Friday, September 30, 2022

Paul's Promise Movie-In Theaters October 21st!

 


 

 About Paul's Promise
Set in the peak of the 1960s Civil Rights movement, "Paul's Promise" is the inspiring true story of Paul Holderfield, former racist firefighter-turned-pastor who started one of the first integrated churches in the American South. It's one man's journey to hope and healing during a troubled time in our Nation's history that resulted in one man's decision to serve God and stand up to injustice - a story that continues to make a huge impact on the community to this day.

 

This looks like a good movie! I am even more interested in watching it since it is based on a true story! 

#PaulsPromiseMIN

 

 

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Beneath the Bending Skies Review

 

 


 

About the Book

 Mollie Sheehan has spent much of her life striving to be a dutiful daughter and honor her father's wishes, even when doing so has led to one heartbreak after another. After all, what options does she truly have in 1860s Montana? But providing for her stepfamily during her father's long absences doesn't keep her from wishing for more.

When romance blooms between her and Peter Ronan, Mollie finally allows herself to hope for a brighter future--until her father voices his disapproval of the match and moves her to California to ensure the breakup. Still, time and providence are at work, even when circumstances are at their bleakest. Mollie may soon find that someone far greater than her father is in control of the course of her life--and that even the command to "honor thy father" has its limits.

New from New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick, Beneath the Bending Skies is a sweeping story of hospitality, destiny, and the bonds of family. (Goodreads)

 BUY HERE

My Thoughts

I always look forward to reading the latest book by Jane Kirkpatrick. She writes terrific historical fiction. I love how detailed she is with her writing and the extensive research she does to pen her stories. This book was really interesting and moved a bit all over the place. The main story line focuses on Mollie Sheehan and her growing up years and beyond. She moved quite a bit in her lifetime and it is always interesting to me to see why a family moved and what their motivation was. My favorite part of the book is toward the end because I love the history surrounding the Native Americans. This book moves at a slower pace but that tends to be the case with heavily detailed historical novels and I doesn't bother me. I know that this book would be difficult for some to fully get into but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The many settings are wonderful and the based on real life characters I thought were very well written. I highly recommend to those that love history. 


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."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Dangerous Beauty Book Review


About the Book

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safely over the border in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

Melissa Koslin throws you right into the middle of the action in this high-stakes thriller that poses the question: What is the price of freedom? (Goodreads)

 BUY HERE

 

 My Thoughts

This is the first book by this author that I have read. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I knew it would be unique and different. I finished reading this story and have a lot of mixed feelings. I had a hard time rating it because I am not quite sure how I feel about it. Human trafficking is a pretty hefty subject matter and I am not sure that I really liked that this also had a romance story line. Those two didn’t jive for me. Also, in a good amount of the pages nothing happens. I don’t want to give anything away but for chapters on end it is literally the same day to day on repeat. I understand why this was important for the main character, but after a while I was wondering when anything might happen to move the story along.

I really loved Liliana and her journey. She is the shining example of courage throughout the story line. The author did a good job with her character and her personality was my favorite aspect of the book. There is a little bit of action near the end of the book, though it seemed very rushed and ended abruptly, I was still glad to see things happening!

So this wasn’t my favorite story but I appreciated the perspective of a Liliana’s character. I am sure many people will love this book and this is just my personal opinion!

 

Three Stars. 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Fall 2022 To-Read List

 Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!


There are SO many books coming out that I am excited to read. I had to narrow it down a bit...











Monday, September 19, 2022

Lakeside Retreat with Celebrate Lit Tours & Giveaway!

 

 

About the Book

Book: Lakside Retreat

Author: Marci Seither

Genre: Devotional gift book

Release date: July 5, 2022

 

Close your eyes for a moment. Inhale. Can you smell the pine trees? Now listen. Can you hear the loon’s call echo off the water and the geese honking as they fly overhead? Now imagine tasting the smoke-tainted marshmallows straight out of the campfire. Think about feeling the warm summer sun on your skin and the cool breeze against your face.

Lakeside Retreat is an invitation to surround yourself with the majesty of God’s creation and wrap yourself in the warm blanket of Scripture’s wonderful, eternal truths.

Let this collection of vacation-themed devotions, recipes, and DIY projects transport you to a quiet place of rest, renewal, and connection with God.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Marci Seither’s writing career began after her humor article about a cookie baking fiasco she experienced with her kids was published in a small-town newspaper. Since then she has authored two books and hundreds of articles for local papers as well as written for Guideposts, Light & Life, and Focus On The Family.

Besides writing, she enjoys teaching workshops, speaking, food photography, canning, and anything that involves using real butter.

Her biggest joy, besides being married to John and raising six kiddos, is being grandma to six of the cutest kids in the western hemisphere. She recently moved from CA to TN.

 

More from Marci

I don’t know about you, but there is something about being at a cabin, on a lake, or in the woods. The pine scented air is crisp; the water is refreshing, and lingering over a hot cup of coffee as the sun comes up over the tree tops causes one to just sit in AWE at God’s fingerprints in creation.

Growing up, some of my favorite memories were made camping with cousins and hanging onto an inner tube that was tied to the back of a ski boat, now, just listening the loon’s call echoing off the rippling water at sunset is something I savor, well, that and a perfectly toasted marshmallow for my  s’more.

This book was so fun for me to write. I spent two weeks at the cabin with one of my best friends, Ginger Vennerstrom and her two granddaughters. Our husbands were able to join us for the second week and that was when we went on our crazy kayak adventure. We baked yummy treats, took nature walks through the woods, sat around the campfire, and did a lot of swimming.

One of the highlights was to take the pontoon boat down to the point and see the eagle’s nest with the half grown eaglets squawking from the edge, hoping one of their parents would bring a freshly caught fish.

I loved learning about the area that had once been a logging camp and hear stories about the cabin that is lovingly named Swan Stuga and the people who made it special.

Besides the 40 devotions, there are journal prompts and 12 tutorials for things you can do with your family such as make a pinecone bird feeder, follow a recipe for the perfect berry cobbler, and how to experience the night sky in a way you might have never considered.

Most of the photos, including the picture on the cover, are ones that I took at the cabin so readers will not just read about the lake; they will feel like they have actually been at the restful shores of Lake Nebagamon.

Here is a 1 minute video that captures the joy of Lakeside Retreat.

The cabin is calling…

VIDEO

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, September 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 8

Inklings and notions, September 9

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, September 9

She Lives To Read, September 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 11

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 12

Lily’s Book Reviews, September 12

deb’s Book Review, September 13

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 15

Mary Hake, September 15

Blossoms and Blessings, September 16

Cats in the Cradle Blog, September 17

The Adventures of a Travers Wife, September 18

Livin’ Lit, September 19

To Everything There Is A Season, September 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marci is giving away the grand prize package of a canvas tote bag filled with Lakeside goodies that include a blanket, mug, signed copy of Lakeside Retreat, and a solar lantern for your next outdoor adventure!!

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

 

 GIVEAWAY

 

 

My Thoughts

What a beautiful little book! It has some fun pictures that take you to the woods and lakeside. There is a daily devotional that ties in with a story so it is very relatable. My favorite part of this book are the recipes and activity recommendations. From cobbler to pine cone bird feeders there is something fun for each reader to enjoy. While reading the pages of this book it truly is a simple little “retreat” to reflect, consider, and relate it to your own life. There is typically a question at the end that you can write an answer or just ponder such as “Are you carrying too much? Make a list of the ways you can help lighten your load.”

 

This would make a great gift!

 

Five 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.”

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

TTT: Books with Geographical Terms in the Title

 Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday

Today is all about books with Geographical Terms in the Title

 



 








Laura's Shadow Review with Celebrate Lit Tours & Giveaway!


 

About the Book

Book: Laura’s Shadow

Author: Allison Pittman

Genre: Christian/Historical/Romance

Release date: August 1, 2022

 

Family Secrets Spill One Conversation at a Time

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

De Smet, South Dakota—1890
Young women growing up in DeSmet live by two rules: don’t go out in a snowstorm and don’t give your heart to Cap Garland. Young Mariah Patterson only managed to obey one. Orphaned and having devoted her youth to scrapping out a life with her brother Charles, Mariah finds herself with no interesting suitors or means of support. Throwing caution to the wind, she seizes an opportunity to lay her feelings at Cap’s feet, even though she knows Cap sees the world through the torch he carries for Laura Ingalls. Mariah is certain her love for Cap will be strong enough to break both bonds, and she’s willing to risk everything to prove it.

De Smet, South Dakota—1974
Trixie Gowan is the fourth generation of living Gowan women residing in the sprawling farmhouse on the outskirts of De Smet. Well, former resident. She’s recently moved to Minneapolis, where she writes ads for a neighborhood paper edited by Ron Tumble. She might live and work in the city, but her co-workers still call her Prairie Girl. Thus the inspiration for her comic strip—“Lost Laura”—in which a bespectacled girl in a calico dress tries to make her way in the city. The name is a quiet rebellion having grown up in a household where she’d been forbidden to mention the name, Laura Ingalls. But when her great-grandmother Mariah’s declining health brings Trixie home for a visit, two things might just keep her there: the bedside manner of Dr. Campbell Carter and the family secret that seems to be spilling from GG’s lips one conversation at a time.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Allison Pittman is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a four-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series, once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties and most recently for the critically acclaimed The Seamstress which takes a cameo character from the Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities and flourishes her to life amidst the French Revolution. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike. Connect with her on Facebook (Allison Pittman Author), Twitter (@allisonkpittman) or her website, allisonkpittman.com.

 

More from Allison

I can credit Laura Ingalls Wilder for just about every aspect of my identity. I’m a reader because I read her books over and over and over again, checking them out from my little elementary school library. I can still see them—last bookcase, bottom shelf. During the summer, I checked them out from the Bookmobile, and one magical Christmas, I received my own set. The well-worn, yellow paperbacks have a place of honor in my office: top shelf, center stage. It was amazing to my eight-year-old self that I could pick up Little House in the Big Woods, skip the dull parts, and jump straight to These Happy Golden Years in a single afternoon.

Looking at Laura’s writing now (as I often do), I realize I spent my childhood absorbing the art of telling a story. Her books masterfully string meaningful vignettes within an over-arching conflict. She creates stories-within-a-story-within-a-story whenever Pa launches into a tall tale, and minor characters come to life no matter how brief their appearance. (Aunt Docia, anyone?)

When I first came up with the concept of writing a story set in the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I knew I couldn’t bring Laura herself in as a character. There’s a sacredness to her story, and I wouldn’t dream of inserting myself into the cannon of her pages. But—I thought—surely she had peers who grew up alongside her, classmates who also hated Miss Wilder, young men who might have set their own cap for her, townsfolk who remembered the vibrant young woman with the button-brown eyes and dark curls. And then I pondered further: maybe there was another side to Laura—a side that she kept from the romanticized ideal skipping through the pages of her books. My first thought was to create a fictional De Smet town girl, but then…

In researching and reading Pioneer Girl, The Annotated Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I came across a bit of information that brought the story to life for me. In These Happy Golden Years, Laura teaches her first class: five students, two families. And while the “Brewster” children are documented in other sources, the Harrison children are not. There are no census records, land deeds, or any official documents to support the identity of Charles and Martha as they are depicted in the novel. And so, it clicked. If Laura could fictionalize these people, well, then, so could I. Thus Martha Harrison was lifted from those pages, renamed Mariah, and given a new life and a new story in mine.

Writing Laura’s Shadow allowed me to indulge in a few favorite directions. First, I’m fascinated with the idea of extreme longevity (showcased in my novel All for a Song), and creating a character whose lifespan stretches from homesteading to disco was delightful. My Mariah chafes at the romanticized depiction of pioneer life, telling us in her old age that it was really more of a daily struggle for survival. I also enjoyed exploring the family dynamic of four generations of women and how each generation faced the  same battles and fought them so, so differently. Finally—and this is what truly speaks to my fourth-grade self…

You know that Elton John song, “Your Song” with the lyrics, “I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words…” Well, I got to put down in words my lifelong crush on Cap Garland. Sure, Almonzo is great and everything, but I always thought Cap was more exciting. More fun. More…more. Bringing him to life in this book set my old heart racing. My research for this novel took me to De Smet, and to his gravesite, where I spoke this story to his stone. I like to think he’d approve, and I hope all of the Laura fans will join me in this tale and let their imaginations run wild.

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 30

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , August 31

Texas Book-aholic, August 31

Genesis 5020, September 1

Inklings and notions, September 1

The Avid Reader, September 2

For Him and My Family, September 2

deb’s Book Review, September 3

Simple Harvest Reads, September 3 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 4

Blogging With Carol, September 4

Betti Mace, September 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 5

Blossoms and Blessings, September 6

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 6

lakesidelivingsite, September 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 7

Connie’s History Classroom, September 8

Mary Hake, September 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 9

Through the Fire Blogs, September 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 10

Bigreadersite, September 11

Pause for Tales, September 11

For the Love of Literature, September 12

Labor Not in Vain, September 12

Remembrancy, September 13

To Everything There Is A Season, September 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Allison is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon E-gift card and a 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

 I try to get my hands on every book that Allison Pittman writes. She always has fresh stories with unique perspectives. This story takes the reader back to "Little House on the Prairie" when Laura was teaching school. Granted she only makes a quick appearance in this book, it is very interesting to imagine the lives of the people who knew her, even if only for a short time. I really enjoyed both timelines and I was a bit surprised at the turn the story takes with Mariah in the historical perspective. I very much enjoyed Trixie and her grandmother in 1974. It was so fun to read a story set in 1974 and Pittman did a great job at making each time period known. This is not a simple prairie romance and I think readers will be a bit surprised on how everything unfolds.


Four 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."

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Lifemark Movie Review & Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

 


 

 About the Movie

 David’s comfortable world is turned upside down when his birthmother
unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she’s only
held once. With the encouragement of his adoptive parents, David embarks on a
journey of discovery that leads to a staggering truth from his past. From executive
producers Kirk Cameron and the Kendrick Brothers—creators of War Room and Fire-
proof—comes LIFEMARK, inspired by an incredible true story that celebrates the
gift of life.


 

In theaters September 9th!


LIFEMARK is a story of hope, of overcoming the obstacles life throws at us, reveling
in the art of faith, grace, and perseverance.

 

GIVEAWAY 

One $10 Amazon gift card 

Giveaway is limited to U.S. winners only

ENTER HERE

 

My Thoughts

This movie will capture your full attention and keep you thinking long after it is over. I was a tad confused with the first fifteen minutes or so because there is an added story line that just seemed thrown in at random. But after that, I was all in on following David's journey. This story line is very relevant and I think viewers will be surprised. 

There is a certain depth and thought that went into making this film that is evident while watching. It is going to open some eyes and touch many hearts. I really enjoyed David's friend Nate who is comic relief for a pretty heavy movie. This film is completely based on a true story which is all the more encouraging. While some things were a bit over dramatized and not every adoption story is the same, I am thankful for those that made this movie. It is a story that needs told, recognized, and shared. 

 Five Stars!! 


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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

TTT: Books I Loved So Much I Had to Get My Own Copy

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

Many of these I first got from the library or I read as eBooks. A couple of them I borrowed from a fellow book lover. After reading I had to get a copy in case I ever wanted to read them again, which I have done!