Sunday, February 18, 2018

About the Book

Title: 21 Days of Love

Compiled by: Kathy Ide

Genre: Non-fiction, Devotional

Release Date: January 1, 2016

Love can be found in many treasured relationships: boyfriend-girlfriend, husband-wife, parent-child … with a special friend, teacher, or pet … in the kindness of a stranger. We even have a national holiday to celebrate love.

The greatest love ever known is God’s abundant love for us, His children. And He often demonstrates that perfect love through imperfect people.

These stories represent all kinds of love. Woven through each story is the sustaining hand of our loving heavenly Father. On Valentine’s Day—and every day—whether your life is chocolates and flowers or loneliness and pain … let these stories fill your heart with hope, peace, and most important, love.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Compiler and editor KATHY IDE has been a published author since 1989. She has written fiction and nonfiction books and is the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors. She has ghostwritten ten nonfiction books and a series of five novels. She also writes columns of writing and editing tips for blogs and newsletters. Kathy makes her home in Orange County, California.

Guest Post from Kathy Ide

Kick off the new year with love!

21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships, book 3 in the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series, contains short fiction stories about all kinds of love. Boyfriend-girlfriend. Husband-wife. Parent-child. Teacher-student. Even love for pets and showing love to strangers. Since the greatest love ever known is God’s abundant love for us, His children, the sustaining hand of our loving heavenly Father is woven throughout. Each story is written by a different author and is followed by a brief Life Application in which the author shares how the fictional story relates to our day-to-day lives.

21 Days of Love has chapters written by well-known, best-selling novelists, including Susan May Warren, Sherry Kyle, Renae Brumbaugh, and New York Times best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall. There are also stories by writers you may not have heard of. At the end of each chapter is an author bio that gives some background information about the author. So if you really like a story you read, you can find out what else that author has written. You may just find some new names to add to your favorites list.

And if you haven’t read much Christian fiction, this devotional will give you a small taste of several different authors and genres, without having to commit to reading an entire novel. You might just discover that you actually love Christian fiction!

21 Days of Love, a finalist in the 2017 Selah awards, makes a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for friends and loved ones.

What a wonderful collection of stories to remind us that we are loved. Each author has written from their heart and shares wonderful nuggets of encouragement, hope and contentment. I was going to pick out a few of the stories that I really liked, but I realized I loved them all. They spoke to me in different ways that reminded me that there are people out there who feel unloved. Have you ever felt that way?

Valentine’s Day just passed and I’m glad it is over. I break inside every year when that holiday comes round. There are many hurting people who have to deal with loneliness on that day. I pray that I will remember next year to reach out to someone and let them know they are loved. There is one story that I really thought touched on love in a special way. It was about a young girl not having money to buy Valentine’s cards for her class. Oh how my heart went out to her. We sometimes forget even the smallest thing is important to others. We can show our love by sending a card to someone just to let them know they are loved. What better way to show love than to reach out to someone who needs to know they aren’t alone.

Relationships are a lot of work and sometimes we need to learn to compromise. How many times have you and your spouse stopped talking to each other over a silly little fight? Our pride gets in the way and neither one wants to give in. One of the hardest things to do is ask for forgiveness. When we soften our hearts and prefer one another, the relationship becomes easier and love prevails. I loved the ending of the book where it talks about celebrating Valentine’s Day year round. Buy someone behind you in line a cup of coffee, call someone you haven’t talked to in awhile just to say hi. Tell your children how special they are and how proud you are of them. Take a little extra time and visit someone who lives alone. There are many ways to show love throughout the year. I’m glad I read this book and appreciate how it reminds me to not take things for granted. The greatest gift we can receive is the gift that God loves us and with that gift we can share his love with others.

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

Blog Stops

Bibliophile Reviews, February 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 12

A Greater Yes, February 12

Captive Dreams Window, February 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 13

Mary Hake, February 14

Blossoms and Blessings, February 14

Bigreadersite, February 15

margaret kazmierczak, February 15 (Interview)

Janices book reviews, February 16

Christian Bookaholic, February 17

Reading is my Super Power, February 17 (Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

Carpe Diem, February 19

A Baker’s Perspective, February 20

Simple Harvest Reads, February 21 (Guest post from Mindy)

Pursuing Stacie, February 22

proud to be an autism mom, February 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away a

2 Grand Prizes of a full set of the 21 Days Hardback books
3 first place prizes of a hardback copy of 21 Days of Love
4 second place prizes of an eBook copy of 21 Days of Love!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c8e3

About the Book

Title: Phoebe’s Light

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical romance

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Marcy, a man whom she loathes.

Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way—just in time.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing, The Newcomer, and The Return in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

A Stroll down Petticoat Row

Thirty years ago, I talked my sister into going on a trip to Nantucket Island. It’s one of those places that had always intrigued me. As a girl in the 1930s, my mother’s family vacationed in Nantucket; she even has a lightship basket to show for it. I expected the island to be interesting and beautiful, and it certainly did not disappoint. But something else happened as I walked down Centre Street one morning. This island captured my imagination in a way that’s hard to put into words. At the risk of sounding a tiny bit sun touched, I could practically see 19th century people on the roads, hear the “thee’s and thou’s” in their speech, even smell the strong scents of a bygone century—the musky perfume of rendered whale oil, the burning wood of the blacksmith, all mingled with the bracing sea air.

Centre Street has a local nickname: Petticoat Row. It comes from the 1800s, when men were at sea for long periods and women stepped into their shoes to keep businesses going. Nantucket women gained a reputation for being strong and capable. Their competence was encouraged by the Society of Friends (Quakers), the island’s dominant religion, which believed in the equality of men and women in all aspects of life. That hasn’t changed. Today, half of all Nantucket businesses are run by women.

Petticoat Row stuck in my mind, and eventually became the hook to contract a series of historical fiction with Revell Books. The ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series covers the rise and fall of Nantucket’s whaling period, when it became the wealthiest port in the world.

First up is Phoebe’s Light, releasing in February 2018, a novel about a spirited young woman who seeks her fortune only to find out she already had it.

After reading about Phoebe, I hope you’ll consider planning a trip to Nantucket (though try to go off-season. The population swells five times in the summer!). When you go, include a stop at the Petticoat Row Bakery (35 Centre Street)—the very location where Phoebe grew up, albeit a few centuries ago. Don’t leave the island without trying the Morning Glory Muffins, an island favorite. So worth the trip!

Nantucket’s Famous Morning Glory Muffins

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cup sugar

2 ¼ cup flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

½ cup shredded coconut

½ cup raisins

2 cup grated carrots (4 large)

1 apple, shredded

8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained

½ cup pecans or walnuts

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Sift together sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Add the fruit, carrots and nuts and stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with oil and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients and blend well.

Spoon batter into cupcake tins lined with muffin papers. Fill each cup to the brim. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. These muffins needs 24 hours to ripen their full flavor. They freeze extremely well.

Recipe courtesy of Pamela A. McKinstry, Sconset Café

If you like historical books like I do, you are in for an adventure. The author takes us back to the late 1700s where we will set set on the high seas. What a treat it is to read about captains that everyone looks up to. Captain Phineas Foulger is quite a catch and he catches glances from those who wish to be noticed by him. I’m not sure I trusted him and sensed that maybe his feelings for Phoebe were not as sincere as he has led her to believe.

Phoebe is so taken with the captain that she kind of pushes herself on him. Does she want to be with him because she loves him? Is the adventure on the sea what intrigues her? She does try her best to get her way at times but the author gives us glimpses of her softer side. I could feel the anxiousness of Phoebe as she began her journey on the ship. Whaling was a huge profit during this time and it was hard work. Does Phoebe realize what she has gotten herself into? The first clue that something wasn’t right should have been when the entire crew quit. Phoebe I hope you know what you are doing. What must it feel like to be on a large ship, sailing out into unknown waters? What awaits Phoebe as she starts a new chapter in her life? The author gives us a story filled with suspense, secrets and unrequited love.

I loved the journal from Phoebe’s great-grandmother. I learned so much about the Quakers and how mistreated they were during the 1600s. It would be so exciting to find a diary from one of my ancestors. Phoebe has a treasure that will become very important as the story progresses. Why was the Captain so insistent that Phoebe bring the journal with her? I think the captain is arrogant, mean and selfish. The things he does is horrible. I have to say the author has really written a wonderful story of a high sea adventure that has all the makings of a wonderful movie. It is a vivid portrayal of the days long ago where people had to struggle to survive while others took advantage and took what wasn’t theirs. I love this book and how realistic it is. Thank you for taking me on a journey where I could picture the howling winds as it tossed the ship around. I love the emphasis on faith and how God protected people and opened their eyes to untruths.

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

Blog Sops

Aryn The Libraryan, February 15

A Simply Enchanted Life, February 15

Moments Dipped in Ink, February 15

Kaylee’s Kind of Writes, February 15

Girls in White Dresses Blog, February 16

With a Joyful Noise, February 16

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 16

A Greater Yes, February 16

ASC Book Reviews, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Book by Book, February 17

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

The Power of Words, February 18

Two Points of Interest, February 18

Splashes of Joy, February 18

A Reader’s Brain, February 19

Karen Sue Hadley, February 19

Blossoms and Blessings, February 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 20

The Fizzy Pop Collection, February 20

All of a kind Mom, February 20

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, February 20

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 21

Baker Kella, February 21

Mommynificent, February 21

Janices book reviews, February 21

Lighthouse Academy, February 22

Readers cozy corner, February 22

Mary Hake, February 22

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 22

Pause for Tales, February 23

Have A Wonderful Day, February 23

Faery Tales Are Real, February 23

Blogging With Carol, February 24

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, February 24

Among the Reads, February 24

Carpe Diem, February 24

Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, February 25

Red Headed Book Lady, February 25

Just the Write Escape, February 25

A Baker’s Perspective, February 25

By The Book, February 26

For The Love of Books, February 26

Margaret Kazmierczak, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 26 (Guest post from Mindy)

Maureen’s Musings, February 27

Connie’s History Classroom, February 27

proud to be an autism mom, February 27

Bigreadersite, February 27

Bibliophile Reviews, February 28

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 28

Pink Granny’s Journey, February 28

Pursuing Stacie, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of a Kindle!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9e0

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

About the Book

Title: What Dreams May Come

Author: Alana Terry

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: October 24, 2017

She’s got her heart set on becoming a missionary. He’s determined to recruit her for the job.

But is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never even met?

Susannah’s convinced that God has called her to the mission field. That’s why she’s serving him with single-minded focus in Orchard Grove, waiting for the day when she can leave her small town to take the gospel to the nations.

Is falling in love with her missionary recruiter part of God’s plan for her life or a distraction from the real goal?

Scott loves his life. Traveling the globe, offering spiritual support to missionaries around the world offers enough excitement that the loneliness hardly ever gets to him …

Until he receives an application from a young girl with a heart for the mission field as large as his own, a young girl he finds himself falling for even before they get the chance to meet face-to-face.

Unfortunately, a promise Susannah made to her family may tear her and Scott even farther apart than the miles that separate them.

Book one in an inspirational sweet romance series by award-winning Christian author Alana Terry, who has won awards from Women of Faith, The Book Club Network, Grace Awards, and several others, What Dreams May Come is based off of the author’s own experiences falling in love with (and eventually marrying) her missionary recruiter.

Click here to purchase your copy today!

About the Author

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

Guest Post from Alana Terry

The cat’s out of the bag! Back in 2016, I wrote What Dreams May Come, a novel that was based on the way my husband and I fell in love … fourteen months before we ever met! It wasn’t until just before Christmas that I told Scott the romance novel I’d been writing was actually our true-to-life love story, and he was even more surprised than I hoped he’d be! Watch the video to see his reaction.

I have been a huge fan of this author for awhile. Her writing always bring me to a point where I can escape and jump into the book and be part of it. This book is extra special because I get to see a softer and transparent look at her life through a story that brought tears to my eyes. I know when I was getting ready to graduate, I had plans to attend college and become a teacher. I had a boyfriend and figured we would just follow each other to college and see what happens. Sometimes what we want doesn’t always happen the way we plan. This book is one that gives hope, reinforces how we need to continue to have faith and patience.

I loved Susannah right away. She has such a big heart and wants to go into the mission field. God placed that desire on her heart and she was excited to follow her dream. I loved how she became friends with Scott . It was nice to read about how their relationship developed and their dream of mission work was shared between them. When a tragedy strikes, Susannah makes a heart-wrenching decision that will change everything in her life. The beauty of her selfless act choked me up. How many of us would give up everything to take care of a loved one? I wanted to hug Susannah and tell her “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”

The story was emotional at times and really made me examine my life. Have I been following what God had planned for me? Did I let my dream die because I became discouraged? Thank you for sharing your story with readers. I won’t forget how a young woman dreamed big and had faith to allow God to open doors for her. What may seem impossible , is right before our eyes, if only we continue to trust God.

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