About the Book
Treasured moments with friends and family grow from traditions as simple as back-to-school ice cream sundaes, haunted gingerbread houses, and cereal nights in the park. Popular blogger Kierste Wade's simple traditions will inspire and involve the whole family in the festivities of daily life. With pages of great ideas, instruction and access to free printables for download, Simple Tradition can inspire you and give you the tools to bring the happiness home and make memories together all year long.
About the Author
Kierste Wade is the author of Simply Kierste Design Co., a DIY & Lifestyle blog, where she has been sharing creative ideas since 2009. As the mother of six, she loves to feature simple ideas for both home and family, including organization, holiday traditions and activities, home décor, DIY, recipes, printables, and more. Her work has been featured in many publications, both online and in print, including CountryLiving.com, HGTV.com, BetterHomesandGardens.com, Parents.com, and Babycenter.com. She’s happy to make her home in upstate New York with her family in their farmhouse, Old Salt Farm.
Author Interview
Check out the author interview HERE.
Giveaway
Today I am going to post a line from
One Christmas in Winter by Bell Renshaw. 
My First Line:
Reba Farwell wasn't planning on being there that long.
Giveaway:
About the Book
Master storyteller and best-selling author H.B. Moore brings to life the biblical account of Ruth as never before in this vivid retelling of her courageous and faithful life.
Following the death of Ruth’s husband, she finds herself at a crossroads. Rather than return to her family and hometown, the young widow makes a remarkable decision: she will remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi, as her caretaker and companion. Together, the two widows boldly leave behind the lives they knew in the land of Moab and make their way to Bethlehem, arriving downtrodden and destitute. Though Ruth works day and night to provide for Naomi, it is ultimately through the kindness and generosity of Boaz that the two women find respite from their trials. As Ruth comes to know Boaz, she finds that her broken heart is beginning to heal in ways she could never have imagined. But when a question of inheritance threatens any hope of a life with Boaz, Ruth may have to give up the last piece of her heart in order to secure her future. About the Author
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author, with a dozen historical written under the pen name H.B. Moore. Latest is Slave Queen (Thomas & Mercer). Under Heather B. Moore she writes romance and women’s fiction and inspirational non-fiction, latest is Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft. Her various author names can be confusing so her kids just call her Mom.
Review
Ruth by author H.B. Moore is a beautiful and inspiring story that readers will enjoy. From page one Moore brings to life the story of her Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, off the page and into the minds and imagination of readers. The novel flips back and forth between the perspectives of Ruth and Boaz. Readers will relate to and have compassion for the struggles and pains, as well as the joys and romance of these characters and their families. This is a lovely well-researched and written inspirational biblical story that readers will absolutely not want to put down.
Genre: historical, romance, biblical, Christian, LDS Publisher: Covenant Communications Publication date: December 1, 2017 Number of pages: 250 A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. GiveawayTour Schedule
Dec. 11th:
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com Dec. 12th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com https://brightlystreet.com Dec. 13th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com Dec. 14th: https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com Dec. 15th: https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com 
Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen
Ariella was only looking for a distraction, something to break up the monotony of palace life. What she found was a young man willing to overlook her title and show her a new and vibrant way of life. But when her growing feelings for Gavin spiral out of control and clash with the expectations of her station, she will discover that the consequences of her curiosity are far more severe than she’d imagined. “I watched in helpless horror as two guards hauled Gavin to his feet and dragged him from the room. My voice was frozen, unable to protest as another guard took hold of my arm, leading me upstairs. From the confines of my room, I stared into the darkness beyond my window, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Gavin. He was gone, and I wondered if he would have been better off if he had never met me.”
Praise for Just Ella
“This book is so well written it felt just perfect. Honest. I loved it from beginning to end.” -Aimee Brown, Getting Your Read On “Full of those tender moments you want to go back and read again, plus exciting moments, clever humor, and some suspense as well.” -Jana, The Writer’s Assistant “Loved every second of this book. It was engaging, eventful, beautifully written and hard to put down. It’s wonderful for all ages!” -Jen, Goodreads Excerpt
I wanted to have a friendship with this young man, and in order to do so, I knew I had to be honest. “Because of who I am, it’s often difficult to judge a person’s sincerity.” He didn’t say anything, so I went on. “I’ve heard countless flattering words in my life, about anything and everything I do. I never know who to believe.” I tried to look at him, but couldn’t. “It makes friendships difficult; friendship requires sincerity, not flattery.” I glanced up and saw that his expression appeared a bit bewildered, like he had seen something for the first time—something confusing.
“I can understand that,” was his eventual response. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I never shared confidences with anyone. He walked closer, which surprised me in and of itself, and sat down next to me. I was speechless, and relieved when he started a conversation. “So,” he said, turning toward me, “tell me the most absurd thing someone has said to you in order to flatter their way into your good graces.” A smile broke over my face as comments began flying through my head, from the most blundering to the most eloquent compliments. “Oh,” I sighed in amusement, “I don’t know that I could pick just one.” “So, tell me more than one.” That was the beginning for us. It was tentative and shaky, but I came back the next day and the day after. We continued to talk and I continued to explore. 
Author Annette K. Larsen
I was born in Utah, but migrated to Arizona, Missouri, and Virginia before settling in Idaho.
Though I dabbled in writing throughout school, being an author seemed like an unattainable dream. It took me seven years to write my first book, Just Ella. During that time, I taught myself how to write a novel. Not the most time effective method, but it gave me an education I wouldn’t have received from a class or a how-to book. Something about the struggle of writing without a formula or rules worked for me. I write clean romance because I love it. Jane Eyre is the hero of my youth and taught me that clinging to your convictions will be hard, but will bring you more genuine happiness than giving in ever can. I love chocolate, Into the Woods, ocean waves, my husband, and my five littles. And I love books that leave me with a sigh of contentment. Also by Annette K. Larsen
Keeping Kinley is on Sale for just 99 cents!
Giveaway Details
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway
Ends 12/28/17
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
About the Book
Tragedy brings heartache to the community of Apple Blossom when a car takes the life of Mary Noel Simmons's best friend—her dog. The loss nearly destroys Mary Noel's spirit. As the injured six year old lies in the hospital, traumatized and silent, the medical bills are piling up quickly with no way for her parents to pay them.
Filled with kindness and romance, this story of hope and faith will warm your heart. About the Author
Award-winning author, June McCrary Jacobs, won Cedar Fort Publishing’s 2013 Holiday Tale Contest for her debut novella, ‘A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom’.
‘Robin’s Reward’, released in April, 2015, was her first full-length novel. This inspirational contemporary romance is the first installment of the ‘Bonita Creek Trilogy’. The series is set in June's favorite location in California—the Mendocino coastal region. June’s original sewing, quilting, and stitchery designs have been published in over one hundred books, magazines, and sewing industry blogs in the past few years. She wrote a recurring column for a sewing magazine published in Great Britain and contributed several other articles to sewing and craft magazines published in the United States. When she’s not writing, reading, or sewing, June enjoys cooking, walking, photography, and visiting art and history museums, parks, and botanical gardens. She also enjoys touring historic homes {especially when they're decorated for Christmas!} and strolling around the many historic Gold Rush towns in the Sierra Nevada foothills. In the summertime you can find June at a variety of county fairs and the California State Fair admiring the sewing projects, quilts, and handiwork other inspired seamstresses, quilters, craftspeople, and artists have created. Snippet from Chapter 1
Humming her favorite patriotic tune as she worked, Amber Kellen was startled when the sharp click of the heels of her principal, Dorothy Griffin, echoed loudly on the linoleum floor of her classroom. Amber stopped pinning the brightly hued autumn landscapes painted by her six-year-old students on the front bulletin board in her classroom and turned to greet Mrs. Griffin. The affable and capable leader of the staff and students of Apple Blossom County School wore a tense expression that caused her normally relaxed face to appear pale and drawn.
The young first-grade teacher gasped as the realization that something might be seriously amiss gripped her heart. As the principal approached, Mrs. Griffin knit her eyebrows together and shook her head sadly. Amber had noticed that the school administrator always spoke formally no matter what the situation. It was likely as a result of her university degree in Shakespearean literature. “Amber, I regret having to greet you with such horrific news this Monday morning. Especially since we’re returning from our Thanksgiving weekend break.” “What’s happened?” Amber heard a slight tremor in her voice. “One of your students was critically injured in a tragic accident yesterday afternoon.” Her open palm flying to cover her heart, Amber squeaked, “Who? What happened?” “Mary Noel Simmons was hit by a car on the road in front of her house.” “Oh, no,” Amber shivered involuntarily. “As you can imagine, the driver of the vehicle is absolutely distraught over what occurred. The police investigation found that the driver hit the little girl and her dog through no fault of his own. It was plain and simply a freak accident.” The middle-aged administrator paused briefly. “Apparently the dog’s leash got tangled around the bicycle’s handlebars. When the dog took off across the road to chase a cat, Mary Noel got dragged out into the street too. The pair darted out from behind a big travel trailer that was parked in front of a neighbor’s property. What a shock for everyone involved.” “Oh, this is terrible! I’m almost afraid to ask—how is Mary Noel?” “Her parents say it could have been a lot worse. As it is, Mary Noel has a compound fracture in her left leg and a broken wrist that will require several surgeries. She has a lot of cuts and bruises along with a mild concussion. Fortunately, Mary Noel avoided a severe concussion or more serious permanent complications because she was wearing her helmet.” Mrs. Griffin fidgeted with her hands and sighed deeply. Amber prepared herself for the worst because it was obvious that the administrator had more bad news to share. “According to Mary Noel’s mother, Barbara Simmons, those aren’t the worse injuries, I’m afraid.” Silence filled the classroom as both women processed the profound ramifications of the accident. “Please tell me everything,” Amber said. “I’d rather hear it from you now than let my imagination run wild.” She physically braced herself against her sturdy, wooden teacher’s desk for support. “As you wish. Mary Noel was traumatized by the site of her little dog, Cocoa, dying in the accident. By all accounts, the two were inseparable. Since Mary Noel didn’t lose consciousness, she saw and heard everything. Even though the dog died almost instantly, there was a copious amount of blood and—well, you get the picture.” Amber detected some tender emotions surfacing in her principal’s usual stalwart manner. Mrs. Griffin’s voice was shaky as she continued. “Mary Noel has completely withdrawn herself into silence since the accident. That little girl hasn’t muttered a single word, not even to her mom, dad, or grandparents. Barbara Simmons told me the doctor’s opinion is that it’s not Mary Noel’s injuries that have caused the youngster to withdraw. No, the physician firmly believes it was seeing her best friend, Cocoa, killed that has shocked this little girl into silence.” Deal Alert
Half-Price Sale for E-book of 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom' on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books & Things through December 20th. Regular price is $5.99.
Giveaway
About the Book
Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Radiant Publications Publication date: November 2, 2017 The daughter of missionaries, Hannah Pratt dreams of starting a school for the Bedouin clan with whom she spent her childhood. After completing her education in the United States, she returns to the desert to pursue that dream—only to learn her parents have been receiving threats from within the community they serve. As the danger escalates, Hannah must decide how far she’ll go to stay faithful to a calling that could cost her everything. As sheikh, Karim Al-Amir feels the weight of responsibility as the leader of his people. When a mysterious illness ravages the clan’s flocks and threatens to destroy their centuries-old way of life, some of his people believe the American doctors and their daughter, his childhood friend, are to blame. Karim must do something to keep Hannah and her parents safe—even if the only solution is to be found within marriage vows. In a society where the line is drawn between us and them, where Christianity is outlawed and foreigners suspect, will Karim and Hannah’s union heal wounds . . . or inflict a final, fatal blow? Old Testament history meets Twenty-first Century tensions in this compassionate, tender inspirational romance. About the Author
Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings. Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, won the 2017 SELAH award for contemporary romance.
Author Interview
Check out the interview with the author HERE.
Snippet
This was not how I’d thought I would die.
Not that I sat around imagining my death. I’m not that morbid. But never in my wildest dreams had I imagined this. Along the horizon, racing toward me with frightening speed, a billowing brown wall licked the earth’s surface and spit it out again—a ferocious scream that caused my heart to stutter in my chest. Six years away and this was how my beloved desert welcomed me home. Wind whipped my long, loose dress around my legs and tugged at the few strands of hair not safely tucked in a ponytail under my hijab. I’d always been thankful the Bedouin clan my parents ministered to as missionaries didn’t adhere to the more concealing Muslim headwear, such as a niqab or burqa. I had to admit, though, that having more material to cover my nose and mouth would be helpful against the dust storm about to consume me. With quick motions, I reached around my head and unwrapped the bottom of my hijab, rewrapping it around my nose and mouth. A bit of water or petroleum jelly would work even better to save my nose and lungs from the dry desert sand, but some protection was better than none. Tiny grains of sand picked up by the wind pelted my body like fastballs pitched by major league baseball players. I hunched over, lowering my frame as close to the ground as I could. Never knew if the wind had picked up more than just the earth’s surface. An abandoned tire rim or something else could decapitate a person when chucked at top speeds. It would be just like that temperamental mistress to hurl an object absently left on the wayside. The storm was on me now. My lungs constricted to rid themselves of the tiny particles I’d breathed in, coughing hot breath into the material around my mouth. My eyes watered with the force of the wind, and I blinked rapidly to try and rid the granules scratching my irises. Lifting my backpack, I shielded my face and eyes, wishing I hadn’t let the driver drop me off so far from where the clan currently had their tents pitched. The inside of a twenty-year-old Jeep would have served as a wonderful bunker against this onslaught. Now I had no protection. In the thick of it, I squinted through the brown haze, looking for something to hunker under on the leeward side. The rise of a nearby dune lied of its ability to protect. Fortunately, I understood the reality of the phrase “shifting sands.” Had no desire to change my death sentence from asphyxiation due to sand in my lungs to being buried alive when the wind deposited the dune right on top of my head. A camel’s bray rent through the cacophony of the storm. My heart restarted. If ever there was an animal built to survive the temper of the desert, it was the camel. I pushed my legs forward, wishing I wore pants rather than my dress, which wrapped itself around my calves and threatened to topple me. If I could hear the camel’s call, perhaps its owner could hear mine. I lifted my chin and took in a lungful of air before pulling down the covering from my lips. “Musaeada!” I yelled for help in Arabic. “Musaeada!” The camel answered, and I took a few more stumbling steps toward the sound. The sand made it difficult to do anything—walk, see, breathe. If I didn’t find a place to wait out the storm soon, I wouldn’t survive it. Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
About the Book
Rejoice in the real reason for Christmas with this inspiring book full of holiday celebration ideas that will keep your family connected to Christ. Inside you’ll find twelve days of fun that focus on the figures in your nativity set. Share the book and the activities with family, friends and neighbors as you celebrate the Nativity this year.
About the Author
Marilee Woodfield is an author, blogger, early childhood educator, bible-study teacher and cake decorator. You can find her preschool music work at kids-and-music.blogspot.com, her fantastical cake creations at frostedinsanity.com and her several teacher resource books as well as her latest book The 12-day Nativity on amazon.com, and at her blog 12daynativity.com which is dedicated to "all things nativity". She and her family live in Carrollton, TX.
Snippet
Ever since St. Francis of Assisi first began the tradition, families and communities have also celebrated the Christmas season by displaying nativities to illustrate the Christmas story. While Santa and the commercialized Christmas we have all come to expect has grown, so has the feeling of anxiety while we focus less on experiencing Christmas, and more and more on purchasing it.
In this book you’ll find activities that you can use to prepare to celebrate the Nativity story, and fill your home with the spirit of Christmas as a result.
Whether you choose to do one activity a day in the 12 days leading up to Christmas, (or follow original tradition where the 12 days of Christmas begins on Christmas day), or just choose a select few, use this book as a guide to help you decide how much celebrating makes sense for your family, with the ultimate goal being that you have a spirit- filled family-friendly holiday season. and Jesus Christ the central part of your Christmas. The Family Nativity
As a collector of Nativities (over 70 and counting!), it’s hard to choose a favorite. They’re all so different in so many ways. Some are elegant and fragile, others are simple and hand made. Some come from places as far away as South Africa, while others were made right here in my kitchen by my children. While each is loved and admired, few are as dear to me as “the family nativity set” – the one that adorned my home throughout my childhood. We didn’t have many Christmas decorations, but the Nativity set always had a special place atop the piano. This is it’s story:
As a child I remember my family having one nativity set that was displayed each year. It was a simple white set made of plaster, and the stable was built out of scrap wood and leftover paneling from our 1970’s chic basement. The set always sat perched on top of the piano, surrounded by twinkle lights covered with angel hair (a spun-glass product that is hair-like and white-translucent). The figures were not heavy, and it was always a challenge to find a spot where they would stand up in between the lights, angel hair. And the increasingly warped stable. Over the years our family nativity grew in “character” as heads were broken off and re-glued, and delicate features became worn with use. The shepherds and wise men were referred to as the “German shepherds” and “wise guys”. My sister affectionately labeled the sheep as “cheats” before she could pronounce them otherwise. I was more concerned about the naked baby Jesus, and exasperated my mother as every time she passed the nativity she would find a dirty old rag or handkerchief covering the baby Jesus. When she finally discovered the responsible party, I explained that I thought the baby Jesus must be cold. She didn’t protest my efforts after that, but did offer a small, clean white hanky to replace the old dust rag I had been using. After many years, and a house that slowly emptied as children grew, married and left to build their own Christmas traditions, a new nativity set was purchased and replaced the old worn and dilapidated original. Eventually the family nativity set ended up at the home of one of my brothers, and was saved from the Goodwill pile by my sister-in-law who knew I had begun collecting nativities. It had come to them as a “white elephant” gift exchange between siblings a few years prior, and it had been abandoned on a basement storage shelf for a few years. The stable is warped, and I have to re-set the nails every year. The figures have been chewed by one or more toddlers or naughty puppies, dropped, broken and re-glued many times over, depicting a much more horrific tale of carnage than the traditional nativity story. It is by no means the most beautiful nativity in our home, but it is one of my favorites. First as a symbol of happy Christmases past, and also because it reminds me of my relationship with the Savior – broken and fixed many times over, warped, not pretty, but loved and beloved just the same. 
GiveawayAbout the BookThe War Between the States shakes Margaret Bryant out of her comfortable upper-class life when her father enlists in the Army of the Potomac. Despite being safely ensconced above the Mason-Dixon Line in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Margaret finds her strength tested by opposition from familiar faces and Confederate threats. Will she let a young man from a lesser station into her heart even as war rages ever nearer to the home front? Restless Connor Doyle sees the war as a way to escape from his family’s farm and his identity as a poor Irishman’s son. His brother, Adam, torn between duty to country and his family, enlists alongside Connor. Adam dares to hope in a future with Margaret when he begins a courtship correspondence from the war front. The two brothers make a vow to protect one another at all costs, but when faced with death and destruction from all sides—will they be able to uphold it? The three bloodiest days in America’s history bring these three together at Gettysburg and tragedy’s cruelty threatens to tear two hearts apart—and bring two unlikely allies together Add to GOODREADS. About the Author Meghan M. Gorecki is an author of inspirational fiction about what God can make beautiful from the ashes of history, and hearts. A lover and avid studier of people, times gone by, and fiction, she has been writing since childhood and now houses her books under Northern Belle Publishing. Coffee and red lipstick color her days as a redhead from a box, alongside her treasured tribe of family and friends in her beloved hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Too impatient to wait till April? |
