Thursday, February 2, 2023

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Relational Reset by Dr. Laurel Shaler

Relational Reset JustRead Blog + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Relational Reset by Laurel Shaler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Relational Reset

Author: Laurel Shaler

Publisher: Moody

Release Date: February 2019

Genre: Christian Living (non-fiction)

From the author of "Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events" comes this Selah Award Finalist on a topic everyone can relate to: Relationships. So, are your relationships all that you want them to be?

Despite our best intentions, we all have blind spots--bad relational habits that are keeping us from enjoying our relationships fully. And since relationships stand at the center of all we are and all we do, if we can learn to do relationships better, every aspect of our lives improves. Whether you struggle to overcome past wounds, insecurity, blame, or envy, it's time to reflect on your relational habits and reset them so that your relationships can be all you want them to be.

I really enjoy reading Christian Non-Fiction books as they are a good guidance in life. Relational Reset by Laurel Shaler is the most recent book in this genre that I have read.

We all seek to have Good Relationships with those around us: Family, Friends, Co-workers, Church Family and so much more. Relationships can sometimes have rough spots connected with them that might need some help working through. Some struggles that prevent relationships from being strong include Hurt, Insecurity, Past Wounds, and more. We can do a "reset" and get our focus and relationships to where we want them to be and how God intended relationships to be.

WOW, this book has a STRONG message. Relationships don't have to end due to struggles. We can reset our heart and mind and work through the struggles that are preventing the relationships from being all they can be. I think this book would make a GREAT Individual Bible Study or even a Group Bible Study. The encouragement from others while reading this book would help overcome the struggles in relationships. i HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has relationship issues that need some encouragement. GREAT BOOK!

Laurel Shaler

Dr. Laurel Shaler is a licensed mental health professional and a Professor at Liberty University . She has contributed to many well-known publications including Lifeway's Journey, Guideposts, and Proverbs 31 Ministries. Laurel is the author of "Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events" (David C. Cook, 2016) and "Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back" (Moody, 2018). She regularly speaks on a wide variety of topics, and has been interviewed by Building Relationships, Focus on the Family, and more. Most importantly, Laurel is a follower of Jesus Christ and seeks to share His love with others. She and her family live in the Deep South.

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

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the book and $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 1, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 8, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Ebook available international. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway Here

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

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Rescuing Rose by Susan Pope Sloan

Book: Rescuing Rose

Author: Susan Pope Sloan

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: January 24, 2023

His army destroyed her livelihood. She represents the people he scorns. How can they reconcile their differences when the whole country is at war?

When the Union Army marches into Roswell, Georgia, and burns down the cotton mill where Rose Carrigan worked, not only is her livelihood destroyed but she’s also taken prisoner and shipped northward with the other workers. Only the unlikely kindness of one of her guards makes the trip bearable.

Union Captain Noah Griffin hates the part of his job that requires him to destroy the lives of innocent civilians, but at least he’s able to protect these women he’s been ordered to transport to Louisville, Kentucky. Especially the one whose quick wit and kindness draw him.

While they’re forced to wait in Marietta, two fugitives arrive to complicate matters between Rose and Noah. As Rose heads north and Noah returns to the battlefront, they each face fears and prejudices. With survival so tenuous, only faith can help them find love in the midst of so much tragedy.

Click here to get your copy!

Born into a family of storytellers, Susan Pope Sloan published her first articles in high school and continued writing sporadically for decades. Retirement provided the time to focus on writing and indulge her avid interest in history. Her Civil War series begins (and ultimately ends) in her home state of Georgia with references to lesser-known events of that period. She and husband Ricky live near Columbus where she participates in Word Weavers, ACFW, and Toastmasters.

More from Susan

Rescuing Rose is the first book in the Rescued Hearts of the Civil War series. Years ago, I worked with a gentleman who was a Civil War reenactor. We had many conversations about the war and my writing aspirations. He told me two stories that stuck with me, one of which was the Roswell mill workers.

The bare-bones story is this: The Union army entered Roswell, Georgia, in July 1864. They ordered the workers out and burned the mills. Then they arrested the workers, who were mostly uneducated women, sent them to Marietta, and then put them on trains headed north.

Note that they were uneducated, unable to read or write, unskilled except in mill work. How were they to survive without means of supporting themselves and their families? If their husbands, sons, and fathers were away with one or the other army, how would they ever bring the women home again?

Since my hometown has several cotton mills and my grandparents worked in those, I felt a connection to those women. Their story should be told! My research led me to a wonderful scholarly book, The Women Will Howl, which was published thirty years ago and contained ample information to get me started. It became my primary resource, but I also had the advantage of a robust Internet to find other sources.

To provide a main character who was educated, I came up with two daughters of a minister with poor health. The family moved from Dalton, Georgia in 1863 so the daughters could work in the mill and take care of their father. After the mills are destroyed, Rose and her sister (Celeste) decide to teach some of the children how to read and write so they can help their folks and be better prepared for the future. When they reach Louisville, she leads the effort in finding jobs so they can provide for those who’ve fallen ill. In this way, Rose “rescues” the families in her group.

The male protagonist is a Union officer who aids Rose and Celeste when they are accosted by a band of hostile soldiers. Noah assists them again and takes on the role of self-appointed guardian. Though he and Rose often rile each other, he is smitten and does whatever he can to help their group adjust to their new reality. Circumstances tear them apart, however, and both must face hidden fears and prejudices before the relationship can be restored. How will that be possible when the war has pushed them hundreds of miles apart?

What I learned from research and writing this book.

There were people loyal to the Union scattered all over the South, even in Georgia.
Soldiers endured miserable conditions, often pushed to cover many miles before they reached the next engagement, in all kinds of conditions.
Leadership was fractured on both sides, with personalities clashing within the ranks.
Lee’s surrender at Appomattox did not end the war. It was months before that happened.
Mill workers thought tobacco use would ward off “brown lung” from breathing cotton fibers and losing a finger or two in machinery was almost a rite of passage.

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25
Bizwings Blog, January 26
Holly’s Book Corner, January 26
Texas Book-aholic, January 27
deb’s Book Review, January 28
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 29
Cover Lover Book Review, January 30
Betti Mace, January 30
Connie’s History Classroom, January 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 1
Lily’s Book Reviews, February 1
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 2
For Him and My Family, February 3
Pause for Tales, February 4
Blossoms and Blessings, February 5
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 6
To Everything There Is A Season, February 7

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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/23cc5/rescuing-rose-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Monday, January 30, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Shattered Reflection by Madisyn Carlin

Book: Shattered Reflection

Author: Madisyn Carlin

Genre: New Adult Christian Fantasy / Fairytale Retelling

Release date: December 21, 2022

Can hope be found for four shattered souls?

Princess Nordica Icerri’s crown will be purchased with blood—her blood. Now the sole heir to the throne, she is determined to be the queen the Snowlands deserve, but that comes with a price: a numbed heart and soul. Only when she meets kidnapped physician Loren Alocer does Nordica allow herself to hope she can become queen without completely losing herself. But not everyone wants what’s best for the Snowlands, and Nordica’s upcoming rule is compromised at every turn. Can the criminal physician—and his faith—thaw Nordica’s heart, or is she destined to be the heartless queen she is being forced to become?

War shattered not only Breac Finson’s heart, but his faith as well. Tired of fighting, Breac only wants to be left alone, but his efforts are for naught when a friend calls in a favor. He soon finds himself in an unexpected alliance with Layree Alocer, a woman determined to find her wrongfully-kidnapped brother at all costs. Can a broken soldier help right a wrong—and find his faith again in the process?

Sides must be chosen and loyalties will be tested as a new war approaches. Can broken lives be mended in time to help save the Snowlands, or is evil already too deeply embedded?

Click here to get your copy!

I am not one who normally reads Christian Fantasy books, especially being that most are geared toward Youth. I really liked the Synopsis of this book and the fact that it is geared toward Adults. Shattered Reflection by Madisyn Carlin is Book 1 in The Shattered Lands series.

Princess Nordica Icerri is "Queen in Training". She is determined to become the best Queen the Snowlands ever had. Her heart though isn't in the right place, very numb heart. Loren Alocer is a kidnapped Physician and when Princess Nordica meets him, she has hope she can become queen without the numb heart and soul. Nordica is discovering that now everyone in the Snowlands wants her to be queen and she is being deterred by everything she does. Loren Alocer has strong faith and he thinks he can help Princess Nordica. Breac Finson has struggled with life since War and his faith is also struggling due to Wartime. Breac really wants to be left alone, but he finds himself helping Layree Alocer, a woman who is absolutely determined to find her kidnapped brother. Will Princess Nordica soften her heart before becoming Queen? Will Breac have his faith restored by helping Layree? Will healing happen in the Snowlands?

I will say it took me a couple of chapters to really get into the storyline. Although, once I did start enjoying the story, I couldn't put it down. I really LOVE this book is a retelling of a Fairytale. The STRONG Faith-Based Message throughout the book is very encouraging. The twists and turns really kept the storyline exciting and non-predictable. This book was the first one by Madisyn Carlin that I have read and it won't be the last time. I truly LOVED this book and I am looking forward to reading more in this series. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Fairytales, Fantasy, and Christian Fiction. WONDERFUL BOOK!

Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.

Want to connect? https://linktr.ee/madisyncarlin

More from Madisyn

What comes to your mind when you think about fairytale retellings? Is it Disney’s 1950 retelling of Cinderella? Glittery swirls of magic? Talking animals? Pretty gowns? Or, perhaps, frying pans or a sassy dragon?

My interest regarding fairytales was first piqued when I was young. Though I was only three, I distinctly remember riding in the car and flipping through the three-story fairytale collection my mom just purchased for me. I couldn’t read, but the bright colors and abundance of animals entranced me. Now I not only read fairytales, I write retellings of them.

Why, though? Aren’t fairytales just fun stories that sometimes impart a lesson?

No. Fairytales are much more than that. The majority of fairytales contain deep, important lessons the authors or culture of that time wanted their readers and listeners to learn from. Fairytales offer encouragement, hope, and include gentle reminders about doing the right thing even when we don’t want to.

Take, for instance, The Snow Queen, which is the fairytale I modeled Shattered Reflection after. In The Snow Queen, the forefront themes are loyalty and perseverance. No matter what trials the female protagonist endures, she pushes on with the mindset that rescuing her best friend is worth the effort and pain.

Aside from being rich in wry humor, breathtaking scenic descriptions and worldbuilding, and interesting characters, The Snow Queen contains faith and reminds readers that our ultimate source of strength is God—not ourselves.

This is what I wanted to emulate in Shattered Reflection. This story—with its broken characters, tattered kingdoms, and insidious antagonists—contains plenty of faith amidst pain, questions, and wounded hearts. I wanted to illustrate that, no matter what we’re going through, God is in control and nothing and no one ever slips from His grasp.

What is Shattered Reflection?

Title: Shattered Reflection
Series: The Shattered Lands | Book One
Genre: NA Christian Fantasy
Subgenre: Fairytale retelling (The Snow Queen)
POVS: 5
Ages: Appropriate for ages 15+ due to non-graphic violence
Core Themes: Salvation, Loyalty, and Forgiveness

Shattered Reflection is a Christian fairytale retelling which incorporates heavy faith elements, numerous action scenes, clean romance, and plenty of evil villains.

Content Warning:
SR1 contains heavy topics, although none are described in a gratuitous and gory manner. There is also a lot of violence, so I do not recommend this book for anyone younger than fifteen. If you are older than fifteen and are easily bothered by such content, then this probably is not the book for you.

Texas Book-aholic, January 22
To Everything There Is A Season, January 23
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 23
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 24
Cover Lover Book Review, January 25
deb’s Book Review, January 25
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 26
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 28
Literature Approved, January 28
Denise L. Barela, January 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 30
Blogging With Carol, January 31
Through the Fire Blogs, February 1
Pause for Tales, February 2
For Him and My Family, February 3
Rebecca Tews, February 4
Holly’s Book Corner, February 4

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

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/23bc6/shattered-reflection-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Sunday, January 29, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Two-Cent Piece by Dennis Conrad

Book: The Two-Cent Piece

Author: Dennis Conrad (Illustrated by Courtney Smith)

Genre: Children’s Picture Book (Fiction)

Release date: September 3, 2022

Anne wonders what secret her three older brothers are hiding. When she finds out they joined to fight with the Union Army and would leave the next day, she gives them each one of her favorite two-cent pieces and says, “I want you to take one of my new two-cent pieces. I learned these coins are the first to have the words ‘In God We Trust.’ I just memorized Psalm 91:2. ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.’”

Out of a heart of love, Anne gives six of her special coins away hoping the message on the two-cent pieces will strengthen each person’s faith.

Click here to get your copy!

Children's Picture Books are an excellent way to introduce young ones to the wonderful world of reading. The Two Cent Piece by Dennis Conrad is a Faith Based Picture Book for young kids.

Anne is a little girl who enjoys collecting coins. Her 3 older brothers are leaving to go serve in the Civil War as part of the Union Army. Anne gives each of them a Two Cent Piece before they leave. She tells them “I want you to take one of my new two-cent pieces. I learned these coins are the first to have the words ‘In God We Trust.’ The brothers accept her gift, although one brother is grappling with his Faith. A life-changing incident happens for that brother on the battlefield and his faith is restored.

I really enjoyed this book. It tells a great story of History with a Faith and Fictional twist. The Civil War period was a very important time in History and this book is written in a way that helps the Young Ones understand the time period. I also LOVE that the book has a strong Faith Message. It is VERY well written and the Illustrations are just amazing. A Very unique Picture Book for kids and I HIGHLY recommend it! FANTASTIC BOOK!

A former coin collector for over fifty years, Dennis combines his love for the Bible, children’s literature, and sharing stories about the history behind coins.

He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a Fellow of the National Writing Project.

He retired as a professor of Speech Communications from Barstow Community College. He and his wife served as English and public speaking teachers ten summers overseas.

The Two-Cent Piece is Dennis’s first of seven books in the In God We Trust Series from Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.

More from Dennis

HOMESCHOOLERS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS –

Coin collecting brings together history, art, and the thrill of discovery.

Children who collect coins will LOOK at coins differently. They can…

Look for people. For example, who is on the nickel? (Hint: Thomas Jefferson)

The new quarters featuring women include coins with Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American movie star; Nina Otero-Warren, who advocated for women’s suffrage and was a government official in New Mexico; and Wilma Mankiller, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Look for places. The state quarter series includes all of the states like California with Yosemite Valley.

Look for dates. Connect coins to historical events. For example, coins minted in 2001 were minted the same year as the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001.

Look at coins as art. The people who design coins are artists.

Look for and find coins in change. Let the great adventure begin.

Look and learn why some coins are more valuable than other coins. There is a difference between the face value of a coin (a dime is worth ten cents), and its value to collectors.

Are you a homeschooler, a teacher, or a family member who wants to help children start their first coin collection?

Get Free Resources about coin collecting by conveniently subscribing to Dennis Conrad’s newsletter.

You will receive a link to my resource page, where you will find two free resources. One for ages 5-6 year olds, and another for ages 7 and up. Or you can choose both. Let the fun begin! https://dennisconradauthor.com/coincollecting5/

Lots of Helpers, January 18
Girls in White Dresses, January 18
Library Lady’s kid Lit, January 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20
For Him and My Family, January 20
Cover Lover Book Review, January 21
A Reader’s Brain, January 22
Mary Hake, January 22
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 23
Texas Book-aholic, January 24
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 25
deb’s Book Review, January 26
Pause for Tales, January 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 28
Labor Not in Vain, January 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 30
Lights in a Dark World, January 30
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, January 31

To celebrate his tour, Dennis is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of The Two-Cent Piece!!

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/23bc2/the-two-cent-piece-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Friday, January 27, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Wagons West by Caryl McAdoo

Book: Wagons West

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release date: November 22, 2022

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Besides the God-fearing, decent folks seeking new beginnings, adventurers, miners, risk-takers, fugitives, perverts, and runaways alike—even royals—comprise a few of the characters in book one of the ‘New Beginnings Family Saga’ titled WAGONS WEST. The two-thousand-mile journey is wrought with danger, trials, troubles and tragedies, deprivations, and of course, romance, but the lure of gold and a fresh start urges the sojourners on to the Promised Land!

Blaire Beechy, a widow with two almost grown daughters, Adeline and Beatrice, and a twelve-year-old son Tucker sells everything to go for the gold only to discover the rules of wagon master Ambrose Lee forbids them to join his wagon train, but the widow is determined. Though the disgruntled and handsome widow turns his head, the man deals with troubles of his own. His train isn’t full, he has yet to hire a scout, and his integrity thrusts him into saving a troubled young woman called Birdie. The journey is an arduous undertaking, but he’s done it before and is up to the task.
Wagon Ho!

This story was first published in episodes at Kindle Vella, Season One, by the same name. Season two SETTLERS & TOFFS continues the story and episodes are now being published and are available at Kindle Vella.

Click here to get your copy!

Caryl McAdoo is one of my favorite authors. I started reading her books a few years ago and have LOVED every book that I have read by her. Wagons West is Book 1 in the New Beginnings Family Saga Series, her most recent series. I was very excited to read it recently.

The time is 1849 and it is the period of the California Gold Rush. Blaire Beechy is a widow with 2 young adult daughters and a 12yr old son. Blaire has recently sold everything her family owns to head West to the Gold Rush. She is not deterred when she discovers that the Wagon Master, Amborse Lee, has forbidden her family from joining his Wagon Train. Ambrose is very frustrated with things at the moment. He is still needing a Scout for his Train, his Wagon is not full yet and now he finds himself helping a young woman named Birdie. Will Blaire and her family make it on the Wagon Train? Will Ambrose achieve the task of getting the Wagon Train Westward bound?

Caryl McAdoo does it again, another GREAT book! I was captivated by the Storyline from the very first chapter. I have always been a fan of the California Gold Rush Era and the Wagon Train Era.I really enjoyed all the Characters in the book, Blaire was probably my favorite. She is a very determined woman who only wants what is best for her family. Ambrose Lee was a super interesting character in the book. I LOVE how detailed the book was about the Wagon Train history and Gold Rush Era. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction. WONDERFUL Book!

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over sixty published now—delight readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to a few on YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-four grandsugars (six are greats), Caryl and her high-school-sweetheart-husband of fifty-four years Ron live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

What a fun, new adventure writing WAGONS WEST! Ron and I stepped up to try a new program Amazon offered authors called Kindle Vella where we’d write episodes rather than chapters. In a year’s time, WAGONS WEST had thirty-five episodes and was over one hundred thousand words, about four hundred pages.

We continue to write Season Two of the “New Beginnings Family Saga” SETTLERS & TOFFS, with the same characters going into the following year, 1850, scattering into three settings: those from Season One’s wagon train who decide to settle Auburn, California, those just starting the sojourn west with Emmerson Pierce, scout in Season One, now wagon master, and we sail the Atlantic to England when the son of the Earl of Farnsworth receives word of his older brother’s death.

The characters in WAGONS WEST made it so special for me, and I believe you’re sure to love them as well. Robert E. Lee’s older brother Ambrose is our wagon master and the story’s main hero. As all my heroes (thanks to Ron’s part of our collaboration) he is strong but flawed.

Our matriarchal heroine Blaire Beechy, recently widowed, has sold everything and uprooted her three children—two almost grown daughters Adeline and Beatrice and their twelve-year-old brother Tucker—only to discover Captain Lee’s idiotic rules forbid an unmarried woman from traveling in his wagon train. Why must there be a man at the head of each family?

WAGONS WEST offers readers adventures with a colorful cast of characters who support, cause trouble, act a bit crazy, and play ball to make the story one you just can’t put down. All along the way, God is questioned, given praise, denied, and surrendered to, saving sojourners again and again—not only in the spiritual realm.

It’s a story I’ve certainly enjoyed writing, and I’m hoping you’ll enjoy reading WAGONS WEST as much!

As always, I’m ‘Praying my story gives God glory!’ Hallelujah! There is no one like Him! He alone is the Great King over all the earth! Not a man that He could lie, but worthy to receive all glory and all praise!

Blessings, y’all!