Friday, April 26, 2019

'A Life of Creative Purpose" by T.H. Myer Book Tour and give away


A Life of Creative Purpose FB Cover




About the Book

A Life Of Creative Purpose cover
Book: A Life of Creative Purpose
Author: T.H. Myer
Genre: Christian non-fiction
Release Date: Revised edition released in December, 2018
What might be sabotaging your uniquely gifted contribution to the world around you?
Discover the obstacles and barriers standing between you and your God-given purpose. In this revised book, you’ll learn how to identify ways to strengthen your calling that’ll encourage you to confidently operate in the gifts and talents that God designed you to do. Through the lens of T.H. Meyer’s own journey, you’ll recognize the universal struggle in embracing your whole person as she encourages you to live a life without regrets. 
For the individual reader looking to examine more deeply their life purpose or a group seeking to collectively spur each other toward their God-given gifts, talents, and life. This book can be used as a 12-week, 6-week, or 4-week study guide, with exploratory questions at the end of each chapter the assist you in listening to God’s voice and revealing your unique purpose, path, or direction.”
Endorsements
“A wonderful exploration, but not only for readers to look inwardly, but to also look around at others, at where our lives are at, and mostly upward toward God’s design and dreams for our lives. Love it!”– Cindy Coloma, best selling and award-winning author of over 15 books
“You’ll come away from this wise and insightful book with a clearer understanding of how you are uniquely gifted to contribute to the world, and why it’s imperative that you honor your creative calling.”– Michelle DeRusha, author of Katharina and Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runway
“TH Meyer looks at the glass ceiling the world has placed between ‘creatives’ and ‘non-creatives’ and shatters it. This those who have felt they are not creative, too timid, or simply too late to the life they were called to live, Meyer says, ‘Pish-posh.’ She delivers on her promise to help people embrace uniqueness, explore boldness, and encourage faith.”– Amy Young, author of Looming Transitions: Starting & Finishing Well in Cross-Cultural Service
“In her book, A Life Of Creative Purpose, Tammy Hendricksmeyer [TH Meyer] is a trusted mentor, offer ing us the tools we need to step completely into God’s design for us as individuals, and as members of His body. Her relatable stories coupled with scripture inspire and ignite a renewed passion for pursuing not only our own creative callings but even more, her words stoke the fire in our hearts for the Giver of these gifts.”
– Kris Camealy, author of Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight Of Waiting
“A Life of Creative Purpose is a fantastic resource filled with thoughtful questions, stories, and Scripture each designed to awaken us to God’s unique purposes for our lives. It is well-written, thoughtful, and engaging, an invitation to embrace our own eternally significant creative purpose.” – Cindee S. Re, author of Discovering Hope: Beginning the Journey Toward Hope in Chronic Illness
“In her book, A Life of Creative Purpose, TH Meyer masterfully blends personal stories with wisdom from Scripture to reveal the importance of creative purpose (even if you think you are not creative.) The thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter will help you discover (or uncover) and embrace the unique way God has made you and inspire you to step into a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.” – JoDitt Williams, author/artist of Delight in the Word of God: A Devotional Coloring Book/Journal for Adults
Click here to purchase your copy.




This is a great book of encouragement to remind us that God has gifts for each of us. It reminds us not to be afraid to step out in faith to use the gifts that God gives us to use because the gifts are for the whole body of Christ and not just ourselves.                                                                                                
I really like that the author uses personal stories to show that she really does know what she is talking about and that the book is written in easy to follow language, not in a text book style. There are also suggestions after every chapter to help the reader discover their gifts and how to use them.

I think the chapter on fear was personally written for me at this time in my life as I am dealing with letting go of fear in areas that has been lived with that damaging emotion to long. I thing my favorite quote in the whole book is " However, fear does not get the final word if God has anything to do with it." 
After reading this book, I am on the hunt to find what my Spiritual gifts are! 
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

About the Author
Tammy MyerT.H. Meyer enjoys sunsets, porch dates with her husband, and Sonic tea. Her family built a home on their Texas farm in 2011 where their two mini-Australian shepherds share the couch and ice cubes from the fridge. Tammy is a Purpose-Focused life coaching strategist who authored A Life of Creative Purpose and co-authored A God of All Seasons. She is a mother to three beautiful kids and grandmother to one. You can find her at her website: www.thmeyerauthor.com “

More from T.H. Meyer

A Purposeful Life & the One Thing that Trumps Fear
Most my life, I’ve been afraid of failure. However, I might’ve been even more afraid of success. For too many years, I was immobile because the magnitude and pressures, or vulnerability, required to do what God had called me too, paralyzed me.
I’ve written a lot about this. I even originally named my blog, The Art of Fear Not. I decided on that title because God always told His people to not fear just before sending them into battle.
Armies Against Us
Even though His people were informed that they’d win the skirmishes, most times they were still afraid. I can’t say I blame them. They were up against sword-wielding armies that were willing to cut a man down and spill blood.
We may not have the same scenario, but we don’t need the threat of hand-to-hand combat to experience fear. Our own thoughts can attack us with feelings just as real a danger. I know mine did.
The enemy uses fear to hide us or blind us from our God-purpose. He’d prefer to lock us up and throw away the key. The enemy attempts to bully us. His demonic realm would prefer to rip out our vocal cords or cut off our hand from writing or burden us with every insecurity until we began to believe our worth was lower than the dirt itself rather than seeing us live our God-given purpose.
But bear in mind, when you’re in bondage, suppressed, oppressed, silenced, or held back, it also holds back blessings too—our blessings through your God-given contribution of gifts and talents.
Fighting Back
Several years ago, I decided to tackle my own issue with fear, head on. I looked in the mirror and met with God on my internal mess. And I also asked questions like, “Was it me or God who wanted to do a such-n-such thing? And if it’s God, why am I hamstrung with fear?” 
After spending time in prayer, and laying down a good dose of self-preservation, a clear path emerged. I then decided I’d follow wherever it led. Not that the path was open and wide or easy for traveling. No, this was more of a narrow thicket where I couldn’t see ‘round the next corner—making the journey less about self-reliance and more about placing one steady foot in front of the other.
Don’t get me wrong. Fear didn’t entirely flee on this trek with God. There were times it tried to gore me like daggers from a thorny locust. But instead, I chose to trust and move forward anyway.
I fought back too.
A Warrior’s Call
During that time, anxiety would creep in only for me to replace it with intercession. I meditated on scripture. I bombarded my mind with worship music and reflected on His beautiful handiwork in creation.
I took opportunities to reverse fear into faithful action. I’m sure the devil didn’t take kindly that his demonic attacks turned into prayers, worship, and a yielding to the sword of the Spirit inside my heart. But that’s what fighting does—the good fight—positioning myself for a (God) purposeful life.
But oh how we also need to be each other’s champion for freedom too!
Power & Purpose
I continue to be amazed at the power of prayer. Prayer moves mountains, y’all. And sometimes those mountains are skyscrapers inside us. I’m not perfect at prayer or even at instantly returning to it, but when I finally do—why did I wait so long?
When we receive God’s wisdom, we become bold like lions, warriors ready to rise above insecurities, frailties, or fear and charging into battle in order to advance His kingdom.
I want to live in obedience to Christ, despite trepidation of what it might require of me.
Which also means, I need the Holy Spirit to help me get over myself.
Truth That Sets Free
We all need each of you. We need you to press into your God-purpose. Except, we don’t want to be something you’re not. You should be exactly what God’s called you to be and nothing more. No pressure to run off and save the world.
None of us in this Body of Christ are too small and Lord have mercy, none are too big and important either.
Instead, we pursue our God-purpose whether it’s raising our family or speaking on a stage. Or writing a book called, A Life of Creative Purpose.
And let’s not allow our muddied past to undervalue our worth inside God’s kingdom. I’ve done that. I once disqualified myself for many of God’s ministries because of condemnation and shame. Learn from my mistake.
Truth be told, the spirit of fear is afraid of you—afraid of the Spirit inside you, the same Spirit that sets you free.
Courage Rises to the Top
The enemy knows your God. The ruler of this world attempts to draw away your attention with clanging gongs, hoping you’ll never notice how big God really is.
Scripture says that God’s perfect love casts out fear. And that means, we have to first let God love on us, receiving it. Once we do that (& never stop), courage rises to the top.
Let’s make this a year where we pay attention and live with more intention. 
God’s gifted you beautifully unique. 
Don’t grow weary of the fight. 
What might God be asking of you? How might He be challenging you to change or step out or persevere this year? What are your biggest struggles or hurdles right now?

Blog Stops

Mary Hake, April 19
Multifarious, April 20
Artistic Nobody, April 20 (Spotlight)
A Diva’s Heart, April 24
Cathe Swanson, April 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, T.H. Meyer is giving away a grand prize of a $100 Amazon gift card and a copy of A God of All Seasons!!
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/e011/a-life-of-creative-purpose-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The Mennonite Queen (The Paradise Chronicles Book 3) by Patrick E. Craig


Book Info

Isabella, Princess of Poland, is raised to a life of great wealth and leisure in the Polish Royal Court, destined to marry a king. But fate or divine providence intervenes when she meets Johan Hirschberg, a young Anabaptist who works in her father’s stable. This chance meeting leads the young couple into a forbidden love. Together they flee Poland and embark on a dangerous journey that brings them, after great peril, to the small parish of a troubled priest named Menno Simons. Catholic Bishop, Franz von Waldek, paid by King Sigismund, Isabella’s father to find the princess at all costs, pursues them across Europe. Isabella does not know it, but if von Waldek captures her, she will have to make a choice that will change the course of European history forever.




About Patrick E. Craig

Amazon Best-selling author, Patrick E. Craig, is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful performance career to concentrate on writing and publishing both fiction and non-fiction books. In November 2011, Patrick signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His latest books, The Amish Heiress, The Amish Princess, and The Mennonite Queen are published by his own imprint, P&J Publishing, and all have spent time on the "Hot New releases" and "Amazon Best Seller" lists on Amazon. Harlequin Publishing recently purchased The Amish Heiress for their new Walmart Amish promotion series and that book will be available in Walmart stores across the country in April 2019. He also just signed with Elk Lake Publishing to publish his Middle School/YA mystery series, The Adventures of Punkin and Boo. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Patrick has an extensive background as a writer. Throughout his school years he edited high school and college newspapers. In 1964 he won a national editorial contest sponsored by the Wall Street Journal for an editorial he wrote on the death of President Kennedy, and, in the same year, acted as Senior Editor for a special issue of the University of Washington Evergreen during a summer internship for High School Editors. After a year at Whitman College, where he was a journalism major, he moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he became a fixture on the local music scene.

As a professional songwriter, he wrote with and for such artists as Bill Champlin (Chicago), David Jenkins (Pablo Cruise), Buddy Miles, The Tazmanian Devils, and many others in the secular music industry. His songs were recorded by such artists and music groups as West Coast Natural Gas, Indian Pudding and Pipe, Joey Covington's Fat Fandango, The Sons of Champlin, The Tazmanian Devils, Buddy Miles, David Jenkins, Laura Allen, The Fairfax Street Choir and in Europe by the Swedish Band Seid. He had two music albums released on Warner Brothers records with The Tazmanian Devils and contributed as a performer and recording engineer to best selling albums by artists such as Chris Isaak and others. Recently a compilation of his early work was released in Switzerland as a specialty music album.

As a performer he played keyboards and sang with bands such as West Coast Natural Gas, Indian Pudding and Pipe, Van Morrison, Joe E. Covington, The Kantner-Balin Band, The New Boogaloo Express, The Fairfax Street Choir, The Tazmanian Devils, David Jenkins, Buddy Miles, and many others. He retired from professional music in 1986 and attended Bible College, after which he became a Pastor, Worship Leader, Speaker and Seminar Leader in churches throughout California and The Pacific Northwest.

Now as a full-time fiction writer he turns out two to three books every year and is fast-gaining a reputation in the literary world.

The Mennonite Queen by Patrick E. Craig is the third book in "The Paradise Chronicles" and I am sorry that the series has ended. I have the read the "Apple Creek Dreams series" and the "The Paradise Chronicles" which is really two different series but they are all based on the same family.

This book is a great historical fiction written about a young princess and a stableboy who ran away to avoid the princess's marriage to another man and it is also about a time in history when the Catholics killed Anabaptists.

While reading this story I felt the love and sorrow and joy that I thought these characters felt.  The ending really pulled on my heart strings.

These books really shows that love can survive all and isn't measured by time and distance, nor rather your rich or poor.

Patrick Craig has definitely written two 5 stars series with these books.

I strongly suggest reading these books in order to get the full story. 

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and these opinions are my own.







Monday, April 22, 2019

"Haven’s Fire" by Dena Netherton Book Tour and GiveAway

Haven's Fire

About the Book

Book: Haven’s Fire
Author: Dena Netherton
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April, 2019
Heaven's Fire CoverWhen Dade re-emerges from the wilderness and settles in Seattle, intent on establishing a powerful cult following, Haven, Petter, and Jesse must protect their new friend, Thea, from his evil plans.
Haven Ellingson has been stalked, kidnapped, and beaten by Dade. After her escape, he continued to torment her through threats and constant pursuit. Again she was able to break free, thinking the man had finally perished.
But he’s back, now intent on destroying the life of another young woman and countless, misguided followers.
And Haven is having none of it.
Sometimes you hide from your attacker; sometimes you stand and fight.

Click https://www.amazon.com/Havens-Fire-Hunted-Book-3-ebook/dp/B07PH21N2K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?i.e.=UTF8 to purchase your copy.
"Haven’s Fire" by Dena Netherton is the third book in the series and I think a reader should read them in order just to get the full story.

"Haven’s Fire" is about cult activity and how lonely people and unsuspecting victims are lured into joining.

These books are fast paced and while reading them I was thinking these books are like the show "Criminal Minds".

These books are filled with danger and heart stopping scenes along with scenes of true love.

This series is one that I would recommend to older teens along with adults that likes suspense and stories that are fiction but deals with the ugly facts of "real life".  I said that last sentence because we all know cults do exists but we sometimes like to pretend that they don't.

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



About the Author
Deana NethertonDena Netherton has always loved the thrill of suspense-filled fiction. One day it dawned on her she could actually put down on paper her own action-packed stories and life-threatened characters that had been knocking around inside her head for decades.
When she’s not writing, Dena loves to play piano and guitar, read good books, spend time with people, and hike the Cascade Mountains.
Dena is active in her church as a musician, leader in Women’s Ministry, and director of a women’s prayer ministry. She also volunteers at a Crisis Pregnancy Center.
She and her husband live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Find out more about Dena’s books through her website and newsletter: denanetherton.me

More from Dena

Haven’s Fire is the third and final installment of the suspense trilogy, Hunting Haven. In the first book, Haven’s Flight, I introduced Jesse, a teenaged boy, living with the delusional Dade Colton and his common-law wife, Mama. He’s a sweet and handsome young man, but just like Haven, he’s a victim of the two abusive adults who keep him imprisoned in a remote mountain cabin, far from the influence of church or friends or schools. He puts his life on the line to help Haven escape from Dade, and as I was writing the book, I fell in love with his courageous, unselfish character. So I vowed that I would give him a bigger role in the third book. (He’s still secondary in book two, Haven’s Hope.) And since Jesse wasn’t destined to be Haven’s love, I knew I had to find a girl for him, someone worthy of him, but someone who was dealing with her own dark past. In Haven’s Fire, we get to see Jesse, now a student living in Seattle, struggle to forgive Dade and Mama for the abuse they dealt out, and to help his girl, Thea, escape the dangerous leader of a cult who is bent on controlling and abusing her. In this suspense-filled book, it will take all of Jesse’s new-found faith, his prayers, and the support of Haven and her friends to rescue Thea from walking blindly into a world of intrigue, deception, and even, murder!

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, April 21
Multifarious, April 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dena is giving away a grand prize of a $75 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/de85/haven-s-fire-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, April 21, 2019

"Thirty Days Hath" by Chautona Havig

thirty-days-hath

About the Book

Thirty Days-NEW cover front-sm
Book: Thirty Days Hath
Author: Chautona Havig
Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary romance
Release Date: Revised edition, Feb 26, 2019
Blind Dates Are for Wimps!
At least, that’s what Adric Garrison thinks.
Can you blame him? Thanks to his sister and brother-in-law, Adric is about to embark on a year of month-long, chaperoned, blind dates. Awkward.
He didn’t ask for it. But Adric still finds himself living what seems more like a bad TV reality show than a new life in Fairbury.
Once an ordinary (if prematurely gray and vertically challenged) guy, Adric is now Fairbury’s newest “most eligible bachelor,” and dreams of permanent bachelorhood loom on the horizon. Will he call it quits before the year is out, or will one of his “girls of the month” change his mind?
One man, twelve women, one happily ever after. 
Click here to purchase your copy!
"Thirty Days Hath"  by Chautona Havig is a book that I am not really sure what I think of it.  It wasn't my favorite nor was it the worst I have ever read.  I really liked the plot but I was thinking why would a preacher set up a plan that allows a different girl to move in with a guy for a month to see if they would fall in love. Yes, they were chaperoned for the most part.

I admit to never watching "The Bachelor," because competing for someone's affection seems wrong but as I writing this review I am thinking, ok, isn't that what dates really are. 

The whole idea of moving a complete stranger into your house just really makes me cringe thinking about all that could happen to both the women or Adric. 

I think I am disappointed in the outcome, but, it was kinda of obvious all though the book. I think I would have liked a different outcome. But, than I might have wanted the obvious to happen if it hadn't, So, who knows, just maybe the author choose the right ending!  

I encourage you to read this book and see if you think the right choose was made.

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


About the Author
ChautonaChautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

A SILENT TRUTH NO ONE ADMITS: BLIND DATES ARE FOR WIMPS

Maybe I’m not the one to talk. After all, I never dated. Not really. My best friend in high school was a guy. We went to the movies. We did things. Still, we were just great friends.
I had what might be considered one date in Lubbock, Texas in 1987. Maybe. I didn’t consider it one, but I suppose the guy might have. Maybe.
Then I went from best friends with the guy I’ve been married to for 30 years to engaged in the span of a few seconds after what might have been a rhetorical question. He’s under orders not to tell me if it was. After all, he’s the fool who went on to say, “I do.” Just sayin’.
Still, in the first decade of the 21st century, I discovered a new “thing” in reality TV. The Bachelor. Though I tried watching it, I couldn’t after a while. It started out reasonably clean, but then it devolved into cat fights, spit-swapping sessions, and drama. Oh, the drama.
But one aspect intrigued me. The focused attention to finding the girl. What if Christians did that? What if we stopped playing the silly game of “pretend we’re not in this to see if you’re someone I could put up with for the next fifty or sixty years…”? Oh, man. What if the church rallied around its members and helped without pushing.
Trust me, you don’t want to push too much. You may discover that the people you’re pushing just get together and talk about it. Laugh at your antics. Mock the ridiculousness of it. Not that Kevin and I ever did that back in the day or anything. (Check out that story HERE.)
That “what if?” spurred an idea.
Sister churches. Chaperones. Not a couple of weeks in a giant house somewhere, but a whole month of real living with someone, day in. Day out. And again, with that chaperone to avoid that “appearance of evil” thing. If you could spend that much time with someone, seeing warts, virtues, best and worst sides… well, maybe you might just be right for each other.
At the least, you’d have a good idea if you even wanted to find out. That’s a healthier and quicker start than two or three months of a date here or there and hoping you’re seeing the real person. Right?
I created a character and ran with it. From giving him less than Hollywood good looks, to an anger problem and a blue-collar job, Adric had lots going for him… and not so much!
Then I tested it out. Acid test. I signed him up for eHarmony.
No, really. I did.
For the record, apparently short, prematurely graying mechanics with anger issues are a hot commodity. It took hours to get it set up, but man there were many women out there for him… supposedly.
And to this day, my Gmail email (that I never use) still says adricgarrison@gmail.com. No joke.
For what it’s worth, Adric learned one very difficult lesson that year.
As I’ve already confessed. I’ve never been on a blind date. I doubt anyone would even consider that I’ve been on a date. Still, after writing this book, I know for one thing. Blind Dates Are for Wimps.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, April 15
cultivating us, April 16
mpbooksApril 17
Among the Reads, April 18
Multifarious, April 19
EmpowerMoms, April 20
SusanLovesBooks, April 20
Remembrancy, April 21
Aryn The LibraryanApril 23
Lots of Helpers, April 24
BigreadersiteApril 26
The Becca Files, April 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize of a paperback copy of Thirty Days Hath, book cozy, and a $25 Starbucks gift card!!


Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into to the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dee7/thirty-days-hath-celebration-tour-giveaway