The Heart of a King (The Loves of Solomon) by Jill Eileen Smith

Posted on May 8, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

The Heart of a King (The Loves of Solomon) by Jill Eileen Smith
I really enjoyed reading this new biblical fiction book featuring King Solomon and some of his wives. The story focused on 4 main women as the chapters followed from one story to the next.

I was struck with how that time period differs so much from our own. Meaning, that the king had responsibilities to take multiple wives for peace treaties or for gifts as to not offend another country. The burden of being the king and making decisions and accepting gifts seemed to wear King Solomon down after a while. But I like that throughout the story, he continued to keep his faith and love to one God.

I liked reading about his relationships but I totally understood how Naamah and Nicaula both felt-that they wanted the love of one man and didn’t want to share him. What a complicated time!

This story was easy and fun to read. I love biblical fiction books and I really enjoyed reading this. I felt like I got to know King Solomon and his wives better, although it is fiction-it makes the bible seem more alive to me.

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

About the Book:
King Solomon was wealthy and wise beyond measure. He could–and did–have anything he wanted, including many women from many lands. But for all his wisdom, did he or the women in his life ever find what they searched for all of their lives?

In this engrossing novel, you’ll find yourself whisked away to ancient Israel, where you’ll meet Solomon and four of the women he loved: Naamah the desert princess, Abishag the shepherdess, Siti the daughter of a pharaoh, and Nicaula the queen of Sheba. As you experience the world of Solomon through his eyes and the eyes of these women, you’ll ask yourself the ultimate question: Did Solomon’s wisdom ultimately benefit him and those he loved . . . or did it betray them?

Purchase your copy here:

About the Author
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as the nonfiction book When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off

“Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On and Off Your Mat” by Stephanie Spence

Posted on May 1, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

“Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On and Off Your Mat” by Stephanie Spence

This beautiful book is a compilation of stories and testimonies from others of how the practice of yoga healed and helped them in various ways. Author Stephanie traveled around on her own personal journey talking to many yoga instructors and yoga lovers to get their insight and personal stories to share for this book. Throughout the book Stephanie shares her personal, heartbreaking story of her growing up, marriage, divorce and finally her journey of discovering herself.

This book was very well written… I could tell it took alot of thought, time and research to compile and write this book. Anyone who wants to know more about the benefits of yoga or who want to be reminded, will definitely appreciate this book. Very inspirational and thought provoking.

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

About the Book:
Essential and uplifting advice that will help you get from where you are to who you hope to become.

Often referred to as The Traveling Yogini, beloved yoga teacher Stephanie Spence explores what it means to become our truest selves. Weaving her experience as a writer, mother, and PTSD survivor, Spence affirms that not only is the soul’s messy and unpredictable journey inevitable, it is essential to our quest to live a life we thrive in.

Yoga heals―not just the body, but the heart and soul. Whether you’ve only dabbled with the idea of trying yoga, or have practiced for a long time, yoga is about you. Physically, it increases endurance, strength, and flexibility. Mentally, it reduces stress and helps you find stillness in a chaotic world. Spiritually, it helps you evolve to your highest potential and live in a space of gratitude and peace no matter what’s happening around you.

Here, Spence has gathered the wisdom of over a hundred acclaimed yogis to enable readers to live their life to the fullest. Real and raw wisdom from global leaders in the yoga community―from classic yoga superstars to today’s rock-your-daily-asana hipsters―will motivate you to live a life beyond your wildest dreams. Filled with universal insights, intimate, comforting stories, and spiritually practical tips, Yoga Wisdom is here to help keep you on the road to truth, authenticity, and balance in all aspects of your life.

Purchase your own copy here:

About the Author
Stephanie Spence is the former CEO of Spence Communications. Her publishing company produced numerous magazines including the award-winning monthly wellness lifestyle magazine in Pennsylvania, Health & Fitness. She was recently featured in Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine, and How to Be a Yoga Rockstar. She is a regular contributor to Yoga Guide Magazine, OM Yoga & Lifestyle Magazine, and Dallas Yoga Magazine. When not on road trips or attending yoga festivals, Stephanie resides in Coronado, California.

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off

“Undercover Honeymoon” by Kari Iroz

Posted on April 30, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

“Undercover Honeymoon” by Kari Iroz

This is the third book written by this author that includes Jack and Damon. I’ve read the other 2 and loved them as well. They can be read as stand alone novels because Jack reminisces about some of her past undercover experiences so readers won’t feel confused if this is the first book they read.

Jack and Damon finally get married and are off on their exotic honeymoon when things start turning for the worst. Jack is a hysterical character and I laughed so much when I read this book. Funny, clean romantic, dramatic novel-Highly recommend!

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

About the Book:
Wedding bells are finally ringing for Jacklyn “Jack” Wyatt and her FBI-agent fiancé, Damon Wade. After their adventurous beginning, the happy couple finds the relative calm leading up to their big day, a huge relief. Unfortunately, it seems that the peace and quiet were too good to last. As they embark on their honeymoon, a weeklong cruise, Jack can’t shake the feeling that something is off with her new husband. When she stumbles upon a secret plot—one in which her husband is a key player—she realizes this getaway will be anything but smooth sailing. When she delves into the shady happenings aboard the ship, she realizes Damon’s involvement is just the tip of the iceberg—she has become an unwitting player in a deadly conspiracy, and in such close quarters, there is no escape. Now, Jack has no choice but to work with her spouse to unravel the truth before their happily ever after—and their lives—are ended all too soon.

Purchase your copy here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off

“The Bishop’s Daughter” by Patricia Johns

Posted on April 29, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

“The Bishop’s Daughter” by Patricia Johns
I was intrigued by the characters and story line and I read this story in one day because I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen. The plot could have gone in so many directions and I was relieved (and happy) how it ended. I enjoyed the main characters Sadie, her son, and Elijah her brothers friend.

I was reminded how complicated Amish culture and relationships are while reading this book and I liked how the author showed them using scripture and prayer to figure out their future, and not just follow what had always been done. I would love to read more books with these characters and town in them. I really enjoyed reading it!

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

About the Book:
As a bishop’s daughter and good Amish mother, widowed Sadie Hochstetler teaches her young son that God blesses those who try their best to please Him. But her brief marriage taught her that life is infinitely more complicated than that. Older, and serious, her late husband seemed a sensible choice—especially compared to Elijah Fisher, the spirited boy with whom she butted heads and hearts. Then Elijah abruptly left for the Englisher world, taking Sadie’s beloved brother along with him—a double betrayal she still strives to forgive. Especially now that Elijah has returned . . .

Elijah plans to stay in the Amish community only as long as he’s needed, helping his family and working for Sadie’s ailing father. The outside world has changed him, leading him to question rules and restrictions that others take on faith. Once, he’d been head over heels in love with the bishop’s daughter—a girl he was judged unworthy of courting. Nine years have changed so much between them. Yet something remains—a spark that, for all their differences, might light the way home again . . .

Purchase your copy here:

About the Author
Patricia Johns is the author of fifteen books published by multiple Harlequin series lines. You can learn more about her at patriciajohnsromance.com.

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off

“The Memory House” by Rachel Hauck review and giveaway

Posted on April 27, 2019 by EmpowerMoms

MY REVIEW:
This story captured my attention from the very beginning. The chapters alternate between present time with Beck, her dog and Bruno; and the past with Miss Everleigh, Rhett and Don.

Beck inherits “The Memory House” on Memory Lane when Miss Everleigh passes away. Beck doesn’t remember much of her childhood after her father is killed as a police office in NY on 9/11. She goes to stay at the house to try to heal and find answers about the past.

I loved this story about faith, healing, hope and love. I loved how the story intertwined with the characters from the past and present. Great characters, easy to read, very enjoyable!

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

About the Book

Book: The Memory House

Author: Rachel Hauck

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: April 2, 2019

Embracing the future means remembering the past . . . When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that, either. Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share. Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.

Click here to purchase your copy from Amazon!

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower. Visit her online at RachelHauck.com; Facebook: RachelHauck; Twitter: @RachelHauck; Instagram: @rachelhauc

Excerpt from The Memory House

When Mama Applegate spoke as if Everleigh were a guest rather than a family member, she embraced it with grace. Because at the end of the day, she was Rhett’s wife. She alone shared his dreams, his heart, his life.

And at night, when she couldn’t sleep, his soft breathing was her lullaby.

“Listen, mister, I have to get back to work or I won’t make it home in time for our dinner.” She tugged at his shirt collar. “So are you going to tell me why you’re here?”

“I was going to wait until tonight, but I got so excited . . .” Rhett stepped over to the desk in front of Everleigh’s and retrieved a long white canister. “Here. Open it. I feel like a kid at Christmas.”

“Rhett, what have you done?” She pried away the cap and slipped out a set of drawings.

“Here, let me.” Rhett unrolled a rendering of a cozy house with a wraparound porch nestled between two cottonwoods. “Our house, Ev. I took those sketches you made after we were married and gave

them to the architect. What do you think?”

“Th-this is our house?” She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning against his thick arm as she studied the drawing.

“It’s our house, darling.”

Everleigh studied the drawing. It was just like she imagined. “Are you sure?” She gazed up at her husband. “I didn’t think we’d saved enough money.”

“We’ve saved every penny of your salary, and I finally sold the stud bull to Jacob Marshall. He’s been after me for a year . . .” Rhett held her with one hand while flipping through the drawing with the other. “I bought the ten acres by the stream. You know, the one with the trees we loved. Dad wanted to give it to us, but I said no strings.

I wanted to buy it so he can’t hold it over me. Not that he would, but family business can get tricky.” Everleigh leaned to see the name of the road. Memory Lane.

“Darling, the section right off Memory Lane? The spot I wanted?”

Rhett’s grandmother had named the dirt road years ago, when she imagined a large family with lots of grandkids running around.

She envisioned an Applegate community.

But her sons, Melvin and Earl, went to war. Only Earl—nicknamed Spike—returned home the fall of 1918. He inherited the ranch, married Mama Applegate, and fathered Rhett, an only child. Grandma’s two daughters married and moved away.

“Your granny would be proud, darling,” Everleigh said. “We’re beginning her dream.”

“Sh-she would.” Rhett cleared his throat, pressing his fist over his cough. “So, w-what do you think?”

…

Tell him! The timing could not have been more perfect.

“Rhett, sweetheart—”

He jerked his wrist up, checking his watch. “Oh, Ev, sorry, darling, but I promised Dad I’d pick him up from the hardware store thirty minutes ago.” He gave her a quick, passing kiss. “I’d planned to show you these tonight, but I just couldn’t wait.” He rolled up the drawings and tucked them into the canister. “What is it you wanted to say?” On reflex, he checked his watch again.

“Nothing,” she said, smiling. “I’ll see you later. We can talk then. I have work to do anyway.”

“You sure?”

Everleigh fell into him and pressed her cheek against his chest.

“You make my dreams come true, Rhett Applegate.”

He kissed her one more time, then held her at arm’s length.

“Distraction, girl, you are one beautiful distraction.”