(2) Full Length Walk Aerobics workouts by Rachel with Walk Strong Roanoke

Posted on April 17, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

24 min Walk and Firm walk aerobics workout

22 min Walk Aerobics with boosted Intervals workout

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“Eden” by Brennan S. McPherson review & giveaway

Posted on April 10, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

About the Book

Book: Eden

Author: Brennan S. McPherson

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release Date: April 1, 2020

“You want me to tell of how I broke the world.”

It’s the year 641 since the beginning of the world, and when Eve passes away, she leaves Adam the only man on earth who remembers everything from the beginning of the world.

When Enoch, God’s newly appointed prophet, decides to collect the stories of the faithful from previous generations, he finds Adam in desperate need to

confess the dark secrets he’s held onto for too long.

Beside a slowly burning bonfire in the dead of night, Adam tells his story in searing detail. From the beginning of everything, to how he broke the world, shattered Eve’s heart, and watched his family crumble.

Will Enoch uncover what led so many of Adam’s children away from God? And will Adam find the redemption and forgiveness he longs for?

Click here for your copy.

MY REVIEW:

I love reading biblical fiction! It doesn’t matter how many times I read the same story, I always find them interesting and intriguing.

This was my first book that I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it. The very first chapter of the book immediately drew me in and kept me hooked until the very end. The characters and story line were very dramatic and enthralling. I could feel the emotion jump from the pages-the anger, frustration, grief and love.

Highly recommend if you enjoy reading biblical fiction-biblical facts from Genesis mixed in with fiction.

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

About the Author

BRENNAN S. MCPHERSON writes epic, imaginative biblical fiction with heart-pounding plots and lyrical prose, for readers who like to think biblically and feel deeply. He lives with his wife and young daughter in the Midwest, and spends as much of his spare time with them as possible.

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

In my beginning was not darkness, but Light.

As I opened my eyes for the first time, I saw dust motes swirling around five bright points. I reached for them and realized the dust was not blowing past me but instead settling across the complex shapes in my arms.

Distracted, I twisted my wrist, seeing muscle, tendon, bone, and a partial layer of skin. Clenching my fingers one by one, I saw the movement in my joints.

Fascinated, I watched as a swathe of dust poured over me like a sheet of silk and morphed into smooth, brown flesh. I ran my fingers across my new skin, and when the sound of shifting sand settled, noticed what sounded like gentle Music riding on the breath that flowed into me.

I inhaled.

Exhaled.

Inhaled again.

“Adam,” I said, for I had heard that name—my name—in the Music.

I realized that my Father was singing over me, and in his singing, he had given me life and form, and had named me Adam.

He smiled at me, with those dark brown eyes, and let soft melodies fall from his tongue as I lay on my back.

He lifted me from the mud and burned the remaining dust from my skin with the heat of his presence. But he did not hurt me as a natural flame might. Instead, he filled and cleansed me. And the joy of him filled me with an insatiable desire to experience everything around me, to understand the world he had sung into existence.

I’ve never since felt so whole as I did with him in Eden. Because inside me was nothing that did not belong. Only him, and the breath he gave, and the Music he sang, and the smells of Eden, and the touch of his Light, and the taste of his name on my lips as I spoke for the second time. “Father.” I smiled and laughed.

He stood magnificent, warm, compassionate. The image of the invisible condensed in a life foreknown before the foundations of the world were formed.

I felt his pride over me and laughed again, only now with tears.

My first moments were not like those of a newborn child come from a womb. Instead, they were of a child gone into the womb. Swaddled in the Light of God. Cocooned in his satisfaction.

I was Adam. Man fully formed. Reflection of perfection.

In joy, I fell to my hands and knees and bowed my forehead to the ground. Tears flowed to the soil I’d been formed from. How great! How wonderful this being was who had made me for himself, and who so unendingly satisfied me. Nothing I’ve experienced in my long years could ever make me forget it. That sense of purpose. Of everything being right.

Ah, yes. I see wonder on your face, Enoch, at how tears could be present in a world yet unbroken by sin.

Have you never wondered why the kiss of a lover can bring tears to our eyes? It is because some goods are so great that they must be given vent. For not all tears spring from sorrow. And not all aches are unwanted.

Yet still, my Father lifted me and wiped my cheeks. Then he led me across hills and valleys, puddles and rivers. He pointed at plants and skittering animals and insects, and it seemed as though I could hear the echo of his melodies in their movements.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2

Rev. Rebecca Writes: Read, Write, Pray, April 3

Mary Hake, April 3

Texas Book-aholic, April 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5

My Devotional Thoughts, April 5

Through the Fire Blogs, April 6

Genesis 5020, April 6

Inklings and notions, April 7

For Him and My Family, April 8

deb’s Book Review, April 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 9

Betti Mace, April 9

For the Love of Literature, April 10

EmpowerMoms, April 10

Pause for Tales, April 11

Ashley’s Bookshelf, April 11

A Reader’s Brain, April 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 13

Hallie Reads, April 13

Mamma Loves Books, April 14

Lights in a Dark World, April 14

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 15

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Brennan is giving away the grand prize package of a “McPherson Publishing bundle”, which includes the following books: a copy of Flood, Babel, the three Psalm Series novellas, and The Simple Gospel book!!

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/f8a9/eden-celebration-tour-giveaway

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“His Lady in Hiding” by Jen Geigle Johnson‎ review & giveaway

Posted on April 7, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

”
“His Lady in Hiding” by Jen Geigle Johnson

This was a clean historical fiction set in the early 1800s when slavery and injustice towards women were very common.

This story was easy to read with an interesting plot and characters. I really liked Lady Elizabeth and her spunk, determination and bravery. There were some twists and turns which kept my interest in the story from beginning to end, along with some clean romance. I have read other books by this author and have also enjoyed them. I highly recommend this book if you like reading historical fiction books in this time era. I really enjoyed it!

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

About the Book:
Lady Elizabeth Davenport is desperate. Her hand in marriage has been offered to the highest bidder, a distressing proposition in and of itself but made all the more repulsive when she meets her father’s first choice for her hand: Lord Pinweather. When her parents refuse to hear her pleas, Liz is forced to take drastic measures—she will impersonate her maid and begin anew in America on her own terms.

Once on board the ship to America, another passenger, Lord Barton, almost immediately discovers her true status as a noble. After listening to Liz’s highly modified version of her life and her plans to begin again, Barton has compassion on her and teaches her how to abandon her noble mannerisms. Upon disembarking, however, Barton’s generous spirit quickly dampens when he discovers Liz has indeed found work—as his own head housekeeper. Suddenly, the tender feelings they hid from each other on the ship are inescapable, but their difference in station makes romance impossible. As misunderstandings abound and a shocking character from Liz’s past looms, she knows she can’t hide her true identity forever. But as her deception begins to unravel, will her charade cost her the man she loves?

Purchase your copy here:

Biography
An award winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, Jen Geigle Johnson discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager.
She once greeted an ancient turtle under the water by grabbing her fin. She knows all about the sound a water-ski makes on glassy water and how to fall down steep moguls with grace. During a study break date in college, she sat on top of a jeep’s roll bars up in the mountains and fell in love.
Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.

Author Jen Geigle Johnson

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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“Second Chance for the Single Dad” by Carol Ross

Posted on March 30, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

Second Chance for the Single Dad (Harlequin Heartwarming Clean Romance) by Carol Ross

This was a sweet clean romance that followed the story of Camile and her many jobs and her struggle to figure out her career and direction of life. She meets Rhys 2 years after their dating disaster and still isn’t impressed by his lack of socialization and awkwardness. As they get to know each other she starts to change her mind about him.

I liked reading about Camile and her many jobs (hilarious!) and her determination to succeed in life. Although she is met by negativity, she continues to press forward, being kind to others and helping others. I also liked reading about Rhys and him taking care of his niece and his determination to make a good life for her. I didn’t particularly care for his character and abruptness during this story but I eventually got use to him.

Good story line, interesting characters which kept my interest during the entire story.

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

About the Book:
She’ll save him a dance…

…if he follows his heart.

Dance teacher Camile Wynn has a new student. Reclusive Rhys McGrath is learning to waltz so he can take his orphaned niece to a father-daughter dance. Camile is surprised by her connection with him, but there’s a generous heart behind Rhys’s awkward exterior. When she learns Rhys could lose custody of his niece, Camile goes behind his back to help him…but will her lies end up hurting him instead?

About the Author
Carol Ross lives with her husband and two dogs (a perfect border collie and a perfectly loveable miscreant of a dachshund) in a small town in Washington near both the ocean and the mountains. She loves the Northwest because, when the temperamental weather cooperates, she enjoys hiking, running, skiing, and spending time outdoors. And when it doesn’t…she dons a raincoat, or gets lost in a book. She enjoys reading in many genres but writes about what she loves the most-romance.

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“Out by Night” by Brett Cain

Posted on March 27, 2020 by EmpowerMoms

“Out by Night” by Brett Cain
Great story line and characters, although the book is really wordy with unnecessary thoughts and details that don’t really add to the flow of the story. It was almost like reading someones journal who writes everything down that they think and what they say outloud…I definitely think the story would flow better if the writing was more professional.

With that being said, I honestly still really liked the concept of the story and the main characters Sawyer and Melanie. I liked Sawyer’s determination to find the missing girls and to be a good role model and help those around him. I liked his love for God and sharing his church mission experiences and how they ended up helping him in real life.

Light, clean romance along with good drama and suspense.

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

About the Book:
Frank Sawyer is a wanderer, thriving on the adventure of hitchhiking with no thought for where he’ll end up. His untethered ways have landed him in some perilous situations, and after his recent involvement in solving a deadly mystery, he’s ready to hit the open road to visit his former mission companions on a whim. When he arrives in a small California town, Sawyer finds himself in the midst of what seems to be a rash of runaway teenagers. But with his outsider’s perspective, he senses something sinister in the disappearances of these small-town girls.
Unable to resist helping, Sawyer spends his time getting to know the townspeople and becoming acquainted with local law enforcement—namely, the lovely Deputy Melanie Clark. Together, Sawyer and Melanie follow a baffling trail of clues that lead to a disturbing conclusion: the girls didn’t run away. They were taken. With no distractions and nothing to lose, Sawyer will stop at nothing to find the missing girls and see justice done. But his enemies will do anything to end his involvement in the investigation.