Breath of Joy: Winter Whispers by Kathy Joy

The final book in the series, Breath of Joy, Winter Whispers speaks of the deep quiet earth movements that echo human proving grounds and transitions during times of rest.

Winter occurs because the earth is far swung on its axis away from the sun. Although this is true, Kathy Joy has grown thankful for the season of Winter, a staying-still interval and a hunkering-down knoll. Family and friends have provided warmth. Readers have patiently waited for this, her fourth book completing the Breath of Joy series--Three celebrations every day.

Snow, snowflakes, warm nooks, warm drinks, and freeing thoughts show off their joy and hope in a grand greeting card picturebook.

Wintertime includes Advent, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day and Tax Day. A soul can steal bases all over the bleak and bumpy landscape reading this volume. WINTER WHISPERS provides page after page of extravagant footholds, interpersonal springboards with today's words of comfort and joy. Accompanied by exquisite seasonal photographs. For times of reflection.

Amazon 


About The Author

 Kathy Joy enjoyed being a popular Christian radio D.J. in Colorado for many years. When her husband wanted to move to Pennsylvania to take over the family farm, Kathy Joy accompanied him with their two young daughters. Four years later, Kathy Joy found herself a widow raising two teenagers.
To stave off despair, she began writing three every day celebrations in a journal. Friends on Facebook began prompting her to write a book, and so the beginning of the Breath of Joy series began.        Kathy Joy now works in human services, speaking wonder on the weekends to grief therapy groups, motivational corporate meetings, and women’s retreats. Some of her topics include Vision Board workshops, Being a Harbor Pilot, Mirroring the Savior, The Fifth Season, and A Christmas Tea.  


My Review

Ponderings, and thoughts galore, along with pictures, to improve your mood, you will be page turning to see them all.
Whether you read one a day, or peruse the whole book, you will soon be going back and slower as each page is a gem in itself.
Think about catching a scent that carries a memory, yes, many.
How about “An awkward hello and a tearful goodbye”, through the years there are many, or when you have “mismatched mittens, soggy boots, and wayward scarves”.
What a beautiful thoughtful gift this one makes, and it quickly becomes the gift that keeps on giving.
A keeper and a sharer!

I received this book through the Publisher Capture Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

Celebrate Lit Presents: Letter From Paul by Mary Weins

About the Book

Book: Letter from Paul
Author: Mary Weins
Genre:  Christian Non-Fiction, Bible study
Release Date: April 5, 2019


“A devotional workbook on Galatians that gives enough substance for the interactive part of the workbook. It is worthwhile for small groups or individuals.” Dr. Dennis Beatty
Draw closer to God. Revel in the knowledge that you are saved by grace, not works. Discover how Paul addressed the Galatian people when they veered from the truth back into bondage to the rules and customs of their time.
This Bible study takes you verse by verse through the book of Galatians, with insights into what occurred so many years ago yet is still relevant today. Bringing home the truth that we don’t have to perform a certain way to be accepted as heirs to Christ, Letter from Paul offers relief to those who feel pressured to live by the world’s standards.
You will be refreshed and renewed as you lean into the fact that God loves you just as you are. Yes, He has given us the commandments, but He doesn’t pile additional rules on us that we can’t possibly follow. Instead, He gives us grace. And mercy. And love.
“Galatians is about the difference between salvation by works and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not about obeying all the rules versus having a good time. It is about a personal relationship with our Creator and Savior.” – Mary Weins


Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

 

As a Pastor’s kid, Mary has been involved in the church most of her life. She has led many Bible study groups in homes, in the church environment, and in jails; Mary has worked in various women’s ministries, and is a writer, speaker and Bible Teacher.

Currently, Mary and her husband are retired and live in Northern California. They have 3 sons, and 5 grandchildren who live nearby. When not writing, speaking, leading Bible study groups, or studying God’s Word on her own, Mary enjoys entertaining friends, cooking, and playing with her grandchildren…not necessarily in that order.

More from Mary

Letter from Paul: to the Church in Galatia…and Us!
As a preacher’s kid, I was brought up in a strict, structured home environment. This upbringing created a harsh view of Christianity and an overwhelming fear of hell, fire, and damnation for me.
It was not until years later that I found a church emphasizing God’s love. I read the Word and prayed daily and began to develop a close, personal relationship with God. But fear kept haunting me until I really got into Galatians and broke it down, verse by verse. The book of Galatians is a crucial book of the Bible for me because it emphasizes God’s love and forgiveness and provides assurance that, even though I mess up at times, God still loves me!
It is my hope and prayer that you, too, can embrace the beautiful message of love and acceptance contained in Galatians and apply it to your life. When we fully submit and trust God for our lives, an overwhelming peace envelops us. We no longer need to fear Him. He is a loving God who provides all our needs and protects, encourages, comforts, and directs us. He is our heavenly Father, our constant companion, and a friend who really does have all the right answers.
Living in a right relationship with God dramatically changes the way we view ourselves and the world. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17 KJV).
Written in a down-to-earth, easy-to-read approach, the Bible studies contained in Letter from Paul highlight the main points covered in each chapter of Galatians.
It is my hope and prayer that this book will erase the doubts and fears of Christians who question their salvation or fear that they are not good enough to maintain it and to point the way for the unsaved to realize how easy it is to become a child of God.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 30

The Power of Words, December 1

Older & Smarter?, December 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 3

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 3

The Becca Files, December 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , December 5

Maureen’s Musings, December 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 7

Texas Book-aholic, December 8

Mary Hake, December 8

janicesbookreviews, December 9

My Devotional Thoughts, December 10

Aryn The Libraryan ? , December 11

A Reader’s Brain, December 12

Godly Book Reviews, December 12

Inklings and notions , December 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card & Paperback of “Letter from Paul”!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/ed7b/letter-from-paul-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

When I was offered a chance to use this small, powerful book, I jumped at the chance. My goal as with most Christians is to draw closer to God, and after completing lessons here I felt I had moved on in my Faith.
I had been looking for something to do at home, and this fit what I was looking for! It challenged me, and found myself looking forward to the quiet time I would be allotting each day to do my lessons.
I always enjoy personal stories and testimonies, and each chapter of study begins with one. Besides the lesson I enjoyed the reflection at the end with the personal application, really made me think!
I would recommend this for use in your Small Group, or for me that is not possible, I loved the individual study!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings

Daniel, Kelly, and Milly appear to be the perfect family. But an old camera will expose secrets no one wants developed.

Daniel Whitely is a successful marriage counselor and bestselling author, yet his own marriage is in crisis and his daughter is drifting further away each day. To make matters worse, the deadline for his second book has come and gone, and he still hasn’t written a single word.

When Daniel inherits an old camera from his grandfather, he notices an inscription on the bottom: “No matter what you think you might see, the camera never lies.”

Daniel begins using the camera, but every time he develops his photos, they threaten to reveal secrets that could sabotage both his marriage and his career—exposing him as a fraud and destroying the life he has worked so hard to build.

He’s faced with a choice: keep his secrets and save his career or come clean and possibly save his family. Which will he choose? Which would you choose?

Amazon


About The Author

David Rawlings is an Australian author, and a sports-mad father of three who loves humor and a clever turn of phrase. Over a 25-year career he has put words on the page to put food on the table, developing from sports journalism and copywriting to corporate communication.


My Review

A very different read, about not seeing what is in front of you, and a lot like the Twilight Zone, but a modern version using an old camera and black and white film.
This book will make you think, and what are we seeing, is it real, or just what we want to see? This is a read that will definitely show you that we perceive things differently, and innocent flirtation can turn to a romantic gesture, a silly fight with a spouse can be seen as a parent split by a child, and other innocent or what we think is ok can be very dangerous.
How is this all going to work out, you will be quickly turning the pages, and this is a read that can be done in one sitting.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Major's Daughter (Fort Reno, #3) by Regina Jennings

Caroline Adams returns to Indian Territory after tiring of confining society life. She wants adventure, and when she and her friend Amber come across swaggering outlaw Frisco Smith, they find his dreams for the new territory are very persuasive. With the much-anticipated land run pending, they may just join the rush.

Growing up parentless, all Frisco Smith wanted was a place to call his own. It's no wonder that he fought to open the Unassigned Lands. After years of sneaking across the border, he's even managed to put in a dugout house on a hidden piece of property he's poised to claim.

When the gun sounds, everyone's best plans are thrown out the window in the chaos of the run. Caroline and Frisco soon find themselves battling over a claim--and both dig in their heels. Settling the rightful ownership will bring these two closer than they ever expected and change their ideas of what a true home looks like.

Amazon


About The Author

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

Website


My Review

 

I enjoyed this story, and could just picture these people at the line waiting to cross to a new life, and the race and for some disappointment. Then there were the cheaters, and thus we have a story!
I loved how the author used a primitive [in today’s standards] to prove that some were not honest, but you will have to read this to find out how.
There is a bit of romance, storms, and compassion here, and all for a better life. When the character of Frisco is introduced, I found myself disliking him, but wow did my opinion changed! Then there is Caroline, and I loved her, what a strong considerate woman, full of gumption and dreams.
This read came alive for me, and when I finished I really wanted more!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House and was not required to give a positive review.

 

The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen

After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn't satisfied with Bow Street's efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect—a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?

On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended...this.

When a second person dies, and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn't know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for the truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.

Amazon


About The Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. She blogs at http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Website


My Review

The author kept me guessing, almost to the end, and thankfully a wonderful job is done to totally complete this read.
Greed and Pride, and maybe more, but these come in to play, and end with murder, but who wanted this lawyer dead? When the facts begin to fall, the list grows, and really surprises abound.
The setting sounds so ideal, a beautiful island on the Tames, made me want to live there!
If you like a book that is filled with action, most you won’t see coming, intrigue, and mystery, and natural disaster, this one won’t leave you wanting!
I received this book through Net Galley the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
 


 

My Bedtime Bible Prayers is creatively designed to encourage Bible reading and prayer as a natural part of any nighttime routine.

Inside are 44 prayers, each based on a Bible verse and Bible story, along with a takeaway question. The whimsical illustrations featured throughout depict both Bible scenes and contemporary life. With this caring guidance, children ages 6-8 will learn to share their hearts and thoughts with God--while also discovering how much He loves them!

Amazon


Pahus Pedersen, Karoline is an author making her living from writing in various capacities. Her educational background is in business marketing. Karoline is married, has two lovely children and lives in the outskirts of Copenhagen Denmark.

My Review

I jumped at the chance to be able to share this book with my grandchildren, and the youngest can hold on to it, although it says it is for children 6 to 8, some of mine are younger and are still enjoying.
We read one each night, and often two, and have fun with the little tidbit at the bottom of the page, which makes them recount their day, and gives me a glimpse into what they are thinking about.
The book consists of 93 pages, with pages facing each other, they have bright colors and drawings geared to youngsters, and there is a verse along with a short verse.
The kids look forward to this sharing each night, and it has quickly become part of their routine.
 

I received this book through the Publisher Kregel, and was not required to give a positive review.

Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright

After Aggie Dunkirk's career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her vintage, though very outdated, home. Aggie didn't plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene--even going so far as to re-create it in a dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow Aggie when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the town's cemetery. Forced to work with a puzzling yet attractive archaeologist, she exhumes the past's secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep hidden--even if that means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a beauty salon but has her sights set on Hollywood. But coming home to discover her younger sister's body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the burgeoning world of forensic science and, as a woman, not particularly welcomed into the investigation, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister's case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . no matter the cost.

Amazon


About The Author

Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing suspenseful, mysteries stained with history's secrets. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimewrightbooks.com!


My Review

A book that flashes between the present day and WWII time, between present losses and past loss of a loved one.
The book begins with the return of a Granddaughter and the lie of a Grandmother that she had broken her hip, but Aggie needed to come here, and there needed to be answers to the long-ago murder of a family member.
As the author presented the characters, I kept changing my mind as to who would have done the evil deed, but have to say I was very surprised when the answers finally came.
A little morbid, with the doll house, and then skeletons and bone fragments appearing, but then they all have a hint to what happened.
In the end, I was glad that Aggie came and stayed with Mumsie, and I loved the character Collin!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany, and was not required to give a positive review.