From Jerusha Agen: the newest Phoenix K-9 thriller! Here’s my review of “Lethal Danger” (+ GA, ends 5/3/24))

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Each time I see a new Jerusha Agen mystery, I HAVE to pick it up. Her Phoenix K-9 team is as skilled and appealing as any Marvel heroine you may have admired over the years. Lethal Danger focuses its attention on Jazz Lamont (and her fabulous K-9 Belgian Malionois, Flash), and attacks against her childhood love and home away from home, the Tri-City Fair. Oh–not to mention hidden bombs, a dishy author, and a cult.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Lethal Danger by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Lethal Danger Series: Guardians Unleashed #4 Author: Jerusha Agen Publisher: SDG Words Release Date: April 25, 2024 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

This K-9 team is trained to eliminate threats. This threat could eliminate them. Being a loner is getting old. Jazz Lamont still can’t fit in at the Phoenix K-9 Agency, and she’s losing her best friend. At least providing security with her K-9 partner at the Tri-City Fair will mean revisiting the only place where she once belonged. But a series of accidents threatens her beloved fair and puts lives at risk. Thriller author Hawthorne Emerson suspects foul play after the first “accident.” Moonlighting as fair security to investigate the death of his sister’s boyfriend, he’s eager to find the truth. He doesn’t expect the task to lead him to the cult he escaped. Finding the culprit behind the sabotage is personal for Jazz and Hawthorne. But someone else has a personal stake, too. Someone who wants Jazz dead. When everything she thought was true is dismantled, can Jazz risk trusting others—including God—to survive? Lethal Danger continues the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1). (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

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

More Books in This Series

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About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies.

Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com. Connect with her there to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a signed paperback of Lethal Danger, a Lethal Danger mug, a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, a Lethal Danger magnet, plus more fun swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 29, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 3, 2024. 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!

My thoughts about Lethal Danger

Jazz Lamont is another fascinating Phoenix K-9 team member, and joining in her adventure was a delight for me. (As always, with this series!) Her backstory is revealed little by little; I won’t ruin the surprise except to say that she’s never found it easy to place her trust in authority figures. In one way or another, she’s been let down by many since her childhood. Except by Nevaeh, her fellow Phoenix teammate and best friend since childhood sleepovers. Oh, and the Tri-City Fair, run by Jazz’s distant aunt and former guardian.

But accidents–or sabotage–are beginning to happen at the fair. Who could possibly want to hurt Jazz’s beloved fair; or the people who are riding the rides? Phoenix K-9 is investigating; but thus far, there’s no clear motivation for anyone to want to sabotage an event that serves the public, brings joy to families, and provides clear and meaningful income to vendors, farmers, and fair exhibitors.

And then, there’s Hawthorne Emerson. Hired incognito as security for the fair, the crime author meets Jazz at the first accident. He’s really at Tri-City to investigate a mystery concerning his own sister; but Jazz and her strength and courage immediately impress him as a potential new character for his books. But before they can really investigate those sparks, more “accidents” are happening. Could there be a connection to the cult that both Hawthorne and his sister fled as soon as they were of age?

Hawthorne is fighting his attraction to Jazz. Jazz wants nothing to do with the God that Hawthorne and the rest of the Phoenix team love. But she may need Him, and the team AND Hawthorne, to survive both attacks and the sabotage. Don’t miss another fabulous Phoenix K-9 adventure thriller. Lethal Danger is a rocking ride!

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.

“Gimme Some Sugar” – Linda Kozar’s charming, Scriptural Devotional (review, plus giveaway!)

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I have the perfect Mother’s Day gift for you to give someone you love! The BlogAbout Blogger Network provided a copy of Linda Kozar’s wonderful Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way. What a joy. It is so worth the read! Keep reading for more on the book plus your chance to win.

About Gimme Some Sugar

Gimme Some Sugar is subtitled, “90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way.” That describes this sweet book perfectly! It’s a soft little faux-leather bound book that measures 5.5″ x 7.5,” which is perfect to comfortably hold in your hand. The cover, pages, and sewn-in bookmark ribbon are all varying shades of aqua and pale blue. (This makes the pages very easy on the eyes.) The 90 devotions start with a funny saying or meaningful quote on the left side. Then, on the right, the devotional reading begins with a Bible verse, which is then built upon by Linda’s words. The content is very life-centered; meaning that we’ll recognize ourselves or our circumstances in the author’s descriptions. Scriptural wisdom is woven into this, along with a good dose of humor, flavored with the author’s charming Southern voice. (In the best sense.)

Here are some words from the publisher that I think round out an excellent description of Gimme Some Sugar:

“As we wake to face our struggles of the day, there are two things to help us get through them: hope and humor. Good things from God’s Word can calm your soul and fill you with hope…Gimme Some Sugar offers sensible inspiration that will elevate your day, and encourage you to set your heart and mind on God’s Word while having fun along the way.

Gimme Some Sugar shows ways to add the sweetness of God’s Word to our lives, to think on the good things of God, and to fortify us to deal with our struggles. 

When we set aside time to get before God in prayer, scripture, and meditation, we are refreshed, recharged, and ready to overcome fear or anxiety with the promised goodness of our faith. Linda shares, “My unknown future is in the hands of the all-knowing God.””

My thoughts

Do you know any women who are godly, and full of wisdom to share when you need a little…plus a way to tuck in a little laugh that you weren’t expecting? I don’t know author Linda Kozar personally. But I am certain that she is this sort of person. In fact, as I was reading, I felt so comfortable and cozy. (Even when I was being exhorted!)

And yet even as Linda seems so fun as she writes, she imparts serious pearls of wisdom that are rooted in and drawn out from the Bible. I experienced all these; corrected, humbled, encouraged, blessed, reminded, taught, learning–even as I laughed. Often! And so many parts of a woman’s life are addressed. There are devotions about being pure and beautiful of speech. About old friends. About God speaking; Pilate’s wife; Lady Bird Johnson and flowers; revival; introversion; memories. And that’s just a few of the 90 devotional readings in this precious book.

Although I don’t think that Linda Kozar describes herself as a counselor, I definitely felt counseled with some of her words, which spoke to difficult situations of my own life that I’ve prayed and mulled over without conclusion. Yet suddenly, in Gimme Some Sugar, there were some defining words for me! So totally some answers to prayer that I wasn’t expecting.

Oh, how I loved this book, my friends. It blessed me. Encouraged me. Offered me wisdom and understanding. Reminded me of God’s pure and enormous love for me. And, it made me laugh. (I gotta say, any devotional book that includes quotes from Foghorn Leghorn, Calvin and Hobbes, and Hudson Taylor is a book I must have!) But truly, when I finished it, I felt loved. And seen. And like the woman I want to be, in my best moments.

This is a book that would be a lovely gift for any of your friends–your mom–your spouse–or even for yourself. (I totally recommend that!) It’s wonderful!

Some of my favorite quotes

I have many favorite quotes from this book that I’d love to share with you! Here are just a few:

• “Spending time with God in prayer, immersing yourself in his Word, and waiting on God until he answers is the way to spiritual perception. Discernment is seeing things with God’s eyes. Our own eyes deceive us. We look at the outer, superficial appearance, but God looks straight to the heart.” (Day 77)
• “At a time yet to come, trumpets will announce that God is about to do something big. While believers disagree on the timing, the rapture of the saints will occur with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the sound of a trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). We will meet him in the air, and later return with Jesus Christ to the earth in triumph (Revelation 19:14) over all the works of the enemy.” (Day 40)
• “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Make a habit of reading your Bible every day…Read your Bible and feed your hungry spirit as well as your body.” (Day 34)
• “God kept his promise to David that he would establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The little king, hidden at first in a closet full of spare items, was the last soul spared of the house of David. When your situation seems hopeless, trust in God instead of your circumstance. Be confident that God always keeps his promises.” (Day 20)

Where you can purchase Gimme Some Sugar

Gimme Some Sugar is available at many booksellers. I’ve included book links for a couple of them below.

Amazon

Christianbook

Now, enter to win your own copy!

You can enter to win your own copy of Gimme Some Sugar! To enter the giveaway, 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. Giveaway closes on May 15, 2024, and one entrant will be selected to win. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions shared here are my own.

Allison Allen’s exceptional “Seen, Secure, Free” (a review)

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Oh my friends. I have something comforting, meaningful, and encouraging for you to read. The book is Seen, Secure, Free: How a Life Hidden with Christ Strengthens and Transforms You. Allison Allen’s book is a tender, Scripture-based answer to the siren call of our culture, which we may not always realize can be pulling us to become the opposite of what Jesus calls us to be. Drawn from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, woven with the author’s own life and learning and a single, beautiful seashell, this book will take you aside, whisper God’s love to your heart, and help you to set your minds on a different call.

About Seen, Secure, Free

From the publisher:

“In a world that screams, “Be seen! Be known!” and often measures value by likes, shares and follows, it’s easy to feel invisible, unheard, unloved. But God’s Word offers a powerful and freeing counternnarative: true treasure is actually found in the “hidden” life of Christ.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve confused our level of visibility with our value. We’ve mixed up fame with fruitfulness. We’ve equated exposure with excellence. But what if we stopped trying so hard to be seen, recognized, and affirmed by the world around us? What if there’s a different way of living altogether? In Seen, Secure, Free, Allison Allen delves into Colossians 3:3, reminding us of the profound truth that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Through captivating insights drawn from nature, history, and Scripture, she invites readers to embrace a different way of living—one that transcends the relentless pursuit of recognition and applause from the world. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll discover within the pages of this transformative book:

• Let go of the pressure to be recognized and praised by others
• Release the resentment that comes from feeling unseen or misunderstood
• Find contentment in a loving God who knows you deeply
• Find security in a powerful God who establishes your identity, worth, and purpose
• Reset your motivations and goals to align with his kingdom
• Feel freed to pursue new adventures with Jesus

Seen, Secure, Free offers a timely message of hope and liberation, reminding us that our significance is not determined by our visibility in the eyes of others, but by our hiddenness in Christ. It’s a journey toward embracing the freedom, joy, and transformative power that come from living a life deeply rooted in God’s love.”

My thoughts about this book

This book is about several of my favorite things. First, healing and learning to live more authentically. Second, learning to, in all my weaknesses and foibles, draw nearer to Jesus. And third? Seashells. And the seashore. (I do realize that this adds up to more than three things!) At its heart of hearts, I believe that Seen, Secure, Free wants to help us to do these things. Perhaps not to love the sea and its shells; but, by using a little miracle *from* the sea, Allison helps us to see and understand more clearly the key themes of the book.

Allison Allen speaks to, I believe, women everywhere with her book. It takes the truths of verses from Colossians 3, which speak to freedom and to the devoted life. That verse reads:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-3, New International Version, The Holy Bible

In Seen, Secure, Free, Allison shares what we can learn from hiddenness. We might be existing in seasons of time where we are sidelined for some unknown purpose; moments where we might feel eclipsed by others’ spotlighted lives and accomplishments; or times of suffering or difficulty that feel as though they will never end. These can bring hopelessness or despair, and can actually become a feedback loop where each supposed “failure” seems like more reinforcement of painful truths we’ve been living out.

And yet. What if, instead, these moments are not at all proofs of what we perceive as our lacks of value or importance. What if they are proofs of our preciousness to God; to His continued and faithful work in our lives; that they have meaning. What if they are intended to reorient our mental compasses to “true north,” where our eyes are fixed on the things above, leaning into and onto Jesus for His definition of our meaning?

I do believe that the answers to those questions are resoundingly, “Yes!” And yet how easily we can forget them, especially in the hard seasons or even the fiery furnaces. By sharing her own struggles and story, the lives of Scripture characters whose lives were “hidden” in some way, and by verses and concepts in the Bible itself, Allison shows us the pathway to knowing God more. Trusting Him with our brokenness. And seeing His good work and faithfulness in and to us.

I’m so happy to recommend this book to you. I’ve been traveling a route of personal healing and learning to, once again, lean into and onto Jesus in recent times. This book has fit beautifully into my own stages of healing and seeking to draw near to God. And wherever you are in your journey, I believe that Seen, Secure, Free will come alongside you to help you in your healing as well.

Keep reading for some of my favorite words from Allison’s book!

Some of my favorite quotes from Seen, Secure, Free

• “Are you feeling invisible? Insignificant? Or maybe you feel overexposed and fearful? Fluttering about without a place to land? However you answer the question, you have an invitation: Come in close. Build your nest near the Father’s altar. Your Father says you get the best seat in the house of God’s goodness–the altar, where J. Alec Motyer wrote, “sinners are reconciled with a Holy God, and He unto them.”” (p. 148)
• “Joshua likely knew that every other promised land miracle, the taking of Jericho, and everything else that would follow were possible only because of obedience in the hard hidden season. What is done in the hidden place will remain. And remain.” (p. 133)
• “I know you are hurting right now, My child, but some of the things you think will help are actually hurting you…I want you to create space. Margin. You are not your social media curations. You are not what you build for consumption. And you are not what you consume.” (pp. 89-90)
• “But here is the gloriously freeing truth as I grow older, and maybe it will free you a little bit as well: we matter to the One who matters–who sees us, secures us, and ultimately frees us–and that is more than enough. We can allow ourselves to delight in the fact that no matter who may overlook us, our heavenly Father does not. Know that there are communities of His making where we can joyfully contribute and be safely seen. There are places and spaces that need, what we, by His grace, offer. So allow Scripture to wash away the wounding of the world. Allow Jesus to combat the lies we have too long believed. Though none of it is easy, it is so worth it.” (pp. 185-186)

Where you can purchase Seen, Secure, Free

You can purchase this meaningful book at the highlighted link below, which takes you to the book’s Thomas Nelson (publisher’s) page. From there, you can select from a number of your own favorite booksellers to order Seen, Secure, Free.

Purchase link for Seen, Secure, Free

And lastly, friends, be left with the beautiful thought in the image above. Remember that God is running after you!

Be blessed! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from FrontGate Media. All opinions shared here are my own honest ones.

Cindy Brinker Simmons’ beautiful book on God, life, and overcoming suffering: “Restored” (review & GA, ends 5/18/24)

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I have a lovely book that I want to recommend to you. It’s called Restored: Reconnecting Life’s Broken Pieces. Written by Cindy Brinker Simmons, it features a striking image on its cover of a kintsugi bowl. What an arresting reflection of the brokenness we can experience via suffering…and what the potential can be if we can draw near to God and His Word as we seek to heal, and even to suffer; and to know Him and His joy. Let me tell you more about the remarkable book; and be sure to enter the giveaway to win your own copy below!

About Restored

Here’s a bit from the publishers:

“From a young age to adulthood, author Cindy Brinker Simmons has experienced unexpected loss and grief. She has remained faith-filled through it, sharing, “I have profound and heartfelt gratitude toward God who rescued me. He picked up all the broken pieces and restored me to a place of great peace, purpose, and joy. My heart carries the agonizing ache for those who still reside in painful, lonely, and despairing places.”

Cindy lost her 34-year-old mother, the late great tennis champion Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker, to cancer when Cindy was twelve. Her mother was ranked number one in the world in 1952-54. Then 36 years later, Cindy lost her husband Bob to a rare cancer diagnosis.

In Restored: Reconnecting Life’s Broken Pieces(Redemption Press, March 2024), Cindyauthentically and wittingly wrestles with the reality of when your world has been rocked and provides readers fresh hope to move forward in victory. Says Cindy, “Even in life’s tough and messy journeys, Restored points to God’s purpose and plan uniquely created for each person that is meant to be shared with a watching world.”

She believes that no one is immune from the painful bumps and bruises of daily living. She explains, “Sometimes it is really hard to take the first step when life weighs too much. Restored will reinvigorate the spirit of those who need to be refreshed and strengthened.  It will motivate those who need life breathed back into them.  Every life has a plan and a purpose. My hope is that through Restored, readers will make an important discovery: God is always present.”

Cindy shares that:   

• God’s consistent love and goodness can always be trusted.
• Trials can be treasures in disguise and can radically change lives. 
• Life is relational and being in a healthy, trusted, and supportive community ushers in hope, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.
• The power of forgiveness reconciles relationships.
• Serving and comforting others is an act of worship to God, modeling His lavish love, mercy, and kindness for humanity.”

My thoughts about Restored

Dictionary.com defines the word kintsugi as, “a traditional Japanese pottery repair technique in which lacquer mixed with precious metals, especially gold, is used to fill cracks and replace missing pieces.” The beautiful cracked bowl on this book’s cover suggests that our broken places can be restored and made beautiful. Can we really believe that, though? Are we able, despite the famous verses in James 1:2-5, to consider our trials and suffering to be pure joy? (For myself? I’d say sometimes. But many times not.)

I can tell you, however, that reading author Cindy Brinker Simmons’ Restored is absolutely a joy. Though she has experienced some losses that are immense and terrible, she has been able to first, come to know Jesus, and second, to embrace God in all His goodness and truth, and His Word as the informer and definer of what her suffering has meant. In Restored, she not only shares her own story, but processes, ideas, and applications on how we can embrace God during our own trials. And readers are encouraged, repeatedly, to embrace God and know that all He says in His word is true.

What has been most meaningful to me is the way Cindy created a pathway that we can, ourselves, take during trial. (You can see the proof on this book’s pages, how much I found that could help me, by my numerous highlighted sentences!) Suffering impacts so much in our lives; and so, this book talks about the restoration we can embrace (and that God offers) in these areas: momentum, perseverance, joy, community, relationships, compassion, and purpose. How incredibly helpful! During my own deepest moments of pain and suffering, I stumbled at knowing *how* exactly I should walk through them, and how I could apply the Scripture that I thought I knew so well to my daily struggles. Not only my relationships suffered, but my own momentum and perseverance. And yet! There IS a way that I can walk instead–where I am holding God and knowing that He is holding me. This book’s beautiful chapters, in a calm and comforting way, offer the truths of the Bible and encourage readers to embrace not only the Scriptures, but the God of the Bible Himself, who’s offering Himself as Savior, Companion, and Guide.

We all know that life is hard, and that in this beautiful yet fallen world, trials will come. And yet. And yet, we have a God whose desire is to love us, strengthen us, and walk us through trials; never alone, with the joy that He promises with His own being. Once again, He’s the God who has made the way for us; who then takes us by the hand to walk it out. He is good. And He is true.

Some of my favorite quotes from Restored

There’s so much good and precious cargo packed into Restored. Here are just a few of the quotes that meant the most to me:

• “Spending too much time living in the past is also wasting the precious hours of today.” (p. 49)
• “God’s plan is to mend the broken. He will redeem a corrupt and dark world. He will repair relationships and restore peace. This process requires that He reconstruct hearts, attitudes, and beliefs. That can be painful, hard, and fatiguing, but that is the price of restoration. You must keep moving with the expectation that God will create beauty out of the ugly mess you might find yourself in right now. It is not too late.” (p. 51)
• “Don’t forget to remember how God’s pruning blesses you for your own good. As the Master Gardener, He snips, trims, and clips areas of your life that are destructive, harmful, and unpleasant to you and to others. After all God knows everything about you.” (p.76)
• “Grief needs a time of quiet recovery. A time to breathe and regather what has been lost. To mend the frayed emotions and to rest the weary soul. Hardships can wreck your mind, body, and soul, so this healing time needs to be properly applied.” (p. 93)
• “God knows the state of your heart will govern everything about your life. He also knows that joy is not predicated on our circumstances but on a relationship with Him.” (p. 88)
• “God can use your story even if it is flawed, messy or blemished. It is never too late to be used by God.” (p. 182)

Enter to win a copy of Restored by Cindy Brinker Simmons

You can enter to win a copy of Restored: Reconnecting Life’s Broken Pieces from the FINCHNWREN blog, The BlogAbout Blogger Network, and Cindy Brinker Simmons! To enter, just click on the highlighted 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 this book in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes on May 18, 2024. US entrants only. Must be 18 and older to win. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the BlogAbout Blogger Network. All opinions shared here are my own.

Charming fiction that will take you back to the Gilded Age (or just past): “An Unlikely Arrangement” (review & GA, ends 4/23/24)

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Ah, the Gilded Age. If we only looked at the portraits or the architecture, we’d believe completely the name of the era. However, in this novel that is set but two years after the close of that time, in 1902, we see that the society pressures and the place of women still isn’t so different from their time just a few years before. The pressures brought on Abigail Dupree are too much for a young woman (especially in that era) to bear. For it’s her job to save her family from ruin by the means of a brilliant marriage. So that’s one thing. But for Abigail, who carries a terrible secret in addition to all the weight of her family’s needs and continued survival? What a life.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for An Unlikely Arrangement by Cindy Patterson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: An Unlikely Arrangement Series: Brides of Biltmore #1 Author: Cindy Patterson Publisher: Springbrook Press, LLC Release Date: March 11, 2024 Genre: Historical Romance, Christian, Clean & Wholesome

In 1902, Abigail Dupree is but a breath away from her grand societal failure. To save her family from humiliation and financial ruin, Abigail becomes a bargaining trade in her mother’s eyes. A bargain that will extinguish Abigail’s last hope of a happily-ever-after. If only she could return to the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, she might have a chance to reunite with the only man who has the power to save her reputation. Garrett Barringer arrives in Charlotte, North Carolina to escape a past that no longer wants him. He takes an undisclosed position with Mr. Dupree. When it is revealed that part of Mr. Dupree’s purpose for bringing him on board is to chaperone his beloved daughter, Garrett abruptly discovers that he has taken on more than he bargained for. Abigail Dupree is more beguiling than any other woman he’s encountered, but he must resist his heart for the sake of propriety and to keep a promise made to her father. When her father hires Garrett Barringer, a man that seems far too young to be a lawyer, and possesses far too many favorable characteristics, Abigail resists his charm but cannot deny her heart is compelling her toward him. But she will not allow the man to ruin an opportunity she has waited for nearly five years. Garrett is suddenly aware what his life was and what it could become in the presence of Abigail Dupree. Will he be able to give up the woman who has stolen his heart, for her happiness? Abigail stands to lose all if Garrett Barringer sees past her physical beauty and uncovers the ugliness of her imperfect past. Will Abigail continue on the condemned path she’s fashioned for herself, or trust that God wants a future for her she never believed possible? PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop| BookBub

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About the Author

Award-winning author Cindy Patterson believes in captivating romance and happy endings. In her stories, she loves to give glimpses of how God can use brokenness and make them whole. She reads a lot, drinks too much coffee, and wishes she had more time to write. Author of Chasing Paradise, Broken Butterfly, and Shattered Treasure, she loves to connect with her readers.

Connect with Cindy by visiting cindypattersonbks.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed print copy of An Unlikely Arrangement and other book related gifts!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 16, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN 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!

Excerpts from An Unlikely Arrangement

I think you’ll love Cindy Patterson’s lovely book. But here are some excerpts from An Unlikely Arrangement so that you can dive immediately into Abigail’s and Garrett’s story.

Excerpt 1

Oh, dear heavens, she could kiss the man. “Thank you very much, Mr. Barringer.”

Ridges scored into the flesh above his eyes. “You remembered my name?”

Her cheeks burned for more than one reason as he tilted his head, leaving her with that crooked smile,
and disappearing into the crowd.

Had it been wrong to say his name? Had she given him an indication that he was memorable? Of course,
she was mostly thankful she had not blurted his given name since the name Garrett had been swimming
around in her head since their earlier meeting. Abigail wasn’t quite sure how she felt about being
persuaded to accept Mr. Barringer’s thoughtfulness. She was only certain she must broaden the
distance between them. There was something intriguing about the man—a charming blend of strength,
gentility, and charisma. And even though this was only her second encounter with him, her fascination
had already deepened beyond harmless curiosity.

A rarity for her, indeed. Then the thought of actually kissing him robbed her of her breath.

Oh, dear heavens, indeed!

Excerpt 2

Foolish woman. Abigail remained by the fireplace in the parlor, eyes slid closed in humiliation for the
hundredth time since Garrett Barringer’s departure. She had stood on the threshold of spending time
alone with the man. On the day before her departure, no less. An opportunity she never believed would
have occurred.

Why then had she ruined her chances by blurting out most of her faults within the span of not even a
full minute’s time? Faults he may not have even realized. Speaking liberally as if she were eager for his
forgiveness. His approval.

Why had she not stayed upstairs instead of running back down, desperate to see him? Because she was
eager to be near the man. More eager than even she had realized.

There now! Be sure to get a copy of Cindy Patterson’s An Unlikely Arrangement. Enter the giveaway, too. Then jump into the world of her novels, years behind us in the past.

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions shared here are my own honest ones.

New from Erin Bartels: “The Lady with the Dark Hair” (a review)

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I’m always on the lookout for a new Erin Bartels book–I love her fascinating stories and characters. Once again, she’s created a world full of beauty; well, one world, anyway. The other has beauty along with pain and struggle. That’s my roundabout way of telling you that the wondrous The Lady with the Dark Hair is a dual-timeline novel. And it definitely lives up to its gorgeous cover! Keep reading for more on the book plus my review.

About The Lady with the Dark Hair

In two timelines–current day Michigan and 1879 France–Erin Bartels introduces readers to two women. Viviana is a servant (on the lowest rung) in the home of a Toulouse painter. When a misunderstanding places Viviana (or Vivienne, as she’s known there) into the role of model for Monsieur Renaud, she meets an unexpected turn to her destiny. And a talent she’d never known that she possessed. Unfortunately, she also has a secret that may threaten to destroy what she has gained.

In East Lansing, Esther Markstrom lives with her artist mother, as she has in the twenty years since she graduated college. She runs the fading museum bearing her family’s last name. She treasures the family history connecting her to a famous artist of the past; one of her forebears. And she cares for her mom, who struggles with mental health issues. The financial and emotional costs of this life have worn Esther down. Yet when a former professor of Esther’s comes to town, a journey begins that will reveal more than she’d have imagined.

My review

Identity. Women. Oh, and art, color, beauty; hidden pasts and secrets. All of that, and more, is what you’ll find in Erin Bartels’ The Lady with the Dark Hair.

How I loved stepping into the past, and experiencing the world of art and color as Viviana did. The words that describe them are as vivid as they actually are in real life: craquelure. Chrome yellow. Morisot. Monet. Cassatt. Ultramarine blue. Author Bartels recreates for readers the vivid world of Impressionism; and perhaps, what it was like for a woman who was attempting to make her way in a male-dominated field, in a time where women had little agency and personal power. Viviana is a compelling, irresistible character. And her secrets, and lack of power, still take her on journeys of courage, learning, and artistic accomplishment.

Modern-day Esther’s life isn’t immediately as colorful as Viviana; yet a thread connects them. Though Esther loves art and her family’s museum, her identity is comprised of caring for her mother Lorena, who’s had an incredibly difficult mental health diagnosis. Her father left them both, and a lack of funds prevents Esther from hiring mental health aides. So she’s frequently running from whatever she’s doing back home to check on her mom, who may or may not be suffering from symptoms.

And yet. Esther’s identity is based on much, much less than she has embraced. And before her is a journey which may just beckon her into a bigger life.

Enjoy! –Wren

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

Art, suspense, and a determined attorney: “The Vanished” (review & GA, ends 4/24/24)

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Provenance.

Oxford Languages’ English Dictionary defines that word as, “a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality.” That may not sound very exciting. But consider that word in connection with a piece of art that disappeared during World War II and then reappeared. Perhaps one that was subsequently acquired by a museum. Suddenly, that word can conjure related nouns, like “Nazi,” or “art theft.”

Are museum director Carter Montgomery and attorney Janae Simmons looking at that with the situation they’re suddenly facing?

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Vanished by Cara Putman hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Vanished Series: Secrets to Keep #1 Author: Cara Putman Publisher: Kregel Publications Release Date: April 16, 2024 Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

Janae Simmons left the small town of Kedgewick, Virginia, ten years ago to pursue her legal career and never looked back–until a professional mistake leads her to her grandmother’s historic carriage house and to the town where her past threatens to find her. The quiet streets echo with her grandfather’s sterling reputation, one that conflicts with fresh questions that claw at Janae, launching her on a reluctant journey to unearth his secrets. When her new job at a local law firm doesn’t live up to expectations, she wonders if coming home was the right decision.

Carter Montgomery starts his art preservation career with the only job he can get–director at the Elliott Museum of Art. At least Kedgewick is a nice enough town to provide him and his nephew with a safe place to grieve the loss of Carter’s sister. But Carter’s calm days disappear when an elderly woman claims two paintings in the museum’s collection were stolen from her family during World War II. Carter enlists Janae’s help to unravel the legal labyrinth of art ownership, and the peaceful facade of Kedgewick morphs into a hot bed of secrets. When an attorney turns up dead and Janae uncovers another painting, what began as a simple legal issue spirals into a race against time. As the web of intrigue tightens, the duo must confront a looming question: What dark truths lie beneath the surface, waiting to be exposed? “Putman’s legal expertise shines in this compelling and intricately plotted romantic suspense. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, USA Today best-selling author “Cara Putman has once again created an exciting cast of characters. I was immediately drawn in by Janae and Carter’s unique chemistry. This is one story you don’t want to miss.” —Rebecca Hemlock, award-winning author of Fury in the Shadows

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in Series

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About the Author

Cara Putman is the award-winning, best-selling author of more than thirty-five novels, including the Cornhusker Dreams series and the Hidden Justice series.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of the book, art-themed notebooks, and stickers that inspired the art stolen in the book!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 17, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 24, 2024. 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 the policies found here.

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My thoughts about The Vanished

First of all, the title. I couldn’t resist a book with a title like that! Mystery. Danger. And something, or someone, precious that has disappeared.

Second: the subject matter. I adore art and fiction about it. As author Cara Putnam writes about art, I could vividly see it in my mind. The soft brushstrokes of Impressionism, the vivid colors of Expressionism. The museum that director Carter Montgomery heads up, with galleries and hallways filled with paintings and sculpture (not to mention the basement and storage areas with who knows what hidden masterpieces). And a precious object or two that’s tucked away in a family property.

Of course there has to be a Third: the wonderful characters and the mystery. Both Carter and Janae have brokenness and loss in their pasts, that are still affecting their present lives; along with their choices, their thoughts, and their relationships. Both have come to small Virginia town Kedgewick hoping for a new beginning, a pivot point for their careers. And neither is expecting the enormous mystery that lands in their laps, which they must solve quickly, as outside pressures come to bear on them. Someone is out to prove that Carter’s museum has possession of art that belongs to a private family…and they’re going to do anything they can to get it back.

Yet Carter and Janae have been thrown into the deep end, so to speak, with no support from those they’d expect to come alongside them. Most of the museum’s board of directors are adversarial and demanding, not providing the resources one would expect they’d easily give to a new hire. Janae is working as hard as she can to learn about the legalities facing the museum; but there’s so much she doesn’t know. And then? A death. A threat or two. And the mystery deepens.

Janae and Carter are working against time and forces that they don’t understand…and more may be at risk than their reputations. I highly recommend The Vanished. I love a story about second chances–and about an art mystery! You won’t be satisfied until you turn the very last page of this book.

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.

J.S. Park’s remarkable book on grieving: “As Long As You Need”

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Here is just the book you might need…that you don’t want to need. Because grief is not only hard to experience; it’s hard to read about. Or talk about. As you see, I called J.S. Park’s As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve “remarkable” in my blog post title. It’s honest, heartbreaking, vulnerable, truthful, breathtakingly painful but offering grace–the very qualities that make it remarkable and quite unusual. Let me share more with you about this book, and my experiences with it.

From the publisher about As Long As You Need

“Veteran hospital chaplain to the sick, dying, and bereaved, J.S. Park offers you both the permission and the process for how to grieve and heal at your own pace.

In As Long As You Need, J.S. Park offers an honest and unrushed engagement with grief, decoding four types of grieving–spiritual, mental, physical, and relational–and offering compassionate self-care and soul-care along the way.

If you are struggling to process loss, pain, or grief from the last few years or the last few minutes, J.S. is an experienced and deeply empathetic listener and grief catcher who has held the pain and questions of thousands of patients. While social and cultural narratives about grief are dominated by “letting go, moving on, or turning the page” in his nearly decade of service as a chaplain at a major hospital with a designated level one trauma center J.S. understands firsthand how rushing or suppressing grief only adds a suffocating layer of pain on top of the original wound.

From his unique window into the stories of the ill, injured, dying, and their families, J.S. offers you:

• Permission to dismantle all too common myths about grief and replace them with a guilt-free and unrushed approach to navigating your losses.
• Encouragement for how entering grief, rather than avoiding it, leads to a hard but meaningful holding of your loss.
• Empathy and hope if you are struggling with a crisis of faith in the midst of grief.
• Recognition that grief spans a wide narrative of loss: loss of future, faith, mental health, worth, autonomy, connection, and loved ones.
• Affirmation that your grief is your own. While the DNA of grief might be universal to the human condition, how you experience and process grief is unique to you.

From the ER to deliveries to deathbeds across every sort of illness and injury imaginable, J.S. Park has provided meaningful counseling for people from all walks of life and death. Now, through his book, he wants to assure you that, while everybody else might rush past your pain, grief is the voice that says, take as long as you need.”

My impressions and experiences with As Long As You Need

Here is something that I didn’t know I’d need to learn how to do in my life: grieve. Something else that I didn’t know is that I’d have numerous occasions to practice this process. And unfortunately, what happened over time is that I must have unknowingly decided that the best way to get through grief was to package it up and tuck it away. (Here is where a Narrator could say, “It was NOT the best way.”) Why did I choose this way through grief? I suspect the answers include my own brokenness, busyness, family roles, and my own American culture, among others. After all, we’re a “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!” nation! Unlike the Bible heroes and heroines I admire, who poured out their grief audibly or tore their garments, in public and in private. Or wrote heavy-duty psalms and songs about grief and pain. Even Jesus wept. But what does that look like for me, as a 21st century Western woman?

I’ve been so moved by J.S. Park’s book. It’s both memoir and guidebook; using his own life and the lives (and deaths) of the patients and families he served as a hospital chaplain, Park shares:

• Why the Western model of grief doesn’t serve us
• How our faith in God can be shaken by loss and grief
• How trauma, in its many forms, devastates the spirit and the soul
• Why the “easy answers” of why loss happens won’t ever be enough
• And SO much more

What *do* we need when we grieve? Everyone needs something different. And everyone needs varying amounts of time. What I’ve taken from this book that has been most meaningful to me are these truths: when abuse happens to us, it isn’t okay. That there isn’t a timetable for my grief, but processing it is vital. That trauma does get passed on–but it doesn’t have to be. That God CARES about my grief and suffering. That we humans are worth more than we can do or produce.

That’s just a little of the great value that Park shares in As Long As You Need. So much of this value is communicated by human stories, too. And content warnings at the beginnings of each chapter let the reader know that the stories aren’t for the timid or faint of heart. They include accounts of overdoses, of officer-involved shootings, of violence; of the loss of preterm babies, of grandparents, of people of color, of various genders, of suicide; of depression and racism. And this isn’t even a complete list (and sheds light on why Park’s own story includes the pain he experienced in caring for his patients).

But you know what that list is? It is about real humans and their real lives. And Park’s retelling of those lives, and deaths, can help us to learn that grief doesn’t have to be a “one-and-done” or denied and hidden away, but experienced, expressed, spoken. It doesn’t have to look a certain way.

This is a book that has the potential to change you. To help you grieve, and to know that you are loved. It really does tell the story of grief in a way I’ve never experienced. Perhaps this is a book that you need for yourself. Keep reading for J.S. Park’s book trailer, and for info on where you can get a copy. I’m also including some of my favorite quotes below.

Words from this book that I needed to read

I feel that God brought some important words from As Long As You Need to my attention. Some of them are piercing and painful. Yet I’ll be thinking on them; and I’ll remember. I hope I will use them to pray.

• “For a moment, I look behind me. It’s not lost on me that he’s in the corner and I am with him. I am in his corner.“ (p. 91, emphasis mine)
• “I had learned in chaplaincy about trauma. It was defined as the imprint left by a harmful event that outweighs our resources to cope with it. It’s been said that epigenetic trauma gets passed on to our children, either by blood or by bedtime stories…We are all given the chance to change this, to pass on something else. In this remains a choice we never should have to make: How will I suture this wound, that I would not pass on such pain, but something better instead?” (p. 85)
• “I saw in my patient Kendie what I have seen in many victims of abuse. More than just the burial of her worth under bruises, she had also been persuaded her loss wasn’t real. She never had a chance to grieve the person she was before the violence entered and stole her.” (p. 81)
• “But this grief ignored will only further harm. I consider Maya Angelou’s words, both comfort and admonition, and she was right: “If I cry, whether you want to admit it or not, you understand that. And if I mourn, you understand. If you are yearning for something, I see that. The truth is we know each other and we tell ourselves we don’t.“” (p. 143)

Watch the book trailer here

Purchase As Long As You Need here

You can purchase As Long As You Need at numerous booksellers. Click on the link below to go to the publisher’s link, which will give you further links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, and others.

Purchase As Long As You Need here

Thanks, friends. And bless you. –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from FrontGate Media. All opinions shared within this post are my own honest ones.

“The Garden Girls” ~ terrifying new thriller plus giveaway! (ends 4/22/24)

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Oh, my friends. I know exactly when the last time was that I told you about a book that made me afraid to go to sleep one night. Well, it’s happened again. Let me tell you about Jessica R. Patch’s exceptional The Garden Girls. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves terrifying suspense & thriller novels. (But be ready…)

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Garden Girls Series: Strange Crimes Unit: South Division Author: Jessica R. Patch Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Trade Release Date: April 23, 2024 Genre: Christian Psychological Thriller

On a remote Outer Banks island, a serial killer collects his prized specimens. And to stop him, an FBI agent must confront his own twisted past. FBI agent Tiberius Granger has seen his share of darkness. But a new case sets him on edge. It’s not just the macabre way both victims—found posed in front of lighthouses—are tattooed with flowers that match their names. There’s also the unsettling connection to the woman Ty once loved and to the shadowy cult they both risked everything to escape. Bexley Hemmingway’s sister has gone missing, and she’ll do anything to find her—including teaming up with Ty. That may prove a mistake, and not just because Ty doesn’t know he’s the father of her teenaged son. It seems the killer is taunting Ty, drawing everyone close to him into deeper danger. As the slashing winds and rain of a deadly hurricane approach the coast of North Carolina, the search leads Ty and Bex to an island that hides a grisly secret. But in his quest for the truth, Ty has ignored the fact that this time, he’s not just the hunter. Every move has been orchestrated by a killer into a perfect storm of terror, and they will need all their skills to survive… PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop| BookBub

More Books In This Series

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About the Author

Jessica R. Patch is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her dry wit, signatures twists, and complex characters. She loves reading true crime books, discussing cold cases over chips and salsa with her girlfriends, and hunting down serial killers in her romantic suspense novels and psychological thrillers.

Jessica loves to encourage and inspire people to forward living devotionals through her monthly email newsletter. You can join the Patched In community at her website. She resides in the Memphis area with her husband and her spoiled tri-color Shetland Sheepdog since becoming empty nesters. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management. Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a signed paperback copy of Her Darkest Secret and A Cry in the Dark and a $25 Amazon card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 15, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 22, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print. Ebooks available if winner is Canadian. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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My thoughts about The Garden Girls

A religious cult. Missing women. A hurricane. And the FBI SCU (Strange Crimes Unit).

How’s that for a lead-in?

In The Garden Girls, author Jessica R. Patch has created a medley of story elements that I eagerly gravitated to. There’s the members of the FBI unit themselves; fans of NCIS or Criminal Minds especially will love the committed team of unique investigators who know their own specialties, but firmly support each other. Protagonist Ty Granger, who’s stalked and caught serial killers before (though there’s still an outstanding–and not in the definition that means “stellar;” instead, in the way one sees combined with the words “warrant” or “arrest”–one on his list), is quick, funny, and fascinating to follow. Other characters are equally as appealing, whether it’s his teammates, his lost love, or the son he didn’t know he had. However, despite the changes or shocks in his personal life, he has a job to do. Determined to find the killer, he and his team head to coastal North Carolina, where victims have been both taken–and, postmortem, deposited. Covered in floral tattoos the women hadn’t had before they were missing.

The terror, though. Even as I write those words, I get a shiver in my midsection. (And I’m writing this in the daytime!) The criminal is terrifying enough…but author Patch concocts a journey for her characters that’s brimming with fear and suspense that builds, chapter by chapter. And it’s not just frightening because we know that Ty and his team are searching for a killer. It’s, perhaps, for several related reasons: We see the missing women. We’re learning about their suffering…and a little about the unsub.

Worse, we know that something bad is coming for Ty. We KNOW it. And we can’t do anything to stop it…just to hope desperately that somehow, he’ll come out alive on the other side. (And that an end will come for the unsub.)

I was absolutely consumed by The Garden Girls. I *had* to find out what happened to Ty. To his team. To Bex…and the others caught in the web contrived by the serial killer. Patch not only creates an impeccably-told thriller; she shows us the inside turmoil and journeys of her characters. Well done!!

I highly recommend The Garden Girls—but read it, perhaps, in the daytime!

–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.

Encouraging & inspiring: “Raising Kids to Follow Christ” (review and giveaway)

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Lee Ann Mancini’s marvelous Raising Kids to Follow Christ is a book that I wish I’d had in hand years ago. Thanks to Lee Ann and The BlogAbout Blogger Network, I finally do have it–and I also have a copy to give away to one reader! Keep reading for more about this encouraging and equipping book, and what you’ll find in it.

About Raising Kids to Follow Christ

From the publisher:

“Do you want your child to love God for a lifetime? Children have open hearts and minds and are craving a connection to God. It’s up to us to show them how to be a follower of Christ.

The beauty of raising our kids to have a relationship with God is that we can be a light in the darkness we all face and show them how to be a light of who Jesus is in their lives. Even if faith is something new for your family, you aren’t too late to start building a strong faith foundation.

No matter where we are as Christians, it’s always encouraging to have someone who is further ahead in the parenting journey offer what’s worked for them, what hasn’t, and point us to what God says about how to parent our children. This is what Lee Ann does in her new book.

Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God  (Whitaker House, February 20, 2024) by Lee Ann Mancini offers parents resources they need to nurture children in faith. This parenting resource offers:

• Developmental apologetics for children to adults
• Parenting strategies and techniques from God’s word
• How to model Biblical truth with your children
• Upgrading your parenting style from discipline to discipleship
• Fun ways to connect your child’s heart to Christ”

My own thoughts and experiences about this book

I’ve read many books about parenting. Yet I found that Lee Ann Mancini’s beautiful Raising Kids to Follow Christ really stands out in its gentleness, wisdom, and desire to help parents share a life of faith with their children. She shares both foundational principles for those who’d like to bring their children up carefully and lovingly via God’s Word; but also, gives specific tips, ideas, and Scriptures for how one can do so.

What are the key ideas or goals that you think are important in raising children and living in a family? I found that my own goals dovetailed with those that Lee Ann presents in her book, where she shares the “whys” of parenting with an eye to faith. But she does a remarkable job of taking the reader from having that overall “big” vision, into considering goals which will define parenting practices, to daily ideas which can help parents share Jesus with their little ones (or even their not-so-little ones!).

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children…when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-7, The Holy Bible, New International Version

I love that the ideas and viewpoints that Lee Ann shares in Raising Kids to Follow Christ are practical and based on the loving God that we meet in Scripture; the triune God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. It shares, as from a wise mentor, parenting practices which will not only reveal Jesus in and for our families, but also the reasons why these will do so.

And as Lee Ann mentions early in her book,

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25, The Holy Bible, New International Version

Do you have a wise and loving mentor, who can help and guide you when challenges in parenting arise? Some of us do, and others do not. But regardless of which you are, Lee Ann Mancini and Raising Kids to Follow Christ will come alongside you to show you the whys, whats, and hows of teaching our little ones in the faith. I recommend this book with 5 stars. There’s so much in it for parents in every season of life!

About the author

Helping parents build a strong foundation of Christ in their children is Lee Ann Mancini’s life mission. She is an award-winning author and executive producer of the Sea Kids series available on Answers.tv, Pure Flix, Prime Video, YouTube, Right Now Media, and SeaKidsTV.

The Raising Christian Kids Podcast is an online avenue for parents to get up-to-date resources to live out with their children. Lee Ann and her guests talk about everything from helping your children become better listeners and healthier eaters to dealing with stress and anxiety, understanding grief and loss, methods of discipline, understanding various portions of Scripture, and much more.

Some of my favorite passages

This book is chock-full of meaningful, impactful words for us as parents (or even grandparents). Here are some that touched me deeply!

• “You Are Their First Teacher. Whether homeschooling or not, parents are their children’s most impactful teachers, and our goal as Christians is to influence our children to have a lifelong love for the Lord and serve others.” (p. 90)
• “The Psalms tell us the importance of our little ones: Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2)…The authors of Children Matter state, “We might think of a child’s belief and love for Jesus as the embryo of faith, a most crucial reality, a beginning but real relationship with God.”” (pp. 93-94)
• “We know some days don’t go as planned. There are moments of anger, sadness, and stress when faced with an illness, death, insufficient money, or any negative life issue. Our children are watching closely to see how we act and react.” (p. 95)
• “What outcomes do we want in our lifetime–both for us and for our children? Good results rarely just happen. We need preparation and resources to help us make wise decisions…most importantly, how to raise our children.” (p. 96)
• “I thank God that He can restore whatever has been lost, as it’s never too late to start transforming their hearts and minds. I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm–my great army that I sent among you” (Joel 2:25; p. 19)
• “We have been given great gifts–our children, created in the image of God. It is our responsibility to train them well, to the best of our God-given abilities and talents, day by day and moment by moment, based upon the Word of God.” (p. 169)

Do get a copy of Raising Kids to Follow Christ. In it, you’ll find wise words, Scriptures you can take for yourself, encouraging ideas, and verses you’ll want to pray. It’s a handbook, a guidebook, a devotional for parents (in some ways), and most of all, a reminder of our sacred calling as parents, and the precious gift of our children.

Enter to win your own copy of Raising Kids to Follow Christ

You can enter to win a softcover copy of Lee Ann Mancini’s Raising Kids to Follow Christ! Just click on the highlighted 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 entries only; must be 18 and older to win. Giveaway closes on 4/20/24. One entrant will be selected to win. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed here are my own honest ones.