My Review of the Unshakable Moxie video series and Bible study

Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review “Unshakable Moxie” recently. Before I share my review, learn more about this special Bible study and series hosted by two of my favorite Christian influencers!

Words from MIN:

Unshakable Moxie is an episodic video series that invites you to discover what it means to live a life of resilient faith. The Unshakable Moxie: Growing a Resilient Faith, A 6-Session Women's Bible Study with Video Access is a perfect pairing with the video series to help you develop and strengthen your own life of resilient faith. Unshakable Moxie is hosted by Toni Collier (Broken Crayons Still Color) and Moriah Smallbone (The Chosen). The video series features Lina AbuJamra, Ruth Chou Simons, Katie Lewis, Dr. Bernice King, and Joni Eareckson Tada.

Unshakable Moxie is presented by Our Daily Bread Ministries. This 6-part docuseries and accompanying Bible Study invite you to learn from remarkable women who trust God even through their lowest valleys, allowing Him to write their story as one of resilient faith and overcoming.

The Unshakable Moxie Study Pack includes the 6-lesson Bible Study (with QR codes to the 6 video episodes), a beautiful hardcover Prayer Journal, and inspirational cards that share Scripture and powerful quotes from the series. Each item can also be purchased separately.

What does a “woman of moxie” look like? She is a dynamic, resolute woman of resilient faithfulness, unshakable confidence, and trust in God.

My review:

Unshakable Moxie does a great job delving into topics that we don’t often talk about (hardship, disillusionment and forgiveness). This is a series for people who are looking for real answers to their real-life problems. It is also a wonderful way to use Scripture to encourage women to grow in their faith no matter how troubling the times they are experiencing.

The author of this Bible study, Lina AbuJamra, shares her heart as a woman of moxie throughout the pages of this book. AbuJamra shares the inspiration she has drawn from her life experiences and uses those lessons to teach women how to build a resilient faith that is their own. Each chapter of this study contains a QR code linking to the Unshakable Moxie video series where hosts Moriah Smallbone and Toni Collier take you on faith journeys with special guests including Joni Eareckson Tada, Ruth Chou Simons, and more.

Honestly, I didn’t make it through the entire Bible study and every episode but what I did read and watch was life-changing! I appreciated the honesty of the hosts and everyone who they interviewed. I like how the very first episode was heartwarming with a personal touch as Moriah welcomed Toni into her home as they were preparing for a birthday party. I liked how they inserted humor as they cooked food in Moriah’s kitchen (the spices were too hot, and they laughed about it and quickly drank water from the sink)! I love how they honored Moriah’s grandma and celebrated her family legacy. I like how Toni wore her heart on her sleeve and told intimate details about the lessons she’s learned in her life story. Her storytelling style is relatable and encouraging. I like how Moriah was candid about being hesitant to share her heart with the world because of her guardedness caused by trust issues. Her vulnerability was admirable and courageous. I like how Moriah and Toni’s transparency encouraged every woman they interviewed to open up and be brave as they answered questions that let the viewers into their world.

The Bible study is very comprehensive and detailed. But I was easily overwhelmed by all the questions that are meant for the reader to write their answers and reflections on several lines. This is a homework assignment that goes on for more than five pages. It is the only reason why I haven’t finished reading the study yet. However, the video episodes via the QR code were much more easily digestible.

I recommend this book and video series to any woman who wants to grow spiritually as she tackles the hard parts of her life story and see how God redeems it all as well as how Jesus Christ can make beauty out of ashes.

Now for some words from the publisher, Our Daily Bread Ministries:

For more than 85 years, Our Daily Bread Ministries has been a donor-supported, non-profit ministry committed to nurturing a lifelong love for God’s Word as millions around the world grow closer to God and are transformed by their relationship with Jesus. Through our daily devotions, podcasts, videos, and other resources, we work to make the life-changing wisdom and stories of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.

In our mission of fueling a global Bible-engagement movement, we strive to make Scripture a part of everyday life, giving the Holy Spirit greater opportunity to transform hearts and help people share the light of Jesus with their spiritual fruit. It is only with the generous prayers, friendship, and support of people across the globe that we can reach the ends of the earth with God’s Word and see how He is continuing to work in the lives and faith journeys of all His children.

~*~

Main Call-to-Action:

Watch the full series now!

Website: https://go.odb.org/unshakable-moxie-watch-now24

Order your copy today! Product order link: https://go.odb.org/unshakable-moxie-order-now24

Learn more about this wonderful resource by visiting the official website:

https://read.odb.org/unshakable-moxie/

#UnshakableMoxieMIN #UnshakableMoxie #ourdailybread #godhearsher #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @ourdailybread @godhearsher

Disclosure: Many thanks to Our Daily Bread Ministries for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

~*~

Directions from MIN on how to enter the Special Giveaway:

Territory: This special giveaway is limited winners who live in the U.S. only.

How to Enter the giveaway: To enter for the chance to win the Unshakable Moxie Study Pack & $20 Amazon Gift Card, participants must do the following:

#1: Follow Our Daily Bread Ministries and God Hears Her on Facebook or Instagram via these links below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdailybread

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodHearsHer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godhearsher/

#2: Repost/Share the giveaway with the hashtag “unshakablemoxie”

#3: For a bonus entry, subscribe for God Hears Her emails.

#4: For a bonus entry, tag a female friend that lives life with “unshakable moxie”.

#5: Enter the contest also via this link to Rafflecopter (below): 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c498/?

The giveaway winner will be contacted by Alexis (founder of “God is Love” blog) via email after the contest concludes on July 28, 2024.

~ The End ~

Romantic Reads: Wish You Joy

Interview with Jan Thompson about her book, Wish You Joy:

Alexis: Wish You Joy is a unique and sweet, holiday-spirit giving title for a story! What was your inspiration behind this title creation? Explain the significance in relation to the story.

Jan: Thank you. The title centers on the word “joy,” which is one of the undercurrent themes of this Christmas book. In Nehemiah 8:10, we read that “the joy of the Lord” is our strength. At Christmastime, I feel that we are constantly reminded about having peace, love, and joy. Thus, my book title could have been Wish You Peace or Wish You Love as much as it is Wish You Joy. Without giving away too much of the story, let me just say that one of the main characters in my book needs to experience the joy of the Lord, so it is befitting that the title points to that.

Additionally, Wish You Joy is book 9 in my Savannah Sweethearts series of contemporary Christian romance set in the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia, and across the bridge in the beach town of Tybee Island. This entire series has books with similar titles:

Prequel: Ask You Later
Book 1: Know You More
Book 2: Tell You Soon
Book 3: Draw You Near
Book 4: Cherish You So
Book 5: Walk You There
Book 6: Love You Always
Book 7: Kiss You Now
Book 8: Find You Again
Book 9: Wish You Joy
Book 10: Call You Home

Alexis: Tell me about Christmastown. What is it about? Why do they have a new CEO?

Jan: A Christmas decorating business based in Savannah, Georgia, Christmastown has been in the Untermeyer family for years. Having undergone some health issues, Mrs. Untermeyer is no longer able to run the business on her own, especially with no help from her grown children, some of whom haven’t been home in a while. As a result, she decides to sell her majority share of the company to the businessman nephew of a family friend.

Alexis: Who is Cyrus and what role does he play in this story?

Jan: The new CEO of Christmastown, Cyrus Theroux easily takes over the reign of the business, becoming the caring and present son that Mrs. Untermeyer hasn’t had in a long time. Cyrus continues the legacy of the family business while also keeping an eye on his elderly aunt and uncle living in Savannah. When Mrs. Untermeyer’s daughter comes to town to see what has happened to Christmastown, he feels that he has to convince her of his good intentions.

Alexis: Who is Amy and what role does she play in this story?

Jan: Amy Untermeyer is the only daughter of Mrs. Untermeyer. A destination wedding photographer, she travels the world and rarely goes home to Savannah. When she finds out that her mother has sold over half the company to someone whom Amy considers to be a stranger, she hightails it home to see if her mother has been swindled. She is skeptical about Cyrus and his intrusion into her family.

Alexis: Has Christmastown always been a family-owned organization? Why was it started?

Jan: Amy’s grandfather started Christmastown many years ago. As long as Amy has been alive, she remembers visiting the warehouse where they store all the artificial trees, wreathes, decorations, and everything Christmas. Amy’s parents inherited the business, and it was up to them to keep the family business going. However, after Amy’s dad passed away, Mrs. Untermeyer ran the company alone while her three children went to school and then left town for college and careers.

Alexis: How does your real-life faith in God play into your fiction storytelling?

Jan: My Christian faith informs every aspect of my fiction books such that I let my characters behave within the scope of what it means to be a Christian. My characters have issues, as Christians also do in real life. My characters feel the pains of life and seek the healing of God. My characters learn and grow in their lives, just as a real Christian would in this world.

Alexis: Did you listen to a favorite Christmas song while writing this holiday story? If yes, which one?

Jan: I tend to write in complete silence, although from time to time I do listen to music as I write. Mostly instrumental. In planning, plotting, and penning Wish You Joy, I drew upon my favorite Christmas carols, such as “O Holy Night.” That hymn speaks volumes about Christ as our Savior and Lord.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, KJV).

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about Wish You Joy and its characters?

Jan: This is my only Christmas book so far, and I hope that, after seeing the journey of life that Amy and Cyrus go through, my readers will affirm the joy of the Lord in their own hearts by the time they reach the end of the book. The bottom line is that God is still God.

I usually include some Bible verses that play a significant role in each book that I write. In Wish You Joy, one of the Bible verse is this: “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Jan! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Jan: Thank you very much for inviting me over to Romantic Reads for the third time this year. I am happy that we have reached the end of the year as we approach Christmas. I wish you joy in the Lord!

For readers who missed my other two interviews, here are the links:

Interview about Smile for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 1):
https://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/2020/09/romantic-reads-smile-for-me-book.html

Interview about Know You More (Savannah Sweethearts Book 1):
https://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/2020/10/romantic-reads-know-you-more.html

In Christ,

Jan Thompson

~*~
Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with flavors of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with elements of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance.

Her books are for readers who love inspiring stories of faith, family, and friends.

~*~
Book blurb for Wish You Joy:

Christmastown USA has a new CEO. But owning a majority share of the holiday-decorating company makes no difference for Cyrus Theroux if the other forty-nine percent refuses to cooperate… 

A Christmas-themed holiday romance, WISH YOU JOY is Book 9 in USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson's Savannah Sweethearts series of sweet, clean, wholesome, and inspirational multiethnic contemporary Christian romances celebrating faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ. This series is set in the historic southern city of Savannah, Georgia, and on the beaches of small town Tybee Island by the Atlantic Ocean, two of the most romantic places in the world.

Against a backdrop of ocean, sand, and sun, this mix of novels and novellas showcases various aspects of the human need for God and for one another.


Cyrus’s Christmas…
Whoopee! Christmastime is here again.

Cyrus is so excited that he is beside himself. Never mind that it’s ninety-three degrees outside in the middle of a hot July in Savannah. Christmas will be here any day now.

He has checked his Christmastown USA warehouse twice, counted his inventory four times, and added ten new team members to join his thirty. He can spread them all over town.

Sure, he can manage the decorating teams himself, even if his business partner can’t handle it.

What’s with Amy anyway? Maybe he should consider buying her share of the company. He will keep Mr. Untermeyer’s memories and wishes alive. Yes, that’s what he’ll do. Kick Amy off the sleigh and keep Christmastown all to himself—

No. There was something about Amy that draws Cyrus to her. Something he can’t put his thumb on…


Amy’s Angst…
Christmas is too commercialized!

Amy simply cannot believe how anyone could focus on the Christ of Christmas when people overspend and get stressed out at festivities they cannot enjoy with family members and relatives they do not wish to see or buy presents for.

Why Mom has given Amy a forty-nine percent share of Christmastown USA, she’ll never know. Amy doesn’t want it, but she can’t sell it. To sell her share to some stranger would disrespect the memory of Dad, who inherited this business from Grandpa Earnest, who had started the company back in the fifties. The entire Untermeyer family lives from Christmas to Christmas. It was because of Christmastown that Amy’s parents were able to send her and her two brothers to college.

Amy cherishes the happy memories of her childhood and the Untermeyer legacy until some devastating news makes her question everything she has ever known about the Untermeyer family…

~*~
Buy Wish You Joy on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Jan:
Website: JanThompson.com
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Amazon USA: JanThompson.com/amazon
Goodreads: JanThompson.com/goodreads
BookBub: JanThompson.com/bookbub
Facebook: JanThompson.com/facebook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thompsonauthor

~*~
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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12 Days of Christmas Book Giveaways: Becky Wade's Christmas story

Let's welcome my author friend Becky Wade to the blog!

She's here to give away one e-book copy of her Christmas novella, Because of You.

Here's a bit about Becky:

Author Bio:

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. 

She’s delighted to be penning warm, wry, and heartwarming contemporary romances for the Christian market. She’s the Christy and Carol award-winning author of My Stubborn Heart, the Porter Family series, and the Bradford Sisters Romance series.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

~*~

Here's the blurb and cover for Becky's book:

Chocolate shop manager Maddie Winslow's secret crush on Leo Donnelly is as long-standing as it is unlikely to lead to romance. 

History professor Leo is brainy, handsome, and kind. But for the past few years since his wife's death, he's been solely focused on his young son, their shared grief, and work. 

Maddie knows Leo views her as nothing more than his late wife's friend. 

However, when they're asked to work together to provide Christmas gifts for a family in need, the two are thrown into close proximity. And Maddie's discovery of a family heirloom brooch rumored to bring a happily-ever-after to its owner causes her to hope. 

Might it finally be her turn for true love this Christmas season?

~*~

Connect with Becky:

Website: www.beckywade.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade

Twitter: http://twitter.com/beckywadewriter

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298259.Becky_Wade

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/beckywadewriter/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckywadewriter

Blog: http://inspiredbylifeandfiction.com/blog/

~*~

Enter this e-book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN Becky Wade's book, Because of You, by filling out the entry form on the 

Rafflecopter widget below:

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Book Review: The Wedding Shop

Book Review: The Wedding Shop

Author: Rachel Hauck
Reviewed by: Alexis A. Goring

Between my paperback copies and my Kindle, I own hundreds of books. So when Fiction Guild sent this book to me, I thought I'd simply read it first then give it away because space is limited on my bookshelves. But as I turned the pages of The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck, I grew attached to the main characters as the author drew me as a reader into the story. By the time I reached the final page, I knew that I wanted to keep this book.

The Wedding Shop is a story about love lost/regained and restoration. It is told on a dual timeline with characters from the early 1900s and the late ‘90’s. Cora is the heroine of the past. Haley is the heroine of the present.

As the reader journeys with the characters, they get to know the hopes, dreams and deepest desires of these heroines. The reader may love the way that the hero and heroine—past and present—meet and fall in love. The reader may also be surprised by the plot twists positioned perfectly throughout this story. The author writes in a way that’s solid, engaging and keeps the reader guessing and turning the page to see what happens next.

As a reader, I was surprised by the way Cora’s true love was discovered. There were moments when I was happy for Cora, sad for Cora and filled with joy for her own love story as it unfolded. I liked Haley from the start. She’s spunky, wise, sweet, loyal, and very much a person who believes in working hard for your dreams to come true. I was delighted to see how the author handled Haley’s heart when it came to finding her own happily ever after.

The heroes—past and present—were strong, reliable, romantic and hardworking not just in their career, but in their pursuit of their love interest’s heart. The author carefully thought out and described their motivation and upped the ante on the conflict throughout this story.

The Wedding Shop is a story that’s timeless because of the universal themes of faith, love, hope and disappointment that are so carefully and brilliantly woven throughout this book.

This book deserves a five-star rating and the author deserves an award! I’d recommend this book to women and men who need encouragement to follow their dreams, trust God with their heart and never give up on finding—and keeping—true love.

*Fiction Guild sent a complimentary copy of this book to Alexis A. Goring, in exchange for an honest review.

25 Days of Christmas Stories: A Christmas Promise

Tamera Kraft wrote a historical Christian story called A Christmas Promise. It is a Moravian holiday story set in the year 1773. Here's the lovely cover for her book:

She's here today to share an excerpt from A Christmas Promise as well as a review written by a famous author plus a few more delightful details! 

Enjoy your visit with Tamera! 

~*~

Book blurb for A Christmas Promise:

During colonial times, John and Anna settle in an Ohio village to become Moravian missionaries to the Lenape. When John is called away two days before Christmas to help at another settlement, he promises he’ll be back by Christmas Day.

When he doesn’t show up, Anna works hard to not fear the worst while she provides her children with a traditional Moravian Christmas.

Through it all, she discovers a Christmas promise that will give her the peace she craves.

~*~
Book Excerpt:

December 23, 1773, Schoenbrunn Village, Ohio

Brother Paul stepped over to them and put a hand on John’s shoulder. “Brother, we must go now.”

John nodded.

Anna swallowed back the lump in her throat and spoke in English. It seemed too intimate a moment with her husband to let Paul understand her words. “Will you be home in time for the Lovefeast tomorrow night?”

John’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know.”

“You can’t miss the celebration of the birth of our Savior.”

“I’ll try to be back in time.” John’s jaw twitched. “I promise to be home for Christmas.”

Anna wanted to argue with him, tell him not to go, but it wouldn’t do any good. She forced her breathing to slow to a normal pace. “Then I’ll make it the best we ever had.”

“That won’t be hard,” John said. “Any Christmas with you and the girls is good.”

“Brother John.” Paul nodded towards the door. “They’re waiting.”

“I’ll meet you outside.”

The door made a thumping sound as Paul closed it on the way out.

“Children,” Anna said. “Papa’s going on a journey. Come say good-bye.”

The girls ran to their father and hugged him.

“When will you be back?” Belinda asked.

“Maybe tomorrow in time for the Lovefeast.” John wiped his hand across his neck. “If not, I’ll see you Christmas Day.”

John took Anna into his arms once again and kissed her. The heat of the moment swept through her as she leaned into the kiss with parted lips. He rested his mouth against her neck, and then pulled away. After strapping on his supplies and musket, he opened the door.

The blast of winter filled the cabin and sent a chill through her. She scampered to the fireplace, grabbed her ladle, and dished stew onto tin plates. “Children, come to the table to sup.” The door shut with a dull thud behind her.

John was gone.

~*~
Book review: 
“Revel in the spirit of a Colonial Christmas with this achingly tender love story that will warm both your heart and your faith. With rich historical detail and characters who live and breathe on the page, Tamera Lynn Kraft has penned a haunting tale of Moravian missionaries who selflessly bring the promise of Christ to the Lenape Indians. A beautiful way to set your season aglow, A Christmas Promise is truly a promise kept for a heartwarming holiday tale.” – Written by Julie Lessman

~*~
Buy Tamera's book:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1m5dQRe
CBD - http://bit.ly/1JpR0sl
Pelican Book Group - http://bit.ly/1YsqElM

~*~
Author bio:

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures and writes Christian historical fiction set in America because there are so many adventures in American history. She is married to the love of her life, has two grown children, and lives in Akron, Ohio. Soldier’s Heart and A Christmas Promise are two of her historical novellas that have been published. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest. Her third novella, A Resurrection of Hope, will be released in March.

~*~
Connect with Tamera:
Word Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.com
Revival Fire For Kids Blog: http://revivalfire4kids.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TameraLynnKraft
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamerakraft

Book review: The Midwife's Tale

Book: The Midwife's Tale

Author: Delia Parr

Review writer: Alexis A. Goring

Review title: Delia Parr spins a story about tradition, life changes and faith in God

Book review: 

At first, I didn’t think I would like this book but reading it proved me wrong.

Author Delia Parr spins a story about tradition, life changes and faith in God amidst unexpected events in a way that resonates with the reader. The reader may feel connected to the main characters within the first few pages of the book. Yes, Parr is that good of a writer!

Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the main character Martha Cade in her glory—she is working as a midwife surrounded by female assistants—helping to birth a baby but she’s not in a hospital, she’s in a residential home which as true to real life in the fictional town of Trinity, Pennsylvania in which the story is set. The year in which the story begins is 1830.

The characters are not always endearing but they are believable from the beginning. Parr does an excellent job of making Martha’s career as a midwife not only believable but interesting. Parr has a way of dropping the reader right into the action from the first line of the story to the final word on the last page.

What impressed me the most about this book is that the author wrote with such skill and portrayed a deep knowledge of medical matters in every scene involving the midwife at work with her patients. Clearly, Parr knows how to do research and write in a way that’s not only captivating but informative! I learned quite a bit about the life of a midwife and medical matters in the 19th century just from reading this book.

The book is not just about the midwife, it’s about her defiant daughter Victoria who ran away with a theatre troupe. It’s an action that causes Martha great concern throughout the story. Another issue for Martha is the new doctor in town who is competition for her, so much so that she worries her career as a midwife will soon end. Such an idea hurts her heart not only because she loves her career but because she wanted her daughter to carry on the tradition of working as a midwife.

While I do not want to give away the ending, I can say that the reader is not likely to be disappointed when they reach the final pages of this book as Parr does a delightful job of denouement in a way that satisfies most if not all of the reader’s curiosity.

Historical fiction is not my favorite but I think this book deserves at least four stars because of the author’s way of sharing a fictional tale that was relatable and real.

*Bethany House Publishers sent a complimentary copy of The Midwife’s Tale to Alexis A. Goring in exchange for an honest review.