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.
When I get busy with life and all of its challenges, that is when I need to immerse myself in the refreshing water of the Holy Spirit. Paddling, wading, whatever it takes so that I am feeling alive again and not just going through the motions. I am enjoying this encouraging series and hope that you are, too. I will leave you with this admonition to think about.
“Don’t just prioritise your schedule; schedule your priorities. Set aside a regular time to read the Bible and schedule it as a top priority.” ~Nicky Gumbel devotional January 16, 2022
When Eliza’s life is threatened, she turns to a handsome veteran for help. I left everything I’d ever known behind. And that decision may cost me my life. The moving truck hadn’t even been unpacked when my fresh start went up in flames. A frightening letter left in my mailbox and signed Always Yours sends me running to the only man in town who can help me. Driven by his protective nature and a mission he believes comes from God, ex-Army Ranger Lance Knight agrees, despite the fact that I’ve made it no secret I want nothing to do with him–or anyone for that matter.
The longer we’re together, the more I begin to realize that Lance is more than I gave him credit for. Something that troubles me nearly as much as the fact that an unknown man seems to have already claimed me as his. Trouble is, my admirer has a jealous side, and it’s not long before Lance is pulled into the crosshairs right alongside me… Get your copy now and be ready to stay up all night! Pages of Promise is a swoon-worthy, faith-based, suspenseful romance between a jaded woman and the hero determined to protect not just her body…but her heart.
This is Christian fiction at its best with faith woven throughout the story. The main characters are Lance Knight, the owner of a protection and security agency and Eliza who needs protection in the worst way. Eliza has fled to Hope Springs after divorcing her abusive and philandering husband Erik and is planning on a completely fresh start on the east coast. Unfortunately, she has a stalker who is determined to terrorize her and get rid of anyone who stands in the way of his having her for his own. The pace is fast with action that doesn’t let up. There are a few clues as to the identity of the stalker but not enough to spoil the story, and I was not able to guess the truth and its ramifications for Eliza and Lance. The characters are well-rounded, with flaws that make them more relatable. All of the town’s characters are lovable and make the small town a place that seems hospitable and welcoming, even to a total stranger like Eliza. I enjoyed how the town came together to help Eliza and support her when she needed it. The secondary characters like Doc were important to the tale and the setting made the story seem more realistic, adding a well described and inviting location in the midst of the danger that was ever present. This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read the other books in the series when they are released. This book can be read and thoroughly enjoyed as a standalone as that is how I read it.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Just Read. 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.”
Christian Fiction
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After spending seven years in the Army, Jessica Ashley set out to write novels that would transport readers to new worlds and help them escape reality with messages of underdogs and swoon-worthy romance. After eight years of a successful writing career underneath two pen names, she felt her faith pulling her in a new direction. Now, she writes sweet romance with messages of faith, hope, and the importance of trusting our hearts and the word of God. Her debut novel, Pages of Promise, is set to release in February 2024.
She resides in Texas with her husband of twelve years, their three kids, a flock of chickens, an orange cat who thinks he runs the house, and three dogs who don’t realize just how big they are. Connect with Jessica by visiting authorjessicaashley.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 29, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 5, 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. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
As I read this devotional this morning, the word “touchstone” jumped into my mind. I have read it in books, heard it from others but I didn’t really know what it meant. I only had a vague idea. So, I consulted the online Merriam-Webster dictionary and this is what I found. It is a stone used to test the quality or genuineness of something. Having read that definition, I decided that prayer is a touchstone for my relationship with God. The time I spend with God each day is important to me. It helps me to start each day knowing that I have touched base with the One who will guide and keep me throughout the day. I may not have a lot of time some days to pray long prayers, but I know that God is still there for me, waiting and listening and hearing and even answering as I call. I have said it before on this page, but I think it bears repeating. My prayers to God are like a long phone call. I call on him when I awaken and never hang up. He is still on the line for me all day long. The quotations in this devotional really spoke to me, especially the ones by John Bunyan and Corrie Ten Boom. Prayer isn’t just a thing I do…it is a part of me that helps me to know that my faith is genuine. I do really believe, even when times are hard and the doubts assail me from all sides. Prayer is my touchstone; faith is the rock upon which my life has been built and it is the rock upon which I will stand until God calls me home. My prayer time with God is always quality time, not because of me but because of the One who hears and spends time assuring me that He is there and always will be.
May your day be blessed with the touchstone of prayer.
I needed this reminder today as my mind just won’t stop reeling with current things going on in my life. God’s love is stronger…stronger than the trials, stronger than the changes, stronger than the fear, just stronger. The hope I have in Him and the patience I have to wait for His answer makes me stronger, too.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Deadly Mountain Escape by Mary Alford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Deadly Mountain Escape Author: Mary Alford Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Release Date: January 23, 2024 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Can this officer stop a trafficking ring?
Or will deadly criminals stop her first?
A search for a missing young woman becomes a nightmare for K-9 deputy Charlotte Walker when she stumbles on a trafficking ring and is captured. Death seems certain until she’s rescued by rancher Jonas Knowles. Together, they take shelter in the Amish community he left behind. But they can’t hide forever—not when the criminals are still after them and countless girls are at risk…
Along with her trained canine companion Annie, Charlotte Walker makes a formidable and determined deputy when faced with crime. What she discovers in trying to locate a missing young woman is a trafficking ring that endangers her entire community. She also finds help in Jonas Knowles, a young man who left the Amish community and lives alone on a ranch near where the trafficking center seems to be. Jonas is dedicated to helping Charlotte find a group of missing girls and bring the traffickers to justice. This book is non-stop action, plenty of hair-raising scenes as Charlotte and Jonas face danger again and again, from the winter weather, the traffickers and unknown assailants. The plot is compelling and relevant with intense, page-turning twists. The characters are believable and fascinating with complicated backstories and personalities. The entire book was an enjoyable and quick read that I highly recommend. Mary Alford knows how to capture her readers in the story and make them sit on the edge of their seat as they wait for the heroes to overcome evil. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Book Funnel. 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.”
Clean Love Inspired Fiction
About the Author
Mary Alford is a USA Today bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can’t put down. Her titles have been finalists for several awards, including the Daphne Du Maurier, the Beverly, the Maggie, and the Selah. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.
Connect with Mary by visiting maryalford.net to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
(1) winner will win a copy of Deadly Mountain Escape & a $50 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 30, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 6, 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 a print copy, ebook if outside US. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Serve while you grow and you end up growing more. I found in my life as a teacher in various states teaching various subjects that nowhere did I grow more in my knowledge and dependence on God than when I was told I would be teaching Latin I in high school. I am trained to teach Spanish and history, but the administrators needed a Latin teacher and said that since I had a background in Spanish (a Romance language) I would do fine. Let me tell you, I studied that subject every night, barely staying ahead of the students. The Latin teacher who was there to help me for about a month left to get knee surgery, had complications and was out for most of the year. So, there was me and a substitute who knew no Latin or any language at all. I did have one human resource, a teacher named David from another school who would answer all of my questions. (I kept a running list.) I also called on God over and over again to help me to understand and to remember the conjugations, declensions and vocabulary that were all totally new to me. My six week class of introductory Latin in high school that I took to help with my SAT scores was not terribly helpful, but David was and God calmed my spirit. I learned by doing. I taught and I learned.
Sometimes, we are called to step outside of our comfort zone and just do what God is calling us to do. This week I have been at my sister’s house in NC. I would much rather be in my warm home in VA, preparing for a visit from my son and his family. She is not especially pleasant to be around since she is not a Christian, wants little or nothing to do with God and seems to have developed a bitter spirit about Him since she is going blind. I have helped all that I can. I have prepared meals, cleaned, ministered to her needs so she doesn’t have to struggle to get up. I have tried to show her that Christians are not sanctimonious and judgmental but loving and kind. Has this been a great visit for me? Not according to earthly standards, but I have been doing what God sent me here to do. I have served. I am not trying to toot my horn or get pats on the back. I am just saying that someone, somewhere can use your gifts, talents and ministry of serving. You just have to find where and how to do it. You will never know true fulfillment here on earth until you are following Jesus’s example and serving, even when the people you serve don’t seem to see or appreciate what you do. God sees and He is smiling at you because you are looking more like His beloved Son every day that you serve others.
You know when a pot is boiling over, it affects the area around it. The stove eye and the surface of the stove get wet, sometimes with the sticky stuff in the pot. It is evident that the pot has boiled over because you can see it. If we are “boiling over” for the Lord, it should be plain for others to see.
The other truth I got from this devotional this morning is the meaning of enthusiasm. In Greek, it comes from en (in) and Theos (God). We can be enthusiastic about God all the time if we remain “in God.” When I am visiting my children, I am all about spending time with the family there, playing with the grandchildren, talking to the adults, sharing laughter and fun. When I am with God, which should be all the time, I need to be “all in,” dedicated to spending time with Him and enjoying my time with the Lord in fellowship. God is only a prayer away, a whisper, a look up and a deep breath in. I pray for more enthusiasm in my life for the things of God and less concern about what is going on around me. I hope you will join me in that quest.
I confess that I need to light the fire within me and keep going strong for God. I do remember when I was a new Christian and nothing could stop me from telling others about my newfound faith. These days, I find myself thinking of the repercussions of sharing with others before I actually even open my mouth. May God give me the boldness and passion that I once had because the people of the world are dying without a Savior and my silence may have eternal consequences for them.
www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/13
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