RRBC Blog Block Party Tour

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Hi! Welcome to the Rave Reviews Book Club 2016 Book & Blog Party.

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Check out the rest of the RRBC blog tour  lineup

Today I am honored to be your host. My name is Jo Ann Wentzel and I am pretty much a new kid on the block. This club has given me a warm welcome so I am ready and willing to become a supportive member. This tour is such fun and a wonderful way to get to know all of you. You are all great authors and I am so impressed with the quality and quantity of the books you have written. I must admit I am somewhat overwhelmed by all the great books I want to read and wonder if I will ever find time again to write myself. I want to read them all and how I try (Former home town librarians can vouch for that fact.) My husband and I are retired to a small motor home so this blog comes to you now from the 90 plus degree New Mexico. Specifically, we are in Sumner Lake State Park where we can enjoy the wilder side of nature while keeping an eye out for a recently sighted cougar.

Comment to be entered for prizes

Today’s prizes include 1-$10 Amazon gift card, an autographed copy of It Begins and Ends with Family and an autographed copy of Ultimate Betrayal.  So three prizes and three separate winners. Just comment below for a chance to win.   Good Luck!

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       Let Life Begin

081716_0500_RaveReviews4.jpg     E-mail me here    

  

 

Who am I?

For those who care I am a wife to the same wonderful man for over 52 years. I am a mother of two children, a daughter and son. I am also a grand mom to three grandsons plus the granddaughter I was blessed with when one grandson married. I am a former foster parent and worked with over 75 kids. Often our house saw 8 teen boys at a time so there was never a dull moment. My entire life was spent working with challenging kids and at risk families, retail jobs and writing. I adore party and event planning. In between, during or in addition to normal jobs, I often was employed in a variety of pursuits -anything from pulling chickens out of cages to send to Campbell’s for soup to selling cars. For a while I even fancied myself a goat herder.

You can see I have a love of color, no pale pastels for me; nothing that speaks of a sedate, classic personality. Besides this is a party!!! I have a weird sense of humor and people call me creative. Once bought a rickshaw at an auction and planned a whole promotion around it for a gas station we ran. I came late to the career of being an author and still am very green. Trying to learn how to write, how to promote, how to get reviews and how to sell books. Have no book trailers, videos or audios to offer yet. Hopefully, they are in the near future. This blog tour is enabling me to learn from all of you and that is appreciated. Since I can use all the help I can get.

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Ultimate Betrayal (a first novel by Jo Ann Wentzel )

No one knows when the end will come! The Bible points to signs of those final days. It provides the warnings as to what the times leading up to it may be like, some very clear but, most more obtuse. We are warned that at the beginning of the end lawlessness will prevail. It speaks of cold hearts where no one really cares for their fellow man and even feelings for close relatives takes a back position behind a person’s own selfish desires. It is a world that is all about me. It is about selfishness and caring only for what you want or need. We have seen signs of this already and if not for the Church, we would be a people without concern for others and a world void of love.

Ultimate Betrayal explores a world like this. The world’s children are in trouble. When a criminal element explodes during the same time as a wonderful technological breakthrough; a unique and unthinkable solution results. This is not what the scientists promised. It is not any reasonable answer that those with a conscience could abide. Follow this time of hopelessness and misery but, don’t despair because the innate good in people will overcome and save all the children and restore human kindness and love.

Read a sample chapter here

 

Buy your copy here!

Ultimate Betrayal will be followed by a sequel soon.

What reviewers are saying about this book!

“Good plot!”

“Hardly able to put it down once started.”

“Difficult subject… at times hard to read.”

“Read in one 4 hour sitting.”

“Found the book an interesting study of life and the way we treat others, especially kids.”

“The story pulls the reader into a fictional world that could easily become reality.”

“This book made me feel a myriad of emotions. Mostly anger.”

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Author Website

It Begins and Ends with Family by Jo Ann Wentzel (a non-fiction book)

After decades of fostering and working with at risk, challenging kids, a book was born. Over 75 kids each brought a lesson with them. They were all troubled and many broken. They had different stories but, the final results were always the same. They needed help to become functional or whole again. They needed to regain trust in any person especially those closest to them. For most of their lives, they had been let down time and time again by those who should have protected them and loved them unconditionally. They all needed some place to belong and a family that loved and protected them- blood or not. This book reveals the way we worked our way back to the beginning family to find the origin of the problems and tried to help that family once again become a place to belong and be loved in again. While this challenge was being met we gave them what they needed -love, support, a safe place to be themselves and people they could begin to trust again.

Read a sample chapter here.

Buy your copy here

Who should read this book?

Foster parents it explores a world only they understand. Those professional parents know foster care is not about dressing children up in cute outfits and giving them a cookie. This is almost a manual for those newbies.

Parents– we all know how hard the job is and that sometimes we should have more tools in our parenting tool box. You may not have kids with so many problems but, we all could use solutions that are creative and focus on a sense of humor.

Those who love reading about the dynamics of a large family– I was an only child, so much of the time growing up was rather boring. I always gravitated toward large families because there was always something going on. They were full of fun and all the different personalities in the family meant interesting and entertaining encounters.

Foster kids– You may enjoy reading about our brand of fostering and the things that made our house unique.

All readers may find the topic informative and eye opening. When you work within the system and need to advocate for the children they place with you sometimes you must recommend solutions not everyone is comfortable with or agrees with but, must be implemented for the good of the child.

 

Thanks for stopping and enjoy the rest of the book and blog tour! Don’t forget to comment. Consider joining the Rave Reviews Book Club for great author exposure and support.

122 thoughts on “RRBC Blog Block Party Tour

  1. Hi Jo Ann,
    Sounds like you never slow down! I’m glad you’ve found RRBC they are awesome mentors, supporters, and full of helpful advice. I love being part of this writing community.
    Best wishes with your blog party and your books .

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Great blog and congrats on being married 52 years. I am pretty new around here, too. I added your first novel, sounds right up my ally for reading, on my kindle. I will have to spend most of my free time reading all these great books!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. What a life full of love you’ve had. Married to the same man for all those year and all the children who have been part of your life. I understand the dynamics of a large family. Although small by some means, having 5 siblings could at times create a hectic home. Thank you for sharing a bit of your life and your stories.

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    • Marriage is something you work at daily. Our generation learned to fix rather than get rid of things. It helps when you have such a great partner though. fostering was in the past but the dynamics of a large family surely is more fun than being an only child. Thanks for stopping.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Thank you for sharing your work here, Jo Anne. I wished for a caring loving home when I was a child, I found it in the company of other street kids. All as damaged as one another. The topic of your book and the reviews you’ve received are testament to the strength and encouragement you provided in an often cold and indifferent world. Bravo. I do hope the remainder of your tour day is wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanna, I’m sorry your home was not what it should have been . I have seen some very loving street kids and they can fill the void . It is sad everyone cannot have a safe place full of love.Now that you know what was missing, you can make the world a better place.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. What a life you have led! I’ve always wanted to rent an RV and visit all of the states in our beautiful country at my leisure. Your books sound fantastic. I am a teacher so I have a special soft spot in my heart for foster parents. Thank you for being a shining light in their lives. 🙂

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    • We have only been full timing since April 2015 but, it is a lifestyle that gives you opportunity to learn about this great country of ours. We have not traveled as much yet as we would like because this experiment is talking place in an older motor home which needs fixing con daily but, the plans are made to extend our traveling in the near future. A better motor home is also needed. Thanks for stopping today.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Beautiful post JoAnn, and good to know you. I am meeting so many of our new members for the first time, in this book tour party, it’s simply extraordinary! Wow, and so much to read! Good luck with your party, and do enjoy it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I’m so pleased to meet you, Jo Ann. One of RRBC’s many gifts is bringing folks together to “talk” about why and what they write. I will definitely be reading your books very soon. Thank you for sharing so much about your extraordinary life work — and all the best on your continued journey!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Hi Jo Ann! Very nice blog and welcome to RRBC! Your novel looks quite interesting – good luck with it. Have fun on your RRBC Back to school Blog Block Party day – Best regards, MikeL

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Sounds like you’ve led an interesting life, Jo Ann, and made a difference to the lives of vulnerable children. Kudos to you! I’ve added It Begins and Ends with Family to my TBR list. Have a great day at the party!

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    • Thanks Michele for the kind words. Glad you could stop at my blog.Helping kids was a blessing for me and we felt it was where we were needed. That time of my life is over so now we are just supportive to foster providers..

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  10. HI, Jo Ann. What an interesting life you’ve led! I chuckled over the rickshaw. I would have loved to have seen that promotion 😀 Your books sound interesting, especially Ultimate Betrayal (I took a peek at the first chapter). Wishing you a great day at the party!

    Liked by 1 person

    • My life has been challenging and interesting but, full of blessings . I have a great family besides my foster kids. When you get a chance let me know what your thoughts are about Ultimate Betrayal. Working on a sequel now.Thanks for stopping.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Hi Jo Ann – it was really wonderful to visit with you on this beautiful blog and get to know you a little better! 😀 Foster parents HAVE to be special people, because so often the children who come to them have been damaged in some way – much kudos for making such a life-affirming difference for so many kids in need of love and care. 🙂
    Ultimate Betrayal sounds like a hard-hitting read – I look forward to reading it sometime soon! 😀

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    • Jan, anyone who has love can foster. It can be quite challenging but, also a blessing. Children are gifts from God and should be valued.When you get a chance to read Ultimate Betrayal, please share your thoughts. Most of this club has reached a loftier status and their opinions are valued.

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  12. Welcome to RRBC! Its so nice to meet you and learn about your books. This is a very supportive group. Have fun on the tour today.

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    • Yes, a new chapter even more challenging than the past ones. With God’s grace and the world’s help I will become someone who has something to say and the world wants to read.Thanks for stopping today.

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  13. Hola Joann! Hope your party is great fun! Loved reading your bio. My husband and I worked with the Big Brother and Sister group in NC. Saw lots of foster kids needing help on so many levels. Bless you for reaching out to them. Your life on the road sounds FAB! A new chapter in your life. Wonderful!

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    • Thanks to you for working with kids. it is so needed. I am done with that part of my life but, love to support those who continue the mission.Just want you to know how much we love New Mexico and the people here. They are so caring and friendly. We made this our domicile state since the people are the best.

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      • Believe I put my reply in the wrong place or combined two of you. Dear me another senior moment.. Susan thanks for working with kids. I know how needed it is to the kids. If everyone does foster care or mentoring just for a short time with one kid the problem could be eradicated.thanks for stopping by today.

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  14. Hi Joann, It is really nice to meet you from New Mexico. You are an amazing person to take on so many broken children. Somebody has to do it and you were chosen. God Bless You for being there for them. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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    • We love New Mexico. The place is lovely and the people caring and friendly. Children are a gift from God and I believe that we all need to care for the world’s children together. thanks for stopping.

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  15. Pingback: blogs, blogs, and more blogs #RRBC | Finder's Keepers – Author Tracey Clark

  16. My goodness, Joann, you are a special kind of person! What a giving heart you obviously have. God bless people such as you and your husband and may you enjoy a long, happy life together. That goes for all the lives you’ve touched through the years, as well.

    Kind Regards,

    Cheri G

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  17. Good Morning Jo Ann! I love the title of your blog. ‘Shhh! Can’t You See I’m Writing?’ How’s that working for you? LOL! (didn’t work too well with my kids). I’m glad to see that after a life of service and gratitude you are finally getting the chance to put it all in book form for us to enjoy. Thank you; enjoy the tour; and stay away from that cougar!

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    • It works okay now but, never would have worked well when the house was full. I am happy to retire even though we are doing the full time RV thing on the cheap. We need to invest in a larger, newer motor home in time. Right now we are enjoying our freedom. and we are careful not to run into the cougar. Thanks for stopping.

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  18. Hello Joann. Nice to meet you and nice to read about your books. You have lead a remarkable life working with as many children as you have done – quite the busy lady. Fostering is hard work, and many times, probably most of the time, foster parents dislike giving up their foster child, over and over again; especially with the attachments and bonding that occurs.

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    • Mary, Life was busy when we fostered. Days had a habit of expanding . It often was hard to give the kids up but, all had parents. Some made me cry when they left -some for sadness , a couple for joy. Loved them all though. Thanks for stopping by..

      Liked by 1 person

      • Sometimes it was very hard. A couple were tough kids to work with and those I cried less about. All were truly part of the family and were treated as such. Thanks for your kind words.

        On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 10:59 AM, Shhh! Can't you see I'm writing? wrote:

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        Liked by 1 person

  19. Dear Joanne, Thanks so much for sharing some glimpses of your incredible life us. I hope you and your hubby enjoy the blog tour today as much as we all enjoy getting to know you and your work a bit better!

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  20. love the post… congrats on more than five decades of marriage… not to mention raising enough kids to start your own island community… 😛 8 teen boys at once… omg… I hope you had your own cows… otherwise, had stock in milk… my cousins could go through a few gallons a day, and there were only three of them, and one was a girl…

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    • Not sure which was worse the amount or milk or cereal. My man boys thought vegetable dishes were suitable to eat cereal from in the morning. Fortunately we had help in the food department. It seemed like a small city some days. Everything was scheduled and God forbid we got off schedule. Fun but some days a trying time. Still wouldn’t have missed kit for the world. Decades of togetherness makes for an interesting life when you are still learning together. Thanks for stopping.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Hi Jo Ann! What a lovely post. It’s great to get to know more about you and your books. I love the blog title! I’m so glad you’re a part of RRBC! What a wonderful family 🙂 Very best wishes with all your endeavours, Jo Ann! 🙂

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    • When you have little to share about books, you call on your past life.Hope not to bore anyone but, wanted them to get to know me a little. Harmony, you constantly re-tweet things for me. I so appreciate that, your kind words and your stopping by today. Thanks..

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  22. Welcome to the club! I joined in the spring, and it’s been a fun, supportive group of people to hang out with (at least virtually!) Best of luck with your books and this writing adventure…it’s all so much fun! 🙂

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    • Stephanie, I agree this is a great club. I love how much support and talent they share.. Thanks for stopping by and the kind words. Let me know if I can be of help to you in any way.

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  23. Wow! That is a lot of children to look after. You sound like a pretty amazing lady. I’m glad you have such a wonderful family and that you have now joined another one, RRBC! Wishing you great success with your writing. Thank you for hosting the party today.

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  24. Hi Jo Ann! What an interesting premise for a book. I’m definitely intrigued!!! And welcome to RRBC. The authors here are very supportive and just a nice group of folks. I’m glad you were able to take advantage of the Blog Party and that we get to share a date together! 🙂 I wish you nothing but success in your writing career!

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    • Thanks Julie, it was so nice to meet you on your blog. If you get a chance to read it please share your thoughts. I am so new at all this could really use any help and would value your opinions.

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      • Yes, but, that seems to be of less interest to people. Mind you this novel is fiction and my interpretation of just one thing that could happen during the time leading up to end times.It is a combination of dystopia,sci-fi that is interpreted from a Christian viewpoint. Hard to describe but, each chapter has an appropriate verse to start it.

        Jo Ann

        On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 1:57 PM, Shhh! Can't you see I'm writing? wrote:

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      • That’s cool! My book also falls under the “Christian” umbrella as well, so I was just curious. Love to see more exciting Christian fiction out there…especially of the speculative nature. And yes, I have a ton of secular readers as well. In fact half of my author endorsements are secular. If you have a good story, it should suck the reader in either way. Keep doing what you’re doing!!!!

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      • Julie, thank you for the encouragement. I look forward to keeping in touch and maybe picking your brain occasionally.

        Jo Ann

        On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 5:55 PM, Shhh! Can't you see I'm writing? wrote:

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  25. Hi, Joann. So nice to meet you and welcome to the Rave Reviews Book Club! I am envious that you live in a motor home. I dream of doing that and having freedom of the open road. And the fact that you have been married 52 years is amazing. My hat is off to you. Best of luck with your book!!

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