Monday, February 28, 2022

Who Are You Following by Sadie Robertson Huff


 Book Description:

If influencers have power over us, who are you allowing to influence you? 

In an online world obsessed with follows and likes, it’s important to consider what you’re really searching for. When you follow someone, it’s typically because you want to be like them or live like they do­–but who have you placed as your role models? 

In Who Are You Following? bestselling author and social media personality Sadie Robertson Huff dives deep into exploring who we are allowing to influence our daily thoughts and actions. With an excellent grasp of scriptural truths, using current research, surveys, and personal and biblical stories, Sadie draws on her own experience as a social media influencer and addresses topics such as


how to go from being liked to being truly loved
our true motives for fame
being seen from the outside versus being known
comparing ourselves to others
questioning why did I post that?!

how to respond to cancel culture
wondering does God still love me?

This book is perfect for young Christians wondering how they can live a vibrant, bold, and uncompromising life of faith in God by following the Messiah–the ultimate influencer. Discover the love, purpose, and fulfillment that is found only in Jesus.
 


My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book and the accompanying journal.  They look amazing and having my hands on them, the books are quality and I love how well they are linked.  Sometimes an accompanying journal doesn't exactly fit with the book, but this one is almost seamless.  I loved and hated this book.  Ok, in all reality I loved it all, but I really hated how it made me realize some things about me and my life.

Being a Christian isn't just something I say I am, it is me.  But are others seeing that or am I being influenced by the wrong things in life?  I hate to admit how much I had to take a step back and realize I need to be more careful about what I put in my circle to be an influence.  This is a book I will be telling lots of my friends and family that they might want to pick up.  I really think it is just great.

5/5

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via FrontGateMedia.   


#WhoAreYouFollowingBook


Get Your Copy Here:  https://bit.ly/WhoAreYouFollowingSadie

Friday, February 25, 2022

Song of the Rockies by Angela Breidenbach

  


About the Book

Book: Song of the Rockies

Author: Angela Breidenbach

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: October 1, 2021

1890, Helena MT Song of the Rockies is the story of a sweet music teacher and eleven boys given one chance or else! Evan Russell lost everything—his ranch, his wife, and now, after trusting relatives with his young son, even the little boy is missing. How can a beautiful symphony of the heart come from such chaos?

Mirielle Sheehan, a music teacher at an exclusive boys’ school, believes scholarships for disadvantaged boys will solve the plight of hopeless homeless children. Mirielle’s challenge is to turn eleven street ruffians of various ages into stellar, disciplined boys with a future. Most think guttersnipes like this should be sold into indenture to learn a trade or pressed into the military. Get those miscreants off the streets!

Evan Russell, new mining millionaire, lost everything in the disastrous winter of 1886. Then his wife died leaving him with a son. Relatives in Helena offer a safe home for the child while Evan must find work in the mines. When he returns, he’s devastated to learn the entire family perished in a fire, and his son has never been found. Though he gained a fortune, he’s lost everything he valued! Romantic, sweet adventure set in picturesque Helena, Montana written by a bestselling author who is also a professional genealogist.

 My Thoughts:

This is the second book in this series and I was excited to get my hands on it.  They are short, quick reads and I do suggest reading them in order as the first book is the set up for this one to continue on.  I love the way the author writes these characters and the idea of the 11 orphans is still making me smile and want to cry at the same time.

Evan and Mirielle's relationship was sweet, but fast.  The story of his looking for his son was a heart-touching one.  I enjoyed the history I learned and I truly want to go back and visit Montana again.  It is a state I've always loved and wanted to live in.  The author does a great job with the story and I'm ready for the next one.

4/5

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

Angela Breidenbach is a professional genealogist, media personality, bestselling author, and screenwriter. She’s also the Christian Authors Network president. Angie lives in Montana with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who shakes hands, rolls over, and jumps through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angie can also. Catch her show and podcast, Genealogy Publishing Coach!

http://AngelaBreidenbach.com

 

More from Angela

Song of the Rockies idea came from the need to continue deepen the experience from Queen of the Rockies to share more about the orphaned children on the streets of Helena MT in the late 1800s. A lot of readers asked a lot of questions that kept me fired up and involved in the story. That led to the full six-book series because I just couldn’t stop once the first book sparked all the curiosity.

 

The people of Montana are very civic-minded, committed to volunteerism, and helping those who can’t help themselves. And that’s the modern society. But that kind of a “personality” of a place doesn’t come from a void. The people of Montana have a reputation of being intensely independent. But the heart of the people isn’t about independence, that’s just the way we are because life here is spread out and requires a lot of individual effort to survive and thrive. The result of such a spread-out population is the opposite of intense independence—devout and loyal support of one another. So, though Montanans are independent, we’re also fiercely supportive.

 

An ironic history tidbit I ran into on my research for this series, but couldn’t use, was the famous Thomas Meagher who was originally from Ireland. We have a massive, gorgeous statue of him on his horse in front of the Montana State Capital Building in Helena because of his contributions toward Montana becoming a state. He was educated in Ireland by the Jesuits and then in England. He spent time in France as well. His last name is pronounced like the planet, “Mar”. The irony is that Thomas Meagher escaped from imprisonment in Australia, banished there by the British for crime of sedition. He believed in Irish independence. Thomas was a hero to the Irish independent movement, a Civil War hero who flipped from supporting the Confederate South to the Union when the Catholic Church put their support behind the North, and after a successful military career he moved to Montana. Evidently, he put all those skills to good use as Montana became a state. But he was also a well-known scoundrel whose stories didn’t always add up. He met his end in a murky manner, well that’s what they say… Thomas was purportedly drinking and playing cards on a paddle boat up the Missouri River near Fort Benton. Somehow, though he was supposedly a good swimmer, he managed to fall overboard and drowned. Was he drunk? Was he cheating and murdered? Did he run into those he’d flipped on during the war? Was he pushed over? He did have a bad knee… No one knows. His body was never found. Hmm… We have a bar/pub in Missoula called the The Meagher Bar that serves delicious Irish fare. So, if you visit Montana, please don’t ask for the “Meeger” Bar, not a soul will understand what you’re looking for. But now, you know how to pronounce his name.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

Bizwings Blog, February 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 19

For Him and My Family, February 20

Mary Hake, February 20

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 21

Lighthouse Academy Blog, February 21 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Betti Mace, February 22

Inklings and notions, February 22

deb’s Book Review, February 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 25

Blogging With Carol, February 25

Connie’s History Classroom, February 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 27

Blossoms and Blessings, February 27

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 1

Austen’s Angle, March 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 3

Pause for Tales, March 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize 20-minute genealogy consultation to a winner via Zoom!!

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/1ab2b/song-of-the-rockies-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

The Inn on Hanging Hill by Christy Barritt

  


About the Book

Book: The Inn on Hanging Hill

Author: Christy Barritt

Genre: Romantic Mystery

Release date: October, 2021

Each house has a history. Each person has a secret. Each turn of events leads to danger.

Lindsey Waters never wanted to return to the seaside inn where she grew up. Too many traumatic memories haunt the place, both from her childhood and from days gone by. But with guilt relentlessly chasing her after a tragic choice, she’s desperate for a fresh start.

Mysterious incidents begin plaguing the inn—dangerous incidents—that make it clear someone wants to scare Lindsey away. But why? Does it have anything to do with the two weeks missing from her memory when she was abducted at age twelve?

Childhood friend Benjamin Newsom seems like an answer to prayer when he shows up to work as a handyman. But something is different about him, something Lindsey can’t put her finger on. She’s certain Benjamin harbors secrets.

As peril continues to close in, Lindsey must decide if she wants to face her past or run. She doesn’t know whom she can trust, and whatever choices she makes will determine if she lives or if she becomes part of the inn’s tragic legacy.

 My Thoughts:

Awesome book.  I love mystery/suspense so this one caught my attention with it's cover.  Then the first scene caught my full attention and the book didn't let go until the end.  It is one of those books that once you start, you just don't want to put it down.  The writing style is great and I just loved the book.

I liked Lindsey and Benjamin.  The part I loved the most were the possibilities and mystery.  There were no clear answers 'for sure', but lots and lots of possibilities.  Even toward the end when I thought I knew, I wasn't sure.  I'm not sure reading it at night (by myself) was a good idea, but I'm so so glad I read it.

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

USA Today has called Christy Barritt‘s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”

USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-seller, Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have sold more than three million copies, one has been made into a TV movie, and another is being developed for a TV series.

Christy’s books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.

She’s married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious–but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.

Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her four dogs.

For more information, visit her website: www.christybarritt.com.

 

More from Christy

I’ve always loved old houses—ones you can look at and see that they were once full of life and love. But, through the years something happened, and these places now stand in neglect. Based off that idea, I developed the Beach House Mystery Series. Each book is a standalone—the series is connected only by theme—and features a different beach house on a different beach.

 

The Inn on Hanging Hill was inspired by my time on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The area was once thriving and one of the wealthiest in the country. But the railroad changed, and that left the area isolated and without enough work to support the population. It also left it with tons of history—and stories that go along with that history.

 

I hope you enjoy Lindsey’s story!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 14

Blossoms and Blessings, February 14

deb’s Book Review, February 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 16

Spoken from the Heart, February 16

Inklings and notions, February 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, February 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 19

Lighthouse-Academy, February 20

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 21

April Hayman, Author, February 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 22

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 23 (Spotlight)

Rebecca Tews, February 24

Texas Book-aholic, February 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 25

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christy is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and eBook 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/1a45e/the-inn-on-hanging-hill-celebration-tour-giveaway

Seven Things not to do When Everyone's Trying to Kill You by Megan O'Russell

 

Book Description:

Being a wizard is hazardous to your health.

Things not to do when being tracked by murderers:

1. Do not drag the girl you’re in love with into your deadly mess.

2. Do not accept a bag full of money.

3. If you do accept said bag of money, don’t be dumb enough to shove it down the back of your pants.

4. Do not get into a battle with the evil lunch lady.

5. Do not start a war in a tourist hotspot.

6. Do not let your dad find out you’re a wizard.

7. Do NOT under any circumstances, no matter how desperate things might seem, let Eric Deldridge convince you to break into the library and seize control of the magical world.

Are you ready for magic? Do you crave adventure? Ever dreamed of the fate of the world falling into your hands?

Order Seven Things Not to Do When Everyone’s Trying to Kill You, and join Megan O’Russell’s 200,000+ satisfied readers.

Don’t miss out - start your adventure now!


My Thoughts:

I seriously just love these books.  Again, I listened to this one with my 3 kids in the truck and all of us loved it.  The start of it with the captured creature was funny.  I love how close the character are (yes, even Eric).  I did want to see more of what happened with Bryant's dad's reaction but I figure there will be more in future books.

The narrator did a great job with the characters' voices again.  Love hearing them and the romance between Bryant and Elizabeth is cute.  I think my favorite character may be Devon.  I just love how he is with the ones he cares for.  He is ready to literally leap to their defense.  Great series.

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.

Friday, February 18, 2022

Glimpses of God by Harriet E. Michael & Shirley Crowder

  

About the Book

Book: Glimpses of God: A Spring Devotional for Women

Authors: Harriet E. Michael & Shirley Crowder

Genre: Non-fiction, Christian Living, Devotional

Release date: March 10, 2021

Creator God made the world in which we live. He placed the moon and stars in the sky, the rivers and ocean on the earth. He also created seasons throughout the year. Each season is defined by specific features and attributes that are common, although the degree varies depending on where one lives. In winter we think of cold weather. In spring, blooming flowers take center stage. In the summer, we enjoy warm weather, and in the autumn, beautifully colored leaves.

As Christ-followers we also experience spiritual seasons. In the same way that nature’s seasons serve a purpose on earth, so do the seasons in our spiritual lives. God provides, cares for, and sustains the earth, and in His faithfulness, He does the same for us.

This devotional is focused on spring—both calendar and spiritual. During our spiritual springs, we catch a glimpse of the new life we have in Jesus Christ and the renewed life that He gives us.

Enjoy a season of rebirth, thirteen weeks of inspiration, full of God’s great love for us.

 My Thoughts:

This was a good devotional book.  I liked the way it was broken out into weeks/days.  Each day was an easy read and I liked the stories they shared and the daily thoughts.  Its an uplifting read and the songs they listed were really great.  I liked the songs because I knew some of them and it was nice having the familiar reminders.

The authors do a great job of making everything relatable and directed at women.  It is a good daily reader that says spring, but it can be read and relatable at any time of the year.  I would recommend this for the women in my life.

4/5

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 Authors

Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She and co-author Harriet E. Michael grew up together on the mission field and have been life-long friends. Shirley is passionate about disciple-making, which is manifested in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities: biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music.

She is a biblical counselor and is commissioned by and serves on the national Advisory Team for The Addiction Connection. Several of her articles have appeared in “Paper Pulpit” in the Faith section of The Gadsden Times, and in a David C. Cook publication. She also writes articles for Life Bible Study, Woman’s Missionary Union, and TheAddictionConnection.org. She has authored, co-authored, or contributed to ten books.

Shirley has spiritual children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren serving the Lord in various ministry and secular positions throughout the world.

 

HMichael20Harriet E. Michael was born in Joinkrama, Nigeria, deep in the African jungle in the Niger River Delta, where her father served as the only missionary doctor at that station. A few years later, the mission moved the family to a larger hospital in Ogbomoso. Co-author Shirley Crowder and her family lived right across the dirt road. The two children became constant playmates. Today they continue to enjoy their lifelong friendship.

Harriet is a multi-published, award-winning writer, and speaker. She has authored or co-authored eight books (seven nonfiction and one novel), with more under contract for future release. She is also a prolific freelance writer, having penned over 200 articles, devotions, and stories. Her work has appeared in publications by Focus on the Family, David C. Cook, Lifeway, Standard Publishing, Chicken Soup for the SoulThe Upper Room, Judson Press, Bethany House, and more. When not writing, she loves speaking to women’s groups and teaching writing workshops on freelance, devotional, and memoir writing.

She and her husband of over 40 years have four children and three grandchildren. When not writing, she enjoys substituting at a Christian school near her home, gardening, cooking, and traveling.

 

More from the Shirley and Harriet

From time-to-time someone will comment on how difficult it must be to co-write with someone.

 

Guess what? It isn’t!

 

Including the books Harriet and Shirley have written together, both have collaborated with others to write books..

 

The most important thing in co-writing, after both of you being Christ-followers, is to share very similar theological beliefs and understanding. If these are too dissimilar, the final manuscript will be choppy and inconsistent in presentation of biblical truth throughout the book.

 

Practically speaking, there are a few things that help make the co-writing process work well.

 

  • Pray for each other.
  • Agree in advance who will write what portions.
  • Leave your pride behind.
  • Have the person with the most expertise in Word compile, make changes in, and maintain the combined document.
  • Be sure to turn on “tracking” so it is easy to see what edits the other person made.
  • Defend/explain why you think something you wrote should not be changed.
  • Explain why you think something the other person wrote should be changed.
  • Flexibility—be prepared for rewrites, edits, and delays.

 

As you work together, you read and edit each other’s work. The changes you each make in the other person’s writing will help give the book a more consistent writing style and presentation.

 

Finally, while there are portions of this process that can be tedious, like galley corrections, it is fun to work with another person. And, when you get stuck, they can help make suggestions that jump start your thought processes and make completing the piece easier.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 17

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 18

Inklings and notions, February 19

Mary Hake, February 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 20

She Lives To Read, February 21

Texas Book-aholic, February 22

For Him and My Family, February 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 24 (Spotlight)

Miriam Jacob, February 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 25

deb’s Book Review, February 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 28

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Harriet and Shirley are giving away the grand prize package of an eBook copy of the book and a $50 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/1ab2a/glimpses-of-god-spring-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Victory Over Anxiety by Dr. Andrea Ganahl

  

About the Book

Book: Victory Over Anxiety

Author: Dr. Andrea Ganahl

Genre: Self-Help

Release date: June 17, 2021

Victory over Anxiety: Take your Anxious Thoughts Captive provides a realistic blend of relaxation exercises and clinically proven cognitive techniques to help reduce anxiety. Victory over Anxiety also integrates information on nutrition, exercise, and restful sleep, as it pertains to mental health.

 My Thoughts:

This was absolutely a book I needed in my life.  I have a tendency to lean toward anxiety and I liked the way the author presented everything here.  The questions at the end of each chapter are really helpful and I liked how it all flows together.  I think this book is a great help and it will be staying with me close at hand.  It is truly helpful and I love the way the author wrote it.  Such a wonderful read.

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

Dr. Andrea Ganahl is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety. She teaches classes on how to reduce anxiety at churches, women’s groups, and college campuses. Andrea is the author of Victory over Anxiety: Take your Anxious Thoughts Captive and has written articles for Focus on the Family Magazines.

 

More from Dr. Andrea

I wrote Victory over Anxiety: Take your Anxious Thoughts Captive, as a path to my own healing. I have struggled with anxiety much of my life. As I researched the most effective techniques to combat my anxiety, and found how beneficial they were, I decided to write this book to help others learn practical tools, so they may also experience victory over anxiety. All the exercises I share are research based and filtered through a biblical perspective.

Not only will you learn everyday exercises to reduce your anxiety, but you will also begin to understand how and why your anxieties developed and how to rid yourself of those anxieties at their core. In addition, you can apply these principles to any emotional struggles, not just anxiety.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 2

Texas Book-aholic, February 3

Life, love, writing, February 3

An Author’s Take, February 4

Inklings and notions, February 5

deb’s Book Review, February 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 7

Mary Hake, February 7

For Him and My Family, February 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 9

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 11 (Spotlight)

Cats in the Cradle Blog, February 11

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 13

Splashes of Joy, February 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & signed 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/19bbb/victory-over-anxiety-celebration-tour-giveaway