Savior, Like a Shepherd

 

Have you ever wondered what it was like for orphans born in the Wild West? Faith Blum has a new book that explores the life of three orphans born during that time. She’s with us today to tell us a little about her book. Make sure you read to the end to see the super fun giveaway she has going on, too!

 

 

About the Book

The ground shook and a rumble sounded through the air as the train squealed to a stop. Maybe, just maybe, I could carry someone’s bags without the porter taking notice. And then there was the even bigger maybe: Maybe I could get enough money to at least buy a crust of bread for Trevor and Tabitha to share.

I hid behind the boxes in the freight yard and kept one eye on the porter, and the other on the second class passenger car. The porter had his attention on the first class car, so I slipped into the gathering crowd.

Titus Hine has always taken care of others. First in protecting his brother and sister from the men his mother entertained. Even more so after her death, when the townspeople refused to help the orphans of a town prostitute. He’s been protector and provider, despite the hardships. He’s learned that no one will help, no one cares and if he wants to survive he’ll have to rely on his own strength not just for himself but his family as well.

Then a stranger shows him the kindness and help no one else seems willing to. Between her kindness and the lecture she gives the Christian Leaders, Titus’s life takes an unexpected turn for the better. With help and provision from the local believers things should be easier, his burdens are lifted. So why does it feel like life is spinning out of control?

Can Titus learn that while man may fail him there is One who will never fail? Can he learn to allow God to be the Shepherd of his life and lead him? Or will life continue to push him every which way?

Character Spotlight: Tabitha

Name: Tabitha Hine

Age: 5 (at beginning of the book)

Background:

Tabitha was born to Clarice Hine on August 25, 1875. She was the third illegitimate child Clarice had by a third man. Clarice loved all of her children, even though she couldn’t be with them as much as she would have liked. Tabitha was raised by her two brothers.

When their mother died, Trevor took care of Tabitha while Titus tried to earn some money for food. Tabitha thought Trevor was the smartest boy ever. She loved people easily, even if they treated her poorly, but especially if they were kind to her.

Personality: Defiant, high-spirited, outgoing, probably ESTP

Personal Goal: To become a wife and mother

About the Author

 

 

Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family. She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.

Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you want to know when her latest book comes out, go to her website to sign up for her New Releases Newsletter so you can get an email when her next book in the series comes out. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her.

Giveaway

 

Faith is generously giving away EIGHT prizes! She has two paperbacks and two eBooks of Savior, Like a Shepherd up for grabs as well as one paperback and three eBooks of her Hymns of the West Novellas: Volume Two. The novella collection contains the novella that inspired her latest series as well as her new novel. Fill out the rafflecopter for the chance to win one of the prizes:

 

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Tour Schedule

Bonus Post from February 10

Petticoats and Pistols – The History of Paint (Note: the giveaway on that post is closed)

 

February 16

Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction

Peggy’s Hope 4U– Character Spotlight of Titus

 

February 17

Leah’s Bookshelf– Book Spotlight

Rebekah Lyn Books– Character Spotlight of Tabitha

 

February 18

Zerina Blossom’s Books– Guest Post – About the Town

 

February 20

Once Upon an Ordinary– Character Spotlight of Tabitha Hine

Sarah Allerding– Author Interview

 

February 21

Tara Ellis Author– Book Spotlight

Melanie D. Snitker, Author – Character Spotlight of Trevor

 

February 22

Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections– Character Interview

 

February 23

Reveries Reviews– Character Spotlight of Titus Hine

Kelsey’s Notebook– Guest Post – My Kind of Romance

 

February 24

With a Joyful Noise– Book Review

 

February 25

Writing Dreams– Guest Post – Why Orphans?

Zerina Blossom’s Books – Book Review

 

February 27

God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae– Character Spotlight of Trevor Hine

 

February 28

Homeschooled Authors– Author Interview

Rachel Rossano’s Words– Guest Post – What’s the Inspiration and song connection?

A note from Onisha:

It is always a delight to host Faith and share her work. You can be a part of sharing her work too by clicking on the share buttons below. If you leave a short comment, that would be super awesome!

Win an Amazon Fire or $50.00 Cash for your Valentine

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And The Giveaway:

FIRST PRIZE: (1 WINNER) Your choice of a 7″ Kindle Fire or $50 Cash via Paypal!
SECOND PRIZE: (2 WINNERS) Each will have a choice of 3 of the 99¢ Books listed above!
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A Day of Remembrance

I was in sixth grade at Apollo Elementary when the Challenger exploded. I don’t need a photograph to remember what it looked like that morning. We were in the school parking lot, watching with excitement, and we all knew something had gone terribly wrong. We raced to a teacher’s car and huddled around it, listening to the radio report for several minutes before we were ushered back inside.

One of our classrooms had a large screen we used for lessons, but that day it was tuned to the news as we all searched for answers. It felt like we watched the news for hours, replaying the horrific scene over and over before our teachers tried to return us to a sense of normalcy. How do you study english or history with the memory of such tragic loss looping across your mind’s eye? Most of us had parents who worked at the space center, some had connections with the astronauts onboard.
The following year, my junior high band played at a small memorial service held at Sandpoint Park. I don’t remember much aside from trying not to cry as I played my clarinet.
Since then, the news has marked the day, but we have moved on. It wasn’t until after the Columbia was lost in 2004 that NASA created an official Day of Remembrance for the astronauts who have been lost in the pursuit of space exploration. Most of us know about the crews of Apollo 1Challenger, and Columbia, but there are several other astronauts who were also lost during training flights or other accidents. Each of these brave men and women are now honored each January 26.
This year, I was fortunate enough to be off work and took the opportunity to be a part of the ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex. It seems fitting that this is year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 1 fire, an event that has marked me as deeply as Challenger and Columbia, even though it happened more than five years before I was born.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a connection to Virgil “Gus” Grissom. Maybe it was the alliteration of Gus Grissom that drew me as a child, maybe it’s the way his eyes seem to be looking right into my soul in most photographs I’ve seen. Whatever it is, I found myself focusing on him a great deal during my research for Jessie and everything I learned made me admire him even more. He became such a strong influence on me, that he naturally had a strong influence on young Jessie Cole, the main character in my book.
As I sat in a large room at the Science Education center at KSC among hundreds of other people there to pay tribute to our lost heroes and show support for their families, I held back tears. Not only are the astronauts brave, but so are their families who supported their dreams and watched as they conquered the world. I’ve tried to imagine the life of an astronaut spouse, it’s been the focus of my writing for the past year as I continue Jessie’s story.
owell Grisson brother of Gus Grissom, Carly Sparks Grandaughter of Gus Grissom, Bonnie White Baer daughter of Astronaut Ed White, Sheryl Chaffee daughter of Astronaut Roger Chaffee
Lowell Grissom, brother of Gus Grissom, Carly Sparks, Grandaughter of Gus Grissom, Bonnie White Baer, daughter of Astronaut Ed White, Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Astronaut Roger Chaffee
After the ceremony, I was determined to speak with Lowell Grissom, Gus’ younger brother. Approaching strangers is way outside my comfort zone, but it was important for me to let someone in the Grissom family know how much I admired Gus and how, generations later, he continues to be an inspiration. Despite knees that threatened to buckle and a heart that pounded so hard I’m surprised those around me weren’t concerned, I made my way to Mr. Grissom, hovering at his elbow while others spoke with him. I shuffled aside when a NASA representative collected him for media interviews, never letting him completely out of my sight. I knew if I left without saying something I would regret it for the rest of my life. Finally, interviews completed he was alone for a moment and I stepped in. Telling him how much I admire his brother and the inspiration I continue to draw from him will always be a moment I hold dear.
Please take a moment to remember those who have sacrificed everything so we can know more and go further. Let us not give up on space exploration and stretching the boundaries of our world. Let us look to the future with the lessons of the past to guide us on our next galactic adventure.

New Release The Reward of Anavrea

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We all like a reward, don’t we? But, not all rewards are what they appear. That’s the case in the latest installment of Rachel Rossano’s Theodoric Saga. Rachel created an intriguing Historical-like Christian Fantasy as she tells the tale of Jayne and Liam. Find out more and be sure to check out the giveaway!

 

 

About the Book

web2-rossano-reward-finalShe couldn’t hide forever.

A hard life taught Jayne to avoid men, powerful men most of all. When a new nobleman arrives to take over the vargar, she takes her family and hides. But the new baron seeks her out and makes her an offer she can’t refuse: protection. However, once they were sheltered behind the dark stone walls of the vargar, who would protect her from the new master?

His reward isn’t what it seems.

King Ireic of Anavrea charges Liam, a former bodyguard, with the task of retaking and taming a corner of the northern wilds. Upon arrival at Ashwyn Vargar, Liam finds challenges beyond his military experience. The keys to the vargar are missing and so are the field hands who should be harvesting the fields. Once he finds the keeper of the keys, she raises more questions than answers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2JATTB/

 

Character Spotlight –

My name is Liam Tremain. If my friend Braxton were here, he would insist you refer to me as Lord Ashwyn, but I am not comfortable with that title yet. Most noblemen know their title is coming thanks to the fact they are inheriting from their fathers. I was awarded mine.

The king of Anavrea saw an opportunity to strengthen his support along the northern border with Rhynan by awarding me a recently defunct title due to the death of an earl without issue. Though, to be honest, I wonder if that was true. There are rumors and strange things happening around here. I can’t quite put my finger on why I have this feeling, but I have learned over time to trust my instincts.

About the Author

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Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.

Giveaway

anavrea-giveaway

Rachel is giving away one of her favorite CDs to listen to while she writes. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of music she likes to listen to, you can check out the CD on Amazon and then come back here and enter the giveaway. https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Guys/dp/B009EAO38C/

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Tour Schedule

January 2
Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Intro and Book Review
Julie Coulter Bellon-Review
Bokerah-Guest Post

January 3
The Overactive Imagination-Guest Post
Queen of Random-Book Spotlight
Rachel Rossano’s Words-Book Spotlight

January 4
Stephany Tullis-Book Spotlight
Ember’s Reviews-Author Interview and Review

January 5
Frances Hoelsema-Book Spotlight
Laurel’s Leaves-Author Interview
Author Franky A Brown-Guest Post

January 6
Zerina Blossom’s Books-Review
Shout outs-Guest Post
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book Spotlight
Rebekah Lyn Book-Character Spotlight

January 7
Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner

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