About the Book

Title: The Essence of Humility

Author: Lynn U. Watson

Genre: Devotional

Release date: January, 2019

We live in a culture overwhelmed with disrespect, egos, entitlement, rudeness, and offense — lives focused on self, rather than God or others.

The Bible defines love in 1 Corinthians 13. Every descriptive word included in the list whispers humility.

Patience — humility Kindness — humility

Not rude — humility Not arrogant — humility

Rejoices in truth — humility No envious or boastful — humility

Not irritable — humility Keeps no record of wrong — humility

Jesus entered our world and walked among us. He placed no importance on rank or position. Jesus life reflected love because it reflected humility, and He invites us to live and love like Him.

Journey with our hostess, Cinnamah-Brosia and her friends at The Coffee Cottage. They lead us on a journey to meet real life people — our contemporaries and those on the pages of God’s word, who encountered the same real life challenges you and I face each day. Learn the blessings of a life lived like Jesus lived —- with love and humility.

About the Author

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Lynn Watson combines many years’ experience in women’s ministry, love of essential oils, and her passion for God’s word to bring her readers freshly inspired encouragement for their walk with Jesus. Her devotional, The Essence of Courage, was recognized as a ‘must read’ by regional publishing industry leaders. Married since 1973, Lynn and Steve have filled their Bartlett, Tennessee home with handmade treasures and lots of love for family, especially their five beautiful (of course) grandchildren. Aromas of freshly baked bread often fill Lynn’s kitchen. Jasmine, her tuxedo kitty, enjoys sleeping in Lynn’s lap while she writes.

Guest post from Lynn

My first lesson in humility for Volume 3 of Cinnamah-Brosia’s Inspirational Collection came from an assumption. Right. Those are never a grand idea.

When God spoke to me about writing this book, he clearly gave me the subject: Love. I immediately headed to 1 Corinthians 13 – The Love Chapter of the Bible. Of course the book’s title would be The Essence of Love. The end material of The Essence of Joy announced the new “Love” title coming in 2018.

And God laughed. I read 1 Corinthians 13 over and over again. It whispered “humility” over and over again. I called my dear friend – the one I consult with on every one of these books – and said, “You know what? Listen to this. Love is patient – humility. Love is kind – humility. Love is not arrogant – humility. You get the idea. Every single line of this beautiful passage comes down to the barest bones: humility.”

We both laughed a little, too. And we thanked God He clarified His instructions.

To live and love like Jesus requires us to humbly trust God and to humbly serve others.

In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul presents a lengthy discourse on the humility of Christ. It begins like this:

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 

~Philippians 2:1-4 (HCSB)

The title morphed to The Essence of Humility. I placed the focus on common everyday botanicals and plants – those familiar to us today – for this third volume in the collection. The fun came as I dug the plants from Scripture. I pray you enjoy the connections as much as I did uncovering them and connecting them to Jesus’ life, and to a whole list of characters who lived on the pages of the Bible, along with our contemporaries here in the 21st century.

Thank you for choosing The Essence of Humility. So very many titles out there shout to be read. I am humbled for you to spend time with me here. I have prayed for every one of you.

Copyright 2018, Lynn U. Watson

I am excited to be back with Cinnamah -Brosia and her friends.  Each chapter is a breath of fresh air as we learn about humility. I really enjoyed the story of washing Jesus' feet. Can you imagine what it would be like to wash the feet of others? We take away any unkind thoughts and do as God asked us to. I remember being at a church once when a guest speaker asked me to come up and wash the pastor's feet. I was beside myself but obeyed. The feeling of doing this for anyone was an eye opening experience. I had to dismiss my thoughts and could begin to  picture myself washing the feet of Jesus. It did make me humble that day and I will never forget how God watched me as I began to wash the feet of the man who was my pastor. 

I have recently been taken  out of my comfort zone to become a full time care giver for a family member. At first I wasn't sure I could this, but I know there is a reason for everything. I have done this with a soft heart thinking I will take great care of this person because I know I would want the same for me. It has shown me how I have overcome doing things that make me uncomfortable and given me a time to see this person as God does. I'm thankful for the time I have with my family member and I have become more caring. I look in their eyes and I see hurt, embarrassment and tears. I also see softening of the heart and allowing me to care for them in a way that makes us realize how important life is. 

I love how the author shares in each chapter a fragrance that relates to the subject. It is a nice book to soak up wisdom from and emphasizes good scriptures and stories from the bible that illustrate humility.

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

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, January 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 25

Splashes of Joy, January 25

A Reader’s Brain, January 26

Bibliophile Reviews, January 27

A Baker’s Perspective, January 28

Creating Romance, January 29

Mary Hake, January 29

Aryn The Libraryan, January 30

Texas Book-aholic, January 30

Older & Smarter?, January 31

The Becca Files, February 1

Godly Book Reviews, February 1

Pause for Tales, February 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 2

Janices book reviews, February 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 4

Through the Lens of Scripture, February 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 6

Bigreadersite, February 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lynn is giving away a grand prize of a wire basket that includes a hand-stamped “Gratitude, Kindness, Humility, Love” spoon necklace, Hillhouse Naturals fresh Linen hand lotion, locally hand-crafted Lavender-Eucalyptus body and foot scrub, embroidered “Love One Another” hand towel (nice ‘n soft), cozy Chamomile herbal tea, and a paperback copy of The Essence of Humility!!

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/d93b/the-essence-of-humility-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Title: The Lost Art of Relationship

Author: Dan Chrystal

Genre: Christian non-fiction, Christian living

Release date: October 15, 2018

Relationship is a journey of discovery—a lost art. In this generation, it has become challenging to deepen and grow personal relationships with each other. Our technology-flooded environment has left many with limited relational experience and a fear of face-to-face connection and meeting new people.

The church has done a decent job of helping people understand the need and importance of a relationship with God, but what about with each other? At the heart of every man, woman, and child is the need for connection—for relationships with people who love them for who they are.

In The Lost Art of Relationship, Dan Chrystal tackles the heart of relationship based on the time-honored instruction to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But what does that mean? How do we live out this odd instruction? Who is my neighbor, anyway? What makes relationships healthy, and what makes them fail? Through Dan’s personal stories and difficult life lessons, readers will come away encouraged, inspired, and motivated to love the people in their life more fully. If you desire deep and meaningful connections, now is the time to discover the lost art of relationship.

About the Author

Dan Chrystal has over twenty-three years of ministry and relationship experience. He serves as a pastor for Bayside Church Granite Bay, under the dynamic leadership of founding pastor, Ray Johnston. Dan is a vibrant speaker and a dedicated life, career, and couple’s coach. He holds an MBA in executive leadership from Kaplan University (now Purdue Global University) and is currently studying law at Concord Law School. His extensive ministry background has taken him all over the country, from the east coast to the west, where he has served in varying capacities, including Lead Pastor, Administrative Pastor, Associate Pastor, Worship Leader, and Youth Pastor. An avid student of relationship, Dan is passionate about helping others to love their neighbors as themselves. 

“Choose a good reputation over great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1)

Guest post from Dan

For two years, I experienced what many would call a “wilderness experience.” I truly felt forgotten. I had spent twenty years in various aspects of church work having met and coached hundreds of people, and I still felt like I didn’t truly understand why I was put on this earth. I have moved nine times in my adult life. Everywhere I’ve lived, I had to start over—at work, home, schools for kids, and especially in relationship with others.

The last move was different. This time I was no longer looking to connect simply for the sake of connecting. There was a purpose for connection that was brewing inside me. That purpose became the driving force of my life and remains that way today. In fact, it consumes my thought life, relationships, ministry, and every aspect of what I do, think, and say.

Connecting with others has been a part of my life wherever I have gone. This came from watching my mom over many years meet, talk to, and befriend hundreds of people. At her funeral, I had just about that many tell me “thank you” for allowing my mom to be a part of their lives—how she encouraged them and truly got to know them for who they are.

During my two-year “wilderness” period, there was a realization that over all the moves, restarts, connections, coffee appointments, coaching, lunches, and dinners with people, I was learning the essence of what I believe we are called, or actually commanded, to do by Jesus. Such a simple sentence, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” However, it is one of the most difficult things to live out every day. Let’s face it; relationships are messy. They can be downright frustrating at times, but they are a necessary part of life, and the second most important thing to God.

I am by no means an “expert” in relationship. I am and always will be a student of it. I have watched relationships thrive, survive, and some fall away. There are so many divisions that come between us, and during those two years of struggling with my purpose, it became clear—God has designed, purposed, and prepared me to help others discover what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. I am not perfect at this. As a matter of fact, I struggle—sometimes daily. That is what sparked the writing of this book. I have found there is an artto relationship. For most, it is a lost art, one that can be rediscovered. I would love it if you would join me in discovering The Lost Art of Relationship.

The title of this book had me a little uncomfortable. I am not good at developing relationships and very rarely let anyone in my little circle . It is all a matter of trust for me, so I began this book with an open heart ready to receive some words from God . It didn't take me long to get my first "Are you paying attention to me Deana?,  from God. " Every relationship needs to be mutual; most of the time, we need to work hard at maintaining healthy relationships; and some of the most beneficial relationships can happen through tragic circumstances."  Well that smacked me right in the face and I sat a little straighter realizing that I have developed a very special relationship from tragedy. 

We all need relationships and sometimes if we pay attention, we will see someone who is lonely or hurting that could use a friend. I have always been the type that if I see someone crying I will stop to see if they need help.  It is easy sometimes for me to reach out, but so difficult to let others try to help me. 

When I was younger I was bullied everyday in school. My dad was a pastor and He was extremely strict. The kids at school made fun of my clothes, my hair or just anything to make me cry and believe that I wasn't good enough.  Over the years relationships became very hard for me. I love how the author goes into details about being considerate of others feelings. We may take their silence to mean they don't want to talk, but it could be they just need someone close by to feel needed. How many times have we gotten mad at someone that cut us off the road, or stepped in line in front of us? Those little things can stop us from wanting to be friendly, but I have learned that everyone has a bad day. 

We need to bring relationships back to where God designed them. He wants us to be His hands and feet. In order to do that we need to build relationships with others to share compassion, forgiveness and love. The author gives great examples of people in the bible who were warned not to judge by their looks or height. I'm sure we are all guilty of using our first impression of someone and writing them off as someone to get to know. 

The author has written a book that I find very informative and helpful in relationships. One of  the subjects I liked the most was about forgiveness. That word sends shivers done my spine as I deal with this on a regular basis. " Living a life of forgiveness has its own side effects that are much more beneficial to us-they are sweetness, happiness, and joy." I am still a work in progress but I so desire to have better relationships with others and learn to forgive quickly.

Each chapter is filled with different subjects like, honesty, trust and love. I loved how he summed everything up with this, " I hope you will begin to unearth the lost commandment, to love others as you love yourself." "When you do, may you start to live a fulfilled, abundant life through your relationship with God and your relationships with others."

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 19

Carpe Diem, January 19

Robin is Bookish, January 20

The Becca Files, January 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 21

All-of-a-kind Mom, January 22

Creating Romance, January 22

Real World Bible Study, January 23

Mary Hake, January 24

Captive Dreams Window, January 25

Bigreadersite, January 25

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 26

margaret kazmierczak, January 26

Bibliophile Reviews, January 27

Texas Book-aholic, January 28

Just the Write Escape, January 29

A Baker’s Perspective, January 30

Janices book reviews, January 31

Book World Reviews, February 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 1

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dan is giving away a grand prize of an Echo 2nd Generation Smart Speaker with Alexa!!

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/d8d6/the-lost-art-of-relationship-celebration-tour-giveaway

WELCOME TO SURROUND ME BOOK BLAST by MARGUERITE MARTIN GRAY and

PRESENTED BY CELEBRATE LIT

Battles rage in Elizabeth Elliot’s heart as the threat of war invades her hometown.

Charles Town, South Carolina, 1773—The dark curtain of the rumors of revolution threatens to descend as Louis Lestarjette makes a permanent break from his homeland and pursues his relations with Elizabeth. Somehow, he must find a way to manage all aspects of his life amid the political and financial difficulties this turbulent time throws at him. Never has his heart been at the center of his life decisions, challenging what he really wants, if he cannot have it all.

Elizabeth Elliott must find unwavering courage, choosing to allow God’s love to surround her with strength. A marriage during a time of confusion seems impossible as a Patriot from a Loyalist family who loves a Frenchman. She wonders how a faithful daughter can marry without her father’s permission. After a summer apart from Louis, she begins to fear that the uncertain times might delay their life together.

Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me Close, Surround Me, and Bring Me Near-- Revolutionary Faith Books One, Two and Three. She enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches high school Spanish and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Marguerite is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Abilene Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, South Carolina Historical Society, and Preservation Society of Charleston. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband.

Tweets:

A Frenchman, a Patriot, and an ocean—on the brink of forming a nation. Surround Me by Marguerite Gray.

“That is another factor against me. Is there any way he’ll ever accept a Partisan and a Frenchman?” Surround Me by Marguerite Gray

1773 Charles Town “You do realize this can’t be a secret forever. You must tell your parents.” Surround Me by Marguerite Gray

Social Media:

http://margueritemartingray.blog

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14836211.Marguerite_Martin_Gray

https://www.amazon.com/Marguerite-Martin-Gray/e/B01ASA16RC

https://www.pinterest.com/gray8864/historical-christian-fiction-hold-me-close/

https://www.facebook.com/Marguerite-Martin-Gray-261131773910522/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Buy Link: Link will be sent once book is released

This book is a continuation of a series that finds us back in the Revolutionary days. It was fascinating to read about the colonies during the 1770s. Fighting seemed to be everywhere and Louis feels torn as he has to leave Elizabeth behind for now. Their story is so nicely written and I'm glad they made an appearance in this book. It will be a hard road as they both want to be with each other. 

They come from different backgrounds and this may cause some people to not accept their relationship. For now, Louis must concentrate on his family and decide where God is calling him to go. The beautiful details are impressive and I love the historical facts in the story. I can picture the battlefields and the men as they fight for freedom.

Elizabeth has been keeping herself busy with a new girls' boarding school. It does keep her mind occupied but still deep down, her thoughts linger to Louis. The gift she sends him on his birthday is priceless. I loved how much faith has become a part of both of their lives. Elizabeth is still treading lightly around her parents as they are still determined to marry her off. The secret Elizabeth is hiding could cost her dearly. Can she trust the people she has told? 

I loved how the author built up the arrival of Louis back home to see Elizabeth. The excitement jumped off the pages and I could see her jumping up and down. Now that Elizabeth and Louis are reunited for  now, how will her family react? Louis knows that God has a plan for them, and he is holding tight to that. They are in for obstacles to deter them, danger and hope. Don't miss this exciting story of trust, unconditional love and the belief that God is surrounding them.

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

THE CURSE OF MISTY WAYFAIR by
JAIME JO WRIGHT

The author has captured a story that intensifies with each page. I absolutely love the way she weaves the story from the past to the present. She has a way of making the story flow with ease while grabbing the readers full attention. The details in the story pop off the pages and I really felt like I was a part of the story watching it unfold.

Thea is a wonderful character who didn't have a great life. Growing up in an orphanage was very hard and its easy to see how someone would feel abandoned. I love the time period set in 1908 with Thea on a journey to find   her mother. Her job as a postmortem photographer really sent shivers down my spine. Such a creepy thing to have to do, but I guess people wanted to remember their loved ones even in death. The asylum was very intriguing and I felt darkness and despair through the hallways of such a sad place.  The treatment of the patients at the asylum is deplorable and oh how I ached for them. When one of the characters describes the asylum  as, "Hell cannot be much worse than being banished to a place such as this,"  the author painted a picture that I will never forget.  Thea encounters a curse that seems to have been placed on a family called the Coyles. Just reading about the curse made me want to run and hide. Can you imagine unexplained deaths in your family and sightings of a ghost of a woman who was murdered? Thea has to continue her journey even if it puts her in danger or if she crosses path with the mysterious ghost.

When we travel to present day, we encounter Heidi who has wants  to find out why a strange letter from her mother has been put in Heidi's hands. They certainly haven't  had the best relationship. As her mother slips more in to dementia , will Heidi find out why her mother is so desperate to see her? Heidi does seem to run when things get to hard for her so I wasn't sure how long she would stay in town. The connection between Thea and Heidi is written with such deep history and really made me want to help them both.

One of the things the book talks about is mental illness. It is a subject many people are uncomfortable discussing. The author handles it in a compassionate way .  I'm glad the author brings to the surface about this issue and how we need to be more caring and understanding of someone going through a mental issue. The stigma of mental illness seems to not have changed much, but there is always hope.

Thea and Heidi are both trying to find out about their path and seek confirmation that they were not a mistake. The faith elements in the story are strong and give people hope that God is always right there with you in good times and bad. When I hurt I shut down just like one of the characters did. I get worried that I will be made fun of or feel inadequate. All this stems from my childhood , just like the characters. Will Thea and Heidi find the answers they need to heal from their past? The story is beautifully written and I loved how it emphasized that we are all important.

 Mental illness is something that has been misunderstood for centuries, but as I read this book I soon discovered that really its the unknown that scares us. We need to keep our eyes fixed on God and let Him guide us. The ending of the book is filled with compassion and ties up all loose ends very gracefully. This story has opened doors to mental illness and shined a light on how easy a person can feel unwanted, lonely and scared. The author has written her best story to date in this intriguing journey of faith and hope.

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


" We weren't created to find our identity in life. We were created to discover our Creator . In doing so, our identity is defined."

About the Book

Title: Texas my Texas

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 11, 2019

He who puts his trust in God will possess the land and inherit the blessings.

Scripture tells a husband to love his wife, but what if she loves the memory of a dead man? Lured to the Texas frontier by more free land than they could ever buy, four families struggle to carve a home and a living out of the wilderness. And though love isn’t always easy coming, like bees to sweet flowers, a neighbor and his partner swoop in hoping to steal the hearts of the clan’s two young beauties. Will their infants spoil the ointment? Wild animals, Indians on the warpath, and living hand-to-mouth never make it easy, but my oh my—Texas my Texas! What a land!

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory which is what she lives to do. Her award-winning, best-selling novels enjoy a lion’s share of 5-Star ratings from Christian readers around the world. With thirty-eight titles, it’s obvious she loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs the Lord gives her—listen to a few at YouTube. She and high school sweetheart Ron celebrated fifty years of marriage in June 2018; they share four children and eighteen grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

Guest Post from Caryl

It’s always good to give thanks. And I’m thankful for you! I appreciate you stopping by my awesome Celebrate Lit Blog Tour! I’m thankful for each of the bloggers who signed up to participate in the tour for my January release Texas My Texas, book two in my new Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga series! And I’m so thankful the Lord is blessing Celebrate Lit as Sandy Barela blesses so many Christian authors! She is deserving of all God’s best!

In Book One, Gone to Texas, I got seventeen souls to their new home in the Republic. Texas My Texas has all the same pioneers with a few new added as they establish hearth and home in the wooly, untamed Trinity River Bottoms of North Central Texas—which later in history, becomes the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They’re settling in what now is Irving—my home for fifty-plus years.

Only a few months has passed for my characters, Book One ends in November, Book Two picks up in March, 1841. In real life, it’s been just that long since Book One launched, too! It debuted in September and Book Two launching now is also four months! Isn’t that fun? Originally, I’d planned a different January title but pushed it back a couple of months to release Texas My Texas on the heels of Gone to Texas.

In this new story, the two young women—Gabrielle and Isabel Harrell—elicit the attention of suiters who come calling even in the wild west territory. Thomas Baldwin (a neighbor introduced in Gone To Texas) has an eye for Gabrielle and uses many excuses to visit, including taking his friend Monroe Humble to the clan’s little settlement to meet the lovey, hardworking Isabel.

But Gabrielle is pining hard for her love back home and deals with pretty severe melancholy—what they called depression back in those days. In Texas My Texas, readers will spend time with the characters they came to love in Gone To Texas. As always, I pray my story gives God glory! And that readers will enjoy the new even better than the old! BLESSINGS!

I am always excited when I get to read a book from this author. She has a gift of writing that spreads across the pages with grace and compassion. Her characters are always well developed and she makes you feel part of the story . I love the title but it could be because I am a Texan. Texas is a wonderful place filled with lots of land and people that make you feel at home. This story takes place in March 1841. The author captures the dialect of the time period perfectly. 

Gabrielle is so sure the man she loves is coming back to her. Poor thing doesn't realize he may have run scared and abandoned her. My heart went  out to her as days went by and she still held out hope for a man that may never return.  There is little time to think as Gabrielle has a son to care for and chores that never end. It was so hard to keep herself together each day and I began to wonder if she would give up hope. She is a very unhappy person , just longing for the man she loves. It hurts when your loved one is gone. Can Gabrielle find happiness?

Isabel is a wonderful character and kind of reminds me of a spitfire. She has a baby to care for . Now where did the father of the baby get off to? Isabel has her eyes on someone and she better be careful that she doesn't get ahead of herself.  Isabel catches herself day dreaming about a certain young man and her thoughts are starting to overtake her. She steps up to help Gabrielle when she notices how unhappy Gabrielle is. 

I loved reading about the dangers around the clan  with wild animals and how hard they worked everyday to keep the crops growing and enough food for everyone. I wasn't familiar with some of the things they ate but it did make me want to know more about the food they had back in the 1840s. We have it so easy today. If we are hungry, we go to the store or fast food place and there is food choices galore. As I read the story I really started to appreciate all the food and shelter that God provides for us.

I loved how the author said , " A person can waller like a hog in self-pity and regret til they make themselves sick, or they can choose to put the past behind them and look forwards instead." It made me think how much we wallow in our own misery and forget to call out to God for help. 

 The story is filled with adventure, heartache and danger.  I loved following each character and reading about how their lives took different turns.  The hero in my eyes is Thomas in this story. He is a true gentleman with kindness and patience. I realized that Thomas made me think of my husband. He is kind, gentle and oh so patient with me.  The author has given readers a  glimpse into long ago days with beauty, faith, adventure and most of all the importance of God and family.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 12

The Mimosa Blossom, January 12

Inklings and notions, January 13

Jennifer Sienes: Where Crisis & Christ Collide, January 14

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 15

Moments, January 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 16

Captive Dreams Window, January 17

Robin is Bookish, January 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 19

Bigreadersite, January 19

My Devotional Thoughts, January 20

Bibliophile Reviews, January 20

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

Janices book reviews, January 22

Margaret Kazmierczak, January 23

Carpe Diem, January 24

A Baker’s Perspective, January 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away

Grand Prize – $50 Gift Amazon Card,

1st Prize – Signed, Paperback copy of CHOICE of all my books,

2nd Prize – Signed copy of Texas my Texas,

3rd Prize – eBook copy of Texas My Texas,

4th Prize – eBook copy of CHOICE of all my books,

5th Prize $5 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/d941/texas-my-texas-celebration-tour-giveaway

WHO I AM WITH YOU by
ROBIN LEE HATCHER

I love how the author takes readers on a journey traveling from  the depression era to the present. It flows so easily and I had a hard time wanting to leave each time period. I would get so engrossed in the story, I didn't want to travel to the other time period. I did wonder how I would be able to read quickly enough to get back to the other couple. The author sure had me hooked on the characters.

Jessica is trying to deal with a big loss in her life while pregnant. She had a great marriage until her husband shocked her with words she never expected to hear  from him. Have you ever had an argument and then the person walked away? That is just what happened to Jessica, only tragedy struck and she finds herself grieving the loss of two very special people. Can she learn to trust again? 

Ridley has moved next to Jessica for the summer to get away from the medial. He is hurt and trying to grasp the lies that have been told about him. What would you do if someone was spreading lies about you? Ridley is a very caring person and I liked how he reached out to Jessica with no expectations. Two lonely people dealing with forgiveness and trust will take readers on a journey that touch your heart.

I can't forget to mention Andrew and Helen. We meet them slipping back in time to the depression era. I loved how the author described the time period and how hard it was during that time for people to find work and food. Andrew will be faced with a hard truth that will find him asking for God's help. Andrew was my favorite character in the book because he has such a compassionate heart and forgives easily. He reminds me so much of my grandfather and it made me smile to have that memory of such a great man.

The story is strong in faith and scriptures that helped pull the story together in a beautiful and seamless way. The author writes with eloquence and her characters are very easy to relate to. Its a strong lesson in faith, trust and forgiveness. Everything happens for a reason, and in this story that statement is very true. Four people looking for guidance, forgiveness and happiness. This is one story that you will need to have tissues handy. I loved every minute of the story and hope you will too. Come take a journey and find out if these people will trust God. The title is perfect for this story because it made me think of who I am with my husband. With him beside me I am content, secure and know I am loved unconditionally. He is a great example of being Christ-like.