I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
Today I go to the surgeon for a consultation about surgery on my cervical spine. I confess that I am anxious, but I am choosing to worship God in spite of the anxiety because He is always worthy.
Update: I saw the surgeon and he recommended physical therapy, telling me that the surgery is definitely major surgery and not to be done quickly. So, I will call PT today and schedule an appointment. On the plus side, I can travel to see our family in MD for a couple of days before I have to start PT. And I see the surgeon again in two months for a re-evaluation. Getting old isn’t for sissies, but it is okay for those of us holding tightly to God’s hand. Thank you for your prayers.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Marine’s Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Marine’s Deadly Reunion Series: The Protectors Author: Loretta Eidson Publisher: Inspirational The Protectors Collection (Love Inspired) Release Date: December 26, 2023 Genre: Christian romantic suspense
To keep a child safe
They must outrun a killer…
When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly puts a target on her own back. Someone murdered Jake’s sister and now they want Jake and Daria dead. To survive, Jake and Daria must discover this ruthless killer’s identity. But can they uncover the truth and keep the baby safe…before the killer finds them?
The story is so real that my heart was pounding from the first scene in which the cute little toddler was endangered. Police Sergeant Daria Gordon and US Marine Jake Fisher have to combine forces to keep little Emma safe and to find out who is targeting them. From one threat to another, these two are kept busy trying to keep themselves and the baby safe. The entire story was like riding a toboggan downhill after a fresh snowfall. I didn’t know where I was going to end up, but I surely enjoyed the ride! The characters were an original breath of fresh air, with the heroic marine taking second chair to the leadership of determined and gritty Daria. She establishes early in the story that she is the one in authority so he has to follow her lead. Together, they manage to make an invincible and strong team of protectors for Emma. There is a lot of deceit and a complex yarn of a story to unravel in order to find out why Emma is being targeted, and the author does a masterful job of throwing out the line and reeling me in. I was engrossed in the story, the characters and the setting. Small town and big crimes? Count me in! This book has all of the elements that I love in romantic suspense: drama, mystery, family, faith and romance. The quick pace is a bonus, but I must say that I was sorry to see the story end because I fell in love with the characters and their bold defense of each other. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Clean Christian Fiction
About the Author
Award-winning author Loretta Eidson lives by the motto ‘never a dull moment,’ especially with her four children, thirteen grandchildren, and four great-grands. Her love of reading began during the required library time in middle school, where she devoured Phyllis Whitney’s mystery novels before she moved on to suspense author Frank Peretti. She left her eighteen-year administrative assistant position at her church to pursue the dream of writing inspirational romantic suspense. She has multiple short stories in anthologies, but her heart is writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and loves putting her hero and heroine in realistic predicaments where they must trust God to pull them through. Connect with Loretta by visiting lorettaeidson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Questions and Answers with the Author
1) What kind of research did you do for this book? What was the most interesting (or most frightening) thing you learned in the research you did for this book?
While out of town on vacation earlier this year, I talked to a police officer in a small mountain town and asked about protocol within the department. He reassured me titles for officers are mostly the same for small police departments and big cities.
The most interesting part of this research was driving through the mountains, taking pictures of old barns, mountain roads, restaurant designs, etc.
2) What was your favorite part of writing this book/series?
My favorite part of writing this book was writing the dialogue between Jake and Daria. Since both come from places of authority, they butt heads multiple times before they finally come to an agreement.
Jake, being the tough marine and Daria, being the authority in town, must find common ground as they work together to save baby Emma. I loved writing about Jake’s interaction with the baby. He knows nothing about caring for a little one and must shift his ways of thinking as an adult to deciphering what Emma needs.
3) Did anything in the story end up surprising you or changing the trajectory?
The surprising part of this story was my villain. I’ll not disclose inside information, but the villain shows up several times throughout the story. At one point I used a red herring, but the more I wrote, the more the story took a shift, which surprised me, and worked out better than I’d imagined.
4) When and how did you know that you wanted to be an author?
About 12-13 years ago, I listened to multiple stories of hopelessness, sorrow, and doubts from those in my church. The desire to share Christ with others in a non-threatening way welled up within me. Writing inspirational storiesseemed the perfect direction to take. Of course, romantic suspense was my favorite genre, so that’s what I chose, inspirational romantic suspense.
5) What is your writing process like?
I love to get up in the mornings, have my coffee/breakfast, read my devotion for the day, and dive into writing. It doesn’t always work out the way I plan, but since I’m a morning person, that’s the time of day I prefer. Of course, I’m a little on the OCD side, so I like to have my house in order, laundry done, and dishes washed before I bury myself in writing. In that case, I will do what I can before going to bed at night and the next morning, promptly put things away as I’m preparing for my day.
6) What would be your advice to new authors?
My advice to new authors is to keep pursuing your dreams/calling. Though you spend countless hours preparing a proposal and a rejection comes after months of waiting, allow yourself a moment to process what just happened, then pick up and start again.
As far as for aspiring writers, don’t give up. It takes persistence, dedication, and a willingness to learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry, reading guidelines, researching, etc., to reach for your dreams.
7) If you could have a luncheon with a group of authors, whom would you invite and why?
Oh goodness! How many am I allowed to name here? I would invite DiAnn Mills, Jessica Patch, Patricia Bradley, Lynette Eason, Dana R Lynn, Virginia Vaughan, Darlene L Turner, Sami Abrams, Dana Mentink! Should I go on? All of these authors are fun to hang out with, laugh with, and talk about writing stuff.
8) What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing or reading a book?
I love to binge watch suspenseful series on Netflix or watch unsolved mysteries. Of course, I do like shopping, eating out, and hanging out with family and friends.
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 18, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 25, 2023. 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.
Pause for a moment and consider how good God is. Thank Him for the breath you have, the life you live, and all the blessings you experience.
God is worthy of your praise.
Life isn’t perfect; there’s pain, suffering, and grief we all must endure. We all face dark and tough seasons.
However, Jesus experienced similar trials in His life. He grieved the loss of His friends, endured pain and suffering, and walked through dark times—feeling abandoned even on the cross.
None of these experiences alter the goodness of God. He remains good, present, and strengthens us in our suffering.
That’s why in 1 Chronicles 16:10, the writer encourages us to glory in His name. It means we should praise and uplift God in our lives. Our lips should overflow with praise, thanking God for who He is and what He has done.
What are some things you can thank God for today? How can you praise Him? Perhaps start by listing things you’re grateful for, then praising God for each one.
You might also list challenging aspects of your life. Spend time praying during this Advent season, asking God to oversee your circumstances. Thank Him for listening and being present, even in tough seasons.
A millionaire and a woman who thinks he’s a house flipper are stuck living in a house together with a menagerie of rescue dogs as roommates, in this heartfelt romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.
After her ex took all their money and bailed, Hazel Bristow is left broke and homeless. A kind friend whose home is on the market lets Hazel and her foster dogs stay there until it sells. It’s the perfect setup, until her friend forgets to tell Hazel she’s sold the house.
Linc Kennedy is shocked to find Hazel and her pups squatting in the house he just bought, but after some negotiating—she offers to cook amazing meals for him in return for a paycheck—he agrees to let her remain while he’s renovating the place. Linc tells Hazel he’s an investor who renovates homes for fun—he just leaves out the part about being wealthy.
Hazel’s intrigued by Linc. He’s funny, sweet, ridiculously hot, and loves dogs almost as much as she does. But her track record with men? Not great. She worries her trust meter isn’t in working order.
Linc’s never met anyone like the quirky beauty who puts everyone’s needs—human and canine—before her own. He didn’t tell her about his wealth because he’s been burned by women who only wanted him for his money. But with Hazel, he’s never felt more like himself. Now he has to figure out how to tell her the truth without losing her. Because Linc realizes what he feels for her isn’t puppy love—it’s true love.
My Thoughts
An escape into a fun-to-read rom-com is just what I needed during the busy holiday season to take me away to a world of laughter, love and entertainment. Hazel fosters dogs and is basically homeless, living in the home of a friend while she tries to get money together to pay for her own place. Enter Linc, a swoonworthy hero, who has purchased the house she is living in and agrees to let her continue to stay there while he remodels it as long as she will cook for him. What a setup for some humorous scenes since Hazel is a quirky character who has no idea that Linc is a millionaire. I loved the dogs who each have their own personality and become characters in their own right. I also enjoyed the interactions between Hazel and Linc, neither of whom knew enough about the other but both were willing to learn. This is a story filled with heart and humor that is perfect for fans of rom-coms with dogs and a lot of original twists to a clever plot. The pace is just fast enough to keep me engaged and the characters are relatable and lovable. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated PG
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jaci Burton is happy to be living her dream of writing passionate contemporary romance. She has written over seventy-five novels to date. Jaci has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business that she is delighted not to be using in her previous life of corporate management. She grew up in Missouri, migrated to California, but has been happily making her home in Oklahoma for the past fifteen years with her husband and dogs. She enjoys being outdoors in the summer and she and her husband are avid Harley riders. Jaci was honored with the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award as well as their Reviewers Choice Award. She has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best and National Reader’s Choice Awards, and has won The Romance Studio’s CAPA Award four times. Jaci is a member of Romance Writers of America. You can find Jaci on the web at the following locations: Website: jaciburton.com Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorJaciBurton Twitter: twitter.com/jaciburton Instagram: instagram.com/jaciburton Contact: jaci@jaciburton.com
Worship is the act of praising God for who He is and what He has done for us. Throughout Scripture, worship is a central act of the Christian life.
As Christians, we have received so much from God. Through Jesus Christ, we have received salvation and grace. We now have a new life in Christ and are secure for eternity.
Our response back to God for all of these things should be worship. Praising Him for His goodness and mercy and thanking Him for the things He has done.
We often think of worship as singing songs to God. And within this form of worship, we can do things like clap our hands, pray to God, or raise our hands in awe of Him.
But, singing songs is not the only form of worship. We can worship God in every area of our life. We worship God through prayer and gratitude. We can also worship God by being in awe of His creation.
As the writer of Psalm 47 says, shouting out to God and worshiping God comes from the joy within our heart. As we consider the greatness and goodness of God, as well as everything He has given us, we worship Him out of the joy within us.
Consider during this Advent season how you can intentionally worship God. You can begin by thanking Him for His faithfulness and goodness or any of His other attributes. Express your gratitude for the things He has done in your life and the things He’s given you.
Taking time to watch this video will be worth your time…we can depend on God because He protects us, delivers us and gives us confidence to move forward. I needed this today and I hope that it blesses you, too.
There are many different ways we can think about God. He is presented in Scripture as a God of love and mercy. He is also the Creator as well as our Rescuer. God is even spoken of as a Protector and a Warrior. Most importantly, God is the Protector of His people, those who trust in Him.
We don’t always consider God as a warrior, fighting on our behalf through the various trials and battles in life. Maybe you even remember a tough season when it seemed like God was absent or felt distant. Typically, in seasons of difficulty, it is us who draw away from God, not God drawing away from us.
Scripture says that God is our strength and shield. But it also says that we should trust Him, which means we have to believe He is present and working in the background even when we don’t think He is. Psalm 28:7 says that as we trust in Him, He will help us in our need.
In addition to trusting in God during seasons of difficulty, the Psalmist encourages us to find joy in God, not only through trusting Him but also through singing songs of praise and worship. Singing to God, especially in the midst of tough seasons, has the power to turn our hearts and minds toward God because singing to God is actually a way of building trust in God.
Songs remind us of who God is and what He has done for us in the past, so that we can trust Him in the present. All of this builds our trust and produces joy in our lives.
During this Advent season, and time of reflection, consider: Are you trusting God to be your strength and shield, or are you trying to manage life’s difficulties alone? What songs can you think of that can help build your faith and joy in this season? Every season of life provides a new opportunity to trust God as our Protector and praise Him for all He has done for us.
The good news of Jesus Christ is for all people and nations. This truth is something that Paul continuously reiterated in his letter to the Roman Christians. Paul wanted to make sure they knew that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ has been given access to God through Jesus Christ.
And so, as Paul neared the end of his letter, he encourages the Romans with this prayer: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)
What a wonderful promise! God is doing the work of filling us with joy and peace, and as that happens, by His Holy Spirit, we will abound more and more in hope.
Hope for what? Hope in what?
In Romans 5:1-5, Paul describes how those who believe in Jesus are now at peace with God…
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (ESV; emphasis added)
Because of our faith in God, we hope in God’s glory, and we hope in God’s love.
So right now, consider how God’s love might fill your heart with hope. In what ways can you hope in God during this Advent season?
Jesus says that everyone will be able to recognize us as His disciples by our love for one another. That means loving one another the way Jesus intended is a way of identifying ourselves as Christians. It is also one way to share the love of Jesus with others.
While culture promotes a selfish way of living, where we look out for ourselves first, God’s Word encourages us to be counter-cultural in how we love others.
We should be selfless instead of selfish.
We should do what we can to put others before
ourselves.
We should look for ways to help one another.
When we choose to love others, we show them Jesus’ love. And through loving others, people will recognize that our lives differ from the world around us. We will be able to share the message and hope of Jesus through the love that we show.
Take time during this season of Advent, to reflect on your own life. Do people know you as a disciple of Jesus Christ through the way you love others? If not, what steps can you take to build a habit of love?
I don’t know about you but I am a little fed up with people who say that they represent me in Congress or in the state legislature, but infrequently have they actually asked me how I feel about things and voted the way that I would vote. Maybe it’s because they don’t really know me?
As Christians, we are called to be representatives of Christ to a lost world. We can do that because we know Him through His Word and He knows us because we are His. If we are truly Christians, He communicates with us daily and we should be communicating with Him all day long. Then, we go out into the world and open our mouths and our representation of Christ may not be so obvious. In today’s world of technology, we can just sit at home and represent Christ, or not represent Him well, as the case may be.
Look at this verse carefully. It doesn’t say, “and when you know the Father is listening” or “when you are around other believers.” It says whatever you do or say. That means in person and online. I used to post a lot of things on Facebook that would offend some people because that particular meme or graphic represented my beliefs. Now, I post scripture and about books and family. Not politics to a random audience online who only sees what I post and judges me by what I am posting. I ask myself now before I speak (online or in person) if what I am saying is a good representation of Christ or if I should just keep my mouth shut. More often than not, the Spirit tells me to clam up and keep my personal opinions to myself because they are not edifying Christ.
How about you? Are you ready to make a commitment to be a good representative of Christ wherever you are and whatever you say or do? A new year is coming and it would be a great resolution to make, and one you could actually keep with the help and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We are called to be good representatives of Christ, not the ones whom He will one day turn His back on and say He never knew us.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 