The Reverend’s Second Chance Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Reverend’s Second Chance

Author: Lauralyn Keller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 15, 2025

A buried secret in Harmony Springs could cost a pastor and a teacher their careers—and their second chance at love.

Lydia Jefferson buried her dreams long before the death of her husband. Now she’s locked her heart to men for good. In Harmony Springs, she’s finally found freedom from the shameful failure and loss of her past—until her childhood sweetheart arrives to be the new pastor.

Samuel Allen never thought he’d love again, not after his fiancée walked out of his life. But when his first church assignment sends him to Harmony Springs, he finds himself face to face with the woman who disappeared from his life seven years before. Could this be a second chance at love? Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with him.

When an orphaned child brings Lydia and Samuel together again, can they face the pain of their past and learn to trust each other enough to build a home?

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

This is a story that brought tears and smiles as the story unfolded in an even flow. The characters lives were not pretty with the variety of flaws known to mankind, but nothing is impossible in God’s timing. Lydia’s and Samuel’s compassion for others gave way to letting go and caring for the less fortunate during some of the most difficult times Harmony Springs experienced. The story is filled with a beautiful message about forgiveness, healing from betrayal, second chances and God’s love shining bright as He is allowed to mend broken lives.

I received an early copy of this book from Wild Heart Books and Celebrate Lit for the book tour. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

Baking is one of my favorite activities. I find it relaxing, and it’s so fun trying new recipes. You might have noticed that there are generally some kind of dish or treat in my stories that characters really like. For Lydia Jefferson in The Reverend’s Second Chance, that treat is a cookie called cinnamon jumbles. It plays a part in her love story with Samuel Allen, the new pastor for Harmony Springs.

I asked ChatGPT how to make the best cinnamon jumbles. Here’s what it came up with.

Cinnamon jumbles are such a cozy, nostalgic treat! They’re chewy cookies with the perfect balance of cinnamon sugar, and they’re pretty easy to make. Here’s a recipe that will give you soft, chewy cinnamon jumbles with a nice little crunch on the outside.

Best Cinnamon Jumbles Recipe

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for rolling)

Directions:

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined. Don’t overmix—this will keep your cookies tender.
Roll the Dough: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon for rolling. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

Softness: For softer cookies, don’t overbake them. The cookies will continue to cook a little as they cool on the baking sheet.
Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They should stay soft for about 3-4 days.

I (Lauralyn) hope you enjoy this cookie recipe. Maybe you can even make them and enjoy a few with a nice cup of coffee or tea while reading The Reverend’s Second Chance. Lydia would approve. 🙂

God bless,

Lauralyn

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 21

lakesidelivingsite, July 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 23

Guild Master, July 24 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 24

Texas Book-aholic, July 25

Simple Harvest Reads, July 26 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , July 27

For Him and My Family, July 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 29

Fiction Book Lover, July 30 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, July 30

Vicky Sluiter, July 31

Cover Lover Book Review, August 1

Holly’s Book Corner, August 2

Pause for Tales, August 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauralyn 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/00adcf54254

With Mercy’s Eyes Book Spotlight!

About the Book

Book: With Mercy’s Eyes

Author: D.T. Powell

Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction

He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.

Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he’s gay, it’s over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.

When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.

The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he’s gay. But this one is different. She doesn’t embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn’t she?

– – – – – – –

With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing Contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan.

Book Excerpt

Fall leaves rained onto the canopy, and two dozen empty folding chairs topped a roll of Woodstock grass. Behind him, the coffin waited to be lowered.

Lane touched the lid. Filigreed roses textured its edge.

No more late-night talks over coffee and gas station pizza. No more running lines while Stephen did horrible voices for his scene partners. No more burning Thanksgiving casseroles or watching Stacey’s cat Huddles together.

“I don’t want to do this without you.” Lane sank to his knees. “You’re what got me out of bed these past six years. You promised you wouldn’t leave me.” He hid his face. “You promised.”

2

Studio 73-C, Hollywood

Thursday, January 31^st

Lane sat in his gray ’17 Versa. Rain spattered his windshield.

Tina said this was a good opportunity. Movies based on bestselling books sometimes promised more press, and press meant opportunities to showcase his talent.

He opened his umbrella and tromped through the wet parking lot to the studio. The guy at the security gate had given him good directions. Inside, he took a seat with over thirty men. Some he recognized, but none of them seemed to notice his arrival.

Signs posted on each wall read, “Please email your resume, headshot, and contact information for yourself and your agent to the address at the top of the provided sides.”

Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here

Excerpt One: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/with-mercys-eyes-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Two: https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2025/07/01/with-mercys-eyes-by-d-t-powell-epic-book-launch/
Excerpt Three: https://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/epic-book-launch-with-mercys-eyes-by-dt-powell
Excerpt Four: https://nannie3.blogspot.com/2025/07/with-mercys-eyes.html
Excerpt Five: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2025/06/with-mercys-eyes-launch.html
Excerpt Six: https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/with-mercys-eyes-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Seven: https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/with-mercys-eyes-epic-book-launch-excerpt/

About the Author

D. T. Powell has loved stories since before she can remember, and it was one of those stories that God used to change her life and prompt her to start writing. In addition to writing book reviews for a magazine as well as original contemporary and speculative fiction, she has actively contributed to the fanfiction community since 2013. Her original work has been published by
Writers Digest, Clean Fiction Magazine, Twenty Hills Publishing, The Order of the Pen Press, Wolrdsmyths, and Cadence Writing. She enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and playing an
occasional video game. You can find her online as dtill359.

Her favorite verse is Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”

Seven Brides for Seven Texans Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Seven Brides for Seven Texans

Authors: Gabrielle Meyer, Erica Vetsch, Amanda Barratt, Lorna Steilstad, Keli Gwyn, and Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 29, 2025

Seven brothers, seven heiresses, and one meddling grandfather—can mismatched matchmaking pave the way for true love?

Abraham Kennebrae, a powerful Minnesota tycoon, hatches a bold matchmaking scheme to secure his grandsons’ futures by pairing them with the wealthiest heiresses in town. But the brothers have no intention of complying, and their prospective brides harbor plans of their own. Jonathan battles to protect his fortune from slipping through his fingers, while Melissa guards the secret that could shatter her world—and her heart. Noah seeks refuge on Sutton Island, where fate throws him into the path of his destined bride, Anastasia. Meanwhile, Eli resigns himself to an engagement with Clarice Zahn, though his heart stirs at the sight of her younger sister, Josie.

With emotions running high and loyalties tested, Abraham’s carefully crafted plan spirals into chaos. Can love triumph when hearts rebel against expectations, or will the grandfather’s meddling prove too great a challenge for even the most determined romantics?

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

Seven Brides for Seven Texans : Lonestar Brothers is a collection of novellas about The Hart Brothers. The following authors are part of the collection: Erica Vetsch, Gabrielle Meyer, Amanda Barratt , Lorna Steilstad, Keli Gwyn, Vickie Donough and Susan Page Davis. Set in Texas in 1874 the Hart Brothers find their lives turned upside down when their father George Washington Hart demands they marry by the end of the year or lose their inheritance.

What I think about this book:

First Comes Love by Gabrielle Meyer is story of the youngest of the Hart brothers, John Coffee Hays Hart . Hays has always felt left behind by his brothers and is not going to let it happen now. In his determination to get married he advertises for a wife and gets off on the wrong foot with Emma Longley, the new pastor’s daughter. Emma was determined to dislike everything about Texas. I enjoyed seeing Hays try to open her eyes to the beauty of Texas.

The Heart of Texas by Lorna Seilstad features Texas Ranger Chisholm Hart and the spunky Caro Cardova. When a cattle rustling investigation puts the two at odds, how can they fall in love? Caro is such a fun character, but Chisholm proved he could hold his own. This story held a fun mystery to solve.

The Truest Heart by Amanda Barratt features Doctor Travis Hart and Midwife Annie Lawrence. Travis and Annie were in love, but Annie married another . This was a great story of forgiveness.

A Love Returned by Keli Gwyn features Sam Houston Hart who left home 12 years ago also leaving his sweetheart Coralee. Sam and Coralee both had secrets as to the choices they made 12 years ago. I enjoyed watching them get to know the adult version of each other.

For Love or Money by Susan Page Davis features Crockett Hart and Jane Haymaker. This was such a sweet story. Jane lived in poverty trying to care for her brother . I appreciated Crockett’s tender care of Jane.

Mail Order Mayhem by Vicki McDonough was such a fun mail order bride story. I really enjoyed Austin’s Story

Love at Last by Erica Vetsch is Bowie’s story. Bowie was a POW in a Union prison and still bares the scares physically and mentally . Elise was his ray of light in the middle of Darkness. Bowie returns North and marries Elise, but offers a marriage of convenience only. I appreciate how Elise wasn’t willing to give up on Bowie!

Each of the authors involved in this collection have done a great job of coordinating details for their individual stories. I loved each one and looked forward to meeting the next Brother and the woman who would become his wife. I highly recommend this collection!

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 Authors

Gabrielle Meyer, a Minnesota native, draws inspiration for her historical fiction from the rich stories and landscapes of her home state, where she lives on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. A former employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, Gabrielle loves weaving real people, places, and events into her captivating tales.

Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch weaves her love for Jesus, history, romance, and sports into her stories, including The Debutante’s Code, the first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series. When she’s not crafting fiction or planning her next trip to a history museum.

Bestselling author Amanda Barratt brings to life overlooked moments in history through her award-winning novels, including The Warsaw Sisters, Within These Walls of Sorrow, and The White Rose Resists. Based in Michigan, she’s often immersed in research, tackling her ever-growing TBR stack, or savoring a slice of lemon cake.

Carol Award finalist Lorna Seilstad explores life’s complexities with humor in her nine novels, including the Lake Manawa Summers and Gregory Sisters series, as well as several novella collections. When she’s not writing, she teaches women’s Bible classes, runs a toy store, plans weddings, or spends time with her Pyredoodle, Honey Bea.

Keli Gwyn crafts inspirational historical romances that she loves to read. A California native, she now lives in the greater Sacramento area with her husband and their sweet orange tabby, enjoying life close to family.

Vickie McDonough, a CBA, EPCA, and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas, brings the Old West to life in her award-winning romances featuring ranchers, cowboys, and lawmen. Though married to a computer geek who fears horses, she lives out her ranching dreams through her stories—and when she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, gardening, making cards, and traveling.

More from Erica

Hi, I’m Erica Vetsch, and I loved collaborating on the stories for the 7 Brides for 7 Texans collection. It was fun writing stories that were so intertwined, and working closely with the other authors in the collection to bring the whole concept together.

Initially, I was approached by a publisher, asking if I would be interested in heading up a novella collection loosely based on the idea of 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, the classic musical. The parameters were that the stories must be no longer than 25K words, be historical in setting, and that I could choose the overall concept, as well as my team of authors.

I, of course, jumped at the chance. Before I contacted anyone, I worked up a rough idea of the premise of the stories. A wealthy Texas rancher with seven strapping sons is tired of waiting for them to get married and provide him with grandchildren, so he issues an ultimatum. Get married by the end of the calendar year, or you’re disinherited.

I named all the sons after famous Texans, and gave them a birth order, then I began contacting writing friends to see if they were interested in joining the project. Everyone I asked said yes! 😊

Then the real fun began. We formed a private Facebook group, and as the characters were chosen by the various authors, the order of the stories in the collection formed, and as ideas for storylines poured in, I began creating what we came to call The Master Document.

In the MD we tracked main characters’ names and appearances, secondary characters, a map of the fictional town of Hartsville, TX, and more. It eventually ran to more than 20 pages of information. We named the town newspaper, the general store, and kept track of the layout of the Harts’ massive ranch house. Keeping these details all in one place made it easy for the authors to flesh out their story world in a way that was consistent with everyone else’s stories.

Because the stories are so closely tied and on such a tight timeline, each of the authors’ characters would appear in another author’s novella. We needed to respect each other’s visions for the characters and treat them with respect, while also having the freedom to write our own stories.

Early on, as the project coordinator, it was established that if a dispute arose between two authors on how something should go, it would be myself who would cast the final vote. However, that contingency never came into play, as all the authors worked so well together.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was, that as the project lead, and the one writing the final story in the collection, I needed to know the most about all the stories. Just before the deadline to turn our stories into the publisher, each author sent their story along to me to read for continuity. I spent a long weekend at author Gabrielle Meyer’s house, and we read every novella aloud, making notes for consistency and continuity throughout. These notes were turned in to the project editor, and she used them in her editing process to make sure seven separate stories felt cohesive.

It truly was a fun—and to me—unique, project, and when the publisher asked if I would like to head up a follow up collection, I was eager to say yes, and thus 7 Brides for 7 Texas Rangers was born.

Both of these intertwined collections went out of print, but they are now being released once more, this time through Wild Heart Books. I’m thrilled that we can tell our stories to new readers and prolong the lives of these characters.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21

Pens Pages & Pulses, May 21

Texas Book-aholic, May 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 24

Simple Harvest Reads, May 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Devoted To Hope, May 25

For Him and My Family, May 25

Stories By Gina, May 26 (Author Interview)

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 26

She Lives to Read, May 27

lakesidelivingsite, May 27

Labor Not in Vain, May 28

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 28

Cover Lover Book Review, May 29

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 30

Holly’s Book Corner, May 30

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 31

Blossoms and Blessings, June 1

Jodie Wolfe, June 1

Pause for Tales, June 2

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 2

Leslie’s Library Escape, June 3

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Wild Heart Books Authors are 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/00adcf54225

The Wanderer’s Legacy Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Wanderer’s Legacy (The Wanderer Series Book Three. It can be read as a standalone.)

Author: Natasha Woodcraft

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: April 10, 2025

Adah lives trapped between the life she yearned for and the life she chose. Childless and desperate, she’s failed to produce an heir for her once-devoted husband, Lamech. As his love turns to obsession and control, Adah finds herself drawn to whispered legends of a mysterious Wanderer.

When Lamech takes a second wife, Adah’s world shatters – sending her fleeing to her family home. There, a fragile sense of freedom awakens long-buried hopes. But her body hides a secret that will propel her back into the heart of danger.

As survival becomes a daily challenge, can a legend offer her the salvation she craves? Or does someone else hold the power to help her dwell in safety?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Natasha Woodcraft lives in the UK with her family of boys and menagerie of animals. She holds an honours degree in Theology and believes stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. Her novels explore God’s redemptive purposes for ordinary, messy people living in biblical times.

More from Natasha

I wrote The Wanderer’s Legacy because I believe stories have the power to communicate deep truths and transform lives, and Bible stories are no exception! Lamech, the first man to have two wives, features way back in Genesis 4, after Cain & Abel and before Noah. It’s not even a story, really, it’s a little poem stuck at the end of a chapter. What is it doing there, and what can it teach us about God’s goodness during a really dark time in humanity’s history?

That’s what this novel is about. It was an excuse to engage deeply with that story and the result is full of biblical truth that I hope will draw the reader closer to Jesus, understanding how his redemptive purposes are woven through the fabric of the whole Bible, even obscure little poems that almost feel like a sidenote.

Rather than telling you more, I’m just going to share the opening with you, to give you a taster…

“Adah presses her back to the pillar, squeezing into its evening shadow. Her heavy breathing is almost as loud as the heartbeat pummelling in her head. Surely someone will hear?

Her chance to escape diminishes with every moment of delay. She is a desert jerboa – alert, aware of every sight and smell, yet frozen in place as she awaits her predator’s pounce.

Azurak should be occupied. Her son arranged it when she pleaded with him on hands and knees, eyes streaming in desperation. But Adah is sure she hears him. His rasping breath and distinct blood-soaked-campfire smell linger, fusing her feet to the ground.

Unless it’s someone worse than Azurak. Perhaps her husband will find her.”

Interview with the Author

1)What inspired this book?

The Bible story about Lamech in Genesis 4. I’ve written three books based on Genesis 4 and this is the third (but it’s a standalone story, so you don’t have to have read the others.) I really wanted to explore how one man could get to the point of openly admitting to murder. Lamech is a descendant of Cain, the first murderer, but where Cain hid his crime, Lamech admitted it. Why?

2)What does success as an author look like to you?

Despite its subject matter, The Wanderer’ Legacy contains a message of hope, based on Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” I hope that my readers, whatever they are going through or have been through, will find safety in the Lord. To me, success isn’t how many books I sell, it is getting a message from someone who has drawn closer to God through what I’ve written.

3)Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

The book deals with some pretty heavy stuff, due to the nature of the story. It was a challenge to present this in a way which is realistic but also wholesome, clean and helpful. People can be pretty nasty, and Lamech is an example of a super-nasty human. But the Bible tells us about these people for a reason, and sadly, what Adah experiences is what so many women experience in this life. It was hard to write about this, but I believe we need to engage honestly with it and ask for God’s help.

4)Which author influenced the you most?

I first started writing Bible-era fiction after reading books by Connilyn Cossette and Tessa Afshar. They are incredible writers who bring the Bible to life, helping us to understand the context of scripture through storytelling. Their works really inspired me, and I feel privileged to be following in their footsteps.

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

My view is out over my garden. I live in a farmhouse in Lincolnshire, UK, so from my window, I can see our orchard of fruit trees, our field and the barn where our goats are. Animal antics feature a lot in my stories, and The Wanderer’s Legacy has some very naughty goats in it!

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 10 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, April 11 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 11

Simple Harvest Reads, April 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 13

Artistic Nobody, April 14 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 15

Guild Master, April 16 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, April 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 17

Vicky Sluiter, April 18 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 19

For the Love of Literature, April 20 (Author Interview)

Devoted Steps, April 21

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 22 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, April 23 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Natasha is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Amazon gift card and a paperback 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/00adcf54196

Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 28, 2025

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Miles is the youngest of six brothers, and he’s spent most of his life helping guard the family’s secret: a sapphire mine hidden deep within the Montana mountains. With threats from a past enemy looming, a survey team’s arrival stirs suspicion—until he meets Clara Pendleton, whose presence captivates him.

Clara Pendleton joins her uncle on a survey team tasked with mapping the coming railroad’s path, only to find herself entangled with the enigmatic Coulter family. When her uncle’s accident leads them to find refuge in the Coulter home, Clara is irresistibly drawn to Miles Coulter and his quiet strength. This feels like the haven she craves…until a series of mysterious attacks endanger everyone on the ranch.

As Christmas approaches, a sleigh ride through a snowy wonderland fans the growing spark between Clara and Miles into a flame, but a broken runner leads Clara to discover the family’s secret. Now she’s faced with an impossible choice: betray the man she’s coming to love or risk the lives of his entire family—and her own uncle.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain saga filled with high-stakes adventure, forced proximity, a Christmas surprise, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

Miles is a protector and inventor that gave way to his own unique personality as the youngest Coulter brother. Miles and Clara’s story is brought to life with Beller’s creativity of roller coaster events, threats, disbelief, shady characters but a solid faith filled family watching out for everyone on the Coulter’s ranch.

This is a quick read with all the action and wondering if Clara’s plan was the best after all the Coulter family had done for her injured uncle and herself. There is a mystery theme with never a dull moment. Will Miles and his brothers be forgiving when the truth is discovered? I cannot wait for the final installment in the series to read Sampson’s tale after his actions in the last few books.

I received a complimentary copy of this from Celebrate Lit Bloggers tour and Wild Heart Books. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books old. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

Surveying the Wild West: How Surveyors Mapped the Frontier in the 1870s

One of the things I love about writing historical romance is the detail I get to research for each book. So much of my research doesn’t make it into the story, but I still love to learn it!

In Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret, our heroine and her uncle are working with a group of surveyors to map out potential routes for the coming railroad.

Surveying back then was no walk in the park. These brave folks had to trek through some seriously rough terrain, lugging around heavy equipment like compasses, levels, and surveyor’s chains. The chains were a whopping 66 feet long, with 100 links! Surveyors would stretch them out to measure distances, and let me tell you, it was no easy feat.

One of the surveyor’s secret weapons was triangulation. By measuring angles between distant points and doing some fancy math, they could figure out exactly where landmarks were and create a grid of reference points across the land. This technique was a game-changer, allowing for more accurate maps that covered bigger areas.

In my story, the surveying was done for the railroad. But history tells us that later in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey stepped onto the scene with a larger mission: to create detailed maps of the entire country, including the wild, wild West. Surveyors working for this agency had their work cut out for them. They battled through dense forests, climbed steep mountains, and crossed dangerous rivers, all to gather the data needed for these maps.

So the next time you look at a map of the American West, give a nod to those early surveyors. These hardworking folks played a huge role in shaping the frontier, giving settlers the information they needed to build new lives and communities. Without their dedication and skill, the West might have remained a mystery forever!

I pray you enjoy Miles and Clara’s story in Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret!

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 23

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 24

Madi’s Musings, February 25

Simple Harvest Reads, February 25 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 26

For Him and My Family, February 26

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 27

Betti Mace, February 27

Texas Book-aholic, February 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 1

Jeanette’s Thoughts , March 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Mary Hake, March 3

Devoted To Hope, March 4

An Author’s Take, March 5

Holly’s Book Corner, March 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 6

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6

lakesidelivingsite, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty 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/00adcf54159

Hidden Danger Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Hidden Danger (Discipleship Series Book 1)

Author: Gail Pallotta

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: August 21, 2024

After Emily Hanover’s left standing at the altar in Blue Mountain, North Carolina, she goes to Sky High Campground to put her life back together. Because it’s February and few people come here this time of year, she’s alone on the premises. When noises in the middle of the night frighten her, she gathers her courage and peeks outside. A man carrying a body over his shoulder emerges from the dark shadows onto her front yard. Horrified, she collapses onto the floor.

The next morning, she visits ex-military officer turned security guard, Nick Lancaster. He listens intently to Emily, but dismisses her claim of foul play as a hunter carrying a deer. Finally, after he sees a freshly dug hole in Emily’s yard and finds two more in the woods, he agrees—there’s suspicious activity. Then he and Emily embark on a mission exposing murder and a far-reaching sinister plot, neither suspecting danger can bring romance.

Click here to get your copy

About the Author

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A 2013 Grace Awards finalist, she’s a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Finalist and a Top Author pick. She’s published seven books, poems, short stories and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She enjoys connecting with readers.

More from Gail

The story behind Hidden Danger started with my love of mysteries and suspense, which began many years ago when I discovered Nancy Drew. Then I wanted to become a detective. That didn’t happen, but I turned my heroine, Emily Hanover, and the hero, Nick Lancaster, into amateur sleuths.

The granddaughter of a minister who planted churches in the far reaches of the Western North Carolina Mountains, I grew up at the foothills of them. As I pondered the setting for a good mystery, the area with lots of underbrush and caves offered opportunities for suspenseful scenes.

Emily works as a newspaper reporter, a job similar to one I had in a public relations department under a retired Associated Press guy. My husband was in the military. After all these years of marriage, I’m familiar with that type of personality, so Nick is an ex-military guy turned security guard.

Emily goes to the campground to find peace and comfort after she was left standing at the altar on her wedding day. To say she has a chip on her shoulder over men is an understatement. The only true love Nick ever had died while he was overseas. Guilt because he couldn’t be by her side plagues him. He believes he’ll never love another.

Emily meets Nick because her first night at the campground, she sees a man carrying a dead body. Or, does she? Thus, a mystery in the Western North Carolina Mountains begins.

Interview with the Author

1)What inspired this book?

When a subject keeps popping in my thoughts, I usually end up writing about it. Sometimes I put up a blog or a post. Other times, I start a new book. Before I wrote Hidden Danger I kept thinking the world would be a better place if everyone knew the love of Jesus. I ended up with a novel with a discipleship theme.

2)What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Actually, a bit more than one. Matthew 22: 37 – 39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

3)What is your vacation spot?

Destin, Florida. Each time I leave I can’t wait to return to the emerald water and white sand. We like to go in May and September to enjoy the balmy breezes that time of year. A bargain shopper, I enjoy going in the outlet stores there. We also look forward to having lunch or dinner by the sea.

4)What are you reading right now?

I’m enjoying Secrets of Misty Hollow by my publisher, Cynthia Hickey.

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

“How Great Thou Art” sung by Elvis Presley. It reminds me God’s all powerful, all knowing and all present. With Him nothing is impossible, and His love endures forever.

Blog Stops

Leslie’s Library Escape, February 8

Texas Book-aholic, February 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 10

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 14

Blogging With Carol, February 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 16

For him and My Family, February 19

Stories By Gina, February 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 18

Simple Harvest Reads, February 19 (Author Interview)

Betti Mace, February 20

Book Looks by Lisa, February 20

Lily’s Corner, February 21

Giveaway

To celebrate he tour, Gail 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/00adcf54150

The Maiden Without Hands Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Maiden Without Hands

Author: Michelle Redmon

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Release date: March 12, 2022

A mutilated healer with a tender heart, an anguished king with a missing twin, and a maniacal sorcerer who intends to have his way no matter the cost are inextricably connected in this retelling of a little-known fairy tale called The Maiden Without Hands.

When Elia and her parents take in an injured stranger, they have no idea of the chaos he will shortly bring to their lives. The stranger, a sorcerer named Thorn, becomes enamored of Elia. When he is rebuffed, he commits an unthinkable act, leaving Elia maimed, distraught, and separated from her family.

Adam is the ruler of Haven, a role he always expected to share with his twin sister. When the latter suddenly disappears, he is consumed with his need to find her. Will he ever find peace–even if he doesn’t find his sister? How will the disfigured young woman he finds along the way help him? And what will happen when the sorcerer finds them both?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle Redmon is a self described “Jill-of-all-trades”. In addition to being an author, she is a visual artist, award winning vocalist, former children’s pastor, worship leader, homeschooling mom and cat lady. The most important thing that she is, is a follower of Jesus. Currently, she lives in Overland Park, KS with her husband, two kids, three cats and a dog.

More from Michelle

I have always loved fairy tales. From the time I could read, I loved curling up with a book of fairy tales, immersing myself in imaginary lands where kings and queens ruled, unicorns were real, and everyone (eventually) had their happily ever after. As I grew older, the love for fairy tales turned into a love for fantasy novels. My fascination with words in general turned into a love of writing, so, naturally, I began to write fantasy.

The Maiden Without Hands came to be because I had been wanting to retell a fairy tale in my own way. I didn’t want it to be one with which everyone was familiar, so I began reading through old Brothers Grimm books, focusing on their lesser known stories. When I came across the story of a virtuous young woman tormented by an evil sorcerer, I knew I had found my tale. What appealed to me was the fact that there were already some Christian elements to the story. I took the skeleton of the story and fleshed it out, adding my own elements to create The Maiden Without Hands.

It’s my hope that this tale will transport you to the world of Haven, and that the characters will resonate with you as they cry, laugh, dream, and discover their faith. It is also my hope that you will find something stirring in your own soul as you travel through the pages of this book.

So, are you ready? Once Upon a Time…

Interview with the Author

1)Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

The ending. It’s always difficult to come up with proper endings—endings that tie up all the loose ends, but not so neatly as to be unbelievable.

2)What inspired this book?

This book was inspired by a little known fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

3)What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

4)What is your vacation spot?

My favorite vacation spot is Adelaide, South Australia. We have family there, and they live within walking distance of the beach.

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

Well, I can’t live without music, so I guess I’m bringing along anything by Darlene Zschech. The worship music she writes is so close to what my heart wants to say to the Lord.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, December 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 9

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 10 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 11

Simple Harvest Reads, December 12 (Author Interview)

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

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 15

Blossoms and Blessings, December 16 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 17

Artistic Nobody, December 18 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, December 19 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, December 19

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 20 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 21

Guild Master, December 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle 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/00adcf54114

Falling for a Shy Cowboy Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Falling for a Shy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 2)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: December 19, 2023

She’s a single mom with a disabled son. He’s been in love with her since high school. Will this shy cowboy finally win her heart?

Dylan Vargas is too shy for his own good. While he and his best friend Adan work with the horses on his family’s ranch near Wickenburg, Arizona, Adan signs him up for an online dating service. Dylan begrudgingly looks through the profiles. One face stands out above the others—that of his childhood crush. There’s only one impossible problem—she is Adan’s little sister.

Brisa Franco moves home to Wickenburg after a tragic car accident left her four-year-old son disabled. As she starts a new job in her hometown, she never expects to help her brother’s best friend in his quest to overcome a speech impediment.

Will Dylan steal her heart as she helps him learn how to release his anxiety? Will Brisa learn to trust him and let go of her deeply engrained fears from her past relationship?

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This book is a cute, short read. I was able to read it in one sitting and it was fun to spend the afternoon with these characters. I really liked that even though the book is a novella, the characters do have depth. I was encouraged by the challenges the main characters overcame – The author was thoughtful and respectful in how she approached the characters challenges and I loved how she showed some challenges are on the outside, some are known, but some are also on the inside. Brisa’s son, Braden, really made the book for me. I loved her love for him and how, not only Dylan, but others of his family helped him.

There are two things I wish were different about this book. The first is the title. It is more of a search a reader would do on Amazon than a title and it is…cheezy. I picked this up because I wanted to read a book by this author but otherwise, the title would make me scroll past. The second is that the book could have been more fleshed out for a deeper, stronger, and longer story.

Overall, I would recommend checking her books out and giving them a try. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

More from Karen

You’ve Got Mail?

As an author, sometimes you write something so identifiable to readers that you (the author) completely miss the obvious. Yeah, I did that in Falling for a Shy Cowboy.

Since Dylan Vargas, our hero, deals with a speech impediment, I thought a great way to help him connect with his one true love would be through a dating app—one where he keeps avoiding meeting in person. His best friend, Adan, signed him up for the dating app with a profile picture that obscures part of his face. When Dylan looked through the app, he finds Adan’s sister Brisa on the app. Imagine his excitement that his long-term crush was available!

So, Dylan responds to Brisa’s profile as Wrangler92. He’s much more comfortable pouring out his heart through messages in the dating app than fighting with his speech impediment in person. She’s keeping a few secrets of her own through their interactions on the app, creating tension.

And viola! The You’ve-Got-Mail “trope” successfully applied.

If only I had realized that’s what I’d done. It wasn’t until one reviewer wrote, “Who doesn’t like a little You’ve Got Mail in a cowboy romance?”

This is where I face-palmed, laughed out loud, and finally realized my shy cowboy and his one true love are clearly written like the old Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks movie You’ve Got Mail.

Anyway, I will be forever grateful to Jerah A. for pointing out the obvious connection. I hope you enjoy my take on a shy cowboy who woos a single mom a la You’ve Got Mail style.

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 25

Stories By Gina, October 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 26

Devoted To Hope, October 27

For the Love of Literature, October 28 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 28

She Lives To Read, October 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 30 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 31

Labor Not in Vain, November 1

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 2 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, November 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 4 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5

Artistic Nobody, November 6 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card and a signed 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/00adcf5477/

Resilient and Redeemed Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about Suicidality and Depression from the Psych Ward

Author: Chris Morris

Genre: Christian Living / Mental Health

Release date: June 11, 2024

God cares deeply about you and your mental health. Author and mental health advocate Chris Morris has battled depression and suicidality his entire adult life. Even coming to Christ didn’t change this, which is something many fellow Christians don’t seem to understand. He still had to face the grief of unrelenting illness, the shame of struggling, and the pain of poor guidance.

In this compassionate and engaging book, Chris shares how he overcame these challenges and invites you to do the same–no matter your diagnosis. Weaving biblical truth and personal stories with thoughtful strategies and hard-earned wisdom, he helps you move past fear and shame to combat the specters of depression and suicidality.

God is still there, even in the darkest of places. May this book be a step in the process of healing and help you find hope in your battle.

Includes reflection questions, Scripture meditations, and a bonus video course.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Chris Morris is a certified mental health coach dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health issues within the church. Because of a lifelong struggle with depression and suicidality, Chris became committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging others to seek after holistic health.

As a writer and speaker, Chris has shared his personal story and insights with audiences across the country, inspiring many individuals to take control of their own health, break free from poor theological teaching placed upon them, and seek the support they need. He has published several books on mental health, the most recent being Resilient and Redeemed. His work has been featured in a number of media outlets, including CrossWalk, The Mighty, and Fathom Magazine.

Chris is deeply committed to creating a more compassionate and supportive world and church for individuals living with mental health issues. Through his writing and speaking, he is a powerful voice for change and a beacon of hope for those in need.

More from Chris

Resilient and Redeemed is a book that the Christian community needs. For too long, those with mental health conditions have been forced to be shamed or to hide their struggles. Especially in a post-COVID world, mental health has to come to the forefront of the conversation. This book details in an unapologetic way my struggles with depression and suicidal ideations. The core message of this book is that God doesn’t write people off because of their struggles with their mental health. No, God is with us and for us no matter what.

Resilient and Redeemed is full of hard-won, battle-tested tools that will help people fight the battle for their mental health. There are no easy answers given, because no two mental illnesses present the same. Ensconced in story, this book gives a full toolbox of practices to support better mental health, ranging from how to find a counselor that will work for you to daily rituals that will ground your days and affirm your agency in your life.

I also put together a video series talking about resilience to accompany this book. As a member of the blog tour, you’ll gain access to over 40 minutes of me talking about resilience. We cover things like where does resilience come from, what does resilience have to do with faith, and so much more. I’m especially proud of the work I did for this video series, and I think you’ll find it incredibly valuable.

Author Interview

What does success as an author look like to you?

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what success means for this book specifically, for a lot of reasons. This is the most important book that I have ever published. It’s also the most personal book that I have published. So much of my story is contained in the pages of Resilient and Redeemed, there is a sense in which any negative reactions or rejections of this book might be received by me as a rejection of me.

Because of how closely these things are aligned, I have asked the Lord to help me gauge what success looks like for this book. I felt a strong sense that, for Resilient and Redeemed specifically, success will not be measured necessarily by reaching a certain number of books sold or awards received. Instead, this book will be measured by the lives changed.

I have already heard numerous reports from people, some who I know and others I don’t know, who have been encouraged, challenged, and freed from shame due to this book. So from where I sit, I am already successful with this book. It has accomplished its goal completely, and anything else is just gravy.

Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

One of the chapters details my suicide attempt. This was intense and challenging to write on many levels. For starters, my suicide attempt is probably the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life, so revisiting that was humbling and brought a lot of pain to the surface. Beyond that, I had to rely on my wife’s memories of the suicide attempt, so we had to walk back through the most painful thing we’ve experienced together in our marriage. There were lots of tears shed, and we had to decide together whether it was appropriate to even share pieces of this moment with the whole world.

On a related note, every part of this book was hard to write because I am exposing myself and my struggles to every reader of the book. I worried, and still do worry, about people thinking less of me or dismissing me because of the stories contained in Resilient and Redeemed.

What inspired this book?

Resilient and Redeemed is sourced in my own life. I have struggled with depression and suicidality my entire adult life, even though I’ve been a Christian this entire time. My journey has had its ups and downs, and frankly, a lot of the downs were based on bad information or coaching that I came across in the church. I heard things like this: “Only immature people struggle with their mental health” and “If you need to take psychotherapeutic medications, it’s because you lack faith.” These mistaken beliefs held me back for years because I wanted to honor the leaders God placed in my life.

I don’t want anyone else to be burdened with the shame and guilt that I carried for literally over a decade because of this poor teaching. I wanted to center this book both in my story and in the truths we find in the Bible as a way to show people that both my story and God support the ideas we’re talking about here.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This is the most powerful rhetorical question in the history of the world. It declares the awesome truth that the Creator of the universe, the most powerful being there ever was, looks upon us and chooses us. He chooses not only to pay attention to us (which is amazing in its own right), but even more than that, he chooses to be for us.

Nothing ought to shake us as we gather into our spirit and allow it to settle there. Even when darkness and challenges comes, which Jesus promises they will, we can rest assured that God is for and us with us. When the tears fall down our face because it’s just that hard, God is right by our side, perhaps even crying with us.

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

All the individual pieces related to my pour-over coffee. I have a nice cup of coffee to start every morning, and usually another one in the early afternoon to get me through the day. I am a bit of a coffee snob though, so I can’t just have a cup of joe from the Keurig. I need to make sure the coffee is ground at the right fineness, and then the water needs to be at the perfect temperature. Once that happens, I need to coffee grounds to bloom for just the right amount of time before I complete the pour. Like I said, I’m a bit of a snob. We all have our vices right? If coffee is my worst, that’s not so bad.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, July 27 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 28 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, July 29 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, July 30 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 1 (Author Interview)

Through the Fire Blogs, August 2 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 3

Blossoms and Blessings, August 4 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 5

Stories By Gina, August 6 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 7 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, August 8 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 9 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 9

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Chris is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book, and an Audible copy of Whispers in the Pews: Voices on Mental Illness in the Church!!

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/2dbd9/resilient-and-redeemed-celebration-tour-giveaway

Leading Ladies Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success

Authors: Amber Weigand-Buckley & Lisa Burris Burns

Genre: Christian Leadership and Religious Leadership

Release Date: May 25, 2023

SISTERS, IT’S TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

Find out how to step up to God’s calling as these daring women redefine what leadership looks like. Authentic and heartfelt stories of world-changing women leaders of every hue, background, and job description, teach us by example how to battle to find our passion, connect with our gifts, and maintain forward-focused momentum in every season of life.

Join authors Amber Weigand-Buckley and Lisa Burris Burns — along with Babbie Mason, Candace Payne, Jacquelyn Marushka, Martha Bolton, Katy Nichole, Kymberlie Joye, and so many more powerhouse women–as they explore leadership purpose, and living a life that counts.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Meet Amber

Amber Weigand-Buckley is an author, speaker, multi-award-winning magazine editor, and art director, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (awsa.com) marketing director, Bold Vision Books’ creative director, and owner of #barefacedcreativemedia (barefacedcreativemedia.com). The Springfield, Missouri native navigates bipolar and anxiety disorder while embracing her best life. At its peak, her mental illness almost caused her to take her own life. Amber is a mental health advocate who knows that a diagnosis does not disqualify you from God’s leadership call.Amber, whose vision birthed Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, is energized by helping world-changing women of all hues, backgrounds, and walks of life to find their wings, hone their skills, and take their God-call to the next level.

She has two grown daughters, Saffron, Imogen, and one teen Penelope, with Philip, her British hubby of 28 years, two Great Pyrenees pups—Stanley and Stuart, and a zoo of exotic pets.

Meet Lisa

The diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder initially shattered LISA BURRIS BURNS’ ministry dreams as a vocalist and worship leader. Despite this, God opened opportunities for her journey and abilities to expand beyond what she ever anticipated for herself — to acting, stage performance, set design, and writing. As a vocal and performance coach with K.C. Superstar, a Kansas City-based competition likened to “American Idol,” she is passionate about fine-tuning artists’ creative expressions. Lisa thrives on the artistic process, especially everything yarn and crafty.

This avid Kansas City Chiefs fan lives with her husband, Randy, in Blue Springs, Missouri. The Burns have served in marriage and family ministry since 1988. They have six fantastic children, two amazing son-in-loves, and five adorable granddaughters.

More from Amber and Lisa

Are you ready to discover your God-given gifts and move in forward in all that He’s called you to be? Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success will help you identify your unique leadership abilities.

For a limited time, get the inspirational song “Lead Me On” recorded by Michaelah Weaver for FREE when your register as a Leading Ladies VIP at leadingladies.life.

Let “Lead Me On” be your empowering anthem as you read Leading Ladies and learn to boldly walk in your purpose. Download the song and book excerpt now at leadingladies.life!

Interview with the Authors

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

Lisa: I would have to say that being true to who created me, and how he has equipped me, is to be successful. I don’t have to strive for what others have or are called to do.

Amber: Success, for me, is doing what God has called you to do—whether perceived as success or failure. Obedience, even in lack, invites miracles.

2)Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

Lisa: The last…my own!

3)What inspired this book?

Lisa: My co-author Amber says that it started with a question, “Do you recognize the gifts I’ve placed within you—and how I’ve equipped YOU to lead?”

4)Which author influenced you the most?

Amber: While working on the book, Tracy Glass, the author of Chapter 2, threw a curveball: “Are you afraid to lead boldly because you are afraid to stand out or are you ashamed of your story?” It hit home—I was still grappling with shame. Another contributor, Veronica Clay, opened my eyes to a new understanding of rest.

5)What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Lisa: Philippians 3:12-14 has been especially important to me as we’ve traveled the past 2 years with the book, and I just keep coming back to it. There were moments that Amber and I both were pressed beyond what we thought we were capable of. While we knew God was present every step, we also felt the stretching of those moments. It was so good of God to use us! Philippians 3:12-14 has continued to help in spite of my insecurities and inadequacies … Forget the past, look forward,and keep going!

Amber: Romans 4:17-18 aligns with our book’s theme—God calls things into being that weren’t. He turns pain into purpose, brokenness into healing, sorrow into joy. As we walk by faith, like Abraham, God transforms us, writing incredible stories. This verse embodies the hope I share through our book, Leading Ladies, and all I do. In moments of feeling stuck, God revives our dreams and reveals our calling—often unexpectedly.

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

Lisa: That they will be inspired to walk more fully in the knowledge of who they are in Jesus.

7) What is your vacation spot?

Lisa: I’m not sure that I’m a very good vacationer! I do have a really special place owned by dear friends on a lake in southern Missouri that brings me a great deal of peace and the ability to breathe deeply. It’s a place that I can go to re-charge and rest emotionally, mentally and physically.

8)What are you reading right now?

Lisa: I just started the new Jackie Hill Perry devotional Upon Waking, and Ann Voskamp’s Waymaker

Amber: I’m rereading the new issue of Leading Hearts magazine before it goes to print. As the editor and art director, I have to read it at least a dozen times, then I rest my eyes for the rest of the day.

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

Lisa: My Ninja coffee maker is my best friend!

Amber: My trusty panini press for killer grilled cheese. Also, the gas fire pit for toasting marshmallows and the blackstone griddle for hibachi – not that committed in winter, though.