Sunday, October 6, 2024

About the Book

Book: DRAW NEAR: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings

Author: Hadassah Treu

Genre: Christian Non-Fiction

Release date: March 15, 2024

Can something so painful, even tragic, actually be God’s way of blessing?

As believers, we generally expect good things to happen in our lives. We expect a blessing upon blessing because we love God and He loves us and we form an expectation of prosperity (relational, emotional, and physical). And when the tragedy strikes and we enter a season of unwanted changes and suffering, we are shocked, angry, disappointed, and confused. We start doubting God’s love and His good intentions and plans. We begin questioning His ways and methods. We don’t understand. It is difficult to reconcile the pain we feel with what we know about God. This encouraging book aims to help you not only identify and accept specific losses but to realize that painful experiences could be the birthplace of blessings. We lose something, but there is more to gain.

What is God using your pain for?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hadassah Treu is an international award-winning Christian author, blogger, poet, and speaker, and contributor to several faith-based platforms like Koinonia and Devotable, and a dozen devotionals and poetry anthologies in English and Bulgarian. She is a COMPEL Provers 31 Blog writer and Freelancing Community Group leader. Her writing is featured on (In)Courage, The Upper Room, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Her View From Home, Living by Design Ministries, Thoughts About God, Today’s Christian Living and other popular sites.

More from Hadassah

Why me? Why this? Why now? How am I going to heal from this pain? Where are you, Lord?

These are the questions I often asked when I stayed awake in the night, with tears burning down my cheeks. I needed a new perspective, a deeper understanding, and the assurance of God’s love and good plans in my painful experiences. I longed for comfort and hope, and help to fix my eyes on the divine transformation going on in my heart.

Do you face the same struggles?

We all do. We all need a biblical perspective and a new look at suffering to help us reconcile our painful experiences with what we know about God. Suffering remains a mystery and there is no simple theological answer to it. But what is our role? What are we supposed to think and do when we go through undeserved and unexpected pain and trauma?

The first and most important is to learn to see our dark moments as new chances and opportunities to draw near to God. We can choose to take off the glasses of loss and replace them with the lenses of God’s love, biblical truths, and thankfulness. Then our outlook will change and we will see more of the bigger picture. We can choose to live with open minds, believing God’s Word, with hands raised in prayer. We can commit to putting every effort into finding the balance between the reality we live in and the reality in which we live with God. It is in this balance of our reality and God’s reality that we find peace instead of fear, rest instead of anxiety, and wholeness instead of destruction.

Our painful experiences are glorious opportunities to draw near to God, to bond with Him, and to enjoy intimacy and fellowship with Him amidst the pain. This is the most important thing we can do in our lives because everything else results from bonding and connection. A loving connection with God births maturity, growth, transformation, and eternal blessings. Besides that, suffering is a privilege and a possibility to take part in our Lord’s sufferings and to know the power of His resurrection.

When we choose to listen and draw near to God in our pains, something miraculous will happen. God’s Spirit will birth blessings and precious gifts out of the pain.

Are you ready to unpack them?

Blog Stops

Inspired by Fiction, October 3

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 4

Fiction Book Lover, October 5 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 5

Texas Book-aholic, October 6

A Reader’s Brain, October 7 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 10

Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 11

Cover Lover Book Review, October 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 13

Stories By Gina, October 14 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, October 15

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 16 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hadassah is giving away the grand prize of a $30 Amazon card and 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/00adcf5457

Friday, October 4, 2024

The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride

Author: Elva Cobb Martin

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 10, 2024

She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation.

Helena Allston had it all—wealth, beauty, and a life of luxury on her family’s plantation. But when her father arranges a marriage to a man she despises, Helena takes matters into her own hands, fleeing on horseback, only to find herself half-drowned and memory-less in a simple cottage. And when her memory returns, Helena ends up back when memory returns, Helena ends up back where she began—arranged to marry, this time to the handsome gamekeeper who rescued her.

Could there be more than obligation to this marriage? Or is he only after the Windemere Plantation her father promised him?

Gideon Falconer is at a loss when it comes to the stubborn, beautiful woman he rescued from the Ashley River. His predicament only worsens when he returns her to her family’s plantation, where her father shocks him with a demand that Gideon marry his daughter to prevent a scandal. As a man new to his faith, he feels compelled to do the right thing, but his own secrets and the past left behind in England threaten to complicate matters further.

In a marriage that began as a mere obligation, can Helena and Gideon find the strength to let love and trust conquer all, despite a determined enemy’s schemes to wreck their hope?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement.

More from Elva

In The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, I planned to develop a rich, spoiled heroine who had everything she wanted—beauty, wealth, reputation, an important Charleston family name, and even membership in a popular church of her day but who had no real relationship with Jesus Christ. Isn’t that like so many in America today with our many blessings and freedom but no real love for Christ, his written Word, or his love for the unborn and his biblical plan for marriage and gender? Yet our name may be on some church roll and we call ourselves Christian. I believe our Mighty God is calling America back to him in faith and obedience to the Bible. I believe He is calling forth godly leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, but we must go to the polls and help raise them up. America has a mighty history and a covenant cut with God by our founders. Focusing our hearts and minds on Christ gives us courage and confidence, and we can look to the future with hope in our hearts.

Here’s part of a scene showing the “before Christ” Helena with her pride and arrogance after Gideon rescued her from drowning in the river:

Gideon ducked his head at her icy voice. “Look, young woman, I dragged you from the Ashley River and walked miles carrying you in my arms, to this cottage. You were soaked through and through and unconscious.”

She interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any more of your wild story. Go from my presence and shut the door while I dress.” She pointed to the cabin door, then reached up and touched the lump on her forehead and groaned. “Why did you strike me, sir?” These words came from between gritted teeth.

Gideon’s nostrils flared. “Miss or ma’am, whichever you are, I did not strike you. You must have hit your head on your horse’s neck or a rock when you two jumped into the Ashley. For your information, all I did was save your life, if you’d like to thank me for that.”

Here’s part of Helena’s epiphany:

Captive on the pirate ship, Helena dropped to her knees beside the bed and cried out to God. Her life paraded before her, and tears blinded her eyes. The privileged life she’d led as a wealthy planter’s daughter now seemed frivolous and meaningless. She had never lacked for a thing and had not even imagined there could be such people as the pirate captain who now had her under his control, threatening to sail to the Barbary Coast and sell her to a sultan. Would Gideon and her father ever be able to rescue her before the ship sailed away? A chill rose from her heart to her fingertips. Slavery! Would she end up in slavery? Why had she never considered the poor slaves who met all their needs on the plantation? Ever since she was a child, slaves had done everything to make her family’s life easy and pleasant. Was she now to find out what it would be like to be a slave and at the mercy of someone else’s desires and moods?…Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my proud, selfish, unthankful life. If you’re real, come into my heart, deliver me, help me come to know Your plan and purpose for me.

Like Helena, we can cry out to God in humble repentance and return with our whole heart, and He will always answer. We are never out of the reach of God’s eyes or hand. Here is a simple prayer I invite you to pray for yourself and our nation in this election year:

Father God, I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son you sent to save me from my sins. I repent and turn from them to You and Your Word. Please forgive me and come into my heart, be not only my Savior, but my Lord and director of my decisions, especially my vote for righteous leaders. Help me find a Bible-preaching church family and do my part in bringing America back to You. I believe You are working mightily in my life, family and nation, and I give You praise. Amen

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, October 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 2

For the Love of Literature, October 3 (Author Interview)

Pens Pages & Pulses, October 3

Texas Book-aholic, October 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 5 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6

Beauty in the Binding, October 7 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8

Guild Master, October 9 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10

Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, October 12

Fiction Book Lover, October 13 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 14

Pause for Tales, October 14

Giveaway

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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5455/

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

About the Book

Book: No Other Way

Author: Kate Darroch

Genre: Thriller

Release date: September 26, 2024

Mary is The Protector. A high-functioning autistic investment banker by day, she walks the London streets by night, searching for ways to prevent violence.

Her devotion to her only sister, Anne, who died horribly as a teenager, her deep Christian faith, and her fierce loneliness, have caused Mary to believe that she, personally, is Christ’s Hands on Earth, and must spend her life ministering to wretched outcasts.

Now forty-five, Mary has followed followed her lonely ministry for decades, but a new crisis arises. She may hold the key to neutralising the attacks of a sadistic serial killer.

When younger she had been a member of the street-outreach team who had discovered the bodies of prostitutes ritually killed by a serial killer who was never caught.

DI William Miller believes the same twisted mind is behind a rash of current killings that are being attributed to gang fights. He is determined to find and stop the killer – and he wants Mary to help him.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

KATE DARROCH, 2022 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medallist for Humor

lives on the picturesque Devon coast, where she combines her passion for mystery and for life as it’s lived in other countries to create compelling Travel Cozies, moving Recovery Romances and chilling Thrillers.

Kate’s debut novel, Death in Paris, won 17 international book awards, including the 2022

Incipere Award for best Christian Fiction. Kate hopes her readers will enjoy Màiri’s sleuthing adventures as much as she enjoys Father Brown, Sherlock Holmes, Anty Boisjoly’s antics, and the Mr Quayle Mysteries.

Next, Kate wrote Huntingdon Hart, a witty, prescient, multi-millionaire, tongue-in-cheek meld of Get Smart, James Bond, and Mycroft Holmes. Hunt’s in love with a much older woman.

Then came Sweets By the Sea, a Recovery & Redemption Saga of Second Chances for Lasting Love. No Other Way is Kate’s first thriller; she is working on another two thrillers.

More from Kate

We Are Christ’s Hands and Feet on This Earth

I have always loved Gospel choirs, and that was the genesis of No Other Way. The heroine, Mary, is a devout Roman Catholic who joins an ecumenical movement where she meets an immigrant from Kenya, Asha, who belongs to a Gospel church and invites Mary to a service.

Over the mountains, over the sea, Lord I come running, running to Thee

Mary is captivated by the beauty of the Gospel hymns, and she and Asha become friends.

I lived in London, where this story takes place, for many years. It astonished me that there were always beggars on the streets. We have a Welfare State in Britain. Anyone can ask to be housed and given an allowance for food and clothing, ask for their rent and power bills to be paid, and the state is obliged to provide. Of course the allowance is inadequate, and many people live in poverty, but no-one need starve and no-one need sleep rough. Yet people do.

I talked to many beggars in the course of helping in what few ways I could, and they all told me the same thing – they didn’t want to ask for state aid because it would mean conforming in ways that were alien to them, but when the cold weather set in, they did force themselves to conform.

So I was horrified to discover, roughly 12 years ago, that the state had begun to make it very difficult for vagrants to get housing, that people were dying on our streets of hypothermia. The churches took action, of course. Church halls turned into dormitories and teams of volunteers cooked for the men. But after a couple of years, women began to come for shelter. Not as often as the men, but far too often. I began working with landlords directly to get decent housing for these women, and going with them to state agencies to get rent payment organised for them. That was the next strand of No Other Way. A lone middle-aged woman helping people in need who had no-one else to turn to.

The final impetus to begin telling the story of The Protector, came when a vicious teenage schoolkid in London knifed and killed a teacher because he objected to being told what to do by a man of colour. I was stunned – we’d never had that kind of violent prejudice in Britain. Snobbery, yes. Hate crimes, no. Clearly, the police didn’t have a handle on the situation and something needed to be done. So, at least inside the pages of No Other Way, something gets done. Mary, the Protector, ensures that the streets of London are free from mindless violence. One street at least. Chilworth Street.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 26

Inspired by Fiction, September 27

Artistic Nobody, September 28 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 29

Stories By Gina, September 30 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 1

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

Texas Book-aholic, October 2

For Him and My Family, October 3

Beauty in the Binding, October 4 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 5

Guild Master, October 6 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, October 7

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

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kate is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of No Other Way, Hunted, Death in Paris and the winner’s choice of any Frieda McFadden!!

(Winner’s choice of paperback or eBook)

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/00adcf5449/

Monday, September 30, 2024

THE PRAYER JAR DEVOTIONAL HEALING BY WANDA BRUNSTETTER WITH JANICE THOMPSON

Inspired by New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter's The Prayer Jars series. . . The Prayer Jar Devotional: Healing delivers the same life-changing inspiration as Wanda E. Brunstetter's unforgettable stories. Every reading will help you draw closer to your heavenly Father. Your prayer life will be transformed as you read through these dozens of encouraging devotional readings centered around the theme of healing. With each turn of the page, you'll discover unchanging truths of God's Word alongside meaningful prompts that guide you to write and add your personal prayers or favorite, hope-filled Bible verses to your very own prayer jar. (Simple instructions are included in the introduction.) Once you've finished reading the last page, you'll have a full prayer jar of your very own. Use it to infuse your heart with inspiration and encouragement when you need it--or share it with a friend who could use some faith restoration of her very own!

MY REVIEW

I love this devotional so much. The devotional shares healing from emotional , spiritual and physical illness. Each page is short but is powerful. Each topic is relatable and has a scripture to study as well as a prayer jar inspiration. There were several topics I really enjoyed. One talks about scars. Some scars we can see, but there are others that are hidden where no one can see. I had those scars. I liked how the devotion says “to embrace those scars. Wear them proudly as a sign of victory.”

Healing does take time and we need to allow God to help us be patient as we heal instead of trying to rush through our healing. God allows us to get rest when we need it and take the time to heal your mind, body and soul. The book is very encouraging and is a great tool to use everyday. Filled with hope and encouragement this devotional is a great way to see through scriptures that God is there to heal us and give us strength.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

About the Book

Book: Immortal Abyss (Duology Book 2)

Author: Katherine Briggs

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: September 17, 2024

Seize the throne. Seek the legend and conquer the Abyss.

Nations rise and fall in the aftermath of war over the Eternity Gate. The corrupted desert throne stands empty, and the Immortal Abyss awakens. Drought ravages the continent, and people long for the rebirth of a starpalm, who will rise from among mortals and end their judgment.

Orphaned at birth, Tol grew up hiding in the farthest corners of the desert, training under powerful rebel fire wielders. She now dedicates her life to the Rebellion’s cause to seize the throne and Abyss from the surviving dynasty and deliver both to the coming deity.

Chosen as the Rebellion’s messenger, she travels to reach sympathizers capable of identifying the starpalm. Familiar figures haunt her dreams, and her path twists with every step she takes. Can Tol fulfill her purpose and summon a legend? Or will her country perish under the judgment of the twin gates?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Katherine Briggs crafted her first monster story at age three. Since graduating from crayons to laptop, she continues to devour and weave fantasy tales while enjoying chai tea. She, her coadventurer husband, and rescue dog reside outside Houston, where she classically educates amazing middle school students, teaches ESL to adults, and enjoys studying other languages.

More from Katherine

Hello friend!

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t overcome something difficult in your life? Maybe it was a bad habit you wanted to outgrow, a closed door you wished to open, or a choice you needed to make.

Within God’s will, Jesus in Matthew 19:26 says, “With God, all things are possible.” (ESV)

This is why I wrote The Immortal Abyss. Like you, I have felt stuck in my limitations and circumstances. My protagonist Tol, an orphan, strives to carve a new life for herself by joining a rebellion and bringing reform to her corrupted country. But how can she serve her cause if she can’t overcome her weakness in her fire gifting?

Like Tol, we can’t rise above challenges alone. So, what do we do?

Ask God for help and thank Him for promising to never abandon us.
Seek friends who will reciprocate spurring one another on to persevere.
Remain focused on our purpose.

If you’re looking for an adventure fantasy that will encourage you to never give up on what is good, please enjoy The Immortal Abyss, sequel to The Eternity Gate and conclusion to The Threshold Duology.

Cheers to journeying across forbidden lands, meeting new friends, taming dragons, and overcoming the impossible!

~ Katherine Briggs

P.S. If this encouraged you, please join my story newsletter by visiting my website. As a welcome gift, you also will receive my science fiction and fantasy short story collection, Experiments and Enchantment.

MY REVIEW

An epic adventure awaits in this fantasy book. With creativity and great detail I walked beside Tol as she starts her mission. She has a message to deliver and will fight for freedom. Along the way many obstacles try to stop her. I couldn’t believe the twists in the story as well as who she could trust. Is she strong enough to survive? I liked that we get to discover her background about her parents and how she grew up.

Her gifting is unique and at tines I think she wanted to use it the wrong way out of frustration. The story is well paced and oh my the characters that are also featured are incredible. This book has a theme of faith and finding at who you are. She will have to make decisions that could cause chaos and sacrifice. Every page I turned I kept waiting to see if Tol would be able to do the right thing and not be discouraged or maybe slip to the other side to fight. Get ready for a great book with a good theme and outstanding characters.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, September 28

Artistic Nobody, September 29 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30

Inspired by Fiction, October 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 2

A Reader’s Brain, October 3 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, October 4 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 6 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, October 7 (Author Interview)

Min Reads and Reviews, October 7

Inklings and notions, October 8

Fiction Book Lover, October 9 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, October 10 (Author Interview)

Denise L. Barela, October 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Katherine is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card and a hardcover 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/00adcf5451/

Saturday, September 28, 2024

About the Book

Book: Ignite

Author: Kara Swanson

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Can Mara survive in a world where the fire in her veins is worth killing for?

In a frozen wasteland suffocating beneath a dying sun, Mara is a young phoenix raised by her father to explode at his command. He’s the only one who can help her control her fire, and Mara desperately follows his orders to protect their phoenix family from relentless human hunters.

Her sheltered existence is shattered when her family mysteriously vanishes, thrusting Mara into a perilous quest to find them. Along the way, she unravels a devastating truth: her people may not be the innocent victims she’s been taught to believe.

When she comes face-to-face with the kindhearted Eli, she begins to wonder if the humans aren’t the monsters she’s always feared. What if the greatest danger doesn’t lie in the icy world outside—but in the truth of who Mara really is?

Fire and ice collide in this thrilling tale of a phoenix girl born with the power of a dying sun.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kara Swanson writes stories about fairy tales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, Dust and Shadow.

She is also the cofounder of the Author Conservatory (authorconservatory.com) where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers.

You’ll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram.

More from Kara

This story is one that has lived a hundred lives, a little like the phoenix it’s about —dozens of iterations and nearly eight years discovering Mara’s story. In this icy world beneath a dying sun, I was able to craft a story of a young phoenix girl who was more terrified of her own fire than the dangers of the frozen wasteland outside her underground hideaway. Who has been convinced by the father she loves that her flame is only capable of pain and damage — until suddenly, he disappears. And for the first time, she ventures out of her hideaway to discover that the frozen world outside is actually dying for her flame. And that the parts of herself that she has feared and run from…that there may be beauty, even there. That she can choose to rise from the ash of a world that doesn’t understand her, and use the fire in her veins to bring warmth and healing.

I hope you enjoy the adventure!

MY REVIEW

An incredible story that captures a place where fire is prevalent as it beats through the veins of our Phoenix Mara. She is fierce, strong and ready for the battle ahead. You can feel her intensity as she seeks answers. I like how Mara is someone you must peel layers one at a time to know the real her. She has been through so much yet she stays strong.

With a gripping and sometimes heartbreaking storyline one thing stands out. Mara wants to know the truth about her people and find peace. Will she find out her purpose? Who can she trust? The author has my full attention with this powerful story. The ending is well, let’s just say get ready because it will have you anxiously awaiting what comes next.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.