Friday, March 15, 2024

Book Review: Mom Enough by Rachel Marie Martin

About the Book:


Author, influencer, and founder of the popular social media community FindingJoy, Rachel Martin offers encouragement for moms by sharing her own personal journey through heartache, self-doubt, and the challenges of motherhood. With over forty letters of encouragement, from one mom to another, she tells mothers they're "mom enough."


Through this gorgeous gift book of heartfelt letters, beautiful photography, and viral quotes, Rachel offers hope and encouragement to moms feeling overwhelmed by life's twists and turns. Her vulnerable and authentic voice will inspire mothers to embrace their imperfections and find joy at each stage of motherhood.

With each letter, Rachel encourages readers to reflect on the things that truly matter, connect with their inner strength and resilience, and believe in their ability to overcome the daily obstacles that mothers face. Rachel's words help moms from all walks of life embrace the beauty and power within and to remind them they are never alone on this journey. She writes vulnerable letters to moms titled:
  • Dear mom, you are enough
  • Dear mom, who worries if she is a good mom
  • Dear mom, who needs to let go of mom guilt
  • Dear mom, with littles
Mom Enough is a love letter to every mom that serves as a reminder that being a mother is enough, that their struggles are valid, and their dreams are worth fighting for. So moms, take a deep breath and let Rachel's words be a warm conversation of support from one mother to another.


My Thoughts:

Mom Enough: Inspiring Letters for the Wonderfully Exhausting but Totally Normal Days of Motherhood by Rachel Marie Martin is the most encouraging book I’ve read on motherhood. Many parenting books have an agenda or parenting style to push, but Mom Enough just offers encouragement to strengthen, affirm, and inspire a mother’s heart without trying to sell a product, religion, or philosophy. I so appreciated this approach and benefited from the welcoming, no-shame invitations.

I wish I had read Mom Enough when both my children and I were younger, but I’m glad I read it now. The book is appropriate for any mom with kids at home, though certain sections are devoted to different stages of mothering. I read them all and found myself nodding at the tween stage, reminiscing through the young child stage, and approaching the teen stage with curiosity. Rachel Marie Martin’s authenticity and experiences are easy to relate to. Mom Enough is a book I could reread each year and benefit from repeatedly. Recommended for moms who love their children. 



Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Book Spotlight: The Mercy Seat by Henry O. Arnold

The Mercy Seat JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Mercy Seat by Henry O. Arnold, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book


Title: The Mercy Seat
Series:
The Urban Chronicles #1
Author:
Henry O. Arnold
Publisher:
Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date:
March 5, 2024
Genre:
Christian Contemporary Fiction

Hells Canyon is a neighborhood in Richland, Tennessee where tourists never venture, and locals fear to tread.

Maxwell Crane, former Marine chaplain and pastor of The Mercy Seat church, struggles to provide a beacon of hope. 

But others have their eyes set on Hells Canyon: power elites, robber barons, and street gangs seek their own gain at the cost of the beleaguered urban neighborhood. For the people who live there, it’s been a fight to exist their whole lives, and that fight is getting harder. 

Maxwell doesn’t have to stay in Hells Canyon. He and his family could leave to live a comfortable middle-class existence. Instead, Maxwell chooses to risk his life—and the lives of those around him—to stand against the oppressors. 

But what happens when this pastor crosses a line, taking justice into his own hands? Will his family, his community, and his God ever forgive him? Will he ever forgive himself?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop


Excerpt


“God forgive me. God forgive me. God forgive me.” How many times would he have to say those words before forgiveness would prove itself true? Maxwell paced. He crawled on all fours and then fell prostrate on his face, weeping, pleading for the glimmer of hope he urgently needed to feel. “I know, I know, I know,” he cried, broken, crushed, and desperate. He hoped beyond hope that the Psalmist’s words were true, that God would not despise the contrite heart.

Sometime in the night, while Maxwell lay still on the floor, he sensed a trembling hand on the back of his neck and felt the electric snap of live flesh touching live flesh. Kenda knelt beside him. He took her hand into his own and held it against his face. This was not a vision. After an anguished night of sweat and tears—he felt as though his body had drained a rain forest leaving him with a desert thirst—the kind touch of his wife’s warm hand was a spark of life against total exhaustion and his wilted power began to revive.

About the Author

Henry O. Arnold

Mr. Arnold's career as an actor/author spans over five decades with multiple stage and film credits. His most recent film is The Hiding Place. He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and is the author of the multi-volume biblical/historical fiction series entitled The Song of Prophets and Kings. When not writing he can be found hiking on a trail somewhere on the planet. He and his lovely wife Kay have two beautiful daughters, married to two handsome men, with three above-average grandchildren.

Connect with Henry by visiting henryoarnold.com to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print copy of The Mercy Seat & $20 Amazon Gift Card!

The Mercy Seat JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 11, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 2024. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Book Review: Up from Dust by Heather Kaufman

 About the Book:


Martha of Bethany is no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Martha shoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings–quiet and studious Lazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and the beginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future, hardship strikes again and her dreams crumble into dust.

Ten years later, Martha’s friend pleads for the new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to come and heal her husband. When Martha discovers that the carpenter-rabbi is connected to her past, she’s not sure she can trust him with her future. But as he continues to perform miracles, the invitation to believe becomes harder to resist, renewing Martha’s hardened heart, even as she faces an unknown future.

Purchase Link: Amazon


My Thoughts:

In Up from Dust: Martha’s Story, Heather Kaufman brought to life Martha of Bethany. In years past, the Biblical account of Martha tended to be told with a negative slant (“Be more like Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus instead of Martha who served resentfully”). More recently, church culture has backed off giving this woman such a bad rap, but some stigma regarding the well-known scene remains. In this fictionalized account, Kaufman infused the famous moment with such beautiful love and invitation that I wanted to cheer for Martha and for the positive representation.

Written in first person point-of-view, Up from Dust draws the reader straight into Martha’s mind and heart. From childhood through adulthood, the most intimate details and feelings were shared as the narrative dove deep into her traumas, experiences, and hopes. This intense investment made for an emotionally moving story, and I cried a bit for all the hardship Martha faced. Loss, grief, and brokenness permeated much of her life and family, yet Martha found hope in Jesus, the Christ.

Up from Dust: Martha’s Story by Heather Kaufman held a lot of sadness, but beautiful spiritual truths balanced the pain. Smooth writing and a flowing plot strengthened the book while the love triangle made me cringe slightly. This novel commences Kaufman’s Women of the Way series. Four stars!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


Friday, March 8, 2024

Book Spotlight: Allie's Amish Family Miracle by Tracy Fredrychowski

Allie's Amish Family Miracle JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Allie's Amish Family Miracle by Tracy Fredrychowski, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Allie's Amish Family Miracle

Title: Allie's Amish Family Miracle 
Series:
The Amish Women of Lawrence County #5
Author:
Tracy Fredrychowski
Publisher: The Tracer Group, LLC
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Genre: Amish Fiction

Two worlds collide when true love enters an Old Order Amish community. Can this young woman go against tradition and find happiness in forbidden love? 

Allie Mast struggles to fit into her new community. Determined to prove her family wrong, she can't help but notice how her Mennonite background and Reuben's Amish roots are causing tension between their two families. Every family has hurts and deep wounds, but the constant conflict pushes her to a place where she will do anything to get what she wants. 

Reuben Raber has no desire to take over Raber Farms & Produce. When his overbearing mother, Saloma, is set to ruin any hopes of him making a life with Allie, his faith is tested beyond measure, and he experiences a crisis of conviction.  

Can this determined couple find the courage to step out in faith and pursue peace and healing even when persecuted for their unconventional union?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub


More Books In This Series

     


Excerpt


“Allie, have you seen Mrs. Raber’s wallet?”

There it was again; a daunting look in Saloma’s eyes left Allie on edge as she moved toward the counter. As she moved things around and looked around the floor, she replied, “I haven’t seen it. Are you sure you didn’t leave it at the bank?”

Looking at her mockingly, Saloma said. “I’m not senile! I tell you it was in my purse when I arrived.”

With a sudden urge to defend herself, she exclaimed. “Well, I didn’t touch it.”

Her glaring eyes slid and landed on Allie’s bag, pointing with an accusing finger. “There. Check her bag. I bet she put it in there.”

Allie reached for her bag and held it out. “Check it. I have nothing to hide.”

With a look of apology, her uncle took the canvas tote. “This is ridiculous, Saloma. Allie would never…” His words stopped midair as he retrieved the black leather wallet from the top of Allie’s bag.

“See. I told you it was her. You can bet I’ll not let this pass. I’ll be telling all my friends to shop elsewhere. If your employees can’t be trusted, we have no business shopping here.”

His glance grew sharper, and he quickly averted his scornful eyes and pleaded with Mrs. Raber. “Now, don’t do anything hasty. I’ll take care of this problem immediately; you can be sure of that. I’ll not tolerate such behavior from my employees.”

Abruptly, a wave of nausea encased Allie. It was like she was in a dream. Unable to form words, she could only stand by and watch the woman manipulate her uncle into believing the unspeakable. As Mrs. Raber turned to leave, a dangerous smile tipped her face. At that moment, Allie knew there was little hope she would ever have a future in Willow Springs or with Reuben Raber.

About the Author

Tracy Fredrychowski

Tracy Fredrychowski is a country girl, author, homesteader and everything simple living. She has a passion for writing about the simpler side of life, much like the life she lived growing up in rural Pennsylvania.

Her life has always been intertwined with the Amish, and it’s only fitting that she has a genuine passion for their simplicity, sense of community and God-centered lives. 

Growing up in Northwest Pennsylvania she spent her childhood immersed deep in Amish Country. The clip-clop of horse and buggy woke her each morning as Amish men drove past her childhood home on their way to work. As a young woman, she was traumatized by an Amish murder that involved a family member and changed her life forever. 

Even though she currently lives in South Carolina her travels take her through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin’s Amish Country every year. During those stops, she researches the communities she visits and prides herself on writing Amish fiction that truly represents the Amish culture. She considers herself very fortunate to have made friends in those communities and values the information they share and wants nothing more than to represent their lifestyle as accurately as possible. 

Connect with Tracy by visiting tracyfredrychowski.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Allie's Amish Family Miracle JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 5, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 12, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Thursday, March 7, 2024

February 2024 Reading Recap and March 2024 TBR

My February 2024 Reads: 

  1. Ladies of the Lake by Cathy Gohlke - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  2. A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - Read my review.

  3. While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review

  4. Manor for Sale, Baron Included by Esther Hatch - ⭐⭐⭐ - This novella had a likeable heroine, swoony moments, and great potential. Had it been a full-length novel with more character development and certain story elements flushed out, this could have been a five star novel.



Expected March 2024 Reads:
  1. Up From the Dust by Heather Kaufmann.

  2. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. - Currently reading. This is a LONG book!

  3. The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar - My local book club's March selection. Read my review.

  4. Mom Enough: Inspiring Letters for the Wonderfully Exhausting but Totally Normal Days of Motherhood by Rachel Marie Martin. - Currently reading.

  5. Mostly What God Does by Savannah Guthrie.



What will you read this month?

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Author Interview: The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus by Kurt Brouwer



About the Book



Book: The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus

Author: Kurt Brouwer

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: March 15, 2024

He awoke jailed in squalor…

Would he complete his final mission?

Or would he fail to record the story only he could tell?

The epic saga of the Last Disciple continues in this captivating Christian historical novel from Kurt Brouwer.

After surviving imprisonment, John faces his greatest challenge–exile in the distant city of Ephesus. Struggling with grief and despair over the destruction of Jerusalem, John doubts his ability to complete the mission entrusted to him by Mary—to write the true gospel account of Christ’s life.

But in Ephesus, John finds unexpected allies—Timothy, Priscilla, and Tychicus, who share his passion for spreading the message of God’s love.

As John shares the good news of Jesus, he makes dangerous enemies, including the influential high priest, Alexander Cosmo, who will stop at nothing to suppress the growing Christian faith.

Amid opposition from without and internal divisions from within the early church, John must contend with those pressuring believers to adopt Jewish law and compromise the radical teachings of Christ.

When tragedy strikes those close to him, can John’s fragile hope be rekindled? Will he finally show the world all the signs, miracles, and events he witnessed on his journey with Jesus?

Don’t miss this page-turning story of faith, courage, and love.

Click here to get your copy! --- not on amazon yet.


About the Author



Kurt is a Christian and a member of a vibrant Christian church on the Big Island of Hawaii. He also loves to write. In addition to all the usual temptations writers face, Kurt has to fight off the lure of beautiful beaches, pounding surf, great weather, and lush golf courses. Can you imagine?

Despite those temptations, he writes The Last Disciple series of Christian historical novels and he regularly writes blog posts.

A few years ago Kurt did a study for his church on the Apostle John. That little project got him hooked on the man who started out life as a fisherman and then became the last disciple of Christ. The more Kurt learned about John, the more he wanted to know.

If you’ve ever been obsessed by anything, you’ll understand that he couldn’t stop researching the life of John and all those around him. And the result of all that research is:

The Last Disciple Series

The Last Disciple is a series of Christian novels based on the Bible and Christian history. The first in the series: The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem, begins in the year 62 AD. In it, you walk with John through the streets of Jerusalem. See how he faces multiple crises and comes to understand what it is to stand alone and lean only on the Lord.

This book, The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus is the third in the series, with two more books planned. Kurt is now writing the fourth book, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John.


More from Kurt

It all started one day when I learned that the Gospel of John was published fifty years after Jesus died. Fifty years! What did John do all that time? Where did he live? Why did he wait?

But wait, there’s more. On the Cross, Jesus placed his own mother under John’s protection. How long did John take care of her? Where did they live?

I think you can tell I got a little obsessive about this man, who outlived all the others to become the last disciple.

In fact, that very phrase, the last disciple, came to me early one morning when I was reading about John and Peter going to Samaria in Acts 8. John lived so long that he outlived all the others and became the last disciple.

The Youngest Disciple

What do we know about John? He walked with Jesus when he was very young, probably a teenager or very early 20s. He and Andrew were the first disciples of Christ. Before that, they both followed John the Baptist.

Anyone who reads the New Testament would know John as:

  • The son of Zebedee, his father, and Salome, his mother
  • Brother to the disciple James
  • A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee
  • He and his brother James were friends and even fishing buddies with Peter and his brother Andrew
  • Youngest of the 12 disciples.
  • Author of five books of the Bible:
    • The Gospel of John 80-90 AD
    • The Letters or Epistles of John 90-95 AD
    • The Book of Revelation 95-98 AD

But after the mention in Acts 8, that’s it for John. Radio silence for nearly 50 years. Why did it take him so long to write the Gospel of John? And that is the very question I seek to answer in The Last Disciple Series.

The Last Disciple Series

The Last Disciple is a series of Christian novels based on the Bible and Christian history. The first in the series: The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem, begins in the year 62 AD. In it, you walk with John through the streets of Jerusalem. See how he faces multiple crises and comes to understand what it is to stand alone and lean only on the Lord.

This book, The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus is the third in the series, following The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch and The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem.

I’m now writing the fourth book, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John.


Author Interview with Kurt


Q: What was the inspiration behind the novel? 

Kurt: It all started one morning when I learned that the Gospel of John was published fifty years after Jesus died. Fifty years! What did John do all that time? Where did he live? Why did he wait? Frankly I got a little obsessive about John, the man who became the last disciple. That morning something else hit me--John outlived all the others to become the last disciple. I couldn't stop thinking about how lonely it must have been to be the last one standing. A few years later, I began writing The Last Disciple Series of Christian historical novels about the life of John.


Q: How long did it take you to write this novel? 

Kurt: About eight months


Q: Do any of the novel’s characters hold a special place in your heart? 

Kurt: I'm a bit obsessed with John, the last disciple.


Q: What do you hope readers take away from this novel? 

Kurt: One of my readers expressed precisely what I'm trying to do on a survey on my website. The reader wrote, 'I hunger to learn more of the Bible and the interpretation of scripture as it relates to historical significance and current application.' That's what I'm writing to accomplish.


Q: Who is an author you would recommend to anyone and everyone? 

Kurt: John


Q: Where can readers find out more about you and your novel? 

Kurt: I hope readers will stay in touch with me by signing up for a free subscription to my website. Go to the link below to join. It’s free. When you do, you'll receive an email link to instantly download a free eighteen-page ebook: John’s Journey with Jesus. Click this link to get your free subscription: KurtBrouwer.com.


Blog Stops


Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 3 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4

Texas Book-aholic, March 5

Beauty in the Binding, March 6 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

She Lives To Read, March 8

For the Love of Literature, March 9 (Author Interview)

Exploring the written word, March 9

Blogging With Carol, March 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 11

By The Book, March 12 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, March 13

Lights in a Dark World, March 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 15


Giveaway



To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon 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.

Link for giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/2a3f6/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-celebration-tour-giveaway