EmpowerMoms

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory…
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ’s finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

…and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God’s grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fan favorite Lorna Seilstad writes multi-layered stories which contain a generous dash of humor. She is the author of the Lake Manawa Summers series and Gregory Sisters series (Revell) and has stories included several novella collections. She was a Carol Award finalist in historical romance, but today writes both historical and contemporary stories. When she’s not eating chocolate, she enjoys doing flowers for weddings, teaching Bible classes, researching history, baking cookies, and working with her 4-H club. She and her husband live in Iowa with their three adult children living nearby.

CONNECT WITH LORNA: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cornerstone message from the collection:

God loves you more in this moment than anyone could in a lifetime.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Favorite place to read: In bed

Favorite book character from childhood: Babar

Favorite movie: Chocolat

Favorite quote or Bible verse: Romans 8:38-39

Favorite splurge/treat: Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Ice Cream

Favorite character you’ve created: Tessa Gregory

Last 3 great books you read: The Prisoner in the Castle by Susan Ella MacNeal, The American Agent: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear, and A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

Dream vacation: Bible lands tour

Hidden talent/little-known fact: I almost always know the time without looking at a watch or clock–even in the middle of the night.

Plotter or pantser: I’m sort of a hybrid. I make a plot skeleton and then fill in the flesh as I go.

In no particular order, ten of your favorite things (i.e. hot cocoa, a warm breeze, the sound of my kids’ laughter, etc.) : Oreos, listening to recorded books, the smell of the air after it rains, singing in church, Ghiradelli’s double hot chocolate, tuberous begonias, working with kids and watching them grow, the crunch of leaves in the autumn, baking, dimples

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory…
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ’s finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

…and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God’s grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is Past-President of the ACFW Minnesota chapter, MN-NICE, the 2016 ACFW Chapter of the Year. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball (Go Twins!), and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 31 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.

CONNECT WITH BRENDA: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Cornerstone message from the collection:

Listen…

Everyone has their own life story that brings them to where they are in life and molds their beliefs and opinions. The problem is, we live in a reactionary world where we don’t stop and listen to what others are saying, and too often we’re not willing to really hear the other person’s side of the story. Rather, we react to their statement or opinion by pointing fingers, and we’re quick to not only say, “You’re wrong” but we often resort to name calling. We don’t stop and listen to this person whom God loves.
In each of my books, God has placed heroes/heroines on my heart that I would normally struggle with and want to tell them, “You’re wrong!”: a pro-choice woman, an arrogant businessman, a bully, mugger, collection agent, to name a few. With each character, God has told me, “I love them. I want you to see the heart that I see.” And that’s what I’ve tried to convey in my books. Open up our ears and our eyes to see who God sees, hears, and loves.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Favorite place to read: It doesn’t happen often, but sitting by the shore of Lake Superior. That’s my favorite place, period!

Favorite book character from childhood: Trixie Belden – I loved how real and relatable she was. She was far from perfect, yet she was loyal to family and friends.

Favorite movie: This is ever changing. Right now it’s Avengers: Endgame. I LOVE the Marvel movies!

Favorite quote or Bible verse: This is also ever changing! Right now my favorite verse is Isaiah 43:19a “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

Favorite splurge/treat: Fannie May candies. Unfortunately (or maybe it’s fortunately …) there are no longer any stores near us.

Favorite character you’ve created: The main character in my first release and series, Richard Brooks. I loved his journey from broken man to bold Christ follower. Though his series is complete, he still makes random appearances in subsequent books because I just can’t say goodbye!

Last 3 great books you read: Oh, that’s tough, separating the Great books from the I really liked books. There’s a fine line, and it’s also a fluid line! But as of today, the last 3 great books I’ve read are: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, Water from My Heart by Charles Martin

Dream vacation: I’ve always wanted to travel to Israel, to walk the ground that Jesus walked.

Hidden talent/little-known fact: I (used to) draw portraits. Someday, I’ll get back to that!

Plotter or pantser: Total pantser, which is unusual because everything else in my life is organized. I think this is God’s way of getting me to release control.

In no particular order, ten of your favorite things (i.e. hot cocoa, a warm breeze, the sound of my kids’ laughter, etc.) :

• Lake Superior
• Silence
• Laughing and spending time with family
• Reading (of course!)
• Musical theater (attending, not acting in)
• Singing with a small ensemble
• Chocolate!
• Baseball
• Encouraging and helping others
• The haunting coo of a mourning dove

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Dead Silence: (Truth Seekers Book 2) by Susan Sleeman
I have read several books by Susan Sleeman, including all her “Cold Harbor” books and “Dead Ringer” which is Truth Seekers number 1 in this series; and let me tell you…she is an AMAZING writer!! I love the characters, the engaging suspenseful story line…I read this book late into the night so I could finish it and find out what happened to Kelsey’s son and who was trying to kill Kelsey. Lots of drama, suspense, twists and turns, and even (clean) romance!

I love that this new series includes characters from the team mentioned in the Cold Harbor series, but for those who haven’t read her other books will not be confused. I love the team camaraderie, professionalism and reading into their personal lives when they aren’t busy at work.

I HIGHLY recommend this series and this book! Book number 3 is on my wish list to read when it releases the end of September.

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

About the Book:
A child she’ll do anything to keep.
After Kelsey Moore’s husband dies, she wants only one thing. To adopt her husband’s son who she has come to call her own. But as she begins the process that her husband had dragged his feet on, she learns a secret so shocking she begins to question everything she knows except for the love she feels for her son. The child is not her husband’s biological child, her former husband never had legal custody of the boy, and no one knows where he got the child. Fearing she might lose her son, Kelsey must find his birth mother and convince her to give up her parental rights.

A danger she’s never known.
But when Kelsey starts asking questions, she runs into a brick wall named DEA Agent Devon Dunbar. Devon has been investigating an adoption/human trafficking ring with drug connections for the last six months, and he’s not about to let Kelsey interfere in his investigation. But even if Devon brings out feelings she never thought she’d experience again, and he asks her to trust him, Kelsey can’t even give him the benefit of the doubt. Not with the way her husband had lied to her and not even when her own life is on the line. If she doesn’t succeed, she could lose the one thing that means everything to her – her five-year-old son.

Purchase your copy here:

Biography
SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over thirty-five novels with more than one million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real.
In addition to writing, Susan also hosts TheSuspenseZone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.
To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies. http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-newsletter/

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory…
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ’s finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

…and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God’s grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deb Elkink lives with her long-time husband in a cottage beside a babbling creek in rural Alberta, Canada. She grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and studied in Minneapolis–Saint Paul (B.A. Communications), publishing a dozen or so short stories and articles as a young adult. She spent the next twenty years as a rancher’s wife and homeschooling mom (rounding up cattle on horseback, cooking for huge branding crews, earning her private pilot’s license, readying kids for high school).

Graduate studies (M.A. Theology) then prepared her for editing a professional quarterly magazine, doctoral dissertations and scholarly articles, and an online expository Bible study. Today she writes and edits, travels like mad, drinks lots of creamy decaf with friends, and speaks to women’s groups about the Christian faith.

Her debut novel (The Third Grace) received Canada’s prestigious Grace Irwin Prize in 2012, and her literary work on the fiction of a late-Victorian British writer (Roots and Branches: The Symbol of the Tree in the Imagination of G.K. Chesterton) was published in 2015. Her upcoming novel is a contemporary women’s fiction with a historical/theological twist: Eat, Pray, Love and The Wizard of Oz meet the Book of Hebrews in showing that “home” is a state of soul, a state of inner rest.

CONNECT WITH DEB: Website | Facebook

Cornerstone message from the collection: 

Look for God in the Bible. Everything (art, literature, fashion design, engineering, philosophy, travel, cooking, health, romance, community, fitness . . .) can be a way to express or illustrate God’s action on our world, but only the living and breathed-out Word of God can give us knowledge of the Father our hearts are longing for. Only the mind of God revealed to the minds of mortals by the Holy Spirit through Scripture can bring us into alignment with the Person of Jesus Christ. In today’s increasingly pagan culture, “spirituality” has become a buzzword for any belief but the truth—the more mystical the better. But the Holy Book of God is the only source containing all we need for salvation and spiritual life.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Favorite place to read: In bed beneath my down duvet, propped up on goose-feather pillows, and ensconced in crisp, white, Egyptian cotton sheets of high thread count–with a chocolate snack to nibble.

Favorite book character from childhood: Nancy Drew–so poised, so brainy, and so gullible all at the same time. She led me into and through many mysterious plots that stimulated my curiosity about dude ranches and treasure maps and old attics. It’s funny I didn’t become a mystery writer.

Favorite movie: Usually psychological thrillers (with no spiritistic thread) like Gone Girl or The Game, or any movies I can read theology into such as Chocolat or Father Brown. Currently, however: When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story

Favorite quote or Bible verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 . . . rightly dividing the Word of truth. 

Also Phil 1:9-11: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Favorite splurge/treat: Chocolate! Dark, bittersweet, enveloping rustic candied ginger or cherries or salted caramel

Favorite character you’ve created: Mary Grace (renamed Aglaia after a Greek goddess), who ran from her rural background searching for herself (and love) in the arts. Or maybe Ebenezer MacAdam, the old Scottish sage full of truth. No, I take that back–better Libby Walker, who’s been walking away for all her life and finally finds her way home. That said, my current antagonist, Sybil Tansey, travels from one exotic international “sacred place” to the next for yet another thrill–gotta love the misplaced verve.

Last 3 great books you read: All the Light You Cannot See (Doerr); Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering (Keller); Hebrews (the Holy Spirit)

Dream vacation: A Japanese ryokan (traditional inn) in Kyoto during cherry blossom season

Hidden talent/little-known fact: I can hear the (silent to most) shriek of an armed but not activated high-frequency alarm in some shops–yikes, drives me bats!

Plotter or pantser: Definitely plotter

In no particular order, ten of your favorite things (i.e. hot cocoa, a warm breeze, the sound of my kids’ laughter, etc.) : Exotic perfume; Chinese brush art (ink on sepia paper); Mennonite food (especially vrenekje with schmontfat–look it up); deep red silk velvet; prairie thunderstorms; a huge church choir singing old hymns of praise beneath the vaulted ceilings of a cathedral; my sewing machine; a crisp sheet of blank superwhite paper and a new roller pen; my hot tub in a snowstorm; a warm hug

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory…
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ’s finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

…and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God’s grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In a fit of optimism at age eleven, Eleanor Bertin began her first novel by numbering a stack of 100 pages. Two of them got filled with words. Lifelines, her first completed novel, was published in 2016, followed by Pall of Silence in 2017, a memoir about her late son Paul.

She holds a college diploma in Communications and worked in agriculture journalism until the birth of her first child. The family eventually grew to include one daughter and six sons (the youngest with Down syndrome) whom she home-educated for 25 years.

Eleanor lives with her husband and youngest son, Timothy, amidst the ongoing renovation of a century home in central Alberta where she reads, writes, sweeps up construction rubble and blogs about a sometimes elusive contentment at jewelofcontentment.wordpress.com.

CONNECT WITH ELEANOR: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cornerstone message from the collection:

Launch out into the far reaches of the universe. Delve deep into the intricate wonders of creation’s minutest particles. The farther humanity goes, the more awe I feel at the God whose power and genius spoke it all into existence. As a very young girl, I relished the delicious thrill of feeling tiny in the face of vast power, whether under a giant prairie sky, or failing in my count of the sparkling night stars. Like holding hands with a grizzly bear, God’s thundering bigness against my feeble smallness terrifies and quiets me.

That shivery awe fills the pages of the Bible, where God’s mighty power and fearsome holiness are vividly on display. There I read of a majestic King, both perfectly holy and utterly sovereign. That’s the terror part! He governs every detail of history, and every detail of my life.

But layered within that message is the constant harmony line of God’s pure goodness and the astonishing message of His never-ending love in the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus in my place.

“And from my smitten heart with tears

Two wonders I confess —

The wonders of His glorious love

And my unworthiness.”

(Elizabeth C. Clephane, Beneath the Cross of Jesus)

I’m flooded with joy knowing I belong to a trustworthy, loving God who forgives me and never leaves me!

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Favorite place to read: On my bed, or stretched out on the couch. With fuzzy blanket. And chocolate.

Favorite book character from childhood: Anne of Green Gables

Favorite movie: Pride & Prejudice (6 hr. BBC version)

Favorite quote or Bible verse: “Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” Dt. 32: 3,4 coupled with “He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17

Favorite splurge/treat: Chocolate-covered dried cherries!

Favorite character you’ve created: Can I pick three? None of these are my main characters, but they appeal to me anyway.

Anna Fawcett, a wise senior whose insightful questions and warm caring transform those she touches. (She’s modelled after my own mother.)

Jesse Fawcett, her 24yo son who has Down syndrome. I love his quirky ways, many of which are derived from my own son, Timo, or accounts of real people with DS as told to me by their families.

Jake Adrian, cultish, controlling legalist, manipulative self-styled prophet, tyrant of his family, money lover and secret gambler, northern Alberta farmer. (It was alarming to me how easily his wonky theology flowed onto the page!)

Last 3 great books you read: Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

Dream vacation: leisurely British/European tour of great art, museums, architecture, history

Hidden talent: Pie-making. (“Maybe it should be less hidden,” husband says.)

Plotter or pantser: I plot by the seat of my pants. By that, I mean I have an overarching theme that governs why I’m writing the book, I make a rough outline of key plot points, and then I live with my characters day in and day out, letting the details of their characters unfold. Unbound (my Mosaic book) is my most plotted book thus far. Three-quarters of the way through its sequel, Tethered, I still wish I’d taken the time to plot this one in more detail.

In no particular order, ten of your favorite things (i.e. hot cocoa, a warm breeze, There are no warm breezes in Alberta. The first time I experienced such a thing was in 100degree heat in Texas. I was not amused., the sound of my kids’ laughter, etc.) :

• The swish of a tape measure
• The squeal of a power tool {These two reveal my eagerness to see our 16-year whole-house renovation completed!}
• All my grown sons kibbutzing together (they’re very witty!)
• A long conversation about Jesus and theology with whoever will indulge with me
• Listening to Handel’s Messiah
• Mowing our acreage, seasonally scented by lilacs, chokeberry blossoms, wolf willow, or alfalfa
• Reading to/chatting/snuggling with my 5 (soon to be 7) grandchildren
• Sewing (especially quilts)
• Flower gardening (Lilies! Roses! Delphiniums!)
• A deep discussion with my husband (or daughter, or sister, or mother, or friend)

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.