Tuesday, December 17, 2019

WELCOME TO DECEMBER CHRISTMAS BOOK PRESENTED BY TEXAS BOOK-AHOLIC

When Kade Delgado joins his buddies in a Cowboy Santa program to shower Christmas blessings on old folks and single moms, he doesn’t expect his former fiancée to return to Saddle Springs, in need and with a child in tow. Does God really expect him to treat Cheri the same as the others on his new Christmas list?

Cheri Mackenzie has never forgiven herself for the pain she caused Kade by fleeing a week before their wedding, but undoing the past is impossible. Circumstances force her back to her aging grandparents’ Montana ranch, where Kade, now a widower with a toddler, is making himself cheerfully indispensable. When she receives kindness instead of the hostility she surely deserves, she can’t help but pray for a Christmas reunion with the cowboy she’s never stopped loving.

Is there any hope for a second chance at love?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MLN528D/

Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances.Valerie’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary Christian romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local foods movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

Valerie Comer
Engaging Characters. Strong Communities. Deep Faith. Sweet Romance.
All from a USA Today Bestselling Author.
http://valeriecomer.com
Fall in Love with a Good Book at InspyRomance.com

NEW RELEASE! DANCING AT DAYBREAK

“I will read this story again and again in the years to come because we all need the reminder we are never good enough for God's mercy, that is why there is Jesus…” ~ reviewer

http://valeriecomer.com/dancing

Amazon/ Kindle Unlimited only!

Subscribe to my email list and receive a thank you gift: Promise of Peppermint!

"The characters are complicated and richly drawn… and the conflict is deep and very real." ~ reviewer

http://valeriecomer.com/subscribe

About the Book

Book: Counter Point

Author: Marji Laine

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: November 2016

Someone is determined to finish the final assignment of a murdered hitman.

Her father’s gone. Her diner’s closing. Her car’s in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose.

Except her life. And a madman’s bent on taking that away.

Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart.

Keeping Cat safe from a fallen cartel leader might prove impossible for Ray, but after seeing his mission destroyed and several godly people killed, he knows better than to ignore the man’s threats. Cat’s resistance to his protection and the stirring of his long-denied feelings for her complicate his intentions, placing them both in a fight for their lives.

How can a small-town girl survive when ultimate power wants her dead?

About the Author

Marji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling, but with her publishing business, her various volunteer activities, and her large family, she will likely never live a life of leisure. When she does find spare time, she enjoys watching sports and Hallmark movies and mysteries, loves having game night with her family and friends, and enjoys talking “shop” with other authors. You can usually find her in her favorite recliner, plucking away at her keyboard with her rescue fur-babies at her feet or at www.MarjiLaine.com.

More from Marji

COUNTER POINT takes place in a small town in East Texas. A family-owned diner provides the backdrop for many of the scenes. The owner, Cat McPherson, makes a point of smiling and chatting with everyone who stops by. Even the superior and difficult Mrs. Heath—of the Heath’s Point Heath’s, make no mistake. Mrs. Heath might think she’s all that, but she is still dependent on Cat’s diner for a slice of her favorite Magnolia Pie.

Have you ever had a piece of this custard paradise? Smooth, creamy, and with the minutest crisp of a glazed caramel on top of it. I can practically taste one now. This favorite of mine had to go into my book. I first tasted a Magnolia Pie (my adopted grandmother called it Buttermilk Pie because Magnolia Pie sounded too southern and she was from New Jersey) at a Christmas Eve celebration. It was my instant favorite.

I’ve searched for my grandmother’s recipe through old books that she gave me and a collection that she and several others put together when I got married. Sadly, I cannot find that original recipe that she used. But I think it must have been something like the one I was thinking of when I included Magnolia Pie in my book.

Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to enjoy a virtual slice of pie with you!

Magnolia Pie

Ingredients:

3 eggs at room temperature

1 stick of softened butter

1½ cups white sugar

3½ tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 9-inch unbaked pie shell

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk the eggs until foamy.
Cream together sugar, butter, nutmeg, and flour. Add the eggs and other ingredients, beating until smooth.
Pour into pie shell and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool completely or chill before serving.

I enjoyed this story which was suspenseful, faith filled and had good characters. Ray was someone I liked instantly because he had a heart for God and followed his calling. The missionary work he did was remarkable and he touched many lives.The author does a good job of laying the groundwork for the intrigue in the book, but for me two other topics were more defining for me. Missionary work is hard, dangerous and rewarding. The author shows how much someone can impact lives by doing missionary work. I don't want to forget to mention Cat and her missionary work. She runs her father's diner but also gives food out to the homeless in the area. It is something that she has a big heart for.

At the end of each chapter the author provides a scripture. I loved reading them and how they impacted the story with encouragement. It was nice to see characters praying and never giving up. Another very important part of the book was a character that was struggling with their faith. I thought the author did a good job of letting several characters minister to this person without being pushy. It was a nice addition to the story and I liked following the character to see if they would give their life to God.

The intrigue in the book is good but I did figure out who the bad guy was halfway through the story. The author didn't quite hit the mark in masking who the person was and needed to work on not letting the person be so obvious. The book has lots of twists and there is a lot of violence in the book. Maybe the author can tone that down in the next book. Overall a good story that is rich in faith, keeps readers on their toes with the twists and a great message about trusting God and listening to His calling on your life.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 10

For the Love of Literature, December 11

Betti Mace, December 12

For Him and My Family, December 12

Through the Lens of Scripture, December 13

Daysong Reflections, December 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 16

Texas Book-aholic, December 17

As He Leads is Joy, December 18

Maureen’s Musings, December 19

Blogging With Carol, December 20

janicesbookreviews, December 21

A Reader’s Brain, December 22

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 22

Inklings and notions, December 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marji is giving away the grand prize package of a “reading S’mores” Christmas Ornament, a book light, and copies of COUNTER POINT and the first book of the Grime Fighter series, GRIME BEAT!!

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/f2e9/counter-point-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, December 15, 2019

The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls Tour

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Created especially for girls ages 8 to 12, this beautiful Bible provides ample space for young artists to express themselves through coloring and journaling.

Girls can get creative with the detailed, ready-to-color line art surrounding the hundreds of inspiring verses in the NIV Beautiful Word™ Coloring Bible for Girls. This Bible is a perfect gift for a special young girl in your life and will become a cherished keepsake full of personalized creative expressions of faith.
Features include:

Hundreds of verses illustrated in ready-to-color line art
Thicker white paper for enduring note-taking
Lined, wide margins for notes, reflections and art
Complete text of the accurate, readable and clear New International Version (NIV)
Easy-to-read black letter text in single-column format
Lays flat in your hand or on your desk
Ribbon marker
Beautifully designed Leathersoft-over-board cover featuring screen-printing and other cover embellishments
8-point type size

Using the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV) text makes the Bible accessible and easy-to-read for kids. The NIV is the result of over 50 years of work by the Committee on Bible Translation, who oversee the efforts of many contributing scholars. Representing the spectrum of evangelicalism, the translators come from a wide range of denominations and various countries and continually review new research to ensure the NIV remains at the forefront of accessibility, relevance, and authority. Every NIV Bible that is purchased helps Biblica translate and give Bibles to people in need around the world.

If you have been looking for a bible for a girl your search is over. This bible has everything that will encourage a child to read and enjoy the bible. The beautifully designed bible is sturdy and will last for generations to come. I think this would be the perfect gift to give a girl and have them pass it on to their daughter or niece. I love the pictures on the side of the pages where they can be colored with vividness and imagination.

I love the bookmark that is attached to the bible that can be used to mark a page to come back to. Can you see the smile on a girls face as she discovers the bible in a new way that is easy for her to understand and interact with? There is also places on some of the pages where notes can be placed as they study their bible. The bible is NIV which is easy to understand. I really enjoy the thought put into the illustrations and how they enhance scriptures. I highly recommend this bible for girls 8-12 years old.

“I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls from Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) for this review. This post is sponsored by Zondervan.”

TOUR SCHEDULE

ColleenRichman.com	12/2/2019
Life is Story	12/2/2019
Finding Peace in God's Word	12/3/2019
My Reading Journeys	12/4/2019
A Mom's Quest to Teach	12/5/2019
amandainpa	12/5/2019
A Beautiful Inheritance	12/6/2019
Bergers Book Reviews	12/6/2019
Carpool Conversations	12/6/2019
Christian Chick's Thoughts	12/6/2019
Poems for Warriors	12/6/2019
Radiant Light	12/6/2019
Tangled Up In Writing	12/6/2019
More Than Just Coffee	12/7/2019
Reviews by Kris	12/7/2019
Savings in Seconds	12/7/2019
The Christian Fiction Girl	12/8/2019
Entrusted By God	12/9/2019
A Modern Day Fairy Tale	12/10/2019
A Peace of Mind	12/10/2019
Day to Day Life	12/10/2019
For Him and My Family	12/10/2019
Inklings and Notions	12/10/2019
Lighthouse Academy	12/10/2019
My Table of Three	12/10/2019
Natalie Walters Writer	12/10/2019
Older & Smarter?	12/10/2019
The Forgiven Former Feminist	12/10/2019
Among the Reads	12/11/2019
Genesis 5020	12/11/2019
Theallpurposewoman	12/11/2019
At Home: where life happens	12/12/2019
Beauty in the Binding	12/12/2019
Bringing Jesus Home (from Church)	12/12/2019
Christen Krumm	12/12/2019
Moments	12/12/2019
Peaceful Pastime	12/12/2019
She Lives to Read	12/12/2019
Vicky Slutier	12/12/2019
Wall-to-wall books	12/12/2019
Aryn the Libraryan	12/13/2019
Buzz4Mommies	12/13/2019
Cara Putman	12/13/2019
Heck Of A Bunch	12/13/2019
It's Story Time With Van Daniker	12/13/2019
Roads to Everywhere	12/13/2019
The Ginger Librarian	12/13/2019
The Livy Updater	12/13/2019
This Is Me	12/13/2019
Chat With Vera	12/14/2019
SK Bell	12/14/2019
Edits and Reviews by Leslie	12/15/2019
Texas Book-aholic	12/15/2019
Book Referees	12/16/2019
I am believing God	12/16/2019
Little Homeschool on the Prairie	12/16/2019
Locks, Hooks and Books	12/16/2019
Mustard Seed Mommy	12/16/2019
Sunday Gatherings	12/16/2019
The Scarlet Rope	12/16/2019

About the Book

Book: The Camera Never Lies

Author: David Rawlings

Genre: General fiction/allegory/magical realism

Release Date: December 3, 2019

David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler, returns with another probing story: what would you do if your secrets were revealed to those around you?

Daniel Whiteley is a successful couples counselor who regularly puts families back together, helping them face up to the things in life they hide. But his own marriage is falling apart.

His wife, Kelly, knows Daniel is hiding something from her, but she doesn’t dare probe for fear her own secrets will be revealed.

When his grandfather dies, Daniel inherits an old SLR camera from a time when cameras pointed away from the person taking the photograph. On the camera is an inscription: “Use this camera wisely and remember, regardless of the picture you think you took, the camera never lies.”
When Daniel first uses his new camera he finds someone has already filled the roll of film. Annoyed, he processes the film and finds photos of a secret that he’s been hiding from his wife and daughter.
He has no idea who took them.

Now every time he uses the camera, the photographs reveal another secret about himself the he is desperate to keep-as well as those of his wife, which he is desperate to uncover.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

David Rawlings is an Australian author, and a sports-mad father of three who loves humor and a clever turn of phrase. Over a 25-year career he has put words on the page to put food on the table, developing from sports journalism and copywriting to corporate communication. Now in fiction, he entices readers to look deeper into life with stories that combine the everyday with a sense of the speculative, addressing the fundamental questions we all face.

Read an Excerpt

Read an excerpt of The Camera Never Lies here.

All throughout the book I kept having this pop into my head; "A picture is worth a thousand words." In this story I was hoping for words to set people free from shame, lies, deceit and temptations. The author missed the mark in getting his message across with too many characters with problems and a twist on seeing someone's inner thoughts.

The main character is a marriage counselor and a bestselling author. He is finding success in his life, but what if it was based on lies? Daniel wasn't easy to like because he just felt like a person who goes through the motions but his heart isn't really there. Over and over he continues to help couples while his own marriage is in shambles. It is funny that there were signs that his life was turning upside down, but he pushed it aside until pictures he takes with a special camera makes him face reality.

There is a lot going on in the book and at times I felt it was too busy. We have a man on the brink of disaster, a wife who has to choose between integrity or hiding the truth about her company and a troubled daughter who screams for help but no one hears her. I understand where the author was going with the book, but I wanted more meat and less whining. I may be one of the few but I was't as blown away about the book as others. I didn't see any faith elements in the book but perhaps the author had that thought while letting us glimpse inside characters thoughts. Secrets are huge in this book and as we all know they always find a way to come out.

I liked the book to a point but I guess I could already figure out what was going to happen. I wanted the author to give examples of what happens if a character chooses the wrong path or even giving readers a reason to sympathize with characters. I didn't really like Simon and couldn't quite connect with him. He didn't seem to fully have compassion for others and almost couldn't wait for the pictures to expose the truth of someone's thoughts. Although I didn't like the book as much as others, I hope readers will give the book a try and come to their own conclusions.

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