Sunday, May 28, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Guess How Much God Loves You by Karen Ferguson

Book: Guess How Much God Loves You

Author: Karen Ferguson

Genre: Children’s book (picture book)

Release date: July 19, 2022

Take a journey through the Bible with Lucy Lu, a colorful, creatively curious first grader who is starting to have serious questions about God.

Questions like: How old is He? Does He sleep? What does He do all day? And the biggest one of all – does God really love me?

After one very hard day, feeling like she doesn’t matter, Lucy sits with her Papa Joe who has promised to answer these questions and more, launching them onto an exciting journey to discover God’s never changing, never failing, never ending love.

What follows in this book series is a wild adventure through the Bible, where Lucy and her Papa find themselves in the middle of it all, on each page of the powerful story of God’s love and faithfulness for all people, throughout all history.

This first book is all about God’s Creation 🌎

Guess How Much God Loves You is a vibrant, fun, and biblically based book that is sure to captivate young readers as it teaches them important Bible truths that will help them build a firm foundation in God and His Good Character – all through the lens of His unconditional love.

Click here to get your copy!

Karen Ferguson is a freelance writer and small business owner with a background in K-8 education. A grateful wife, mom, and grandmom she loves words and the Word of God and is passionate about writing stories that grab and hold young readers’ attention, teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths, and His unchanging love for them.

Her first children’s book, Guess How Much God Loves You, was released in July 2022 through Ambassador International and is available wherever books are sold.

More from Karen

Are you looking for God honoring books that will captivate your child’s imagination, teach them faith-building biblical concepts, and help them grow in their reading skills?

Then I have the perfect book for your young reader…Guess How Much God Loves You

This beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to the Creation Account, through the eyes of seven year old Lucy Lu, a creatively curious first grader who is starting to have serious questions about God.

Questions like…

How old is He? Does He sleep? What does He do all day? And the biggest one of all – does God really love me?

After one very hard day, feeling like she doesn’t matter, Lucy sits with her Papa Joe who has promised to answer these questions and more, launching them onto an exciting journey through the Bible to discover God’s never changing, never failing, never ending love.

I wrote this book because I want every child to know their life matters. To know that the God of all things created them in His image, on purpose and for a good purpose.

Guess How Much God Loves You will have seven books in the series with each one covering an important Bible account critical to building an understanding of God’s character and His love for all people, including your reader!

This first book is about the Creation Account as recorded in the Bible. Future books will cover the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, the Exodus and more.

I want children to understand these are not just stories about fictional characters, but historical accounts about real people they can relate to. People who experienced God’s power, love, and faithfulness.

My greatest desire is to see this next generation trust the Bible and enjoy reading it. More than ever, young readers need to hear the message that they are valuable, loved unconditionally by the One who created them and gave them the best gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 18
Lots of Helpers, May 18
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 19 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 19
Cover Lover Book Review, May 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21
Texas Book-aholic, May 22
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, May 22
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 23
Pause for Tales, May 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 25
Bliss, Books & Jewels, May 25
Vicky Sluiter, May 26
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 27
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 28
JESUS in the EVERYDAY, May 29
Mary Hake, May 29
Labor Not in Vain, May 30
For Him and My Family, May 31

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card, one signed hardcover, one eBook, and one digital activity workbook that will help to reinforce the learning concepts in a fun way!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/26071/guess-how-much-god-loves-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Thursday, May 25, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Murmur in the Mudcaves by Kathleen Denly

Book: Murmur in the Mudcaves

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 16, 2023

He came to cook for ranch hands, not three single women.

Gideon Swift, a visually impaired Civil War Veteran, responds to an ad for a ranch cook in the Southern California desert mountains. He wants nothing more than to forget his past and stay in the kitchen where he can do no harm. But when he arrives to find his employer murdered, the ranch turned to ashes, and three young women struggling to survive in the unforgiving Borrego Desert, he must decide whether his presence protects them or places them in greater danger.

Bridget “Biddie” Davidson finally receives word from her older sister who disappeared with their brother and pa eighteen years prior, but the news is not good. Determined to help her family, Biddie sets out for a remote desert ranch with her adopted father and best friend. Nothing she finds there is as she expected, including the man who came to cook for the shambles of a ranch.

When tragedy strikes, the danger threatens not only her plans to help her sister but her own dreams for the future—with the man who’s stolen her heart.

Click here to get your copy!

Historical Fiction is a favorite genre of mine. Murmur in the Mudcaves by Kathleen Denly is Book 3 in the Chaparral Hearts series. I have read the series from the beginning and was excited to read Book 4.

We are taken back to 1873 in Southern California. Gideon Swift has accepted a job to be a Cook at a Ranch and he is excited about the future. He is a Civil War Veteran and he wants to move forward and forget his past. He arrives at the Ranch to begin his new job only to find things in chaos. His employer is dead, and the Ranch had been burned by an arsonist. He also encounters 3 women: Bridget “Biddie” Davidson, her friend Lucy and also Biddie's long-lost sister Ginny. Biddie and Lucy had come to the Ranch after hearing that tragedy had struck at the Ranch to help Ginny get the Ranch back together. Ginny and Birdie haven't seen each other in about 17yrs, so they are trying to rebuild their relationship along with rebuilding the Ranch. Danger still lurks on the Ranch and Gideon is determined to protect the Women. He also is quite smitten by Biddie. Biddie also realizes the danger is lurking and that she is falling for Gideon. Will Gideon stay and help the Women and protect them? Will the Ranch survive and be rebuilt? Will there be a Romance between Gideon and Biddie?

WOW, I was captivated by the Storyline from the very first page. I really like the Historical Era of this book. The Author does a great job of keeping to the details of that Era accurate. Biddie and Gideon both have great story. Biddie is happy to renew her relationship with her sister and supports her long-lost sister during the rebuild. Gideon is a wonderful man whose focus changed from work to protecting the woman. Book 4 is the end of this series and I am sad to see this series end. I TRULY enjoyed the entire series and I HIGHLY recommend this series. Although the books can be read as Stand Alone books, I recommend reading the series in order! FANTASTIC BOOK!

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

More from Kathleen

The Making of a Hero

Picture in your mind the typical male rancher or cowboy. Can you see him? If we’re going for the full stereotype, you’re looking at a tall, handsome man who is, above all, strong. Particularly in the nineteenth century, it takes strength to build a house, install fencing, chop wood, haul water, heft hay bales, and most of all manage cattle. Not to mention the 101 other things it takes to start and keep a ranch running.

Now consider the aftermath of the American Civil War. Many men never returned from the battlefields, and those who did often returned with injuries that would remain with them the rest of their lives. Some would suffer chronic pain until the day they died.

In considering whose story I wanted to tell next, I wondered about that last group of men in the context of running a ranch. How could a seriously injured man, suffering chronic pain, keep his ranch going in an era where able-bodied men were more difficult to find? And what about those whose ranches were too new and small to support the cost of hiring help?

This was the beginning of my inspiration for Gideon Swift–a Civil War Veteran still struggling daily with the consequences of having gone to war, ten years after his injuries sent him home.

Raised to believe true men were strong and weak men were next-to useless, Gideon’s identity is shattered when an explosion leaves him with brain damage that causes recurring migraines with aura and the loss of periphery vision in one eye. For those unfamiliar, a migraine with aura is a severe headache preceded or accompanied by sensory disturbances called aura. Examples of such disturbances include flashes of light, blind spots, general blurry vision, and blurry or shimmery lines in vision. There can also be speech or language difficulty, muscle weakness, and/or numbness or tingling in one side of a person’s face, one hand, or one limb. Gideon experiences most of these at different times, but his most common sensory disturbance is a curled shimmery line that appears in his vision.

He is further humbled by a series of tragic losses partially triggered by his medical condition. These are the events that send him to California, determined never to work with cattle again, and never to marry.

I am often asked how much of myself I put into my characters. In Gideon’s case, I modeled his pain partially after my own. While I have no peripheral vision loss, nor brain damage, I do have recurring migraines. In my case, these are brought about by my menstrual cycle and only occasionally involve aura symptoms. Still, these severe headaches have lasted from a mere hour, up to nearly a week, and are frequently beyond anything my medications can alleviate. Too often, this pain leaves me unable to function. If I’m lucky I can sleep through it. If not, I lay awake in a darkened room for hours with pain preventing me from drifting into blissful unconsciousness. Nauseousness, foggy thinking, dizziness, and exhaustion are frequently parts of my experience. I have also experienced one-sided tingling numbness and the same curly, shimmering line that Gideon experiences. Yet, I know others who have far worse migraines. So, in describing Gideon’s episodes, I combined my own experiences with those of family and friends whom I have witnessed suffering.

Through Murmur in the Mud Caves, we see how God works in Gideon’s life and heart to remind him of where his true value and strength come from. It is my hope that his journey will touch the hearts of readers and encourage them in whatever trials they may be facing. We are never alone. Whatever God brings us to, He will bring us through. He loves us and has a good purpose for everything we endure in this life, even when we cannot understand His reasons.

lakesidelivingsite, May 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18
Books You Can Feel Good About, May 18
Texas Book-aholic, May 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 20
For Him and My Family, May 20
Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 21
Connie’s History Classroom, May 21
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 22
Betti Mace, May 22
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 23
Madi’s Musings, May 23
Pause for Tales, May 24
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 25
Kristina Hall, May 25
Vicky Sluiter, May 26
Blossoms and Blessings, May 26
Blogging With Carol, May 27
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 28 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 28
Cover Lover Book Review, May 29
Holly’s Book Corner, May 30
Karen Baney Reviews, May 30

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of 1 set of beautifully engraved, metal measuring spoons, 1 pouch of “Baking Day” potpourri, 1 Cat and Mouse kitchen timer, 1 vintage wooden sign with Christian encouragement message, 1 Cowboy Hat cookie cutter with recipe for Cowboy Sugar Cookies, 1 Kitchen towel that reads, “This Home is our Happily Ever After”, and 1 Kathleen Denly engraved pen!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2606f/murmur-in-the-mudcaves-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Wednesday, May 24, 2023

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Loving the Rancher's Children by Mindy Obenhaus

Loving the Rancher's Children JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Loving the Rancher's Children by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Loving the Rancher's Children

Series: Hope Crossing #3

Author: Mindy Obenhaus

Publisher: Love Inspired Books

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

A short-term solution

Could lead to long-term love

When Alli Krenek returns to her hometown, she’s surprised to find herself agreeing to become a nanny to Jake Walker’s children. Seventeen years ago, Jake betrayed Alli’s trust, and she’s avoided him ever since. But the more time she spends with Jake, the more his two little ones melt her heart and Alli begins to see the man Jake has become. Is this their chance to finally heal old wounds?

I really enjoy LOVE Inspired books. The books are short, easy to read, and quick to read. Author Mindy Obenhaus is a favorite of mine. Loving the Rancher's Children by Mindy Obenhaus is Book 3 in the Hope Crossing Series. I have read the first 2 books in this series and have anxiously awaited the release of Book 3.

Alli Krenek has returned to Hope Crossing, the town she grew up in, after being away for 17yrs. She has worked for CPS for many years but has decided on a career change and will become a Teacher. She is looking for a job to do now and has the opportunity to be a Nanny. Jake Walker is a widower and Single Dad to 2 kids and is currently in need of a Nanny. Alli and Jake were best friends growing up and they were on the brink of beginning a relationship. The relationship never happened as Jake broke Alli's heart right before she moved away and she hasn't really spoken to him since. Alli decides to accept the Nanny position and she truly enjoys spending time with Jake's kids. Alli also notices that Jake has changed over the years. Can Jake and Alli begin to heal from the past? Will there be a chance for a Second Chance Romance?

WOW, this just might be the Sweetest Second Chance Romance book that I have read. I REALLY LOVE how Alli knew what she wanted in life and was on the road to achieving that. She allowed herself to put past hurts aside to approach Jake with a way to help them both. Jake is a wonderful character. I LOVE how he is in control of his Family Ranch while raising 2 young kids and recognizes that he needs help as he can't do it all by himself. I really LOVE how the author brings the 2 Childhood Friends together to help one another and they are able to mend their hearts from the past. I truly enjoyed Alli and Jake's story and their rekindling romance! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance. FANTASTIC BOOK!

More Books in this Series

Mindy Obenhaus

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching the Hallmark Channel.

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

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Loving the Rancher's Children and $20 Amazon gift card!

Loving the Rancher's Children 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 May 24, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 31, 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!

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Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Gold Rush Bride Tegan by Linda Shenton Matchett

Book: Gold Rush Bride Tegan

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 25, 2022

Tegan Llewellyn has always been different than her adopted family, except for Grandmother Hannah, a prospector during the 1829 Georgia gold rush. Now, seventy years later there are reports of gold in Nome, and the opportunity is too good to pass up. But Tegan doesn’t count on the dangers that strike from the moment she steps off the steamer, including the threat of losing her heart.

Elijah Hunter has prospected for gold all over the US and Canada and likes being on the move. The last thing he expects to find on his latest search is a lady miner who proves to be nothing but trouble. Can he convince her that leaving is for her own good before it’s too late…for both of them?

Click here to get your copy!

Linda Shenton Matchett has become one of my favorite authors. I have read many of her books over the last few years. Gold Rush Bride Tegan by Linda Shenton Matchett is Book 3 in the Gold Rush Brides series. I have read Book 2 in this series and was excited to Read Book 3.

Tegan Llewellyn was adopted as a young child and she feels like she never "fit in" with her family. She did feel close to her Grandmother Hannah, who in 1829 was a Gold Miner in the Georgia Gold Rush. Tegan hears of a Gold Rush in Nome, Alaska seventy years later and decides to head to Alaska for an opportunity to follow in her Grandmother's footsteps. Tegan is not prepared for the dangers that lie ahead for her. Elijah Hunter is a very experienced Gold Miner and when he meets Tegan in Alaska, he doesn't think she will make it as a Miner. He also discovers that she can be a troublemaker. Elijah is determined to get her to leave the Gold Mine and town before danger really happens. Elijah also recognizes that he has been drawn to Tegan because of her Fiesty personality. Will Tegan survive the Alaska Gold Mines and strike Gold? Will there be a romance or chemistry between Elijah and Tegan?

WOW, the storyline was captivating from the very first chapter. The Era of the Gold Rush has always been intriguing to me. I LOVE how Tegan jumps at the opportunity to follow in her Grandmother's footsteps and goes to Alaska for the Gold Rush in 1899. She is an independent woman and embraces that. Elijah is my favorite character in this book. He is a wonderful man who sees the dangers and wants to protect Tegan whenever needed. Coming to her rescue when she is attacked was a tear-jerking moment. I LOVE how the author really connects Elijah and Tegan and the romance slowly grows. I also loved how Tegan grew in her Faith throughout this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance! FANTASTIC BOOK!

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historic places all her life. Linda is a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of World War II and a former trustee for her local public library. She now resides in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities are exploring the state’s historical sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

I am constantly amazed at the extraordinary things women did over the course of history (mostly done in dresses and skirts until about eighty years ago!). When I stumbled on the fact that women were involved during the gold and silver rushes that occurred in the US and its territories, I knew I had to tell their story.

A significant number of women followed husbands, brothers, or fathers, but an intrepid few set out on their own to find their fortune for as many reasons as there were women. Some went to escape difficult (or abusive) situations at home and others because they felt they had no choice. But there was a small percentage who made their way across thousands of miles for the sheer adventure.

The Nome Gold Rush started 175 years ago in 1898, and was different than previous rushes in that much of the gold was on the beach and could be plucked from the sand without any need for a claim. Later, claims were required to mine gold from the Snake River, and this is when things got dirty.

Initially, the courts upheld original claims, but after some of the “claim jumpers” offered to share proceeds from their invalid claims, a few crooked judges and politicians decided this was a great opportunity to line their pockets. Already guilty of stealing votes and voter intimidation, Alexander McKenzie, National Committeeman for North Dakota headed the pack and created an elaborate scheme with the help of Judge Arthur Noyes. It would take nearly two years for the men to be arrested and brought to trial. I included a fictionalized version of this situation in Gold Rush Bride Tegan.

I visited Alaska before writing Tegan and was overwhelmed by its majestic beauty. The photos I’d seen before the trip didn’t do justice to the reality of the state’s glaciers, mountains, rivers, and forests. Wildlife is so abundant that it literally walked or flew through town giving us “up close and personal” experiences with moose, wild sheep, eagles, and more.

Because of the inaccessibility of much of the state, one in fifty Alaskans hold a pilot’s license as compared to the national average which is one in seven hundred. However, in 1898, prospectors didn’t have that luxury, instead making their way to San Francisco by rail and then either going overland with wagons and mules or up the coast on schooners, either choice a difficult and arduous journey.

It is my hope that Gold Rush Bride Tegan honors the stalwart women who left all they knew for the chance of a lifetime.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett