'Christy' Giveaway, Blog Tour, and Facebook Live Party

Some stories are evergreen, their themes and lessons standing the test of time and connecting with readers generation after generation. Reconnect with Catherine Marshall's beloved Christy as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new edition! As nineteen-year-old teacher Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home of Cutter Gap, some see her-and her one-room school-as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove. Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

Celebrate the new 50th anniversary edition of Christy by entering to win one of TWO $50 Visa cash cards (details below) and by attending a Facebook Live party on December 5!

TWO grand prize winners will receive:

• One copy of Christy
• One $50 Visa Cash Card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5. The winner will be announced at the Christy Facebook Live Party. RSVP for a chance to connect with authors who've been impacted by Christy and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway and Facebook Live party via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!

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{MORE ABOUT CHRISTY}

Christy (50th Anniversary Edition) (Evergreen Farm, October 2017)

New edition of Catherine Marshall’s inspirational classic!

The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her — and her one-room school — as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion be enough?

Learn more, get a free map of Cutter Gap, and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT CATHERINE MARSHALL}

Catherine Marshall (1914-1983), “The New York Times” best-selling author of 30 books, is best known for her novel “Christy.” Based on the life of her mother, “Christy” captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series. Around the kitchen table at Evergreen Farm, as her mother reminisced, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders. Catherine shared the story of her husband, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate, in “A Man Called Peter.” A decade after Dr. Marshall’s untimely death, Catherine married Leonard LeSourd, Executive Editor of “Guideposts,” forging a dynamic writer-editor partnership. A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Catherine’s enduring career spanned four decades and reached over 30 million readers.

Find out more about Catherine at http://gileadpublishing.com/christy.

 

 

 

A WOMAN OVERWHELMED BY HAYLEY DIMARCO | BLOG TOUR AND $75 VISA CARD GIVEAWAY

“A woman overwhelmed”—is this a phrase you can relate to? If you answered yes, you need to read Hayley DiMarco’s new book, A Woman Overwhelmed. The best-selling author shares biblical insights and personal stories to offer a glimpse at the comedy of an overwhelmed life while encouraging us to discover the depths and heights of God’s love and power. Choose to bask in the abundance of the Father instead of the abundance of life as his unfathomable depths can surely replace our fathomable messes.

Become a woman less overwhelmed by life and more overwhelmed by God and enter to win Hayley’s $75 Merry Maids Visa Card Giveaway to help lessen your daily load.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Woman Overwhelmed
• A $75 Merry Maids Visa Cash Card

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 3. The winner will be announced November 6 on the Litfuse blog.

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{MORE ABOUT A WOMAN OVERWHELMED}

A Woman Overwhelmed: Finding God in the Messes of Life (Abingdon Press, August 2017)

“A Woman Overwhelmed” is a phrase with which many women can relate.

But what would happen if we could see the insanity in our pace and embrace our overwhelming God?

There is a reason they say that a woman’s work is never done— because it isn’t! As women, we often are overwhelmed by the demands and circumstances of life, resulting in stress, fear, worry, impatience, fatigue, frustration, and even depression. The truth is that we were created to be overwhelmed . . . not by life but by God! When we learn to be overwhelmed by God, the fruit in our lives goes from rotten to fragrant—filling our days with peace, hope, love, and joy.

In A Woman Overwhelmed, best-selling author Hayley DiMarco shares biblical insights and personal stories to offer a glimpse at the comedy of an overwhelmed life while encouraging us to discover the depths and heights of God’s love and power.

Be empowered to find freedom in becoming overwhelmed with who God is—by learning to focus on what we know about God so that we can hold onto faith even when it seems that all is lost. For it is when an overwhelmed woman gives up the mission of me and exchanges it for the mission of God that being overwhelmed becomes a good thing.

Choose to bask in the abundance of the Father instead of the abundance of life as his unfathomable depths can surely replace our fathomable messes.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT HAYLEY DIMARCO}

Hayley DiMarco is the best-selling author of more than 40 books, including multiple books in the God Girl line, “The Fruitful Wife,” “Obsessed,” “Die Young” and “Own It.” As the founder of Hungry Planet, a company intensely focused on feeding the world’s appetite for truth, DiMarco speaks regularly for women’s groups and events, including Women of Faith, dotMOM, Precept National Women’s Convention and MOPS International. Hayley and her pastor husband, Michael, live outside Nashville with their daughter and four dogs.

Find out more about Hayley at http://hayleydimarco.com.

Statistics on Overwhelmed Women

—According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are twice as likely as men to suffer depression.

—According to the American Psychological Association (APA), women are more likely than men to:
–Report their stress levels are on the rise.
–State they are in fair or poor health.
–Find that connecting with others in their life can help their stress management strategies.

—According to the Pew Research Center:
–Working parents are the new norm — creates need for balance.
–Women do the majority of childcare and housework — particularly managing the mental checklists of children’s schedules and needs.
–41% of working mothers said being a parent made it harder to advance in their careers, compared with 20% of fathers.

—Millennial Women Survey conducted by Refinery 29 & Secret found:
–68% of women sometimes feel stress (versus always or rarely).
–48% feel unmotivated when stressed.
–Stress gets harder to cope with as we age.
–Top stress: money

Other top stresses: body image, work, family, romantic relationships and health concerns

A Writer's Review of Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen

First of all, and probably because I'm a published author and pay attention to more publisher related things, I knew from almost the day I heard about this book that it was written for a secular publisher. That said, I still looked forward to reading it because I love Julie Klassen's writing. She's always been one to write her historical romances involving a little more of the messiness of life, so I went into reading Lady Maybe fully expecting much of the same, but perhaps on a different level--which as it turns out, was exactly what I got. 

There are many things about Lady Maybe that are nothing like a Bethany House (her usual publisher with which she used to also edit for before her debut released) historical romance novel. But I didn't go into reading it expecting it would be, and quite possibly that is a major factor in why my response to the book is so different than what it's been for many of her faithful inspirational followers. 

I loved this book. It's the first book I've read for pleasure in about two years (my own last book contract came as I'd just found out I was pregnant with my second son--so I spent my 2nd trimester writing a book, the 3rd RECOVERING from doing so while pregnant + having a 2yo running circles around me, and then because I have two little boys and I'm trying to write my own books, I just haven't had much time until now). And I read it in about a day's time, losing much valuable sleep. 

Lady Maybe ended up being very different from the usual kind of books I enjoy reading, and this has nothing to do with the romance.  It was the level of mystery and intensity throughout the plot that really had me reading. The romance part of the story definitely took the back seat (in more ways than one), so much so that I wasn't sure who the hero of the story actually would end up being until the last few pages. 

There were three character POVs mentioned in this novel--one character had one chapter near the beginning, one was the heroine and the other had a number of chapters in the latter half of the book. Which is another "not normal" way of writing a story--but it worked. And I think a lot of the reasoning behind going with the publisher she did probably had a lot to do with things like this, and not strictly because of the complicated messy relational issues between the characters. 

And yes, wow it was complicated. And messy. And interesting and compelling. Klassen's way with words was perfect, as always. She pulled me in and didn't let go, planting little seeds throughout the novel that only made sense at the end. These are the reasons I loved it. 

Although the characters are not perfect--by far--there is a ton of Christianity in this secularly published book. I do think it might have been a good idea to use a pen name in having this book published, since I know it can be found in Christian bookstores and in The inspirational sections of libraries solely based on her name and other books from Bethany House. I think Lady Maybe has a bit lower ratings (compared to most of her other books) simply because most of her readers read it assuming it would be like the rest of them. But don't be fooled by the low-star ratings. Yes, there is a lot of mess in this book, but it is still a really good, well-written novel that teaches lesson after lesson about grace, forgiveness, second chances and how God can take a huge mess and still bless those who love him despite the fact that they don't deserve it. Isn't that real life every day? 

Indy Area Multi-Author Book Signing at B&N!

If you happen live around central Indiana, I'll be at the Barnes & Noble in Greenwood, Indiana (just south of Indy) this Saturday with a few friends of mine! There will be a Question & Answer time as well as time for us to sign books! Check out this Facebook Event Page for more info! Hope to see you there!

Books to Look Up: Unsinkable Faith by Tracie Miles

Book info

About the book:  For many people, remaining optimistic and feeling positive about themselves and their lives is a constant battle - especially when circumstances are difficult and life is hard. For others, negativity is something that only sneaks up from time to time, yet still wreaks havoc in their hearts. Regardless of the root causes, once pessimistic thoughts permeate our minds, our feelings and emotions begin to control us instead of us controlling them. Eventually it doesn't seem possible to stay positive, happy, and full of joy, and negative thought patterns shake our faith, causing us to sink emotionally, mentally, and spiritually over time. But it doesn't have to be that way. Despite what storms roll in, hearts anchored in God don't sink. When we change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and live, even if our circumstances remain the same. Intentionally embracing the opportunity to experience a transformed heart and a renewed mind opens the door for a changed life, because a positive mind will always lead to a more positive life. In Unsinkable Faith, author and Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker Tracie Miles offers hope for women who struggle with negativity. Each chapter explores Tracie's and other women's personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds.  Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life. This book will equip you to: -Replace pessimism with positive thinking by becoming the captain of your thoughts; -Learn how true joy and happiness are based on choice, not circumstances; -Overcome unhealthy habits of negative thinking by intentionally implementing three easy mind-renewing steps; -Stop feeling hopeless and pitiful, and start feeling hope-filled and powerful instead; and -Discover that when you change the way you think, you change the way feel, and in turn you can change your life completely. Learn more and purchase a copy. About the author: Tracie Miles is a national speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries and a bestselling author who's spent the last twelve years inspiring women to become who God called them to be. She's the author of "Your Life Still Counts" and "Stressed-Less Living," and a contributor to Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotions. Find out more about Tracie at http://traciemiles.com.

THE ELUSIVE MISS ELLISON BY CAROLYN MILLER | BLOG TOUR AND KINDLE AND A CUPPA GIVEAWAY

The Elusive Miss Ellison        (Kregel, February 2017)

Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions.

That’s the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister’s daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won’t take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia’s pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother–who stole the most important person in Livvie’s world.

Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he’s just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there’s already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect.

That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn’t the only heart that needs to change.

These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society’s opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister’s daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God’s grace and the true strength of love.

MY REVIEW

Actually, this is more than just my review of The Elusive Miss Ellison! I had the wonderful opportunity to read this debut novel with the option of endorsing it to my readers and my reader friends! You'll find my official endorsement in the front few pages of the book, and I cannot recommend it enough! If you love my books, you will likely fall in love with Carolyn Miller's as well! It was such a joy to read! And here is my official endorsement for when the book comes out in a few months! I'll be buying a paperback of this book for my keeper shelf! 

"Lovers of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer will be delighted with Carolyn Miller's debut novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison--especially readers who want to know more about the hero's journey to adoring their regency heroine. This new author's beautifully written book is definitely worth reading!"--Dawn Crandall, award winning author of The Everstone Chronicles

Learn more and purchase a copy.

*** by the way--some of the digital ebook versions are FREE RIGHT NOW! Go get it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn'’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

GIVEAWAY!

Settle in for a cozy night of reading with a cuppa 

and a Kindle from Carolyn!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The Elusive Miss Ellison
• A Kindle Fire
• Two William Morris mugs (winner’s choice)
• A box of tea

https://promosimple.com/ps/b341

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.

https://promosimple.com/ps/b341

A Writer's Review of Making Marriage Beautiful by Dorothy Greco

Book info

What makes a marriage beautiful? Honesty? Compatibility? Physical and emotional intimacy? All of these are important, but there's one component that determines the quality and longevity of a marriage more than anything else: a willingness to grow.Because a wedding joins together two imperfect people, all couples experience disappointment, conflict, and pain. How husbands and wives respond to these challenges determines the kind of people they will become and the kind of marriage they will have. Making Marriage Beautiful reveals how the pursuit of Christ results in profound transformation for both the individual and the marriage. Rather than offering clichés and formulas, Greco relies on candor, humor, and real life stories to bring encouragement and wisdom to all couples, regardless of whether they have been married four weeks or forty years.  Learn more and purchase a copy.                                My Review.                               Marriage is sometimes a messy thing. Especially when babies (finally, I might add) come along. Especially when your little family makes a move away from easy suburban life to live in a really old fixer upper in the middle of the country. Especially when the mommy is an author who wants to write... but can't. Especially when the mommy has ADD. Let all this happen in the spanse of 12 months and it's one whopper of a YEAR-11. So, I signed up for this book. Me, who used to actually mentor young engaged couples on preparing for marriage. But let's face it--being married for the first five years was somehow easier than being married for the last six. I'm not sure why, but it's just how it's been for us. I've known other very-long-married couples tell of having the worst years as their first, so I guess it's different for everyone. Yeah, I signed up for a marriage book. Not that my marriage is bad, I just thought maybe I could use a little perspective now that we've been married for almost 12 years. To get down to it, this was an interesting book to read. I liked that it wasn't only fr M her perspective, but that she involved her husband a lot of the time. I believe it had good things to say in an encouraging way and that it was filled with good reminders for couples who might have become distanced because of busy-ness and life changes.                                        Author info.                                    Dorothy Greco and her husband, Christopher, have spent their entire twenty-five-year marriage helping men and women create and sustain healthy marriages. They have served numerous churches in the Greater Boston area for thirty years. Dorothy's writing has been featured in "Relevant Magazine," "Christianity Today," "Sojourners," and "Her.meneutics." She is a regular contributor for "Gifted for Leadership," "Today's Christian Woman," and "Start Marriage Right."

THE MARK OF THE KING BY JOCELYN GREEN | BLOG TOUR AND FIVE-BOOK GIVEAWAY

{ABOUT THE MARK OF THE KING}

The Mark of the King
(Bethany House, January 2017)

Sweeping historical fiction set at the edge of the continent

After being imprisoned and branded for the death of her client, twenty-five-year-old midwife Julianne Chevalier trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling 1720s French colony of Louisiana, where she hopes to be reunited with her brother, serving there as a soldier. To make the journey, though, women must be married, and Julianne is forced to wed a fellow convict.

When they arrive in New Orleans, there is no news of Benjamin, Julianne’s brother, and searching for answers proves dangerous. What is behind the mystery, and does military officer Marc-Paul Girard know more than he is letting on?

With her dreams of a new life shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous, rugged land, despite never being able to escape the king’s mark on her shoulder that brands her a criminal beyond redemption.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MY REVIEW}

I've been following this book ever since Jocelyn Green announced it had been contracted and would be releasing in early 2017. And although I didn't know a thing about it, I couldn't wait to read it simply because it was hers.

What I found in the pages of The Mark of the King was a story brimming with raw struggles, yet always pointing to hope. It's set from 1719 to 1722 and follows the heroine, Julianne, through some very hard times. There are quite a few POV characters along the way, which isn't usually my favorite thing, but it worked for this book. I think my favorite character was Captian Marc-Paul Girard because of the bond he allowed to grow between himself and a "marked criminal" despite his penchant for law-abiding and justice.

This is a serious book. It is extremely well-written and basically BEAUTIFUL. Although there are many things in the book that seem unfair, it is written to be very true to the times the characters lived in. The Mark of the King will be sure to please fans of Lori Benton and Laura Frantz, but even if you don't read a lot of pre-revolutionary war novels, this one is one to add to your reading pile. 

{MORE ABOUT JOCELYN GREEN}

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning author of ten books to date, including “Wedded to War,” a Christy Award finalist in 2013; “Widow of Gettysburg”; “Yankee in Atlanta”; and “The 5 Love Languages Military Edition,” which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. A former military wife herself, her passion for military families informs all of her writing as well as her numerous speaking opportunities. Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University with a BA in English and now lives with her husband and two children in Iowa.

Find out more about Jocelyn at http://www.jocelyngreen.com

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YOU’LL BE ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT AS YOU TAKE THE JOURNEY TO THE FLEDGLING 1720S FRENCH COLONY OF LOUISIANA IN JOCELYN GREEN’S NEW BOOK, THE MARK OF THE KING. AFTER BEING IMPRISONED AND BRANDED FOR THE DEATH OF HER CLIENT, TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD MIDWIFE JULIANNE CHEVALIER TRADES HER LIFE SENTENCE FOR EXILE, WHERE SHE HOPES TO BE REUNITED WITH HER BROTHER, SERVING THERE AS A SOLDIER. TO MAKE THE JOURNEY, THOUGH, WOMEN MUST BE MARRIED, AND JULIANNE IS FORCED TO WED A FELLOW CONVICT. WITH HER DREAMS OF A NEW LIFE SHATTERED, JULIANNE MUST FIND HER WAY IN THIS DANGEROUS, RUGGED LAND, DESPITE NEVER BEING ABLE TO ESCAPE THE KING’S MARK ON HER SHOULDER THAT BRANDS HER A CRIMINAL BEYOND REDEMPTION.

Enter to win a copy of The Mark of the King from Jocelyn. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced February 7th on Jocelyn’s blog!

In case my post isn't connecting to the giveaway correctly (I'm posting from my phone until I get a my dead laptop replaced soon), here is the link: https://promosimple.com/ps/afa3