Saturday, February 29, 2020

The Key to Forgiveness - Part 4 of 5 | From the Archives

Unforgiveness Hinders our Relationship with God

What if God forgives us exactly how we forgive others? Would we honestly desire to pray,

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors?” (Matthew 6:12, emphasis added)

We take for granted that God will forgive us. In fact, we expect God to forgive us . . . even when we fail to forgive others. But, according to Christ, such is not the case.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:26)

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” (Luke 6:37)

Jesus concludes the parable of the unjust servant with,

“Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:32-35, emphasis added)

Because God has forgiven us so great a debt, we are then required to forgive others.

“. . . For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required. . .” Luke 12:48

Beyond being required of us, our lack of forgiveness directly affects our prayer...

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24-26)

... and our giving.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 5:23-24

We should continually check our hearts before God, to see if there is any “spirit of unforgiveness” in us.

. . . to be continued next week . . .

Previously published on April 25, 2013

Saturday, February 22, 2020

The Land Beneath Us | Book Review

My Review
I love a good WWII novel, and Sarah Sundin’s books categorize about everything I love in a good WWII book: the home front, an in depth view of soldier life, and historical accuracy.

Both Leah and Clay were very likable characters that I instantly wanted something good to happen to. Their backstories were different and though they could have learned the same lessons, they didn’t—and I loved that. Clay had to learn about true forgiveness and Leah’s lesson was on acceptance.

Speaking of their lessons learned, that is where the spiritual thread was woven tightly. I loved how she pulled in the prodigal son story, but from the elder brother’s viewpoint. I found it very realistic how Clay had to learn forgiveness in “layers.” When he thought he had forgiven, he had to learn a new layer of forgiveness. Well done.

One thing that could have been weird was Clay’s dream. I was curious how she would handle the dream, because so many times dreams are used very weirdly. I think she used it realistically without crossing the line into too mystical.

Their romance was super sweet—nothing with their romance made me cringe. However, there is a rape scene (or the aftermath) and several other rapes mentioned. Because of that, I would caution younger readers.

I loved this book though. A very satisfying historical read with a strong and applicable Christian message.

*I received this book from the publishers and happily provided my honest review*

About the Book
In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the U.S. Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for—fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family—the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

After Clay saves Leah's life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-Day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

The Key to Forgiveness - Part 3 of 5 | From the Archives

Truths About Forgiveness

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:12-13, emphasis added)

This thought is explained in detail in Matthew 18:23-35. Jesus tells a parable of a master whose servant owed Him ten thousand talents (vs. 24). The servant fell on his knees and begged his master’s forgiveness (vs.26). The master was moved with compassion and promptly forgave his servant (vs. 27). The servant immediately went out and found another servant who owed him a mere one hundred pence and violently demanded that he pay him (vs. 28).

We see a similar picture of the servant with his master: the debtor fell on his knees and begged the other servant to be patient with him (vs. 29). It seems like the servant who had just been forgiven his ten thousand talents would have compassion. Instead, he threw his debtor into prison (vs. 30). When the master heard how his servant had treated his debtor, he was angry and delivered him to the tormentors (vs. 31-34). Jesus concludes this parable with,

“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35)

I think that many of us would like to defend our case and, like Peter, ask,

“Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” (Matthew 18:21)

Surely we have been patient enough! Surely, we have borne enough wrong at their hand! However, Jesus replied,

“I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)

As children of God, we are commanded to forgive others. We are the man who owed ten thousand talents and Jesus Christ our Master freely forgave us our debt. Will we, in return, turn to our “fellow-servant” with unforgiveness, bitterness, and grudges towards their “debt of one hundred pence”? Or will we remember how compassionate Christ was towards us, and freely forgive others’ sins against us? As with all of God’s commands, He gives the strength to obey His command to forgive others, but He also allows us to make the choice whether or not we will obey.

. . . to be continued next week . . .

Previously published on April 18, 2013

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Resting Life | Cover Reveal

Friends, a gorgeous cover for an encouraging Christian living non-fiction book is being revealed today! Resting Life: Jesus' Rest for the Busy or Burdened Believer is an upcoming release by Erika Mathews.

But first, all the details.

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2020! Mark your calendars!

...but you can skip the calendar part if you preorder the ebook on Amazon. You'll automatically get the best price, and the book will appear right on your device bright and early on release day! (And Amazon is kind enough to notify you, so you can be among the very first to read the book if you wish!)

PREORDER HERE!

But do you actually want to preorder already? What is this new book about? Is it worth your time?

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can your busy, stressful reality truly transform into the abundant, restful reality of the kingdom of God? The Bible says yes. Through rest in Christ, your life can be fulfilled, productive, peaceful, and free to give and receive love. But just what is Biblical rest, and how can it seamlessly fuse with your modern life? In Resting Life: Jesus’ Rest for the Busy or Burdened Believer, Bible teacher Erika Mathews addresses this question. Discover the unification of rest with practical daily life, relationships with others, spiritual warfare, ministry, witnessing, prayer, meditation, fruitfulness, and personal abiding. Through understanding and embracing God’s rest, you too will be uplifted, challenged, encouraged, and freed to live life as He intended—within Him.

Now go preorder. :)

But why preorder at all? Why not wait until the book is released? Besides the fact that you'll automatically get the lowest price, and besides the fact that you won't have to actually remember to order the book later, did you know that preorders stack up and count as sales on release day? Multiple preorders alert Amazon that this book is popular, and the more popular Amazon's system sees the book is, the more people Amazon will suggest and show it to, and the higher it will rank in what people see. This means this book - and the message of this book - will be able to reach many more people. This is immensely helpful for visibility in the thousands of books for sale. So if you'd like the ebook, preordering is the way to go.

You don't want the ebook?

There's a place to preorder a paperback too!

You want to know more about the author first?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erika Mathews is an author and editor who lives in the farm country of Minnesota with her husband and children. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. She wrote Resting Life out of meditations and prayers during her three years at Bible School. When she’s not working with books, she enjoys reading, outdoor activities, piano and violin, organizing, and using the Oxford comma. You can connect with Erika at restinglife.com.

Ready to preorder (Kindle) (Paperback) now?

Of course not. You came here for the cover...and so the cover you shall have.

ISN'T IT GORGEOUS?

Design credit goes to Sarah Grace Grzy.

And enjoy the back cover, since back covers don't often get as much love:

*Applause! Cheering! Throwing of confetti! Cookies for all!*

*Deep sigh of contentment*

Thank you so much for attending this reveal party. Watch Erika's Instagram this month for release celebrations, Bible studies based on Resting Life, and giveaways. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you today!

And now you can safely preorder. :)

(ebook) (paperback)

Sunday, February 16, 2020

A Girl's Guide to the Outback | Book Review

My Review

Once again, being a romcom (and me a not-so-romantic), I wasn’t 100% sure what I was getting into. But I love comedy, so why not give it a try? And it was funny. Sometimes really awkwardly funny more than just can’t-help-but-laugh funny, but there was humor twined throughout the story.

The Australian setting was really cool, and I feel like Jessica gives a great tour-guide in her book, explaining terminology and such that we Americans aren’t used to.

The storyline overall was very interesting. In a way, it moved slowly for me—as a lot happened while the main plotline crawled forward. Or maybe I was just impatient to get to the solution faster (because I’m more of a Kim personality).

The characters were diverse and interesting. I loved their backstory and how it was woven into the present-day struggles they faced.

The spiritual thread definitely made this book stronger. At first I was wondering if it was going to be a typical world-influenced, mission-building story, but that seemed to be the misconception of one MC’s point-of-view in the beginning. There were many times when the story seemed independent of a spiritual plot, but when it came down to the end, it was a beautiful message of surrendering to God’s hand (and leaving it there) and releasing past confusion and discouragements when He’s leading an individual on a new path.

Everything that could be defined as “romantic content” was what made me the most uncomfortable. I’m just not appreciative of descriptions such as “her uterus did a backflip of approval” and “sexy” as a description and wondering if a girl has pajamas on under her robe. I guess… they may be very real guy/girl thoughts, but I personally feel like these are fleshly lusts that aren’t what should be paraded for a God-honoring, clean romance. I realize these are my personal thoughts, so if things like that don’t bother you as a reader, you’ll probably find nothing wrong with this book. There are some passionate kisses, but overall it would be considered a clean romance.

*I received this book from Celebrate Lit and happily provided my honest review*

About the Book

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. She loves watching sitcoms with her housemates and being a leader in a new church plant. Visit her online at jessicakatewriting.com; Instagram: jessicakatewriting; Facebook: jessicakatewriting; Twitter: @JessicaKate05.

Exclusive Excerpt

Click here to read an exclusive excerpt of the book!

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, February 3

Just the Write Escape, February 3

Through the Fire Blogs, February 3

Robin’s Nest, February 4

Hebrews 12 Endurance, February 4

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 5

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, February 5

Genesis 5020, February 6

Wishful Endings, February 6

Texas Book-aholic, February 7

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, February 7

Batya’s Bits, February 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 8

For Him and My Family, February 9

deb’s Book Review, February 9

Inklings and notions, February 10

Inside the Wong Mind, February 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 11

Kat’s Corner Books, February 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 12

Hallie Reads, February 12

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 13

Mary Hake, February 13

Moments, February 14

Stories By Gina, February 14

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, February 15

Britt Reads Fiction, February 15

Pause for Tales, February 16

With a Joyful Noise, February 16

Saturday, February 15, 2020

The Key to Forgiveness - Part 2 of 5 | From the Archives

God’s Forgiveness Available for Us

Though God’s very character is one of forgiveness, we are sinful and cannot simply reflect on God’s forgiving character. Something must be done so that we can personally experience that forgiveness.

In the Old Testament law, when a man came to make things right with God, he had to bring a payment. For any sin (theft, murder, adultery, ignorant sin, purposeful sin), an animal was to be brought to the priest. The priest would sacrifice the animal as a peace-offering between man and God and the sin would be forgiven (see Leviticus 4:20-26, Leviticus 5, Numbers 15). A sacrifice was required in order for one to gain God’s forgiveness.

This type of sacrifice for forgiveness continued for centuries. However, God had a better plan. Since “almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission {freedom, pardon}” (Hebrews 9:22), “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28)

Jesus Christ came to earth to shed His own blood – to be the sacrificial lamb so that we could have remission of sins (Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:38, Romans 3:25).

We fully deserved to pay the full price for our sin (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23), but when Christ died in our place it made the way for God to freely forgive us.

Today, it is only through Christ’s blood that we can receive full forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14), but we must accept Christ’s blood atonement.

To reject the Blood would be to reject God’s forgiveness (John 3:18, John 3:36, John 6:54).

Before we can forgive others, we must accept forgiveness. We cannot understand the heart of forgiveness until we understand God’s forgiveness for us. We cannot forgive others in our own strength, because true forgiveness only comes from God and through God’s power.

We must examine our hearts to see if we have truly accepted Christ’s forgiveness for our sins. If we have not, what is keeping us from asking God for His forgiveness and accepting His free gift of salvation? We cannot merely say, “God knows I’m wrong, God’s knows I’ve sinned.” Though God is all-seeing, He is also waiting for us to humble ourselves and bow before His holiness, recognizing our transgression (Psalm 51:3-4), confessing our sins (1 John 1:9), and asking His forgiveness (Matthew 7:7-11, Luke 11:9-13, John 14:12-13, James 4:2, 1 John 5:14-15). When we ask, God forgives us freely.

. . . to be continued next week . . .

Previously published on April 11, 2013

Friday, February 14, 2020

Did I do this Surrender Thing Right?

I’ve heard the stories all growing up, and I just heard one again: a girl graduated, longed to get married, struggled with her singleness, and nothing happened. She gave it over to the Lord, and almost instantly, there was a guy for her and they became engaged.

I believe the stories, I do. But there is a small part of me that says, “But God, didn’t I surrender the whole marriage thing before, and nothing happened?” And it makes me doubt the sincerity of my own walk with God. Maybe I didn’t really surrender. Maybe I was just going through the motions and didn’t really mean the words that bled in my heart.

Because when we hear glowing testimonies of these young girls who gave it all over to God and their dreams were answered, we (some who have been single for almost three decades) seem to have done something wrong while these young brides figured it out. I’ve surrendered the perceived need to have a boyfriend or be married dozens of times, and it has never resulted in God providing me a guy.

The bottom line is: that’s not how God works. What God does in one individual’s lives is not the pattern for what He will do in all people’s lives.

Just think of the love stories in the Bible. Rebekah and Isaac’s story was vastly different from Jacob and Rachel’s, which differed from Boaz and Ruth’s, which was different than David and Abigail’s (or David and Bathsheba’s—if we’re going to look at historical accuracy and not try to sanitize stories for our benefit).

Going beyond marriage, which two characters in the Bible lived the same life? Joseph followed God and it ended with him in a dungeon for years before he was second-in-command. Daniel followed God and he ended in the lions’ den. David followed God and it ended in kingship. Job followed God and it brought him through a time of great trial and temptation before he was restored that which he had lost. Paul followed God and he lived a life of persecution yet rich blessings from fellow believers (tossed in the midst of those who also abandoned him).

Following God will never be identical for two people’s lives.

2 Corinthians 10:12 exhorts us, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

To compare my path with another girl’s is to be foolish. To measure how I’m following God with how another person follows God is unwise. To hold up the “end results” of two people’s lives and realize they are different does not mean that one followed God right and the other did not. Because God has a greater purpose than what we can see with our eyes. He knows each and every heart and He knows each and every path. He knows what is best—and He also knows that what is best for one individual at one age is not what is best for another individual at another age.

My responsibility is to not look at the results and determine whether or not I followed God, because I don’t know what those results should actually be. My responsibility is to trust in God with all my heart, to lean not on my own understanding. My responsibility is to acknowledge God in all my ways—for then He directs my path. My responsibility is to not be wise in my own eyes, but to be sure that today I am fearing God and departing from evil. And when I am sure I’m doing my responsibility, I can trust God with all the results—because He’s promised to take care of His end of the deal.

If you’re the single who has truly and honestly surrendered to God’s will for her life, don’t be discouraged. God accepted that surrender and He is blessing you with the path of singleness—because He sees all your needs, not just your perceived need for a husband.

If you’re one of those girls who surrendered then God provided a husband, rejoice in how He has led you, but do not hold your life as the standard for everyone else to follow. Yes, they need to surrender, but if God doesn’t bless them with a husband at the end of their surrender, it doesn’t mean they did something wrong. It just means God has a different path for them to walk, different lives for them to touch, different roles for them to fulfill.

Trust God and leave the results up to Him.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Good Night, Fireflies | Book Review

My Review
This was a super cute little children's book. So often when it comes to children's books, I feel like the author skimps a little on the writing. Not so with this one. The text was not only creative, but the message in the book was solid: how, though we cannot see little fireflies all the time, they're still there and how that is like knowing that God is always there, even though we can't see Him. I think this would be a very good book for little children who are scared of the dark.

The illustrations are very sweet. The type that I would have absolutely loved as a child myself.

*I received this book from the author and happily provided my honest review*

About the Book

What do God and fireflies have in common?

Landon will do just about anything to avoid bedtime. He can't sleep when the shadows turn ordinary things in his room into spookies and creepies! His fears are put to rest one memorable evening when his daddy teaches him an important lesson about God's everlasting, ever-present love: just like the fireflies, God doesn't disappear when the lights go out.

Through the power of prayer, Landon learns that he can call on God whenever he's scared and find comfort in the love of his Father. Children will find lasting comfort in relating this familiar image to our ever-present and loving Father.

Saturday, February 8, 2020

The Key to Forgiveness - Part 1 of 5 | From the Archives

Most of us have heard the importance of forgiveness, but when we try to apply forgiveness, it seems an insurmountable task. Perhaps this is because we do not truly understand forgiveness.

We cannot grasp the concept of forgiveness by looking it up in Webster’s dictionaries. We cannot grasp the concept of forgiveness by looking at those around us. However, we can get a clearer understanding of forgiveness by looking into God’s Word; we can see a pattern of true forgiveness by looking at the One Who is always consistent in forgiveness. So please join me as we search God’s Word to get a clear definition of true forgiveness.

God’s Character of Forgiveness

(emphasis added)

“ If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

“Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.” (Psalm 85:2)

“For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” (Psalm 86:5)

“{God} forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;” (Psalm 103:3)

“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” (Matthew 9:6)

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)

“Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

From these few verses, we gain that . . .

~God has full power to forgive any and every sin – purposed sin and ignorant sin (Psalm 85:2, Matthew 9:6, Luke 23:34)

~God is always listening/waiting for us to ask His forgiveness (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 86:5, 1 John 1:9)

~God freely forgives when we ask His forgiveness (Psalm 86:5,

~God freely forgives when we do not deserve forgiveness (Luke 23:34)

~God freely forgives and heals (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 103:3)

~God freely forgives and cleanses (1 John 1:9)

~God freely forgives and covers (Psalm 85:2)

~God freely forgives and forgets (Jeremiah 31:34)

~God made it possible for every man to be forgiven by Him (Acts 5:31)

God’s forgiveness is directly linked to His love for us – not what we do for Him.

. . . to be continued next week . . .

Previously published on April 4, 2013

Saturday, February 1, 2020

The Gray Chamber | Book Review

My Review

This was an enjoyable read. On one side, it was a sweet romance between Edyth and Bane. On the other side, it was a nefarious scheme to get Edyth committed to an insane asylum with all of its dark secrets.

I didn’t find it as suspenseful as some of the reads I’ve had recently. It had dark threads, due to the hidden secrets and total freedom of those in authority of a 19^th century asylum. I personally found this fascinating and definitely believe its truth—it is heartbreaking that it’s true.

The Christian thread grew stronger as the story progressed. I really appreciated the depth and use of Psalms and trusting in God no matter how dark things got.

The romantic thread was sweet. It came and went in depth, more prevalent in the beginning and the end. There were some kisses, but not much more.

*I received this book from Celebrate Lit and happily provided my honest review*

ABOUT THE BOOK

Will Edyth prove her sanity before it is too late?
Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

On Blackwell’s Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving.

With her late parents’ fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Foster does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. And Edyth fears she will never be found.

At the asylum she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self?

Click here to get your copy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Hitchcock is the author of three novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. The White City is her debut novel and releases March 2019 with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free copy of The Gray Chamber!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f4a2/the-gray-chamber-celebration-tour-giveaway

More from Grace

I am thrilled to share with you my second novel in the True Colors series, The Gray Chamber, which is set in New York City in 1887. I loved writing about Edyth Foster, our cat-rescuing, spunky heroine who spends her days painting, fencing with her dreamy instructor, and avoiding society at all costs, which as you can imagine, comes back to haunt her before the end. I’ve never written about a character who despised reading, so that was a new one for me. Edyth just doesn’t like to sit still long enough to finish a book, but you’ll find out why later.

I am pretty certain the librarians at my local branch are wondering what in the world my hobbies are, judging from the stacks of fencing books for beginners, histories of New York crime in the 19th century, and Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Mad-House, and more that I have continuously checked out since moving back to Louisiana.

The inspiration for this book came from Nellie Bly’s scandalous exposé for Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper, The World. In reading Nellie’s articles, I was shocked at the grounds by which the asylum would commit women and that’s when I discovered a tiny mention about an heiress with family members who had her tucked away so they could have her fortune. . .and Edyth Foster was born.

I hope you will enjoy reading about our eccentric leading lady and her fencing master hero, Raoul “Bane” Banebridge. If you are interested in seeing pictures of the asylum and to see what I pictured the characters looking like, check out my Pinterest board here.

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“With beautiful description and shiver-worthy scenes, Grace Hitchcock has penned an incredible fiction story based on true history. The Gray Chamber was a fascinating and chilling read. Edyth’s story had me glued to the pages. But as I journeyed with the heiress and her eccentricities, the greed of her family which saw her locked up in an asylum against her will made me grateful for the freedoms I have today. And made me pray that my voice would never be silenced. The nightmare was brought to life so vividly that I found myself holding my breath and then cheering on Bane as he never gave up on Edyth. This is a story that will stick with me for a long time…”

~Kimberley Woodhouse – Carol-Award winning and Best-Selling Author of more than twenty books, including: MissTaken Identity, The Express Bride, The Golden Bride, The Patriot Bride, and The Mayflower Bride.