Walking and Gratitude BINGO challenge 2023 starts today!

Posted on November 1, 2023 by EmpowerMoms

Happy November 1st! This month we are focusing on GRATITUDE!

Gratitude for our bodies, our blessings, the people around us… We want to be intentional this month about thanking God and others for the blessings we have in our life. Taking a walk has significant health and wellness benefits and when you combine that walk with gratitude, those benefits multiply. You will be happier, more optimistic, more present, shift your perspective, reduce your stress; to name a few benefits.

As you work on your BINGO board this month- strive to be present, to savor your surroundings and notice the things for which you are grateful along the way. Lets walk STRONG and with GRATITUDE this month!

For my walking and workout videos go here:
https://www.youtube.com/@RachelDeVaughn/videos

“Rescuing the Stolen Child” by Connie Queen

Posted on October 21, 2023 by EmpowerMoms

Rescuing the Stolen Child (Love Inspired Suspense) by Connie Queen

I have read other books by this author and I really enjoy her clean suspense books with interesting characters.

I enjoyed getting to know Lieutenant Texas Ranger Zane who ends up being teamed up with his old friend Bliss. When Zane’s grandson is kidnapped, he and Bliss race to to find the kidnapper as well as investigate an old murder case. The storyline kept me guessing from beginning to end with twist and turns that kept me interested and intrigued. I especially liked that the main characters were more mature characters since I don’t see that very often.

I really enjoyed this fast paced clean suspense drama! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Time is running out… and a child’s life is on the line

When Lieutenant Texas Ranger Zane Adcock is attacked, he learns two shocking things: his estranged daughter has a son…and his grandson has been taken. The desperate kidnapper needs Zane to investigate an old murder case, and little Wyatt is his leverage. Zane, with help from his ex-fiancée, Bliss Walker, has days to clear a wrongly convicted inmate—or his grandson will pay the price.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

About the Author
Connie Queen spent her life in Texas where she met and married her high-school sweetheart. Together they’ve raised eight children and are enjoying their grandchildren. As a child, Connie remembers her mom and sisters reading, but she preferred to be outside. It wasn’t until later, she found the joy of being whisked away into another world. Today she resides in Texas with her husband, and Murphy, her great Dane, where she’s working on her next suspense.

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“Lost and Found” by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Posted on October 20, 2023 by EmpowerMoms

Lost and Found is another Amish Stoney Ridge story.

There were returning characters like Hank, David the Amish bishop add his wife Birdy, Edith and others. The first couple chapters seemed slow to me and I had a hard time staying interested in the book; but once I did I found myself involved in the story with Micah trying to find his lost friend Shelley in Tennessee and Bishop David’s dilemma with possibly moving the church.

The chapters alternated between different characters and I liked getting to know them better. It also included lots of interesting bird facts since the two main characters Micah and Trudy were considered avid birders. The story also discussed mental health, death, forgiveness and faith. I really enjoy reading books by this author!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Trudy Yoder shares a passion for birding with Micah Weaver–and she has an even greater passion for Micah. Their friendship is finally turning romantic when Micah abruptly grows cold. Worse still, he wants to leave Stoney Ridge.

Micah Weaver thought he was over Trudy’s older sister. A year and a half ago, Shelley had broken his heart when she ran away from Stoney Ridge to pursue a singing career in Nashville. Then, out of the blue, she’s started to leave distressing phone messages for him.

When the bishop asks for volunteers to scout out a possible church relocation in Tennessee, Micah is the first to raise his hand. Despite scant details, he’s confident he can find Shelley. After all, his reputation as a field guide is based on finding birds that don’t want to be found.

What Micah doesn’t know is that what you’re looking for isn’t always what you find.

About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including The Moonlight School, Anything but Plain, The Sweet Life,and The Secret to Happiness, as well as the Three Sisters Island, Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.

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“Running to You” by Robin Patchen

Posted on October 18, 2023 by EmpowerMoms

Running to You JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Running to You by Robin Patchen hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Running to You

Series: The Wright Heroes of Maine #1

Author: Robin Patchen

Publisher: JDO Publishing

Release Date: October 10, 2023

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

From a USA Today Bestselling author…

Sam never understood why Eliza left him five years ago, ghosting him without explanation. He’s avoided romance ever since, focusing on building his business. Money might not keep him warm at night, but it can sure buy a lot of blankets.

Then Eliza shows up on his doorstep and throws herself into his arms. She can’t explain her bruises or the head injury that’s left her with no memories of the past five years, including their breakup. No matter how good it feels to hold her, though, there’s no way he’s getting sucked into romance again.

He’ll deliver Eliza to her mother, and that will be that. But instead of finding her mom, they’re met by two attackers and barely escape alive. Despite the danger to his life and his heart, he can’t leave Eliza to fend for herself.

Together, they embark on a journey to reconstruct her past while evading the men chasing her. As Sam and Eliza close in on the truth, their romance reignites, but her secret threatens to destroy them both.

Prepare to be enthralled by this gripping story of amnesia, a second chance at love, and a secret baby. Running to You is an edge-of-your-seat Christian romantic suspense set in Maine that will keep you reading all night long.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

MY REVIEW

Oh my gosh this book was incredible! I could not put it done once I started reading this clean, Christian fiction. The characters were engaging and the story line kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I totally sympathized with Eliza as she turned to her friend Sam when she finds herself running for her life and missing 5 years worth of memories. I liked how Sam and his family rallied around her despite their rocky past which shows what kind of person Sam was. I could not believe some of the things that Eliza experienced once she started getting her memories back. It broke my heart how evil some people can be with taking advantage and hurting others.

This was an emotional read and I can’t wait to read more of The Wright Heroes of Maine series. What a perfect start to this brand new series! Highly recommend for mature readers due to some of the emotional (non graphic) content.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Robin Patchen

Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Nutfield Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. After college, working in marketing and public relations, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while she homeschooled her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

Connect with Robin by visiting robinpatchen.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive hardcover copy of Running to You, a “Welcome to Nutfield” mug, and a $50 Amazon gift card!

Running to You JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 18, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 25, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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“Over the Horizon” by Penny Zeller

Posted on October 15, 2023 by EmpowerMoms

About the Book

Book: Over the Horizon

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 18, 2023

A most unusual proposal…

Alone in 1870s Idaho Territory, Paisley Abbott has nowhere to turn. With no other options, she finds herself consenting to an unconventional, but mutually beneficial agreement.

During an unplanned return to his family’s farm, prodigal Tyler Shepherdson inherits three orphans. When Tyler finds a woman hiding in the back of his wagon, an idea begins to form and he makes a rash decision that results in perhaps one of the most spontaneous marriages of convenience ever.

Despite an unorthodox beginning to their marriage, will Paisley and Tyler trust God as they forge ahead to create a home for three children? Will love arise from a desperate situation?

In the first book in the Horizon Series, travel to the late 1800s to the town of Horizon in the Idaho Territory with a cast of unforgettable characters, journeys of faith, and abundant humor.

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

Paisley enters into a marriage of convenience with Tyler shortly after meeting him, despite him being a complete stranger. Tyler is asked to care for 3 orphaned children who have all had tragic childhoods so far. As a single man and farmer, Tyler has no idea how to raise the children so when he meets Paisley who is need of help, he presents the marriage of convenience to her.

Despite their short engagement, Tyler and Paisley set out to become godly parents and marriage partners. Of course there are struggles with their relationship, raising 3 children with completely different personalities, working, balancing household tasks, and making friends. I got lost in the story with the delightful characters and interesting storyline that I ended up reading it all in one night.

I loved getting to know the three orphaned children and seeing their positive changes from finally being a part of a loving family. Paisley and Tyler were strong and relatable main characters. Love, patience and family are the themes to this wonderful historical fiction book.

I can’t wait to read book 2 of this Horizon series! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith, love, and humor and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics and is now the author of nearly two dozen books. Penny is also a fitness instructor and resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America.

More from Penny

When I was a child growing up in a small farming community, one of our highlights was cramming into my aunt’s “White Machine”, her old, white, 1980s Mercury Monarch that sunk low in the back and higher in the front—all six, sometimes seven, of us, along with my mom and aunt. It was a crowded affair, with those of us who were oldest (me included) on the bottom, and the youngers piled on top, sometimes stacked three-high so we could all fit. My two siblings, along with my three, sometimes four, cousins looked forward to this event. We didn’t have a lot of money in those days, so scraping up the necessary funds proved challenging at times.

We’d cruise up to the local fast-food restaurant, and for twenty cents, my mom and aunt would treat us to ice cream cones, and they would order Tab sodas. The woman at the drive-thru had it memorized so she knew exactly what flavors and how many of each.

I was always one of the vanillas. The three boys (my brother and two cousins) had eating, or rather, inhaling contests, to see who could eat their ice cream the fastest, along with a brain freeze included at no extra charge.

Ice cream makes an appearance in Over the Horizon. My novel takes place in the 1870s in the Idaho Territory, and during my research, I discovered that a man named J. Easley owned an “Ice Cream Saloon and Confectionery Shop” in Idaho City in 1868. His advertisement provided inspiration for the fictional O’Dell’s Soda Fountain and Confectionery in the book.

Some other things I recently discovered about ice cream:

Ronald Reagan signed into effect National Ice Cream Day.

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the top three favorite types of ice cream are chocolate, cookies n’ cream, and vanilla.

Most folks enjoy pizza and ice cream, but they may not like the combined flavors. Yes, there is pizza-flavored ice cream.

The ice cream cone was invented in 1904 by Syrian, Ernest E. Hamwi.

Over the Horizon includes a memorable cast of characters, all with their own distinct personalities. As such, it was fun to create a short character quiz, featured below, that includes a question about ice cream. I’d love to hear from you about which character you are most like, so be sure to take the quiz and let me know in the comments!