Friday, May 17, 2024

"Raising Kids to Follow Christ" by Lee Ann Mancini -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God

Author: Lee Ann Mancini

Genre: Nonfiction, Family and Relationships, Parenting

Release Date: February 20, 2024

Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God endeavors to remedy the statistically high rate at which children turn away from Christianity. Raising Kids to Follow Christ (February 2024 from Whitaker House) offers today’s families the resources they need to nurture children in faith. This expert guide offers developmentally appropriate and scripturally centered methods based upon top research and expert insights from the brightest minds in childhood spiritual development. Author and Raising Christian Kids CEO Lee Ann Mancini
emphasizes truth wrapped in love and joy in a parenting approach designed to prevent children from abandoning their faith.

Raising Kids to Follow Christ releases in February 2024 from Whitaker House.

George Barna, Raising Spiritual Champions, Nurturing Your Child’s Heart, Mind and Soul, (Arizona Christian University Press 2023), 27-28, 39, 41, 118, 184.

Raising Kids to Follow Christ (releasing February, 2024 from Whitaker House) serves as a rich parenting resource focused on the salvation of our children and the preservation of Christianity.

  • Comprehensive, biblically-based, parenting guide
  • Sourced from today’s brightest Christian minds in children’s spirituality
  • Filled with strategies & techniques found throughout God’s word
  • Steeped in biblical directives, including Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and more
  • Explained through the lens of parenthood
  • 13 chapters equipping parents & caregivers with tools to raise the next generation of faith-filled leaders
  • Personal stories embedded with parenting principles and Scripture references
  • Shared real-life examples of parenting “dos” and “don’ts”
  • How to practice what you preach – modeling biblical truth
  • Steps to upgrade from discipline to discipleship
  • Easy-to-understand apologetics for children & adults
  • Fun ways to connect your child’s heart to Christ

 

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. Who would you say inspired you the most in your life? My Mother had a sixth-grade
education and raised four children on her own. Most importantly, she LOVED the Lord
and made sure her children knew He was the most important.

2. If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead) who would it be? Why? My
mother. She got early Alzheimer’s when I turned 19 and had it for 12 long years.

3. Do you have a special writing area? I love to go to my lake house in Lake Placid, Florida.
It’s quite a little town, and I love the water.

4. What kind of research do you do? I start with the word of God. I read every book on the
subject. I research every term that I can think of regarding the subject. Also, I have
experts on my podcast, and I learn from them.

5. Do you read much? I read all the time! I love reading it’s my favorite thing to do! I
learned so much, and God has called me to share what I have learned with others.


About the Author

Author Lee Ann Mancini is the award-winning author and executive producer of the Sea Kids series, which can be viewed on Answers.TV, Pure Flix, Right Now Media, and SeaKidsTV.  Lee Ann earned a master’s degree in theological studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Trinity International University), as well as two master’s degrees — one in Christian and Classic Studies and one in Biblical and Theological Studies — from Knox Theological Seminary. She serves as an adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary and hosts the award-winning podcast, Raising Christian Kids.

 

 

More from Lee Ann

Recent statistics show our youth abandoning faith at an alarming rate. 90% of 13–14-year-olds believe there is no absolute moral truth, and 75% of parents agree.[1]  In the cultural war against Christ-centered values, vulnerable young souls are our greatest casualties. It’s time to raise up a faith-armored generation and equip them to change the world. With the right resources, we can equip our kids with enduring faith.

Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God endeavors to remedy the statistically high rate at which children turn away from Christianity. Raising Kids to Follow Christ (February 2024 from Whitaker House) offers today’s families the resources they need to nurture children in faith. This expert guide offers developmentally appropriate and scripturally centered methods based upon top research and expert insights from the brightest minds in childhood spiritual development. Author and Raising Christian Kids CEO Lee Ann Mancini emphasizes truth wrapped in love and joy in a parenting approach designed to prevent children from abandoning their faith. Her reason for writing this book is to help readers eagerly search the Bible, looking for fresh truth they can find in each word of scripture — “for the word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12, niv) — to build a strong foundation of Christ in their children that will last a lifetime.

Valentine’s Day Bible craft for your family:

Memory Verse: John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (ESV).

Supplies

  • Markers/pens
  • Scissors
  • Sheets of paper (1-2 per person)
  • Small jars/clear containers (1 per person)

Setup

  • Gather items and have them ready to use.
  • An adult can draw seven hearts on each sheet of paper. Make one sheet per person.
  • Optional: If children are older, allow them to draw hearts on their sheets of paper.

Say

  • Our memory verse, John 13:34-35, tells us that God wants us to love others in the same way He loves us. That’s how other people will know that we are His disciples.
  • God wants us to love everyone. A great way to start practicing loving others is to love the people you are closest to first.
  • I want you to think of seven people who you spend the most time with. We are going to start practicing showing God’s love to them this week.
  • Each of us will fill up a jar/container with hearts with those seven people’s names written on each heart.
  • We will pull out one heart each day this week and come up with ways to show that person God’s love all day.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 9

She Lives to Read, May 10

Artistic Nobody, May 11 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 12

Guild Master, May 13 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, May 13 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 14 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, May 15

Inspired by fiction, May 16

Blossoms and Blessings, May 17 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 18

A Reader’s Brain , May 19 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 20

Beauty in the Binding, May 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lee Ann is giving away the grand prize package of a Scripture Bear, all seven Sea Kids Picture Books, and all the DVDs with the corresponding curriculum!!

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/2b58e/raising-kids-to-follow-christ-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

"Loyally, Luke" by Pepper Basham

 

About the BookLoyally Luke

Title: Loyally, Luke
Series: Skymar #3
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad. . . and even the impossible.

Dear Reader --

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don't need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, that I'm going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I've met a Grace Kelly lookalike who is annoying. . . until she isn't. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that's easy to forget when we're working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and "forced proximity" includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way--I'm going to need it.

Loyally, Luke

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

More Books in this Series

Authentically, Izzy Positively, Penelope


My Thoughts

This is the third book in the Skymar series and it would be best to read them in order. They could be read as standalones, but you meet the sisters in the previous books and you would get a bigger, fuller picture if you read the books in order. I loved Luke and watching him fall in love. I would absolutely love to see this book (and series) as a movie! It was fun being back on Skymar and "seeing" all the beautiful landscapes again. There was a good theme of how it is easier to tear something down than to build it back up, so be sure to not tear down things that you don't want to have to restore later. I look forward to reading more books by Pepper Basham.




About the Author

Pepper Basham

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of the book, tool pens, and $25 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive a signed copy of the book!

Loyally Luke 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 May 15, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 22, 2024. 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!

JustRead Publicity Tours





I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

"Shoot at the Sunset" by Kathleen Denly

 

About the Book

Book: Shoot at the Sunset

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Will love survive when truth takes aim at their secrets?

Sharpshooter Preston Baker has spent a lifetime confronting danger head-on. So when a heartfelt letter arrives from his big sister asking for help, he doesn’t hesitate to put his traveling show career on hold and journey to her remote desert ranch, determined to make amends for past failures. What he doesn’t expect is to discover his long-lost little sister and her best friend, Lucy, are both hard at work on the ranch.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Lucy Arlidge’s decision to travel to a remote desert ranch was born as much from desperation as friendship. Fleeing San Francisco may have saved Lucy’s life, but the decision left others in danger. To thwart the evil plans of those who pursue her and her family, Lucy must keep her new gem-mining operation concealed and her secrets safe.

Preston is drawn to the mysterious woman, despite her plans to marry the neighboring rancher. Lucy’s quiet strength and undeniable beauty beckon him like a campfire in the wilderness, offering light amidst the dark memories and deepest fears resurrected by the presence of his sisters. But as danger closes in, Preston and Lucy must confront their pasts to save not only their own futures, but the lives of everyone they love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts 

I enjoyed being back in this story world and getting to see familiar characters. I think it would be best to read the books in order to get the full picture. If you don't have time for the whole series at least read the book right before this one as they overlap on storylines and it is more important to have read that one than the previous books to understand what is going on. I found the book to be well written. It has a nice biblical faith thread and a clear gospel message. I look forward to reading more books by Kathleen Denly.


About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

 

 

More from Kathleen

One of the primary themes of Shoot at the Sunset is secrets and the fears that sometimes drive us to keep them. Did I mention there’s even a secret signal used in the book? So today I thought it would be fun to play with a secret code. Using the key provided below, see if you can reveal the hidden message.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 11

For Him and My Family, May 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12

Texas Book-aholic, May 13

The Lofty Pages, May 13

Lakesidelivingsite, May 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 15

Blossoms and Blessings, May 15

Alena Mentink, May 16

Devoted To Hope, May 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 17

Karen Baney Reviews, May 18

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 19

Connie’s History Classroom, May 19

Bizwings Book Blog, May 20

Book Looks by Lisa, May 21

Holly’s Book Corner, May 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 22

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 23 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 24

Cover Lover Book Review, May 24

Giveaway

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

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/2b594/shoot-at-the-sunset-celebration-tour-giveaway


Saturday, May 11, 2024

"Flashpoint" by Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips

Series: Chasing Fire: Montana #1



Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

SECRETS. BETRAYAL. SACRIFICE.

THIS TIME, THEY’RE NOT JUST FIGHTING FIRE.

An original series created by bestselling authors Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips.

The Hollywood heartthrob and the firefighter with a secret…

Rookie firefighter Emily Micah is determined to prove herself as a new recruit to the elite Jude County Hotshots wildfire team. Assigned to the film set of The Drifters, Emily’s mission is to protect the cast and crew from the special effects that could ignite the tinder-dry Montana forest and start a wildfire.

If only her favorite actor—TV star Spenser Storm—wasn’t getting in her way.

What could go wrong?

Haunted by the memory of a rabid stalker, former child TV star Spenser Storm is hoping to revive his career, but he’s torn between the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the life of a cowboy on his family’s ranch in Montana. It doesn’t help when he sees the movie that’s supposed to launch his future is going up in flames.

And then there’s beautiful and brave Emily Micah, who not only saves his life, but seems to understand him, maybe better than she should.

As an arsonist threatens the film production, seemingly with the goal of destroying the movie entirely, Spenser realizes he’ll stop at nothing to protect his future and the woman now stealing his heart.

But Emily harbors a secret…one that could destroy the flame between them. And when it comes out, it could cost them everything, and ignite an inferno that could destroy all of the northern Montana forest.

Chasing Fire: Montana Series, Book One—Flashpoint—delivers a thrilling and emotional rollercoaster ride that will leave you breathless, yearning for more, and eager to dive into the next chapter of the thrilling series.

My Thoughts

I loved this book. It was well written and it flowed really well for me. I was drawn into the story and didn't want to put it down. It was a really fast read which in away was good since you can fit in a great book when you don't have a lot of time to read, but bad in others since you are done with the book faster and I want it to last longer! There is a nice biblical faith element and the characters learned important lessons. It is fun when characters from previous books come together in new books. There were twists I didn't expect which was fun.  I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

About the authors




Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales


 

With nearly 2 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has penned contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, rom-coms, and Christmas novellas. With books translated into eight languages, she's a USA Today, ECPA and CBA bestseller, and has received numerous starred Publisher Weekly reviews. Library Journal says, "Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance.”

Susan is a nationally acclaimed writing coach, and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year. She is the founder of Novel.Academy, author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation, and a founding partner of Sunrise Media Group.


Buy Flashpoint here: https://amzn.to/44eZeVw



I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.