Happy December! If you’re like me, December, although full of excitement and expectation, can be equally full of over-commitment and weariness. Just in time for the season, my friend Danika Cooley has teamed up with the Proverbial Homemaker to do a huge giveaway of books, adult coloring books, and essential oils. My novels Macy and Jasmine are part of that giveaway!
Christmas time can be a hectic season, can’t it? There’s much to do, and so many little people to bless. My friends know sometimes that means moms go without. They want to honor a mom this Christmas with a fun giveaway.
You won’t believe the wonderful package of relaxation gifts they have assembled for their winner. Be sure to check out each special element–you may even find a little Christmas gift here to bless another hard working mama!
Are you having trouble getting into the holiday spirit? I’ve found that with my illness, that can be tricky. In fact, this year, I’m feeling rather lackluster. Normally I’d have Christmas lights up and music blaring–but this year it feels like lots of effort! I think that’s because I’m coming off of a months long infection. All my energies are taken up with that! However, yesterday I came home to my children having set up the tree. So, even though it’s not decorated yet, there’s a white-lights-blazing reminder in my living room of what will come.
The lovely thing about Christmas, though, isn’t just what will come–it is who has already come. Amidst the “Jesus is the Reason” posts on social media we all start looking past, there is this singular truth that even the most skeptical of studious historians believe: He did come. As a Christian, I also believe He is here (in form of the Holy Spirit) and He will bodily return one day. So while I might not be excited for presents and decor, I AM excited about that. I’m always excited about that, actually!
So, what are some things that get you in the mood for the holidays? Leave me comments below! And don’t forget to go enter that amazing giveaway!
When you write a novel, you hope it will connect with readers and make some kind of impact. When I wrote JASMINE I prayed for that, and from letters, comments and reviews, those hopes are being fulfilled. But my fondest hopes never imagined JASMINE would be recognized in a contest. And certainly not a contest like the Carol Awards through American Christian Fiction Writers. To see the official announcement, click HERE. Jasmine is one of three finalists for debut novel!
So today, I’m going to highlight some of JASMINE’s reviews, and ask you to celebrate with me. If you’ve read JASMINE, would you please consider popping over to Amazon (here) and leave a review? Just a line or two. If you’ve read JASMINE or MACY and they touched your heart, would you recommend them to a friend? And if you leave me a comment below, I’ll enter you into a contest for a signed copy of JASMINE to give to a friend or keep for you own.
Thanks so much to my readers for sharing and getting the word out! You guys really are the best.
JASMINE review highlights:
“McGowan’s well-developed characters honestly portray the cost of abuse and victimization on the streets few escape from. It’s a tale of hope, restoration and budding trust wrapped in God’s love and grace.” –Gail Welborn
“I highly recommend this book! My heart ached, grieved, even feared through this novel – April McGowan has a true gift from the Lord for writing, for understanding the human heart, and for demonstrating what the Lord can do in the most painful situations of life. Typically I would anticipate any great non-fiction work to be one that does not leave the reader unchanged. Jasmine, a work of fiction reflective of that which is played out in cities across America today, also does not leave the reader unchanged.” –Jeanie
“A captivating read with passages that melt your heart with the pain of Jasmine’s past and the struggle to find normalcy when her life has suffered from the deviant behavior of others. This is a story unafraid to ask the difficult questions about why bad things happen. It does not provide all the answers–but directs readers to the One Who will never leave or forsake us, even in the darkest hours.”–Elaine Cooper
“This book is one I will long remember, and I’ll remember Jasmine and the women she helped. I’ll wonder what they are doing and how they are…The story is that real. April McGowan is a wonderful writer with a heart for women trying to escape abusive situations. Her love and dedication shine through as she weaves the ugliness of abuse and desperation of the victims into a beautiful story of rescue and redemption. This is a good read I highly recommend.” –D. Durrett
“I highly recommend this book if you yourself are a survivor of childhood abuse, if you have someone in your life who is, or if you just want to read a really good fiction book.” –Kim Counts
“Jasmine is a book to be read by so many–those who are hurting from abuse, sexual or any other kind. People who work with emotional scarred individuals will also love this book. But aside from being socially relevant, Jasmine is a really good story for its mystery, suspense, romance, and the redemption of lives and family.”–Christine Lindsay
“Jasmine is the story of a girl who runs away from an abusive father, only to return to her birthplace of pain as an adult. Though she may have left town years ago, she finds the love of friends and family didn’t go away, and to her surprise, neither did God’s love. Jasmine offers hope to many women who have ever felt alone in their pain. It’s a powerful story with hope and healing woven throughout. I especially enjoyed the way it ended! Very satisfying!”–Melody Roberts
A huge thanks to everyone for reviewing! Did JASMINE touch you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! I’ll draw from the comments below for a winner next Friday, June 11th.
