“Relational Reset” ~ Dr. Laurel Shaler’s newest book

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Dr. Laurel Shaler’s new Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back, is a unique look at something in our lives that could be serving as roadblocks to our having a better life. It’s easy to think that our problems are someone else’s fault. But what if there’s something inside us–something that can be healed–that is keeping us from moving forward?

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Relational Reset by Laurel Shaler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Relational Reset Author: Laurel Shaler Publisher: Moody Release Date: February 2019 Genre: Christian Living (non-fiction)

From the author of “Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events” comes this Selah Award Finalist on a topic everyone can relate to: Relationships. So, are your relationships all that you want them to be?

Despite our best intentions, we all have blind spots–bad relational habits that are keeping us from enjoying our relationships fully. And since relationships stand at the center of all we are and all we do, if we can learn to do relationships better, every aspect of our lives improves. Whether you struggle to overcome past wounds, insecurity, blame, or envy, it’s time to reflect on your relational habits and reset them so that your relationships can be all you want them to be.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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About the Author

Dr. Laurel Shaler is a licensed mental health professional and a Professor at Liberty University . She has contributed to many well-known publications including Lifeway’s Journey, Guideposts, and Proverbs 31 Ministries. Laurel is the author of “Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events” (David C. Cook, 2016) and “Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back” (Moody, 2018). She regularly speaks on a wide variety of topics, and has been interviewed by Building Relationships, Focus on the Family, and more. Most importantly, Laurel is a follower of Jesus Christ and seeks to share His love with others. She and her family live in the Deep South.

Connect with Laurel by visiting drlaurelshaler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the book and $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 1, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 8, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Ebook available international. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

If you’d like to catch a glimpse of what Dr. Shuler’s talking about–keep reading!

Excerpt One:

When we develop empathy for others, act from realistic expectations, and take responsibility for our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, we gain freedom from the negativity that weighs us down and holds us back. When we toss off the weight of unhealthy patterns, we experience renewed strength and confidence . . . and a restored ability to move forward in our relationship with God and our relationships with others. As a counselor and a professor of counselor education and family studies, I wrote Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits That Hold You Back to help you do just that. My prayer for you is that this book will equip you to reclaim what God intended all along: healthy, whole, nurturing, loving, satisfying relationships. This can happen regardless of your past and within the many types of relationships in your life. Just think of the freedom you will feel and how much better you’ll sleep when you aren’t staying awake worrying about relationships. Even when others won’t participate in improving a messy relationship, you can learn to be your best you and feel better for having done so.

Excerpt Two:

All of us can benefit from having this expectation: people will disappoint us. Friends will disappoint us. Family will disappoint us. Fellow church members, neighbors, employers, colleagues . . . they will all disappoint us. We’ll disappoint others too. If we’re not careful, we’ll expect perfection from others. If so, when disappointment comes, it can crush us and our relationships. The Lord knows we don’t want anyone expecting us to be perfect, so we shouldn’t expect that from others either.

For example, do you have unrealistic expectations of your spouse? (I’m frustrated that my husband is not as romantic as I had hoped he would be. Should I consider a separation?) Do you have un- realistic expectations of your coworkers? (If I can handle this big of a caseload without any problem, why can’t she?) Do you have unrealistic expectations of your pastor? (He knows I’m homebound. Why can’t he come to visit me every week?) Are any of these questions hitting home? Then it’s possible your expectations of others are too high.

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Enter to win these happy Valentine’s goodies in the Heart 2 Heart Giveaway Hop! (ends 2/15/23)

Hi there darlings!

I’ve got another lovely giveaway hop for you to enter! MamatheFox is hosting the Heart 2 Heart Giveaway Hop, and lots of amazing bloggers have signed up for this giveaway hop, and each of them is giving away something wonderful. Keep reading for more on how to enter!

How to visit the Heart 2 Heart Giveaway Hop linkup page

You can visit the Heart 2 Heart Giveaway Hop main page by clicking on the blue InLinkz button below (the one with the frog on it). That will take you to the page where you’ll be able to see all the blogs who are participating in this giveaway hop. You’ll be able to visit their blogs from there, and then you’ll be able to enter all those giveaways too!

How to enter the FINCHNWREN blog’s giveaway

The FINCHNWREN blog is giving away this happy Valentine’s trio in the Heart 2 Heart GA Hop! One entrant will win:

• a Happy Floral Hounds Desk Calendar Pad from Blue Ink Studios
• Pink puppy (wearing heart sunglasses) cozy socks from Old Navy
• “Never Stop Reading” animal Magnetic Bookmarks from Legami Milano

To enter, just click on the “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. US entrants only, must be 18 and older to win. Giveaway closes on February 15, 2023. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

#LoveIsInTheAir GA Hop: Enter sparkling accessories from Francesca’s (ends 1/15/23)

Hi lovies!

I am so excited to share another fun giveaway hop with you! The Review Wire & Chatty Patty’s Place are hosting the #LoveIsInTheAir Giveaway Hop, and lots of amazing bloggers are joining in and giving away super-fun prizes. Keep reading for more on how to enter!

Visit the #LoveIsInTheAir Giveaway Hop

So! First, you’ll want to visit the main page of the #LoveIsInTheAir Giveaway Hop. To do so, click on the blue InLinkz button below. That will take you to the linkup page, where you’ll be able to enter to win gift cards, books, trinkets and lots of other goodies.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

Enter to win the FINCHNWREN giveaway

The FINCHNWREN blog has this cute prize pack for one of you to enter and win!

The prize pack includes two sparkly accessories from Francesca’s:

• Faux pearl and crystal dangly pierced earrings
• Little Jar of Bobbies – sparkly, colorful bobby pins in a tiny corked bottle

The winner can use these goodies to brighten up a daytime or evening look for holidays or happy days!

To enter the FINCHNWREN giveaway, click on the “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes 2/15/23. US entries only; must be 18 and older to win. One winner will be selected to win this prize pack. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Blessings, and enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: The FINCHNWREN blog is not responsible for fulfilling any other blog’s giveaway prizes to their particular winners.

Brand-new from Lisa Phillips: “Expired Return”

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I love, love, love Lisa Phillips’ thrillers! And Expired Return, book 1 in Lisa’s “Last Chance Fire and Rescue” series, has introduced me to awesome characters that I fell in love with immediately. In addition, protagonists Pepper and Allen are strong and appealing (with just a little bit of mystery). Keep reading and you’ll get to read some excerpts of their story!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Expired Return by Lisa Phillips, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Expired Return Series: Last Chance Fire and Rescue #1 Author: Lisa Phillips Publisher: Sunrise Publishing Release Date: January 31, 2023 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

She’ll give everything to protect her family.

He always knew she was the one. Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves. Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept. Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time. No matter what walls he has to break down. Last Chance County returns in this blazing new series from Sunrise Publishing. PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub

More Books in this Series

 

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About the Author

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 50 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). As a worship leader for Calvary Chapel churches in her local area, Lisa has discovered a love for mentoring new ministry members and youth worship musicians. Discover the world of Last Chance Fire and Rescue at https://lastchancecounty.com/lc-fire

Connect with Lisa by visiting www.authorlisaphillips.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Expired Return, a $10 Amazon gift card, and sticker swag from Last Chance County!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 31, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 7, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

And now–a little of Expired Return for you to read!

In Excerpt One, you’ll meet the fabulous Pepper. And in Excerpt Two, you’ll meet Allen!

EXCERPT ONE

Eighteen months, and the police in Last Chance County still hated her.

“Come on. Let’s get this done.” Donaldson motioned her to a seat, unaware of his brash tone.

She settled into the hard plastic chair on the short side of the desk. The edge had a metal ring fixed to it for securing handcuffs. Great. She’d been given the criminal’s chair.

Go figure. How about they have a little trust?

Donaldson lifted his brows.

Pepper said, “Aren’t you going to ask me a question?”

Thankfully, no one else was around to see this. It was seven thirty in the morning, which was why she’d chosen this time. The police department wasn’t exactly on her way to work.

“I figured you knew how this worked.” Donaldson slid over a legal pad. “But okay, what did you want to report?”

Pepper held herself very still. “I came here because I need help, not to be browbeaten.”

“I apologize.” He didn’t look apologetic. He looked like he wanted to get this over with as soon as he could.

That was what her actions had accomplished.

She’d turned a perfectly nice family man and good cop into a guy with an attitude who wanted her out of here as fast as possible.

EXCERPT TWO

“Anyway, I might have something for you to look into. So give me a call back.” Allen tapped the dash screen and ended the call to Tate, where he’d left the local private investigator a message. Maybe his friend could help Pepper. It certainly wasn’t in Allen’s
purview as the City Hall liaison to the fire department.

He shoved the truck into park and let out a long sigh.

I have to go. And wasn’t that the truth? The woman did nothing but try to get away from him.

Instead of letting that go around and around in his mind, Allen shoved the door open. He moved his seat back and dragged the folded wheelchair across his body. He set it down on the ground beside his vehicle.

In the process, he got the thing mostly unfolded. Enough he could sit in it.

Allen shifted his body to the edge of the seat and clasped the tether that hung from the grab handle. He braced his foot and lowered himself hand over hand using the rope knots, so he didn’t fall too fast.

He’d learned that one the hard way.

He grabbed the last knot and lowered his butt into the chair. Shifted his foot. The other foot. Shut the door. Clicked his keys.

Done.

He thanked God every chance he got that he’d managed to figure this process out—with some modifications to his truck so it was drivable for him. People had tried to tell him the process was too convoluted or that someone with a disability like his couldn’t drive anything but a van—as if—or a tiny car. Barf. Well, they could quite frankly pry this truck from his cold dead hands. Or bury him in it.

Enjoy! And don’t forget to enter the giveaway so that you might win a copy plus book swag!

–Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Enter to win these gorgeous floral goodies in the Just Because January Giveaways! (ends 2/13/23)

Hi darlings!

I don’t know about you–but while I love celebrating January, my joyful inside often contrasts with the cold, sometimes snowy outside. So today is a day for a giveaway–for just because.

Enter to win these gorgeous floral goodies!

One FINCHNWREN reader will win this trio of lovely floral personal accessories. This prize pack includes:

• a Fringe Studio mini journal portfolio (contains a grey inner velvet liner, with a pocket, a 50-sheet lined notepad, and a golden ballpoint pen. The pink cover has a round floral circle surrounding these words: “There are so many beautiful reasons too be happy.”
• an 8-note blank notecard set from Expressions from Hallmark, featuring a blue and white vase with pink peonies
• a beautiful pink, yellow, blue, and red floral scarf

Enter to win here!

To enter, just click on the pink “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. Giveaway ends on February 13, 2023. US entries only, must be 18 and older to win. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Laura Frantz’s fabulous newest: “The Rose and the Thistle” (a review)

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Lately, I’ve taken to reading historical fiction again. Years ago, I gorged (you get this, if you love reading) on tons of books about several particular eras–so much so that I got to where I couldn’t even think of reading any more about them. And I gave up the genre as a whole. But, there are some amazing writers who’ve drawn me back to centuries and historical events that I knew only a little about. And they’ve provided a banquet of images about these–with periods of time I’ll remember because they peopled their books with such memorable, wonderful characters.

And so! That’s what Laura Frantz has done for me with her lovely The Rose and the Thistle, and its main characters. Scottish laird (or lord) Everard Hume. Protestant. War hero. Eldest of many brothers. And English Lady Blythe Hedley. Catholic (or Jacobite), Brilliant. Learned. Multilingual. Beloved only daughter. These two (and their families) live on the edges of England and Scotland in 1715, when the British crown has changed hands yet again, with Catholics and Protestants regarding each other as abhorred enemies. Yet circumstances throw these two not only into each other’s path, but into the very same home. (Or castle, as it were.)

My thoughts

The Rose and the Thistle is just breathtaking.

This is a book that you must, must read. Exquisite character creation and development. Wonderful world-building. Descriptions of both the animate (be they people, animals, or birds) or the inanimate (like the gorgeous clothing you see on that fabulous book cover). And language! (Not coarse, mind you; but the enormous difference between the spoken British English and the Scots tongue.) Blythe and Everard are from different worlds; they speak different languages; and although they both profess the Christian faith, the ways they worship have placed them on two sides of a war.

And yet.

Frantz brings these two worlds together with great skill and flair. Her protagonists, and those dearest to them, are fascinating. And it seems as though there’s no way that the two of them could ever become friends, much less connect in any meaningful way.

This is a book that so richly brings to life the world of 1715, with (in England and Scotland, anyway) dangerous intrigue and the desire of two almost equally matched groups who wish to enthrone their own choice of ruler. Yet far away from the throne are individuals with their own private lives and wishes. And perhaps, love.

This is a marvelous book. I adored every single minute I spent reading, and I don’t think I’ll every forget Blythe and Everard, and their story. Highly recommend!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All opinions and thoughts expressed here are my own.

Giveaway Winners 2023

Congratulations to all the winners of blog giveaways this year. Thank you for entering!

2 tickets to “The Horse and His Boy” theater presentation: Elissa J.

Colorful journal, Vera Bradley highlighters, and prayer cards (New Year, New You GA Hop): Stephanie H.

The NET TEXT Bible: Leela

Natural goodies (Welcome Winter GA Hop): Laurie N.

One Hundred Ways to Happiness, stocking hat, and journal (Winter Wishes GA Hop): Tammy C.

Enter to win “100 Ways to Happiness” & more goodies in the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop! (ends 1/31/23)

Hi there darlings!

My friend MamatheFox is hosting a brand-new giveaway: the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop! Join all of us for some fun and amazing giveaways and prizes that you can enter to win. Keep reading for more info!

How to enter and win giveaways at the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop page

16 cool blogs are participating in the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop! Here’s how you can visit the main giveaway hop page, where you’ll be able to see the participating blogs and visit (and enter!) their giveaways.

Just click on the blue InLinkz button below (the one with the frog on it). That will take you immediately to the hop page, where you can visit and enter all the giveaways.

How to enter the FINCHNWREN giveaway

The FINCHNWREN blog is giving away this prize pack in the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop. One entrant will win this trio:

• T100 Ways to Happiness: A Guide for Busy People by Dr. Timothy J. Sharp. This fun book has sections on ways to build happy habits, relationships, body, and mind. The chapters are short and an easy way to add some different ideas and habits.
• A mini hardback journal, entitled NOTEBOOK, with lined pages and a ribbon to mark your place
• A peachy salmon-colored stocking cap from Old Navy

To enter the FINCHNWREN giveaway, just click on the link below that says “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. US entrants only, must be 18 or older to win.

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

The NET TEXT Bible: just the thing for a new year’s Bible reading–or a new believer (closed)

**Congratulations to Leela, the winner of The NET TEXT Bible!**

#sponsor #partner

I’ve got an amazing Bible to tell you all about today! Momentum Influencer Network provided a hardcover copy of The TEXT Bible (NET) to me. It’s the most inviting, engaging Bible–perfect for starting out a new year and connecting to God in a new and beautiful way. Here’s the beautiful subtitle, which will engage you even more: “Uncover the Message Between God, Humanity, and You.” Let me tell you more–plus, there’s a giveaway for you to enter!

About The TEXT Bible

The TEXT Bible was designed for readers to really learn to SEE God. And to HEAR Him, and to KNOW Him and love Him more. Michael and Hayley DiMarco designed the additions to the Bible (it’s the New English Translation–NET) to help readers really engage with God. They’ve written these moments of engagement with new believers, students, and young adults in mind. (But really, any person who’d like to engage with God in a new and cherished way will find this Bible amazing.) The idea is as if you could send God a text–and He would answer!

The DiMarcos have developed a new, easy-to-understand study method, described by the word TEXT:

• Talk to God
• Encounter God and humanity in Scripture
• eXamine your heart
• Talk to others—to help readers of every experience level interact with God’s message

Then, Michael and Hayley have included tons of extras in this Bible. They are amazing! These include: The Big Q of the TEXT (God’s answers to life’s big questions); “Who Is God?” (almost 100 devotions on God’s person or character); learning to pray God’s Word; meeting the people and events of the Bible; following the threads (the big topics of Scripture) across the Bible; and definitions of words and literary categories. These are all designed to work alongside the TEXT study process.

My impressions of The TEXT Bible

I love this Bible! It is full of so many outstanding helps and engaging activities. And they’re all just what we need, as humans who are desiring to approach God and dwell in His love and His presence. The TEXT process itself (Talk to God, Encounter God and humanity in Scripture, eXamine your heart, Talk to others) is a tool which can help anyone who might find the Bible intimidating, or who wouldn’t know how to start with God’s Word. (Or where to start!) It is a fantastic set of habits that we can use to create regular and rich times with God, and an understanding of the Bible, and build on the knowledge of God’s interactions over time with humans–and how He might wish to interact with us.

Yes, this Bible is a tool that will bless and engage new believers and young ones. But, it will also enable seasoned or older believers as well, by providing a beautiful and fresh process they can use to encounter God. As my dear friend loves to say,

The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8, The Bible (NIV)

And so this wonderful Bible enables us to engage not only with the everlasting, never-ending Word of God–but with God Himself. What an outcome!

Some of my favorite moments from this Bible

Here are some wonderful moments that have meant so much to me.

• I LOVE the Praying the Scriptures sidebars! They combine elements of Scriptures (in this one, Psalms 46, 18, 125, 50, and more) to help the reader begin a conversation with God. We pray God’s words in conversation back to Him. And His Word is solidified in our hearts and minds as we connect with Him.
• Did you know that Jesus is pointed to, or referenced, in every book in the Bible? Yes, even Genesis, and the rest of the Old Testament, all the way into the New. In The TEXT Bible, every book begins with how you can see and find Jesus in that particular book. It is so cool! It almost creates a treasure hunt for God.

• The end of the Bible has a great concordance, a hashtags list (it’s very neat), and maps. But it also has a great spiritual gifts chart, several Bible reading plans (whether you’re looking for one about Jesus, the major books of the Bible, or reading the whole Bible). Plus fascinating charts explaining the New Covenant, spiritual wisdom vs. worldly wisdom, and prophecies fulfilled about Jesus. And last but not least, the topic list and location of the Praying the Scriptures prayers!

• I love that The TEXT Bible‘s resources use Scripture to interpret Scripture. So many of the TEXT moments in this Bible include references to numerous Bible verses that reference the ideas or doctrines that are being discussed–letting the Bible speak on its own topics. So important, and incredibly so for newbies who are just learning the ways of faith.

• What I love the most about The TEXT Bible is that it’s really designed to help its readers know God better, to understand His Word, and to draw close to Him. It’s a wonderful goal–and one I believe this Bible accomplishes, over and over and page by page.

About the authors

Michael and Hayley DiMarco are the bestselling and award-winning authors of more than 40 books including Own It, God Guy, God Girl, and A Woman Overwhelmed. Michael and Hayley have now served as general editors on three Bible projects. Together, they work side-by-side at Hungry Planet, a company they founded that creates winsome and spiritually based content for teens and
adults. They live in Eugene, Oregon, where Michael serves as a pastor.

Where you can purchase The TEXT Bible–plus a discount!

Learn more about The TEXT Bible (NET) at this website.

You can get 50% off your copy of The NET TEXT Bible if you order before Valentine’s Day! Just click on the purchase link here for the discount (before February 14, 2023, remember!).

And, you can enter to win!

The FINCHNWREN blog is privileged to be able to give away a hardcover copy of The TEXT Bible (NET) to one reader of this blog! To enter, just click on the link below that says “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you can enter to win in a variety of ways. US entries only, entrants must be 18 and older. Giveaway closes on January 21, 2023. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

A new novel about Lady Jane Grey: “A Life Renewed”

#sponsor #partner #review

One of the historical accounts that’s always captured my interest (and my heart) is that of the life of Lady Jane Grey (Dudley), the “‘Nine Days’ Queen” of England (July 10-19, 1553). Brilliant, learned, a faithful believer (as a Protestant), she reigned during the tumultuous days following the death of Henry VIII’s son (Jane’s cousin) Edward VI; and before her other cousin Mary’s eventual rule. Edward VI had favored Protestantism and during his reign the English Reformation continued and flourished. He named Jane his heir as the future queen of England, desiring the Reformation to continue. Yet his half-sister Mary, who was Catholic, had a large number of supporters, and as a result Jane’s short reign ended with her imprisoned and eventually beheaded for treason.

It’s such a tragic history; and yet Jane was such a remarkable young woman. (She was only 17 at her death.) Wonderful author Olivia Rae asks the question, “What if?” What if Jane escaped execution–and continued to live, in this novel, in Germany? And what if Queen Mary changed her mind and sent an assassin after Jane?

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for A Life Renewed by Olivia Rae, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Life Renewed Series: Secrets of the Queens #1 Author: Olivia Rae Publisher: HopeKnight Press Release Date: April 2, 2020 Genre: Christian Historical Romance

In 1554, Lady Jane Grey, “The Nine Days’ Queen” was executed for high treason. But what if, instead of feeling the blade on her neck she secretly survived?

Escaping execution, Lady Jane hides as a peasant girl in a principality in Germany. She loves the simple life and never wants to return to England. But her benefactor, a power-hungry German prince, wants to march on London and place her on the English throne again, thereby increasing his dominance in Europe. If she doesn’t agree with his plan, her beloved childhood nurse will be put to death. Desperate for help, Jane must put her trust in the mysterious spy Asher Hayes. Asher Hayes is done rounding up Protestants for “Bloody Mary” and wants nothing more than to live a quiet life as a farmer and expunge the blood of many from his hands. Except Queen Mary isn’t done with him yet. She throws his father, mother, and sister into prison on false charges in order to force him to accept one last mission – find and kill Lady Jane Grey. But when Asher discovers Lady Jane isn’t a threat to the throne as he believed her to be, he faces a devastating decision – does he sacrifice his family for the woman who reigns in his heart?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | BookBub

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About the Author

Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.

Olivia is the winner of the Angel Awards, New England Readers’ Choice Award, Golden Quill Award, American Fiction Award, Illumination Book Awards, and the Southern Magic Award. She has also been a finalist in many other contests including the National Readers’ Choice Awards. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Connect with Olivia by visiting oliviaraebooks.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Book Gift Box including the books A Life Renewed & Salvation, a $25 Amazon gift card, 3-pack notebooks, CCB cheese dip mix, English Holdsworth chocolates, Lavender Essential Oils, Sandalwood-scented wax cubes, Handmade soap, Red Current Cassis Candle, Silk Scarf, and Olivia Rae Swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 11, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 18, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway Here https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

My thoughts about A Life Renewed

You know already that Lady Jane Grey is one of my favorite historical figures. What a loss her life was; what could that exceptional young woman have become, had she been allowed to live? Olivia Rae has brought her to life again in this book of historical fiction that’s also a re-creation of what could have happened–had Jane’s life been spared. Olivia’s characters are real, period-specific and -appropriate, and captivating.

Jane (and those who’ve allowed her to live, hidden, in the northern German area of Hanenburg) is faithfully devoted to following Christ as a Protestant. Although Hanenburg is part of the Holy Roman Empire, they’re devotees not of the empire’s Catholic faith, but the one that Luther, also German, espoused.

Asher Hayes spent his life identifying and handing over Protestants as a spy for Queen Mary. He is a Catholic believer who’s firmly decided that the Protestant way is wicked and wrong, especially after the injuries that group committed against his own family. But Mary promised him that his spying and delivering over to death days are over…until she changes her mind and sends him after Jane.

God’s mighty army? Do you hear your own words? God does not want war. He wants us to give Him praise and glory. He wants us to honor Him by loving one another. You have even preached on such words. ‘Love thine enemy.'”

Lady Jane Grey, A Life Renewed

Each of these two is absolutely convinced that their side of Christianity is the right one. And Jane is suspect of anyone new who seems to have a connection to England. But Asher and Jane get to know each other in an unusual way, with neither at first truly knowing the other’s identity. And they begin to care, deeply, for the other. But when the prince of the Hanenburg area decides to raise an army in Jane’s name to firmly establish his own rule against the Catholic ruling family of the Holy Roman Empire, Jane is in even more danger.

“Believe me when I say I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to be queen. I never wanted to flee England. I never wanted to be a martyr for the Protestant faith. I never wanted to be the head of some great rebellion. All I ever wanted was to live a quiet life—alone with my books and educational pursuits.”

Lady Jane Grey, A Life Renewed

What an amazing story! I love Olivia’s portrayal of Jane and Asher (and Queen Mary and Mrs. Ellen, Jane’s nurse) in the terribly dangerous time in which they lived. And I love thinking of a Jane who survived–and maybe even found love. This is a beautifully written book that you’ll adore, just as I did. (And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for this book and another, and amazing book swag!)

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.