Thursday, November 2, 2023

About the Book

Book: FearLESS: God is calling you to be fearless and to FearLESS

Authors: Marta E Greenman and Maureen H Maldonado

Genre: Christian Devotional

Release Date: April, 2023

What makes you afraid? Does your fear keep you from obeying God or living a free life in Christ?

Explore God’s remedies for overcoming your fears in this thirty-day devotional that gives an in-depth scriptural look at facing your fears and God’s ways of living a life free from fear.

LEARN:

How the reverential fear of the Lord erases earthly fears and gives boldness to lead a victorious life in Christ.
The difference between healthy fear and unhealthy fear.
The individual Hebrew and Greek meanings of fear in Scripture.
How to apply God’s strategies for living a life free of fear.

Old Testament and New Testament accounts of fears faced and overcome are interspersed with personal stories and examples from everyday living from two veteran Bible teachers. Thoughtful reflection questions provide a jumping-off point for personal or group study.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Marta left corporate America in 1998 to become a staff missionary with a church-planting organization known today as e3Partners. She led American churches in planting new ones with international church partners. During this period, Marta spent much of her time in the field on evangelism and discipleship, traveling to Colombia, Mexico, Moldova, Peru, Romania, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. She also had the privilege of leading women’s conferences in biblical training.

Marta began teaching inductive Bible studies in 1997 at her home church, where she taught faithfully for fifteen years. Debbie Stuart, the former women’s ministry director, said, “Marta Greenman is a master teacher, weaving biblical principles, personal stories, and clear application with every lesson. She walks in truth, loves the Word, and has dedicated her life to teaching that truth to women.”

After seven years on the mission field in Romania, Marta began to write Bible study curriculum. Her first study, Bound to Be Free, was published in 2011. Marta founded Words of Grace & Truth in May 2011, a ministry devoted to teaching God’s Word to the nations and teaching others to do the same, using curriculum God birthed through her teaching ministry. Since then, Leaders, Nations, and God and ACTs420NOW have been published. Her fourth book is a thirty-day devotional entitled FearLESS, co-authored with Maureen H. Maldonado. LoveMORE: Your 30-Day Devotional to learn to love like Jesus is also co-authored with Maureen H. Maldonado. She continues to write additional biblically-based materials.

Marta’s latest ministry venture is GraceAndTruthRadio.World (GTRW), a global radio station outreach with God’s message of grace and truth. Her program Under God, with co-host Maureen Maldonado, airs on GTRW Mondays at 3:30 p.m. CST. Marta’s passion, regardless of the nation where she may be, is teaching God’s Word and equipping others to teach. She is a gifted teacher, speaker, and expositor of God’s Word. Marta lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas with her husband of almost thirty years.

Maureen is the second of seven children. Growing up in a home where worldly wealth was a foreign concept, she always felt treasured by her parents and knew she was rich in love. Maureen married young and raised two amazing daughters. Her grandchildren are a blessing beyond anything she could imagine. Recently, she was able to add a granddaughter-in-love who adds joy

to the mix.

Maureen has a master’s degree in education from California State University and spent her career as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal in elementary education. Maureen never planned to leave California or the education system, but God had other plans. After Maureen’s husband was transferred to Arizona in 2006 and then to Texas in 2011, she spent several years teaching Just Moved, a Christian-based ministry program developed by Susan Miller for women who are moving home due to life changes (https://justmoved.org). God used her teaching education and experience as a training ground to begin teaching for Him. Involved in Bible studies in California, Arizona, and Texas, Maureen grew exponentially in her faith, love of God, and His Word. The culmination of these experiences led her to co-host the radio program Under God on GraceAndTruthRadio.World, where God’s Word is taught to the nations. Maureen’s first book FearLESS was co-authored with Marta E. Greenman. LoveMORE is Maureen’s second book, also co-authored with Marta.

Today Maureen is using her new-to-her method of studying the Bible and her long-applied teaching methods to teach the next generation of believers. Her prayer is for others to gain as much insight into God’s transformational Word as she has received. She describes it as “opening the shades and letting in all the sunlight on a gloomy day.” Maureen feels honored and humbled to be a part of Words of Grace & Truth and asks others to join in prayer for this needed ministry and for the church, our country, and our world. Maureen and her husband, Raymond, reside in Texas, where they have transplanted almost their entire family from California.

More from Marta

For years I wanted to write a devotional on Fear. God’s Word teaches us to Fear NOT! Since my original thought was a 365 Day devotional, I knew I needed at least one writing partner to accomplish the devotional in a reasonable time frame. Years would come and go, I would ask people, but nothing ever materialized. Finally, God brought the right person, my friend, my ministry partner, my co-host of Under God radio show, and my co-author Maureen H Maldonado. A woman whom God has uniquely designed to be my co-laborer in the Lord. Of course, God’s timing was perfect, FearLESS was published at a time when the world was in a fearful place, but God wanted and wants His children to be FearLESS.

MY FEARLESS

I decided to look up in the dictionary what the definition of fearless is. Now I know what it means but I wanted to see what the dictionary said. Fearless, “ free from fear, oblivious of danger and perils.” Well that was an easy to understand definition. However that word shakes me to my core . I want to be fearless at all times, but there is that doubt that creeps in which zaps my ability to trust. This book is something I was ready to sit down and let God pour into me.

I took my time going through this study because I didn’t want to miss anything. I wanted to learn how to be fearless and know how to fight fear when it started to come over me. The authors give great Biblical examples where people were fearless. Think about David and Goliath shall we? Here is this small shepherd boy, ready to take on this giant with just a sling and rocks. But he had no fear because he trusted God to overcome what was facing him. Now let’s apply this to our own lives.

Everyday we have trials that can seem overwhelming. Like David, “we can have this same FearLESS attitude when we come upon life’s inevitable valleys of the shadow of death. “We need to trust in our Savior’s rod and staff for our protection.” Each day we need to pick up our armor of God, go out into the world and be FearLESS.

It is important to remember that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” We don’t need to fear man, because God is with us. In simple terms we need to remember that God is in control. I loved it when one of the questions in our study was, “How is God teaching you to be a God pleaser instead of a people pleaser?” That question had me thinking for awhile. I do tend to try to please people because I want to be liked, accepted and not rejected. Then it hit me. I shouldn’t be worrying about people as much as I should God. He loves me unconditionally and accepts me just as I am. That should make me FearLESS!

As you can tell I really gained a lot from this study. It was very well written and provided many scriptures that led me to see the truth about living in fear of people. I pray that I will be set free from my fear and anxiety and become FearLESS. Without God, I am nothing. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “ Peace I leave you; My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

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 27

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 28

Christina’s Corner, October 29

Book Looks by Lisa, October 30

Artistic Nobody, October 31 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 1

Guild Master, November 2 (Author Interview)

Its Mama Safe, November 2

Texas Book-aholic, November 3

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6

Cover Lover Book Review, November 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 8

Mary Hake, November 9

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Marta and Maureen are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/28975/fearless-celebration-tour-giveaway

THANKSGIVING TREACHERY BY TONYA KAPPES

New holiday, new mystery, and Violet Rhinehammer's got her notepad ready!

In the festive heart of Holiday Junction, where the turkeys are stuffed and the traditions are age-old, shadows dance with the autumn wind. The Hardens, the town's glitz and glamour, face a pie-slice of tragedy, and suddenly everyone's holding the knife!

With a dash of sass and a sprinkle of wit, it's up to our gal Violet of the "Junction Journal" to sift through the tales and tattles, from glittering pageants to art district whispers. But as the Leaf Dance Festival twirls closer, secrets simmer and suspicions brew. Can Violet serve up the truth before the main course, or will the killer come back for seconds?

Hold onto your hats and pumpkin pies, y'all! This Friendsgiving, join Violet in dishing out justice in the coziest, quirkiest holiday whodunit of the season!

MY REVIEW

Just in time for Thanksgiving we get to visit Violet in Holiday Junction. It’s time for a fun holiday with festivals, quirky characters and a little mystery mixed in. What shenanigan’s will Violet get involved in this holiday? With her boyfriend’s nose stuck in law books she is left to do the traditional Merry Maker duties herself. With beautiful fall colors surrounding the town, it made for a picturesque scenery. Why is everyone talking about Tofurky? Doesn’t sound very festive to me but maybe the town will enjoy it. Violet’s mama is hosting Friendsgiving this year and I just go she is going to go all out. Food, decorations, family and friends will all be there. Tradition is “all about community coming together, sharing in the joys and traditions passed down through generations.” What could possibly go wrong?

The Leisure Center is decorated with fall colors and pumpkins ready for the big feast. Everything grinds to a halt when a body is discovered there. Poor Albert is found at the bottom of the stairs under mysterious circumstances. Will the feast go on, or will it be stopped by an investigation? Violet better get busy and use her snoopy ways to clear up the mess or Thanksgiving will be canceled.

The author throws a curve ball when the deceased’s wife is also found dead. What is going on? There are many suspects but as Violet starts to dig into each one’s where alibi , the list starts to shrink. I loved following the trail as the author is brilliant with little tides buts of hints for readers to pay attention to. The town is a buzz with the festival and the murder of two of their own. I was taken aback when the killer was revealed. It was almost sad for the reason behind the killings, but in the end justice must prevail. Off to jail they go with a lifetime off being behind bars with no chance to be out anytime soon,

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

About the Book

Book: Snowbound Escape

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release Date: October 24, 2023

To rescue a witness…

this K-9 team must face a killer and a storm.

After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

What a challenge to write the eighth book in this fabulous Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series! Writing a continuity (linked books with an overarching mystery) with seven other authors requires us to work closely together which is a rare blessing in this solitary business. There were so many good conversations, emails and texts that went into the construction of this series. Since wilderness escape novels are my favorite, it was great fun to write Tanner, Mara and Boxer Britta’s dramatic survival story. I hope you enjoy the book and the entire series as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!

MY REVIEW

Chilling, danger, thriller, and murder makes this story one you can’t put down. Mara is facing a life on the run if she can’t prove her innocence. Clever clues are left at a crime scene to implicate her, but she is determined to prove her innocence. Stuck in icy conditions Mara is starting to lose hope that anyone will come to her aide. The real killer is close on her trail and I could feel her desperation to escape from this nightmare.

Tanner is a trained officer with a K-9 named Britta. I love stories with K-9s because their intelligence is impressive. Britta is trained in tracking and trailing which makes this the perfect partner for Tanner. He is close to the cabin where Mara is hiding when bullets start flying. Now he and his partner are facing a life and death situation as they try to complete their mission.

Stuck in a snow storm Tanner and Mara find ways to stay just one step ahead of Eli. Their shelter doesn’t last for long and now they face danger from the storm and the man hunting them down. The author kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed their journey. As they find shelter they start to share how they each have trouble with trust. Oh how I know that struggle so well. It is hard to give your heart to someone for fear they will crush it.

With an explosive ending the author gives us an adrenaline rush as Mara and Tanner face off against the killer. I loved how much action was in the story. The author includes a thread of faith throughout the story that directs us to forgiveness and letting God direct our path.

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 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

The Avid Reader, November 1

Pause for Tales, November 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 2

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3

Devoted to Hope, November 3

Bizwings Book Blog, November 3

She Lives to Read, November 4

Vicky Sluiter, November 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5

Betti Mace, November 6

Pens Pages & Pulses, November 6

A Good Bok and Cup of Tea, November 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7

Blogging With Carol, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 8

Simple Harvest Reads, November 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, November 9

EmpowerMoms, November 9

Wishful Endings, November 10

Blossoms and Blessings, November 10

Bigreadersite, November 11

Labor Not in Vain, November 11

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 12 (Author Interview)

Raining Butterfly Kisses, November 12

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 13

Holly’s Book Corner, November 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon 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/28b29/snowbound-escape-celebration-tour-giveaway

AN AMISH CHRISTMAS GIFT BY BETH WISEMAN

Hannah King and her two children, Mae and Lillian, are facing their first Christmas without their beloved husband and father, who passed only six months ago. Hannah is determined to display strength for her girls, stifling her emotions until she is alone at night crying herself to sleep. But as she tries to hide her grief, she is unaware that her children need her to be emotionally present.

Mae is Hannah's oldest daughter. At eighteen, she is deeply in love with a young man in her Amish community. She is working through the grief she feels over the absence of her father, but something about her mother has changed, and the transformation has Mae fearful to make a commitment to John Byler. Her mother robotically goes through the motions of daily living, but she is a shell of the woman she used to be. Mae walks away from her relationship with John, knowing her mother's grief must be far worse than her own. She isn't going to let that happen to her.

John Byler is in love with Mae, but his admission to her about his feelings causes her to stop seeing him without any explanation. He can only assume that she doesn't love him the way he loves her.

Can Hannah see past her own grief and convince her daughter that it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all? And is Mae willing to take a chance on love?

"Wiseman is known for her character-driven stories . . . tender tales of love, loss, and redemption. Her fans will devour this short story." ~ Kelly Long, bestselling author for Kensington Publishers

For fans of Beverly Lewis, Amy Clipston, Wanda Brunstetter, and Cindy Woodsmall

MY REVIEW

What a lovely and emotional story the author has written. It is hard to lose a loved one and this Christmas Hannah and her daughters are grieving the lose of her dear husband. They were a very close family and his sudden death really took them by surprise. Hannah wants to be strong for her daughters, so she grieves alone in her bedroom crying long into the night. What she doesn’t realize is her daughters need her right now. They have lost their father and need comfort from their only parent now.

Mae is an exceptional character with such compassion for others. She knows her mother is grieving and it hurts to hear her crying alone. The love her parents shared was suppose to be forever but God had other plans. I enjoyed the relationship between Mae and John. As they spend more time together their feelings for each other grow deeper. Mae is holding back telling John her feelings for him because she is worried that something will happen to him and she will face the grief her mother is right now.

I felt such sadness for Mae as she decides that it would be better to be alone than risk the pain of losing John. She sees how her mother is having such a difficult time and doesn’t want to have the same thing happen to her. This story is a great illustration of letting God heal your broken heart. When we give our hurts to Him, he heals us and shows us that he is a God that will “never leave us nor forsake us.” Mae will take an emotional journey that will show her to trust God and allow her to tell John how she feels.

I loved the story and appreciate how the author takes a difficult subject and shows us that God heals the broken hearted. He restores our faith as He heals our heart. The ending is so beautiful and I especially loved a special gift that was shared. Thank you for writing a story that shares the unconditional love that God has for each of us. He dries our tears and turns sorrow into joy.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

A Christmas at Jekyl Island Club Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: A Christmas at Jekyl Island Club

Author: Blossom Turner

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 24, 2023

She was born into privilege yet yearns for freedom. Dare she risk it all for love?

Though spunky Savannah Ensworth was born into wealth and privilege, she longs for the freedom allotted to men. Marriage is the very last thing on her to-do list. As the sole heir to her father’s fortune, she’s in no hurry to turn the freedom that comes with wealth over to a husband.

Bored and restless, she arrives for yet another mind-numbing winter season at the Jekyll Island Millionaire’s Club. There is nothing new under the sun…or so she thinks until she meets Joseph Bennett, the visiting reverend.

As sparks fly, a forbidden attraction grows. But will their very different lives snuff out any hope of a future? And is she ready to give up the freedom she’s always desired for a love that could cost her everything?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Blossom Turner Blossom Turner is an award-winning romance author and a hopeless romantic at heart. She believes all story should give the reader significant entertainment value but also relatable life struggles with hope sprinkled throughout. Her desire is to leave the reader with a yearning to live for Christ on a deeper level, or at the very least, create a hunger to seek for more.

She lives in a four-season playground in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with gardening at the top of her enjoyment list. She has a passion for women’s ministry but having coffee and sharing God’s hope with a hurting soul trump all. She has two grown children and lives with her

husband, David, of forty years and their Shepherd/Bernese cross, Lacey. Blossom loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at https://blossomturner.com (Link to website.)

More from Blossom

An island owned by millionaires…do you want to visit?

From my first glimpse of the Marshes of Glynn to that step out of my car onto soil that used to be trod by the world’s wealthiest, my interest was piqued. A book series blossomed inside my head. The 2,906 mile trek from my home in Kelowna, BC to Jekyll Island, Georgia, was worth every hard-earned penny.

The history of Jekyll Island is fascinating from the indigenous people to the arrival of Spanish explorers in 1510 who named the Island, Isla De Ballenas (Whale Island), onward to the English occupation during the Colonial Era in 1733 (where it was renamed Jekyll Island) through the plantation Era. But it really gets interesting during the Club Era where fifty-three members purchased shares with the goal to market the island as a winter retreat for the extremely wealthy. It was a raging success. The clubhouse was officially opened in January of 1888 and the island became an exclusive club to many of the world’s wealthiest families. One could visit by invitation only. This “Millionaires’ Hideaway” became the place some of the most powerful American financiers could relax in prestigious undisturbed isolation. During its peak, the claim was made that its’ members controlled one-sixth of the world’s wealth.

This story takes place in the midst of the Club Era which lasted from 1888 to 1942 before the island was sold back to the state of Georgia. The island, the Club House, the mansion-like cottages, including the flora and fauna have been meticulously researched to bring authenticity to this story. I hope I have done a good job of setting you in that place and time, so you can visualize, hear, smell, and be touched by the lives of the people that long ago walked upon that soil.

Today, there is a causeway built through the beautiful Marshes of Glynn so visitors can access the Island from the mainland by car. It is a popular tourist destination. I would highly recommend a trip to this Golden Isles barrier island.

The historical district has been painstakingly restored and the Club House stands in all its original glory. From the variety of beaches to a photographer’s heaven on Driftwood beach, to the miles of bike trails, salt marshes and abundant wildlife this island is deemed one of the 50 most beautiful small towns in America. I could see why when I visited.

If you have not yet had the pleasure, I hope you will someday have the opportunity to step upon the soil where millionaires trod and bask in the same sunshine they did. Perhaps have high tea in the Club House or ride a bicycle on the hard packed shores of the very beaches they enjoyed. For we are all God’s beautiful creations. He sees not our money, our status, or our family connections…He sees our heart.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed reading about how people lived during a period where parents wanted their daughters to marry into high society. Status was very important and families made sure their daughters had plenty of suitors. When Savannah comes to the Jekyll Island she is expected to attend tea parties, be available for approved suitors and be lady like at all times. I loved her spunk and how she wanted her parents to allow her to pick who she wanted to be with. When she hears her mother say something that startles her, her mother immediately denies that she has said it. I couldn’t wait to see where the author would take this part of the story.

The Reverend Joseph Bennett is the talk of the island. With his good looks and eligibility he is much sought after as a suitable husband for many. I liked how he is humble and allows God to direct his path. There is no denying that there is an attraction between Savannah and himself. As they get acquainted they decide to build a friendship. Oh how I wanted them to find their way to each other and let God soften Savannah’s heart to God.

Two things struck me about the story. One was how the wealthy or in this case Savannah’s parents, think that they do enough to help the less fortunate. They don’t think they have to do more than give a small amount to a few charities. You can tell that Savannah’s parents do not have a relationship with God. I understand why Savannah questions things said from the pulpit especially when her father tells her it is not in the Bible. More people were worried about their status in society then helping others. Women were meant not to have powerful positions at work and men thought they should stay at home, cook, clean and care for the children.

The other thing I noticed was how Savannah begins to question who she is and who God is. Her friendship with Joseph is a stepping stone for her to find her way to Jesus. We see her start to question why women were not allowed to do certain things. Oh if she only knew that God loves her and has equipped her to do things that could affect many in their way of thinking.

It is illustrated in the story that members of the church are offended by the message Joseph had preached. As he and Savannah talk about the sermon he explains to her that, “The Word of God has a way of offending others. It’s described in the Bible as being living and powerful, sharper that a double-edged sword.” Have you ever been offended by a message from the pastor? The truth hurts sometimes, but it also sets us free.

What a beautiful message the story brings as we watch someone give their life to Jesus. I absolutely loved how it was broken down into a simple way using three letters ; ABC. You must pay attention to this part because I wrote down what the three letters represented. A for admitting, B for believing and C is for confess.

This has been a very enriching story where we find a young woman who does not take for granted her wealth after she has an emotional spiritual journey. The author does a great job of allowing readers to see what it is like to let go and allow God to direct your path. Never give up on your dreams and always trust God.

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