Saturday, March 25, 2023

“Every Flower of the Field” Sara Davison

 

About the Book

Book: Every Flower of the Field

Author: Sara Davison

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: February 15, 2023

Safe is the most dangerous feeling of all.

For as long as she can remember, Rose Galway has been a captive, controlled by one man or another. To her, though, God is the one holding the keys, refusing to set her free despite the desperate pleas she has sent heavenward.

Detective Laken Jones has known hardship too, including the daily trauma of racism. Still, nothing he has gone through compares to what Rose has endured. He wants nothing more than for her to experience hope and healing and maybe even happiness in her life.

But first he has to find her.

Laken is willing to risk everything to set Rose free. And to help her find her way to God. Even if that means letting go of her—and the future he envisions for the two of them—forever.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

I loved this book.  It is about a hard subject, sex trafficking.  This book does have a happy ending for some of the characters but not so for others. As a reader I can say I am glad  at the outcome of  some of the players but as a Christian I am glad these characters are fictional. But which this story could be true somewhere. This story and the first book could be triggers for some.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own. 

About the Author

Sara Davison is the author of four romantic suspense series—The Seven Trilogy, The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo Trilogy, and two sparrows for a penny, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, she is a Word, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Ontario with her husband, Michael, and their three mostly grown kids. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better at www.saradavison.org and @sarajdavison.

 

More from Sara

Neil Gaiman once said, “Fiction gives us empathy. It puts us inside the minds of other people, gives us the gift of seeing the world through their eyes…” To me, that is one of the primary reasons to read and to write fiction. Every time I write a scene with a character, it’s my job as the author to put myself inside that character, to think what they are thinking and feel what they are feeling, and to draw readers inside that character too.

When what that character is experiencing is deeply painful or traumatic, that job can be extremely difficult. In my series, two sparrows for a penny, the main characters of the first two books, Every Star in the Sky and Every Flower of the Field, have has been caught up in sex trafficking for several years. What they experienced wasn’t easy to write about, especially since, although Tala’s and Rose’s stories are fictional, I am painfully aware that so many women have been or are currently in the same horrific situation.

It may be difficult to read about too, although the stories also contain humor and love and family and, ultimately, hope. Still, it is so important that stories like these are told. If Neil Gaiman is right, reading about what others are going through increases our empathy, our compassion, for their plight. And empathy and compassion are catalysts for action. If we turn away from suffering, pretend it doesn’t exist, we do nothing to help alleviate it. But if we face it, acknowledge it, we might find in ourselves the courage to take a stand against it, to do what we can to help, to let these women know that they are not alone. That they are precious to God and they are precious to us.

The title of this series is two sparrows for a penny, which comes from Matthew 10:29: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Every human being caught up in the unspeakably heinous world of trafficking is loved by God. He sees them and knows what they are going through and, one day, he will mete out perfect justice to all who perpetuate this evil. My hope and prayer for these stories is that readers will be compelled to pray for the women and some men who are victims of this practice and maybe even become involved, through a reputable agency, in working to help free those in captivity.

And I also hope and pray readers will be reminded that, whatever they are going through in life, they are never alone either. As God knows the name of every star and takes care even of the flowers of the field, He knows every one of our names and watches over us as well. Tala and Rose finally come to realize that, even in the midst of horrific circumstances, they were never alone. God saw them, remembered them, brought them out of captivity, and will continue to walk alongside them as they begin their long journeys of healing and hope.

And He promises over and over in His Word that He will do the same for every one of us.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 23

Lily’s Book Reviews, March 23

An Author’s Take, March 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25

Texas Book-aholic, March 26

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 26

Betti Mace, March 27

The Sacred Line, March 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 29

deb’s Book Review, March 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 31

For Him and My Family, March 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 2

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 4

Blogging With Carol, April 5

Rebecca Tews, April 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sara is givinga way the grand prize package of a book-related stained glass window hanging and a paperback copy of Every Flower of the Field!!

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/24ff1/every-flower-of-the-field-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, March 24, 2023

“Forgiveness:A Surprisingly Way Forward ‘ by Michael Snuffer @ Mark Henderson. Epic Book Launch




 Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward Epic Book Launch

 

About the Author

Book: Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward

Authors: Mark Henderson and Michael Snuffer

Genre: Non-fiction; Interpersonal Relations; Religion

Release date: April 13, 2023

WHY AM I SO MISUNDERSTOOD? I am only trying to do what is right! Of course, I forgive, but I can’t seem to get past the pain. God seems distant. Does he even care about me?

Do any of these questions hit close to home? It may surprise you that the underlying cause is often hidden unforgiveness. Our closest relationships, emotional health, and perhaps even our faith seem to be crumbling around us, but most of us have no idea that forgiveness is the way forward. If we are honest, we don’t even know what forgiveness is. We may have a vague idea that it has something to do with “forgetting” or “letting go” but would be hard-pressed to come up with a working definition. Worse yet, we have no idea how to practice forgiveness in a way that brings lasting relief from the hurt we carry. Most of us are not trying to hang on to the pain, but freedom is elusive.

Freedom from your pain is within reach! Forgiveness is not a vague, esoteric concept, nor is it a lofty, out-of-reach ideal. Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward digs into the biblical definition of forgiveness, tells real stories of real people who have found healing, clears up some huge misconceptions surrounding forgiveness, and teaches us how topracticeforgiveness. If we do not address the wounds of our past, they will shape our future. God has provided a powerful tool to help us find freedom—forgiveness is the surprising way forward!


Book Excerpt

Peeling Back the Onion

On a lot of levels, the spiritual application of this story is obvious. The king represents

God. The servant represents each of us. We are all sinners, right? In fact, each of us has

piled up a lifetime of sins. God’s justice demands payback for these sins. Ultimately, we

have sinned against God, and we are hopelessly in debt to him.

Jesus sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for this debt to be paid. We could never

hope to repay what we owe in twenty lifetimes of good works. Jesus paid for all our debts

on the cross. So, when we ask Jesus for forgiveness, we are forgiven. Like the servant,

God has forgiven a debt we could never hope to repay on our own!

This message Jesus shares with us makes sense. He wants us to forgive others because

God has forgiven us. We ought to forgive others. We understand. It is a good lesson.

But wait, immediately after telling the disciples how this unforgiving servant “was

handed over to the jailers to be tortured,” Jesus made a pretty intense statement


 

 

Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here

 

***INSERT LINKS HERE***

 

 

 

About the Authors



Mark Henderson received a Masters of Pastoral Counseling, was a licensed counselor, and served as a pastor of counseling for twenty years.

In Memory of Mark Henderson

Mark David Henderson, co-author of this book, passed away from cancer as this book was being finalized. Mark was a loving husband, father, and friend. He touched lives all over the world through his counseling ministry and often said he had a front row seat to God’s miracles. He always made sure the individual knew it was God’s healing, and Mark was simply the servant. His desire was to take what he learned and share it with others, which is the reason for this book.



Michael Snuffer has ministered as a counselor for more than ten years. Mark and Mike founded Equip2CounselTM, a ministry dedicated to providing simple yet powerful counseling tools globally to ministers.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

“Iron” by Madisyn Carlin

 



About the Book

Book: Iron

Author: Madisyn Carlin

Genre: Christian Fantasy/Fairytale Retelling

Release date: September 30, 2022

Enforcing justice comes with a price.

Detective Redwyn “Red” Deathan will stop at nothing to uncover those behind the ruthless kidnappings of multiple children. But things are not as they seem, and Red’s efforts are thwarted at every turn. With each discovery the danger grows, putting Red and the lives of those she cares about at risk. Can she reveal the mastermind’s identity before she herself becomes a target?

IRON is a Christian, New Adult, Fantasy Fairytale Retelling

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

To tell you the truth when I picked I picked up this book to read I thought I am not going to like this because it is so long and just didn’t seem like my type of book.  I am glad to say I was so wrong. I loved it.  

This book is a love story along with being a mystery and also about learning that even when things  go wrong  God is still in control.  This book kept me reading. I am eagerly awaiting the next book.  I really can’t believe the evil that others can do because of greed. This book has  me asking questions that I hope are answered in the next book. No, it didn’t end in a  cliff hanger. Once again, I want to say I LOVED THIS BOOK. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.


About the Author

Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.

Want to connect? https://linktr.ee/madisyncarlin

 

More from Madisyn

There are many original Cinderella stories, from all cultures and languages. Perhaps the two most common tales, however, are Frenchman Charles Perrault’s (also called Cendrillon) and the German Brothers Grimm’s Aschenputtel. The majority of these originals, and Brothers Grimm’s in particular, are not the sparkles-and-magic versions we are more familiar with. They are darker, bloodier, and deadlier, though they still possess an amazing display of creativity and storytelling.

 

The iconic, classical Disney retelling drew from Perrault’s version. I based IRON off a blend of Aschenputtel and Perrault’s, with very little influence garnered from Disney’s. Although I wanted it to be obvious IRON is a fairy tale retelling, I also wanted to put an often-unfound spin on it, which is where Redwyn and her occupation shine through. In addition, I am a firm believer there is no such thing as ”love at first sight”, also called ”insta love”, which is quite common in many fairy tales and retellings.

 

Instead, I wanted to present a nonmagical retelling based on faith, family, and bravery. Perhaps that is why this story turned out rawer and much more touching than I ever imagined. Within the pages of this book loyalty drives characters to step outside their comfortable boundaries and preferences, desperation reminds them why they need God, and bravery takes root even in those who thought themselves hopeless cowards.

 

Heavy faith elements, feathers, cranky horses, wolves, sinister plots, a creepy forest, and more take this story beyond the typical plot found in Cinderella retellings. There’s also humor, sarcasm, and a feisty detective who can’t quite grasp the concept of tactfulness.

 

So, if you enjoy fairy tale retellings with a plentitude of faith, humor, and action, IRON might be the book for you.

 

You can find IRON’s inspiration board here.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 23

Texas Book-aholic, March 24

Vibrant Wings by Valerie, March 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 25

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 26

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 27

Lily’s Book Reviews, March 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 30

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, March 31

Blogging With Carol, April 1

For Him and My Family, April 2

Mary Hake, April 2

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 3

Pause for Tales, April 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Madisyn is giving away the grand prize package of one signed copy of the book and a $25 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/24fef/iron-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, March 19, 2023

“Trail of Secrets” by Lacy Williams

 

About the Book

Book: Trail of Secrets

Author: Lacy Williams

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 16, 2023

Stella is the oldest of three sisters and she’s got a long history of being the one to protect and provide for her family. When a dangerous threat sent the Fairfax sisters on a wagon train journey west, Stella knew her best bet was to disguise herself as a man to keep herself and her sisters safe.

Collin Mason has secrets of his own. And his family isn’t short on drama either, not with his troublemaking twin and an older brother about to get hitched. But he’s the only one who sees the real Stella—and that she needs help.

Collin sees the vulnerability Stella tries so hard to hide. When he becomes the only one she can trust and she discovers that danger has followed her family, Stella must rely on him despite her reluctance…

 

Click here to get your copy!

I really liked both books in this series and I am eagerly awaiting the next book.  This book like the first one ends in a cliff hanger. This is a love story that starts out with the hero and the heroine being enemies. This is also a tale of what siblings do to protect others. I recommend this book  and the first book to all readers that love stories that have a lot of obstacles to overcome.
I received a complimentary copy from
The author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own. 
 

About the Author

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see in Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published sixty books in a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

 

More from Lacy

Exploring birth order in fictional characters

 

Are you a firstborn? Middle child? Baby of the family? I’m not versed in all the psychology or science of birth order but I can tell you that I knew my second-born had a different personality from my first-born within a few hours of his birth.

 

I am two years older than my brother and four years older than my sister. We’re all three different. I get along with my siblings in different ways. We enjoy doing different activities together.

 

I love reading books with strong sibling ties. And in my books, I often like to explore the relationships between siblings. I like to play with the dynamics between brothers or have squabbling sisters (that truly love each other, deep down). And my new book TRAIL OF SECRETS is no different!

 

Heroine Stella is an oldest child. When her father died, she took responsibility for her two sisters. She kept the family together (even in an unconventional way) and she’s going to get the three of them to Oregon. No matter what.

 

Hero Collin is a middle child and a twin. He’s a peacemaker and a protector. And he drives Stella a little bit crazy with his ability to always look on the bright side. Their personalities clash but only in the best way.

 

After a tornado ravages the wagon train, Collin and Stella have to work together to survive and rescue family members. Can their differences be strengths when they partner up?

 

-Lacy

Blogs Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 19

Texas Book-aholic, March 20

Karen Baney Reviews, March 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 21

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 22 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 23

Vicky Sluiter, March 24

Blogging With Carol, March 25

Simple Harvest Reads, March 26 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 27

Cover Lover Book Review, March 28

lakesidelivingsite, March 29

Connie’s History Classroom, March 30

Pause for Tales, March 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 1

Holly’s Book Corner, April 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lacy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback 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/255bc/trail-of-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, March 18, 2023

“Forged in Love” by Mary Connealy

 

About the Book

Book: Forged in Love

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: February 28, 2023

When sparks begin to fly, can a friendship cast in iron be shaped into something more?

Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she’s riding in, killing both her father and brother. As she takes over her father’s blacksmith shop and tries to move forward, she soon finds herself in jeopardy and wondering–does someone know she witnessed the robbery and is still alive?

Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to western Wyoming, leaving his painful memories behind. Hoping for a fresh start, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with harsh resistance from the townsfolk, who prefer to stick to their old ways.

Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the trials they face in town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?

 

Click here to get your copy!


 This book really kept me reading. I am really glad it ended the way it did.  Yes, there is violence in the book but it was gory like in some books.  I am awaiting the next book in the series. I recommend this book if a reader likes when a dog is a hero in the story.  This book mentions Biblical passages as part of the story. I wanted to
climb inside the book and try some of Clint recipes. 
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own. 

About the Author

Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com) writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than one and a half million books. She is the author of the popular series Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

 

More from Mary

The Inspiration

I started plotting this novel when I found out that Wyoming was the first state (then a territory) in the Union to grant women the right to vote. Then I discovered it wasn’t just the right to vote; all sorts of other rights were given to women as well, like the right to run for elected office or be appointed to office. In fact, the first woman justice of the peace in the U.S. was from Wyoming. This inspired me to have one of my heroines be the second justice of the peace in the country.

As I continued my research, reading about all that went on in Wyoming was fascinating. They became a territory in 1868—with women voting—and yet they weren’t allowed statehood for another thirty years. With other states being granted statehood in only a few years, why was this? Because the U.S. government refused to let Wyoming in unless they took the vote away from women.

Because Wyoming adamantly refused to strip the vote from women, year after year they were denied statehood. When they finally did get it, the state’s women maintained their right to vote because Wyoming would not budge on the issue. The whole history of this was great reading.

So I wrote a three-book series called Wyoming Sunrise in which all my heroines play against the normal, conventional female roles of the day.

Now, what job could I possibly think of that wasn’t traditionally for women? How about Mariah who happens to be a blacksmith? And while I’m writing against stereotypes, I created a man named Clint who runs a diner. That wasn’t too unusual, for lots of diners were run by men back in the day. Yet not many of them were talented chefs trained in high-class restaurants in New York City. Clint is an excellent chef. Of course, an excellent chef in a small Wyoming town is kind of wasted on folks who prefer fried chicken and beef stew.

Clint makes chicken and beef, but he calls his dishes weird names and makes them unusually delicious. Meanwhile, Mariah is working over a hot forge for long hours every day. When her father and brother are killed in a stagecoach holdup, she becomes the only blacksmith in town.

There’s some resistance to her doing such a masculine job, but even among those who disapprove, well, they’ve got a broken wagon wheel or a hole in their kettle and it’s either let Mariah fix it or go without. Mariah is allowed to be a blacksmith out of pure necessity.

My second book, The Laws of Attraction, has a female justice of the peace, while the third, Marshaling Her Heart, features a tough lady rancher. I write westerns, and honestly, writing about tough, feisty lady ranchers like Becky the Rancher comes naturally to me. Writing about a blacksmith and a judge, however, presents more of a challenge.

Mariah, who survived the stagecoach holdup, learns that the robbers believe she might know something that will reveal their identity, and she needs to be silenced. Clint tries to protect her and finds himself stepping between her and a murderous gang of outlaws.

Through it all, love finds them, and they begin to forge a life together.

Blog Stops

Bigreadersite, March 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 18

Texas Book-aholic, March 19

Through the Fire Blogs, March 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 19

Stories By Gina, March 20 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, March 20

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 20

Connie’s History Classroom, March 21

For Him and My Family, March 21

Labor Not in Vain, March 21

Cover Lover Book Review, March 22

Lighthouse Academy, March 22 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Remembrancy, March 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 23

Betti Mace, March 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 24

She Lives to Read, March 25

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 25

Pause for Tales, March 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 26

Holly’s Book Corner, March 26

Book Looks by Lisa, March 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 27

SodbusterLiving, March 28

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 28

Splashes of Joy, March 29

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 29

Wishful Endings, March 30

HookMeInABook, March 30

lakesidelivingsite, March 31

EmpowerMoms, March 31

Mary Hake, March 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book Forged in Love!!

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/24dc0/forged-in-love-celebration-tour-giveaway