Archive | February, 2017

Guest Post + #Giveaway: Vannetta Chapman

13 Feb

Hi, friends!  I’m thrilled to welcome Vannetta Chapman back to the blog!  Today, she is sharing a few quotes that relate to her latest release, Raging Storm.

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About the book:

In the Darkness,
 Anarchy Awakens

When a massive solar flare wiped out all modern technology across the globe, the small town of Abney, Texas, was thrown into chaos. Shelby Sparks and her teenage son, Carter, have found refuge, but Shelby knows she can’t simply remain hidden forever. Carter is a type 1 diabetic in need of insulin—and Shelby will risk her life traveling to Austin to make sure he gets it.

Shelby’s best friend and high school sweetheart, Max Berkman, won’t even consider letting her make the perilous journey alone. Together, they manage to get to the capital—only to discover that while things are desperate in Abney, Austin has turned into an urban nightmare on the brink of anarchy.

Shelby and Max’s search for medical supplies will lead them into terrifying territory, where the only thing more uncertain than finding what they need is the hope of making it out of the city alive.

In this second book in an eerily plausible, action-packed dystopian series, survival will be threatened and faith will be put to the ultimate test as a raging storm engulfs America.

 

FROM THE AUTHOR: 

Thanks so much for having me on your blog. Readers often ask me what inspires me to write the characters and stories that I write. The answer is a lot of things–sermons, music, news stories, people I know. But once I have a story in mind, I will notice quotes from things I’m reading that seem to apply, that move the story in the direction I want it to go, that speak to my heart.

“Pray for the remnant that still survives.” This is a verse from 2 Kings, Chapter 19, verse 4. In this part of the Bible, the kings are warned by the prophets, both about Jerusalem’s destruction as well as its deliverance. King Hezekiah understands what lies ahead, and he utters these words, “Pray for the remnant that still survives.” As I was envisioning a world vastly changed, I have complete faith that there will always be a remnant of Christ, those who hold to the faith and share the Gospel of Christ.

“That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen.” This is a quote from C.S. Lewis in The Case for Christianity. I find it beautiful and chilling. Lewis seems to be saying that a time will come when we will find our self on one side or the other. And so, we should choose now, and choose wisely.

“We are living on the brink of the apocalypse, but the world is asleep.” This quote is by bestselling author Joel Rosenberg. There are times when I feel like we are hyper-aware of the world around us, that we allow events beyond our control to rob us of our sleep and our joy. But I also feel that we take many things for granted. We rise and work and play and sleep, and rarely take the time to prepare for the future, or to connect with one another while we can. In that sense, Raging Storm is a call to action.

“In the blink of an eye everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may not have that chance again.” ~Zig Ziglar. I saw this quote on social media, and it resonated in my heart so much that I printed it out and kept it posted beside my computer as I wrote all 3 books of this series. I know personally that life can change in a breath–for better and sometimes for worse. We have all been guilty of taking today and even tomorrow for granted. My hope is that when readers finish with these books, they’ll have a deeper appreciation of the time they have, of the people around them, and of the grace that God offers to us all. 

Thank you so much for sharing these quotes, Vannetta, and for graciously offering a copy of Raging Storm to one of my readers!  

 

About the author:

copy-of-vc-profile-1

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. 

Purchase a copy of Raging Storm:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook

Author links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

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GIVEAWAY DETAILS – (US only) 

One lucky reader will win a print copy of Raging Storm!

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below, and be sure to include your email address. The giveaway ends Monday, February 20 at midnight CST. The winner will be drawn and announced on February 21.

To earn additional entries:
Follow this blog and/or share the giveaway. Be sure to let me know what you’ve done to earn additional entries!

What is a quote that speaks to YOUR heart?

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#BookReview: Begin Again by Crystal Walton | Release Week #Giveaway

11 Feb

begin-again

Begin Again is a charming tale! Crystal Walton brings her characters to life, deftly contrasting Ti’s free spirit and Drew’s rigid demeanor. The sparks fly between these two, and it is a pleasure to watch their relationship evolve. I loved the quaint setting and delighted in the romance that is interwoven with hope and healing. Ti and Drew share an emotional journey that is sure to warm your heart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Visit Crystal’s blog and enter her release week giveaway!
Hurry, the giveaway ends Feb. 17!

begin-again-giveaway

 

About the book:

A single call is all it takes to drive artist Ti Russo into what she does best. Run. But hey, lying low in a beach town for a while isn’t so bad. Thanks to the distraction of playing consultant to a guy she’s determined to crack, she can almost forget about the past stalking her back home. But she never counted on the real danger being a picket-fenced life she has no business falling for.

Focus and self-preservation have gotten single dad Drew Anderson through the last nine years. With the threat of his shop’s foreclosure jeopardizing his daughter’s health care, the last thing he needs is a distracting hippie chick swooping in to shake up what he’s fought to protect. Including himself. The bank’s deadline adds enough pressure without re-risking feelings better left buried.

But as sparks flare and secrets escalate, the race against time propels Ti and Drew into a choice neither’s ready to make: Find the faith to surrender their past or forfeit their only chance to begin again.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2kn0oeY

Visit the author: http://crystal-walton.com/

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#BookReview: Control Girl | Prize Pack #Giveaway

9 Feb

control-girl

Shannon Popkin candidly shares her own struggles with control and what she has discovered from studying seven Control Girls of the Bible. From Eve to Miriam, each of the woman and their stories offer examples and lessons to learn from. Designed to work for individual and group study, this book contains Bible passages, personal stories, and meditations. I enjoyed the biblical aspects of each lesson, as well as the thought-provoking reflections and applications that were included. Control Girl is a great study guide and resource, offering practical advice and instruction for learning to lean on God.

“We have a natural posture of holding on to control rather than releasing it to God. In order to reverse our natural bent, we have to cultivate a new demeanor toward God: surrender.”

 

Learn how to give up control to God and become a Jesus girl! Enter to win a prize pack that will help you give up your Control Girl tendencies.

One grand prize winner will receive:

 

About the book:

Tension, anger, fear, anxiety-it all begins with a heart that craves control.

Little fights with your husband and kids. Unhappiness when things don’t match your version of perfect. When your perspective of how life should go replaces God’s, you doom your quest for security, peace, and joy before it even starts.

Thankfully, there is a better way.

Join Shannon as she shares what she has discovered about her own control struggles and
about God from studying seven Control Girls in the Bible. Whether it was Eve’s desire to know instead of trust, Sarah’s inability to wait for God to move, or Rebekah’s controlling hand on her family’s future, each of these women’s stories contain warnings and lessons for us today.

Learn how you too can lay down this burden of trying to control everything and find rest in surrendering to the One who truly is in control.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Visit the author.

Read what other bloggers are saying about Control Girl.



Enter today by clicking the icon below!  The giveaway ends on February 21, and the winner will be announced February 22 on Shannon’s blog.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: An Uncommon Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray

8 Feb

an-uncommon-protector

This lone star hero’s love story captivated me from beginning to end! Laurel Tracey and Thomas Baker are strong characters and the challenges they faced kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

The occasional flashbacks to 1865 Johnson’s Island provide readers with background information about Thomas, and I really enjoyed these glimpses into his past. The friendship between Thomas and his band of brothers is inspiring, as is their fierce loyalty. While Thomas is an uncommon protector for Laurel, he proves to be an exceptional hero.

An engaging blend of mystery and romance, I loved An Uncommon Protector and can’t wait to continue this wonderful series!

 

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About the book:

Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving, Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he’s in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn’t pay a few fines. Laurel’s offer might be his only ticket out. Though she’s everything he ever dreamed of in a woman—sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong—he’s determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he’s free again.

But when cattle start dying and the squatters damage a barn, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn’t long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former soldier. He’s a trustworthy hero who’s survived a terrible past. He needs more than just his freedom, he needs her love and care too.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2kJN4kp

Visit the author: http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com/

 

an-uncommon-protector

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: The Dog Who Was There by Ron Marasco

7 Feb

the-dog-who-was-there

The Dog Who Was There is a poignant and touching tale! Cleverly crafted, Ron Marasco delivers a message of unconditional love and loyalty in a most creative way. Told from a pup’s point of view, I enjoyed experiencing first century Jerusalem through Barley’s eyes. His heart-wrenching story took me on an unexpected journey that stirred my emotions and warmed my heart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

He was homeless, hungry, and struggling to survive in first century Jerusalem. Most surprisingly, he was a dog. But through Barley’s eyes, the story of a teacher from Galilee comes alive in a way we’ve never experienced before.

Barley’s story begins in the home of a compassionate woodcarver and his wife who find Barley as an abandoned, nearly-drowned pup. Tales of a special teacher from Galilee are reaching their tiny village, but when life suddenly changes again for Barley, he carries the lessons of forgiveness and love out of the woodcarver’s home and through the dangerous roads of Roman-occupied Judea.

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, Barley meets a homeless man and petty criminal named Samid. Together, Barley and his unlikely new master experience fresh struggles and new revelations. Soon Barley is swept up into the current of history, culminating in an unforgettable encounter with the truest master of all as he bears witness to the greatest story ever told.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Read what other bloggers are saying about The Dog Who Was There.

 

About the author:

Ron Marasco is a professor in the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. His first book, “Notes to an Actor,” was named by the American Library Association an Outstanding Book of 2008. His second book, “About Grief,” has been translated into multiple languages, and he is currently completing a book on Shakespeare’s sonnets. He has acted extensively on TV-from “Lost” to “West Wing” to “Entourage” to originating the role of Mr. Casper on “Freaks and Geeks”-and appeared opposite screen legend Kirk Douglas in the movie “Illusion,” for which he also wrote the screenplay. Most recently, he has played the recurring role of Judge Grove on “Major Crimes.” He has a BA from Fordham at Lincoln Center and an MA and Ph. D. from UCLA.

Find out more about Ron.

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#BookReview: In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

6 Feb

in-the-shadow-of-denali

In the Shadow of Denali is a compelling tale! Intertwining fact and fiction, Peterson and Woodhouse treat readers to a fascinating look at the Alaska Territory. Brimming with historical details and vibrant imagery, this beautiful setting comes to life on the page, and I loved spending time there. 

Cassidy Ivanoff and her father are wonderful characters, and I delighted in the relationships that developed between them and John’s apprentice, Allan Brennan. As Allan searches for answers regarding his father’s death, intrigue continues to build as danger lurks.

Combining history, mystery, and romance, I thoroughly enjoyed In the Shadow of Denali and look forward to continuing the Heart of Alaska series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Cassidy Ivanoff and her father, John, work at the new and prestigious Curry Hotel outside Mt. McKinley. While John will be expedition and wilderness exploration guide for the wealthy tourists, Cassidy has signed on as a cook’s assistant. Both are busy as the hotel prepares to welcome the president of the United States on his way to drive in the golden spike to officially complete the railroad.

Allan Brennan travels to the Curry Hotel to be an apprentice of a seasoned Alaska mountain guide. Ever since his father’s death climbing Mt. McKinley, he’s worked to earn enough money to make the trek to the Alaska territory himself. His father’s partner blames their guide for the death of his father, but Allan wants to find the truth for himself. He finds an unlikely ally in Cassidy, and as the two begin to look into the mystery, they suddenly find that things are much less clear, and much more dangerous, than either could ever imagine.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2kGFoPI

Visit the authors: Peterson | Woodhouse

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#BookReview: Rescue Me by Susan May Warren

1 Feb

rescue-me

Rescue Me is a pulse-pounding adventure! Susan May Warren is one of my favorite contemporary authors, and I revel in each story she pens. Deputy Sam Brooks is a dashing hero, always the rescuer and never the rescued. However, all that changes during a dramatic venture in Glacier National Park.

From family relationships to romances, I delighted in the intertwining of multiple story lines. The vulnerability of the characters and their emotional and spiritual journeys shine against the beautiful backdrop of the rugged Montana wilderness. I thoroughly enjoyed Rescue Me and eagerly await the next installment in the Montana Rescue series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

When Deputy Sam Brooks commits to something, nothing can sway him–not just on the job as liaison between the Mercy Falls sheriff’s department and PEAK Rescue, but in his private life. He’s the one who stuck around to take care of his mother after his father’s accidental death. And he’s the one–perhaps the only one–who believes Sierra Rose is the perfect girl for him. Safe, practical, and organized, she’s nothing like her hippie, impulsive, bleeding heart sister, Willow.

Willow, however, has been in love with Sam Brooks for as long as she can remember. But she wants her sister to have a happy ending. Besides, Willow has other things to focus on–namely, nabbing the job as youth pastor for her small-town church. Best thing for her to do is to purge Sam from her heart.

Neither can predict the events that will bring them together in a fight for their lives in the forbidding wilderness of Glacier National Park. Stranded, injured, and with the winter weather closing in, Sam and Willow will have to work together to save a crew of terrified teenagers. As they fight to survive, they might just discover a new hope for love.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2kpF1IY

Visit the author: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

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