Tag Archives: Hope

#BookReview: Hunting Hope | $200 Getaway #Giveaway

12 May

Hunting Hope

Hunting Hope by Nika Maples

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1WbwJ4P

Hope hunters know how to excavate hope from hardship. There is dirt underneath their fingernails and sweat on their shirts. They rake through the rubble of an unwanted situation, digging into difficult circumstances because they have come to expect that adversity will produce good. They believe that light always triumphs over darkness. They have learned to walk through winter with their eyes on spring.

Nika Maples became a hope hunter after suffering a massive brainstem stroke that left her quadriplegic in her twenties. Doctors warned that she had as little as 48 hours to live, and—if she lived at all—she would never walk or talk again. There was no hope on the horizon. So Nika started to hunt for it. Today, she not only walks, but she speaks to audiences everywhere about the power of hunting hope when a situation appears hopeless. She says hope remains camouflaged in the daily mundane. If we are not looking for it, we will miss it, though it is right before our eyes.

Whether you or someone you know is going through a situation that feels hopeless, you will find encouragement in Hunting Hope. Whether you are experiencing a medical trauma, a financial hardship, or a relational crisis, you will find empowerment in Hunting Hope. As you read, you will cling to 20 truths about God’s character and practice 5 daily disciplines that will develop your own character in crisis.

 

My thoughts:

“Hope is not an accident. Sometimes it has to be hunted, and hunting it takes courage.”

Hunting Hope is a tremendous source of encouragement! Using scriptural references and her own experiences, Nika Maples instructs and inspires readers to “dig through the darkness to find the light”. Filled with wisdom and insight, this heartfelt book offers emotional and spiritual comfort and guides readers on their journey to becoming a hope hunter. I loved the inspiring message found in Hunting Hope!

“Navigating our dark seasons is never easy. By showing us how to hunt for hope, Nika Maples encourages us to grow into the people Gold has designed us to be even while we are experiencing difficulty; to allow God to use all the seasons to bring about good.”

 

At twenty, Nika Maples learned that when hope was all she had, she claimed it boldly while defying all odds to recover from a devastating stroke. The lessons from that struggle are powerful and universal, and she shares those lessons in her new book, Hunting Hope. Doctors warned that she had as little as 48 hours to live, and—if she lived at all—she would never walk or talk again. There was no hope on the horizon. So Nika started to hunt for it. Today, she not only walks, but she speaks to audiences everywhere about the power of hunting hope when a situation appears hopeless. She says hope remains camouflaged in the daily mundane. If we are not looking for it, we will miss it, though it is right before our eyes.

Celebrate the release of Hunting Hope with a $200 Getaway Giveaway (details below) and a live webcast with Nika on May 26!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • One copy of Hunting Hope
  • A $200 Hilton gift card to give a hope hunter the chance to rest

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/24. The winner will be announced at the Hunting Hope live author webcast on 5/26. RSVP for a chance to connect with Nika and other hope hunters, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 26th!

 

Nika Maples
Nika Maples is the author of Twelve Clean Pages, the memoir of her survival of lupus and a stroke that left her quadriplegic at age 20. After learning to walk and talk again, she became a public school teacher, winning 2007 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. She holds an MA in English Education from Columbia University and currently is pursuing an MDIV from The King’s University. When she is not traveling to speak, she lives, writes, and laughs as much as possible in Fort Worth, Texas.

 

Hunting Hope
 I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about Hunting Hope
 

#BookReview: Song of Silence | Prize Pack #Giveaway

27 Apr

Song of Silence

Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RAajD2

Music taught Lucy love and beauty. Could silence teach her hope?

Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they’re committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. Charlie retired early, but Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.

Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her form the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith’s song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees—and hears—everything.

 

My thoughts:

“Rests deserve as much attention as the notes you sing or play.
Honor each rest as a precise note of soundlessness.”

Song of Silence is sure to strike a chord in the hearts of all who read it! Cynthia Ruchti is a gifted storyteller and has once again shared a beautiful story of hope and healing.

Boasting wonderful characterization and an engaging plot, Song of Silence captured my attention from beginning to end. Lucy’s journey stirred my emotions and offered thought-provoking insight into a number of issues. Themes of silence and rest carry through the narrative and create a tender, touching tale. I loved this poignant story and highly recommend it!

 

Celebrate the release of Song of Silence with a blog tour and giveaway. Two winners will be chosen!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of Song of Silence
  • A $150 Visa cash card

One second place winner will receive:

  • A copy of Song of Silence
  • A music-themed prize pack filled with goodies hand-picked by Cynthia

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on May 9th. The winners will be announced May 10th on Cynthia’s blog.

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Cynthia Ruchti (2)
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She’s the award-winning author of 17 books and a frequent speaker for women’s ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin.

 

 

Song of Silence

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about Song of Silence.

Review: Halo Found Hope + Kindle Giveaway

2 Apr

Halo Found Hope

Halo Found Hope by Helo Matzell

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1EkIiLh

Machines beeping, the blur of medical staff running, a crash cart whizzing into an ICU room—was there any hope?

A young woman lay, packed in ice, as doctors attempted to somehow stop the swelling in her brain that threatened to take her life… and her family waited.

Six days turned into eight weeks. She awoke to discover that she was not the same. She saw two of everything, couldn’t feel half of her face, couldn’t hear from one ear, and could not speak. She couldn’t even tell anyone that she felt hopeless… or could she?

An exceptional ENT, a brilliant neurosurgeon and a dedicated medical team tackle the tumor, setting off a series of unbelievable miracles. Helo’s story is not one of survival, or of salvaging a life through a broken body. It is not about endurance through pain, but victory because of it. While the family heard her silence, God heard her prayer.

 

My thoughts:

“Halo Found Hope is the story of a beautiful, busy wife and mother of three whose life changes instantly with the diagnosis of a rare brain tumor.”

In this inspiring book, Heloise Matzelle shares her journey, from her brain tumor diagnosis to her recovery.  What an amazing story of hope and faith!

I found myself captivated by Helo’s life and her story.  From the first mention of brain tumor, through the myriad of complications, and through her arduous recovery, Helo’s faith remained strong and unwavering.  Yes, she was filled with questions, fear, and uncertainty, but through it all she relied on her faith in God to give her strength.  Knowing that no matter the outcome, He would carry her and her family through this life-threatening situation.   I was touched by Helo’s candidness and moved by her emotional story!

I appreciate the opportunity to read Halo Found Hope and share my honest opinion.  I received a complimentary copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/hmatzelle

 

Halo Found Hope Helo Matzelle

This story of hope and faith in the midst of great physical and medical adversity is sure to encourage you in your faith. Helo Matzelle’s Halo Found Hope is a must-read. Machines beeping, the blur of medical staff running, a crash cart whizzing into an ICU room—was there any hope? Halo Found Hope is the story of a beautiful, busy wife and mother of three whose life changes instantly with the diagnosis of a rare brain tumor.

Halo is offering a Kindle Fire to one lucky reader to celebrate the release of Halo Found Hope!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire
  • Halo Found Hope

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 3rd. Winner will be announced April 4th on the Litfuse blog.

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{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

 

Helo MatzelleHelouise “Halo” Matzelle led a charmed life until receiving a shocking diagnosis in 2011 of a rare brain tumor sitting over the main artery in her brain. Matzelle’s passion is helping those who face various challenges and afflictions discover where true hope is found. She resides in Redmond, WA, with her husband and their three children.

Find Helo online: website, Facebook, Twitter