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Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Terror in the Skies

About the Book

Book:  Terror in the Skies
Author: Alana Terry
Genre:  Christian Thriller Suspense
Release Date: November 12, 2019
Terror in the Skies e book coverA hijacked airplane. A fatal disaster. A desperate soul in need of salvation …
Willow’s spirited, carefree, and far too young to die. Trapped on a hijacked airplane with no promise of survival, Willow’s forced to confront her darkest fear as well as her soul’s deepest need.
Terror in the Skies is the first novella in the Turbulent Skies Christian Thriller series, an unforgettable collection of interconnected novellas about strangers traveling together aboard a doomed flight. Find out why Christian fiction readers can’t stop raving about this heart-stopping, fast-paced series you can devour in a single sitting.
If you like harrowing stories of faith and redemption, spine-tingling adrenaline surges, and heart-pounding Christian suspense, you’ll love these edge-of-your-seat novellas by USA Today bestselling author, Alana Terry.
Dive into the breathtaking Turbulent Skies series today. Just be careful … you may not be able to read just one!

Click here for your copy.
MY REVIEW 
Although this is a short story the author has accomplished giving readers an edge of your seat ride. I loved getting to know Willow better and sharing her journey to witnessing  Jesus coming  into her life. She is an in your face sort of person at times, but she has a heart of gold. It was fun to read about how her and Kennedy started hanging out. 
I liked how Willow discovered her discernment while on the plane. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt something was about to happen? Willow has a come  to Jesus moment on the plane and it shows how she learned to trust God even more. I loved the story and thought that maybe  God placed a certain person on that plane. There is always a reason why things happen and for Willow she will learn several lessons as she take a plane ride of terror. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 

About the Author

alana terryAlana 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.

More from Alana

I’m excited to share my new Turbulent Skies Christian Thriller novella series with all of you! The inspiration behind this series came when I was taking a flight a few years ago … and indulging in one of my favorite past times – people watching! As I looked at the various passengers around me, I started to wonder about their lives … and it was from that line of thinking this novella series was born!
I first wrote a book about a terrifying experience on board an airplane years earlier, (Turbulence, Book #5 in the Kennedy Stern series) and because many members of my amazing Readers’ Club had been asking me to write a book featuring Willow, one of their favorite characters from the Kennedy Stern series, it seemed fitting that Willow gets to be the star in the first of these novellas.
Terror in the Skies is Willow’s story. She’s a chic Alaskan college student, a free spirit who finds herself sharing a dorm room with a conservative Christian missionary kid. Willow first makes her appearance in the Kennedy Stern Christian suspense series, meaning that over a hundred thousand readers have met her!
I can’t tell you too much about this life-of-the-party aspiring actress (mostly because I don’t want to spoil anything for you if you happen to still be making your way through the Kennedy Stern books). But I can tell you she is the first main character in this six-book novella series that helps answer the question: “Who are you really sitting next to hundreds of feet up in the air?”
Maybe, like me, after reading this series, you’ll never look at your fellow passengers the same way!

Blog Stops

Betti Mace, April 27
Emily Yager, April 28
Genesis 5020, April 28
Hookmeinabook, April 29
Mary Hake, April 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away the grand prize of a $30 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2020

KINGS CROSSING by RONIE KENDIG

If you have not read a book by this author, you are doing a disservice to yourself. Her writing style is on point with top notch action and intrigue that explodes across the pages. The characters are well developed and trained experts in t completing their mission.

 The book digs deep into the dark world of spies, assassins and pure evil. Lief is my very character with his strength and attitude. He won’t allow anything to get in the way of his mission. I loved his fierce loyalty to his team and tried not to let anything  distract him. Iskra and  Leif have friction between them but I think it made them stronger as a team. They have an important task before them and need to put aside their differences for now. I call  their relationship a slow burn that sizzles just at the top. It needs attention but the author allows readers to get  small doses at a time.

I became impatient with myself as I tried to read as fast as I could. There are so many “I didn’t see that coming moments,”that I was nearing the edge of my seat. I had to hold on  as the story dove deep into enemy territory. It’s a race against time as secrets are exposed and terror surrounds Leif and Iskra. Without giving anything away, I will say the author has written a story that screams for justice and prayers that the team stays safe and conquers their quest. I have a few questions I hope to get answers to in the next installment of the series. Get ready for the ride of your life in this story  that whisks you away  to foreign countries and in contact with people who will do anything to protect what is theirs.

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

Book:  The Multicultural Church
Author: Dan Willis
Genre:  RELIGION / Christian Church/Growth
Release Date: February 21, 2020
Despite the progress our country has made in Civil Rights over the past century, Sunday morning is still one of the most segregated times in America. It seems like the only people striving to lead in the area of racial reconciliation are politicians, activists, and celebrities. Pastor Dan Willis wants to know… Where is the church? What can the people of God do to become leaders again and not just be Johnny-come-lately followers? The art of bringing harmony to the masses lies in the love all should see in the church of God. If the church is to make a difference and return to relevance in this world, the only option is multicultural ministry. If leaders are not prepared to minister to this growing culture, then American Christianity is in danger of becoming nonessential to the body of believers. For years, Dan Willis has led a growing, multicultural Christian community in the suburbs of Chicago. In The Multicultural Church, Dan shares what he has learned, the mistakes he has made, and what can be done to successfully minister to a diverse culture.

Click here to get your copy!
MY REVIEW
The book is a very quick read and although the author makes some good observations. The author does have good scriptures that emphasize the importance of ministering to everyone. God doesn’t see the color of our skin. He sees our heart and wants it to stay humble. 
I did like the reference to praise and worship and how it helps calm us and draws us closer to God. The author has done a good job of showing how we can get out of our comfort zone and reach out to people. The author shares how his church has adapted to change and welcomed everyone to worship as the body of Christ. It is encouraging to see how people are reaching out and breaking down walls to share Jesus with others. 
The book would be a nice tool for pastors as they get a vision to go outside their church and be the hand and feet of Christ.  The author points out how many people have suffered from discrimination. I like that he has a heart to reach those who have felt unwanted or judged. Change is never easy, but it needs to happen so no one is left behind. 
“Change is difficult. But with acceptance comes common ground and connection. God knows we are not really that different. He simply asks us to understand each other.” 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.  

About the Author

As a boy, Dan Willis’s dreamed of becoming neurosurgeon until the fateful day when, at age sixteen, he was called to “temporarily” take over as pastor of a local church. Dan took that small ministry of sixteen people and nurtured it into the largest multicultural church on the south side of Chicago, consisting of over five thousand members. Today, Dan still serves as senior pastor of The Lighthouse Church of All Nations, in Alsip, Illinois. The driving force of Dan’s ministry has always been one of uniting the races. To look out over the congregation during a typical worship celebration, you will see men, women, and children from over seventy-two different nations. Dan is also a gifted singer, musician, and producer. He founded a community choir called The Pentecostals of Chicago, bringing together black, white, Hispanic, and Asian singers from over twenty Chicago area churches. This group, now known as The All Nations Choir, has six albums to its credit and has performed with artists from Celine Dion to Kirk Franklin, and has served on missionary trips to the orphanages of Kingston, Jamaica.
A celebrated television host, he created and hosted the Emmy-nominated shows Inspiration Sensation and I’m Just Sayin’. Dan has traveled the country ministering and teaching men and women through the Starting Line Prison Fellowship organization and has also been a national and international speaker on the topics of music, ministry, racial reconciliation, leadership, and community development. Dan is the author of Freedom to Forget and most recently, Praise Is My Weapon. Dan continues to live in Alsip with his wife, Linda, and is father to four grown children and eight grandchildren.

More from Dan

I have led a successful and growing multicultural congregation in the Chicago suburbs for over twenty years. I wanted to write a short book packed with practical information sharing my personal stories of successes and failures in cross-cultural ministry.

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, April 19 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, April 22 (Spotlight)
A Baker’s Perspective, April 26 (Spotlight)
For the Love of Literature, April 29 (Spotlight)
CarpeDiem, April 30

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dan is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Starbucks gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Posted by at 1 comment:

Monday, April 20, 2020

About the Book

Book:  Ranger to the Rescue
Author: Renae Brumbaugh Green
Genre:  Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: April 14, 2020
Amelia Cooper has sworn off lawmen for good.
Now any man who wants to claim the hand of the intrepid reporter had better have a safe job. Like attorney Evan Covington. Amelia is thrilled when the handsome lawyer comes courting. But when the town enlists him as a Texas Ranger, Amelia isn’t sure she can handle losing another man to the perils of keeping the peace.
Evan never expected his temporary appointment to sink his relationship with Amelia. Or to instantly plunge them headlong into danger. But when Amelia and his sister are both kidnapped, the newly minted lawman must rescue them—if he’s to have any chance at love.

Click here for your copy!
MY REVIEW
It’s time to saddle up your horses and dust off your boots as the author takes us to Houston, Texas in 1881. I have to say I enjoyed the setting because well it’s my home town. There is nothing better than reading an historical book set in the town you grew up in. This is the second book in the series and it has been a joy to read. The story is an adventure in trusting God and letting go of fear. 
I can understand why Amelia is not fond of thinking of a lawman as someone she would court. After her loss she doesn’t think her heart could handle worrying about the man she loves working a dangerous job. It did make me think of the first responders, police officers, health care workers and fireman who are out  there everyday putting their lives on the line. Amelia has such a sweet spirit around her, but she still can’t trust God enough to let her heart fall for another Ranger. I did like her job as a news reporter and how she liked to snoop around getting leads . 
Evan is someone I would like to know. He is a good and honest man. His job as a lawyer takes him to visit people who he has to prove their innocence. There is a little side story in the book where Amelia and Evan work together to solve a mystery. This is where the two start to have deeper feelings for each other. I loved how they disagreed at times but always seemed to find their way back to each other. 
The big plot in the book involves outlaws, Evan’s sister,  brother-in-law and Evan as danger surrounds them. Amelia is beside herself thinking Evan would consider being a Ranger even for a short period of time. I loved this part of the story because it felt like I had traveled back in time where outlaws were ruthless and had no feelings for others. The danger intensifies when two people close to Evan are in a situation that could cost them their lives. The emotions run deep in this story and I loved how the author explored  how important it is to trust God in all situations. I am loving this series and can’t wait for the next book to come out.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.  

About the Author

Renae Brumbaugh Green is a city-girl-turned-country-diva. She’s married to a handsome country boy named Rick, and she’s mom to four nearly-perfect, nearly-grown children, two rowdy dogs, and some ducks. They live in rural Texas where Renae wears overalls, western boots, and bubblegum pink nail polish. She’s a bestselling author of over 30 books, an award-winning humor columnist, and an online English teacher. In her free time, she can be found leaping tall buildings and rescuing kittens from trees. Or, she’d like to do those things, if she had free time.

More from Renae

Every once in a while, when writing a character, I become vaguely aware that in many respects, I am that character. In those moments, I also become aware that God is the author, and he’s teaching me something through this particular character’s journey. After all, it’s a lot easier to learn through someone else’s mistakes than to recognize our own mistakes – especially if that someone else is a fictional character.

Amelia’s journey is one of fear and anxiety, which is something I’ve dealt with a lot. Like Amelia, I appear composed and confident on the surface. Like Amelia, I’m often a mess on the inside, scared to death of what will come, scared to death of how it will all turn out.

While writing this story, while dealing with Amelia’s anxiety, I (all-knowing author that I am) wrote that fear is the opposite of hope. Fear is the belief that something bad will happen, while hope is the belief that something good will happen. The Bible tells us that ours is a God of hope (Romans 15:13). When we truly trust Him, we can let go of fear, knowing He has good things in store for us.

At one point in the book, Amelia has this revelation:
“And suddenly, it was as if a haze lifted and she saw herself clearly for the first time. She’d let herself be ruled by fear, and in so doing had confined herself and clipped her own wings.”
Those words, disguised on the page as Amelia’s thoughts, were actually my thoughts. I hope you enjoy Amelia’s journey. And as you read, I hope you’ll remember these words from Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God bless, and happy reading!
—Renae Brumbaugh Green

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, April 16
Betti Mace, April 21
Vicky Sluiter, April 25
Bigreadersite, April 26
Hallie Reads, April 26
Pause for Tales, April 27
Splashes of Joy, April 27
Artistic Nobody, April 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Renae 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.
Posted by at 3 comments:

Sunday, April 19, 2020

About the Book

Book:  House at the End of the Moor
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre:  Christian Historical
Release Date: April 2020
An Opulent London Opera Star Escapes to the Rugged Landscape of the English Moors
Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity.

Click here for your copy!
MY REVIEW
This has been a lovely story that takes readers back to England in 1861. I loved how the author describes the time period which  make it easy to visualize . Maggie is a recluse in her home and people know little about her. She is weary of everyone and has a trust issue. She has a secret that could  destroy her if it gets out. I thought how sad it was for her to be in the home lonely and fearful. I don’t think I could sleep a wink in a place  that was dreary  and secluded.  I found it very intriguing that she once was a very well know opera star. What made her run away from everything? Who is searching for her and what will happen if she is caught? 
Oliver was easy to like because he is determined to prove his innocence in a crime that could  put him in prison for a very long time. I liked his attitude of seeking the truth and never giving up. I won’t go into details of how Maggie and Oliver meet but I believe they have been brought together for a reason. Oliver does take a shining to Maggie but their relationship is slow to develop. I like that the author doesn’t throw them together with an immediate we are together forever type of story.  It’s nice to see two characters slowly begin to open up and find someone they can relate to. 
The story is filled with adventure as both characters have a mission to prove themselves innocent of their crime which brings surprises along the way. I loved the faith element in the book which gave it a feeling of hope. You will find forgiveness, redemption, trust and hope as the author whisks us away to a time where poverty was rampant and thieves abounded. I loved the ending and can’t wait to read another book from this very talented author. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.


 More from Michelle

What comes to mind when you hear the word moor? For some, images of Jane Eyre spring to life. For others, The Hound of the Baskervilles starts barking. But for most, it’s a big fat goose egg. The fact is that most Americans don’t have a clue what a moor is, but never fear, my friend…after you read the next few paragraphs, you’ll never again go blank-minded when you hear the word moor.

Last summer I skipped across the pond and tromped around Dartmoor with my daughter and husband. What an awesome experience. I learned first-hand just how windy this vast stretch of land can be, for that’s really what a moor is at heart: a vast stretch of land. Webster’s defines it as an expanse of open rolling infertile land. Sounds rather desolate, eh? Yeah. Kind of. But it’s oh so much more.

In spring and summer, green does abound. Gorse bushes. Scrubby grasses. Lambs and sheep and goats. All these animals roam free so there are trails worn into the dirt that you can hike along. But I hear you…where could you possibly go if there’s nothing besides some farm animals roaming around the place?

You could hike to a tor, which is a “high, craggy hill.” Some of them can be a little treacherous to climb, but sweet mercy, what a view! The earth stretches out like a green and brown quilt. As I hiked that day last spring, whispers in the wind inspired me to wonder a lot of what-ifs, and those what-ifs came together in a story of intrigue and betrayal.

What would you do if you found a half-dead man bleeding in the middle of nowhere? Find out what heroine Maggie Lee does in The House at the End of the Moor.

Blog Stops

Batya’s Bits, April 18
The Avid Reader, April 18
Among the Reads, April 20
Remembrancy, April 23
Hookmeinabook, April 23
Emily Yager, April 24
Betti Mace, April 25
Stories By Gina, April 25
Splashes of Joy, April 26
Simple Harvest Reads, April 26 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Vicky Sluiter, April 26
Pause for Tales, April 27
Hallie Reads, April 28
Bigreadersite, April 29
Older & Smarter?, April 29
Genesis 5020, April 30
By The Book, April 30
Artistic Nobody, May 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

 Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free 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.
Posted by at 2 comments:
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