Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Embers of Endurance Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Embers of Endurance: Rising Above Chronic Pain and Illness

Author: Carolyn Dale Newell

Genre: Christian Devotional

Release Date: February 17, 2026

When chronic pain invaded Carolyn Dale Newell’s life, it didn’t just attack her body—it attacked her faith.

Through crippling sciatica, major spinal fusion surgery, and countless complications that left her in agony, Carolyn found herself in the darkest valley she’d ever known.

But in that darkness, she discovered something powerful: God’s grace truly is sufficient, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

In this raw, honest 30-day devotional, Carolyn walks alongside you through the unique spiritual battle of chronic illness. She shares the biblical truths that sustained her through the fire and will sustain you too.

Like embers rising from ashes, you can find beauty again.

Begin your journey from surviving to thriving in chronic pain now.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carolyn Dale Newell is a bestselling and award-winning Christian author, certified speaker, andcontributor to iBelieve.com. Despite living with chronic pain, she empowers women to break free from emotional strongholds and embrace lives transformed by faith. She resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband and their two loyal Black Labrador Retrievers.

More from Carolyn

The Reason I Wrote Embers of Endurance

While discouragement had its tentacles wrapped tightly around me, it seemed easier for doubt to chisel away at my faith. Before I realized it, I was depressed, living without joy and peace. Life seemed hopeless because surgery changed my life forever.

Once God brought me out of the darkness, I began finding Scriptures I’d never given much attention. Job and the psalmist felt like I did. Elijah gave up and couldn’t resist the threat in his life. I was in good company, and so are you, my friend. I realized I walked a horrific journey of pain due to scoliosis to share my experience with you.

These devotions aren’t filled with one victory after another, but rather a slow steady pace to living like the conqueror God has made each of us to be.

I felt like my life was a pile of ashes, but then embers began to rise above that pile. Something new began to spark in my life. God gives us beauty for ashes, and I want to help you find beautiful again.

MY REVIEW

There are so many people living with chronic pain today. Everyday is a battle for them. Nights are difficult as they try to ignore the pain to get a little rest. During the day, everyday chores are hard but some push through. I appreciate how the author shares their story of hope and endurance.

Through Biblical figures and personal accounts the author walks us through how God is there. Job is a great example of suffering. He was left with nothing, yet he still praised and honored God. There are many scriptures in the book that is encouraging and reminds us that God wins.

How do you find joy in the middle of a storm? The answer is simple. Put on Praise and Worship music. Let His words surround you. Pray and thank God that He is our healer. Focus on the good and leave the bad behind. Renew your mind daily and see how God can do the impossible.

This is a very encouraging devotional that will help those going through chronic pain and illness. The words are compassionate and includes scriptures that give hope and joy.

“The devil isn’t winning and God hasn’t stopped helping us.”

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 21

Texas Book-aholic, October 21

Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, October 23 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, October 24 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25

Fiction Book Lover, October 26 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, October 27 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, October 28 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 29

Mary Hake, October 29

For the Love of Literature, October 30 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 31 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, November 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 2

Stories By Gina, November 3 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/srRQl/embers-of-endurance-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

The Bible Companion Book 10 Matthew–John The Gospels Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Bible Companion Book 10 Matthew–John The Gospels

Author: Karen Westbrook Moderow

Genre: Bible Study

Release Date: May 29, 2026

What do you think about Jesus?

The Bible Companion Book 10 Matthew–John explores the gaps between our view of Christ and who Bible says He is. A simple one-chapter-a-day format lets you engage with Scripture without the pressure of schedules, homework, or heavy reading loads. Short daily readings and thought-provoking questions connect your story to God’s Word. For personal, group, or homeschool Bible study.

After four hundred years of silence, when Israel has nearly given up hope of a messiah, God sends Jesus. The four Gospels introduce us to this long-awaited Savior but also chronicle the profound disappointment Jews feel when they realize He has not come to restore their nation. Jesus refuses to be boxed in by our limited view of Him. As Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John reveal a Savior who redefines power and love, we discover that our expectations are not too great but too small.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

KAREN WESTBROOK MODEROW is a Bible teacher and author who brings a storyteller’s perspective to Scripture. She holds master’s degrees in theology and creative writing and loves introducing others to Jesus through the stories told in God’s Word.

More from Karen

Bread is a big deal in the Gospels. After feeding thousands with just a few barley loaves and two fish Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). The night of His arrest He takes a loaf of bread and says to His disciples, “Take and eat. This is my body” (Matt. 26:26). Bread. Jesus makes this simple food a symbol of Himself because it represents what we must have to live. I think about this often now that I’ve started baking my own bread.

Bread-making is the next logical step in my quest for a healthier lifestyle. Years ago, I cut out fast foods. Sodas. Processed foods (except for Fritos which I still enjoy with a sandwich on occasion J). But despite the many health gurus who say we should cut bread out of our diets my family has bread every day.

I’m from Texas. My grandparents had biscuits for breakfast, cornbread for dinner (noon meal) and yeast rolls for supper. If my grandmother didn’t have time to make rolls (which happened more often as she aged), she served Wonder Bread stacked high on a plate. In those days, we all bought the hype—“Wonder Bread builds strong bodies 12 ways!” We sometimes commented on the wonder of it all—no pun intended—that science had improved on a staple mankind has eaten for centuries. Only it didn’t. Our taste buds told us that the bread my grandmother made was infinitely better but other voices won out.

I make my own bread now to assure that what I take into my body is as clean as I can make it. I use flour without glyphosate and the best organic ingredients I can find. But do I succeed in making a bread that is free of all contaminants? No. There’s not a plot of ground or a man-made product on earth that is 100% pure. But every loaf of bread I bake is a revolution of sorts—a rejection of a system I don’t think has my best interest at heart. My efforts are imperfect but they’re a sign I see the problem and want to address it.

Spiritually, the path is similar. We’re hungry. We want and need to eat. We crave bread. But God’s Word warns us that what the world offers is not good. Whatever nutrition it offers can be saturated with things not easily seen—a distorted view of Christ, a subtle twisting of the truth, a self-focused gospel that appeals to our pride and greed. If we are spiritually discerning, we will recognize that these things can hurt us. But once we know it, what do we do? The danger is that our response is to “make our own bread” thinking that our improved spiritual resources and knowledge can create a life-giving loaf. But our best intentions and efforts to live like Jesus will always fall short. Just as we cannot eliminate all contamination from our food, we cannot eliminate sin’s influence in our lives. But wanting to be holy—to be like Jesus—is a step forward. It’s like me deciding that I don’t want to eat the bread found on the grocer’s shelf and choosing to do something about it. But that’s where the analogy ends. I can make better bread, but not perfect bread. I can make bread that satisfies my physical body for a time but not one that fills my deepest needs or gives me eternal life.

Sometimes when I make bread, I fail massively. The bread doesn’t rise. It’s too dense. Too doughy. Too dry. Other times, it is delicious, crusty, and fragrant. But every time I make it, I think of Jesus’s words, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51). I use my bread-making time to think on the One who is Himself the bread of life. If that sounds good to you, try making one of my favorite recipes and enjoy both the bread and your time with the Lord.

1 Hour Yeast Rolls – 2 Dozen

To Begin:

Turn oven onto lowest temp (around 170 degrees)

Crack 1 egg in a bowl (to reach room temperature)

Set out a 9” x 13”plus an 8” x 8” pans. Grease or line with parchment paper

You can substitute a cookie sheet OR (2) 12-cup muffin pans.

In a stand mixer bowl:

Whisk together

3 ¾ to 4 cups BREAD FLOUR

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 pkg rapid rise/ yeast (4 ½ tsp)

1 tsp salt

In microwave-proof glass measuring cup:

Heat to 100–115 degrees (90 sec.)

1 ½ cups whole milk

2 TBS unsalted butter

Add (whisk) into warm milk mixture

1 egg (room temperature)

2 TBS olive oil

Place dough hook on mixer.

Slowly add warm milk mixture to dry ingredients on low speed.

(Confirm temp is still at 100–115 degrees)

Increase speed slightly and knead for 6-8 minutes.

Dough will be smooth and sticky.

If too sticky, add 1 tsp flour at a time and knead until dough holds together.

COVER tightly with plastic wrap and let rest for 5–10 minutes.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.

Flour hands and using a scraper, divide the dough in two.

Shape one portion into a log and divide into 12 equal pieces.

Close the ends of each piece together at the top then turn it over and roll into a smooth ball on the counter.

Place pinched side down into the greased dish or muffin pans

Repeat with the second log.

Cover bread with a clean kitchen towel. You should have 24 rolls total.

TURN OFF THE OVEN you’ve preheated to 170 degrees and place bread in oven.

Let dough rise until double in size (approx. 20 minutes).

REMOVE ROLLS FROM OVEN

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Just before placing in oven a second time, brush tops of rolls with an egg wash (1 egg, lightly beaten with a splash of water).

BAKE 16–18 minutes.

Brush baked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.

MY REVIEW

If you have not gotten one of these Bible Study books yet, I highly recommend you do. Each study features different books of the Bible. With facts, scriptures and charts this particular one takes us into the New Testament. I am amazed at all the careful research and long hours the author has spent to deliver a study that will help many.

As a seasoned Christian I found nuggets of information I had not seen before. It’s like reading a verse over and over then a light bulb goes off. I love when I receive new revelations that inspire me to understand the Bible better.

This study for me is one I would take my time on. There is no rush to go through it and as you go at your own pace, God will reveal new meanings to scriptures you have not seen before. With the addition of questions and insights provided the reader will enjoy how in-depth the study is.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

She Lives To Read, October 15

Lots of Helpers, October 15

lakesidelivingsite, October 16

Fiction Book Lover, October 17 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 19

Texas Book-aholic, October 20

Artistic Nobody, October 21 (Author Interview)

Writing from Walsh Mountain, October 21

Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest Review from Donna)

Mary Hake, October 23

Cover Lover Book Review, October 24

Guild Master, October 25 (Author Interview)

Lights in a Dark World, October 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/XhgP0/the-bible-companion-book-10-matthewjohn-the-gospels-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Off The Rails – A Wilderness Survival Adventure Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Off The Rails – A Wilderness Survival Adventure

Author: Susan Count

Genre: Children’s Fiction

Just because your cousin jumps from a train in the wilderness doesn’t mean you should too.

After planning a fun experience for a year, two Texas cousins make their first trip to Montana. When their train stalls, the boys leap from it into the white wilderness, beginning a perilous run for their lives.

As a blizzard hits, the boys spend a miserable night trying not to freeze. They struggle along the tracks to find shelter, but a disaster leaves them exposed to the elements and every famished wild creature.

Frustrated by their too-real situation, Davy and Anderson struggle to endure. Instead of vacationers at a wolf sanctuary, they become players in an unplanned survival experience.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan Count writes for the joy and entertainment of young readers. She is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series, Dream Pony Riders Series, and Texas Boys Adventures.

She prefers to create stories in a quiet zone. Out her window, her mind wanders through the forest and keeps her in a grateful, contented state of being. Susan writes at a fabulous antique desk that has secret compartments filled with memories, mysteries, and story ideas. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and American Christian Fiction Writers, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously.

Susan confesses to being overly fond of brownies, and horseback riding on forest trails. She is a lifelong equestrian and is owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse.

Her newest release, Off The Rails – A Wilderness Survival Adventure was written for her four grandboys who wanted an adventure of their own. What’s a fairy grandmother to do but wave her magic pen and create.

More from Susan

Ten of my novels are horse books for girls. On the rare occasions that I do a book sales table, I’m inevitable asked if I’ve written any books for boys. So, I wrote this two book series (Texas Boys Adventures) because you asked and kept asking. You and my four grandsons. Finding wholesome books that will engage 8- to 12-year-old boys is a parental challenge.

I’m so old school. Let the kids keep their childhood for as long as possible. I believe in protecting their young hearts and minds. Give them adventures where they learn to build friendships and be the hero of their own stories. Capture their interest and then

encourage and strengthen them to grow into the arrows they are destined to be.

No pictures— have a couple ad images if you want them…

MY REVIEW

What a great adventure book for children to read. I loved following Davy and Anderson as they journey to a wolf sanctuary. You can feel their excitement as they get on the train. When an animal in distress is heard, Anderson jumps off the train. I know I would have been right there with him trying to save the animal. Davy follows him and this begins a journey they will never forget.

He doesn’t help that the boys start bickering when the train leaves them behind. Sometimes we make quick decisions that have consequences as the boys will soon find out. I was bothered by how much the boys continued to blame each other for their predicament. Davy especially should not be complaining. He chose to follow Anderson.

With danger, snow, wild animals and being lost gives this story a great read for those who love adventure stories. There is also a mystery in the book which helped the boys start to work together. Great lessons can be found within the story and overall good book for children.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 19

Simple Harvest Reads, October 20 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 21

Artistic Nobody, October 22 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 23

Guild Master, October 24 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 25

Fiction Book Lover, October 26 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 27

Lots of Helpers, October 27

The Bookish Ledger, October 28 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 28

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, October 29

Vicky Sluiter, October 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/eMueJ/off-the-rails-a-wilderness-survival-adventure-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, October 17, 2026

The Secret Sauce Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Secret Sauce: A Story of Apples, Robots, and a Grateful Heart (Rena Whittaker Book 2)

Author: Fay A. Klingler

Genre: Children Ages 6-11

Release Date: June 26, 2026

The recipe for joy? A grateful heart and helping hands!

When Rena Whittaker’s neighbor, Eithan, falls from a ladder and injures his ankle, Rena and her best friend Harper jump into action to help save his apple harvest. What begins as hard work soon turns into a day filled with laughter, teamwork, and an unexpected surprise that changes everything. In this engaging adventure, Rena discovers a powerful truth—happiness has a secret ingredient.

This tender, faith-filled story gently weaves together gratitude, service, and friendship. A beautiful choice for Christian families, thoughtful gifting, and parents and grandparents who want to share stories that nurture both faith and character.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Fay A. Klingler is an accomplished author and illustrator known for her award-winning work in both creative and technical writing. Her literary contributions span a wide range of subjects, with a particular focus on empowering women, promoting effective grandparenting, and guiding individuals through betrayal recovery. In addition to her inspirational works for adults, Fay is also recognized for her captivating children’s books, weaving together heartwarming stories that spark imagination and impart valuable life lessons. Her insights and expertise have made her a sought-after motivational speaker.

More from Fay

Ever made apple juice by pressing apples through an old wooden apple press? One of my favorite scenes in The Secret Sauce came about because it happened to me in real life—swallowing a fly! I was just a young teenager helping a neighbor press apples for juice. I opened my mouth and in flew a fly. Just like Harper in the story, I coughed and coughed to expel the insect, but instead I swallowed it! I’m the one taking this picture at my neighbor’s home.

MY REVIEW

A cute story that illustrates how we should be grateful for things. I like how the author uses the story to show children how they can help others. It was interesting that a robot was hired to help out Eithan while he recovers from an injury. It sure would be nice to have a robot cook and clean for me.

Eithan sees how much he is loved and gets a nice surprise from someone he has been missing. The author gives us a look at how apple juice is made as well as a special cake. Friendship, compassion and thankfulness brings this story a good resource to share with younger children.

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