Michelle Lindo-Rice's Blog, page 31
December 15, 2016
5-Star Review: Copycat by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Purchase Your CopyCopycat by Kimberla Lawson RobyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
First off, I love the title, Copycat. How fitting! From page one until the end, Copycat takes us on a journey of every author's nightmare. But it also touches on how easy it can be to cross over the line from admiration to jealousy/envy. A big takeaway is how we cannot be too quick to open our hearts and lives to someone without getting to know them well. Our heroine, Traci so badly wanted a friend that she ignored the warning signs because Simone came with several red flags. Simone, a product of her past, accurately represented the person who repeats the same cycle and makes the same mistakes but refuses to change. Simone had everything she needed but she wasn't satisfied. As I read, all I could think about was how we needed to be content with what we have. We have to learn that no matter the state we're in, to be content. A thoughtful read that opens up conversations and hopefully some life-changing reflection.
*** I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: January 31, 2017
About the BookBefriending Traci Calloway Cole is the best thing Simone Phillips has ever done. Traci is the kind of woman Simone wants to be-in every way possible. She begins copying her role model. Not because she wants to be Traci. She just wants to be exactly like Traci.
Traci doesn't worry, though. She knows Simone doesn't mean any harm and that her mimicry is only sincere admiration. Until she discovers how far Simone's obsession has gone.
It is then that Simone's entire world begins unraveling, and dreadful secrets from her past are exposed with no warning. Secrets that she'll do almost anything to protect.
Purchase Your Copy
December 14, 2016
Book Review: The Winter Reunion by Rhonda McKnight
Purchase Your CopyThe Winter Reunion by Rhonda McKnightMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read The Winter Reunion in less than an hour and it was time well spent. Once I began, I was pulled into the storyline. It was clear this story would live up to the beautiful cover! I found the plot intriguing. Anne and Stephen's reunion and love story shows us the enduring power of love and the blessing that comes with forgiveness. It also clearly shows the hand of God and if we open ourselves to listen to Him, we will find peace... and in this case, true love. Everything in this read has meaning. The dialogue was seamless and the scripture references made the story authentic. Another amazing job by Rhonda McKnight. Loved it.
*** I was given a galley copy in exchange for an honest review.
About the BookEveryone knows the woman in the "viral” video that hit two million views on YouTube. Humiliated, Tamar Johnson changed her name and disappeared behind the embarrassing video that captured her losing her virginity on prom night. But who was the guy?
NFL Running Back Stephen Pierce is football’s darling. He’s spent his entire career doing community service work with at-risk kids, and endeared fans as a devoted Christian, even claiming celibacy. It’s time for his high school reunion. Stephen is determined to get his EX, Tamar, to come out of hiding, even going as far as posting their prom picture on Instagram in hopes that she would accept the challenge to show up.
Tamar isn’t interested in the reunion, but her boss is. She writes for a small magazine. Stephen Pierce is a BIG story.
With reunion activity in full swing, the tension between Tamar and Stephen reaches an unbearable level. Before it’s over will the world find out who the real Stephen Pierce is? And will Tamar survive spending time with the only man who’s ever had her heart?
Purchase Your Copy
View all my reviews
December 13, 2016
Welcome Nigeria Lockley of the Seducing the Pen Tour
Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion
Prayers for the Creative Christian and Entrepreneur
Non-Fiction by Nigeria Lockley. Foreword by Detola Amure
Release Date: October 28, 2016
Save $2 on all orders for the paperback at: https://gumroad.com/l/PYPGF
Use code: passion - to receive the discounted price at Gumroad.
Wheatley Award Winner and entrepreneur, Nigeria Lockley explores how to use the power of prayer to strategically manage your business and keep the faith in the process. Learn how to make God the CEO of all your endeavors and connect with Him on a deeper level with, Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.
Christians are often taught that God must be involved in all that they do. Yet there is little guidance on how to get God more involved in our business ventures in a meaningful way. In Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, author Nigeria Lockley explores areas of struggle that creative Christians and entrepreneurs must overcome in order to excel.
Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion addresses topics like:
• Alignment of Purpose—what you want must be His will.
• Finance—understand that you should not feel guilty about earning money using your gift, however money, money, money can’t be your mantra.
• Networking—who you know may be important, but God has already ordained divine connections for you.
• Discretion and Discernment—know the difference and use them both.
Through transparent testimony, biblical guidance, and a prayer strategy pulled from the book of Nehemiah, Lockley provides believers with prayers to take the pursuit of their passion out of this world. The paperback edition includes space for readers to develop their own prayers for each issue dealt with in the book.
Excerpt from the Chapter on Balance
There are some who say living a balanced life while chasing your dreams is a myth. You’ve got to relentlessly throw yourself into the work, striving day and night to get things done and make it happen. Then there are those who believe you need to be balanced instead of busy. I spent three years throwing myself relentlessly into the work. I was on for twenty-six hours a day (yes, I added extra hours to the day). Every day melded into one day until I found myself in the middle of my seventh period class clutching my chest. The next day, I was determined to prove God was able and I still made the trek from Manhattan to Brooklyn. However, before the bell for first period rang, I was out the door and on my way to the emergency room. After a battery of tests and several trips to every doctor under the sun to find out what was the catalyst of my chest pains, I discovered that my body was basically falling apart. I had low iron and a cyst. It seemed like I needed to lock myself in a closet and say that strength prayer over and over again until I saw it fulfilled, but what I needed was balance. Every day I was trying to give one hundred percent of me to my writing, to my students, to my children, to my husband, and to God. I was trying to be everywhere at once, and that’s God job.
The order of the situation was all off. God has to be first every day and above all things. The same amount of time that we willingly devote to our passion must be allotted to God. He must be a part of all of our workings to maintain balance. Look at how He created the world—one day at a time and everything in order.
To pursue your passion in a Godly fashion means putting God first and everything else in its proper order. Does this life require long nights? Yes, especially when you’re just starting out; however, bouncing around like a balloon whose air has just been let out is not a requirement. Don’t live an unbalanced life that will have you everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Is this possible? Your gut is telling you it’s impossible to achieve balance and run a business. But it is possible. God was busy establishing the whole entire world as we know it, and He was never as frazzled as we are. We’re just trying to build brands, write books, and open new businesses. We just have to follow the blueprint He left us. The only true way to find balance is to seek God. God worked on a different aspect of creation each day. He built the whole world one day at a time.
( Continued... )
© 2016 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Nigeria Lockley. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Save $2 on all orders for the paperback at: https://gumroad.com/l/PYPGF
Use code: passion to receive the discounted price at Gumroad.
Order books from Amazon: amazon.com/author/nigerialockley
About the Author
Nigeria Lockley possesses two master's degrees, one in English secondary education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Her second master's degree is in creative writing. Nigeria's debut novel, Born at Dawn received the 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction.After the success of her novels and the launch of her own publishing company, Inheritance Books she is committed to pushing woman to pursue their passion, walk in their purpose, and live in prosperity. Nigeria serves as the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God.She is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters.
Intimate Conversation with Nigeria Lockley
Nigeria Lockley possesses two master's degrees, one in English secondary education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Nigeria's debut novel, Born at Dawn received the 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction. After the success of her novels Nigeria is committed to pushing women to pursue their passion, walk in their purpose, and live in prosperity. Nigeria serves as the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God. She is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters. Visit her website at: www.nigerialockley.com
BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work?
Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is a mixture of commentary and prayers for creative Christians and Entrepreneurs to connect with God and deal with some of the issues they'll encounter as they on their journey to pursue their passion. Is this book available on Nook and Kindle? Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is available on Gumroad a platform for independent artists, authors, and entrepreneurs to sell their products and Amazon. It will be available in Barnes and Noble and other retailers soon.
Save $2 on all orders for the paperback at: https://gumroad.com/l/PYPGF
Use code: passion - to receive the discounted price at Gumroad.
BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
When you begin to chase your dreams there are so many people who ask you questions about what you're doing and when I originally thought about writing this book the plan was to answer those questions in Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, but then things became really challenging for me. I had to deal with business stuff, my husband didn't understand what I was doing, and I had to keep the faith at the same time. That was how Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion became this book of prayers.
BPM: How do you deal with balancing faith, family and business? Do you have any tips for us?
Journaling helped me pull it together and write Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. Keep God at the helm, don't neglect yourself or your family. Learn to trust God that it will all come together. He built the whole world one day at a time and that's how we have to build our businesses.
BPM: This is your first non-fiction book. Was it difficult to write?
Yes!! I was so all over the place at first trying to figure out what I was doing. However, once I surrendered and said "I want to do this Lord, but I don't know what I am doing." He just opened it up to me. The most difficult thing to overcome was that feeling of not being qualified. But when once I realized that God is the qualifier...it was on and crackin'.
BPM: Is writing easy for you? Do you feel lonely being a writer?
Writing is easy. Editing is the hard part for me. I know plenty of authors who love the editing process, but it makes me want to pull my nails out. No, I don't feel lonely as a writer. The Lord has blessed me to connect with some of the best in the business and they take care of me.
BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Writing the prayers was the most enjoyable part of writing Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. I wanted to improve my prayer life and this book definitely pushed me closer to God and improved my prayer life.
BPM: How long did it take you to complete Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion?
It took me about five months to finish Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.
BPM: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Don't write the story or book that you believe is going to sell; write the story that you want to tell. Do not force yourself to fit into a box or follow prescribed formulas just to make it.
BPM: What period of your life do you find you write about most often?
I've written my whole entire life. The only period of my life where I wasn't writing was when I gave my life to Christ and I was trying to figure out what God wanted me to do.
BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey?
Throughout Pursuing My Passion in a Godly Fashion, I discuss learning how to do business God's way and not prescribe to the worldly ideas about different issues like purpose, competition, and finance. I went through something in every chapter in order to write those chapters, right down to having no money in the bank and having to believe that God could resuscitate my business.
BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
I learned that I'm more resilient than I thought. Between dealing with marital issues while getting this book done and holding onto my faith I made it on to the other side of this project.
BPM: What were your goals and intentions in writing this book? Do you feel you achieved them?
My intention and my goal for Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is to help support creative Christians and entrepreneurs get into position to prosper by using prayer and biblical principles as their guide.
BPM: What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success for me looks like a catalog of books that create and effect change in people's lives, encourage growth, edify readers, and are a chain or link in the spreading of the gospel of reconciliation of men back to Christ.
BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
In terms of business I'm working on content for my writing and marketing coaching program the Publishing Pow-Wow which is becoming a digital course in 2017 as well as content for the Position Yourself to Prosper Program--a holistic approach to Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. In the literary sector I'm working on pumping out my next release Children of God, a stand alone novel.
BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Readers can discover more about me by visiting my website, www.nigerialockley.com and they can connect with me on social media at some of my favorite hangout spots: Instagram @NewNigeria, Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorNigeriaLockley, and Twitter: @NewNigeria. My book is listed on Amazon: http://bit.ly/PursuingYPGF
Prayers for the Creative Christian and Entrepreneur
Non-Fiction by Nigeria Lockley. Foreword by Detola Amure
Release Date: October 28, 2016
Save $2 on all orders for the paperback at: https://gumroad.com/l/PYPGF
Use code: passion - to receive the discounted price at Gumroad.
Wheatley Award Winner and entrepreneur, Nigeria Lockley explores how to use the power of prayer to strategically manage your business and keep the faith in the process. Learn how to make God the CEO of all your endeavors and connect with Him on a deeper level with, Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.
Christians are often taught that God must be involved in all that they do. Yet there is little guidance on how to get God more involved in our business ventures in a meaningful way. In Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, author Nigeria Lockley explores areas of struggle that creative Christians and entrepreneurs must overcome in order to excel.
Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion addresses topics like:
• Alignment of Purpose—what you want must be His will.
• Finance—understand that you should not feel guilty about earning money using your gift, however money, money, money can’t be your mantra.
• Networking—who you know may be important, but God has already ordained divine connections for you.
• Discretion and Discernment—know the difference and use them both.
Through transparent testimony, biblical guidance, and a prayer strategy pulled from the book of Nehemiah, Lockley provides believers with prayers to take the pursuit of their passion out of this world. The paperback edition includes space for readers to develop their own prayers for each issue dealt with in the book.
Excerpt from the Chapter on Balance
There are some who say living a balanced life while chasing your dreams is a myth. You’ve got to relentlessly throw yourself into the work, striving day and night to get things done and make it happen. Then there are those who believe you need to be balanced instead of busy. I spent three years throwing myself relentlessly into the work. I was on for twenty-six hours a day (yes, I added extra hours to the day). Every day melded into one day until I found myself in the middle of my seventh period class clutching my chest. The next day, I was determined to prove God was able and I still made the trek from Manhattan to Brooklyn. However, before the bell for first period rang, I was out the door and on my way to the emergency room. After a battery of tests and several trips to every doctor under the sun to find out what was the catalyst of my chest pains, I discovered that my body was basically falling apart. I had low iron and a cyst. It seemed like I needed to lock myself in a closet and say that strength prayer over and over again until I saw it fulfilled, but what I needed was balance. Every day I was trying to give one hundred percent of me to my writing, to my students, to my children, to my husband, and to God. I was trying to be everywhere at once, and that’s God job.
The order of the situation was all off. God has to be first every day and above all things. The same amount of time that we willingly devote to our passion must be allotted to God. He must be a part of all of our workings to maintain balance. Look at how He created the world—one day at a time and everything in order.
To pursue your passion in a Godly fashion means putting God first and everything else in its proper order. Does this life require long nights? Yes, especially when you’re just starting out; however, bouncing around like a balloon whose air has just been let out is not a requirement. Don’t live an unbalanced life that will have you everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Is this possible? Your gut is telling you it’s impossible to achieve balance and run a business. But it is possible. God was busy establishing the whole entire world as we know it, and He was never as frazzled as we are. We’re just trying to build brands, write books, and open new businesses. We just have to follow the blueprint He left us. The only true way to find balance is to seek God. God worked on a different aspect of creation each day. He built the whole world one day at a time.
( Continued... )
© 2016 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Nigeria Lockley. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Save $2 on all orders for the paperback at: https://gumroad.com/l/PYPGF
Use code: passion to receive the discounted price at Gumroad.
Order books from Amazon: amazon.com/author/nigerialockley
About the Author
Nigeria Lockley possesses two master's degrees, one in English secondary education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Her second master's degree is in creative writing. Nigeria's debut novel, Born at Dawn received the 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction.After the success of her novels and the launch of her own publishing company, Inheritance Books she is committed to pushing woman to pursue their passion, walk in their purpose, and live in prosperity. Nigeria serves as the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God.She is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters.
Intimate Conversation with Nigeria Lockley
Nigeria Lockley possesses two master's degrees, one in English secondary education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Nigeria's debut novel, Born at Dawn received the 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction. After the success of her novels Nigeria is committed to pushing women to pursue their passion, walk in their purpose, and live in prosperity. Nigeria serves as the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God. She is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters. Visit her website at: www.nigerialockley.com
BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work?
Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is a mixture of commentary and prayers for creative Christians and Entrepreneurs to connect with God and deal with some of the issues they'll encounter as they on their journey to pursue their passion. Is this book available on Nook and Kindle? Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is available on Gumroad a platform for independent artists, authors, and entrepreneurs to sell their products and Amazon. It will be available in Barnes and Noble and other retailers soon.
Save $2 on all orders for the paperback at: https://gumroad.com/l/PYPGF
Use code: passion - to receive the discounted price at Gumroad.
BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
When you begin to chase your dreams there are so many people who ask you questions about what you're doing and when I originally thought about writing this book the plan was to answer those questions in Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, but then things became really challenging for me. I had to deal with business stuff, my husband didn't understand what I was doing, and I had to keep the faith at the same time. That was how Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion became this book of prayers.
BPM: How do you deal with balancing faith, family and business? Do you have any tips for us?
Journaling helped me pull it together and write Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. Keep God at the helm, don't neglect yourself or your family. Learn to trust God that it will all come together. He built the whole world one day at a time and that's how we have to build our businesses.
BPM: This is your first non-fiction book. Was it difficult to write?
Yes!! I was so all over the place at first trying to figure out what I was doing. However, once I surrendered and said "I want to do this Lord, but I don't know what I am doing." He just opened it up to me. The most difficult thing to overcome was that feeling of not being qualified. But when once I realized that God is the qualifier...it was on and crackin'.
BPM: Is writing easy for you? Do you feel lonely being a writer?
Writing is easy. Editing is the hard part for me. I know plenty of authors who love the editing process, but it makes me want to pull my nails out. No, I don't feel lonely as a writer. The Lord has blessed me to connect with some of the best in the business and they take care of me.
BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Writing the prayers was the most enjoyable part of writing Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. I wanted to improve my prayer life and this book definitely pushed me closer to God and improved my prayer life.
BPM: How long did it take you to complete Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion?
It took me about five months to finish Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.
BPM: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Don't write the story or book that you believe is going to sell; write the story that you want to tell. Do not force yourself to fit into a box or follow prescribed formulas just to make it.
BPM: What period of your life do you find you write about most often?
I've written my whole entire life. The only period of my life where I wasn't writing was when I gave my life to Christ and I was trying to figure out what God wanted me to do.
BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey?
Throughout Pursuing My Passion in a Godly Fashion, I discuss learning how to do business God's way and not prescribe to the worldly ideas about different issues like purpose, competition, and finance. I went through something in every chapter in order to write those chapters, right down to having no money in the bank and having to believe that God could resuscitate my business.
BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
I learned that I'm more resilient than I thought. Between dealing with marital issues while getting this book done and holding onto my faith I made it on to the other side of this project.
BPM: What were your goals and intentions in writing this book? Do you feel you achieved them?
My intention and my goal for Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is to help support creative Christians and entrepreneurs get into position to prosper by using prayer and biblical principles as their guide.
BPM: What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success for me looks like a catalog of books that create and effect change in people's lives, encourage growth, edify readers, and are a chain or link in the spreading of the gospel of reconciliation of men back to Christ.
BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
In terms of business I'm working on content for my writing and marketing coaching program the Publishing Pow-Wow which is becoming a digital course in 2017 as well as content for the Position Yourself to Prosper Program--a holistic approach to Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. In the literary sector I'm working on pumping out my next release Children of God, a stand alone novel.
BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Readers can discover more about me by visiting my website, www.nigerialockley.com and they can connect with me on social media at some of my favorite hangout spots: Instagram @NewNigeria, Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorNigeriaLockley, and Twitter: @NewNigeria. My book is listed on Amazon: http://bit.ly/PursuingYPGF
December 12, 2016
Write Now Literary is pleased to announce Never, Book Re...
Write Now Literary is pleased to announce Never, Book Release Tour with author Joy Avery on December 13, 2016.Publication Date: November 14, 2016.Genre: Contemporary Romance ASIN: B01MSLP8FO About The Book
Never say what love can't—or won't—do.Balloon Artist Gadiya Lassiter never imagined waking up without the love of her life, small-town fire chief Nico Dupree. Then one day, it becomes her tortured reality. Fast-forward two years…he's back and making his intentions to rekindle their flame known. But she vows to never love him again. As determined as she is to keep her heart out of his hands, love seems to have its own agenda.For Nico, returning home to Mount Pleasance, North Carolina is not without its benefits. The most valuable, Gadiya. He’s determined to reclaim her heart—despite her obvious goal to hate him. But he’s not giving up on her; not again. He’ll just have to convince her the disdain she harbors for him is far less potent than the love he knows she still has for him. And he'll do it one scorching kiss at a time.As their attraction grows hotter and hotter, will Gadiya be able to escape the flames, or will Nico's fire consume her?
About The Author
By day, Joy Avery works as a customer service assistant. By night, the North Carolina native travels to imaginary worlds—creating characters whose romantic journeys invariably end happily ever after.Since she was a young girl growing up in Garner, Joy knew she wanted to write. Stumbling onto romance novels, she discovered her passion for love stories; instantly, she knew these were the type stories she wanted to pen. Real characters. Real journeys. Real good love is what you’ll find in a Joy Avery romance. Joy is married with one child. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cake decorating, pretending to expertly play the piano, driving her husband insane, and playing with her two dogs.Joy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. Excerpt Nico allowed Gadiya to escape his hold. He may not have broken her shell, but he’d surely cracked it. As she made her way across the floor, he said, “I’ll tell you what’s a waste of time. Your fighting this. You have a right to be pissed at me, Gadiya, but you can’t deny you still feel something for me.”This stopped her in her tracks. Whipping around, she charged him like a raging bull. “Anything I may have felt for you in the past is long gone. I feel nothing for you now, Nico Dupree. Nothing. And I never will.”“Is that why you’re still single?” He regretted the words the moment they escaped. There could have been a myriad of reasons why she wasn’t in a relationship, none of them having anything to do with him.Gadiya slowly shook her head, something in her expression turning sad. “The reason I’m still single has nothing to do with you. But if you must know, I decided to never give my heart to another man, because the one man I trusted with it, shattered it into tiny pieces. I loved that jerk, that coward, far more than he deserved. I loved him far more than breathing, which was okay, because, with him, I never feared suffocating. He gave me life. Then he took it away.”Nico hadn’t expected her powerful summation. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t move toward her, could hardly breathe. All he could do was dumbly stare into her glistening eyes, then at her back as she turned to leave.Gadiya stopped at the door. Over her shoulder, she said, “On second thought, I guess my being single has everything to do with you. I never want to see you again, Nico. You are dead to me. Just like the idea of me ever loving you again.”With that, she was gone. AmazonConnect with JoyWebsiteFacebookTwitter Tour hosted by Write Now Literary Book Tours www.wnlbooktours.com
Click here To Follow the Tour
December 5, 2016
New Release from Kim Cash Tate
I was blessed to meet Kim Cash Tate at the first Christian Book Lover's Retreat. I shared a panel with her where she spoke about her upcoming novels. I'm honored to feature this beautiful woman of faith on my blog.
About Kim Cash Tate
KIM CASH TATE is the author of several books, including Though I Stumble (2016) and Cling (2017). A former practicing attorney, she is also a Bible teacher and homeschooler. She’s been married to her husband Bill for more than two decades, and they live in St. Louis with their two young adult children. You can find Kim at her website—kimcashtate.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Though I Stumble
Purchase Your CopyFour women, one weekend, and their lives will never be the same.
Stephanie London thought she’d heard from God when she moved to Hope Springs, N.C. But a tragedy in that small town left her soul desolate. Now her husband’s inattentiveness has pushed her over the edge. Bereft of hope, she travels home to St. Louis as a women’s ministry conference kicks off. Though less than enthused to attend, new friendships offer strength and light. But what happens when the weekend ends and real life begins again?
Treva Langston grieves still the loss of her husband of twenty-two years. Now, two years later, her heart is breaking again as her oldest daughter’s travails come to light. Traveling from DC to St. Louis for a women’s conference seems the last thing she should do, given the circumstances. But in St. Louis her path crosses with someone new—and her world turns upside down. Will it only lead to more heartbreak?
Jillian Mason can’t wait to attend the Living Word women’s conference. She’s done their Bible studies for years and expects God to show up in an amazing way. But the weekend delivers something unexpected—a discovery about her husband. As the state of her marriage hangs in the balance, Jillian is suddenly anxious about returning home.Faith Langston has always been a girl after God’s heart. She loves Living Word studies and registered early for the conference. But at the end of her college sophomore year, she finds herself in circumstances she never imagined—with a heart that has strayed from God. She makes it to St. Louis nonetheless, with her boyfriend in tow—but how will she find her way back to God?
Four women in different seasons of life converge at a women’s conference—with a theme that charges them to run “in hot pursuit” for Christ. But how do they run when challenges seem insurmountable? And can they help one another navigate the difficult terrain?
Sharing a 5-Star ReviewKim Cash-Tate takes her readers on an emotional roller-coaster with every one of her
novels. We laugh, cry, and most of all we have those awesome Praise- GOD moments
throughout her books.
There was nothing different with Though I Stumble…Don’t we all??
We have followed many of the characters through several of her books so it was so
good to catch up with, Stephanie (Lindell), Cyd (Cedric) and a women’s conference
was an awesome place for these women of GOD to come together with Treva (Lance),
Faith (Jesse) and Jillian (Cecil).
Marriage, insecurities, temptation, I’m sure many will be able to relate to the messages
throughout this book and will definitely make a great discussion with your girlfriends.
Grab your Bibles and notebooks and dig in.
Reviewed by Kenyatta - SistaGirl Book Club
Release date: December 2, 2016 Purchase Your Copy
About Kim Cash Tate
KIM CASH TATE is the author of several books, including Though I Stumble (2016) and Cling (2017). A former practicing attorney, she is also a Bible teacher and homeschooler. She’s been married to her husband Bill for more than two decades, and they live in St. Louis with their two young adult children. You can find Kim at her website—kimcashtate.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Though I Stumble
Purchase Your CopyFour women, one weekend, and their lives will never be the same. Stephanie London thought she’d heard from God when she moved to Hope Springs, N.C. But a tragedy in that small town left her soul desolate. Now her husband’s inattentiveness has pushed her over the edge. Bereft of hope, she travels home to St. Louis as a women’s ministry conference kicks off. Though less than enthused to attend, new friendships offer strength and light. But what happens when the weekend ends and real life begins again?
Treva Langston grieves still the loss of her husband of twenty-two years. Now, two years later, her heart is breaking again as her oldest daughter’s travails come to light. Traveling from DC to St. Louis for a women’s conference seems the last thing she should do, given the circumstances. But in St. Louis her path crosses with someone new—and her world turns upside down. Will it only lead to more heartbreak?
Jillian Mason can’t wait to attend the Living Word women’s conference. She’s done their Bible studies for years and expects God to show up in an amazing way. But the weekend delivers something unexpected—a discovery about her husband. As the state of her marriage hangs in the balance, Jillian is suddenly anxious about returning home.Faith Langston has always been a girl after God’s heart. She loves Living Word studies and registered early for the conference. But at the end of her college sophomore year, she finds herself in circumstances she never imagined—with a heart that has strayed from God. She makes it to St. Louis nonetheless, with her boyfriend in tow—but how will she find her way back to God?
Four women in different seasons of life converge at a women’s conference—with a theme that charges them to run “in hot pursuit” for Christ. But how do they run when challenges seem insurmountable? And can they help one another navigate the difficult terrain?
Sharing a 5-Star ReviewKim Cash-Tate takes her readers on an emotional roller-coaster with every one of her
novels. We laugh, cry, and most of all we have those awesome Praise- GOD moments
throughout her books.
There was nothing different with Though I Stumble…Don’t we all??
We have followed many of the characters through several of her books so it was so
good to catch up with, Stephanie (Lindell), Cyd (Cedric) and a women’s conference
was an awesome place for these women of GOD to come together with Treva (Lance),
Faith (Jesse) and Jillian (Cecil).
Marriage, insecurities, temptation, I’m sure many will be able to relate to the messages
throughout this book and will definitely make a great discussion with your girlfriends.
Grab your Bibles and notebooks and dig in.
Reviewed by Kenyatta - SistaGirl Book Club
Release date: December 2, 2016 Purchase Your Copy
December 4, 2016
Book Review: Forged by Desire by Brenda Jackson
Forged in Desire by Brenda JacksonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Brenda Jackson has some plot twists and turns in this first book of the Protector series. She laid a good foundation for the other books. I wish I could meet Striker in the flesh. His romance with Margo was hot and sensual. The heat was off the Richter scale. I loved the suspense factor. There were so many killers in this story, and evidently there will be more murders to solve in the follow-up reads. There were so many characters and storyline strings that only a professional could keep the reader from getting confused. Instead, you could see a masterful woven of storylines that lead you to a HEA conclusion.
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About the Book
Strong enough to protect her. Bold enough to love her.
When good girl Margo Connelly becomes Lamar "Striker" Jennings's latest assignment, she knows she's in trouble. And not just because he's been hired to protect her from an underworld criminal. The reformed bad boy's appeal is breaching all her defenses, and as the threats against her increase, Margo isn't sure which is more dangerous: the gangster targeting her, or the far too alluring protector tempting her to let loose.
Though Striker's now living on the right side of the law, he's convinced his troubled past keeps Margo out of his league. But physical chemistry explodes into full-blown passion when they go on the run together. Surrendering to desire could be a deadly distraction—or finally prove that he's the only man qualified to keep her safe, and win her love.
Release Date: January 31, 2017
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December 2, 2016
Check out Pat Simmons Brand New Release!
Just in time for Holidays! Enjoy this feel-good read. Pat Simmons always deliver.
About the Book
Holidays haven’t been the same for Derek Washington since his divorce. He and his ex-wife, Robyn, go out of their way to avoid each other. This Christmas may be different when he decides to gives his son, Tyler, the family he once had before they split.
Derek’s going to need the Lord’s intervention to soften her heart to agree to some outings. God’s help doesn’t come in the way he expected, but it’s all good, because everything falls in place for them to be a couple by Christmas.
About the Author
Pat is the multi-published author of more than thirty Christian titles, and is a three-time recipient of the Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.As a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, Pat is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience. God is the Author who advances the stories she writes.Pat currently oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.Pat converted her sofa-strapped, sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.Read more about Pat and her books by visiting www.patsimmons.net or on social media.
Connect with Pat at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/patsimmonsreaders/
About the Book
Holidays haven’t been the same for Derek Washington since his divorce. He and his ex-wife, Robyn, go out of their way to avoid each other. This Christmas may be different when he decides to gives his son, Tyler, the family he once had before they split.
Derek’s going to need the Lord’s intervention to soften her heart to agree to some outings. God’s help doesn’t come in the way he expected, but it’s all good, because everything falls in place for them to be a couple by Christmas.
About the Author
Pat is the multi-published author of more than thirty Christian titles, and is a three-time recipient of the Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.As a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, Pat is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience. God is the Author who advances the stories she writes.Pat currently oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.Pat converted her sofa-strapped, sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.Read more about Pat and her books by visiting www.patsimmons.net or on social media.
Connect with Pat at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/patsimmonsreaders/
November 28, 2016
Book Review: Insert Groom Here
Insert Groom Here by K.M. JacksonMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
K.M. Jackson delivered a romance between Aiden and Eva, which had me glued. I loved to watch the character development in this story. Eva and Aiden started out being sure of who they were and what they wanted. Then, their inexplicable chemistry took them on a new adventure that had me smiling, laughing and even a little misty-eyed. Aiden and Eva bought wanted different things in life until they realized that all they really needed and wanted was each other. It was a feel-good read that made my heart smile. K.M. Jackson has a unique voice. The title was creative, although the cover was just okay for me. I also think both of them were too strong willed to let things play out that long and what race was Aiden? I wondered that throughout the entire story. I hope Cori and Carter get a story. I definitely plan on reading more of her. 3.5 stars.
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About the BookEva Ward has won a lavish wedding on the nation’s hottest morning show and can’t wait to kick off her happily-ever-after in style. Too bad her fiancé backs out on-air—and cameraman Aidan Walker makes sure her private meltdown goes viral, down to the last couch-kicking moment. The only way Eva can save face and keep her perfect nuptial plans on track is to star in a new “find-a-groom” reality segment. But finding Mr. Right in one month means ignoring her handsome new producer—none other than Aidan himself—and getting their instant, exasperating attraction out of her system…
Eva soon finds there’s a lot more to Aidan than freewheeling charm. But one glimpse of his caring side can’t make up for off-camera politics, Aidan’s own secrets—or Eva’s fear that they’re too different to ever trust each other. So it’s time for her to flip this script, write twists no one will see coming—and risk her heart to get the real thing…
Release Date: December 27, 2016
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November 25, 2016
Book Review: Love A Little by Rhonda McKnight and Sherri Lewis
Love A Little by Rhonda McKnightMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
What happens when you put two amazing storytellers together? You get a page-turner like Love a Little. I met Cree before in the Jordan series and I couldn't wait to get her story. I wasn't prepared for the fast-paced, crazy shenanigans in Love A Little. There is an airplane scene that was so vivid, that I felt every moment - I laughed, I squirmed, I rolled my eyes and I smiled with Cree during her moments of tenderness. I also met Wayne and David and both men had me feeling two very different reactions. A takeaway for me as a single woman is that what God has for you is yours. Time, Space and Circumstance cannot interfere with God plans. A satisfying conclusion had my heart smiling. Kudos to Rhonda and Sherri for their collaboration! I am now eagerly anticipating Dream A Little as I am given a sneak peek at the end of the book.
About the Book
Serial dater, Cree Jordan, has lovephobia, but she's going to have to get over it soon because she's on an 8-hr flight to Paris stuck sitting between the only two men she's ever loved. A flight cancellation leaves them stranded in the "City of Love" for 24 hours. Will she be able to get over her past to let herself love again?
Release Date: October 26, 2016
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November 23, 2016
Book Review: I Found You by Lisa Jewell
I Found You by Lisa JewellMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
In I Found You, the story unfolds slowly. You are taken into the past and the future. About halfway through, you begin to connect the dots. You learn about Frank, Graham, Kirsty and Lily and how they are all connected. You meet an unlikely heroine, Alice, an imperfect mother-of-three who is perfect for Frank. The storyline of memory loss was believable and the redemption at the end was rewarding. Finished it in a day.
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About the Book
A young bride, a lonely single mother, and an amnesiac man of dubious origin lie at the heart of New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell’s next suspenseful drama that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Paula Hawkins.
In a windswept British seaside town, single mom Alice Lake finds a man sitting on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, and no idea how he got there. Against her better judgment, she invites him inside.
Meanwhile, in a suburb of London, twenty-one-year-old Lily Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell her that her husband never existed.
Twenty-three years earlier, Gray and Kirsty are teenagers on a summer holiday with their parents. Their annual trip to the quaint seaside town is passing by uneventfully, until an enigmatic young man starts paying extra attention to Kirsty. Something about him makes Gray uncomfortable—and it’s not just that he’s playing the role of protective older brother.
Two decades of secrets, a missing husband, and a man with no memory are at the heart of this brilliant new novel, filled with the “beautiful writing, believable characters, pacey narrative, and dark secrets” (London Daily Mail) that make Lisa Jewell so beloved by audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
Release Date: July 14, 2016
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