EmpowerMoms

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Very real book about single mother Melanie and her struggles to raise three children alone and feeling lonely and overwhelmed. Melanie meets Brian and as they start to date; temptations and more struggles come to the surface.

This book discusses pornography, alcohol, and some other adult themes. I haven’t read anything by this author, and I was hoping for something more “lighthearted” and not as “heavy”. It was still well written with interesting characters and believable struggles especially for Christians trying to follow God’s commandments. There was also a little bit of drama and mystery. Themes about God’s love and faith were also a big part of this book.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
With three rambunctious, young children, Melanie Lombardi can’t see beyond the day-to-day struggle to maintain her home and her sanity since her husband’s sudden death. A second chance at romance isn’t on her radar.

Brian Perella is done with dating, resigned to being the fun uncle and never the dad. Until he meets Melanie and her brood of lively kids on the sidelines of a Little League game.

But when Brian uncovers a co-worker’s secret, it re-ignites a temptation that Melanie can’t know about. It’s his secret to keep until an unexpected diagnosis brings everything to the surface, jeopardizing his future with Melanie and her children, who, when threatened by an unknown stalker, may need him now more than ever.

Catholic Christian contemporary romance.

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Biography
Carolyn Astfalk lives in Hershey, Pennsylvania where the scent on the morning breeze carries either chocolate or manure depending on wind direction and atmospheric conditions.

A Pittsburgh native, Carolyn carries her Yinzer card with pride, having interned at Pittsburgh’s iconic TV and radio stations KDKA and WDVE. She is a graduate of Duquesne University, where she majored in Latin and Broadcast Journalism.

A cradle Catholic, Carolyn was raised mainly at church basement rummage sales and other parish-sponsored events. She worked her way up to “pup girl” at weekly Bingo and even served as a parish organist for several years. Having reached the apex of parish ministry, she moved to the state capital to advance her churchy career.

Carolyn served as communications director and registered lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference for a decade, advocating for religious liberty; prolife, pro-family issues, Catholic education, and healthcare, among others.

Since then, she has been a stay-at-home mom to her four children. Most days she can be found wiping up spills, folding laundry, and tapping furiously on her laptop.

Carolyn is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, Pennwriters, the Pennsylvania Public Relations Society, and 10 Minute Novelists. She blogs at My Scribbler’s Heart.

Blog, extras, social media and more at www.carolynastfalk.com

I was very touched by the introduction of this story. Deborah and David say up front that they are not counselors or therapists-they are simply telling their own personal addiction story in hope that it will inspire and help others who may also struggle with addictions.

This book was written by a Christian standpoint and includes chapters like recovery. compassion, rehab, friendship, and the healing effects of counseling. The book focused mostly on the addiction of prescription pain killers because that’s what David struggled with. I was hoping for a more generic addiction recovery book, not one focused only on opioids, but it was still good and worth reading.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
The United States is the most medicated country in the world. More than 1.7 million Americans are struggling with addiction to prescription painkillers, fueling the opioid crisis that claims more than 140 lives every day. The trouble isn’t just the drugs–it’s that we don’t know what to do with the people addicted to them. Not as a country, not as the church. Is tough love called for? Or would Christ have us take a different approach to addiction recovery?

Drawn from the personal experience of the authors and current research, The Heart of Recovery calls us to set aside judgment and mend recovering addicts and their families with the stuff God uses to heal: compassion and community. It’s a call to serve the ones who cannot repay, to forgive 70 times 7, to fling the door wide-open to the prodigal, and to remember the purpose of grace. A supportive community–family, friends, the church, and more–encourages and sustains long-term recovery. Through compassion, we bring hope for healing.

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About the Author
Deborah Beddoe has been a writer for numerous nonprofit recovery ministries including rescue missions and Prison Fellowship. David Beddoe, now a pastor, has worked in recovery ministry for nearly a decade following his own fifteen-year battle with prescription drug addiction. Their story has been featured in Guideposts and Christianity Today. The Beddoes have four grown and nearly grown children and live in Poulsbo, Washington, across the Puget Sound from Seattle.

MY REVIEW:
I love holiday (clean) romance books and I have read other books by this author so I couldn’t wait to read it! It took me several chapters to start liking Theo-I found him rude and arrogant. I did sympathize though with his upbringing and what seemed like “conditional” love by his parents. Goodness his mother was a train wreck in this story! He eventually grew on me and I started to like him more.

Because of growing up in the foster care system, Josie doesn’t have alot of confidence, acceptance or love in her life. She seems afraid to take risks and make decisions; but as a dress shop and designer she realizes she needs to start standing up for herself and be open to new experiences and inspiration. I loved how kind and selfless she was-even if it meant helping others and not making a profit off her wedding gown designs.

Overall this was a sweet holiday story that I enjoyed reading! Letting go of the past, forgiveness and love were all a big part of this story.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

In Love by Christmas
(City by the Bay Stories #5)
By Cari Lynn Webb
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
December 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

This Christmas, two worlds collide

…under the mistletoe!

All Theo Taylor wants for Christmas is a profitable year-end and a flawless wedding for his sister. Hiring beautiful but unknown designer Josie Beck is a huge risk, especially when the Taylors’ reputation is at stake. Josie is sweet, kind and impossible to resist. But is Josie about to destroy Theo’s perfect wedding plan…or is she the answer to his heart’s secret Christmas wish?

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Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70 year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers. Visit her at her website.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & a stocking filled with The Return of the Blackwell Brothers five-book series, a Christmas ornament and candy (if an international winner, will receive the eGift Card and ebooks of the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series)

Open internationally
Ends December 11, 2019

ENTER HERE

I have read the other books in this series and I am so sad to see it end! I definitely recommend reading all of them and in order to get the most out of this series and character/plot development.

I like that although each sibling has their own story (Knox, Tate, Ford, Wyatt), all of them are included in some way in every story.

I got a big glimpse into Ruby Jane and York’s story while they were in Russia in the “Ford” book. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one night because I couldn’t stop reading! There was non stop action, plot twists, drama, and clean romance. I couldn’t catch my breath with all the running, shooting and kidnapping attempts-whew! So much going on but it was fun to read!

I have loved reading this series and getting to know the Marshall family and extended family and characters. Just when I think her books can’t get any better-Susan May Warren comes out with another amazing series!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
She loved…and lost.

Ruby Jane never thought she’d meet the man of her dreams while running from the police in Russia. That he’d steal her heart on a train to Siberia. But loving a former CIA officer comes with a price…a life of danger. A life of high stakes.

A life where he simply disappears…

He has no memory of the man he was.

Mack Jones has no memory of his past…just the dark sense that he is hiding. And, he wants to stay that way. Mack likes the life he’s built in a small tourist town, tucked away beyond the mountains, and has no desire to dig around in the gray areas of his memory.

When his place of business catches fire and Mack rescues the owner, he makes the news, which of course alerts the past he’s hoping to outrun.

The only person who can help him is a mysterious woman he doesn’t remember.

But a woman he desperately needs.

The surprising, thrilling conclusion to the Montana Marshalls series.

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Biography
Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I’m a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I’m an adventurer — having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that’s why my characters can’t sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another — they’re too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories.

Here’s my “Official” Bio.

With over 1 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas.

With books translated into eight languages, many of her novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.

Of her books, Publisher’s Weekly has written, “Warren lays bare her characters’ human frailties, including fear, grief, and resentment, as openly as she details their virtues of love, devotion, and resiliency. She has crafted an engaging tale of romance, rivalry, and the power of forgiveness.”

And Library Journal adds, “Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance…”

Susan is also a nationally acclaimed writing coach, teaching at conferences around the nation and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year award. She loves to help people launch their writing careers and is the founder of Novel.Academy and www.LearnHowtoWriteaNovel.com, a writing website that helps authors get published and stay published. She’s also the author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation.

“Silent Night Suspect” (Love Inspired Suspense) by Sharee Stover

I love reading Love Inspired Suspense books by Harlequin, and I especially love holiday books! I really enjoyed reading this story and read it in one day because I didn’t want to stop reading. I highly recommend if you like great characters with lots of action and suspense!

I enjoyed reading about Asia and her old friend Slade as they work together to try and prove her innocence. I liked that Asia didn’t allow her bad marriage to Zander to define her future and her will to fight. She was a kind, strong, smart woman. I also liked Slade’s brother Trey and his dog Magnum-I hope they get their own story.

Don’t start reading this book if you have things to do-you won’t want to put it down! I loved it! I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Suspected of a crime she knows she didn’t commit…

All she wants for Christmas is to remember.

Blood on her blouse. A gun in her hand. A cartel leader’s dead body in front of her. Widow Asia Stratton can’t remember what happened—just that she’s been framed. The only way to prove her innocence is to work with her ex-sweetheart, Nebraska state trooper Slade Jackson. But can they clear her name before this Christmas turns even deadlier?

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Biography
Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and two ridiculously spoiled dogs. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to transform, ignite and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at https://www.shareestover.com/.