A Girl's Guide to the Outback

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.
Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.
When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.
As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

My thoughts: Having been to Australia before, I loved "returning" with this story! (though, I was more on the coast than in the Outback, so it was fun to read about the differences!) Sam and Kimberly were in Love and Other Mistakes, so I was looking forward to seeing how their story played out. Two very different people who tend not to work the best together, due to their past experiences causing them to look at life and Sam's ministry from totally opposite view points. When life throws them together in the Outback, they must learn to work together to try and save the farm.
I loved the story, the humor, and the side story of Sam's sister finding love. I liked this story even better than Love and Other Mistakes! It's an excellent rom-com with a beautiful message about learning to trust God and opening your heart to change.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

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About the Author:
Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. She loves watching sitcoms with her housemates and being a leader in a new church plant. Visit her online at jessicakatewriting.com; Instagram: jessicakatewriting; Facebook: jessicakatewriting; Twitter: @JessicaKate05.

Exclusive Excerpt
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Forgotten Faith

When Christians are challenged to explain what they believe and why, too many fall short. Do the majority of Christians feel true commitment to their faith anymore? Are they able to retain hope and perseverance when trials come? Or do they find themselves questioning God’s goodness? We live in a time where Christians seem to have forgotten their once strong faith.
In her book Forgotten Faith, popular podcaster and speaker Lauren Reeves teaches Genesis in a way that keeps her reader wanting more. She provides the foundation necessary to make the rest of the Bible make sense long after this book’s last page is turned. From cover to cover, the believer will find a fascinating study of Genesis and that Genesis and Revelation go hand in hand, painting a picture of the End Times and the reason for hope. The content has the ability to do for readers what might otherwise take years of study to unveil.
Forgotten Faith seeks to uncover treasures in Genesis that have long been hidden away, treasures that are relevant to today and the End of Days and have been waiting for the right time to be known—and the time is now.
Behold, I am coming soon . . . I am the Alpha and Omega,
the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Revelation 22:12–13


My thoughts: This is a wonderful book that takes the Bible book of Genesis and dives deep into it. I thought that the author did an excellent job of walking the reader through the book and bringing up some interesting questions to get one thinking. I liked the section on Creation, as well as thought it was interesting to think about what Eve would of done had she had hind sight when offered the fruit. I think this book is great to pick up for personal study or to go through with a group, since the questions would spark some good discussions.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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About the Author:
Lauren Reeves loves to encourage the heart of a person into a deeper walk with Christ. She believes the mind informs the heart, so offering resources that are engaging and fascinating is necessary. Bible literacy ranks as one of the biggest ways she wants to influence the body of Christ, and she has an extraordinary gift for explaining intimidating theological ideas in easy-to-understand ways that keep a reader wanting more.
She is the co-host of Joy for the Journey Podcast with Tammy Whitehurst (www.joyforthejourneypodcast.com) and loves teaching God’s word, songwriting, and leading people into worship. She is currently completing her master’s degree in Christian apologetics from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in religion from Baylor University. Lauren and her family live on a ranch in Texas. Learn more at www.laurenreeves.com

More from Lauren
Why did I write this book? Because I’ve often been told that learning and understanding Genesis is the foundation for the rest of the Bible. Much of the Christian worldview can be found there, which effects our decision making. But Genesis not only lays the foundation for the rest of the Bible, it is closely linked with Revelation, the last book in the Bible. Just about every time I’ve asked a Bible study group what they would like to learn about next, one of the number one answers was always “Revelation” or “End Times Events.” Even though for years people have been hungry to learn more about Revelation, most Christians and churches try to steer clear of this subject because the end times plan can be intimidating and is not 100 percent clear from Jesus’s revelation to John in that book. Since differing opinions often cause dissension, people understandably avoid areas of the Bible that aren’t absolutely clear. However, I believe those words would not have been given to us to read if we were supposed to avoid studying them. For that reason, I’ve taken the risk and written a book on Genesis that ties Genesis and Revelation together helping us to understand the end times plan more clearly. One thing I hope is clear in my book, though, is you don’t have to agree with my interpretation of end times events to glean great truths and a greater understanding of the Bible through my book. One stance had to be taken to talk about the subject in detail, but truly, if a reader does not agree with my stance, it’s not a big deal. There’s way more to the book than that. The goal was to make us all think on and around Genesis and Revelation to help us study it and have opportunity for the Holy Spirit to reveal truths to us through the Word. I hope other books are written from different end times stances so we can read and study from a different angle. The more we read from different angles, the more we grow in knowledge and understanding. It is my belief that being certain that there IS an end times plan is what helps anchor the hope of Christ firmly in our souls. If we don’t have a forward view, it is so easy to get stuck in the tunnel vision of the here and now, which can often appear hopeless. So, now more than ever before, Christians need to be studying the first book of the Bible to know what we believe and the last book of the Bible to know that there is an end times plan that is sure and wonderful. I hope this book stirs your soul in a unique way. It is deep, yet devotional. I really believe it is a book for today.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Lauren is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

School of the Miraculous

Demystifying Miracles
What if you could experience something miraculous every day?
Many Christians think of miracles as rare events for a select and fortunate few. But miracles don’t have be something mysterious and out of reach. They don’t have to be the exception. Just as they were common in the early church, they can become common for you.
School of the Miraculous: A Practical Guide to Walking in Daily Miracles by Dr. Kynan Bridges shows how every believer can develop a miracle mind-set, operate in miracles, and establish a lifestyle in which miraculous events occur.
Dr. Kynan has encountered many believers who are frustrated because they are not seeing evidence of God’s power in their circumstances. They have a growing desperation for more of His intervention in their lives. This book was designed to answer that cry for more.
The Holy Spirit is the Miracle Worker—but all miracles involve human participation in some way. Dr. Kynan reveals that our growing intimacy with God’s Spirit will lead us to see and participate in His miracles—living in His power and setting our expectations increasingly higher for His miraculous works in our lives.
This practical guide for every believer is filled with ideas for personal application, encouraging testimonies, and spiritual activation prayers for tapping into the miraculous. Enroll in the School of the Miraculous today!

My thoughts: This is an excellent book that takes God at His word and shows how miracles are still happening all around us today. I don't attend a charismatic church, and I don't think we can command God to work miracles to satisfy our whims, but I do believe that they happen and have seen them happen. I loved the true stories in this book! I also appreciated Dr. Kynan's thoughts. This is a wonderful book to pick up!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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About the Author:
Dr. Kynan T. Bridges is the senior pastor of Grace & Peace Global Fellowship in Tampa, Florida. With a profound revelation of the Word of God and a dynamic teaching ministry, Dr. Bridges has revolutionized the lives of many in the body of Christ. Through his practical approach to applying the deep truths of the Word of God, he reveals the authority and identity of the new covenant believer. A highly sought speaker and published author of several books, including Invading the Heavens, Unmasking the Accuser, The Power of Prophetic Prayer, and Kingdom Authority, Dr. Bridges is also a committed husband to Gloria and father of five beautiful children: Ella, Naomi, Isaac, Israel, and Anna.

More from Dr. Bridges
A miraculous way of life is a daily pursuit of the presence and power of God.
Signs and wonders are the spiritual advertisements of the power of God’s kingdom.
Power that is not recognized is power that is not released, and power that is not released is power that is not realized.
A prayer never prayed can never be answered, and a claim never placed can never be received!
Prayer is the spiritual life-force of the supernatural.
The anointing is the dynamic, yoke-destroying, burden-removing power of God working in and through us.
The attitude of expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles.
Action activates miracles. If you want to see a miraculous display of God’s power, act on His Word in faith, regardless of how you feel.
Jesus calls us beyond the place of fear into the place of faith, where we are empowered to live supernaturally.
There are certain spiritual benefits you can’t experience until you know and act upon who you are in God.
The more conscious and respectful you are of the presence of God, the more qualified you are to host the atmosphere of heaven.
Every time you proclaim the Word of God in faith, you conform your world to God’s Word. The more you proclaim, the more your life will reflect heaven.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate his tour, Kynan is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Starbucks gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

God Hears Her

When you’re having one of those days, you just want to know that someone is on your side. You have more than just someone . . . you have your Heavenly Father! He is with you. He is for you. He hears your heart’s cry. And He will reassure you of this through the beautifully designed, hardcover devotional collection, God Hears Her. The personal stories, Scripture passages, and inspirational quotes pulled from Our Daily Bread devotionals will lift you up and remind you that God is bigger than the trials you face.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent, encouraging devotional that I am enjoying reading through in 2020! I love that the devotions are short and sweet, yet thought provoking too. They give me something to think about through the day. While I like to start new devotionals in January, this book can be started any time of the year.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

Purchase a copy here:

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About the Author:
Our Daily Bread Publishing – Our Daily Bread Publishing is a division of Our Daily Bread Ministries. Founded in 1938, the ministry has grown from a small group of dedicated radio listeners to millions of people around the world who use our Bible-based resources, including the beloved Our Daily Bread devotional. Our Daily Bread Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit organization with staff and volunteers in over 37 offices working together to distribute more than 60 million resources in 150 countries. Regardless of whether it’s a radio or television broadcast, DVD, podcast, book, mobile app, or website, we provide materials to help people grow in their relationship with God.

More from Our Daily Bread
‘Feels Like Home’ Winter Recipes
As the weather turns colder, it becomes the time to pull out those tried and true winter-time recipes. You know, the ones that make us (or even keep us) warm on the inside. This is the time for the food that just feels like home.
Kirsten Holmberg and Elisa Morgan from the God Hears Her blog have shared some of their families personal recipes. These are the ones that are good for everyone. Feel free to try them yourself, bookmark them for later, or share them with a friend.
Kirsten Holmberg
In the winter, I’m partial to any slow-cooker soup or stew because I love coming home to it in the evening. My favorite is a Vegetarian Chili with some Italian influences:
2 bell peppers, diced
2 stalks of celery, sliced
2 lb zucchini halved and sliced
1 lb fresh mushrooms, halved
1 large onion, diced
3 cans diced tomatoes (fire roasted or herbed for the most flavor)
1 can tomato sauce
1 small can black olives, sliced (or fresh in any amount desired)
1 can cannellini beans
2.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
½ cup water
Toss it all in a slow cooker for a few hours on high, or all day on low. Or, put it on the stove instead and simmer until the veggies are cooked through and the flavors blended (about 45 minutes). Parmesan cheese on top for an extra zing.
Elisa Morgan
A Cranberry Nut Bread recipe handed down by my mom, Paige Lee
2 cup flour
½ tsp salt
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
½ scant tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
Sift above ingredients together twice. To the juice and grated rind of 1 large orange, add 2 tbs of melted shortening and enough boiling water to make ¾ cup. Mix with dry ingredients and add…
1 beaten egg
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup halved fresh cranberries
Bake in greased loaf pan for 75 minutes at 350 degrees.
If you double the recipe, bake a little less time and use 3 loaf pans. It also makes good muffins and can be frozen.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate their tour, Our Daily Bread is giving away the grand prize package of a God Hears Her hardcover, God Hears Her leather-like, God Hears Her journal, God Hears Her CD, God Hears Her pen, and God Hears Her Scripture & Encouragement cards!! (The set is beautiful!)
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

Good Grief

This is a true story of love, loss and new life. Suzie Borrows battled for her husband’s life praying for a miracle. God answered her, but not in the way she imagined. He had a plan that exceeded her dreams, and through undeniable revelations His purpose became her purpose.

My thoughts: This book hit home close to home for me. While I haven't lost a spouse, we did lose my sister in law to a brain tumor almost two years ago, so I could relate to that part of the story. You never truly get over losing someone you love, but that doesn't mean that it always hurts so much. I appreciate that this book shares the hope that we have in Jesus. The song "Homesick" by Casting Crowns sums up how I feel.
This is an excellent book to pick up, especially if you are working through grief.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy of this book.

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About the Author:
Suzie moved from N. Ireland to America as a child, accepted Jesus at 11, married the preacher’s son at 18, had two children, and a loving marriage for 32 years. Nothing she had experienced prepared her for the devastation she would face. She depended completely on God for comfort and direction. Which led her to begin a widows group, Boston radio show, www.sueborrows.com and www.YouTube.com/WidowsWednesday Suzie now lives in Westport, MA with her husband Bruce.

More from Sue
What do you do when writing a book was never on your radar? Answer, you write it in tune with the Holy Spirit in three weeks! An amazing hand-written letter from God, original poetry, and prophetic words from the Lord delivered to my doorstep and so much more! You are never alone when you are hurting or grieving and if you allow Him, God will be undeniably present and you will know His heart for you.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour. Sue is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift card and a paperback copy of the book Good Grief “A True Story of Love, Loss, and New Life”!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

Psalms Hymns

You’ve landed on the final book of Biblical Psalms in the Psalm Hymns series, Volume Five, Psalms 107-150 contains singable, recitable psalms in full form, adapted from the Biblical Psalms.

In this last volume of the Psalm Hymns series, you are offered a method for singing book V of the Biblical Psalms. Maybe your favorite psalm is included.
There are some sticky psalms, like Psalm 119- King David’s love poem to God’s law. You can ask yourself while singing it, why the law is important to a King. Psalm 137 is full of bile and bitterness, written by the remnant captives after the desolation of Jerusalem. But there are also the most lyrical and beautiful of praises for the eternal rule of God found in the Psalms of Ascent and in Psalm 107 and Psalm 136.
Psalm 139 is the lyrical ode and articulate description of God knitting our bodies together in secret, and how He watches over and cares for us no matter where we go.
The Celebration Psalms finish out the entire book of Psalms and Psalm Hymns series as a grand finale.

My thoughts: I've enjoyed this series of Psalms set to the tune of familiar (and not so familiar) hymns. L.L Larkins does a fantastic job of taking the Psalms, from 107-150, and setting them to music, like they originally were. My family did a lot of Steve Green's Hide 'Em In Your Heart tapes, and I still remember the verses we memorized! This book makes it easier for those of us who memorize music to learn the Psalms. This is an excellent book to pick up!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

Purchase a copy:

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About the Author:
L. L. Larkins graduated with a double major in Bible and Music from Colorado Christian University. Larkins is not a public speaker and in fact, enjoys being slightly incognito. This keeps the focus on the experience of singing the Psalms in each one’s own fashion or group. It also keeps any hero-worship or dart-throwing contests about the author at bay.

The Psalms provide a different experience of praise and worship than what is currently experienced in western Christian music. Both are valuable.

Larkins wrote each of the Psalm Hymns books (a series) in the given biblical context of chapter and verse. They are meant for teaching and experiential learning in Bible studies, as introductions to pastoral messages in the Psalms, for devotions during tours of the Holy Land, and for religious education for homeschoolers. But, they are also meant for anyone who loves the Psalms and enjoys a good puzzle. Some Psalms are so long that singing them can feel like chanting unless there is a creative musician in the group who knows about key changes, soloists, style changes, and other musical effects.

Larkins has wrestled with the puzzles of the psalms and has been thrilled with the spiritual enlightenment that adapting the Psalms to music has provided.

More from L. L. Larkins
Hi, and welcome to everyone wanting to go deep and wide, welcome to this singing book tour of the Psalms!

It’s my feeling that no other kind of Bible study can be quite as fun as a singing Bible study! You look at each other and can get a little anxious, but then someone starts singing the tune with the words of the Psalm and then everyone joins in or takes a turn. Nervous people start singing harmonies, then they get stronger. People start laughing at themselves or at the wonder of the words they’ve never really heard before. Afterward, people start commenting and asking questions. It’s just a blast!

The Psalms were written as prayers and soulful examinations about life, and as secret cover letters in times of war, and as testimonies about God’s miracles. But the Psalms were always meant to be sung rather than recited. Did you know? Singing excites the imagination and connects a variety of brain synapsis so that they create spiritual buzzes, new understanding, and alarms ring with new opportunities for faith and belief.

Our church uses the Psalm Hymns books as hymnals. We sing a psalm before each message.

If you are going on a tour of the Holy Land or are an educator or lay leader or pastor, I hope that you contact my publisher, Capture Books, about getting some copies of the Psalm Hymns in bulk for groups. I think there is special group pricing available.

Thanks so much for this opportunity to show off Biblical Literature adapted for today’s Church experience.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, L.L. is giving away the grand prize package of signed copies of the Psalm Hymns books (1-5)!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter!

Three Little Things

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Three Little Things by Patti Stockdale, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Three Little Things

Author: Patti Stockdale

Publisher: Smitten Historical Romance

Release Date: February 4, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance



One forbidden love. Two broken hearts. Three Little Things.



Hattie Waltz should forget the troubled neighbor leaving for boot camp in 1917. He forgot about her ages ago. It had always been the Waltzes verses the Kregers, his family pitted against hers. When she hands him a farewell gift, a chemistry lesson unfolds. The good kind.



Arno Kreger can't leave Iowa or his old man fast enough. He's eager to prove his worth on the battlefield and stop blaming himself for his brother's death. Before entering the train, he bumps into Hattie. He's loved her forever, always from the sidelines, because nobody crosses Hattie's pa.



One innocent letter soon morphs into many. Arno and Hattie share three little secrets in each letter and grow closer together. But he's on his way to war across the ocean, and she's still in her father's house. Their newfound love will need to survive dangers on both fronts.



PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

My Review:
I enjoyed getting to know Hattie and Arno as they get to know one another better through letters when Arno goes off to boot camp. It's funny how you can grow up with someone and not truly know them. Hattie has had a crush on Arno for years, but has waffled between being his little sister's friend and having a scary pa that intimidates suitors. I loved how they started sharing more abut themselves as they picked three little, big, or in between sized things to share with the other in each letter. This is a lovely story of a time when life was simpler, and yet you hugged your loved ones tighter, with WWI knocking on the door. This is a sweet story to pick up!
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patti Stockdale loves hope, history, and a good happily ever after. She can’t remember numbers, so she married a statistician. Thanks to him, she’s lived all sorts of places and worked all sorts of jobs. While employed by an NFL team, she once answered the phone by the wrong team name. She doesn’t work there anymore. For 11 years, she directed the programming at a nonprofit senior center and hosted an annual talent show, rocking a Dolly Parton wig, Annie Oakley boots, and a sweet—although snug—Batman costume. She no longer works there either. These days, Patti writes books and occasionally educational assessments and magazine articles.



CONNECT WITH PATTI: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a prize package including a signed book with a bookmark, a pair of socks with a proverb tucked inside, a $10 Amazon gift card, and a vintage bookmark!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 3, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 10, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

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