Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe audiobook by Rhonda Stoppe

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for the If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe audiobook by Rhonda Stoppe, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe
Author: Rhonda Stoppe
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Release Date: August 1, 2015
Audiobook Publisher: ChristianAudio
Audiobook Release Date: January 7, 2025
Genre: NonFiction, Self-Help, Christian Marriage, Christian Women

What's really keeping you from enjoying a better marriage? 

"If my husband would change, I'd be happy" and "I'm falling out of love with him" are among several common myths that lead women to search for marital happiness in all the wrong places. In this book, author Rhonda Stoppe shares, with candor and humor, how to enrich your relationship with your husband (even if he doesn't change). Along the way you'll read many helpful stories and real-life examples from other couples and discover: 

 - how to deal with unfulfilled longings
- the secret to keeping your husband's attention
- 10 keys to a happy marriage. 

Let this book help you realize God's highest good for your marriage! 

Contains discussion questions and personal reflections at the end of each chapter.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Christianaudio | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Audiobook Excerpt

 

Excerpt

Many couples I have talked to will admit to having had a mediocre marriage—or even a bad one—until one of them determined to stop comparing their spouse to the person they wished he or she would be. In so doing, their newfound habit of thinking positive thoughts spilled over into affirming words and kind service to their spouse. More often than not, the actions of one spouse not only turned the marriage around, but in many instances even saved the marriage.

 

Also Available

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About the Author

Rhonda Stoppe captivates audiences with her honest, relatable, and biblically grounded teaching. As a bestselling author of seven books and the host of the awarded podcast "Old Ladies Know Stuff," she has a powerful voice in the realms of family and faith. Rhonda is a sought-after speaker, appearing on national and international TV and radio, and is known for her engaging presentations at women's events, homeschool conferences and MC for events like the Legacy Grandparenting Summit. Her episode on Moms Raising Sons at Focus on the Family was recognized in their "Best of Episodes." With nearly 40 years of ministry alongside her pastor husband, Rhonda understands the complexities of balancing marriage, parenting, ministry, and homeschooling. The Stoppes are proud parents of four adult children and grandparents to fifteen.

Connect with Rhonda by visiting NoRegretsWoman.com to follow her on social media, receive a free gift, and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a downloadable resources bundle which includes A Christian Woman's Guide to Great Sex in Marriage by Rhonda Stoppe (audiobook), The Marriage Money Myth - Does More Money Really Mean Less Stress? by Steve & Rhonda Stoppe (ebook), and Your Marriage Can Survive Toddlers & Teens with Rhonda Stoppe (video)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 14, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 21, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Squire of Truth by Jill Williamson

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Squire of Truth by Jill Williamson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Squire of Truth
Series: Blood of Kings: Legends #1
Author: Jill Williamson
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Genre: Medieval Fantasy

Cole Tanniyn, squire to the soon-to-be king, has journeyed far from his days as a stray stable boy in a distant mountain village. Haunted by the echoes of past failures on the battlefield, he seeks solace in music, hoping to find belonging among fellow musicians. His quest leads him to Mistel Wepp, a spirited songstress determined to forge her own path on stage. 

For too long, Mistel has been bound by a past of confinement and control. Now on her own, she toils tirelessly to make her mark, but the struggle to earn a living in a world that fails to appreciate her talents proves exhausting. When she connects Cole with the future king and discovers he's a skilled lutist, she sees an opportunity to change her future. 

When a heinous crime leaves Mistel’s roommate dead, she turns to Cole for help. Despite his inexperience as an investigator, Cole vows to uncover the truth. Together, they delve into the dark alleys of Armonguard, uncovering a sinister web of secrets and sorcery that threatens the kingdom. As their journey unfolds, their shared love of music catches the attention of the king, who commissions them to compose a song for his upcoming wedding, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid adversity. Can Cole and Mistel prevail against enemies wielding dark magic? Or will they become the next casualties in a deadly game of power?

Blood of Kings: Legends
Book 1: Squire of Truth
Book 2: Lord of Winter
Book 3: Lady of Shadows
Book:4: Heir of Light

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Sunrise Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

 

Excerpt

 

“Mistel!”

She jerked at the bite in that voice. On her left, Osrik Nath pushed through the crowd.

Thunder and rats! That man would be the death of her. Which was exactly why she kept avoiding him. At least this time she saw no sign of Lander Gysel at his side.

She was about to run when a familiar young man stepped out from between a fruit vendor and someone selling spices. He wore plain clothes and held a lute under one arm, but there was no mistaking those freckles. They gave him a friendly demeanor, and his short brown hair seemed so overly average that it was completely endearing. He had an athletic build and stood only a few inches taller than her.

“Cole!” Mistel thrust her hand into the air, waving as if she knew him.

As she approached, his gaze settled on her. He had kind and expressive hazel eyes. A moment of recognition passed across his face, then confusion wrinkled his brow.

She linked her arm with his free one. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Surely the squire to the Crown Prince of Er’Rets would help her. And if she played her cards right, he might even buy her dinner too.

 

More Books in This Series

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About the Author

Jill Williamson writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. She grew up in Alaska, staying up and reading by the summer daylight that wouldn't go away. This led to a love of books and writing, and her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won several awards and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. She loves giving writing workshops and blogs for teen writers at www.GoTeenWriters.com, which has been named as one of Writer’s Digest’s “101 Best Websites for Writers.” She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Squire of Truth & a $10 Gift Card to the Sunrise Shop!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 13, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 20, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Review: Just Add Mistletoe by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

She’ll do anything to stay invisible to the male eye. But he can’t seem to notice anyone else.

Lori loves the holidays, and if her holiday store isn’t a huge indicator, she dresses for each season. It makes her happy, and no man, so far, has been interested in her idiosyncrasies. But that doesn’t matter since she’s sworn off dating because of a series of flops. She’s more than content, or at least that’s what she thinks, until Malcom moves across the street from her. Literally. In a construction lot where he’s taken up residence in a trailer.

Lori decides his housing choices are none of her business—but the two keep crossing paths and discover they have plenty in common. And all the things they are opposite in only add fuel to her attraction. Besides, he’s not put off by her broomstick earrings, autumn leaf sweaters, or mistletoe hairband. The only catch is that he’s also sworn off dating. One of them will have to cave first.

My Review

I love the Everly Falls series! It's easy to like the main characters, the small town vibe is sweet, and the drama in the plots are low-key yet hold my attention while the romance blossoms. (I think the first two should be read in order but the third and this fourth book can be read in any order). Just Add Mistletoe sounds like a Christmas themed book, but it encompasses Halloween and Thanksgiving too. It was fun to picture Lori with her holiday outfits and holiday store! Malcom's employment in town is controversial at the city council meetings, and Lori helps him navigate the small town politics. They both aren't interested in dating, but their friendship and attraction leads them to rethink that status... Another wonderful romance that I just didn't want to put down!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Everly Falls series . . .

 

 

 

Review: How to Raise a Happy Cat by Sophie Collins

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

How to Raise a Happy Cat focuses on the happiness to be found in the person/pet relationship and includes dozens of ideas for activities and hacks you can build into daily life with your pet, from spontaneous play and activities to making them the perfect sleep spot.

We know how important happiness is for ourselves but when it comes to pets, making sure they’re happy – as opposed to obedient, say – is often underrated. Yet there’s plenty of fresh science that shows that a happy, engaged pet is easy to live with and creates happiness in its owners, too.

How to Raise a Happy Cat shows what you can learn from your pet’s behavior and body language, offer a mass of practical ways to raise your pet’s happiness levels, and show you how to connect with them in the way they’ll love best.

Building on recent scientific developments into animal behavioral science, this book's methods aim to increase inter-species understanding and encouraging the behavior you do want, while discouraging the behavior you don’t.

Divided into 6 chapters, each of which contains plenty of easy-to-follow activities which owners can carry out themselves, this book will become an invaluable resource for building and strengthening the bond between human and cat.

Sections include: 

How you can get to know your cat better;
How to develop happiness in different areas, from exercising to playing; 

A guide to different stages in a cat’s life and at how to tailor activities to a kitten or to an ageing cat

Perfect for cat owners who want to get to know their feline friends as individuals, this indispensible book offers a new angle that gives owners lots of customized ideas for having fun with their pet, as well as explaining behaviours that they may have previously found baffling.

My Review

While this book is wordier than I anticipated, it reads as quickly and easily as a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. The sections are not overlong, yet cover a vast array of topics. It is a wonderful resource for cat owners to empathize with their pets and provide for their range of needs. I enjoyed perusing the book and learned new insight into my own cats and important information that will be invaluable in the future.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Happily Ever After on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

Sensible and cautious, Naomi Coblenz lives to help everyone else be happy—particularly when it comes to her twin sister, Ruth. So Omi certainly can’t admit she’s always loved handsome Bo Helmuth, since he and Ruth have begun courting. To look out for her sometimes-thoughtless sister, Omi even poses as Ruth on a ride home alone with Bo. But it doesn’t take Bo long to see the truth—and really notice Omi for the first surprising, hopelessly-wonderful time . . . 
 
Bo thought he was in love with the vivacious Ruth. But he can’t stop thinking about Omi’s kindness and understanding, especially since she refuses to hurt her sister. And he can’t figure out a way to tell Ruth they aren’t really suited for each other. His only hope is that his ever-resourceful Dawdi and Mammi can help faith guide the way—and at last claim a happy ending for all.

My Review

I can always count on Jennifer Beckstrand's Amish romances for a few laugh out loud moments as well as low-key drama and angst. Naturally a story with twins will have an identity swap, but I admired that Omi didn't want to do it and felt bad about deceiving Bo. She has loyalty to her sister, although it was frustrating that she didn't recognize that Ruth didn't have the same devotion to her. It felt easy as a reader to think what she should have done instead, but Omi has a strong desire to keep a good relationship with her twin. Forbidden romance blended with family dynamics brought the conflict, and only Bo's meddling grandparents Anna and Felty had hope for straightening it all out. I just love those two!


Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

 

Don't miss the amazing books in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series . . . 

 

Takeover Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: The New Loneliness by Cindi McMenamin

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The New Loneliness by Cindi McMenamin hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

 

Title: The New Loneliness
Author: Cindi McMenamin
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Release Date: January 7, 2025 

Genre: Christian Personal Growth 

You Can Overcome Your Feelings of Aloneness 

In our age of increased social isolation and growing reliance on technology, genuine connection can feel more difficult than ever. But what if community and closeness are nearer than you thought? 

The New Loneliness is about experiencing the authentic relationships God created you for by identifying and overcoming today’s biggest relational obstacles. Cindi McMenamin explores how our current cultural environment and dependence on electronic devices have hindered our ability to connect, and she offers uplifting guidance, biblical insights, and encouraging action steps to help you

• release feelings of inadequacy and shame by realigning with how the Lord sees you and understanding His purpose for you
• take confident steps toward nourishing healthy, in-person relationships by learning to slow down and operate from a secure attachment to God
• thrive within new friendships and community with practical guidance for making life more meaningful and preferring faces over screens

God did not create us to live in isolation. Journey with the Lord from aloneness to abundance, and flourish as you deepen your relationships with God and others.

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

 

Excerpt

Are you feeling lonelier these days than you used to? Experiencing that unexplainable ache you can’t seem to get rid of? Perhaps you’re spending more time with your phone than with people and you don’t want to think about how that might’ve happened. Maybe you used to feel closer to God and some of your friends and family than you do today, and you don’t know how to reverse that. You could be feeling on the outside of popular opinion or wondering if you have a place or voice in today’s culture or even in your own family. Or, perhaps you wish you had a church or were more connected at the one you attend.

You’re not the only one feeling lonelier than ever. Loneliness has always been a struggle for many of us and continues to be. But in recent decades, the causes of loneliness have multiplied. A lot has shifted in the world around us, and there is a new loneliness afloat, making the problem more pervasive than ever. In addition to living in an increasingly high-tech and screen-focused society, we’ve been impacted by the forced isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns that persisted for nearly two years all around us. The lock- downs pushed our culture’s reliance on tech and screens even more. Video conferencing alone has forever changed the way many of us operate — at work, in schools, at church, and in our homes.

While the pandemic is now behind us, our increased reliance upon AI, high tech, and screens isn’t. And the habits formulated over an extended time of isolation and caution have led us into a new and different normal. Without necessarily intending to do so, we’ve all become more acclimated to new habits and new ways of going about life. We’ve adapted, but the results of our new normal have had a profound impact on us and aren’t all positive.

Both technology and the consequences of the pandemic have taken us to a place where the traditional kinds of loneliness we’ve struggled with — loneliness caused by anxiety, shame, suffering, feelings of inadequacy, betrayal, and more — have become increasingly pronounced. The kinds of loneliness that have always plagued humanity since the Garden of Eden are still with us. But now we have new obstacles and complications that have contributed to isolating us from others. And these have made loneliness more a part of our lives. In mid-2023, the US Surgeon General issued a health alert that confirmed there is an “epidemic of loneliness” — a health risk of iso- lation (which includes spending more time with screens than people), and a failure to connect deeply with others through friendships and risk of intimacy — that is now increasing your chance of dementia by 50 percent and your chance of premature death by more than 60 percent. It is actually unhealthy to be lonely today — mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and now physically, regardless of your age. According to the Surgeon General, the long-term health risks of loneliness are equivalent to the danger of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day! As I mentioned earlier, people have always suffered from loneliness. We have all felt it now and then. But now it’s more persistent. And these more intense feelings of loneliness didn’t happen overnight.


Excerpted from: The New Loneliness. Copyright © 2024 Cindi McMenamin. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon 97408. www.harvesthousepublishers.com

 

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About the Author

Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning writer and national speaker who has ministered to women for nearly 40 years. She is the author of 17 books, including When Women Walk Alone (more than 160,000 copies sold) and When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts. As a Bible teacher, her passion is to help women strengthen their walk with God and their relationships.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of The New Loneliness, Beholding and Becoming by Ruth Chou Simons, Well Lived by Sally Clarkson, and a $50 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 8, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on January 15, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Book Tour, Review & Giveaway: Joseph, Where Are You? by Sandra Meaders

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

Discover early Church history with prominent members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like Joseph Smith, Jane Elizabeth Manning, and Brigham Young. This inspiring book will help children develop a love for Church history.

My Review

With the church-wide study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I think this is a wonderful book to help young readers visualize some of the historical figures we will learn about. Not only leaders of the restoration of Christ's church, but regular members who made an impact through their faith and example. The illustrations are colorful and delightful, and the information shared is perfect for both junior and senior Primary-aged children. Even as an adult I learned some new things about our church history!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Giveaway

 

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