Tag Archives: devotional guide

Spotlight on Devotional Guide — Across The Lake

29 Jan

Across the Lake JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee by Barbara M. Britton, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Across the Lake

Title: Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee
Author: Barbara M. Britton
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Genre: Biblical Fiction Devotional

Discover the life changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.

Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.

A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or even a book club.

If you know Jesus, fall in love with Him all over again. If you haven’t experienced Jesus’s power and love, jump in His boat and engage with the Creator and Savior of the world.

Excerpt

A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years receives news of hope.

Lydia slumped against her walking stick, the emerging heat draining her strength.

Elon flinched. He could not offer her assistance without becoming unclean. As if sensing why she traveled from her tent, he sprinted to a water jar and set it by her ram skin prison.

A tear slipped from her eye and graced her cheek. “You are too good to me, Elon.” And good for her. You should have abandoned me years ago.

Before she collapsed and embarrassed herself, and him, she grasped his basket and turned toward her tent. The rain had dampened the woven reeds, so the handle fit securely in her palm. If only her future were as secure.

“There is a man.” Elon’s words chased after her. “He lives with a fisherman. Near the lake.”

There was always a man who claimed he could help her. For a fee. The slashes and burns and bindings of the physicians had never healed her. Her health worsened. The horrors of what they had made her drink sickened her stomach. She had only received disappointment and pain.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Scrivenings Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

About The Author

Barbara M. Britton

Barbara M. Britton is an author of Christian Fiction who loves to bring little-known Bible stories to light. She has taught the Bible in church and schools for thirty years. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website barbarambritton.com.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive an Across the Lake book box which includes a paperback copy of Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee, a Hebrews 12:2 Scripture Rock, a necklace with cross and GRACE tag, a print copy of the Shelter in the Night devotional by LoRee Peery, a Philippians 4:13 notebook, and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Across the Lake blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 26, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 2, 2026. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tags: ,

Spotlight on Memoir/Devotional — What’s The Story, Morning Glory?

25 Sep
What's the Story, Morning Glory? JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for What’s the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Title: What’s the Story, Morning Glory?
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Julie Lessman LLC
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Genre: Memoir Devotional (half fiction/half nonfiction)

“DEAR LORD, JULIE … OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!”

My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.”
Ahem. Until now …Trust me, “What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a ‘Novel’ Approach to Practical Christianity ” is not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends.

Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer.

Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as

1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)

I pray this bottom-line, albeit somewhat quirky, 1-2-3 devotional blesses you as much as God’s spiritual life lessons have blessed me!

Hugs,
Julie Lessman

Excerpt

“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

~1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NLT

Chapter Eight

From Promiscuity to Purity: Being Single in an Amoral World

1.) The Real Story:

“What do you mean, ‘it’s different with me?’” I skidded to a stop in my boyfriend’s driveway on the way to his Corvette, rooted to the asphalt like the lamppost by the steps to his house. He’d just had the audacity to brag about how proud he was of his little sister because “she was still a virgin.” 

“Come on, Julie, she’s my sister, so of course it’s different.”

Yeah, it was different all right. She was the one he admired and respected because she was moral while I was merely the girlfriend who gave him whatever he wanted free of charge.

No morals.

No respect.

No peace.

Being a product of the “Free Love” era of the 60’s and 70’s, I wasn’t a Christian back then and bore a major grudge against God, but even I could see the disparity between the two, something that literally rocked me to the core.

I think that was the beginning of a seed of understanding for me that God’s precepts—His morality instead of the world’s amorality—was the way of life instead of death, like Deuteronomy 30:15-16 NIV so succinctly states:

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

The “understanding” ramped up to a whole new level after Joy brought me to the Lord and told me sleeping with my boyfriend was sin. 

“God never shows me that in the Bible,” I argued, chin thrust high as I defended my version of “Bible roulette”—a haphazard method of opening the Bible to read just anywhere, somehow never coming upon passages on sexual sin. Which obviously meant they weren’t for me, right? 

Head drops in hand.And, yes, I really was that stupid. But then the world’s amorality makes you stupid, blinding you to the blessings of God.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

Also Available

     

About The Author

Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2014, Best of 2015, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-20, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window was an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers’ Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.Connect with Julie by visiting julielessman.com to follow her on social media, read both romantic and spiritual excerpts from her books, or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, a character named after you in Julie’s next book & a signed paperback copy of that book, plus a signed paperback copy of What’s the Story, Morning Glory!

What's the Story, Morning Glory JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 24, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 1, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print copies. Gift card open to all locales. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tags: , ,

Author, Author! — Linda Kozar, Author of Gimme Some Sugar

8 May

About the Book

Book: Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way

Author: Linda Kozar

Genre: Devotional Book, Nonfiction

Release date: April 2, 2024

A perfect start to a joyful heart.

Good things from God can calm the soul and fill you with confidence. In Gimme Some Sugar, award-winning author Linda Kozar brings her southern wit and wisdom to sweeten your life with spiritual nourishment to ponder, perspective to pray about, and a touch of joy to put a smile on your face. This 90-day devotional will encourage you to set your heart and mind on God’s Word while having fun along the way. Each devotion includes

  • an engaging saying,
  • inspiring insights from Scripture,
  • practical advice for daily life, and
  • a sprinkle of homespun humor.

Brighten your day with a spoonful of biblical encouragement and reminders of God’s enduring love, hope, and peace.

Click here to get your copy!

About The Author

Linda Kozar is an award-winning multi-published author of traditional and indie-published fiction and nonfiction books with a Southern flair. Linda and her husband Michael live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters, their wonderful son-in-law, two grands Eden and Wesley, and Gypsy their rascally Jack Russell Terrier.

More from Linda

The Southern life is simple, savory food, sweet tea, and family. Whether you have a twang or a drawl, or nothing at all, if you’re Southern at heart these devotions will perk you up, give you a scriptural truth to ponder, and a spoonful of inspiration to sweeten your day.

—Linda Kozar, Author of Gimme Some Sugar

Good Gracious! Company’s Coming Cheese Straws

Ingredients:

1 pound (4 cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (gotta be sharp!)

1 cup salted butter (yes to salted)

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

4 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon black pepper (or white if preferred)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone sheets. Break out your box grater and go to town grating that sharp cheddar cheese on the fine side of the grater. When finished, (usually when your arm starts to hurt), cover and let it come to room temperature.

Add the butter and cheese to a stand mixer bowl and paddle beat for about ten minutes until creamed together.

Add salt, flour, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper l and mix on medium speed until fully combined.

Transfer dough to a cookie press fitted with a star tip (if you want your straws to look fancy). Or you can hand-roll long thin strips and cut into uniform lengths (about 3 inches) with a knife.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly-browned. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Q & A with Linda Kozar

Many authors say that they have always been a writer. When did you come to realize this?

As a child I realized that reading and writing came easily to me. In reading groups at school I used to get in trouble because I had already read ahead to the end and when it was my time to read a section out loud, I had no idea where we were. I read voraciously and often didn’t like the endings to some stories. So, I wrote my own.

Were there any obstacles faced in your journey to publication?

Always. I had always dreamed of writing “a” book. Just one. I thought if you wrote just one book, that would be a dream fulfilled and I could cross that off my list. It never occurred to me that I could write more than one. Anyway, I wrote personal interest stories for newspapers and got paid something like $35 an article. Peanuts. But I really enjoyed writing them and it was a good training ground for me. Eventually, I started working up the confidence to convince myself that if I’d written so many stories, I could certainly write a book. That was the first obstacle. I prayed and talked to God a lot about this, and felt the call in my spirit that this was what I was supposed to do, and be. Once you believe in yourself, the next mountain to climb is convincing other people that your writing has value. Agents. Editors. Readers. This is a continuous obstacle in a writer’s life. You might be the darling of a publishing house one day, but the next day someone else is hired, or your sales aren’t big enough, or the house decides to cancel a line of books, and you’re out on your keister.

Can you tell us a little about what inspired your book?

The title came out of the warm greeting Southern children get from Southern mamas and grandmas and aunts and neighbors and friends of the family. Gimme Some Sugar means you’re about to get a big kiss on the cheek and a hug. And after that, you’re probably going to be offered something to eat (all of which is what I do now). The title reflects those warm feelings of being loved and cared for, like God loves and cares for us.

What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing Gimme Some Sugar?

I want readers to open Gimme Some Sugar and instantly feel the warmth of tender loving, nostalgic memories, of family, of friends, of kinder times. My desire is for them to have a good laugh, and most importantly, to read something of weight and reflection to inspire them in their daily walk. Devotions are a wonderful kick-start to your day, and hopefully a reminder to open your Bible and study further.

What’s next?

    A second book in the series titled Sweet Tea & Thee will be coming out either at the end of 2024 or early 2025. I finished writing the manuscript in January and it’s almost finished going through edits. I’m really excited about this next book.

    Blog Stops

    Its Mama Safe, May 2

    She Lives To Read, May 3

    Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

    Artistic Nobody, May 5 (Author Interview)

    Mary Hake, May 5

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 6

    Locks, Hooks and Books, May 7

    By The Book, May 8 (Author Interview)

    Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 9

    Texas Book-aholic, May 10

    Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 11 (Author Interview)

    Cover Lover Book Review, May 12

    Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 13 (Author Interview)

    Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 13 

    Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 14

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 15

    Giveaway

    To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a hardcover 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/2b581/gimme-some-sugar-celebration-tour-giveaway

    Tags: ,

    Spotlight on An Advent Devotional — Where He Dwells

    30 Nov

    My friend Chrissie Tomlinson is a Bible teacher extraordinaire plus a great writer of devotionals. This year she shares her thoughts and God’s truth in Where He Dwells: Readings for Advent. If you are on the lookout for a book to help you really discover the Christmas Spirit, then you need to check out her book. It is available in print as well as on Kindle (only $5!). Find out more below.

    There is something about Christmas that turns our hearts toward home. It’s the season that we focus on Jesus coming to make His home among us and accomplishing a redemptive work so our home with Him can be eternal. This Advent devotional book for 2023 is about how our Lord longs to dwell with us. It’s about Christmas, but it’s also about Heaven. Your heart will be encouraged and inspired as you set aside time each day of this season to abide with Christ in a deeper way.

    Tags: , , ,

    Author, Author — Christa Joy Spaeth

    25 Sep

    About The Book

    Book: Powerful Whispers: A 7-week Journey Discovering Who You Are To God

    Author: Christa Joy Spaeth

    Genre: Christian non-fiction, devotional

    Release Date: February 22, 2023

    Powerful Whispers gives you a glimpse of how awe-inspiring God’s whispers of His love are for you. He desires to capture your heart, to communicate personally with you, to encourage and strengthen you.

    Each daily devotional offers God’s life-giving words, suggests powerful worship, and provides an activation step applying that day’s principe to your life. Let the Lord fill your cup to overflowing as you embark on this amazing 7-week journey.

    Whether you’be been walking with the Lord for years or have been recently saved, you will discover in fresh new ways that: God Knows You – God Loves You – God Fights for You – God provides for You – God Chose You – God’s Peace is for You – God’s Powerful Whispers Can Change your Life

    Click here to get your copy!

    About The Author

    Christa Joy Spaeth is the founder of Christa Joy Ministries. It was in 2022 when Minnesota-based author Christa received a compelling message from God. In a prayer cabin called “Whisper,” He prompted her to write a seven-week devotional.

    Since then, Christa’s eyes, heart, and ears were opened to more whispers, so that she may start fulfilling her new purpose of helping the hurting and share the love of Christ.

    This blessed wife, mother of two, and businesswoman is passionate about living up to God’s plans for her every day. So much so that in 2022, she stepped down from her decades-long career as a Registered Dietitian at a large food manufacturing company to pursue the promptings of the Lord and encourage others in Christ.

    Today, Christa owns and operates Christa Joy Ministries where she publishes her own books, writes daily encouragements and God whispers on her social media accounts. In addition, she does guest blog posts for various social media accounts.

    More from Christa

    One morning while I was away at a prayer cabin, the Lord laid on my heart that I was to write a book. My first thought was, “Oh, my! Lord, I have never written anything other than work-related documents. Where do I begin? What do you want me to write?”

    I am so honored and humbled that the Lord placed amazing book experts in my path over the next year to launch this unique devotional book in a mere 55 weeks. This feat is spectacular as I didn’t know anything about the publishing business.

    Two components of Powerful Whispers that my readers love are the suggested worship and the activations. After each devotional was written I searched for the perfect worship song. You will find several suggested indie artist songs and a few popular worship songs too. Daily you will find an activation which engages your entire body to be able to get the daily truth deeper in your soul.

    The Bible verse I read before I starting to write Powerful Whispers is found in James 1:5, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” God continually showed His faithfulness to me by providing wisdom to share with my readers.

    My heart’s desire is that readers will soon learn through this daily devotional that God chose them, He loves them, and He wants to share His powerful whispers daily for their life.

    Q & A With Christa Joy Spaeth

    Many authors say that they have always been a writer. When did you come to realize this?

    In my day job of over two decades as a dietitian for a food manufacturing company I wrote many articles for our customers. However, I never felt like I was a writer. It was just part of my job and writing came easy to me.

    I am one of the unusual authors, I didn’t realize I wanted to be a professional writer until last year when I felt led to write Powerful Whispers. When I leaned in and listened to what the Lord had for me, I felt strongly that I was to write a book as an encouragement to others. 

    Three days after I decided to write a book, I was blessed to learn that I was able to take a free class titled “How to write a book!” I jumped into the class and simultaneously started writing my book. I’ve never looked back.

    Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?

    As a new author, I had no idea about the value of a good editor, nor did I understand the different types of editors. The first editor I hired was a copy editor, who is really meant to be the final editor. Her focus was on punctuation, spelling, and basic grammar. Thankfully, an experienced friend in book publishing suggested I hire a content editor. I was led to work with the perfect person for me and my book. This editor took a step back and provided great direction to help my book be consistent in tone and content. She challenged me to add several thousand more words. I am thankful for her insights because they made my book more complete. 

    I’ve heard it said no matter how good you think you are as a writer; you need an editor. This process sure validated that statement to me. The lesson I learned for my future books is to build in lots of time for the editing process. If you plan to write books in the future, one tip I have for you is, however long you think editing will take, double that. It’s a slow process but it was well worth the time and money!

    What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?

    When I wrote Powerful Whispers I had a fairly structured writing schedule. I would write or do research most days in the afternoon. However, at that time I wasn’t on social media, so I didn’t have that distraction nor the pressure of developing content.

    Writing my second book, I am much less structured. Between social media, writing newsletters, and hosting a podcast, which is also titled Powerful Whispers, I haven’t found a rhythm yet to get structured. I hope I will in the near future! 

    What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing Powerful Whispers: A 7-week journey Discovering Who You Are to God. 

    I want my readers to have a deeper understanding of how much God loves them, knows them and that He chose them to be here on this earth right now.

    One of my readers wrote this review which sums up what I was hoping the readers to walk away with “I grew up in a tradition focused more on theology than on relationship, and this has been a good study in listening for that still, small voice that relates to me on a personal level! I love the music recommendations for each devotional. Highly recommend this 7-week study!” 

    Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

    I am excited to share that I have a new book set to be released in November. My new book is a 50-day guided prayer journal for busy moms. I am in the final stages of editing so I am not yet ready to release the name of the book. Stay tuned and please follow me on social media to stay updated on the latest details.😊 

    Blog Stops

    Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 13

    Lily’s Book Reviews, September 14

    Locks, Hooks and Books, September 15

    A Reader’s Brain, September 16 (Author Interview)

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 17

    Texas Book-aholic, September 18

    Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 19 (Author Interview)

    Life on Chickadee Lane, September 19

    Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 20

    Its Mama Safe, September 21

    The Book Club Network, September 22

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 23

    Artistic Nobody, September 24 (Author Interview)

    By The Book, September 25 (Author Interview)

    Mary Hake, September 25

    Lots of Helpers, September 26

    Giveaway

    To celebrate her tour, Christa is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Powerful Whispers devotional book, and a hand-crafted leather bookmark!!

    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/27de3/powerful-whispers-celebration-tour-giveaway

    Tags: ,

    Spotlight on Devotional Reading — Walking With You Through Every Season

    7 Sep

    Perspective through the eyes of a coach’s wife — that’s what you get with Walking with You Through Every Season. Talisha Alligood leads the reader through Proverbs 31 with sometimes humorous and always touching devotions. Although targeted towards the coach’s wife, it will resonate with all women.

    This devotional is written from the perspective of a coach’s wife as it relates to the Proverbs 31 woman. It includes many funny and heartwarming stories from seasoned coaches’ wives about how God has ministered to them on and off the field. Included in the pages you will find wisdom from God’s Word on how to continue striving to be more like Christ using the example of the Proverbs 31 woman. Although it is written with coaches’ wives in mind there are aspects that will minister to all women in every phase of life and career paths. Each entry in Walking with You Through Every Season includes a Scripture verse, a story from a coach’s wife, a prayer, and a reflection question with lines for journaling. This devotional is intended to remind you that you are not alone in this coaching wife life. There are others who have walked this path before you and have graciously shared their godly wisdom in these pages.

    Talisha Alligood has been a coach’s wife for 20 years. She says it’s been a wild and unpredictable ride! You can find out more about Talisha and read her devotionals at her blog, Proverbs 31 Coach’s Wife.

    Tags: ,

    Spotlight On Amy Bowdoin

    23 Aug

    Amy Bowdoin, known to her many followers as Honeysuckle Drive, is a dynamic inspirational speaker, and she will bring the morning keynote address at the book festival that will be in my hometown in January 2024. (For more info on that check out PerryPageTurners.com or Perry Page Turners on FB.) I cannot wait to meet Amy! I have loved following her on FB — she is so funny and insightful.

    Amy also has a devotional book — Honeysuckle Drive. You really need to check this one out!

    Honeysuckle Drive is a place where stories aren’t just told, they’re lived…by a small town girl who doubts, who gets discouraged, who makes mistakes, but who also desires a growing relationship with Jesus. I’m no saint, not even close. Just ask my momma. I’m also no religious scholar. I don’t even know all the books of the Bible. What I do have is a heart for Jesus, and I’m a big believer that’s all you need to change the world.

    Amy Bowdoin was born and raised in Carrollton, Georgia. She lived a very normal life – until she didn’t. Good intentions and bad decisions escorted her down a different path. It required a leave from teaching middle school and an extended stay in a mental hospital battling depression. But, she’s living proof God uses all things for good. She exited that facility with a renewed purpose.

    She created a popular Facebook page titled Honeysuckle Drive in 2015. It’s a place where stories aren’t just told – THEY’RE LIVED – by a small town girl who doubts, who gets discouraged, who makes mistakes, but who also desires a growing relationship with Jesus. Her followers started pecking her to death like chickens to compile her true stories into a book. She procrastinated until God placed it on her heart. Her first published book, Honeysuckle Drive, hit the shelves on November 15, 2022. It’s a 12 week devotional for any season. Amy shares the real, and the messy, and all that’s in between in hopes of helping her readers cultivate an authentic relationship with Jesus. Her book is filled with stories, scripture, prayer journals, and challenging questions that require true soul searching along the 12 week journey.

    Amy even has a podcast that compliments each week in her book. The response has been overwhelming, resulting in the creation of a group leader’s guidebook. This guidebook is now being used in the women’s ministry at several churches throughout the southeast. Amy’s unwavering obedience has also led to multiple speaking engagements and will bring her to Perry, Georgia, on January 27th.

    Amy had this to say about herself: “I love Jesus, country music, and old-school rap. I’ve gotta thing for genuine people, Fireball Whisky, and infectious laughter. I’m careful with my words, but I do cuss a little. I’m no religious scholar. I don’t even know all the books of the Bible. I don’t have multiple degrees or a fancy title, and I’ve never earned a distinguished award. But, what I do have is a heart for Jesus, and I’m a big believer that’s all you need to change the world.”

    Tags: ,

    Spotlight ( + Giveaway) — A Love Most Precious

    4 May

    A Love Most Precious JustRead Blog Tour

    Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Love Most Precious by Anita Higman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

    About The Book

    A Love Most Precious

    Title: A Love Most Precious: 90 Devotions on the Book of Ruth
    Author: Anita Higman
    Publisher: DaySpring
    Release Date: October 9, 2022
    Genre: Devotional Book

    What does true love look like?

    The book of Ruth has all the makings of a great love story: a grief stricken past, a homecoming, the challenge to survive, a poor Cinderella who chooses to serve, and an upstanding man of status who notices her. He fights to save her future. This Old Testament Bible story is about a love story far more immense than that of Ruth and Boaz.

    During this 90-day devotional by Anita Higman, you will be inspired by the heartwarming, true story of Ruth containing priceless gems: the power of an eternal love to redeem a bereaved mother, a foreign widow, a reformed prostitute’s son, all God’s people, and yes, even you. God has the power redeem our broken spirits, broken hearts, and broken pasts. Come discover a precious, life-changing love hidden within four illuminating chapters of Scripture that will delight your heart and refresh your soul! It’s also the perfect gift for a friend on any occasion.

    PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | DaySpring | Bookshop/IndieBound

    Excerpt

    A LIFE WORTH READING!

    In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.

    RUTH 1:1 ESV

    When we begin a brand-new chapter in our lives, we have no idea how it will read later. It might go very well for us, with a new career, or a new church, or a move far across the country. We all want to avoid any Shakespearean tragedies, and instead, we run merrily toward the happily-ever-afters. Right? 

    Naomi—Ruth’s future mother-in-law—was clueless as to how her life would turn out after she and her family moved to Moab. Even though they were fleeing a famine in their homeland, they surely had reservations. They knew Moab was not only a foreign land with a pagan people, but it was a forbidden place for Israelites like Naomi and her family. It appears that fear influenced them. Fear is such a universal and familiar emotion, and without God in the mix, it has the potential to drive us into ominous circumstances. 

    And so, yes—Naomi’s story is about to become a real page turner! For all of us, the Lord has the power to straighten our paths, calm our fears, and give us courage for the trials of the day—if we ask Him. May we include God in all our decisions, so that in the end, our life story will be worth the read! 

    Lord Jesus, guide me every day in all that I do throughout my life! Amen.

    Also Available

    About The Author

    Anita Higman

    Anita Higman, an award-winning and best-selling author from Texas, has authored or coauthored fifty-plus books, and she has a BA in the combined fields of speech communication, psychology, and art. A few of Anita’s favorite things are fairytale castles, traveling, antiquing, exotic teas, gardening, and laughing with her family and friends.

    Connect with Anita by visiting anitahigman.com to follow her on social media.

    Tour Giveaway

    (3) winners will each receive a DaySpring prize bundle which includes a market tote, Bible cover, canvas pouch, and the Spring issue of Everyday Faith magazine!

    A Love Most Precious JustRead Tours giveaway

    Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 1, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 8, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

    Enter Giveaway

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

    JustRead Publicity Tours

    Tags: ,

    Book Review — Mother of The Bride

    14 Apr

    I follow Cheryl Barker on IG. I love her beautiful pics of all things weddings. When I found out she had a book geared towards MOBs (mothers of the bride), I knew I had to get it when my daughter got engaged. If you are a MOB, or know someone who is, then I recommend you get Mother of The Bride: Refreshment And Wisdom for The Mother of The Bride! Her short essays provide insight into all aspects of a wedding — from engagement to the day of. I liked the tips she shares as well. There are great worksheets and guidance for making the day as special as your little girl. Insightful and handy! It is also faith-based so that in all the craziness of wedding planning you don’t lose sight of the significance of weddings and marriage and the One who created them. All in all, a great resource to keep you sane and centered. 😉

    (I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

    Here is all the info:

    Mothers in today’s world wear many hats and struggle to keep the stress in their lives at manageable levels. Add the delightful but demanding new hat of mother of the bride (MOB) to the roles they are already juggling, and you have a host of middle-aged moms pushed to their limits, in desperate need of an empathetic voice and moments of nourishing relaxation. While trying to maintain life as they knew it before their daughters’ big announcements, MOBs are called upon to magically morph into wedding planners, help their daughters navigate the journey to the altar, and establish new and loving relationships with their prospective sons- in-law and their families. With all focus, financial and otherwise, dedicated to the brides and the weddings themselves, the needs of mothers of the bride are overlooked. Mother of The Bride will help MOBs step away from the hurried pace of daily life complicated by a demanding new role. It will offer them the refreshment found in discovering community as they take time for themselves time to be encouraged, to gain helpful insight and practical tips, and to enjoy the feminine beauty of a book designed just for them. Through essays featuring relevant quotes or Scriptures, personal stories, nuggets of wisdom, simple suggestions for personal pampering, journaling opportunities, communication aids, and practical tips for wedding planning, Mother of The Bride will nurture the all-important but too often neglected mother of the bride.

    Cheryl Barker is a writer from Kansas who loves the Lord and longs for her words to be a blessing to others. Her heart’s desire is to refresh spirits and nourish souls.

    Cheryl grew up in a house full of girls. Along with her mom and three sisters, they had her dad outnumbered five to one. Right in the middle of her college years, she married a fun-loving but dedicated biology student named Don. After graduating with a BSED and a major in English from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, Cheryl taught English for a short time before becoming a stay-at-home mom to daughters Kristin and Kelli. During her daughters’ teenage years, she began freelance writing on a part-time basis. Kristin and Kelli grew up to be amazing women who brought equally amazing men into their family as sons-in-law. In January 2015, Cheryl and Don became the happy and proud grandparents of Isaiah and James, the twin sons of Kristin and Shawn, and in August 2016, Kelli and Jake made them grandparents again with the birth of Samuel and Silas–that’s right, another set of twin grandsons! Cheryl is now one busy grandma and loves every minute of it.

    In addition to her book Mother of The Bride, Cheryl’s work has appeared in magazines, compilation books, and other publications as well as in Blue Mountain Arts greeting cards and also their gift book anthologies and calendars. She started her inspirational/devotional blog in 2007 and also launched a blog for mothers of the bride in 2013. She edits and publishes Life Notes, her quarterly inspirational newsletter that features her work along with that of other writers.

    When she’s not writing or tending to life’s chores, Cheryl loves to spend time with family and friends, take photos, sing in her church choir, teach preschool Sunday school, read, go to movies with Don, and stay involved in her church and her writers group. Last, but certainly not least, she loves to indulge in daily doses of chocolate. Cheryl would love to connect with you. Find her social media buttons for Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and LinkedIn on her website at http://cherylbarker.net/.

    Tags: ,

    Book Spotlight — Glory: Rescued, Redeemed, Transformed (A Collection of Advent Readings)

    25 Nov

    Are you looking for an Advent devotional to make this Christmas season a little more special? If so, then I have a book for you! My friend Chrissie Tomlinson has a collection of Advent readings that I know you will love. Find out all about Glory: Rescued, Redeemed and Transformed below.

    “And the glory of the Lord shone around them…”

    The night Christ was born, the angels didn’t announce the arrival of an Avenger-King. They didn’t come with swords and shields to clear the earth of evil and sorrow. Instead, they came with the announcement of the arrival of a Baby, the Messiah. God has come to rescue us. He has come to redeem us. He has come to transform us. We were designed for glory. And because of Jesus, we can be destined for glory eternally. This Advent season, rejoice in the glory of the Lord, and anticipate the great glory that is yet to come.

    “Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion! . . . Your King is coming. A good King who makes all things right . . . ” – Zechariah 9:9

     

    Dr. Chrissie Tomlinson is the author of the inspirational blog This Road Home. She resides in Perry, Georgia.

    For contact information visit: http://www.ThisRoadHome.com.

     

    Tags: , ,

    ← Older Entries