Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Letter from Paul Celebration Tour!

About the Book

Book: Letter from Paul
Author: Mary Weins
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction, Bible study
Release Date: April 5, 2019

“A devotional workbook on Galatians that gives enough substance for the interactive part of the workbook. It is worthwhile for small groups or individuals.” Dr. Dennis Beatty

Draw closer to God. Revel in the knowledge that you are saved by grace, not works. Discover how Paul addressed the Galatian people when they veered from the truth back into bondage to the rules and customs of their time.

This Bible study takes you verse by verse through the book of Galatians, with insights into what occurred so many years ago yet is still relevant today. Bringing home the truth that we don’t have to perform a certain way to be accepted as heirs to Christ, Letter from Paul offers relief to those who feel pressured to live by the world’s standards.

You will be refreshed and renewed as you lean into the fact that God loves you just as you are. Yes, He has given us the commandments, but He doesn’t pile additional rules on us that we can’t possibly follow. Instead, He gives us grace. And mercy. And love.

“Galatians is about the difference between salvation by works and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not about obeying all the rules versus having a good time. It is about a personal relationship with our Creator and Savior.” – Mary Weins

My Thoughts: This is an excellent study of the book of Galatians. I would call this a study of the book of Galatians more than a devotional. It's a short five-chapter book that takes a good look into the book of Galatians. Before each chapter, there is a short story that really helps illustrate the points in Galatians that the author is teaching. This is an amazing little book that is easy to get involved in and helps the reader learn. I truly enjoyed this and believe that this is a great refresher for all Christians. This would be especially helpful for new believers to help them grow in their faith. I would certainly use this book to help lead a Bible study.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

As a Pastor’s kid, Mary has been involved in the church most of her life. She has led many Bible study groups in homes, in the church environment, and in jails; Mary has worked in various women’s ministries, and is a writer, speaker and Bible Teacher.

Currently, Mary and her husband are retired and live in Northern California. They have 3 sons, and 5 grandchildren who live nearby. When not writing, speaking, leading Bible study groups, or studying God’s Word on her own, Mary enjoys entertaining friends, cooking, and playing with her grandchildren…not necessarily in that order.

More from Mary

Letter from Paul: to the Church in Galatia…and Us! As a preacher’s kid, I was brought up in a strict, structured home environment. This upbringing created a harsh view of Christianity and an overwhelming fear of hell, fire, and damnation for me. It was not until years later that I found a church emphasizing God’s love. I read the Word and prayed daily and began to develop a close, personal relationship with God. But fear kept haunting me until I really got into Galatians and broke it down, verse by verse. The book of Galatians is a crucial book of the Bible for me because it emphasizes God’s love and forgiveness and provides assurance that, even though I mess up at times, God still loves me! It is my hope and prayer that you, too, can embrace the beautiful message of love and acceptance contained in Galatians and apply it to your life. When we fully submit and trust God for our lives, an overwhelming peace envelops us. We no longer need to fear Him. He is a loving God who provides all our needs and protects, encourages, comforts, and directs us. He is our heavenly Father, our constant companion, and a friend who really does have all the right answers. Living in a right relationship with God dramatically changes the way we view ourselves and the world. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17 KJV). Written in a down-to-earth, easy-to-read approach, the Bible studies contained in Letter from Paul highlight the main points covered in each chapter of Galatians. It is my hope and prayer that this book will erase the doubts and fears of Christians who question their salvation or fear that they are not good enough to maintain it and to point the way for the unsaved to realize how easy it is to become a child of God.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 30

The Power of Words, December 1

Older & Smarter?, December 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 3

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 3

The Becca Files, December 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , December 5

Maureen’s Musings, December 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 7

Texas Book-aholic, December 8

Mary Hake, December 8

janicesbookreviews, December 9

My Devotional Thoughts, December 10

Aryn The Libraryan ? , December 11

A Reader’s Brain, December 12

Godly Book Reviews, December 12

Inklings and notions , December 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card & Paperback of “Letter from Paul”!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click Here to Enter!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Stories Behind the Songs & Hymns About Heaven

From the Back Cover

Behind every song is a story . . .

In times of doubt, fear and loss, we turn to the songs and hymns that remind us that this world is not all there is - that what awaits us as followers of Jesus is a heavenly kingdom. Songs like "Face to Face," "Amazing Grace," "Victory in Jesus," and "I'll Fly Away" were written amid circumstances of great personal pain in the lives of the songwriters. In sharing their stories, we can find even more comfort in our own circumstances. Award-winning author Ace Collins offers this collection of thirty inspiring true stories that provide hope for this world and insight into the next, painting a picture of eternal life filled with joy, peace, and happy reunions. Perfect for music lovers, pastors, hospice workers, counselors, and all of us who have lost someone we loved.

My Thoughts: This is a wonderful book written to encourage us and to inform us of how the songs and hymns came about. This book can be used as a devotional, or just read for the history and encouragement of the words. This would make a lovely gift for anyone.

It is well written and will be an enjoyment for all those who read it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Christianity For People Who Aren't Christians

In our post-Christian age, the old answers for skeptics are no longer cutting it. Why? Because they largely seek to answer the wrong questions. Our world is changing, and while the gospel never changes, the way we talk about it and learn about it must.

Christianity for People Who Aren't Christians answers both classic and bleeding-edge questions that skeptics have about the faith, such as

- Is there a God?
- Why do the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus matter?
- Why is there so much suffering in the world?
- Why do Christians think there is only one way to know God?
- How do I reconcile the Bible's picture of Christ's followers with the actual Christians I know who have disappointed me?

Covering such topics as astrophysics, social justice, and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, this one-of-a-kind book is perfect for those skeptical of Christianity and for those who love them and want to keep the line of communication open.

My Thoughts: This is a wonderful book for those interested in apologetics and evangelism. The reader will find great answers to many questions from those who don't understand or believe in our Lord and Savior. I recommend that all Christians read this book to have answers on hand.

If you know someone who is doubting, a skeptic, if you have questions, or just want to learn more about apologetics, this is the book to read. It's not a huge thick book on theology, just the right size to answer all the questions that may come up. Certainly, a must-read for anyone.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thursday, December 5, 2019

God's Hostage

In 1993, Andrew Brunson was asked to travel to Turkey, the largest unevangelized country in the world, to serve as a missionary. Though hesitant because of the daunting and dangerous task that lay ahead, Andrew and his wife, Norine, believed this was God's plan for them.

What followed was a string of threats and attacks, but also successes in starting new churches in a place where many people had never met a Christian. As their work with refugees from Syria, including Kurds, gained attention and suspicion, Andrew and Norine acknowledged the threat but accepted the risk, determining to stay unless God told them to leave.

In 2016, they were arrested. Though the State eventually released Norine, who remained in Turkey, Andrew was imprisoned. Accused of being a spy and being among the plotters of the attempted coup, he became a political pawn whose story soon became known around the world.

My Thoughts: This should be a book that every Christian, every missionary should read. It gives us a realistic look at what it is like to "go unto the world" and evangelize. It isn't easy, and pastor Brunson is a classic tale of what it is like in the middle east.

This is pastor Brunson's story of how he was captured, the hardships he and his wife encountered. It tells us of their faith throughout this nightmare that they endured. This is an excellent book, one that we all should read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Cradle Lies Celebration Tour!

About the Book

Book: In the Cradle Lies
Author: Olivia Newport
Genre: Christian Fiction
Release Date: November, 2019

Book 2 in the Tree of Life Series: A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Faith Journeys on Family Trees

On a solo ski vacation in Canyon Mines, Colorado, Tucker has a love-hate relationship with his wealth, spending indiscriminately while skiing fearlessly and preparing to conquer the overgrown slope of Hidden Run, a dangerous run not attempted in decades. As genealogist Jillian tries to uncover enough of Tucker’s family tree to understand his charming nature but reckless resolve, Jillian’s equally charming father, Nolan, cajoles Tucker into giving him ski lessons to get him talking about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s life in St. Louis in the 1930s.

On the surface, Tucker’s family’s history seems too perfect. The secret may lie in the sealed envelope Tucker carries with him at all times—even on the ski slope. When no one can find Tucker to tell him the fiancée he never mentioned turned up in Canyon Mines, they realize he must be off attempting to ski Hidden Run alone in a snowstorm. And they may be too late.

In the Cradle Lies is the second book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. You’ll want to return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys.

My Thoughts: Readers will enjoy the second book in the " Tree of Life Series'. This was a book that the reader will not be able to put down. It is full of mystery and twists at every turn. I enjoyed this story immensely. Olivia Newport has a way of writing that brings the reader into the story and connects them with the characters. It was wonderful to come back to Canyon Mines to see Jillian, Kris, Nolan and the rest. This is a story that deals with family secrets and how it has affected future generations. It is a story about family and the importance of having good relationships with our family. I truly enjoy the job that Jillian does with the Geneology aspect of the novel. Family history is interesting and I like how the author brings it into her novels. If you love a good mystery this is a good book to read. I look forward to the third book in the series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twenty something children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak.

More from Olivia

True confession. I live in Colorado and don’t ski. In the Cradle Lies includes several references to “How can you live in the Colorado mountains and not ski?” Jillian, a main character in the Tree of Life series, has lived in the mountain town of Canyon Mines since she was two, and by the time she was eight she knew she didn’t want to ski. I grew up in Illinois, and while my high school had a ski club and somehow found places to ski (I’m not sure where; um, not exactly mountain territory), I was sure I would break something. Arriving in Colorado in my forties did not persuade me to take up skiing at that age. I live at the base of Pikes Peak, not in the mountains like Jillian. I do love the views! But one of the fun things about being a writer is learning a lot about things you know little about. Enter Google and YouTube. And more YouTube. And … you get the drift. Some quick facts about Colorado skiing to help get you in the mood for In the Cradle Lies:

Colorado typically leads the country in “skier days”—days of skiing purchased in ski areas.
Actually, most people in the state don’t ski. By a large margin. Like 90 percent. (So I feel better and so does Jillian.)
People visiting the state to ski or snowboard are important to our economy. (So thank you!)
Colorado has hosted about 175 ski areas since it became a state in 1876. Today, we have only about 30 operating resorts—so there are lots of dormant, lost, and hidden runs like the one in my story.

I hope you’ll check out In the Cradle Lies—and find out why Tucker came from St. Louis to Canyon Mines to ski an abandoned run that put his life at risk.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, December 3

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 3

Inklings and notions, December 4

Daysong Reflections, December 4

Genesis 5020, December 5

Godly Book Reviews, December 5

Just the Write Escape, December 6

Pause for Tales, December 7

For Him and My Family, December 7

For the Love of Literature, December 8

Mary Hake, December 8

Betti Mace, December 9

Bigreadersite, December 9

A Baker’s Perspective, December 10

Hallie Reads, December 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 11

Spoken from the Heart, December 11

Older & Smarter?, December 12

Texas Book-aholic , December 13

Blogging With Carol, December 13

janicesbookreviews, December 14

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 15

A Reader’s Brain, December 16

With a Joyful Noise, December 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a free copy of In the Cradle Lies!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click Here to Enter!

Lone Falcon Celebration Tour!

About the Book

Book: Lone Falcon
Author: Merrijoy Wennerlind Buist
Genre: Christian Romance/Coming of Age
Release Date: October 2, 2018

What if you had to choose between your friends and your faith?

It is 1971. Eighteen year-old Carrie Falconer goes to college and joins the rowing team, where she receives praise and popularity for the first time. She also finds her first boyfriend. Not just anyone, but the heart-throb men’s crew captain! As coxswain of the varsity squad, she leads her team to four gold medals, allowing them to qualify for Nationals. However, while pursuing her collegiate dreams, she has left behind most of her traditional religious beliefs. While preparing for the National tournament, she is hit by a life changing consequence and is forced to decide between pleasing her team or letting them down by following what she believes to be the right path.

My Thoughts: This is an outstanding novel. It's something that a lot of Christian students go through when they leave home for college. A world full of choices and pressures from the secular world. This novel touches on some difficult subjects which I believe the author handled really well. This is a story about a young Christian woman who gets caught up in finding love and getting the recognition she's never had before. Carrie is determined to hold to her convictions, even though she finds she is being pressured by her new friends on the crew team. This was a really good novel. With a few twists in the plot, it really holds the readers' attention until the end of the story. It was easy to identify with the characters and it was interesting to learn about the rowing competitions. Without giving too much of the story away, I was pleased with the end choices that Carrie made. The author deals with the subject in the storyline, amazingly well. I truly enjoyed this novel and feel others will as well. I look forward to reading more from Merrijoy Wennerlind Buist.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

The first four chapters of Lone Falcon and the general plot were written when Merrijoy Wennerlind, was a student at the University of Washington. The rest was finished up years later by Merrijoy (MJ.) Buist who worked hard to keep her 24-year-old spirit alive.

MJ. is currently a Diaconal Minister at the Anaheim United Methodist Church. A native of Seattle and a UW graduate, she lives in Santa Ana, California with her husband and two sons. She is currently working on the sequel, Lone Choices, which tells how Carrie lives out her decision. You can reach MJ. at her facebook page: Merrijoy Wennerlind Buist@mjwb

More from MJ

How far would you go to research your book? Would you sit on a narrow crew boat with eight other women and learn to row? That’s what I did to get a feel for what my main character, Carrie Falconer, in Lone Falcon experiences as she joins and excels in the college crew team. Why did I choose rowing over another sport? I couldn’t resist the metaphor of steering your own boat, which led me to the sport of rowing and its navigator, the coxswain. I fell in love with the idea of choosing your own path and what happens when one goes off course. You, the reader, will follow Carrie from her strict Christian upbringing to attending a secular college, experiencing her joys and victories as she rises to popularity, and of her first love, the hunky Lenny, men’s team captain. You will struggle along with her as she makes a life decision of whether to turn back to her faith or do what her friends ask. I originally wrote Lone Falcon in response to all the Young Adult (YA) books and T.V. shows of the times which said, “Your parents and their beliefs are all wrong, do what your friends and the times say.” In the wisdom I’ve acquired in my years of mothering, earning my master’s degree, and becoming a Minister, I adjusted my theme to making your own choices, not what others and society may tell you to do. I hope this book will encourage other brave young women to live up to what they believe within and not be influenced by what others without tell them to do.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 22

Rebecca Tews , November 23

Blossoms and Blessings, November 24 (Author Interview)

CarpeDiem, November 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 28

Texas Book-aholic, November 29

janicesbookreviews, November 30

Through the Fire Blogs, December 1 (Author Interview)

My Devotional Thoughts, December 2

A Reader’s Brain, December 3

Inklings and notions , December 4

Godly Book Reviews, December 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, M.J. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Barnes and Nobles Gift Card, autographed copy of Lone Falcon, and autographed copy of Lone Choices when it comes out!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click Here to Enter!

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Marisol Spanish Rose Celebration Tour!

About the Book

Book: Marisol Spanish Rose
Author: Elva Cobb Martin
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: November 8, 2019

Escaping to the New World is her only option…Rescuing her will wrap the chains of the Inquisition around his neck.

Marisol Valentin flees Spain after murdering the nobleman who molested her. She ends up for sale on the indentured servants’ block at Charles Town harbor—dirty, angry, and with child. Her hopes are shattered, but she must find a refuge for herself and the child she carries. Can this new land offer her the grace, love, and security she craves? Or must she escape again to her only living relative in Cartagena?

Captain Ethan Becket, once a Charles Town minister, now sails the seas as a privateer, grieving his deceased wife. But when he takes captive a ship full of indentured servants, he’s intrigued by the woman whose manners seem much more refined than the average Spanish serving girl. Perfect to become governess for his young son. But when he sets out on a quest to find his captured sister, said to be in Cartagena, little does he expect his new Spanish governess to stow away on his ship with her six-month-old son. Yet her offer of help to free his sister is too tempting to pass up. And her beauty, both inside and out, is too attractive for his heart to protect itself against—until he learns she is a wanted murderess.

As their paths intertwine on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and romance, only love and the grace of God can overcome the past and ignite a new beginning for Marisol and Ethan.

My Thoughts: This is such a powerful and interesting book to read. A novel about forgiveness, learning to trust in God and to let go of the past. A wonderful look at how we can turn back to the Lord, no matter what our circumstances may be. The author has done an incredible job with the characters, she spins a story that not only keeps the readers interested but brings them into the story and feel what the characters are going through. A beautiful story of how God's purpose will be done no matter what it takes. A story of love that no one could stop.

The author gives us a good look at history and how life was, with the piracy on the seas, and customs of the day. This is a story with many twists and turns in the plot; once you think you have the story figured out, the author takes the storyline on a different trail.

I enjoyed the scene in the story with the Andalusian horses and how they dance the flamenco dance. I too have a l love for horses and I thought of the beautiful Lipizzaners when reading about these Andalusians.
I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Elva Cobb Martin.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. Connect with her on her web site at http://www.elvamartin.com.

More from Elva

A couple of things inspired me to write Marisol ~ Spanish Rose, in addition to my love of historical romance fiction set in the colonial/pirate era of Charles Town and the Spanish Main. I ran across a teaching of how people often let the one terrible moment of their lives define them and their future. Know anyone like this?

I envisioned a heroine in the 1700’s who let her “terrible moment”—being molested and accidentally killing the Spanish nobleman who attacks her—define her and her future destiny. My premise for this idea and novel is: Love, forgiveness, and determination can overcome the most horrifying experiences and poor choices when we invite God into the equation. Loving horses, particularly the white Lipizzaners, I named my heroine Marisol and set the attack on her father’s Andalusian Stud Farm in Cadiz, Spain in 1740. Andalusians are the Spanish horses in the ancestry of the Lipizzaners. And they can be trained to do dancing steps with a dancing maiden called the Flamenco, which my heroine can do well. Click here for a video of a flamenco dancer. https://youtu.be/lSQWQl0u_Ow Marisol’s exciting Flamenco plays a pivotal part in the novel. All this story idea needed now was an exciting, handsome Charles Town privateer—sometimes pirate—who will cross paths with my heroine when she flees Spain after killing the Spanish nobleman who molested her. Captain Ethan Becket, backslidden former Charles Town minister, has returned to the sea, grieving the loss of his wife and child.

By the time these two get together at the indentured block in Charles Town, Marisol has discovered she is with child. Thanks for stopping by! May you have an exciting, romantic adventure on the high seas with Captain Ethan and Marisol.