About the Book

Book: Ephesians: Experience God’s Power

Author: Sarah K. Howley

Genre: Bible Study

Release date: January 5, 2025

Are you ready to dive deep into the life-changing truths of Ephesians? In this 8-session Bible study, you’ll explore how God’s power is available to us today—transforming our lives, our relationships, and the world around us.

Sarah K. Howley, author, speaker, and founder of InspiritEncourage, is your guide on this journey through Ephesians. With insightful questions and thoughtful guidance, Sarah will help you uncover:

– The incredible spiritual blessings that God has prepared for you.

– His vision for unity among His people while honoring each person’s unique gifts.

– How to live with purpose and conviction, experiencing the fullness of life as a Christian.

– Old Testament connections that deepen your understanding of the New Testament.

– Practical ways to live out God’s truths in your daily life.

Each hour-long session includes a key Scripture passage, an introduction, engaging questions, links to Old Testament passages, and personal application. Perfect for individual or group study, Ephesians: Experience God’s Power will strengthen your faith and build deeper connections in unity with others.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sarah K. Howley is the founder of InspiritEncourage ministries, a trained Christian counselor, and the author of numerous Bible studies. She loves Jesus and is passionate about helping believers grow spiritually and take on Christ’s character. Sarah often travels the world, usually with espresso in hand. She and her husband support initiatives for feeding the hungry and for expanding access to reading.

More from Sarah

Years ago, I was travelling a bit before starting a new teaching job. I found myself thinking that it would be neat to visit a few places of the Bible and soon made plans and set off for Turkey. One of my stops was Ephesus; the thought that I was walking in the same place as Paul and his disciples was pretty amazing. I saw the library (now open-air) and the place where the temple of Diana had been.

Having visited and then reflected on the visit while studying the Bible, I realized that the ruins of the port town of Ephesus were a living monument to the difficult living conditions of the believers in Paul’s time. There was much remaining of the Ephesian pagan world, of a time when Christians were a fledgling group that needed the encouragement that Paul offered.

Still today, looking around me it is easy to think that we are still a fledgling group of Christians that need Paul’s encouragement. Division and favoritism are still prevalent today and we are surrounded by nonbelievers. But Paul offered words of wisdom that are still relevant to us today.

You may not visit Turkey soon, but you can connect with the people of the land through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We can walk a mile in their shoes as we study the encouragement of Paul and experience the power of Christ in our own lives.

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

When I first began writing, I found that it was out of obedience, so my idea of success was “completion”. That has evolved over the last five years to “glorifying God (with whatever I’ve completed)” and, this year, also includes “reaching new people”. I pray that those who participate in one of these studies is touched and knows God more intimately than before. That is the main point of success for me as an author.

What inspired this book?

This book was inspired by another series of books that I wrote a couple of years ago. Those books looked at how the Gospels reveal Jesus as God in the Old Testament. This book helps participants see how the Old Testament was highlighted in the epistles. There has been effort over recent years in Christian living and Bible study books to show how Jesus is found throughout the story of the Bible. This book (and series) looks at how the New Testament letters repeat or expand upon ideas presented in the Old Testament. It is an extension of the idea that Jesus is found in the whole Bible.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

On my 16^th birthday, my family gave me a new Bible and noted Ruth 2:12. It has been a constant reminder to take cover under God’s wings. It has been a comfort more often than I can count.

What is your vacation spot?

My family has lived in Africa and Asia for the last 10 years and we have most often found ourselves in Bangkok Thailand for holidays. It gives us a chance to be in a modern place surrounded by cultural activities. There is a relaxing pool and shopping (everything from the home store to shoes!). But that doesn’t happen often. My favorite place to relax regularly is on the couch with a good book. After dinner, I often curl up and read.

What is your most well-loved and well-used house appliance?

It might be a toss-up between the instant pot and the food processor. As someone who has dietary restrictions and lives overseas, most things are made from scratch. That means a lot of chopping and mixing. But, since I also dedicate so much time to writing activities, I also like the convenience of the instant pot. I use both every week when I make red lentil hummus.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, March 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 17

She Lives To Read, March 18

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 19

The Sacred Line, March 19

Simple Harvest Reads, March 20 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 20

By the Book, March 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 23

For the Love of Literature, March 24 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 25

Cover Lover Book Review, March 26

EmpowerMoms, March 27

Artistic Nobody, March 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5417

About the Book

Book: Jesus Can . . .Give You Purpose (Jesus Can... Book Three)

Author: Stephanie Reynolds/Christian Writers Collective, LLC

Genre: Inspirational, Christian, Self-help

Release date: December 5, 2024

Can Jesus give you purpose?

He most certainly can! You’ll find plenty of proof in the pages of this book. Its 46 testimonies display Jesus’ power to give purpose to people all over the world, whether they were shot and left for dead during a political revolution in Africa or struggling with loneliness and suicidal thoughts in small town America. Jesus Christ brought a unique purpose to every writer featured in this book. And He can do the same for anyone who reads it. We dare you to put Jesus to the test today!

Whether you’re looking for God’s truth yourself or want to share the gospel with family, friends or acquaintances, books from the Jesus Can … series may be the perfect solution.

Give You Purpose is the 3rd volume in this inspirational series published by the Christian Writers Collective, LLC.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

The Christian Writers Collective, LLC

Founded in 2020 by Stephanie Reynolds of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the CWC is a growing organization with writers worldwide. Our ultimate goal is to feature 100 members/writers in each Jesus Can book and to publish 10-12 books each year, equivalent to the publication pace of the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul® series. We want to reach millions each year with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that you’ll join this fast-growing moment as a reader, a writer, or by giving Jesus Can books to others. Thanks in advance for your participation!

More from Stephanie

Hi, my name is Stephanie Reynolds. I am the founder of the Christian Writers Collective, LLC, which publishes the Jesus Can book series. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I’ve lived here most of my life. Like many Baby Boomers and only sisters from a family with three children, I have had the privilege of caring for both of my parents during the last months and/or years of their lives. What an honor it was to be present when my mom received Jesus as her savior just a few months before she passed in 2014. It was the Homegoing of my spiritual mom, Mrs. Naomi Walker, on October 8, 2019, that inspired me to publish Books 1 and 2 of this series on October 8 in 2021 and 2022. That’s because God gave me the courage to share my calling to publish books “to help spread the gospel far and wide,” for the first time at Mrs. Walker’s Homegoing Service. I believe God confirmed His calling by taking Mrs. Walker home to Heaven on October 8, my 61st birthday. I’m excited by the release of Book 3 of our series, Jesus Can . . . Give You Purpose.

It was my privilege to care for my dad during the last five years of his life. He went home to Heaven in February 2024. This book is dedicated to him.

The Jesus Can . . .  Give A Helping Hand Fund

For every copy that you purchase, a portion of this book’s net profits for two years will be given to an organization or individual that shares our primary mission: To spread the Gospel far and wide.

Our first honoree for this grant was an easy and obvious choice: Literacy & Evangelism International (LEI), located near Atlanta, GA, and staffed by missionaries Bob & Mary Mulloy.

The selection of LEI was easy because 29 of the 46 articles in this book are testimonies from individuals served by or affiliated with LEI. Bob and Mary’s testimonies are counted among the 29.

Atlanta is the ideal location for LEI because it is the home to the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport. Many of the people arriving at ATL from over 150 nations choose to make metro Atlanta their new home.   As evidenced by the writers in Jesus Can Book 3, Bob & Mary have had the opportunity for 16 years to minister to many individuals, including three writers in Book 3 who are victims of violence in Africa,  escapees from the killing fields of Cambodia, and a Haitian woman that was buried alive for three days.

It is our prayer that this grant will help them serve the diverse mission field in Atlanta for many more years, for it’s in Jesus’s name that we pray, Amen.

Interview with the Author

Question: What does success as an author look like to you?

Answer: Our success is measured by how many books we sell. That’s because the mission of the Jesus Can book series is to spread the gospel far and wide. Our goal is to help fund the God-given dreams of our writers. I am praying that we sell at least 1 million dollars in 2025. I am clinging to God’s promise and Matthew 19:26, “with God all things are possible.”

Question: Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

Answer: The one chapter that I wrote about me, of course! Jesus Can™ books are anthologies. This means that they are a collection of the testimonies and articles by multiple authors. We ask each writer to share their testimony or story in 500 to 750 words, so that’s the length of each chapter. There are 46 writers and therefore, 46 chapters in Book 3, Jesus Can…Give You Purpose, our most recent release. Our ultimate goal is to feature 100 writers/chapters in every Jesus Can™ book. Because a writer’s first submission to any book in the Jesus Can series is always their testimony, every article is Book 1, Jesus Can…Give You A New Life!, is a testimony…including mine. Writing my testimony was difficult because I took a hard look at many of the feelings I didn’t have the time, nor the maturity, to deal with before. I shed a lot of tears as I wrote my testimony for the first time. However, I wouldn’t change a thing about the process. In fact, I’d recommend writing your testimony to every Christian that’s been hurt. The end result is a healing and closeness to Jesus that is so personal that it is virtually indescribable. That’s why I encourage every believer to write their testimony and experience this for themselves.

Question: What are you reading right now?

Answer: I just received my copy of the CS Lewis classic, The Screwtape Letters. I had a second copy of this book sent to my 20-something, incarcerated nephew. Thankfully, the Lord has been able to get my nephew’s undivided attention while he is in prison. He is now genuinely saved! It’s a joy to visit him, talk about the Bible, and listen to him recite huge passages from the Bible that he is trying to live. He pours out his heart to God in journals, so he has been getting lots of writing practice, too. He is working on submitting his testimony for Book 4. He will be the first person from my family to ever share a testimony in one of our books. I pray that many more of my family members will follow his example…of giving their life to Jesus, not going to prison. I’ve chosen not to reveal his name, but I hope you’ll look for his testimony in Book 4 when it is published in October 2025. I am so proud of him, and I believe the Lord is going to use him in a powerful way to share the gospel with others. Both I and my nephew covet and thank you so much for your prayers.

Question: What is your most well loved and well used house Appliance?

Answer: Even though I have burned out, not one, but two air fryers, my favorite house appliance is a dishwasher. While we no longer share the same address, both I and my son hate washing dishes. He is on his third countertop dishwasher, and he has even purchased one for me. When we were living at the same address, we nicknamed our dishwasher, “The Peacemaker.”

Question: Why non-fiction?

Answer: Why not?! As I’ve mentioned before, testimonies are inherently non-fiction. The Bible is God’s perfect gift of non-fiction.

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 13

Fiction Book Lover, March 14 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, March 15 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 15

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 18

For the Love of Literature, March 19 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 21 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 22

Blossoms and Blessings, March 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 24

Artistic Nobody, March 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Stephanie is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54171

About the Book

Book: CAST: 1 Peter 5:7

Author: Richard Nilsen

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release date: November 14, 2023

Book: CAST: 1 Peter 5:7

Author: Richard Nilsen

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release date: November 14, 2023

Discover the profound art of casting your cares to God and surrendering your problems to the Creator of the universe. We are thrilled to introduce you to CAST – 1 Peter 5:7, a life-changing new book from author Richard Nilsen.

Based on the popular verse, “Cast all your cares on God for He cares about you,” CAST offers practical and spiritual guidance on how to overcome worry, fear, anxiety and stress in your life.

You will learn how to trust God with your problems, how to find peace in His presence, and how to experience His love and care for you. CAST is more than just a book, it’s a journey of faith, freedom, and personal transformation. Whether you are facing personal, relational, or global challenges, this book will give you an entirely new perspective on how to cast your cares on the One who can handle them all.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

Cast I Peter 5:7 is filled with Biblical scriptures, illustrations, songs and poems that speak of casting all our cares upon God. The chapters are easy to read followed by steps to follow or an action item to apply the theme of the chapter in the readers Christian life. Nilsen’s penned this in an easy to follow guidance to truly learn to cast all our cares upon our Heavenly Father. If it matters to you then it’s worth talking to
God about. as cast is throwing that care on Him instead of carrying the burden. This is one book I’ll keep referring to when the journey of life becomes difficult. The author included Biblical scriptures for a 21 day period to memorize to reinforce that no matter what God wants His children to cast their cares upon Him.

I received a copy of this from Celebrate Lit. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Richard Nilsen is the author of several self-help books in the Christian market, including “The Road to Recovery,” “Sleep Great for Life,” and now “CAST – 1 Peter 5:7.”  He lives in Tarpon Springs, Florida with his wife of 25 years and three beautiful daughters.

More from Richard

If you had told me I would write a 168-page book based on one verse in the Holy Bible, I would have said you were crazy. God works in mysterious ways, and I believe He inspired me to write this book, a project that took three years to complete, in order to help others who are struggling.

During the process of battling earth-crushing anxiety and depression, I learned how to cast my cares to the Lord and leave them with Him. The result: He would take care of all my cares and handle my problems for me. What I discovered is that casting your cares is a skill that one has to learn. It is not something that you just do without any practice and without the correct foundation. Learning to cast your cares on God can be a struggle at first, but it is a pathway to a God-fearing and eternal mindset. Once you learn the art of casting your cares to the Creator of the universe, your life will never the same.

I have always felt compelled to help others, and writing has always been for me the best way to convey my thoughts. When my college sweetheart and wife of 4 ½ years died in a tragic accident, I wrote the free grief guide “The Road to Recovery” specifically for the victims of the September 11^th tragedy. I later converted that work into an e-book for distribution online and through Amazon. CAST – 1 Peter 5:7 is another book based a difficult time in my life and how God pulled me through.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I promise that discovering how to cast your cares to our Lord is a skill you will not regret learning! Join me on this adventure.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 6

Vicky Sluiter, March 7 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 8

Fiction Book Lover, March 9 (Author Interview)

Abba‘s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 10

She Lives To Read, March 11

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 12

For the Love of Literature, March 13 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 14 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 15 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 17

Artistic Nobody, March 18 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Richard is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54176

About the Book

Book: A Constant Love

Author: Tracie Peterson

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: March 4, 2025

Heartache has left them emotionally desolate, but traces of love and healing could forge a future.

In the wake of a harsh winter, Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich are grappling with loss and guilt after the disaster that took the lives of their loved ones. Struggling to cope with his grief, Micah abandons his father’s dreams of a prosperous ranch and cuts himself off from the rest of the world.

Charlotte has loved Micah her entire life and is determined not to lose him as well. With her mother’s help, she begins coaxing Micah to live again. Despite their enduring heartache, the affection between them deepens, but just as Charlotte thinks her dreams may come true, a scorned suitor threatens everything she holds dear. Micah and Charlotte must embark on a journey of healing and renewal to build a life founded on faith, hope, and love.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

Wow, what a tremendous start to The Hope of Cheyenne series by Tracie Peterson. A Constant Love is filled with the historical events of “The Great Die-Up” during 1887.

Micah and Charlotte’s tale has all the elements of a Christian Historical read that I enjoy from historical accuracy, action, faith, hope and cronies that stir up tension and threats. Charlotte and Micah had both suffered losses with Micah’s being distraught with his dad committing suicide. Peterson penned with grace and gentleness the ramifications of this with Biblical truths. Charlotte’s mother was a gem with her undying faith. The ups and downs and deceitfulness of some kept the story moving along with romance budding between others beside of the hero and heroine. It was nice to catch up with characters from past Peterson’s books set in Cheyenne. I look forward to the next book in this fantastic new series by Tracie Peterson.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through Celebrate Lit Bloggers tour. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

More from Tracie

A Constant Love is a book near and dear to my heart. The book deals with tragedy and loss that came about during and after the Great Die-Up—a hideous winter of blizzards and desperately cold temperatures that affected the prairie states and up into the Rockies. Many of the ranchers in the areas were completely wiped out and gave up their ranches when their cattle died off in record numbers.

Ranchers and farmers had dealt with the elements turning against them prior to this, but the winter of 1886–1887 was different. The summer of 1886 had brought about record droughts, and many of the crops had failed. The livestock suffered as the grass died off and feed wasn’t readily available. By November, early and heavy snows started and continued. Temperatures dropped to record lows. In eastern Montana the temperatures were said to drop to  negative 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

In January, a Chinook wind warmed things considerably, melting a lot of the snow. This just made things worse, however, because when the plunging sub-zero temperatures returned, the water froze a thick layer on top of what little grass the animals had been able to dig down to eat. Mass starvation followed, and thousands upon thousands of animals were lost. In reading about the era and all that happened, I came across comments from people that showed the great despair that flooded the states involved. The hopelessness of it all was overwhelming.

During the same time I was researching and mapping out this book, a beloved family member committed suicide. The devastation we felt was overwhelming, and it all seemed to come together with what I had been reading. I felt that deep sadness and despair. I read that some people had taken their lives after that winter. People were at a loss as to what to do, and in that day and age, the church was not always very kind to the families of those who killed themselves. As I prayed about the book I planned to write, I felt compelled to write about suicide and the ripple effect it has on family, friends, and even total strangers. I wanted to share the hope that I found in God’s Word, and A Constant Love was born.

There are times in our lives when we are overwhelmed to the point of despair, when giving up seems far easier than going on. I pray if you ever feel that way, you’ll reach out to someone and talk it through. But I also challenge those who aren’t feeling that way to be observant . . . to care about those around you enough to get in their business when things just don’t seem right. You might very well save a life. As the Bible says, we need to bear one another’s burdens. I hope you’ll keep that in mind as you read A Constant Love.

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, March 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 8

Devoted To Hope, March 9

Allyson Jamison, March 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 10

Simple Harvest Reads, March 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, March 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 12

Jodie Wolfe, March 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 13

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14

Stories By Gina, March 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Maureen’s Musings, March 16

She Lives To Read, March 17

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 18

For Him and My Family, March 18

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 19

Cover Lover Book Review, March 19

Holly’s Book Corner, March 20

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 20

lakesidelivingsite, March 21

Pause for Tales, March 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away the grand prize of a $15 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54169

About the Book

Book: Jake Rogers’ Planet

Author: Philip Wilder

Genre: Christian YA Science Fiction

Release date: February, 2025

Jake is about to embark on a perilous adventure through an alien wilderness filled with hidden wonders and hazards.

While backpacking with his father, Jake Rogers discovers a mysterious portal and accidentally plunges headfirst into an alien world. Stranded on this bizarre planet, he must evade predators, adapt to the strange elements, and navigate the ever-changing landscape to return home. However, as Jake stumbles upon technologically advanced alien ruins, a chilling question arises: Are the aliens still alive?

Even on this terrifying journey, God reminds Jake of the profound verse: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Philip Wilder has been writing since the age of seven. He’s authored two nonfiction books, is a ACFW Genesis Contest finalist, and is currently a Realm Makers Aurora Contest double finalist. He’s spent two years as an undercover missionary in the Middle East, gone sky-diving, and traveled to 35 countries. Philip works with the Great Commission Alliance to train and equip believers around the world. He’s passionate about using fiction to inspire believers to live adventurous lives of faith.

More from Philip

Fear is a dangerous enemy.

At the age of 22, I felt God calling me to become a missionary in the Middle East—not for a week or a month, but a year (that eventually became two). Having never traveled outside the US or moved away from my home city of Denver, I was overwhelmed by fear. I’d be moving to a foreign land where I didn’t know a single person and doing work that wasn’t widely accepted there. I spent many sleepless nights wrestling with God’s gentle prompting.

Fear is inevitable in a Christian’s walk, but its power diminishes as we learn to lean into God and trust Him with the unknown. No matter where a believer is on their faith journey, God always guides us to step outside our comfort zones.

The inspiration for this novel came in 2016 while I was living in the Middle East. While watching The Martian, I realized that even if I were stranded on Mars, millions of miles from humanity, God would still call me to trust Him and not fear. That realization was life-changing: no matter what we face, God assures us nothing is worth fearing if we walk in joyful obedience.

Moving to the Middle East was terrifying and far from easy, but God was always present when I needed Him. In following God to take this step, I realized another beautiful truth: God knows what we need, love, and desire more than we do.

My firm belief is that God has wired each of us to love and enjoy different things because He wants to lead us down a unique path, where He desires to see the deepest parts of our hearts come alive. Walking this path is hard and full of fear. It requires letting go of dreams and trusting God will fulfill the right desires at the right time.

This is the journey Jake faces in Jake Rogers’ Planet. The fears he wrestles with are the same ones I had to navigate to declutter my mind and follow God.

I hope this book will help believers overcome their own fears and follow God. My prayer is that everyone reading this novel will be inspired by Jake’s story to take wild steps of faith to follow God on the wondrous adventure he has in store for them.

Interview with the Author

• What does success as an author look like to you?

I’ve had to wrestle with the idea of success for a long time. As the youngest of three brothers, I can closely relate to David in the Bible. For a while, I was desperate to succeed and win the attention and approval of others. Fortunately, God was always with me and helped me to see that I don’t need to find approval in others. I can be His child, and walk in His love. Though I still have to fight off lies that have followed me from my youth, I now define success as being faithful. I succeed if I walk the path God is calling me toward. This takes a ton of pressure off me, especially when it comes to publishing books; it doesn’t matter how many sales I get or what people think of it, because I’m simply doing what God calls me to do.

• Which character did you connect to best in this book?

In many ways, Jake is me. I didn’t realize it at first, but God used his growth to help me trust in him and find my hope and identity in him. I can especially relate to Jake’s desire to be seen for himself.

• What inspired this book?

During my time as a missionary in the Middle East, I often wrestled with loneliness. I missed my family, my home, and my friends. I felt so far away from them and had the nagging fear in the back of my mind that God would call me to the Middle East for the rest of my life.

After a few months of praying over this fear, I was spending the day alone with God and decided to watch The Martian. While watching it, I realized that being stranded on another planet would terrify me. It brought all these deep fears to the surface. Then, God showed me that even if I was this guy stranded on another planet. Even if I would likely never see another person and would spend the rest of my life alone. Even then, God would still call me not to fear. Beyond this, I wouldn’t need to fear. God knows everything I need and want. He knows my future. Certainly, He knows what was best for me. I can trust Him more than I can myself. So if He leads me down a path that terrifies me, I can know deep down that He’s doing something good even if I can’t see it.

This realization hit me hard, and immediately got me thinking about how I could capture this profound truth in a story.

• What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

It’s so hard to pick one verse, but recently Psalm 30:2-3 has taken a special place in my heart: “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”

I absolutely love the idea of God being my fortress because a fortress is only as good as it is strong. Since nothing is stronger than God, dwelling in his presence is absolute peace. This concept also emphasizes the point of continually being with God. I also love the end of this verse because it reminds us that asking God to shelter, sustain, and guide us should always be for the purpose of glorifying His name in this lost world.

• Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

I don’t have a writing chair; I have a writing hammock. When it’s warm out, I pop some popcorn, grab my dog (and sometimes my wife and baby), and head out to a river near my house where I can be surrounded by the natural sights and sounds of the world. I hook up my hammock between two big trees, watch the birds fly, and wait for any animals to pass by. I figure there’s no better place to write a survival story.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

Simple Harvest Reads, March 8 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 10 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 11

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 13

Artistic Nobody, March 14 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 16 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Stories By Gina, March 17 (Author Interview)

cecereadsandsings, March 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 18

Guild Master, March 19 (Author Interview)

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 20

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Philip is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, plus a signed hardcover copy of the book, a bookmark, and a vinyl sticker!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54168

About the Book

Book: The Curator’s Secret

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release date: March 1, 2025

It’s taken six years for Lacey Colbert to escape the heartbreak that caused her to disappear from Golden Isles Christian Camp and the life of her summer sweetheart, Trent Stevenson. Then a museum curator job at a Gilded Age resort lures her back to Georgia’s Jekyll Island. Lacey finds Trent no longer an employee in his dad’s lawn care business, but director of landscaping right in her historic district.

Winter Haven cottage’s century-old mystery of a vanished fiancé compels Lacey to settle her own past with Trent. Just one thing stands in the way … the fact that someone else likes uncovering secrets, too—Lacey’s. And her unknown foe won’t hesitate to use them against her.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

About the Author

Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance from her home in North Georgia and also serves as a freelance editor and the Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books. A mother of two wonderful young adult daughters, she always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

When Secrets Lead to Suspense…

The Curator’s Secret is a bit of a departure from the historicals I’ve been releasing over the past year—not only in that it’s contemporary romantic suspense, and released independently rather than through a publishing house, but in its theme and setting.

Have you ever found yourself unable to keep a promise you made with the best intentions? This could happen due to unforeseen circumstances, mistakes, or information you didn’t have when you offered the pledge. The inability to follow through may break our heart, haunt us, and sever relationships. Secrets can do the same thing, stealing our ability to live authentically, blocking our blessings, and creating a stockpile of lies.

Broken promises and secrets choked the life from Lacey and Trent’s youthful romance six years before the hero and heroine of The Curator’s Secret are reunited when Lacey takes a job as a curator for a historical complex on Georgia’s Jekyll Island, where Trent, unbeknownst to her, is the landscape director. Rather than the restart Lacey expects with her new career, God brings her face to face with her past—not just her first love, but also her grad school stalker who has somehow followed her to the remote island. As the threat escalates, the tale Lacey uncovers in Winter Haven Cottage of a vanished fiancé seems to parallel her own tragic romance…and possibly offer answers and healing. If her past doesn’t destroy her chance of happiness first.

The Curator’s Secret was originally written as a time slip or dual time period novel. It was my mom’s favorite story and my agent’s favorite story I’ve ever written! But somehow, we couldn’t find a publishing home for it. So at last, I’m releasing it myself to my readers who enjoy stories of faith and unique Georgia history. Even though I made the decision to pull the historical backstory out so as not to slow the modern suspense story, the history of Jekyll Island is paramount to the plot. And BONUS, I also have the historical tale of William and Clara that I can share separately to anyone who emails me from my website with their Amazon receipt number for their purchase of The Curator’s Secret.

I’ll close with a fun fact. My mom and I love to take research trips when I’m gathering info for my novels. We enjoyed a beautiful stay at Jekyll for this one…until a hurricane came roaring up the coast! We had to hightail it out of there as workers boarded up the historic district. The eerie sense of impending doom sparked my idea of having a hurricane crescendo with the action in The Curator’s Secret. Imagine being trapped on an island with a storm and a stalker both bearing down on you! That’s exactly what happens to Lacey at the end of the novel. I hope you enjoy this exciting tale of redemption and romance.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 2

Texas Book-aholic, March 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 5

Stories By Gina, March 6 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 7 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, March 8

Blossoms and Blessings, March 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 10

Holly’s Book Corner, March 11

Pause for Tales, March 12

Cover Lover Book Review, March 13

Fiction Book Lover, March 14 (Author Interview)

Roads to Everywhere, March 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54175

About the Book

Book: His Grace’s Governess

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historic Romance

Release date: February 4, 2025

A governess with a secret. A duke with a broken heart. Can love heal their wounds?

Miss Eleanor Clairbridge, at five and twenty, has resigned herself to a life without love. With her family’s London townhouse threatened by dwindling finances, she accepts employment as a governess to help support her widowed mother and preserve her cherished childhood home. When Eleanor arrives at Ivy Grange Estate, the last thing she expects to find is a spark of attraction between her and her new employer. Determined not to risk her position, she resolves to keeps her distance. There is more than one reason a romance between them can never be.

Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has no intention of finding love. Since losing his family in a tragic carriage accident five years ago, he has devoted himself to protecting his young niece, the only family he has left. But when his niece’s enchanting governess arrives at the estate, Edmund finds himself reconsidering his vow never to love again. Why then, as he seeks to know her more, does she seem determined to avoid him at all costs?

As Eleanor fulfills her role as governess, her past begins to catch up with her, threatening to unravel the secrets she holds dear. Both Eleanor and Edmund must confront their deepest fears and decide whether to succumb to the darkness within or brave the path to healing and love.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

About the Author

Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.

More from Jackie

In His Grace’s Governess, much trouble befalls Edmund and Eleanor as they attempt to sort out their close proximity to and burgeoning feelings for one another, but there is one scene in particular that I enjoyed researching.

In one scene of the novel, Mr. Roskilly(the gardener at Ivy Grange Estate) worries at Eleanor plucking the plant Rabelera–otherwise known as Greater Stitchwort–from the ground. He fears that danger will befall Eleanor if she takes it from the garden and Eleanor, misunderstanding him, even believes at one point that Mr. Roskilly might be threatening her. But, why is Mr. Roskilly so worried? Is he really so concerned that Edmund’s hackles will be raised when he sees that Eleanor has plucked a few mere flowers from the garden–and with his niece, no less?

Indeed, that is not where his concern lies, for if you read the passage closely, you’ll see that Mr. Roskilly is Cornish. This is an important factor. When doing my research for the novel, I found that, in Cornwall, it is believed that Greater Stitchwort is the property of the pixies. It is believed that to pick it is to take it from them and to anger them, and if you anger them then there is all the chance that they may well retaliate for you having stolen what was theirs. Truly, they may even enchant you, according to legend. Having read this and being sufficiently intrigued, the scene was born! I do hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.

Here is an excerpt from it so you know what I’m referring to:

“Hope yer walk’s went well. ’Tis a fine day fer one.” He grinned, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth. His Cornish accent was thick, with a friendly tone to his voice.

Eleanor returned his smile and nodded. “It certainly is. What better way to spend a morning than to enjoy the sun in these beautiful gardens? They’re the finest I’ve ever seen.”

She could’ve sworn there was a hint of a blush on the man’s tawny face. “I than’ ye, miss. We do our righ’ bes’, and keepin’ i’ as i’ is makes ’is Grace ’appy. Ever since…” The man trailed off, a growing look of concern on his face.

What had he been about to say? Something about the duke or his family?

“Greater Stitchwort.” He spoke with a grave edge to his words, looking intently at the flower in Rose’s hand.

Eleanor’s gaze flitted from the man to the flower, her brows furrowing. “Is something wrong, sir?”

The man tilted his head, flicking his eyes to the side in a plea for a private conversation.

I will not say whether this decision to pick the plant affected Eleanor later on in the story or not, but I’ll leave you with this: Do consider all of the plants you touch before you decide to place your hand upon them and pull them from the ground.

Happy reading!

Jackie Killelea

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18

Holly’s Book Corner, February 19

Texas Book-aholic, February 19

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20

Pens Pages & Pulses, February 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 21

Stories By Gina, February 22 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24

Connie’s History Classroom, February 25

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 25

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, February 28

Pause for Tales, February 28

Book Looks by Lisa, March 1

Blossoms and Blessings, March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jackie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54157

About the Book

Book: The Debutante’s Second Chance

Author: Lisa M. Prysock

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 28, 2025

As the horseracing world teeters on the brink of collapse, she fights to save her family’s stables.
The return of the man who once shattered her heart is the last thing she needs—or is it?

Miss Gladdie Lyndon’s world is turned upside down when her father’s stroke leaves her in charge of Velvet Brooks Horse Farm. With the horseracing industry in decline and the 1908 Kentucky Derby on the brink of cancellation, Gladdie faces an uphill battle to save her family’s legacy. The pressure mounts as clients abandon the farm, leaving her to pin all hopes on a mysterious new horse champion.

As she grapples with these challenges, Gladdie is blindsided by the return of Clay Grinstead—the man who left her heartbroken on the eve of their wedding. Now a widowed father, Clay has come back to Lexington with dreams of a fresh start and a determination to win back Gladdie’s love. He sees an opportunity to help her save Velvet Brooks and the Derby, but Gladdie must decide if she can trust him.

As they navigate financial peril and emotional wounds, Clay works to tear down the walls around Gladdie’s heart. Together, they must confront their shared history and forge a path forward. Can they rescue the farm and revive the Derby, or will their past heartbreak thwart their future happiness?

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

The Debutante’s Second Chance by Lisa M Prysock is a Christian Historical Fiction. It is the second book in the Kentucky Debutantes of the Gilded Age Series.  The book is set in 1908 Lexington, Kentucky and features Gladys “Gladdie” Lyndon, daughter of Racing Royalty.  While this book can be read as a standalone I recommend that you read the pervious books in the series before starting this as this does give spoilers.

What you might need to know:

Clay is a widower with two you kids.

Gladdie is struggling to keep Velvet Brooks open.

What I think about this book:

This book opens with Velvet Brooks in a much different place than the previous books.  Gladdie is in charge after her father had a stroke and her sisters have commitments that prevent them from helping.  Gladdie’s heart was broken when he didn’t show up for their elopement  and she struggles to trust when he returns. I really enjoyed this book, I loved the horses as much as the personal relationship.  A quote that really stuck with me was “even if God didn’t answer his prayer the way he wanted,  a recommitment to his Heavenly Father was something he should have done”. The quote reminded me of how many times we bargain with God when we should commit to him no matter the outcome.

I have really enjoyed this series and look forward to more by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Lisa M. Prysock is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes both Christian Historical Romance and Contemporary Christian Romance books—”Romance with a Dash of Food, Fashion, Faith, & Fun.” She writes both traditionally and indie published novels.

Kentucky inspires her writing and is home. Happily married to her husband of more than 24 years, she homeschooled two of their five children, now grown. When she isn’t writing, she likes to cross stitch, crochet, sew, scrapbook, read, swim, dance, take walks, travel, explore historical homes, garden, cook for her family, learn to play the piano and violin, and read great books.

More from Lisa

I wrote this book because I firmly believe in second chances. In fact, I believe in third, fourth, and fifth chances too. I’m a recipient of God’s grace and He’s been so good to me, giving me many second chances when I didn’t always deserve it, and sometimes, just because it was needed. He also knows when something hasn’t necessarily been fair in our lives. He is the God who sees, and many times I’ve seen Him step forward to grant me an opportunity or a second chance in my life because something happened that wasn’t my fault, didn’t go in my favor, and actually made things harder for me, but He wanted to make it right and gave me something extra to work all things together for my good. I’m sure many of you can relate. Isn’t this a marvelous thing when it happens?

Our heroine, the main character, Gladdie—a family name for my maternal great aunt and my maternal grandmother—is given a second chance at romance after being jilted by the hero, Clay. But can Gladdie forgive him after he jilted her? Clay has reasons for what happened, but Gladdie has no idea what his reasons are. Will she ever give him a chance to explain? As you can see, it’s all about second chances, all the way around.

I also wrote this book because one of the secondary characters in the story reminds me of someone dear to my heart who went through tremendously difficult things. Unspeakable things I can’t write. Maybe it was therapeutic for me to write that character’s story somehow. Sometimes people we love experience hardship and there isn’t anything we can do about it except pray after we’ve done everything else we can do. I can’t wait to bring a beautiful ending for that particular character in a sequel.

There is a third and fourth reason I wrote this story. Thirdly, I wanted to give readers a glimpse of Gilded Age Europe and the horseracing world of England and France. I plan to write more of this in a sequel as well. It was so much fun to share more about the Gilded Age history of racing from a European perspective by taking readers to Ascot and Longchamps.

Fourthly, my research led me to understand more about the reality of the decline in horseracing in America that began around the time of the Gilded Age. Tracks were closing all around the nation. We’d gone from having more than three-hundred racecourses to fewer than fifty. New York had introduced legislation that could alter the course of racing in that state too, and many feared other states would soon follow.

I was fascinated to read about how Colonel Matt Winn, the President of Churchill Downs, helped to save the Kentucky Derby of 1908 as I read more about the opposition they faced. The changes in the industry brought about machine betting, or what is commonly known as pari-mutuel betting. It was so interesting that it didn’t take me long to begin to see my characters involved with saving the Derby of 1908 too. While most of my story is fictionalized, I think readers will find it a fascinating read as I’ve included the nuts and bolts from my research about this situation. In any case, I hope readers will immensely enjoy The Debutante’s Second Chance. It comes directly from my heart.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 13

Labor Not in Vain, February 14

Devoted To Hope, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 16

lakesidelivingsite, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 21

Simple Harvest Reads, February 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 23

Holly’s Book Corner, February 24

Pause for Tales, February 25

Stories By Gina, February 26 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, February 26

Giveaway

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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54155