BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: Too Blessed To Be Stressed For Moms by Debora M.Coty

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Christian living, motherhood, women's issues

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (September 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781683224105
• ISBN-13: 978-1683224105
• ASIN: 1683224108
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Synopsis: Do you feel like you’re drowning in the everyday stress-pool? . . .

Wish you could make busy-ness a business so you’d be a millionaire? . . .

Welcome to the maternal order of slightly sagging sisters of the 'hood. The motherhood. 

With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, popular inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of moms drowning in the churning stress-pool of busyness. In her beloved mom-to-mom, grin-provoking style, Coty offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help you hear Papa God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos. 

Whether you're struggling with stress related to attitude, time-management, guilt trips, patience, or something in between...this humor-filled volume will deliver a much-needed smile and equip you with simple-to-implement tips for attaining the peace we all crave—the peace that passes all understanding.

QUIZ

Take this quiz to discover just how stressed you are!
My results: Orange Alert! Look out—you’re at toxic stress levels.

Woah, mama, you are about to break! You're almost ready to pull your hair out. You need help now before you lose it.

Review: This is a must-read book for Christian mothers of all ages. It is entertaining and inspiring on every page. The cover is adorable and draws attention to the book immediately. 

There are verses, quotes, and discussion questions, making this a perfect book for small groups (of Moms), Mom's Time Out groups, or even your own personal study. It also has a beautiful cover and a ribbon marker to make it a perfect gift for a mom for Christmas, for Mother's Day or just because. 

Motherhood is a blessing and this book gently reminds you of that fact, helps you to find the blessings in the mundane, and is a reminder that God is walking right there with you.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Debora M. Coty is a popular humorist, speaker, and award-winning author of numerous inspirational books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed line. Deb considers herself a tennis junkie and choco-athlete (meaning she exercises just so she can eat more chocolate). A retired piano teacher and orthopedic occupational therapist, Debora currently lives, loves, and laughs in central Florida with her husband, Chuck, and three grandbuddies and one grandprincess. 

Readers can connect with Debora M. Coty via her website, deboracoty.com, or on Facebook (AuthorDeboraCoty), Twitter (DeboraCoty) and Instagram (DeboraCoty). 

GIVEAWAY

No one is immune to stress, least of all moms. That’s why Debora M. Coty, author of the best-selling Too Blessed to be Stressed series decided it was time to write an edition specifically addressing the stresses and needs in the daily life of moms. In Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms (Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing), Deb offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help frazzled moms of all ages hear God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos.

To celebrate the release of Too Blessed to Be Stressed for Moms and to bless a mom that needs to de-stress, Deb is giving away a “Take a Day for Mom” $75 VISA Cash Card. The card can be used by a mom for a day of pampering or just getting away and enjoying a day to herself. Do you need a day away or know a mom that does? (Is that a trick question?) Then, enter the giveaway and share it with all your friends. (Another little secret… You don’t have to prove you are a mom in order to win!)

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Stepparenting With Grace: Encouragement For Blended Families by Gayla Grace

BOOK INFORMATION
Genre: Christian living; Devotional; Family

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Worthy Inspired (August 7, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683972686
• ISBN-13: 978-1683972686

Synopsis: These devotions provide companionship, encouragement, understanding, and biblical insights from a veteran stepmom. This trusted resource will help you gain strength, wisdom, and comfort as you navigate the rocky terrain of creating a blended family.  You will learn how to:
Trust a loving God when the kids do not.
Find unity in your new marriage and parenting through grace and understanding.
Explore your worth in Christ amid rejection.
Gain confidence in the stepparent role as you take on the armor of God.
Persevere through challenges and obstacles toward healthy, thriving relationships.
Each devotion begins with Scripture along with an encouraging thought for the day and closes with prayer.

Review: This is a resource I would highly recommend for any blended family. The devotions are relatively short, and each one is practical and filled with encouragement. The author writes from her own experiences and does so with understanding, love, and knowledge. The index is arranged so that the reader can easily find a devotional about a specific topic or immediate need.
Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Gayla Grace is the leader and co-founder of Sisterhood of Stepmoms, a non-profit organization designed to create community and a retreat for stepmothers. She holds a master's degree in Psychology and Counseling and founded StepparentingWithGrace.com more than a decade ago to offer coaching services, resources, and other encouragement to stepfamilies. Gayla and her husband, Randy, have five children in their blended family, ages sixteen to thirty-two, and reside in Bossier City, Louisiana, with an ours child still at home.

FALL READING CHALLENGE: Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton #FRC2017 @BookSparks

BOOK INFORMATION

Hardcover: 272 pages

Genre: Self-help, relationships

• Publisher: Flatiron Books; Hardcover edition (September 6, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250128544
• ISBN-13: 978-1250128546

Synopsis: The highly anticipated new memoir by bestselling author Glennon Doyle Melton tells the story of her journey of self-discovery after the implosion of her marriage.

Just when Glennon Doyle Melton was beginning to feel she had it all figured out—three happy children, a doting spouse, and a writing career so successful that her first book catapulted to the top of the New York Times bestseller list—her husband revealed his infidelity and she was forced to realize that nothing was as it seemed. A recovering alcoholic and bulimic, Glennon found that rock bottom was a familiar place. In the midst of crisis, she knew to hold on to what she discovered in recovery: that her deepest pain has always held within it an invitation to a richer life.

Love Warrior is the story of one marriage, but it is also the story of the healing that is possible for any of us when we refuse to settle for good enough and begin to face pain and love head-on. This astonishing memoir reveals how our ideals of masculinity and femininity can make it impossible for a man and a woman to truly know one another - and it captures the beauty that unfolds when one couple commits to unlearning everything they’ve been taught so that they can finally, after thirteen years of marriage, fall in love.

Love Warrior is a gorgeous and inspiring account of how we are born to be warriors: strong, powerful, and brave; able to confront the pain and claim the love that exists for us all. This chronicle of a beautiful, brutal journey speaks to anyone who yearns for deeper, truer relationships and a more abundant, authentic life.

Review: This book is my introduction to this author, and I am so glad I chose to read it. While some of it was difficult reading (I could feel her pain, disappointment, confusion), other parts were uplifting and wonderful. 

The author takes us along with her on a deeply personal life journey, and she does it in such a way that we can all connect with her somewhere along the way. I can relate to being sure you know what love is and how it is supposed to look and feel, and then realizing that you've only bought into what society portrays--and working to unlearn it to find a deeper, truer love.

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Glennon Doyle is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Love Warrior, which was selected as Oprah's Book Club pick, as well as the New York Times bestselling memoir Carry On, Warrior. Glennon is also the founder of Momastery, an online community reaching millions of people each week, and the creator and president of Together Rising—a non-profit organization that has raised over seven million dollars for families around the world.

Follow Glennon and Momastery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for her email updates here: http://eepurl.com/OiRan.

Glennon is a columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine, and was named among OWN Network's SuperSoul100 inaugural group - as one of 100 "awakened leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity," as well as one as of Family Circle's 20 Most Influential Moms of 2017. Glennon and her philanthropic work have been featured on The TODAY Show, The Talk, The OWN Network, Chelsea, Dr. Oz and in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Forbes, Glamour, Parents Magazine, Newsweek, and Woman’s Day, among other television and print outlets. She lives in Florida with her family.

BOOK TOUR: Dinner Conversations by Jason Reid

Title: DINNER CONVERSATIONS

Author: Jason Reid

Publisher: Createspace/Reid Group

Pages: 348

Genre: Humor / Family / Parenting

“You are going to LAUGH! You are going to then wonder if these conversations actually happened. You are going to wonder what kind of guy would actually say these things to his family.”

The answer is simple—yes, these conversations did actually happen. They occurred over a period of roughly 5 years, mainly at my dinner table.  I took them verbatim and posted them on Facebook so that all my friends could get a good laugh.

I must be honest with you, some of you will are going to laugh and say things like “…that sounds like something I would say or want to say” others are going to think that I am a horrible parent.  I am ok with either thought process.

What I hope is that after laughing, scratching your head and wondering what is wrong with Jay Reid, you realize that you need to create more of your own Dinner Conversations.  

Please join me @ www.Facebook.com/DinnerConversations to read more and post your own.” 

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review: This is a hilarious collection of conversations between the author, his wife and their children. Anyone who has ever sat around a family dinner table over a period of years is sure to find several conversations which will sound eerily familiar. I know I did!

I think this would be fun to read aloud from at future family gatherings, just to see what sort of "dinner conversations" it sparks around our table.

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating:  Four stars

Taxes

Kids

"You have to pay how much in taxes?!?"

Jay

"Yep, half or more of my money goes to pay taxes, the rest goes to pay for you guys. I have almost nothing left over."

Kids

"That's crazy!”

Jay

"I agree, but I am stuck with all of you."

Jason Reid is an entrepreneur by trade and a dad by passion. He currently lives in Murrieta, California with his wonderful wife and amazing four children. Over the years he has written numerous business books, a novel, and children’s The Protector Bug book series.

His latest book is the humor/family/parenting book, Dinner Conversations.

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Winner of P&E Readers Poll 2016 for Best Publicity Firm

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Mother And Son:The Respect Effect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs #flyby #motherandson

Book Information

Genre: Christian parenting

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 5, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849948215
• ISBN-13: 978-0849948213

Synopsis: Love is important but it is respect that is the key to your son's heart.

The idea of moms respecting their sons may sound alien to some, but it seems to ignite curiosity across the board. It is easy to relate to the need for all of us to feel a mother's love, but is that the same thing as respect? Even for young boys, the effect of respect is nothing short of astounding when applied properly.

Moms yearn to learn anything that better helps them with their sons. After all, they love their boys, but many find them more difficult to parent than their girls, especially from age four and up.

What makes this all the more urgent is that moms are coaching fathers to love their daughters, but no one has said boo to moms on specific ways to show respect to their sons, at least not in a way that is applicable and fully explained. All realize that little girls need daddy s love, but who is strongly promoting the truth that little boys (and big ones) need Mom's respect? No wonder mothers feel left in the dark on this topic.

Just as Emerson Eggerichs transformed millions of marital relationships with a biblical understanding of love and respect, he now turns these principles to one of the most important relationships of all, a mother and her son.

For more information:  http://loveandrespect.info/mother-and-son-the-respect-effect

Review: While a great deal of the book seems geared toward mothers with young sons, based on the idea of starting to use these techniques from birth, more or less, I still found a great deal of useful information for me as the mother of an adult son.  Although I tell him on a regular basis that I love him, and that I'm proud of him for this or that, I don't know that I have ever let him know, in so many words, that I respect him.  After reading this book, I have already thought of things I respect about him which I can let him know at various times. 

The book is well-written and informative.  The information is laid out in easy to read, easy to understand language, and the amount of research put into the subject is obvious.

While I looked at the book mainly from the mother-son perspective, I can also see it being beneficial in a marital relationship, because husbands need to feel respected just as much as sons.  I can see this being a resource I consult many times in the future--for my husband, my son, and my young grandsons.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Five stars

About the author

As a researcher, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, who has a Ph.D. in child and family ecology from Michigan State University, garnered the testimonies of thousands of mothers following the release of his New York Times Bestseller, Love & Respect. These moms consistently reported they applied the respect side of the message to their sons with significant effects. Emerson and his wife, Sarah, present the Love and Respect Marriage and Parenting Conferences across the country. Emerson has also spoken to groups from the NFL, NBA, PGA, Navy Seals, and members of congress. He was the senior pastor of Trinity Church in East Lansing, MI for almost twenty years. He and Sarah have been married since 1973 and have three adult children. Emerson also has a BA in Biblical Studies from Wheaton College, an MA in communication from Wheaton College Graduate School, and an MDiv from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.

Surface by Stacy Robinson

Synopsis: In this powerfully written and insightful novel, author Stacy Robinson explores the consequences of flawed choices, the complex nature of betrayal and forgiveness--and the intriguing possibility of second acts. . . Claire Montgomery has a lifetime of sensible decisions behind her. Yet all it takes is one impulsive indiscretion to bring everything crashing down--her marriage to a wealthy entrepreneur, her status as half of one of Denver society's power couples, and the future she dreamed of for their seventeen-year-old son, Nick. Claire's husband, Michael, angrily blames her for the recklessness that has left Nick's life in the balance, though not nearly as much as Claire blames herself. But as Nick struggles to move forward, Claire too begins inching toward a reimagined future. Along with a fresh perspective come new questions. Are there other reasons for her fractured relationship and Michael's increasingly erratic behavior? Has he, too, been harboring painful secrets? And does Claire dare to find the real truth, when her seamlessly decorated world of privilege and security is at stake?

Review: This book actually holds two very moving stories: the recovery and rehab of young Nick, and the ending of the marriage of his parents, Claire and Michael.  

I was never able to like Michael in the slightest...he was a HUGE jerk. Claire was originally naive and in denial, expecting life to be exactly the same as it had been before her "indiscretion." As the story went on, however, I was impressed with her growth and strength.  Nick was determined, and even when he had troubles with his recovery, he never gave up.

The story is very well written, and flows well. The beginning of the book is a little slow, but once it picked up I didn't want to put it down. The main point of the story, to me, is that our actions have consequences, which may be further reaching than we realize.

Rating: Five stars

About the author
Stacy graduated with a BA degree in International Relations from Stanford University, and after satisfying her wanderlust with a three-year consulting and teaching stint in Japan, she returned to her hometown of Los Angeles to continue her career in international marketing. A happy twist of fate brought her to Denver, where she had kids and drifted back into the work she loves most – writing. Stacy is a lover of live music, clever lyrics, and the occasional cycling trip - and enjoys the Mile High city and nearby mountains with her husband, three children and chocolate Labrador non-Retriever, Jagger.

Featured Novel: Baxter Road Miracle by Carlene Havel

I read [Baxter Road Miracle] in one day, simply because I really didn't want to stop until I got to the end. Bet you will as well. Kudos to Carlene Havel for sharing this story with the world. 

--Amazon Reviewer

Baxter Road Miracle

by Carlene Havel

About the book: 

Can faith move mountains? The Youngbloods are about to find out.
Henry Youngblood is determined to plant a new church in Buffalo Creek, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Meanwhile, his pregnant wife worries about paying the bills. One daughter dreams of a college education she cannot afford, and the other wants nothing more than popularity. It will take a miracle for the Youngblood family’s dreams to come true.

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

What COTT voters had to say:

--I love covers with churches on them.

--Thank you for well written words that speak truth.

--Keep writing those good books!

--I'm reading it now and can't put it down!

--Excellent book.. wonderful author!

--You are an awesome woman of God. You are an inspiration and a great author.

Q&A with Carlene:

Q: The book is categorized as ‘historical.’ When does it take place?

A: The setting is during the early 1960s, when good girls didn’t kiss on the first date. When smoking a cigarette in the high school bathroom was a huge scandal. When parents disapproved of bleached hair, eye shadow, and short skirts. When an idealistic preacher decided to take on the world to fulfill his calling.

Q: Do you have another book on the horizon?

A: Of course – how nice of you to ask! Joan Alley at Prism Book Group came up with the idea of a series based on the characteristics of love. Each author selected a phrase from the First Corinthians description of love as the theme for a short novel. Mine is entitled “Evidence Not Seen,” based on love keeping no record of wrongs. It’s the story of an attorney whose father is returning home after completing a long prison sentence. If the relationships among the father, mother, and son are to survive, each one must let go of old hurts.

About Carlene:

Carlene Havel is an award-winning writer of Christian-themed fiction. She has lived in Turkey, Republic of the Philippines, and numerous US States. After a career in human resources and software development, she began writing in 2005. The Havels live in Texas, surrounded by their extended family.

Find more great new releases all year at Clash of the Titles!

Love Defined (Remnants #3) by Elizabeth Maddrey

Synopsis: Dreams Change. Plans Fail.

July (pronounced "Julie") and Gareth have reached the end of their infertility treatment options. With conflicting feelings on adoption, they struggle to discover common ground in their marriage.

Meanwhile, July's twin sister, June, and her husband, Toby, are navigating the uncertainties of adoption and the challenges of new parenthood.

How much stretching can their relationships endure before they snap?

Thoughts: This book is the perfect ending for story of June and Toby, and July and Gareth. It isn't a "happily ever after" fairy tale ending, but it was honest and realistic. Both couples were able to create a family, even if the experience wasn't quite what they had been hoping it would be. The relationship between the sisters was strained at times, but by the end of the book, they had found their way back to the closeness of twins. Gareth and July still have many of the same issues from the previous book, most especially the lack of open communication. Most of their friends and family members from the last two books are present, dealing with their own emotions regarding the couples' journey toward parenthood. I would love to read another story about the two families, set five or ten years in the future, to see how things have gone. :)

I was provided a free copy of this book to read and review, but all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

My rating: Five stars

Why Ruin Another Life, Anthony Weathers

Synopsis: This story was told to Anthony Weathers years ago. Upon hearing it, he felt compelled to write a story based on these tragic, true events. Why Ruin Another Life is set in the 1970s in black Mississippi. It is a generational journey about how lives can be altered by an event or person. Hattie is black woman in her thirties who sets off a chain of events that unravel, creating a domino effect. It affects the lives of her daughter, granddaughter, and everyone around them. This one event caused a thunderstorm for generations to come, and the lessons learned were very costly.

Thoughts: DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.

This was a real page turner...once I started reading, I read it all the way through in about an hour and a half. It's a very dynamic story of several generations of family dysfunction. I would love to see it as a movie in the future.

My only "complaint" is that I would have liked to have had a bit more of the present day at the very end, to sort of tie it back to the beginning.

The Midwife's Confession, Diane Chamberlain

Synopsis: Dear Anna,

What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry . . .

The unfinished letter is the only clue Tara and Emerson have to the reason behind their close friend Noelle's suicide. Everything they knew about Noelle—her calling as a midwife, her passion for causes, her love for her friends and family—described a woman who embraced life.

Yet there was so much they didn't know.

With the discovery of the letter and its heartbreaking secret, Noelle's friends begin to uncover the truth about this complex woman who touched each of their lives—and the life of a desperate stranger—with love and betrayal, compassion and deceit.

Thoughts: So many secrets between three friends. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, it took another turn, and I was surprised yet again. It was written in a very realistic manner, and the characters were all people I would enjoy getting to know. The relationships between Tara, Emerson and their daughters struck several chords with me, taking me back to the days when I had two teenaged daughters in my house.  I laughed, I cried, I felt angry...it was an emotional rollercoaster.

This Is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper

Synopsis: The death of Judd Foxman's father marks the first time that the entire Foxman clan has congregated in years. There is, however, one conspicuous absence: Judd's wife, Jen, whose affair with his radio- shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public. Simultaneously mourning the demise of his father and his marriage, Judd joins his dysfunctional family as they reluctantly sit shiva-and spend seven days and nights under the same roof. The week quickly spins out of control as longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed and old passions are reawakened. Then Jen delivers the clincher: she's pregnant.

Thoughts: Who would have guessed that a novel about death and mourning could be so hilarious? The three Foxman brothers, their sister, their mother, and their significant others all have issues which come to light during their week of forced togetherness. The movie based on this book is scheduled to be released in September, and while I'm not impressed with some of the casting, I still hope it will be a fun film.