About the Book
Book: Sermons from a Soapbox, Messages of Hope and Encouragement Author: Ladonna Shanks Genre: Devotional, based on personal experience; Memoir; Adult Nonfiction; “Life Lesson Essays” Release Date: April 8, 2025
“What is God like?
Does He even exist, other than as a figment of the imagination?
Or is He real, a part of daily life and our world?
In Sermons from a Soapbox, Ladonna Shanks shares her personal spiritual journey of more than seventy-five years. “I cannot write what I have not experienced,” serves as the base of her easy-to-read, anecdotal essays. The short “sermons” challenge the reader to think, question, search, and consider living where God is . . . in the spiritual, long-term, instead of humankind’s physical, short-term.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Ladonna Shanks was born and raised in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. During her several decades of life, she has been an entrepreneur, a small business owner, and, most recently, a writer. Her first book, Tidbits and Pearls, A Book of Essays on Living Everyday Life with God was published in 2019. Ladonna’s family, including five grandgirls, and her commitment to God serve as her priorities.
More from Ladonna
The desire and passion to share God’s quest for friendship with humankind has driven me to write of my personal experiences with Him. “I cannot write what I have not experienced” is my mantra. The easy-to-read anecdotal essays make up both of my books: Tidbits and Pearls, A Book of Essays on Living Everyday Life with God and my newly published Sermons from a Soapbox, Messages of Hope and Encouragement. (My editor calls them “Life’s Lessons Essays.) I never preach, but I share my life. My desire is to challenge the reader to consider life in the long-term, eternal instead of the short-term, physical. I want them to think. I am open, honest, and transparent as I present my weaknesses, failures, and inadequacies in contrast to God’s faithfulness, care, and love.Interview with the Author
- Why do you think the topic of your book is important and why do you think this topic is needed?
I am going to combine #1 and #2. I feel nothing is more important in this world than the topic of my book. I write about God, His presence in everyday life, how to live with Him, and the importance of viewing life in the eternal, not just the physical. I feel that, too often, He is pushed off into the abstract or defined in a few scripture verses in a discussion. He is real. He loves and cares for us. And He will be just as involved in our lives as we allow Him. That message needs to be spread.
- What is your favorite verse and why?
My all-time favorite verse is Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and it will all be taken care of.” This is a paraphrase, but it is exactly as God spoke it to me—over and over again. I was in my early 20’s, drowning in the depths of depression and addictive behavior. I dreaded facing another day. I knew He did not love me. My sole place of respite was a few minutes in the shower. It was there he repeatedly said those words to me. I am now 80. He was, and is, faithful. He took me through hell and brought me to a place of joy as I live life with Him. Indeed, it was all taken care of.
- What is one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?
Would they be surprised if they knew I was divorced? I wonder if my readers would view me and my writing differently if they knew that.
- If you could sit down with someone for five minutes, what would you say to them?
Since I don’t know the parameters of those five minutes—I’m going to address this question in a practical manner. Whether it is five minutes, fifteen, or an hour, I would (and do) ask questions, allowing them to talk about themselves and their lives. People need to be heard, not talked to. 😊
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 13
Simple Harvest Reads, November 14 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, November 15
Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, November 17 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 17
The Sacred Line, November 18
Lots of Helpers, November 19
Fiction Book Lover, November 20 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 21
Vicky Sluiter, November 22 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 23
For the Love of Literature, November 24 (Author Interview)
Because I said So, November 24
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 25 (Author Interview)
Girls in White Dresses, November 26
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Ladonna is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, copy of my book, and a set of 6 blank note cards created by myself using floral photos!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/3d5a0/sermons-from-a-soapbox-celebration-tour-giveaway