God's Surprising Way: The Path to Lasting Joy, Healing, and Love by Jeyran Main - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jeyran Main will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

God's Surprising Way: The Path to Lasting Joy, Healing, and Love guides readers into the upside-down kingdom of God, where human expectations are consistently overturned. In this transformative journey, the humble are exalted, the last are lifted, and true greatness is found through servanthood, surrender, and sacrificial love. Through Scripture, theological insights, and historical reflections-from Augustine and Luther to Bonhoeffer and Nouwen-readers discover how God's surprising ways cultivate lasting joy, deep healing, and authentic love.

Each chapter explores a distinct paradox of the gospel, demonstrating how humility, generosity, and obedience can transform relationships, communities, and personal faith. Practical reflections and prompts invite readers to integrate these principles into daily life-choosing forgiveness over resentment, service over recognition, and trust over control.

With accessible scholarship, devotional insight, and concrete application, this book reveals the practical power of God's reversals. It challenges conventional assumptions about success, power, and happiness, inviting believers to live counterculturally in alignment with Christ's teachings. God's Surprising Way is both an invitation and a roadmap: to encounter God's transformative presence, embody the values of the Kingdom, and experience joy, healing, and love that endure.

EXCERPT ONE:

Christianity begins with surprise! From the moment the Word became flesh, God has been showing us that His ways are not our ways. He made incarnate the Savior, not in a palace but in a stable. He was welcomed by shepherds first, the lowly, marginalized outcasts of society (Luke 2:8–12). Jesus continued to reverse our expectations throughout his life. He taught everyone that the last would be first, and the first last (Matthew 20:16), that the meek would inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5), and that greatness was about servanthood, not privilege or authority (Matthew 20:26–27). Everywhere he went, the crowds were astonished—they were forced to recalibrate their understanding of power, privilege, and God’s blessing.

This reversibility, what some have called the upside-down kingdom, is key to understanding the surprising way of God. Where we see strength, control, and recognition, He delights in lifting the humble, exalting the meek, and blessing the poor in spirit. This is what Augustine means when he observes, “In the wisdom of God, they are overturned, and what seemed to be less is more weighty than it seemed in the world” (Augustine 1998, 54). This is often the counterfactual logic of the kingdom: surrender as a means of power, weakness as a source of strength, and service as a path to greatness.

The scriptures are replete with examples of reversibility. Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, and ultimately rules nations and saves them from famine (Genesis 50:20). David, the youngest and least regarded son of Jesse, becomes the greatest king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:11–13). The disciples, though zealously devoted to Jesus, have to learn that glory comes through humility, self-denial, and love for others (Mark 10:42–45). Jesus Himself modelled the supreme example; the Son of God, made majesty incarnate, suffers and dies, allowing defeat to become eternal victory.

Inviting us into the upside-down kingdom is more than a theological concept; it also shapes how we perceive our lives today. Our human assumptions—about success, happiness, and significance—are misguided. While learning to honour God’s surprising way, we see that consideration for a fleeting bit of favour from others gives way to joy, that surrender to God’s will yields health, and that loving others sacrificially through humble service changes relationships.

The upside-down kingdom is an invitation to see the world through God’s eyes—a way to fulfill what Jesus says; a way where “the last are first,” the “lowly are received” and “the hidden thing of love and service” is of eternal weight. The Paradox of Joy, Healing, and Love

In the upside-down kingdom, joy, healing, and love often appear to be contrary to human expectations. True joy is not the product of achievement, recognition, or comfort; healing is not always immediate; and love is rarely transactional. Instead, the Christian life invites believers into a paradox: the more we surrender, serve, and humble ourselves, the more these blessings flow into our lives.

AUTHOR BIO:

Jeyran Main has spent years immersed in the world of books as an editor and publisher. She is the author of The Radical Realism of Jesus: A Framework for Living in the 21st Century and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Living in the Light of the Cross magazine. Through her platform, HeavenlyHarmonyHub.com, she provides resources that encourage thoughtful engagement with faith. Guided by a passion for seeking truth, Jeyran explores how God’s counterintuitive Kingdom wisdom overturns human expectations and invites readers into a life marked by joy, healing, generosity, and love.

https://jeyranmain.com/gods-surprising-way

Pieces of You by April Farlow - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Pieces of You
by April Farlow

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GENRE:   Christian Living

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BOOK BLURB:

Knowing who you are has always been challenging, and in today’s world, more and more voices are coming from more and more places telling us who we should be. The result? A broken sense of identity that we’re struggling to put back together.

In Pieces of You, April Farlow shares how she discovered her identity is formed by the God who made her. Along the way, she’s learned that if we want to put the pieces of who we are together in a real, lasting way, we have to look to Whose we are for help.

It’s time to take a look at the unique pieces that make up who you are …

The pieces you compare …

The pieces informed by the father figure in your life …

The painful pieces …

The pieces of your relationships …

The pieces on which you’ve built your beliefs …

The pieces that give you rules and boundaries …

The pieces that show what you value …

The pieces that give you purpose …

The pieces that help you build a vision for what’s to come.

As we work to put those pieces together, we’ll look to the God who made us, knows us, and loves us to guide us. Because when you take all your pieces—the good, the bad, the broken, and the beautiful—and place them in your Heavenly Father’s hands, there, you’ll find peace. There, you’ll find security. There, you’ll find a real sense of who you are and Whose you are.

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EXCERPT THREE:

As it turns out, relationships are complex, wonderful, and constantly changing. Whether it’s a relationship with a spouse or significant other, a family member, a coworker, a friend, or just a neighbor we cross paths with occasionally, we don’t always appreciate the complexity or influence these relationships have on the pieces of who we are. We don’t always see how they shape not just how we see who we are but how we see who others are, too.

Relationships are complex. They’re made up of people who are flawed and imperfect, and we will inevitably get it wrong a time or two. And that means they likely deserve way more work and attention than we give them. After all, relationships can influence who we become. They leave a permanent tattoo on our skin, our personality, and our ability to have other relationships. They’re strong enough to give us a common bond yet powerful enough to tear us apart.

But you don’t need me to tell you this, do you? You experience the complexity of relationships in your life regularly.

I mean, even science is backing us up here. Social psychologists have claimed that our identity is often shaped by what we think other people think of us. If the people we’re in relationship with label us as beautiful, we believe it. We hold on to that if they say we’re smart, personable, or athletic. We think it about ourselves. We let it become a piece of who we are.

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GUEST POST:

The Craziest Thing I’ve Done in the Name of Research:

In the name of research, I invited 30 of my friends to meet with me in two different groups over a three-month period.  To form the teams, I didn’t just ask friends who were closest to me.  I included women from various areas of my life to get different perspectives.  They may have known one or two other people in the room, but for the most part I wanted them to be in a group of new faces.

I let everyone know up front that they would be asked to be honest and get real, really fast.  To give an example, the first question was “tell me about your relationship with your dad growing up.”   Maybe it was because I set the group up to have very real conversations or maybe because I asked each one to come as a personal favor, but I was absolutely amazed at how fast everyone jumped in with vulnerability.  I expected everyone to answer the questions, but I didn’t expect them to linger after the meetings to continue the conversations.  I didn’t expect the friendships that formed.

I have spent 20 years teaching public speaking and storytelling courses and I am used to hearing incredible stories, but these topics that we discussed compelled me to learn more about each person in the room.  I had planned just to test the content on my friends.  I never intended to collect their stories for the book, but I learned so much that I couldn’t leave them out either.  So, my research changed the perspective of the book entirely.

I expected us to do exercises and clarify personal pieces like relationships, values, beliefs, rules, purpose, and vision.  I didn’t expect the two different groups to go in such different directions.  It was in the two different groups that I realized the depts that our own experiences shape us.  It also became clear that the more we talk about our experiences, the more clarity we gain.  In choosing to share, we dropped the barriers that come from comparison and became real.

In “Pieces of You,” I refer to these women who shaped so much of the book as my “kaleidoscopes” and I share some of their very real perspectives.

Specifically, here is an excerpt from the book:

I always thought it would be special to have a tight group of friends who have a running text thread.  What I have is not that.  It’s a random collection of incredible people who don’t all know each other, still, they support me, love me, fight for me, and show up for me.  They’re steadfast friends willing to tell me the truth in any situation.  They ground me, surround me, and generally astound me with their ability to be honest, loving, and incredible friends.  They are my kaleidoscopes.

The “kaleidoscopes” were my crazy research and sweetest surprise along the path to write this book.  I would love for you to read this book, as we did, with some friends and even some new faces so that you might shift your perspective and point to a Heavenly Father who knows all your pieces.  It just so happens that when we bring all the random pieces to Him, just like a kaleidoscope that brings beauty from random pieces, He reflects our light.

~ My Kaleidoscopes ~

Left to Right: 1.) Kara and Erin 2.) Kristi 3.) Leslie 4.) Natasha 5.) Rachel, Rebecca, & Angela 6.) Meg, Amanda, Nancy, & Maria 7.) Lisa 8.) Maria & Kay 9.) Laura, Kara, Laurie, & Amy 10.) Lynn & Nancy

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AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:

April Farlow has spent the last 20 years motivating audiences to get out of their comfort zone, speak up, and represent their values. In corporate environments, one piece is missed—the ability to talk about forming your identity in God. Today, as a speaker, author, coach, and non-profit leader, April is changing this by sharing her faith journey and helping others do the same with clarity and conviction.

In 2017, after speaking to a group of foster youth, April founded Lydia’s Place, a ministry serving young adults who have experienced foster care or homelessness. April and her husband have four girls and live on a mini-farm outside of Athens, Georgia.

Website:

http://www.aprilfarlow.com

Instagram:

http://www.instagram.com/aprilwfarlow

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GIVEAWAY:

April will be awarding a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Shine His Light 3: Instructions In Life by Marie McGaha - Book Tour - TWO Guest Posts!! - Giveaway - Enter Daily!!

Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Marie McGaha and her new book, “Shine His Light 3: Instructions In Life,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Marie and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Shine His Light 3:

Instructions In Life

by Marie McGaha

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GENRE:   Christian Devotional 

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BOOK BLURB:

Life is the journey we take on our way to Heaven. It's not easy, it's not pretty, and sometimes, it's downright difficult. However, we have an Advocate unlike any other, Jesus Christ. In Shine His Light, the author uses scriptures and her own life lessons to help others get through the bumpy spots.

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EXCERPT ONE:

When I was a kid, the series “Star Trek” was the greatest sci-fi show on TV, with the most up-to-date special effects. People disappeared in the transporter, we saw the Enterprise fly through the stars at warp speed, and of course, we saw really strange people and creatures from other planets. Sometimes, the planets were inhospitable and wouldn’t support life as we know it, so the crew moved on.

Of course, it didn’t take long for technology to leap forward and when I watch the old “Star Trek” episodes now, the special effects seem so antiquated, they’re something we laugh about. We can take what is already there and turn it into something better, something brand new and more efficient but we can’t take nothing and turn it into something. Only God can do that.

When God’s Spirit hovered over the face of the waters, He did not think it was inhospitable or that nothing could ever come from it. God looked at the waters and thought, I can make dry land. I can make light. I can take some of that dirt and form a human being. And that is exactly what He did. But He did not stop there, He formed a human being from a pile of dirt and then, He did something remarkable, He breathed His own Spirit into that pile of dirt and gave it life. That pile of dirt became the first man—a living, breathing, moving, thinking person. And God said it was “very good.” Up until then, everything created was called “good,” but man and woman were “very good.”

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GUEST POST #1:

Paper or Screen?  Which Medium is More Effective in Conveying Your Message?

I am old school and prefer a book in my hand to a tablet or Kindle, so I think it’s a personal preference for the reader. However, since I write mostly devotional or self-help, paperback is definitely the best choice since many of the books have questions for the reader to write their answers, or places for the reader to journal their thoughts. Of course, in my fiction books, it’s just the reader’s preference. Another consideration is that many books are less expensive, and some are even free in e-format, so that plays a part in the reader’s decision on which format to choose. I don’t focus on what someone might pay for my books, but rather on the fact they read them. I often offer books at very low discounts or for free, when possible, especially with my Christian books. I write those as I feel led by the Lord and believe they are intended to help people and not to make money from. That being said, there are costs involved with the publication of any book, so there has to be a balance in paying the bills and getting the books out there.

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GUEST POST #2:

How to Hold Yourself Accountable

Working as a self-employed person, whether as an author or any other home-based position, self-control is a must. It’s easy to get distracted at home by the other things that need to be done, like dishes, laundry, answering the phone, or any of the other million tasks that are just waiting to be done. I no longer have children at home, but I live on a small farm with dogs, pigs, chickens, and a horse, as well as a garden and they also require a million other things be done during the day. I am also a minister, and along with my husband, who is a pastor, we have a church, He Reigns! Church that requires a lot of our time. On top of that, we are also newlyweds! It can be difficult to get organized and stay focused, so I have a schedule that I use to keep everything going in the right direction. I get up early to feed and water animals, that is followed by Bible study, prayer, and anything else that goes along with the ministry, then I go to the office and begin my workday as a writer, which is usually 4-5 hours a day. Then I become the maid, dishwasher, and launderer (I hope that’s a word!) and I get the housework done. Then there’s baking to do, supper to fix, and any errands that need to be run. Of course, with four indoor dogs, the day also consists of letting the dogs out, letting the dogs in, letting the dogs out, letting the dogs… well, you get the idea! And then there’s evening feeding, and a husband to spend some quiet time with and discuss our ministry and what he has planned, and how I can support and help him. Of course, we also have to be flexible, know when to slow down, when to take days off, when to take breaks, and when to ask for help. But with some planning and patience, it all works and it’s a lot of fun too!

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AUTHOR BIO:

Chaplain, author, editor and inspirational speaker, Marie McGaha lives in the beautiful Ozarks of southeast Oklahoma. After losing the love of her life, Nathan, Marie returned from the mountains of Idaho to their native home where she lives with a houseful of yapping furbies, pigs, chickens, and a horse named Horse! She attends Family Praise & Worship and is very grateful for her church family and their support. Shine His Light 4, the final book of the series, is due out next spring.

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CONNECT WITH MARIE:

Website:

http://www.mariemcgaha.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarieMcGaha

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Marie_McGaha

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariemcgaha

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5433875.Marie_McGaha

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75605125-shine-his-light-3

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3IZRYDS

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3SALTAZ

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BCS7K29V

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Marie will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Welcome to Ms. Nelly's Sunday School Class by Chetoca Barfield - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Chetoca Barfield and her new book, “Welcome to Ms. Nelly's Sunday School Class,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Chetoca and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Welcome to Ms. Nelly's Sunday School Class

by Chetoca Barfield

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GENRE:   Christian Non-Fiction

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BLURB:

Join in on the fun as Ms. Nelly teaches her Sunday school class how to interact with God. Each story in this collection is ideal for reading aloud in just five minutes - a perfect fit for bedtime, story time, or anytime!

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EXCERPT ONE:

Class: Everyone in the class raise their hands except for Cindy.

Ms. Nelly: Thank you, class; please put your hands down. Cindy, would you like for me to repeat the question?

Cindy: No, Ms. Nelly. I believe Jesus loves me…when he’s not sleeping.

Ms. Nelly: Oh really, why would you say that?

Cindy: God isn’t answering my prayers so, I believe he has fallen asleep.

Class: Laughs

Bhatti: God doesn’t sleep, Cindy.

Ms. Nelly: You are right, Bhatti. God does not sleep.

Cindy: Ok, if you say so.

Ms. Nelly: Yes, I do. Class, today we are working on our next Sunday school program. Our program is all about the blessings of God. Each of you will share your story on how God bless you or how you witness God blessing someone else. Would anyone like to share their story?

Theo: Yes, Ms. Nelly. God allowed my mom to give me chocolate chip cookies as a snack. This was a blessing from GOD. Mom never lets me eat anything sweet.

Ms. Nelly: Very good, Theo.

Victoria: God blessed my lunchbox. God allowed my mom to give me a lot of food for lunch. I shared half of my lunch with my friend, who left her lunch bag at home.

Ms. Nelly: Victoria, that was nice of you to share your lunch with someone in need.

Class: Yes, Yep, very nice.

Connor: God blessed me with the best adopted parents ever, Ms. Nelly. They cook for me, they spend time with me, and they kiss me at night and tell me how much they love me.

Ms. Nelly: That’s wonderful, Connor.

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GUEST POST:

Here Are Five Ways That Have Helped Me Deal with Rejection

1.)  Ask for feedback, but don’t try to change their mind.

As a writer I believe every writer is consumed with a laundry list of what ifs to accommodate their reader, publisher, media agency, and so on and so forth.  While I don’t think these lists of questions are a bad idea in and of itself, I do believe as writers we add another level of stress and complexity when trying to solve for each of these things.

I say that because in the event we fall short based on someone’s feedback we find ourselves trying to explain why it was a good idea to move in the direction that we choose, we allow that feedback to second guess our choice, and we create insecurities about ourselves based on the notion of what others thought we should have done.

Feedback is good, but you must find a balance.  If the feedback is something that is moving you in the direction of growth, allowing you to stay true to who you are while serving a greater purpose; take what you can and apply it.  If not, let it go.  BY ALL MEANS UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE DON’T TRY TO CHANGE ANYONE’S MIND ABOUT THE DECISION YOU MADE.

2.)  BREATHE. Your story is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Believe me, there is an audience for everything.  You must put in the work and find your audience.  It’s ok if everyone doesn’t like your work.  Just because they don’t like it doesn’t mean you should stop writing.  It just means it will take you putting in more elbow grease to find the crowd that does and trust me…that is where a piece of the beauty lies.

3.)  Chin up buttercup; keep going.

I had no clue about writing a book.  To be honest writing a book was nowhere near my sphere of things that I wanted to accomplish in my life, yet here I am.  I did everything out of order.  Yes, that led to a couple of meltdowns and a few times where I wanted to quit.  But why would I?  So, I don’t know everything about the writing, publishing, marketing, etc. process.  Just because I don’t know does that mean I should quit.  No, it means that I don’t know everything and that is ok.  As I learn it helps me to understand and know what to do better the next time around. So, when you find yourself…having done things out of order…it’s all good.  Chin up buttercup and keep going.

4.)  It’s a marathon; not a Sprint; Consistency wins the race.

This one gets me every time.  I am an impatient person.  So, I want the fruits of my labor now.  Ugh, it doesn’t work like that.  I mean sure for the rare 2% of writers it does, but for most writers it doesn’t.  Through this process I’ve learned to slow things down and just work on the quality of things.  I’ve set goals and made a schedule to help keep me on task.  Looking at these things daily helps me to keep moving forward.  Remember your only competition is you.  So, the next time you are impatient and want things to scurry along to get to the result…remember to stop and really enjoy the journey.  Celebrate yourself for how far you have come and keep going.  The only way you won’t get to the result is if you stop.

5.)  Rejection is redirection.

I mean, NEED I SAY MORE PEOPLE…I could, but I won’t.  Think on this and allow this to be your daily affirmation.

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AUTHOR BIO:

My name is Chetoca Barfield. I was born and raised in a small town located in Eastern North Carolina with my parents and 2 siblings; and older brother and younger sister.  Growing up I had dreams of becoming a lawyer.  There wasn’t anything that sparked this interest, but I knew early on in grade school that I loved to research and explain how things came to be.

Graduating from high school I knew that I would pursue criminal justice studies at Elizabeth City State University (i.e., ECSU) with hopes of having a career as a criminal prosecutor.

My freshman year in college I laid eyes on my dream guy who has been my husband for the last 19 years.  I knew the moment I saw him walk out of the café I was going to marry him.

I know that may sound weird, but it’s the truth. Michael (my husband) and I didn’t begin dating until one year later.  It’s funny how things happen, but that is a story for another day.  In 2000 I graduated from ECSU and began working in corporate America a customer service representative.  At the same time, I was studying to taking the LSAT to enter law school.

In 2003 Michael and I wed.  Marriage was fun, enjoyable, and I didn’t want anything to interrupt our marital bliss 😊 except for the mini dachshund I adopted; his name is Baxter.  Baxter was a welcomed interruption, but I thought that was all the interruption we needed.  I made the decision to no longer pursue law school.

To be honest studying has never been my strong suit.   Law school demands a lot of time and at that point in my life I wasn’t ready to commit. I enjoyed working in corporate America but knew staying in a customer service role wasn’t my “forever” career choice as I wanted to pursue a leadership role.

In 2006 I received my MBA degree from Strayer University.  During this time my corporate career was starting to take off.  I moved into a supervisory role and lead an operations team for a few years within the financial industry.  In 2011, I was offered a higher-level leadership opportunity with a different financial institution.

It was the best decision I could have made for my career goals as I have thrived promotionally ever since.  Leading teams for the last 15 years led me down an unexpected path; mentoring.  I’ve mentored many colleagues and peers from a career development perspective.  I must say this was an un-disclose passion that I didn’t know I had until I was knee deep in it.

As time progressed, mentoring evolved into to helping individuals, groups, etc. navigate life challenges.  Growing up in my household my parents had a rule for my siblings and me.  If we didn’t attend church on Sunday’s, we couldn’t go anywhere for the rest of the day.  Every Sunday we were in church.

While I didn’t appreciate going to the church as much as I did at that time, I’m thankful that I did.  It was through my Sunday school teacher that I learned how to develop a relationship with God.  As I’ve grown in my walk with Christ this vital lesson has helped me through many difficult moments.

When COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 all our lives were altered. The daily routines that were once in place was replaced with social isolation, mental health challenges, social injustice, and doubting faith.  The need of having a healthy support system was magnified and this need lead to the birth of Treasured Possession.

Treasured Possession is a mentoring community that I created to provide encouragement, support, and tools to equip the body of Christ to lead healthy lives in body, mind, and spirit. The name Treasured Possession comes from Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV) “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

You & I are his most Treasured Possession.

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CONNECT WITH CHETOCA:

Website:

https://treasuredpossession.org

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chetocab

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22753453.Chetoca_Barfield

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62217799-welcome-to-ms-nelly-s-sunday-school-class

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3SMFyBy

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3RB6YsV

Amazon US Hardcover:

https://amzn.to/3SC5vnF

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Welcome-Nellys-Sunday-School-Class-ebook/dp/B0B6RMDKFP

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Welcome-Nellys-Sunday-School-Class/dp/1649535546

Amazon CA Hardcover:

https://www.amazon.ca/Welcome-Nellys-Sunday-School-Class/dp/1649536283

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/welcome-to-ms-nellys-sunday-school-class-chetoca-barfield/1142351242

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Chetoca will be awarding a $10 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Home to Clare Harbor Series Boxset Vol. I Books 1-3 by Jacie Middlemann - Book Tour - Blurb Blitz - Book Sale - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Jacie Middlemann and her exciting new book series, “Home to Clare Harbor Series Boxset Vol. I,” featuring Books 1 – 3, here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $50 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Jacie and to increase your chances of winning!!

This eBook is on SALE for ONLY $0.99 during the book tour!!!  See below for more details.

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Home to Clare Harbor Series

Boxset Vol. I

Books 1 – 3

by Jacie Middlemann

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GENRE: Clean Contemporary Women's Fiction - Christian

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BLURB:

They started out as strangers…but didn’t stay that way for long…

A devoted granddaughter willing to do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe.  Strangers who meet during the worst of conditions and become friends in the midst of chaos.  Unexpected romance under the most unlikely circumstances.  A puzzling mystery with its roots in historical events that took place centuries ago. And a storm that hides an ominous purpose that could change all their lives forever.

Sara knows before she walks into her grandparent’s home that her grandmother’s greatest fear will never be the storm or the threat it poses but instead the unknown that lays just beyond her front door. She knows too its cause and grieves that there is nothing she can do to change it.

Throughout the years of his career John has covered numerous battlefields including those that are a result of nature’s unyielding tempest.  He fears this might be the worst one yet.

Mel didn’t expect to spend more than a few days in the large house where they’d taken refuge.  She figured the storm would pass by and then they’d be off to their next assignment.  The last thing she expected was David Payne.

Despite the fact that Lance was the bane of her teenage years, Tish knows that without the help of her father’s assistant, that the trip to North Carolina likely would have been a lot more challenging than it was. She’d been unequivocally terrified but his presence gave her strength she didn’t realize she had.  She wasn’t certain how she felt about that…or him…or that he no longer irritated her the way he used to.

When Gary arrived at his family’s home in the mountains of North Carolina, he’s relieved that Sara and her grandparents along with their elderly friends are already there. But he is unable to take an easy breath until Tish finally arrives with Lance…and is not at all surprised at what he hears from Lance about their trip and the potential dangers they’d just barely been able to avoid.

He’s determined to do everything he can to keep their location safe…and unknown. Their knowledge, skills, and ingenuity are their greatest defense. For a time they would have to depend on themselves…it hadn’t take long to discover that the storm was never their greatest threat…but what is could change all their lives for the immediate future…or longer.

"If you enjoy uplifting and heartfelt women’s fiction, young and older heroes and heroines filled with courage and compassion as they share joys and triumphs, and united they face and overcome tremendous challenges and tragedy, this book is for you."

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EXCERPT ONE:

Sara looked into her grandmother’s eyes.  Because she knew what to look for, she saw past the forced cheeriness to the fear.  In that moment she knew that no amount of pushing was going to do anything other than make her dig in her heels.

“Actually, I think I’m going to sit down here with you and your cohorts and play some bridge,” she said as she pulled out the only empty chair around the table.

“But…” Mel began then quieted when she saw the look she was getting from John.  She looked over towards the table again, saw the worry in all of the faces around the table except the woman who’d just sat down in their midst.

“I forget exactly how this one goes.  Someone explain the rules to me again,” Sara said cheerfully.  She hated card games and everyone around the table knew it including her grandparents.

But she also knew that the fear her grandmother felt was overwhelming and very real for the woman who’d been all things to her.  There was only one possible way she knew of that could possibly push her into doing something that otherwise terrified her.

“Now, Sara, don’t you think you should be getting on,” her grandmother said softly.  “You know all the mountain roads and I’m certain many of them are still open.”

“I’m sure they are but I’d much rather sit this out with all of you.  I can’t remember the last time I played cards.  Deal me in.”

Maisie let out a long sigh. “I just want to grab a few things before we go.”

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AUTHOR BIO:

Jacie Middlemann lives in Texas with her husband and a couple of cats who believe they rule…and sometimes they do.

When she’s not watching classic sitcoms or working on a needlework project for one of her kids, she loves to read women’s fiction and sometimes a good mystery suspense.

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CONNECT WITH JACIE:

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7793731.Jacie_Middlemann

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60043260-home-to-clare-harbor-boxset-books-1-3

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3PdBTKV

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS & BOOK SALE INFO:

**The Home to Clare Harbor Series Boxset Vol. I eBook is on SALE for ONLY $0.99 during the book tour!!!**

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3JKEGdx

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B09MDHKCT6

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Jacie will be awarding a $50 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

For Better & For Worse by Quint Emm Ellis - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Quint Emm Ellis and her new book, “For Better & For Worse,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Quint Emm Ellis and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

For Better & For Worse

by Quint Emm Ellis

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GENRE:  Christian Romance

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BLURB:

These ex-lovebirds are busy building a nest for one. But can she be convinced to make room for him, too?

Despite attending the same congregation and university, Ashe and Stephen's circles had never seemed to cross.

One class project changed everything...for the better; until secrecy and youthful indiscretion pulled them apart.

Will an unexpectant reunion in their adult years allow Ashe and Stephen to rewrite a history riddled with regret and heartbreaking choices?

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EXCERPT ONE:

“It’s open, Dear. Come on in. We’re all in the backyard,” she heard an unfamiliar woman’s voice say over the doorbell’s integrated camera and intercom system.

“Oh,” she responded, bending down a bit to look into the camera as she resettled the pan in both hands. Unsure if the ghost that’d just occupied the device was still there, she decided to err on the side of caution and manners. “Thank you.”

Rebalancing her offering on one hand, she wrapped her free hand around the cool, metal door knob. The scent of bar-b-que, the sound of laughter and an overwhelming sense of home and comfort greeted her as she took her first steps inside the cozy home. Her shoulders relaxed as she continued to follow the sounds of something sizzling on the grill and of voices that felt both familiar and foreign.

“Ashe?”

Though Ashe paused, the hairs on her skin slowly stood on end.

That didn’t sound like Josiah or Liam. And yet, she recognized that man’s voice from somewhere. She tilted her head to one side, blinking through a fog of memory.

“Ashe,” the voice insisted.

Recognition rippled down Ashe’s spine; she knew who was standing just a few feet behind her.

And if she could have just kept walking, she would have; but her body betrayed her— turning of its own volition to meet the source.

The world became dull except for the man who carefully stood from his chair, tossing his book upon the seat’s cushion before striding toward Ashe. He stood in sharp contrast against the scenery that seemed to have become a blur. When he stopped, he was so close she could catch a faint whiff of soap intertwined with a husky, sweet aroma.

He changed colognes, came the wayward thought in Ashe’s mind.

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GUEST POST:

How to Hold Yourself Accountable

(one author's perspective)

The hardest thing for me to overcome with anything is uncertainty. But, the thing is, uncertainty is a part of life. And that certainly holds true when it comes to one’s efforts in writing. Whether writing a book, or an important email, I have found that the blank page staring back at me–and the myriad of options it offers–is a constant first hurdle that I need to overcome. Not to mention every choice, opportunity and distraction that is waiting in the wings to greet me beyond that point. Here’s how I ensure I get started and maintain focus until I reach my writing goals.

The key to my ability to focus is understanding the value of compartmentalizing my tasks. I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to have gained a pretty good idea of how much I can write in a full working day. With that in mind, I can set goal dates for finishing a novella a bit easier than if I were to just guess. I will often, then, set aside days where I focus all of my free hours on writing my book. I do not focus on perfection, I focus on creating a story that makes sense; creating characters that I enjoy. The rest, I leave to the editor of my first draft (myself) who will be responsible for taking my draft and refining it. If I were to try to be an editor during this initial phase, versus being a creator, I would never complete anything. When it’s time to create and build and get engrossed in the wondrous story of my beautiful characters, that is what I’m doing. When it’s time to edit the first draft, that is what I’m doing. I’m not bemoaning what the writer did or did not do; I switch around scenes, as needed. I add parts or take them away. I reword sentences to create a more sensory experience for the reader. I focus on making the story better.

Everyone composes their final writing pieces differently. As mentioned previously, a blank page for me can be a real hindrance. However, I have found that scenes or even just clips of dialogue will appear in my mind for whatever book I’m writing (and even for books I have planned in the future). Whenever I have these impromptu moments of inspiration, I do my best to stop what I’m doing to write it down–even if it means jotting down the note on my phone’s note app or sending myself an email with that scene or dialogue. Either way, eventually, those words make it to the page. And even if the scene is not the first scene in the book, I no longer have a blank page. I have direction; I have something to reach toward. Recognizing what your biggest and/or initial hurdles are can also help you identify opportunities to overcome them.

Finally, a game-changer for me is being realistic with what I can expect to accomplish with the time I have available during that day. I like to set long-term goal dates that fall well before what is actually needed. And then I set realistic daily goals based on the time available to me each day, and what I’ve learned about my peak performance demonstrated in the past. By setting daily goals that lead to a final product (and goal date) I can more easily measure my progress and determine if I’m on track. If not, I will generally re-assess my daily expectations and my end goal date. If I need to make adjustments to ensure I don’t overburden myself with tasks or discouragement, then I make adjustments. I’ll add days to my goal date, if I can. If I can’t then I suck it up, try to take it as a learning lesson, and do my best to make room in each remaining day to make up the difference.

As I’ve heard once or twice before, there will always be something more to do. God willing, there will always be another book for me to write. So I want to make my work both enjoyable and effective. The best way for me to do so is to separate my tasks so that I can focus on one thing at a time; I identify my weak areas and seek approaches that will help me overcome those; and I try to set proactive and realistic goals. Ultimately, as long as you keep moving forward, you’re making progress. So whatever you do…just don’t stop!

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AUTHOR BIO:

"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

~ Toni Morrison

Quint Emm Ellis enjoys penning plots centering around unabashedly nerdy, introverted, cinnamon-roll mantic, passionate, fallible women who happen to be black, who happen to be Christian, and who happen to love an uplifting and, possibly, inspirational story.

She enjoys listening to audio books, watching movies, finding great deals and spoiling her cat and dog rotten. Her dream is to be able to walk around in loose pajama pants all day and geek out while mastering niche crafts like music production, film editing and electro etching.

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CONNECT WITH QUINT EMM ELLIS:

Website:

https://QuintEmmEllis.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/QuintEmmEllis

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/quint-emm-ellis

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/for-better-for-worse-a-christian-interracial-bwlm-romance-black-woman-latino-man-the-sisterhood-of-the-tiny-house-revolution-by-quint-emm-ellis

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22024057.Quint_Emm_Ellis

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61143454-for-better-for-worse

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3NKRmC1

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3xJM306

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Better-Worse-Christian-Sisterhood-Revolution-ebook/dp/B09ZQ318L6

Amazon UK Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Better-Worse-Christian-Sisterhood-Revolution-ebook/dp/B09ZQ318L6

Amazon AU Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Better-Worse-Christian-Sisterhood-Revolution-ebook/dp/B09ZQ318L6

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Quint Emm Ellis will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.