Thursday, June 26, 2025

Being Content God’s Way and the Being Content God’s Way Workbook by Scott LaPierre

 

About the Book

Book: Being Content God’s Way and the Being Content God’s Way Workbook

Author: Scott LaPierre

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Release date: May 21, 2024

Philippians 4:12 reveals a profound truth: there is a “secret to learning contentment.” As Paul declares in the next verse, the secret is the strength Christ provides: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Just as a tree’s unseen root system gathers vital resources for the tree, the unseen part of contentment is being “rooted and built up in Christ” (Colossians 2:7).

With Being Content God’s Way, you will…

  • learn to “be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5)
  • enjoy personal stories and application to daily life
  • be equipped to put off covetousness (Colossians 3:5)
  • receive biblical answers to common questions
  • discover why “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Contentment is not an elusive concept. Instead, it is a tangible reality within our reach through a relationship with Christ.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Workbook

The perfect companion to Being Content God’s Way!

James 1:22 says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” A common mistake with God’s Word is believing we have done enough by learning without applying. Our responsibility goes much further than simply obtaining information.

This 13-week in-depth Bible study will reinforce the teachings from the book so you can be not just a hearer (or reader) but a doer (or obey-er). You will be given the tools to apply the reading and cement the teachings in your heart.

Inside, you will find:

  • Helpful guidelines for deepening your relationship with Christ
  • Thoughtful questions for self-reflection
  • Insightful observations to help you grow spiritually

The workbook is a 3-month study to help you become rooted and built up in Christ. This great tool is perfect for individual use or group study.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

"Being Content God’s Way and the Being Content God’s Way Workbook" by Scott LaPierre is two great resources to help Christians overcome coveting and covetousness. The author says Our discontent is not because of external stuff but because of our lack of trust in God. He shares lots of Biblical passages and states that covetousness is a heart issue and reveals a weakness in our relationship with God. I have never thought of it before, but when the author shares the practice of putting off and putting on, it makes perfect sense. This practice is you not only give up the sin you replace it with a something healthy. The author uses these 2 examples as well as other to explain it (You stopped yelling at your kids, but what did you start saying to them and you stopped watching things you should not, but did you start reading your Bible more.  The author thoroughly gives sound reason and examples (Biblical verses and other sources) for the things he writes.  One reason I like this author's books is because they are easily read and understood. Sometimes book that are nonfiction and want to teach us something is technically written, but not this author's books. I think this is a book all Christian should read at least once if not more than once. 

 I haven't done the workbook study yet but am planning on starting it soon, in fact I am really pretty excited about starting it.

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




About the Author

Scott LaPierre is a teaching pastor, author, and popular conference speaker. He holds an MA in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. God has blessed Scott and his wife, Katie, with ten children.

 

 

 

 

 

More from Scott

We all want to be content, but should you trust what I, Scott LaPierre, have to say about this topic? Yes, for these three reasons…

First and foremost, I am not asking you to trust me but God. My book is not simply a collection of my thoughts and opinions but God’s words revealed in Scripture, which is why the book is filled with so many verses. God knows how we can be content and overcome covetousness. I want readers to understand what He says about these topics.

Second, I have preached extensively on contentment and covetousness to the church I serve. The sermons involved hundreds of hours of Bible study, which I used to write Being Content God’s Way.

Third, much of the counseling I perform is related to contentment and covetousness. When couples come for marriage counseling, they want to see their spouse change. More often, I help them be content with each other. When people have financial problems, I help them overcome covetousness to be better savers and givers. In other words, I have experience assisting people to become content.

I poured my heart into the book and workbook because I am passionate about this area of Scripture and life. I am convinced that applying the biblical principles can change your life.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 23

She Lives To Read, June 24

Artistic Nobody, June 25 (Author Interview)

Its Mama Safe, June 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 27

Texas Book-aholic, June 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29

Guild Master, June 30 (Author Interview)

Barb Howe, June 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 2

Fiction Book Lover, July 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 3

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, July 4

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, July 5

Simple Harvest Reads, July 6 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Scott is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book and workbook!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54245

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Logan vs. the Hateful Strawberries : A Towers of Light Early Reader (Logan’s Search for the Fruits of the Spirit Book One) by Allen Brokken

 

About the Book

Book: Logan vs. the Hateful Strawberries : A Towers of Light Early Reader (Logan’s Search for the Fruits of the Spirit Book One)

Author: Allen Brokken

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Release Date: May 8, 2025

Logan was important…once! He helped slay a Dragon. Now all his days are chores, chores and more chores.  Will nothing relieve the drudgery?

But when he happens upon a hidden grove of strawberries with mysterious powers, his whole perspective changes and he wonders if he’s found the mysterious fruit of self-control?  Will Logan and his new pet raccoon Rascal solve the mystery before Logan’s Pa turns the rodent into a new hat?

 

Click here to get your copy!

"Logan vs. the Hateful Strawberries: A Towers of Light Early Reader (Logan’s Search for the Fruits of the Spirit Book One)" by Allen Brokke is a book for younger children (6-10). I recommend reading the other "Towers of Light" books before this one but if you don't I think they would get the message. I just thought it helped knowing the events and how the weapons used in this story came to be.  This book is a short 100 pages. 

This story is about how Logan disobeys his parents and lies and the consequences and then he repents, and everything is better. I liked this story because of Rascal the Raccoon. 

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

About the Author

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media and through his blog.

 

 

More from Allen

As a writer, I tend to lean toward what I know for inspiration.  Actual life events or people I know shape what I write about.  As a ministry volunteer in church for over 15 years, I regularly saw the challenges children with ADHD or other spectrum disorders had with the church.  Volunteers are ill-equipped to understand their unique needs, and many of the young boys I worked with ended up having terrible experiences at church because they just couldn’t fit in.

So when I set out to write an early chapter book for boys I wanted to find a way to shine the light of God’s truth right where they lived.  Having been diagnosed with A.D.D., I understand these challenges and the general mentality.  On the one hand, this can have detrimental effects when being forced to sit in a chair with nothing to do but listen; on the other hand, it can supercharge tasks that require intense focus.

I also had inspiration from the existing Towers of Light series I wrote for a middle grade audience and pre-existing characters that children love.  So I worked with the real-life Logan to craft this story that exemplifies the spiritual gift of love as the antidote to the poison of the hateful strawberries.  Plus, the antics of Rascal the Raccoon add just the right touch of comedy and action to keep young children turning the pages.

Blog Stops

A Modern-Day Fairy Tale, June 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 25

Texas Book-aholic, June 26

Simple Harvest Reads, June 27 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 28

Fiction Book Lover, June 29 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

For Him and My Family, July 1

Vicky Sluiter, July 2 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, July 2

Blogging With Carol, July 3

Guild Master, July 4

For the Love of Literature, July 5 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, July 6

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 7 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, July 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54247

Saturday, June 21, 2025

If Jesus Came to My School by April Graney

 

About the Book

Book: If Jesus Came to My School

Author: April Graney

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Release Date: June 10, 2025

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a young girl learns how Jesus’s love can shine at school through her compassion, kindness, and inclusion. In this whimsical tale, a young girl imagines what it would be like if Jesus visited her school as a boy. She would show Jesus around her classroom, introduce her friends and teachers, listen to story time, and eat lunch together! But Jesus wouldn’t stop at learning and sitting in class. He’d invite the lonely to join in on games and find a way to love and get along with everyone. Soon the young girl realizes that even though Jesus doesn’t attend her school, he can live through her. Through rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, children will be inspired to make a difference in their schools through their actions. Because as they treat each other right and classes become families, Jesus truly will be in their school.

 

Click here to get your copy!

I love "If Jesus Came to My School" by April Graney. This is an encouraging Children's book. It starts out with a little girl swaying what the day would be like if Jesus came to her school and then she says but Jesus wants to live through me. He wants me to spread His Love to all. I really think younger children that has been and is being taught about Jesus would enjoy this book. The pictures are really colorful and really stand out. I really recommend this book to all Christian parents and Sunday School that has a library and church libraries. I am going to ask my public library to purchase a copy as well. 
I receive a copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own. 

 

About the Author

April Graney is a teacher at Cookson Hills, a children’s home and school for at-risk students in Oklahoma. She is the author of The Marvelous Maker: A Creation and Redemption Parable and the ECPA Christian Book Award finalist The Marvelous Mud House: A Story of Finding Fullness and Joy. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, April loves studying and teaching the Bible. Her greatest joy has been raising five children with her husband Tom in their crazy, loud, happy house at New Life Ranch, a summer camp and retreat center where they have served for over twenty years.

 

 

 

More from April

When my husband, Tom, was in high school, a classmate leaned over and casually asked, “Hey, would you like to go to church with me sometime?” Tom wasn’t opposed to church. He’d just never been invited before. This invitation got him to a place where he began hearing the gospel. Finally, at a youth rally, my future husband tearfully repented of his sins and trusted in Jesus’ death on the cross for his salvation. He walked down to the center of that arena, with hundreds of others who had done the same. I’m incredibly thankful for his classmate who had the courage at school to ask his friend to come to church, something which changed the entire trajectory of his life.

Our nation’s schools are filled with kids who need to hear the gospel. After encountering the woman at the well, Jesus told his disciples in John 4:35, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” I believe this could be said of our schools today. There are nearly 60 million school age children in the United States. The Barna Group reports that nearly half of all public educators are practicing Christians, and 86 percent of Christian families send their children to public school. Christians are in public schools. I hope to support and equip them, by providing tools for them to teach their children about Jesus, the gospel, and his love. I hope to help families to see the fertile soil of our nation’s schools, and be faithful to shine the light and love of Jesus in our schools. They are ripe for harvest.

When school children encounter the love of Jesus, they become places where kindness, love and respect can flourish. With the divisiveness in our nation, it’s so important to teach our children how to treat each other with kindness, inclusion and understanding. We can teach our children that everyone is created and cherished by God. We can help reduce bullying in schools when children celebrate their differences and stand up for each other. Our schools would be places of impact for the individual and the school community. These are the truths that I hoped to communicate in If Jesus Came to My School, and I hope that readers will take these lessons to heart and make a difference in the world!

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 22

Artistic Nobody, June 23

Library Lady’s Kids Lit, June 24

Labor Not in Vain, June 25

Cover Lover Book Review, June 26

Guild Master, June 27 (Author Interview)

May Hake, June 27

A Reader’s Brain , June 28 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 28

Older & Smarter?, June 29

Texas Book-aholic, June 30

Vicky Sluiter, July 1

Fiction Book Lover, July 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 3

Jodie Wolfe, July 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54242

Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly

 

About the Book

Book: Call in the Canyons

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 3, 2025

The bandits who murdered her father are back, but can she trust the sheriff to protect her home and her heart?

Sheriff Heath Monroe believed the wrong man, and although California’s most notorious gang leader was eventually brought to justice, Heath’s error shattered the confidence of the people he serves. With reelection looming, Heath is desperate to prove his worth. So when he learns of a new threat to the citizens of California, he doesn’t hesitate to take action, even though he knows the job will endanger the lives of those he cares about—something he swore he’d never do again. Haunted by the ghosts of past mistakes and second-guessing every decision, Heath sets out to put an end to California’s most dangerous bandit gang, once and for all.

Virginia Baker works hard to keep her desert cattle ranch going, and even harder to keep all men off her land. When the bandits who murdered her father return to her valley, memories of a friendship cut tragically short drive her to work with the all-male posse pursuing the gang in search of justice. Despite her determination to remain guarded, Heath Monroe’s steadfast integrity and unexpected humility begin to crack her defenses. But can she rely on the widower leading them, or will his secrets confirm her belief that no man is to be trusted?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 "Call in the Canyon" by Kathleen Denly is the sixth and final book in this series. Each book follows the others but can be read as standalones. This is a story of faith and trust and romance.  The trust part doesn't come easily. This is a novel that has twists and turns, so it is filled with adventure and suspense. Both Ginny and Heath have had tragedies in their lives that make them unwilling to let others in to help them. This a story about realizing that God's love and forgiveness isn't conditional on us making the right choices. Characters from other books in this series are also part of this novel. There are lots of notables quotes to notice and remember in real life.  If you like Christian historical romance and the Old West, then you need to read this book. As a rule, I don't westerns, not that is a western as such but there is a posse and a ranch that the owner is trying to protect and criminals, so even if it isn't a Western it makes me think on one. But even with me saying that I enjoyed this book and giving it 5 stars.

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

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

 

 

More from Kathleen

The Power of Unlikely Alliances: Breaking Stereotypes in Call in the Canyons

When we think of the Old West, we often imagine familiar archetypes: rugged cowboys, tough lawmen, and damsels in distress. These characters have been depicted time and again in Westerns but often missing the complexity that truly defines who we are as individuals. In Call in the Canyons, I wanted to push back against those typical stereotypes, creating a world where characters defy expectations, form unlikely alliances, and challenge preconceived notions about who can be a hero, a villain, or even a love interest.

Virginia Baker: A Strong, Independent Heroine
Virginia “Ginny” Baker is a woman who embodies strength and resilience. She’s not the typical “damsel” you might expect from a Western; in fact, she works harder than most men to keep her desert cattle ranch going. Virginia is fiercely independent, having learned early on that the world isn’t kind to women who rely on others. A devastating attack on her father’s ranch that left her the sole survivor only solidified this belief. Yet even as she pushes people away, Ginny’s story is about growth—learning to trust, learning to forgive, and ultimately, learning to let others in.

Ginny doesn’t just defy the stereotype of the helpless woman; she is also a representation of the idea that strength can coexist with vulnerability. She has scars, both physical and emotional, from a past that refuses to be forgotten. And when the very men who killed her father return to the region she calls home, she is forced to work with a posse of men she doesn’t trust. Ginny definitely doesn’t see herself as someone who needs saving, but she eventually realizes that sometimes strength isn’t about facing the world alone—it’s about being open to help when it’s needed and accepting the joy that can be found in true fellowship.

Sheriff Heath Monroe: A Man on the Path to Redemption
Sheriff Heath Monroe is a man haunted by past mistakes, carrying the weight of guilt and a deep fear of failure. His tragic history has made him wary of letting anyone, especially women, take risks. As Sheriff, he has tried to prove his worth, but his past continues to cast a shadow over every decision.

When a new threat emerges in Call in the Canyons, Heath must confront not only the dangers facing his community but his own reluctance to trust others’ decisions. Through his partnership with Ginny, he begins to see that redemption isn’t just about regaining respect—it’s about letting go of the past, learning to let others take risks, and, most importantly, learning to trust God.

Challenging Stereotypes and Breaking Barriers
One of the most rewarding parts of writing Call in the Canyons was exploring how these two characters—Ginny and Heath—push against the boundaries of their worlds. Virginia’s fierce independence challenges the notion that women in the Old West were relegated to secondary roles. She’s not just a survivor; she’s an active participant in her own story, driving the action and decisions that shape her fate.

Heath, on the other hand, challenges the idea that a “hero” must be flawless. His struggles with guilt, loss, and self-doubt make him a hero not in spite of his flaws but because of them. His vulnerability makes him someone readers can empathize with and root for, as they see his journey not just as one of professional redemption but personal healing as well.

Both of these characters also challenge the notion that our past defines us. While acknowledging the very real impact that trauma has on us, their journeys demonstrate resilience and hope for joy-filled futures.

But the breaking of stereotypes isn’t limited to these two characters. Call in the Canyons is a world where characters of different backgrounds, races, and experiences interact and challenge each other. One of the novel’s key themes is that people should not be judged based on their race, their family, or even their past, and this is reflected in the relationships that develop over the course of the story.

An Unlikely Pair
Ginny and Heath’s evolving relationship is an example of an unlikely alliance—a pairing that grows from mutual distrust into something deeply beautiful. She’s been betrayed by men in the past; he’s been betrayed by his own decisions. Yet as they work together, they come to see each other as more than just their past mistakes or preconceived notions.

This journey from mistrust to love is a key theme in Call in the Canyons, and it mirrors the larger narrative of overcoming prejudice and embracing the idea that redemption and healing are possible, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Why It Matters
As readers, we often find comfort in familiar stories and familiar characters. But it’s the stories that challenge our assumptions and push us to reconsider what we believe that leave a lasting impact. In Call in the Canyons, I wanted to create a story that would give readers not only the exciting journey they expect in a Western but also something new, something to think about long after they’ve turned the last page

For that reason, Call in the Canyons is an adventurous story of healing, redemption, justice, faith, and love in all its beautifully messy forms.

To celebrate the release of Call in the Canyons, I am offering a giveaway package:

  • 1 metal sign depicting Cowgirls and listing scripture that reinforces who God says you are
  • 1 Hardback copy of When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons

 

 

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 19

lakesidelivingsite, June 19

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 21

Texas Book-aholic, June 22

Devoted To Hope, June 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 23

For Him and My Family, June 24

Bizwings Book Blog, June 25

Books Less Travelled, June 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 27

Blossoms and Blessings, June 28

Holly’s Book Corner, June 29

Cover Lover Book Review, June 30

Pause for Tales, July 1

Fiction Book Lover, July 2 (Author Interview)

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a metal sign, and a hardback copy of When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54240