Friday, April 16, 2021

About the Book

Book: Who Put the Vinegar in the Salt

Author: Linda Wood Rondeau

Genre: Nonfiction/Christian living/Bible study

Release date: December 31, 2020

The world offers much beneficial self-help advice. Shouldn’t the Christian seek to be the best possible version of themselves? Aren’t we supposed to be good people?

Why not look to the world to solve life’s problems?

Because God has called us to be salt.

While there is much good to be found, like vinegar, the world’s best advice falls short of God’s recipe to live a victorious Christian life.

In a down-home, friendly manner, the author provides analogies, inspirational stories, anecdotes, a wealth of Scripture, and optional study guides for both individuals and groups, inviting the believer to discover God’s desires for his salt.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

By the author of I Prayed for Patience, God Gave Me Children.

A veteran social worker, Linda Wood Rondeau’s varied church experience and professional career affords a unique perspective into the Christian life. When not writing or speaking, she enjoys the occasional round of golf, visiting museums, and taking walks with her best friend in life, her husband of over forty years. The couple resides in Hagerstown, Maryland where both are active in their local church. Readers may learn more about the author, read her blog, or sign up for her newsletter by visiting www.lindarondeau.com.

More from Linda

Empty Nets

Part of my job as a point-of-sales associate at a Jacksonville department store was to solicit store credit. Right or wrong, my employee evaluation was based upon how well I convinced customers that a credit account is just what they needed. Every store had its quota, and management kept close tabs on credit totals. Most days, I met my expectations and maintained a top-ten score.

But not that day.

Due to special sales promotions, the store was hopping with customers. Associates were sounding their successes all around me. Congratulations went over the com system to everyone, it seemed, but me. I felt worthless. I’d done all I knew how to do and my nets were empty. To make matters worse, a supervisor came to my register. “Let me show you how to get credit.”

I wanted to quit … to close out my drawer and go home.

Then a little girl came by the register. She looked at me and smiled. The joy I felt through interacting with her reminded me of the many blessings my job offered … a chance to minister, to lighten a load with a smile, and a promise to pray. God reminded me that my worth in his eyes had nothing to do with quantity, but rather availability. My spirits soared with the thought. Had I not been down, I would not have known the joy of being lifted up.

God reminded me about the apostle Peter’s bad fishing day. I imagine Peter was a fisherman among fishermen … noted for his big hauls. Not this day. In Luke’s account of Peter’s call, Jesus saw the two boats. Perhaps other fishermen made fun of Peter’s empty nets.

Then Jesus came and a large crowd followed him. He asked the fishermen to put the boats out a little from shore where He preached to the throng. Then he asked them to go to deeper waters and cast their nets. I suppose Peter thought the request was absurd. “We’ve been fishing all day and have caught nothing.”

But, because it was Jesus who asked, Peter reluctantly set a course as directed. Imagine his surprise when he caught so many, the boat nearly sunk from the weight of his haul. Then Jesus said something even more amazing. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Peter realized his worth to God did not equal the number of fish in his net. God had a more important role for Peter. And he dropped his nets and followed Jesus.

The thought occurred to me, that if it had not been for empty nets, Peter would not have known how wonderfully God can fill them.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

MY REVIEW

I found the book to be quite interesting and gave me much to think about. I never really thought about being salt until I read this book. The author clearly defines what it means. I loved her illustration when the salt and vinegar mixed together. Now it was contaminated and the only way we can be free from sin is to be restored. This is where we ask Jesus into our heart if we have not done it before. To be restored we need to ask Him to forgive us. God “sees only the perfection he intends for us.”

As I was reading this book I thought how cool it would be to illustrate salt mixing with vinegar to show in a Sunday school class. Kids are visual these days and to see what happens when vinegar mixes with salt would be a perfect example of how sin tries to mix with our pure hearts. Oh my what a sermon this could be for everyone. We have allowed bitterness, jealousy, gossip, and so many other things to taint us, that we are not the salt of the earth as God wanted. So how do we fix this problem?

The book is filled with scriptures and illustrations from the Bible that direct us to turn away from our wicked ways and follow Jesus. I love how the author has provided questions, and scriptures at the end of chapters to further dig into the topic you just read. It definitely could be used as a Bible Study and would interesting to discuss with others. I really liked the chapter about spiritual hunger. We sometimes let pride get in the way of admitting our sins and slowly slip into our old ways. Vinegar starts mixing in and before we know it, we have stepped away from our faith. God wants us to pursue Him. The scripture found in Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pant for water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” What a beautiful way to express how much we want to be in His presence and hunger for His Word.

I really enjoyed this book and it gave me more hunger for His Word. The book is easy to understand and guides readers to a relationship with God. It is time for us to be His hands and feet and go out and be disciples. Show love to all and continue to grow in His Word.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 16

Texas Book-aholic, April 17

Inklings and notions, April 18

For Him and My Family, April 19

deb’s Book Review, April 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 21

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

Simple Harvest Reads, April 23(Spotlight)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 24

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 26

Godly Book Reviews, April 27

Artistic Nobody, April 28 (Spotlight)

Mary Hake, April 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/10ace/who-put-the-vinegar-in-the-salt-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, April 15, 2021

About the Book

Book: Texas Trails

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 6, 2021

The steps of a righteous man are guided by the Lord.

Rife with adventure, this rights-of-passage story comes to life as Enoch Lowell and his best friend Gus strike out to Kansas with their herd of beeves, hoping to earn a profit and cut the apron strings. What they find on the prairie changes their lives forever. Promises made, promises kept, but nowhere is it written there can’t be a happy ending for all. A true Texas trail tale to warm your heart!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over fifty-five published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and nineteen grandsugars (three greats), Caryl and Ron (her high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years) live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

Get along little doggie!

TEXAS TRAILS is the sixth novel in the Cross Timbers Family Saga series. I’d never written much about being on a cattle drive and thought it would be great fun. Back in the Texas Romance Family Saga series, Charley Nightingale made several trips to Kansas with a herd and took his son Nathaniel, but I skipped over the actual drive part.

Readers first met co-hero Enoch Lowell in QUINCY & PRISCILLA then got to know him better in DUPLICITY At The Lowell House when his best friend Gus Hale (TEXAS TRAIL’s other co-hero) is introduced. Both those stories are set in 1866. For TEXAS TRAILS, it’s three years later, and Enoch is ready to declare himself a man and start earning his own way. Driving a bunch of cows up to Kansas sounds like the ticket to cut his mother’s apron strings and earn some dollars in the process.

The son of Morgan and Charity O’Neal Lowell (LEAVING TEXAS, book four) and grandson of Liberty O’Neal Harrell (GONE TO TEXAS, book one) talks Gus into going with him, and as partners, they start building a herd. All the while, Charity is pitching a fit as her plan for her firstborn includes Harvard University.

One thing I loved about this story is that Morgan sets it up—behind the scenes of course—for trusted men to take in his son and Gus on their trail drive. Enters the infamous Texas Ranger Levi Baylor (Texas Romance Family Saga book two HEARTS STOLEN) and the boy he reared as his own (grown now), Charley Nightingale!

I already love those two men from my earlier Texas Romance Family Saga series—just as my readers do—and totally relished their appearance in this story! Revisiting old beloved friends brings great joy to this author, in real life and my fictitious world!! I adore crossing these characters over the two series!

So many things are apt to happen out on the prairie that cowboys never expect. There are rivers to cross and the natives to deal with, some who pose real danger to life and limbs! Cows birth calves, storms descend, and herds stampede, but that’s not all that can make a cowboy’s days rough. Enoch’s and Gus’s lives are definitely changed forever on the out there on the trail.

I’m thinking if I were a younger woman, I would totally enjoy going along on their cattle drive! How about you?

MY REVIEW

It is always a blessing to read one of the author’s books. This one is especially good and I adored the main characters. I was transported back to the late 1860s were we meet Enoch and Gus. After a little maneuvering they find themselves on a cattle drive. It was fun to ride along with them as they traveled across the country to sell and trade cattle and horses. They proved themselves as capable and trustworthy men on the trails.

God always has a plan for our lives and in this story we see how two young men face their future. Out on the trails they discover two young women and a child. Their story is heartbreaking and I loved how the men took them in. What a wonderful journey they had as they got to know Calli, Vi and sweet little Bella. The author weaves faith throughout the story as she shares how one of the young women was angry with God. I know I have asked God why someone had to die and felt angry that He allowed it. As we find out in the story there is always a reason why something happens. We don’t understand it at the time because we are hurt, but God is right there to comfort us.

I loved the sweet romance in the story and how it was Godly. Enoch and Gus are honorable and treat the women with respect. I especially liked the part when a mother is struggling with accepting her son growing up and wanting to be on his own. I remember when my oldest son got married, I was a little upset. I felt like I was being left behind and our relationship wouldn’t be important to him anymore. What I learned was that I needed to trust God, let my son go and allow him to find happiness.

The story allowed me to go on a trail ride spend time with loving families p, experience their ups and downs and as always grow closer to God . I love reading books that fill me with hope while showing me how to forgive and love unconditionally.

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

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 7

Simple Harvest Reads, April 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Lakesidelivingsite, April 8

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 9

Connie’s History Classroom, April 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 11

deb’s Book Review, April 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 13

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 14

For Him and My Family, April 15

Texas Book-aholic, April 16

Inklings and notions, April 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 18

Splashes of Joy, April 19

Pause for Tales, April 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/10a4b/texas-trails-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

About the Book

Book: Blessed and Transformed

Author: Dr. Jeannine Bennett

Genre: Christian Nonfiction (Women’s Bible Study)

Release date: October 2020

What do you do when God answers your prayers, renews your mind, and transforms you?

Life does not always turn out the way we hope. It is often filled with tragedy, heartbreak, and loss, but make no mistake, God doesn’t abandon us during those times. Instead, God uses every experience we encounter to transform us so we can live the life He intended when He created us.

As Christians, we understand that we live in a fallen world. A world where dwelling on past failures or falling prey to the same sins seems normal. But what happens when God opens our spiritual eyes and shows us a different way to live? Do you run to Him and embrace the change? Do you find your calling and live out your purpose?

In Blessed and Transformed, Jeannine Bennett shares how much sweeter life is when you recognize God’s blessings and fully embrace His transformation of your life. She shows you there is no limit to what you can endure or accomplish by keeping God front and center.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jeannine Bennett is a wife to Hayden, mom to four children, and grandmother to seven grandchildren. Her children are named Sandra, Brittany, Camryn, and Zachary. Her grandchildren are Colin, Lilyana, Willow, Savannah, Winter, and Hope. She is the founder and CEO of Vision to Purpose, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business for Liberty University Online, and an executive coach for The Honor Foundation.

To those who know Jeannine, she is simply a woman who loves Jesus, is devoted to her family, and struggles with life’s challenges like the rest of us. She is not immune to bad hair days, shrinking clothes (weight gain), or sleepless nights. She loves learning and sharing the knowledge acquired to help others learn too. Her favorite ice cream is a toss-up between butter pecan and mint chocolate chip. And, although she has lived in Virginia for more than 30 years, she still calls a water fountain a bubbler. A term she grew up saying in her hometown of Racine, Wisconsin.

More from Jeannine

In my previous book, Broken to Beautiful, I shared my testimony. The first half of my story was filled with hopelessness, disappointment, heartache, and loss. The second half described accounts of undeniable blessings. I have chosen to continue my story in Blessed and Transformed because I want to further the conversation about what happens when we

receive all of those blessings.

Friends, we cannot have blessings without being transformed. Just as each trial, each struggle, each challenge changes us, each blessing is a gift that God uses to change us too.

I believe blessings are God’s way of showing that He loves us. I also think He uses those blessings to nudge us forward in pursuit of what He has called us to do.

I pray this book is a blessing to you!

In Christ,

Jeannine

MY REVIEW

If you haven’t had a chance to read the author’s other book called Broken To Beautiful, it is a must read. Her newest book continues to encourage readers as she guides us through being transformed. I love her writing that is honest and shares scriptures to give us a deeper insight to subjects in the book. This past year has been hard for many and reading this book reenforces how we need uplifting words.

The book is chocked full of wisdom and I took out my journal to write some of them down to look at later. We all want to be blessed and I love how the author says, “He uses those blessings to nudge us forward in pursuit of what He has called us to do.” He wants us to be encouraged on our journey that He has prepared for us. When we are blessed our outlook is more joyful and we tend to pursue Him more with thanksgiving.

Each chapter touches on a different subject and includes at the end three sections to further your study. I decided I was going to use this as a Bible study/devotional. I started writing in my journey and before I knew it I had spent hours on just two chapters. They are short chapters but filled with so much info that I found helpful.

As the book moves from blessing to transformation I eagerly anticipated the words God had for me. “To be transformed by God means we have the Holy Spirit living within us, and the many blessings we experience should be shared with others to testify to God’s goodness.” I remember very clearly when I rededicated my life to Christ. I couldn’t wait to tell everyone. I felt refreshed, renewed and joyful. My burdens were gone and I was transformed into a new person. Nothing feels better than to be in His presence and then sharing the good news with others.

I am hopeful as I share this review that others will pick up a copy of this book. Inside is words that speak directly to our heart. The author clearly loves the Lord and her joy is contagious. Trust God with everything and He will show you joy, peace and unconditional love as we transform into a child of God. I want to be like David who had an intimate relationship with God. Don’t we all want to be Blessed and Transformed?

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 8

Splashes of Joy, April 8

Library Lady’s Kit Lit, April 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 10

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 11

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 13

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 14

Lights in a Dark World, April 14

Texas Book-aholic, April 15

Inklings and notions, April 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 17

For Him and My Family, April 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 20

deb’s Book Review, April 21

Mary Hake, April 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jeannine is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/10a4d/blessed-and-transformed-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

A Heart's Forgiveness

About the Book

Book: A Heart’s Forgiveness

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 6, 2021

A Heart's Forgiveness (1) Accepting an ad for a mail-order bride was supposed to solve her problems.

It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when Jeremiah Dennison’s good friend and mentor finds himself in need of a nurse, Philip places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite Jeremiah’s protests.

Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. What she finds in Golden is nothing like what she expected, especially not Philip, her expected husband-to-be.

But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden…and tarnish her character beyond redemption.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lena Nelson Dooley has been an author for 36 years. Her 51st book released in June 2020. Raised in Arkansas, she married a Texan 56 years ago. They have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for decades. She is an active member of ACFW and one of the founding members the DFW local chapter. She’s often been a speaker for other writers’ groups and conferences, both as a keynote speaker and a workshop teacher. Her fans love reading her books filled with characters who grip your heart.

More from Lena

The Story Behind A Heart’s Forgiveness

I’ve been a lover of history for decades. In college and graduate school, all my elective courses were history. Of course, I chose the countries and eras I wanted to learn about. When I began writing novels, my first one was a contemporary story. After that, at least 75% or more of my novels have been historical, all the way from 1805 through the early 20th century.

One of the hallmarks of my historical novels is the authenticity I write into the stories. Because of the amount of research I’ve done over the years, I’m kind of an expert in 19th century history. My characters and their stories are completely fictional, but the other things in the book are mostly true. I search until I find what I need to know or until I reach a complete dead end.

A Heart’s Forgiveness is set in two places—Boston, Massachusetts, and Golden, New Mexico. It’s a Mail-Order Bride story. This is another type of story I like to read and I like to write. Finding a different reason for both the man trying to get a wife that way and a woman who needs an answer to her serious problems is a fun way to start the story. In this book, the bride and groom don’t meet until several chapters, even though he knows about her. And then I added another twist I think you’ll like.

There is also a very bad villain. One who doesn’t deserve to be forgiven. I didn’t plan that from the start of the book, but I realized much later in the book that God wanted her to forgive him. That one act of obedience, undeserved forgiveness, affected the lives of others in the novel. And isn’t that just like God. None of us really deserve forgiveness, but He freely gives it to each of us who will accept the gift.

I’m what’s called in the industry a seat-of-the-pants author, more or less. I do have the complete outline of the story in my head. When I sit down to write, I know where I’m going, but I don’t have every single scene plotted out as some authors do. And I pray a lot. During the time I’m writing a book, God drops ideas into my mind. Not just while I’m writing, but other times, too. That’s the exciting thing about writing. This keeps it fresh for me.

When you’ve finished reading this story, I hope you’ll let me know what you think of it. I really like getting reader feedback.

MY REVIEW

What a beautiful story that took me straight to the 1890s where towns were starting to grow. I loved getting to know Madeline . She is a kind, compassionate woman. Her heart to help those in need is a testament to what God has called us all to do. I liked how the author writes a story about mail order brides with a twist. It isn’t everyday that a young woman gives up everything to travel to marry a man. Madeline is putting her trust in God and her protectiveness over Pearl is priceless.

The hero of the story for me is Phillip. This man knew that God had called him to send for a woman. It wasn’t just any woman because the path had been set for Madeline and Phillip to meet. He is a generous man who shares his faith and I loved how he welcomed Madeline into his home. The story is so much more than a typical mail order bride story. It breathes life into those who felt hopeless and finds a way to bring them to a relationship with God.

There are a few more characters in the story but I have chosen not to mention them. I don’t want to give the story away so leaving some names out will help readers to find out for themselves the beautiful writing of this author. Her characters are easy to follow and become attached to. I loved the example of forgiveness that was shown throughout the book. It isn’t easy to forgive those who have hurt us, but God tells us to do so.

I highly recommend this book to those who love to read a clean story that represents the true meaning of unconditional love. I have read the first book in this series and remember how much I loved her writing. I need to see what others books she has so I can read them as well. She has become one of my favorite authors. Her gift is precious as her stories fill me with hope.

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