They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin: Spotlight w/ Excerpt & Giveaway

February 16, 2021 by Suzie Waltner 5 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: They Turned the World Upside Down
Author: Charles Martin
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: Christian Life/Spiritual Growth

In the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, the testimonies of those who had followed him were so bold and so powerful that they turned the world upside down. What would happen if we lived with that same kind of faith today?

Walk in the shoes of the disciples, as New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin brings their stories to life with his storyteller’s perspective.

In the first century, believer didn’t just mean someone who heard and agreed with Jesus; it meant someone who acted on that belief. And when the outside world saw the faith of these new believers, they declared “they turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

That’s the kind of believer Charles Martin wants us to be. The kind who understands that the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is so powerful, it reshaped history. The kind of believer who lives with that same world-changing faith today.

In his second non-fiction work, he uses his talents as a novelist to walk you through the lives of the disciples in the aftermath of the Resurrection and as they spread the message of the Gospel and “turn the world upside down”, leading up to Paul’s ministry in Thessonalica. In his beloved lyrical style, Martin illuminates key moments from Scripture and shares stories from his own life as a disciple.

With the same depth, sensitivity, and emotion that have made his novels beloved to millions, Martin will helps you engage with your faith in a new and inspiring way.

In the Shadow of Jezebel by Mesu Andrews – Audiobook Review

February 15, 2021 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel’s strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh’s high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh’s temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family–and the nation–she loves?

With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings Old Testament passages to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.

Week in Review: 2/7/21 to 2/13/21 & a Giveaway

February 13, 2021 by Suzie Waltner 4 Comments

Happy Valentines Eve, everyone! Whether you are celebrating the holiday or not, I pray you feel loved and cherished.

*Click on any image to go to that review/giveaway post.

Book Reviews, Spotlights & More

French Twist Series by Sandra Byrd: Spotlight, Freebie & a Giveaway

February 13, 2021 by Suzie Waltner 1 Comment

French Twist series JustRead Blog + Social Blitz
Welcome to the Blog + Social Blitz for the French Twist series by Sandra Byrd, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Download and devour this delicious series, lashed with romance and fun, and then spiced with a lightly Christian world view. Bon Appétit!

February 11-15 Let Them Eat Cake Kindle edition is FREE

Title: Let Them Eat Cake
Series: French Twist #1
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Quaystrokes
Release Date: 2012
Genre: ChickLit

What do you do when you’ve got a degree in French and absolutely no job prospects? You slide into your favorite French bakery, of course! When a lighthearted conversation with the manager of the local patisserie turns into a job offer, Lexi Stuart gladly accepts.

She indulges in tasty pastries and wins over skeptical coworkers, but the actual glamour is minimal and the pay less than generous. Trouble by the handful is stirred into her life as she juggles the flirtatious baker she has her eye on and a handsome young executive who likes Lexi even more than her Napoleons.

As she folds together dilemma and delight, Lexi learns that it’s not satisfying to try to fulfill everyone else’s expectations. Instead, she embarks on an adventure in trusting herself and God with her future.

February 11-15 Let Them Eat Cake Kindle edition is FREE

Title: Bon Appetit
Series: French Twist #2
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Quaystrokes
Release Date: August 25, 2016
Genre: ChickLit

Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could-be boyfriend, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef.

Life in her new quaint French village should be everything she dreamed of, but settling in isn’t nearly as easy as she imagined. Her optimism is greeted with both acceptance and resistance in the people and culture around her—soft and crusty at the same time— like the very best baguettes. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets new friends, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine – as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father.

As Lexi lives her dream, she realizes she can have anything from life’s patisserie display window, but not everything. How will she choose?

Title: Piece de Resistance
Series: French Twist #3
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Quaystrokes
Release Date: August 25, 2016
Genre: ChickLit

Having earned her chef’s hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship to find life unexpectedly complicated.

She’s put in charge of a high-end catering bakery, but there’s a catch: she has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few, short months. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi can’t compose the perfect recipe for success.

Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau, then add a dash of romance with her down-to-earth lawyer, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle.

With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase “piece of cake” has never been more daunting. Lexi finally trusts the dreams in her heart to the God who put them there.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandra Byrd

Bestselling author Sandra Byrd has authored more than fifty books, and her fiction has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice award, two Christy Award nominations, Two Library Journal Best Book selections, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.

Sandra has also published dozens of books for kids, tweens, and teens, and devotionals, including the bestselling The One Year Be-Tween You and God Devotions for Girls. She continued her work as a devotionalist with The One Year Home and Garden Devotions and The One Year Experiencing God’s Love Devotional, which was named by Called Magazine, the #1 magazine for Christian Women, as among their favorite, must-read books.

Sandra loves walking, the beach, cooking and baking, photography, watching Escape to the Country, Fake or Fortune, and Chef’s Table, as well as spending time with family and friends.

CONNECT WITH SANDRA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $75 e-gift card to MarieBelle!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 11, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 18, 2021. 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Stronger Every Day by Janell Rardon – Review

February 12, 2021 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Stronger Every Day: 9 Tools for an Emotionally Healthy You
Author: Janell Rardon
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: January 19, 2021
Genre: Christian Living

Fortify your emotional health

As a trauma-informed professional life coach, Janell Rardon spends a good deal of her day-to-day work with brokenness–broken families, broken relationships, broken hearts and souls. In response to the pleas of her clients, she developed a set of emotional-health tools to help them repair the broken parts of their lives. In Stronger Every Day, she shares these powerful tools with you, showing you how to

· transform pain into meaning
· experience secure attachment with God
· shape healthy thoughts
· shift from shame to self-compassion
· practice healthy assertiveness
· set mental and emotional boundaries
· understand triggers and defense mechanisms
· regulate emotional highs and lows
· cultivate healthy human connection

With inspiring Scriptures, quotes, prayers, personal stories, and case studies, Rardon sets you on the path of emotional health so that you can be stronger than ever—every day.