Review: Be the Giraffe: 14 Paths to Reach Higher in Business and Life by Chris Jarvis

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Be the Giraffe: 14 Paths to Reach Higher in Business and Life by Chris Jarvis

Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  216 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Motivational Management / Leadership

Publisher:  Fedd Books

Release date:  July 2, 2024

Format available for review: print-softback (USA and Canada) and ebook (PDF) 

Content Rating:  G. 

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"Chris Jarvis has created a unique approach to solving business and life challenges. His advice on overcoming both self-created and external obstacles are priceless, and his style and voice make for fun, totally painless reading. Well worth your time." — RON PENNA, Founder of Quest Nutrition and Legendary Foods

“I love Chris’ brilliant intellect, wonderful sense of humor, and no-BS approach to business and life. His motives are pure, and his advice is invaluable.” — JACK CANFIELD, World’s #1 Success Coach & Founder of the billion-dollar Chicken Soup for the Soul® publishing empire.

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Book Description:

The giraffe’s unique evolution allows it to see things others can’t and reach heights others won’t. Be the Giraffe will do the same for you!

Whether you are starting a business, trying to improve your work-life balance, build a company for sale, or build multi-generational wealth, Be the Giraffe will help you change your mindset, build a better business strategy, outmaneuver your competition, attract more customers, retain better talent, and get more out of your life.

Why do so few people achieve the success they desire?

Why are so many successful people unhappy, uninspired, or unhealthy?

After 30 years of solving complicated financial problems for millionaires, billionaires, and their businesses, Chris Jarvis discovered patterns for success—and for happiness. Do you know that most successful entrepreneurs, the wealthiest families, and the giraffe all have several unusual traits in common?

Why would I want to Be the Giraffe?

• Are you or your business stuck and stressed?
• Does work-life balance seem impossible?
• Would you like to work less and earn more?
• Want more fulfilling relationships?

​With insight and humor that only a giraffe would appreciate, Jarvis explores 14 surprising qualities of the wonderfully weird beast, and translates them into memorable lessons for life and business.

Buy the Book:

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add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

​Chris Jarvis has thirty years of experience helping millionaire entrepreneurs and billionaire families build and preserve wealth.Authoring eighteen books, appearing on Bloomberg Television, and being quoted in The Wall Street Journal exposed Chris to many successful and influential people. Along the way, he discovered the unusual paths to standing out and reaching the highest levels of success. After applying these lessons to build and sell his own firm, he learned that he must do things differently if he wanted to be wealthy, healthy, AND happy. The giraffe would lead him to stick his neck out to see things differently.

“After making millions of dollars, and helping others do the same, I lost my younger sister and business partner unexpectedly, saw both parents diagnosed with incurable cancer, and spent four years and over a half million dollars in legal fees chasing down the money owed to me from the sale of my company. I pretended that things were OK, but they weren’t. I was stressed out, overweight, and my body was starting to reject me. When I tore my Achilles and hurt my back enough to require spine surgery, the signs were too much to ignore. There had to be a better way.

My story of overwhelm must not be too uncommon – my TEDx Talk, “Surviving ain’t Thriving” has been viewed by 4.5 million people.

I now help executives, entrepreneurs, and affluent families manage the complexities and interconnectedness of their money, their businesses, and their personal lives.

As a partner in a venture studio, co-founder of Beyond Wealth, and investor in a game-changing crowdfunding portal, I have worked with thousands of entrepreneurs and professional advisors. Helping people Money Differently and Business Differently are invaluable keys to achieving a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.

​I proudly sit on the dean’s advisory council for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine—working toward delivering quality healthcare to underserved areas and underrepresented populations. I am also on the board of the prestigious IC2 Institute at the University of Texas-Austin, exploring economic development solutions for rural communities.”

connect with the author:  website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ x/twitter ~ linkedin ~ youtube ~ goodreads

My Review: 

I found Be the Giraffe: 14 Paths to Reach Higher in Business and Life by Chris Jarvis to be an encouraging book to read. It is broken down into three sections: Think Differently, See Differently, and Act Differently. Each section include four to five chapters that are only about eight to fourteen pages long and easy to work in each day for any busy person. I am personally not a business person, however, found this book was perfect to add to my life. I liked how the author included humor to get his point across and broken down into the simplest forms to be better understood. The favorite chapter is no doubt Beware: Lions and Hyenas. I was able to connect and relate with it the most. I loved the end of each chapter called Today's Reach. The book gave me some advice, tips, and tools that I can incorporate more in my own life. I feel more motivated after reading it.

Be the Giraffe: 14 Paths to Reach Higher in Business and Life by Chris Jarvis will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who are searching for books about Motivational Management and Leadership. I would be interested in reading books from Chris Jarvis in the future. 

I received a paperback copy of Chris Jarvis' Be the Giraffe: 14 Paths to Reach Higher in Business and Life from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: A Canine Christmas by Jennifer Sienes

About the Book

Book: A Canine Christmas

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance, Christmas Fiction, and Southern Fiction

Release date: November 18, 2024

What do you get when you mix a mail carrier, a monstrously large canine and his surly owner, and a mysterious death?

Amelia Hutchinson can’t seem to find her place in the world. Or maybe she’s just watched too many Christmas Hallmark movies. But come on, how come Aurora Teagarden and Hallie Dean get more exciting careers and all Amelia gets to be is a mail carrier? Not to mention, she’s living in her sister and brother-in-law’s guest house and the only man she could find was one who didn’t appreciate the purity ring her daddy gave her.

Rayce Jasper just wants to sell his late granddad’s farm and throw away the painful past that comes with it as soon as possible. But the memories of the man who betrayed him, a ditzy mail lady, and a strange request put a kink in his agenda.

As Rayce’s and Amelia’s worlds collide, neither of them can deny that God must be weaving His own Christmas story for the two of them.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

 

More from Jennifer

I’m often asked where inspiration comes for my books. Does it start with a character or a setting or maybe something from my own life? The answer is, “Yes.” Each of those have sparked story ideas. A Canine Christmas is my fourteenth book, but it’s the first (and possibly last) novel/novella motivated by a dog.

You would think it would be my own canine that inspired one of my books—but that’s not the case here. I have a short story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Dog titled “Soul Sniffer” based on my late Bichon Friese, Einstein. He was also in Providence—and his name was Dashiell. I have another short story in Inspire Joy titled “Canine Redemption” about Cheyenne, a rescue dog we had for a short time. But an entire book? Never.

It started with my granddaughters’ Cano Corso, Porter. The biggest (and I mean that in every sense of the word) baby I’ve ever encountered. He’s massive, and yet hides behind eight-year-old Kennedy at the slightest loud noise. His size alone is enough to intimidate the average person, but he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. However, he wasn’t the only inspiration for this Christmas novella.

The setting was influenced by my affinity for old family farms and historic cemeteries (of which there are over 33,000 in the state of Tennessee.) Add a ditzy mail lady who has an intense fear of dogs, and a disgruntled man trying to put his past to rest, and A Canine Christmas was born.

This is romance through and through, and it was a pure joy to write. I hope you’ll come to love Amelia and Rayce as much as I did—and of course, Porter, the canine matchmaker.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 22

Stories By Gina, November 23 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, November 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 25

She Lives To Read, November 26

An Author’s Take, November 27

Guild Master, November 28 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 29

A Reader’s Brain, November 30 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 30

MrsK Books to Go, November 30

Texas Book-aholic, December 1

For Him and My Family, December 2

Holly’s Book Corner, December 3

Back Porch Reads, December 4 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54104

My Review

A Canine Christmas is another installment from Jennifer Sienes' The Bedford County Series. Even though it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand alone. I have enjoyed the previous releases of this collection and absolutely adored this one. Rayce and Amelia's interactions were so sweet. Throwing in a fun canine in the mix made for some entertainment. An overall heartwarming and inspiring story.

I found A Canine Christmas to be a five star read. Readers who love to read clean fiction set during the most magical time of the year will not want to miss out on it. As always, I look forward to more books to come from The Bedford County Series.

I received a digital copy of Jennifer Sienes' A Canine Christmas from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch Book 6) by Misty M. Beller

About the Book

Book: Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch Book 6)

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 19, 2024

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Determined to find his missing brother and catch the elusive mastermind behind the theft of his family’s precious sapphires, Gil Coulter embarks on a solo mission to the remote town where the criminal is rumored to reside. As Gil scours the surrounding wilderness for the thief’s hidden lair, he crosses paths with a captivating young woman who harbors secrets of her own.

Jess McPharland has spent her life hidden in the mountains, doing her best to stay separate from her family’s business. Yet the secret she’s just discovered will change her life forever. She offers a silent prayer, pleading for a man to help her conceal the truth she’s only just discovered. As if in answer, Gil Coulter rides through the trees, seeking the very criminal Jess calls Father. Now she must find a way to ask this stranger for the ultimate favor—to pose as her husband and shield her from the consequences of a change she won’t be able to hide much longer.

As Gil and Jess navigate the treacherous landscape and the greater danger from her father and his cronies, they find themselves caught in a web of danger, deception, and unexpected attraction. With each passing moment, the stakes grow higher, and the line between pretense and truth blurs. Will the love growing between them be enough to protect Jess’s secret and lead them to the justice Gil seeks, or will the truth shatter everything they’ve risked their lives to build?

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain saga filled with high-stakes adventure, a pretend marriage, a secret baby, and love that heals wounded hearts.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books old. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

In Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife, the heroine and her father live in a cave which is part of an intricate catacomb hidden inside Montana mountain.

I LOVED researching cave systems, especially those in Montana, and I was amazed at how many extensive tunnels and caverns have been discovered!

One of the most well-known is Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, located between Butte and Bozeman. This spectacular limestone cave system features a series of caverns adorned with incredible rock formations. These days, visitors can take guided tours to marvel at the intricate stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites that have formed over thousands of years. The cave is also home to several species of bats.

Another notable cave system is the Bighorn Caverns, situated in the Pryor Mountains south of Billings. This complex network of caves extends for over 14 miles, making it one of the most significant cave systems in the state. Experienced cavers can explore winding passages, underground streams, and vast chambers with unique mineral formations.

The Bighorn Caverns are very similar to how I imagine the cave system was that Jess lived in. As amazing as the tunnels are to explore, I’m not sure I’d want to live in such darkness. What about you?

I pray you enjoy Gil and Jess’s story in Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife! J

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 22

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 22

Pause for Tales, November 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 23

Texas Book-aholic, November 24

Blossoms and Blessings, November 24

Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 25 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

lakesdielivingsite, November 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 27

For Him and My Family, November 27

Devoted To Hope, November 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 29

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 30

Book Looks by Lisa, December 1

Holly’s Book Corner, December 1

Betti Mace, December 2

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 3

Cover Lover Book Review, December 3

Books You Can Feel Good About, December 4

Life on Chickadee Lane, December 5

Mary Hake, December 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

 

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54105/

My Review

Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife is the sixth installment from Misty M Beller's Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series. I enjoyed going back in time to the Montana Territory and once again catching up with the Coulters. I loved getting to know the two main characters, Gil and Jess. Their story was full of faith, love, and adventure. I loved it.

Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife is definitely a five star read for me. I have no doubt fans of the clean historical fiction genre will want to read it for themselves. I look forward to the next book from the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series, to see what happens next. 

I received a paperback copy of Misty M Beller's Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review i one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Wanderer Scorned by Natasha Woodcraft

About the Book

Book: The Wanderer Scorned

Author: Natasha Woodcraft

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: March, 2024

“It all started with the banishment. As soon as the truth was known about their disobedience, my parents were driven from the Garden planted for them by the LORD God, Yahweh Elohim. A garden pleasing to the eye and filled with every kind of food. Yet for them, it had not been enough.”

Kayin lives in the shadow of his parent’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden and its lingering cloud of shame. He believes in the Creator but struggles for affirmation. When suffering comes and sibling rivalry threatens, Kayin wrestles with God, grasping at shards of faith. But his cries drown in the noise of his own doubts and fears, until his youthful faith lies shattered, replaced by a twisted dance of pride and jealousy.

As Kayin spirals further, misunderstandings within the family dynamic dominate, and whispers of temptation slither through the cracks. Then a chance at redemption presents itself. With flames of forbidden love still raging hot, Kayin and his brother bring sacrifices to Yahweh.

No one foresees the resulting tragedy.

The Wanderer Scorned is the first instalment in The Wanderer Biblical fiction series, immersing readers in the world of Genesis 4. This exploration of the first murder brings the Bible to life in a fresh way, delving into the character of the Creator God and His earliest interactions with humankind.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Natasha Woodcraft lives in a slightly crumbling farmhouse in the UK with her family of boys and menagerie of animals. She holds an honours degree in Theology and believes stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. Also a songwriter, Natasha peppers her emotional prose with poetry and song.

 

 

 

More from Natasha

Q & A with Natasha Woodcraft

• You’re an Author from the UK. Tell me more about that.

That’s right. I’m a Brit, which is great but has its challenges, like negotiating single quotation marks! There’s a massive lack of Christian fiction here. It’s not stocked in secular bookstores, there are few Christian bookstores left, and there aren’t many big conventions or publishers. I’m part of a team passionate about changing the landscape. We offer support services to authors and publishing services. Please pray for us and our country, and support British writers if you can.

• Who do you share your home with?

My husband, Ben, and four sons ranging from 15 to 7. Plus a dog, 2 cats, 3 goats, 9 chickens and 16 quail (though they don’t all live in the house.) It can get a little crazy…

• Sounds like it. How do you find time to write?

Good question. My mornings are usually taken up with feeding/cleaning kids and animals. My afternoons with working for the family business or publishing house. Before tea, I’ll be out picking vegetables and pulling weeds – we try to grow as much as we can ourselves. Writing gets squeezed into late nights, early mornings and quieter days. It’s my downtime and my favorite time spent with Jesus.

• You write Bible-based fiction. What specifically?

The Wanderer Series is based on the story of Cain & Abel in Genesis 4. It came about because I woke up one morning wondering what prompted the first murder (no kidding; my brain is weird.) I’d been pondering Jesus’ words about murder and anger in the Sermon on the Mount and praying about what I should write for a while. Suddenly, I knew it had to be a reimagining of Cain’s story – from his perspective.

• Hang on. From Cain’s perspective?

Yeah. Though there’s certainly a place for them, I personally dislike stories that are too simplistic. Where bad guys are really bad and good guys are really good – that kind of thing. The Bible teaches us that we all need grace (especially me), and as regards Cain – I don’t think he was much different to any of us. Writing from his perspective gave me opportunity to spend a lot of time in the Word of God, exploring Cain’s slide into sin in a way that challenged me to examine my own heart.

• That’s some heavy stuff. Did you have any background that helped you tackle this story?

Sure. I have a degree in Theology, and I’ve also studied English Literature and Creative writing. Mostly though, it was a case of leaning heavily into what God wanted to teach me through this book and hoping some of that resonated with my readers. The reviews so far say it has!

• What would you say to those questioning whether Bible-based fiction is right for them?

I totally understand the fear surrounding this genre. I felt it myself when I started writing and that was something I had to take to God and trust Him with. “Is it even ok to write these stories?” I asked.

Essentially though, it isn’t much different to a sermon. It’s exegesis and expansion of the scripture, just presented differently: in fiction rather than non-fiction. I’ve researched, covered my writing in prayer, and had pastors check my work. I’m super careful about handling scripture faithfully but state where the story comes from my imagination. It isn’t intended to replace the Bible. Quite the opposite – I hope it will inspire people to pick the Bible up. I even include an appendix that explains decisions I made, and study questions, at the back.

My hope and prayer is that Jesus will be glorified as lives are touched by this ancient story reimagined. If you’re still not sure, why not give The Wanderer Scorned a go? You don’t know until you try…

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, November 13 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, November 13

Back Porch Reads, November 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 16 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 18

Fiction Book Lover, November 19 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 21

Guild Master, November 22 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, November 23 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Natasha is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5496

My Review

The Wanderer Scorned starts off The Wanderer series by Natasha Woodcraft. I thought this was great introduction to this author's books. I found it interesting to read her version of the Cain and Abel story from the Bible and brining it to life. Her vivid details made me feel as though I was right there visually experiencing it all for myself. It was intriguing seeing how it all unfolded. Overall, I fabulous book to be immersed in.

I am giving The Wanderer Scorned a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for fans of clean Biblical Fiction. I am hoping to get my hands on the the next installment from The Wanderer series, The Wanderer Reborn. 

I received a copy of Natasha Woodcraft's The Wanderer Scorned from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Book Blast and Giveaway: Our Global Crisis by Brian D McLean

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Modern society has reached a critical juncture in its existence. Like past civilizations ours has reached a point where its future is far from certain, with its decline, or even collapse, being distinct possibilities.

The Incas, the Mayans, the Romans, the Rapanui, and many others, had seemingly successful societies, yet collapsed when faced with challenges that threatened their continued existence.

Are we to suffer the same fate? What could possibly cause our downfall?

Climate change and environmental issues? Perhaps. It is now almost a certainty that these events are destined to inflict catastrophic damage to our global society. Our coastal cities and island nations, as well as our global economy and agricultural output, will be irreparably damaged. Many of Earth's species, as well as the lives of many millions of people, will be displaced or lost forever.

Such a fate may still be averted, but that opportunity has largely passed. Even if we are able to correct the climatic and environmental issues threatening our society, we must still recognize and address the ultimate source of our problems. For if we fail, a far worse fate potentially awaits us.

Our Global Crisis is an eye opening look at the common weakness shared by societies and civilizations both past and present. But analysis of the problem alone will not solve the global crisis we now face. Thus, the final chapter is dedicated to the simple, yet critical solutions, necessary for our very survival.

Read an Excerpt

Humans stand at the pinnacle of evolutionary success. Highly intelligent and curious, with the capacity to reason, it is within our nature to be caring and compassionate. Capable of modifying our environment, we have created an interconnected global society of such magnitude and complexity that it stands apart from all others that have come before it. Yet our society has reached a critical stage in its development. Like past civilizations, ours has reached the point where it is most susceptible to failure.

We face this critical point in our continued existence due to shortcomings in our nature. For although we are the product of countless millennia of evolutionary improvements, we are nevertheless an imperfect species.

Our imperfections have contributed to our setbacks on many occasions. Civilizations and complex societies, including, the Incas, the Mayans, the Romans, the inhabitants of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and others, all suffered significant setbacks, or collapse, seemingly at the height of their existence. Our global community too, now faces its own challenges.

The question we must ask ourselves is: Do we have the desire and the willingness to change, not only our society, but the very nature of who we are? Changes that will allow us to thrive and adapt to realities we face as we enter the Anthropocene era. The answer?

Perhaps.

About the Author: Brian McLean, ART, is a former Medical Laboratory Technologist and Information Systems Specialist. Drawn by his passion for the outdoors, he shifted from a successful career to spend nearly two decades working for a family run orchard business. A passionate conservationist and environmentalist, Brian is also a keen observer of human nature and humanity's interaction with the biosphere. Based on those observations, he has been meticulously compiling and crafting Our Global Crisis over the last 22 years. Currently, he is working to restore riparian and temperate forest ecosystems affected by clearcut forestry practices, and when he needs to decompress, he spends time under the stars delving into his other passion, astrophotography.

Website: https://briandmclean.com
Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/0993607225
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/walkingsoftlyinnature
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/walkingsoftlyinnature
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/briandmclean

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Chase Your Dreams West: A Ginnie West Adventure (Book5) by Monique Bucheger and G L Rasmussen

About the Book

Book: Chase Your Dreams West: A Ginnie West Adventure (Book 5)

Authors: Monique Bucheger and G. L. Rasmussen

Genre: Contemporary Upper Middle -Grade

Release date: November 22, 2024

12-year-old best friends, Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor, navigate changes in their family. Tillie’s long-absent birth father reappears and she has to juggle two dads while Ginnie’s mischievous Uncle Jake escalates their prank war. Meanwhile, Tillie desperately wants a horse of her own while Ginnie is determined to follow her late mother’s equestrian legacy as a trick rider, something her dad has forbidden.

Can Ginnie shape her own destiny and persuade her dad to support her ambitions? Get ready for a heartwarming adventure filled with friendship, family, and the power of chasing your dreams!

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

Monique is a bestselling author, a certified Farland Fiction Coach, and an empowerment speaker, dedicated to championing the underdog, in both her writing and real-life adventures.

Having a heart for families in crisis, Monique creates stories that capture the essence of real-life challenges and triumphs, with a touch of humor.

Monique’s upper middle-grade series, ‘The Ginnie West Adventures,’ delves into sensitive and weighty themes such as parental loss, abandonment, and overcoming abuse. She delivers stories not only for tween readers, but for those young at heart.

Drawing from her experiences nurturing a dozen of her own children and fostering over a hundred more, Monique’s experiences shape her books, creating novels in a number of genres, including a historical family saga, contemporary family dramas, a fun picture book, and a middle grade series weaving whimsy and heart into her tales.

A country boy by birth and by choice, Gary spent his youth working on the family farm, for local farmers and ranchers, on horseback or playing sports. Offered scholarships in Agriculture and Advertising Design, he opted for the bright lights and big city. Eight years in the advertising field convinced him that wasn’t where he wanted to be.

Gary freelanced in design and illustration, converted his love of writing for advertising to a newspaper column about the country lifestyle. He has also worked as a ranch manager, cowboy, rancher, and horse trainer. An avid painter and author, Gary shares  his talents through mentoring others, is a past president of the Western Art Guild and Idaho Writers League and is an active member of Western Writers of America.

Gary and his wife, Margie are the parents of four children and ten grandchildren and have traveled extensively throughout Europe, Great Britain and the United States.

More from Monique

Chase Your Dreams West: A Ginnie West Adventure took me too long to finish. I was working on it when one of my sons was killed in a car accident. I paused writing for a few years as our family adjusted to losing Ryan.

An author friend invited me to a writer’s retreat a few years ago, knowing I was stuck and that week unlocked a lot of things for me. Including deciding to change where I placed what is now the first four chapters. I wrote them two books ago thinking they would make a great denouement, but after my son’s death, I realized they would make a better beginning.

This book is a little different from the first four as Ginnie explores horsemanship training with her mare, Calliope–with her dad’s blessing, and perhaps is given a little help from her mom. Ginnie is given back one of her mom’s journals and gets to know the mom she doesn’t really remember and her dad didn’t really talk about… until recently.

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, November 18

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 19

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, November 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 21

Fiction Book Lover, November 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 23

Stories By Gina, November 24 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 25

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 26 (Author Interview)

Library lady’s Kid Lit, November 27

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 28 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 29

For the Love of Literature, November 30 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, December 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Monique is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54101 

My Review

Chase Your Dreams West is the fifth installment from A Ginnie West Adventure series by the fun writing duo, Monique Bucheger and G L Rasmussen. I have read the previous books from this series and I have really enjoyed them. It was great to catch up with Ginnie and her friends. I liked taking this heartwarming adventure with them and could not put it down until the last page. 

I am giving Chase Your Dreams West five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean young adult fiction. I am looking forward to reading the next installment from A Ginnie West Adventure series, All Together West to see what happens next. 

I received a paperback copy of Bucheger and Rasmussen's Chase Your Dreams West from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Falling for a Smart Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 4) by Karen Baney

About the Book

Book: Falling for a Smart Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 4)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: June 25, 2024

She’s on a mission to bring orphaned children hope. He wants off his family’s ranch for good. Will they survive his shocking family secrets?

Devon Vargas longs to be more than just a cowboy. After finishing his teaching degree, he plans to leave his family’s guest ranch for good. Between his growing affection for the new children’s program director and a huge family secret revealed, he second guesses everything about his life.

Raina Crawford lost her parents at a young age. Through the grace of God, she survived life in the foster system. She desperately wants to bring children the life-changing faith that gave her hope. The job at Vargas Ranch was supposed to be a steppingstone. Except she’s losing her heart to the smart, ambitious cowboy bent on leaving his family’s ranch—and her—behind.

Will Raina finally find the family she’s always wanted? Will family secrets unravel his new dreams? Will those same secrets tear them apart?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

More from Karen

Big Family Drama

I love writing big family drama in my novels! It provides such great material for the relationship between characters.

Part of this comes from my family’s drama. My mom was the youngest of eight kids, making my extended family huge. I remember going to the Independence Day family reunions as a kid. It was both fun and a little intimidating. Most of my cousins were adults by the time I was a tweener. So, my siblings and I tended to hangout with my “oops!” cousin since we were only a few years apart.

And boy, did we have drama! There was the aunt who seemed to be offended and left early year. Someone always ended up injured, but only once do I remember an ambulance showing up. There were cliques and turf wars and so much more.

As an adult, though I’ve rarely been able to fly clear across the country to see my extended family, the drama of my husband’s big family serves as inspiration too. He is the oldest of five kids. My first introduction to his large family was at his sister’s wedding. I had no idea what I was getting into. We’d only been dating for about six weeks. Everyone kept pushing me to join the family photos, and I kept trying to gracefully get out of the pictures. I didn’t want him to regret having me in the pictures if we broke up. In the end, my hubby and I outlasted that marriage.

In Falling for a Smart Cowboy, I introduce a new character to the series, Raina Crawford. She was orphaned as a young girl and has longed for a forever family, even into adulthood. Devon Vargas, the fourth out of five sons, learns a family secret that makes him want to avoid his large family. I loved writing this juxtaposition between Raina and Devon over family relationships. It helps each of them see a new perspective. It was also fun writing new friendships for Raina—even if all the friendships tied to Devon’s family. My experience with both my family and being a newbie to my husband’s family provided inspiration for both Raina’s and Devon’s characters.

If you like big family drama, the Vargas Ranch Series provides it in spades. Enjoy!

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, November 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 22

Guild Master, November 23 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, November 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 25

Denise L. Barela, November 26 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, November 27

Artistic Nobody, November 28 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 29

For Him and My Family, November 30

Fiction Book Lover, December 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 1

Labor Not in Vain, December 2

Back Porch Reads, December 3 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54103 

My Review

After reading the first three books from Karen Baney's Vargas Ranch series I wanted to have the opportunity to continue reading with the fourth addition, Falling for a Smart Cowboy. Even though this is a series, they each can easily be read as a stand alone. I loved getting to know Devon and Raina. I thought they had great chemistry and it was fun watching the two interact with one another. It was a delight getting to know the duo. 

I am giving Falling for a Smart Cowboy a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean and sweet romances. I can not wait for the next installment from the Vargas Ranch series, Falling for a Humbug Cowboy to see what the talented Karen Baney has in store for her fans. 

I received digital copy of Karen Baney's Falling for a Smart Cowboy from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.