Friday, March 31, 2023

Takeover Blitz for Fields of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling

 

Fields of Bounty JustRead Takeover Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for Fields of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Fields of Bounty Title: Fields of Bounty 
Series: Leah's Garden #3 
Author: Lauraine Snelling 
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
Release Date: March 21, 2023 
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

They must set aside their own plans and rely on their faith to bring their true destiny to light.

Lilac Nielsen's dream has come true: handsome young Reverend Ethan Pritchard has finally noticed her. Yet she must balance this new courtship with the pursuit of another dream--the publication of her artwork in a New York paper. She has secretly been submitting a series of drawings under a pen name, and if anyone traces the drawings back to her and finds out where Lilac and her sisters settled, the entire Nielsen family could be in danger. 

As their family farm expands and Lilac's relationship with the reverend grows, it's a time of new beginnings. But when a family crisis back in Ohio shakes the Nielsen sisters, can they continue to build the new life they've begun in Nebraska? And will Lilac be prepared for what God has in store for her future? 

"A tender story. I know my readers will enjoy these stories and look forward to the books yet to come."--TRACIE PETERSON, bestselling author of the Pictures of the Heart series

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook | BookBub


Excerpt

This had been a terrible idea.

Rev. Ethan Pritchard tugged at his collar, sweat trickling down his neck as he vainly tried to corral the attention of a dozen distracted youngsters collected at the front of the schoolhouse. Here it was the actual performance, and he was having no better success than during rehearsals.

“Children, attention, please.” Did his voice sound as feeble to them as it did to him? Only a few from the untidy group even glanced his way. The others whispered and giggled, fiddled with their own hair ribbons or pulled each other’s, fidgeted their toes, and stared out at the assembled audience. One small boy poked his finger into his nose.

“Children!” Ethan used his handkerchief to mop his brow. The August heat would have been bad enough without him flying after this harebrained notion of organizing the schoolchildren into a makeshift band, supposedly providing entertainment for Salton’s celebration today honoring Nebraska’s statehood. That official event would be held later in nearby Lincoln, the new state capital, but he’d managed to get one of the dignitaries currently building up that city, Phineas P. Gordon, to come and speak at Salton’s celebration here today.

Mr. Gordon stood in one corner of the schoolhouse, stylish goatee quivering in distaste—or so Ethan inferred. Not to mention the disapproving murmur running through the assembled gathering of townsfolk. He distinctly saw Mrs. Jorgensen shake her head and whisper something to her husband.

Ethan set his jaw. He had seen Miss Delphinium Nielsen, now Mrs. RJ Easton, conduct a student choir twice this size at the school Thanksgiving program last fall, and do it with ease. Surely he could handle twelve kids. He rapped his stick sharply on his makeshift podium, and roughly half the children quieted and looked at him.

Well, that was an improvement. He glanced back at the congregation—or audience, he was too used to being in church— and put on what he hoped was a welcoming smile.

“We will now begin our program with ‘Yankee Doodle,’ per- formed by the children of Salton.”

He began to conduct his ensemble, putting as much energy as he could into the gestures. The children absently blew on their tin horns or combs, strummed their handmade banjos, and banged spoons and triangles with as little regard for timing and harmony as a gaggle of chickens. And even less for his direction. The sweat ran into his ears. Lord, help. How did I get myself into this mess?

The tuneful note of a fiddle paused his arm midgesture and halted those few children still gamely soldiering on. He glanced over to see Lilac Nielsen standing near, her dark curls swept up for the day, fiddle tucked neatly beneath her chin.

“So sorry to be late.” She inclined her head apologetically, her voice clear enough for the audience to hear, even if supposedly not meant for their ears. “How can we expect a band to play without someone to give the pitch?” With a gracious nod, she smiled at the children.

“Now then, children, are we ready?”

The children stood straighter, eyes bright and fixed on the slender young woman. They nodded and lifted their homemade instruments.

“Right then. Reverend?”

Ethan managed a nod and began conducting again. It didn’t matter that his muscles trembled with weak relief, for the children had eyes only for Miss Nielsen. The melody of her fiddle and the effortless guidance she gave by a tip of her head kept the motley ensemble in better time and tune than Ethan had thought possible.

At the conclusion of the piece, the group’s irregular bows met a surprisingly generous burst of applause.

Which, in Ethan’s opinion, should have been directed wholly at Lilac Nielsen, now shepherding the children efficiently back toward the seats.

Shooting her a glance in which he hoped she could read the gratitude, Ethan cleared his throat. “Thank you. We will now hear from our guest of honor for the day, Mr. Phineas Gordon, as he details the impact our new state capital promises for us here in Salton.”

Grateful to be out of the spotlight, Ethan sank into the chair he’d set to the side and wiped his brow once more as Mr. Gordon took the stage. That had been worse than a year’s worth of sermons.

Fields of Bounty• Lauraine Snelling

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group © 2022 used by permission


MY REVIEW

Nebraska, 1857, the Neilsen sisters continue to make a life in Salton. Two sisters already married, Lark & Lilac work the farm. Lilac is conflicted in her approaching marriage to Rev. Ethan. Ethan facing scandal leans on the Lord for guidance along with the aid of his father. Things are not going according to what Ethan figured his life would be like.

I enjoyed the journey with the sisters and the rest of the community of Salton. The characters go through lots of changes, some are joyful, and others left them facing disappointment and changes in their lives they didn't see coming.

The historical aspects of the 1800s fascinated me. I loved the small community life and how they supported each other. Even though I haven't read any of the other books in the series, I was able to sort out the characters. The writing style was easy to read and enjoyable. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and willingly choose to review it.

More Books in this Series

The Seeds of Change A Time to Bloom


About the Author

Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold more than five million copies. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.

Connect with Lauraine by visiting laurainesnelling.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback set of the first three books in Lauraine Snelling’s Leah's Garden series: The Seeds of Change, A Time to Bloom, and Fields of Bounty!

Fields of Bounty JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 29, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 5, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Review of Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

 


Who doesn't love a second chance?

When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.

With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home decor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.

She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?


To Purchase on Amazon


MY REVIEW

Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's tourist shop and bites off more than she thought. Moving to Portside, she decides to remodel the shop and upstairs apartment but things don't go as planned. With a television crew coming to film the shop, she is racing against the clock. Grayson Matthews, a contractor and one who has the town's best interests at heart have past memories to deal with.

The characters are well-developed with layers of vulnerability. The quaint seaside town descriptions bring the story to life. The storyline is about relationships, starting over, and second chances. The ending wrapped everything up nicely and there were some suspenseful moments as well as building tension that kept me engaged in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the humor of the main characters.

Another great read from the author and highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Authentic Influencer: The Barnabas Way of Shaping Lives for Jesus by Jonathan Murphy


 You may feel like an ordinary believer, but God has a knack of using ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Authentic Influencer encourages you to walk with Barnabas, learn from God, and shape the world for Jesus Christ— one life at a time.

God's approach to influencing the world is through His people. People shape people. And yet, many of God's people spectate from the sidelines unsure of what to do. Authentic Influencer is rooted in principles emerging from the life of God's choice example in the Scriptures—a man called Barnabas—rather than recycled quotes from corporate leadership works.

Every follower of Jesus can be inspired, instructed, and mobilized to influence the world from right where they are. In fact, it is everyday believers—not just "professional" Christians such as pastors, church leaders, authors, and others—who are specifically tasked by Jesus Himself to bring godly influence to the world. We are all His agents of change, be it shaping one person or a thousand.

Authentic Influencer is a Christian leadership book that:

  • Highlights 15 key principles that emerge from Barnabas that are relevant, practical, and customizable to every believer
  • Inspires you to shape those around you for Christ
  • Urges you to practice investing in others through discipleship
  • Challenges you with inspiring stories and practical wisdom emerging from biblical truths

By studying the life of Barnabas, we see how he influenced the world for Jesus Christ in practical and doable ways. Become encouraged to shape our world for Jesus— beginning with whoever happens to be close by.



Purchase




Enter the Giveaway




MY REVIEW



If you ever felt like you couldn't be an influencer for Jesus, Authentic Influencer walks you through the principles inspired by Barnabas.

The book gives step-by-step information from the Book of Acts to guide you on your journey. It teaches you how to be the authentic person you are and influences the people in your life for Jesus.  By applying the 15 principles in Authentic Influencer, with faith in Jesus you can apply them to your own Christian walk.

I can see this book being a great resource for youth groups or adult classes at your local church. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Christian Film- His Only Son-In Theatres March 31st-Get Your Tickets Now!

 


Dear Readers,

I had the pleasure of being able to screen His Only Son in the comfort of my home this week. It is an amazing film. There was a good choice of music, location, and the actors' portrayal of Biblical characters was excellent and brought the story to life.

The story's message is a powerful one about obedience to God and his many promises being fulfilled. It's an emotional one that will touch your heart. I highly recommend that you take the time to view it when it comes to a theatre near you.  

About the film:  

The film partnered with Angel Studios—the studio that brought you The Chosen—to crowdfund over $1,235,000 for its March 2023 theatrical release.  It was initially set to premiere in around 600 theaters but thanks to a crowdfund that raised over 1,235,000 in under a week and overwhelmingly positive reviews from audience members, it’s now showing in 1,200 theaters and counting!

Synopses:

 

SHORT SYNOPSIS:

  • After being called on by the Lord, Abraham's faith is tested on his three day journey to sacrifice his son.

 

LONG SYNOPSIS:

  • His Only Son recounts one of the most controversial moments in the Old Testament—when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on the mountain of Moriah. While traveling to the place of the sacrifice, alongside Isaac and two servants, Abraham is flooded with vivid memories from the years he and Sarah spent longing for the son they were promised—the son he must now lay upon the altar.

 

  • His Only Son the first movie ever to crowdfund its theatrical release 

 

  • The film partnered with Angel Studios—the studio that brought you The Chosen—in 2022 to crowdfund over $1,235,000 for its March 2023 theatrical release. 

 

  • Angel Studios has produced several titles through crowdfunding, including The Chosen—whose episodes have been viewed over 420 million times—Dry Bar ComedyThe Wingfeather Saga, and The Tuttle Twins.

 

  • His Only Son is an independent film made on a shoestring budget of less than $250,000 but is now going to be screened in 1,200 theaters nationwide and counting

 

  • It was initially set to premiere in around 600 theaters but thanks to a crowdfund that raised over 1,235,000 in under a week and overwhelmingly positive reviews from audience members, it’s now showing in 1,200 theaters and counting  

 

  • This is one of the most impactful Easter films in a generation

 

  • Spend Easter weekend watching His Only Son with family and friends

 

  • The sacrifice of Abraham and Isaac parallels the sacrifice of Christ on the cross

 

  • The location where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, Mount Moriah, is also believed to be the same location where the Temple in Jerusalem was built, where Christ was later crucified.

 

  • This Easter film will leave a profound spiritual impact 



His Only Son Website  https://hisonlysonmovie.com/

Info about His Only Son and Angel Studios: invest.Angel.com/son




Thursday, March 9, 2023

Captured Secrets Blog Tour by Carmen Peone

 

 

Captured Secrets JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Captured Secrets by Carmen Peone, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Captured Secrets 
Series
: Seven Tine Ranch Romance #1
Author
: Carmen Peone
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Release Date: March 7, 2023
Genre
: Christian Contemporary Western Romance

"Brimming with suspense and adventure, Captured Secrets, is a love story I'll not soon forget. An engrossing tale with all the twists and turns that make a contemporary Western so hard to put down." Debra Whiting Alexander, award-winning author of Zetty

After her parents die in a horrific car accident, Sydney Moomaw is thrust into running their guest ranch in eastern Washington. She soon discovers that her parents were keeping secrets. Why is the ranch in serious debt? Why did her parents allow the insurance to lapse? Why didn’t they tell her about it? And where are their wills? Sydney needs to figure out a way to save the ranch she loves before her sister sells it. 

Photographer Trey Hardy arrives at the ranch the same day Sydney’s parents are killed. His working-vacation plans change when he decides to help Sydney save her ranch. But, his offers to help are met with resistance. Her stubbornness and independence are both maddening and alluring. 

Amid the tangle of finances, tensions with her sister, and her own grief and anger, Sydney begins receiving threatening notes. They must be from her abusive ex-husband, but he’s in jail. Isn’t he? When a teenager appears at the ranch insisting she is Sydney’s daughter, Sydney finally realizes she’s going to have to start trusting people to help her. Will Trey’s plan work? Can they save her beloved ranch? Can she really have the life she’s dreamed of? 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | ChristianBook | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub


My Review

The story captured my attention from the beginning. The theme of Captured Secrets was hard and gut-wrenching at times due to the abusive aspect of the story. It, however, was handled well without being too graphic. It hit home for me due to my own past experiences.

The setting of the ranch on the reservation was well described and made me feel I was there. The characters are well-developed and real, and the struggles they faced were steeped in loss, danger, and suspense.

The story is a beautiful slow-burn romance with many twists and turns. I laughed at Sydney's wit and stubbornness and Trey's patience and understanding. I loved how God's message came through each bad circumstance and struggle Sydney faced. She was tough and strong even though she had suffered much abuse. Through family, her husband Trey, and friends that supported her in her attempt to save the ranch, she renewed her faith.

The author is a fabulous storyteller. Highly recommended. Keep the tissues handy.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Carmen Peone is an award-winning author of Young Adult Adventure and Contemporary Western Romance and lives in northeast Washington state and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation with her husband. She had worked with a Tribal Elder, Marguerite Ensminger, for three years learning the Arrow Lakes Language and various cultural traditions, which led to her writing career. With a degree in abnormal psychology, the thought of writing never entered her mind, until she married her husband and they moved to the reservation after college. With the love of history and the western woman’s lifestyle, she weaves threads of hope, family, relationships, love, and faith into her stories. Sign up for her newsletter and receive her novella, Gentling the Cowboy for Free.

Connect with Carmen by visiting carmenpeone.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a signed (or Amazon ebook) copy of Captured Secrets (winner's choice), a $15 Amazon gift card, and a photo greeting card related to the book and taken by the author!

  Captured Secrets JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 7, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 14, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

   JustRead Publicity Tours

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

The Adventures of Lefty and Righty & The Windy City Book Tour by Lori Orlinsky

 


 

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Adventures of Lefty & Righty: The Windy City by Lori Orlinsky
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot Books
Release date:   Mar 7, 2023
Content Rating:  G for everyone.
Book Description:

Do you ever wonder what happens to socks that get lost in the dryer? Join Lefty and Righty for the adventure of a lifetime as they sneak out of the laundry room with a destination in mind: a White Sox game! But with so much to do in The Windy City, will they make it to the game in time? Through their fun-filled day, they’ll discover the sights, sounds—and even the tastes—of Chicago, all while encountering a few surprises along the way!

My Review
When I started reading this children's book to write the review I couldn't help but smile. I thought to myself, "So that's where my lost socks go- on an adventure." Wonderfully creative idea for a book that children will love.

The storyline is educational but funny. The illustrations well represent the story which is written in rhyme. The color of the illustrations stands out well to draw any child's attention. At the end of the book are interaction pages with fun facts about Chicago's points of family interest.

The book cover is hardcover and can be wiped down. I believe that most children would enjoy the book and it would be a great addition to any home library.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and willingly choose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Buy the Book:

Meet the Author:

Award-winning children’s book author Lori Orlinsky lives in. . . you guessed it . . . Chicago! Lori is the mother of three little ladies, who are small but mighty. At 5’1”, she wishes her children’s picture book, Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All), was around when she was growing up. Lori also wrote The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache and Balloons for Tiger. Her latest book, The Adventures of Lefty and Righty: The Windy City, was inspired by her daily struggle to find matching socks when they come out of the dryer.

connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ facebook ~ youtube ~ goodreads

Lori Orlinsky's ADVENTURES OF LEFTY AND RIGHTY Book Tour Giveaway



Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Review of Amazing Grace:The Life of John Newton by Bruce Hindmarsh & Craig Borlase

 

Dear Readers 

I want to introduce you to the story of John Newton (the person who penned the hymn "Amazing Grace.")

 It's an interesting and heart-wrenching one, but also an inspirational one of hope.

Have a blessed day,

Julie



Description:

Amazing Grace is the surprising true story of John Newton, author of the song that has touched millions. A biography that reads like a novel, it reveals Newton’s dramatic story of sin and salvation as a slave trader before his ultimate transformation to speaking out against the horror of slavery. His story speaks to the brokenness within us all and our need for God’s amazing grace—and reveals the truth behind his song.

Amazing Grace is based on years of research on the life and writings of John Newton. It tells of a prodigal who returns home, and a young love that defies the odds; of a young man whose life is torn by grief and wounded by the cruelty of others, following his descent into deeper suffering and finally into the brutal world of the slave trade. Newton rejects God repeatedly but is rescued by a divine mercy that reaches deeper than he could ever have imagined as he ultimately faces his past and repents.

Newton’s story is shocking, and Amazing Grace does not try to airbrush or excuse his faults. There are glaring contradictions in the life of a ship’s Captain who retreats to his cabin to study his Bible and write tender love letters to his wife while hundreds of slaves lie in chains in the hold below.


To Order

http://bit.ly/3YZRWRT


To Enter the Giveaway

https://www.blessedfreebies.com/amazing-grace-giveaway.html


My Review

Amazing Grace was a difficult, but enlightening book to read due to the subject matter. The story of John Newton is one of heartbreak, danger, adventure, and a struggle with his faith due to the atrocities he was part of.

A fairly newly converted Christian influenced by prejudice, society standards, and money, I could feel the turmoil he faced as I read the pages. Being self-deceived and turning his back on the Christian faith, his life was not an easy one.

The main parts I took away from reading his biography are: (1) No matter how dark your sins are, you can still be forgiven
(2) No matter how strong your faith is, you can still be self-deceived 
(3) Once you are right with God, it is your duty to live for Christ 
(4) Follow Jesus and be more like HIM- put forth LOVE. Answer to God, not man's will.

The authors did an amazing job in their storytelling and descriptions of the life of the slave traders. The accounts of the life of the slaves were heart-breaking. Along with the sorrowful parts of the story, there always seemed to be some pivotal point in John's life that set him straight again on the right path showing hope and inspiration. Well worth the read.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.