Rising Danger Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Rising Danger

Author: Jerusha Agen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: May 25, 2021

It’s up to a K-9 handler and her canine partner to stop a bomber before it’s too late.

Someone’s planting explosives on dams in the Twin Cities, and Bristol Bachmann and her bomb sniffing dog must move quickly to find them before everything ends up underwater. That means relying on the dams’ supervisor—an ex-boyfriend Bristol never thought she’d see again. Hopefully Remington Jones has grown up from the rakish charmer she knew in her academy days. Because lives now depend entirely on them…

It’s an environmental terrorist who wants the dams gone, and his bid to set the waters free has lethal consequences. When he sees Bristol and her K-9 working to stop him, he sets his sights on them. Can they evade him in a lethal game of cat and mouse and protect their cities from devastating destruction before the clock runs out?

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

Rising Danger is a romantic suspense novel set in Minneapolis/St. Paul. At first I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. I was riveted from the first chapter and I was on the edge of my sear hoping that justice would be served. I through the concept surrounding the culprit was interesting and it was something I had never considered as a possibility before.

I liked getting to know both of our main characters, and I love that we get to see them wrestle with their personal struggles. Bristol was likable, however, I found her too hard on Remington, even though it has been a while since she’s seen him. I liked how Remington, shows that change is possible, especially once someone has been saved by the grace of God. I love how this is also a story about learning to forgive and to let go fo the need to control everything.

Overall, I really liked Rising Danger and I hope to read more form Jerusha Agen in the future. 3.75/5 Stars.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner, but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives.

Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.

Get a free suspense story from Jerusha and find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels at www.JerushaAgen.com.

More from Jerusha

Hi, readers! For those of you who are familiar with my suspense novels, you know I love to interweave fast-paced suspense with powerful character journeys of redemption. I got to do just that in my romantic suspense novel, Rising Danger.

But what I especially loved about writing Rising Danger was the chance to feature a canine hero. Bristol Bachmann, the heroine of Rising Danger, partners with Toby, an explosives detection K-9, to stop a bomber from unleashing terror on the Twin Cities.

As a lifelong lover of dogs, I’ve always been fascinated by working K-9s like Toby. Getting to portray this black Labrador’s heroism in Rising Danger was so much fun.

I also feel that writing about Toby and the other K-9s in this tale who are part of the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency was a way to honor the heroic dogs I’ve had in my own life. No, I haven’t known any working K-9s, but I’ve shared my life with dogs who were heroic in different ways.

Take Lancelot, my first Leonberger. Lancelot was one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever known. With his huge size, he was a true gentle giant. At an early age, he became terribly afraid of strangers and new places. I worked with skilled trainers to help him battle his fear, and he did have some improvement. But he would always struggle with meeting new people or visiting locations away from home.

Even so, he never stopped fighting against his fears. He continued to get better the more he fought. And while he battled his fears, he taught me how to battle mine.

Then, the worst battle of all commenced when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Doctors gave him only three to four months to live—a frightening and devastating death sentence for the dog of my heart.

But God had more to teach me through Lancelot. This courageous dog fought cancer as hard as he had fought his fears. He taught me how to find joy in every moment of life, even when there’s pain or sadness. He taught me how precious and powerful love can be. And God used him to give me unforgettable evidence of God’s loving providence and sovereignty at work.

Because God had a different plan for Lancelot. God gave me the gift of over 1,000 more days with my heroic dog.

Right up to the end of his days, Lancelot remained my hero. I’m so pleased to begin a series of books with prequel Rising Danger that feature K-9 heroes who, in different ways, remind me of the heroic dogs I’ve been privileged to love.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 20

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 20

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

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22

CarpeDiem, October 22

Betti Mace, October 23

Daysong Reflections, October 23

lakesidereadingsite, October 24

Texas Book-aholic, October 24

Inside the Wong Mind, October 25

deb’s Book Review, October 25

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 26

Blogging With Carol, October 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 27

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

Inklings and notions, October 28

An Author’s Take, October 28

Through the fire blogs, October 29

For Him and My Family, October 29

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 30

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 31

Just Your Average reviews, October 31

Mary Hake, October 31

Pause for Tales, November 1

Spoken from the Heart, November 1

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 2

For the Love of Literature, November 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jerusha is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, one signed copy of Rising Danger, and book swag!!

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/126b0/rising-danger-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wonders of the Galaxy Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Wonders of the Galaxy

Author: Various Elk Lake Authors

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Release date: September 15, 2021

A series of space tales based on parables from the Holy Bible.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

Wonders of the Galaxy was an interesting collection of Sci-Fi novellas and short stories that I really enjoyed. My only complaint is that I felt that some of them would have been better as full-length novels, where a lot more of the world-building and concepts could be more fleshed out. But that is more of a persona preference than a critique.

Every author in this collection was brand-new to me and I liked discovering some new authors. I don’t  think there was a story that I didn’t like, all of them were fascinating and I loved how they were each inspired by one of Jesus’ parables. The execution was unique.

If I had to pick one favorite from the anthology it would have to be Basilica Obscura by Jason William Karpf. It was just so interesting reading about this world on a spaceship that has banished those who believe in God, and the people follow Jungian psychology. Also the fact that the ship is like a living organism and that it has a mind of it’s own and makes decisions without informing others. It was intriguing!

Overall, I really enjoyed Wonders of the Galaxy and recommend it for fans of science fiction as well as anyone who looking to dip their toes into the genre. 4/5 Stars.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Authors

Jason William Karpf is a multitalented actor, musician, professor, and Jeopardy champion whose writing runs the gamut from true crime to speculative fiction.

Aaron Gansky is an award-winning novelist and Dungeons and Dragons whiz who lives for his children, coaching football, and watch Marvel movies.

Erica Marie Hogan’s books range from long ago historical dramas to frozen fantasies on faraway planets. Regardless of where the story originates, it comes from the heart—because Erica believes genres are transcendent.

Brett Heaston is the creator of the Message to Kings podcast and the author of The Resilience Awakening. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, a history nerd, and an adventure junkie.

Steve South is a traveler, a karaoke singer, and a profound believer in the power for stories to move people; his first novel, The Queen of Steel and Fire, won the 2019 Minnesota Author Project Award for YA fiction.

L.G. Westlake lives in the “Land of Enchantment,” but also lives a dream life in far-flung galaxies where she regularly charts the unknown; her previous novels have included award-winning fantasies and thrillers.

M B Dahl is a wife, mother, and award-winning author of dystopian adventures. She loves dressing up like a warrior and fighting dragons, imaginary or real.

T.E. Bradford is an international bestselling author, a Selah award finalist, and a self-proclaimed geek who believes her writing is “a little piece of magic” given to her by God.

Travis W. Inman has been a cowboy, a missionary, a soldier, and more in his multi-storied career, and his stories reflect his diverse background. In his spare time, he searches for hidden treasure, both financial and culinary.

More from the Editor

WHY A CHRISTIAN SPACE OPERA?

“What do you like to read,” I asked my seventeen-year-old grandson.

When he said he likes Space Opera, I had to admit I was lost. I love Science Fiction but didn’t know Space Opera was different. After ordering him a book, I started doing some research. Phrases like, “wildly popular” spoke to me.

Christians use a variety of fiction genres to reach their audiences. I wondered if we were losing younger readers because we are not being relevant to what interests them. Could this genre be presented in a way to encourage young readers to see new truths in the Bible?

Space Opera is a subgenre of science fiction and usually emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic space adventures, or chivalric romance. These themes, while occurring in outer space, will feature such elements as faster-than-light travel, futuristic weapons, and sophisticated technology.

Not surprising this genre is popular with kids today whose lives evolve around the latest technological advancement.

The name is a takeoff from “soap opera” because of its melodramatic presentation. Space operas emerged in the 1930s and continue to be produced in literature, film, comics, television, and video games.

As I pondered these concepts, an idea developed to present a Space Opera anthology, aimed at high school level, to use the parables as inspiration behind the stories. When I presented the idea to my publisher, I received an enthusiastic nod of approval. And the rest is history.

We are confident young people will enjoy these highly imaginative stories penned by some of Elk Lake’s best authors. Each story contains a synopsis of the related parable and how the parable is used in the telling of the story. Additionally, each story has an engaging graphic to whet the imagination.

To our knowledge, this is new for Christian publishing. We look forward to our readers’ comments and to Wonders of the Galaxy II in 2022.

Linda Wood Rondeau

Project Manager

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 18

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 20

Cats in the Cradle Blog, October 20

Texas Book-aholic, October 21

Inklings and notions, October 22

By the Book, October 22

A Reader’s Brain, October 23

For Him and My Family, October 24

April Hayman, Author, October 24

deb’s Book Review, October 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 26

Blogging With Carol, October 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 27

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 28

Blossoms and Blessings, October 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 29

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 30

Pause for Tales, October 30

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 31

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Various Elk Lake Authors are giving away the grand prize package of a book from each author in the anthology!! (Format may vary for each 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/122a1/wonders-of-the-galaxy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Change Has Changed Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Change Has Changed

Author: Sam Chand

Genre: BUSINESS & ECONOMICS /Leadership

Release date: October 19, 2021

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said change is the only constant in life.

But the world has experienced so much upheaval since January 2020 that change itself has changed! In business, the church, and nonprofits, leaders are being left in the dust as events and challenges speed by in a blur. The pace of change was accelerating before…but the pandemic pressed the pedal to the floor.

“We’re at an inflection point,” says leadership architect and change strategist Sam Chand. “The way things were isn’t the way things will be.”

In his new book Change Has Changed, Sam sets out to help leaders understand the evolving nature of change so that they can guide their organizations with wisdom and confidence.

He examines three major shifts that he likens to three simultaneous earthquakes:

• Our environment has changed. People are working from home, many businesses may never reopen, and the way we shop, handle health needs, and even go to church has changed.
• We have changed. We’ve learned to live with rampant uncertainty and a raft full of nagging fears—but our bodies and our souls weren’t meant for this!
• The people around us have changed. They are frustrated, isolated, depressed, anxious, and angry. They just don’t feel safe.

Sam tackles these and related issues head-on by offering lessons that will empower leaders to be ready for the next normal.

“We used to talk about a new normal as if it’s the end point of change,” Sam explains, “but if we’ve learned anything in the past months, it’s that change is perpetual, and we need to anticipate the next one on the horizon.”

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

Change has Changed was an interesting concept in that the author explains how the way we work has changed since the start of the pandemic. Not only that, but how it forced business, schools, and churches to adapt rapidly. He argues that the way in which businesses approach change has had to be reevaluated and done differently than before.

It was an interesting read, I also felt like I wasn’t the target audience the author was trying to address and this would probably be more well-received for those in various kinds of leadership roles. That is to say that I didn’t get much out of it except a blue print for leaders on how to adapt in unprecedented times. It just did not seem to be for the everyman (or woman in this case).

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

Sam Chand’s singular vision for his life is to help others succeed. A prolific author and renowned international business consultant, he develops leaders through consultations, Sam Chand Leadership Institute, Dream Releaser Coaching, and resources such as books, webinars, and digital downloads.

Sam consults with large churches and businesses on leadership and growth, conducts worldwide leadership conferences, and speaks regularly at corporations, business roundtables, seminars, and other leadership development opportunities.

Being raised in a pastor’s home in India has uniquely equipped Sam to share his passion to mentor, develop, and inspire leaders to break all limits. He has been called a dream releaser, leadership architect, and change strategist.

In the 1970s, as a student at Beulah Heights College, Sam served as a janitor, cook, and dishwasher to finance his education. He returned in 1989 as president—and under his leadership, Beulah Heights University became the country’s largest predominantly African-American Christian college.

Sam holds an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Beulah Heights University, an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Heritage Bible College, a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Grace Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education from Beulah Heights. He has mentored leaders in churches and ministries as well as international corporations and business start-ups. He was named one of the top thirty global leadership gurus by http://www.leadershipgurus.net.

Sam has authored more than a dozen books on leadership, including Harnessing the Power of Tension: Stretched but Not Broken; The Sequence to Success: Three O’s That Will Take You Anywhere in Life; New Thinking, New Future; Culture Catalyst; Bigger Faster Leadership; Who’s Holding Your Ladder?; What’s Shakin’ Your Ladder?; and Leadership Pain.

Sam and his wife, Brenda, have two adult daughters. They make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information or to connect with Sam, please visit http://www.samchand.com.

More from Sam

Let us Dream Out Loud (DOL) with you! My team and I want to play a huge part in the conceiving, releasing, and achieving of YOUR dreams! Through our content, we hope to provide you with everything you need to be equipped, motivated, and inspired in your journey to achieving your dreams!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 19

Texas Book-aholic, October 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 21

deb’s Book Review, October 22

Simple Harvest Reads, October 23 (Spotlight)

For Him and My Family, October 23

Inklings and notions, October 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 26

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 29

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 30

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 31

Artistic Nobody, November 1 (Spotlight)

Mary Hake, November 1

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Sam is giving away the grand prize package of $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/122a6/change-has-changed-celebration-tour-giveaway

First Line Fridays # 66 – The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

Hello everyone,

Welcome to another installment of First Line Fridays hosted by Reading is My Superpower.

The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

“In 1938, the year I was twelve, my hometown of Macedonia West Virginia, celebrated its sesquicentennial, a word I thought had to do with fruit for the longest time.”

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Personal Threat Blog Tour and Giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Personal Threat

Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christmas

Release date: September 21, 2021

Bodyguard Sally Wilson has become the target. Can she save her own life as well as her daughter’s?

Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but when Sally’s young daughter, Emma, becomes the target of child traffickers, and the little girl’s biological father wants Sally dead, the Christmas season takes a dark turn.

Police officer, Dillon Brady, responds to a call for help at the home of his friend and Protection Inc. bodyguard, Sally Wilson. When their relationship tips beyond friendship, Dillon is determined no one will hurt Sally or her daughter again. Will his resolve be enough?

Sally is drawn to Dillon. He’s a natural with Emma and appears to care about both of them. Sally’s been fooled before by a man she believed loved her, but what if it’s an act? Can Sally learn to trust again and follow her heart, or will Dillon get relegated to the friend zone?

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts 

This was a suspenseful read and I was gripped from beginning to end. i loved how Sally does what she can to protect her daughter, especially when she is in danger. It was also a reminder of just how evil some people can be. 

I also enjoyed getting to know both Sally and Dillon and seeing their friendship grow and to see how he is with her daughter. 

There isn’t much more that I can say because they would be spoilers since this was a short book. But I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a short suspense read. I look forward to reading more from Kimberley Rose Johnson. 4/5 Stars 

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. 

About the Author

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly’s newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

More from Kimberly

Every year since I signed the contract for my debut novel, a book set at Christmastime, I have made it a goal to write a Christmas book, usually a novella. This year, Personal Threat is that book.

I wrapped up the series with Personal Threat. My husband came up with the title for this one because the threat in this book is very personal for one of the Protection Inc. team members.

We first met Sally in book two of the series and it seemed only fitting she starred in a book of her own. We also get to know Dillon better in this book which for me was super fun to write. He’s played an important and growing role as the series has progressed and is one of my favorite characters in the series.

Blog Stops

CarpeDiem, October 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 15

Worthy2Read, October 15

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 16

Bigreadersite, October 16

Blossoms and Blessings, October 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 18

Betti Mace, October 19

Daysong Reflections, October 19

An Author’s Take, October 20

The Sacred Line, October 20

Inklings and notions, October 21

For Him and My Family, October 21

Blogging With Carol, October 22

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, October 22

Texas Book-aholic, October 23

deb’s Book Review, October 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 25

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 25

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 26

Mary Hake, October 26

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberly 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/12297/personal-threat-celebration-tour-giveaway

Your Marriage God’s Way Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Your Marriage God’s Way

Author: Scott LaPierre

Genre: RELIGION / Christian non-fiction

Release date: September 21, 2021

Your most important earthly connection is with your spouse, and when you honor the person you married, you’re also honoring God. He created marriage to be one of life’s greatest gifts, and the instruction manual you need for a joyful, lasting union is found in His Word.

In Your Marriage God’s Way, author and pastor, Scott LaPierre, takes a close look at the principles for building a biblical marriage—one in which your relationship with Christ brings guidance and blessing into your relationship with your spouse. You’ll gain the tools to…

• understand the unique roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives
• recognize and resolve the conflicts you face with a heart of hope and compassion
• follow God’s worthy command to love and cherish your spouse unconditionally

Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or you’ve been on the road together for years, Your Marriage God’s Way will provide the helpful and encouraging insights you need to experience marriage as God intends it.

For the workbook…

“Scripture allows us to enjoy marriage as God intended it to be—a vibrant, thrilling, fulfilling relationship. Let’s journey together, with the Bible as our guide, to experience the blessings of a Christ-centered marriage.” —Scott LaPierre
By God’s design, your relationship with your spouse is your most important earthly connection. Your heavenly Father wants you to witness the fullness of His love in your marriage, and He invites you to apply His instructions for building a satisfying, enduring union.

This companion workbook to Your Marriage God’s Way encourages you to dive deeper into your study of this sacred contract between man, woman, and God. You’ll lay the foundation of a marriage that lasts as you…

• understand the unique roles God has given you and your spouse
• identify ways you can better help, encourage, and support each other
• make serving God the focal point of your marriage

As you and your spouse work through this book together, you’ll grow closer to God and to each other, harvesting the delicious fruits of a biblical marriage that brings joy and blessing to you and everyone around you.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

As a somewhat newlywed I was really excited to pick up this book! I enjoy reading books on marriage and learning something new. However, may be my expectations were too high, because Your Marriage God’s Way ended up being a let down.

I understand what the author was trying to do, but at the same time I don’t think it was executed well. First, a lot of what in this book was stuff that I had already read or heard before in other books/messages on the topic. Second, it seemed like he relied to heavily on showing the different meanings of words in Greek and Hebrew, which isn’t a bad thing, but it happened a lot. It read more like a scholarly paper than book for the everyman. Third, sometimes he was too wordy.

I also found myself frustrated in his statement that all divorce is unbiblical, even if the reasons are infidelity or abuse. i strongly disagree with him on this because I do believe that Scripture does give allowance for divorce in those kinds of situations.

I also wish that there had been more specific practical tips on how to apply what he was saying rather than just general recommendations. I don’t know, for me, this just seemed like more of a treatise on the doctrine/theology/teaching of marriage than actual practical advice. I think that  book for the everyman on marriage should have both!

I feel like so far all I’ve done is talk about what I didn’t like about the book, so let me share a few things I did like.

First, I did like some of the fresh insights that were provided on passages about marriage. However, I do wish there had been come more time spent on 1 Corinthians 7, which is a chapter that has been sorely misused and misinterpreted, but maybe it is a better fit for a book on dating.

Second, I did appreciate that the author didn’t make wives out to be an “other” like some marriage books do tend to do at time.

I would also like to share a few quotes that stuck out to me while reading Your Marriage God’s Way that I either really liked or that I found thought-provoking:

“As a wife, you want to look for the unique areas in which your strengths can comment your husband’s needs and weaknesses” (p. 60).

“In many ways, phileo is a great description of what marriage is meant to be: a deep and close friendship” (p.85).

“Agape is a choice, an act of will. We choose whether we do or don’t love” (p.91).

“Our spiritual liberty is not only about freedom but about giving up our rights for others” (p.156).

“True freedom comes when we strive to husbands and wives as God commanded rather than as society defines” (p.159).

“A wife’s submission to her husband has less to do with her relationship with her husband and more to do with her relationship with the Lord. A Woman’s trust in God combats the fear-or-terror – she experiences when she submits to her husband” (p.200).

Overall, Your Marriage God’s Way wasn’t for me, Personally. I think that there are other better marriage books out there. however, I do think that this might be a good book for someone who hasn’t read any other marriage books, or who is engaged.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

Scott LaPierre is a senior pastor, author, and conference speaker. He holds an MA in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. Scott and his wife, Katie, have been married for more than fifteen years. A former schoolteacher and Army officer, Scott currently leads a church in Washington State and supports his family on his pastor’s salary, allowing Katie to stay home with their nine children. Both are passionate advocates of homeschooling. Learn more about Pastor Scott at his website: www.scottlapierre.org.

More from Scott

Your Marriage Reflects Your Relationship with Christ

A few years ago, Katie and I faced the biggest crisis of our marriage. I started pastoring Woodland Christian Church when it was small, but within three years the congregation tripled in size. I admit that before I became a pastor, I was unaware of how much work is involved in shepherding a church of even a few hundred people. I had been an Army officer, a supervisor at a distribution center for a major retail chain, and an elementary school teacher. But none of those occupations approached the amount of mental and emotional energy and sheer hard work pastoring entails!

Almost all my waking hours were packed with studying, teaching, counseling, making phone calls, sending emails, attending meetings, addressing administrative responsibilities, and tending to benevolence issues. When I was at home, where I should have been an engaged father and husband, I did not have much left for my family mentally, emotionally, or physically.

Although I was failing as a husband and father, I was able to convince myself I was still pleasing the Lord. I compartmentalized my life by saying, “I am a Christian first. I am a spouse second. I am a parent third. I am an employee fourth.” Instead, I should have said, “I am a Christian spouse. I am a Christian parent. I am a Christian employee.” The danger of seeing ourselves as Christian servants first and spouses second is we can find ourselves believing the lie I bought into at the time: “If I can be a good pastor, I can please God even though I am not the best husband.”

The truth is that I was a poor husband, and I should have recognized that meant I was not pleasing the Lord.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 15

Texas Book-aholic, October 16

Inklings and notions, October 17

For Him and My Family, October 18

deb’s Book Review, October 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 20

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 22

Mary Hake, October 22

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 23

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 24

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 27

Lights in a Dark World, October 27

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 28

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Scott is giving away the grand prize of a $100 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/1229a/your-marriage-god-s-way-celebration-tour-giveaway

End-Times Shaking and Revival Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: End-Time Shaking and Revival

Author: Guillermo Maldonado

Genre: RELIGION / Christian Theology/Eschatology

Release date: October 5, 2021

Shaking…Then Revival…Then Harvest!

The end times are unfolding before our eyes.

First, there will be unprecedented shakings.

Today, the world is shaking in alarming ways. And this is just the beginning. Nations, institutions, economies, families, individuals, the earth’s environment, the cosmos, the spiritual realm—in every dimension and sphere of life, we will see powerful waves of shaking that disrupt the course of our lives and take away our false sense of security in earthly resources, compelling us to return to our Creator.

The main purpose of these shakings is to judge the people of the world for their sin and rebellion against God. Yet God is using the shaking we are now experiencing to refine believers so we will be purified to become the remnant that is ready for Jesus’s imminent appearing.

Second, there will be unprecedented revival.

As we respond to the shaking with repentance and wholehearted devotion to God, we will be prepared to take an active role in the coming last-days revival in which God’s sovereign glory will be revealed! There will be an all-inclusive supernatural movement characterized by miracles, healings, salvations, financial provision, prophetic visions, renewed holiness, powerful worship, strong discipleship, and profound love.

Finally, there will be an unprecedented harvest of souls with global impact!

The Holy Spirit will empower the church to reach the lost with the demonstration of miracles, signs, and wonders. Millions of people worldwide will come to genuine repentance, surrendering their hearts to the Lord Jesus.

In End-Time Shaking and Revival, best-selling author Guillermo Maldonado expands on last-days themes introduced in his previous books, revealing how to…

• Avoid God’s judgment
• Respond correctly to the divine shakings in your life and in the world
• Be revived and continuously filled with the Spirit
• Participate in the worldwide harvest
• Move in supernatural power

We must understand God’s cycle of end-time events so we can align our lives with His momentous purposes in these last days!

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This is a hard review for me to write, mainly because I don’t know if I agree with the author on a lot of things he talks about in this book. He believes in gifts like prophecy and visions and tongues, which as a cessationist, I hold to the view that these gifts have ceased. But I will also admit that my view could be wrong.

I understood what he was trying to say and I don’t doubt that we are in a period of shaking, but I don’t know if I agree with the author about it being the end. This book was challenging for me to get through because I disagreed with the author quite a bit, but he still had me question my view points on these subject matters.

Here are a couple of quotes that stood out to me that I really liked:

“What we do, what we create and how we act in a time of God’s shaking will reveal our identity in God, our authenticity, our spiritual knowledge, and our position in Christ” (Loc. 573, 581).

“God uses situations of shaking to help us recognize that we need to place our trust fully in Him at all times” (Loc. 1084).

Overall, I didn’t like this book, but that isn’t the author’s fault. It has more to do with my viewpoints on certain topics and whether or not I am wrong. From the get go, I knew that I wouldn’t agree with the author. I’m sure there are some who will appreciate what he has to say and bee in agreement with him.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

Active in ministry for over twenty years, Apostle Guillermo Maldonado is the founder of King Jesus International Ministry—one of the fastest-growing multicultural churches in the United States—which has been recognized for its visible manifestations of God´s supernatural power. King Jesus Ministry currently has a membership of more than 25,000, including the main church in Miami, Florida, its campuses, its daughter churches, and its online church. Apostle Maldonado is also a spiritual father to 500 churches in 70 countries, which form the Supernatural Global Network, representing more than 750,000 people. In addition, he is the founder of the University of the Supernatural Ministry (USM). Apostle Maldonado has a doctorate in Christian counseling and a master’s degree in practical theology.

More from Guillermo

The end times are unfolding before our eyes. First, there will be unprecedented shakings in every dimension and sphere of life. Second, there will be unprecedented revival. Finally, there will be an unprecedented harvest of souls with global impact! The Holy Spirit will empower the church to reach the lost with the demonstration of many signs and wonders. In End-Time Shaking and Revival, best-selling author Guillermo Maldonado explains how to respond to God’s cycle of end-time events so we can align our lives with His momentous purposes in these last days!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 13

Fiction Book Lover, October 14 (Spotlight)

Inklings and notions, October 15

Simple Harvest Reads, October 16 (Spotlight)

For Him and My Family, October 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 17

Texas Book-aholic, October 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 20

Artistic Nobody, October 21 (Spotlight)

deb’s Book Review, October 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 23

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 24

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Guillermo is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and 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/11fe2/end-time-shaking-and-revival-celebration-tour-giveaway

When the Pilot Falls Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: When the Pilot Falls

Author: April Hayman

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale

Release date: September 7, 2021

In 1923, there aren’t many pilots, but Willie Labeau didn’t let that stop… her.

A bear of a man, Hugh Taylor, needs a stunt plane pilot, and despite their rocky introduction, Willie sets off for golden California and a new life as his pilot. There’s just one little thing she has to do in addition to flying.

Leave his past alone. Period.

When the flame of her own curiosity becomes fanned by encouragement from Willie’s sister, the feisty pilot can’t help but do just a little investigating.

And Hugh vanishes.

Friends rally around her, and with all the information she can find in hand, Willie sets off to rescue Hugh and battle the evil family holding him hostage.

A fierce air race, a sincere act of humility—are they enough to free Hugh and give Willie a chance to be with him… forever?

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. When the Pilot Falls offers a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch hearts soar and daring dos.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts 

I loved When the Pilot Falls, it was such a unique retelling and I was gripped from the beginning. I especially loved how halfway through the book it took a turn that I was not expecting, and I loved that! 

I enjoyed getting to know the characters/ Willie was great and dynamic. I love that she was a pilot and doing something that was unconventional, but still feminine. I also liked Hugh and felt like he was a great male lead. However, I still don’t fully understand the whole thing that happened to him in the second half. I also loved the side characters, especially Estie, I would live to read a story with her as the main character. 

I loved the backdrop of the 1920s and learning about the early days f aviation and just how far we have come since then as far as flying goes. 

Overall, I really enjoyed When the Pilot Falls and I look forward to reading more from April Hayman in the future. 4/5 Stars. 

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. 

About the Author

April Hayman lives in the high desert of California with her husband and their three sons. During the day, she focuses on homeschooling the boys and working on client projects. She writes at night when the temperature outside is only somewhat cooler than during the day.

Her passion for reading began in grade school and her teachers often reprimanded her for reading when she should have been completing her math assignments. Now she reads whenever she likes and writes for those who love to read.

April collects fountain pens, has too many pen pals (and always looking for more), journals sporadically, creates art when she can squeeze it in, and hordes stationery.

More from April

I’ve always loved to write. I still remember pounding out a science fiction story about a lizard man on my Grandmother’s typewriter, with its sticky ‘e’ key, then excitedly asking to read it to her. She patiently listened and praised my writing. I was thrilled even though, now as an adult, I realized she was humoring me. I continued to write on an off for the next twenty years, but it wasn’t until I found National Novel Writing Month that I really began to write in earnest.

I’d already begun my search into story structure and, one day while researching, NaNoWriMo popped up on my browser window. Interested, I clicked over and I was intrigued. Here was a chance to write 50,000 words in thirty days with a support group of other writers! And, with a day to go, I signed up. After all, how hard is it to write 50,000 words?

Turns out, it’s super hard. Especially when you’re new to story structure, developing characters, and correct pacing. It was a fabulous disaster of a story, but I did manage to hit my mark and “win” that year. And, best of all, I’d met Chautona Havig. She and I became friends and her brilliant writing advice and support has meant the world to me.

Every year after that, except when I moved away, I participated. Eventually I became a Municipal Liaison, the head volunteer and writer wrangler, for our area. It was a lot of fun but not one of those books has been published. They’re just for me and I love them, even if they’re awful.

Eventually, my participation was noticed by my three boys. While all of them enjoy reading to varying degrees, writing was always hard for them. Not that they don’t love to tell a good story. It’s the writing part that’s hard. Anyway, my eldest son finally decided to join the Young Writers Program (NaNoWriMo for pre-teens and teens) one year and got bitten by the writing bug. We’re currently working on his latest story. I’m so happy to have passed on my love of writing to him and his brothers!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 16

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 16

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

Inklings and notions, October 18

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

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 19

For Him and My Family, October 19

deb’s Book Review, October 20

SodbusterLiving, October 20

ABBA’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 22

Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 23

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 23

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 24

Connect in Fiction, October 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 25

Connie’s History Classroom, October 26

Mary Hake, October 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 27

Aryn the Libraryan 📚, October 27

For the Love of Literature, October 28

Through the Fire Blogs, October 28

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 29

Back Porch Reads, October 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon 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/126ae/when-the-pilot-falls-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saving Ebenezer Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Saving Ebenezer

Author: S. Daniel Smith

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: October 12, 2021

Much had changed in seven years. Scrooge had given all to rid himself of the guilt and shame of his miserly ways. Nearly saved Tiny Tim, too, who was only slightly bigger at his death than Christmas Eve seven years prior. Scrooge had the best doctors working on the boy’s condition, all of them happy to have Scrooge pay for this treatment or that, but never quite figuring out exactly what was wrong. Still, Tim had started the pathway of a bright future.

Until pneumonia struck. In a fortnight, Tim had gone from spry and hopeful to weak and discouraged. And then dead.

As Ebenezer Scrooge watched the simple casket lowered into the near-frozen muck on December 20^th, 1850, there could be no mistaking the fact that a piece of him was being buried as well.

And that was why Ebenezer Scrooge was angry.

The old Scrooge was back. Joy had given away to sorrow in the meanest of ways, for it sprung upon the old man with such ferocity that he had no defense. Powerless, and angry, that was Ebenezer Scrooge, all right. Joy had given way quickly to pain and sorrow, the likes of which Ebenezer Scrooge had never experienced before.

Ebenezer Scrooge, heartbroken and frustrated, begins to ask questions about faith. Much like the original story, he is given a guide to help him find the answers. As he struggles to understand death, sorrow, and poverty in terms of faith, he finds one answer to all his questions: Jesus Christ. The book ends with Ebenezer finding faith, health, and love.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts 

Saving Ebenezer is an enjoyable sequel to the classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I didn’t quite know what to expect and I was a little bit apprehensive. But, Dan Smith did a great job at creating an imaginative sequel, but he also captured the writing stuyle of the original work and sounded like Mr. Dickens himself! 

I appreciated that the novel examines what is necessary for a person to truly be changed – salvation. And how all the money and good works account for nothing apart from salvation. I thought this was an interesting theme to explore, especially with such a well-beloved, classic character. 

I also enjoyed getting reacquainted with these beloved characters, as well as meeting some new ones too. 

Overall, this was a great follow-up to A Christmas Carol, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a Christmas story told in a similar vein. 4/5 Stars. 

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. 

About the Author

Dan Smith is a Christian, a husband, a father, a career US Navy sailor, and freelance writer living in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife and three children. His publishing history goes back 21 years, when he was first published in the magazine Pentecostal Messenger.

Dan specializes in writing about life in the military, especially as it affects Christians in service. He has also tackled the issue of cystic fibrosis, the autism spectrum, and a host of other topics.

More from Dan

“I have always loved the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. From the original novella to The Muppets, I’ve been fascinated by the story. Only one thing was truly missing, and that was the real hope Christians find in Jesus Christ. In that way, Saving Ebenezer: The Continuing Saga of a man named Scrooge is my offering to my Lord. I did my best to retain the style and language of the original, as well as to stay true to the original story and characters, while offering a glimpse at the hope we have in Jesus.

The biggest reason I wrote the book is to show the need for Christ. I do my best to keep from being preachy, and I believe you’ll find the book entertaining with a point. I can’t wait to hear what you think!”

Blog Stops

The Write Escape, October 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

Genesis 5020, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 15

deb’s Book Review, October 16

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

Labor Not in Vain, October 17

Inklings and notions, October 18

For Him and My Family, October 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 20

Cats in the Cradle Blog, October 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 22

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 23

Mary Hake, October 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 24

Connie’s History Classroom, October 25

Denise L. Barela, Author, October 25

Betti Mace, October 26

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, S. Daniel is the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a 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/122da/saving-ebenezer-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Well Blog Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Well

Author: Cathy Primer Krafve

Genre: Nonfiction

The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversation

Does your spouse refuse to hear? Do your children stare without comprehending? Does your parent or boss habitually raise objections to your good ideas?

Oh, the frustration! Conversations often break down instead of breaking through.

She changed from a woman alone to a woman of influence. Her faith transformed a whole community. How did she do it? In The Well, Cathy Krafve points out 40 strategies Jesus used to prompt authentic conversation—by analyzing just one conversation with the woman at the well.

These strategies will help you:

• Initiate simple communication principles to transform all your conversations. Go from magical thinking to miraculous results in a matter of a few biblical truths.

• Invigorate your closest relationships with terrific communication. Watch the ripple effect as your conversations spread truth and joy throughout all your relationships.

• Inspire others through authentic conversations. Enjoy the intimate companionship our hearts all crave.

Are you ready to foster tender, effective conversations with everyone around you? Don’t miss your chance to transform all your relationships!

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts 

The Well was an interesting look at how we can each (and should) grow in the areas of communication and conversation. The author takes the account of the woman at the well in John 4 and uses it as her foundation for all of her points on the topic of authentic communication. It was an interesting perspective of a passage that I have read many times before. 

I appreciated the message of this book, although I did struggled to pay attention. It seemed to be very wordy at times, and there were times I had a hard time understanding how some of the anecdotes were connected to the points that the author was trying to make. But I think it has to do more with my personal preferences when it comes to  Christian non-fiction that the author’s writing style.

However, even though there were times I didn’t seem to gel with the book, there were also several great nuggets of truth that stuck out to me that I would like to share: 

• “God transforms our worst hurts into sacred stories when we turn them over to Him for His glory and purpose” (6). 
• “Better communication matters because conversation forms the basis of all healthy human relationships” (8). 
• “Companionship can only be real in our lives if we put aside feelings of rejection and embrace people where we all live in our own humanness. Baring our souls and being authentic requires courage” (9). 
• “To be patient with others we must learn to be patient with ourselves first” (40). 
• “Companionship, fellowship, and community are the long-range goals of all communication, not winning debate points…True credibility comes from understanding the needs of those we love and being faithful to the call to serve each other” (59). 
• “When we adopt authenticity with humility, however, truth with compassion will inevitably begin to permeate all our relationships. Therefore, it’s worth listening with an open heart to accept correction when it applies” (112). 
• “We cheat ourselves of the joy of collaboration when we overreach our responsibilities” (184). 

While there were some parts of The Well that I didn’t enjoy, I still learned a few things from it and I think it will be a great tool for others who wish to grow in their conversation and communication skill. 3.5/5 Stars. 

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

Queen of Fun and Coffee Cup Philosopher, Cathy Krafve delivers creativity and encouragement in every word. Cathyputs a snappy spin on deeply spiritual truths with journalistic fervor and a knack for story-telling.

Cathy and David, her husband of almost 40 years, live in East Texas, with their three grown children, two delightful sons-in-law and 8 grandchildren (so far) nearby.

Author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversationsand Marriage Conversations: from coexisting to cherished, she also hosts Fireside Talk Radio. Her weekly podcasts and blogs reach millions annually. Join the Fireside Tribe today!

Truth with a Texas twang!

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More from Cathy

From Isolated to Influence

“He’s not listening,” Cathy fumed, as the civic leader towered over her. She went home and “plopped open” her Bible.

There’s got to be something here about people who don’t listen. She found over 40 ways Jesus communicated.

Plus, she gained new respect for one of the most fascinating women in scripture. Jesus, the Master Communicator, engaged the woman at the well in just one conversation. She immediately zipped from lonely to leadership. We can, too!

Queen of Fun and Coffee Cup Philosopher, Cathy Krafve delivers creativity and encouragement on every page of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations.

Does your child stare back with dull eyes? A spouse who refuses to hear? A parent or boss who habitually raises objections? Oh, the frustration!

Conversations often break down instead of breaking through.

The Well is perfect for your book club, Bible Study, or Sunday school class. Each chapter ends with thought-provoking questions, personal applications, and prayer.

Cathy puts a snappy spin on deeply spiritual truths with journalistic fervor and a knack for laughter and story-telling. A self-described “social dork,” her kryptonite is a bag of potato chips. Yep, a whole bag. Don’t judge!

Host of Fireside Talk Radio, her weekly blogs and podcasts reach over 3 million people annually. She is also author of Marriage Conversations: From Co-existing to Cherished.

How do we go from isolated to influence? She understands good communication tools can change everything! Companionship begins with authentic conversations. Order two copies today; one for yourself and one to give to a friend!

Truth with a Texas twang spoken here!

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, October 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17

Texas Book-aholic, October 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 21

The Sacred Line, October 21

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 23

deb’s Book Review, October 24

For Him and My Family, October 25

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 27

Artistic Nobody, October 28 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 28

Spoken from the Heart, October 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cathy is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and a copy of both The Well and Marriage Conversations!!

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/1229d/the-well-celebration-tour-giveaway