Bathed In Prayer By Jan Karon GIVEAWAY!

A new must-have collection for fans of the New York Times bestselling Mitford series, featuring the prayers, sermons, and inspiration from beloved Father Tim, as well as new essays and reflections on faith from author Jan Karon.Over the course of fourteen novels, millions of readers have fallen in love with the faith, encouragement, and wisdom that are at the very heart of Jan Karon's Mitford series. Now, for the first time, readers will have the chance to walk with Father Tim through a collection of prayers, sermons, and inspirational passages that incorporates material from each of the novels. In addition, fans will get to hear directly from author Jan Karon, in a brand-new essay about her own personal journey in faith and the ways that the Mitford novels have impacted her.

Full of advice and inspiration from the characters that fans have followed for years, this beautifully designed compilation will soon become a staple for any Mitford reader.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Bathed-Prayer-Prayers-Sermons-Reflections/dp/0525537562/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540779396&sr=8-1&keywords=bathed+in+prayer+jan+karon

Jan Karon is the author of the bestselling series of nine Mitford novels featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest, and the fictional village of Mitford. Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karon's Mitford books include At Home in Mitford; A Light in the Window; These High, Green Hills; Out to Canaan; A New Song; A Common Life: The Wedding Story; In This Mountain; Shepherd's Abiding; and Light from Heaven. The Father Tim Novels include "Home to Holly Springs" and last fall's release of "In the Company of Others," set in County Sligo, Ireland. There are over 40 million Mitford and Father Tim novels, childrens books, and CDs in print.

My Thoughts...

Are you a fan of Karon's Mitford series?
If you  said YES, then you are going to flip for this book full of  inspirational quotes and prayers and sermons. This would make the perfect gift for those who are big readers and have everything already. I'm sure that they would cherish this.
Jan has written about her faith in this book you don't ant to miss that.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it. Perfect gift I think.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.


To be entered in the GIVEAWAY, leave a comment below and you must share this blog post and follow this blog.

The Happy Stay at Home Mom By Sara Gaviria

Finally: A Guide About Taking Care of Mom During Baby’s First Year

What if you could let go of the guilty feelings that come with leaving a career to stay at home with your little one? What if you could overcome common new motherhood struggles and achieve sleep, sanity and self-fulfillment – all without breaking a sweat? (Okay, occasional sweating is fine.)
In other words, what if you had a handbook that explained not what to do with your new baby in that trying first year, but what to do with yourself?
These are the questions Sara Gaviria started asking herself midway through her pregnancy. Before the bun in the oven, she had lived in different countries, worked as a Manager of Hispanic Publications, and enjoyed the company of colleagues in a corporate environment.
So when she had a full-on panic attack at the enormity of her decision to leave her sales and marketing career and become a stay at home mom, she started looking for resources to show her the way. That’s when she discovered … there aren’t any!
So she wrote the book on happy mommy-hood herself. In this helpful and hilarious guide, you’ll encounter insightful stories, incisive research, and charming personal anecdotes. You’ll also learn:

• What no one (seriously, no one) tells you about your body after delivery
• How to cope with breastfeeding obstacles and overcome challenges
• How to deal with one of the most common emotional after effects of pregnancy
• Why the best-laid birth plans go awry … and what to do about it
• How to approach eating and exercise (without saying goodbye chocolate!)
• Why you need fitness plans broken down by month
• How to transform any complexion from droopy to dewy immediately
• Why you should take your grandmother’s old beauty trick seriously
• The no-fuss approach to beauty, stretchmarks, hair, and sunglasses (yes, sunglasses)
• The Mommy Dress Code, and how to stop breaking it for good
• What to do about your husband – er, that is, how to act in partnership with your husband
• How to remain mindful through the madness of the first year
• How to reconnect with a tribe in your target market (fine, so Sara may not have let all of the marketing lingo go)
• Why “lean in” may be the exact wrong advice for you
• Why “finding your passion” is more than a buzz phrase, and how to go about it

See, being a mom is more than learning the right breastfeeding tips, dealing with postpartum depression and losing weight after pregnancy. It’s more than skincare and tribes and healthy sleep habits. It’s all those things too, of course – but with a huge dash of realism, tranquility and wit all mixed in. Sound like the recipe for your first year? You’re in luck.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Stay-at-Home-Mom-amazing-having/dp/0692090614/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1540778504&sr=8-1

 

Sara Gaviria is a Colombian journalist with an MA in Marketing and Communications from Westminster University, U.K. She has lived in London and California, working as an advertising executive for media publications such as The San Diego Union-Tribune, serving in her last position as a Manager of Hispanic Publications. She now makes her mission to help other mothers take care of themselves post pregnancy through her writing. Sara currently lives in Houston with her husband and son.

My Thoughts...

This is a book for new moms and it is chock full of ideas and helpful tips as well as recipes.
You are not alone new moms and author and mother Sara Gaviria is here to lend you the support you need.
Sara has your backs new moms, if you are experiencing it Sara has a tip to help you.
This is a good book for new moms. I would give this book at baby showers and make sure to let Sara know how you like it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Holy Roar By Chris Tomlin CD GIVEAWAY!

HOLY ROAR: the freedom, the experience, the wonder of worship. It is seeing the church come together, hands lifted to God, pouring out our praise with an eternal song in our hearts. It’s every voice together, changing the way we worship.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Roar-Chris-Tomlin/dp/B07DKRRZZ9/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1540421301&sr=8-1

Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. Chris is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. 

The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Chris’ concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others. This spring, Chris marked another career milestone by launching his own imprint record label, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.

 

 

My Thoughts...

Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite Christian artist. Several churches in my area the worship leaders perform a great deal of his songs. Chris is one of the few musicians when I listen to his albums I never skip over a song. I can listen to every song. Holy Roar is no different. Tomlin has written another album for the ages. I like every song on the CD. My personal favorite is Nobody Loves Me Like You. It is another playlist  of songs that will have hands lifted to God and raising their voices to Him.

I gave this CD 4 stars. It would make a great gift.

The Mary Reader received this CD from @flybypromotions for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

 

Post by AJ

 

 

To be entered in the CD GIVEAWAY, leave a comment below and you must share this blog post and follow this blog.

His Promise By Shelly Shepard Gray

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s latest Christmas novel in her Amish of Hart County series.
It’s set to be a white Christmas in Hart County, and Grace King is pet-sitting in a beautiful home with only a difficult dachshund for company. Just as she starts to miss the bustle of her large Amish family, Grace runs into a familiar face. Living right next door is John Michael Miller. He’s a fireman now, but five years ago, he had courted her older sister, then broke her heart. Seeing him again stirs Grace’s anger, but also reminds her of deeper feelings she’s done her best to deny.
The infatuation John Michael once saw in Grace’s eyes is long gone, though his complicated attraction to her remains. He had walked away all those years ago when he realized he was falling in love with the wrong sister. Now, as suspicious fires are set in their community, that’s not an option. Grace dismisses his warnings, and John Michael vows to keep an eye on her. But he can’t help wondering if he’s reconnected with Grace, only to risk losing her again.
Now all John Michael wants for Christmas is to keep Grace safe, in the hopes that they can one day have a future together.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/His-Promise-Amish-Christmas-County/dp/0062469193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540337950&sr=8-1&keywords=his+promise+shelley+shepard+gray

Shelley Shepard Gray lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. A busy wife and mother of two, she spends her days writing and keeping track of her two teenagers. Her two dogs keep her company when she writes in her basement.

Shelley enjoys writing about the Amish and visits Amish communities in Adams and Holmes counties several times a year. When not spending time with her family or writing, she serves on several committees in her church.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news...or become her friend on FaceBook.

My Thoughts...

Gray always writes with so much compassion and the story is always very inspirational.
You are going to enjoy your trip to Hart County. And my dog loving friends are going to love the dachshund.
Mystery and romance in one Christmas story.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

The Christmas Remedy By Cindy Woodsmall

When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Remedy-Amish-Romance/dp/0735291047/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539879319&sr=8-1&keywords=the+christmas+remedy+woodsmall%2C+cindy+and+erin+woodsmall

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written twenty-two (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal,and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the one of the top three most popular authors of Amish fiction.

She's won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer's Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings' Best Books of the Year. She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn't realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn't allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy's house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them--afraid that if they didn't, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann's because her family didn't own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults' disapproval and the obstacles in each other's lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy's family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities--from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest. 

If you'd like more information or to contact her, you can go to her website: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall

My Thoughts...

Woodsmall Has given us a gift this Christmas season. The Christmas Remedy.
You are in for a treat with this book, great storyline and generous characters.
Don't forget to pick up an extra copy for your friends and family.
4 stars for this one. I recommend it.
  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Bless your Husband By Angela Mills

Sometimes, choosing to love your husband is hard. Whether you've been married one year or 31 years, chances are he's done things that have frustrated you, angered you, hurt you, or flabbergasted you. But after arguing over how to load the dishwasher yet again, you might be wondering how you can show him that you really do love him.

In as little as 15 minutes a day, you can do something meaningful for your husband and grow in your faith. From washing his car to writing a positive post about him on social media to watching his favorite movie with him, these pages are full of creative, simple, and interactive ideas on how to bless your husband. You'll discover daily Scripture verses, inspirational readings, and journaling prompts to encourage you as well!

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Husband-Creative-Encourage/dp/0764231766/ref=sr_1_1?s=gift-cards&ie=UTF8&qid=1539886371&sr=8-1&keywords=bless+your+husband

Angela Mills is an author and blogger known for her transparency and encouragement for women. She's been married to her best friend for 18 years and is a homeschool mom to two daughters.

Angela runs a private Facebook group for thousands of Christian wives and has written over 60 articles online for various websites. She is passionate about following Jesus, helping marriages thrive, and encouraging women to intentionally love their husbands and children.

Her first book, Bless Your Husband, comes out in October of 2018. When not writing or teaching or playing with her grandson, Angela loves to bake or escape into a good book. An avid reader, she brings a book with her everywhere she goes.

You can connect with Angela here:
angelamillsbooks.com
Facebook.com/AuthorAngelaMills
Or you can join her private group for wives at: facebook.com/groups/BlessingYourHusbandDailyChallenges

My Thoughts...

Oh my ladies, this is a fantastic read.  Very Creative ideas. It is a life changing book. So much advice and helpful tips. You all should see my copy I have wrote all in it.
Mills really gets you to think and to open your heart.
This book really shows you  some things to strengthen your marriage and help keep the flame burning in your relationship.
The more that you work on the things that you need to the better off you both will be.
5 Stars and I HIGHLY recommend all my friends read this one.
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Missionary Mom By Shontell Brewer

Mission work is not for the faint of heart. We admire those brave souls who leave behind the comforts of home and go to foreign fields to bring the love of Christ to people in need. And sometimes it feels uninspiring to be stuck at home in the day-to-day of parenting when others are out there changing the world, soul by soul.

Shontell Brewer has a message to renew the spirits of everyday moms: they too have a critical calling as the very first missionaries their children meet. In her informal, funny voice, Brewer points out the many unexpected parallels: A missionary may need to learn a foreign language and new customs to understand and communicate with those around her. A missionary has to follow the path God puts before her, sacrificing sleep, comfort, time, and toilets. Sound like any moms you know?

Brewer tackles common challenges from mom-guilt to the temptation to be a martyr to those days when it feels like only a box of cookies and a Netflix binge can restore a sense of peace. But through it all, she shares the truth that there's more to parenting than potty training and orthodontist appointments. Mothers make the love of Christ tangible and understandable to their children. With determination and a few purposeful steps, moms can embrace their own mission field, leading their families--heart, soul, mind, and strength--to Christ.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Missionary-Mom-Embracing-Mission-Field/dp/0825445388/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538567123&sr=8-1&keywords=missionary+mom+shontell+brewer

Shontell Brewer is a wife, mother, kindergarten teacher, and associate pastor with Foursquare International in Reno, Nevada. She holds a master of science degree in teaching English as a second language and a master of arts in Christian studies with an emphasis in urban ministry. Her blog, Nonsense at Its Finest, can be found at shontellbrewer.com.

My Thoughts...

This was such a fun read, I loved the humor throughout the book as well as the great advice for moms.
Let me not forget that there is scripture as well all throughout the book which makes it even better.
Moms who feel like they are not doing what they think they are called to do being a stay at home mom need to grab a copy of this is take a long hot bath and read what Brewer has to say to you.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.