GIGI & NATE Movie Review & Gift Card Giveaway!

Buy your tickets TODAY to see GIGI & NATE in theaters starting 9/2!

 About the Movie

 Gigi & Nate is the story of Nate Gibson, a young man whose life is turned
upside down after he suffers a near-fatal illness and is left a quadriplegic. Moving
forward seems near impossible until he meets his unlikely service animal, Gigi - a
curious and intelligent capuchin monkey. Although she is trained to assist Nate with
his basic needs, Gigi helps Nate find what he needs most of all: hope.

 

In Theaters September 2nd!  

 

 "As much as this is about a monkey and this kid, I think it’s about overcoming difficulties and things that you think are impossible that you’ll never come back from.”
-Charlie Rowe (Nate in GIGI & NATE)

 

 Watch the trailer:

 

GIVEAWAY!!!!

One $10 Amazon giftcard!

  Giveaway is limited to U.S. winners only. 

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

 My Thoughts

I really had no idea what to expect from this film. The first part of the story was not fun to watch as it goes through the details of Nate's illness and the extreme difficulties that ensue. This movie certainly doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to the tough stuff. Anyone with medical trauma I would caution on this. 

I did actually appreciate that the scenes didn't just skip to the good parts because people who live with disabilities, this is their life. It still is difficult to watch and a bit eye opening. I think this film did a great job at portraying the little day to day details of someone who simply can't take care of himself and also those who care for him. I also am intrigued that this is based on a true story!  There are some funny moments where I laughed out loud. The grandma is a bit hilarious and added comic relief to a pretty serious story line. There are some things I didn't think were necessary such as some language and drinking scenes. Also, there were some scenes that seemed to drag out a bit so that did seem to make the movie a bit longer.  But by the end of the film I felt like it was a heartfelt movie. It does show that there is joy in the little things in life, even if that happens to be a monkey. 

I would use caution when watching this since there is some language and drinking.  It is rated PG-13 for some thematic material and language.

 

Many thanks to Roadside Attractions for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.  

#GigiandNate #GigiandNateMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

 

 

Matters of the Heart Review with Celebrate Lit Tours

 

About the Book

Book: Matters of the Heart

Author: Heidi Gray McGill

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: July 15, 2022

 

When those experiencing the same fate she endured show up at her doorstep…

Katie determines to be their champion, no matter the fallout.

Will the man who fought for the other side also fight for her?

Unconventional Katie empathizes with the widows and orphans of the Civil War, searching for a place to call home in Shumard Oak Bend. But with no one to help her, she’ll need to do it secretly, a challenge she readily accepts. She’s taken charge before, and she’ll do it again, no matter who she has to outwit to get the job done.

He vowed to be his own man and stop doing everyone else’s bidding. But he follows orders when a pair of emerald green eyes, blazing red hair, and freckles that dance on the bridge of a pert nose conscript him to duty. Be his own man. Who is he kidding? Skunks don’t change their stripes. They leave disasters in their wake wherever they go, just like him.

Overcoming personal obstacles and finding your true self doesn’t mean going it alone. Yet the answer isn’t always in the one you seek.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Heidi is an optimist who chooses to find the silver lining in life’s clouds of doubt. This plays out in her writing. Her ability to weave scripture seamlessly into the lives of her characters will uplift and encourage you, while her masterful storytelling will keep you turning page after page and wishing for more.

Heidi lives with her husband of thirty years near Charlotte, NC. When she isn’t writing, you will find her outside playing with her two grandsons, walking, scrapbooking, reading, cooking, traveling, or finding an excuse to have an outing with a girlfriend.

Fusing Faith and Fiction™

True Christian Fiction. Relatable Characters. Life-changing stories.

 

More from Heidi

Where did the idea for Matters of the Heart originate?

 

Before I was an author, I was the founder and director of an English as a Second Language ministry. The program touched the lives of students from 35 different countries. Regardless of culture, religion, language, or age, I found a substantial similarity in these students—they all wanted to improve their lot in life and that of their children.

 

Stories abounded of walks across deserts, financial hardships, desperate attempts to explain emergencies to medical professionals or law enforcement, failed verbal connections with schoolteachers, and an inability to obtain work because of their lack of language skills. Prejudice and distrust blocked them, culture shock took them outside their comfort zones, and the urgent need to survive made them scramble to dig deep inside and find creative ways to secure shelter and put food on their tables.

 

It wasn’t that these immigrants weren’t capable of achieving success. In their home countries, vocations varied from chemist and biologist with PhDs, to teachers, lawyers, and medical professionals. Others came from poverty and had little education but were not afraid of hard work, long hours, and low pay. They were tenacious, and they worked with relentless determination and a bullheaded resolve to achieve their goals. They relied on each other and soaked in everything around them in their desire to assimilate into the American culture and find a new place to belong.

 

Immigrants in the late 1800s were not much different. Individuals came to improve their lot in life and be a part of the greatest country in the world. In Matters of the Heart, Hans Korhonen left Finland with his brothers to take advantage of the land grants. Together, they worked to establish a farm large enough to sustain four families and support troops during the Civil War. Yet, in their desire to belong and give back to our great nation, Hans’s idyllic life changed through his service as a Union soldier.

 

Kathleen Murphy, or Katie, came to the United States to escape a life of extreme poverty and abuse in Ireland. Working in her aunt and uncle’s boarding offered more than a job. It provided the love and support of a family. Katie rose from her previous station and started fresh with hope on the horizon. She found a source of ministry that gave her life a purpose she’d not had before.

 

My association with my former ESL students helped me develop the characters in this book into individuals with which readers can identify.

 

Join Katie and Hans as they establish themselves in their new home of Shumard Oak Bend.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 5

Texas Book-aholic, August 6

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, August 6

Inklings and notions, August 7

lakesidelivingsite, August 8

For Him and My Family, August 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 11

Blossoms and Blessings, August 12

deb’s Book Review, August 12

Connie’s History Classroom, August 13

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 15

Pause for Tales, August 16

Truth and Grace HomeschoolAcademy, August 17

To Everything There Is A Season, August 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Heidi is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and signed copy of the first three books in the series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

 GIVEAWAY

 My Thoughts

This is a fun read that reminds me of the traditional Christian fiction I grew up reading. I had a little difficulty in really connecting with the characters in this story so that made it difficult as I didn't completely love them. But the story line is sweet and I thought that Katie's journey made for a good story line. I think it would have helped if I had read the books prior to this one to fully enjoy the story. I think as a stand alone it is fine but I really wish I had read the first books. There is a strong faith element throughout the book that I thought was well written and that is really what makes this book what it is. 

Four Stars. 

"I received this book from the author for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

 

 

 

 

An Advent Carols Countdown--Simply Delightful!

 

 

 About the Book

 Get in the Christmas spirit with this unique collection of the most beloved Christmas carols, from the warmly nostalgic to the majestically solemn and uplifting. The book features one carol for each day from December first to Christmas Eve, and presents both the lyrics and the fascinating stories and interesting facts behind the creation of the songs. Each entry deepens our understanding of the music and enhances our appreciation of why these songs are culturally important and dearly treasured.

From popular, familiar carols to lesser known but cherished hymns, author Michael D. Young combines his musical expertise with information specific to each song.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written by an American preacher, Philip Brooks, after traveling to Bethlehem in 1868 to find peace after the horrors of the Civil War and assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Brooks’s original poem, with one largely unknown final verse, is included along with the lyrics of the beloved carol.

“In the Bleak Midwinter” was voted the best Christmas carol by a BBC survey of experts, but the song was actually created from a poem by Christina Rosetti and did not become a carol until decades after her death when it was paired with music by Gustav Holst. Today, Rosetti is considered one of the most important poets of the nineteenth century, and the carol she unintentionally penned is one of the most haunting and beloved of all time.

An Advent Carols Countdown is a beautiful gift book for the whole family to enjoy along with the music of the holidays. Each entry also features a QR code that will link to an audio or video performance of the carol performed by the choir most associated with Christmas, the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir. (Goodreads)

 

PRE-ORDER HERE!

My Thoughts

 

This book really surprised me! It is simply delightful to read the stories and listen to the songs. There are 24 songs to read one a day leading up to Christmas. Each song has the lyrics and then the story on the history of the carol. One of the best parts is the QR code that you scan and it takes you to the YouTube video of that song performed by the Tabernacle Choir. This book is the perfect countdown to Christmas to read with your family! This book includes a great mix of carols, even some that I had never heard of or listened to. Compared to other holiday books this one is well worth buying!

I highly recommend that you grab a copy of this! It will make a great addition to your family traditions! 

Available September 6, 2022

"I received a copy of this book for free from Shadow Mountain Publishing. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

The Heart of the Mountains Review & Giveaway with Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book: The Heart of the Mountains

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance

Release date: July 1, 2022

 

Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains?

To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.

Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her.

Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly hints to something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men or will he end up losing much more than his heart?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

You can learn more about Pepper at her website http://www.pepperdbasham.com or connect with her on FB, IG, or Twitter.

 

More from Pepper

It’s so interesting how one idea can influence an entire series, or…how one person’s story can.

The idea for The Heart of the Mountains started in Laurel’s Dream with a hint of a family history story about a girl named Kizzie. (Someday, I hope to bring Kizzie’s story to the pages of a book). From there, the idea began to grow out of a love for my Appalachian culture into a series of books which highlighted (and fictionalized) stories from my family history.

 

The main story in The Heart of the Mountains is about Jeb and Cora, two different people with similar servant hearts, but the secondary story that touched me so much was the one based on my great grandfather’s life. I write about it in the Author’s Note at the end of the novel, so I won’t go into detail about it. However, what I loved getting to do is bring the truth of God’s redemption in my great grandfather’s life…to life again.

 

I never knew “Papa Rat”. I only knew the stories handed down to me by my granny and my mama, but in writing this story, I feel as though I had a tiny opportunity to “meet” him in these pages. He was a gruff mountain man with a broken past which led him to make a whole lot of broken choices, but his story is incredibly encouraging, because it points to the God of broken people. My great grandpa wasn’t left in his brokenness, but, after years of running away from God, he would later recount that God pursued him. The beauty of Sam McAdams’ journey in The Heart of the Mountains is only a little glimpse into what I imagine my great grandpa’s redemption story looked like.

 

Because my great grandpa was forever changed when Jesus saved him (as any of us should be).

I think that’s what my granny and her siblings (and even “Papa Rat” himself) would want most -that his story would point to Jesus. I hope that’s what you see when you read about Sam McAdams in The Heart of the Mountains.

 

Have you ever read a book based on family history? One of my favorites is Catherine Marshall’s Christy.

Blog Stops

Bizwings Blog, July 28

Rachael’s Inkwell, July 28

Bigreadersite, July 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 29

Texas Book-aholic, July 29

Inklings and notions, July 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 30

Boondock Ramblings, July 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 31

Reading With Emily, July 31

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, July 31 (Author Interview)

lakesidelivingsite, August 1

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, August 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 1

Daysong Reflections, August 2

deb’s Book Review, August 2

Live. Love. Read., August 2

Betti Mace, August 3

Book Looks by Lisa, August 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 3

Remembrancy, August 4

For Him and My Family, August 4

Blossoms and Blessings, August 4

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, August 5

By the Book, August 5

Wishful Endings, August 5

For the Love of Literature, August 6

Books, Books and More Books, August 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 6

Connie’s History Classroom, August 7

SodbusterLiving, August 7

Splashes of Joy, August 7

Where Faith and Books Meet, August 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 8

Back Porch Reads, August 9

Through the Fire Blogs, August 9

Pause for Tales, August 9

Labor Not in Vain, August 10

Miriam Jacob, August 10

To Everything There Is A Season, August 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e- gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

GIVEAWAY

 

 My Thoughts

This is SUCH a great book! This might be Pepper's best book yet but I tend to say that every time. I LOVED the setting, characters, and the dialogue. This book reminded me a bit of the classic Christy but this story is unique in its own way. Cora arrives in the mountains and the adventure begins. I love that hard things are discussed such as alcoholism and how it effects a family. I love how the relationships in this book aren't perfect and while there is a beautiful love story it isn't rushed.  I love the tie in with World War I and how that is part of Jeb and Cora's story. There is humor and sadness. Forgiveness and grace. The history is superb and the story line kept me flipping the pages not wanting it to end. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend Basham's books! 

Five Stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miriam Bible Study: True Girl Bible Studies Review

About the Book

Miriam wasn’t perfect . . . but with God’s power, her courage changed the world.

Miriam was given one of the world’s hardest babysitting jobs: to hide her infant brother in the Nile River while danger lurked. Her quick thinking protected little Moses and helped him rise to greatness in Egypt. Then Miriam played a supporting role while Moses led God’s people out of slavery to freedom. That all seemed to go pretty well . . . until it made her jealous. (Can you say sibling rivalry?) Miriam’s life reminds us that a True Girl practices courageous leadership right now because a leader is what she’s becoming. And though the best leaders are often imperfect, God offers us a second chance to get things right.

True Girl Bible Studies feature important women from the Bible so that from their examples, we can learn what it looks like to be a True Girl. Each study is designed to help moms lead their daughters deeply into the Word of God so they can develop a steady love for Scripture. Together, moms and daughters can discover what it means to be a True Girl after God’s own heart. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

I was delighted to discover a Bible study for young girls. If I had these when I was younger I would have been thrilled! I am surprised at how detailed this study book actually is for this age. Many studies seem to be just "fluff" books on feelings etc. This one is not that. It is very interactive so girls can read their Bible and then break down what it means. Each section is different with fill in the blanks, space for notes, word puzzles (pertaining to the topic), etc. At the start of the book it gives a great overview on how to study your Bible which I think is well written and explained clearly. The Bible is our foundation and this book makes you really dig in and study what it says. I think this is a great study to get for the preteens in your life! 

Five Stars. 

" I received this book for free from Moody Publishers. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Crossfire Review

 

 

About the Book

 FBI special agent Julianna James is a top-notch negotiator who has never lost a hostage. Surely, she can manage to take care of her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unannounced to live with Julianna while she finished her senior year of high school.

A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.

Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with the dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school.

But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die--and Julianna just might be one of them.

This intense story of revenge and redemption from bestselling author and master of suspense Lynette Eason will have you up all night as you race toward the explosive finish. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

This book was unputdownable. I was really invested in trying to figure out what was going on and who was behind all of the madness that ensues. I really enjoyed the perspective of Julianna as a negotiator. I loved all of the secondary characters and enjoyed the extra added twist at the end. Eason did a great job writing the hostage situations. I have never considered the life of those that deal with these things on regular basis so this book made me think. Eason’s writing has gotten more creative and in depth and I just enjoy what she writes. If you enjoy suspense I recommend picking up one of her books.

 

Five Stars.

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."