Category: Litfuse

In The Mark of the King,  twenty-five-year-old midwife Julianne Chevalier trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling 1720s French colony of Louisiana.

About The Mark of the King

After being imprisoned and branded for the death of her client, twenty-five-year-old midwife Julianne Chevalier trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling 1720s French colony of Louisiana, where she hopes to be reunited with her brother, serving there as a soldier. To make the journey, though, women must be married, and Julianne is forced to wed a fellow convict.

When they arrive in New Orleans, there is no news of Benjamin, Julianne’s brother, and searching for answers proves dangerous. What is behind the mystery, and does military officer Marc-Paul Girard know more than he is letting on?

With her dreams of a new life shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous, rugged land, despite never being able to escape the king’s mark on her shoulder that brands her a criminal beyond redemption.

My Thoughts

An incredible novel looking at the lives of those who lived during the eighteenth century both in France and New Orleans. France wanted to colonize it’s towns in North America – so instead of sending over willing individuals, they populated their colonies with convicts whether by choice or not. A practice that was actually quite frightening (not because of their criminal history or choices in life) but more so for the fear that these individuals must have gone through. They were sent with little choice into the unknowns and some were forced to wed in order to further populate the colonies. I can’t even begin to imagine the fear, uncertainty and anger they must have felt.

Julianne is one of these individuals but her criminal history almost blows your mind. She was imprisoned and branded over the death of her client! At a time when child birth was quite dangerous, it is hard to believe a midwife could be held responsible for the death of the Mother and further branded a criminal and imprisoned. Julianne felt her only way to escape the life that was now imposed on her was escape to New Orleans. I don’t think she could even imagine what she would have to deal with once she arrived.

There is little order, little rules and crime rules in this new world. Through Julianne, we uncover a harsh world, mysterious discrepancies and dangerous world. Marc-Paul is a man that she meets when arriving in New Orleans – after her marriage to another convict. Marc-Paul is there to provide support, guidance, care but also harbours his own secret that is tied to Julianne’s family.

The Mark of the King is well written and fabulous novel. I could not put it down in fear of missing what was going to happen next. I loved the rich history, culture and strong character development. This was one amazing novel that you will cherish over and over again.

You can purchase a copy of The Mark of the King here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning author of ten books to date, including Wedded to War, a Christy Award finalist in 2013; Widow of Gettysburg; Yankee in Atlanta; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. A former military wife herself, her passion for military families informs all of her writing as well as her numerous speaking opportunities. Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University with a BA in English and now lives with her husband and two children in Iowa.

In these two colouring books, we find inspiring exercises and prompts, this unique interactive guide introduces readers to a creative connection between Bible study, artistic expression, and worship.

About ScriptureDoodle

The first ScriptureDoodle: A Six Week devotional Experience focuses on that often in the busyness of life, Christians forget that God created them to enjoy creativity. With guided instruction and completed examples, this beautiful book invites readers to draw closer to God through their own art.More than a coloring book, ScriptureDoodle is a combination of Bible study, creative expression, and artistic community with artwork shared online at #scripturedoodle. Exploring topics such as being generous, finding rest, and facing grief, ScriptureDoodle gives the heart the creative space it needs. This book stimulates the reader’s imagination and helps integrate God’s Word into everyday life.

In ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises: A Six Week Devotional Experience we are exposed to sScriptureDoodle God’s Promises refreshes believers who are feeling burned out or stuck in a rut in their relationship with God. Each of the creative worship prompts in this interactive guide includes biblical encouragement and ideas for worship through art. Artist April Knight includes creative lettering tips, color ideas, and completed examples to inspire readers to respond to promises in Scripture related to trust, faith, and the power of God’s Word in all circumstances.ome of the most incredible stories in the Bible are of God’s promises and faithfulness to His children.

My Thoughts

I fell in love with April’s introduction into her books. She had found she was losing her way and working on her art for business versus pleasure. I find so many times in life that I am pulled away from what I love and my relationship with God to focus on earning an income. I love my art and when I was young I decided not to mix my love of art with work, whether that was a selfish mistake is yet to show but I do know that I miss the magic and feel of sitting down and just creating the first thing that comes to mind.

These six week devotionals help you go through day by day exploring scripture and translating it in your own way through doodles. April gives many helpful tips on doodling, items you will need, lettering and bordering but one of her best tips? There is no wrong way – the only wrong way is to not doodle. Art is personal and a reflection of you. There is no wrong art and no bad art. So listen to the scriptures and let your heart pour out in your doodles. The scriptures are well chosen and really help guide you through the six weeks of reflection and understanding.

These two books are great for young adults and adults a like. You will love the easy to follow writing, doodle suggestions and creative freedom.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here for ScriptureDoodle and here for ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

April Knight is a worship artist based in Asheville, North Carolina. Knight’s work includes live worship painting and leading ScriptureDoodle workshops online and at conferences and retreats around the country and internationally. Her family of four is her greatest joy, along with serving alongside her husband at their local church.

Disclosure: I received a copy of these books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Pursing Gold, two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.

About Pursing Gold

With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis.

With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.

My Thoughts

A fantastic story! I was completely drawn into this story and couldn’t put it down. Peter inherits his Father’s bank business at one of the most dangerous times during the Civil War. He has had no formal training as he thought he had years left to learn the trade from his Father. His Father’s partner is on his sick bed so is not able to provide the full training he needs. Not to mention he has to learn how to balance the needs of his bank with the bribery and demands of the army. He almost seems to be pulled from every angle and not to mention being lied to in order to purchase fake paper bills. The counterfeit money seems to be the start of a great mystery for him.

With all this going on at the bank, his partner has charged him with marrying his daughter, Mary Beth before he passes. They had a relationship in the past but it is now strained. She is the only person he feels he can trust. Together they set off to discover the mystery of the counterfeit money, save their business and their relationship. When they solve the mystery, it blew my mind! It was not what I was expecting at all.

This was a fantastic, romantic but mystery filled novel that the historical fan in me couldn’t put down. The plot was new and exciting and kept me wanting more.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over thirty years as a home school mother and Bible teacher. She’s a columnist for Leading Hearts Magazine and she directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference. Cyndi has a heart for encouraging women in today’s crazy, upside-down world. She loves history and peppers her speaking and teaching with fascinating vignettes from the past. Her first book, Struggles and Triumphs, was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the Year. She co-founded Homeschool Answers and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.