14 Days of Love: An Orphan’s Hope

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Christina Miller.

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Book Blurb for An Orphan’s Hope:

He trusts her with his new daughter.

But his wounded heart is another matter…

Twice left at the altar, preacher Jase Armstrong avoids commitment at all costs—until he inherits his cousin’s three-day-old baby. Pushing him further out of his comfort zone is Erin Tucker, the nurse for his live-in octogenarian boss, and her lessons on caring for an infant. 

But can Jase open his heart enough to see the family forming around him?

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Author Bio:

Christina Miller’s idea of a perfect day involves a southern beach, a stack of books, and a glass of sweet tea. 

Years ago, she left her job as an RN to work in the church her husband pastors. She also became a writer—and sometimes she gets to write on the beach.

Christina is a Love Inspired author, Bethany Global University (Bloomington, Minnesota) graduate with degrees in theology and missiology, church secretary, worship leader, and children’s ministry teacher.

When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her toes in the sand, you might catch her visiting an antebellum mansion, opening her early-American home for Dinner Church, or teaching at a women’s conference. Christina lives on her family farm with her husband of thirty-three years.

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Buy Christina’s book on Amazon or Love Inspired or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Christina:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinalinstrotmiller
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLMillerbooks

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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14 Days of Love: Love Under Construction by Penny Zeller

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Penny Zeller. 

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Book Blurb for Love Under Construction:

She builds websites. He builds houses. Together, can they build a family for two orphans? 

Irelynn agreed two years ago to help raise her best friend’s twins should anything happen. When she is called upon to fulfill that agreement, there is only one problem—Irelynn must share the responsibility with the arrogant but handsome Quinton Gregory.

Quinton takes the role of raising his niece and nephew with all seriousness. He will do anything for the twins, even if it means putting up with the beautiful but stubborn Irelynn Brady.

When forced to be in each other’s presence far more often than is comfortable, things slowly begin to change. Will the unexpected attraction between Irelynn and Quinton become a love under construction?

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Author Bio:

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith 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.

Today Penny is a multi-published author of several inspirational books. She is also a homeschool mom and a fitness instructor.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, cycling, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her www. pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.

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Buy Penny’s book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Penny:
Website: https://pennyzeller.com/
Blog: www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennyZeller
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennyzeller/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/zellerpenny/
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/pennyzeller

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Devotionals for the Heart: When you learn to trust God's promises

Trusting God’s Promises
A backup devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.” –Luke 1:45 (AMP)

In our western culture, we are bombarded with promises that come from seemingly trustworthy sources yet fall flat on delivery.

A roommate says he will take out the trash, yet there it accumulates. A boss swears your input is valuable but does nothing to implement those ideas. A spouse betrays with infidelity. Some of these disappointments are easy to overlook, but others are deeply heartbreaking. When people fall short of their word how can we remain steadfast?

The Bible’s Gospel of Luke tells the stories of two individuals who have contrasting responses promises. The first account is that of an aging priest called Zechariah who was described as being a devout keeper of God’s commands. Both Zechariah and his wife were considered blameless, upstanding members of the Jewish community (Luke 1:6). Scripture says that this couple prayed for children but remained barren into old age.

It’s reasonable to think that Zechariah and Elizabeth had lived a lifetime disappointed without children, and maybe they believed that God had passed them by. Zechariah especially, a man committed to a career of intercession between man and God, might have felt resentful. Perhaps he was angry that his decades of prayer had gone unanswered.

I know those feelings, maybe they are familiar to you too. I’ve prayed for more than a decade for physical healing over chronic pain. Amid those pleas, I have seen countless others receive healing, wondering if somehow God had deliberately left me behind. Those negative thoughts about God dimmed my faith.

Zechariah responded to God’s messenger with disgruntled disbelief when, after all, the old man’s prayers were being answered. Let’s read what he said to God in Luke 1:18 (AMP): “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.”

Had this priest lost his trust in God’s promises? Where was his faith in God?

As it turns out, Zechariah’s desires for a son were aligned with God’s plan for the world. They just were not on the same timeline. What if the same is true for you and me? What if we are casting judgement solely on mismatched timing?

The second story, in contrast to this first, is that of a young girl who also finds herself in dialogue with God’s messenger over a miraculous conception. I guarantee this virgin, probably still somewhat a child herself, had not been praying for the directive she was being given! The news of pregnancy was something an unmarried maiden would rather not hear!

But Mary’s heart had not been scarred in the same way Zechariah’s had. She was anticipating her impending marriage and probably excited about what was ahead. This girl’s prayers were likely more directed by her future than by her past. Mary’s response, unlike Zechariah’s, is full of belief and trust. Let’s read what Mary said in Luke 1:34 (AMP): “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?”

She wanted to know, not if it were true, but how it was true.

God has proven He is faithful to His word. He comes through on His promises. Zechariah’s heart was weary with years of waiting on prayer, yet God responded to him with favor. Mary’s heart was still malleable, thus she responded wholeheartedly to the Lord’s call on her future. One needed a reminder of God’s goodness while the other was anticipating it.

We too will be blessed when we hold to the word of God as true. Sometimes we just need a reminder that God’s timeline is better than our own. We can remain steadfast in faith despite the disappointments of the world because our story is still being written. The fulfillment is coming!

Let’s Pray: Father God, we bow before your perfection, humble to your wisdom. We don’t see like You see, therefore aim to stay reliant on You. Thank you for Your steadfast love and infinite grace. Help us to remain confident in Your promises. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness, and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing face to face. Additionally, she is studying Christian fiction writing.

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Connect with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/

14 Days of Love: A Single Spark

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Liwen Y. Ho. 

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Book blurb for A Single Spark:

A pop singer running from his past. A deejay who's given up on men. And the wrong number text that sparks disaster and romance. 

Former boy band hottie, Aiden Spark, distanced himself from everything he valued—faith, family, and fame—when he lost his girlfriend. A decade later, he’s still hiding behind his grief when he accidentally texts a woman who’s all too curious about his identity.

Burned by the men in her life, deejay Abby Dearan has chosen to focus on her newfound faith in God and use her radio presence for good. Her plans are thwarted though when a text message—and the irritating man who sent it—won’t leave her in peace.

Aiden can’t forget the woman who reminds him so much of his first love; Abby can’t remember the last time a man made her feel so beautiful. To make matters worse, it’s impossible to avoid one another when their siblings and friends—not to mention, divine intervention—keep pushing them together. 

Will the sparks igniting between them end up in flames or romance?

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Author Bio: 

USA Today bestselling author Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. 

She creates sweet and inspirational contemporary romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).

In her pre-author life, she received a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children (AKA munchkins).

Learn more about Liwen and also sign up for her newsletter to receive an exclusive free book, news about her upcoming releases, giveaways, sneak peeks and more at liwenho.com.

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Buy Liwen’s book on Amazon

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Connect with Liwen:
Sign-up for her newsletter: https://liwenho.com/free-book
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorliwenho
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.liwenho/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/liwen-y-ho
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8433811.Liwen_Y_Ho14 

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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14 Days of Love: The Practical Pretender by Danni Roan

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Danni Roan.

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Book Blurb for The Practical Pretender:

Penelope Pembroke is a no-nonsense businesswoman whose only indulgence is the Book Club where she revels in the chance to let her hair down and gush about her modern-cowboy dreams.

  

When a purple haired matchmaker starts making waves in Penelope's safe haven, she is convinced that the woman is milking the Book Club as a publicity stunt. Even after seeing one of her fellow club members disappear, allegedly into her own happily-ever-after, Penelope can't believe that she could actually be whisked away into her dream romance.

Dewis Faremore is desperate to save his ranch. He's been fighting alone for years to turn the place around and keep his step-brothers from selling, but only one thing can preserve his heritage and home. Dewis needs a wife or at least a fiancee to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

When a pretty stranger in a smart business suit drops almost at his feet can Dewis persuade her to help him out or will her lack of faith in a matchmaker turned fairy godmother leave him nothing to call his own?

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Author Bio:

Danni Roan, a Christian author, has always been a storyteller and that unique talent has translated well into the western romance genre. 

Danni’s characters are real, genuine and come alive on the page. To date, Danni has two western romance series, The Cattleman’s Daughters and Tales from Biders Clump, as well as several stand-alone novellas in the Strong Hearts: Open Spirits group. Danni has also participated in several multi-author projects including Whispers in Wyoming (a Christian Contemporary Western Romance series) and the much anticipated Alphabet Mail-Order Brides series. 

Danni has Bachelors of Missiology and a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Danni has taught English and ESL, for over fifteen years both overseas and at home in the United States. These skills and her experience with people from all over the world have given a special flavor to her writing which only adds to the authenticity of her characters. 

Danni lives with her every-day-hero of more than twenty-seven years in a thirty-six-foot camper that they are using to tour the United States, adding new life to the setting and drama of her books. She is very proud of their son who is studying at the University of Florida. You can follow Danni’s adventures on her blog as well as reading about them in her work. 

Danni is a member of the Pioneer Hearts Authors and Readers group on Facebook and loves working with and interacting with so many talented friends. She has made lasting connections and feels that she is a part of something bigger than herself. 

Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Danni feels a connection to the land and loved riding over the verdant hills of western PA on horseback throughout her youth.

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Buy Danni's book on Amazon

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Connect with Danni:
Website: https://www.authordanniroan.com/
Blog: https://www.authordanniroan.com/blog-1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dannisdreamers

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Devotionals for the Heart: God's Love

The Love of God

A devotional by Patricia Russell

"And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." 

– Genesis 45:5 (NIV)

How do you know you are loved?

Do you get text messages, cards, or is your love language when a friend spends time with you just listening and chatting?

I am incredibly grateful for my dad, who showed us that he loved us by doing things for us. We didn’t always see it then, but looking back, it was his way of telling us he loved us. He would prepare our breakfast and leave it on the counter before going off to work.

We could wake up to bowls of porridge or oatmeal covered up for us to dive into before heading out off to school. Like a good father, he prepared for us.

God demonstrated His fatherly love in the book of Genesis. We read about the life of Joseph in the Bible in the full chapters of Genesis 37, Genesis 39 and Genesis 45. Joseph is separated from his family at the hands of his brothers, who were desperately jealous over their father’s love for him, the way that he showed his love and then Joseph’s gift of dreams. Joseph wasn’t totally smart because he constantly shared his dreams, which didn’t make his brothers look good, but that’s beside the point. As a result of their wicked hearts, Joseph’s brothers got rid of Joseph by selling him to some travelers, who sold him to the Egyptians, where he was placed as a slave to Pharaoh. Through a series of events, none of which Joseph could have ever planned himself, God allowed Joseph to be promoted from a prison cell to a position in the palace because of his gift of dream interpretation.

Can I tell you that God loves you so much that he will go ahead of you and prepare opportunities for you to use your gift? Keep in mind though that God is more concerned with building character in our lives because He loves us so much and wants us to reflect the image of His Son. So, when hard times come, when we cry out to Him and ask Him to help us learn the lessons we need from the situations, we grow and develop a greater character that reflects Christ. As this happens, more opportunities can be entrusted to us to use what we’ve learned to receive blessings and be a blessing.

Yes, God will go to such extremes to show us His love. Later on, in the historical account, life would have it that Joseph’s brothers have to come to Egypt, where he is now the distribution director for all the food in Egypt because of a famine that has spread nationwide. The brothers do not recognize Joseph. When Joseph reveals his identity, you can imagine the shock, the fear and the anguish that came over his brothers. Joseph tells his siblings this very important note that we too can hold on to. Let’s read about it in Genesis 45:5-8 (NIV) where Joseph says this to his brothers:

“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”

God allowed everything to happen to preserve life. Joseph’s brothers acted in a way they meant for evil, but God used it as part of his plan to send Joseph to Egypt in order to carry out a bigger plan that He had already put into place without them having any comprehension.

Are you struggling right now? Are you concerned about how it’s going to work out? God has gone ahead of you, and He has it all in control. You can trust Him.

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank you that I can confidently come to you knowing my life is in your hands. Thank you that you work all things according to your purpose. I don’t have to worry, but I can trust you at all times. Thank you for this hope and this trust. Help me to keep my eyes and heart on the truth of who you are according to your Word. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Note from Alexis: Patricia’s devotional reminds me of this song “How He Loves Us” by Kim Walker-Smith and Jesus Culture. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Patricia is an encourager. She passionately uses her gifting as an author, speaker, pastor, recording artist, worship leader and coach.

Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body & Spirit (a book that she wrote) was an Amazon Bestseller in October 2020.

Patricia sings! She has released two CDs titled Draw Me Nearer and Lord I Trust You.

She also travels to speak to audiences internationally.

When she is not ministering to save souls in God’s Kingdom, Patricia enjoys reading, writing and connecting like-minded people who can sharpen each other in the journey to their dreams and goals.

As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, her desire is to coach others to live life to the fullest by understanding their gifting from God and using it.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrussellonline
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings
Email: patrussellsings@gmail.com

14 Days of Love: The Heart of Splendid Lake by Amy Clipston

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Amy Clipston.

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Book Blurb for The Heart of Splendid Lake:

Bestselling author Amy Clipston transports readers to a picturesque lakeside town in this heartwarming contemporary romance. 

Brianna is the youngest of the three Porter sisters and the only one who chose to stay in the small town of Splendid Lake, North Carolina. She followed in her father’s footsteps and became an expert boat mechanic, helping him run their small resort with cabin rentals, a convenience store, and a marina.

When Brianna’s father unexpectedly dies, Brianna is steeped in grief and guilt—then left alone to clean up the mess. To make matters worse, a constant stream of real estate brokers begins marching through her property, offering to buy the family land. In particular, she keeps running into handsome real estate mogul Scott Gibson.

As Brianna struggles to keep it all together, Scott finds his way into her heart. And as the two fight against their feelings, they just might find themselves forging a surprising and exciting new love at Splendid Lake.

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Author Bio:

Amy Clipston is an award-winning bestselling author and has been writing for as long as she can remember. 

She’s sold more than one million books, and her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories.

She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America.

Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and six spoiled rotten cats.

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Buy Amy’s book via her online bookstore

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Connect with Amy:
Facebook: facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks/
Instagram: instagram.com/amy_clipston/
Twitter: twitter.com/AmyClipston
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/2765728.Amy_Clipston
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/amy-clipston
Pinterest: pinterest.com/amyclipston/
Website: AmyClipston.com

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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