Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow by Teske Drake

About the Book: 

No mother ever expects to grieve the death of her child before or immediately after the child is born. But the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports that as many as 31 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. When the unthinkable happens, where do women turn for help?

Written from the perspective of one grieving mommy to another, Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow is a ten-week study that will encourage and challenge women to delve into a deeper understanding of God's Word. As women engage in biblical teaching, they will learn to embrace God's promises of love, goodness, purpose, comfort, peace, refinement, restoration, hope, and eternity.

"Hope for Today" verses peppered throughout each chapter, journaling cues, prayers, and the stories of other women who have experienced loss will help readers move from grieving in silent solitude to living life in the richness of God's love.

While other books suggest a one-size-fits-all method for grief management or focus on understanding specific causes of child loss, Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow offers comfort for the reader, whatever her situation, by helping her focus on the light of the ultimate Promise, the hope of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

I experienced a miscarriage 19 years ago.  Where was this book when I needed it?  The valley was dark and the road to recovery took some time for me.  The pain of losing a child is the same, no matter what the circumstances are, through miscarriage, infant loss, etc.  This book is other women's experiences on how they dealt with the loss.  It will help those going through the loss to realize they are not alone. The verses in the book are wonderful, as well as the journaling exercises.  A very lovely tool for those in need of hope and promises for the journey they are on. 

Link to buy the book

 Blog Tour Schedule

Meet Teske: 

Teske Drake (PhD, Iowa State University), is mommy to three babies in heaven, mom to two on earth, and wife to her one and only. She is cofounder of Mommies with Hope, a biblically based support group for women who have experienced infant loss.

Find out more at mommieswithhope.blogspot.com.

 About the Live Webcast:

In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20 at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.

Cat Hoort of Kregel says, ""We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences. Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope."

To register for the event, just click here. {https://www.facebook.com/KregelBooks/app_241719209283045}

A copy of this book was provided for this tour by...

Cradle My Heart by Kim Ketola

About the Book: 

Abortion continues to be a hot topic in politics, women’s rights, and medical practice. But for the eight to ten million American Christian women who have had one, abortion is a spiritual issue as well, raising questions of life and death, heaven and hell, grief and loss.

Writing from her own experience, Kim Ketola sheds light on one of the darkest and most neglected personal issues of our time: the widespread need for healing and spiritual recovery after abortion. “After abortion brought the worst trouble into my life I had ever known,” writes Ketola, “I just couldn’t see my way free to believe in God’s love.”

With a compassionate heart, Ketola offers ten true stories of healing promise from the Bible to help women answer the most common spiritual torments they face: Is abortion a sin? Does God hate me? Where can I turn in my shame and distress? How could I ever tell anyone the truth? And more.

Inspired by Romans 6:4--“just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"--this is a definitive resource to help women see themselves and God anew and--finally--to find spiritual healing.

Abortion is a hot topic.  Many women that have had an abortion don't talk about it.  They try to tuck it way back in the depths of their mind, but it always has a way of raising it's ugly head in their memory.  In her book, Cradle my Heart, Kim Ketola opens up her life and lets you into the inner most secret a women can hold on to.  Ketola is transparent in her book as she tries to help women overcome the darkness of the after abortion effects that so many women live with by themselves.  This book is a good resource for those that have had to make the decision to end their child's life because others wanted it to be ended.  It will help them learn to accept God's forgiveness for this wrong that they have done.  This is a great tool for anyone that has had an abortion or lost a child, through miscarriage or early child death.  I had a miscarriage myself and struggled for a long time with the after effects.  I can't imagine what a women that chooses to have an abortion might be going through, much worse I'm sure. In the book you'll find healing promises from the Bible and answers to some questions such as - Is abortion a sin? Does God hate me? Where can I turn in my shame and distress? How could I ever tell anyone the truth? And more.  Each chapter has timeless truths in them as well as a Reflection (Scriptures to meditate on) , Request (Prayer) and a Response (next step to be taken toward forgiveness)


Meet Kim: 

Kim Ketola is a sought-after writer and motivational speaker with the Ruth Graham and Friends conference. After thirty years in the broadcasting industry, she founded a nonprofit organization through which she presents professionally accredited conferences to equip counselors and help individuals recover from the emotional and spiritual wounds of abortion. Kim lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Visit her website: www.cradlemyheart.org

Blog Tour Schedule

Link to buy the book

 In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20 at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.

Cat Hoort of Kregel says, ""We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences. Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope."

To register for the event, just click here. {https://www.facebook.com/KregelBooks/app_241719209283045}

A copy of this book was provided for this tour by...

Tea Party Culture War by Steve Johnston

About Tea Party Culture War
America stands at a crossroads: culturally, economically, and politically. Enter The Tea Party Movement, whose focus is primarily fiscal conservatism, government accountability, and reduced taxation. Currently, America suffers from a clash of worldviews, but the issue is much deeper than politics; it is ultimately a spiritual battle between good and evil. For the sake of generations to come, we need to win this war. We need to take action to defend our beliefs. We need to take the right road.

In his book Tea Party Culture War, Johnston addresses issues that we Americans are having to weigh in on, think about and make decisions on.  Johnston just puts the facts before the reader and lets the reader make his decision as to what is right.  Johnston looks at the worldview in three areas:  culture, politics and religion, where he brings in New Age movement, emergent Church, false teachers and prophecy/end times.  I found him to be very knowledgeable in worldviews.  Tea Party Culture provides the Christian with knowledge so they can approach the troubled times that lie ahead for our America.  It's a book that will truly bring you up to speed on issues that we may be facing in the near future.  Can't say it is an easy fluffy read, but one that will open your eyes and help you in making the right choice. 

About Steve Johnston

A long-time resident of California, author and economist, Steve Johnston, B.S., J.D., earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University of Law and a Theological degree from Calvary Chapel School of Ministry. Mr. Johnston has over 20 years experience in prison ministry and Bible teaching, and has served as a chaplain in Orange County and Los Angeles jails as well as Pelican Bay, a California maximum security prison. The author of When Is Judgment Day? (Anomalos, 2008), Mr. Johnston describes his book, The Tea Party Culture War (WinePress, 2011) as a systematic manifesto of the Tea Party Movement. Mr. Johnston and his wife of 38 years divide their time between homes in Palm Desert, California and Brookings, Oregon. They have one adult daughter and one granddaughter.

Link to buy the book

A copy of this book was provided for this tour by...

A Duke's Promise by Jamie Carie

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Duke's Promise B&H Books (September 1, 2012) by Jamie Carie ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.

Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in her head for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.

Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.

If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the Land of Fire and Ice back to England’s shores, Alexandria Featherstone finds herself the new Duchess of St. Easton. Her husband has promised a wedding trip to take them to the place where her imperiled parents were last seen -- Italy and the marble caves of Carrara -- but a powerful Italian duke plots against Alex and her treasure-hunting parents.

Hoping to save them, Alex and Gabriel travel to Italy by balloon. Fraught with danger on all sides and pressured by Gabriel’s affliction to the breaking point, they must learn to work and fight together. The mysterious key is within their grasp, but they have yet to recognize it. This journey will require steadfast faith in God and each other -- a risk that will win them everything they want or lose them everything they have.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Duke's Promise, go HERE.

Teaser Tuesday ~ What a Difference a Mom Makes

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Today's teaser is a little different I've taken a few quotes from Kevin Leman's book What a Difference a Mom Makes.

• There's a time when you butt out and let your child handle his own problems. But there are other times when you need to step in and take action. (p. 44)
• Expect the best, and you'll most often get the best.  (p. 54)
• What you expect out of your children and how you treat them is what they will become.  (p. 89)
• Your home needs to be a place where your son can fail-and learn from that failure.  (p. 114)
• Just because your son is acting the way he is doesn't mean that he gets off not doing what he's suppose to (p. 118)
• Controllers are powerful people who want to control everything and everyone. (p. 188)
• I had a mom who believed in me despite all good evidence to the contrary.  (p. 244)

~excerpts taken from What a Difference a Mom Makes by Kevin Leman

She's back with a contest....

For Sadie Hoffmiller, going undercover as an informant for the Bureau of Land Management on an archeological site in Santa Fe, New Mexico, seems like the perfect way to stay safe and busy while a threat against her life remains unresolved. Sadie’s days are spent digging up artifacts in the middle of nowhere while also digging up information on her fellow “dirt geeks.” With the help of her baking prowess—no one can resist those amazing dulce de leche bars—and Pete’s cousin, Caro, who takes to the detective work wholeheartedly, Sadie is finding herself again.
But the bright Southwestern sunshine only serves to illuminate the danger that lurks in the shadows. When recent burials are found on an ancient site, Sadie finds herself in the middle of an unexpected—and unwanted—investigation. The more she digs for the truth, the more secrets she uncovers—secrets that people would kill to keep hidden.
Before Sadie knows it, she’s arrested for starting a bar fight (which was totally not her fault), her new friend is missing, and she’s worn out her welcome in Santa Fe in more ways than one. A trip to the annual hot air balloon fiesta in Albuquerque is supposed to give her a break, but before long, she learns that when you’re dealing with the black market antiquity trade, you’re not really safe anywhere you go.

Ready to enter to win Josi's newest book?  Well, here's the scoop.....

be sure to leave a comment before leaving this blog for chance to win.

How the contest works:

• Three books are up for grabs to start the contest.
• For every 50 entries (not including existing newsletter recipients) another book will be added to the pot.
• No limit on number of entries.
• No limit on how many books can be won by any one person.
• The winner can choose any book in the Sadie Hoffmiller series, including Tres Leches Cupcakes.
• Winners will be drawn via Random.org on September 17^th.
• Books will be signed and shipped anywhere in the US and Canada.

How to enter (multiple entries encouraged!):

• Join Josi’s newsletter list at www.josiskilpack.com (If you are already on the newsletter list, you already have one entry.)
• Blog about the contest and book release. (email sadiescontest@gmail.com with the link which will be posted at www.josiskilpack.com)
• Comment on a blog about the contest and the book release. (blogs will be posted at www.josiskilpack.com)
• Facebook about the contest and release. (email sadiescontest@gmail.com—one FB entry per person)
• Tweet about the contest and release. (email sadiescontest@gmail.com—one Twitter entry per person)
• Attend a live event on or before September 15th. (events listed at www.josiskilpack.com)

So leave a comment here and then follow the link to her newsletter and sign up for another chance and comment on other blogs that have posted this contest.  Each comment is worth  an entry....

I gathered up the votes this morning, gave each entry it's own number value and then ran the random number generator on www.random.org. We had 11 books in the contest and of that, 8 of the winners came directly from my newsletter list--which was very fun for me since you guys are so supportive of me. A big thanks to everyone who participated. The goal was to get the word out and with your help, we achieved it. Thanks so, so much.

And the winners are:

 

From my mailing list:

 

chipsandsalsa12

glo_owens

suesue26

nikki.erin.hansen

bjlyman

magnolias_1

edijag123

strawberry.cullen

 

Live Event:

 

Kellie Buckner

 

Blog Comments:

 

Kristen--hosts "Always With a Book" left a winning comment on "Tanya Parker Mills"

 

Facebook Comment:

 

Alisha R.

 

I have contacted these winners but want to thank everyone for participating! I appreciate it so much.

 

If you didn't win, but would like to purchase a copy of Tres Leches Cupcakes--please go HERE for a list of places you can find the book.

 

Josi

Living in Harmony by Mary Ellis

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Living in Harmony Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2012) by Mary Ellis ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Ellis is the author of many books, including A Widow's Hope,
Sarah's Christmas Miracle, and A Marriage for Meghan. She and her
husband live in central Ohio, where they try to live a simpler style of life.

She was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards for A Widow's Hope in
2010, and the 3inner of the Award of Merit in the Holt Medallion Awards
for A Widow's Hope in 2010.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Living in Harmony is the first book in bestselling author Mary Ellis's New Beginnings series. It's about fresh starts and love...and how faith in God and His perfect plan for our lives provides us with the peace and joy we desire.

Amy King--young, engaged, and Amish--faces difficult challenges in her life when she suddenly loses both of her parents in a house fire. Her fiancé, John Detweiler, persuades her and her sister Nora to leave Lancaster County and make a new beginning with him in Harmony, Maine, where he has relatives who can help the women in their time of need.

John's brother Thomas and sister-in-law Sally readily open their home to the three newcomers. Wise beyond his years, Thomas, a minister in the district, refuses to marry Amy and John upon their arrival, suggesting instead a period of adjustment and counseling.

During this time Amy discovers an aunt who was shunned. She wishes to reconnect with her, but this puts a strain on her relationship with John.

Can John and Amy find a way to live in happily in Harmony before making a lifetime commitment to one another?

Watch the book trailer for Living in Harmony:



If you would like to read the first chapter of Living in Harmony, go HERE.

Mailbox Monday ~ Aug. 27, 2012

 Join Mailbox Monday meme

@ The Printed Page

August's host is: 
5 Minutes for Books

(I will be hosting sometime in 2013 she is that far booked ahead)

Adult Fiction & Nonfiction

Autumn Winds by Charlotte Hubbard

Women in High Def by Diane Markins

The Deliverer by Kathi Macias

What a Difference a Mom Makes by Kevin Leman

Adult Nonfiction

She's Got Issues Book & DVD by Nicole Unice

Children fiction

Ka-Boom! by Alyce Joy Rininger

Circle C Beginnings Paper Dolls 

Under the Same Moon recordable storybook by Suzanne Berry

Snippet Monday

In his book Tea Party Culture War, Johnston just puts the facts before the reader and lets the reader make his decision as to what is right.  He is very knowledgeable in worldviews.  Visit here for a nice teaser from the book.  Be watching for my review on Wed. to be posted.   

Friday Snippet....

I loved the fact that Cecil speaks his heart and is so down to earth in his books.  He is transparent to his readers.  The reader will learn to learn from crisis that come their way when reading Murphey's book Making Sense When Life Doesn't.  Wonderful book.  Visit the book tour and my review here. 

Healthy Hair Rehab Now by Jacqueline Tarrant

In Healthy Hair Rehab Now, hairologist Jaqueline Tarrant, discusses everything you need to know about having Healthy Hair.  Tarrant goes over the facts/statistics of hair shedding, the causes of hair breakage, what is normal and what is not and how to know what is normal or not. In order to have healthy hair we need to have a healthy body the author shows how the two go hand in hand.  The author helps the reader see how nutrient deficiencies, health disorders, autoimmune conditions, diseases all can wreak havoc with your hair's health.   There is a chapter devoted to prescription drugs and hair loss.  One chapter devoted to hormonal bandits.  When is the best time to see a doctor it is all in this book on healthy hair.  Flaky and itchy scalps are discussed in a chapter.  Strand Strategies through the ages is another chapter; giving best tips on ways to wear your hair at different ages and stages in life as well as seasons also considering best hair styles with your facial features.  If you have a hair issue it is probably covered in Healthy Hair Rehab. 

You may visit the Healthy Hair Rehab site here.

Visit here to learn more about this book.

a copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.

scratchin my head?????

Back from vacation last night and scratchin' my head.  I can't believe no one wants to win a $25 gift card for Starbucks??????   I'm so confused.  Wish I could win.  This giveaway has been posted for week now and one one has entered.  :/  tomorrow is deadline.  Hurry over to my the original post for details. 

Win $25 Starbucks gift card and book. 

Get details here. 

The Not so Wicked, Wicked Witch by Amy Purser Carter

The Not So Wicked, Wicked Witch is about a witch who is "labeled" in name only. The story itself reveals an old philosophy, "you cannot judge a book by it's cover, but read the contents and then decide." The Witch in this book has the "witch image", however, get to really know her and see who she is inside and out!

Check out this book's web site here. 


Check out the Witch's cookie recipe here.

This book is so cute.  It isn't your normal scary witchy type book.  I was so shocked when I opened the package and the author had added a little touch of flair to my book.  I received a hot pink feather boa such a nice little added touch from the author.  I have it tucked in the book as a bookmark.  My family thinks I'm a little wacky, but that is ok.  The not so wicked witch is a very delightful book to read with all its frills and glamor. 

About the author:

Amy Carter is a native Mississippian.  She is a graduate of Jackson Preparatory and University of Mississippi achieving her Bachelor Degree in English and History.
Amy’s career has been in marketing mainly within the insurance industry.  Writing children’s literature has been a hobby she has enjoyed for many years which led to the recent publication of The Not So Wicked, Wicked Witch.
Amy currently resides in Jackson with her daughter.

About the illustrator:

Sarah Markham is a native Mississippian. She is a graduate of Northwest Rankin High School and the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor Degree in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design and Print Journalism. Currently a graphic designer for Healthways, Sarah lives in Nashville, TN, with her English Springer Spaniel, Olivia

What is your book about?

It is about a witch that tries to live up to her witchy image but is kind, fun, mischievous, and loving, not to mention "not so wicked"!  She is not your average, run of the mill witch and has a heart of gold.  

Why did you decide to write it?

The idea came to mind in college - I always loved witches - but not bad ones or scary ones.  So I created "the witch" with a special flare for fun and a love of happy things - including my favorite color - PINK.

How did you get your book published?  

I heard about Outskirts Press and contacted them to see if they were interested.  Fortunately they were, and we started the process immediately!  Sarah Markham, the illustrator, did an amazing job bringing the witch to life for me!

What types of readers will be interested in your book?  

The book is for children 3-10, but also there has been an interest from adults (female) in the witch.  I feel that it is in the character because we (females) all have a  fun, mischievous side!

What is special about your book?  What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
The fact that the witch isn't evil or scary is so appealing.  When reading to different groups at schools, the children all comment that they love her because she has a big heart and isn't frightening.  They also like the "sparkle" to the normal witch's attire. 

Have you published any other books?  

Not at this point.

Do you plan to publish more?  
Yes, I would like to have a sequel to the witch book.  I have written several other rhyming books that I have not yet pursued with publishing. 



For more information about this book visit here.

I copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review

Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney

Lorena McCourtney has spun a fast-paced and witty romantic mystery in her new book, Dying to Read.   From the very first chapter, she grabs your attention and keeps you hooked until the very end.

Cate Kinkaid is just dipping her toe into the world of private investigating until one of the many résumés she has floating around lands her a real job. All she has to do is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? When the big and brooding house happens to contain a dead body, this routine PI job turns out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

It's a cozy mystery with wit, charm and romance.  If you like becoming a sleuth and getting engaged in your book then this is the book for you.  It kept me wondering from one page to the next.   Couldn't ask for a better book to curl up with. 

Lorena McCourtney is the award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Invisible (which won the Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America), In Plain Sight, On the Run, and Stranded. She resides in Oregon.

You may visit Lorena's web site here.

For more information about this book visit here.

“Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for my honest review by...