Saturday, November 14, 2020

Azusa Revival banner 1

About the Book

Book: The Great Azusa Street Revival

Author: William Seymour

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release Date: October 16, 2020

The Great Azusa Street Revival A fascinating collection of the words and teachings of William Seymour in the years leading up to and including the historic Azusa Street Revival, which began in Los Angeles in 1906 before spreading across the country and creating the modern-day Pentecostal movement. Includes historic accounts, eyewitness testimonies to the power of God, and photos capturing the multicultural, worldwide appeal of Seymour and his ministry, including his stirring sermons, which covered a wide range of topics that are still relevant to believers today. Complied by Roberts Liardon, author of the bestselling God’s Generals series.

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

I have not heard of William Seymour before I read this book about his life. Wow. What an incredible inspiration he is. As I followed each step he took I was amazed at the undeniable love of God he had. Stepping out in faith, he spoke in churches that didn’t always accept him for the color of his skin and/or his belief in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. It was easy to step back in time and watch as people prayed hours upon hours and listened to the Word of God through William.

His sermons could be long at times but everyone stayed to listen to what this man had to say. They could feel the stirring of God and wanted to part of it. It reminds me of the revivals I attended as a child. I didn’t understand everything that was going on because I was young and at times it scared me. As I grew older, I became aware of speaking in tongues and what the Bible says about it. Everyone has different views on this subject so I leave it up to readers to choose their own path on this subject.

As we step into the second part of the book, this is where I wanted to linger. I loved his sermons and how he touched on the life of Jesus. He explains that someone who was sinless and without disease died for us. He forgives us and wants a relationship with us. Each sermon has a different topic and I soon realized that I needed to study each one slowly. There is a lot in this book that I enjoyed reading and I’m glad I was introduced to a man who accepted the call on his life.

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

About the Author

William Seymour (1870–1922) was an African American, holiness preacher who initiated the Azusa Street Revival, an influential event in the rise of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. He was the second of eight children born to emancipated slaves and was raised in extreme poverty in Louisiana. Seymour was a student of early Pentecostal minister Charles Parham, and he adopted Parham’s belief that speaking in tongues was the sign of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In 1906, Seymour moved to Los Angeles, California, where he preached the Pentecostal message and sparked a revival that drew large crowds of believers as well as increased media scrutiny about the controversial religious practices as well as the racially integrated worship services. Seymour’s leadership of the revival and publication of The Apostolic Faith newspaper launched him into prominence within the young Pentecostal movement. As the revival’s influence extended beyond Los Angeles through evangelism and missionary work, Seymour was in the process of developing the revival into a larger organization called the Apostolic Faith Movement. This process was ultimately defeated by power struggles with other ministers and ultimately damaged the unity of the early Pentecostal movement and led to a decrease in Seymour’s influence. By 1914, the revival was past its peak, but Seymour continued to pastor the Apostolic Faith Mission he founded until his death. The revival acted as a catalyst for the spread of Pentecostal practices, such as speaking in tongues and integrated worship, throughout the world. It also played an important role in the history of most major Pentecostal denominations.

More About William

The participants were criticized by some secular media and Christian theologians for behaviors considered to be outrageous and unorthodox, especially at the time. Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 13

Texas Book-aholic, November 14

Inklings and notions, November 15

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 16 (Spotlight)

Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

For Him and My Family, November 17

deb’s Book Review, November 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 19

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 20 (Spotlight)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 22

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 23

My Devotional Thoughts, November 24 (Spotlight)

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, November 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 25

Livin’ Lit, November 26

Giveaway

To celebrate this tour, Whitaker House is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1039d/the-great-azusa-street-revival-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, November 13, 2020

About the Book

Book: Taking Chances

Author: Traci Wooden-Carlisle

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 12, 2020

Friendship always seemed like the safest bet, but the possibility of love may make theirs a chance worth taking.

Almost from birth, Andrew Wolfe knew the majority of his life would be spent healing people. It’s a passion that he embraces with all of his being until a dark-haired, gray-eyed girl looks up from a pile of books between them and challenges the space in his heart for his first love.

Unsure if he can have Pietra along with the life he’s been destined, Andrew remains friends with Pietra for years without revealing his true feelings, but love won’t be denied forever.

Those who’ve met Pietra Rivera think she’s a shy but kind and generous woman with intelligence to rival the best minds in medicine, and they would be right.

They also believe that the ideal man for her would be an equally nice guy, with like ambitions who would move mountains for her and again they would be correct. But is Andrew that man or is she headed for heartbreak?

Will either of them take the chance at more than friendship with the other or will lifelong expectations and obligations keep them in the friend zone?

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this story and was captured by how well the characters felt like my friends. I love stories about best friends who fall in love and this one in particular really grabbed my attention. It made me laugh when Pietra and Andrew both had feelings for each other but kept it a secret. We sometimes don’t want to tell someone how we feel for fear of rejection. I couldn’t wait to see where the author would take this story.

I enjoyed the setting of a hospital and learning different ways to heal patients. Pietra was an inspiration to me because she came through a pretty traumatic time in a hospital when she was younger. Her faith is very evident in her work and personal life.

Andrew mesmerized me because of his strong desire to follow his heritage and still follow God. I am Native American as well and understand that our culture may be a bit different when it comes to medicine. Both characters realize that at some point they must share their feelings with each other. I liked reading how one of them opened up and the other seemed to run away. What Pietra doesn’t realize is that Andrew has not told her everything about his life. His tribe wants him to come back to work among them as a doctor and healer.

How many tines times have we not taken a chance and missed out on happiness? Will Andrew trust God and give him courage to be truthful with Pietra? I was cheering for this couple and hoped that they would swallow their pride and step out in faith. The author truly writes a story that explores a culture where Christianity is important to them while still keeping their traditions alive. I liked the message of taking chances and trusting God to guide your path. I am very excited to know that the author has a follow up book coming soon. The characters in the next book has piqued my interest and I can’t wait to read it.

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

About the Author

Traci Wooden-Carlisle began writing poetry and short stories as soon as she was able to form words on paper. She used that as a way to create worlds, as well as, to communicate with God. A native of Los Angeles, California, she grew up attending United Methodist Church under the leadership of a pastor whose heart was for youth. Once she finished college she found herself at a loss. She felt caught in the transition between childhood and adulthood. She surrounded herself with saints and volunteered her services as a graphic artist. Through the early-morning prayer, all night Friday prayer and 3-day shut-ins she started on her journey toward her most desired gift, an intimate relationship with God.
She began writing to publish in 2011 and enjoys writing stories that provoke thought and evoke emotions. Her desire is to draw readers into the lives of her characters and share messages of God’s love, His faithfulness and peace. The messages in her books speak to her way before they speak to her readers.
Traci lives in San Diego with her husband, David. When she isn’t writing she does some light traveling or assists people with their physical fitness, creates graphics, designs pretty things for her jewelry business and swag for authors.

More from Traci

Thank you for joining my blog tour. I am so happy you have decided to participate in this part of the journey with me.

I have had the story of Andrew Wolfe and Pietra Rivera in my heart from the moment Pietra’s roommate, Meagan considered the sometimes awkward, silences between her two best friends. Even as I finished other books and series whose characters yelled louder to be heard than Pietra and Andrew I could sense them waiting patiently for their turn.

Almost from the moment I put the proverbial pen to paper I saw their personalities and characteristics form them into people I would have loved to have as friends. Coming from such different backgrounds I wondered if their upbringings would work for or against them as they interacted with one another. One would think it unlikely that Pietra, who was raised by her Mexican father and uncles after the death of her mother, and Andrew who grew up under the tutelage of his grandfather, the tribe’s medicine man, that these two would have anything in common, let alone become the best of friends, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, until the third person in their group of the ‘Three Amigos’ gets engaged, leaving them without the buffer they’d grown accustomed to.

For once, I thought I would get to type out a story with a straight line from start to finish, but these characters had a couple of twists and turns to send me through, so I sighed and strapped in for the ride. You didn’t think I was in charge, did you? I’m just the messenger, carrying the stories of extraordinary people across the border between fiction and reality.

So join me in the small town of Chance, Virginia, where a handsome, yet awkward, NFL player does everything but move mountains to make sure his grandmother is safe and happy, and an incredibly good looking neurosurgeon searches for the answer to where holistic healing fits into a world designed to treat one cause at a time. Oh yes, and the women who, with the grace of God, give them a chance at love.

Chances Are…, Book One in the Chances series is the story of Tony Cahill and Meagan Rowe. Taking Chances, Book Two is the story of Andrew Wolfe and Pietra Rivera.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Traci Wooden-Carlisle

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 12

Texas Book-aholic, November 13

For Him and My Family, November 14

Artistic Nobody, November 15 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Batya’s Bits, November 15

Inklings and notions, November 16

deb’s Book Review, November 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 18

Betti Mace, November 19

Mary Hake, November 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 21

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 22

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 23

Kathleen Neely Blog, November 23

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 24

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

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Traci is giving away the grand prize of a Kindle Fire!!

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/1039c/taking-chances-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, November 12, 2020

About the Book

Book: Freerunner

Author: Kathy Cassel

Genre: YA fiction

Set against the backdrop of the sport of freerunning, Kia must decide whether she will continue running or face her past abuser in order to save another child.

Night is Kia’s favorite time, when she freeruns to outdistance the memories of abuse she suffered as a young child. But when former reality television star Terrence Jones arrives at their school as the new head track coach, things begin to change in unpredictable ways. Kia tries out for the team to fit in, but just as she’s gaining a new sense of normal, her abuser steps back into her life. Not only that, but being on the track team causes even more turmoil. Why does the assistant coach, Cassandra Clark, dislike Terrence Jones so much, and even more troubling, why does Coach Clark dislike her so much? As the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together, Kia realizes she has to choose between running from her past or saving a child from the same sort of abuse she suffered. But will she have the courage to do so?

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

This has been one of the hardest books I have ever had to read. It triggered anxiety in me and brought back my painful childhood. To say that I can relate to Kia is sad. I have to face the fact that her story and mine are very similar. We both suffered trauma from family members. I was so angry as I read how she endured what her grandfather had done to her. I understand how she felt like no one would believe her.

The author has written a story that hits the mark on a subject that many have lived through. Why is it so hard for people to believe a child when they say they have been abused by someone? I had so much anger towards her grandfather that I could have hit him. His arrogance is horrible and what he does to children is inexcusable. Now comes the hard part for Kia when her best friend tries to share Jesus with her. She feels abandoned by God and doesn’t understand why He allowed things to happen to her. Like me, she never had a childhood. I grieve with her for the lost little girl in both of us.

I do think the author has done an excellent job at writing a book about a subject that gives readers an understanding of what abusers do. Kia is strong and determined to make sure her grandfather doesn’t hurt another child. I won’t say much of what happens in the story but I will say that the hardest part for me and others is to forgive the people who hurt us.

The term “free running” is new to me. I did like learning more about it. I ran and jumped with Kiana and felt free as she conquered tricks. Her best friend Thorn is a bright light in her life. He listens to Kia, supports her and believes in her. I don’t want to overlook how important he is in the story. He listened and encouraged Kia to act on her suspicions. I’m glad she had someone grounded in the word to show her that God does have a plan for her life. He deals with some tough family issues as well and it was compelling to read how he trusted God to show him what to do.

Kia’s mother is someone I was upset with throughout the entire story. She allowed her father to dictate her life and should have stood up and protected her own daughter. Why does she allow him to move in with her and Kia knowing what he has done? I can’t explain it because my mother turned her back on me as well. I have to say that although this book triggered me, I appreciate a writer who is not afraid to share the truth about a subject that needs to be addressed more. Let’s not turn our back on someone when they cry out for help. Thank you for a book that opens doors to forgiveness and shedding light on the darkness that surrounds those who are afraid to speak up.

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

About the Author

Kathy grew up in northern Indiana, lived in three different continents while her husband was in the USAF, and now lives in the Florida Panhandle. She and her husband have eight children, five of whom are adopted, three from Haiti and two from the United States. They also have four grandchildren. Kathy’s favorite activities are those that involve traveling and adventures that include her children and grandchildren.

In order to better relate to the characters in her stories, Kathy has done things such as whitewater rafting, certify in scuba diving, and get her motorcycle endorsement. She draws the line at sky diving.

More from Kathy

Meet the cover model for Freerunner.

I asked a friend if I could photograph her daughter to give the design team an idea of what I envisioned for the cover of Freerunner. I took action shots and mood shots (and even have some fun bloopers). When I sent them to the design team, they actually chose to use one of my photos for the cover. Now one of my friend’s daughters is on the cover of my first teen fiction book. She’s an amazing young lady, so it’s special to me to have her as the cover model.

The cover model is fifteen–year-old Larissa (fourteen when the cover photo was taken), who is part of an adoptive family that has twelve children. She and her brother were adopted as toddlers, and while Larissa doesn’t share Kia’s story, she has had struggles of her own. To accommodate some medical issues, she is homeschooled. She is involved in modeling, dance, musical theater and singing. The amazing part about Larissa performing is that because of the trauma of spending three years in foster care she struggled with selective mutism, not able to talk to anyone outside of her family. Amazingly she has been able to overcome it and is now able to express herself verbally as well as through music and dance. Larissa’s newest interest is photography, and she loves llamas and collecting realistic dolls.

Here are a few fun facts about Larissa:

Favorite color: Purple

Favorite sport: dance

Favorite Bible verse: Proverbs 3:5

Favorite Bible character: Noah

Favorite activity: singing and dancing

What do you want to be as an adult? Performer and photographer

What one thing do you want to do more than anything else? Walk a runway in Italy

What advice would you give a girl in Kia’s situation or in any abusive situation? Pray and ask an adult for help. You are the victim, it isn’t your fault.

Blog Stops

Rebecca Tews, November 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 11

Texas Book-aholic, November 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 13 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, November 14

For Him and My Family, November 15

Library Lady Kid Lit, November 16

Wishful Endings, November 17 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 17 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 18

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 20

Stories By Gina, November 21 (Author Interview)

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 21

deb’s Book Review, November 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Books-A-Million 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/103e1/freerunner-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Rocky mountain revelation

About the Book

Book: Rocky Mountain Revelation

Author: Lisa J. Flickinger

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: November 3, 2020

Rocky Mountain Revelation A Rocky Mountain logging camp may be just the place to start her new life.

Widowed at nineteen, Madeline Lamb seeks to find a new husband amongst the crew of the Rocky Mountain log drive. With a baby growing inside her, she has no choice. She signs on as cook’s helper, and it soon becomes apparent her options for a mate are limited. Madeline’s grieving heart wavers between the security an older man offers and the tender feelings a new crew member stirs.

Will Matheson earned the chance to work the high-paying spring log drive. The boon ensures he can recoup the logging wages stolen by a pretty face with some fast fingers. Frustration builds when the boss pulls him from the river and assigns him the job of camp chore boy. If it wasn’t for the pretty cook’s helper, he’d take the first train home.

When the dangers of the river journey prove more treacherous than anyone expects, the budding attraction between Will and Madeline is put to the test. If they survive the adventure, life as they know it will never be the same.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

2019 Lisa J Flickinger Lisa J. Flickinger lives and writes from the cliff of a river along the majestic Rocky Mountains. When not writing or reading, you will find her scouring antique shops or sipping a maple latte with friends and family. To learn more about her other books, visit www.lisajflickinger.com.

More from Lisa

When I research a new novel, I love to find obscure facts about the setting. My study of the old time river drives for Rocky Mountain Revelation led me to a particularly tasty morsel. The river crews were served massive amounts of food over four meals to make up for all the energy expended transporting logs in the frigid water. Often, their meals included donuts.

Yes, donuts! However, we’re not talking about the scrumptious treat picked up at your local bakery or grocery store. These donuts were cooked over an open fire in the backwoods. Yum.

Picture what they call a tin kitchen, a small boxy metal contraption, set over a blazing fire. The cook would place a wide mouthed aluminum basin on top and fill it with cooking oil. When the oil reached the perfect temperature he would drop the batter into the oil using a ladle. The piping hot donuts would be rolled in sugar when they were cooked and served to the crew fresh from the fire. A half whiskey barrel of donuts could disappear in just one meal. Several times a day, the cook would travel downstream by raft and repeat the process.

Will, the hero of Rocky Mountain Revelation, finds his sweetheart Madeleine particularly pretty with flour up to her elbows. However, he grows tired of the mounds of donuts and by the end of the drive attempts to trade them for the cook’s fluffy biscuits.

Enjoy the trip downriver with Will, Madeline…and the donuts.

Dear reader, enjoy!

MY REVIEW

The author transports readers back to the late 1890s. Working on a logging crew was hard and dangerous work. I could picture the logs floating by on the water as a crew removed them from their place of security. I thought about how many hours they worked long and the weather conditions they endured. I loved how detailed the author was about the logging business . It was easy to visualize the environment the workers were in and how they always needed to be aware of what was going on around them.

I did like Madeline but I was a little upset about her desperation to find a husband. Working in the logging camp was not easy and there were several times I wondered if she made the wrong choice to work there. I’m glad that Madeline was surrounded by her father and Uncle Shorty who looked out for her. I forgot that in this time period people married quite young. What I did like about Madeline was her faith.

Will is just a little younger than Madeline and finds work with the logging crew. It didn’t take long for someone to be jealous of him being around. Although the attraction between Madeline and Will is evident, someone is trying to get Will out of the picture. In close quarters like they were it must have been hard to have any alone time.

I’m not surprised at the mystery that was in the story or the people behind it. What I was surprised at was at the length someone would go for money. This person seems nice but on the inside hides an evil person who only wanted to win Madeline for personal gain. The author does give us a character that exhibited the traits of a person who thinks only of themselves. Once again we see that pride, jealousy and selfishness leads to a fall from grace.

I would recommend reading the first in the series because it does give background on Will. I hope there will be another book in the series so we can find out if Madeline and Will live happily ever after.

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