About the Books

Book: Having Tried Everything & The String Theory Beginning With Me

Author: Tonia Colleen Martin

Genre: Coffee Table Gift, Adult Fairytale Illustrated

Release Date: July, 2019

Having Tried Everything

Sleep often eludes. We try this and we try that. Still, the night gives a wake up call we’d rather not answer. “Having Tried Everything” is the story of a terminally lonely insomniac who does answer. Stepping from the rut of routines and rituals, moving from the known to the unknown, she discovers not only mercy and abundance but who she is and the travesty and redemption of what it means to be human. “Having Tried Everything” is at once actual, metaphorical, providential and inexplicably true. The “YOU” in the story is both the reader and the writer. The very act of embracing this narrative provides the first step toward the wonderland of connection, acceptance and gratitude. Where words abbreviate the astonishment of God’s signature on creature and creatures, the illustrations enhance and annotate. Suitable for all dreamers and courageous pragmatists.

The String Theory Beginning with Me

The String Theory Beginning With Me is an illustrated prose poem tracing the journey to freedom from an internal landscape of chaos and fear. Using specific images from the natural world, this story condenses and simplifies a very slow, methodical transformation indicative of those who consistently seek the larger experience of living both in and beyond the here and now. Because of its metaphorical language and its delicate presentation, The String Theory Beginning with Me, has a universal appeal and is an ideal gift for both contemplatives and the spirited.

Click here to to get your copy of Having Tried Everything and here to get your copy of The String Theory Beginning with Me.

About the Author

While I was still feeble in my selfness and narrow in my horizons, I became a collector of words. Words often come and go all on their own. I do my best to arrange them in beautiful order. This particular arrangement is called Having Tried Everything: An exploration of redemption, hope and possibility through the eyes of a terminally lonely insomniac. It is at once actual, metaphorical, providential and inexplicable. The “YOU” in the story is both the reader and myself as the writer/artist. Thank You for stepping into this with me. The weight of this truth is surprisingly heavy and less accessible than I would like it to be. Divine Love and His intervention is the hope I often forget to cling. The Lie: You are alone and will end alone, has subtly confused me without my knowledge or consent for a very long time. My ability to escape its debilitating effects is in direct proportion to name it as a lie. The miracle of being designed for relationship with the living God despite my frailties continues to astound me. My value as a human being is not predicated on my good behaviors or bright countenance, but rather by God’s compassion and mercy. The unshakeable truth of my wealth given freely to me by nature of my design and God’s generosity is not mine alone. Thus, the You in the story is ours together. God bless you as you consider with me the miracle of God’s unmerited favor towards us based on nothing we’ve worked for or earned.

More from Tonia

On Labor Day morning, I woke up to an email reminding me I missed a deadline.

This is not the kind of message that incites creativity.

And now sitting here in my front garden, trying to imagine the sound of the neighbor’s leaf blower as that of a vigorous wind warming up to deliver an epic end-of- summer storm, I am face to face with a wordless me wondering how to communicate the enormity of what I want to be say…after all, what happens in these two little, tiny, shrunken, abbreviated, synthetic replications of what actually occurred in the chronological space of history crosses into speculative territory. And I haven’t even met you.

If you dream of traveling but time, money or fear has held you back, The String Theory Beginning with Me is a story boat meant to sail you safely into the intergalactic waters of your own lonely soul. If you worry about failure, Having Tried Everything  is an illustrated syllabus developed from a rubbing pressed against the gravestone of a dream, carefully framed by God’s healing light.  Both books are designed to give you a holiday from clock watching and move you into a space of heart throb time.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 29

Just Your Average reviews, November 30

Simple Harvest Reads, December 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 2

Texas Book-aholic, December 3

All 4 and About Books, December 4 (Author Interview)

janicesbookreviews, December 5

Mary Hake, December 5

Just the Write Escape, December 6

Blossoms and Blessings, December 7 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, December 8

Inklings and notions, December 9

Andrea Christenson, December 10 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 11

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, December 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tonia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of each of the 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/f1b7/having-tried-everything-and-the-string-theory-beginning-with-me-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Are You in the Game or in the Way?

Author: Ross Holtz

Genre: RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Pastoral Resources

Release Date: March 10, 2017

Are You in the Game or in the Way?

A men’s ministry reality check: What is standing in the way of a vital men’s ministry in your church? 

The guy who should be at the forefront is often in the way of the program getting off the ground. 

·         Are you, as pastor, the main obstacle to the growth of a vital men’s ministry? 

·         Are you the guy who wants to start a men’s ministry in your church but don’t know how? 

·         Is fear or a sense of inadequacy keeping you from starting such a ministry? 

Pastor Ross Holtz tells his personal story of how he became a catalyst for growth, instead of an impediment will inspire pastors and men’s ministry leaders. 

What works, what doesn’t, and what is required in forming a vital men’s ministry. Practical and honest teaching filled with relevant and tested examples from recognizing the problem to finding the fix.  

Pastor Ross Holtz is a man who has earned the right to speak on ministering to and through men . . . One man’s journey from being a sceptic to a fully-engaged pastor who sees the power of a clear ministry to and through men . . . Pastor Ross bares his heart, and is, at times, brutally honest in a way that will resonate.  

—Chuck Stecker, president, A Chosen Generation

Click here to get your copy.

Guest Review from James Barela

Are You in the Game or in the Way? was written by pastor Ross Holtz to other pastors and men who are either already in or aspire to men’s ministry. The book is intended to be a source of teaching on how to get men’s ministry up and running as a successful church ministry: focusing on the role of the pastor. Holtz’s passion about this topic is apparent and his motive appears to be a love of men’s ministry. The flow of his writing and thoughts were easy to follow, even for a layperson (such as myself). In addition to the author’s passion and clarity he provides an honesty in relating some of his own struggles in ministry over the years and asks some questions that are important and difficult for those in Christian men’s ministry leadership.

Are You in the Game or in the Way? does not come without some concerns. Passion, clarity, honesty, and asking good questions does not automatically make a resource like this adequate for the job it seeks to fulfill. My first concern is that though it was written to pastors and men’s ministry leaders about ministry to men it lacked an adequate reliance upon scripture. The book is 153 pages long and my first encounter with any reference or usage of scripture was not until page 105. Rather than scripture being the standard for understanding the problem of a failing or struggling men’s ministry the reader will encounter numerous quotes from about 2-3 men’s ministry leaders he admires or respects. There is an assumption that the reader must make if they are not familiar with these men quoted – the assumption being that these men relied upon the scriptures for their work.

Another large concern for me was the apparent and seemingly reliance upon pragmatism for the sake of pragmatism. This comes in many forms throughout this book. One example is at the end of the chapter entitled Men’s Men and Me where the author indicates he was the problem in that the men he was attempting to minister to “evidenced no real attraction to what (he) was offering” (24). Well, what was he offering you ask? He says, “My passion was the Scriptures and the stuff of books.” He rightly points out that he wanted these men to become part of the life of the church as he saw it (love of the scriptures and doctrine which we find in books) but that he was “inadvertently, attempting to draw them away from their own lifestyles and community to participate in mine.” First, the author was honest enough to recognize and admit he wasn’t willing to like the things they liked outside of the church such as fishing and hunting. But, secondly, he also uses words that lead the reader to think he was wrong for having a love of doctrine and scripture and that he was wrong for  wanting that for these men only because he was not more of an outdoorsman than he was. I don’t know for sure that he wanted to convey this, but it is a reasonable question based upon his words.

A couple other examples of this concerning pragmatism come in comments like the following:

• “Most pastors and men’s leaders know the truth that doing something is men’s dominant form of spiritual expression, not religious talking and listening” (131). Before Jesus turned the disciples loose to preach, teach, and heal there was quite a bit of Jesus talking and them listening and there is no indication in scripture they complained.
• After demonstrating several times that the men in his church, some saved some not, were not interesting in the things of church life, much less God, he states, “We didn’t know what most men wanted, but we thought we did.” In the book there is neither any discussion that he/church leadership considered what these men needed nor any reference to their need. The reader is left to assume it is all about what men want. Far too often than not this type of thinking leads to programs for the sake of programs in which in order to keep them in the doors you keep having to think about what gimmick you need to keep the men’s attention.

The number of concerns was far too long to include all of them here, but I believe it noteworthy to mention, in this review, there a few times the author chose to retell a story referencing in greater detail than necessary the use of unedifying language. In one story he refers to a Pentecostal who uses the “s- “word; though we read “he doesn’t always use the word stuff.” Is this necessary? In another section of the book he tells his readers he must use restraint from using a scatological term in reference to hearing that American men are not emotional. He also makes a comment about the disciples and flatulence. While these are not great sins in and of themselves, I must ask, “are they really becoming a pastor in a pastoral work to other pastors?”

As I bring this review to a close please keep in mind that I know that it is difficult to put your work out there for others to review and provide feedback. The heart and intent of my feedback is constructive. I would ask the author if he took the time think some of the comments through to their logical end. For this reader, I gained more insight from the last few paragraphs of the book where he briefly exposits a pastoral epistle written to Timothy – from a pastor to a pastor. This is what this book desperately needs to be a valuable tool to other pastors. Yes, it was honest, passionate, clear, easy to read, and asks good questions, but it fails to fully and biblically answer those questions adequately and for that reason I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Redemption Press via Celebrate Lit Tours. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Geoffrey Ross Holtz, DD, is founding and senior pastor of The Summit (ECFA) in Enumclaw. He was awarded “Pastor of the Year” in 2014 by the National Coalition of Ministries for Men. Ross and his wife, Athena, the founder and publisher of Redemption Press, have a blended family of eight adult children and seventeen grandchildren and enjoy time spent sailing.  

More from Ross

I’ve been asked to tell something about myself or tell a personal story. I’m not adverse to talking about myself, but I’d rather tell you a very personal story.

There was a show on television, maybe still is I guess, called Overhaulin’. The plot of the show was that each week they would sneak a person’s car away from them, with family help, and overhaul it to make it really cool. It was every car-guy’s dream; to have someone restore a vehicle for you, that was special to you. And to restore it at their expense; Wow, doesn’t get cooler than that.

I never was on that show, but I have a story that I want to tell you. It was late summer in 2014. I had just remarried after having lost my wife of 49 years awhile before. The church that I pastor was having a car show as a community outreach on this particular Sunday. The day had started out rather weird. Several people seemed to be inordinately interested in my movements and where I was going to be as we set up the show.

“Oh, Ross, you need to go into the church, someone is looking for you.” Or, “Hey Ross, would you run get this for us across town?” Yeah, weird things. But I obliged and made myself scarce for the time leading up to the church service before the car show officially started.

So, we do the obligatory service; it ends, and my new wife and I start walking through the grassy field looking at the custom and restored vehicles that had come to the show. I, as is my style, was meandering along the cars talking to people I knew and folks with their fancy cars. Athena, my wife, seemed to be hurrying me along which was not like her at all. And, which was like me, I was just strolling along enjoying the cars.

Then, down the row a few cars, I spot the open hood of a 1961 Chev pickup. That year had a very distinct hood which was used only one year. “Oh, look at that. I had a truck like that years ago. Wow, and look at that, it’s yellow. Isn’t that gorgeous.” Funny, I failed to see the horde of people and cameras set up in front of that vehicle, all looking towards me.

Anyway, I hurriedly moved towards it and recognized it as a limited addition of that year’s Chevy truck. I said, “Hey look at that. It’s the same model that I had. That’s not your normal ’61.” I wondered if someone had restored my old truck.

I must give a bit of back story on my old truck. It had been purchased new in Los Gatos, California by my dad. He had needed someone to drive it home so he pulled my out of school to do that. I was 14. My father was not a stickler for legal technicalities. So I was the first to drive his new truck. It was new, but it was ugly. It was painted an ugly shade of puce. I mean it was really an awful color. My mother called it “Rosebud” because it reminded her of some kind of flower.

In 1975 my dad gave me the truck because he had no further use for it. So I drove it until about 1988 when it was totally worn out. So I sold Rosebud to a friend named Randy who had plans to restore it eventually. I sold it with the understanding that if he should he ever sell it, I’d get first right of refusal.

Fast forward Twenty-five years. A bunch of guys were sitting around a campfire talking and Randy announces that he’s moving to another state and getting rid of everything he owns.

“What about my truck? Are you taking it with you?” “Oh,” he said, “I gave that truck away a while back.” Those who were there said I looked disappointed, or something. I don’t remember feeling that, but it was said.

Now, back to the story. I was looking at this beautiful truck, wondering if it was the same truck, when I saw Randy on the other side of it. “Randy, you son of a gun, you restored my truck.” He said, “It’s your truck.” “Yes, I can see that. You’ve done a beautiful job with her. But why didn’t you tell me?” He said once more with strong emphasis, “It is your truck.” “Are we playing games?” I wondered out loud. And, to make it more cruel, someone had entered the truck in the show under my name. That wasn’t nice.

I was not very situationally aware at that moment. I didn’t see all the cameras and people that were focused on me. People were laughing and cheering. I didn’t notice. I was focused on the pickup that had been my dad’s. It took them four or five time to finally get across to me that this beautiful bright yellow, completely restored truck was a gift from the men of the church to me. Randy had given it to the men’s ministry of The Summit with the request that they make it new for me as a gift for nearly 30 years of ministry to the church. Dozens of men had spent 18 months completely disassembling and rebuilding it from the ground up. It now had a fresh corvette motor, disc brakes, power steering, and a custom paint job. I had been Overhauled. Not by Chip Fouse, but by a group of men, and boys, who cared enough for me to invest months of blood sweat and tears. Not to mention the thousands of dollars it took. I wept. I still weep when I think about it.

One final part of the story that needs telling. I remarried after Cathy died, as her instructions (another story). I guess I didn’t wait long enough for some people, or something. People, about 100 people, abandoned me and left the church. They might not call it abandonment, but I do. I asked some of the more prominent people, “Is there a sin issue here?” “No,” They said, “We just don’t think it’s good for the church for you to remarry.” As you might imagine, it was an extremely painful time for this 67-year-old guy. I had found another person to finish off my life with, which I didn’t think possible, and some people considered it wrong for me to do. They didn’t consider my feelings, and needs, only thinking of  theirs. Or so it seemed.

But all the while this tragedy was taking place, a whole bunch of good and committed friends, were investing their time and efforts, in secret, to rebuild my dad’s old Chevy truck. All the time I was in such pain, these good men were giving up evenings and weekends to do this wonderful thing for me. Isn’t that like God? Sometimes while we are in the dregs of misery, He is working, unseen, to bless us, to encourage us, and to show His love for us.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11

Vicky Sluiter, November 12

Artistic Nobody, November 13 (Author Interview)

Just the Write Escape, November 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 15

A Baker’s Perspective, November 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 17

janicesbookreviews, November 18

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, November 20

Inklings and notions, November 21

My Devotional Thoughts, November 22 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 23 (Guest Review from James Barela)

Lukewarm Tea, November 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Ross if giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of his book!!

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/f0bb/are-you-in-the-game-or-in-the-way-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Precious Loss

Author:Sharon Fox

Genre: RELIGION / Christian Living / Death, Grief, Bereavement

Release Date: July 8, 2016

Losing a child is the worst tragedy a parent can experience. And yet it happens to many from various causes, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), death from illness, stillborn birth, or miscarriage. A Precious Loss offers those who have experienced such a death a window into the grief process. It presents the biblical grief model and the emotions to expect after a loss, and it includes the steps to move forward toward peace and contentment. 

While each parent’s experience is unique, this book is written with deep insight and strong compassion. It provides grieving parents with: 

·         Concrete steps to coping and recovery, including how to care for your health and your relationships and how to cope with emotions and behaviors you can expect to experience 

·         Biblical support for finding comfort and hope in your darkest hours

Recognition of the hard questions you may have, such as these: 

·                     Why me? 

·                     Was this my fault? 

·                     Is someone to blame? 

·                     Is this some sort of punishment for things I did or did not do? 

·                     Is there a purpose for my child’s death? 

·                     Can I trust God? 

If you or a loved one is grappling with the devastating loss of a child, this book will provide hope and encouragement to press on, knowing that God will sustain you through this painful experience. 

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Sharon Fox is a wife, author, speaker and co-founder of Brave Penny (non-profit). Her heart for those who mourn and struggle with loss has led her to write and teach about God’s model of grieving the death of his son, Jesus.  

 A Precious Loss, was written for families who have experienced miscarriage, SIDS, infant death and stillbirths. (Spanish – Una Perdida Preciosa) 

Sharon published Reframing Adoption, (also in Spanish) and a children’s Christmas book, The Stone Carver’s Son. 

She has led a grief recovery ministry for over twenty years. Sharon is a certified grief facilitator and has been a speaker at the National Conference on Adoption and the Anglicans For Life Summit. 

More from Sharon

Precious Loss (Una Perdida Preciosa– Spanish) was written to present a Christian perspective on the survival of families when a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death (SIDS) have occurred. A miscarriage or infant death is strikingly harsh and so many times unknown by others, which leaves the mother and family without support or understanding.  The statistics tell the story.  One in four conceptions end in miscarriage.  Seventy Five Percent of the marriages end in divorce when a child under three dies.

How do families survive the death of a child, a miscarriage, or tragic illness or accident that is such a sacred, personal and bewildering lossevent?  A Precious Loss is packed with sage advice, coping skills, presentation of God’s Model of Grieving, the Gospel, helpful, authentic recognition of the emotional overload of loss.  The book presents the blueprint from chaos, sadness, upheaval, questioning, new and strong emotions to contentment. It presents the pathway to the reach contentment and live abundantly again.

Mindy Houng’s Q&A with Sharon Fox

1. What does success as an author look like to you?

As a lay person in ministry, the “numbers” of those I reach is always a tempting measure of success.  But over and over Jesus witnessed individually to people in a very personal way.  Yes, he spoke to crowds – tens of thousands actually. I have had the opportunity to share about God’s Model to thousands over the twenty years I have spent in this role of grief minister.  I would love to sell millions of copies of the books, but the real measure is when I speak personally to the individuals who are hurting.  If I can’t personally speak directly or respond to those who grieve via social media the book is the all-encompassing method to minister to them. It is by way of its existence, a voice of compassion to those who are experiencing a very personal and deep loss.  I long for it to be in the hands of everyone who is searching for help.  A Precious Loss can offer information or a “takeaway” on biblical assurance of God’s compassion.  “sage” advice, in the form of activities. God and I through the book have done a “solid,” as a friend of mine says, to embrace those who grieve.

I wrote the book A Precious Loss.  God does the rest of the heavy lifting of the burden of loss.  He puts into the comfort of His love into the heart and soul of those who mourn the life of a child.  If a mother or family can find help to get through the day without drugs or relying on poor coping activities which cause a deeper depression, then that is a win for the kingdom.

2. Is there a specific person or experience in your life that prompted you to begin writing? Describe it.

  In 1996 my sister Penny Scaggs, was murdered by her husband of thirty-five years.  There were four TV programs produced and a book written about her death by Clint Richmond.  What could have been a very private matter for me, and my family, became a highly visible topic to be seen by millions over the course of ten years. (One of the TV programs was rerun for over ten years.)

About six months after my sister died,  I attended a class on grief offered at my church.  It was one of those “Sharon came to class and she never went home” experiences.  I knew grief recovery was going to be a ministry for me.  I joined the American Academy of Bereavement and became a Certified Grief Facilitator.  The certification program was focused on secular research which was valuable but was missing the comfort of biblical scripture.  I found in Matthew, God’s Model of grieving the death of his son, Jesus.  It matched the secular data by way of descriptions but presented it as a pathway to comfort and understanding of God’s compassion.

I compiled a program titled Shadowlands to teach at my church in Plano, Texas.  I have led the program for over twenty years.  From Shadowlands, I created a second program call Precious Losses, which, like the book, A Precious Loss, is focused on families who have experienced the death of a child. Churches across the U.S. are using both programs to offer grief recovery ministry to their members.  I wrote a Leaders Guide for each of the programs to enable leadership to offer a complete turn-key program on grief recovery to those who are grieving any type of loss. The book presents God’s Model and healthy coping tips.

I was not prompted to write the actual book which we are promoting, until several years after the program was developed.  A pregnancy center in Frisco, Texas, asked if I would write something for them to hand to families who had had miscarriages.  The only material they had was a trifold pamphlet written from a secular perspective.

3. Who do you believe your audience it?

The audience for A Precious Loss is very specific.  Mothers and families (spouse, grandparents, and perhaps siblings of the child who died) who have experienced the death of a child through miscarriage, SIDS, illness, injury or stillborn. Attracting the reader has been a challenge.  So often the loss is so private that for the parent or friend who knows about the loss, the search for a book does not occur to them because they simply don’t want to draw more attention to the loss.  Yet, one in four conceptions end in a miscarriage.  When I realized the size of the audience, and upon the request from the pregnancy center, I took up the challenge to write a Christian based and relevant book for those who grieve a precious loss of a child in their life.

4. Do you have a file of book ideas that you refer back to when you want to write a new book?

I don’t actually have a paper or PC file of ideas for new books.  However, there are titles that I think about in my head pretty often.  God has not yet prompted me to write.  He has gotten me up at three in the morning several times saying – “Sharon, today we are writing an article or another chapter in the book.”  You see, He dictates, and I record at the keyboard.

Both of my grief recovery books have “come to me”, not from research, nor a list of ideas, but from a very conscious knowledge that God had something to say – and I, apparently, was the one to write it. I have written one other book, Reframing Adoption.  It was, like A Precious Loss, requested by someone who represented a “need” and represented an audience who needed Christian based grief recovery information. (Reframing Adoption was written for birthmothers who had chosen adoption for their child.)   Not only presenting God’s Model, the book reframes the terminology from “giving up” a child to “gifting” a child.  It includes terminology such as Shadow Grief and Empty Arms Syndrome which are common, yet unknown to those who grieve the choice of adoption.

A good example of writing a book which was “dictated to me by God”, was a children’s book, “the Stone Carver’s Son” published by Redemptions Press.  It is about the shepherds and how they understood what the angels were talking about when they announced the birth of the baby Jesus.  The story answers the question of why these men were willing to leave their flocks and go to see the baby who was proclaimed by the angels as the Savior of the world. It was James,  the stone carver’s son who had told them of the prophesy of a Messiah. I had no conscious plan to write such a book.  One day while walking for exercise at a shopping mall, God dictated the entire book to me.  I came home, sat at the keyboard and out it poured.  The book is virtually word for word as I heard God speaking it to me.

5. Why do you choose to write nonfiction instead of novels?

A Precious Loss is not a non-fiction nor fiction book.  It is not a testimonial nor a self-help book.  It was written to fill a need from a Christian based perspective, on how to cope with a very specific type of grief event.  Miscarriage, SIDS, stillbirth and infant death, all group into losses which are personal, often very private and of such significant emotional impact that those who experience these losses feel hopelessness.  They are usually without any prior knowledge of how to begin to survive a tragic loss of a loved one.  Seventy-five percent of the families who have a live birth but lose a child under the age of three years, end in divorce.  If a couple doesn’t know the statistics – their marriage may simply drift to the point, that they determine divorce is the next step.  If they do know that, they can be intentional to learn ways to cope, and how to handle strong emotions without hurting others and themselves. Often there are outside pressures which create new and very strong emotions, which need to be managed as well.   The parents can achieve contentment both personally and as a couple when they know how to take care of themselves and choose to use good coping skills.

I published A Precious Loss in Spanish, Una Perdida PRECIOSA, because miscarriage and infant death crosses all types of culture, ethnic and geographic boundaries.

Blog Stops

Quietworkings, November 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 17

Artistic Nobody, November 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 20

Simple Harvest Reads, November 21 (Author Interview)

As He Leads is Joy, November 22

Texas Book-aholic, November 23

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

janicesbookreviews, November 25

A Reader’s Brain, November 26

My Devotional Thoughts, November 27 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, November 28

Just the Write Escape, November 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sharon is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/ee18/a-precious-loss-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Lake Season

Author: Denise Hunter

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 12, 2019

A lost letter, a new love, and old secrets beckon this summer at the Bluebell Inn.

When their parents die in a tragic accident, Molly Bennett and her siblings pull together to fulfill their parents’ dream: turning their historic Bluebell, North Carolina home back into an inn. The situation would just be temporary—three years at the most—then they would sell the inn and Molly could get back to chasing her own dreams.

Adam Bradford (aka bestselling author Nathanial Grey) is a reclusive novelist with a bad case of writer’s block. Desperate for inspiration as his deadline approaches, he travels to the setting of his next book, a North Carolina lake town. There he immediately meets his muse, a young innkeeper who fancies herself in love with his alter ego.

Molly and Adam strike up an instant friendship. When Molly finds a long-lost letter in the walls of her inn she embarks on a mission with Adam to find the star-crossed lovers and bring them the closure they deserve. But Adam has secrets of his own. Past and present collide as truths are revealed, and Molly and Adam will have to decide if love is worth trusting.

Click here to get your copy.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest. To learn more about Denise, visit her website DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: AuthorDeniseHunter; Twitter: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: deniseahunter.

Read a premium Excerpt

You can read a premium excerpt of Denise’s Lake Season here.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 12

My Devotional Thoughts, November 12

The Power of Words, November 12

A Baker’s Perspective , November 12

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 13

Mia Reads, November 13

Back Porch Reads, November 13

Carla Loves To Read, November 14

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 14

Among the Reads, November 14

Genesis 5020, November 14

Wishful Endings, November 15

Reflections From My Bookshelves, November 15

CarpeDiem, November 15

Older & Smarter?, November 16

Cultivating Us, November 16

Inside the Wong Mind, November 16

Blossoms and Blessings , November 16

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 17

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, November 17

Avid Reader Nurse, November 17

Through the Fire Blogs, November 18

For Him and My Family, November 18

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 18

Splashes of Joy, November 18

Robin’s Nest, November 19

Mary Hake, November 19

Baker Kella, November 19

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 20

SusanLovesBooks, November 20

Lights in a Dark World, November 20

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 21

Vicky Sluiter, November 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 21

Quiet Quilter, November 22

Andrea Christenson, November 22

Pause for Tales, November 22

Just Your Average Reviews, November 22

Hallie Reads, November 23

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, November 23

To Everything There Is A Season, November 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 23

Texas Book-aholic, November 24

janicesbookreviews, November 24

A Reader’s Brain, November 24

Inklings and notions, November 24

Batya’s Bits, November 25

Livin’ Lit, November 25

The Christian Fiction Girl, November 25

Remembrancy, November 25

About the Book

Book: Smoke Screen

Author: Terri Blackstock

Genre:  Christian Suspense

Release Date: November 5, 2019

One father was murdered, and another convicted of his death. All because their children fell in love.

Nate Beckett has spent his life fighting wildfires instead of the lies and rumors that drove him from his Colorado home town. His mother begs him to come to Carlisle now that his father has been released from prison, but it isn’t until he’s sidelined by an injury that he’s forced to return and face his past. But that means facing Brenna too.

Fourteen years ago, Nate was in love with the preacher’s daughter. When Pastor Strickland discovered Brenna had defied him to sneak out with Nate, the fight between Strickland and Nate’s drunken dad was loud—and very public. Strickland was found murdered later that night, and everyone accused Roy Beckett. When the church burned down, people assumed it was Nate getting even for his father’s conviction. He let the rumors fly and left Carlisle without looking back.

Now, Brenna is stunned to learn that the man convicted of murdering her father has been pardoned. The events of that night set her life on a bad course, and she’s dealing with a brutal custody battle with her ex and his new wife where he’s using lies and his family’s money to sway the judge. She’s barely hanging on, and she’s turned to alcohol to cope. Shame and fear consume her.

As they deal with the present—including new information about that fateful night and a wildfire that’s threatening their town—their past keeps igniting. Nate is the steady force Brenna has so desperately needed. But she’ll have to learn to trust him again first.

Click here to get your copy.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

About the Author

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com; Facebook: tblackstock; Twitter: @terriblackstock

Excerpt from Smoke Screen

I woke up in a blinding bright room, my clothes off and something clamped to my face. I tried to reach it, but I couldn’t bend my right arm, and my hand stung. An IV was taped to my other hand, but I moved carefully and touched the thing over my face.

An oxygen mask. I tried to sit up. “What happened?”

T-bird came to my bedside, a sheen of smoky sweat still soiling his face. “Nate, lie back, man.”

“The fire,” I said. “Need to get back. My men.”

“They’re still there. Making progress. But you’re not going anywhere near a fire for a month or so.”

I took the mask off and coughed a little, but managed to catch my breath. “A month?”

“Yep. Second degree burns on 20 percent of your body. Some of the burns are deep.”

It came back to me, the event that had gotten me here.

“The family. Were they injured?”

“Not a scratch or burn. Turns out it was a U.S. Senator from Kansas. He says you’re a hero.”

“You know I had no choice. They were in the path—”

“Take the praise where you can get it, man. We don’t get that much.”

I looked at my right side. My right arm was bandaged, and so was my side and down my right leg to the point where my boots had stopped the flames. Second degree wasn’t so bad, I told myself. Third degree would have been brutal. I’d be able to leave the hospital soon. I’d heal.

“I won’t need a month,” I said.

“Yes, you will. They can’t let you go back. Doctor’s orders. You’re grounded until he releases you.”

I managed to sit up, but it was a bad idea. The burns pulling on my skin reminded me why I shouldn’t. “I can’t be grounded during fire season. Are you crazy? I need to be there. You don’t have enough men as it is.”

“Sorry, Nate. It is what it is. Why don’t you go home to Carlisle for a while? Take it easy.”

Go home? Pop had just been pardoned, and he and my mom were trying to navigate the reunion. Though she would love to have me home, I didn’t know if I was up to it. My father could be challenging, and fourteen years of prison hadn’t done him any favors.

Taken from “Smoke Screen” by Terri Blackstock. Copyright © 2019 by Terri Blackstock. Used by permission of http://www.thomasnelson.com/.

Blog Stops

As He Leads is Joy, November 9

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 9

CarpeDiem, November 9

Christian Bookaholic , November 9

Fiction Aficionado, November 10

KarenSueHadley, November 10

Quiet quilter, November 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 10

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 11

Among the Reads, November 11

Genesis 5020, November 11

A Reader’s Brain, November 11

Robin’s Nest, November 12

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 12

Bigreadersite , November 12

Blogging With Carol , November 12

Betti Mace, November 13

Spoken from the Heart, November 13

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 13

Emily Yager, November 13

By The Book, November 14

For Him and My Family, November 14

A Baker’s Perspective, November 14

Splashes of Joy , November 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 15

Through the Fire Blogs, November 15

Andrea Christenson, November 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 16

The Christian Fiction Girl, November 16

Just the Write Escape, November 16

Mary Hake, November 16

Remembrancy, November 17

Simple Harvest Reads, November 17 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

EmpowerMoms, November 17

Bloggin’ ’bout Books, November 17

Blessed & Bookish, November 18

Older & Smarter, November 18

For the Love of Literature, November 18

Inklings and notions, November 18

Lights in a Dark World, November 19

amandainpa , November 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 19

Pause for Tales, November 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 20

For The Love of Books , November 20

Hallie Reads, November 20

Cathe Swanson, November 21

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, November 21

All 4 and About Books, November 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 21

Batya’s Bits, November 22

Livin’ Lit, November 22

Texas Book-aholic, November 22

janicesbookreviews, November 22

About the Book

Book: Finding My Son

Author: Eric Odell-Hein

Genre:  Christian Memoir, Adoption

Release Date: February 21, 2018

Eric was perfectly happy being one half of a dual income, no kids family. Having the freedom to travel the world with his wife Christine, while indulging his hobbies and furthering his education and career, was a pretty sweet life.  

 Christine wanted to be a mom.  

 Though he was scared he didn’t have what it took to be a good dad, Eric wanted to fulfill his wife’s dream. After years of trying to conceive, however, the couple received a devastating diagnosis: infertility. 

 For Christine, adoption was the obvious answer. Eric wasn’t so sure. 

 In Finding My Son: A Father’s Adoption Journey, author Eric Odell-Hein offers an unfiltered view into the heart and mind of a man who has experienced the sometimes messy and often awkward process of becoming a father through adoption. Encouraging men to acknowledge the fears they don’t want to admit while advocating a thoughtful, deliberate transparency as the best approach to even the most unnatural, uncomfortable aspects of the adoption process. Eric shares his misgivings and mistakes with an honesty that does not deny his insecurities. 

  A valuable resource for any man considering growing his family through adoption—or anyone seeking to understand the process—this engaging memoir is a testament to the beautiful gift of adoption and a touching account of a father’s love. 

Click here to get your copy!

Mindy Houng’s Interview with Eric Odell-Hein

What inspired this book?

When I went through the adoption process, the adoption agency gave us a list of books to read. They were all great books, but they didn’t speak directly to me. I ascribed this to the fact they were written by adoptive mothers and seemed to resonate especially well with fellow prospective adoptive mothers. But they didn’t address the sort of fears, concerns, and insecurities I was facing as a husband who was going through the process of deciding to become an adoptive father. After the process was finished and I had spent a few years as an adoptive father—the best choice I’ve ever made—I decided to share my story and experience in an attempt to fill what I perceived as a gap in the book resources available to those considering adoption. In my personal experience, I had to face a lot of concerns, emotions, past hurts, and insecurities. I think of lot of people, perhaps guys more than others, tend to bury these things and power past them. But I think it’s wise to identify and intentionally engage with these sorts of issues when facing serious life decisions. My hope is that in transparently sharing my experience, other people considering adoption will find something they can take away from the book that will be helpful to them as they face this process.

Which author influenced you the most?

As a child, I devoured the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, but my admiration of his works didn’t really translate to my gifting, which is non-fiction. During my college years, I ran across the works of Mircea Eliade, a Romanian historian of religion, and that inspired me to pursue my own academic research and writing (I have previously authored two academically oriented books on religion). When studying world religions, I read a book by Lama Surya Das that influenced my writing style. While I disagreed with his religious conclusions, I was struck by the quality of his writing and found myself aspiring to be able to write as effectively as him. Today I devour everything written by Dr. Michael Heiser. Not only do we share a religious worldview (Christian), but he has a tremendous ability to take deep concepts and patterns of thought and distill them down to a practical, impactful level. If you only read one author (beside me!), give Heiser’s books a try.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

John 1:51 has become my favorite verse: “And He [Jesus] said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” To get an idea of the significance of this passage, read the story of Jacob’s dream back in Genesis 28:10-22. Jesus explicitly points to himself as the ultimate hierophany and axis mundi: the point of connection between heaven and humankind. In the ancient Near East, where the people who wrote the Bible lived, the concept of connection to the heavenly realm was incredibly valuable. Jesus spoke to his listeners in a powerful way that communicated his central role as the only way humankind connects to God. I absolutely love this.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

There is no better place to spend a vacation than Germany and Austria during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their Christmas markets are truly something special. In October I’ll be taking my family on cruise to Rome, Greece, and various other locations, so I might have a new favorite after that trip. If I limit myself to the U.S., then Yellowstone is the clear winner.

What are you reading right now?

I am currently switching between two books, one non-fiction and the other fiction. For non-fiction, I’m reading Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition, by James K. Hoffmeier. For fiction, I’ve just started on the series of books that the TV show The Expanse is based on. Currently I’m on book two in the series, which is called Caliban’s War, by James S.A. Corey.

If you could have one piece of art or music a deserted island, what would it be and why?

I’m laughing right now, because I actually consider this question on a fairly regular basis. If I could only have one album to listen to, it would be In Love, by the group Juli. It’s a German-language band, and their music simply resonates with me, particularly the song Seenot. I’m not generally into art, so this might seem silly to anyone who is, but I recently watched Werk Ohne Autor (English title: Never Look Away), which was based on the life of the famous German artist, Gerhard Richter. The pivotal piece of art in the movie is adapted from his real-life work titled “Aunt Marianne,” which is an intentionally blurred painting of himself and his aunt. While this may seem heretical to art-lovers, the version of that painting re-created for the movie is very moving. If the movie-version of that piece of art is ever made available for sale, I will buy a copy and place it in my home office.

Thank you Eric for taking your time to chat with us!

About the Author

Eric Odell-Hein (PhD, MDiv, MRS, ThB) is the president of Columbia Evangelical Seminary. The teaching pastor at Summit Evangelical Free Church, he is also the author of Recovering Lost Treasure: Finding Christ in Ancient Myth, Symbol, and Ritual and Systems of Evil: A Study in Comparative Theodicy. Eric lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with his wife Christine and their son Ephraim. All three are passionate travelers.

More from Eric

Adoption was a scary prospect for me. My mother and all her siblings are adopted, and the family dynamic for them was challenging. So when my wife decided we should adopt, I initially responded with a flat-out “no.” But my heart changed, and I am strongly convinced that our son, who joined us via adoption back in 2008 when he was just two days old, is the greatest child in the entire world. If you knew where I was emotionally prior to adoption compared with where I am now, you would marvel at the change. My adoption book is for people like me, particularly men, who struggle with the enormity of the choice to adopt and the constant challenges of the process.

On a lighter and more personal side, when people learn about all the various aspects of my life, they often have to stop and process the seemingly incongruous pieces. Some people know me as a guy who has spent more than two decades in software and entertainment, primarily in various aspects of behind-the-scenes video game technology and management. My entire family plays games, and more often than not, when I get back home in the evening, I find my wife and son online with other members of the extended family playing Minecraft. Sometimes we’ll all get in an online session together, each one of us at our own TV on our own Xbox, and take on bad guys together in one game or another.

Other people know my intellectual side, where I have earned several degrees in areas of theology and religion, including a Ph.D., as well as serving as president of Columbia Evangelical Seminary. I previously published two books on academic topics (evil among world religions, religious symbology) and have more in various stages of development, the next one being a focus on the ancient Near Eastern (ANE) cosmogonic/chaos-order symbolism in baptism. As a teaching pastor, I have a reputation for sermons with an intense ANE contextual emphasis that are part sermon and part seminary course. Check out my most recent four-part series on the Odell-Hein Books Facebook page here.

I was born in Germany to an American family, and while my German-language skills have deteriorated, I love German music. I’m very excited that my favorite group, Juli, has a new album coming out later this year. It’s mild stuff compared to most of the rock or industrial music I listen to, but they’re good. Check out the first single from their upcoming album here. I’ll be one of the small handful of Americans who purchase the album on the day it first releases in the US.

When not working or playing games with the family, I read primarily academic ANE books. When we’re in the car, I love to subject the family to my go-to podcast, the Naked Bible Podcast. No, it’s not what it sounds like. If you want to hear a serious scholar tackle the ANE context for the Bible, start with Dr. Michael Heiser’s Exodus series (it begins with episode 255).

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6

Vicky Sluiter, November 7 (Author Interview)

Just the Write Escape, November 8

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 9

Simple Harvest Reads,  November 10 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 11

janicesbookreviews, November 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 13 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, November 14

Inklings and notions, November 15

By The Book, November 16 (Author Interview)

Book Love (Featuring Gail Hollingsworth), November 17

Through the Fire Blogs, November 18 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Eric is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon certificate and a signed copy of each of his three 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/f00a/finding-my-son-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Bright Unknown

Author: Elizabeth Byler Younts

Genre:  Historical Romance

Release Date: October 22, 2019

Two young friends embark upon an epic journey across 1940s middle America in search of answers, a family, and a place to call home.

The only kind of life Brighton Turner understands is the one she has endured within the dreary walls of a rural Pennsylvania asylum. A nurse has thoughtfully educated and raised Brighton, but she has also kept vital information from her in order to keep her close. Brighton befriends a boy whom she calls Angel—he doesn’t know his name—and as the two of them learn more about what lies beyond the walls they call home, they fight for their release and eventually escape.

However, the world outside the only place they’ve ever known is not what they expect. They have no real names, no money, and no help—and they must rely upon the kindness of strangers as they walk and hitchhike from Pennsylvania to Michigan to find their last hope of a home.

This heartbreaking journey, narrated in gorgeous prose, explores what it means to belong—and to scour the universe with fresh eyes for the brightness within.

Click here to grab your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

About the Author

Elizabeth Byler Younts gained a worldwide audience through her first book, Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed novel The Solace of Water and the Promise of Sunrise series. Elizabeth lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, her two daughters, and a small menagerie of well-loved pets.

More from Elizabeth

The Bright Unknown was born out of a seed of a true story that my husband’s grandmother, Gigi, shared with me. Gigi told me that when she was a young girl living in Oklahoma her mom had a friend who was a nurse. During one of her visits over coffee she would occasionally talk about her patients at the local asylum. One particular story really intrigued Gigi and even decades later she still remembered it. The story was about a patient who had a baby while at the hospital and while Gigi remembers nothing about the patient or the child, she knew that when she moved out of Oklahoma several years later that asylum-born girl was around eighteen and still living within the walls of that hospital along with her patient-mother.

That story stuck with me. This trapped girl and her mother wouldn’t let me go. I began to wonder over her and ask all sorts of unanswered questions. Slowly but surely my imagined story for her came to life. Layer after layer I learned about Brighton, my name for her. I also named two characters after Gigi, her first and middle, as an honor to her. This story was born from a memory but now these characters feel real and present in my life today and I hope you will journey with them in The Bright Unknown.

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, November 2

A Reader’s Brain, November 2

Living Life Free in Christ, November 2

The Christian Fiction Girl, November 3

Inspired by fiction, November 3

Fiction Aficionado, November 4

Genesis 5020, November 4

janicesbookreviews, November 5

Blogging With Carol , November 5

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6

To Everything A Season, November 6

The Becca Files, November 7

Bigreadersite, November 7

A Baker’s Perspective, November 8

Connect in Fiction, November 8

Moments, November 9

Bloggin’ ’bout Books, November 9

Simple Harvest Reads, November 10

Betti Mace, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 11

Inklings and notions, November 11

Mary Hake, November 11

Texas Book-aholic, November 12

Hallie Reads, November 12

For the Love of Literature, November 12

Through the Fire Blogs, November 13

For Him and My Family, November 13

Remembrancy, November 14

mpbooks, November 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 15

Godly Book Reviews, November 15

 About the Book

Book: Deadly Christmas Pretense

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre:  Christian Suspense, Mystery, Romance

Release Date: November 4, 2019

A cowboy to her rescue…but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in?

Book #2 in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series

Click here to get your copy.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

A fun and action-packed second book in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series! Dana Mentink knows how to create a background full of suspense within a charming and sleepy little town. When Maggie’s twin sister Tammy is threatened, Maggie’s loyal and protective nature kicks in to help her sister. Liam, the former Green Beret turned cowboy, happens to be her twin sister’s ex-boyfriend who gets involved in helping Maggie when she finds herself being chased by cars, bullets, fists, and fire. Liam has emotional baggage from his traumatic childhood and a medical condition to deal with currently. He’s quite broken and it’s not in his nature to let others into his life but Maggie somehow wins him over with her gentle, kind, and understanding ways (along with her fabulous cooking skills). If you enjoy romantic suspense, you will definitely enjoy this book and the series. I received a copy of the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the  nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

I just love Christmas, don’t you? In our area we have a lovely holiday train. It’s an old steam type train which is decked out in lights for festive holiday tours. I was so thrilled that this cover features just such a train. Of course, in the novel the train is the scene of hair raising danger! Maggie, our heroine in this novel, is a cook. She serves up some mouth watering dishes (when she’s not dodging a killer.) I thought perhaps you might enjoy a Mentink holiday family recipe! God bless you as we enter this holiday season!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 1

Among the Reads, November 1

Emily Yager, November 1

KarenSueHadley , November 2

Blogging With Carol, November 2

Batya’s Bits, November 2

Bigreadersite, November 3

My Devotional Thoughts , November 3

She Lives to Read, November 3

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 4

Genesis 5020, November 4

mpbooks, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Betti Mace, November 5

Quiet Workings, November 5

Blossoms and Blessings, November 6

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner , November 6

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 6

Older & Smarter?, November 7

Maureen’s Musings, November 7

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 7

Splashes of Joy , November  8

For Him and My Family, November 8

Moments, November 8

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, November 9

Simple Harvest Reads, November 9

EmpowerMoms, November 9

Through the Fire Blogs, November 10

Remembrancy, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 10

For the Love of Books, November 11

Hallie Reads, November 11

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

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, November 12

To Everything There Is A Season, November 12

Daysong Reflections, November 12

Texas Book-aholic, November 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 13

janicesbookreviews, November 14

Inklings and notions, November 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a  a book necklace, Amazon gift card, and a paperback copy of the book!!

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/ed7d/deadly-christmas-pretense-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Aiming for Love

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: October 2, 2019

Josephine Nordegren is one of three sisters who grew up nearly wild in southwestern Colorado. She has the archery skills of Robin Hood and the curiosity of the Little Mermaid, fascinated by but locked away from the forbidden outside world–a world she’s been raised to believe killed her parents. When David Warden, a rancher, brings in a herd much too close to the girls’ secret home, her older sister is especially frightened, but Jo is too interested to stay away.

David’s parents follow soon on his heels, escaping bandits at their ranch. But his father is wounded and needs shelter. Josephine and her sisters have the only cabin on the mountain. Do they risk stepping into the world to help those in need? Or do they remain separated but safe in the peaks of Hope Mountain?

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

Welcome to a brand-new series by Mary Connealy! Aiming for Love takes us to Hope Mountain in 1873 Colorado where we meet the Nordegren sisters who have been reared up high in the mountain by a set of grandparents who avoided civilization and taught them to fear the world outside of their cabin. With her trademark humor and easy-to-read writing style, the author paints a beautiful yet challenging backdrop of the untamed mountain as the three sisters meet the Warden family who are fleeing from those coming after their ranch in the “lowlands”. Jo, the middle sister, is the main character in this book and her musings about civilization and “other people” are thought-provoking and sometimes downright hilarious. Her curiosity, heart of gold, desire to help others and skill with living off the land endear her to Dave, the younger Warden brother.There are plenty of struggles, physical and emotional and spiritual, as the Wardens forge their way in the wilderness of Hope Mountain with the help of the sisters. This is book one in the series and sets up quite a few secondary characters and scenarios that will likely come into play as the series progresses. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially set in the frontiers, you will love this book. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series where we’ll get to know the youngest sister Ilsa better.I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

More from Mary

What it would do to someone to run wild from nearly their earliest memory?

What if three young girls had the basic skills to survive a rugged life but no adults to guide them?

Would they grow up to be a completely odd and untamed version of themselves, or the truest, in some ways most honest version?

I wanted to explore that idea: wild children, tough young women, afraid of the invading world, but lonely, too. So I created the plot for my Brides of Hope Mountain series by mixing the three little girls who’d grown up wild on the top of a mountain with some fairy tale ideas.

Book one, Aiming for Love, is Josephine Nordegren’s story. I had this vision of Ariel the mermaid seeing a man for the first time when strangers invade the high valley she lives in with only her two sisters. Curiosity is her besetting sin, or so she’s always been told. She has wilderness skills, mainly in the form of owning a bow and arrow and understanding wild animals, but for the first time, she is drawn to a man.

Jo needs to be tamed, or Dave, the man she can’t stop watching from in the woods, needs to learn the ways of the wild, because they’re out of place in each other’s worlds.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, October 25

Moments With Mercy, October 25

Bigreadersite , October 25

Emily Yager, October  25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 26

Books, Life, and Christ, October 26

Quiet Workings, October 26

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 27

For Him and My Family, October 27

Stories By Gina, October 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 27

Older & Smarter?, October 28

Betti Mace, October 28

Wishful Endings, October 28

The Becca Files, October 29

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 29

Mary Hake, October 29

Mamma Loves Books, October 29

A Baker’s Perspective, October 30

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, October 30

Britt Reads Fiction, October 30

For The Love of Books, October 30

Hallie Reads, October 31

Connect in Fiction, October 31

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, October 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , November 1

To Everything There Is A Season, November 1

Daysong Reflections, November 1

Splashes of Joy, November 1

Moments, November 2

Simple Harvest Reads, November 2

Batya’s Bits, November 2

She Lives To Read, November 2

EmpowerMoms, November 3

Seasons of Opportunities, November 3

Remembrancy, November 3

Blessed & Bookish, November 4

For the Love of Literature, November 4

Through the Fire Blogs, November 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 4

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 5

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 5

Pause for Tales , November 5

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6

janicesbookreviews, November 6

A Reader’s Brain, November 7

Inklings and notions , November 7

Leona J. Atkinson, November 7

Lukewarm Tea, November 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away a grand prize package of a $20 Amazon gift card, a copy of Aiming for Love, and a copy of Fairy Tales from Around the World!!

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/ed95/aiming-for-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Overcome Depression

Author: Margaret Lalich

Genre: Non-fiction/self-help/Christian growth

Release Date: March 22, 2019

BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE SHINES NEW LIGHT ON HOLY SCRIPTURES. “…pulls back the curtain to clearly & simply reveal how our mind works… A fun and eye-opening book” Karl Benzio, M.D., Medical Director: Honey Lake Clinic & Lighthouse Network.

This faith-based, reader friendly guide offers more than 100 self-help strategies and recovery skills for coping with depression. Brain Science and evidence based therapeutic practices offer hands-on, practical tools for immediate use.

“Amazing book! I have read so many books on depression and this is the only one that has truly helped me.”—Wendy Freeman, California

“…an amazing book on overcoming depression… deep, and yet understandable… a very practical and encouraging book about a very dark subject.”—Bill Walden, Pastor Cornerstone Ministries, Ca.

Click here to purchase your copy!

Mindy Houng’s Q&A with Margaret Lalich

What inspired this book?

I’ve been a people lover all of my life and a believer for my adult life.  I spent 31 years working within mental health.  I have seen the effects of Depression and I have shared a lot of hope with more than a thousand patients in teaching recovery skills classes.  I wanted to share that with my Christian family.

Rain falls on the just, and the unjust. Depression brings a rain of tears. Christians need shelter from these storms, A plea for help, whispered behind a mask, can be missed. Christians may wear a mask to shield others from discomfort, or to hide from others’ judgment.

Depression is not a sin, or a failure of faith. It’s not all in your head.  It’s a no-fault, complex illness. customized for each person who endures it. It can be survived.  There is hope.

What would you like your readers to get out of this book?

Many believers don’t realize the treasures they have been given in our divine design, or the treasures that they (themselves) are.  God wants us to use the gifts He gives. I want to help others find the gifts that are within them, and discover Hope, Power, and POWER TOOLS — to help them live their own definition of ‘success’ – to the Glory of God.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

I can’t say that I have ONE favorite verse – but lately two have strongly impressed me in working with this book:

            Psalm 34:18  “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are     crushed in spirit” (NIV)   I love this Psalm because of its loving assurance.

            1 Corinthians 1:27  “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to             shame the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame    the things that are mighty.” (NKJV)

I love this verse for three reasons:  First, I can be foolish (worrying and striving and responding to life). I am also intimately familiar with the fact of my weakness (as is anyone else who has suffered grief or depression).

Second: Since God chose the foolish and the weak,  I am CHOSEN by God.

Third:  In our foolishness and weakness, we become the perfect display for God’s Wisdom and STRENGTH as he sees us through.

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

My Coffee Pot

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

To my right is a window that frames my lilac bush and the neighborhood trees.  My chair faces my computer desk and the wall behind it – upon which are two posters from Mt. Hermon, showing the beauty of that place and reminding me of the Christian Writer’s Conference and the fellowship and inspiration I have found there.

Thank you for letting us get to know you better Margaret!

About the Author

Margaret Lalich is a believer, a lover (family, friends and others), a relentless optimist, and a Certified Laughter Leader. Before becoming a college freshman (in her 30’s), she chose a teen marriage over graduation.  Later adventures, and mid-life corrections, led to completion of her M.S. and M.A. degrees and a 31-year career as a clinician and teacher, within mental health.

Laughter and tears are both found in experience. Tears can wash away emotional rubble, and laughter can be a ‘bungee-cord’ safety-life-line. If we fall into a pit of despair, laughter helps us rebound and boosts our climb. Margaret loves to share it.

Margaret is a mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma who writes stories and non-fiction – highlighting experience, science, strategies, and hope. She wants to connect with readers — helping them find (and use) their gifts, and to live their own definition of ‘success’ – to the Glory of God.

More from Margaret

I have been asked WHY I wanted to write this book.  It’s because I ache for believers who suffer the pain of depression – and then add guilt, embarrassment, loss of hope, or helplessness to it. I want them to know they are heroes – not zeroes (no matter how they’re feeling). I want to share strategies, encouragement and the sheer excitement of scientific discovery that proves we have more power than we may have imagined, to help us climb out of the ‘pit’.

Yes, I am a bit of a cheerleader, and at times a clown – but I’m also a researcher and a clinician who has shared the wonder of such discoveries with more than a thousand patients. I have also been asked how long it took to finish this book. Not too long … just 31 years to learn and live it – and 3 years to research and write it.  Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 1.

First Things First:  Christians and Depression

“ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Church is not a museum for perfect saints — it’s a first aid station for sinners who keep trying. I can’t recall the name of the pastor, who delivered that line, but his message resonated with me then and it still does today. I want to contribute to First-Aid supplies

God says He is for us, and we are loved. We can trust, and we must believe His Word. But, it can be hard to reconcile faith with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. If you have struggled with this – you’re not alone. Right from the start, you need to know you are loved. We’re in this together.

Doubts and fears can seed questions such as:

“What’s happening?”

“Why?”

“Now what?”

If you ask these questions, be assured God hears the cry of your heart. By His grace, we will explore answers together. Yes, there are answers. Yes, there is hope and help that you can use – right where you are, starting now.

…Blame is a distraction. We cast blame on ourselves with hurtful thinking when we think or say things like: “If I had enough faith this wouldn’t happen.” Or, “ I should be stronger …  blah, blah, blah.”  Don’t surrender to this way of thinking.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

There has been a revolution in the study of the brain (neuroscience). We’ve started to understand brain-works, and can now answer the first of our opening questions: “What’s happening?” With today’s technology and new imaging systems we can see the brain in action as thoughts, and new learning, form physical links, creating neural patterns and pathways within the brain.

The glory of God is revealed as we discover more of His divine design, and watch new scientific findings align with the old wisdom of God’s word for mankind.  Proverbs 23:7 says: “For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.” We have learned that what we think helps to form who, and what we are. We can use this knowledge to build recovery skills.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 17

Seasons of Opportunities, October 18

Donny Abbott, October 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 20

Artistic Nobody, October 20 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 21

EmpowerMoms, October 22

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, October 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 23

Texas Book-aholic, October 24

janicesbookreviews, October 25

A Reader’s Brain, October 26

Simple Harvest Reads, October 27 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 28

Inklings and notions, October 29

Kelly Harrel, October 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Margaret is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of the book, a refreshment package, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/ed8f/overcome-depression-celebration-tour-giveaway