Saturday, July 13, 2024

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts by Donna Wayland

About the Book

Book: Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: : Picture Book

Release date: 2023
The sky is like a large blue tent

stretched high above the sun,

that floats and falls from end to end

and warms till day is done.

~ Psalm 19:5-6

Young hearts will cherish the sweet rhyme contained in Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts as they are gently guided to a closer relationship with God. From beginning to end, the colorful childlike illustrations bring the psalms to life and inspire children to hide God’s Word in their hearts.

Uniquely created for children ages 4 – 8, this book of scriptural poetry will inspire children to sing praises to God and help them understand and remember God’s constant presence and powerful promises. And, for parents who want to lead their growing children to the original Bible psalms, they are included at the end.

Whether for morning devotions or nighttime prayers,

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts will bless children seeking to know the Lord

and provide a foundation for intimate spiritual time

with parents, grandparents, and others.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

What was the most challenging part of the writing process for you and why? The most challenging part of the writing process for this particular book, Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts, was maintaining the purity and integrity of the Bible message for each psalm while also discovering a way to write in perfect rhyme. This book is intended to encourage children to fall in love with the Word of God and with the book of Psalms in particular.

What was something new you learned while writing this book? I learned that simplifying word selection does not have to change the deeper meaning of a passage or psalm. Children can understand far more than we often give them credit for. Writing the selected psalms in rhyme will help children to remember the heart of God, his love and faithfulness. Beyond the salvation message, that is the most important message to impart to little ones.

How did you balance keeping your book informative yet engaging as a non-fiction? I think much of the balance between informative and engaging is shared between the text and illustrations. I try to add some playful words here and theretrusting that the illustrator will add a sense of whimsy to his or her art to engage a child’s imagination while the text is read.

How did you celebrate when you completed your book? This is an excellent question. As a Certified Life Coach, Iunderstand the importance of celebrating life achievements, no matter how small. So, I took myself to Barnes and Noble, sat down with an Iced Caramel Macchiato, and savored a stack of home decorating magazines. It really is my guilty pleasure. I love to decorate! Then I went home and began to work on Starlight and Pockets Full of Shells, two nonfiction picture books I hope to see on bookshelves in the not-too-distant future.

What message do you hope readers take away from your book? My deepest desire is for children to learn to love the Word of God, specifically the psalms, and will know without a doubt God hears and answers their prayers.

About the Author

DONNA WYLAND is an award-winning author, busy mother, grandmother and friend. She is the author of ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus, a best-selling children’s picture book and is a contributor to many inspirational essay collections. Donna lives and writes at her home in Southwest Florida and her condo overlooking the ski slopes in Steamboat, Colorado.

More from Donna

“More than 30 years ago I discovered the meaning of the Book of Psalms. Whether I was struggling or celebrating, God led me to individual psalms that encouraged and comforted me and gave me the strength to persevere. It is my heart’s desire to see children learn the power and peace of the psalms early in life so they, too, will turn to God’s Word when they need hope and comfort, or they are searching for the right words to praise Him for His blessings and favor. This book of rhyming psalms protects the biblical meaning of each psalm while putting the message in a child’s vocabulary with rhyme to help them remember.”

Blog Stops

Divine Perspective, July 1

Blossoms and Blessings, July 2 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, July 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 3

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 4

Labor Not in Vain, July 5

Texas Book-aholic, July 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 7

Vicky Sluiter, July 8 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 10

For Him and My Family, July 11

Cover Lover Book Review, July 12

Guild Master, July 13 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, July 14 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Magnolia Market 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/2c80a/psalms-in-rhyme-for-little-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay by Kate Darroch

About the Book

Book: Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay

Author: Kate Darroch

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Release date: October 29, 2023

The story of an alcoholic former journalist, Eric, who is trying to straighten out his life and give up drinking, and Lily, a woman haunted by memories of domestic abuse, who meet and miracle in gorgeous Welcombe Bay. Both are coping with serious life problems, and neither is looking for romance. But lasting love is looking for them. Can these broken souls overcome their emotional and financial challenges, and help each other to heal through the transformative power of their love and faith?

Click here to get your copy!

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

Author Interview

1. What step of writing this book was the most challenging and why?
The biggest challenge was believing that I could write a book like this one. I normally write funny books, and frothy books, mainly Cozy Mysteries, send-ups, heists and capers.

Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay is a Christian tale of recovery and redemption, of forgiveness and a second chance for lasting love. It has depth. I was inspired to write it by earning the 2022 Incipere Award for Best Christian Fiction for my debut novel, Death in Paris.

I was very surprised when Death in Paris won the award,because that book is a Cozy murder mystery and although my heroine is a Christian, and some of the plot points do depend on her practice of her faith, really it’s a pretty typical Cozy, I never thought of it in any other way. But when I won the award, I thought, well, maybe I should try to write a Christian story.

Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay is the result. Thanksgivingwon the 2023 Incipere Award for Best Christian Fiction, and a lot of my readers consider this book to be superior to my Cozies.

2. If you could meet your characters in real life, what would you talk about?
Depends which characters. If it were my darling Màiri we’d both be chattering twenty to the dozen about daily life in Glasgow. If it were Major Peverel, the man’s a real cosmopolitan, we’d probably talk theatre, or opera, or perhaps we’d swap recipes. If it were Huntingdon Hart, we’d talk about racing, we both love the gee-gees. With Eric, I’d swap anecdotes; and with Lily, I’d talk about the joy children bring into a woman’s life.

3. How did you celebrate when you completed your book?
I was dreadfully behind schedule. I didn’t have time to move from my keyboard, so my celebration was finishing up a New Year story I’d started in December 2022 and had been wanting to get back to writing ever since.

4. Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing?
My favorite is Hotel Chocolat dark chocolate truffles. But that is a very special treat which I keep for rewards. Normally I munch on almonds and walnuts, perhaps a nectarine or a pear, and drink sparkling water. I love sparkling water, it’s my favedrink.

5. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?
The message of Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay is hope. I wrote it to help the families and friends of alcoholics to understand the complex thought processes and unusual motivations of the difficult people they love. And I must have succeeded, because many readers have written me heart-warming emails about this book, and Publishers Weeklygraced the novel with a place in their Love and Relationships Indie Spotlight, an accolade granted to only a handful of books each year.

About the Author

Kate Darroch lives on the picturesque Devon coastline, where she combines her passion for cozy sleuths and her experiences of life as it’s lived in many countries to create compelling Travel Cozies.

Màiri Maguire, a Scots Irish teacher from 1970s Glasgow, heroine of debut novel, “Death in Paris”, has earned Kate many international book awards, including Readers Favorite Gold Medal for Humor, consolidating her reputation as a notable author. Kate hopes her readers will enjoy Màiri’s adventures as much as she enjoys Father Brown, Sherlock Holmes, and that old, old movie, the Perils of Pauline.

Next, Kate created Huntingdon Hart, a dry, witty, prescient, multi-millionaire, tongue-in-cheek cross between James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, who’s in love with a much older woman.

Kate’s most recent work is the Christian Second Chance for Lasting Love series, Sweets By the Sea, a saga of Recovery and Redemption; which her readers say is even sweeter than Màiri’s adventures.

More from Kate

If you want incident-crammed stories that seamlessly integrate Christian values, you’re in the right place. Why is that? Because my own Christian faith is a seamless part of my life. How can you separate everyday life and faith? Don’t ask me, because I can’t.

I wrote Màiri Maguire to make people laugh during a dark time; and I wrote Eric and Lily to give hope and understanding to the families of addicts in recovery, to shine a light on thought processes and emotions which are opaque to most of us; and which those of us with a friend or loved one in recovery would like to understand better. Because I’m a storyteller, not a counsellor, I also tried to tell you a story that would make you both laugh and cry, a story worth taking time to enjoy. I hope that you will decide to spend a little time with Eric and Lily, and that you will find the expenditure of your time to be worthwhile.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, June 22 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 23

Artistic Nobody, June 24 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, June 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 25

Guild Master, June 26 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 27

For the Love of Literature, June 28 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29

By The Book, June 30 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, July 1

Blossoms and Blessings, July 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3

A Reader’s Brain, July 4 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 5 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 5

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Kate is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the four books in the series: Cookies & Eggnog from Welcombe Bay, Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay, Christmas in Welcombe Bay and New Beginnings in Welcombe Bay!!

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/2c06e/thanksgiving-in-welcombe-bay-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, July 1, 2024

Tangled Secrets: A Suspense Thriller by S. F. Baumgartner

About the Book

Book: Tangled Secrets: A Suspense Thriller (Mirror Esate Series: Book 3)

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Christian Suspense Thriller

Release date: April 29, 2024

Two women. One targeted by an unknown enemy. One being accused of murder. Will they overcome their obstacles?

The twenty-five-year-old schoolteacher Grace Benson is living a quiet life until she receives a threatening note. Her life turns upside down when the FBI becomes involved.

The middle-aged wedding planner Sheila Mitchell comes home to find her husband dead before she’s knocked out. When she comes to, the murder weapon’s in her hand.

Will Grace survive? And will Sheila’s ex-husband, an FBI agent, clear her name? Who is targeting these women?

Click here to get your copy!

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

Author Interview

Why did you want to become an author?

I like to imagine a lot. I play scenes in my head and would pretend to be a character. I started putting my imagination into words just after high school, but nothing came of it. For my writing journey, please see my pinned Instagram post. Anyway, about five years ago, I realized that dream to become an author.

What did your research process look like for this book?

I utilize the internet a lot. Special groups like Trauma or legal groups for writers answer some of the more technical questions. Sometimes, (since a lot of my characters are young adults), I’d ask my kids: does this sound real? How would you say this or what would you do?

What made you choose the setting/time period for this book?

The backdrop of the story is a palatial estate. In my mind, I see the Biltmore Estate. When we visited Orlando some years ago, I liked the area. So, I decided to put the Mirror Estate in Orlando.

How did you celebrate when you completed your book?

I usually take time off to read and to binge watch crime TV shows.

Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing?

No, I don’t eat or drink when I write.

About the Author

S.F. Baumgartner is a Christian suspense thriller author. She graduated from the University of Hawaii and the University of Cincinnati. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her cats, staying active, and binge-watching crime TV shows. She lives in Ohio with her family.

More from S.F.

Crafting “Tangled Secrets” was an exhilarating experience, as it brought clarity to several unresolved mysteries within the series. The enigmatic question of a leak or mole introduced in “Living Secrets” – specifically, the mystery surrounding how Lily’s secret was discovered – finds its resolution in this latest installment. Moreover, “Forgotten Secret” cast a shadow of suspicion over characters like Rook and Uncle Bill, whose motives and truths are finally unearthed in “Tangled Secrets.”

Inspiration for this narrative complexity came from diverse sources: a television episode sparked the concept of a daughter relinquished for adoption, while a film suggested the thrilling double life of a secret agent. These ideas were not only incorporated but also transformed to enrich the tapestry of the story, intertwining with elements of chaos and confusion to enhance the intrigue and excitement.

This series, starting from the prequel, has been a journey of dropping subtle hints and planting seeds that would flourish into the full narrative of “Tangled Secrets.” The series is a vast landscape of potential stories, each more compelling than the last. I hope “Tangled Secrets” not only captivates and satisfies but also invites readers deeper into its intricately woven world. Enjoy the latest dive into our unfolding saga.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 26

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 27

Betti Mace, June 28

Stories By Gina, June 29 (Author Interview)

Boondock Ramblings, June 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 1

A Reader’s Brain, July 2 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 4

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 5 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 7

Fiction Book Lover, July 8 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, July 8

Lily’s Corner, July 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook 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/2c55f/tangled-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin by Dennis Conrad

About the Book

Book: Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin (In God We Trust: Book 2)

Author: Dennis Conrad

Genre: Christian Children’s Picture Book

Release date: December 2, 2023

Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin is an exciting adventure in the Ancient Roman Empire at the time of Christ. Eight-year-old Marcus and his father are on a mission for the Emperor and visit a mine and a mint where coins are made. Marcus himself makes a denarius, a coin with the emperor’s image.

Marcus goes to Jerusalem where he sees Jesus hold a denarius saying, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” What will seeing Jesus mean for Marcus, and will he ever be the same again?

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

All opinions given are my own.

My Review

This book is really an interesting way for kids to understand and maybe even take up coin collecting as a hobby. The book does well at explaining how coins were made in the past and also brings Jesus into the story at the end from the scriptures about giving Caesar what is his and God what is his. Marcus is very concerned about being too clumsy to be able to help his father transport the coins, but his mistakes are shown not ruining anything which would be encouraging to kids. The audiobook voice was inviting and the story would keep kids intrigued to finish it. The voice used had good character voices with different tones and inflections. The author included information on how to look at a coin and understand what you’re seeing. The short Gospel thread at the end reminded kids that God just wants us and loves us. I feel that kids in grade school ages would enjoy this book.

About the Author

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.

Dennis 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.

Dennis became a sustaining member of the Numismatic Association of Southern California in 1979. He is also a life member of the American Numismatic Association.

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

More from Dennis

James L. Rubart narrates Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin on Audible.

Rubart is the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame, CAROL, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of sixteen novels.

His voices for the characters make the story come to life.

When first released, Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin became a #1 Release on Audible.

The book by Dennis Conrad became a number one bestseller in two categories: Children’s Christian Historical Fiction and Children’s Christian Learning Concepts Fiction.

Marlene Bagnull, Author and Director of Write His Answer Ministries says, “This story behind the familiar Bible story of Jesus’s words about the coin someone handed him will hold the attention of boys and girls and encourage them to consider what they can give to God.”

Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin opens the door for teachers, parents, and grandparents to have the salvation conversation with the next generation.

Receive Monthly Activity Sheets

Want to encourage the child in your life to learn more about coins? Sign up at https://dennisconradauthor.com so your child can become a Junior Coin Collector. Receive free, monthly activity sheets like a crossword puzzle. There is a Coin Hunt section where children can search for and find coins in change for their collection, and a Vocabulary Builder section with coin collecting terms.