Blog Tour: Life's Journey our Greatest Test by Marshalee Patterson

About the Book

Title: Life’s Journey our Greatest Test

Author: Marshalee Patterson

Genre: A Contemporary Christian Novel

Release Date: October 3, 2021

Synopsis

When Brady lost his brother, John, he felt his entire world crumble. All their plans went up in smoke, and soon his life took a turn for the worst; one he had not seen coming.

When his uncontrollable rage landed him in the Lexington Prison, he lost all will to live. However, his grandmother Ruth, being the devoted Christian woman that she was, never gave up on him and kept praying for him.

Walking around town shortly after his release from Lexington, Brady was pleasantly surprised when he stumbled upon Sara in a partially burnt abandoned building. Thinking that being a good Samaritan to her, could help him make right with God for all the wrong he had done in his life, he later discovered Sara was more of a blessing to his tortured life than he was to her.

Will this unlikely union bring them peace and seeing God’s promises fulfilled in their lives?

Q& A

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I am a born and bred Jamaican from the city of Kingston. Went to an all-girls high school and had the best principal-Mrs Martin. Although she was strict, she taught me how to value myself. I was married but now a widower and I love Italian food, nature and Spanish ballads.

2. How did you become interested in writing?
I loved reading stories since I was very young. However, high school was where I began to write stories and loved doing it. That creative side of me came to life when I was introduced to classic literature such as Jane Eyre and A Tale of Two Cities, which are still two of my favourites.

3. What compelled you to write a book on this subject?
The subject matters in this particular book did not come from me but from the Holy- Spirit. To be honest, I didn’t know what this book was about when he came with the image of a young man leaving prison. But as I allowed the Holy Spirit to work through me in building this story and bringing the two subject matters to life, I can say that for anyone who has been a victim of interfamily rape and drug abuse, this story is meant to bring you healing and restoration.

4. What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book?
That being a victim of drug abuse or rape means that you stay in that place of isolation and feeling rejected. God sees you and is with you and he used me to write this book to bring you healing. It was not an easy book to write, took me to emotional places I didn’t know, as my deceased husband was a drug addict at one point in his life too and I was there through that.

5. Are there any other themes present in the book?
Well, you will see the theme of forgiveness, redemption and restoration in this story as well.

6. Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?
Yes, don’t let your beginning determine your end. Use the tragic circumstances to build yourself up and lift others when you get stronger.

7. What makes your book different from any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?
Well, I think because God put this particular seed in me to bring forth, I am the only one who could bring this story to life the way it needs to for the right readers to find the message it carries and be healed and delivered by it.

8. How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?
Writing is my ministry and not just to entertain but to bring healing and deliverance to readers lives, and this book reflects exactly that. What I have learned since my first book is that, the Holy Spirit is my partner in writing and he comes with the ideas for each story. I have to rely on him and prayer has to be first, before I can start a book and when that is done the story flows.

9. Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?
I love the entire Psalms 27 but verse 1 is one I stand by a lot. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

10. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?
I like to spend time in my garden. I find that planting helps me understand how to have better faith and waiting.

About the Author

When Marshalee Patterson left high school and started working, she thought she was cursed. She would look at her life and compare it with some of her high school friends who seemed to be achieving the things she wanted. That is—marriage and kids.

​That desire led her to seek things her own way and not wait on God and it resulted in many shameful and painful experiences that she hid from everyone. She struggled to forgive herself and to also embrace God’s mercy, thinking she wasn’t deserving because of her weakness to the flesh. She felt cheap and not good enough.

​Years later God revealed his plan for her life and it was to write books; books that would bring healing and deliverance to people’s lives. Each book she wrote she realized had a theme and that they were drawing from her own past experiences- the same past she wanted to stay hidden and buried. But as she wrote each book she saw herself healing from whatever trauma mentioned in that book. It was then that she realized, as shameful and painful as her past was, that God had a plan for it.

They were the blueprint for her stories, experiences readers can relate to and the process through which God carried her to find healing and deliverance was how her readers would as well.

​Marshalee Patterson is a Christian Fiction Author of life-changing books that have spiritual warfare and romance. Her goal is to see her readers gain the advantage of how to be victorious against Satan’s tactics and exposes some of the devices he uses.

She is a lover of nature and its tranquillity. She finds nature refreshing and peaceful. She loves different cultures, especially Spanish, which she feels make us learn to appreciate ours a little more in areas where we have been ungrateful or unappreciative. She loves salsa music very much and dances it well too. She is a proud Jamaican.

Connect with Marshalee

Website: https://bit.ly/3P6FlaI

Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/3QGOpDK

Add to GoodReads: https://bit.ly/3wjJhfM

Add to Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3dlrVtw

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3C5xpTwv

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3A0EuSD

Links to Buy

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pnRrkN

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3wkVlgU

Blog Stops 

August 22nd - Beauty in the Binding (https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com)

August 23rd - Emily Kopf (https://emily-kopf.com)

August 25th- Reading is my super power (http://readingismysuperpower.org)

August 27th- Lock, Hooks and Books (www.amybooksy.blogspot.com)

August 28th- Marshalee Patterson (https://marshaleepatterson1.wixsite.com/christianbooks/blog/categories/book-updates)

August 30th - Felix Felicitated (https://felixfelicitatedblog.wordpress.com)

August 31st- Wall to wall Books (https://wall-to-wall-books.blogspot.com/p/authors.html)

September 1st- Britt Reads Fiction (https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com)

September 2nd- Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama (www.musingsofasassybookishmama.com)

September 3rd- Cats in the Cradle Blog (https://catsinthecradle.blog)

September 4th- Batya's Bits (https://batyasbits.home.blog)

My Review: 

Life's Journey our Greatest Test: A Contemporary Christian Novel is another fabulous piece of fiction by Marshalee Patterson. She has a way of drawing her readers in and make them see themselves in the characters. I loved Brady and Sara’s story so much. I could understand Brady’s struggles and was hoping he would find the the peace he so desperately needed in his life. Such a great tale to read. 

I am giving Life's Journey our Greatest Test: A Contemporary Christian Novel a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading faith filled stories, as well as, clean romance with true to life characters. As always, I will be eagerly waiting for more books by Marshalee Patterson in the future. 

I received a digital copy of Life's Journey our Greatest Test: A Contemporary Christian Novel from the publisher but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour: A Shattered Life Restored by Marshalee Patterson

About the Book

Title: A Shattered Life Restored

Author: Marshalee Patterson

Genre: Inspirational Christian Romance

Release Date: September 20th, 2018

Excerpt

Meg sat staring out the window of Olivier’s car for the duration of the drive to the cemetery. Her silence kept him glancing back and forth at her with a worrisome look on his face. Not even a sob escaped her lips, and the heavy breathing he observed from her chest made him wonder what was going through her mind.

The cemetery was fifteen minutes away from Jeanne’s house, and the environment was quiet and peaceful. When Olivier stopped the car and turned off the ignition, Meg turned to look at him. Her eyes were watery, and one blink would cause the tears to start flowing. He was not sure what he could say to make her feel better— he wasn’t sure of what was said between her and Jeanne.

“I’ll wait here and let you go talk to Ernie,” he said hoping that would help somewhat. 
Meg nodded and gave him a little smile before she pulled on the lock and exited the car. As she walked towards Ernie’s grave, she breathed deeply in and out to get her breathing back to normal. The sight of other graves made her think about all the family she had lost back home in Jamaica, her life now without Ernie with a baby on the way, and what Jeanne had just said to her.

 She felt hopeless.

She stood in front of Ernie’s grave and stared down. The sight of dead flowers only caused her tears to flow. She fell to her knees and wept aloud.

“How will I make it without you, my sweet? Your smile was always like sunshine to me.  I need your strength for this baby, Ernie.” She sighed. “Would you believe what your mother said to me? She said I killed you, that I am carrying a bastard and that I was no good for you.”

Silence surrounded her, not a rustle of leaves from the nearby trees, or the chirping of birds. This made her tears flow even harder. No response, no Ernie. Meg leant against the headstone, wrapped her arms around it and closed her eyes.

“I miss you Ernie, please come back to me. I don’t know what to do anymore. Everyone I care for is all gone.” She blinked back the tears. “I want our child to grow with joy and laughter, not sorrow and pain.”

After about twenty minutes, the wind began to blow sending leaves everywhere.  Meg kept her eyes closed, even as she felt something wet hit her cheek. She didn’t want to be away from Ernie or the place where his body lay.

“Meg!” Olivier shouted, rushing towards her.

She did not move.

He squatted down next to her the moment he approached her and pried her hands away from the headstone before she opened her eyes to take notice of the rain. 

“Come on; let’s go before you get soaked.”

Meg wrapped her arms around Olivier’s neck as he scooped her up in his arms and then made a dash towards the car. By the time they made it to the car, the rain began to pour harder. Once inside, Olivier quickly switched on the heater to keep them warm.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“No.”

About the Author  

Marshalee Patterson was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She has loved reading since she could walk. Growing up without a television sparked in her a love for reading and the world of imagination. Some of her favourite novels were written by Charles Dickens, Jane Eyre and Victor Hugo, as she found she liked the true to life stories that we all can relate to. She wrote her first novella-Predestined Love after travelling to Italy and wanted to write a romance novel about it, only she didn’t know that God had plans for her and that story, when he changed the direction of what she originally had in mind. It was then that she knew she was called to write stories to uplift and inspire readers, showing them how to find God in their struggles and the faith to trust Him through it. She is a lover of nature and the tranquillity of it. She finds the outdoors refreshing and peaceful. Marshalee loves Spanish ballads and dances salsa very well.

Connect with Marshalee

My Website / Facebook Page

Twitter / Add to GoodReads / My Blog

Links to Buy

Amazon / Kobo

 Blog Stops 

Oct. 1st - ASC Book Reviews

Oct. 2^nd - Christian Bookaholic

Oct. 3^rd - A Diva's Heart

Oct.4^th - A Hopeful blog

Oct.4^th - Brooke's Blog

Oct. 5^th - Traci's Blog

Oct.6^{th -} Yoursincerelyd

Oct.7^th - Lock, Hooks and Books

Oct. 7^th - Pursuing Stacie

Oct. 8^th - Miracle Writes

Oct.9^th - Britt Reads Fiction

Oct. 10^th - Literary Reflections Book Blog

Oct. 11^th - Remembrancy

Oct. 12^th - Inspiring Christian Romance Books

Oct. 12^th – By the Book

Oct. 13^th - Reading Is My Superpower

Oct. 14th - The Daily Gee

My Review: 

A Shattered Life Restored is a powerful read. Meg is by far my favorite character. So many readers could learn so much from her. Her story is beautifully written, showing how talented Marshalee Patterson is. She knows how to bring to life relatable characters and scenes. 

A Shattered Life Restored is getting a well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend this inspiring book for readers who need to find hope, faith, forgiveness, and healing. I loved it!

I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour: The Path of the Chosen Warriors by Marshalee Patterson

Genre: Christian Romantic Thriller

Release Date: November 16, 2016 

Excerpt

Her eyes widened as she felt his hand on her throat. Ruth grabbed his hand to free herself as she felt her breath diminishing. He forced her to stand as he got to his feet. Suddenly Joshua noticed she was not near him and turned to see her being choked by the High Priest.

Joshua rushed towards the High Priest to free Ruth, but was grabbed by the free hand of the High Priest and thrown back into the crowd, getting their attention now. They all gasped as they realised that it was no longer the High Priest but Abaddon himself. “He’s so damn strong,” Joshua said to himself rubbing his throat.

While Joshua was being helped to his feet, Brad sprang into action. He pounced on Abbadon sending two hard blows into his body. It felt like solid rock. Abbadon grabbed for him and Brad swung from his grasp and went down on one knee, sending a blow into the back of his knee trying to bring him down. Abbadon staggered for a moment, but stood firm again. Brad quickly retrieved a dagger from his boot and sprung to his feet ready to pierce him in his neck.

 Abbadon was quick and Brad’s eyes widened when he felt Abbadon’s hand on his throat. Abbadon gritted his teeth and glared at him. Brad kicked his feet when he felt his body lifting off the ground. He tugged against the hand of the High Priest while gasping for air. With a loud growl Abbadon flung him into the direction of the crowd.

Abaddon walked towards the crowd with his grip firmly around Ruth’s neck. They stepped back, as the sight of him was nothing they had ever seen before. Even though they saw the blackness in his eyes and felt the evil within him, they remembered the God who had just saved them and they held their faith. Joshua and Brad joined with them.

“Abaddon we are not afraid of you. Our God told us that we have power over all rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in the high places. Therefore, we command you to release her and be consumed by fire in the name of Jesus,” they shouted at him.

They kept on calling on the fire of God to consume him and as they did, the High Priest started screaming at them in the creepiest voice that made Ruth shiver. Even as she felt breath leaving her body and saw how without effort, Abbadon lifting Brad into the air; she saw only the High Priest and tried to reach him.

“Fight him, resist him, command him to leave you in the Name of Jesus,” and at that name, Ruth saw the switch from Abaddon to High Priest and back to Abaddon and the look she got from Abaddon this time was deadly.

Links to Buy

Amazon / Kobo

 About the Author 

Marshalee Patterson was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She has loved reading since she could walk. Growing up without a television sparked in her a love for reading and the world of imagination. Some of her favourite novels were written by Charles Dickens, Jane Eyre and Victor Hugo, as she found she liked the true to life stories that we all can relate to. She wrote her first novella-Predestined Love after travelling to Italy and wanted to write a romance novel about it, only she didn’t know that God had plans for her and that story, when he change the direction of what she originally had in mind.

It was then that she knew she was called to write stories to uplift and inspire readers, showing them how to find God in their struggles and the faith to trust Him through it. She is a lover of nature and the tranquillity of it. She finds the outdoors refreshing and peaceful. Marshalee loves Spanish ballads and dances salsa very well.

Connect with Marshalee

My Website / Facebook Page / Facebook Group  

Twitter / Add to GoodReads / My Blog

 

              Blog Stops

                April 1- Locks, Hooks and Books
                April 2- ASC Book Reviews
                April 3- All-of-a-kind Mom
                April 4- Brooke Blogs
                April 5- A Greater Yes
                April 6- MJB Reviewers
                April 7- A Baker’s Perspective
                April 7- Mary Hake



My Review:

The Path of the Chosen Warriors is a great read. It is full of inspiration and faith, mystery and suspense, with quite a few thought-provoking scenes, including some that are kind of spooky. There is, also, some wonderful and clean romance. 

I hope to read more by Marshallee Patterson in the future. She has definitely showed that she has great talent as a writer. 

I give The Path of the Chosen Warriors 4 1/2 stars and I recommend it. 

I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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