Sunday, January 31, 2021

Mending the Net by Dr. J. Doug Stringer

About the Book

Book: Mending the Net

Author: Dr. J. Doug Stringer

Genre: RELIGION / Christian Ministry/General

Release Date: February 9, 2021

In 1981, Doug Stringer was a fitness instructor with his own exercise studio. He knew there was a God, but he lived as if God didn’t exist. Tired of his own hypocrisy, disgusted with his life, he sat down in the back room of his studio one night, put his head in his hands, and prayed: “Lord, if You can use someone like me after all I have done to wound Your heart, I make myself available to You.”

What happened soon afterward started a ministry that reaches out to thousands of lost and hurting people around the world.

Mending the Net: Bringing Hope in a Hurting World is the story of Doug’s ministry from its humble beginnings until today. Obviously, much else has changed in the world since then. Doug himself has changed, having gone through a battle with stage four cancer. Doug’s wife, Lisa, wrote the book God Did Not Do This to Me to share their trials and triumphs through that cancer journey.

But what hasn’t changed is Doug’s undefeatable spirit and love for others, which shine through in his books, his ministry, and everything he touches.

My Thoughts:

This is a really interesting story. It isn't a fiction, but a personal story. This man wrote it about his life before God...well before he began listening to God and what He wanted done in Dr. Stringe's life. I love reading these kind of stories though I don't do it often.

I love the changes and the ministry. He wasn't a bad guy before he began listening to God, but it is amazing what God can do with those willing to listen to His call. This is an inspiring book that I think lots of people could benefit from reading. We need to reach souls for God and we need to heed His call in our lives.

It was a 5/5 for me.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dr. J. Doug Stringer is founder and president of Turning Point Ministries International and
Somebody Cares America/International (SCA/SCI). Doug’s years of ministry have taken him to numerous communities and nations—from urban to foreign missions, from garbage dumps to the palaces and halls of government leaders.

As an Asian-American, Doug is considered a bridge-builder of reconciliation among various ethnic and religious groups. A sought-after international conference and crusade speaker, he addresses thousands of people each year throughout the U.S. and abroad on topics such as persevering leadership and community transformation.

Over the years, Somebody Cares has become a model for connecting needs with resources during natural calamities. Through the expansion of the disaster preparedness and relief collaborations, the ministry has established a Global Compassion Response Network.

Doug is the author of Leadership Awakening, In Search of a Father’s Blessing, It’s Time to Cross the Jordan, The Fatherless Generation, Somebody Cares, Born to Die, Hope for the Fatherless Generation, and Living Life Well.

I have no text on this. The author is suddenly rewriting large chunks of the text. All I have is a note from him:

This book (Mending the Net) will be available February 2021, but the message is so needed today. Regardless of how the elections turn out, we, the church, must Spread the Net, Wash the Net, MEND the NET, and Cast the Net together…if we are to bring healing and hope, and see a mighty harvest…

Doug resides in the greater Houston area with his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Ashley.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 24

Texas Book-aholic, January 25

Inklings and notions, January 26

For Him and My Family, January 27

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Spotlight)

deb’s Book Review, January 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 29

Artistic Nobody, January 30 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, January 31

Beauty in the Binding, February 1 (Spotlight)

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 2

CarpeDiem, February 3

Happily Managing A Household of Boys, February 4

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Doug is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a 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/10628/mending-the-net-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Active Defense by Lynette Eason

Book Description:

As a former field surgeon in Afghanistan, Heather Fontaine is used to life-or-death situations. She just didn't expect them to follow her home. When she returns from a party to find that someone has broken into her house--and threatened her friends--she assumes it is the stalker who has been following her and creeping her out. She hopes to find safety and peace of mind by leaving the city and hiding out in a small town. But trouble has followed her even there.

Luckily, a stalker isn't the only one watching Heather. Travis Walker has been secretly watching out for her for weeks. As owner of his own security agency, it's what he does. Together, Travis and Heather must figure out who wants her dead--and why--before it's too late.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason will have you looking over your shoulder as you dive into this fast-paced, suspense-filled story about losing control and finding something even better.

My Thoughts:

I'm such a fan of this author because her books never disappoint. Heather has a host of issues from her past that don't give her a warm fuzzy feeling about people. I just love how this author does her suspense and character interactions. The stalker, I was surprised.

Travis was a great guy. I loved the protective vibe and how much he wanted to keep her safe. Yes, he's part of a security agency, but it's also just who he is. Together they are a great couple and I loved the romance aspect of it as well. Overall just a wonderful book and I can't wait for another.

5/5.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Quincy & Priscilla at the Lowell House by Caryl McAdoo

About the Book

Book: Quincy & Priscilla at the Lowell House

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian historical fiction

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts . . .

Is Quincy even interested in a wife? Can the middle-aged chef cook up a romance with a beautiful, but spoiled, young woman? Priscilla definitely wanted no part of the arrangement. At the point though, what options did she have? Thrown together due only to friends’ and family’s unbeknownst interference, the widower and bereaved socialite make an unlikely pair, But God . . .

My Thoughts:

This was an entertaining story. I really liked the match of Quincy and Priscilla. Quincy is a chef at a hotel and I have to say that I love the cooking bits. (and they made me hungry and think I was a chef myself! lol) It is a quick read but the author does a great job making the characters come to life.

The story is full of whit and fun. I like that Quincy is clueless and there is matchmaking (well intentioned) that he is unaware of. Overall, it was just a feel good book that I really enjoyed and loved getting to know all of the characters.

4/5 for me.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Green everything (1) Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over fifty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-to-be grandsugars with Ron, high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years, Caryl and Ron live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

Well, what’s better or more fun than a story with an improbable hero-heroine match! Neither ever even thought about hiring someone to find them a spouse! But a newly-widowed mother wanted a husband for her daughter, and a dear daughter wanted a wife for her widowed father.

The two believed they knew exactly what Quincy and Priscilla needed—to marry!

I love reading stories with connecting characters, so this one relates to my Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga. Downtown Dallas is the setting for QUINCY & PRISCILLA At The Lowell House, a hotel Morgan and Charity Lowell built . . . just as her little sister dreamed in book four, LEAVING TEXAS.

Once Charity ate Quincy’s cuisine, there was nothing to do but hire him away from the New York restaurant and sway him to come to Texas—no easy task. Morgan’s offer of partial ownership tipped the scales, and as time passed, Charity and his wife became fast friends, even going through pregnancies together.

Her Maisie came first, then when the second baby girl was born, the mother passed, leaving the chef a widower with a tiny daughter. Now eight years old, Rayne and Maisie pester the girl’s mother, her honorary Aunt Charity, into going in cahoots with them to find Quincy a wife—whether he wanted one or not.

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Priscilla’s papa died suddenly, leaving her mother practically penniless. Behind her socialite daughter’s back, Mama schemed to get her daughter a husband. Men were scarce in 1866 after the war. Knowing her hard-headed girl would refuse any such proposition, she hired a matchmaker behind her back.

The match had been made, and she had to tell Priscilla! Mama tried at least fifty times and failed, but time was up. The family home had been sold, a new year was dawning, and she had train tickets in hand for the girl’s soon departure to Texas.

That’s where my story begins! Mama can’t force Priscilla to go, so what’s it going to take to get on that train? Then when she arrives at the Lowell House and her intended knows nothing of her . . .

I believe the journey will take the readers on a rollercoaster ride!

Blog Stops

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 20

Girls in White Dresses, January 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 21

Artistic Nobody, January 22 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 25

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 25

Texas Book-aholic, January 26

Inklings and notions, January 27

As He Leads is Joy, January 27

For Him and My Family, January 28

deb’s Book Review, January 29

Splashes of Joy, January 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 30

Connie’s History Classroom, January 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 1

Pause for Tales, February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the grand prize of 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/10625/quincy-priscilla-at-the-lowell-house-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, January 29, 2021

Of Ink and Sea by Clarissa Kae

About the Book

Book: Of Ink and Sea

Author: Clarissa Kae

Genre: Romance with historical and paranormal elements

The Bristol Sea divides Cornwall and Wales—and sings an enticing tale to Sienna Rothesay, an
English born, American raised photographer. Since childhood, she’s fought the temptation to listen to its siren song.

When Ioan Waif, an enigmatic neighbor from her Welsh days calls her home to care for her ailing grandfather, Sienna is faced with an old myth that hints at a nefarious secret, linking her ancestors with Ioan’s.

To uncover the truth, she must walk the blurry path between legend and reality but with more questions than answers, she fears giving into her heart will cost Sienna her head.

My Thoughts:

Ok, this book wasn't what I expected...it was better. I love the cover because the sea is one of my favorite places, but it is also quite fitting to the story. The author did a great job with past and present and weaving them together to make a mystery, historical, magical story that pulls you in and doesn't let go. I was expecting a simple story but I got so much more.

Sienna is a wonderful character. The black sheep of her family, but she loves and feels deeply. I hurt for her that her grandfather that she was so close to is lost to her. The mysteries and past just pull you in and make you have questions that must be answered. Overall, great book.

5/5.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in
2007. She’s the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.

Since her first novel, she’s explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.

Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.

She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittens aplenty.

More from Clarissa

I was supposed to go to Wales for my 40th birthday which is this month January 2021. But COVID happened. Instead, I delved into Wales for a setting and never looked back.

Blog Stops

Rebecca Tews, January 18

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 18

Texas Book-aholic, January 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20

Inklings and notions, January 21

Wishful Endings, January 21

For Him and My Family, January 22

deb’s Book Review, January 23

Blogging With Carol, January 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25

Heidi and Books, January 25

Artistic Nobody, January 26 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Connie’s History Classroom, January 27

Holly Jo Morris, January 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 28

The Write Escape, January 29

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 29

Godly Book Reviews, January 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 31

Mia Reads, January 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Clarissa is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon, $50 Barnes And Noble and $50 Target gift cards!!

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/105a9/of-ink-and-sea-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Journey Back Home by Cheri Swalwell

About the Book

Book: Journey Back Home

Author: Cheri Swalwell

Genre: Christian Romance

As you know, life isn’t always as it seems.

Ten years, four children, two full-time careers, insane schedules—this is not what Jace and

Simone signed up for. When the couple married a decade ago, they shared a passion for serving youth together. They believed their deep love for God and shared interests were all they needed to keep their marriage strong.

With Jace busy as a youth minister on the weekends, and Simone taking care of their four children, as well as her second grade classroom, they barely find time to connect with each other. Travel up close and personal into the home of a youth pastor and his family as they deal with issues far-to-common in this fast-paced society.

Tragedy strikes…an investigation begins…and it seems as though life will never return to the “happily-ever-after” of their dreams.

When their world is turned upside down, the question becomes…will God give the family strength to journey back home?

If you like wholesome fiction with a faith-filled message, buckle in to read Journey Back Home, Book 2 of The Redemption of Green Pines series today.

My Thoughts:

This is a good, good book. It is a perfect example of how life can overwhelm us and we loose focus of what is truly (or should be) important to us. Sometimes tragedy is all that can refocus life and make us realize what all we have been missing in life.

I guess this one hit close to home for me with how disconnected things can become. The author did a great job of showing the feelings and outlooks of the characters. I think the questions and unanswered thoughts/concerns we have in life can take two 'close' people down two totally different paths without them realizing it. Overall, it was truly a really good book.

5/5.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Cheri Swalwell is a Christ follower who thoroughly enjoys her calling to be a wife, mother, and
writer, in that order. She enjoys writing regularly for Book Fun Magazine and LIFE TO THE FULLEST. Her Spoken from the Heart Series is available through Deeper Shopping in both eBook and paperback versions. To read one of her many articles on life from a Christian perspective, visit her blog at: http://bit.ly/1gRp9oK. She loves to interact with her readers, so send her an email at clSwalwell99@gmail.com or “like” her on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1h4eudV.

More from Cheri

Journey Back Home was the first novel I ever wrote. The way God downloaded it into my heart was by sharing Simone’s side of the story first. Her journey is shared in the book through a series of diary entries. So I basically wrote the middle of the book first, then the ending, and then went back and wrote the beginning. It was definitely God who tied it all together so nicely.

When I finished writing Journey Back Home, it sat in my computer folders for six years. During that time God took fiction away from me, and gave me the platform of nonfiction. Two years ago, He lovingly gave me fiction back and I pulled it out, dusted it off, and started getting it ready to publish.

However, I realized it wasn’t a standalone book anymore. It was a community, a tight-knit group of people who had much more they wanted to share with readers. And I knew I needed to start with Holly’s story. Adventure’s Invitation, Book 1 of The Redemption of Green Pines, tells Holly’s background which is an integral part of Journey Back Home.

I hope you fall in love with Jace, Simone, their four children, and of course Holly as much as I have. If so, get ready because there are many more people to grow to love in all six books of The Redemption of Green Pines series.