Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 24
May 4, 2022
Interview: Grace A. Johnson, Author of With Fear and Trembling
Today, I have the honor of interviewing the one and only Grace A. Johnson! Grace is a good friend of mine, and when I heard she was publishing a devotional, I was so excited. She is such a versatile writer – fiction or nonfiction – I just enjoy reading her writing so much! So first, here’s a little about the devotional (it was just released a few days ago!), then be sure to check out the interview below.
Thirty daily devotions to inspire you to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” – Philippians 2:12
As Paul commanded the church of Philippi to rely upon the Word of God rather than man’s teachings, to cultivate their own faith rather than sharing in another’s, Grace A. Johnson has written thirty simple but inspirational devotions that are geared to readers of all ages and stages in life. Meant to motivate readers to dig into the Word, prompt them to examine their relationship with God, and encourage them to walk in victory, the devotions include applicable Scripture passages, relatable true stories, and inspirational prayers.
“My prayer is that God will use these devotions to prick your heart, fuel your convictions, and ignite a desire to grow more in your faith and start living according to God’s purpose for your life!” – Grace A. Johnson
VH: Hi, Grace, and welcome to the blog! I’m so excited to have you join me over here today (I’ve been wanting to interview you for so long!), and congratulations on the release of With Fear and Trembling!
GJ: Aw, thank you so much, Vanessa! It’s my pleasure to be here! 
VH: Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. When did you first start writing?
GJ: I’ll give the short version, shall I? I started writing as a side hobby (I already had, like, three other hobbies at the time, so writing wasn’t an official “hobby” hobby XD) when I was about nine years old, simply because I had a notebook and an idea (terrible idea, but I’ll spare you that :P). It wasn’t until I dropped some of those other hobbies, began reading and writing more, and came up with a whole host of ideas that writing grew into something more than a hobby! When I was twelve, almost thirteen (back in 2018, for reference), I began writing my second completeed novel, Held Captive, which eventually became my first published novel the next year!
VH: You’re the author of several wonderful books and short stories, and all of them are fictional. What made you decide to write nonfiction, and specifically, a devotional?
GJ: Ooh, good question! The crazy thing is, is that when I first began writing (I say began, but really all throughout maybe my first five years of writing), I basically swore to myself that I’d never write nonfiction. One, it’s boring. Two, it’s hard to write.
Well, time goes on, and I begin blogging–some writing/book-related posts and few inspirational posts. As I saw that nonfiction (about certain things, mind you) wasn’t as bad–or as difficult–as I’d thought, I started entertaining ideas of writing nonfictions for authors. However, I shared one of my old inspirational posts, “He Will Move Mountains,” on Facebook, and both my nana and my friend Iris mentioned that I should write a devotional.
For your information, I basically hate devotionals. (I should totally write a post about that…) Not a broad, all-devotionals-are-evil kind of hate, but just a personal distaste for them. So naturally, I wrestled with that idea, even though my family was on board and I, quite honestly, wanted to do it!
So I began by writing a devo a day for the month of January (this year, 2022) and posted them on Facebook. I won’t say they “took off,” but I did have a few people wondering if I was planning on writing a devotional or compiling them into a book. At this point, the hard work had been done. I’d broken the writing down into manageable tasks (without really intending to), and all I had done was flipped to a random place in the Bible and picked a Scripture that stood out to me, then wrote down my thoughts about it. All that I had left to do was edit them and have a few beta readers look over them!
Unlike most of my books thus far, the idea for With Fear and Trembling didn’t just pop into my head all of a sudden, very literally divinely inspired. The idea had always been there, but I’d never been sure of it, or ready for it, until now!
VH: What are the challenges you faced writing a nonfiction book compared to a novel or short story?
GJ: That’s what’s crazy…this was the second easiest project I’ve ever worked on. (The first would be The Gift of Her Heart, a 18k-word novella that I wrote and published in two weeks.) Like I said, I simply picked a Scripture each day for a month and then wrote about it! Sometimes, I did a little digging and research, but most of the time I just relied on the Holy Spirit to write the words people needed to read!
Really the only challenge I’ve faced so far–and will continue to face–is opinions. Not everyone sees things the same way I do, not even the Bible! I’ve had beta readers and reviewers, and no doubt I’ll have more people, who will disagree with what I have to say. And that’s fine. They have to find something to disagree with, after all! But, to be honest, that’s true for even my fiction writing, so… I guess it’s just different when you’re writing about the Word of God. It’s really quite weighty, and you feel slightly more on edge about getting something wrong or offending someone than you do with a fictional story. I’m not gonna say I have everything right, but I do know that I didn’t write this devotional from a soapbox or a pulpit. I didn’t write it with a specific doctrine or message in mind. I just wrote what God put on my heart!
VH: What is the biggest thing the Lord taught you through writing With Fear and Trembling?
GJ: Literally everything. Like, every devotional I wrote was a new truth God had revealed to me while reading His Word and writing my thoughts down! I get revelation as I write, even my fiction, and so it was just an amazing journey through Scripture and into God’s heart for us as I wrote each devotional and listened to His voice!
VH: Do you have any other upcoming nonfiction projects?
GJ: Nothing planned. I am (secretly) working with my grandfather on his memoir, but we haven’t made it past the interviewing stage, so I’m not certain when this project will become more than a collection of videos (which is still amazing to have)! His story is literally impossible, and it has been a blessing to hear of all the miracles God has wrought in his life, if nothing else!
Of course, I’d still like to write some nonfiction for writers/authors on publishing and marketing and whatnot! And now I’ve gotten an influx of ideas for Bible studies (I think I’m better suited to those than devotionals) and other Christian nonfiction! So we’ll see!
VH: Thanks so much for chatting with me, Grace!
GJ: Absolutely! Thank you again for having me!
May 2, 2022
Review: DECEIVED by Madisyn Carlin
AmazonFrom the AuthorGoodreadsReviewDECEIVED by Madisyn Carlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Wow, what a great debut novel! I’ve been excited to read this book ever since I first heard about it, and I now I’m excited to read the next one.
Characters: Four POVs were evenly addressed throughout the story: Holder’s, Rogan’s, Ivelle’s, and Therese’s. Overall, I thought each of them were really well done – it’s not easy to have four solid main characters and have them come off as distinct individuals. Holder was probably my favorite, given he was just such a gentle, thoughtful guy. And he definitely needs someone to be his bodyguard, not to be someone’s bodyguard. Just saying. But Rogan was also really intriguing … I love his struggles and questioned loyalties. And he’s just so sad, too. I need some resolution in that storyline. But Rogan and Holder’s friendship? I adored it. They were such good honorary brothers to each other, and I just love watching that. And Ivelle’s loyalty to Borros and Claudine was so sweet, and her interactions and care for little Emmi was precious! But Therese … poor Therese. She was so desperate to someone save her little sisters, but she suffered so much. Again, more hard decisions. That’s kind of a theme in this book, come to think of it. But a great cast of characters – and the villains. Yuck. They’re all nasty individuals.
Plot/Setting/Writing Style: Being a fantasy book (or I guess maybe it’s more allegorical than fantasy?), the world-building wasn’t so confusing that I didn’t understand what was going on, but it was well done. Different than our world, but not so foreign that I was overwhelmed with a ton of differences. The writing style was really nice – very clean but also offering rich prose. And for the plot, I have to say I was a little perplexed at first. Mostly because there were so many POVs that weren’t really connected at first, but when things started to connect more, the plot began making a lot more sense. This is one of those stories that you just have to keep reading for a bit, then when everything settles, everything starts coming together and it’s very cool. And beyond that, there was a nice mixture of inward wrestlings and outward distresses, providing a pretty quick-moving plot.
Romance: Just putting this one here really short, because I honestly have no idea who should get with whom. But needless to say, this book was very clean – I think some hand-holding or something was the extent of it. Maybe a kiss, but I can’t remember. And I’ll just keep puzzling out who should get with whom.
Moral/Theme: The allegory woven throughout this story was nicely done – I think allegories can be harder to pull off in general. I might’ve not agreed with everything in how it was presented (again, the difficulties of allegories, and I haven’t thought super deeply about allegories), but it was so lovely to see the characters begin to see the Truth. I’m excited to see how their arcs will continue in the next book. It was also scary to see how the truth was basically outlawed – definitely not too far from the world we live in.
Overall, this was a wonderful debut novel, and I am so excited to see more of this author’s work. And after the ending of this book … yeah, I need the next book in a hurry!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
If you have preordered DECEIVED or order it during the duration of this blog tour (April 25 – May 7), and want some swag (character card and autographed bookplate), go here.
Giveaway!Want a chance to win an autographed copy of DECEIVED and a character card? Be sure to go here. Or, if you don’t have social media, leave a comment at every blog post to be entered. Giveaway ends May 10th.
About the AuthorMadisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.
Want to connect? Find her social media links here.
Tour ScheduleDECEIVED Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, April 25
Madisyn Carlin | Intro + Book Spotlight
Joy Woodbury | Book Review
Tuesday, April 26
Madisyn Carlin | Release Day! + Fun Facts
Vanessa Hall | Author Interview
Autumn | Book Spotlight
Wednesday, April 27
Esther | Book Review
Saraina | Character Interview: Therese
Joy Woodbury | Guest Post
Thursday, April 28
Madisyn Carlin | Group Interview
Kristina Hall | Book Review
Friday, April 29
Vanessa Hall | Book Spotlight
Olivia | Book Review
Sherrice | Author Interview
Saturday, April 30
Madisyn Carlin | Character Spotlight: Holder
Stephanie | Character Spotlight: Rogan
Sherrice | Book Review
Olive Creed | Book Spotlight
Monday, May 2
Vanessa Hall | Book Review
Grace Johnson | Guest Post + Book Spotlight
Stephanie | Book Spotlight + Character Spotlight: Ivelle
Tuesday, May 3
Madisyn Carlin | Meet the Characters
Stephanie | Book Review
Wednesday, May 4
Grace Johnson | Author Interview
Saraina | Character Interview: Rogan
Thursday, May 5
Madisyn Carlin | Character Q+A
Issabelle Perry | Character Spotlight: Therese
Friday, May 6
Grace Johnson | Book Review
Autumn – Author Interview
Jenavieve Rose | Book Review
Saturday, May 7
Madisyn Carlin | Blog Tour Wrap-Up
Olive Creed | Author Interview
Katja Labonte | Book Review
Saraina | Author Interview
April 29, 2022
Spotlight: DECEIVED by Madisyn Carlin
In a land built upon lies and deception, uncovering the truth can be deadly.
Therese Westa is sick of death, but taking lives is what provides for her younger sisters. When a client approaches her with an unusual request, Therese takes the job offer, which includes the condition of “no questions asked”. As Therese uncovers the reason for the request, she is faced with a choice: kill an innocent man or save her sisters.
Therese’s hesitation to carry out the assassination thrusts her into the aftermath of a dangerous chain of events. Caught between security and truth, Therese must choose where her loyalties lie, for the answer will determine who survives.
If you have preordered DECEIVED or order it during the duration of this blog tour (April 25 – May 7), and want some swag (character card and autographed bookplate), go here.
About the Author
Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.
Want to connect? Find her social media links here.
Giveaway!Want a chance to win an autographed copy of DECEIVED and a character card? Be sure to go here. Or, if you don’t have social media, leave a comment at every blog post to be entered. Giveaway ends May 10th.
Tour Schedule!Monday, April 25
Madisyn Carlin | Intro + Book Spotlight
Joy Woodbury | Book Review
Tuesday, April 26
Madisyn Carlin | Release Day! + Fun Facts
Vanessa Hall | Author Interview
Autumn | Book Spotlight
Wednesday, April 27
Esther | Book Review
Saraina | Character Interview: Therese
Joy Woodbury | Guest Post
Thursday, April 28
Madisyn Carlin | Group Interview
Kristina Hall | Book Review
Friday, April 29
Vanessa Hall | Book Spotlight
Olivia | Book Review
Sherrice | Author Interview
Saturday, April 30
Madisyn Carlin | Character Spotlight: Holder
Stephanie | Character Spotlight: Rogan
Sherrice | Book Review
Olive Creed | Book Spotlight
Monday, May 2
Vanessa Hall | Book Review
Grace Johnson | Guest Post + Book Spotlight
Stephanie | Book Spotlight + Character Spotlight: Ivelle
Tuesday, May 3
Madisyn Carlin | Meet the Characters
Stephanie | Book Review
Wednesday, May 4
Grace Johnson | Author Interview
Saraina | Character Interview: Rogan
Thursday, May 5
Madisyn Carlin | Character Q+A
Issabelle Perry | Character Spotlight: Therese
Friday, May 6
Grace Johnson | Book Review
Autumn – Author Interview
Jenavieve Rose | Book Review
Saturday, May 7
Madisyn Carlin | Blog Tour Wrap-Up
Olive Creed | Author Interview
Katja Labonte | Book Review
Saraina | Author Interview
April 26, 2022
Interview: Madisyn Carlin, Author of DECEIVED
This week, I’m excited to take part in the blog tour for Madisyn’s amazing debut novel, DECEIVED! I met Madi through her blog, and I was so impressed and edified by her blog posts. And then, when I heard she was publishing a book … yeah, I was excited. And now this lovely book is being launched into the world! Be sure to check DECEIVED out on Goodreads and Amazon, and if you’d like to purchase directly from the author, check out her website!
So today, I have the honor and privilege of chatting with the author herself about writing, DECEIVED, and much, much more.
Author InterviewVH: Hi, Madi, and welcome to the blog! I’m so excited to have you join me today, and congratulations on the release of DECEIVED! I really enjoyed reading it, and I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here.
MC: Thank you so much for having me, Vanessa!
VH: Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. When did you first start writing?
MC: Unlike most writers/authors, I haven’t always loved creating worlds, characters, and stories. My poor mom was always bombarded with my grouching and complaints whenever she presented me with another writing assignment, but she always believed I possessed the capability to write.
I was sixteen when I got over my anti-writing attitude, asked Mom for help on how to begin, and set about writing a story which I hope to someday publish (the first draft will never, ever see the light of day).
VH: What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
MC: The hardest things are sticking with a project and not comparing. I am a master at talking myself out of writing my current WIP. I am even more proficient at comparing my work with others’ and finding fault with mine. It’s wrong, and damaging to my writing and inspiration, but those are the two areas I struggle most in.
VH: What authors have deeply influenced your writing?
MC: Aside from my mom, two authors who have deeply influenced my writing are Jaye L. Knight and Gillian Bronte Adams. I admire how Jaye L. Knight handles grittiness and tough topics while weaving a captivating story, and Gillian Bronte Adams has such a wonderful writing voice.
VH: What’s one of your best pieces of advice for an aspiring author?
MC: One of my pieces of advice would be to always remember God gave you this desire to write for a reason. You will doubt your writing, doubt yourself as a writer, but there is a plan and purpose for your stories. It may be that you grow in your faith as you write or that your story touches a reader’s heart. Whatever the reason, which oftentimes is unbeknownst to us, God gave you that passion for a reason.
VH: What’s your favorite type of character to write?
MC: After inspecting my projects, I have drawn the conclusion my favorite type of character to write is the one seeking redemption. I don’t know why, but that is the prevalent type of character I’m finding in my writing projects.
VH: At what point did you realize you wanted to publish? How did you decide to go indie?
MC: I’ve known I wanted to publish since the beginning of my writing journey. I actually wanted to be fully traditional, complete with an agent. After three rejections, I began considering perhaps being fully traditional wasn’t the way to go. At that point, I knew indie publishing might be in my future, but it wasn’t until Mom suggested it to me in the middle of 2021 that I really began to seriously contemplate it.
VH: What’s your favorite part about writing fantasy?
MC: One of my favorite things about writing fantasy is creating the worlds. While worldbuilding can be tedious, I enjoy watching how it weaves into and impacts the plot and characters.
VH: What was the inspiration behind this book?
MC: The inspiration behind “DECEIVED” began with a dream. I’m not too certain how the idea in its entirety came about, but I do remember the inspiration behind my favorite character, Rogan Cetrin. I knew I wanted him to be Holder’s best friend, but I also wanted him to be torn between loyalty to his king and loyalty to Holder. From that, Rogan’s determination to enforce what he believes is the truth, his rather prickly attitude, and his intense struggle to do what is right was born.
VH: What do you hope readers will take away from your writing?
MC: I hope readers will be encouraged to stand up for the truth no matter who opposes them. In a world where multiple attempts to exterminate truth are made every day, we need to stay strong and steadfast and never waver in doing what is right.
VH: What do your upcoming projects look like?
MC: My current publishing schedule is a bit nebulous right now, but for the next two years or so, my focus will be on writing two series: The Deception Trilogy (three novels) and The Shattered Lands (a series of fairy tale retellings with four novels and three novellas…so far).
BETRAYED, book two in TDT, is currently 15,000 words in. Shattered Reflection, book one in TSL, is currently completed at 100K and is in dire need of editing. Lord willing, I will also publish Shattered Reflection and two or three novellas this year, with BETRAYED being published at around this time next year.
Tour ScheduleMonday, April 25
Madisyn Carlin | Intro + Book Spotlight
Joy Woodbury | Book Review
Tuesday, April 26
Madisyn Carlin | Release Day! + Fun Facts
Vanessa Hall | Author Interview
Autumn | Book Spotlight
Wednesday, April 27
Esther | Book Review
Saraina | Character Interview: Therese
Joy Woodbury | Guest Post
Thursday, April 28
Madisyn Carlin | Group Interview
Kristina Hall | Book Review
Friday, April 29
Vanessa Hall | Book Spotlight
Olivia | Book Review
Sherrice | Author Interview
Saturday, April 30
Madisyn Carlin | Character Spotlight: Holder
Stephanie | Character Spotlight: Rogan
Sherrice | Book Review
Olive Creed | Book Spotlight
Monday, May 2
Vanessa Hall | Book Review
Grace Johnson | Guest Post + Book Spotlight
Stephanie | Book Spotlight + Character Spotlight: Ivelle
Tuesday, May 3
Madisyn Carlin | Meet the Characters
Stephanie | Book Review
Wednesday, May 4
Grace Johnson | Author Interview
Saraina | Character Interview: Rogan
Thursday, May 5
Madisyn Carlin | Character Q+A
Issabelle Perry | Character Spotlight: Therese
Friday, May 6
Grace Johnson | Book Review
Autumn – Author Interview
Jenavieve Rose | Book Review
Saturday, May 7
Madisyn Carlin | Blog Tour Wrap-Up
Olive Creed | Author Interview
Katja Labonte | Book Review
Saraina | Author Interview
April 25, 2022
Review: Bridgers by Angie Thompson
Bridgers: A Parable by Angie Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I always find books especially interesting that are loosely based on a Biblical story – it’s fun to watch how the author fleshes different aspects of the true story in a fictional one. And in Bridgers, Angie Thompson did an amazing job fictionally portraying the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Characters: At first, I was a little confused who the main characters were, but it became apparent who the three were: DaVonte, Levi, and Peyton. To avoid spoilers, I’m not going to mention which guy played which role in the story, but I’ll just say my favorite character was probably Levi. I could connect so well with his shyness, and I loved his desire to serve the Lord in spite of his weaknesses. Some of the conversations he had were so beautiful and encouraging to me – and such a reminder to completely trust the Lord and not depend on my own strength. His storyline was just amazing! And for DaVonte … it was beautiful how the smallest bit of truth so deeply affected his life and the lives of those around him. His and Levi’s friendship was a ton of fun (fish sticks and Joan of Arc were golden – great writing there, because that’s the way good friends roll with inside jokes.) And Peyton … yeah. Not a fan of him, but I liked Natalie. She was sweet.
Writing Style/Plot: I really enjoyed the writing in this book – it was clear and concise but flowed really well. I wasn’t distracted by the writing at all, and that left the spotlight on the story. The plot was great – the parable was utilized well, but it wasn’t overly close to the Biblical story. There wasn’t a bunch of action, but watching how the story progressed and how the characters developed was so engaging. The book flew by in the best of ways!
Moral/Theme: Obviously, the theme of loving one’s neighbors was a huge part of this book. I really liked how the author addressed racial/class tensions – instead of just completely throwing the blame on one side, both sides were presented as being wrong because they both hated each other, just for different reasons. But there were all other kinds of great morals – the power of just a few words of truth, trusting not in our own strength, doing what’s right no matter the cost … and of course, the truth of the Gospel that is the only way people can be changed and lives can be healed.
Overall, I loved this book. It was so encouraging and truth-filled, and I was sucked into the story so quickly. I’m excited to read more by this author in the future.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 22, 2022
Review: Refuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall
Doubt. Persecution. Forgiveness.
Tony Dorence should be dead. But after months in prison, he’s home. Yet even at home, he’s not safe from trials that hit from every angle.
Merri Dorence couldn’t be more thankful her brother is home, yet doubts have attacked her newfound faith and left her questioning all too much.
When they face a threat greater than either of them could’ve imagined, will they find refuge from the storm or be overcome by a relentless evil?
Buy here!GoodreadsBuy Fled for Refuge for only $1.99!My ReviewRefuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
After reading the first book in this series, Fled for Refuge, there’s a definite need to read the following book in a hurry. That cliffhanger at the end of book one might get resolved … slightly. Though I’m not sure how resolved it actually was, and that makes for one suspenseful read!
Characters: It’s fun to have a series all about the same characters. For some reason, I feel as if those are less popular these days? But it’s great to be able to come back to characters you already know. First off, Tony … my poor Tony! Dude is a complete trooper. And he’s so wise and kind to Merri. I wish I could be half as brave and kind as he is! Merri … I love her. She’s the most relatable character for me, and I could understand her questions and her battle to cling to the truth even when life was going sideways. She was portrayed very realistically – not every day in a Christian’s life is sunshine and daisies, and there are times when we have to trust the Lord even when our flesh shouts at us to doubt Him. As for the other characters, everyone knows how much I love Rick. He’s just the man, and I loved watching him in his element of being a great doctor and a great friend. And then Brent, who is literally the comedic relief of the entire thing. He’s so much fun! Wes and Matilda are still their kind, sweet selves, and I’m glad Merri and Tony have them to fall back on during rough times.
Writing Style/Setting/Plot: The writing style was super clean and concise and fit the book well. And the setting … well, let’s just say it’s a little too close to our lives today. It definitely has the ability to make you think, though, and that’s the sign of a good book. And the plot … wow, there are some interesting twists along the way, and the ending is absolutely golden! But in spite of a lot of suspense, there’s also slower moments to let you catch your breath, get to know the characters, and listen to the truths the characters are learning.
Moral/Theme: So much good stuff here! I think the overarching theme of the series is finding the Lord as Refuge in the midst of a world that is certainly not a refuge. However, I love that the characters find the Lord as their Refuge not just from outward evils and perils, but also as they struggle with inward trials. No matter our struggles, the Lord is a strong Refuge. And when we look to Jesus, our Refuge, we are eternally safe. Definitely a lesson I need to learn anew so many times!
Overall, this was a great addition to the series, and it offered a great dosing of Biblical truth that is so needed. Would highly recommend, and the next book needs to come along shortly!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Kristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin.
Connect!Tour ScheduleTour Schedule
Monday, April 18th
Vanessa Hall – Spotlight (blog)
Kaytlin Phillips – Review (Goodreads and Facebook)
Grace A. Johnson – Spotlight (blog, Facebook, and Pinterest)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Kristina Hall – Tour launch (blog and Instagram)
Tuesday, April 19th
Madi’s Musings – Spotlight (blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Lillian Keith – Spotlight (blog)
Wednesday, April 20th
Judith McNees – Review (blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads)
Joy C. Woodbury – Review (Goodreads and Instagram)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Thursday, April 21st
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Books Less Travelled – Review (blog, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub)
Friday, April 22nd
Abby Burrus – Review (blog and Goodreads)
Issabelle Perry – Review (blog)
Vanessa Hall – Review (blog, Goodreads, BookBub)
Emma (The Book Dragon’s Alcove) – Review (blog and Goodreads)
Grace A. Johnson – Review (blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and BookBub)
Saraina Whitney – Spotlight (blog)
Kylie Hunt – Spotlight and Review (Instagram and Pinterest)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Review (Instagram, Facebook, and BookBub)
Autumn – Spotlight (blog)
Kristina Hall – Tour Wrap-up (blog and Instagram)
April 20, 2022
Review: Romance’s Rest by Erika Mathews
Her love seems to have passed him by.
Little does he know that true covenant Love is knocking at his door.
Kethin Ellith’s life is brimful: a new town, his dream job working with people and animals, an active social life, and now a spunky, godly woman who has captured his heart. But how can he have any sort of relationship with her when she’s not even interested in a single conversation?
Faeth Dale delights in being an avid flower gardener and the middle sister of a lively, close-knit family. She has her own non-negotiable reasons for avoiding all male friendships, particularly with spiritually shallow men like Kethin. But would Adon Olam give her this apparently conflicted guidance?
When rejection, grief, and longing jolt Kethin’s reality, knowing love seems permanently beyond him. And what is this spiritual concept of covenant he keeps encountering? As his struggles in this new relationship with Adon Olam intertwine with the struggles of his heart, Kethin comes face to face with both the starkness and breathtaking gloriousness of divine love itself—and a decision that costs him everything.
My ReviewRomance’s Rest by Erika Mathews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
I was initially intrigued by this book because it was marketed as a romance novel for people who don’t usually like romance novels. I think that’s a really interesting approach, and after reading a bunch of Christian romance novels that really don’t have much to do with true love or romance, I wanted to see how this author approached this subject!
Characters: Of all the characters in the Truth from Taerna series, I think Kethin was probably the most relatable. I appreciated that he didn’t have his life completely together at the beginning of the book – very realistic! It was great to see a character arc throughout the book and watch him grow. I also enjoyed seeing him hang out with his animals – yay for cute puppies and sheep! Faeth felt almost like a side character to me (the book definitely was more about Kethin), but the scenes she did have a POV in revealed her sweet and kind disposition. The other characters were interesting, too – Maeri added a different twist to things, and of course, it was nice to see Kethin’s family again.
Plot/Writing Style: As usual, Erika’s writing style is very well done: easy to read and with just the right touch of beautiful descriptions. The plot tended to drag a little bit in place – mostly because I got a little tired of hearing about how sad Kethin was about his relationship problems. (Yeah, I sound pretty heartless there.) There were just several instances of back-and-forth between Kethin and Faeth, and I only wanted their romance resolved!
Romance: Okay, I have to put this here because it’s literally in the title. First off, I will say that this is one hundred percent clean. There’s nothing in here that’s even close to inappropriate. Yay for clean romances! However, a lot of the “romance” did seem to happen off-scene (such as when Faeth and Kethin got to know each other, etc.), so some of the changing dynamics in their relationship seemed to go a little quickly. But I think that might’ve been intentional, because the whole book is about a far great Love!
Moral/Theme: This is the section where this book shines, and that’s what I love the most about Erika’s books. They always make me think, and that’s the sign of a quality book. Instead of focusing entirely on a romantic relationship between a man and a woman, this book brought to light the most important of relationships, and that’s between God and man. We can’t love people rightly if we don’t know God’s love. And when we do begin just to grasp even the tiniest bit of God’s love for us, it will change our entire lives. This book did a great job of showing how you need to be in a right relationship with the Lord before you even try to get into a marital relationship. I think that’s an idea that’s very often ignored, and marriage is treated lightly or as if marriage itself will solve a person’s problems. God must come first in our lives, and we must love Him first! (Which reminds me, I really enjoyed the part where Kethin came to realize he couldn’t love the Lord rightly – but he had to love God with the love the Lord gave him!) Long story short, this book held excellent morals and themes. I didn’t necessarily agree with everything single thing that was said (need to think about some things), but there was so much good in here!
Overall, this was a great ending to the series. If you’re looking for a clean read with tons of truth, check out this book – and the rest of the series!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Erika Mathews writes Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of the kingdom of God through ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. Outside of writing, she spends time with her husband Josh, mothers her little ones, reads, edits, enjoys the great Minnesota outdoors, plays piano and violin, makes heroic ventures into minimalism, clean eating, and gardening, and uses the Oxford comma. You can connect with Erika at restinglife.com.
Tour Schedule!Monday, April 18 – KICK-OFF DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – tour intro
Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall – book spotlight and excerpt
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – character spotlight on Faeth Dale
Tuesday, April 19 – FREE CHAPTER DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Read the First Chapter for Free
Rachael Anne English at Note By Note – book spotlight and review
Wednesday, April 20 – BIBLE STUDY DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Bible study on blood covenant
Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall – book review
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – book spotlight and excerpt
Thursday, April 21 – LAUNCH DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – special launch post
Chelsea Burden at Light in the Tunnel – character spotlight on Kethin Ellith
Friday, April 22 –
Erika Mathews at Resting Life
Stephanie Agnes-Crockett at Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase – Book review
Rachael Anne English at Note By Note – guest post by Erika on true love in Scripture
Esther J at The Lost Review of Odd Books & instagram – author interview with Erika
Saturday, April 23 – WRAPUP DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Tour wrapup
Katja Labonte at Old Fashioned Book Love – Book spotlight and review
April 18, 2022
Spotlight: Refuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall
Doubt. Persecution. Forgiveness.
Tony Dorence should be dead. But after months in prison, he’s home. Yet even at home, he’s not safe from trials that hit from every angle.
Merri Dorence couldn’t be more thankful her brother is home, yet doubts have attacked her newfound faith and left her questioning all too much.
When they face a threat greater than either of them could’ve imagined, will they find refuge from the storm or be overcome by a relentless evil?
Buy hereGoodreadsAnd for a limited time, Fled for Refuge, the first book in the series, is on sale for only $1.99!
Buy hereAbout the AuthorKristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin.
Tour ScheduleMonday, April 18th
Vanessa Hall – Spotlight (blog)
Kaytlin Phillips – Review (Goodreads and Facebook)
Grace A. Johnson – Spotlight (blog, Facebook, and Pinterest)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Kristina Hall – Tour launch (blog and Instagram)
Tuesday, April 19th
Madi’s Musings – Spotlight (blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Lillian Keith – Spotlight (blog)
Wednesday, April 20th
Judith McNees – Review (blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads)
Joy C. Woodbury – Review (Goodreads and Instagram)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Thursday, April 21st
Charity’s Books and Tea – Quote (Instagram)
Books Less Travelled – Review (blog, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub)
Friday, April 22nd
Abby Burrus – Review (blog and Goodreads)
Issabelle Perry – Review (blog)
Vanessa Hall – Review (blog, Goodreads, BookBub)
Emma (The Book Dragon’s Alcove) – Review (blog and Goodreads)
Grace A. Johnson – Review (blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and BookBub)
Saraina Whitney – Spotlight (blog)
Kylie Hunt – Spotlight and Review (Instagram and Pinterest)
Charity’s Books and Tea – Review (Instagram, Facebook, and BookBub)
Autumn – Spotlight (blog)
Kristina Hall – Tour Wrapup (blog and Instagram)
Spotlight: Romance’s Rest by Erika Mathews
Her love seems to have passed him by.
Little does he know that true covenant Love is knocking at his door.
Kethin Ellith’s life is brimful: a new town, his dream job working with people and animals, an active social life, and now a spunky, godly woman who has captured his heart. But how can he have any sort of relationship with her when she’s not even interested in a single conversation?
Faeth Dale delights in being an avid flower gardener and the middle sister of a lively, close-knit family. She has her own non-negotiable reasons for avoiding all male friendships, particularly with spiritually shallow men like Kethin. But would Adon Olam give her this apparently conflicted guidance?
When rejection, grief, and longing jolt Kethin’s reality, knowing love seems permanently beyond him. And what is this spiritual concept of covenant he keeps encountering? As his struggles in this new relationship with Adon Olam intertwine with the struggles of his heart, Kethin comes face to face with both the starkness and breathtaking gloriousness of divine love itself—and a decision that costs him everything.
Purchase ebook!Purchase signed paperback!GoodreadsSnippetJust—if I do ever marry, I want to marry someone like Yeshua.”
“Adon Olam’s Son.”
“Yes. I mean, why wouldn’t I? Why would I want to settle for anything less? Listen to how He loves! ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Adon Olam, and the Word was Adon Olam.’ That word with! As near as possible! So much surging, active, overflowing love!” Faeth’s face glowed as she spoke. “That’s the picture of oneness that husbands and wives are patterned after. And if I ever marry, that’s what I want with my husband. A dance…a Kingdom romance…something that’s caught up in Adon Olam and Yeshua and the man and me. Just like in the Garden of Æden. That’s what He designed marriage to be, and that’s what I want.”
About the AuthorErika Mathews writes Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of the kingdom of God through ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. Outside of writing, she spends time with her husband Josh, mothers her little ones, reads, edits, enjoys the great Minnesota outdoors, plays piano and violin, makes heroic ventures into minimalism, clean eating, and gardening, and uses the Oxford comma. You can connect with Erika at restinglife.com.
Sale!Tour ScheduleMonday, April 18 – KICK-OFF DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – tour intro
Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall – book spotlight and excerpt
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – character spotlight on Faeth Dale
Tuesday, April 19 – FREE CHAPTER DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Read the First Chapter for Free
Rachael Anne English at Note By Note – book spotlight and review
Wednesday, April 20 – BIBLE STUDY DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Bible study on blood covenant
Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall – book review
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – book spotlight and excerpt
Thursday, April 21 – LAUNCH DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – special launch post
Chelsea Burden at Light in the Tunnel – character spotlight on Kethin Ellith
Friday, April 22 –
Erika Mathews at Resting Life
Stephanie Agnes-Crockett at Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase – Book review
Rachael Anne English at Note By Note – guest post by Erika on true love in Scripture
Esther J at The Lost Review of Odd Books & instagram – author interview with Erika
Saturday, April 23 – WRAPUP DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Tour wrapupKatja Labonte at Old Fashioned Book Love – Book spotlight and review
April 17, 2022
Happy Easter!
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
-Matthew 28:6
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
–1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Happy Easter to each and every one of you! I hope you have a wonderful day rejoicing in the Lord’s resurrection. It is only through His life, death, and resurrection that we can be saved – and how glorious it is that He has so fully accomplished our salvation for us!
He is risen, my friends, He is risen indeed!
