THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS BABY by Cathy McDavid

Posted on November 14, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

MY REVIEW:

This cowboy romance was about second chances and learning to forgive and move forward. This story is part of the “Sweetheart Ranch” series but can be read as a stand alone book.

Tanner and Jewel end up working at the same ranch a year after they called off the wedding due to a big scandal. As they work together, secrets continue to unfold as they try to work on their relationship for the sake of their daughter.

This story was emotional, real and heart breaking at times but well worth reading. Relationships are hard but when adding family drama, lies, secrets and children; it can be very overwhelming and easy to just give up.

I liked reading about the ranch, barrel racing and the horses. The setting of the book was beautiful and I especially loved that it centered around the holidays. I really enjoyed it!

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

The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby
(The Sweetheart Ranch #3)
By Cathy McDavid
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
November 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She gifted him with a daughter

He stunned her with the truth

When Tanner Bridwell discovers he’s a father, he gains some much needed hope. A year ago, Tanner lost his livelihood as a champion bull rider, and—more important—Jewel Saunders, the love of his life. Now this cowboy wants to do right by his family. But first he must reveal a stunning secret that will send Jewel and his beloved daughter either packing…or into his arms forever!

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Harlequin | iBooks

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

As a sophomore in high school, NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold? With forty-seven titles to date, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins recently married her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world four years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who ride the range or fight fires or hunt creatures all while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

– One winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and one of Cathy’s backlisted titles, winner’s choice of print (US only) or ebook
– Three winners will each receive one of Cathy’s backlisted titles, winner’s choice of print (US only) or ebook
– Open internationally
– Ends November 20, 2019

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“Maggie’s Place” by Annette Haws review and giveaway

Posted on November 13, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

“Maggie’s Place” by Annette Haws

This story alternated between Maggie, a woman in her 70s; and Carly a homeless teen in downtown Salt Lake City Utah and how their stories intertwine. Maggie lives in Eagle Gate Apartments where she and her friends get together to go walking, play games and help each other with day to day chores. Throughout the book, past parts of Maggie’s life with her kids Kristen and Henry are mentioned along with current events which help them work towards healing and forgiveness.

I found this book somewhat depressing-I was hoping for more of a lighthearted holiday story. The parts about SLC Utah with crime, schemes and homeless teens was very accurate, sad and unfortunately real life. The characters and story line were believable and likable, but the story just wasn’t for me.

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

About the Book:
Years ago, Mary Margaret Sullivan changed her name, boxed up her previous life, moved into the Eagle Gate Apartments, and hid her painful memories in her chicken-wire storage unit in the basement. But secrets have an inconvenient way of surfacing when least expected.
Three weeks before Christmas, an elegant man in a penthouse, a young woman named Carly—homeless and ill with pneumonia—and two calculating thieves invade Maggie’s carefully reconstructed life, and in different ways, each is connected to Maggie’s difficult past. As Maggie and friends nurse Carly back to health, hearts begin to heal with a hope for the future. But all is not as it seems. When faced with the shocking truth, Maggie must rely on her wits, her friends, and her own strength as never before.

Purchase your copy here:

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“The Freedom Challenge” by Dawn Scott Damon review and giveaway

Posted on November 12, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

MY REVIEW:
“Be free from toxic mindsets, destructive patterns of behavior, and lies that keep you bound.” This sentence jumped out at me from the back of the book.

In section 1 the author introduces the concept of the 60 day challenge and her personal story. “The Freedom Challenge” is designed to disrupt automatic negative and destructive patterns of thought, talk, actions, and reactions that have been programmed into your mind and are unconsciously pare of your worldview. As you renew your mind with God’s Word and daily focus on select meditations that bring truth and light, your personal metamorphosis will begin.”

The daily challenge consists of 7 parts: todays truth, declare, meditate believe accept, confess, affirm, explore, and extra memory challenge. There are also little sections to journal at the end of each day but I would recommend a separate journal since it’s not alot of room.

Then section 2 including chapters 3-10 which are days 1-53.

Section 3 includes chapter 11-13 for days 54-60 and afterward.

I could tell this author put alot of time and effort and research into writing this book. Very easy to read and apply. The challenge is to “untie the cords that bind us” including cords of fear, depression, negative emotions, control, and pride to name a few. If someone didn’t want to do the whole 60 day challenge, I feel like reading a particular chapter would still be beneficial.

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

About the Book

Book: The Freedom Challenge

Author: Dawn Scott Damon

Genre: Christian Living, Women’s Interest, Personal Growth, Devtional

Release Date: March 22, 2019

FreedomChallenge_frontcover_FinalRevision Be free from toxic mindsets, destructive patterns of behavior, and lies that keep you bound.

The truth behind seven little words changed Dawn Scott Damon’s life when she heard a man from a small country church sing “I am who He says I am!” Her life was transformed as she began to believe what God’s Word says about who she is in Christ, and she started her journey out of betrayal, abandonment, and deception.

She shares compelling truths in a sixty-day interactive Bible study that identifies and confronts eight cords that keep many believers bound. These practical and powerful biblical tools are designed to give you a new mindset, a fresh beginning, and a clear direction for a positive future.

Take the Freedom Challenge and become an active participant in your own emotional and spiritual transformation. Through a guided, intentional, and interactive daily process of putting God’s Word into practice, the strongholds of destructive and bondage-making behavior in your life can be broken. Choose to take that first step to live free from deceptive self-talk, fear, depression, toxic mindsets, and debilitating lies, among others.

Thought-provoking questions, journaling space, confessions, and affirmations are included to help guide you toward freedom.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dawn Damon Bio Pic 1 Dawn Scott Damon is an award-winning author, speaker, singer/songwriter, and “freedom coach.” An ordained minister with the Wesleyan Church, Dawn is the lead pastor of Tribes, a multicultural church in Rockford, MI, ministering to every generation. The founder of FreedomGirl Sisterhood conference and radio broadcast, she blogs at freedomgirlsisterhood.com. Dawn and her husband, Paul, have five children between them and eleven grandchildren. They live in the Rockford area.

More from Dawn

As a little girl, I can remember singing in church with all my heart “Blessed Be the Ties That Bind.” Those ties that bind our hearts to one-another in love and to Jesus himself, are indeed blessed. But what about ties that aren’t blessed?

Hi I’m Dawn and I’m super glad you stopped by today!

I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. At 19 years old, I became a wife and very soon after, a mother. After years of abuse, I was also a victim of rage and bitterness. The childhood sexual trauma was over, but the abuse aftermath—anger, pain, and depression—continued to destroy me. The cords of unwanted bondage choked joy and life out of me.

Today, I live fierce and free and serve as a freedom-coach to help others do the same. I’ve been on a journey for over 25 years, seeking God’s freedom through his truth and learning how to empower others to do the same. The Freedom Challenge: 60-Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You, is the map God gave me to find my way out of bondage, and now I’m sharing it with you! I pray you will also experience God’s glorious deliverance.

And now some fun facts about me:

I have a wonderful husband named Paul. Together we pastor a church called Tribes—but here’s the deal, he’s the “Pastor’s Spouse,” not me.

I am a grandma of 11! It’s the awesomest—a word I use to describe it! I especially like what my grandson Colton calls me…Jam’ma.

I love animals—all kinds—and I’ve determined there are absolutely no germs in dog kisses.

I also have to admit, I adore anything that glitters or sparkles and someday hope to have a bling store.

Lastly, I love Jesus and I still sing my heart out in church!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 4

Spoken from the Heart, November 5

Genesis 5020, November 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 7

Godly Book Reviews, November 7

CarpeDiem, November 8

Moments, November 9

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 10

For Him and My Family, November 10

Older & Smarter?, November 11

Empowermoms, November 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 13

Texas Book-aholic, November 14

Mary Hake, November 14

janicesbookreviews, November 15

A Reader’s Brain, November 16

Inklings and notions, November 17

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, November 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dawn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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/edeb/the-freedom-challenge-celebration-tour-giveaway

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“Essential Oils” by Terri Secrest review and giveaway

Posted on November 11, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

MY REVIEW:

I enjoyed reading this beautifully written book about Essential Oils from cover to cover. I enjoyed reading Teri’s personal experiences with learning about essential oils and how it personally helped her family. She also shared her journey about researching and even traveling to other countries to find out the history about plants and essential oils, especially ones mentioned in the bible.

It was so interesting to read about her personal experiences and research and I could tell she put alot of thought into this book. No particular brand of essential oils is mentioned in this book and all the recipes and essential oils mentioned are all singles, not blends, so this essential oils reference book could be used regardless of what brand of essential oils you use.

I found the “Supporting each system of your body” chapter especially helpful. Our body has 12 body systems: Integumentary System, Immune System, Cardiovascular or Circulatory System, Digestive System, Endocrine System, Skeletal System, Lymphatic System, Muscular System, Nervous System, Respiratory System, Urinary System, Reproductive System (including female and male).

The author lists several essential oils under each body system that would help and how it helps. For example, under Immune System “Oregano” oil is listed and why and how to use it. There are several oils mentioned under all 12 body systems which gives readers a huge variety of essential oils to try and buy.

This book contained beautiful pictures, reference guide, and recipes. I really enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about essential oils!

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

About the Book

Book: Essential Oils

Author: Terri Secrest

Genre: Christian Non-fiction, Alternative Therapies

Release Date: October 8, 2019

Essential Oils Cover Have you ever wondered why the wise men brought frankincense and myrrh for the baby Jesus? As a curious and highly enthusiastic child, health and wellness coach Teri Secrest asked everyone she knew and met, but no one could tell her. She grew up thinking it was just a nice little story…but never stopped wondering.
This thirst for knowledge sparked Teri’s twenty-three-year quest to learn about essential oils. It has taken her to the far corners of the world—from Croatia and France to Oman, Israel, and beyond.
Teri has written this book to share the mystery, the romance, and the ageless intrigue of essential oils. She hopes you experience the Father’s love as He continually lavishes His children with these exquisite oils and you feel this rich, biblical history come alive in your spirit. Teri wants you to see how miraculous your body is and how it’s designed to heal itself when given proper nourishment and support.
Essential Oils: God’s Extravagant Provision for Your Health offers practical how-to’s that you can use immediately, including the use of oils for romance, balancing hormones, cooking, cleaning, pets, children, and fragrance, as well as health concerns such as stress, negative emotions, trouble sleeping, weight gain, and anxiety. You will find practical guidance to regain and maintain health naturally.
As you gain this understanding, Teri believes you will change the next generation as you discover the hidden secrets of these biblical plants and how to incorporate them into your everyday life.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Terri Secrest Teri Secrest is a health and wellness expert whose passion is to teach simple and proven methods for vibrant health to people around the world. That passion is rooted in her early experiences of learning about whole foods and herbs in her family’s organic garden and her mother’s passion for good food as the owner of a French cooking school. These early lessons guided Teri to a healthy path for herself and her own family, yet it was her first astonishing experience with essential oils as a young mother that ignited her lifelong passion for learning, practicing, and teaching people to take hold of God’s extravagant provision for their health.
Teri has traveled around the world to learn from leading experts about the beneficial uses of essential oils, research the promises and properties of each essential oil, and develop a deep working knowledge of their applications for daily health and wellness.
Teri loves to share the simple, practical principles that will help you live in vibrant health through her international keynote speeches, training programs, and best-selling books. She is a sought-after speaker who delivers her message of vibrant health with such enthusiasm, humor, and joy that she has gained the nickname “Ambassador of Joy” around the world. Connect with Teri at http://terisecrest.com

More from Teri

My purpose in writing this book is to inspire you with the mystery, the romance, and the ageless intrigue of essential oils. My hope is that you experience the Father’s love as He continually lavishes His children with these exquisite essential oils and that this rich biblical history comes alive in your spirit. I also hope you will see how miraculous your body is and how it’s designed to heal itself when given proper nourishment and support.

As you gain this understanding, I believe you will change the next generation, as you will know the hidden secrets of these biblical plants and how to incorporate them into your everyday life.

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, November 6

A Diva’s Heart, November 6

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 7

Moments, November 8

Quiet Workings, November 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 9

Emily Yager, November 9

Artistic Nobody, November 10

For Him and My Family, November 10

empowermoms, November 11

Stories By Gina , November 11

Vicky Sluiter, November 12

Jacquelyn Lynn, November 12

For the Love of Literature, November 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 14

Splashes of Joy, November 14

Texas Book-aholic, November 15

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 15

janicesbookreviews, November 16

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 16

Betti Mace, November 17

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 17

A Reader’s Brain, November 18

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 18

Inklings and notions, November 19

Livin’ Lit, November 19

Giveaway

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

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/f024/essential-oils-celebration-tour-giveaway

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“Deadly Christmas”by Dana Mentink

Posted on November 9, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

MY REVIEW:

“Deadly Christmas” is book 2 in the “Roughwater Ranch Cowboys” series but they can be read as stand alone novels. I liked this story much better than the first one. It wasn’t as “dark” even with the suspense and mystery. Book 1 characters are also mentioned in this book which was fun to see how relationships had progressed.

I liked the twins aspect of Maggie and Tammy and I liked their relationship as they work with Liam to protect themselves from the danger they got into while trying to do the right thing.

I have read several books by this author and I like her writing style and interesting plots and characters. Great steady story line, clean christian romance and suspense. I really enjoyed reading it.. and who doesn’t love a holiday story??!!

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

About the Book

Book: Deadly Christmas Pretense

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Christian Suspense, Mystery, Romance

Release Date: November 4, 2019

A cowboy to her rescue…but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in?

Book #2 in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Dana-Mentink Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

I just love Christmas, don’t you? In our area we have a lovely holiday train. It’s an old steam type train which is decked out in lights for festive holiday tours. I was so thrilled that this cover features just such a train. Of course, in the novel the train is the scene of hair raising danger! Maggie, our heroine in this novel, is a cook. She serves up some mouth watering dishes (when she’s not dodging a killer.) I thought perhaps you might enjoy a Mentink holiday family recipe! God bless you as we enter this holiday season!