Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter -- Blog Tour


Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to Jesus Christ

Author: Emily Belle Freeman

Publisher: Ensign Peak (Deseret Book)

Publish Date: March 3, 2015

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-977-2

Paperback: 86 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary

Discover how the personal experiences of people who were closest to the Savior during the final week of His life can change the way your family celebrates Easter. Learn the meaning behind the wheat baskets, the forget knot, the red egg, and other traditions that will help Easter become a "High Holy Day" in your heart and in your home.

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter offers hope for an Easter filled with the Spirit of Christ as we offer our finest to Him in deepest gratitude for His sacrifice. Return to the spiritual roots of this holy celebration with this beautiful gift book that will help bring you and your family closer to Jesus Christ.

Personal stories include
  • Lazarus
  • Simon
  • Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
  • Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome
  • Thomas
  • The disciples on the road to Emmaus
  • Jesus Christ
My Review

Another beautiful book focused on the Savior by Emily Belle Freeman.  I loved the scriptures referenced, the personal stories, and wonderful insight given by the author.  I love how this book is organized.  With the chapters listed above there is a scripture, and at the end of the chapter, my favorite part, the tradition.  With hymns, a story to tell and a lesson to share.  A perfect summary of each chapter to help us remember Him.  There were many passages in the book that I enjoyed, but this one especially.

"As Easter approaches, we too must prepare.  Make ready your heart.  Make ready your home.  Make ready your celebration.  And then ... remember." (page 73-74)

What I loved most about reading this book was the reminder to me to slow down, remember Him, make more room for Him in my life.  Yes, at Easter, but more so everyday.

Author Links


Purchase Links

About the Author

EMILY BELLE FREEMAN is a coach's wife, a mother to four children and a few others who have found refuge in her home, author of several bestselling books, and sought-after inspirational speaker. Her days are spent watching over teenagers, her flock of pampered chickens, and a rabbit that she adores. She finds great joy in studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. For a few minutes every day Emily forgets about the laundry, leaves the dishes in the sink, and writes. She coauthors a blog that is a stopping place for hearts seeking all that is good: www.multiplygoodness.com.

Devon's Choice by Catherine Bennett -- Spotlight/Excerpt

Devon's Choice (1)
devon's choiceDevon’s Choice
Life holds no surprises for Devon Murphy. Her life consists of keeping tabs on her aging Irish father, working part time at a coffee shop, and building her online graphics design business. Devon’s only tricky situation is a shallow relationship with the pampered and affluent Michael Turner, who sees her as just another woman to conquer.
Following his father’s death, Brandon’s only goal is to expand the family business and live life on his own terms. That is, until he walks into the coffee shop one snowy evening and meets the enchanting, red-haired barista behind the counter. But can Devon and Brandon’s attraction for each other be strong enough to help erase their deepest disappointments and renew their faith in God?

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Excerpt
“Hi, Bub.  Is Daddy asleep?”  She peeked down the hallway and saw that his bedroom light was off.  A vociferous, gulping snore tore through the peaceful silence.  Rolling her eyes, she walked through the kitchen and opened the back door.  Bubby carefully picked and sniffed his way to his favorite spot, did his business and quickly came inside.
     After finishing her bedtime ritual in the bathroom, Devon puttered around her room, hanging up clothes and reading a couple of chapters from the romance novel.  Letting go a leisurely yawn, she put the book on the nightstand and scooted herself under the covers.  Bubby curled up in a tight ball at the foot of the bed.
      She began to think of Michael and his childish attitude.  Perhaps, she thought, it would be best if they broke off the relationship.  It didn’t seem to be giving either one of them what they wanted or needed.  His blatant disregard of her dad’s situation was proof of that.  She stared up at the ceiling fan above her bed and felt ashamed of the apologetic way she’d responded to him.  Suddenly she remembered a phrase her mom repeated to her in times when she felt weak in her faith.  “Devy, serving God is like buttoning your blouse.  If you get the first button right, everything else lines up.”  The words seemed to come so easily to her mom that even when the cancer took away her physical strength, her faith in God still remained strong.
     “Mom, please help me get it right,” Devon whispered, as she pulled the blanket to her chin, closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.  
Praise for Devon’s Choice
5 Star Review on Amazon
“Devon’s Choice is an enjoyable Christian Romance. I was hooked from the first chapter. Devon is a strong, independent young woman who is not afraid to stand by her beliefs. The characters are very believable, and the story contains some surprise twists and turns. I would recommend this book to all readers who like Christian Romance. It is an excellent read.” ~ Review by Sharon B.
4 Star Review on Amazon
“This book is an enjoyable read. Moving along with Devon and her choices opens oneself to feeling with her the good and bad consequences of those choices. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Devon and her dad. How she handles herself and all life throws at her makes for a good read.”
~ Review by Robin
5 Star Review on Amazon
This is a very emotional story of friendship, relationships and loss. Devon Murphy is a woman with strong morals. She loves and cares for her aging widowed father, works a part time job at a coffee shop with her friend Megan, and is putting her graphics art degree to work building a business. She is dating Michael Turner, who is egotistical, self-centered and treats her like a business deal. Brandon Forrester seems to have the same strong characteristics as Devon, family devotion, business ethics, healthier lifestyle and respecting other people. Devon knows that Michael is wrong for her and when she meets Brandon, they seem to have a connection. This story is about taking a hard look at your life and goals and making plans and changes. About dealing with the loss of a parent and knowing how to move on and putting your faith and trust in God and allowing Him to lead in your life. ~ Review by RedRabbitt
5 Star Review on Amazon
I really enjoyed this romance, the characters and their journey. It was very moving, endearing and engaging.
I appreciate the writing style, the emotional pull, the way the story unfolds.
I love to feel satisfied after reading a book, and this one does just that!
Very enjoyable read.
Highly recommend!
~ Review by Kimberly
Catherine BennettAuthor Catherine Bennett
I grew up in Ohio where I currently live with my husband and our two rescue Labradors. Some of my favorite things include reading, shopping, pepperoni pizza, Hershey bars and hanging out with my two grown sons. I also love dogs; so going to the dog park is cheap entertainment for my husband and I!
Growing up an only child, I had many imaginary friends. I believe this – and a love of books – fueled my desire to write. It was many years later that my dream of becoming a published author came true.
I’m grateful to God for always keeping a story in my heart and hope you are blessed and entertained by my book.
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Ends 3/30/15
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Monday, March 9, 2015

He Knows My Name -- Video Review



He Knows My Name

Distributed by Covenant Communications

Release Date: March 16th, 2015

FTC FYI: I received a code from Covenant to preview the 
movie before release.

Summary

Rebekah is fascinated by the man her neighbors call Jesus. Her mother is not so sure. One day she brings Jesus home—a simple act that will forever change their lives.

 My Review

This is an absolutely beautiful story of a young girl named Rebekah.  One day she is out with her mother and they see Jesus preaching, and after she is fascinated by Him and His messages.  Her mother, Sarah, is skeptical, and doesn't want Rebekah to wonder from her responsibilities.  Sarah's father is blind and needs help.  Rebekah is given the task to go to the market for fish, and sees Jesus there.  She then brings him home, and one simple act changes things for everyone, especially Sarah.  There is also a tender story about Ruben, the grandfather, as well.

My family and I loved this video!  I watched it three times, and each time the tears came.  My youngest daughter especially loved it, and it was tender to watch her reactions to Jesus and Rebekah.  The scenery is lovely and perfectly depicts the time period.  The story is sweet, and Rebekah was fun to watch.  This movie will be a perfect addition to your home for the Easter holiday, and can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Purchase Links



Thursday, March 5, 2015

The Wife Maker by Karey White -- Blog Tour/Spotlight

Wife MakerThe Wife Maker by Karey White
Charlotte has spent years as the husband maker, sending every guy she dates off to enjoy marital bliss with the next girl he dates. But things have now changed, and she’s determined to use her husband-maker abilities one last time–on herself. And she finally knows exactly who she wants.
Angus has loved Charlotte since they were teenagers, but he’s tired of waiting for her to realize how good they could be. She’s broken his heart one too many times, and it’s time to move on with his life. Maybe a position halfway across the country will be just what he needs to get over her. But when Charlotte won’t let him go without a fight, Angus has to decide if he’s willing to let her in again or if she’s too late.
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Karey WhiteAuthor Karey White
Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.
She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.
Excerpt

My phone rang before six the next morning. Who would call that early on a Sunday? I rubbed my bleary eyes and looked at the screen. The number was unfamiliar and a strange configuration. I almost shut it off, but on a hunch, I answered the call.

“Charlotte, it’s Flynn.”

“Flynn? Is everything okay?”

“Aye. I think we should talk. Turn on your computer and call me.”

Ten minutes later, Flynn appeared on the screen of my laptop.

“What’s going on?”

“I think you should move to Kansas City.”

I laughed. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t laugh. I’m not jokin’.”

“I can’t move to Kansas City. My job’s here. My family’s here. And I don’t think Angus would even want me to.”

“Ah, he’d say he doesn’t want ya to, but I’d wager that what he wants and what he says he wants are two different things.”

I shook my head. “You’re crazy. This is what you wanted me to call you for at this hour of the morning?”

“Aye. And hear me out. I’ve been chewin’ on this all day.”

I was touched that he’d been trying to figure out a way to help me, but this idea was insane. “I’m listening.”

“You say you’ll wait for him to come back.” I nodded. “What about him? You might be willing to wait for ten years, but what about Angus? He’ll be meeting new people. He won’t be waiting around. If ya want to cook a chicken, ya have to put him in while the water’s boilin’.”

I snickered. “I don’t even know what that means, Flynn.”

“Sure ya do. If ya wait ‘til the water’s all cooled down, good luck cooking the bird. Right now the water’s boilin’.”

“No it’s not. He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“That’s ’cause the water’s boilin’. If it weren’t, he’d talk to ya all day long. He’s just tryin’ not to get burned.”

There was an absurd and comforting logic to what he was saying. “Keep going.”

“There’s not much more to say. Move to Kansas City.”

“That’s easier said than done, Flynn.”

“Tell me this. What needs more attention? The things in San Francisco? Or the thing in Kansas City?”

I didn’t answer him. I didn’t know what to say.

“Charlotte, give him a grand gesture. Show ’im he’s more important than the things you’ve left behind.”

“Wow. I should never have answered the phone this morning.”

We laughed. “Think about it. It might work.”

“It might not. And then I’ll be two thousand miles away from my family and I’ll have given up the best job in the world and . . . It’s all so scary.”

“But you’re brave. And if it doesn’t work out, you can go back.”

“I thought you were my friend.”

Flynn didn’t say anything right away. He just smiled. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. “I am.”
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Ends 3/22/15
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Cragbridge Hall: The Impossible Race by Chad Morris -- Spotlight

To celebrate the release of THE IMPOSSIBLE RACE, 
THE INVENTOR'S SECRET is $1.99 on Kindle!



From Chad Morris, author of The Inventer’s Secret and The Avatar Battle, the first two books of his highly acclaimed Cragbridge Hall series, comes THE IMPOSSIBLE RACE (Shadow Mountain; $18.99; ISBN: 978-1-609-07979-6), the final installment in the epic fantasy saga eagerly anticipated by fans everywhere. Morris yet again weaves an exhilarating adventure story around his beloved characters, bringing them together one last time to face the ultimate enemy: fate.

Morris and his books continue to garner positive reviews from established authors, schools, and communities across the country. The popular reception of the Cragbridge Hall series has led Morris to add extensive book tours and school visits to his already busy schedule.

Morris firmly believes that imagination is a help, not a hindrance, to lifelong learning, and his writing style reveals a unique flair for fusing fiction and nonfiction. “Kids, don’t be afraid to imagine and dream big,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to fantasize and see the world in a different way. Make what you read your own. As the great ones of history show us, reading and learning don’t suddenly end when school ends; they can and should be the exciting pursuit of a lifetime.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Every year the futuristic school, Cragbridge Hall, holds its most popular tournament, the Race, a series of challenges that require the use of the school's amazing inventions, like its holographic time machine. But this year is different. Rather than a monetary or academic award, this year's winner will be the recipient of a carefully guarded school secret, a secret that could prove both powerful and dangerous.

Afraid that the secret may be one of their Grandfather's inventions, Abby and Derick gather their friends and enroll in the contest. But when Derick gets a mysterious message from the future, the team of friends must figure out how to succeed even when they know they are destined to fail. The stakes have never been higher in this page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing in yourself, and valuing the lessons of history.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAD MORRIS would love to be able to control animal avatars, see history in 3D, and show everyone how he imagines stories. Since the inventions that would make that possible currently exist only in his imagination, he settles for reading, writing, playing basketball, rappelling down an occasional slot canyon, dating his wife, and hanging out with his five awesome kids in his home state of Utah.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Wishing on Baby Dust by Lydia Winters

Wishing Baby Dust


Publisher: Snowflake Press

Published: January 2015

ASIN: B00R2BJ9K2

ebook: 322 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest 
review.

Goodreads Summary

Infertility stinks. No one knows that better than Megan. After six years of insanity-inducing hormone drugs and desperate prayers, all she has to show for her efforts are enough negative pregnancy tests to fill a bassinet. All around her women are accidentally getting pregnant—like her star piano student—while Megan remains hopelessly barren.

Megan’s never felt so alone. But she’s not the only one struggling.

Christina has just entered the world of infertility, made worse by the fact her husband isn’t ready to be a father. Their marriage, already hanging in the balance, is being torn apart.

Then there’s Kyra, the mother of a precocious three-year-old. She’s shocked to be struggling with secondary infertility. A baby is priceless, but sometimes Kyra feels like she’s being forced to choose which commandment to keep: stay out of debt, or multiply and replenish the earth.

When Megan and Christina are assigned as Kyra’s visiting teachers, they all realize that what you see isn’t necessarily what’s beneath the surface. Some secrets aren’t worth the cost of keeping them.

My Review

I absolutely loved this book.  Although I never struggled with infertility, my heart broke for these women and what they endured.  Having pregnancies of my own, I related to their feelings of wanting a baby.  The author did a fantastic job of capturing each woman's individual character, personality, and unique situation.  I cheered for them, laughed with them, and cried with them.  This book reads really fast, and I instantly was taken into the story.  I could tell the author did her homework when it came to the knowledge of procedures of infertility, having gone through it herself.  This book is perfect reminder for us all to kind and loving to each other, not truly knowing what the other may be going through.

5 out of 5 stars.  This is Lydia's debut novel.  Find out more about her with the links below.  I can't wait to read more from her.

Author Links


Purchase Links


Monday, March 2, 2015

Falling Slowly by Julie Coulter Bellon -- Cover Reveal/Giveaway

I am so excited to show you the cover Julie Bellon's new novella, Falling Slowly.  This one is a companion novella to All Fall Down and tells what happens to Claire and Rafe when they come home from Afghanistan.  

To celebrate cover reveal day, Julie is offering you a giveaway!  Since Claire and Rafe are dating and getting to know each other in this novella, I want to know---what do you consider to be a romantic date?  Is it a candlelight dinner? A hike? A bike ride? A movie? Star-gazing? A moonlit stroll? 
Tell me your ideas!  Everyone who comments with their idea of a romantic date will be entered to win an ebook copy of BOTH All Fall Down AND Falling Slowly.

Okay, are you ready?

*drum roll*

Here it is!


Book Summary

Rafe Kelly never thought he’d fall in love with Claire Michaels, the hostage negotiator sent to get him out of a life or death situation.  Though it was easy to see from the beginning that Claire was good at her profession, Rafe quickly realized she was even better for him personally―and that they might have a future together. 

When they get back from their mission in Afghanistan, however, Claire goes back to the Hostage Negotiation Team and Rafe is left to deal with the huge hole in his life after leaving the SEALs.  Trying to balance an uncertain future with a new relationship is made even more complicated when a family crisis strikes.  Will Rafe and Claire be able to turn to each other for strength or are they over before they've really begun? 

Falling Slowly will be released at the end of March!