Friday, August 21, 2020

JustRead Tours Blog Tour and Giveaway: Love Her Well by Kari Kampakis

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Love Her Well by Kari Kampakis, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Love Her Well
Author: Kari Kampakis
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Genre: Christian Living/Parenting

Moms are eager for tips and wisdom to help them build strong relationships with their daughters, and Kari Kampakis’s Love Her Well gives them ten practical ways to do so, not by changing their daughters but by changing their own thoughts, actions, and mind-set.

For many women, having a baby girl is a dream come true. Yet as girls grow up, the narrative of innocence and joy changes to gloom and doom as moms are told, “Just wait until she’s a teenager!” and handed a disheartening script that treats a teenage girl’s final years at home as solely a season to survive.

Author and blogger Kari Kampakis suggests it’s time to change the narrative and mind-set that lead moms to parent teen girls with a spirit of defeat, not strength. By improving the foundation, habits, and dynamics of the relationship, mothers can connect with their teen daughters and earn a voice in their lives that allows moms to offer guidance, love, wisdom, and emotional support.

As a mom of four daughters (three of whom are teenagers), Kari has learned the hard way that as girls grow up, mothers must grow up too. In Love Her Well, Kari shares ten ways that moms can better connect with their daughters in a challenging season, including:

choosing their words and timing carefully,
listening and empathizing with her teen’s world,
seeing the good and loving her for who she is,
taking care of themselves and having a support system, and more.

This book isn’t a guide to help mothers “fix” their daughters or make them behave. Rather, it’s about a mom’s journey, doing the heart work and legwork necessary to love a teenager while still being a strong, steady parent. Kari explores how every relationship consists of two imperfect sinners, and teenagers gain more respect for their parents when they admit (and learn from) their mistakes, apologize, listen, give grace, and try to understand their teens’ point of view. Yes, teenagers need rules and consequences, but without a connected relationship, parents may never gain a significant voice in their lives or be a safe place they long to return to.

By admitting her personal failures and prideful mistakes that have hurt her relationships with her teenage daughters, Kari gives mothers hope and reminds them all things are possible through God. By leaning on him, mothers gain the wisdom, guidance, protection, and clarity they need to grow strong relationships with their daughters at every age, especially during the critical teen years.

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

Encourage one-on-one resolution.

Most girls never learn conflict resolution. When they feel hurt or upset, they blow up or bottle it up. They give the offender a piece of their mind, or they pretend they’re fine while letting the truth seep out through underhanded jabs, cold shoulders, and passive- aggressive remarks.

What starts as a conflict between two girls often escalates into an issue between two groups as word spreads and people takes sides. A girl gets her feelings hurt, and rather than talk with the person who hurt her, she talks it out with everyone but that person.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is an author, blogger, and national speaker from Birmingham, Alabama. Her books for teen girls, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know and Liked: Whose Approval Are You Living For?, have been used widely across the country by teen youth groups and church groups to empower girls through faith.

Kari’s work has been featured on the TODAY Show, TODAY Parents,Yahoo! News, EWTN, Proverbs 31, Ann Voskamp’s blog, The Huffington Post, and other national outlets. She and her husband, Harry, have four daughters and a dog named Lola. Learn more by visiting www.karikampakis.com or finding Kari on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

CONNECT WITH KARI: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

(2) winners will receive a print copy of Love Her Well by Kari Kampakis!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight August 17, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on August 24, 2020. 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 HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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Thursday, August 20, 2020

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour and Giveaway: Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women by Shirley Crowder and Harriet E. Michael

Book: Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women
Author: Shirley Crowder & Harriet Michael
Genre: Devotional
Release Date: April 29, 2020

Creator God made the world in which we live. He placed the moon and stars in the sky, the rivers and ocean on the earth. He also created seasons throughout the year. Each season is defined by specific features/attributes that are common although the degree varies depending on where a person lives. In winter we think of cold weather; in spring, blooming flowers; in summer, warm weather; and in the fall, beautifully colored leaves.

As Christ-followers we also experience spiritual seasons. These seasons do not come in order like seasons in nature, which come regularly without fail. Each spiritual season we experience is defined by certain features also. In spiritual winter we think of the coldness of our relationship with God; in spring, new

This devotional is focused on summer—both calendar and spiritual. Our spiritual summer is a time of growth, hard work, and relaxation as we nurture and care for the new things that were planted in our spiritual spring and allow them to ripen or mature.

Click here to get your copy!

Summer is my favorite Season of the year. I also really enjoy Devotionals. Shirley Crowder and Harriet E Michael have bought the 2 together in this Summertime Devotional for Women.

I really enjoyed the layout and theme of the Devotional. The Devotional contains 65 Daily Devotionals, going from Memorial Day until around Labor Day. Each of the 13 weeks of Devotions has five Daily Devotions

and a different theme each week. The themes touch on the Summer Holidays and Activities. The daily readings include Scripture to Read, a

Verse to remember/Quote, and a Prayer for the Day. I really LOVE how the 2 authors take turns and alternate on different days. The 2 Authors have been friends since Childhood, so their writings include memories from their childhood together and their writing styles compliment one another.

I am EXTREMELY Encouraged with the readings in this Devotional. I want to buy copies for my Family and Friends whom I know would enjoy this also! WONDERFUL Encouragement and Readings! I HIGHLY Recommend this Devotional!

Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She and co-author Harriet E. Michael grew up together on the mission field and have been life-long friends. Shirley is passionate about disciple-making, which is manifested in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities: biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music.
She is a biblical counselor and is commissioned by and serves on the national Advisory Team for The Addiction Connection. She is an award-winning writer who has had several of her articles appear in “Paper Pulpit” in the Faith section of The Gadsden Times, and in a David C. Cook publication. She also writes articles for Life Bible Study, Woman’s Missionary Union, The Addiction Connection and Inspired Prompt. She has authored, co-authored, or contributed to eight books.
Shirley has spiritual children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren serving the Lord in various ministry and secular positions throughout the world.

Harriet E. Michael was born in Joinkrama, Nigeria, deep in the African jungle in the Niger River delta, where her father served as the only missionary doctor at that station. A few years later, the mission moved the family to a larger hospital in Ogbomoso. Co-author Shirley Crowder and her family lived right across the dirt road. The two children became constant playmates. Today they continue to enjoy their lifelong friendship.
Harriet is a multi-published, award-winning writer and speaker. She has authored or co-authored seven books (six nonfiction and one novel) with several more under contract for future release. She is also a prolific freelance writer, having penned over 200 articles, devotions, and stories. Her work has appeared in publications by Focus on the Family, David C. Cook, Lifeway, Standard Publishing, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Upper Room, Judson Press, Bethany House, and more. When not writing, she loves speaking to women’s groups and teaching workshops on freelance writing.
She and her husband of more than 40 years have four children and two grandchildren. When not writing, she enjoys substituting at a Christian school near her home, gardening, cooking, and traveling.

More from Shirley

In the same way that nature’s seasons serve a purpose on earth, so do the seasons in our spiritual lives. God provides, cares for, and sustains the earth, and in His faithfulness, He does the same for us. Our responsibility is to be obedient to God’s commands in the Bible and to cling to the truth that God is in control.
Our “Glimpses of God” series consist of:

Glimpses of God: a winter devotional for women
Glimpses of God: a summer devotional for women
Glimpses of God: a spring devotional for women (due out in early 2021)
Glimpses of God: an autumn devotional for women (due out in late summer 2021)

We pray that as readers meditate upon the Bible passages and truths in each devotional, they will catch glimpses of God in and through everything around them.
How has He provided for you? How is He protecting you? How is He teaching you?

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 11

Spoken from the Heart, August 11

Inklings and notions, August 12

Get Cozy Book Nook, August 12

Artistic Nobody, August 13 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Older & Smarter?, August 14

Musings of Sassy Bookish Mama, August 14

Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 17

deb’s Book Review, August 17

Texas Book-aholic, August 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 19

Mary Hake, August 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 20

Lighthouse Academy, August 21

CarpeDiem, August 21

For Him and My Family, August 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 23

Splashes of Joy, August 24

Fiction Full of Faith, August 24

To celebrate their tour, Shirley and Harriet are giving away the grand prize package of a print copy of Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women 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/fee5/glimpses-of-god-a-summer-devotional-for-women-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Caleb's Destiny by Carole Brown

Book: Caleb’s Destiny
Author: Carole Brown
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense
Release Date: June 2020

Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter have a mysterious history. Why were three fathers, all business partners, murdered under suspicious circumstances while on their quest to find gold?

Hunter is determined to protect his boss and the precocious young lady who he suspects holds a key answer to his questions.

Mr. Michael wants only to be left alone to attend to his property, but what can he do when Destiny refuses to leave and captures the heart of every one of his employees?

Destiny almost forgets her quest when she falls in love with Mr. Michael’s ranch and all the people there. And then Mr. Michael is much too alluring to ignore. The preacher man back east where she took her schooling tried to claim her heart, but the longer she stays the less she can remember him. She only came west to find a little boy she knew years ago. A little boy all grown up by now…unless, of course, he’s dead.

Three children, connected through tragedy and separated by time, are fated to reunite and re-right some powerful wrongs.

Click here to get your copy!

I have read a few books by Carole Brown, but I think Caleb's Destiny, has been my favorite.

The storyline starts off a little slow, but I really connected to the storyline after 2 chapters.I suddenly could not put the book down and was very intrigued by the happenings of the book.

The 3 main characters of the book are Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter. Destiny grew up in a boarding school and decides to head West to find a man whom who met one time, when she was only 6yrs old. She wants to learn more about her past. Mr. Michael, Destiny and Hunter all have witnessed crimes, Hunter is the most determined to

figure out the crimes. Mr. Michael doesn't want Destiny around, as he tends to his property. He begins to find himself falling for her, and his Ranch Employees notice and take a liking to her being around for Mr. Michael. Will there be a romance blooming? Will Destiny find the info she is looking for? Will Hunter figure out the crimes?

I HIGHLY suggest reading this book, as you will probably enjoy it as much as I did! Caleb's Destiny is a FUN read, with lots of action and romance!! GREAT BOOK!

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

More from Carole

Sharing God’s Love Through my Novels by Carole Brown
Once upon a time, there was a child—an expressive child who used her hands to convey her emotions and her imagination to talk with others, older people, and neighbors who found her amusing and relatives who loved her and encouraged her to develop her creativeness.

That child’s elementary fellow-students clapped when she gave childish presentations. She received good grades on her first written works of imagination in school. In high school, she and her best friend spent hours creating pensive and lovesick poems that they thought expressed their feelings.

Years later, that child/teen grew up. She married, birthed two sons, traveled and ministered alongside her husband and family then finally realized it was time to use her imagination and creative talents seriously. Although she was good at English, she soon learned she still had much to re-learn about writing novels. She joined critique groups, went to conferences and soaked in every bit of advice that came her way.

Today, she’s celebrating the release of her 10^th full length novel, a new adventure because she ventured into writing an Historical Western Romantic Suspense.

Caleb’s Destiny. She began this novel several years ago, thinking she might enter it into a contest, but didn’t finish it then. Last year was a tough year of little writing, but once 2020 hit, inspiration sprang into renewal, and she determined this would be the year to finish it. Finish it she did in two and half months.

Since I’m that little girl, all grown up, I’ll confess that I love using my God-given talent for Him. Developing stories that encourage, gently show God’s love and power and wisdom for his children is the best thing in the world. I love being an author. I love sharing with others the stories God places on my heart showing that faith and goodness will always prevail. I love knowing I’m using the talent God gave me.

Inklings and notions, August 10
Rebecca Tews, August 11
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 12
lakesidelivingsite, August 13
Texas Book-aholic, August 14
deb’s Book Review, August 14
For Him and My Family, August 15
Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 16
Artistic Nobody, August 17 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Mary Hake, August 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 19
Connie’s History Classroom, August 20
Captive Dreams Window, August 20
Simple Harvest Reads, August 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Emily Yager, August 22
Pause for Tales, August 23

To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away the grand prize package of a mug, a throw, and the winner’s choice of a Kindle or 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/febc/caleb-s-destiny-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey

Book: The Crushing Depths
Author: Dani Pettrey
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: June 30, 2020

They know the power and peril of the ocean.

But as they get closer to the deadly truth…

An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.

Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems like it’ll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they’re cut off from any rescue–and right where the killer

wants them. It’s a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.

Click here to get your copy!

I have read several of Dani Pettrey's book and each one is

always an exciting read. The Crushing Depths is Book 2

in the Coastal Guardians Series. I did not read Book 1 in

this series, not sure how I missed it, although Book 2 is

a good Standalone book.

I was intrigued by the storyline from the first few pages.

Rissi and Mason are Coast Guard Investigators and are

assigned to investigate an accident with an Oil Rig Worker. The investigation has many twist and turns and during the

process of the investigation, Rissi and Mason find

themselves taking interest in each other. Will there be a

LOVE Relationship between Rissi and Mason? They both

have a past filled with Hurt and Trauma from their childhoods. Can

they overcome those and learn to trust relationship love

and care? You will definitely want to read this book and even Book

1 of the Coastal Guardians Series!

I am not one who normally likes Suspense Genre, but I truly LOVED

the Romance and Suspense of this book. Dani

Pettrey really is a GREAT Author. A Page Turning

Book for SURE!

Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com