Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Is It Just Me? by Grace Valentine

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Is It Just Me? by Grace Valentine, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Is It Just Me?
Author: Grace Valentine
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: February 9, 2021
Genre: Christian Life/Women's Issues

An anthem for every woman who is weary of living a life in which she knows the right answers but does not believe them. 

Is It Just Me? is a book by a popular social media blogger that helps young women find true trust in Jesus when they are overwhelmed and frustrated with their lives.  

Many women joke about having trust issues—laughing at their struggle because it feels common but secretly feeling there is no hope. Grace Valentine was one of them. In her twenties she realized her trust issues were not humorous because in reality hers were trust issues with Jesus, her community, her family, and herself. And they were destroying her faith. Grace creatively told herself she was simply being realistic, but the truth was, she was entangled with doubt and lies. 

In Grace’s second book, Is It Just Me?, she offers readers a new perspective by helping them find answers to five deeply felt questions.

• Am I the only one who is tired, overwhelmed, doubting, and fearful?
• Am I the only one who feels hurt and lonely?
• Am I the only one who still is struggling to find my purpose?
• Am I the only one struggling to trust that God is there?
• Am I the only one confused about how to be an adult?

Grace’s personal story and perceptive insights show other young women that not only are they are not alone, they can trust God in the middle of their hurts, doubts, and fears.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

 

 EXCERPT

If you’re anything like me, you say yes without thinking, and then you find yourself in over your head. Life keeps moving faster, and some mornings you wonder if there ever will be an eye cream good enough to hide your bags. I get it. However, Jesus never asked you to be busy.

Don’t let your plans distract you from God’s purpose for you. There’s nothing wrong with keeping a calendar. There’s nothing wrong with having plans. But a crucial question to ask yourself is, “Am I pursing my plans or His purpose?”

Focusing on our will often distracts us from God’s will. Too often, our will is to be busy, be productive, and achieve success by the world’s standards. But God’s will is for us to sit at His feet, focus on Him, and pursue our relationship with Him. We will never know why we were created if we don’t know our Creator and Savior.

Taken from “Is it Just Me? Learning to Trust God in the Middle of Hursts, Doubts and Fears” by Grace Valentine. Copyright 2021 by Grace Valentine. Used with permission from Thomas Nelson.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Grace Valentine is an author, blogger, podcast host, and speaker. Her readers love that she is so relatable. They say her fresh voice helps them navigate their own faith and life, which in turn helps fulfill her mission to show others that Christianity is an adventure worth living. After growing up outside New Orleans, Louisiana, Grace attended Baylor University, graduating in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She now resides in Orlando, Florida, where she enjoys running and eating lots of sushi.

CONNECT WITH GRACE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Am I Enough? and Is it Just Me? by Grace Valentine!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 8, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 15, 2021. 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 HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Soldier's Unexpected Family by Tanya Agler

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Soldier's Unexpected Family by Tanya Agler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Soldier's Unexpected Family
Author: Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: March 1, 2021
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

He had a plan…

She changed it all!

Major Aidan Murphy arrives in the charming small town of Hollydale to take full guardianship of his six-year-old nephew. Only there’s a slight problem—his vivacious, fiery co-guardian. School teacher Natalie Harrison has no intention of letting Aidan take her best friend’s heartbroken little boy away. Now Aidan must convince Natalie that blood is stronger than love…even if his heart tells him otherwise.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub

 

 EXCERPT

Aidan came over and patted Danny on the shoulder. “I like your attitude. Work first, play later. We’ll have more time for outings now that I’m staying in Hollydale for a month.”

A small spark ignited in Natalie. A month to get to know the enigmatic major. A month for him to get to know Danny and see the benefits of consistency with a side of fun thrown in for good measure. Then again, she tamped down that spark. He was staying for Danny’s sake, not hers. In fact, this delay might cost her dearly. What if she and Aidan formed a bond? The beginning of something between them wasn’t lost on her.

Then where would she and Danny be when he returned to active duty?

Danny stood back, and she gave him a smile for reassurance. “We can work with that, right?”

Aidan removed his windbreaker and placed it on the wooden table. “So, where’s the plan? What are you using the chicken wire for?”

Plan? She had it all in her head at this point.

“This morning I’m improvising and modifying the original plan and taking it up a level. It’s going to be a reach for the stars extravaganza.” She walked over to the duffel bag and unzipped it. Reaching inside, she pulled out wads of tissue paper and scissors. “Today I’m working on the part that will go around the sides.”

Aidan raised an eyebrow. “Tissue paper? What if it rains?”

“Then the parade will be rescheduled.” Natalie brushed an imaginary piece of lint off her colorful tunic. “Holidays are such happy celebrations. And represent everything you’re fighting for.”

She had to keep believing that. This float was more than just a float. It was a way forward.

 

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

An award-winning author, Tanya Agler moved often during her childhood and settled in Georgia where she writes sweet contemporary romance novels, which feature small towns, family and pets, and themes of second chances and hope. The author of The Sheriff’s Second Chance and A Ranger for the Twins, she is awaiting the release of her third book, The Soldier’s Unexpected Family, coming in March of 2021. A graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and law, she lives with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable rescue beagle (whose hashtag is #LinustheBeagle). Represented by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, she’s currently at work on the sequels to her debut.  When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, walking, and a good cup of tea.

CONNECT WITH TANYA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Sheriff's Second Chance (with swag), $15.00 Amazon Gift card, and reader’s coffee cup!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 9, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 16, 2021. 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 HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby by Jennifer Beckstrand

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

In the first in an engaging new series, an Amish quiltmaker moves from Pennsylvania to a new settlement in Colorado, where adventure, challenges, and love are waiting . . .

Esther Zook is starting over after her father’s death, piecing together a new life with as much as care as she puts into her intricate quilts. When her wayward sister abandons her baby, it throws all those plans for a fresh start asunder. Esther had accepted her status as an old maid—but a mother? And a single one, at that? Not that she hasn’t noticed Levi Kiem, the eligible young man who’s making repairs in her house. Yet he surely has no interest in Esther as anything other than a friend . . .

It’s true that Levi has plenty of marriage prospects. His dat has even offered to send him to Ohio to find a wife. Yet the more time he spends with Esther, the more intrigued he becomes. Feisty and independent, he’s nothing like the wife he once imagined for himself. Yet just as a quilt is crafted from contrasting cloth, they might find that together, they can create a family to cherish . . .

My Review

I love how absolutely vibrant this author's characters are! Esther is strong and independent, but the new challenge of caring for her sister's baby brings all her frustrations and insecurities to the surface. Levi was in the right place at the right time to come to her aid, and I loved seeing his friendship with Esther develop and how his opinion of her shifted. I think my favorite mannerism of Esther's was her tendency to throw and attack things in order to work out her rage and anger. It's definitely not what a person thinks a typical Amish reaction would be! The situation she finds herself in is very realistic, with conflicting emotions of love and resentment for her sister. Her quilting friends are full of personality and an important source of support for Esther. I was glued to the pages as Esther's life and future takes a complete 180 and Levi get taken along for the ride. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

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.

 

The next book in The Amish Quiltmaker series releases June 29th and is available for preorder!