Guest Post Why Writing is a Form of Personal Therapy by Adrienne Quinn

Journaling has saved many of my days and it has given me the gift of mental dumping. In past years, I journaled daily, more than I have done consistently in the present time. The journaling was probably more consistent years ago because it was my only form of therapy, until I started counseling two years ago. By mental dumping and saving many of my days, I mean when moments become emotionally heavy or filled with confusion, I can gather myself at the end of the day in the comforts of a warm bed, an aromatic candle, and silence and mentally dump the details onto a piece of paper. The paper does not talk, it does not laugh, it does not whisper my secrets when I put it away in its hidden place, it does not judge, and it does not falter when a tear tarnishes its perfect lines of ink. I can choose the leave the day on paper, rest through the night with less mental weight, and start the next day anew.

I have written in journals for many years. Recently, I decided to read my prayers and journals from the past.  It enlightened me on how far I had grown mentally and emotionally. It made me aware of how intact my personal relationship is with God. It reminded me of how blessed my life has been and that many of the things that I had asked for, I have been gifted. Reading over old journals made me grateful for the times that I thought I was mentally warped and too low to bounce back. Reviewing the pathway that lead me to where I am now, places my life into perspective. That is the personal therapy that writing gifts us. Writing out your journey gives you the ability to go back, to evaluate, to reset, to alter, to remember, to readjust, to forgive yourself, to forgive others, to grow, to measure, and most of all to be grateful. 

 

Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a two-week book tour for Through Healed Lenses by Adrienne’Quinn. The book tour will run August 24-Sept 4, 2020.

               

Genre: Non-Fiction    

 

ISBN-13: 979-8648414099

ASIN: B08DC1P8MY

                                                                                                                                Meet Adrienne

 

Adrienne Kelly, pen name, Adrienne'Quinn, is a practicing Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Atlanta, GA. Adrienne's childhood included being raised by a single mother and growing up in a small town with a large, close-knit maternal family who heavily influences her upbringing and writings. She is a mom two a boy, Joziah and girl, Azariah. She is the CEO and founder of Gifting Love LLC, an organization that focuses on holistic mentoring through the use of spiritual and emotional education, as well as therapy services for adolescent girls. Adrienne started her therapy journey years ago and has become an avid supporter of counseling services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                About The Book

 

How often do you find yourself wondering why the same outcomes in relationships, be it familiar or personal, continue to happen to you? When is the last time you caught yourself feeling as if there was something missing? Or something more to life than your current predicaments? When was the last time you had a negative thought about yourself, that you could not comfortably say aloud because society would judge it by their skewed standards? Or how about a time when you felt defeated but had to keep moving forward for the sake of image or responsibility? In Adrienne ‘Quinn’s new book, every page answers, provides depth, and context to the above questions.

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

           

Life is a slideshow full of relationships. The journey we experience with our parent, children, brother, sister, friend, teachers, strangers, significant other, and spouse are all relationships in which we learn to exist and navigate life. The people gifted to us by blood were, in some realm, ordained by God to guide and influence our life experiences. These life experiences do not always present as the most favorable or positive; however, they are a part of our story.

 

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Tour organized by Write Now Literary

 

Hidden Realities by Kathleen Friesen

  

As we drove west across Alberta’s prairie, my husband and I eagerly anticipated that magical first sight of the Rocky Mountains. Flat lands became rolling hills, sparse bushes gave way to luxuriant evergreens, and we knew we’d reached the point where the majestic mountains should be obvious. But no matter how we strained our eyes, we couldn’t see them. A thick haze from distant fires obscured our view.

My husband joked that perhaps the mountains had decided to move. I responded that maybe we’d only imagined them every other time we’d travelled between Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The absurdity of our suggestions made us laugh, and as we continued west, before long we were surrounded by massive peaks. Right where they’d always been.

Even more permanent than mountains, God is with us. Everywhere. Always.

Psalm 139:7-8 reminds us, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”

But many times fears, deep disappointments, and heartbreaks have come between me and my loving Father. I look but cannot see Him through the smog of life. I begin to wonder if He has moved, or perhaps my faith was unfounded.

When I gaze nearsightedly at the circumstances swirling around me, God seems hidden. But just as the smoky haze dissipated the closer we got to the mountains, my own murky doubts disappear when I grasp the truth of God’s presence.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Bio:  Kathleen Friesen has always loved to lose herself in a good story, especially tales of love and faith that overcome. She admits that these days, she'll often get lost in her current work in progress, whatever it may be. Kathleen's stories invite the reader to risk faith, to dare to love, and to enjoy the results.

Kathleen and her husband recently moved back to Saskatchewan, Canada. They enjoy kayaking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends in Canada and the U.S.A. Spoiling their five grandchildren is a special joy!

Bite the Dust: Low Country Dog Walker Mystery Series

Bite the Dust: Low Country Dog Walker Mystery Series, Book 1 

Paperback – EBOOK

February 28, 2020

By Jackie Layton

Paperback : 250 pages

ISBN-13 : 978-1611949841

Publisher : Bell Bridge Books 

Secrets can be deadly.

One steamy South Carolina morning, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott discovers a client’s dead body. Police quickly decide she’s the prime suspect. Horrified, she knows she’ll have to turn detective if she’s going to convince them they’re barking up the wrong tree.

Proving her innocence could be a tall order. The local police never solved the hit-and-run that killed her parents; Andi Grace isn’t sure they’ll solve this crime either…not when they have a convenient suspect—one caught with the possible murder weapon in her hand. She’ll have to follow every clue and call in every favor, even if that puts her in danger.

If you love strong heroines, coastal small-town life, and dogs, you’ll love Bite the Dust.

My thoughts (lvh):  BITE THE DUST is the first book in this cute cozy mystery series. I enjoyed book two, so went and picked up book one so i could be up-to-date on the story.

There were some twists I never saw coming, but the who-dun-it was beyond obvious, we were also told that Andi Grace was a calm quiet person but what we were shown  was confrontational. The faith message was  weak.

I did enjoy the story and would read more by this author.   

I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

 

Sown In Peace (Operation Return To Peace)

Sown In Peace 

(Operation Return To Peace) 

Paperback – ebook

August 27, 2020

by Joy Avery Melville  (Author)

• Paperback : 326 pages
• ISBN-13 : 979-8673667545

How much can one wounded soul take?

Victoria (Tori) Archer has the heart of a soldier. Taken down by an IED during her fourth deployment, she’s permanently separated from her military career and left with physical scars as well as PTSD. Moving back to her hometown of Three Rivers, Michigan, she’s forced by circumstances to live with an irascible and unsympathetic aunt. Tori’s battle with pain, horrific memories, and loss of independence creates a deep yearning for peace. Will God grant her even a small measure of it?

Retired Military Dog Handler Griffin (Griff) McKay turns to training dogs at his farm for wounded warrior therapy, desiring to bring former military men and women emotional and mental healing. Implementing his plan proves to be more difficult than visualized with the arrival of one stubborn soldier. Why has God placed that particular warrior in his path?

Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction with Romance

Marilyn's thoughts:  Sown in Peace is an emotional read packed with reality of the struggles veterans face when they return to civilian life. Victoria Archer’s story will bring moments of tears, pain and rejoicing as we see her despondency turn to victory and overcoming her grief, pain, loss and experiences. Griffin McKay and his therapy dog farm for wounded warriors is a beautiful addition to the story. He is a likable character despite all he’s been through and faced currently. Their story is a page turner to see what is going to happen next.

 

This true to life story will tug at readers’ heart strings and bring deeper understanding of PTSD and all that veterans endure after their military career. There is an underwritten theme of God’s healing love, forgiveness to bring peace, joy and happiness that nothing else can give. 

 

I received a complimentary ARC e-book from the author and was under no obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own personal opinion. 

 

Hearts on Lonely Mountain (Librarians of Willow Hollow Book 3)

Hearts on Lonely Mountain 

(Librarians of Willow Hollow Book 3)

 Kindle Edition

by A.M. Heath  (Author)

Publication Date : September 1, 2020

ASIN : B08BDTP47G

Can two lonely people find more than a fleeting friendship or will a prejudiced town keep them apart?

When Ivory Bledsoe left the city to minister to the people of the rural mountain town of Willow Hollow, she never expected to be shunned rather than welcomed. Seeing the town as a lost cause, she’s eager to return home, but when the bridge leading out of town is washed away during a flood, she finds herself stranded in the last place she wants to be.

Ben Thrasher was content with his quiet life until he met the new librarian. He can’t help but be drawn to the friendly and lively Ivory Bledsoe, despite her being at the center of the town’s latest superstition. It’s only a matter of time until she captures his heart, turning his world upside down in the process.

Has Ivory gotten God’s plan for her all wrong or is there still a way she can serve these people? And can Ben ask her to stay in a place where so few are willing to embrace her?

Marilyn's thoughts:  I have enjoyed every book by A. M. Heath, thus I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Hearts on Lonely Mountain. This novella is a winner with Ivory, a courageous young lady traveling to the Willow Hollow to share her love of books as a librarian. Ben is a hard working mountain man caring for his nephew, Gerrit. The camaraderie between Ivory and Gerrit was fun and brought moments of smiles, laughter and tears along with how Ben perceived Ivory.

 

This is a beautiful story showing God’s love and following His will can bring challenges, misunderstandings, but leaning on Him and showing unconditional love is always right. I loved the characters and descriptive interactions and events as I felt like I was right in the midst of the mountains with the poverty, superstitions, and wariness of the mountain folks plus the historical setting during the 1930’s. It was extra special to read names of books and the authors for this era that the library had in Willow Hollow. A beautiful ending had me applauding and smiling not wanting the story to end.

 

I look forward to reading every novella in the Librarians of Willow Hollow series as they are released.

 

I received a complimentary advance reader copy from the author and was under no obligation to write a review. I have shared my own opinion.   

 

 

 

Love and a Little White Lie (State of Grace)

Love and a Little White Lie 

(State of Grace) 

Paperback – ebook, audio, hardcover

August 4, 2020

by Tammy L. Gray (Author)

• Paperback : 368 pages
• ISBN-13 : 978-0764235894
• Publisher : Bethany House Publishers; 

There's a lot of irony in hitting rock bottom

After a heartbreak leaves her reeling, January Sanders is open to anything--including moving into a cabin on her aunt's wedding-venue property and accepting a temporary position at her aunt's church despite being a lifelong skeptic of faith. Choosing to keep her doubts to herself, she's determined to give her all to supporting Grace Community's overworked staff while helping herself move on.

What she doesn't count on is meeting the church's handsome and charming guitarist. It's a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn't believe in.

Only this time, keeping her secret isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Especially when she's constantly running into her aunt's landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past-and-present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she'd rather keep buried.

Torn between two worlds that can't coexist, can January find the healing that's eluded her, or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness?

My thoughts (lvh):   LOVE AND A LITTLE WHITE LIE is the first book I've read by Ms. Gray, but it hopefully won't be the last. There were things I loved about the book and things I  didn't. 

January is a unique character, strong, sarcastic, smart, and very broken. She attracts men easily, falls into relationships, makes bad choices, and yet has a good heart that helps heal other people's relationships.

For more conservative readers, there are soft swear words, heavy make-out scenes, and a very weak faith message. The church is very modern with a rock band.

And then there's a quiet, broken man who  builds trust and despite his own broken faith, reaches January where she doesn't have any.    

A slow story that touches the heart.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.              

 

Touching the Robe of Jesus by B J Bassett

 

 

In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her. She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. Luke 8:43-44

 

My children loved their blankets like Linus in the comic strip Peanuts, created by cartoonist Charles Schulz.

 

One day, while cleaning the house for company, my children’s blankets were everywhere. They were on the floor, sofa,—wherever they’d left them. I wanted my home to look perfect. Well, as perfect as I possibly could make it. So I asked my children to take their blankets upstairs to their bedrooms, or I’ll throw them in the trash. 

 

My impish daughter, Kathy, spoke up, “I don’t care.”

 

I was surprised by her response. Because she was an active little girl who, by the end of the day, loved to cuddle up with her blanket and thumb, it was soothing and comforting for her. Of my four children, Kathy loved her blanket more than her siblings did theirs.

 

I was the kind of parent who followed through with what I said. Yet, how could I throw her beloved blanket in the trash? I knew at bedtime, she’d feel differently, so I hid her blanket instead of throwing it away. I also didn’t want to be up all night with a grieving child.

 

How often do we seek comfort or healing, especially at the end of a busy day?

 

All we need to do is reach out and touch our Father’s robe.

 

Father, thank you for your healing touch, like a favorite blanket. Amen.

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.

 

 

Dog-Gone Dead (Low Country Dog Walker Mystery Series)

 

Dog-Gone Dead

(Low Country Dog Walker Mystery Series #2) 

Paperback – ebook

June 26, 2020

by Jackie Layton  (Author)

Paperback: 248 pages

• Publisher: Bell Bridge Books 
• ISBN-13: 978-1611949889

Who’d have thought mulch could cause such a stink?

Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is happy to score some free mulch from one of her brother’s landscaping jobs—until she discovers the dead body buried beneath the bark.

Worse, her brother’s landscaping tools were used to commit the murder. Once the police arrest her brother and seem happy to have “caught their man,” Andi Grace has no choice but to track down the real killer. She’ll risk everything to prove her brother’s innocence. Even if it means turning over every rock in town.

If you love small-town coastal life, dogs, and strong heroines, you’ll love Dog-Gone Dead.

My thoughts (lvh): DOG-GONE DEAD is the second book in this cozy mystery series. Andi Grace  is a sweet southern woman who loves dogs and mysteries. A host of characters who all knew Andi Grace since way back when--friends and  enemies alike.

There is a host of  red herrings in the story--any one of which could have done it. That made it super hard to figure out who-dun-it.

The characters were super likable and I downloaded book one to find out that story.

There is a sweet beginning romance and a weak faith message.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women Kick-Off Package and #giveaway!!!

About the Book

Book:  Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women

aGenre:  Devotional

Release Date: April 29, 2020

Creator God made the world in which we live. He placed the moon and stars in the sky, the rivers and ocean on the earth. He also created seasons throughout the year. Each season is defined by specific features/attributes that are common although the degree varies depending on where a person lives. In winter we think of cold weather; in spring, blooming flowers; in summer, warm weather; and in the fall, beautifully colored leaves.

As Christ-followers we also experience spiritual seasons. These seasons do not come in order like seasons in nature, which come regularly without fail. Each spiritual season we experience is defined by certain features also. In spiritual winter we think of the coldness of our relationship with God; in spring, new

This devotional is focused on summer—both calendar and spiritual. Our spiritual summer is a time of growth, hard work, and relaxation as we nurture and care for the new things that were planted in our spiritual spring and allow them to ripen or mature.

My thoughts (lvh): GLIMPSES OF GOD: A SUMMER DEVOTIONAL FOR WOMEN has a refreshing cover that makes you want to grab your fruit-flavored ice tea and settle in for a  conversation. The devotional tone is friendly, inviting you in to spend time in scripture reading,  discussion, and applying it to real life.  There is a short prayer and an application for you to take away.

The print is large, making it easy it to read. 

I really loved some of the topics, some were relatable to what  I'm going through now and  some made me laugh.   You can hide from God--but He will always find you.

If you are looking for a new devotional for yourself or a friend, grab a  copy of GLIMPSES OF GOD.

I was given a  copy free. All opinions are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

About the  Authors

Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She and co-author Harriet E. Michael grew up together on the mission field and have been life-long friends. Shirley is passionate about disciple-making, which is manifested in and through a myriad of ministry opportunities: biblical counseling, teaching Bible studies, writing, and music.

She is a biblical counselor and is commissioned by and serves on the national Advisory Team for The Addiction Connection. She is an award-winning writer who has had several of her articles appear in “Paper Pulpit” in the Faith section of The Gadsden Times, and in a David C. Cook publication. She also writes articles for Life Bible Study, Woman’s Missionary Union, The Addiction Connection and Inspired Prompt. She has authored, co-authored, or contributed to eight books.

Shirley has spiritual children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren serving the Lord in various ministry and secular positions throughout the world.

Harriet E. Michael was born in Joinkrama, Nigeria, deep in the African jungle in the Niger River delta, where her father served as the only missionary doctor at that station. A few years later, the mission moved the family to a larger hospital in Ogbomoso. Co-author Shirley Crowder and her family lived right across the dirt road. The two children became constant playmates. Today they continue to enjoy their lifelong friendship.

Harriet is a multi-published, award-winning writer and speaker. She has authored or co-authored seven books (six nonfiction and one novel) with several more under contract for future release. She is also a prolific freelance writer, having penned over 200 articles, devotions, and stories. Her work has appeared in publications by Focus on the Family, David C. Cook, Lifeway, Standard Publishing, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Upper Room, Judson Press, Bethany House, and more. When not writing, she loves speaking to women’s groups and teaching workshops on freelance writing.

She and her husband of more than 40 years have four children and two grandchildren. When not writing, she enjoys substituting at a Christian school near her home, gardening, cooking, and traveling.

More from Shirley

In the same way that nature’s seasons serve a purpose on earth, so do the seasons in our spiritual lives. God provides, cares for, and sustains the earth, and in His faithfulness, He does the same for us. Our responsibility is to be obedient to God’s commands in the Bible and to cling to the truth that God is in control.

Our “Glimpses of God” series consist of:

• Glimpses of God: a winter devotional for women
• Glimpses of God: a summer devotional for women
• Glimpses of God: a spring devotional for women (due out in early 2021)
• Glimpses of God: an autumn devotional for women (due out in late summer 2021)

We pray that as readers meditate upon the Bible passages and truths in each devotional, they will catch glimpses of God in and through everything around them.

How has He provided for you? How is He protecting you? How is He teaching you?

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 11

Spoken from the Heart, August 11

Inklings and notions, August 12

Get Cozy Book Nook, August 12

Artistic Nobody, August 13 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Older & Smarter?, August 14

Musings of Sassy Bookish Mama, August 14

Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 17

deb’s Book Review, August 17

Texas Book-aholic, August 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 19

Mary Hake, August 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 20

Lighthouse Academy, August 21

CarpeDiem, August 21

For Him and My Family, August 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 23

Splashes of Joy, August 24

Fiction Full of Faith, August 24

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Shirley and Harriet are giving away the grand prize package of a print copy of Glimpses of God: A Summer Devotional for Women and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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/fee5/glimpses-of-god-a-summer-devotional-for-women-celebration-tour-giveaway