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Tuesday, November 5, 2019

When Only Faith Remains FB Banner About the Book

Book: When Only Faith Remains
Author: Amy C. OReilly
Genre: Christian Living/Personal Growth
Release Date: May 6, 2019
When Only Faith Remains CoverHidden just beneath the surface of Mary’s unique calling to serve as the mother of Christ lies an equally captivating story of her journey of faith.
Sometimes when our plans are derailed or we encounter struggles, our faith is the only thing we have to draw upon. Trusting God through those hard times is the bedrock of what will keep us grounded. But what happens when fear creeps in? Perhaps that’s what it was like for the virgin Mary when Gabriel came to her with news that she was highly favored and chosen to bear the Christ child.
Drawing parallels from her own journey-of-faith life experiences and the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, Amy C. O’Reilly offers encouragement and inspiration to readers who seek to strengthen and move forward from fear to faith just as Mary did.
With Luke 2 and 1 Corinthians 13 as reference points, readers will connect their faith in ways that bind them to love and hope in the person of Jesus Christ. While your circumstance may differ from Mary’s, the similar deepening of faith through heartache and suffering and hope and triumph will inspire you in your identity, calling, and destiny in Christ.


About the Author

Amy O'Reilly-Author PhotoAmy C. O’Reilly has a master’s in physical therapy and co-owns Sandhills Orthotics and Prosthetics with her husband. Amy serves as a leader and teacher at her local church and Community Bible Study, and she desires to expand God’s kingdom through writing and speaking at churches and women’s groups. She enjoys running, teaching, and spending time with family at the beach. Amy and her family live in the Sandhills of North Carolina. When Only Faith Remains is her first book.

More from Amy

When Only Faith Remains is the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she appears in Scripture and her unique journey of faith. The writing of this book was a journey in and of itself as God revealed many spiritual parallels in my own life events and faith journey. As I followed Mary to the cross and beyond, she became more real and relevant to me than ever before and I began to find connection and hope in my own life during the times when only faith remains.
Mary’s story is truly every believers story as Jesus calls us all to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. As I pondered Mary’s life and treasured the words she treasured, I knew it was time to take Mary and Joseph out of the boundaries of the nativity box, and help their story come alive in a way modern readers can identify and relate.
Mary’s story is heartrending, yet beautiful, and crushing, yet full of hope, and it’s replete with anticipation, insecurity, fears, doubts, grief, hope and love. Her story is one of mystery and intrigue. It is also sobering with a heavy dose of the realities involved in following Christ. And hidden just beneath the surface of Mary’s unique calling to serve as the mother of Christ lies an equally captivating story of her journey of faith. From the first time she says yes to Jesus in the presence of an angel to the day she is filled once again with the Spirit of her risen Savior at Pentecost, we witness a frightened Jewish girl transformed into a woman who overcomes the worst grief imaginable—all by faith.
As I dug past the details and circumstances of Mary’s life to unearth her core needs, fears, and desires, I found myself identifying with Mary more and more. I discovered God at work in each detail of her life and in every relationship, teaching her His ways and deepening her faith, just as He has done in my life. In Philippians 2:12, Mary is the perfect example of a believer who “works out her salvation with fear and trembling,” as God teaches her to trust His plan through the life and death of her very own Son. Thus Mary’s journey of faith becomes one in which all roads lead her back to Jesus, the Christ, the Lord and Savior of all.
Readers can expect to relate to Mary in surprising ways as they navigate through their own seasons of hardship, heartache, grief, and loss. I have also shared some of my own struggles and heartache with a transparency that is both genuine and encouraging to believers searching for an authentic faith.
I invite you to join me on this journey as I share my own life experiences in light of Mary’s journey as found in Scripture. My hope is that Mary becomes real and relevant to you in a very personal way throughout the pages of this book. My prayer is that, as you find yourself and your own journey of faith in the story of Mary, your faith in Jesus Christ will be renewed and strengthened.


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I'm not quite sure I can write a review for this book without getting emotional. God knew I needed this book and he knew exactly the right time for me to read it. I felt such inner peace as I began this story and couldn't wait to see what God was wanting to share with me. I have always loved stories about Mary. She is someone who was chosen by God to give birth to the King of Kings.  We don't know what she was really thinking as she obeyed and trusted God. The author mentions one of my favorite songs called, Mary, did you know?" Did Mary have any idea what was in store for her and her son? Mother's want the best for their child and Mary was no exception.

I appreciated the author sharing her struggles with eating disorders, depression and self image issues . I could so easily relate to the author as I have  struggled all my life with similar problems.  In a dysfunctional home, there is really no one to turn to. I knew Jesus and I did cry out to him many times. What was missing was my love, faith, trust and relationship with Him.  Have you ever wondered what your purpose was in life? I asked that every day. Just like Mary, God has a plan for each of us. Whatever the calling is, it is no less important than giving birth to Jesus. 

When the author talked about having friends to call she struggled with friendships with other girls. Oh how I know what that is like. Growing up I had no friends. I was very shy and because of what was happening to me at home, I didn't want anyone to get close to me. I became closed off as a child and grew into an adult not trusting anyone. But God in His grace and mercy gave me someone I trust completely. My husband is my best friend. I can tell him anything and he loves me unconditionally. Mary had a friend she was able to turn to who was Elizabeth. God knew just what Mary needed and gave her a friend she could share things with.

I loved each chapter of the book and felt ready to fully understand the life of Mary. The book is written in a way that is easy to follow as she includes scriptures to go with each chapter. I liked the prayers she places at the end of each chapter.  Mary comes alive in the book and we follow her as she gives birth, rekindles a relationship with Joseph and finally comes to the realization that Jesus was going to pay the ultimate price. 

It is hard to imagine having to watch your child suffer and you can't do anything to help. Mary was there as her son was on the cross and with her faith she knew that it was his destiny. She never spoke but I wonder what was going on inside her. Perhaps she was asking God for strength. The author asks the question, " Do we love and trust him enough to surrender all?" In this moment it was clear to me that Mary was surrendering all to Him. She was grieving but still knew that God was there to comfort her. 

As the author concludes the book, it gave me time to search my heart and seek Him knowing that he has always been there, just like He was with Mary. I am encouraged to grow deeper in His word and "be assured that faith will lead you to the ultimate source of Hope and Love."

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

Blog Stops

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 30 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 30
Older & Smarter?, November 2
Texas Book-aholic, November 5
janicesbookreviews, November 6
A Reader’s Brain, November 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and 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.
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Lawfully Innocent FB Banner

About the Book

Book: Lawfully Innocent
Author: Robin Helm
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: August 31, 2019
LawfullyINNOCENT-FINAL ebookBenjamin Beckett, a handsome young English lord, lacks purpose in his life of privilege. After learning the truth about his heritage, he decides to leave unbearable boredom behind, making drastic changes in his too predictable life.
Adventure awaits Benjamin across the ocean, and he embraces the challenges before him. Can a man who’s not yet thirty be strong enough to impact the New World? Will he find a cure for his loneliness and ennui?

Click here to get your copy!


About the Author

robin-helmRobin Helm’s books reflect her love of music, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction.
Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy; the Yours by Design series: Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, and Forever Yours; Understanding Elizabeth; and More to Love. Ms. Helm also contributed stories to A Very Austen Christmas and A Very Austen Valentine.
She plans to publish Maestro, Lawfully Innocent, and A Very Austen Romance: Austen Anthologies, Book 3 in 2019.
Her life in (usually) sunny, small town South Carolina is busy, but affords time for writing, reading, teaching and performing music, and playing games on her phone. (Would you believe she’s an elder in a war game? And she’s writing a book about it?)

More from Robin

I grew up in South Carolina during the 1960’s and 1970’s when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law. South Carolina did not comply immediately, so I remember my doctor’s office with two waiting rooms, two water fountains, and two doors, both leading to the same doctor and same examination room. It seemed very strange to me even then. I did not know any African American children, because schools, restaurants, churches, the town pool, the public health center, our neighborhoods – everything – was segregated.
When I was in high school, that began to change. At first, only a few African-American students came to my school. I really didn’t notice, because we all worked together. I have since looked back and realized the bravery of those students. They left their newly built high school, which was much nicer than the very old one I attended, and came to a place where they knew almost no one.
My junior year, our schools and all public buildings were desegregated. Our town handled it very well. Three high schools combined, but everyone kept doing the things they had done. That year, three sets of cheerleaders combined and three of each sports team came together. It was wonderful! We had cheerleaders all the way down the sidelines, and the captain’s position was shared. The school busses were desegregated as well, and I drove a route.
I have no bad memories of that time. There were no fights, no arguments, no violence of any sort.
This story is set in the mid 1840’s in South Carolina, and it addresses what sorts of things had to happen before we could get to The Civil Rights act and desegregation.



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The time period is perfect in this book for a look at life in 1840's . The author does a great job describing the countryside and making readers feel a part of the story. The story is short but packs a good adventure within the pages. I did like Benjamin and loved how he treated a young boy who had been a slave. The way he opened his home to Moses was a good example of treating others as you would want to be treated. Every time I read a story about slaves, I can't comprehend how someone could treat a human being so disrespectful.

Benjamin knew owning slaves was wrong and was determined to set Moses free. He became like a father to him and helped him learn who Jesus was. To me, this is the heart of the story. Benjamin loves to share his faith and has opportunities to do so with unlikely people. The two men who were put in jail awaiting their fate reminded me of the men on the cross with Jesus. I thought it was a nice illustration of how God forgives. He doesn't measure one sin worse than the other. Sin is sin. The author uses scriptures throughout the story that was very well placed in areas that helped emphasize the importance of asking Jesus into your heart.

We do get to know Benjamin's wife a bit, but I would have liked to have a little more interaction between Benjamin and his wife.    Being a Marshall has its draw backs, but I felt like Benjamin's heart wasn't really into being a lawman.  There is a bit of danger in the book that leads to a scene that is inspiring.  There is a theme of forgiveness and sharing your faith with others that makes the book interesting to read.  It's a good short story that needed a bit more depth. 

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

Blog Stops

Remembrancy, October 30
Betti Mace, October 31
Texas Book-aholic, November 5
janicesbookreviews, November 6
A Reader’s Brain, November 8
She Lives to Read, November 10
Inklings and notions, November 11
Godly Book Reviews, November 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is 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.

Posted by at 6 comments:

Monday, November 4, 2019

THE GRUMBLE FREE YEAR by
TRICIA GOYER

Have you ever been around people who grumble and complain all the time? It is not pleasant and makes you want to scream. What if your family was the one grumbling all the time? In this book the author takes us on a challenge and journey to freedom from grumbling for a year.

As in everything that is different from your routine, this book will motivate you into rethinking how you react to every day life. I would love to have been in the family meeting when the author suggested this eye opening exercise. I know I grumble a lot and yes I have even been called a nag. I decided that I was going to try  this book out on myself. I will begin it in January and see how it goes.

The author’s house is full of people from different ages and I loved how she shared their experiences. There are scriptures included and at the end of each chapter a reflection page. It was so fun to take this journey with the author and her family. I laughed as one of them hoped to get famous through the book, while another wanted to know if a famous author would be following them around for a year. I think they forgot that they live with a very famous and gifted author.

I really enjoyed each chapter and loved how the author and her family slowly changed their thinking as they became more joyful and less stressful. In reading the book one of the key ingredients to a grumble free life is our heart. We need to look at ourselves inside and deal with any bitterness that is preventing us from being happy. It is important to look at all the good that is in our life and focus on what God has done for us. Another point that the book made was how important communication was. How will our spouse know what is wrong if we don’t let them know? Keeping things bottled up brings out bitterness which leads to unhappiness.

I loved getting to know the author and her family as they took a journey that showed them how to be thankful, joyful and content. I learned through the book to be happy where I am at in my life and to thank God each day for His unconditional love. The book is filled with scriptures and examples in the Bible that helps us see how a grumble free life can bring peace. The author does a great job of being transparent throughout the book and I appreciate her sharing this journey with her readers. The challenge now is for us to decide if we want to be grumble free.

“Change must always start with our hearts.”

 “God doesn’t expect any of us to be perfect, but complaining is something He takes seriously.”

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

About the Book

Book: Before Christmas
Author: Bill Crowder
Genre: RELIGION / Holidays/Christmas & Advent
Release Date: October, 2019
Before ChristmasEmbrace the majesty of the Messiah
Bill Crowder invites you to explore the backstory of the first advent. He brings you on a journey into the very heart of God, to a greater understanding of what it means that “the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).
 Walk through Scripture to see and know Jesus in a richer way. Examine His character as God, His relationship with the Father, His appearances in the Old Testament, and more. Understand how these pre-Bethlehem truths lead into the Savior’s birth and the events of that first Christmas—and, most importantly, how it all comes together in God’s great story of redemption and rescue.
 You’ll embrace the majesty of the Messiah and celebrate Christ’s birth with renewed joy and wonder.
Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Bill CrowderBill Crowder, who spent over twenty years in the pastorate, is vice president of ministry content at Our Daily Bread Ministries. He is a contributor to Our Daily Bread and the author of nine books, including My Hope Is in You, Seeing the Heart of Christ, and For This He Came. He and his wife, Marlene, have five children.

More from Bill

During my years as a pastor, I found Christmas and Easter to be challenging. Certainly I love those seasons (for very different reasons), but finding creative ways to retell these important stories was often difficult. But, at one such season I realized that the story we tell at Christmas is not really the whole story. By entering the story at Nazareth or Bethlehem, we enter too late. We can’t simply start with the Baby in the manger—we need to go back. Before time began. To the eternal Christ. Unless we seek to understand Him, we’ll never fully appreciate who He was and why He came. That is the Christmas story.  – Bill Crowder


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The book was not exactly what I was expecting. I guess I thought the author was going to talk specifically about Christ's birth and the importance of what Christmas was really about. He does do that later in the book, but he lays the foundation of what was to come. I was intrigues that the author took us on a journey explaining how Jesus impacted many lives. He explains the relationship between God and Jesus in a way that was easy to understand. 

I liked the chapter about Jesus' path to the cross. Everything he had done up to that point was to prepare Him and the people for His destiny. I remember watching a movie several years ago where Jesus was put on the cross. It was graphic and I cried as I saw Him suffer for us. Jesus, without hesitation took His place on the cross to save us. I get chills just thinking about that. 

The part in the book where the author talks about the birth of Christ was very eye opening. It still amazes me that a young girl was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Can you imagine being told that you were going to be the mother of Jesus?  It was destiny that brought Mary to this place in her life.  We mustn't overlook the importance that Joseph had in this upcoming birth. The woman he loved was pregnant and instead of walking away, God chose Him to be the father of Jesus. Joseph would go on to teach his son many things but he never forgot that God trusted him with the greatest gift to the world.

As the book concludes the author takes us to the birth of Christ. I liked how he said "it was an eternity in the making." The author gives us a look back at Jesus as he prepares us for the birth of Christ.  This year as the holiday draws near, I reflect on what is most important . A child was born to save us and give us life for eternity. 

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











Blog Stops

The Power of Words, October 31
Mary Hake, October 31
A Rup Life, November 3
Texas Book-aholic, November 4
janicesbookreviews, November 5
A Reader’s Brain, November 7
Emily Yager, November 8
Older & Smarter?, November 9
God is Love, November 10
She Lives To Read, November 12
Inklings and notions, November 13

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Bill is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of the book, Starbucks Holiday Blend Coffee, and $10 Amazon card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Posted by at 2 comments:

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Mission HOllywood banner

About the Book

Book: Mission Hollywood
Author: Michelle Keener
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 16, 2019
Mission HollywoodWhat could possibly go wrong?
Movie star Ben Prescott arrives back in Hollywood after causing a scandal with his ex-girlfriend in Rome. Chased through the airport by paparazzi, he jumps into a limo hoping for a quick getaway. Instead he finds Lily Shaw, a pastor’s daughter and preschool teacher. When the paparazzi capture a photo of the two of them together, Ben’s agent demands that he do whatever it takes to keep the story from hitting the gossip pages . . . even volunteer to work at Lily’s church.
Sparks fly as the movie star and the pastor’s daughter work side by side. When Lily accompanies Ben to the premiere of his latest movie, Hollywood takes notice. Under intense media scrutiny and pressure from the movie industry, Ben must risk his career to follow his heart, but Lily wants the one thing he doesn’t have, faith.
Mission Hollywood is an inspirational story about love, faith, and second chances.


About the Author

Michelle KeenerMichelle Keener is a wife, mom, and the author of three books. She lives in Southern California with her retired Marine husband, their two children, and one spoiled dog. When she isn’t writing, she is busy homeschooling, teaching creative writing workshops, or baking something involving chocolate.
Michelle loves to hear from readers and you can usually find her on Twitter @MKeenerWrites or at her website www.MichelleKeener.com

More from Michelle

Why Hollywood?
That’s a great question! Of all the places I could have set a Christian romance novel, why pick Hollywood? It isn’t exactly the first place that pops into your mind when you think Christian romance, right?
The truth is I spent four years of my life trying to become an actress. I was a theatre major in the Los Angeles area and I spent a lot of time in Hollywood. I’ve been down Hollywood Boulevard, visited casting offices, and gone to open-call auditions. In those years, I saw the good and the bad of the movie industry. I saw dreams shattered and hearts broken under the glamourous lights of the Sunset Strip. Years later, when I started thinking about writing a Christian romance, I knew Hollywood was the perfect setting to tell the story of God’s unchanging, never-ending love for us.
Mission Hollywood isn’t just one love story, it’s two. The romance between Ben and Lily is definitely swoon-worthy, but there is also the story of how much God loves us. I hope you enjoy Mission Hollywood…it’s only the beginning of the story for the Shaw Family. Book two is coming in February!


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I really enjoyed the story because it takes a look at the cost of fame. Many of us think Hollywood stars are happy all the time . They seem to have the perfect life with no stress at all. The author has taken a character and exposed his emotional wounds that he thought would never surface. Ben has been on top of the world with his fame but it all starts to crumble before his eyes. You can feel the tug of war going on as his agent tries to distance Ben from influences that could hurt his reputation.

Lily is a very compassionate person but is hesitant when she runs into Ben unexpectedly. She is not overly excited about being around him, but God has other plans. Lily knows what it is like to lose a parent, but she has no idea the pain that Ben has carried with him for years.

I loved how Ben started to open up to Lily and let his guard down. He has questioned God and asked him why he allows things that hurt to happen. It is a tug of war going on inside of him as he starts to get close to Lily and her family. Lily's dad is a great influence on Ben and takes him under his wing. I had to laugh when I heard the phrase, "holly roller" used. I remember being called that by kids at school. My dad was a pastor so I was constantly made fun of.

I enjoyed reading about the church and the outreaches it does. The church is there to reach out to the forgotten and show God's love. The examples the author uses to demonstrate this is powerful. If we take the blinders off we could see hurting people all around us who need a helping hand.  The story is not preachy but does show how important it is to look past the outside and allow God to show us how to reach others.

The journey Ben takes to find God is emotional and filled with life lessons. Will Ben allow God back into his life? There are a few twists and misunderstandings that leave Lily hurt . Ben has his work cut out for him as he tries to follow the path God has for him. There is a glimpse of jealousy that rears its ugly head and Lily feels the sting of it from a woman who wants Ben for herself.  There is a bit of unexpected turn of events in the story that really had me on the edge of my seat. The author has delivered a wonderful story that touches on greed, jealousy, pride, forgiveness and most of all God's love.

"Sometimes the biggest mission field is the one in our own backyard."

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

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, October 24
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 24
Maureen’s Musings, October 25
Moments, October 27
Pause for Tales, October 29
She Lives To Read, October 29
Older & Smarter?, October 30
Blessed & Bookish, October 30
Godly Book Reviews, November 1
Back Porch Reads, November 2
Texas Book-aholic, November 3
Quiet Quilter, November 4
janicesbookreviews, November 5
A Reader’s Brain, November 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a Red Carpet Collection, which includes a signed paperback copy of Mission Hollywood, a custom Pura Vida bracelet in red carpet colors, a signed and numbered print of the original painting “Redemption” by artist Charlotte Lauder, a vintage-Hollywood style postcard, a bookmark, and a magnet!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

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