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Friday, February 21, 2025

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Covenant: Book One the Messiah Brigade by Terry Overton





Book: The Covenant: Book One the Messiah Brigade

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Middle Grade Reader

Release date: November 12, 2024

Middle schooler Zeke just wants to survive school unnoticed, but his intelligence and small stature make him the target of a gang of bullies. One afternoon, he stumbles upon a mysterious old box hidden in a pile of trash. Inside are trinkets, notes, and a Bible he’s never read, all hinting at life-changing truths if he can solve the clues. With the help of new friends in the “Messiah Brigade,” Zeke embarks on a journey of faith, courage, and discovery. Together, they hope to use what they uncover to bring positive change to their school and stop the bullies.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 


I have to come really enjoy books by Terry Overton. The books are geared towards Middle School grades and always have a STRONG message in them. The Covenant: Book One the Messiah Brigade is the most recent book by Terry that I have read. I am very excited about this new series. 

WOW, this book is a fast read, but a Powerful message. Zeke is the new kid at school and he is also the target of bullies. The kids at his school seem to not like the fact that Zeke is a smart kid and does well with Academics. A group of kids take interest in wanting to be friends with Zeke when he finds a box of Treasures and a Bible is also in the box. I really LOVE how Zeke and his new friends want to solve the mystery of the contents of the box and do so with the help of the Bible. The author really shows the LOVE of Christ with the Scripture and Faith in this story. Bullying in schools is very real and I LOVE how the author tackled the topic with GRACE and showing that even the bullies can have a change of heart through God's LOVE and Word. I HIGHLY encourage Middle Schoolers to read this book and it also could be enjoyed by Adults. GREAT BOOK!








Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children, seven grandchildren, one great granddaughter. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. Her books have won Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her books examine real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

More from Terry

My love of history, especially the WW II era, inspired me to write this book. It was an effort to combine the history of the world, specifically the cruelty of the Nazis to the Jewish people, and how bullying can result in kids taking over the culture of a school if not stopped. The three main characters decide to try to change the culture and make it a safe place from bullies. The discovery of a mysterious box of memorabilia of the WW II era sets the curious kids on their way. They find out there were three good friends who went off to fight in WW II to stop the Nazi movement in Europe. They see the parallels between their school, taken over by bullies, and Europe when Nazi forces were running over it. They soon figure out the meaning of trinkets, scribbled notes, and Scripture and use these to steer their middle school in a better direction.



Artistic Nobody, February 12 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, February 12

For Him and My Family, February 13

Guild Master, February 14 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 17

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 18

Back Porch Reads, February 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 22 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 22

Lights in a Dark World, February 23

Fiction Book Lover, February 24 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, February 25




To  celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54154







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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Love and Chocolate by Linda Shenton Matchett





Book: Love and Chocolate

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: September 13, 2024

She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love?

Ilsa Krause and her siblings are stunned to discover their father left massive debt behind upon his death. To help pay off their creditors and save the farm, she takes a job at Beck’s Chocolates, the company her father despised and refused to supply with milk. Then she discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, her high school love who unceremoniously dumped her via letter from college. Could life get any more difficult?

A freshly-minted university diploma in his hand, Ernst Webber lands his dream job at Beck’s Chocolates. His plans to work his way up the ladder don’t include romantic entanglements, then Ilsa Krause walks back into his life resurrecting feelings he thought long dead. However, her animosity makes it clear she has no interest in giving him a second chance. Can he get her to change her mind? Does he want to?

 

Click here to get your copy!


I have become a fan of Linda Shenton Matchett and I truly love her Christian Historcial Romance books. Love and Chocolate is her most recent book that I had the opportunity to read. 

WOW this storyline starts out strong and captivated me from the first few pages. The setting is in Wisconsin in the early 20 century. Lisa Krause and Ernst Webber are the 2 main characters in this book. Lisa Krause and her siblings recently lost their Dad and Lisa must find a way to keep the family together on their farm. Lisa is hired at a loca Chocolate factory and discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, the man who broke her heart  years ago. I really LOVE that Ernst realizes that he put himself before others and especially before God for so many years. Seeing Lisa he really wants to get right with his God and his faith and explain things to Lisa on his actions years ago. I LOVED that Lisa has a forgiving heart and listened to Ernst and all that happened to him in the years since she saw him. The book is one of Faith, Forgiveness, Second Chances and Romance. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Chrsitian Historcial Romance. WONDERFUL BOOK!






 



Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

 

More from Linda

A couple of years ago while I was planning my upcoming writing projects, I knew I wanted to write a series of books about siblings but couldn’t decide where or went to set the stories. Lots of research later, I discovered the 1898 Columbian Exposition here in the United States and the various inventions associated with that event. Further study led me to Milton Hershey who attended that World’s Fair and was so enamored with the concept of chocolate production for the masses that he sold his caramel company to enter the chocolate business – a risky proposition at that time. As I read more about Milton and his wife Catherine “Kitty” Sweeney-Hershey, I knew I had the beginnings of a story.

The owner of Beck’s Chocolates in my latest release Love and Chocolate is inspired by Milton Hershey, and I enjoyed creating my own “company town,” Cocoaville in which to set the story. Taking place in 1914 prior to the beginning of World War I, the story explores the mixed feelings about German Americans that were prevalent at the time as well as themes of second chances and forgiveness.

In the early days of my career, I worked in a printed circuit board factory, but I knew nothing about chocolate or how to manufacture it. Research for Love and Chocolate included interviewing a close friend who is a chocolatier and trying various brands of chocolate to understand the difference in flavor and texture. Here are a few fun facts I learned about chocolate along the way:

  • The Aztecs and the Mayans were the first to realize the benefits of cacao beans, ground and soaked in water approximately 5,000 years ago.
  • Switzerland has the highest per capita chocolate consumption.
  • The smell of chocolate can help relax and reduce stress.
  • It takes two to four days to produce a single serving chocolate bar.
  • Cote d’Ivoire is the single largest producer of cocoa, providing roughly 40 percent of the world’s supply.
  • The world’s largest chocolate bar weighed over 12,000 pounds.
  • It takes about 400 cacao beans to make a pound of chocolate.
  • Cacao trees can live up to 100 years.


Vicky Sluiter, February 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

lakesidelivingsite, February 16

Book Looks by Lisa, February 16

Texas Book-aholic, February 17

She Lives To Read, February 18

Pause for Tales, February 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 19

Devoted To Hope, February 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 21

Leslie’s Library Escape, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Sylvan Musings, February 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 24

Connie’s History Classroom, February 25

For Him and My Family, February 26

Holly’s Book Corner, February 27

Mary Hake, February 27



To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Visa Gift Card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54156







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JustRead Tours Blog Tour: The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle

The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!



The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry
Title: The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry 
Series: Treasures of Halstead Manor 
Author: Susan L. Tuttle 
Publisher: Kregel Publications 
Release Date: March 18, 2025 
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Adventure 

In pursuit of a rare book, will Natalie and Mason find each other again? 

With her twenty-plus-year marriage on the brink of collapse, bookish Natalie Daughtry immerses herself in her new bookstore job. When the mysterious Caspar gathers Natalie and her friends Everleigh and Brooke for the second time, she's ready for an adventure to disperse the turmoil clouding her marriage. Caspar enlists their help in searching for a rumored copy of Lewis Carroll's handwritten and illustrated manuscript of Alice's Adventures Under Ground. Natalie is immediately enticed--this is the perfect distraction. 

But then Mason joins the team, and suddenly Natalie and her husband are side-by-side on the search for this elusive treasure. Being forced to work together has them tumbling deep into their past, seeking answers to old misunderstandings. When they emerge from the rabbit hole, things aren't the same. Will they rediscover the love that once held the pages of their life together?


I really enjoy Contempory Historical Romance books and I have come to enjoy Dual Timeslip books. The Novel Adventures of Natelie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle is Book 2 in the The Treasures of Halstead Manor series. The book has both of the genres that I have come to enjoy! 

WOW, this storyline really was intriguing and attention grabbing from the very beginning. There are many characters in this book including Natalie Daughtry, Caspar, Everleigh, Brooke and Natelie's husband Mason.  Natalie is very happy to go on another "Hunt" to find a missing manuscript from Lewis Carroll, with Casper, Everleigh and Brooke. She feels it will distract her from her marriage issues. The hunt takes them on numerous Travel Adventures to many countries. I especially love the Dual Time slip to Spain. The adventure gets interesting when Mason, Natalie's husband joins the hunt. Natalie and Mason are spending time together and it really gives them the chance to rekindle their 20yr marriage. Natalie is not sure what the future holds for her marriage, but she is excited to find out what will become of Mason and her marriage and life after this hunt. The book is one of History, Mystery and Faith! I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who likes Christian Historcial Mystery, Dual Time Slip and Romance stories! AMAZING BOOK!





PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & NobleChristianbook

More Books from this Series

The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton




Susan L. Tuttle

Susan L. Tuttle is a pastor's wife, mom, and the director of women's ministry at her church near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her previous work includes the Along Came Love series, and the Carol Award finalist Love You, Truly.

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




(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry and a $25 Amazon gift card!

The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry 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 February 19, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 26, 2025. 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.


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

JustRead Publicity Tours






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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Momentum Influencers Blog Tour: CSB Jesus Daily Bible





The CSB Jesus Daily Bible features a 52-week guided reading plan that shows Jesus throughout all of Scripture. Day by day, you’ll be led to thematically study Scripture through a weekly introduction, helpful articles and infographics, and a weekly summary to help you understand Jesus’s central role from Genesis to Revelation.




• The NEW CSB Jesus Daily Bible includes a 52-week,
Christ-focused, guided reading plan that you can join at
any point during the year.
• Day by day, you'll thematically study Scripture through a weekly introduction, helpful articles and infographics, and a weekly summary to help you understand Jesus’s
central role from Genesis to Revelation.
• See how every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus.
• Every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus. And every day, the CSB
Jesus Daily Bible will help you see how.
• Read through the Bible this year—and keep Jesus at the center of each day.








Daily Bible Reading is an important and crucial part of my Day. I have only read through the entire Bible in One Year ONCE in my life. I feel some of the plans and Chronological Bibles don't have enough "substance" to help me with my Daily Bible reading. 

I can honestly say that the CSB Jesus Daily Bible is so different then the rest. There are many features that really make this stand out for me: The first being that this Bible is undated, so if I miss a day or 2 I can pick up right where I left off. I felt guilty missing a day or so with other plans as they are dated. I really like that the plan isn't "printed" to follow, it is actually incorporated within the Bible itself. I also really LOVE the Weekly Introductions and Recaps that are incorporated within. VERY encouraging info is contained in those. The look and layout, especially the charts and infographics, are OUTSTANDING! The Bible is vibrant and colorful. 

I HIGHLY recommend this Bible to anyone who is looking for a "no guilt" Bible Reading Plan and Read the Bible in a Year! WONDERFUL Bible!








Dwayne Milioni

General Editor, CSB Jesus Daily Bible
Pastor, professor, and co-founder of The Pillar Network
Dwayne Milioni is a pastor, professor, Co-Founder and Board Chairman of the Pillar Network, and the General Editor of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible. He and his wife Kay moved to the Raleigh area from Virginia, where they both received Masters Degrees. Dwayne graduated with his Ph.D. from Southeastern Seminary, where he enjoys teaching classes in counseling and preaching. Dwayne and Kay have four children: Cameron, Victoria, Derek, and Gabriel.









YOUTUBE



Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.













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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Debutante's Second Chance by Lisa M. Prysock





Book: The Debutante’s Second Chance

Author: Lisa M. Prysock

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 28, 2025

As the horseracing world teeters on the brink of collapse, she fights to save her family’s stables.
The return of the man who once shattered her heart is the last thing she needs—or is it?

Miss Gladdie Lyndon’s world is turned upside down when her father’s stroke leaves her in charge of Velvet Brooks Horse Farm. With the horseracing industry in decline and the 1908 Kentucky Derby on the brink of cancellation, Gladdie faces an uphill battle to save her family’s legacy. The pressure mounts as clients abandon the farm, leaving her to pin all hopes on a mysterious new horse champion.

As she grapples with these challenges, Gladdie is blindsided by the return of Clay Grinstead—the man who left her heartbroken on the eve of their wedding. Now a widowed father, Clay has come back to Lexington with dreams of a fresh start and a determination to win back Gladdie’s love. He sees an opportunity to help her save Velvet Brooks and the Derby, but Gladdie must decide if she can trust him.

As they navigate financial peril and emotional wounds, Clay works to tear down the walls around Gladdie’s heart. Together, they must confront their shared history and forge a path forward. Can they rescue the farm and revive the Derby, or will their past heartbreak thwart their future happiness?

 

Click here to get your copy!


Christian Historical Romance genre is a favorite of mine. I especially LOVE the early 1900's era. The Debutante's Second Chance by Lisa M. Prysock is Book 3 in the Kentucky Debutantes of the Gilded Age series. I have been enjoying this series from the very beginning. 

I dove right into reading this story and I could not stop. The storyline was very captivating from the first chapter. The 2 main characters in this book are Gladdie Lyndon and Clay Grinstead. Gladdie has been put in charge of the family business, Velvet Brooks Horse Farm, and is working hard to save their family legacy. The Horse Racing industry is struggling and it is hurting their Family Farm. The Kentucky Derby is happening soon and things need to change for the better. Gladdie is shocked to see Clay back in town. He left her brokenhearted many years ago, just before their wedding day. He is now a widowed father and back in town to restart life again. He knows he needs to give Gladdie an explaination and intends to do so.  I really LOVED seeing Gladdie and Clay regrow their LOVE for each other. They support each other, even though there was reluctance at first. I also love that Faith and God are a HUGE part of the book, with both Gladdie and Clay. The book is one of Faith, Friends and Second Chance Romance. I HIGHLY recommend this book to fans of Christian Historical Romance. BEAUTIFUL BOOK!







Lisa M. Prysock is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes both Christian Historical Romance and Contemporary Christian Romance books—”Romance with a Dash of Food, Fashion, Faith, & Fun.” She writes both traditionally and indie published novels.

Kentucky inspires her writing and is home. Happily married to her husband of more than 24 years, she homeschooled two of their five children, now grown. When she isn’t writing, she likes to cross stitch, crochet, sew, scrapbook, read, swim, dance, take walks, travel, explore historical homes, garden, cook for her family, learn to play the piano and violin, and read great books.

 

More from Lisa

I wrote this book because I firmly believe in second chances. In fact, I believe in third, fourth, and fifth chances too. I’m a recipient of God’s grace and He’s been so good to me, giving me many second chances when I didn’t always deserve it, and sometimes, just because it was needed. He also knows when something hasn’t necessarily been fair in our lives. He is the God who sees, and many times I’ve seen Him step forward to grant me an opportunity or a second chance in my life because something happened that wasn’t my fault, didn’t go in my favor, and actually made things harder for me, but He wanted to make it right and gave me something extra to work all things together for my good. I’m sure many of you can relate. Isn’t this a marvelous thing when it happens?

Our heroine, the main character, Gladdie—a family name for my maternal great aunt and my maternal grandmother—is given a second chance at romance after being jilted by the hero, Clay. But can Gladdie forgive him after he jilted her? Clay has reasons for what happened, but Gladdie has no idea what his reasons are. Will she ever give him a chance to explain? As you can see, it’s all about second chances, all the way around.

I also wrote this book because one of the secondary characters in the story reminds me of someone dear to my heart who went through tremendously difficult things. Unspeakable things I can’t write. Maybe it was therapeutic for me to write that character’s story somehow. Sometimes people we love experience hardship and there isn’t anything we can do about it except pray after we’ve done everything else we can do. I can’t wait to bring a beautiful ending for that particular character in a sequel.

There is a third and fourth reason I wrote this story. Thirdly, I wanted to give readers a glimpse of Gilded Age Europe and the horseracing world of England and France. I plan to write more of this in a sequel as well. It was so much fun to share more about the Gilded Age history of racing from a European perspective by taking readers to Ascot and Longchamps.

Fourthly, my research led me to understand more about the reality of the decline in horseracing in America that began around the time of the Gilded Age. Tracks were closing all around the nation. We’d gone from having more than three-hundred racecourses to fewer than fifty. New York had introduced legislation that could alter the course of racing in that state too, and many feared other states would soon follow.

I was fascinated to read about how Colonel Matt Winn, the President of Churchill Downs, helped to save the Kentucky Derby of 1908 as I read more about the opposition they faced. The changes in the industry brought about machine betting, or what is commonly known as pari-mutuel betting. It was so interesting that it didn’t take me long to begin to see my characters involved with saving the Derby of 1908 too. While most of my story is fictionalized, I think readers will find it a fascinating read as I’ve included the nuts and bolts from my research about this situation. In any case, I hope readers will immensely enjoy The Debutante’s Second Chance. It comes directly from my heart.




Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 13

Labor Not in Vain, February 14

Devoted To Hope, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 16

lakesidelivingsite, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 21

Simple Harvest Reads, February 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 23

Holly’s Book Corner, February 24

Pause for Tales, February 25

Stories By Gina, February 26 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, February 26




To celebrate her tour, Lisa is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54155







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