Thursday, November 8, 2018

The Bullying Breakthrough: Real Help for Parents and Teachers of the Bullied, Bystanders, and Bullies by Jonathan McKee


About the Book


In a world full of caring adults, how is it that we keep missing the cries of hurting kids?

“Today, when the bell rings, kids might leave their school campus, but they can never escape the other world, a world where mockers and intimidators thrive. Ironically, they carry a gateway to that world right in their pockets, because they see that world as an avenue of escape. . .but in reality, it’s putting them in bondage." --Jonathan McKee

With chapters including:

Digital Hurt

The Escape Key

Why Didn’t You Say Anything?

Meet the Principal

Real-World Solutions

and More!


An expert on youth and youth culture, McKee shares his own heart-rending story and offers a sobering glimpse into the rapidly changing world of bullies, bystanders, and the bullied while providing helpful ways to connect with these kids, open doors of dialogue, and give them the encouragement they need and the validation they're searching for. . .too often in all the wrong places.


The Bullying Breakthrough promises real-world help for dealing with today’s bullying culture.

Purchase your copy HERE


My Review

Jonathan McKee does it again! In a short and sweet book written in top-notch quality, our author addresses the very real world kids and teens live in today that is just not addressed enough- bullying. In his book, he addresses the bullied, the bystanders, and the bullies. He uses the truth of God's word, his own personal experience being bullied & being the parent of a child that is bullied to bring together Biblical truth with common sense to have a practical and Godly approach to this situation no matter what category you or your child may fall into. He specifically addresses parents, teachers, and principals how to "notice, listen, befriend, and empathize" with both the bullied AND the bullies. I don't think I can stress the practicalness and application that is so on point in this book enough. He tackles cyber bullying and spends a whole chapter on how to combat and avoid this as well. It is great for teens to read to even if they are just that bystander that tends to just watch from the sidelines. He even goes into when kids are pushed totally over the edge leading to suicide and even harming others, and how to help these to stop happening. In an empathetic, practical, Biblical, and totally applicable way, our author addresses each category and the parents and teachers of those kids in a way that will completely change your perspective and make you proactive in addressing these issues with your child in a totally Biblical way. If you have a teen, YOU NEED THIS BOOK! I can not stress it enough. No matter which category your child falls into, this book will apply to them and to you, and can be read together. BE THE CHANGE and teach your kids to be that too! Teachers, principals! This book would be a priceless resource for you as well!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. 

P.S. Jonathan McKee also wrote an awesome Social Media Guide book for teens and parents you can buy HERE


About the Author


Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new THE TEEN'S GUIDE TO SOCIAL MEDIA & MOBILE DEVICES; IF I HAD A PARENTING DO OVER; and the Amazon "Best Seller," THE GUY'S GUIDE TO GOD, GIRLS AND THE PHONE IN YOUR POCKET. With over 20 years youth ministry experience, Jonathan speaks to parents and leaders worldwide. You can follow Jonathan on his blog at JonathanMcKeeWrites.com, getting a regular dose of youth culture and parenting help. Jonathan, his wife, Lori, and their three kids live in California.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls by Jean Fischer

About the Book

Girls are world-changers! And this deeply inspiring storybook proves it!

Just for the girls in your life, ages 8 and up, this collection of 100 extraordinary stories of women of faith--from the Bible, history, and today--will empower them to know and understand how women have made a difference in the world and how much smaller our faith (and the biblical record) would be without them. Featuring full-page, colorful illustrations alongside the true stories of amazing women like Lydia, Naomi, Rahab, Rebekah, Jane Austen, Corrie ten Boom, Bethany Hamilton, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, and dozens more, the stories of these 100 women will encourage and inspire girls to become the world-changers God created them to be!


 


My Review

Wow! What a fantastic book for girls to learn about Biblical & historical women from all different eras that loved the Lord and made a difference. For myself, I learned about women that I had never heard of that stood up for what is right. This book introduces girls to people like Rosa Parks, Joni Eareckson Tada, Florence Nightingale, wives of many famous preachers and missionaries, martyrs throughout the ages, Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, Harriet Tubman, and countless Biblical characters such as Mary Magdalene, Rhoda, Abigail, The Proverbs 31 Woman, and so many more. This book was written appropriately for ages 8 and up in a way that they could read about a woman a day. Each day has the Scripture passage the person is in (if they are a Bible character), and all the women have a verse that pertains to their stories at the end of the writing. I would recommend this for homeschoolers to supplement history, a book to read to your daughter every night before bed, or just one for your avid reader daughter. Especially with books like this being put out there with secular heroes who are being praised for all the wrong reasons, this book reminds us of women and their equally important and unique role they have to play in God's kingdom. My heart was truly blessed, and I can promise you, you will get as much out of it as your child. The book is also very attractive with beautiful illustrations, good quality, and a nice bookmark. Get your copy today!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. 




About the Author

Jean Fischer has been writing for children for nearly three decades, and has served as an editor with Golden Books. She has written with Thomas Kinkade, John MacArthur, and “Adventures in Odyssey,” and is one of the authors for Barbour’s upcoming “Camp Club Girls” series. A nature lover, Jean lives in Racine, Wisconsin.

Some examples of the inside:




Stratagem by Robin Caroll



About the Book 


Psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux creates mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder.


                                                            Buy your copy HERE



My Review

Where do I begin with reviewing this book? Perhaps with the twists and turns that give you metaphorical whiplash while you turn each page? Perhaps the truly dynamic characters and how clearly the author made their interaction? Perhaps the intriguing background the author creates for us? From the setting in New Orleans to the whodunit journey we adventure into, surprises lurk around every corner. I truly enjoyed each character and had them clearly pictured in my mind. The ending is one I promise you won't want to miss. I was glued to the page until I finished the book. Pick up a copy today, and plan to make time to read it in one sitting!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.





About the Author



"I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I've never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in." ~Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin's mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage--two aspects Robin weaves into each of her 30 published novels. 

When she isn't writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty+ years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home--in the South, where else? 

She serves the writing community as Executive Director/Conference Director for ACFW. 

Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, RT Reviewer's Choice Award, Bookseller's Best, and Book of the Year. 

On her faith, Robin says, "I love Jesus and will follow Him wherever He leads me."

An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she'll read just about any good story. Except historicals! To learn more about this author of deep South mysteries of suspense to inspire your heart, visit Robin's website at www.robincaroll.com.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Oddly Enough by Carolanne Miljavac

About the Book



Humorous. Authentic. Relatable.
That's Carolanne Miljavac in a nutshell.

And those qualities are just what her nearly half a million social media followers adore about her. Her Odd(ly) Enough is a message that your heart needs to hear: It's time to embrace the "you" God made you to be. Tune out the naysayers of the world and jump into His loving arms. He'll walk alongside you as you passionately pursue your God-given purpose. With chapters like “Who Do You Think You Are?,” “Control Freak,” and “Mistakes and Grace,” you will find yourself becoming a little more courageous. . .and a lot more confident about God’s purpose for your life. 



Buy your copy HERE





 My Review

I found this book a very raw, emotional, honest look at how no matter our past, what others have done to us, or what we have even made mistakes on, the Lord has a plan and uses it all to build character. This character helps us to become who God wants us to be to fulfill a purpose He has just for us. Our author is very real about her past which includes a lot of things that just break our hearts, and she shows how she gives her life to God through it. I love how it reminds us that the Lord doesn't need some perfect, talented person- He just needs a person willing to obey Him & step out in faith when He calls. Who we are in Christ is very different from what we or anyone else even thinks of us. I wish there had been a little bit more Scripture incorporated in the book, there had been more application for the reader, and I can't say I agreed with everything, but the overall themes were really good to explore, and were very down to earth and relatable. Our author was rather comical as well which made it a fun, lighthearted read at points. I appreciate the author's honesty about some painful things, and her giving God the glory for the work in her life, as well as the reminder that none of us are past hope in God's eyes.  You are not a lost cause- those don't exist in God's kingdom! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.                        




About the Author
Hey y'all! I am a southern-raised, Jesus-saved, barely sane author, speaker, and social media goofball. I'm married to such a lucky man, and mother to three sweet, loving, kind little girls who only whine EVERY now and then. I'm also super sarcastic. Poverty and abuse were tough to overcome, but it was the crushing loss of my seven-year-old niece to cancer that finally humbled me enough to listen to God when He spoke into my shattered heart, “Give it up.” Without the chains of fear and insecurity, I followed my spirit’s instruction to speak freely. That led to over 100 million video views, and nearly half a million social media followers. My story has been a true reflection of “beauty for ashes". I pray my writing leaves you laughing, crying, rejoicing, and encouraged. I hope to pull heartstrings while tapping funny bones with transparency and vulnerability. Grief taught me gratitude, pain gave me purpose, and loss revealed true love. With faith, I found audacity, and my mission is to give you the guts to be you too.

Shadows' Sorrow by Galadriel Pittman


About the Book



Book Title: Shadows’ Sorrow  
Author: Galadriel Pittman  
Genre: Fantasy  
Release date: May 18, 2018

“I will become these shadows’ sorrow. I swear.”


A disillusioned guardian, a four-footed philosopher, an honorable thief, Trouble, and an unexpected inheritance against the end of the world? Bring it on.

An ancient evil has recently reawakened.

Raven, a young Deinya warrior disillusioned with his people, has accepted a quest from his one-time master for old time’s sake. But when he catches a thief, Tara, his life hurls down an unforeseen path. With the help of others they meet along the way, they race to find the secret to the Rakon’s downfall before the nations again succumb to darkness.


Click HERE to purchase your copy!


My Review

What a masterful world and tale our author weaves for us! I was so delighted to see how the author was able to take us into a total fantasy world, and yet make our characters and their struggles so relatable and down to earth at the same time. The characters were endearing or truly disgusting as they were meant to be, and I enjoyed action as well as warm fuzzy happy feelings! I really couldn't pick a favorite character :)  I just had a lot of fun exploring the world and facing adventures with our characters, and seeing how each one changed throughout the story. This first installment truly made me hungry for more, so I am very much looking forward to more! Overall, I had fun exploring a new world with truly remarkable characters who have emotions and struggles like the rest of us, but have united to accomplish an impossible task! Don't miss out on this unique fantasy fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. 


About the Author



I am Galadriel Pittman, a mother of two, wife to a supportive amazing husband, daughter, sister, friend, worship singer, school cafe manager…the list goes on. I am blessed with many roles to fill. And now, finally, author. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents reading to me–Chronicles of Narnia, Xanth series, Lord of the Rings…but they never read them fast enough for my liking. So, I learned to read. As a voracious reader from the age of three, my goal as a child was to read every book in the world! Sadly, reality dictated that there were more books than what my town library held, and new ones entered all the time! Perhaps taking a sideways step in that dream to become one who created those new entries is not surprising. As a child I enjoyed telling my younger siblings stories, and as a teen, I created my world with a friend. Over the years, I added to that tale. Recently, I decided I wanted to find out what happens next— so here we go!

For more information and updates on books, go to galadrielpittman.com or find me on Facebook at Galadriel Pittman


Guest Post from Galadriel

Maps. I’ve always loved them. Like Bilbo Baggins, I would pour over them, plotting where I had been, where I wanted to go. I spent hours doodling them. There’s something calming about making squiggly lines. So when it came to creating a world, the map had to be one of the first features for me to make. Fast forward a couple of decades to when I decided to get serious about finishing my story. I pulled out my old hand drawn in pencil map and thought, “This needs an upgrade.” Enter my amazing husband. He took my original map and drew it on the computer, adding wonderful details like trees and mountains. The final touch was the nod of homage to C.S. Lewis: The known world of Morovia prepared for his majesty by the adventurers Clark, Shawn, and Lewis. And now I offer this portal to my world as part of the giveaway! An 11”x17” color copy of the map inspired the theme for the gift basket giveaway.



Blog Stops

Bibliophile Reviews, October 20
Blogging With Carol, October 21
Midnight Bookaholic, October 22
Texas Book-aholic, October 23
Multifarious, October 26
Artistic Nobody, October 27 (Spotlight)
Bigreadersite, October 27
Carpe Diem, October 30
A Reader’s Brain, November 1
Pause for Tales, November 2



Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Galadriel is giving away a a themed basket that includes a color copy of my world’s map, a journal, a day planner, a pen, a pen carrier, a mug and some tea packets!!
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/d435/shadows-sorrow-celebration-tour-giveaway