Back to God Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

About the Book

 

Book: Back to God

Author: Tim Witte

Genre: Nonfiction

Release Date: January 27, 2020

 

Back to God: The Journey of Hope through a Broken World is a timeless, grace-filled message from the Bible to bring us back to God.

Sometimes we long not for escape but to find our way in the midst of the questions burning in our minds. Who can I trust? Do I have meaning? What hope do I have?

In a society where nothing is permanent, technological advances increase our sense of vulnerability, and relationships come and go, we long for one unchanging element in which we can trust and rest in wholeheartedly without fear. We long for hope. Author Tim Witte conveys just that with Back to God, offering foundational principles from the timeless truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ:

• the message of unfailing hope that meets us in our broken world
• a promise from the only one who cannot lie and who will not fail
• a powerful word from God to bring us back to God

Back to God is neither academic nor profoundly apologetic but is a truthful, down-to-earth dialogue filled with illustrations that will resonate with readers who long for true answers from the Bible for life’s biggest problems.

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Writer and veteran Bible teacher Tim Witte holds a bachelor’s in Bible and Greek from Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, and studied computer science at Austin Peay State University. He lives in northern Indiana with his wife of thirty years. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandsons. Tim enjoys teaching Bible classes at his church, woodworking, barbecuing, and spending time with family.

 

 

 

 

More from Tim

 

If I Should Die Before I Wake

Next to a chainsaw, the most dangerous tool you could find in my hand is a rhyming dictionary. The good news is I have not touched a chainsaw for months. The bad news is I recently dusted off New Rhyming Dictionary and Poetry Handbook. My subject is prayer so maybe, with much prayer, I can do more good than harm.

A Child’s Prayer

Writing Back To God made me reflect on the people and events God used in preserving my life and leading me to faith in Christ. Though I did not have a clear understanding of the gospel as a child, my parents laid a good foundation with biblical truths about God and myself. One of my earliest memories is of my Mom stooping beside my bed and having me repeat this prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

That nightly routine and the words of that little prayer helped establish a Godward orientation to my life. Not every child receives that. I learned some vital truths at a very young age:

• I learned I could pray to God. What a concept! Many PhDs have not figured that out.
• I learned I was not ready to go to sleep until I had said my prayers. I don’t speak of praying in that way now; it sounds more ritualistic than personal. Yet, it conveyed the priority of praying to God.
• I learned that God could protect me, but I should not presume upon that protection. I should ask for it.
• The third line presents the possibility of death. It would have been bizarre and borderline cruel if, night after night, my mother had said, “Now remember Timmy, you might die in your sleep. Good night!” However, prayer is serious business, and I can talk to God about the scariest stuff.
• Additionally, I learned my eternal destiny was not to be taken for granted; it was to be a matter of prayer. Ultimately, God would decide where I ended up.

As one would expect, my prayers became more varied and improvised as I matured. For most of my adolescence, I continued a somewhat sporadic pattern of prayer at night.

Gospel-ignited Prayer

However, the time came while in the Army when I ceased to pray. I recount some of this in Back to God. My life was a sinful mess. The last thing I wanted to think about was what happens “if I should die before I wake.” For prayer to be possible one has to have hope, but I was hopeless. Prayer would only be reawakened in me when another soldier brought me God’s message of hope.

Interestingly, my evangelist started the conversation by asking, “Tim, do you know where you would go if you died tonight?” From there, he proceeded to share the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. That prompted me to read the Bible, and particularly the book of Romans. I was overwhelmed by the astonishing message of God’s grace. Then the flame of prayer was reignited when I read, “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Rom. 10:13). God heard my cry that day, and now I have the Holy Spirit dwelling in me and teaching me to cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15).

So recited prayers can be powerful tools for instructing small children about themselves and God. Such prayers may help them form a daily habit of praying. However, only the gospel has power to kindle the eternal flame of prayer in our hearts.

A Responsive Prayer

You may want to take cover now as I am about to wax poetic. Understanding the role that prayers can have in teaching important theological truths and the necessity of the gospel to ignite prayer in the heart, I recently composed a responsive bedtime prayer for my daughter and son-in-law to use with their young sons. I patterned it after the prayer my mother taught me, but I filled it with gospel hope.

Child:
As I lay me down, I pray,
Thank you Jesus for this day.
By your grace forgive my sin,
Make me true and clean within.

Parent:
Holy Jesus guard your sheep,
For you died our souls to keep.
Keep us trusting in your grace,
Till we see you face to face.

 

My Review

Concise and engaging, Bible teacher and author Tim Witte’s “Back to God: The Journey of Hope Through a Broken World” provides an overview of the Gospel for both believers and unbelievers alike. Particularly this year, with the increasing chaos and turmoil of the pandemic and the internecine political climate in America, works of nonfiction such as “Back to God” speak to the tumult within our own hearts and remind us of the proper object of our focus. As Witte writes, “The only reliable path to follow on our journey back to God is the one he has laid out for us in the Bible.” He goes on to provide a detailed description of the story of salvation, explaining how it began in the Garden of Eden and culminated in the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus. While his writing is relatively easy to understand, I think that it might be overwhelming for someone who is not a Christian to try to read it on their own. In this case, I would highly recommend reading it with someone who is a knowledgeable Christian. As for Christians who read this book, I still recommend reading it with at least one other person so as to discuss each chapter along the way and to strengthen their own faith.

Overall, I think that “Back to God” is worth the read. While short, this is not a book to hurry through. I would encourage readers to read the book slowly and deliberately in order to truly grasp the Gospel message. Witte, I am pleased to say, makes liberal use of Scripture verses along with various studies and resources, leaving them at each footnote for easy reference. This enhances the book’s credibility and, anticipating possible argument, rises it above simply being one man’s interpretation or beliefs. Something that caught my attention brings to mind the fact that God is so incredibly merciful in His desire to save us from our sin and rebellion: “Man’s soul is already immortal. Eternal life is the infusion of spiritual life into the soul that has been dead from birth. It fits us for communion with the eternal God.” One issue that I did have with the text, however, was in the chapter entitled is “A Higher Mountain,” in which the author states that Jesus was a prophet and that He became divine by being raised from the dead. Both statements are false; Jesus was not a prophet, and He didn’t become divine by dying because He was already divine. Elsewhere, Witte makes clear these points, so perhaps I am misinterpreting his intentions with this incident. Throughout the book, Witte makes use of contemporary lead-ins before transitioning into the Biblical point upon which he is expounding, and I appreciate this as a way not only to hopefully draw more readers in, but also to demonstrate how the Bible never ceases to be relevant.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 4 stars ♥♥♥♥

 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 27

For the Love of Literature, July 28

Artistic Nobody, July 29 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, July 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 31

Simple Harvest Reads, August 1 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 2

My Devotional Thoughts, August 3 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, August 4

For Him and My Family, August 5

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 6 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 7

Mary Hake, August 8

Blossoms and Blessings, August 9 (Author Interview)

God is Love, August 9

 

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Tim is giving away 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/fe35/back-to-god-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

“An In-Between Place”: A Book Review of Shawn Smucker’s “These Nameless Things”

This is the most unique and unusual book that I have read in 2020, and perhaps in the past several years. It almost defies classification, and although I have a rather terrible memory, I know that this story is one that will remain with me, and one that I will be pondering for a long time to come. Since this is my first Shawn Smucker read, I don’t know if his other books are similar, but I intend to find out! These Nameless Things is a stunning amalgamation of allegory, dystopian, magical realism, and psychological horror. While reading, I found myself jotting down one quotation after another because the writing is so poetically profound. This is one of the few books that I plan to read again, likely more than once, and I anticipate discovering more details each time. As such, this novel would make an excellent choice for a book club or discussion group.

Smucker has taken an age-old question and written a compelling narrative around it, addressing it from the future-set prologue: “Have you ever, for a flash of time, understood the significance of being? The miracle of existing?” Perhaps the best part of the story is looking back from the last page and realizing how the many subtleties click into place. These Nameless Things brings to mind the essence of several famous stories, including Plato’s Cave and Dante’s Inferno. It has a Twilight-Zone ambiance and an intentional timelessness to it. While it has vague references to Scripture and is a clean read, I find that the story is more thematically spiritual, with overarching Christian symbolism that is for the most part subtle. By this I mean that believers will easily recognize it, and those not of the faith will most likely enjoy the story for its own sake because there is no overt proselytizing.

Along with the themes, some of the other aspects of this striking novel that appealed to me include the chapter titles and the anthropomorphism. I cannot remember the last adult fiction book I read that had chapter titles, and it was both refreshing and appreciated. It took me a while to understand what was happening in the novel, and for a while in the beginning I felt baffled, which is intentional on the author’s part and will make sense later on, and the titles helped to bring some comprehension amidst the surreal atmosphere. As an aside, the cover is beautifully done, depicting the haunting essence of the story, with the mountain looming in the background, an ominous juggernaut. These Nameless Things is ultimately a story about secrets, guilt, and forgiveness. Dan, the first-person narrator, relates that “The secrets piled up inside of me. They hibernated into cocoons, transforming into things that had lives of their own.” Later on, another character tells him that “In this place, our guilt consumes us…The only thing that can rescue anyone from this deep darkness is grace.” This is the redemptive message of These Nameless Things: hope in the power of confronting and confessing our guilt, and hope in the unmerited gift of grace.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 stars ♥♥♥♥♥

Click HERE to buy These Nameless Things

New Release! The Dark Shadows Book Review

 

About the Book

 

Book: The Dark Shadows

Author: Carol Alwood

Genre: Young adult romance with a supernatural twist

Release Date: July 26, 2020

First love can be dangerous.

Seventeen-year-old Violet Blackstone is in love, but everyone seems to think she’s making a cosmic mistake. “You don’t know him the way I do,” she tells her friends and family. But the moment she accepts a promise ring from Dakota, she must fight harder to protect her relationship.

Dakota’s ex-girlfriend returns to town, a coven member makes threats, and Owen Parker tries to prove Dakota isn’t what he seems. The closer Violet gets to Dakota, the more she sees his dark side and the terrifying Shadows she thought she’d never see again. Can she fight the forces seeking to destroy her relationship and life? Should she be with a Christian guy like Owen Parker instead? Violet leans on her faith to keep going, but the dangerous forces grow stronger every day.

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

Author Carol Alwood grew up in the green haven of Bellingham, Washington, the setting of The Good Shadows series. Now living in Southern California, she misses the raindrops on maple leaves, so when she isn’t home for a visit she writes stories that take place in her hometown. Carol adores fiction and is the author of the novelette, Ghost of a Girl. She also wrote Focused Backstory: The Key to Writing Deep Character Journeys, a newly released writing-craft book. Connect with Carol on her website or on Facebook, and check out all of her books on Amazon.

 

My Review

It takes a talented author to pen a sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor’s potential, but even surpasses it. As impressed as I was with The Good Shadows, I have to say that this continuation of the story moved me even more, and I did not want to put it down until I had read the last page. The target audience may be young adults, but anyone from that age group onward will absolutely benefit from reading this series, particularly if they are being influenced by the New Age movement or know others who are. This is an excellent series to read and study with teens, and author Carol Alwood has provided a seven-week Bible study at the end of her story (as she does with The Good Shadows) that addresses the occult elements in the book, what the Bible says about them, and what God tells us our response should be according to His Word. I really love and appreciate this extra effort on her part because it can be difficult for people of all ages to understand why a certain practice or activity is wrong, particularly when it seems like the status quo.

As witchcraft and other occult practices become more widespread and normalized in contemporary society, books like The Good Shadows series shine the light of God’s truth on the darkness by exploring the inherent dangers that are always involved in dabbling with magick. Whereas book one introduces the characters and shows how no one is immune to the enemy’s attempts to influence us and turn us away from God, The Dark Shadows takes readers deeper, further demonstrating the consequences of inviting demonic influences into our lives. I appreciate that Alwood does not shy away from the fact that there are always negative consequences from meddling with the occult, and that she lists multiple Scripture references regarding this in the Bible study section. Given that the subject matter of this series could be considered controversial, Alwood makes her intentions and viewpoint clear in the foreword and again in the introduction to the Bible study.

The story itself has a dual first-person narration, told sometimes from Violet’s point of view and sometimes from Dakota’s. I found this very insightful in understanding both perspectives: that of someone who is a Christian and that of someone who has been raised as a Wiccan, because as a Christian myself, I admit to being largely in the dark about Wicca and related practices. While I certainly don’t advocate for Christians to spend time diving into the occult, as Alwood states, it is important not to pretend that it doesn’t exist, and to always be willing to be a witness for Christ without compromising our convictions. As Violet wisely observes regarding the darkness, “Just because it chose you doesn’t mean you have to choose it back. What if you were meant for something else?” Indeed, one of the main messages in The Dark Shadows is that “God is stronger,” and that is a fundamental truth no matter what we face, and a fact that we can hold on to even if we encounter dark shadows.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 stars ♥♥♥♥♥

6 Hidden Behaviors that Destroy Families Spotlight and GIVEAWAY!

 

About the Book

Book: 6 Hidden Behaviors that Destroy Families

Author: Dr. Magdalena Battles

Genre: RELIGION / Christian Living/Family & Relationships

Release Date: June 9, 2020

 

Families are complicated.
There is no such thing as a perfect family…or an easy family. We all make mistakes that hurt or disappoint our family members, and we’ve all been hurt or disappointed by those we love.

 
Within our human makeup is a deep and basic need for healthy family relationships. Family was designed to provide us with love, a feeling of belonging, a shared history, traditions, comfort, affection, quality time, feedback, learning, and a safety net. When our family fails to provide for these needs, we feel a deep sense of loss.

 
6 Hidden Behaviors That Destroy Families by Dr. Magdalena Battles addresses the top conflicts in extended families that cause relationships to become strained, disjointed, or broken. These hidden behaviors are: criticism, gossip, lack of inclusion, deception, refusing to accept differences, and a failure to apologize and forgive. Dr. Battles provides practical tips and solutions based on research, biblical principles, and her own observations of what has worked in families.

 
Most families have some dysfunction, causing pain, damage, and division. While every family has problems, what really matters is how we deal with those issues. Are we working in a way that heals and resolves problems, or are we allowing them to fester, divide, and explode, causing tremendous damage to our relationships? Families are always in a state of change, and they are a work in progress. But they can function in a way where love, support, belonging, and kindness are exemplified and practiced.

 
Doing nothing about our family conflicts often contributes to the problems. The healing in your family can begin with you. To have a family that is loving and supportive, you need to be part of the solutions and healing. You just have to take those first steps! It is a process, but the result will be happier lives and more fulfilling relationships.

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Dr. Magdalena Battles is a writer and conference speaker whose specialties include parenting, child development, family relationships, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She shares her real-life experiences and professional insights on her website, LivingJoyDaily.com, and on Lifehack.org, where she was named one of their top writers. She is also the author of Let Them Play: The Importance of Play and 100 Child Development Activities (September 2019). Dr. Battles earned a bachelor’s degree in child psychology and a master’s degree in professional counseling, both from Liberty University, and a doctorate in Clinical and Academic Psychology from Walden University. She has also completed post-graduate studies on “Technologies in Education” at Harvard University. While she may seem all business, in her spare time, she enjoys camping with her family, visiting national parks, reading nonfiction, decorating, organizing, shopping, spending time with extended family, and incubating/raising Silkie chickens. She is also an active volunteer in her community and church. Dr. Battles and her husband, Justin, reside in Texas, where they are raising their daughter, Brielle, twin boys, Alex and Charlie, a dog named Max, and a Silkie chicken named Marshmallow.

 

More from Magdalena

While every family has its problems—some minor, some major—what really matters is how we deal with these issues. Are we working to heal and resolve the conflicts, or are we allowing them to fester, divide, and explode, perhaps causing irreparable damage to our relationships? The six hidden behaviors that destroy families are described as “hidden” because we often ignore, deny, or cover up our family issues. The family unit is a living organism, never remaining the same. Sometimes, it is healthy and working well, and other times, it is not as healthy or functional. All it takes is one person to start a trend of love, compassion, and support that can change generations to come.

 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 11

 Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 12

Artistic Nobody, July 13 (Spotlight)

Inklings and notions, July 14

For Him and My Family, July 15

A Baker’s Perspective, July 16 (Spotlight)

deb’s Book Review, July 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 18

Simple Harvest Reads, July 19 (Spotlight)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, July 20

Mary Hake, July 21

Through the Fire Blogs, July 22 (Spotlight)

Captive Dreams Window, July 22

Splashes of Joy, July 23

For the Love of Literature, July 24 (Spotlight)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Magdalena is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Starbucks 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/fe58/6-hidden-behaviors-that-destroy-families-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Still Small Voice Review and GIVEAWAY!

 

About the Book

Book: Still Small Voice

Author: Allen Brokken

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Release Date: July 24, 2020

The Still Small Voice Leads the Way

Because of their faith, twelve-year-old Lauren and her younger brothers, Aiden and Ethan, prevailed in the battle for the Tower of Light. But their victory did not stop the Dark One. Darkness continues to spread across Zoura’s frontier.

Now, in a vision, Mother tells them to light a second tower in Blooming Glen. Before they can set out on their journey with the Knight Protector, their Uncle arrives with a different set of instructions. He doesn’t trust the Knight Protector or the Mighty Mercenaries and believes the children should go to grandma’s house instead.

Unyielding in his belief, Uncle unknowingly leads the children off their path. And a misguided acolyte follows them. Lurking in the shadows, he strikes at every opportunity as the dark forces prepare to descend.

Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan are Zoura’s last defense. Can they convince their Uncle of the truth—that he must listen to the still small voice—and make it to Blooming Glen before the Dark One’s forces overtake them?

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

 

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. Follow his endeavors @towersoflight, @twodadsandajoke, and http://www.brokken.net. Your children can grow their own faith and love of God by following the adventures of Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan (plus their pets!) at instagram.com/towersoflight.

 

 

 

 

More from Allen

Still Small Voice is the much anticipated 2^nd book in the Towers of Light series. We will be launching the book with a Celebrate Lit tour on July 24^th. Come on the tour to learn about some of the places author Allen Brokken visited to research the unique frontier setting for the series. Five of the tour stops are interviews where he shares what he learned at different historical locations as well as his inspiration for the second book which focuses in listing for the Holy Spirit’s still small voice.

As defenders of the light, three children embark on a journey to stop the dark forces invading their land.

Louder than ever before, the message of listening to the holy spirit’s still small voice resonates with an urgency that demands action.

”Still Small Voice by Allen Brokken is an adventure of a lifetime! Filled with mystery, action, family bonds, and a healthy dose of animal friends this second book in the Tower of Light Series is a fantastic continuation of the journey of siblings Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan. Their quest to spread the Light as Darkness creeps across the land is a faith-filled adventure worth joining. ~Katie Clark, author of the Enslaved Series”

 

My Review

Growing up, I was an avid reader, devouring as many books as I could and blazing through series after series. Among my favorites were “Little House on the Prairie” and “The Younguns of Mansfield.” The nineteenth-century has always held a special place in my heart, and slipping into that bygone world through literature was and continues to be a great joy for me. I read almost exclusively Christian works, and my favorite genre is, unsurprisingly, historical fiction, while fantasy has rarely found a place on my shelves over the years. However, over the past year, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and taken advantage of the opportunity to review books from the fantasy genre, which has proven to be a blessing and has introduced me to many wonderful authors and their books.

One of these is Allen Brokken, author of the Towers of Light middle-grade fantasy adventure series. As much as I love discovering quality adult fiction, finding the same for children is a double blessing because it is so needed these days. “Still Small Voice” is book two in the series, which should be read in order because the story continues seamlessly from one book to the next. This second book deals mainly with transitions, setting the scene for what I predict may be a showdown in book three. However, this is not to say that “Still Small Voice” is unexciting or merely a placeholder. Far from it! Rather, we see Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan facing difficult decisions and learning that these decisions have consequences. In order to keep the Light burning, they need to remain strong in faith, but that isn’t always easy to do, particularly when their Uncle is not a believer and they are confronted with negative feelings.

“Still Small Voice” immerses readers further into the world of Zoura while gently teaching Biblical truths along the way. I love that Brokken does this so naturally, without making his stories seem preachy and sententious. Although I am quite beyond the target audience age range, I love the inclusion of special animals and the humor that the author infuses into the narrative despite the overall serious tone resulting from the threat of danger. Brokken demonstrates skillful insight into children’s behavior by the way in which he writes the story mostly from their viewpoint, highlighting their concerns and uncertainties. Also, it is very refreshing to read about children who are respectful and God-honoring and who are trying to follow the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice to conquer the darkness threatening Zoura and their own family. Another thought-provoking, heart-stirring story in the Towers of Light series that leaves readers anxiously awaiting the third book and hopefully learning to listen to the still, small voice within.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 stars ♥♥♥♥♥

 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 23

For the Love of Literature, July 24

Artistic Nobody, July 25 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, July 26

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 27

Vicky Sluiter, July 28 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 30

A Baker’s Perspective, July 31 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, July 31

deb’s Book Review, August 1

A Reader’s Brain, August 2

Through the Fire Blogs, August 3 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 4

My Devotional Thoughts, August 5 (Author Interview)

 

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/fe32/still-small-voice-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

The Seer Author Interview and GIVEAWAY!

About the Book

Book: The Seer

Author: Erin R Howard

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: February 27, 2018

Viktor has one order to follow:
Kill the girl before her eyes are opened.

For thousands of years, his job has been to torment and kill seers: humans that have the gift of seeing the spiritual realm. So it was no surprise when his brother Matthias was once again sent to stop him and protect the girl.

Now the last of the seers’ bloodline hangs in the balance, as the estranged demon and angel brothers are forced to work together to save a girl’s life and escape to the sanctuary city of Bethesda.

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

Erin R. Howard is a Developmental Editor, YA Urban Fantasy Author of The Kalila Chronicles, and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. When she’s not writing, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, fueling her craft addictions, and teaching writing workshops. Erin is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the KenTen Writers Group. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.

 

 

 

More from Erin

If I’ve learned anything these past few months, it’s that I’m still not a fan of change. It’s always been hard for me to transition from what I know, to the unknown, and then find a new normal. Let’s be honest. Stepping out of our comfort zone isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to challenge and stretch our faith. And as a result of stepping out, we hope that we will learn and grow.

I love messy characters, because life is messy, and it doesn’t always work out the way we expect. It’s full of changes and situations. The characters in my series, The Kalila Chronicles, are no different. Each character has unique challenges. For some, they didn’t ask for change, and for others, they are stepping out on their own.

Here’s a little bit more about The Seer. The first book in The Kalila Chronicles:

For thousands of years, Viktor has carried out his orders from Lucifer faithfully. But after a recent demotion in rank, he has grown weary of the bloodshed. His latest order is to kill Thea, a seventeen-year-old Seer before her gift manifests, and she can see into the spiritual realm. However, his estranged angel brother, Matthias, intervenes on his plans. Seeing this as his way out, Viktor proposes that in exchange for leaving Thea alive, Matthias must escort him to the sanctuary city of Bethesda. Although, getting through the portal isn’t as easy as Viktor thought, and now he has to work with Matthias to protect the very girl he was ordered to kill.

 

Author Interview

 

When/how did you decide to become a writer?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. It came from a love of reading and grew as I got older. Through middle and high school I was writing short stories and poetry. When I was in my twenties I started writing novels, but never finished them. It wasn’t until I switched genres from chick lit and fantasy that I started getting really serious about completing a novel.

 

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

I wish I had a set schedule, but I tend to write whenever there’s free time, which is never at the same time each day. I have three kids, and I’m re-opening my retail store since my youngest son finished  Leukemia treatments about a year ago. Now, I will have an office to go to every day, so that will help. When I’m home, I can get distracted. LOL!

 

Which one of your characters speaks most to your heart? Why?

Most people are surprised when I say that Viktor is my favorite character because he’s a demon. But he’s got all of these conflicting emotions waging war within himself. I think Viktor’s character shows that it’s never too late to try to change.

 

What are your hobbies?

I love to read and play games. My family enjoys playing board games and computer games. I’m also addicted to crafting. I teach craft classes, like crochet, string art, and door hangers.

 

Do you prefer traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks?

I love holding a book in my hands. But I also appreciate ebooks and audiobooks. Ebooks are great for taking on traveling, and I love to listen to audiobooks while I’m driving or cleaning the house.

 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 21

For the Love of Literature, July 22 (Author Interview)

Rebecca Tews, July 22

Through the Fire Blogs, July 23

Inklings and notions, July 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 25

Just the Write Escape, July 26

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 27

Artistic Nobody, July 28

deb’s Book Review, July 28

For Him and My Family, July 29

Wishful Endings, July 30 (Author Interview)

April Hayman, Author, July 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 1

Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 2

Emily Yager, August 3

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erin is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of The Seer, a Behind the Story Booklet of The Seer, and a $25 Amazon 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/fe2f/the-seer-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Book Review of A Love Letter for Jessa by Teresa Slack

Blurb:

She loves a man she can never have. He’s in love with the wrong woman. In a relationship built on lies, can the truth set Jessa free before she loses Rodney forever?

When Jessa Endicott began writing to her sick friend Ada’s pen pal, she never dreamed she’d fall in love with the man on the other end of the letters. Rodney Hammersmith has fallen in love with the writer of the letters. The only problem is, the woman he thinks he loves is someone else.

When Rodney’s job brings him to Willow Wood, he can’t wait to meet his pen pal face to face. Jessa is equally anxious to meet Rodney, but he doesn’t know she exists. He’s here for Ada, the woman he thinks he’s been writing to.

Jessa never meant to mislead Rodney when she agreed to write the letters. Now she risks watching him fall in love with Ada, whose lies could destroy all their lives.

 

Book Purchase Link: 

Amazon

 

Author Bio:

Teresa Slack loves reading, writing, and falling in love. Creating clean and wholesome western romances where fearless cowboys still sweep independent heroines off their feet was an easy choice for her.

She writes from her home in the beautiful southern Ohio hills, which she shares with her husband and rescue dog and rescue cat. Any errors and typos she blames on the cat randomly running across her keyboard.

Learn more about Teresa Slack and her books by visiting her website at www.teresaslack.com. Readers who sign up for her newsletter will receive a free download of A Promise for Josie: A Willow Wood Prequel.

 

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook

Twitter

 

 

My Review:

The second book in the Willow Woods Brides series by Teresa Slack, “A Love Letter for Jessa” can be read as a standalone. The heroine from the first book is mentioned briefly in what is a spoiler for the ending of that book, but the rest of the story is independent. This is a sweet series in which those who eventually become couples are identified from the beginning, leaving little room for mystery but instead ushering in a hefty dose of wholesome romance. These are the clean, Western-style tales that one would expect to find adapted for television on INSP or the Hallmark Drama channel, and their core of faith sets them apart from other such stories.

“A Love Letter for Jessa” opens in Willow Wood, Idaho in autumn 1890. Using third-person omniscient narration, Slack introduces readers to twenty-year-old Jessa Endicott, who appeases her ailing friend Ada List by taking over her correspondence with Rodney Hammersmith. No harm, no foul. Until Ada recovers and Rodney comes to work in Willow Wood, eager to meet the woman whom he has fallen in love with through the letters. What might be a humorous incident builds into a true conundrum, layered with deceit, guilt, and misunderstanding. This story is an excellent example of how one lie always leads to another, eventually resulting in heartsickness, no matter how trivial it may seem at the time: “A lie was a lie, regardless of who told it or the logic behind it.”

Sometimes characterization becomes evident from the very first chapter, and such is the case with this novel. To the reader, none of the figures in the story come as much of a surprise, but the excitement lies in how they interact with and react to each other, learning more about each other and themselves in the process. As Jessa frets over not telling Rodney the truth, she laments that “Anything she said would make her look like a petty, jealous, conniving hypocrite trying to come between him and Ada.” Furthermore, there is the discernible Christian viewpoint that shines forth within the pages of this story. Some of the characters exemplify it, while others shun it in favor of their own gratification. I appreciate that Slack creates both, because it adds a realistic level of conflict, and while I feel that everything ties up a bit too neatly in the end, I still enjoyed this story and believe that by following the example of Jesus, we can love each other more and better. After all, God wrote the greatest love letter of them all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 4 stars ♥♥♥♥

 

 

The Ring Does Not Fit Author Interview and GIVEAWAY!

About the Book

Book: The Ring Does Not Fit

Author: Sunshine Rodgers

Genre: Romance, Fiction, Christian, Fantasy

Release Date: November 19, 2019

Alena is stuck in a mundane marriage and longing for something
different. New clothes. Bigger bling. Flashy cars. Miraculously and
inexplicably, it all happens in a flash and she is finally married to
the man of her dreams, but something still seems to be missing. In all
her excitement, the one thing she’s looking for is the one thing she
can’t seem to keep.

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Sunshine Rodgers is an International Best-Selling author, speaker and
motivator who excels in sharing the hope and light of the gospel in
her books. Her characters experience the love and grace of Jesus
Christ and the beauty of Heaven. Sunshine hopes her pages will get you
passionate about your faith. Her books have been made into audio books
and translated in different languages. Her social media sites and
personal blog reach thousands of readers a week. Sunshine has appeared
in magazines, newspapers and live media interviews and is working on
her merchandise line (available on her website!). Sunshine now enjoys
her days traveling for signings, author events, speaking engagements
and book tours.

 

More from Sunshine

 

Why are we never satisfied? I mean, we can have
houses, cars and money and still want more! If I were to break it
down, I would have to say…insecurity. Maybe we feel like we’re not good
enough. I don’t know about you, but I compare myself with others
all the time just by looking at social media and feeling like I don’t
measure up.

My book “The Ring Does Not Fit” concentrates on appreciating what is right in front of you, celebrating those who are still with you and staying humble.
Because the grass is not always greener on the other side and there
is always more going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about.

I wanted to explore the issue of contentment in my book.

The only way to really get over any personal frustration

and constant comparison is to have
an attitude of thanksgiving and praise where you are thankful

for what you have, no matter how little or big it is.

That’s the first step to loving life.”

– Sunshine Rodgers

Author Interview

 

Which author has most influenced your own writing?

I enjoy anything from C.S. Lewis and I  definitely incorporate  a lot
of his influence on my pages. In fact, my best selling book “After
You: A Demon is Always Lurking Nearby” is a modern-day twist on his
classic novel “The Screwtape Letters.”

My all time favorite author is John Eldredge because the passion for
his faith just jumps off the pages and that’s what I want for my
books…. where people are inspired by my message and in love with the
content.

 
Describe your book in five words.

Heaven intervenes in Alena’s marriage

 

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book is “Wild At Heart” by John Eldredge. I have read that book so many times; I have it memorized! I own the paperback copy and audio book version of his book. Though this book  is primarily written for men, I still answer the call to Eldredge’s challenge to open up to life’s adventures and to live a daring life.  This book has truly helped me to be the person I am today! And since Eldredge is my favorite author, I have read mostly all of his books, truly captivated with each page!

 

Do you prefer traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks?

I prefer traditional books, hardcover or paperback.  I like to “dog-ear” the pages, highlight parts I enjoy, underline and write on the pages. I have three bookshelves in my home-library completely full of just books, books and more books! Some stacked on top of each other, others in a separate plastic case near the floor. And for birthdays and holidays,  my wish-list is always…you guessed it, more books! I can read 2-3 books at a time! I’ve never read an eBook and I only own one audio book.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

This is a three-part answer.

First, I would say…know your audience. I write in the Christian genre because I read in the Christian genre. I know what the audience in that genre expects. And I write with my audience in mind and promote my books with keywords associated with the target audience.

Second, Ask the personal question… “Why are you writing?” If it’s because you have a passion and a calling to share your craft, then you’ll make it! A writer faces intense scrutiny when it comes to critics, reviews, readers and publishing rejections.  Successful Authors need to be able to  stand on their message and constantly go back to the original  reasons why they started writing in the first place.

And third…knock down those walls. Throughout my writing career, I  faced a lot of dead-ends and I’ve had to come up with Plans E, F and G to further proceed with my vision. So be creative in pursuing publishers. Think outside the box when promoting your work. And know that there are options for you as a writer, you just have to be innovative when moving forward and soon, you too, will see your literary dreams coming true!

 

 

 

Blog Stops

Quiet quilter, July 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 9

Through the Fire Blogs, July 10 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, July 10

 Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Texas Book-aholic, July 12

Blossoms and Blessings, July 13 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 14

Inklings and notions, July 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 16

For the Love of Literature, July 17 (Author Interview)

Andrea Carmen, July 17

Quiet Workings, July 18

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 19

Just Your Average reviews, July 20

Artistic Nobody, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sunshine is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Visa 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/fda3/the-ring-does-not-fit-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund

 

About the Book

Book: A Bride of Convenience (Bride Ships #3)

Author: Jody Hedlund

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2020

Unemployed mill worker Zoe Hart jumps at the opportunity to emigrate to British Columbia in 1863 to find a better life and be reunited with her brother, who fled from home after being accused of a crime.

Pastor to miners in the mountains, Abe Merivale discovers an abandoned baby during a routine visit to Victoria and joins efforts with Zoe, one of the newly arrived bride-ship women, to care for the infant. While there, he’s devastated by the news from his fiancee in England that she’s marrying another man.

With mounting pressure to find the baby a home, Zoe accepts a proposal from a miner of questionable character after he promises to help her locate her brother. Intent on protecting Zoe and frustrated by his failed engagement, Abe offers his own hand as groom. After a hasty wedding, they soon realize their marriage of convenience is not so convenient after all.

 

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

 

Visit Jody at http://jodyhedlund.com/ or on Facebook or Twitter.

 

My Review

As a result of the Civil War raging in America in the early 1860s, England faced a cotton shortage, putting the women and girls who worked in the cotton mills out of work and in even more dire straits than before. A group of these mill girls from Manchester became the second set of women to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia aboard one of the bride ships, this one being the Robert Lowe. What seems today to be an unfathomable institution offered hope and a chance at a future for young women otherwise destined to languish in extreme poverty and dreadful circumstances.

From among this group comes Zoe Hart, whose captivating story emerges from the pages of “A Bride of Convenience”, book 3 in Jody Hedlund’s Bride Ships series. From start to finish, her story is not what I expected, and that is part of why I love it so much! Despite knowing the man Zoe marries from the outset, there are so many twists and turns of the plot that this turns out not to be a spoiler. Two of the aspects that I consider to be integral to the best stories are the plot and the characters, and this novel skillfully demonstrates both. “A Bride of Convenience”, as indicated by its title, is about a marriage made at a moment’s notice when missionary minister Abe Merivale impulsively weds Zoe to protect her and a native baby left in their care.

Not only does Hedlund treat readers to an engaging storyline, she also creates multifaceted characters who rise from the pages with their own tragedies and triumphs, with relationships and behaviors that never seem contrived. The delightful, sage Mrs. Moresby again makes an appearance, as does a devious villain and several other colorful characters, although the majority of the narrative focuses on Zoe and Pastor Abe. Hedlund writes them beautifully, expressing their respective emotions and struggles, of which the other is often not aware. The weight and responsibility of being called to ministry and of being married to a minister are both well-articulated and are applicable to many in contemporary mission work as well. As Zoe comes to realize, “Maybe all God required was a willing heart and the trust that He’d work out the rest of the details in His timing and His way.” In the face of increasing obstacles and a seemingly hopeless situation, she makes a point that is startlingly simple yet profound: “But what if God’s the one who calls us? What if He’s the one who gives us our ministry? If God gives us our ministry, then no one else has the power to take it away.”

Of the three Bride Ships novels published thus far, “A Bride of Convenience” is my favorite. The history behind this program is unique in and of itself, and the narrative that Hedlund constructs only enhances the story. Readers will doubtless find some of themselves in the characters and hopefully glean inspiration from the fact that God sees the end from the beginning and has a good future planned for us, even when hope seems futile. After all, nothing is impossible with God!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 stars ♥♥♥♥♥

Kentucky Bride Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

 

About the Book

Book: Kentucky Bride

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release Date: June 9, 2020

A Country Divided…And so is her heart.

Some might say you can’t be too fussy when almost every unattached young man is off fighting for Southern freedom, but that shouldn’t mean a rebel’s daughter has any business with a Union soldier. Forbidden love never created greater battles than Gigi’s unexpected love for a Union soldier.

A dashing Rebel Soldier. The daughter of a Federal Soldier. How will they overcome the odds and a war to be together? Find out in this twist on Romeo and Juliet.

 

 

Click HERE to get your copy!

 

 

 

About the Author

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 eighteen grandsugars with Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years, she lives 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

It thrilled me to be a part of the North and South Collection series, a thirty-seven titles by seventeen authors project headed up by Christine Sterling Bortner. One reason is that my husband and co-writer has always been a Civil War buff, and the other because it’s such a huge undertaking. I’m actually writing two titles, Kentucky in 1861 and Nevada in 1865.

The stories are broken up by the years (1861-1865) and then the years divided into the states or territories (37 in all) as to when its most major event happened. So, if a reader stays with the series, one releases every other week, they will enjoy a chronological overview of the Civil War.

This story, Kentucky Bride is set near Bowling Green where the Confederates first set up their area headquarters. Twenty-thousand men descended on the city of seven hundred. Nearby, General Hindman with fifteen hundred men that included the 8^th Calvary Regiment from Texas, a group of Texas Rangers who’d joined the effort. Of course, I had to have a Texan as a hero! 😊

My heroine is eighteen-year-old Gardenia Gladiola Garland who helps her grandfather in the family business as her papa, brother, and uncle were gone. They’d joined the Union Army several weeks before. She hates the flowery name her mother pinned on her almost as much as the war and insists on being called Gigi.

 

My Texas Ranger hero, Ephraim Edward Kerns is sent to meet a supply wagon and it surprises to find such a lovely young woman muleskinning. He ties his horse to the back of the wagon and takes over for her, falling in love with her intelligence, beauty, and determination practically at first sight.

 

This Texas author hopes readers will love these two young ones, and I’m always “Praying my story gives God glory!”

 

My Review

“Had the Almighty placed her there? On that day, at that time? Thrown her together with the man for His purpose?”

Book number 8 in the North and South series, Kentucky Bride by Caryl McAdoo is a sweet romance that can be read as a standalone. It is a quick read, but despite its brevity, McAdoo infuses her story with heart and humor. Because Kentucky was a neutral state in 1861, when this story takes place, there is more latitude for a diverse range of characters, and they are the driving force of the novel. The name of the eponymous heroine is Gardenia Gladiola Garland, or Gigi, and she finds the Civil War most inconvenient, especially since her family is fighting for the Union and her beau is a Confederate Texas Ranger.

While touching on serious subject matter, Kentucky Bride takes a lighthearted approach, focusing on the good and including more harsh realities with only brief mention. As such, this book is quite suitable for older adolescent and teen readers; this is something that I would not have had trouble reading in grades 5 or 6, but it is also of course appropriate for adult readers as well. Moreover, it is a clean romance and a definitively Christian story, which I am always so glad to see. McAdoo’s use of different third-person narrative voices, split between the four focal characters, adds depth and offers perspectives from unique figures, both slave and free. The story puts me somewhat in mind of the sentimental novel with its idealism, but honestly, it is refreshing to read something in which the majority of the relationships are good and they treat each other with respect, working side by side. As one of the characters sagely notes, “It sure would be hard to stay on the straight and narrow if all you saw and heard went against what the good book taught.” McAdoo makes it clear at the end of the book that no one escapes trials and hard times here on earth, but thanks to Jesus, our future in eternity is secure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

My Rating: 4 stars ♥♥♥♥

 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 10

Inklings and notions, July 11

For Him and My Family, July 12

Novels Corner, July 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 13

For the Love of Literature, July 14

Pause for Tales, July 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 15

Older & Smarter?, July 16

She Lives To Read, July 17

deb’s Book Review, July 18

Bizwings Blog, July 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 19

Betti Mace, July 20

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 20

KarenSueHadley, July 21

Artistic Nobody, July 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Connie’s History Classroom, July 23

 

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/fe19/kentucky-bride-celebration-tour-giveaway