Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Author Interview: Transhuman by Rena Groot



About the Book



Book: Transhuman – Will We Obey God or Play God?

Author: Rena Groot

Genre: Apocalyptic Fiction

Release date: 2021

This work of apocalyptic fiction is based on reality to come. The lines have been purposely blurred between pure fact and pure fiction. It is a warning based on God’s Word. He has told us a time of unprecedented terror is about to come upon the earth. His wrath will be poured out on sinful and unrepentant humanity in a series of judgements. The intensity and severity of these judgements will be unparalleled in human history. The judgements will be on a global scale that will take place over a seven-year period.

The judgements are reserved for those who have chosen to reject Christ. Even in wrath God is displaying mercy. He wants the lost to be found. All who have rebelled against Him are given a chance to find Him. This is His last and final call to the sons and daughters of Adam. Sadly, many will harden their hearts and turn away from the most beautiful invitation ever to have been extended in all of human history. They will curse God and stay entrenched in their rebellious ways.

God does not hide this awful reality from us. He wants us to be wise and flee from the wrath to come. If we are already His He wants us to warn others—to point them to the narrow path that leads to life. TRANSHUMAN is based on my thoughts of what the world may look like at the halfway point in the Tribulation. The Rapture has already taken place. All who have been invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb are seated. Time will soon be no more. The curtains are opening on the world stage.

Click here to get your copy!


About the Author


Hi. My name is Rena Groot. I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Religious Education from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta. I have been a teacher in Canada and China, have published eight books, I have designed a digital course called Broken to Beautiful-Transformed By God’s Power, I have been a tour manager from the Rockies to the Pacific, have been a missionary to the ends of the Earth, a mom of four—and the most important part—I am a child of God. 


Author Interview with Rena


Q: What was the inspiration behind this novel? 
Rena: The Book of Revelation was my inspiration. I felt there were truths God wanted me to convey to people who would never read a Bible.


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


Q: What was the most surprising thing you discovered while researching and writing this novel? 
Rena: I was surprised how I kept seeing things on the news that seemed to parallel what I was writing. It seemed like I was racing to stay ahead of the news reports.


Q: What do you hope readers take away from this novel?
Rena: A desire to love and trust God…


Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?
Rena: This is a podcast I was on recently called Never Ever Give Up Hope.
https://neverevergiveuphopenet.blogspot.com/2023/04/how-do-you-overcome-trauma-betrayal-and.html


More from Rena



Blog Stops


Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 2

Artistic Nobody, June 3 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 4

Guild Master, June 5 (Author Interview)

Scott’s Book Reviews, June 5

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 6

Beauty in the Binding, June 7 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 8

Simple Harvest Reads, June 9 (Author Interview)

annette_reads_daily, June 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 10

A Reader’s Brain, June 11 (Author Interview)

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

For the Love of Literature, June 13 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 14


Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Rena is giving away the grand prize package 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/263ea/transhuman-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, June 3, 2023

May 2023 Reading Recap & June 2023 TBR

My May 2023 Reads: 


  1. Wonder Dogs by Maureen Maurer with Jenna Benton - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  2. The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review from 2018.

  3. Bring Her Home by Hannah Currie - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 

  4. A God Named Josh by Jared Brock - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - Read my review.



Expected June 2023 Reads:

My list for this month is pretty short as one of my reading choices is bound to take some time!
  1. The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green. - My local book club's selection for June!

  2. June Bug by Chris Fabry. - I missed my local book club's selection for March, but I'm hoping I can squeeze it in this month.

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

  4. Ned by Susan May Warren.



What will you read this month?

Friday, June 2, 2023

Book Review: A God Named Josh by Jared Brock

About the Book:

The Life of Jesus Like You've Never Imagined.

Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" It's a question that still needs an answer today. With deft, insightful, and humorous strokes, award-winning biographer Jared Brock weaves archaeology, philosophy, history, and theology to create a portrait of Jesus we've never seen before.

This is a groundbreaking biography about the historical Jesus we don't usually think about: The child refugee. The "carpenter" who most likely worked with stone. The adult who walked at least 21,525 miles in His lifetime and yet never tasted tomatoes or potatoes. The itinerant rabbi whose real name wasn't Jesus. The political revolutionary whose brutal murder was secretly masterminded by a power-hungry mafia family.

More than a fascinating biography, A God Named Josh seeks to illuminate Jesus of Nazareth from new perspectives, grounded in history, that will surprise Christians and atheists alike.

Read an excerpt from A God Named Josh by Jared Brock on the publisher's website.


My Thoughts:

Other than the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Holy Scriptures, A God Named Josh: Uncovering the Human Life of Jesus Christ by Jared Brock stands as the first biography of Jesus that I’ve read. The book combined Scriptural accounts and secular history relating to Jesus of Nazareth aka Yeshua aka Yehoshua.

It took me nearly a month to read A God Named Josh as it’s a lengthy book. The author brilliantly organized this biography, and I loved learning new historical insights. Chapter 5 (The Relational Josh) uncovered Jesus’ familial connections and showed how interconnected his followers and family were. Chapter 7 (The Philosophical Josh) fascinated me and deepened my understanding of Yehoshua’s teachings. Chapter 8 (The Economic Josh) will challenge any Christian to think about the use of money. For me, the book’s greatest impact came from the chronicling of Yehoshua’s day-by-day journey from the triumphal entry to the resurrection. I’ll never look at a cross the same way and the author reconciled the resurrection accounts beautifully (something I’ve never been able to do in my own readings).

Every so often, Jared Brock stepped out of biographer mode and into a theologian or apologetic defender of the faith role. Most of the ideas in A God Named Josh stay within mainline evangelical framework, but sometimes the author challenges traditional interpretations and makes good cases for his ideas (though I didn’t come into agreement with every point). I recommend reading with an alert, discerning eye as there are plenteous suppositions (some presented as such and some quietly inserted). I often used the provided Scripture references to check up on the author’s ideas. Personally, I thought some of his interpretations were out of context or construed in a way that may or may not be correct and true. The book and its ideas made me examine certain Bible passages with a new view.

In A God Named Josh, Jared Brock writes in an intelligent, but relatable tone for Millennials, and included occasional crassness (mentioning the disciples’ stones) and infrequent misogyny (could have been easily avoided, and didn’t mesh with the way he elevated female disciples in other points in the book). I enjoyed this book and expect it to stay with me for a long time. 4.5 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.


Monday, May 29, 2023

Author Interview: The Girl with Fire in Her Veins

The Girl with Fire in Her Veins JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Girl with Fire in Her Veins by Dawn Ford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

The Girl With Fire in Her Veins

Title: The Girl with Fire in Her Veins
Series:
Firebird #2
Author:
Dawn Ford
Publisher:
Expanse Books
Release Date:
April 25, 2023
Genre:
YA Fantasy

Former servant girl Tambrynn struggles with her new firebird abilities, especially the internal fire she cannot control. So, she, along with her Watcher Lucas, and her grandfather Bennett journey to a hidden mountain keep to find the answers she seeks before she sets the kingdom aflame. 

But there’s a new dragon who’s targeting Tambrynn, a mergirl who wishes to manipulate her, and the froggen king, Siltworth, who hasn’t forgotten that Tambrynn destroyed his watery reign. When her father, the evil mage Thoron, attacks someone she loves, Tambrynn’s group is separated and she has to face another powerful foe alone. 

Is she strong enough to withstand the deluge? Or will she drown in the fire and the flood?

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


More Books in this Series

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes


Excerpt from The Girl with Fire in Her Veins 


Shellsea stops crying. “All I ask is for some help. Is that too much? Aren’t you here to fulfill the prophecy? Make us all equal?”

“You weren’t asking for anything. You were demanding and then you rushed us.” Lucas points a finger at her. “And what do you know of a prophecy?”

She sniffles wetly. The voices from the water die off. All of the birds chitter cease. It’s silent as if nature itself is listening. She recites: “Silvery moon and Maker’s mark. There’s one who will bring light from the dark. They’ll restore the balance to each and all. Bringing even the lowest back to equal.”

Birds call out and the water laps at the banks once more. I touch my head, willing the pressure to go away. “What if I’m not who you think I am? I can swim, yes. But even as a firebird, I can’t go to the depths of the ocean. I barely managed to survive when Siltworth dragged me to his castle. You’ll have to find help from somewhere else.” I step back, preparing to leave.

“Lies! You’re lying!” Shellsea explodes.

About the Author

Dawn Ford

Dawn Ford writes fantastical YA stories with a fairy tale flair. The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes, formerly Kingdom Come, won the 2016 ACFW Genesis Award for the Speculative genre. Dawn also has a middle-grade twisted fairytale Woodencloak, which is the first of four books in her Band of Unlikely Heroes series. Dawn lives in Iowa with her husband.

Connect with Dawn by visiting dawnfordauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.

Author Interview with Dawn Ford


Q: What was the inspiration behind The Girl with Fire in Her Veins?

Dawn: When I finished the first book in this series, The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes, I had to take some of the content from what I’d planned for this book to rewrite the ending of the first book. Because of that, I didn’t have enough planned for a second book. My kids are involved in a D&D group, and so I called a meeting with them to brainstorm. The ideas we all came up with were so fun and interesting, and not something I would’ve easily come up with on my own. I couldn’t have done it without them.
 

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

Dawn: It took about seven months total to get it down.
 

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this book?

Dawn: The Guardian Theocles says this to our heroine, Tambrynn, when she doubts herself: “Chosen of the Kinsman, you hold his light. Your gifts hold the answers you seek.” It’s one of my favorites because I had Matthew 5:16 in mind: In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.
 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from The Girl with Fire in Her Veins?

Dawn: That though we can be overcome by things that happen to us in this life, we have the power to rise above and meet challenges we’re not sure we’re ready for. We just have to have faith.
 

Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers would not know?

Dawn: I have a real fear of heights—I get weirdly dizzy when I watch a TV show or a movie where it shows something high looking down. I can’t watch it.
 

Q: How many bookcases are in your home?

Dawn: Three, but I also have piles of books and books in boxes I keep. It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?
 

Q: How long ago did you start writing?”

Dawn: I started writing in 2008—fifteen years ago.
 

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

Dawn: I love creating stories. I’ve always had stories in my head I told myself. Now, I share them with others.
 

Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Dawn: I watch my grandkids when I can, love thrift shopping, and help my husband with our foodservice business.

Tour Giveaway

(5) winners will receive a signed paperback copy of The Girl with Fire in Her Veins plus a set of either star or flame themed Color Street nail strips chosen at random!

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes along with The Girl with Fire in Her Veins nail strips

The Girl With Fire in Her Veins JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 29, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 5, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Author Interview: Forever Yours by Annee Jones



About the Book

 


Book: Forever Yours

Author: Annee Jones

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: January 13, 2023

He’s there on a whim. She’s there to help her aunt. They’re both missing something. Can it be each other?

“Find your Perfect Match this summer at the seaside…” The Forever Yours matchmaking agency is hosting a vacation package week in Seaview, Florida. Taking a break from her busy but unrewarding life in Chicago, Callie Winthrop has come to town to find respite at her beloved Aunt Fran’s bed and breakfast.

When the CEO of Forever Yours – who just happens to be staying at the inn for the event – offers Callie the opportunity to attend the activities and meet the most eligible bachelors in the country, how can she say no?

Jackson Thorne, a successful Tampa contractor, can’t believe the nerve of his brother, who actually thought it was a good idea to sign him up for a matchmaking vacation this summer. Jackson acknowledges, however, that he has been avoiding commitment ever since his last relationship ended in tragedy. Hence it may actually be good for him to start dating again – much as he would hate to admit it. Maybe there’s even a chance he could meet the woman of his dreams this summer?

Warm your heart by reading this sweet clean romance about starting over today! Bonus section with recipes included!

Click here to get your copy!


About the Author



Annee Jones is an international bestselling author of romance, fantasy, and mystery. She is passionate about writing stories where dreams come true and love wins!

Professionally, Annee works as a disability counselor where she is honored to help her clients navigate through complex medical and legal systems while rediscovering their wholeness in Spirit.

Subscribe to Annee’s newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, sneak peeks, author parties, and exclusive giveaways: https://www.anneejones.com/newsletter


Author Interview


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

Annee: About a month – the story and characters had been on my heart for a long time before I began writing. It was almost like the book wrote itself!


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

Annee: All of them. I must say I’m particularly fond of Thelma & Liza Minnelli.


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

Annee: That it’s never too late to begin again, and that God is always with you.


Q: How many bookshelves are in your home?

Annee: 5 physical bookcases. My Kindle is another story lol.


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

Annee: J.K. Rowling


More from Annee

Bonus recipes are included!

This book features a rescue puppy named Peanut Butter!

You will find both recipes and pets in nearly all of my books!  😊


Blog Stops


A Reader’s Brain, May 25 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 26

Texas Book-aholic, May 27

Beauty in the Binding, May 28 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 29

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 30

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, May 31 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 1

debs book review, June 2

Blossoms and Blessings, June 3 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, June 4 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, June 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 5

Vicky Sluiter, June 6 (Author Interview)

She Lives to Read, June 7


Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Annee is giving away the grand prize package of an opportunity to name a character in a future book and a copy of the eBook!!

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/2626c/forever-yours-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, May 22, 2023

Author Interview: A Path to Acceptance by Lisa M. James

A Path To Acceptance JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Path To Acceptance by Lisa M. James, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

A Path to Acceptance

Title: A Path to Acceptance
Series:
The Prodigal Woman Series
Author:
Lisa M. James
Publisher:
Independently Published
Release Date:
May 19, 2023
Genre:
Christian Romance / Fantasy

Wanton. Tainted. Immoral. These were all words that could describe Penelope. After being forced into a world of harlotry to cover her parents' debts, Penny learned how to survive without feeling. When a mysterious man approaches Penny with an offer to free her from her situation, Penny soon discovers that leaving her tavern could not rid her of the reputation she gained as a harlot. Would anyone be able to see beyond her tainted past?

Abandoned by his father as a child, Ryland refuses to depend on anyone but himself. Surviving as a mercenary for wealthy landowners, he accepts an assignment to free a harlot from a life of slavery. Frustrated when he is forced to take her under his care, Ryland discovers there is more to this harlot than her beauty. Can her unshakeable faith bring him back to a Redeemer he has long since rejected?  

Discover the story of a tainted woman in A Path to Acceptance.

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


More Books in this Series

A Path to Forgiveness


Excerpt


“I cannot make any promises for your life. But I know this mistress. She is giving you an opportunity. And you would be a fool to throw it away for that life,” he pointed to the darkness again. “Come if you wish.” He hopped back on the horse and looked down at me.

“You don’t understand–”

“No, I certainly don’t,” he interjected. “I have no idea how it is to live the life of a harlot. Nor do I truly care to imagine. So, the choice is yours. You can walk back to the tavern or we can continue forward.”

I knew the choice was no choice at all. I did not even have proper shoes for walking this distance. I closed my eyes, recalling Bartholomew’s words, Have the faith to step into the unknown with the confidence your Redeemer goes ahead of you.

I sent a silent plea for strength to the Redeemer, before extending a hand up to the man. He pulled me up in front of him again and we went the rest of the way in silence.

About the Author

Lisa James

Lisa M. James is a Romantic Fantasy and Christian Fantasy author. Her  novels have made the Amazon Best Sellers list for numerous categories, including: Fairy Tale Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Christian Fantasy, and Religious Romance. She is committed to creating fantastical worlds with clean romances and diverse female leads. When not writing, Lisa can most often be found watching Disney movies or enjoying homemade chai. 

Connect with Lisa by visiting lisamjames.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.


Author Interview


Q:
What was the inspiration behind A Path to Acceptance?

Lisa: A Path to Acceptance is the second book in a three book series based on the story of The Prodigal Son. I wanted to write stories about women who had fallen so far and had taken the wrong paths in life, yet desperately sought forgiveness, acceptance, and healing. I wanted to write something that portrayed the true message of the gospel but in a fantasy world.


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

Lisa: About eight months from start to finish, though the story played in my mind a few months before I wrote anything down.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this book?

Lisa: In this book the main character, Penny, teaches herself to cope with her circumstances by not allowing herself to feel too deeply about anything. There is a quote where her mentor Audora tells her she needs to offer up her circumstances to the Redeemer (God), which I love.

“I am still learning to accept that, by his very name, the Redeemer seeks to redeem our brokenness, our hurt, our shame. Every part of us. He cannot be fooled by practiced smiles concealing broken hearts. You need to allow yourself to feel, Penelope. All of which you buried deep inside. Offer it to him.”


Q: What do you hope readers take away from A Path to Acceptance?

Lisa: I put this in the author notes at the end of the book, but I really want readers to know that just like Penelope and Ryland, we have a Redeemer who sees us with a greater lens than the world does. He knows our hearts. He calls imperfect people his own. No matter what we face in life, whether by circumstances outside of our control or through choices we made ourselves, God is always waiting for us to turn to him, and we can do so without fear of rejection. We are accepted by him.
 

Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers would not know?

Lisa: My family is Indian, and I feel really grateful that while India is a predominantly Hindu and Muslim country, I was born into the very small percentage of Indian households that are Christians! Our roots go all the way back to when St. Thomas traveled to India to spread the gospel and I feel so incredibly blessed about that. I often imagine how my world could have been so drastically different if I was born into a household that didn’t know and teach me about Christ. It’s a privilege for me to not have only grown in the Faith but to have been called to write Christian Fiction.
 

Q: What are you reading now?

I am reading two books right now! The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.


Q: How many bookcases are in your home?

I only have one bookcase that embarrassingly holds Encyclopedias that are almost thirty years old! I primarily borrow books from my local library or read on my kindle, so I haven’t invested in many bookcases!


Q: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I love making my thoughts and daydreams into stories. I’ve always had an active imagination, and being able to transform my fantasies into reality in the form of a novel is so much fun! I specifically love writing fantasy stories because I like to bend the aspects of our real world, and the historical world, and add a fresh perspective.


Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love traveling and spending time with my family. My sister and I make yearly trips to Disney World which is one of my favorite things to do. I also love taking trips with my mom and we’ve been able to go to some fun places like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Bahamas!

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of A Path to Acceptance & a Vera Bradley Crossbody bag (plum pansies print)!

A Path to Acceptance JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 22, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 29, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours