Sunday, November 12, 2017

THE GIFT BY SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY | BLOG TOUR AND 5-BOOK GIVEAWAY

The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County . . . until gunshots remind them that someone wants them gone in Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Gift. Neil Vance thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna Schwartz’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt . . . or worse.

Enter to win a copy of The Gift. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 22nd on the Litfuse blog!

https://promosimple.com/ps/c558

###

{MORE ABOUT THE GIFT}

The Gift: The Amish of Hart County (Avon Inspire, November 2017)

A special Christmas story about love and blessings in the next book in the Amish of Hart County series

The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous “accidents” that someone wants them gone.

Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it’s not the Schwartz family’s fault, but he can’t help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can’t stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.

Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt . . . or worse.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY}

Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com

There is always that one book you read that has a Christmas theme that really reaches into your heart. It softens your bitterness and releases that pinned up anger. You feel comfort and joy knowing that everything is going to be better. This book has exactly all those qualities and so much more. I experienced each emotion with the characters and found then becoming like family to me.

It’s not easy moving to a new place and trying to fit in, but the Schwartz family is trying to do just that. They are happy that they are able to buy such a beautiful farm that had been for sale. It’s hard for me to decide which family member I liked the most because they each contributed to the beauty of the story. I loved the sisters and how well they got along. It was wonderful to read about how they looked out for each other. Soon the family’s happiness turns to danger when “accidents” start happening. Who is sabotaging their farm? Why is someone trying to hurt the family members?

I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to leave the home you loved and watch others move in to it. It would be a bitter pill to swallow. Neil is having to deal with just that scenario. The pain and embarrassment he and his family felt after losing their home was heartbreaking. I know it was especially hard for Neil’s father. I think he was dealing with pride and it was slowly making him withdrawal from everyone.

The story is a beautiful reminder to be content with what you have. We sometimes blame others for something we are responsible for and that leads to bitterness, jealousy and unforgiveness. I loved the intrigue in the story and loved how the author gave subtle hints of who was behind the “accidents.” It was funny that I thought for sure I knew who it was. I was surprised to find out I was wrong. The story is one that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you for reminding us about the true gift of Christmas.

“It ain’t what we have or don’t have that counts. What matters is how we follow our faith and treat others.”

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

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

Blog Tour Schedule:

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

About the Book:

Name of book: Pockets of Joy

Author: Roxane Battle

Genre: Non-fiction, inspirational

Release Date: September 5, 2017

“No matter your situation, you have a choice. I chose joy.”

Roxane Battle was on television for much of her adult life. As a news reporter and anchor, she traveled the world and met notable people from Jay Leno to Mariah Carey to Prince. But shortly after landing her dream job in her hometown of Minneapolis, Roxane’s marriage fell apart. Every day was a battle to keep it together on camera while piecing her life back together at home as the single mom of eleven-month-old Jarod. At one point, broke and alone, dinner was a single chicken McNugget. With wit, dignity, and gripping detail, Roxane shares her story of intentionally looking for joy during this challenging chapter of her life. Her faith was the guiding force as she searched for moments of gratitude and found a lifetime of grace. She also includes secrets to spiritual, professional, and personal wholeness for today’s woman, with chapters on authenticity, service, generosity, gratitude, self-care, yielding, forgiveness, and more.

click to purchase your copy

About the Author:

Author Roxane Battle is veteran TV news journalist well known in the Minneapolis region for her work as an anchor, reporter, and former co-host of the KARE 11-NBC Today show. She currently produces award-winning videos for corporate and non-profit clients through her company, Roxane Battle, M. A., LLC. Named an “Architect of Change,” Roxane is a contributor to mariashriver.comand has been featured in Working Mother, Ebony magazines, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press. An entertaining and inspiring speaker, she is regularly called upon to address civic, business, and philanthropic groups. She’s recently been a keynote speaker at events hosted by the Girl Scouts, TeamWomen Minnesota, and the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. For more on Roxane Battle: www.roxanebattle.com

www.pocketsofjoy.com

www.facebook.com/roxanebattle

Twitter @roxanebattle

Guest post from Roxane Battle

What this book is about is the season in my life when I was on my own and overwhelmed with trying to put my life back together while I learned how to raise a child and navigate a demanding television

career. A working, divorced single mom. That was me. For years.

There were many days when I smiled in front of the camera and cried alone at night. During those years, my time in the wilderness, I learned a lot about myself.

I am now at a point when I am able, willing, and desire to share the very personal and intimate stories of how I found peace in the midst of my struggles. I discovered what I call pockets. Pockets of joy. The kind of joy that causes your eyes to mist and wash over the hurt. The kind of joy that catches you by surprise and for a moment makes you forget, if ever so briefly, that you ever felt pain. The kind of joy that, in some ways, cannot even be described.

It is my hope and prayer my story will enable others to grasp a piece of the kind of joy I’m talking about and allow it to stir the kind of hope within that can renew and transform.

If ever there was a time to find joy in my life it would be right now. With all the violence and hatred going on in the world, my life seems lonely and sad. I have been thinking about all the wrong choices I’ve made in my life and wondered how I could still be here. This book has been a lifeline for me. The author is straightforward and gets right to the heart of the matter. I enjoyed reading about her life as a single parent. It was refreshing to read how she struggled and shared openly how she had to do some soul searching and realize she made right decisions.

As I started reading the second part of the book, I felt like she was describing me. I wore those awful cat glasses in junior high and was nicknamed “Toothpick.” I hated going to school each day knowing I would be made fun of. I cried at night because I was called stupid and ugly by my parents. What I did was start believing all this and my joy disappeared for a very long time. “I know self-acceptance is tough, but it is also a paver on the path toward happiness. Being our authentic selves, however we get there, leads to joy.” What wonderful words that is to know that I can find joy just by accepting myself. How many of us have felt the pain of dealing with self esteem? It time to let that go and be happy with the way God made us.

Each chapter has such helpful words of wisdom and yes at times I cried but kept pushing on. I remember the chapter about forgiveness very well. I have struggled with that for years. I know it has held me back and kept me angry and depressed. No wonder I don’t have joy in my life. I have let what others have said and done to me squash my joy. I am encouraged by the authors words as I let go of my anger and take a step toward forgiveness. Along the way I forgot to find joy in having three amazing sons and a husband who shows me unconditional love. Thank you for writing a book that reached into the dark places of my life and showed me that there is joy waiting for me. I need to reach out and grab it and remind myself everyday that “joy comes in the morning.”

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

Giveaway

In honor of her tour, Roxanne is giving away

Grand Prize Package: Pockets of Joy, hard cover edition, in Pockets of Joy tote bag with Abba Jerusalem Frankincense pillar candle, and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book.

1st Place Package: Pockets of Joy, hard cover edition, “You Are An Amazing Woman” (Abbey Press) mug, and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book.

2nd Place Package: Pockets of Joy, hard cover edition and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book!

Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/

Blog Stops

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 26

Carpe Diem, October 26

autism mom, October 27

Avid Reader Book Reviews, October 28

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 29

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 30

Reflections From My Bookshelves, October 31

Moments Dipped in Ink, November 1

The Fizzy Pop Collection, November 2

A Greater Yes, November 3

A Reader’s Brain, November 4

Splashes of Joy, November 5

Mary Hake, November 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 7

Texas Book-aholic, November 8

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

About the book:

Official verdict: Suicide.

But why would that vigorous department chairman kill himself? To avoid disgrace? Those rumored ventures on the dark side? Some other secret life? Visiting professor Preston Barclay wonders. But his questions bring no answers, only anonymous threats. He has enough problems already, proving himself on a strange campus while radical faculty do all they can to undermine him. Worse yet, that sexy siren assigned as his assistant complicates his courtship of the beautiful Mara Thorn.

While Press keeps asking questions, Mara's research reveals a cancer of criminal activity that permeates the community and even the campus itself. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend's name.

But can Press and Mara's stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger...?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author:

With a PhD in English literature (Renaissance), Donn Taylor taught literature for 18 years at two liberal arts colleges. Now retired, he has published suspense novels, mysteries, and poetry. His historical novelLightning on a Quiet Night was a finalist for the 2015 Selah Awards. He is a frequent speaker at writers' conferences. In a prior incarnation, he led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. He now lives in the woods near Houston, TX, where he writes fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics.

Find out more about Donn athttp://www.donntaylor.com.

The more I read books from this author, the more I notice how detailed and complex his books are. The mystery within a mystery within a mystery in this story is nothing short of brilliance. It takes real talent to weave a tale such as this one and keep the characters all on the right path. I thought Barclay was on top of his game in this book. Coming back to teach for the summer after losing a friend is very hard. When that friend dies in the office you now occupy is even more complicated.

Mara is back with her eye for detail and a sense of protectiveness for Barclay. He does have a way of finding himself in trouble even when he tries to steer clear of it. Mara really compliments Barclay’s personality and it helps the story flow with ease. The story is surrounded with rumors that Barclay’s friend killed himself. What I did find very intriguing was the way Barclay very cleverly inserted himself into investigating not only his friends death, but some very unsavory dealings going on in the town.

This is one book that has everything I love in a mystery such as twists, greed, betrayal, danger, revenge and most of all a determined person to find the truth. I encourage mystery fans to grab a copy of this book and settle in for a thrill ride. . You are going to want to read this action packed book without stopping. Well done Donn Taylor. You have another hit on your hands.

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

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/DTaylor