Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory…
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ’s finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

…and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God’s grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

JOHNNIE ALEXANDER

Favorite place to read: I love to read in my comfy spot on the sofa. My little papillon Rugby curls up on the leg rest, and I usually put down the middle console which has a cup-holder for my drink. It’s all very relaxing and cozy. 

Favorite book character from childhood: I have so many, but if I must choose one I’ll go with Encyclopedia Brown. I read all those books I could find when I was a kid. 

Favorite movie: I’m not sure I ever answer this question the same–I have so many favorites, it’s always hard to choose just one. Today’s choice . . . Captain America: Civil War. And just about anything starring Cary Grant.

Favorite quote or Bible verse: “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.” Ecclesiastes 11:7

Favorite splurge/treat: Going to the movies!

Favorite character you’ve created: This is a toss-up between two of my heroes: Ian Devlin from Where Treasure Hides (WWII historical) and AJ Sullivan from Where She Belongs (contemporary). Ian is known for his heart-flipping grin, and both guys have a mischievous streak. Both are strong, capable, and upright. AJ needs to overcome a childhood of loss, deceit, and painful grief. Ian has his own burden and confronts horrific circumstances as a WWII soldier.

Last 3 great books you read: We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels; The Divide by Jolina Petersheim; Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

Dream vacation: I’ve been blessed to take a dream vacation already. My sister and I flew to Barcelona, traveled by train through France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain, then spent a week in Lisbon. It was the best trip ever! My new dream vacation is to visit the Pacific Northwest. Or New Zealand (Middle Earth!).

Hidden talent/little-known fact: I’ve been known to choke on, among other things, a giant Sweet-Tart, water, and . . . air!

Plotter or pantser: Depends on the story–I truly do both. I recently wrote a novella based on nothing more than the back cover type blurb I submitted in the proposal. But I also write novels for a particular publisher based on the chapter summaries I’ve created. I’ve discovered that the more planning I do upfront, the easier it is to write the story. 

In no particular order, ten of your favorite things (i.e. hot cocoa, a warm breeze, the sound of my kids’ laughter, etc.) : 

1. Sunshine through a window.
2. Dandelions.
3. Sprawling trees.
4. Freshly-squeezed lemon juice in a glass of ice-cold Pepsi.
5. Hugs from the grands.
6. My collie’s deep “sighs” (You have to hear it to “know” it!)
7. Typing “The End”
8. Blank books.
9. My adult kids laughing about childhood memories.
10. Surprise blessings.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

A RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY LINK http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2b09c62e500/

See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

ABOUT THE BOOK.

Book: Mission Hollywood

Author: Michelle Keener

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: July 16th, 2019

The Novel was set in Hollywood. I loved the setting. As a Nigeria who has never been to Hollywood it gave me a sneak peak into it. The contrast between the influential part of Hollywood and poor region gave me this feeling that life always comes in twos. 

The main characters Lily Shaw and Ben Prescott were a perfect example of the different worlds trying to find a common ground. Lily, the good pastor’s daughter and Ben the self made Hollywood bad boy. She mirrored love and acceptance towards Ben despite his anger towards God. Ben mirrored the stereotyped rich boy who thinks he can buy his way through everything. 

Lily’s father Pastor Evans Shaw was a sweetheart. Most of his actions are so endearing. His daughter must have learnt love and acceptance from her father. 

I couldn’t imagine Zoe, Ben’s Agent, her attitude, actions were just imaginable.

The novel is beautiful story of two very different worlds finding completion and redemption in God. First of I was thinking how a pastor’s daughter and a Hollywood bad boy and rebel were going to find common grounds. But through different life changing situations in the book Ben found His way home to God and Lily, well, had her dreams come through. 

I love the simplicity which which Michelle write the book. Easy to understand and enjoy. Very relatable toile situations. 

One of the most important spiritual lesson in this book is that there is always a space for anybody in God’s arms. His love is unconditional, His arms wide open waiting for one who has strayed to return home. He always wins no matter the difficult situation, that lesson came from Lily’s life when a major trauma happened to her. Another lesson I learnt is acceptance of people and showing them the love of God. Not being judgment but loving them despite themselves. Speaking kindly to people. 

Anyone who would enjoy a story of love, acceptance and redemption with a spice of romance would definitely love this book. It is a beautiful relaxing read. 

Five stars all the way—read it today and I promise you won’t be sorry!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Book: The Art of Riivers

Author: Janet Ferguson

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance.

“How does a woman anchor her faith when she has experienced so much pain?”

That’s my favorite quote from the book. I love the story of pain, redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Rivers had gone through too much of pain and disappointment in her life and at a particular point, I was wondering how much more she could take. 
Cooper, had carried the guilt of being a source of pain and disappointment all his life to those he loves and he sort to make it right by giving his life to help people caught in the same grips he was caught in. 
I love how their paths crossed, the hurdles they had to pass through and the decisions they made. I love that the need for prayers, the Word of God and Godly friends were illustrated beautifully in this book. After all we can’t fight the devil alone. 
I love the setting of the book, it is somewhere I’d love to visit. 

I’d recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a beautiful read on moving on after disappointing the people they love, to anyone who needs to forgive and move on from the past. God is good and he works and fights for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

ABOUT AUTHOR

 

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory…
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ’s finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

…and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God’s grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

SARA DAVISON

Favorite place to read: On a Muskoka chair on the shore of a lake

Favorite book character from childhood: Anne of Green Gables

Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption

Favorite quote or Bible verse: …the mere obeying is also intrinsically good, for, in obeying, a rational creature consciously enacts its creaturely role, reverses the act by which we fell, treads Adam’s dance backward, and returns. (C.S. Lewis)

Favorite splurge/treat: Really good, high quality chocolate

Favorite character you’ve created: Captain Jesse Christiansen in The Seven Trilogy

Last 3 great books you read: Heaven by Randy Alcorn, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, and The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Dream vacation: Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales – my husband and I are hoping to go for our 25th anniversary in two years

Hidden talent/little-known fact: I won the science award in eighth grade and several public speaking awards in elementary school – interesting because I now have very little interest in science and would rather do almost anything than speak in public

Plotter or pantser: Plottser? Pantter? Definitely a bit of both. I like a reasonable outline when I begin – for sure I like to know where I’m beginning and where I will end up and as much of the journey to get there as possible, but I also like to leave it open for the story and characters to take me where they will along the way.

In no particular order, ten of your favorite things (i.e. hot cocoa, a warm breeze, the sound of my kids’ laughter, etc.) : live theatre, road trips, coffee with friends, sleeping in, chocolate, afternoon naps, reading, family gatherings, hugs from my kids, date nights with my husband

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

A RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2b09c62e500/

See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Mosaic Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

For His glory…
The Mosaic Collection is an international community of women authors who use faith-based fiction to touch hearts with the good news that Christ’s finished work on the cross has made us one family, and to nurture affection for the people God has placed within our circles of influence, so that the grace and glory of God may become visible and personal to everyone we meet.

…and our good
We are sisters, a beautiful mosaic united by the love of God through the blood of Christ. We have experienced the redemptive, restorative power of God’s grace in our marriages and families, and we believe our God is able to heal, restore and redeem our brokenness. His love fills us with the courage to persevere, and to offer others a Christ-like compassion that is full of His wisdom and grace.

Visit the Mosaic Collection Website to stay posted on each new release & follow the collection blog for meaningful posts from the authors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Spotlight Questionnaire

Brenda S. Anderson

Favorite place to read: It doesn’t happen often, but sitting by the shore of Lake Superior. That’s my favorite place, period!

Favorite book character from childhood: Trixie Belden – I loved how real and relatable she was. She was far from perfect, yet she was loyal to family and friends.

Favorite movie: This is ever changing. Right now it’s Avengers: Endgame. I LOVE the Marvel movies!

Favorite quote or Bible verse: This is also ever changing! Right now my favorite verse is Isaiah 43:19a “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

Favorite splurge/treat: Fannie May candies. Unfortunately (or maybe it’s fortunately …) there are no longer any stores near us.

Favorite character you’ve created: The main character in my first release and series, Richard Brooks. I loved his journey from broken man to bold Christ follower. Though his series is complete, he still makes random appearances in subsequent books because I just can’t say goodbye!

Last 3 great books you read: Oh, that’s tough, separating the Great books from the I really liked books. There’s a fine line, and it’s also a fluid line! But as of today, the last 3 great books I’ve read are: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, Water from My Heart by Charles Martin

Dream vacation: I’ve always wanted to travel to Israel, to walk the ground that Jesus walked.

Hidden talent/little-known fact: I (used to) draw portraits. Someday, I’ll get back to that!

Plotter or pantser: Total pantser, which is unusual because everything else in my life is organized. I think this is God’s way of getting me to release control.

In no particular order, ten of your favorite things (i.e. hot cocoa, a warm breeze, the sound of my kids’ laughter, etc.) :

• Lake Superior
• Silence
• Laughing and spending time with family
• Reading (of course!)
• Musical theater (attending, not acting in)
• Singing with a small ensemble
• Chocolate!
• Baseball
• Encouraging and helping others
• The haunting coo of a mourning dove

Brenda S. Anderson

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1) What’s a local-favorite activity to do during the summer in the area where you live?

I live in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. (Actually, there are closer to 12,000 lakes of ten acres or more, but I digress) So, summer for many is spent at “The lake” swimming, water skiing, boating, fishing, tanning, relaxing. While I love spending time at a lake, one of my personal favorite activities takes place around Independence Day. A local community has an outdoor concert that includes several local groups, including the Minnesota Orchestra which plays many marches, which are always fan favorites. The evening concludes with fireworks every year. In one of my books, I had my hero and heroine’s first date at this event.

2) Do you have a scripture that really speaks to you around the latest book you wrote? Did that influence your writing at all?

In my work in progress (A Beautiful Mess, coming out in November!), the heroine has a problem of letting go of her bitterness toward her ex-husband, and some would say she’s justified. But there are many verses that speak of bitterness and forgiveness, how one leads to destruction, and the other leads to life, but Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV) is what I kept coming back to:
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

This verse and all others I found dealing with bitterness definitely influence my story, it especially influences character development. My heroine’s behaviors, feelings, and thoughts when she holds onto bitterness will do a 180 degree turn from once she chooses to forgive. As most of us know, forgiving certainly isn’t easy.

3) How many books have you written? Which one is most dear to you and why?

I’ve currently written and published ten books, and am midway through the eleventh. It’s hard choosing a favorite, but the one most dear is probably my first release, Chain of Mercy. In that story, I introduced characters who became very real and dear to me. I loved watching their growth through that first book, from broken to God loving. Then they continued on through another two books, plus the male lead was in the series prequel. Even now, the leads in Chain of Mercy make guest appearances in other books and series. Chain is also a reader favorite.

4) One of your favorite lines you’ve written (character saying, quote, scene, ect)?

Another tough question! There are many lines I’m partial to, but the line below is a favorite because it speaks to my Cornerstone Message of seeing the heart that God sees.

“God had called him here for this, not to be judge and juror, but to be a friend.” Chain of Mercy

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & an ebook prize pack*!

Winner will receive an ebook of:

• Where She Belongs
• Pieces of Granite
• Lifelines
• Christmas on a Mission
• Vigilant
• Other Side of the River
• The Third Grace
• Carolina Grace
• The Benefit Package (a devotional)
• Dance of Grace
• When Love Calls

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally, but international winner will receive a gift card only *(may be substituted for a Book Depository gift card if winner cannot accept from US Amazon)

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

LINK TO ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER LINK
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2b09c62e500/

See tour landing page for a complete list of authors & book release dates.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Title: Grace in the shadows. Grace series book 2

Author: Christine Dillon

Genre: Christian Fiction.

Every time I want to read my Bible I pray this simple prayer “ LORD, may I find you I your word and may my life be changed by the knowledge of you I find.” That prayer has yield to me more than I can ever imagine.

Reading Grace in the shadows was like reading the Bible or like sitting down at Jesus feet listening to Him. Now I can imagine how Mary felt and why she couldn’t leave His side.

The characters in this book were outstanding, very human. The story of Rachel spoke volumes to my heart and the most prevailing was that even in the shadows, running away from Him, God is still there, orchestrating events and urging us home to him. Rachel did not want to have anything to do with her father’s God but her heavenly Father was patient, never gave up on her and when it was time for her to come home to him, like the prodigal son’s Father, He ran to embrace her. Her journey home was one of the most interesting stories I’ve ever read.

When things turned absolutely bad for Esther, her response determined if others would come to know and follow her God. “Real gold doesn’t fear the flame.” Chinese proverb.

God is God even when things don’t turn out the way we want it to, there is a choice we have to make, ask God to change our hearts or go our own way.

After reading this book, I told myself, I want to have the God Esther had.

I recommend this book to everyone who wants to have a deep walk with God.

Please read it to find out for yourself. I would give this book a 10 star if that was possible.

I’ve always loved historical fiction maybe because I have an old soul in a young body or I just love me some history but the question of “LORD, why do you allow your people to suffer” was answered beautifully in this book. The main character of the book Becky Hollister or Beck like her blind friend Jimmy called her was hit by a series of tragedy that tore her young heart and made her doubt God and his love for her. She was hurting from the great tragedy that befell her family and which took half of them away from her, alone, heart broken with a lot of questions, but she had series of people planted by God along her path even though she did not realise it until she started spending time in God word and opening up her heart to God and the people around her in need. Changes in her life came in form of her Pastor Matthew Brody, her lovely aunty who also shut her heart to love because of a tragedy that happened to her until love came in an unexpected package to her, and her lovely friend Jimmy, even her father Joseph with his own peculiar story. Becky moved through series of events to trusting God with what was most dear to her, waiting on Him, surrendering all and trusting in His plan even though she didn’t know what or where it was.

I loved the characters in the book, I loved the rich story of pain, loss, trust, care and restoration, I loved the beautiful setting of the book. I highly recommend it to everyone, there is a message and lesson to be learnt by anyone who decides to read this book. The message for me was clear, God does not waste sufferings, and through it all He is in control and if we only trust and wait for Him we will see His hand in everything.