Month: March 2024

Just Read Publicity Tour: FLICKER OF TRUST by Eleanor Bertin

On By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review8 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Flicker of Trust by Eleanor Bertin, hosted by Just Read Publicity Tours.

About the Book

Title: Flicker of Trust
Series: Burning Bright #2
Author: Eleanor Bertin
Publisher: Leaf & Blade Publishing Release Date: February 21, 2024 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense


When a woman disappears, Ryan’s past is fair game.
Party animal Ryan Hainstock has made an about-face. He’s now an elder-caring, money-saving, church-going man with bright plans to set himself up farming. Somehow, whether he rates with her or not, those plans always include sweet and smart Lynnie Min and her young daughter. Problem is, Ryan’s past keeps coming back to condemn him.
Lynnie Min, too young for the title of widow, travels the lonely road of single motherhood in a rural community. Her dreams were crushed by tragedy when terrorists claimed the lives of her husband and one of her daughters. While gratitude should fill her heart for the presence of three-year-old Anya, a longing for
something more stirs within her. She can’t help noticing the changes in Ryan, a man she once knew as a college jock. While their affection deepens, greater forces conspire to destroy their growing love. A murder charge, a kidnapping, a child abandoned…Can Ryan and Lynnie overcome danger and distrust to find each other again?

My Thoughts

There are numerous reasons to like this book! First of all, the characters are lovable and relatable. Some of them are a little shady, but all of them are realistic and dynamically portrayed. The plot moves along at a fast pace with multiple layers that include romance and a mysterious disappearance of one of the women from the small town. Some of the characters, like Ryan’s father, had to grow on me as I got used to his sarcasm and how difficult he was to get along with. I enjoyed the family meals, how the family cared for each other and how Linnie offered to help Ryan by tutoring him. This is just an all-around good book with lessons to teach and drama to entertain. Underlaid with a solid biblical foundation, the novel teaches about forgiveness, forbearance, persistence and being hopeful about an unknown future. The story was woven seamlessly together, even with several sub-plots and it all came together nicely in the end. There are a few surprises that added to the mystery, too, so those were a welcome addition. This is a book that I can highly recommend to those looking for good Christian fiction that portrays people with flaws but who are trying to overcome and be better. Bonus: some lyrics from Hank Williams songs that I could sing along to at the beginning of the chapters. It was great fun tying the song lyrics into what happened in the chapters as I read them. This book is a cleverly written page-turner that has me anticipating the next book from this author.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Just Read Publicity Tours for the purpose of review. 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, “Guuidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Christian Fiction, Rated PG

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

About the Author

Inspired by the depths of God’s love and mercy to humanity, Eleanor Bertin writes fiction that ponders the place where life’s perplexities meet faith’s certainties. Before raising and home-educating a family of seven children for thirty years, Eleanor received a college diploma in Communications and worked in agriculture journalism. She is the author of five novels, as well as the memoir, Pall of Silence, about her late son, Paul. She and her husband of 42 years live in central Alberta, Canada and are the grandparents of ten amazing grandchildren.
Connect with Eleanor by visiting eleanorbertinauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 19, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 26, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.


Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway.

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

Action Verbs that Can Change Lives

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

I am a grammarian from way back, so I notice the use of action verbs, verbs that call for the subject to do something. In a command, the subject is YOU. So, when Jesus tells us to come, we move towards Him and read and study His Word, spending time with Him. When He says “see”, we are seeing the truth of His Word and all that He did for us during His short life on earth. “Go” means just that. Don’t just sit around filling your head and heart with God’s Word…go and tell others the truth of what you have read. Food does no good for anyone if it just sits in the pot and you stir it every once in a while. You have to eat it yourself and then share it with others. And “tell” is sharing the Good News with others. We are quick to share gossip or bad news about the current state of the nation or when our President falls again. How quickly do we share the good news that can change a life forever? I wish that the MSM would start each evening with a prayer and a Scripture. I know that is wishful thinking because they are MSM, but if they were taking part in fulfilling Jesus’s commission to come, see, go and tell, that is exactly what they would do. We cannot take over MSM, but we can influence our little corner of the world. Thus, it is imperative that we come, see, go and tell, for the sake of our world and future generations.

Come, See, Go, Tell.

What we hear affects what we know.
What we know influences what we believe.
What we believe impacts what we do.

That’s why it is so important to listen to God’s truth.

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Throughout the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we see Jesus inviting His followers to “come and see,” to “go and tell,” and to “listen and understand.”

Paul explains why “going and telling” matters in his letter to the Romans:

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:13-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So what is this “Good News”?

To truly understand it, let’s first look at the bad news: we’ve all messed up. Our sin separates us from a good and holy God, and there’s nothing we can do to bridge that gap.

Now, the good news: God loves us so much that He has already made a way for us. He put on skin, paid the ultimate price by dying a criminal’s death (even though He was innocent), and has conquered the grave by rising again. He has granted us the right to become His!

This is why “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

So right now, take a moment and thank God for the gift of His Word, and the ability to receive His Good News. Then, ask Him to strengthen your faith by showing you how to share your hope with others.

God: Devoted Doctor and Loving Parent

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/4

I think we can all agree that our society is broken, headed in the wrong direction. The author of this devotional hits the nail on the head when it says it’s a heart and head problem. I would add that it is also a problem of idol worship, the idols being social media and all of the technology that has a corner on the market of minds today. It is not a coincidence that Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air.” I am grateful that God is a doctor who is totally devoted to healing His people as well as a loving Father who disciplines, corrects our way and shows us the right way. How many times have you sat in a restaurant lately and watched a couple have a meal together but never really communicate with each other? Both are absorbed in whatever is on the little screen that they hold in their hands. My husband and I found ourselves doing that a while back and determined that when we go out, our dining table is a no-device zone. The restaurants aren’t always compatible with our philosophy since some have QR codes to read the menu and then to pay at the end. But, we persist in trying to establish a conversation with each other instead of with random strangers online. How many times have we turned to social media for advice or solace when the best advice we can get is from God’s Word and the best solace is from His Holy Spirit? Yes, we are a broken people, but the good news is that God is a devoted doctor and a loving father, and He doesn’t give up on diagnosing the problem and coming up with a solution. He will find a way to get our attention!

He Has Done Great Things

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

It’s easy to focus on the bad things happening in our lives, but if we keep our focus on God, those circumstances all around us fade away so that we can truly say, “Holy is your Name, O Lord!” Our circumstances don’t change who God is, but God can change how we see our circumstances.

Holy is His Name

Have you ever found yourself feeling uncertain and weighed down by your circumstances? In times like these, it can feel almost impossible to praise the Lord for all He has done.

Life’s trials can often cloud our vision, making it difficult to see past our present struggles. Mary’s declaration in Luke isn’t solely about her blessings; it’s a testament to the unchanging character of God. Despite her uncertainties and forthcoming challenges, she found the strength to proclaim the greatness of God and the holiness of His name:
“For the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”
Luke 1:49 NIV

Even when we don’t have all the answers, we can declare, “Holy is his name.”
Even when we’re faced with hardships threatening to steal our praise, we can declare, “Holy is his name.”
Even when the weight of fear presses down on us, we can declare, “Holy is his name.”

Our declaration, like Mary’s, is rooted in the belief that God’s faithfulness remains unwavering. The belief in God’s faithfulness strengthens our resolve to glorify Him—especially in the midst of uncertainty.

So, take a moment today to recall the “great things” the Mighty One has done for you. As you do, pray that your heart may be stirred to praise His holy name, remembering He has done great things not just for others but for you, too.

Spotlight: THIS AIN’T NO PROMISED LAND by Tina Shelton

On By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo3 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for This Ain’t No Promised Land by Tina Shelton, hosted by Just Read Publicity Tours.

About the Book

Title: This Ain’t No Promised Land

Author: Tina Shelton


Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: March 19, 2024

Genre: Christian General Fiction


“With stellar storytelling skills, Tina Shelton reminds us that while love isn’t always enough to erase the hurts, it’s the only way to survive them. A powerful read!”
–Julie Cantrell, New York Times & USA Today best-selling author of Perennials
When her husband dies, Charlotte can’t face the things she’s done that could tear her family apart. So she drops a goodbye letter in the cookie jar and flees south to escape everything–her life, her three daughters, the mistakes she’s made, and the secrets eating her alive.
Now Gracey and her sisters are alone on Chicago’s
South Side with nothing but their home and belongings. They’re doing everything they can to stay together, but young teens aren’t meant to
parent themselves. Their close-knit Black community gathers around them to keep them fed and clothed with the utilities on, but that’s not enough to fix the damage of abandonment.

Hundreds of miles away, Charlotte is struggling to keep her own head above water. She’s made a close friend who talks to her about God in a way Charlotte’s never heard before. But when her demons catch up to her, the shaky peace she tried to build shatters. Even if she’s able to find the courage to embrace motherhood again, will it be enough to save the family she left behind?

Excerpt

Sometimes the way Mom looked at us let us know she loved us, but her real thoughts were trapped inside her body and, in order to know what was really going on, we had to read, pick apart, and divvy up whatever her soul offered. We had to listen to her breathe, like the way she sighed deep at night with a sliver of a high-pitched hum. That let us know she was tired of trying to figure out whatever it was she was forever trying to figure out, but she was gonna stick with it anyway.


We had to watch her eyes, the way they lit up when she saw us walk through the door after school. We had to soak in the way she traced our hairline with her fingers when we were waking out of sleep; the touch of her thumb to our cool cheeks when we were crying. We had to watch which piece of baked chicken she’d give us at dinner and compare the sizes of our cake for dessert. We watched for her reaction to us when we stood next to her on the porch and watched the sun go down. If she smiled, she loved us; if she sighed and looked down the street, we were a nuisance. Having Mom around was like watching the sky in the spring. When she was okay, the sun shined and she made the world a happier place to live in, but when she wasn’t, it was overcast. But even with all that quietness of her soul and our gray days, we knew we were better off with her home than not.


Who knew emptiness could fill every nook in a space with such thick silence? (Page 10)

Purchase Links:
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Christian Book / Bookshop / BookBub

About the Author

Tina Shelton is registrar at Chicago Theological Seminary and a pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is also the mother of two young adults, and loves walking, working out, and traveling with her family. This is her first novel. Connect with Tina by following her on Instagram @ts_walking

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Tour Giveaway

1) winner will win a signed copy of This Ain’t No Promised Land and several book-related goodies, including a friendship bracelet, a mini journal, a pen, and a prayer tin.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 18, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 25, 2024. 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.

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

We Have Earned Justice

On By vickleaIn Book Review, Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/2

The word “justice” is much talked about these days. There is the feeling that justice has been perverted, that there is no real justice. Our understanding of justice is clouded by the actions of those who do not support what true justice is. God is just; He would be totally just in destroying the earth right now, just as in the days of Noah. Instead, He reached out and provided grace and mercy for us in the form of His own Son. It’s difficult for us to fathom what justice would look like if it were meted fairly to all, but that is what God’s justice is all about. But if you explore the Old Testament and the many times that God destroyed an entire group of people because of their sin, or when the Israelites and then those in Judah were taken captive, we see a clear picture that God will not be mocked. We have earned His justice, but He offers us His grace in place of it. It is our choice to accept it or not. I am blessed to have received God’s grace and mercy, His free gift of salvation, over five decades ago. But my story does not end there. Every day is a new day to say “yes” to God and “no” to my own desires. God’s mercy is indeed new every day and we can all be grateful that He loves us enough to show us His mercy instead of His justice. One day His judgment against all of mankind will come, but if you have accepted His gift of salvation, His justice is not to be feared, but rather to be welcomed because it means that we who know the Lord as Savior will be able to live with Him forever. Yes, we have earned justice, but thanks be to God that He has shown us His love and mercy and called us His own. God’s great love for mankind reaches out in love while He holds back His mighty hand of justice until the time is right for His judgment. Why is He waiting? Because He is God and justice and judgment are His choice in His time. I believe, and I think that others believe the same, that God is waiting until as many as possible come to the knowledge of His grace. He does not want to destroy His beloved creation, but one day He will. We will stand before God without excuse because He provided the only way to Him, the way to escape His justice, and so many have turned away and chosen to live in sin instead. May we ever be mindful of the fact that we have earned God’s justice, but He extends His mercy and grace.

Review of GOOD HALF GONE by Tarryn Fisher

On By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

GOOD HALF GONE
Author: Tarryn Fisher
ISBN: 9781525804885 Publication Date: March 19, 2024 Publisher: Graydon House
18.99 US | 23.99 CAN

Book Summary:


Iris Walsh saw her twin sister Piper get kidnapped—so why does no one believe her?
Iris narrowly escaped her pretty, popular twin sister’s fate as a teen—kidnapped and trafficked and long gone before the cops agreed to investigate. Months later, Piper’s newborn son Callum was dropped on their estranged mother’s doorstep in the dead of night, with a note in Piper’s handwriting signed simply, Twin.
As an adult, Iris wants one thing—proof. Because she knows exactly who took Piper all those years ago, and she has a pretty good idea of who Callum’s father is. She just has to get close enough to prove it. And if the police won’t help, she’ll just have to do it her own way–by interning at the isolated Shoal Island Hospital for the criminally insane, where her target is kept under lock and key. Iris soon realizes that something sinister is bubbling beneath the surface of the Shoal, and that the patients aren’t the only ones being observed…

My Thoughts

This is a psychological thriller that is engaging and so twisted that I thought my mind was never going to be straight again! Iris’s sister Piper is kidnapped from a movie theater. Iris sees Piper taken but no one will believe her since Piper is not a young child. The police think that Piper just ran away, but Iris saw two men hustle her into a vehicle. This is the story of Iris trying to find her sister and seeking revenge against those who took her. There are so many layers to the plot that just when I thought the surprises were all done, there was another one that was even more convoluted and added more depth to the story. I thought that the story started a little slow, like a bicycle on a gravel path. Then, it speeded up like a car on an interstate out west where there are no speed limits. Ultimately, the pace was like a rocket ship that took off and was not going to be stopped until the destination was reached. The finale was absolutely mind-blowing and left me gasping and saying, “What just happened?” There were some totally unexpected twists at the end that I don’t think any reader will see coming. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, but I wasn’t totally sure whether Iris was a reliable narrator or not. She was so obsessed with her sister’s disappearance that I wasn’t sure she was telling the story accurately or putting her spin on. It. Regardless, the characters were relatable and evoked sympathy from me, especially for Iris’s long suffering grandmother who encouraged her to find the perpetrators and find closure. This novel had me completely stymied at times, rooting for Iris to find the truth and wondering what in the world was going to happen next. Perfect psych thriller! The four stars are because of the slower start, but I did enjoy the book and sped through the last half.
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 a hard PG for graphic violence descriptions, language and intensity. Contemporary Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nine novels. Born a sun hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington, with her children, husband, and psychotic husky. She loves connecting with her readers on Instagram. Social Links:
Author Website
Facebook
Instagram
Goodreads

Purchase Links

Bookshop

Harlequin

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

Amazon

With a big thank you to HTP Books for including me on this tour.

Infinitely Costly, Absolutely Free

On By vickleaIn Book Review, Scripture2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/3797/day/8

I vividly recall telling our young children that they could not have the latest game system because the cost was too great. I also remember our very precocious son saying, “But you just have to go to the bank and get money for it, right?” Thus ensued the discussion about money having to be put into the bank first and the fact that priorities of life required things like groceries and paying bills instead of a new game system. Trying to teach them the value of a dollar, my husband and I told them that they could save half for it and we would pay half once they had saved enough. They had no idea how many hours they would have to do menial labor in order to earn enough for the game system they had set their hearts on. Well over a year later, they had the money, but their interest in that particular system had waned since a newer, better model had been released. After much discussion, they got the newer one and were well pleased with themselves over all of their hard work paying off, finally.

We sometimes blithely say during this season of Jesus’s death and resurrection that He shed His blood for us. We tell others that the gift of salvation is free to all who believe. But do we stop to think of the cost to Jesus and to His Father? Our freedom from sin cost them the relationship that they had enjoyed from eternity on since for a few minutes when Jesus hung on the cross, His Father could not look on Him. Jesus felt forsaken, but He was willing to give up heaven for each of us to one day be with Him there. I cannot imagine the grief of the Father and of the Son when the moment came for Him to bear our sins. I know that was the plan all along, but it didn’t negate the reality or the pain. Thus, the cost was unimaginable for our beloved Savior, but the price He paid made salvation free for us. We did not have to toil to earn it, do endless good deeds to get God’s attention and hope it worked, or make a sacrifice or a bargain with God so that salvation would be part of our lives. We just had to accept the FREE gift that cost Jesus everything! In my finite mind, it is difficult to understand the ramifications of Jesus becoming sin for each of us. However, I know that because of His willingness to sacrifice Himself, I am able to stand clean before the Father, having confessed my sins and repented of them. Money in the bank? No…a deposit in our soul that is without measure!

A Response of Faithful Living

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/3797/day/7

The big question that many ask is, ” Are you a Christian because you serve or do you serve because you are a Christian?” We had a luncheon at church yesterday for the volunteers at our church. It was a big crowd incorporating greeters, parking lot attendants, security, children’s ministry workers and media techs. All of us were there because we serve, but the question was asked about why we serve. I have to honestly say that being a Christian came first for me, and the Holy Spirit prodded me to use the talents I have to teach in order to work with the children. So many try to show God all of our good works, with the thought that surely we can earn our way into heaven. It just doesn’t work that way. The only way into eternity with God is to accept His FREE gift of grace. The works follow after you accept His gift, from a heart of gratitude and an attitude of servanthood modeled by Jesus Himself. We cannot outgive God, nor should that be a goal. We are here on earth for a short while, and our mission is to love God, love others and to serve both. Our heartfelt response to God’s precious gift of His Son should be a life lived faithfully for Him.