Saturday, September 29, 2018

"Shadows From The Past " by Ashley Dawn

About the Book:

“…It is the price you pay for choosing to be a cop. Your brother’s life…”
Those words haunt her dreams, and her waking moments. LAPD officer, Aurora Kavvan cannot rest until she finds her brothers killer. Digging into the past always brings back unpleasant things: memories, guilt…the hit man. Now she is in a race against time to find the murderer before he finds her.
“Kill her. I don’t care how, and I don’t care where, but I want her dead now!”
Someone was trying to kill his dead partner’s sister. FBI agent, Jordan Reiley will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves. Even if it means going against her wishes; putting himself between her and the man who murdered her brother.
Will God keep them alive long enough for them to find the truth?

Purchase link:

About the Author:

Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent’s office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant.

Ashley has been writing professionally for the past twelve years and has three published books. Her Shadows Series include Shadows From The Past, Shadows of Suspicion, Shadows of Pain, and Shadows of Deception. She is currently working on multiple projects including the fifth in her ‘Shadows’ series entitled “Shadows in Black and White” and also a standalone suspense titled ‘One of Their Own’. She and her family make their home in Texas.

You can connect with Ashley online at www.ashleydawn-author.com or on Facebook (AuthorAshleyDawn) or Twitter (AuthorADawn).
My Review: 
Ok, I am going to say right up front I loved reading this book and I wanted to keep reading after the last page. "Shadows From The Past " by Ashley Dawn is the first book in the "Shadows" Series. I have added the other three to my to be read list.
If you like who-done-it stories, then you will like this book. This book had me guessing till the very end.

This book is of the Christian genre but I think readers of suspense will like this book and it is also a clean love story.

This story is one that shows Christian readers that they need to forgive themselves and not blame themselves for things that aren't their fault. I especially like the sermon on Job.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

Friday, September 28, 2018

"The Girl on the Tombstone: Will's Search to Belong" by Betty Ruth Weatherby

Back Cover Synopsis

Wilhelmina Sukovich is curious and determined to have her own By Line in the Sacramento Bee. Aged out at the Children’s Home Society orphanage, she attends night school and works herself up in the newspaper hierarchy. Her first big break comes as an assignment takes her to the small mountain town of San Andreas in the Gold Country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She searches out her father’s gravesite only to mysteriously be drawn to the artistry of an ancient tombstone nearby, Eliza Osbourne, 1868. Formidable ranchers and a widow befriend her in her quest to fulfill her assignment for school children and search for Eliza’s roots. World War II veteran, Charles, rescues Will from her misadventures. Who is he and why is he such a recluse? Why has he taken it upon himself to see she is safe?




My Review: 
"The Girl on the Tombstone: Will's Search to Belong" by Betty Ruth Weatherby is another example of why I have to finished every book that I start, I didn't like the book when I started reading it but it got better in the middle and the ending was great. At the start of the book it was written as Will was telling her story and then it switched to saying Will did this and that. 

This book has some interesting twists. I felt Will's heartache as she remembered growing up in the orphanage.

This story is not a tale of everything being roses but there are happy scenes as well as scenes that makes the eyes water.

The history of the mine shafts as part of the story really makes this an interesting read.

The characters in this story would make great neighbors and friends in my opinion. I would really like to meet James and Milo.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.









Author Bio

Miss Weatherby holds a BA from California State University, Stanislaus. She earned her teacher’s credentials from Chapman University, as well as a cross-cultural language and academic development certificate from Sacramento State University.

She is an active member of Sierra Baptist Church, in Pioneer, California and travels extensively.

Betty Ruth Weatherby currently lives with her dog, Buttons, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Visit on facebook.


Purchase link:
Social Media
https://amzn.to/2tLIW5J


Thursday, September 27, 2018

"Fear Not": Wilton/Strait Murder Mysteries Book 3 by Barbara Ann Derksen

Book Description:
Fear Not: Wilton/Strait Murder Mysteries   Book 3
ISBN:  978-146598234| List Price: $2.99 kindle  | Format: Digital  | Page Count: 352 pages

Brian Strait and Andrea Wilton discover that relationship and intrigue go together when they embark on their third adventure, back to the Caribbean. A visit cut short, the two sleuths uncover a plot that challenges their faith when they search to clear a friend of murder. Their hunt for truth brings them head to head with the black market, human contraband, and culprits who will stop at nothing to line their pockets.






Link to purchase
:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006V4J31Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3
                                          
Author  Info 

Seeking to encourage, inspire, and invite, Barbara Ann Derksen writes about Kingdom living characters who live in a not-so Kingdom world. She has been scrambling letters into enjoyable fiction and non-fiction for over 20 years and a published writer since 2003. Her readers share how the books are hard to put down, keep them up at night reading long after lights out, and spur them on to a closer walk with their Lord.

Her favorite genre is mystery so, to thrill her readers, she composes a new one every year, She has just completed the four book series, The Wilton Strait Mystery Series, now available through her website, on Amazon in Canada, Europe, and the US, and through Amazon's Kindle store as e-books as well as Smashwords for e-book readers other than Kindle. Vanished, Presumed Dead, Fear Not, and Silence are a series that provides hours of entertainment, food for thought, and keep her readers wanting more. The first book in the Finders Keepers Series, Shadow Stalker, was released May 5, 2013 and is available on Amazon http://amzn.to/13pABhF. with mostly 5 star reviews. In 2014, Book 2, Essence of Evil made its appearance with mostly five star reviews and now the sequel, Wicked Disregard, released February 2016 is making its debut. A 4th book in this series is in the works with plans to publish in 2017.

Barbara has also penned a devotional series with six books, 4 children's stories and two other non-fiction books. Dance With a Broom and Second to None. 

Barbara Ann Derksen has written 19 books, mystery, children's and devotions. She and her husband, Henry, have been married for 46 years, have four children, and eleven grandchildren. Henry is a singer/songwriter with 8 CDs to his name, working on his 9th.

My Review: 
"Fear Not": Wilton/Strait Murder Mysteries Book 3 by Barbara Ann Derksen is the third book in the series but I believe it can be enjoyed as a standalone but I recommend reading the other two books first. I say this because the character they are trying to clear of murder is introduced in book one as well as other characters.

Yes, these books are about murder and human contraband and drugs. They do have a little bit of violence but no cursing and bedroom scenes, but there is lots of flirting in this book, but still a clean love story.

These books really kept the reader in suspense until the end.  

I think what I liked most about these books is that the Gospel was shared.

I had added the fourth book to my to be read list,( just as soon as I get caught up lol) 

The only other thing I can say is these stories certainly shows that the bad guy is not always easy to pick out.

I was given a complimentary digital copy by the author and CWA. These opinions are my own.

Monday, September 24, 2018

"The 6 Hearts of Intimacy : Enjoy Deeper Love and Passion in Marriage "by Bob & Cheryl Moeller Book Tour and GiveAway

About the Book


 
Book Title: The 6 Hearts of Intimacy  
Author: Bob & Cheryl Moeller  
Genre: Christian Non-fiction  
Release date: September 11, 2018

Understand the way your spouse gives and receives love for greater passion in your marriage.
The 6 Hearts of Intimacy is a “Love Languages” for sex in marriage. Rather than focusing on techniques, it unlocks the secret to true sexual fulfillment by revealing the unique way each spouse gives and receives love. Various books describe the distinct ways in which people express and accept love, but this idea has never before been specifically applied to intimacy in marriage.
Marriage experts Bob and Cheryl Moeller present six biblically based and proven ways to enhance your relationship with your spouse as they describe the Romantic Heart, the Giving Heart, the Guardian Heart, the Companion Heart, the Worshiping Heart, and the Ecstatic Heart. They also expose the “counterfeit hearts” that are present in many people’s marriages, leaving their sexual relationship self-focused and empty.
Many couples spend a lifetime attempting to express their love yet fail to achieve true intimacy. Sensitively written with practical advice and humor, The 6 Hearts of Intimacy shows husbands and wives how to successfully resolve conflicts in their relationship and how to care daily for their spouse’s unique heart of sexual love.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review
 "The 6 Hearts of Intimacy : Enjoy Deeper Love and Passion in Marriage"  by Bob & Cheryl Moeller is another book that I probably wouldn't have read if I wasn't part of the book tour, but I am glad that I am a part of the tour and read the book.

Marriage experts Bob and Cheryl Moeller present six biblically based and proven ways to enhance your relationship with your spouse as they describe the Romantic Heart, the Giving Heart, the Guardian Heart, the Companion Heart, the Worshiping Heart, and the Ecstatic Heart. They also expose the “counterfeit hearts” that are present in many people’s marriages, leaving their sexual relationship self-focused and empty.

This book can and should be read by both men and women. I think every engaged couple should be encouraged to read this book as part of the pre-marital counseling, as well as every married couple so I think this book should be part of every pastor's library.  If a husband and wife do devotions and Bible studying together this book would be a great tool to use in those times.

At the end of each chapter there are questions to consider.  There is also a self test for the six hearts of intimacy in the book to discover your heart type, both wives and husbands should take their own. The test is just rating the statements from 1-3.  I took the test and I was surprised at what the test showed was my heart style.

I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit.  These opinions are my own.



About the Author

  

Bob and Cheryl Moeller are the cofounders of For Better, For Worse, For Keeps Ministries, which is dedicated to healing hearts and restoring marriages, especially in under-served communities. Each is the author or coauthor of a number of books. Bob is also the author of numerous articles. The president of For Better, For Worse, For Keeps, Bob is a conference speaker, seminar presenter, and international guest preacher and teacher. He also hosts the television program, Marriage: For Better, For Worse, which airs on the Total Living Network and was awarded Best Television Teaching Show by the National Religious Broadcasters. Cheryl serves as the ministry’s Director of Marketing, Social Media Coordinator, and Director of Prayer Ministry and is a speaker and literary agent. Bob and Cheryl have been married for almost 40 years and have six children and four grandchildren.

Guest Post from Bob and Cheyl

You have God’s permission to enjoy sex within your marriage. He invented sex; He thought it up to begin with. You can learn to enjoy it and, husbands, you can develop a thrilling, happy marriage with ‘the wife of your youth.’ If your marriage has been a civil-war battlefield or a dreary wasteland, instead of a lovers’ trysting place, all that can change. You see, God has a perfect plan for marriage, which we may choose to step into at any time, and the mistakes of the past can be dealt with and left behind.
Indeed, the Ecstatic Heart finds its fulfillment in the intoxicating experience of joyful physical intimacy with your spouse that God Himself ordained, created, and blessed. The Ecstatic Heart celebrates married physical intimacy as a gift from God.

Blog Stops

lighthouse Academy, September 15
A Reader’s Brain, September 16
Bigreadersite, September 16
Reading is my Super Power, September 17 (Interview)
Life Faith & Health, September 18
Power of Words, September 18 (Spotlight)
All-of-a-kind Mom, September 19
margaret kazmierczak, September 19 (Interview)
A Rup Life, September 20
Mary Hake, September 20
Artistic Nobody, September 22 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, September 23
Creating Romance, September 25
Janices book reviews, September 26
Carpe Diem, September 27
Reader’s Cozy Corner, September 28


Pause for Tales, September 28

Giveaway



To celebrate their tour, Bob and Cheryl are giving away a grand prize basket that includes a Pomegranate Body Wash from Abba Products and Bath Salts from Divinity Boutique!!
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/d5c8/the-6-hearts-of-intimacy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, September 22, 2018

"Be the Miracle" by Delores Liesner Book Tour and GiveAway


About the Book



Book Title: Be the Miracle  
Author: Delores Liesner
Genre: Non-fiction, Christian living, devotional  
Release date: June 1, 2018

Whether we title these unexplainable happenings miracles, God-sightings, or some other name, people love to hear of such occurrences. Why? They increase our faith by providing evidence of the miraculous in our everyday lives and heighten awareness of God’s desire to minister personally to us and through us. Delores Liesner is a prayer warrior with a track record of seeing Christ work in her life and the lives of others. Her articles, devotions, and columns reflect the excitement of seeing miracles transpire, and now her book chronicles many of these amazing experiences. You’ll enjoy it.—Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, author, Jesus in the 9 to 5 My time with God in the morning is the most precious part of my day. Be The Miracle is a devotional filled with wonderful personal stories that will build your faith and stir your heart to receive fresh grace from God and be on the lookout for new ways to serve Him each day.—Dan Walsh, bestselling author, The Unfinished Gift, Remembering Christmas, and The Dance Miracles happen all around us, every single day if we’ll only be sensitive enough to recognize them and thank God for His divine intervention. Author Delores Liesner shows us that whether a miracle comes as the smallest kiss from heaven or a life-changing act of God, our Heavenly Father is still in the prayer answering business, and as the Word says: ‘We have not because we ask not.’ I love this book! It makes me want to shout about all of the times God has come through for me. It will encourage you, too! It’s a must read! —Michelle Medlock Adams, award-winning, best-selling author of more than 80 books including her latest Get Your Spirit On! Devotions for Cheerleaders and Love & Care For the One and Only You

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review:
"Be the Miracle"  by Delores Liesner is a book of  31-days of personal challenge devotionals which includes stories from the author's own life.   The stories and personal challenges shows God wants all of his followers to be His hands and feet (and less often his voice) in the world.

Each of the stories shows us that we have to be looking and planning for ways to "Be The Miracle" that someone needs. There is always one story about how we have to be willing to accept help from others because some people have trouble asking and receiving from others.  These stories will have you wanting to step out of your comfort zone and "Be The Miracle" in other's life.

After each story, there is a prayer to pray and a challenge.  The author says to journal, the what and how you are going to accept the challenge and then to journal the results and the impact.

My favorite story in the book was about a little doll named Angel and a little girl named Heaven.  The story starts out not being a feel good story but the ending makes you glad that someone was there to make a little difference in a big way.  All the stories show that God does still perform miracles but He wants to use His people to bless others and us.

I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.



About the Author
Delores is a storyteller. Her passion, whether writing or speaking about activating faith is to be the miracle for others. Over a thousand of those stories, devotionals, and teaching articles are published in print and online, including a compilation of 31 stories and life-changing challenges in her devotional, Be the Miracle! (Elk Lake Publishing). Delores is often spotted reading (3-5 books at a time), trying new recipes, or munching dark chocolate and orange peel. Her personal ministry is to benefit children with life-threatening illness via Fullness of Life Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ

Guest Post from the Delores

Would you believe a cow turned me into a miracle-believing lady? Though I’d always known about Jesus dying on the cross, and the Bible being God’s words, it took a couple of amazing and unexplainable events for me to understand miracles could happen to me! We didn’t realize we were risk taking when we hopped in the car and headed for Colorado. Youthful and ignorant˜ in the ways of the world, we were excited to learn that the organization who produced the memory verse cards and Bible studies our friend had given us were having a conference that began the next day, we packed up and went! A startled young man answered our phone call, made when we were already half-way across the country and got to thinking maybe we should have told them we were coming! The conference was full, but separate rooms across campus were found for us. Consequently we only sat by each other during meetings and some meals, so we didn’t compare notes until on the way home. That was when we both started sharing the same message from God – to give a certain amount to a missionary for 6 months. We did not have the money and the only amount in our budget that matched was groceries. Would God ask us to give up groceries for 6 months? We felt He would, so that He could surprise us with the provisions in a most unexpected way – like sending a cow! That is a bit of a teaser for Surprise Us for Dinner, God, the first story in my upcoming 31-day personal challenge devotional, Be The Miracle! You see, when God did that miracle-series at the beginning of our Christian life, we knew He was real, and that He dealt with people on a personal level. If God could do this, we figured, He could do anything, and we have many amazing stories that prove it! Each of the stories is a true incident of God leading me to bless someone else (often a stranger, but sometimes someone we knew), or someone bringing us an unexpected answer to prayer. When I began sharing stories like You’re the One, The Wrong Store?, Stranger No More, and Impossible Dreams, there were two main responses. Some women were excited to relate to stories of miracles in their own lives, and some women wondered if God would do miracles through them too. I always share that I do not believe God is a giant get your prayers answered here vending machine, serving us just to make us ‘happy.’ The joy in these stories, and their life challenges, is that God wants all of his followers to be His hands and feet (and less often his voice) in the world. Just as we can represent our spouses with our children, and our supervisors with the public or with other employees because we know them so well, and understand how they would respond to a situation, we can know God in such a personal way that we can represent Him to others too. That takes time. And that is why each story is followed with a verse, its teaching and a challenge you can follow to recognize and activate God’s command and gift to be “the miracle” – the messenger delivering an answer to prayer.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, September 13
Mary Hake, September 14
Real World Bible Study, September 17
Bigreadersite, September 18
Captive Dreams Window, September 19
Texas Book-aholic, September 20
Bibliophile Reviews, September 21
Janices book reviews, September 23
Carpe Diem, September 24
A Diva’s Heart, September 26

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Delores is giving away
Grand Prize: Vertical Be the Miracle plaque, miracle magnet, Be the Miracle stamped cuff bracelet, a eternity circle necklace and Ebook or paperback copy of Be the Miracle
First: Gold miracle plaque, choice of Ebook or paperback of Be the Miracle, and shoe bracelet (be hands and feet of Jesus)
 Second: Pink miracle plaque, choice of Ebook or paperback of Be the Miracle, and cross ribbon bookmark
 Third: Blue background – Be the Miracle canvas and Bee pin – choice of Ebook or paperback of Be the Miracle!!
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/d436/be-the-miracle-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, September 21, 2018

"Fool's Notion" by Lisa J. Flickinger

Book Blurb
1883 California Trail, Kansas
Missouri mules were the best. Alda grew to love the creatures working side by side with her pa on their farm along the banks of the Missouri River. He would be hopping mad when he realized his wife and daughter colluded behind his back to sell a pack string. It wouldn’t matter that they were trying to save the farm.
Alda struck out on her own to drive the team over fifteen hundred miles. By day three, her lead mule Bessie refused to take one more step. It was a good thing the handsome cowboy Cord stopped by to lend a hand or Alda might still be sitting in the dust.
Now, Alda needed the man to move on so she could continue her journey. Judging by the spark in Cord’s eye … it just might take some convincing. 


Author Bio

Lisa J. Flickinger, author of historical novels Fool’s NotionElla, and All That Glitters, lives and writes from the cliff of a river along the majestic Rocky Mountains. When not writing or reading, you will find her scouring antique shops or sipping a maple latte with friends and family. To learn more about her visit www.lisajflickinger.com or her Facebook author page Lisa J. Flickinger. 






"Fool's Notion" by Lisa J. Flickinger is a wonderful story of love at first sight. It is also a story of a person that is supposed to love someone loves money more.

Alda is determined to save her family's farm but to do so she puts herself into danger and her father even puts her into a situation that is hard to accept and even imagine that a father would do!

Both Cole and Alda claims that the other saved them from situations, but I say they saved each other. 

This book was filled with twists that kept me turning the pages from page one to the end and I even wanted to keep reading.

Alda learns that her father's claim that God is for weak folks isn't true at all.

I like this story because even through some of the characters became Christians, not all the characters accepted the Christian life just like in real life. I like fictional reads that have a little real life mixed in. 

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These are my own opinions.





"It’s Momplicated" by Debbie Alsdorf * Joan Edwards Kay BookTour and GiveAway


About the Book



Book Title: It’s Momplicated
Author: Debbie Alsdorf * Joan Edwards Kay  
Genre: Non-fiction  
Release date: September 4, 2018

Let’s face it: when it comes to mothers and their daughters, things can get a little . . . complicated. Momplicated, you might say. Whether your relationship with your mom has been wonderful or stressful, redeemed or broken, close or nonexistent, it’s one of your life’s most important and defining connections. Its effects have probably followed you into adulthood. If you have conflicting feelings toward mom—or if you wish you could get past some of the baggage that holds you back—this is your book. Combining spiritual disciplines and the best of current therapeutic practice, It’s Momplicated will help you discover
  • How your early connection with your mother may have impacted your sense of self and your other important relationships—and what you can do to break the cycle
  • Why you and your mother have the relationship you have—the underlying reasons that may be contributing to strain and unease
  • Tools and exercises to help you cope with some of the most common effects of a broken relationship, including anxiety, depression, lack of confidence, and trust issues
  • How to be the daughter and mother God wants you to be even if your mom wasn’t who you needed her to be.
It’s never too late to love, never too late to heal, and never too late to trust God to turn the pain in your story into a redemption song. As you read It’s Momplicated, you’ll realize that while God doesn’t promise to fix all your circumstances, He does promise to uphold you and lead you to a healing place of knowing you are truly precious and loved, no matter how your past has affected you

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review:
This is what I gained from reading "It’s Momplicated" by Debbie Alsdorf and Joan Edwards Kay, "God doesn’t promise to fix all my circumstances, but He does promise to uphold me and help me heal from a past belief of believing the lie that I'm not enough and unloved and to help me learn and believe that I am truly precious and loved, no matter how the past has affected me ."


The above statement is partially true, it is a work in progress because this book shows that mothers and daughters are life’s most important and defining connections. Its effects have probably followed you into adulthood.

"It’s Momplicated" by Debbie Alsdorf and Joan Edwards Kay is another book that is one that really needs to be studied and actually work on the "Explore Your Story" part of the book after each chapter.

I have added this book to my work on list ( yes, I have a list of books that needs to be studied more in depth) and I have put this on the top of the list, because after reading this book I realized more than ever that even if you had a good relationship with your mother there are still past issues that you carry on into the relationship with your own daughter and even though the book is about mothers and daughters, I see where some of the relationship even carries on to relationships with others.

I wish I had read this book before because I would definitely use it to have a talk with my own mother, who died May, 11, 2018. But I can and will use it as a tool in making my relationship with my own daughter better. I feel like this would have been a great tool for mom and me as we both like to read and shared books, I can imagine the tears and conversations we would have, if given the chance. This book can still be a healing tool even if your own mother is no longer alive.

I don't think working on a review has ever made me cry but this certainly has. I suggest all mothers and daughters read this book.

I was given a complimentary copy by the authors and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.




About the Authors


Debbie Alsdorf: For the past twenty-five years, through her speaking and writing, Debbie Alsdorf’s mission has been to help women live a better story by leading them to the heart of God’s love and the truth of his Word. Debbie is a biblical lay counselor, a Christian life coach, and the founder of Design4Living Ministries. She and her husband, Ray, have raised a blended family of four adult children. Today Debbie’s favorite role is being a grandma to ten little ones.



Joan Kay Edwards: Joan Edwards Kay is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the East Bay of San Francisco and has been an adjunct professor at Western Seminary. She received her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and her master’s degree from Western Seminary. She is happily married with two adult daughters, four stepdaughters, and five grandchildren.

Guest Post from Debbie and Joan

Mom. Mother. Mommy. What do those words evoke in you? Wonderful memories of home cooked meals? A longing for nurture that was never fully met? A sense of not being enough? Gratitude? Sadness and loss? Anger and resentment? Most women have a complex reaction when asked to think about their mothers–a mix of positive and negative, gratitude and hurt, happy and sad memories. Our relationships with our mothers are unique, rich, and complicated. Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Debbie Alsdorf and Joan Edwards Kay, friends who have written a book together that explores the issue of moms and their profound effect on daughters. It’s Momplicated: Hope and Healing for Imperfect Daughters of Imperfect Mothers releases this September 4th, 2018. Since every woman is a daughter, this book is for every women. Every daughter receives less-than-perfect programming from her mother. The messages may be about our value, or how to relate to others, or even about how we think about bodies. However, God is our perfect parent who wants to rewrite that imperfect programming with his truth. Many of us don’t realize the wrong messages that are deep in our souls. I (Debbie) grew up with a mother who was cold, distant and unavailable. I have one sister who was in her teens when I was born and married by the time I started school, leaving me to be raised as an only child. I grew up wondering what was wrong with me, “Why didn’t mom want to spend time with me? Why didn’t she hug me and hold me close like other moms did? Why was nothing I did to earn her approval good enough?” I was deeply imprinted with wounds of rejection and carried them through most of my adult life, even though I pasted on a smile, kept trying to do better, and could be the life of any gathering. On the inside, I was sad for as long as I can remember. Through working on this book, I have experienced a phenomenal inner healing, the exposing of lies long held secretly in my heart, and the ability to see the way the enemy of my soul has tried to use the “not enough” belief against me. I am beyond excited for other women to have the courage to own their own story, inviting Jesus to meet them in any points of pain and any relationships that need healing. I (Joan) had a stay-at-home mom who cooked dinner every night, took us to the library and the beach, did art projects with us, and made me feel safe and happy. However, when I was nine years old, my father and then my brother both died of cancer within a year and my relationship with my mother changed. Understandably, she struggled to just hold herself together, but in my young mind I felt abandoned by her. I didn’t have the capacity to deal with all the loss and she didn’t have the strength to help me. I felt emotionally lost and alone. I longed for my mother to comfort me and show me how to overcome my pain. In retrospect, I wish she had shown me faith in a God who could bring hope and meaning to the devastation that had hit our family. But she was not a believer and did her best to stuff away the feelings and soldier on. I was deeply imprinted with the belief, I’m alone and can only depend on myself. As I worked on this project, the root of many of my struggles became clear to me and God has been comforting those young, lonely parts of me with his presence and his love. What is your story with your mother? What false beliefs has this important relationship imprinted on your heart, and how does God’s truth rewrite them? It is our hope that every woman, as God’s daughter, will learn the beauty of who she is and receive her own healing so she can leave a legacy of faith, hope and beauty to the generation of women that follow. One thing we know for sure: there are no perfect moms, just women partnering with a perfect God.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, September 8
Carpe Diem, September 9
Lighthouse Academy, September 10
Luv’N Lambert Life, September 10
Life Faith & Health, September 11
Real World Bible Study, September 12
Multifarious, September 14
Reading is my Superpower, September 14 (Interview)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 15
Bigreadersite, September 16
Bibliophile Reviews, September 17
All-of-a-kind Mom, September 18
For the Love of Books, September 19
Janices book reviews, September 19
Reader’s Cozy Corner, September 20
margaret kazmierczak, September 20 (Interview)

Giveaway



To celebrate their tour, Debbie and Joan are giving away a grand prize of a “I’m Not Like a Regular Mom” T-Shirt!!
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/d56c/it-s-momplicated-celebration-tour-giveaway