EmpowerMoms

“These Nameless Things” by Shawn Smucker

Posted on July 22, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

“These Nameless Things” by Shawn Smucker

I haven’t read anything by this author but the book description sounded intriguing so I decided to give it a try.

Unfortunately, this story wasn’t for me. I was very confused right from the start with the characters and where they were and what they were doing. I continued to read but I remained confused and it didn’t keep my attention so I didn’t end up finishing it. To me the story almost seemed classified as a “fantasy” novel which I don’t like to read which is probably why I had a hard time finishing it. It has great reviews but it wasn’t for me.

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

You can purchase a copy of the book here:
https://amzn.to/2OKD1sM

About the Author
Shawn Smucker is the award-winning author of Light from Distant Stars, the young adult novels The Day the Angels Fell and The Edge of Over There, and the memoir Once We Were Strangers. He lives with his wife and six children in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. You can find him online at www.shawnsmucker.com.

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“Raising Honor” by Jill Lynn review & giveaway

Posted on July 21, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

Raising Honor JustRead Takeover Tour

Welcome to the Takeover Tour for Raising Honor by Jill Lynn with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Raising Honor
Series: Colorado Grooms #5
Author: Jill Lynn
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: July 21, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

She’s their first priority…

Could a shared love for little Honor
unite their reluctant hearts?

Nothing will stop Ryker Hayes from giving his neglected five-year-old niece the stable home he never had. But to gain custody, he must move to Colorado…and prove to Honor’s wary foster mother, Charlie Brightwood, he’s more than just responsible. As his visits with Honor and Charlie begin to feel more like family time, might Charlie become another reason to stick around for good?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jill Lynn Photo courtesy of Jen Lints Photography

Jill Lynn pens stories filled with humor, faith and happily-ever-after. She’s an ACFW Carol Award-winning author and has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. An avid fan of thrift stores, summer and coffee, she lives in Colorado with her husband and two children, who make her laugh on a daily basis. Connect with her at Jill-Lynn.com.

CONNECT WITH JILL: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

MY REVIEW

This was a very sweet, heartwarming story! I read it in one night because it was easy reading with great characters and intriguing story line.

Charlie was a great character-strong, patient, full of love, willing to fight to protect a child who was practically a stranger. I liked reading about her journey with becoming a foster parent, which obviously had joys and struggles, especially when Uncle Ryker comes to town.

Faith based story which included elements of neglect, abuse, foster care, addictions-all very real struggles people face today. The story and characters were realistic and relatable which drew me in and kept my interest. I liked reading how the horses helped Honor open up and start healing. I know animals can be a great healing tool and therapy for others!

I really enjoyed reading this sweet story and highly recommend. I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a Larger Print copy of Raising Honor, original artwork print from @watercolorbyshea, Colorado water bottle, and socks!

Raising Honor JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 21, 2020 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 28, 2020. Winners 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. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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“The Viscount’s Vow” by Julie Coulter Bellon review & giveaway

Posted on July 16, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

I really enjoyed reading this historical romance!

Charlotte and Edward had been friends for years but after returning from the war, Edward had demons he constantly faced And felt he didn’t deserve love or redemption. Throughout The book we read about Edwards struggles with his memories of the war, survivors guilt, Alcohol abuse, and struggling to fit into society.

Charlotte was such a caring And loving individual! She took her job as friend and fiancé very seriously with helping Edward recover and trying to understand his frustrations and limitations.

Christian and Lady Alice (from The Marquess meets his match) are mentioned towards the end, but primarily this book focuses on Charlotte and Edwards story which can be read as a standalone book.

I have read many books by this author and I highly recommend this book and her others! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
A man changed by war. The woman who loves him. And a secret that could tear them apart.

Edward Rutledge, the newly minted Viscount Carlisle, has come back from war a changed man. The echo of the battlefield and the death of his best friend Marcus haunt him to the point that he decides to break his betrothal to Charlotte—the only woman he’s ever loved.

When he’s summoned home to Hartwell Manor, he comes face-to-face with her. Slowly, her strength and love make him see that he might be able to reclaim what he thought was lost. But when word reaches him that Marcus might not have died in Spain and yet lives, Edward will do anything to bring his friend home. As the mystery deepens, however, Edward is drawn into an intrigue that forces him to confront the demons that have plagued him since he returned to England. Will he have to sacrifice everything he’s built with Charlotte in order to keep her safe?

Purchase your own copy here:
https://amzn.to/2OhUcBC

About the author:

Julie Coulter Bellon is the author of nearly two dozen romantic suspense books. Her book All Fall Down won the RONE award for Best Suspense, Pocket Full of Posies won a RONE Honorable Mention for Best Suspense and The Captain was a RONE award finalist for Best Suspense. Most recently, her books The Capture and Second Look were both Whitney finalists for Best Suspense/Mystery.

Julie loves to travel and her favorite cities she’s visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. In her free time she loves to read, write, teach, watch HawaiiFive-O, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.

If you’d like to be the first to hear about Julie’s new projects and receive a free book, you can sign up to be part of her VIP Readers Group at juliebellon.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Power Walk Through The Decades 5 DVD Set NEW with Gina Buber Up to the Beat Fitness

Posted on July 15, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

$49.95 when it will be released!
Purchase here when its available: https://amzn.to/3etTeg9

Are you ready to power walk off those pounds through the decades?

Join Gina B through 5 decades of high-energy cardio blasting power walking workouts. Get ready to twist through the 60’s, disco through the 70’s, pump it to the 80’s, rock out the 90’s and party it up to the 00’s. Each mix is choreographed to the BEat using our signature Dance That Walk method so that you can sweat it out to everyone’s favorite all time hits.

What you’ll get in this pack:
# Each decade DVD includes a 55minute workout
# 3 x 15minute power walks in each decade
# Warm up and cool down with each decade
# No equipment needed
# Close to 5 HOURS in total workouts!

With 6000 steps in each decade DVD, you’ll Walk, Dance and Sweat your way to the greatest hits from the 60’s to the 00’s!

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#yoursuper 7 day smoothie superfood challenge

Posted on July 14, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

I had been seeing several Facebook and Instagram posts for the #yoursuper 5 day detox challenge so I decided to look up the company after a friend gave me some samples of “Forever Beautiful” packets.

I signed up for some of their free recipe booklets online and came across their 7 day smoothie challenge. I have been making protein smoothies for years, but I typically make the same kind over and over again so I was looking forward to trying to new ingredients and adding superfoods to my smoothies.

I ordered my starter pack from amazon and started my challenge on a Saturday.

After 2 days, I realized I could save some time if I made up some of my smoothie bags ahead of time and label them. I added spinach leaves to every recipe whether it called for it or not. I wanted to make sure I was getting enough greens and didn’t want to waste the big bag of spinach leaves my husband bought me for this challenge.

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

REPEAT-day 8

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I liked the challenge because it got me trying new ingredients in my smoothies, like dates and avocados. I plan on using more of their recipes to come up with even more variety. Most of the recipes call for an entire banana which is high in sugar, so I’m going to find alternatives to that (like sweet potatoes!) or use 1/2 banana.

I added my own protein powder and spinach leaves to almost every smoothie in the morning so I didn’t follow it 100%. I liked trying all the sample packets from the company and none of mine were expired. (some of the amazon reviews said the packets were old)

I ended up ordering some of the full size products online and will be using them for the next month or so before I decide what products I really like and find beneficial. I did NOT sign up for the monthly subscription service because I don’t want the 3 month commitment and I don’t plan on buying all of these products on a regular basis due to cost. Check back here next month or on Instagram for more smoothie pictures and thoughts.