Sunday, November 12, 2017

Book Info

The control freak. The angry man. The lazy guy. The unteachable guy. The promiscuous man. The unbeliever. The lone ranger. The unchurched guy. The new convert. The commitment-phobe.

For any woman who has struggled with failed relationships, this may seem like a familiar list. These are the men your friends and family have in mind when they think, "she's with the wrong guy." And while the reasons women choose these types of men are complicated and varied, ultimately, they will all let you down.

In She's Got the Wrong Guy, Deepak Reju offers a different kind of dating book, discussing the types of guys women should not marry and offering biblical reasons why they aren't suitable spouses. Writing from his years of experience as a pastor and counselor, Reju shares with women his perspective on how to assess a relationship's strengths from the beginning, how to identify possible pitfalls, and how to have the courage to wait for a relationship that will be a blessing for both of you. Using stories that single women can relate to and highlighting contemporary issues in the modern world of dating, Reju gives readers clear, biblical direction on how to have positive, life-giving relationships with members of the opposite sex.

With a strong, Christ-centered focus, women will better understand why they "settle" for less than what God intends for their romantic relationships and learn to put their hopes and find their happiness in Jesus, not marriage.

Learn more, read a sample, and purchase a copy.

Deepak Reju, MDiv, PhD, serves as the pastor of biblical counseling and families at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) in Washington, DC, as well as president for the board of directors of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He is the author of several books and articles, including "Great Kings of the Bible: How Jesus Is Greater than Saul, David and Solomon," "The Pastor and Counseling," and "On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church." Deepak and his wife Sarah have been married since 2001 and have five children.

Find out more about Deepak at http://stores.newgrowthpress.com/.

I am so happy that I am married and don’t have to deal with all the stress of dating. When I was dating, I would meet guys from church or through friends. In fact my husband and I met through friends. At first we didn’t like each other at all. I thought he was very quiet and worked a lot. He thought I was rude and outspoken. We began our marriage with a lot of baggage from our past and left our a very important part in our marriage. We forgot to include God in our marriage and had difficult times in our marriage because of it.

It is not uncommon to hear that a couple met online and are now dating. It can be a bit unsettling when you meet for the first time. You can be anyone you want to online, but in person your personality comes out. I have often wondered why a single woman at church is looked at differently. Some women like the idea of being single and are content to have a career and spend time with God. Others like the idea of marriage and sometimes it is hard to find the right person.

The world has become so obsessed with looks that it puts a lot of pressure on people. Men want a wife who is beautiful and thin. Women are looking for a good looking man who is a provider. With all these criteria, it looks like God has been left out. I loved how the book gave great examples of why women are settling instead of waiting for the right man who puts God first. Are women feeling pressured to marry? Do they think it defines them as more successful in life if they are married? When you settle, problems arise and your happiness is left behind and God is not first anymore in your life.

The bottom line I got from the book is to trust God, and know that He wants the best for you. Remember to put Him first and follow his direction. I think the book is a good tool to use for single women who want to have wisdom when looking for their mate.

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

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/dreju

Blog Tour Schedule:

10/30

Paphapin | Feeling in Red

Kim | Window To My World

chantal | this chattanooga mommy saves

Colleen | ColleenRichman.com

Stacey | Books,Dreams,Life

10/31

Karen | Karen's Korner

11/1

Amanda | Inklings and notions

Julius | The Little Friar

Megan | Pursuing Intentional Living

Gayle | BOOKS REVIEWS ETC

stacie | perfect chaos

11/2

Zack | Longing For Truth

11/4

Lauren | A Beautiful Inheritance

Veronica | Veronica's 'Views

Bree | Bibliophile Reviews

11/5

Cassandra | Cassandra M's Place

Rebecca | It's Storytime with Van Daniker

11/6

Kelly | Leafy Not Beefy

11/7

Morgan | The Forgiven Former Feminist

Joan | Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

Wendy | Life at Rossmont

11/8

Laura | Lighthouse Academy

Kristie | Moments

Coyle | Schaeffer's Ghost

Theron | Entrusted By God

11/9

Annette | She' Got The Wrong Guy

Meagan | Meagan Davenport

Corinne | Everyday Gyaan

11/10

Jessica | Girlz 4 Christ

Jennifer | Adventures in Unsell Land

Zoee | TheBookNerdist

Andrea | The Young Girl Who Loved Books

11/11

Ylva-Elana | Chasing after Butterflies

Amanda | The Talbert Report

11/12

Savannah | The Modern Rules

Deana | Texas Book-aholic

Alexis | God is Love

11/13

Bethany | The perfect beginning

Lydia | Noveltea

Urailak | Fruitbearers

Terry | Christian Book Notes

Molly | Cafinated Reads

Mary | The Mary Reader

Hope Toler Dougherty's 'Rescued Hearts' Blog Tour and Kindle Giveaway BLOG CODE: Her personal safety isn't the only thing in jeopardy-so is her heart. In Hope Toler Dougherty's new novel, Rescued Hearts, children's clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball's soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar-entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Brett forsakes his three-month mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind . . . and then Mary Wade's safety is threatened once more.

Cozy up this fall with Hope's new book and enter to win a Kindle Fire!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A copy of Rescued Hearts
A Kindle Fire 7

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 13. The winner will be announced November 14 on the Litfuse blog.

I loved the twists the author cleverly puts in throughout the story to add an element of intrigue . Mary Wade is out for a bike ride when she discovers a kitten trapped . She can’t just ignore it, so she goes to help it. Unfortunately she stumbles upon a place that may look deserted, but is surprised when someone kidnaps her and throws her in one of the rooms of the abandoned house. The minute Mary Wade realizes she is in danger, I could feel her heart beating faster and faster. The men who have her are not very friendly and horrible things run through Mary Wade’s mind. I did like that she was a very strong and intelligent person. She didn’t seem to ever really panic and I loved that the author didn’t make her a helpless woman.

I did like the surprise of the third man who seemed to be the leader. Brett is not happy at all that there is a strange woman tied up in the house. It does complicate things for him since he is an undercover agent. Brett was a very well written character with determination and a knack for getting out of tough situations. Will he risk blowing his cover to rescue Mary Wade? The action is good and kept my attention. I liked the references to their faith and especially liked Brett’s grandmother. She is a feisty woman who secretly plays a little matchmaking between Brett and Mary Wade. The story will definitely keep your attention as Brett and Mary Wade try to keep one step ahead of the men who kidnapped her. I did find the ending a bit of a surprise. There seemed to be another plot going on at the end that didn’t really fit with the overall story. The book was good, but a little disappointing to add the extra story at the end.

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

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/HDougherty

Blog Tour Schedule:

10/24

Colleen | ColleenRichman.com

chantal | this chattanooga mommy saves

Debra | 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!

Mary | Maryandering Creatively

Stacey | Books,Dreams,Life

10/25

vicky | Deal Sharing Aunt

Margaret | The World As I See It

10/26

Rachel | Empowermoms

Gayle | BOOKS REVIEWS ETC

Wendy | Life at Rossmont

Kelly | Leafy Not Beefy

Kav | Best Reads

Janice | Janices book reviews

Julia | Christian Bookaholic

10/27

Rachel | Reader's Cozy Corner

10/28

Carol | centraleast2

Lady | LittleLadyPlays

10/29

Nicole | The Christian Fiction Girl

10/30

Connie | Gccbookworm

Paphapin | Feeling in Red

Amy | A Nest in the Rocks

Dianna | Savings in Seconds

Nancy | sunny island breezes

Pamela | Daysong Reflections

10/31

Cassandra | Cassandra M's Place

Joan | Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

11/1

Loraine | Loraine D. Nunley, Author

Nicki | Confessions of a Teenage Bookworm

Andrea | The Young Girl Who Loved Books

11/2

Linda | Brice's Mice Christian Book Reviews

Lisa | seeking with all yir heart

lisa | Lisaannphillips

Erin | For Him and My Family

11/3

Kristie | Moments

Amy | Pause for Tales

11/5

Mark | Thoughts of a Sojourner

Leah | As We Walk Along the Road

Amanda | amandainpa

Lisa | A Mid-Western Girl & Her Books

11/6

Angela | A Busy Mom of Two

Debi | 2014 and Beyond!

11/7

Becky | Living Outside the Lines

Maureen | Maureen's Musings

11/8

Tarah | Literary Time Out

Sherry | My Journey Back

11/9

Terra | Heck Of A Bunch

Karen | Karen's Korner

Carrie | Reading Is My SuperPower

11/10

Andrea | Two Points of Interest

Rick | Revews From A Man's Perspective

Lisa | A Rup Life

Amy | Seasons of Opportunities

11/11

Kelly | Simply Kelina

Molly | Cafinated Reads

Amanda | The Talbert Report

11/12

Mindy | A Room Without Books is Empty

Deana | Texas Book-aholic

Mary | The Mary Reader

Michelle | Our Little Corner of the World

Barbara | I'm Hooked on Books

Missica | Through the Open Window

Jennifer | Jen Around the world

11/13

Keri | My Table of Three

Bethany | The perfect beginning

Lena Nelson | Lena Nelson Dooley

Beth | For The Love of Books

Lori | Red Headed Book Lady

Kathleen | Reviews From The Heart

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

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray

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

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{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/