Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 37
September 18, 2021
Honor Life
All too often, we forget what’s going on outside of our day-to-day life. I certainly do, especially when I’m busy and distracted. But the Lord commands us otherwise. My friend Joelle shared this verse with me just a few days ago, and it’s so fitting for today’s post: “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31: 8-9 KJV)
Now is an opportunity to open our mouths for those who can’t speak for themselves, those who are dumb and appointed to destruction. These are the unborn children who are facing abortion or have already been aborted. Millions and millions of babies have been murdered in the United States since Roe v. Wade, and this horrendous travesty must be stopped.
During October, a pro-life blog tour will be spread out across the internet, speaking up for these precious children who are created in God’s Image yet have been or will be slaughtered before they even get a chance to breathe. If you have a blog or social media, please consider taking part in this. There are prompts for certain dates on the schedule below, but you don’t have to stick to those. Simply say whatever the Lord has placed on your heart – and speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
If you’d like to join the official blog tour, check out the form here: https://forms.gle/ygiVFDUjfvwW466x8
September 17, 2021
Cover Reveal: Operation Lionhearted by Maribeth Barber
Today I have a very special post for you all – a cover reveal! But first, let’s hear a little bit about Operation Lionhearted.
Lindy Tremaine is proud of her work with the Meridian Intelligence Department. Clever, courageous, and armed with an uncanny intuition, she is determined to protect the planets of the Kellan Star System from villains and schemers, even if it means going undercover as a fashion journalist.
Tragedy, however, lies beneath Lindy’s self-possessed demeanor. She is an empath, a native of the war-torn Valya, and the man responsible for her mother’s death—the former prince Rael Navorre—still rules her home planet with an iron hand. Haunted by fragmented memories of bloodshed, Lindy refuses to revisit Valya or embrace her heritage, preferring to invest in her career and her adopted family.
But now Lindy and her best friend, Jo Camrin, have received the most daunting assignment of their MID careers: they must protect Valya’s exiled royal family during peace negotiations with Rael. Committed to this mission despite her fears, Lindy soon uncovers a web of lies and technological horrors…as well as the best-kept secret in the Star System.
And now for the cover!
Doesn’t that cover just fit perfectly? Operation Lionhearted will be released on October 13, but you can check it out right now on Goodreads and add it to your to-read list. I’m not a big sci-fi person, but I’ve been enjoying this book so much – I think you will too!
Congrats on the upcoming release, Maribeth!
September 16, 2021
Blog Tour: Character Interview with Robert and Mitchell Boothe from Preacher on the Run
A few months ago, I was given the opportunity to read and review Preacher on the Run by Jayna Baas (check out my review here!) The premise of the book was quite intriguing to me, and once I started reading it, I knew this was one good book and one great author! The situations presented in the book really made me think, especially in our current state of affairs in our country, and the relationships between all of the characters are so Christian and refreshing. Not to mention there’s a lot of action and great characters.
STANDING FOR TRUTH COULD COST HIM HIS FREEDOM.
It’s 1771, and Robert Boothe has spent the last four years leading the tyrant-hating Regulators against North Carolina’s corrupt British government. All he wants is a safe place for his little Baptist church to live and worship God. But the established church wants him to shut up. The governor wants him dead.
FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM COULD COST HIM HIS LIFE.
Being an unlicensed dissenter preacher has already made Robert a target. Then Colonel Charles Drake comes to town with one ambition: winning the governor’s favor, no matter what it takes. And Robert Boothe just might be his last chance.
YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE.
And as a part of the blog tour, I received the honor of interviewing two of the characters from Preacher on the Run. Robert and Mitchell Boothe are two brothers and two preachers who are faithful to their Lord’s calling upon their lives, and I am so excited to have them here for an interview!
Interview with Robert and Mitchell BootheVanessa: Good afternoon, gentlemen! Thank you so much for joining me!
So, first off, how have your lives been since the end of the first book? I’ve heard some distressing rumors recently … How are Magdalen, Susanna, and Ayen? And of course Hank? How is the church in Sunrising?
Robert: I haven’t heard any rumors, have you, Mitch?
Mitchell: I try not to listen to rumors. A circuit rider starts listening to rumors, he’s done for.
Robert: Well, the church is thriving, although we had a bout of fever a year or two ago. Susanna took an interest in healing, and she’s got quite a way with herbs and such. Ayen loves horses and helps out in the stables at the inn. And Maggie—I don’t know what I’d do without her. Folks are taking sides now over this war with England, so I spend half my time preaching and half my time leading a volunteer militia of sorts.
Mitchell: Rob doesn’t like to talk about it much, but we had a Cherokee scare in 1776. He stood in the gap and kept the peace as far as his people were concerned. My circuit’s been growing, praise the Lord, and that keeps me busy. Hank’s as ornery as he’s ever been, but he’s a right good help, and he does some courier work for Rob now and again.
Vanessa: I really enjoyed seeing your interactions with each other. What were you guys like as kids? Typical older brother bossing the younger brother around? Mitch, is it true Robert really punched you in the face once? When did that occur—and why?
Robert: If I bossed Mitch, it was only because he needed it. We had our moments, I reckon, but for the most part we got on pretty fair. We always knew we could count on each other. Might’ve beaten the daylights out of each other now and then, but if anyone else tried to do it, they had better look out. And that is not true—I did not punch him in the face.
Mitchell: He’s right. He didn’t punch me in the face. I got it in the neck. We were wrassling in the yard as brothers do, and his hand slipped and jabbed me right here under the jaw. Leastways, he says his hand slipped. I thought I’d been shot. I was near about fourteen. He was old enough to know better.
Vanessa: How—and when—did you both decide to become circuit-riding preachers? Did you ever work together?
Robert: I knew from the day I got saved that God wanted me for something. When I was sixteen, I was in a meeting and—I don’t know how to explain it, I just knew I’d have no rest if I didn’t go to preaching. Circuit-riding was pretty much the only kind of preaching there was in the Blue Ridge. A man might have four or five churches to preach to at once, so he’d have a circuit whether he meant to or not. My pa trained me, since he’d been a circuit rider a long time.
Mitchell: Pa died when I was nineteen, and folks started asking if I was going to follow in his footsteps. I didn’t much like that. See, I was scared to death of preaching, but it scared me even worse to preach if God hadn’t called me. I’d seen what preachers went through—Rob had already been in jail once by that time—and I was afraid I couldn’t stick it out. But Pa’s old circuit-riding partner helped put my fears to rest, and God showed me in His own good time what I was supposed to do. I rode with Rob for a year or so.
Vanessa: Mitchell, can you ever see yourself becoming a preacher of an established church rather than a circuit-riding preacher? And Robert, do you think you’ll ever return to the circuit, maybe when you’re older and your children are grown?
Mitchell: I purely can’t imagine leaving my circuit. And I don’t think I’d feel quite right pastoring a church unless I was married. Plenty of preachers have done it, and it might sound odd, but I think the Bible’s pretty clear it’s better to have a household first to prove you can lead folks.
Robert: The church keeps me so busy, I don’t reckon I’ll go back to the circuit. Matter of fact, right now I wish I had more time just to lead the church I’ve got. It’s getting harder, what with the war taking more of my time, but I’ve seen God’s leading in that, too.
Vanessa: On that note, Mitchell, how did you learn Cherokee? It sure came in handy that one time, didn’t it?
Mitchell: I picked the lingo up a little at a time. I had to, working the trails like I was. Rob and I practiced on each other that year we rode together. I thank the Lord it was there when I needed it.
Vanessa: For both of you – what are the best a
nd worst traits of one another? (Be nice, now.)
Robert: Mitch isn’t what you’d call organized. When we rode the circuit, I’d know where we had to be when and what it’d take to get there, and then he’d forget something or go off helping somebody or find something else that needed doing. But he can take life as it comes, that’s the thing. It’s a valuable trait for a circuit rider, and something I’ve tried to learn from him.
Mitchell: I’d say Rob’s best and worst traits are two sides of the same coin. He’s dependable. You can count on him. He’s always got a plan, and he can stick to it and lead folks. But it’s possible to have too much of a plan, and sometimes he’s just bullheaded about it until somebody makes him ease up a mite.
Vanessa: Throughout the book, both of you are faced with threats to your liberty and God-ordained rights. What is the best advice you’d give someone who is in the position of standing up for their God-given freedoms and resisting tyrannical rule in a godly way?
Robert: Make certain sure you’re fighting for the right reason. All through the Regulator days, and now in the war with England, I’ve seen folks think they’re doing God a service when all they’re doing is rebelling and making trouble. Next thing you know, you’re not fighting the real enemy and you’re not honoring God.
Mitchell: What I’ve got to say goes right along with what Rob said. Once you’re fighting for the right reason, keep your eyes on the right reason. You can do everything right, but if your eyes aren’t on Jesus, you’re winning the fight and losing the war. Keep your eyes on the prize, that’s all I’m saying.
Robert: Seems like I remember somebody telling me that once.
Mitchell: Wonder who that could’ve been . . .
Robert: I reckon now would be a good time to thank Miss Hall for having us, and then we’d best light a shuck and head back to the mountains. Time to find out what those rumors were she was talking about.
Vanessa: Thank you both for stopping by and talking to me today! It was a truly pleasure to be able to talk to you both. I’m so excited to see what the future holds for you (though you might not be as excited, depending on the events of the next book … probably shouldn’t have told you that.)
Mitchell: And there she goes again. Let’s ride out before my curiosity gets the best of me.
Purchase Preacher on the RunThanks again to Rob and Mitch for stopping by and answering a few questions! I hope you’ll think about reading their story for yourself in Preacher on the Run. You can get a paperback copy (yay a real book!), or you can buy the Kindle version while it’s on sale for the blog tour here!
Also, much to my delight, Jayna released a prequel to Preacher on the Run only a few days ago, entitled Promise of Refuge. Just like the first book in the series, this story was amazing (and we get to hear more about Mitchell, Robert, and Magdalen’s earlier years.) You can check it out here for Kindle!
Giveaway
In addition, Jayna is hosting a giveaway in conjunction with the blog tour!
Time: 12:00 AM September 13 – 12:00 AM September 25
Prize: One signed paperback copy of Preacher on the Run, one bookmark with a Bible verse and cover artwork, and eight assorted photography notecards. All entrants will receive a promo code for Jayna Baas’s online bookstore.
Notes: Open to US residents 18 and up or with parental consent. No purchase necessary.
About the Author
Jayna Baas (pronounced as in “baa, baa, black sheep”) lives in northern Michigan with a great family of real people and the family of pretend people who live in her head. (Yes, she does know her characters are not real. No, she does not want you to tell them she said so.) Notorious for working on several projects at once and writing her series in the wrong order, she believes German writer Thomas Mann was correct in saying, “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than for other people.” She enjoys writing and reading in a wide range of genres, but her favorite story is this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Website: https://www.booksbyjayna.com/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC14TaaJzTh23lKyhcZ-f01w
Book trailer: https://www.youtu.be/mGbr9x2sCyU
Goodreads book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54654303-preacher-on-the-run
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20530182.Jayna_Baas
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0872HCZ2V
Newsletter signup: https://http://www.subscribepage.com/booksbyjayna
Blog Tour Schedule (September 13–24, 2021)Sept 13: Blog tour kickoff @ Books by Jayna (https://www.booksbyjayna.com/blog)
Book spotlight, behind-the-scenes post
Sept 14: Kristina Hall (https://kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com)
Book review, author interview
Sept 15: Jenny Knipfer—Author (https://jennyknipfer.com/blog/)
Book spotlight, excerpt
Sept 16: Vanessa Hall—Author of Christian Fiction (https://vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com/)
Book review, character interview
Sept 17: Captive Dreams Window (https://captivedreamswindow.wordpress.com/)
Book review
Sept 20: Southern Gal Loves to Read (http://southerngallovestoread.blogspot.com)
Book review
Sept 21: Amanda Tero—Blog (http://amandatero.com/blog)
Book spotlight, guest post
Sept 22: Connie’s History Classroom (https://connieshistoryclassroom.blogspot.com)
Book review
Of Blades and Thorns (https://www.graceajohnson.com/blog)
Author interview
Sept 23: Britt Reads Fiction (https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com)
Book review
Sept 24: Reading Excursions (https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com)
Book review, spotlight, excerpt
Tour Wrap-Up
Sept 25: Giveaway winner announced in Rafflecopter widget and on Books by Jayna (https://www.booksbyjayna.com/blog)
September 15, 2021
Review of Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke
Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Recently, I’ve been on a kick of WWII books. Saving Amelie seemed right up my alley, and oh man. It was.
The first third of this book was honestly a little slow for me. There were so many different POVs that changed so often that I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters. I also read the first part really slowly, so that may have also contributed to my initial apathy toward the book. However, a little over half-way, this book really picked up for me.
Let’s talk about the characters. Even though there were way too many for me in the beginning, by the end of the book, I onboard with the multiple POVs. I really started liking almost everyone equally (except for that Schlick or Sick or whatever his name was. Yuck, what a creep.) I haven’t read many books where I liked that many of the characters, but most books also aren’t written with the characters so equally represented. I was under the impression that Rachel and Jason were the main characters, but by the end, I didn’t feel as if they really were. The author balanced all of the other POVs so well that she had me rooting for the side characters just as much as the main characters. In fact, Jason was probably my least favorite (not that I didn’t like him; I think it had something to do with the fact that he was always separated from the other characters and doing his own thing.) Rachel was a little annoying, but I loved that the author made her so flawed. She had been brainwashed her entire life with lies, so it was only natural that she acted as she believed. That was really well done. But Lea and Friederich … oh, Friederich. Like, that man wasn’t even in there that much, but he just so gentle and kind and honest … and yeah. I loved Friederich, if you can’t tell. He was so good to Lea, and she was so sweet to him. Lea also wasn’t perfect – which I appreciated again! – but I think she topped Rachel. And Oma! I can’t forget about her. She was strong and brave in the face of much danger, and she loved her granddaughters so well.
Now, to the plot. To be honest, I felt like the plot was a tad bit wandering. I just didn’t feel a clear sense of direction other than the vague goal of escaping the badguy. However, this didn’t really bother me too much, except now that I think about it, maybe that was what made the first part of the book harder for me. I’m not sure. But by the time I got to the end, I was so invested in the characters’ lives that I could happily accept any wandering plots.
There were a few tiny quibbles I had with this book – namely the curate dude who was obviously Catholic but no one really had a problem with that. If he believed Catholic doctrine, then he wasn’t a Christian. I’m fine with a Catholic characters being in there, but assuming they’re a believer isn’t right. Also, Jason’s conversion was a little weird … he kind of just started believing in God and making sacrifices for the good of others. I’m just assuming he got saved off-scene, but there wasn’t a clear point in time when he trusted Christ.
And now the theme/moral. I love books that make you think and address real historical problems. I don’t think I’ve ever read a fiction book that addressed the topic of eugenics so thoroughly and painfully. After taking a class on special education, this topic really became important to me. What happened to “unwanted” people groups back during this time of history is horrifying, but it wasn’t just Germany who practiced this hideous establishment. The author addressed the fact that America had its own part in the eugenics movement, right alongside Germany and other countries. Showing the depravity of this practice is so important, because it even continues to this day, if not in explicit form, but in the practice of abortions. Something like 90% of babies who have Down syndrome are aborted before they are born. If that’s not eugenics, I don’t know what is. Great books can change society, and to do so, current events have to be addressed, usually indirectly. I am so thankful that the author brought this all to light. Reading about Nazi Germany is a little disturbing – both because of what happened back then, but also because it begins looking a little too much like our society today. We can’t erase history, and books like these remind us of what happens when we take God out of the picture and present man as a god. In one of the conversations Jason was asked why he was going to help save Amelie. That immediately made me think of the fact that without the Bible, without God’s Word, we have nothing to stop us from doing anything we dream of. Every man does what’s right in his own eyes, just like in Nazi Germany. However, with the Bible, we have sure standards of morality and right and wrong. All life – from the smallest to the largest, from the strongest to the weakest – is incredibly precious. And those of us who are able must defend those who cannot.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction – and really to anyone who enjoys fiction. I loved how this book brought serious, horrible matters to light and showed them as the filthiness they are. The author broke my heart several times. I’ll definitely be reading more of her work again.
September 13, 2021
The Sunshine Blogger Award!
Thanks so much to Madi over at Madi’s Musings for tagging me – or nominating me? Is that how this works? Anyway, thank you so much for this, Madi! You asked some great questions.
Rules:
– Thank the blogger who nominated you and put their link in your post!
– Nominate 11 bloggers and make eleven questions!
– Nominate 11 bloggers and make eleven questions!
Le Questions with my answersWhat sparked your interest in blogging?
I think reading other peoples’ lovely blogs sparked my initial interest, and I always thought in the back of my mind that I’d start a blog someday in the future. However, when I began seriously thinking about publishing, it was kind of understood that I had to start a blog. You have to get people to consider reading your book somehow, right? So maybe I was just conned into blogging … but I’ve been enjoying it so much!
If you could tell your past, younger self one thing, what would it be?
Oh dear … so much. I think the top thing I could say is to turn your eyes upon Jesus. In so many ways. When we’re looking at Jesus instead of ourselves, the crazy world around us, or anything else that distracts us away from Him, we’re walking into a mess of trouble. But when He’s at the center, everything will work out in the end. 
How do you incorporate your faith in your blogging and/or writing?
That’s something I think about a lot, because I feel very strongly about my writing glorifying the Lord and pointing others to Him. In blogging, sometimes that looks like a post about something the Lord taught me or a topic I’m passionate about. In writing, my goal is to clearly present the Gospel, so that whoever reads my books knows about Jesus and His love and His salvation He offers everyone. I also want my books to be edifying to Christians, so I try to integrate Biblical themes throughout the characters’ lives as well as write characters who are realistic Christians (like they do have problems. Some of them more than others …) In the end, I want all of my writing to glorify the Lord.
If you could exchange our world for a fictional one, which world would you choose?
So is this talking about fantasy? I haven’t really read all that much fantasy, so I’ll have to come up with a slightly lame answer. Hmm … I feel like a lot of fictional worlds have problems I wouldn’t want to deal with. Maybe like Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys? Like they got to run around and do cool stuff, and nothing really terrible usually happened.
[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." data-large-file="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." src="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." alt="" class="wp-image-813" width="482" height="312" srcset="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 480w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 961w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 150w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 300w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 768w" sizes="(max-width: 482px) 100vw, 482px" />Photo by Julius Silver on Pexels.comWhat is one book/series you dislike or won’t read, but that other readers rave about?
Lord of the Rings
Another conversation for another day.
Mountains or ocean?
Mountains.
Do you prefer hot chocolate “plain” or with added flavors?
Ooh, I think I’ve had just plain hot chocolate most of my life. But I really love peppermint and chocolate, so that sounds really good right now. But anything chocolate is amazing.
Favorite season?
Summer, I think? Mainly because there’s no school, and I can always write a lot in the summer. But I also really love fall and spring, and I’m not a big fan of hot summer days. Yeah, I’m just a bunch of contradictions.
Who is one blogger/author you wish you could team up with to write a post/book?
Grace Johnson. She has such a fun writing voice and great ideas.
What is your favorite writing medium? Pencil? Pen? Other?
Mechanical pencils for the win.
What is one animal you never want to tangle with?
Sharks. I am not a fan.
NomineesGrace @ Of Blades and Thorns
Joelle @ The Pen Inspired
Faith @ Faith on the Farm
Callie @ An Unfinished Story
Tara @ Tower in the Plains
And you! (Hopefully two of you to get me up to the 11 nominees. )
September 10, 2021
Blog Tour: Spotlight + Book Review for Daylight by Grace A. Johnson
Today, I’m honored to be a part of the blog tour for the release of Grace A. Johnson’s latest release, a wonderful short story called Daylight! I’ve read two of her books (here’s my review of Prisoner at Heart and one for Held Captive if you want to check them out. Also, for those of you who are reviewers, Grace is offering a free copy of Held Captive at her website in exchange for an honest review. I’d highly suggest you scoot on over there and get yourself a copy! :)). Just let me tell you, Grace is an author to watch!
Daylight: a 9/11 short story
It was too late.
The whole world knew it, the nations shaking their heads at the fallen United States, our beautiful country of hope and freedom covered in blood and ashes.
Only the devil could’ve planned something so disastrous.
Only God could save us now.
Only God could save August.
It was all my fault that he nearly lost his life, dashing back into the hailstorm of debris to save a man who was already dead. I can only hope that he’ll recover—that we will recover.
Because some things will never be forgotten.
Buy it here!Check it out here for Kindle, and for a plethora of other platforms, click here! (Also, if you’re anything like me, you like sales. Well, this amazing story’s on sale for $.99 for a limited time only!)
My ReviewIn past experience, the vast majority of short stories I’ve read were required reading for school. They tended to be dry, boring, and downright stuffy. However, Grace Johnson’s Daylight is absolutely none of those things!
Let me just start off by saying this: a short story might take less time to write than a novel, but getting character development and the plot right in a short space of time is incredibly difficult. Grace, however, nailed this! I felt like I knew August and Sylvie even though there were less than fifteen pages of them. There was enough backstory that I knew what was going on, and the characters were well-established in spite of the shortness of the story. I started caring so much for the characters within a few pages. That’s some good writing there.
And August and Sylvie. There were some lines in there that just hit me right in the heart! Their relationship was sweet—best friends who finally realized more about each other in the face of tragedy. They both cracked me up with their NY attitudes, and the conversations between them were quite somber but filled with a little bit of humor.
Writing about a national tragedy like 9/11 can pose difficulties, but Grace really captured the horrible essence of that day very well. Sylvie’s emotions were realistic—shock, heartbreak, despair, grief, and all of the other wild emotions that a person goes through after such a sudden and awful event. The symbolism of daylight was nice, and I loved how Sylvie just surrendered everything to the Lord. She didn’t feel good about it, didn’t feel like everything was going to be ok, but she still trusted the Lord with her present and her future. And that’s what faith is, isn’t it – “the substance of things not seen”?
At the heart of this story was hope – hope that daylight would come, that God would work all things out for the good of those that love Him. And what a timely and true reminder that is!
Giveaway!In honor of the release of Daylight, Grace is also hosting a giveaway! Click here for more info.
You can enter the giveaway by subscribing to her newsletter. Collect more entries by commenting on tour posts and answering the trivia question. Only one winner will be selected and will be notified through email. The winner will be announced on September 12th on her blog, Of Blades and Thorns!
About the Author
Grace A. Johnson is a teenage Christian fiction authoress, book reviewer, and avid reader. She lives in beautiful (but humid) South Georgia, surrounded by farmland and forestry, with her parents and six younger siblings. She has written four novels, three of which are published, and a smattering of short stories and novellas, which you can find on Amazon. She’s also a homeschooler who loves learning about history, linguistics, art, and the world around her. You can find her on Goodreads, Pinterest, BookBub, or blogging on her website at www.graceajohnson.com. Join her for a virtual cup of tea and a free short story when you sign up for her e-newsletter!
Author links:
https://linktr.ee/graceajohnsonauthor
Blog Tour ScheduleSept. 1st:
Blog Tour/Giveaway Kickoff – www.graceajohnson.com
Character Q&A – www.thepeninspired.wordpress.com
Sept. 2nd:
Review – www.Kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com
Sept. 3rd:
Review + Interview – www.egbella.com
Sept. 4th:
Review – www.teenwritersnook.com
Sept. 5th:
Book Club Kit – www.graceajohnson.com
Sept. 6th:
Spotlight + Review – www.whimsicalwanderings.home.blog
Author interview – www.gloryforgodalone.blogspot.com
Sept. 7th:
Author interview – www.intomywritingjourney.wordpress.com
Sept. 8th:
Character Q&A – www.eccoltonauthor.wixsite.com/quillofhope
Sept. 9th:
What Readers Are Saying About Daylight – www.graceajohnson.com
Sept. 10th:
Review – www.vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com
Sept. 11th:
Review – WWW.abigailkayharris.wordpress.com
Review – www.thebookcubicle.wordpress.com
Never Forget – www.graceajohnson.com
Sept. 12th:
Giveaway Wrap-up – www.graceajohnson.com
September 7, 2021
Review of Katarina’s Dark Shadow by MJ Krause-Chivers
RUSSIAN MENNONITE CHRONICLES: Book One: Katarina’s Dark Shadow by MJ Krause-Chivers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was originally intrigued by this book because of the subject matter. I knew next to nothing about Ukraine in the early 20th century, and this book really dove deep into that area of study.
There were two POVs – Katarina, then her son, Peter, around thirty-five years later. I found Katarina’s POV to be more interesting, although she could be a bit irritating at times. However, I think that was a realistic portrayal of a young girl in this crazy time during history. Peter didn’t have a lot of character development, but I imagine he’ll have a bigger part of the story in following books.
The plot of this book was slow for me. Peter, looking back on his mother’s life, was always talking about all of these traumatic events, and very few of them actually happened in this book. Much of the scenes were taken up with explanations of the current politics of the day and happenings in other parts of the country. Although very interesting to some people, I got a little bogged down with so much history when I was expecting more of a story and moving plotline. However, as mentioned above, this is part of a series, and this book really just set the stage for the entire series.
Katarina chafed against the confines of her Mennonite upbringing, and she questioned many of the traditional Mennonite views on certain issues such as self-defense and the woman’s rightful place in the home. She also questioned why God would allow certain things, but for the most part, I wasn’t convinced Katarina was a Christian. Perhaps she was, and the later books in the series would speak to that more in her life.
There was almost no romance in this book, and there was no cursing. However, there were a couple weird comments/scenes that made me feel uncomfortable and could’ve been approached with more tact or just deleted. Overall, this book would be great for someone who is very interested in Russia, Ukrainian, and Mennonite history, or people who enjoy their historical fiction to focus on the history side of things. Fans of The Russians series by Judith Pella and Michael Phillips will enjoy this book.
Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for a review!
Award-winning Christian author, Amazon vine reviewer, and researcher Miranda J. Chivers/a.k.a. MJ Krause-Chivers writes about faith and real life challenges. Her mission is to heal hurting souls through both nonfiction and fiction.
Her first fiction series: Russian Mennonite Chronicles Book One: Katarina’s Dark Shadow releases September 7. It was inspired by true stories based on her grandparents’ refugee journey from Russia following the Russian revolution.
“In 1918 the World War was ending, but the Russian Revolution had just begun. The peace-loving German Mennonite colonies never expected that their quiet, traditional communities would soon be turned into a violent war zone.”
Every advance reader loves this new exciting historical series based on real events and are already asking for Book two.
MJ also writes Christian non-fiction. Her work includes multiple devotional series with Christian Devo Writers. In her debut non-fiction book “Unequally Yoked: Staying Committed to Jesus and Your Unbelieving Spouse,” she explored the challenges of living in an unequally yoked marriage with answers based on scripture and real world experience.
When she isn’t writing or reading, MJ travels, digs around historical settings, cooks ethnic cuisine, and collects rocks. She lives in Niagara, Ontario.
AWARDS: “Unequally Yoked: Staying Committed to Jesus and Your Unbelieving Spouse” won the Silver Medal in the 2018 Readers’ Favorite Award (Christian Biblical Counseling); 2019 Author’s Academy Awards (Advice) Top Ten; 2019 Top Shelf Awards Finalist.
Miranda can be contacted via email: miranda@mirandajchivers.com
Check out her website for free info and read her latest blogs: https://www.mirandajchivers.com
September 6, 2021
New Release: Mercy Undeserved by Kristina Hall
If you all haven’t heard the exciting news already, I’ll just go ahead and say it: my amazing sister, Kristina Hall, just published her sixth book! And let me tell you something. This one is so good. (They all are, but after reading the first one in this series, I definitely need more mobsters and more of a certain Alberto Moretti. :)) I can’t wait to get my hands on the paperback! Back when I read the first draft of it, I loved it, so I know it will only be better.
Here’s the summary! (Doesn’t it sound so good?)
How much more will she lose?
Lillian Rossi had it all—a devoted husband, a new baby, and all the riches she’d dreamed of. But one January day changed everything. Now, the consequences of her late husband’s sins extend to her and her son, and Matteo, though only a baby, is the rightful heir to the Rossi empire, making him a target.
Alberto Moretti promised to protect Lillian and her son, but he well knows the cruelty and desperation of the Rossi family. He served them all too long—until God set him free.
As Lillian and Alberto are thrown together in a race to save her and Matteo’s lives, their own sins and Stefano Rossi’s plans threaten to destroy them. Will they fall prey to the danger so close behind, or will they find mercy they’ve done nothing to deserve?
Check out this link to order a copy of your own from a variety of purchasing platforms!
And if you’re a reviewer, Kristina is giving free copies out in exchange for a review. Here’s the Google form: https://forms.gle/iH2QKxxB8bUq4BXDA or you can contact her directly on her blog.
I’m so excited to read this book again!!
September 3, 2021
Authorly Updates
Well, it’s that time again – as you can tell from the title, this is an update on my writing endeavors. Last month, I officially released Unknown, which was so exciting but also quite tiring. It was definitely a dream come true, but I still have a lot to go in learning how to be an author. I got that book submitted right before my college semester started, thank the Lord, so now I can focus mostly on school while still balancing writing alongside college.
Which means I’m still trying to write consistently. I’m about three-fourths into the first rewrite of the second book in the Grace Sufficient series. It’s slow going, especially because I don’t have as much time or energy to devote solely to writing, but I’m trudging through. And remember the stuff I said about this one starting out under 100k words? I’m afraid that great start is going out the window. An added plot kind of beefed this one up, so I’m back to struggling with too many words. Someday, I’ll learn to be concise, right?
I still have no updates on my current “new” project … those poor characters are just frozen in place, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The rest of my writing is mostly homework, but that’s not quite as fun as writing fiction. I’m not taking as many classes this semester as I have in years past, so I’m hoping I can keep making headway on my projects while doing school.
How are your current writing projects going? If you’re in school, how are your semesters progressing?
September 1, 2021
Mini-review of The Intercession of Christ: Christ, A Complete Saviour by John Bunyan + Select Quotes
The Intercession of Christ: Christ, a Complete Saviour by John Bunyan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Bunyan’s commentary on Christ’s intercession for His children explored a glorious facet of the Savior I had never thought about in-depth. However, truly understanding Christ as Advocate on your behalf will bring about a wealth of peace and comfort. Bunyan goes into great detail, speaking to believers and unbelievers and explaining why every person needs Christ to intercede for them. While some parts of this book were quite thick and difficult to understand, there are many gems in here that speak to Christ’s nature. One of my favorites was on Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Bunyan explains how Jesus is willing to save, and He is also more than able to save – save to the uttermost – all who come to Him! I would recommend this book to any Christian – for we all need to know the benefits of Jesus, our complete Savior.
Now, time for some of my favorite quotes.
He is, as the Holy Ghost calls him, the author and finisher of our faith; or, as he calls him again, the author of our eternal salvation; of salvation throughout, from the beginning to the end, from first to the last. His hands have laid the foundation of it, in his own blood; and his hands shall finish it, so by his intercession. As he has laid the beginnings fastly, so he shall bring forth the head stone with shoutings; and we shall cry, Grace, grace! At the last; salvation belongs only to the Lord!
Remember that the hardest or worst part of the work of your Savior is over. His bloody work, his bearing of your sin and curse, his loss of the light of his Father’s face for a time, his dying upon the cursed tree – that was the worst, the sorest, the hardest, and most difficult part of the work of redemption; and yet this he did willingly, cheerfully, and without your desires; yea, this he did as considering those for whom he did it in a state of rebellion and enmity to him.
It is his love to you that has made him put no trust in you. He knows that he can himself bring you to his kingdom most surely, and therefore has not left that work to you, no, nor any part thereof.
The durableness of his intercession proves that the covenant (in which those that come to God by him are concerned and wrapt up) is not shaken, broken, or made invalid by all their weakness and infirmities.
