Saturday, May 27, 2023

The Ghost of Darwin Stewart by LG Nixon

About the Book

Book: The Ghost of Darwin Stewart

Author:LG Nixon

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Religious/Christian Fantasy/Mysteries & Detective Stories

Release date: October 15, 2021

It’s all fun and games until a smelly ghost, and a terrifying shape-shifting entity follows Lucy home. When a malevolent spirit learns Lucy is the keeper of the artifact he has been searching millennia to find, everyone she loves is placed in danger. With several other magical artifacts which were in the trunk she purchased from the vendor at the flea market, Lucy finds she has access to powers she never knew existed.

The Spectrescope has shown her a beguiling other world reality filled with magic, spirits, wizards, and daemons. The artifact is the key to unlocking many secrets. Secrets, that if not kept, would mean destruction for the world beyond the portal, and possibly her own. Whether she likes it or not, she must decide. Will she protect the artifact? Or will she give it up to protect herself?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This book reminded me of when I read Frank Peretti as a teenager and got a glimpse into the spiritual realm of demons and angels and how they effected us on earth. This book is definitely appropriate for the YA audience and gives a great mix of Christian fiction/fantasy/ and a not too scary mystery so even younger teens would enjoy as well. The book began with action from page 1 and really gave the reader a fantastical view of great detail. The reality of the gospel thread really made it a clear message without overtaking the storyline. This book has a great complexity to it that makes it enjoyable for a wide range of YA readers. If the YA reader in your life enjoys adventure, action, fantasy, or just a good fiction, check out this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of author’s opinions.

About the Author

Meet LG Nixon, author, coffee connoisseur, motorcycle enthusiast, and collector of strange artifacts. With her zany imagination, she fuses a page-turning fantasy with a haunting theme and turns it into a spirit filled adventure with quirky and likable characters. After a long career, she left the workplace behind and turned to writing. Her stories are lighthearted but carry an underlying message of the importance of a Biblical worldview. She researches and writes full-time from her home in Michigan where she prowls the night star gazing and watching for a supernatural event. LG loves to ski, ride motorcycles, travel, and fly small planes; but no bungee jumping, thank you very much.

More from LG Nixon

I’ve always had zany and quirky imagination. Growing up in a creaky old house with a grandmother who told stories of ghostly visitations, I was curious. As a child, I filled journals with mystery and detective stories.

These days I write about ghosts and spirits to entertain, and use scripture as dialogue to portray God’s love and forgiveness, our hope of redemption, and the reality of a supernatural dimension just beyond our perception.

Why would a Christian author write about ghosts? Because scripture is filled with ghosts and spirits, angels, and demons along with some amazing creatures. God uses incredible imagery to capture our imagination and draw us deeper into His word. I love to study scripture because I always find new truths that go beyond the scope of imagination.

My writing has grown from my love for Jesus and a desire to share my faith with hope and encouragement. The Issachar Gatekeeper series is designed to show young adults in a fun, adventurous way the impact Christian principles can have on their lives and to deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Our heroine, Lucy, has a wonderful neighbor, Mrs. McGoo, who always comes through to save the day with her delicious chocolate chip cookies. Lucy’s best friend, Schuyler Williams, says, “A really good chocolate chip cookie is nearly a spiritual experience, don’t you think?” So, we are sharing this recipe with you so you can sit, relax, and share some with a friend. Enjoy!

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 20

Simple Harvest Reads, May 21 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, May 21

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, May 22

An Author’s Take, May 23

Where Faith and Books Meet, May 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 26

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, May 27

A Reader’s Brain, May 28

Blogging With Carol, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 30

Girls in White Dresses, May 31

Artistic Nobody, June 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, June 2

Holly’s Book Corner, June 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, L.G. is giving away the grand prize package of a custom printed canvas tote bag including a signed copy of the book, mug and coaster, book light, bookmarks, and other goodies!!

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/26076/the-ghost-of-darwin-stewart-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

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!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of author’s opinions.

Author Interview

1. Why did you want to become an author?

To share stories that help encourage people, give them hope, and point the way to salvation through Christ.

2. If you could meet your characters in real life, what would you talk about?

Our faith journeys and dating horror stories, lol! Plusour love of animals & animal rescue.

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

I based the setting on a vacation I took to Seaside, FL. I loved the quaintness of the town and of the course the beautiful beach setting! I thought it would be the perfect place for Callie to reconnect with her heart and find love.

4. How did you celebrate when you completed your book?

I got a massage and took a nap!

5. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?

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

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2626c/forever-yours-celebration-tour-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.

Super Doople by KA Cummins

About the Book

Book: Super Doople

Author:K.A. Cummins

Genre:Picture Book

Release date: May 4, 2023

You’ve heard the legend of Humpty Dumpty, but do you know the legend of Super Doople? He’s faster

than a chicken. He flies higher than an ostrich. No fall can break his shell! And he was once Little Doople, a small and fragile egg like all the other dooples, until his bad habit of not listening caught up to him.

Engaging text with expressive illustrations, Super Doople is a lighthearted tale about resilience and learning to listen. This funny picture book for ages 3-8 is perfect for reading aloud in the classroom or at home.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of author’s opinions.

Author Interview

1. Why did you want to become an author?
It’s really about creating something to share and connect with others. I started out with art and poetry as a kid, and held tight to that focus until college. Art and poetry shifted to being hobbies during that time, as I discovered something beautifully abstract within the realms of math and science. It wasn’t until the end of college that I started writing story ideas.
2. What step of writing this book was the most challenging and why?
The illustrations. Even though this story went through several iterations of drafting and editing, the illustrations were still the most labor intensive. The best picture books rely on both words and artwork to tell the story. So the artwork needs to add details the words don’t, and visual variety to the page layouts and scenes to keep children engaged.
3. What/Who inspired you to write on the main themes found in the book?
“All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again.” —Humpty Dumpty

This line always struck me as curious. Illustrations commonly portray Humpty Dumpty as an egg and eggs can be hard-boiled, so why couldn’t they put Humpty together again? As a Marvel fan, I started imagining Humpty in his own superhero origin story. Except instead of falling into a vat of radioactive material, he soaked in a tub of hot water.

Then, thinking of an egg boiling reminded me of an analogy from a sermon. If you boil a potato, it softens. If you boil an egg, it hardens. The difference is how each reacts to their circumstances. Hardships are like being put in boiling water. We can either let hardships make us better or bitter. I’m oversimplifying and likely leaving something out, but that was the main point. And that shaped the idea of a hard-boiled hero into a story about resilience, and listening to others.

9. How did you celebrate when you completed your book?
I should celebrate after finishing a book. Completing a book is hard work, if you want to do it well. But I never feel like I’m finished, even after a story goes out into the world. Maybe it’s because there’s always room for improvement. Or maybe it’s because finishing a story only feels as if one part of the journey has ended. In my heart, the characters live on and their stories continue. We just all move on to the next part of our journeys.
11. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?
Super Doople is a story about resilience and learning to listen, about not giving up on your dreams when things don’t work out. But more than that, I hope readers see the importance of community and have a sense of the love and joy that went into creating this story.

About the Author

K.A. Cummins is an author and an artist. She explores storytelling in a variety of mediums, blending the wonders of science with the possibilities of what if. When not crafting stories, Cummins loves spending time with her family, collecting fun socks, and venturing outside her comfort zone to try new things—at least once!

Connect with her through her website at https://authorkacummins.com, where you can sign up for emails about upcoming releases.

More from K.A. Cummins

“Super Doople” started with a comic sketch and the idea of what if a scientist put Humpty Dumpty back together again? At first, it was more for fun and to explore creating comics. In fact, in the first version, he bounced like a ball when he hit the ground.

But the idea stuck! I continued to gravitate back to it, enjoying the exploration of telling a story with words and drawings. Many sketches and several versions later, the character became Little Doople, a hopeful and determined boy with a dream of flying who, through a series of events, transforms into Super Doople.

It’s been so much fun working with Little Doople, especially having our youngest son engaged with the story. Our youngest is sixteen now and has a talented eye for design. He’s one of the first people I ask for art critiques (the other being my husband). He even helped me come up with the name doople, for both the character and the egg-people in the story. We brainstormed in the car on a two-hour drive home.

The joy of creating this story, and from the story itself, has become its own source of inspiration. I haven’t stopped brainstorming more story ideas for Little Doople. I’ve even started plotting some of them, but those are under wraps for now.

However, being a homeschool mom and former educator in other forms, I wanted to share a free educational resource to go along with “Super Doople.” So I’ve put together a few science egg-periments, activities, and coloring pages suitable for younger children that’s available for FREE on my TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Doople-Science-Hands-on-Learning-Activities-9145443.

Hope you and your children enjoy reading “Super Doople.”

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, May 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 15

Texas Book-aholic, May 16

Blossoms and Blessings, May 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 17

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 19

Lily’s Book Reviews, May 20

Cover Lover Book Review, May 21

Beauty in the Binding, May 22 (Author Interview)

The Life We Build, May 22

debs book review, May 23

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 24

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

Simple Harvest Reads, May 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, K.A. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 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/25f5f/super-doople-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, May 19, 2023

Stormy Encounters by BJ Howe

About the Book

Book: Stormy Encounters

Author: BJ Howe

Genre: Teen/YA Action Adventure

Release date: March 14, 2023

When the biggest bully in town has you in his crosshairs, you can run, or you can dig deep inside and discover who you really are. Steven Carlson finds himself saddled with an unexpected debt he cannot afford, changing his plans for a summer of fun to one that forces him to places he never wanted to go.

There are storms on the horizon and equally daunting storms of the heart. With a father he doesn’t understand and a mother he can’t remember, Steven’s sixteenth year launches him on a journey that will forever alter his world.

In one unforgettable season, Steven Carlson is pushed to the edge of disaster and forced to confront his prison of self-doubt.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Stormy Encounters delves into teenagers and the difficulties they have learning about responsibility and making wise decisions. There is quite a bit about racing so car enthusiasts may enjoy this book. The book is clearly written for young teens so is appropriate for that age. The plot and characters seemed a bit simple to me, but for young teens it could be sufficient for a quick read. The character’s speech seemed a bit old fashioned for teenagers, but their behavior seemed on point for a teen character. I think some YA readers could find some enjoyment in this quick read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. This review is not an endorsement of agreement with all author’s opinions.

About the Author

Barb (B J) Howe has enjoyed entertaining others with stories since she was a child. As an adult, she used storytelling techniques to communicate in various workplace settings before exploring the art of memoir writing and fiction.

Stormy Encounters is her first significant work of fiction. Writing about teenage boys and lightning fast cars was inspired by her grandson, who at age four attempted to drive her car, and at age ten reminded her that he was a mere five years away from a driving permit. He is now entering his teen years.

Howe resides in Chanhassen MN with husband, Dave Howe, author of Live Pure and Free: The 90-Day Game Changer. She is on staff with Christian Grandparenting Network, and has contributed to several publications including: Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. Magazine and Guideposts. Her desire in writing this book is to encourage young adults to mature in their integrity and pursue a personal relationship with Christ.

More from Barb

Getting through those teenage years is an adventure. Ask anyone who’s been there. The challenges are real, the outcomes, let’s just say unpredictable. Today’s young generation seems to have more than a fair share of confusing messages roaring at them, and far more outlets than any previous generation to access them. This can make the journey to adulthood far more daunting.

Too many of the books found at public libraries and book stores carry dark messages with little hope. Stormy Encounters is about smokin’ hot cars, swaggering bravado, and, of course, girls. You know, the things that get young guys’ engines revving in high gear. This approach cruises into their world and shows how to work through difficulties without getting preachy. That’s the kind of thinking that first enticed Howe to speak to teens through fiction.

Face it. No matter who we are, we all share at least one thing in common: every day we make hundreds of choices. Some of those choices affect the rest of our lives. Stormy Encounters is all about helping teens, especially teen boys, make the kinds of choices that bring positive results. The pace is fast enough to be exciting, steady to drive interest. Don’t worry; it’s all clean. Maybe these are the reasons teen girls and adults also enjoy reading Stormy Encounters.

Howe’s writing career began with corporate and freelance writing. But it was the nuances of memoir writing that led to fiction. They’re both centered around human interactions. With Stormy Encounters, readers get to see how three different generations come together with all their individual quirks in one complex story that explores the emotions of grief, happiness, love, sadness, and hope. We can all use a big dose of hope.

When not writing, Howe enjoys urban hiking (a.k.a., neighborhood walks), bicycling through the countryside, and baking bread. Try this wild rice bread recipe. It positively screams Minnesota, the state where Stormy Encounters takes place.

Minnesota Wild Rice Bread

Ingredients:
¼ cup wild rice, raw
2 cups water
1 package dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water
2 cups milk, scalded
2 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
½ cup rolled oats, uncooked
½ cup rye flour
1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
½ cup bran
3-1/2 cups unbleached flour, plus up to 1 cup (if needed)
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon water
¼ cup hulled sunflower seeds

Directions:

1. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice, cover, and cook over very low heat until rice is tender, approx. 45-60 minutes. Allow to cool.
2. Stir yeast into 1/3 cup warm water and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in milk, butter, honey, salt, and oats. Add cooled rice mixture to milk mixture.
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir together rye flower, whole-wheat flour, bran, and 3-1/2 cups of unbleached flour. Add to milk and yeast mixture, stirring until soft dough forms. Add more unbleached flour, as needed, until dough is easy to handle.
4. Turn dough onto a floured board and knead until soft and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn so the top is oiled. Let rise 2 hours.
5. Punch dough and shape into two loaves. Place in 2 greased 9-1/2 x 5-1/2-inch pans. Let rise again, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
6. Bake 45 minutes. During the last 15 minutes of baking, brush loaves with 1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water and sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 8

An Author’s Take, May 9

Lots of Helpers, May 10

Girls in White Dresses, May 10

Texas Book-aholic, May 11

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 12

The Life We Build, May 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 17

For Him and My Family, May 18

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 19

A Reader’s Brain, May 20

Blogging With Carol, May 21

Holly’s Book Corner, May 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, B.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Stormy Encounters!!

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/263d1/stormy-encounters-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, April 14, 2023

Rose by Rena Groot

About the Book

Book: Rose

Author: Rena Groot

Genre: Christian Historical Romantic Fiction

Release date: April 28, 2022

Strong, determined Rose finds more than she bargained for on a wagon train headed out West on the Oregon Trail. Will she be able to leave the comforts of high society behind to survive the rigors of the trail? Will she humbly admit her need for strength, hope and courage from God? What is God saying to her about Lachlan, her surprise chaperone? Why did God bring Lachlan into her life if their dreams collide? Rose has dreams of being a teacher in town. Lachlan’s dream is to be a rancher, far from any town. Must Rose abandon her dreams to embrace his…or will she let this gentle giant of a man leave to pursue his own dreams?

Click here to get your copy!

  *I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and are not an endorsement of agreement with authors and their opinions presented.

Author Interview 

1. Why did you want to become an author? 
I didn’t decide to become an author. God decided for me. Words just insisted on being written. Something deep is released in me when I write…a part of me I didn’t know existed. It’s funny, an old friend knew me as a Kindergarten teacher. She read The Narrow Path Trilogy and her response was, “Rena wrote THAT?”
 
2. What step of writing this book was the most challenging and why? 
This is probably not the answer you are expecting. My biggest challenge was quitting. I once wrote all night because the story wanted so badly to be written. 
 
3. Which character in your book do you relate to the most?
Rose. She is basically me living over one hundred years ago. 
 
4. If you could meet your characters in real life, what would you talk about? 
Everything…but mostly how utterly and completely amazing God is. 
 
9. How did you celebrate when you completed your book? 
I caught up on my sleep…haha. 
 
11. What message do you hope readers take away from your book? 
That God can be trusted—even when His ways seem perplexing and we don’t understand. 
 
Thank you, Katie.
Blessings,
Rena Groot

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.

More from Rena

My middle name is Rose. I was named after my grandmother, Rose. As far as I know, I never met my father’s mother, Rose. Her life, and my dad’s, were an enigma to me. While writing this book I found out Rose had two other grandchildren I knew nothing about—my brother and sister I didn’t know existed. God is so amazing! (This is attached to the email)

One of my favorite recipes is fry bread. On days we stay in camp, I make enough for the week. It gets a bit hard towards the end of the week, but softens when it’s dipped in stew. Here’s the recipe: Four cups flour, one quarter cup shortening—I use bacon fat—four teaspoons baking powder, three-quarters cup of milk, one teaspoon salt, and oil or fat for frying. If the dough is too thick or thin, Willow said to play with it until it feels just right. It can also be made into a dessert if you put milk, cinnamon, and berries on top.

Johnnycake’s delicious with beans. It’s so easy to make. You need two eggs, two cups of sour milk, one half cup flour, two tablespoons molasses, one teaspoon salt, two cups cornmeal, one teaspoon baking powder, and two tablespoons butter. You mix all the ingredients then bake it in a Dutch oven over the fire until it’s cooked.

Cheese is easy to make. It’s a good way to use the two gallons of milk we get from our cow and the goat each day. We are getting so much we have been sharing. Willow showed me how to gently heat the milk in a pail on the fire until it’s blood warm. Rennet is needed to make cheese, so I use a flask made from a cow’s stomach because it has rennet in it. I had no idea. I pour the hot milk into the stomach flask and wait. After it’s been left a few hours, I pour it out, break up the curds, and mix them with salt. I wrap the curds in a cloth and put them in a round wooden frame called “the follower.” (Thankfully, Lachlan had the good sense to buy one of those also). The curds are pressed in the follower. The cheese is usually aged for at least two months before it can be eaten.