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Saturday, December 14, 2019

Winter whispers FB BannerAbout the Book

Book: Breath of Joy! Winter Whispers
Author: Kathy Joy
Genre: Non-fiction, Gift Book, Picture Book
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Winter whispersThe final book in the series, Breath of Joy, Winter Whispers speaks of the deep quiet earth movements that echo human proving grounds and transitions during rest. Photo Art and Prose. Three everyday celebrations on every page spread are not commercially Christmas but rather interrelational and spiritually poised. This is simply, because in Winter when the earth’s axis is the farthest away from the sun, people warm themselves and grow in the wonder of darkness, where God still sees us, breathing life.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Kathy Joy's Publicity Photo E (Winter)Kathy Joy enjoyed being a popular Christian radio D.J. in Colorado for many years. When her husband wanted to move to Pennsylvania to take over the family farm, Kathy Joy accompanied him with their two young daughters. Four years later, Kathy Joy found herself a widow raising two teenagers. To stave off despair, she began writing three every day celebrations in a journal. Friends on Facebook began prompting her to write a book, and so the beginning of the Breath of Joy series began. Kathy Joy now works in human services, speaking wonder on the weekends to grief therapy groups, motivational corporate meetings, and women’s retreats. Some of her topics include Vision Board workshops, Being a Harbor Pilot, Mirroring the Savior, The Fifth Season, and A Christmas Tea.

More from Kathy

I’m so excited to join Celebrate Lit for this first real blog tour of my Breath of Joy series!
As a collector of celebrations, curating pithy delights and sharing them with my readers, I do hope you enjoy the visual experience and personal comfort offered in my Winter Whispers book.
Wintertime, especially Christmas and Valentine’s day, can be some of the toughest times of the year for people who have experienced trauma, or significant loss and grief. I’m one of those people.  Collecting three everyday celebrations for me was a means of refocusing on common joys in my life. They were a means of turning my despair into faith. Now, by publishing four books in less than two years, I have encountered another ladder of faith and I continue to face fear in order to live the adventure that God has for me.
Don’t you know, the Lord gives us many different kinds of gifts, and some of those gifts we would rather return to Him?  However, my seasonal “Breath of Joy!” books helped me not only to be thankful for the phase of life in which I found myself, but writing these books also built depth into my relationship with my real self, not my public persona, and specifically with the real God of the Bible.
It brings joy to my heart to collect snapshots of life and give my readers an opportunity to experience simple blessings in fresh, new ways. My books were borne out of sudden loss and grief when my husband of 23 years died of a massive heart attack. Gathering up my will to go forward, I remembered he always encouraged me to collect “beautiful moments” and write them down.
Now, when people connect with me, they say things like, “I couldn’t sleep, and so I picked up your book, and it gave me a new perspective that has helped me go on. If you can do it, so can I.” / “I went to one of Kathy Joy’s vision board making workshops. When I posted my board on the refrigerator, I had no idea how much I would rely on it to get me through the next year.  I am writing this to thank you for helping me stay out of the hospital for a full year.” /
“Just downloaded your file/book. Absolutely beautiful. I thought you wrote prose/poetry. Forgive me for putting you off. I loved perusing the pages. I went through it too fast. I need to sip it. I will peruse it again tomorrow. Totally different from what I thought it’d be. Hmmm. It’s more than a coffee table book. Gift book. Calming book. Nice, very nice.  Let me sit with it and ponder it. Lovely creation.
These kinds of receptions make my day. They let me know that God still has adventures for me to take and purposes for me to speak wonder into other people’s lives.



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I am going to call this my get away from everything relaxation book. Just opening the first page I felt a calmness. It was as if someone with a soothing voice was reading the book to me. Each page is beautifully illustrated and the words are encouraging and hopeful. I loved going through the pages and seeing blankets to snuggle in as winter comes while reading thoughts about how we spend winter.

Each page is something new to explore and it sure did bring up memories of long forgotten times of fun and family. My favorite drink was nestled in the pages and I could almost taste the warm hot chocolate as it slid down my throat to bring happiness. My favorite though from the book says, " letting go when it's time and .....gratefully receiving what's next." I think this would be a great present to give to a special friend to cheer them up. encourage them and bring joy to their life.

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


Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away the grand prize of a copy of the book in reader’s choice of format!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

About the Book

Book:  Building a Ridiculously Great Marriage
Author: Gil Stieglitz
Genre: Christian Non-fiction
Release Date: November 2019
Building a Ridiculously Great Marriage: Pre-Marital and Marital Habits
It’s no secret that couples in great marriages do different things than couples in bad ones.
But what are those things and how do ordinary folks start doing them? How can couples take a struggling marriage or even one that is “pretty good” to one that is, quite frankly, ridiculously great?
Based on thousands of counseling hours and personal practice, Gil Stieglitz spells out the 15 essential habits found in great marriages that aren’t found in difficult ones. Building a Ridiculously Great Marriage provides the short and dirty version of what it takes to have a marriage that is so great, other couples will stand up and notice—they might even call it “ridiculous.”
This book is a real game-changer for engaged couples just starting out, couples who are struggling, or couples who just want to take their marriage from good to ridiculously great. It is also a terrific resource for pastors, ministry leaders, and counselors who work with couples for pre-marriage and marriage counseling.


About the Author

Dr. Gil Stieglitz is a prolific author, engaging speaker, and insightful pastor who has spent thousands of hours helping, coaching, and strengthening marriages. Gil has written over twenty-five books on marriage, parenting, soul development, and spiritual warfare, including top-seller Becoming a Godly HusbandGod’s Radical Plan for Wives, and Marital Intelligence. He speaks to thousands of people each year about the wonders of God’s principles. Gil now serves as Discipleship Pastor at Bayside Church, a dynamic multi-site church near Sacramento, CA. He is on faculty with Principles to Live By, a nonprofit organization that helps people connect to God’s principles in everyday life. He and his wife, Dana, enjoy a ridiculously delightful life in Northern California. For more information, visit ptlb.com.

More from Gil

After thousands of hours counseling couples for marriage and pre-marital issues, I had a few couples who just wanted to know the very basics of what they needed to do differently to have a much better marriage. These concepts, coupled with some pre-marital counseling I was doing at the time, allowed me to develop a quick and dirty list of the top ten habits couples should develop if they really wanted a terrific marriage. I asked them to trust me in what I was telling them, and they did what I requested. The results were amazing. 
For the purposes of this book, I have added five more habits great couples do to make the material even more robust and effective, and I included the exercises I used in my counseling sessions for couples to practice and work out. Think of this book as the low down of what makes a marriage “ridiculously great.” This is the kind of marriage that will constantly surprise you with delight, love, growth, energy, longing, and connection. It is beyond the norm—where you feel like you lucked into this great relationship with this amazing person. 
If you showed up in my office and asked me to give you the bottom line, these are the things I would tell you to do. Many people know what they are doing is not working, and they just want to know what to do. These fifteen things are what work…no joke.



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There are numerous books written on the subject of marriage. They all have different perspectives of what works and what doesn't. I know the number one reason marriages fail is lack of communication. If you don't talk to your spouse and share your feelings, you are living in an empty shell called "faking it til something better comes along." It may be harsh words, but I know from personal experience what a lack of sharing will do to a marriage.

I opened this book ready to see what the author had to offer on the subject of  marriages. To my delight the first subject is called "Debrief Daily." I was intrigued and had a dash of hope that this book would speak to couples in a way that was compassionate but truthful. Our spouses come home and usually the wife is cooking dinner, taking care of kids and gives her husband a nod or short greeting and keeps on going. Lets learn from this first chapter to take time to  share your day with each other. Ask questions and listen with an open heart so you will know what to pray over your spouse if they are struggling in an area.

The author shares fifteen habits to Building a Ridiculously Great Marriage."  Each chapter also includes examples that help you apply the topic to your marriage. One of the chapters I really liked was about praying. I'm sure many of us have our alone prayer time, but do we also have a time where we pray as a couple? This hit hard with me. My husband and I have been really good about praying together until this last year. It hasn't been a good year for us with family deaths, health issues, family problems and other struggles. We seemed to have forgotten God in our daily time as a couple. The enemy came roaring in our lives and we allowed him to take over. We didn't have our covering and we have had attacks after attacks.  I loved when the author said, " Another reason why it is great to pray together daily is to hear your spouse's heart." "It is not enough to know why we should pray; we have to actually do it."  

I have always said that my best friend is my husband. It is true, but now I realize that I have left him out of prayer time and forgotten to share things that are stressing me out. I will be holding on to this book and begin to apply the chapters to our marriage as a couple. This would be an excellent tool to use in churches for small groups for married couples and engaged couples.

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

Blog Stops

Holly Jo Morris, December 7
All-of-a-kind Mom, December 9
Mary Hake, December 10
Stories By Gina, December 11
Artistic Nobody, December 12 (Author Interview)
Discipling4Life , December 12
Texas Book-aholic, December 14
janicesbookreviews, December 15
A Reader’s Brain, December 16
Inklings and notions, December 17
A Diva’s Heart, December 18
Simple Harvest Reads, December 19 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, December 19

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Gil is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon Gift Card plus a signed copy of Gil’s book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Finding Joy FB BannerAbout the Book

Book:  Finding Joy
Author: J.C. Lafler
Genre: Christian Fiction, Generational Fiction
Release Date: November, 2019
FindingJoy_CoverFiles_FindingJoy_coverHighRes“No matter what complications life throws your way, search until you find something to be joyful for.”
Elisabeth Davis has lived by these words for most of her eighty years. Through good times and bad, this mindset has served her well, and she hopes and prays that her grandchildren will carry this sentiment forward when she is gone.
But Max has heard his grandmother say this so many times, he is almost oblivious. And while he understands her point, putting it into action is not always easy.
When his girlfriend demands he make a choice between her and his best friend—in the same week his grandmother has a stroke!—Max struggles to find joy anywhere. He is forced to reexamine his life, his relationships, and even his faith in this heartwarming story of coming of age and leaving a lasting legacy.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

JC LaflerJ.C. Lafler has always enjoyed writing and dreamed of being published, but it wasn’t until she retired in 2015 that she realized her dream. J. C. and her husband, David, live in Battle Creek, Michigan—except in winter, when they escape to sunny Texas. Along with writing, she enjoys public speaking, reading, puzzles, traveling, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Finding Joy is J. C.’s fifth novel to date. Her other books, also released through Redemption Press, include Lost and FoundAmazing GraceHope Everlasting, and Leap of Faith.

More from J.C.

“Finding Joy” by J.C. Lafler is a story about the challenge of finding joy in life’s most trying circumstances, and corresponding verses in the Bible that lead us to choose joy. This story came about because of a comment made by one of my children, who’s middle name just happens to be Joy. She (Lynsey) made the comment to me one day that her middle name reminded her that every day it is up to her to choose joy. Jokingly telling her that “Choosing Joy” would be a great title for my next novel, I let it go for a couple of months. While preparing to began said novel, I wrote “Choose Joy” at the top of the page and started writing. During editing I changed the title to “Finding Joy,” but the whole story developed around the idea of choosing to find a bit of joy every day, no matter what is happening in your life.


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This book came at the right time for me to read. I haven't found much joy lately and was beginning to wonder if there would be happiness again in my life. Reading this book has breathed new hope into me. I wish I had a grandma like Elisabeth while growing up. Her wisdom and gentle spirit brought warmth to me. She loves God and is forever in love with her husband who passed away. I loved the moments she shared with Max. Their bond is very special and I especially liked how Max watched over his grandmother without complaint. There is much to learn from our older generation and this is a perfect example of that.

The message throughout the book is to find joy in everything. Elisabeth was able to share joy with her family and instill in them to embrace every moment. We are not guaranteed one moment in this world and this book has reminded me to shake off the grief I have been dealing with and find joy in the memory of two family members I have lost this year.

The story does have a sweet romance in it but for me the main theme was Elisabeth and how she was able to exemplify joy in her life. I don't think she ever complained as her health started to fail. It was like she was comforting her family as her time on earth drew near. I can't forget to mention Sam. Her friendship with Max started when they were children and as time went on, their bond never wavered. It is a relationship that Elisabeth wanted for her grandson and the joy she shares as they draw closer warms her heart. I loved the message in the book and appreciate being reminded that there is joy out there, we just need to be able to recognize it.

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

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, December 10
A Reader’s Brain, December 11
janicesbookreviews, December 13
Texas Book-aholic, December 14
Artistic Nobody, December 15 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, December 15
Lighthouse Academy, December 17 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
CarpeDiem, December 21
Simple Harvest Reads, December 22 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, December 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J.C. is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of her book with a matching mug!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Friday, December 13, 2019

In the Craddle Lies

About the Book

Book:  In the Cradle Lies
Author: Olivia Newport
Genre: Christian Fiction
Release Date: November, 2019
In the Craddel LiesBook 2 in the Tree of Life Series: A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Faith Journeys on Family Trees
On a solo ski vacation in Canyon Mines, Colorado, Tucker has a love-hate relationship with his wealth, spending indiscriminately while skiing fearlessly and preparing to conquer the overgrown slope of Hidden Run, a dangerous run not attempted in decades. As genealogist Jillian tries to uncover enough of Tucker’s family tree to understand his charming nature but reckless resolve, Jillian’s equally charming father, Nolan, cajoles Tucker into giving him ski lessons to get him talking about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s life in St. Louis in the 1930s.
On the surface, Tucker’s family’s history seems too perfect. The secret may lie in the sealed envelope Tucker carries with him at all times—even on the ski slope. When no one can find Tucker to tell him the fiancée he never mentioned turned up in Canyon Mines, they realize he must be off attempting to ski Hidden Run alone in a snowstorm. And they may be too late.
In the Cradle Lies is the second book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. You’ll want to return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys.

Click here to get your copy!


About the Author

Olivia NewportOlivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twenty something children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak.

More from Olivia

True confession. I live in Colorado and don’t ski.
In the Cradle Lies includes several references to “How can you live in the Colorado mountains and not ski?” Jillian, a main character in the Tree of Life series, has lived in the mountain town of Canyon Mines since she was two, and by the time she was eight she knew she didn’t want to ski.
I grew up in Illinois, and while my high school had a ski club and somehow found places to ski (I’m not sure where; um, not exactly mountain territory), I was sure I would break something. Arriving in Colorado in my forties did not persuade me to take up skiing at that age. I live at the base of Pikes Peak, not inthe mountains like Jillian. I do love the views!
But one of the fun things about being a writer is learning a lot about things you know little about. Enter Google and YouTube. And more YouTube. And … you get the drift.
Some quick facts about Colorado skiing to help get you in the mood for In the Cradle Lies:
  • Colorado typically leads the country in “skier days”—days of skiing purchased in ski areas.
  • Actually, most people in the state don’t ski. By a large margin. Like 90 percent. (So I feel better and so does Jillian.)
  • People visiting the state to ski or snowboard are important to our economy. (So thank you!)
  • Colorado has hosted about 175 ski areas since it became a state in 1876. Today, we have only about 30 operating resorts—so there are lots of dormant, lost, and hidden runs like the one in my story.
I hope you’ll check out In the Cradle Lies—and find out why Tucker came from St. Louis to Canyon Mines to ski an abandoned run that put his life at risk.



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This book has been quite a journey. I do enjoy time slip books and this one is a real heart pounding story.  I liked having Jillian and Nolan visit us once again in another challenging mystery of genealogy. The story travels from present to 1936 where we get the meat of the story.  I did have a hard time  keeping up at times because at first I wasn't sure what Tucker was about. I knew he would tie into the story but at times he frustrated me. I think he reminded me of the little boy who cried wolf. He wanted help but then he would back off and be standoffish. The author helps me understand him better as his story unravels. It is easy to understand midway through the story that Tucker had something from his past he was scared of finding out.

I was  shocked at what transpired years ago with one man hiding secrets from everyone. This person changed many lives and gained wealth at the cost of others grief . The unthinkable things this person does will make you angry. Money and greed takes over and this becomes a person with no conscience. The story is very intriguing and kept me on my toes. I knew what was going to happen but I was still entertained by the way the author ties the past to the present. Have you wondered who your ancestors are? What secrets would you uncover if you started a search? 

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

Blog Stops

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 3
Daysong Reflections, December 4
Genesis 5020, December 5
Godly Book Reviews, December 5
Pause for Tales, December 7
Mary Hake, December 8
Betti Mace, December 9
Bigreadersite, December 9
Hallie Reads, December 10
Spoken from the Heart, December 11
Older & Smarter?, December 12
Texas Book-aholic , December 13
Blogging With Carol, December 13
janicesbookreviews, December 14
A Reader’s Brain, December 16
With a Joyful Noise, December 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a free copy of In the Cradle Lies!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.