle. How many times had I written one like that, received one, or been the cause for one?

This book has stayed with me even though I have already started another. It was an engaging book and I became interested immediately. At times it was hard to read yet I could not put it down. Tears rolled down my cheeks many times while turning the pages.

The author has done a great job researching, planning, and writing this tale of sisterhood and family. The Christian message is there, too. She has shown readers that family dynamics are difficult at best and unlike any treasure ever found.

I definitely would recommend this book to any woman. It is 418 pages long and the ARC that I received did not have Discussion Questions. This series would be perfect for a women’s reading group. There is a lovely journey to the Lord written in it. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Moments We Forget

Author: Beth Vogt

Genre: Contemporary fiction, woman’s fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2019

Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine. Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again. Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

About the Author

Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A women’s fiction novelist, Beth’s first novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018.

Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly‘s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us.

An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

More from Beth

“A sister is like yourself in a different movie, a movie that stars you in a different life.”

Deborah Tannen (1945-), sociologist

I’m launching Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters series, and I’ve just turned in the final book in the series. I’d love to share book three’s title with you, but I don’t know what it is. (Of course, book three might have a final title by the time you read this—that’s part of the fun of prerelease deadlines.)

One thing I do know: the theme of “Little Women gone wrong” is woven through all of the books . . . thanks to the Thatcher sisters: Payton, Pepper, Jillian, and Johanna.

Sisters, be they real or imaginary, can be complicated.

Of course, there are sisters who have close relationships. They “get” each other and love doing life together.

But then there are the sister relationships that are like mismatched socks. Or those expensive jeans you loved in the store, but when you bring them home, they never quite live up to those moments in the dressing room.

Such are the Thatcher sisters. Johanna, Jillian, Payton, and Pepper grew up in the same family. They’re all tall. They love Broncos football and board games. But in so many ways their lives are like different movies because they each made different choices. Choices that changed and separated them. Moments We Forget continues to explore whether the Thatcher sisters can find a way to understand each other enough to bridge the distance between them.

Blog Stops

Livin’ Lit, May 7

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 7

The Power of Words, May 7

Among the Reads, May 8

Carpe Diem, May 8

Quiet Quilter, May 8

Wishful Endings, May 9

Quiet Quilter, May 9

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 9

Simple Harvest Reads, May 10 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Remembrancy, May 10

God’s Little Bookworm, May 11

Just the Write Escape, May 11

Spoken from the Heart, May 12

Splashes of Joy, May 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 12

Through the Fire Blogs, May 13

Genesis 5020, May 13

By The Book, May 13

Bigreadersite, May 14

A Baker’s Perspective, May 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 14

Pause for Tales, May 15

Moments, May 15

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, May 15

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 16

Texas Book-aholic, May 16

janicesbookreviews, May 17

Living Life Free in Christ, May 17

To Everything A Season, May 17

Real World Bible Study, May 18

Older & Smarter?, May 18

A Reader’s Brain, May 18

Inklings and notions, May 19

Hallie Reads, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19

Godly Book Reviews, May 20

The Becca Files, May 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Beth is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card plus a softcover copy of Moments We Forget!!

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/e26d/moments-we-forget-celebration-tour-giveaway

Shine the Light Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway.

Posted on May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my stop on the book tour and giveaway for April McGowan’s book “Shine the Light.” Please read about the book, my thoughts, the author, her thoughts, where you can find the other stops, and the generous giveaway. Don’t forget to sign up to win!

My Thoughts:

This contemporary 300 page novel is not a light read. There are deep issues of helping others, faith, family, and sickness discussed. This is a thought provoking book that I had to read a little at a time and then ponder. It made me emotional and sad in a lot of places.

It is the first book I have read by author McGowan and I had a little trouble following it. It didn’t flow as smoothly as most books that I’ve read. It is Book two in a series which might cause the problem for me.

For this Grandmother the character we’re too eccentric with their brightly colored hair, Mohawk cut, tattoos, and piercings. Even some of the conversation sounded off to me. The characters were vividly described.

The author tackled tough, present day issues in her Christian novel. This is a well organized and researched book. The storyline has parenting issues, mental illness, homelessness, PTSD, and facing trials in life. Like I said earlier, this is not a light read.

The people, how they lived, and all of the tough issues all stayed with me. It made me see how much help certain people need and how blessed others are. At the end notes the author states that one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders in their lifetime. That is a staggering number.

Inspirational messages are included with the rough issues. Letting the Holy Spirit work in your life, trusting in God, and having faith are mentioned as crucial. It is refreshing to have Christian messages in a book filled with so many problems.

I would recommend this book to a younger age group than mine, although the book has made an impact and stuck with me. It needs to be read in a group so it may be discussed. I would recommend reading Book One first.

It received a 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Shannon is out to save the world one caring act at a time. She’s stood by her best friend, Amber, through their whole lives especially when Amber lost her sight. She has an active outreach ministry to the homeless and disenfranchised. And she’s even let down her guard long enough to let a boyfriend, Justin, into her life.

Her life has settled into a pleasing routine of teaching, freelance photography work, quiet dinners with Justin, and taking Amber on treks to find new subjects for her visionary paintings. But when a man from her past shows up, her secure world crumbles into triggered PTSD episodes that threaten everything she relies on. Will she be able to overcome these old memories, or will her past crush any hopes she had for a future?

About the Author

April McGowan loves to read and write inspirational fiction. She and her husband, two children, and her ‘mews’ (three cats!), live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. April is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, the Christian Author’s Network, and American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, homeschooling her son, or playing board games, you might find her at her drum kit, imagining she’s on a world tour. Hey, it could happen.

More from April

Writing About Tough Subjects—with Hope

I began writing over twenty years ago. And technically I wrote long before that as well. But those pieces were ‘just for fun.’ However, as I look back on my short stories, blog posts, and now my published work, there’s a definite theme: overcoming. Overcoming childhood abuse, overcoming an abusive marriage, overcoming loss—physical and emotional. And those overcoming stories were not about overcoming through our own strength, which is so often flawed and lacking, but by relying on the One who can heal us from every wrong, every hurt, and every loss.

After my first novel, Jasmine, I asked my readers what they’d like me to focus on in my next books—what subjects were overlooked in fiction today? The overwhelming consensus was adoption, loss, and mental illness.

As a contemporary fiction author, I stay current on social issues, so that wasn’t a huge jump for me. My readers saw a gap, and I did, too.

Not that it’s wrong to simply read for entertainment—shoot, I do! But I’ve always loved gripping stories with people I could identify with who were overcoming obstacles I’d faced, or watched a loved one face—stories that offer real hope in the face of tragedy.

So began my journey. In book one of this series, Hold the Light, I wrote about sight loss and adoption. I wrote about best friends who were solidly there for each other in the face of great hardship and pain. And in book two, Shine the Light, I’m doing the same—with a twist.

There’s a lack of representation and writing concerning mental illness and how it affects the sufferer and those around them. There is a stigma that is significantly changing, but it’s something we’re still hesitant to discuss. Myself and many I know are deeply touched by this issue, and I think we’re long past due letting those that suffer from mental illness and their families know that they are not alone. Or if they are, that they don’t have to be.

Book two, Shine the Light, is about Shannon’s life. Her love for the downtrodden, the lost, and the injured. Her passion for the underdog. How she became the stalwart friend she is to Amber in Hold the Light, the obstacles she’s overcome, and those she has to continue to grapple through with God’s help.

As with all of my books, I’ve vetted this story with people who have faced these situations and am very careful to respect their stories as well as staying true to my characters. I hope you’ll dive in and find Shannon to be a deep and real and identifiable character. I hope you’ll discover in her a friend.

I know you’ll grow to love her as I do.

The giveaway: Many of my books are set in Portland, Oregon, and as a celebration of that, I’m offering a giveaway celebrating two of my favorite things about the city: Powell’s books and super good coffee! Also cats…but I can’t give one of those away in a contest! Well…I could try, but I’d probably fall in love with it and never send it to you…so for now, books and coffee!