Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - Vision Author: Hope Bolinger On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Vision

Author: Hope Bolinger

Genre: YA Christian Suspense

Release date: August 9, 2021

Rabbits for Food meets Waiting for Fitz meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

After Danny Belte ends up with a gunshot wound to the head, he’s shipped off to a local psychiatric center under the assumption he’d attempted to commit suicide. Knowing that he’d actually been killed by a fellow enemy at his high school, and a photographic memory to prove it, manages to keep him sane.

After meeting the fun and playfully rebellious members of his ward, he suspects that some underlying connection ties them all together. Haunted by revealing visions, he may have a shot at discovering a conflict of interest and buying their ticket out of the ward.

But memories are dangerous things. He may just make as many enemies as friends at the ward who want his memories erased.

A modernized take on Daniel 7-12.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hope Bolinger is a content editor at Salem Media and a multi-published novelist. More than 1000 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids to HOOKED to Crosswalk.com. She writes about 250-300 articles a year.

She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. She had four of her books traditionally published in the last three years (see below) She has 8-9 books scheduled to published between 2021-2023.

She has won awards for her essays, poetry, children’s books, novels, and plays. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on Instagram and Twitter @hopebolinger .

More from Hope

“The Book of Daniel? In a high school? Where on earth did you come up with an idea like that?”

I’ve gotten this question a number of times and the answer to it comes from an even stranger place than the concept itself … a college classroom.

We’d blitzed through the entire Old Testament in a semester for our Biblical Literature Class my freshmen year. The professor often accompanied each class for this Gen-Ed with a PowerPoint full of 70 or so slides we’d try to keep up with in our notes. Our hands would cramp from the sheer speed our pencils had to go across the paper.

One day, as she went over the Book of Daniel, something she said snapped me out of my 9 A.M. stupor. “Daniel, and his friends, would’ve been 14 or 15 years old when taken into the Babylonian captivity.”

This woke me up. I’d dropped my pen onto the paper and stared at the front of the atrium classroom for a few moments. Fourteen or fifteen? High-school aged?

I’d always pictured Daniel in his late thirties. Part of me blames VeggieTales and Larry the Cucumber’s rendition, which in no way could’ve been interpreted as a teenager’s voice. But the reality of the Old Testament story came crashing down on me right then and there.

Daniel had been evicted from his home through the Babylonian siege. He likely watched his friends and family members die at the hands of the Babylonians and the fires that scoured Jerusalem. Then he and the cream of the crop were herded to Babylon for a three-year education, where they tried to stamp anything Israelite out of him.

And yet, he trusts God. He continues to stand strong in his identity. As do Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—even when it meant certain death … as teenagers.

That got me thinking about culture now. And how so many Christian teens face problems and dilemmas we could’ve only dreamed about in our adolescent years. What would it look like to stick Daniel in a modern-day high school? I thought.

So that summer, I started to write the Blaze trilogy. I chopped the Book of Daniel into three parts, and showed a teenager standing strong in integrity and faith despite death threats, bullying, and peer pressure. It was the book I needed back in high school when confronted with hot-button issues, and I was so thankful to have that college professor guide me to learn more about the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament.

My Thoughts

Vision is a Young Adult Suspense story that is written by Hope Bolinger. This is book 3 in the Blaze Trilogy Series. This is my first exposure to the author, and it will not be my last. I am clearly not a young adult, but I was drawn into this story immediately. This book does deal with gun violence, suicide attempts and mental health. However, Mental health for young adults is something that needs to be talked and written about and the author handles it with grace. Since this is a retelling of Daniel, I went back and re-read where the author drew her inspiration from so that I could feel like I got a good picture of the story.

Danny is placed in a psychiatric facility. He knows that he did not try to commit suicide. He has a lot of compassion to the fellow residents and really wants to try and help those who are lost. He knows that there is something not right going on - and he knows that he is of sound mind - and wants to get to the bottom of it.

Danny gets along well with his fellow residents. He has visions at night that he has to piece together. I like how Danny and the residents grow throughout the book and confront the person in charge of the ward. That takes a lot of courage.

As stated above, this book does reflect some of the inhumane treatment that goes on in psychiatric facilities. That being said, I would state that this book is recommended ages 14 and up but with strong parental caution. The author does a great job discussing mental health and it's an important topic that we need to discuss with our young adults.

Well written characters, heart pounding story line, and interesting read.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 22

Texas Book-aholic, August 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 24

For Him and My Family, August 25

Inklings and notions, August 26

Blogging With Carol, August 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27

deb’s Book Review, August 28

Nancy E Wood, August 29

Rebecca Tews, August 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 31

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 1

Mary Hake, September 1

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 2

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hope is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of each book in the trilogy!!

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/1141f/vision-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - Flipping Hearts By Chautona Havig - On tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

When a hurricane rips through Hooper Island, a tidal wave of TV crews follows and upsets the locals.

Brooks Crawforth agreed to volunteer crews helping to clean up and repair things on the island, not a whole home and garden series on the total renovation of several houses and a bit of cleanup on the side. He’s furious, and the show host is spitting nails at the person who blew it in the first place.

His and his father’s jobs are in jeopardy, the islanders are about to kill him, and that crazy show host blames him for her assistant’s last-minute, “you’ve-got-to-sign-this-now-or-we-can’t-come” contract.

One more thing. Did she have to be so cute?

He’s got even more trouble, though. Islanders are starting to blame Mallory Barrows for the invasion. Not only that, there are rumors of dismantling the association and allowing tourism on the islands. How’s he supposed to fix this mess?

They can’t stand each other, but if they can manage to flip off the enemy switch and flip on some cooperation, maybe their hearts’ll get flipped, too.

This “enemies to romance” novel introduces the next island in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Author of the bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

How I Almost Missed This Important Life Lesson

He annoyed her. The guy was bossy, demanding, rude, and unwilling to admit fault—mostly. Truth be told, she was pretty much the same. Two people with similar faults. The relationship would never happen.

Now what was I supposed to do?

Without any idea how I’d take two near enemies and turn them into a couple, I kept writing the primary story—the one that was supposed to bring them together. The one that would have driven me far, far away from a guy like Brooks.

Right about the time I thought about that is when Bailey had her revelation. “He likes me.”

I nearly did a spit take. I mean, where did that come from? Why would he like someone who hadn’t bothered to be likeable?

And still the story unfolded. “Life or death” moment? Check. Unintentional sharing of attraction and heart. Check. Still confused author as these characters draw closer and closer… check, check!

It took until after the story’s climax for me to realize that Brooks really did like Bailey for who she was—and vice versa. Only after all that tension diffused and their distrust had been smashed to smithereens were Bailey and Brooks able to examine everything. Only after that was I able to realize a truth I hadn’t expected to learn.

People fall in love with people they argue with.

People in love argue. See, my husband and I don’t do that. We don’t argue. Ever. Do we agree on every little thing? No. We just don’t argue about it.

Look, it’s not like I’ve never written people who argue. I do. But Never have I looked at a fictional relationship, seen that it would produce the kind fireworks that Bailey and Brooks will, and thought, “Oh, they’re perfect for each other.”

Because see… if I were Bailey, I’d run. Fast. Conflict is a natural part of life and relationships, and I’m not so naïve as to think it’ll never occur. But entering a relationship knowing it’ll be a regular occurrence? Unthinkable!

So as I pondered all this during those last pages of the book, something hit me.

Jesus enters a rocky relationship with us. Willingly.

Don’t believe me? Think about it. Jesus knew, before He ever spoke light into existence, that His bride would blame Him for… pretty much everything. He knew she’d get him brutally murdered. He knew she’d rail at Him, spit at Him, abandon Him, cheat on Him, and even after forgiveness… she’d do it all over again the next day.

Even knowing all that… He still whispers to our hearts, “Be Mine. I love you.”

If that’s not the most beautiful, unbelievable, amazing thing, I don’t know what is.

It’s probably one of the most important life lessons I’ll ever learn. People choose to be in relationships with people they know they’ll argue with—people who will hurt them, annoy them, demand things of them. And the greatest example of One who does it so beautifully is Jesus. Because see… Jesus entered that relationship with me, knowing I’d be that person. Humbling, yeah. Important life lesson? Most definitely.

My Thoughts

Flipping Hearts is written by the ever so talented, Chautona Havig. It is book 13 in the Independence Island Series. The series is a multi-author series that is linked by a chain of Islands. They are all able to be read as stand alone books. However previous characters make appearances throughout the whole series. I feel like every book that I read gets better and better.

The author always writes such amazing characters. Brooks and Bailey were fun characters to read. They are both bossy and stubborn and butt heads. In the aftermath of a hurricane, Brooks is worried about the television crew that comes rolling in. The locals, who are trying to clean up and get back on with their lives are not thrilled. Bailey has a big heart and wants to genuinely help, but someone is determined to undermine her and ruin her reputation.

I love that there is a mystery to be solved. Why is Bailey being targeted? What do they gain from attempting to help clean up after a hurricane. Brooks and Bailey have a very love/hate relationship. I really enjoyed watching them grow throughout the book. The author also writes in the lesson of Grace. Something that we all need to remember. We are NOT perfect. We mess up.

The author has written great characters, a storyline that will draw you in right away, and you will not want to put it down. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, August 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 23

Texas Book-aholic, August 24

CarpeDiem, August 24

Lots of Helpers, August 25

Inklings and notions, August 25

For Him and My Family, August 26

Connect in Fiction, August 26

deb’s Book Review, August 27

Livin’ Lit, August 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 28

Blogging With Carol, August 28

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 29

Simple Harvest Reads, August 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, August 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 30

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 31

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 31

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 1

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, September 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2

Splashes of Joy, September 2

Blossoms and Blessings, September 3

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, September 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 4

She Lives To Read, September 5

Kayem Reads, September 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/11422/flipping-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway - Walking in Prophecy, Signs & Wonders Written By: Glenda Jackson - On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Walking in Prophecy, Signs & Wonders

(Please note: This title has been from Call of the Watchmen to Walking in Prophecy, Signs & Wonders.)

Author: Glenda Jackson

Genre: RELIGION / Christianity/Pentecostal & Charismatic

Release date: August 10, 2021

God is prophetically speaking to us today while performing signs and wonders in the last days. These movements of the Spirit are a continuation of the signs, wonders, and other supernatural works God has done in the past to demonstrate His power and glory. Through miracle testimonies, faith-building teachings, and remarkable accounts from her personal family heritage—including miracles in the life of noted healing evangelist Maria Woodworth-Etter—Glenda Jackson shows how God can work powerfully in your life, bringing to pass what He has ordained for us and His purposes in the world. Discover what it means to be a prophetic watchman and a vessel for God’s glory in these momentous days before Christ’s return.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Glenda Underwood Jackson is a powerful prophetess and healing evangelist. She moves in signs, wonders, and miracles to glorify Jesus. Since 1974, Glenda has been a missionary evangelist. Her primary ministry focus for over thirty years was Native Americans, ministering to many tribes throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Glenda comes from a Church of God background. Her father, C. L. Underwood, was a healing evangelist who saw many great miracles in his services. Her great-aunt was Maria Woodworth-Etter (1844–1924), whom some considered to have had one of the most powerful evangelistic ministries of modern times.

On December 29, 2007, on her birthday, Glenda had a powerful angelic visitation from the Lord in which she was told that doors would open to her to major ministries throughout the United States. Since then, doors have swung wide open to her ministry. Glenda has ministered at several Fire conferences for evangelist Benny Hinn, at King Jesus International Ministry with Apostle Guillermo Maldonado, and at the World Convention of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International. She has also appeared on Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural! Glenda has ministered in numerous churches, conferences, and camp meetings in the United States, Europe, and Africa. Her ministry is marked by her accurate prophetic words. Glenda often says in her response to her ministry, “I’m nothing; it’s all God.”

More from Glenda

God is prophetically speaking to us as He works signs and wonders in these end times. Discover what it means to be a prophetic watchman and a vessel for God’s glory in these momentous days before Christ’s return.

My Thoughts

Walking in Prophecy, Signs & Wonders is written by Glenda Jackson. I am always fascinated by books that speak of Prophecy. Sometimes they disappoint me, sometimes they excite me. This book was of the excitement. Before I begin a book to review - I always pray. I pray that God will reveal what he wants me to see while I read. While I may not always agree with how the author interprets scripture, I always pray to find what God wants me to see in the book.

I love how the author shared her family history of how they walked with Jesus, how they witnessed miracles, how they saw miraculous things. The author is bold with her prophesizing. Her stories are encouraging and uplifting. I enjoyed seeing how God is working through her life.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 20

Texas Book-aholic, August 21

Beauty in the Binding, August 22 (Spotlight)

Inklings and notions, August 23

For Him and My Family, August 24

Splashes of Joy, August 25 (Spotlight)

deb’s Book Review, August 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 27

Artistic Nobody , August 28 (Spotlight)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 29

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 30

Simple Harvest Reads, August 31 (Spotlight)

Cats in the Cradle Blog, September 1

Fiction Book Lover, September 2 (Spotlight)

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Glenda is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and copy of the book!!

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/1141e/the-call-of-the-watchmen-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, August 27, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - Lethal Cover-Up Author: Darlene L. Turner On tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Lethal Cover-Up

Author: Darlene L. Turner

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: July 27, 2021

Some secrets are dangerous…

But uncovering the truth could be deadly.

Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows her sister Leah’s fatal car crash was no accident. Someone’s willing to kill to cover up a pharmaceutical company’s deadly crime of distributing tainted drugs. Now they are after Madison to tie off loose ends. But with her high school sweetheart, Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, at her side, can Madison expose the company’s deadly plan before she becomes the next victim?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

More from Darlene

The Hidden Staircase, The Secret of the Old Clock, The Sign of the Twisted Candles—these were just some of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I couldn’t get enough of them growing up! My family often saw me with my nose stuck in one of Nancy’s many tales. When I was finished with those, I’d sneak my brother’s Hardy Boy books and devour them too. This is where my love of writing and of a good mystery/suspense began.

Creating stories in the romantic suspense genre was a natural journey for me. I had always wanted to be a policewoman after watching Charlie’s Angels (they even kicked butt while wearing high heels…what could be better than that?!), Cagney and Lacey, Police woman, Murder She Wrote, etc. My love for all-things-mystery carried into my adult life. Who doesn’t love Sydney Bristow and Kate Beckett?

I enjoy creating strong female characters in a law enforcement role. Madison Steele fits the bill head on as she works to bring down a ruthless pharmaceutical company. While she has nerves of steel, I also wanted to make her vulnerable. In the beginning Madison loses her long-lost sister in a heart-wrenching crash. One she knows was not an accident. This thrusts her into a deadly pursuit of the perpetrators with her estranged high school sweetheart, Tucker Reed, by her side.

I wrote this book during the tough year our world faced living in the unknown. Madison and Tucker are stuck in their own fears but eventually find hope. Hope in the unknown and hope in knowing God is in control and with us—no matter the circumstances. We just need to know where to look.

I hope you enjoy reading Madison and Tucker’s story as much as I loved crafting it. I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me through my website www.darlenelturner.com and also sign up for Darlene’s Diary newsletter to receive exclusive subscriber giveaways.

My Thoughts

Lethal Cover-Up is a Romantic Suspense that is written by Darlene L. Turner. This is also part of the Love Inspired Suspense Line. I have read a few other books from this author and have always enjoyed how she writes and the stories she creates.

If you are looking for a book that will start out with non stop action, keep your adrenaline pumping and keep you on your toes, this is the book for you. Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows that her sister's accident was not an accident. A sister that she did not know existed until a few months prior to her death. She was targeted. Her sister wanted to reveal that the pharmaceutical company was behind tainted drugs. However, it now seems like Madison is now the target.

Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, who also happens to be Madison's old high school sweetheart is in charge of the case. The two of them had a rocky past but will have to work together to try and see who is trying to kill Madison. I love all the clues that Leah left behind for Madison to try and figure out. The book moves at a fast (but not overwhelming pace) and is a fun read. Be prepared to spend time reading - for when you start reading you will not want to put it down.

Well written characters, suspenseful storyline, Christian reminders throughout the whole book. The scenes are written so well that you feel like you are there.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.