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Saturday, May 21, 2022


Miracles in the Middle

About the Book

Book: Miracles in the Middle

Author: Debbie Milam

Genre: Christian Living, Inspirational

Release date: December 8, 2021

image0 (1)Do you need a miracle? You are not alone.

Some seasons of life can be so difficult. You may be in the middle of uncertainty, loss, grief, or anxiety.

You and your loved ones may be in the middle of chronic illness, financial issues, relationship struggles.

Whatever you’re struggling with, God knows.

And in the middle of your circumstances, God is there and He’s still creating miracles.

Miracles in the middle of fear.
Miracles in the middle of grief.
Miracles in the middle of unwellness.
Miracles in the middle of relationship struggles.
Miracles in the middle of suffering.

Most people talk about seeing God’s miracles when they have a breakthrough, receive healing, are freed from an addiction, or are victorious on the mountaintop. But what about the miracles that happen in the valley, in the middle of your storm, to in your difficult situation?

That’s where God does extraordinary work. That’s where God’s greatness amazes us when we need it the most.

In my newest book, Miracles in the Middle: I invite you to witness the astonishing miracles that happen in both seasons of blessings and in the depth of suffering. These true stories of God’s presence, power and love will reignite hope and help you develop a deeper intimacy with the Lord.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

image1Debbie Milam is an award-winning occupational therapist, author and past syndicated columnist for United Press International’s Religion and Spirituality Division.

She is the author of Miracles in the Middle, Overtaken by Grace, And God Said and Lord Show Me You Are Here.

Debbie’s ground-breaking work has been featured in First for Women, the Miami Herald, Elle, and Ladies Home Journal, and on the Hallmark Channel, PBS, and WebMD.

Through her 501(c)3 Grace Love Well Foundation, her mission is to inspire people to the beauty, love, power, and presence of God. As an organization we have donated thousands of books to churches, missions work, prisons, pastoral counselors and prayer teams.

For more resources to deepen your intimacy with God and find peace in His presence, visit us online at gracelovewell.org or YouTube/Debbie Milam


More from Debbie

January of 2020, I began a journey of catastrophic health issues as I faced four life-threatening infections, including COVID, which led to being placed on Hospice care. While facing my mortality, I cried out to God and experienced one miracle after another.

 

Although my body was growing weaker and weaker, my faith, relationship with God, and desire to bring hope to others grew stronger and stronger. While battling severe health issues, I was able to publish this book by God’s grace and a great publishing team.

 

So many Christians are battling hopelessness, anxiety, and overwhelm. I understand all these feelings and I invite readers to witness the astonishing miracles that happen in both seasons of blessings and the depth of suffering. My true stories of God’s presence, power, and love will reignite hope and help readers develop a deeper intimacy with the Lord.

MY REVIEW

This book made a very important  statement during the introduction that I found to be very helpful. We hear people say all the time , “Why did God allow this to happen?” The author answers that question with great compassion. She says , “I don’t believe that God caused these catastrophes, but I do believe He allowed them because He knew the good that would come out of these circumstances.” I loved her statement and have experienced tragedies in my own life that made me question God. I didn’t know at the  time that God already  had  a plan to turn what was meant for bad into good. 

The author’s story of how she came to know Christ and have a deep relationship with Him is very inspiring. Never underestimate the power of prayer. It warmed my heart as she walked into the Bible study and was welcomed by ladies who had prayed  with her sister-in-law for her salvation  fourteen years ago. God is so good and this is a great example of never giving up when you are praying for someone.  

The book is filled with uplifting stories that showed how God gives us divine appointments  and does things we can only be in awe of. I loved the chapter about the young mother and baby at church. Her obedience to God to give her last twenty dollars turned into a miracle for her. God blessed her abundantly more than she thought possible. I love how the author encourages us to be His hands and feet and look for those moments where you can pray with someone. As you pray God will show you what He has planned for you. The author not only prayed for the woman but was prompted to take her shopping. The woman experienced a true miracle that day. 

This would be a great book to gift to someone who may be struggling and needs an uplifting message. I decided that I would use this book as a devotional for each day. What better way to get excused about God then to read miracles that He has done. I loved when the author said, “He gives us free will out of love, because love without freedom is control.” We chose who we want to serve and who we want to follow. God doesn’t force us to do anything  because He loves us. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Inklings and notions, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 21

Texas Book-aholic, May 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 24

deb’s Book Review, May 25

Splashes of Joy, May 26 (Author Interview)

Miriam Jacob, May 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 28

Christina’s Corner, May 29

Blossoms and Blessings, May 30 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31

Spoken from the Heart, June 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 1

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/1df19/miracles-in-the-middle-celebration-tour-giveaway



Friday, May 20, 2022


Bride of the Rockies


About the Book

Book: Bride of the Rockies

Author: Angela Breidenbach

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: January 1, 2022

Bride of the Rockies Option 2.2.1 FRONTFor botanist, Bettina Gilbert, mining is an offense against God’s green earth. With the shortage of women in Montana, Luke travels to Chicago to manage the Montana mining exhibition hoping to also find a wife. Only that pretty botanist keeps disrupting his mining presentations … and his chances of meeting the right woman! A city girl who despises his way of life would be the worst choice for a miner’s wife, wouldn’t she?

Uplifting, wholesome romance set in the Gilded Age during Chicago’s World Fair. Written by bestselling author and professional genealogist, Angela Breidenbach. Accurate to history while entertaining, inspiring, with a lovely ambiance of hope.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

BreidenbachAngela-Headshot (1)Angela Breidenbach is a professional genealogist, media personality, conference speaker, bestselling author of eighteen books, and screenwriter. Angela lives in Montana with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who shakes hands, rolls over, and jumps through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angela can also. Catch her show and podcast, Genealogy Publishing Coach!





More from Angela

Rabbit trails. The paths that draw a writer away from her planned research. That’s what happened when I started researching Queen of the Rockies. I hopped down a rabbit trail that took me into an entirely different story. Here I was writing about the beginning of Montana as a state, the real people, and the unusual stories of the Gilded Age. Then a thread of the Chicago World’s Fair kept popping up like little bunnies in the middle of the field that darted here and there.

Well, those little rabbit trails captured my fascination. I couldn’t stop chasing them. I wanted to know more about why people who were busy carving out a new state would want to travel halfway across the country and live in Chicago for five months. Why would they care? What were their goals? Who were these unusual people? So, I did the smart thing. I started a new document to think about writing a later story.

The more I researched the first book in this series, Queen of the Rockies, the more I found tidbits of names that reappeared in newspapers. Then I followed a few of those names just to see what had become of them. I found a lot more than I expected. From the social pages in newspapers to club minute books to journals the stories of some really interesting women came to light. Their goals were much more than for one family or one town. These people found a cause bigger than themselves. They found a bond in forging a state that held respectability in the world’s eyes. These people were tired, and offended, of the constant slur — the Wild West. And they were going to change that erroneous misconception!

The rest of civilization didn’t understand how modern, elegant, and valuable Montana was in the 1890s. But the people of Montana were about to prove their infant state was the shining star on the American flag. She was no infant. This beautiful state, whose capitol was fully electric already, could hold her own among the elegant countries slated to be at that fair in 1893.

Come turn the pages of Bride of the Rockies and find out what these people, and especially the women, did to put Montana in the world headlines. See why they stunned with never before seen discoveries displayed in their pavilion during the Columbian Exposition. Can you imagine being given 10% of the budget while the men had 90%, in essence set up as the underdog, and blowing the world away with what you do with it?  Walking away with the win? Not just one win…seven!

Bride of the Rockies took me on a fabulous rabbit trail of research. I hope this story will be fun for you, too!

MY REVIEW

What makes this book so good is the historical details at the beginning before the story starts as well as history scattered throughout the book. I found this very interesting and couldn’t wait to see where the author would take us on this journey to Montana. If you have never been to Montana, you are missing  out on beautiful landscape as well as historic sights. 

Bettina is a young woman on the cusp of science moving forward. What would it be like to discover plants that are healing and can be used to enhance food? I was so excited as Bettina asked questions that filled her with ideas of how to improve on the discoveries before her. Her mind is intriguing as she contemplates how to tackle hunger, childhood diseases and much more. I don’t think I will ever look at a blade a grass the same after Bettina described it as much more than just a blade of grass we step on. Traveling down memory lane with Bettina was fun as she tasted Cracker Jacks at the fair. I remember getting a box and shaking it around to find the surprise. 

Luke surprised me with his quick attention to Bettina. He seems a bit smitten with her but I’m not sure they have the same goals in mind. He is a mine owner who also happens to be looking for a wife. It was funny to have three older women who were determined to help him find the perfect wife. I was curious as to what they would stir up as Luke is drawn to Bettina. The author does an excellent job of the old favorite “opposites attract” term. These two are so different I didn’t see what they would find in common.

I really enjoyed the banter between Bettina and Luke as he does his presentation. The questions fly as Luke tries to defend working the mines for silver  and gold. Bettina is beside herself as she makes sharp comments at Luke’s answers. I so wanted her to calm down a bit and perhaps look at his side with an open heart instead of a judgmental attitude. The sparks fly as these two battle it out in front of the audience. I wonder who will realize they need to be more understanding and less trying to prove a point?  

The book  not only gives us a few laughs with a trio of matchmakers but highlights the importance of women who discovered new plant life. With their knowledge they showed that the plants could help in medical ways as well as feeding people. It must have been exciting for these women to walk away from the fair with seven medals. I have to say how much I adore these women who never gave up, searched long hours in the heat and conquered new discoveries that benefited many. 

The story was fun to read and very educational at the  same time. Do our main characters end up together? Grab a copy of this book to find out for yourself. 

“ You don’t have to chase the same dream to help the other reach theirs.” 

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18

An Author’s Take, May 19

Blogging With Carol, May 19

Betti Mace, May 20

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Mary Hake, May 21

Inklings and notions, May 22

For Him and My Family, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 23

deb’s Book Review, May 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 25

Blossoms and Blessings, May 25

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 27

Spoken from the Heart, May 27

Bizwings Blog, May 28

Connie’s History Classroom, May 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize of a pair of beautiful opal earrings set in fair trade sterling silver!!

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/1db54/bride-of-the-rockies-celebration-tour-giveaway


 


Thursday, May 19, 2022

 

Night Songs Kick-Off Package

Night Songs

About the Book

Book: Night Songs

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Women’s Christian Fiction/ Romance

Release date: April 12, 2022

Night-Songs-663x1024What’s a girl to do when her life sounds ripped from the lyrics of a country music song?

Charlotte Van Cleave’s hissy-fit reaction to her husband’s infidelity sours her world like a pot of boiled chitlins. She’s left with no husband, no job, and no home—well, besides the dilapidated farmhouse inherited from her nana.

But Charlie learned early that southern girls dig deep when things go sideways. She’d climbed out of the mire when her missionary parents were killed in Congo, endured two late-term miscarriages, and survived the death of her nana and papaw. Too poor to paint and too proud to whitewash, Charlie follows a new path with her interior design skills.

Derek Daniels spent his life serving his country until a helicopter accident ended his military career. Now back home on the family farm, he’s stuck between his philandering brother, Nicky, and the only girl he’s ever loved—sweet Charlie Van Cleave. Unwilling to cross a line, he vows to keep his feelings to himself. Easier said than done when Charlie discovers a mystery surrounding her parents’ death and asks him to help investigate.

What’ll Charlie and Derek have to do to turn those lyrics into a country hit?

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Jennifer-SiennesJennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing—and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies including several in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

 

More from Jennifer

I love everything about the South. The seasons are more vibrant, the pace is slower, and the hospitality warmer than what I’ve previously experienced. I wasn’t born and raised here, but I’ve always felt an affinity for it. When my husband and I relocated from Northern California to middle Tennessee over three years ago, I was happier than ol’ Blue layin’ on the porch chewin’ on a big ol’ catfish head. Yes, there are times we need a translator, but we’re quick studies.

 

Setting is an important element of storytelling, whether it’s fictional or true. I will be the first person to tell you, I don’t have much imagination. I don’t read or write fantasy or sci-fi because I can’t picture myself in the story. I am in awe of writers who are able to create an alternate world in their minds and then share it in a story. Me? I need to see it to write it.

 

For that reason, I was very excited about how this move from the only place I’ve ever known to one I’d dreamt about most of my life would impact my novels and novellas. We landed here in the middle of July to magnolia trees with waxy leaves as big as my head and sweet-smelling white blossoms I couldn’t enclose in both hands. Mockingbirds chattering all hours of the day (and a lone guy at night), bright red cardinals flitting from tree to tree, and even an armadillo or two lumbering across our yard.

 

The character of Charlotte Van Cleave (Charlie) was born out of my imagination. Why I can create fake people but not fake settings is anyone’s guess. Her nana and pawpaw’s dilapidated farmhouse is a real home that had been abandoned outside the city limits of Shelbyville, Tennessee—in Bedford County, which is also the title of the series. I saw the house through a real estate website, and fortunately for me, it was empty. My husband and I snuck around the perimeter looking through broken widows to get a feel for the place. It didn’t hurt that there were several photos on the website, as well.

 

The rest of the story came in fits and starts. I first decided on Charlie’s personality, because if I know that, it’s easier to trip her up with all manner of chaos. If you’re familiar with the enneagram personality indicator, she’s a three—the Achiever. The other main character, Derek Daniels, is a six—the Loyalist. Throw in missionary parents, sibling rivalry, and southern culture and a story was born.

 

While I was working on Night Songs the mockingbirds were particularly active. They’re the Tennessee state bird, so they’re always around, but it’s only during the mating season they are vocal. I was lying awake in the middle of the night, and I heard one of them singing. I’d only ever heard them during the day, so I was surprised. Why would a lone mockingbird be singing at night? What I learned after a little research is that only those who are mate-less will do this. It made me sad to hear the little guy over the next several nights, pouring out his heart. Not unlike Charlie Van Cleave. Thus, a title was born.

MY REVIEW 

A wonderful story that reflects the power of forgiveness and new beginnings. Charlie’s career is over because she just couldn’t help telling a customer what she though. It may not have been the  best choice but here she is in a farmhouse left to her by her sweet nana and pawpaw. The farmhouse is not exactly in great shape but maybe Charlie can use her skills to bring life back in to it.   I loved that she is where so many good memories are and a feeling of comfort surrounds her on her first night. Perhaps there were a few moments when noises may have kept her up but this is her new home so she will have to adjust. 

I really liked getting to know more about Charlie’s past and how Derek and Nicky became so important in her life. Their time together when they were younger was carefree and filled with family time. I think  Charlie might have spent more time at the boys house than hers. We learn about the tragic lose she endured and how she was taken in by her grandparents. That bond grew stronger over the  years which I think has helped her get reacquainted with her new environment. Two brothers both like her but did she make the wrong choice? 

I liked Derek and  how patient he has always been with  Charlie. He tries to guide her to Jesus but she will have to let go of her anger and guilt first. Coming back home is bittersweet for him as Charlie is nearby. His feelings have never faded but now he is caught in the middle with Charlie and her husband. What do you do when you know a family member has done wrong? Can Derek be neutral when he deals with Charlie and his  brother? I have to say it was hard for me to decide if she should give Nicky another chance. We all sin and sometimes need a second chance. 

It is hard to put into words all the emotional feelings I felt as I read this book. All these years Charlie has blamed herself for something she had no control over. She has believed that God has punished her and I cried when she realized how wrong she had been. Clarity seemed to finally break through for Charlie and the realization that God had a purpose for her life overwhelmed her. Who does Charlie end up with? Does Nicky change to save his marriage? Will Derek find his way to God’s plan for his life? Grab a copy of this story and find out the answers as  you take a journey of discovering forgiveness, letting go of the past and finding that God has a plan for each of us. 

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

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 17

Daysong Reflections, May 18

Genesis 5020, May 19

Texas Book-aholic, May 20

Inklings and notions, May 21

Susan K. Beatty, Author, May 22 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 22

deb’s Book Review, May 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 25

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 26

Miriam Jacob, May 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 28

Back Porch Reads, May 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/1db53/night-songs-celebration-tour-giveaway



 

BLOWIN’ UP A MURDER BY TONYA KAPPES


Love and marriage go together like grits and gravy...or do they?

Welcome to the little town of Cottonwood, Kentucky, a charming town with fun business names like Tiny Tina’s Hair Salon and Cowboy’s Catfish.

Sheriff Lowry becomes public enemy number one when she shuts down a wedding reception when one of the catering waiters ends up dead impaled with a wedding umbrella. The bride is not happy and proceeds to beat Sheriff Lowry with her bridal bouquet!

Kenni and Poppa are on the case! How lucky that Kenni is already there to start her investigation! She’s got a bratty bride, a crass groomsman and dead waiter! If the murder at the wedding was not enough, she’s got to get to solve this so that her friends business isn’t ruined!



MY REVIEW 

Weddings can be so much fun with all the beautiful flowers, happiness spreading across the crowd and music that brings joy to all. Now this wedding that Kenni is attending is all the above except for one tiny detail. Out on the patio is a body with an umbrella impaling a waiter. Kenni is not going to win any points when she shuts down the wedding and angers the bride. What in the world is going on that would cause such a scene? Get  ready for an adventure you will never forget as Kenni takes on the case with a little help from dare I say, ghost? 

I loved the different characters in the  story and how each one enhanced a part of the story. The southern charm oozes from the book as the small town takes to whispering about the murder and everything else they can think of. Now that Kenni  has been accused of ruining a wedding, several businesses and her own reputation, what trouble awaits her next? The investigation sure had me stumped as I tried to figure out who the guilty person was. The bride was a bit shady with her request to hear the best man’s speech before  he actually presented it at the wedding. Well that reminds me of a bridezilla with her demands and constant over the top attitude. 

The suspects start stacking up as Kenni digs deeper into the investigation. Her mama is a hoot and pokes her nose in where it shouldn’t be. Poor Kenni is constantly being nagged about getting married by her mama which made me laugh so hard. I could see the scene play out as Kenni’s mama shakes  her finger at Kenni to let her know how important it is to get married. Maybe mama should stay out of her daughter’s business including snooping around a murder investigation. Now what kind of trouble is Kenni’s mama in when she confesses something that puts her as a suspect? 

The author delivers an unexpected twist in the story that had me scrambling to rethink my suspect list. Wow. This was so good and I was taken by complete surprise. Now the case gets more complicated and I’m not sure what Kenni will do with this new development.  As the ending draws near, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. The adrenaline rush was wild as I consumed every word waiting to find out what was going to happen. I was so off about who the killer was and the author left me hanging on a very important question being asked. Now I am anxiously awaiting the next in this series. I have to know what happens next and I’m not sure I can wait much longer. 

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.



Southern Hospitality with a Smidgen of Homicide

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Tonya Kappes has written more than 175 southern cozy mysteries, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and Woman's World Book Club pick twice . Best known for stories charged with southern charm, emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband in northern Kentucky. Now that her four boys have flown out of the nest, Tonya writes full-time in her camper! 

You can find her all over social media and at Tonyakappes.com. 

For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.