tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16686613832332036522024-03-14T00:28:24.715-04:00One Rainy AfternoonJoin me for a tour of some enjoyable books. Perfect for. . . One Rainy AfternoonJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-44385063088833585562011-06-01T12:20:00.002-04:002011-06-01T12:44:35.695-04:00How Huge the Night by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://vicsmediaroom.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/how-huge-the-night-book-cover2.gif?w=180&h=180"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="http://vicsmediaroom.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/how-huge-the-night-book-cover2.gif?w=180&h=180" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">How Huge the Night<br />by: Heather Munn and Lydia Munn<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back of the Book:</span></span><br />For fifteen-year-old Julien Losier, life will never be the same. His family has relocated to souther France to outrun Hitler's menace. But Julien doesn't want to run. He doesn't want to huddle around the radio at night, waiting to hear news through buzzing static. Julien doesn't want to wait.<br /><br />Angry, frustrated, and itching to do something, Julien finds a battle everywhere he turns.<br /><br />Soon after his family opens their house to a Jewish boy needing refuge, Julien meets Nina, a young Austrian who has fled her home by her father's dying command. Nina's situation is grave and Julien suddenly realizes the enormity of having someone's life or death depend on . . . him.<br /><br />Thrown together by a conflict that's too big for them to understand, each one struggles to know what to do, even if it is not enough. Is there a greater purpose in the shadows of this terrible war? Or will their choices put them in greater danger?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts:</span></span><br />I think the authors did a great job showing us what a teenage boy might have been thinking during the war. I have always had a fascination with WWII and think reading historical fictions really gives us some insight into what people went through during that time - a living history. In one of the most horrible times in history we see what some teenagers truly may have faced. Julien's family flees to southern France hoping to avoid Hitler's army. Niko (aka Nina) flees her country looking for safety for her and her brother due to their Jewish heritage. Benjamin has to live with a family he does not know because of his Jewish heritage. In addition to the war going on all around them, they are also facing the troubles of a typical teenager: a new home, making new friends, losing family or being far from them. . . so many hardships. They do a great job with the characters in this novel - they truly come alive. This book is a page-turner and I highly recommend it!<br /><br /></div></div>Thanks for stopping by!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This book was sent to me by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I was not influenced on how to write my review.</span></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-66037131970804476432011-04-13T06:07:00.001-04:002011-04-14T18:28:16.581-04:00Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12eefa705a9ab8c4&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12eefa705a9ab8c4&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Lazarus Awakening<br />by: Joanna Weaver<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >About the Book:</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Getting God’s Love from Our Heads to Our Hearts</span></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span><span style=" ;font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">You believe that God loves the world…but sometimes you wonder if He truly loves you.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> For many of us, moving the truth of God’s love from our heads to our hearts is a lifelong process. As we consider our inadequacies or grieve our shattered dreams, we find it difficult to believe that God cares for us personally.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> In this life-giving book, Joanna Weaver shows you how to embrace the truth that Jesus loves you apart from anything you accomplish, apart from anything you bring. Just as He called Lazarus forth to new life, Jesus wants to free you to live fully in the light of His love, unbound from the graveclothes of fear, regret, and self-condemnation.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><i style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-style:italic">Love is calling your name.</span></i><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Combining unforgettable real-life illustrations with unexpected biblical insights, Joanna Weaver invites you to experience a spiritual resurrection that will forever change your understanding of what it means to be the one Jesus loves. Bible study and Leader’s Guide available here. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/books/lazarus-awakening/" target="_blank">http://www.joannaweaverbooks.<wbr>com/books/lazarus-awakening</a></span></span></span></p></div></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >My Thoughts:</span><br />Joanna Weaver is one of my favorite authors. Once again she has brought together inspiring truths from God's Word, her incredible imagination, and those convicting gray boxes. What an amazing concept that God would love a sinner like me! Me?! But He does and Joanna does such a great job of reminding us of that message that is written all over the pages of Scripture. Too often its the simplest concepts that we seem to know but have so much trouble getting it from our heads to our hearts. With the stories and wonderful word-pictures in Lazarus Awakening, Joanna is helping many women do just that. Living like God loves you takes change and in order to accomplish that you need a lot of prayer. This book is a great guide to help you in your spiritual journey and I highly recommend it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">About the Author:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, </span><i style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-style:italic">Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World</span></i><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and </span><i style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-style:italic">Having a Mary Spirit</span></i><span style="font-family:georgia;">. These two books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into several languages including Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, German, Korean and more. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. Past appearances include: The Harvest Show, At Home Live With Chuck & Jenni, Midday Connection, HomeWord, and Janet Parschall’s America. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor’s wife. For more information about Joanna, please visit her website. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/" target="_blank">www.joannaweaverbooks.com</a>.</span> </span></span><br /><br /><br />To buy the book click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lazarus-Awakening-Finding-Place-Heart/dp/0307444961/ref=sprightly-20">HERE</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Giveaway Time!!!</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:10pt;" >Joanna is celebrating the release of <i><span style="font-style:italic">Lazarus Awakening</span></i> with the Heart of God KINDLE Giveaway!</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">In <b><i><span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lazarus-Awakening-Finding-Place-Heart/dp/0307444961?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Lazarus Awakening</a><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12eefa705a9ab8c4&attid=0.0.1&disp=emb&zw" width="1" border="0" height="1" /></span></i></b> Joanna writes about getting God’s love from our heads to our hearts. We all know Jesus loved Mary – look how she worshiped. And we can understand why He loved Martha – after all, look how she served. But what about those of us who don’t know where we fit in the heart of God? Lazarus Awakening explores the tale of the third follower – Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus. We never hear him speak, we never see him serve. The only thing of any significance that Lazarus did was to die. And yet, the Bible is clear. Jesus loved Lazarus. And He loves you and me as well. Lazarus Awakening looks at different aspects of the story we find in John 11. We learn what it means to be a friend of God and begin recognizing the tombs we spend far too much time in. <a href="http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/books/lazarus-awakening/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-weight:bold">Find out more here.</span></b></a></span></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:10pt;" >One grand prize winner will receive:</span></b></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><ul style="margin-top: 0in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> * A Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> * <i><span style="font-style:italic">Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World</span></i></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> * <i><span style="font-style:italic">Having A Mary Spirit</span></i></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> * <i><span style="font-style:italic">Lazarus Awakening</span></i></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:10pt;" >Joanna will also select two additional contest entrants to receive copies of her trilogy. Enter soon by clicking the icons below </span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=" background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;font-size:10pt;" ></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold">and then tell your friends. Hurry the contest ends April 16th. The winner will be announced on <a href="http://joannaweaver.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joanna's blog</a> on April 18th.</span></b></span></span></p><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/108175" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZ-%20Jn9hhgco/TXqYObD7J_I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/nG5ci6jgwFg/s1600/email_icon.png" title="Enter via E-mail" width="48" height="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/%20sweepstakeshq/contests/108175" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZBHv5uije28/TXqYfJCLMkI/%20AAAAAAAAAiU/AVPqG6Tv5W4/s1600/Facebook_icon-300x300.png" title="Enter via Facebook" width="48" height="48" /></a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/%20108175" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="https://%20/lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m-99VSwns4U/TXqYmf0klHI/AAAAAAAAAiY/%20VwREnY_u7TA/s1600/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" width="48" height="48" /><!-- a--></a></div><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/%20108175" target="_blank"><br /><br /><br />To view other reviews in the blog tour click </a><a href="http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13184491">HERE</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-17658941326469159612011-03-22T06:33:00.001-04:002011-03-22T07:53:10.929-04:00The Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wordlily.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mountains-bow-down.jpg?w=196&h=300"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 298px;" src="http://wordlily.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mountains-bow-down.jpg?w=196&h=300" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Mountains Bow Down<br />by: Sibella Giorello<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >My Thoughts:</span><br />It was refreshing to read another book where the love story was not the main emphasis. I personally love to watch Police/FBI dramas and this was no exception. With the complication of having to solve the murder in just 5 days, FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon has her work cut out for her. There are, of course, plenty of other complications such as convincing everyone else that there even was a murder and taking care of her mother who is in a very fragile state of mind. With plenty of plot twists to throw you off-course, Sibella definitely keeps your interest.<br /><br />Again, a lot of great characters are introduced in this book. My favorite would have to be the head of security on the cruise ship, Geert. In the first couple of chapters you have a great mental picture of Geert: shiny, bald head, white handlebar mustache, and his Netherandish accent. Geert is doing everything he can to protect the cruise line, but even he can't ignore the obvious signs pointing to murder.<br /><br />Raleigh learns many hard lessons on this cruise. She needs humility and patience to deal with the cruise ship security, fellow FBI agents, and the cast/crew of the movie. And most important she learns that she can't protect everyone all of the time through a situation with her mom. We are all tempted to lie to protect the ones we love, but does that make it right? Raleigh begins to struggle with this as it becomes harder and harder to keep her secret.<br /><br />Overall this is a great book that I highly recommend.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >About the Book:</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><i><span style="font-style: italic;">Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . .. </span></i></span><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, The Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion: Somewhere onboard, a ruthless murderer walks free.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis-perpetual ladies man Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming onboard, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack-who might not be such a jerk after all.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a situation so steep and so complex that even the mountains might bow down.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the Author:</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" > <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons. Find out more about Sibella and her other books at her website. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.sibellagiorello.com/" target="_blank">www.sibellagiorello.com</a></span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >Great Offer!</span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" >Start the series fresh with this great deal! Pick up a copy of Book 1 for your Kindle or Nook for only $2.99! The Stones Roll Away is the critically acclaimed award winner that kicked off the Raleigh Harmon series. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stones-Raleigh-Harmon-Novel-ebook/dp/B004QGYURS/ref=sprightly-20" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Stones-<wbr>Raleigh-Harmon-Novel-ebook/dp/<wbr>B004QGYURS/ref=sprightly-20</a></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"> <img alt="Giorellos Cruise Giveaway" src="http://virb.com/storage/431233/resize_1024x1365/%20giorello_mtns_300x2502.gif" height="150" width="170" /> </a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sibella’s celebrating the release of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-%20Down-Raleigh-Harmon-Novel/dp/1595545352/ref=sprightly-20"><i>The Mountains<br />Bow Down </i></a>with a blog tour, a Cruise prize pack worth over $500 and a<br />Facebook Party! Don't miss a minute of the fun.</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-USTIibOCAYk/TXqWaOXgjAI/%20AAAAAAAAAiI/k1w5n84fGvs/s1600/giorello_mtns_300x250+%25282%2529.gif" border="0" /><!-- a--></a></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><br /></a></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><br /><br />One Grand Prize winner will receive:<br /></a></span><ul style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><br /></a></span><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339">A $500 gift certificate toward the cruise of their choice from Vacations To Go.</a></span></li><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><br /></a></span><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339">The entire set of the Raleigh Harmon series.</a></span></li><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><br /></a></span></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><br />To enter click one of the icons below. Then tell your friends. And enter soon -<br />the giveaway ends on 4/1! The winner will be announced at Sibella’s </a><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://%20www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131732776898350">Raleigh Harmon Book Club<br />Party </a>on FB April 5th, 2011! Don’t miss the fun – prizes, books and gab!</span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZ-%20Jn9hhgco/TXqYObD7J_I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/nG5ci6jgwFg/s1600/email_icon.png" title="Enter via E-mail" height="48" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/%20sweepstakeshq/contests/104339" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZBHv5uije28/TXqYfJCLMkI/%20AAAAAAAAAiU/AVPqG6Tv5W4/s1600/Facebook_icon-300x300.png" title="Enter via Facebook" height="48" width="48" /></a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/%20104339" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="https://%20/lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m-99VSwns4U/TXqYmf0klHI/AAAAAAAAAiY/%20VwREnY_u7TA/s1600/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" height="48" width="48" /><!-- a--></a></div><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/%20104339" target="_blank"><br /></a><div style="color: black;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/%20104339" target="_blank"><br /><br /><b>About the Facebook Party:</b> Join Sibella and fans of the Raleigh Harmon series<br />on April 5th at 5:00 pm PST (6 MST, 7 CST & 8 EST) for a </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20/www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131732776898350">Facebook Book Club<br />Party</a>. Sibella will be giving away some fun prizes, testing your trivia skills and<br />hosting a book chat about the Raleigh Harmon books. Have questions you'd like<br />to chat about - leave them on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?%20eid=131732776898350">Event page</a>.</div><br /><br />To Purchase 'The Mountains Bow Down' click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Down-Raleigh-Harmon-Novel/dp/1595545352/ref=sprightly-20">HERE</a>.<br /><br />To view the blog tour schedule click <a href="http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13142727">HERE</a>.<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></span></p></div></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-7258461170592662362011-03-11T08:06:00.004-05:002011-03-11T08:56:45.211-05:00A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12e6f0b91442adbb&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12e6f0b91442adbb&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />A Trail of Ink<br />by: Mel Starr<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />My Thoughts:</span><br />I do have to start out by saying that I think I started the book 3 times before I could really get used to the language. Once I did, though, it was like getting lost in another time. I loved it! This was a great mystery. He keeps you guessing the whole time. While you have your suspicions he adds plenty of rabbit trails to throw you off. I really enjoyed the story of Hugh and Kate, as well. It wasn't mushy-gushy so I believe that man or woman would greatly enjoy this book.<br /><br />The characters are very dynamic and he adds so much color to them. You can really picture the story taking place right before your eyes. I particularly enjoyed finding out more about the 'feud' between scholars and monks. That was such an interesting concept with them living in the same place, but disagreeing so heartily on issues.<br /><br />He also includes some interesting historical facts at the end regarding the place he wrote about as well as the first chapter from his next book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />About the Book:</span><br /><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">An excellent medieval whodunit by the author of The Unquiet Bones and A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Some valuable books have been stolen from Master John Wyclif, the well known scholar and Bible translator. He calls upon his friend and former pupil, Hugh de Singleton, to investigate. Hugh's investigation leads him to Oxford where he again encounters Kate, the only woman who has tempted him to leave bachelor life behind, but Kate has another serious suitor. As Hugh's pursuit of Kate becomes more successful, mysterious accidents begin to occur. Are these accidents tied to the missing books, or to his pursuit of Kate?</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> One of the stolen books turns up alongside the drowned body of a poor Oxford scholar. Another accident? Hugh certainly doesn't think so, but it will take all of his surgeon s skills to prove.</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> So begins another delightful and intriguing tale from the life of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon in the medieval village of Bampton. Masterfully researched by medieval scholar Mel Starr, the setting of the novel can be visited and recognized in modern-day England. Enjoy more of Hugh s dry wit, romantic interests, evolving faith, and dogged determination as he pursues his third case as bailiff of Bampton.<br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >About the Author:</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Mel Starr was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating with a MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970, he taught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years, thirty-five of those in Portage, MI, where he retired in 2003 as chairman of the social studies department of Portage Northern High School. Mel and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and seven grandchildren. <a href="www.melstarr.org" target="_blank">www.melstarr.org</a></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />Contest Info:</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Kregel Publishers is graciously donating a $50 Amazon.com gift card for the Litfuse Blog Tour Contest! Woo-hoo (thanks Kregel!) All you have to do to enter is either tweet (see TWEET THIS below) or share the book on Facebook using this link: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Ink-Chronicle-Singleton-Surgeon/dp/1854249746/ref=sprightly-20" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Trail-<wbr>Ink-Chronicle-Singleton-<wbr>Surgeon/dp/1854249746/ref=<wbr>sprightly-20</a><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></b></span></span> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">TWEET THIS</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">: A Trail of Ink by Mel Star. An excellent medieval whodunit. RT for a chance to win a $50 GC to @amazon! <a href="http://ow.ly/45c2k" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/45c2k</a> #litfuse </span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; font-family: georgia;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(and be sure to use the hashtag #litfuse to be entered into Amazon.com gift certificate drawing and no need to email that you tweeted - we'll be able to track it via the hashtag.)</span></span></li></ul> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">FACEBOOK THIS:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> A Trail of Ink by Mel Star. An excellent medieval whodunit. Share on your wall for a chance to win a $50 GC to @amazon! <a href="http://ow.ly/45c2k" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/45c2k</a></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; font-family: georgia;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(email <a href="mailto:info@litfusegroup.com" target="_blank">info@litfusegroup.com</a> to let us know you 'shared'.)</span></span></li></ul><br />To view other reviews on the Blog Tour click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/litfuse-publicity-group/blog-tour-a-trail-of-ink-by-mel-starr-march-4-19/10150108963107161">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-50879138109343274222011-02-10T07:19:00.000-05:002011-02-10T07:19:00.310-05:00The ThornI accidentally read this one out of turn, so my next review will be of The Telling.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tracysbooknook.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/The-Thorn-by-Beverly-Lewis-193x300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.tracysbooknook.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/The-Thorn-by-Beverly-Lewis-193x300.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Thorn<br />By: Beverly Lewis<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Back of the Book:</span><br />Two Amish sisters divided by one sister's impulsive marriage to an outsider.<br /><br />Hen longs for the Old Ways she left behind. . .<br /><br />Rose is unsure of her own heart - devoted to the bishop's rebellious foster son, yet courted by another.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >My Thoughts:</span><br />I really enjoyed this book. I hope I don't sound morbid in saying this, but I like reading books where everything doesn't work out into a perfect happy ending. Real life happens. That is this book.<br /><br />The Thorn has an intriguing plot that keeps you reading - I couldn't put it down. One point that sticks out to me is that very rarely do you see anyone leaving the Amish community and then desiring to go back. It is a very interesting perspective on a sparsely traveled road. Kudos to Beverly for traveling it.<br /><br />Another point that sticks out to me is the dynamics of Amish families. They fascinate me. The way they take care of each other, respect one another, and trust one another is amazing to those of us growing up in the 21st century. The most intriguing family in this book would be the bishops. You don't typically hear of the Amish 'fostering' Englishers. She presents a very realistic view of the bishop and very much humanizes him. So often in Amish literature the church leadership is condescending and harsh, but this book definitely shows a different angle.<br /><br />I highly recommend the first book in The Rose Trilogy and can't wait to read the second, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764206001?ie=UTF8&tag=oneraiaft-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0764206001">The Judgement</a>.<br /></div></div><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=469D5D&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=0764205749" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-13623592867551049672011-02-08T19:50:00.003-05:002011-02-09T15:12:19.564-05:00The Miracle of Mercy Land<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKk70r080HftLitngOMei7gCmD5_QbtXtOYvJajUtSPzycC4C-cVAGDdQwP1FqgYiRrpvxjJVV6RO4N3aw84hsXBo_Jq92TNP3oa0uuMHVCnw3pbuED9BYvoei8qmTdoaeOE88l9PE-3-/s320/the+miracle+of+mercy+land.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKk70r080HftLitngOMei7gCmD5_QbtXtOYvJajUtSPzycC4C-cVAGDdQwP1FqgYiRrpvxjJVV6RO4N3aw84hsXBo_Jq92TNP3oa0uuMHVCnw3pbuED9BYvoei8qmTdoaeOE88l9PE-3-/s320/the+miracle+of+mercy+land.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Miracle of Mercy Land<br />by: River Jordan</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Back of the Book:</span><br />Mercy Land has made some unexpected choices for a young woman in the 1930s. The sheltered daughter of a traveling preacher, she chooses to leave her rural community to move to nearby Bay City on the warm, gulf-waters of southern Alabama. There she finds a job at the local paper and spends seven years making herself indispensable to old Doc Philips, the publisher and editor. Then she gets a frantic call at dawn -- it's the biggest news story of her life, and she can't print a word of it.<br /><br />Doc has come into possession of a curious book that maps the lives of everyone in Bay City -- decisions they've made in the past, and how those choices affect the future. Mercy and Doc are consumed by the mystery locked between the pages -- Doc because he hopes to right a very old wrong, and Mercy because she wants to fulfill the book's strange purpose. but when a mystery from Mercy's past arrives by train, she begins to understand she will have to make choices that will deeply affect everyone she loves -- forever.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts:</span></span><br />Overall this was a very entertaining book to read. Once I got past the first couple of chapters and adjusted to the way the book was laid out - very choppy transitions between characters - I was able to enjoy it. The premise of the book is very thought-provoking. What if you <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> see how every decision you've made has affected you and others? It would certainly change the way you thought about everything.<br /><br />The characters in this book were very personable - people you could really picture seeing in real life. I've always had a fascination with small-town living and this book certainly fed into that. Doc is the character that stood out to me the most. I could just picture him in every scene as the 1930s newsman that he was.<br /><br />As far as lessons to learn in reading this book the most obvious is definitely to live 'other's first'. Every decision we make not only affects us, but those around us, as well. Would they thank you for the decisions that you have made? Or carry regret and bitterness?<br /><br /></div></div>Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This book was sent to me by </span><span style="font-size:78%;">WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> in exchange for an honest review.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I was not influenced on how to write my review.</span><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-61183478081228474662011-02-08T07:18:00.004-05:002011-02-09T14:45:29.461-05:00An Unlikely Blessing by Judy Baer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12dd997ea122499f&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 313px;" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12dd997ea122499f&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">An Unlikely Blessing<br />by: Judy Baer<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >My Thoughts:</span><br />An Unlikely Blessing was a refreshing book aside from my usual genre of romance. This piece of Christian fiction follows a new pastor entering his new parish. With a new 'career' in a new town, quite different from what he is used to, Pastor Alex Armstrong is not quite sure what he got himself into, but is sure God has a plan for him here.<br /><br />I love the colorful group of characters Judy has introduced in this book - All of them full of small town, country charm. My favorite would be the part-time church secretary, Gandy. I love characters that add flavor while contributing to the main story. The mixture of Gandy's hair and clothes along with her sweet spirit make for a very colorful character.<br /><br />There are many lessons to be learned while reading this book, however, I believe the main theme would be trust. Learning to trust God no matter the circumstance and trusting one another.<br /><br />I definitely recommend reading An Unlikely Blessing to see how Pastor Alex is used to solve some local problems, including uniting two parishes that have been at odds for years.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >About the Book:</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">New pastor and lifelong city dweller Alex Armstrong is reluctant about his first assignment: a small parish in the wide plains of North Dakota. The farming community of Hilltop Township, his new home, blooms from the prairie like a wild pink rose -- lovely and prickly all at one, much like the people who live there. </span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">As Alex settles in, he quickly finds that this place is in quiet peril. Jonas Owens, a faithful member of Hilltop parish, is on the brink of losing his farm. Ben and Nancy Jenkins are planning to raze their historic farmhouse and build a home that's easier to heat. The Packard children need more help than Alex can imagine. His two churches are divided over a feud that goes back decades. Alex believes that God called him to Hilltop to help turn things around, but how can he save this rural community?</p><p class="MsoNormal">Grace abounds in unexpected ways in Hilltop, and it's not long before Alex starts to see evidence of God's hand in his new home -- from the unending supply of casseroles delivered to his door to the miracle of a new litter of kittens. And when his faith is tested in ways he never expected, Alex starts to see that the people of Hilltop have as much to teach him as he does them about trust in God's mysterious ways.<br /></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >About the Author:</span><br /><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" >Judy Baer is the author of over seventy-five books for adults and teens. She has won the Romance Writer of America Bronze Medallion and has been a RITA finalist twice. She lives in Elk River, Minnesota with her husband. Follow the Hilltop characters on Judy’s blog and find out more about Judy and her books at <a href="http://www.judykbaer.com/" target="_blank">http://www.judykbaer.com</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">To purchase this book click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Blessing-Forever-Hilltop/dp/0824948149/ref=sprightly-20">HERE</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >CONTEST!!</span><br /><br />Prolific author of over 75 novels, Judy Baer, is launching her new Guideposts<br />series, Forever Hilltop, with a KINDLE giveaway! The first book in the<br />series, <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Blessing-%20Forever-Hilltop/dp/0824948149?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-%2020&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">An Unlikely Blessing</a><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-%2020&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0824948%20149" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> </b></i>is available now wherever fine books are sold.<br /><span id="goog_864505489"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20goog_864505488"><b><br /></b></a><br /><b><a href="http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/an-unlikely-blessing-by-judy-%20baer.html">Read the reviews here. </a><span id="goog_864505490"></span></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:large;"><b>In celebration of the release of <i>An Unlikely<br />Blessing</i>, Judy is giving away a KINDLE prize package worth over $175.</b><!-- span--></span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/93507"><img src="http://%20litfusegroup.com/images/stories/susan_warren/unlikely300x250.gif" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>One lucky winner will receive:</b><br /><ul><br /><li>Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi</li><br /><li>A $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com</li><br /></ul><br />To enter just click on one the icons below and then tell your friends! Winner will be announced on February 21st on Judy's blog, <a href="http://www.judykbaer.com/wordpress"><b>http://www.judykbaer.com/wordpress</b></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/93507" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/%20email_button.png" title="Enter via E-mail" height="48" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20/apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/93507" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/%20Facebook_button.png" title="Enter via Facebook" height="48" width="48" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20/wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/93507" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" height="48" width="48" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: black;"><br /><br /><b>For more information please visit the Litfuse website, <a href="http://%20www.litfusegroup.com/">www.litfusegroup.com</a> and click {<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20/litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/an-unlikely-blessing-by-judy-baer.html"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1668661383233203652">HERE</a>}!</b></div><br /><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">This book was sent to me by </span><span style="font-size: 78%;">Litfuse Publicity Group</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"> in exchange for an honest review.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">I was not influenced on how to write my review.</span><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-32172775779392766422011-01-19T06:36:00.003-05:002011-01-19T06:36:00.931-05:00The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12d5d750dbd00140&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 345px;" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12d5d750dbd00140&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Search<br />by: Suzanne Woods Fisher</div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >My Thoughts:</span><br />Never a disappointment with Suzanne's books. The Search is such a great mixture of humor and family drama with some romance woven through the pages, as well.<br /><br />The Search has some very dynamic characters that certainly keep you on your toes. The one that stuck out the most to me is Bertha Reihl (a.k.a. Mammi). Bertha is a woman of few words, but definitely someone you listen to. She is a woman of simple faith who trusts that God will take care of everything. However there are times when she thinks it necessary to give her assistance to make something happen. To be perfectly honest, I kept thinking that this woman is the Amish version of Madea - for those of you who may be familiar with Tyler Perry's movies (definitely some differences, but similar). There were a few times I was literally laughing out loud while reading through her scenes.<br /><br />There are also some great lessons to be learned while reading this book. Number one is forgiveness. Many secrets have been kept from people in this family for 15 years and as they are revealed some of the characters have to search deep into their heart and God's to find that forgiveness. Another lesson that stood out to me is the need to face reality and accept what God has for your life. We don't always know what is best, but God does and He uses people and circumstances to shape us into who He wants us to be. It is our responsibility to know Him and be willing to be changed. Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:Corbel;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Corbel;" >About the book:</span></span></b></span><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" > </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a f</span></span><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">lirty and curvaceous older girl.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> "Beautifully written, 'The Search' is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through </span></span><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past."</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" ><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" > </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:Corbel;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Corbel;" >About Suzanne:</span></span></b></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12d5d750dbd00140&attid=0.3&disp=inline&zw"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 279px;" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12d5d750dbd00140&attid=0.3&disp=inline&zw" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">In no particular order, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wife, mother, writer, lifelong student of the Bible, raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a gardener and a cook...the latter two with sporadic results.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> Suzanne has loved to write since she was a young teen. After college, she started to write for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today </span></span><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">magazine. Her family moved to Hong Kong for four years, just as the internet was developing, and she continued to write articles in a 44-story high-rise apartment, sending manuscripts 7,000 miles away with a click of a key.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> After returning from Hong Kong, Suzanne decide</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">d to give her first novel a try. For four and a half months, she worked on an antediluvian computer in a cramped laundry room. She didn't even tell her husband what she was up to. When the novel was completed, she told her family at dinner one night that she had written a book. "That's why there's no food in this house!" said her slightly insensitive sons.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> Undaunted...Suzanne found a small royalty publisher for that book and wrote three more (all earned multiple awards). With help from an agent, she now has numerous books under contract with Revell. Also look for Suzanne's Amish non-fiction, Amis</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;">h Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a non-fiction book of stories and examples about the Old Order Amish, as well as Amish Proverbs, and coming in Spring of 2011, look for Amish Values for Your Family. The Choice and The Waiting are the previous books in the Lancaster County Secrets Collection.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> Writing, for Suzanne, is a way to express a love of God and His word. With every book or article, she hopes readers get a sense of what faith really looks like in the daily grind. She hopes they realize that life can be hard, but God is good, and never to confuse the two.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> Suzanne can be found on-line at: <a href="http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/" target="_blank">www.suzannewoodsfisher.com</a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"><a href="http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span></p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Search-Novel-Lancaster-County-Secrets/dp/0800733878/ref=sprightly-20"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Corbel;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Corbel;" >Click here to purchase your copy today!</span></span></b></span></a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><br /><strong>Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest installment of the Lancaster<br />County Secrets, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Search-Novel-%20Lancaster-County-Secrets/dp/0800733878?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-%2020&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><i>The Search</i></a><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-%2020&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0800733%20878" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" />, is just out and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Search iPad<br />Giveaway!</strong><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:Corbel;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Corbel;" ></span></span></b></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:Corbel;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Corbel;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/susan_warren/swf_300x250_button.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/susan_warren/swf_300x250_button.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></b></span></p><br /><strong></strong><strong>One Grand Prize winner will receive an iPad Prize Package worth over $500 and<br />includes</strong>:<br /><ul><br /><li>A brand new iPad (16KB with Wi-Fi) </li><br /><li>Signed copies of all three Lancaster Country Secrets books (<i><a href="http://%20www.amazon.com/Choice-Lancaster-County-Secrets-Book/dp/B003UHU6JU?%20ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-%2020&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Choice</a><img alt="" src="http://%20www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-%2020&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003UHU%206JU" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></i>, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Novel-Lancaster-%20County-Secrets/dp/080073386X?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-%2020&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Waiting</a><img alt="" src="http://%20www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-%2020&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=080073386%20X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></i>, & <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Search-Novel-Lancaster-%20County-Secrets/dp/0800733878?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-%2020&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Search</a><img alt="" src="http://%20www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-%2020&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=080073387%208" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></i>) </li><br /><br /></ul><br />To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form/s, then tell 5 or more<br />friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on February<br />3rd at Suzanne's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154369574615067" target="_blank"><strong>Everything is Coming Up Roses Facebook Party</strong><!-- a-->. (Did you know <em>The Search</em> takes place on a rose farm?)<br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154369574615067" target="_blank"><br /></a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/87715" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/%20email_button.png" title="Enter via E-mail" height="48" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20/apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/87715" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/%20Facebook_button.png" title="Enter via Facebook" height="48" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/87715" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/%20Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" height="48" width="48" /></a></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><strong>Facebook Party:</strong></div><br /><div class="textElement"><strong>Join Suzanne for the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/%20event.php?eid=154369574615067">Everything is Coming Up Roses Facebook Party<!-- a--> on February 3rd!</a></strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/%20event.php?eid=154369574615067"> </a>She’ll be announcing the winner of the The Search iPad Giveaway, hosting a book club discussion of <em>The Search</em>, giving away copies of <em>all three books </em>and HEAPS of other readerly prizes!<strong> Including roses delivered to your door for three months for you <em>AND</em><br />a friend! </strong> Be sure to join us on Thursday, February 3rd at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST & 8 EST) at <strong></strong><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154369574615067">Suzanne’s Author Page</a>. </strong></div><br /><br />To read some other great reviews of The Search click <a href="http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/the-search-by-suzanne-woods-fisher.html">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Corbel;"> </span></span></p>Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">This book was sent to me by Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">I was not influenced on how to write my review of this book.</span><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-46290898300268880782010-12-29T16:11:00.002-05:002011-01-13T07:49:39.182-05:00Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jr1HUOChBfBScTkrei9ZVuuKOEdBaxdKan_SdZbNTejj9cZUoF6OpPJzvq2nxevhfB_IxBRxzyDx-TEhIljtpAm2FBWf_sj7zGZ4NYSHMqN0zxAavxHq42cvTGD5op2ofZznfQgFtA/s1600/two+tickets.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jr1HUOChBfBScTkrei9ZVuuKOEdBaxdKan_SdZbNTejj9cZUoF6OpPJzvq2nxevhfB_IxBRxzyDx-TEhIljtpAm2FBWf_sj7zGZ4NYSHMqN0zxAavxHq42cvTGD5op2ofZznfQgFtA/s1600/two+tickets.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball: a Novella<br />By: Donita K. Paul<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back of the Book:</span></span><br />In a sleepy , snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. As she searches for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad's (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.<br /><br />Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they've decided to bring together.<br /><br />This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers' best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?<br /></div></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts:</span></span><br />To start, I must admit that I was a little unsure of how a book could logically include a Wizard's Ball and a Christian theme all at the same time, but Ms. Paul has done a wonderful job of mixing the fanciful with reality. This little book is a wonderfully written, modern-day fairy tale. To top it off it has a beautiful cover!<br /><br />The two main characters that are brought together to attend the ball have many personal obstacles to overcome. Simon is the main caretaker of his family and is very much an introvert. Not to mention he is Cora's boss. Cora has been hurt deeply by her family making it hard for her to let someone get close. Situations keep happening that bring Simon and Cora together in unusual ways - especially since they had had such little contact with each other in the 5 years they have worked together. The Sage Street matchmakers definitely have their work cut out for them and even end up with a little help from Simon's sister Sandy.<br /><br />This book is absolutely delightful and I highly recommend it!<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=47A92E&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=0307458997" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This book was sent to me by </span><span style="font-size:78%;">WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> in exchange for an honest review.<br />I was not influenced on how to write my review.</span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-23777502342684837942010-12-28T09:26:00.003-05:002010-12-29T16:10:14.296-05:00Surrender the Heart<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://steliq.com/c/lm/4/42/10301662_SurrenderThe+Heart.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 166px;" src="http://steliq.com/c/lm/4/42/10301662_SurrenderThe+Heart.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Surrender the Heart<br />by: Mary Lu Tyndall<br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back of the Book:</span></span><br />On the brink of the War of 1812, Marianne Denton must marry to unlock her inheritance. Without the money, her mother can't receive medical care and her sister will be destitute. But Noah Brenin needs to sail his cargo to England before the war commences in order to prove his worth to his father and make enough money so he won't have to marry at all.<br /><br />When Noah walks out on their engagement party, Marianne chases him down and ends up on his merchantman out at sea. The situation worsens when Noah's ship encounters a British man-of-war and the couple is impressed into the British navy.<br /><br />While a young lad's prophecy of destiny looms over them both, Marianne and Noah are forced to face their darkest fears as they desperately try to escape and fulfill their destinies -- destinies that could change the course of the war and history forever.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts:</span></span><br />As always, I thoroughly enjoyed another journey with MaryLu. Her characters always become so real to me. While I must admit I was disappointed that this was not to be another pirate book (surprising I'm sure to those who know me - that I enjoy pirate books - but I do!), I also love historical fiction based in war times and this is no exception. MaryLu does an excellent job depicting real life hardships that people face - material, physical and especially spiritual. This book really focuses on the need to trust God. Trust that He will take care of you when an unwanted marriage is in your future. Trust Him when an accident happens. Trust Him to take care of those you love when you can't be there with them. Trust Him to be with you when you face your deepest, darkest fear. I definitely recommend for anyone to take the journey across the sea with Noah and Marianne and learn a few lessons along side them about keeping your faith planted firmly in God.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=28AF59&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1602601658" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-46694735210112279012010-11-28T08:07:00.000-05:002010-12-28T09:26:14.589-05:00Maggie Rose<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266651776l/6349441.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 280px;" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266651776l/6349441.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Maggie Rose<br />by: Sharlene MacLaren<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Back of the Book:</span><br />Maggie Rose, the spunky, friendly, twenty-year-old middle daughter of Michigan resident Jacob Kane, feels compelled to leave her beloved hometown of Sandy Shores to pursue what she feels in her heart are God's plans for her life -- in New York City.<br /><br />Maggie Rose adjusts to her new life at Sheltering Arms Refuge, an orphanage that also transports homeless children to towns across the United States to match them with compatible families. Most of the children have painful pasts that make Maggie aghast, but she marvels at their resiliency. As she gets to know each child, her heart blossoms with new depths of love and compassion.<br /><br />When a newspaper reporter comes to stay at the orphanage in order to gather research for an article, Maggie is struck by his handsome face -- and concerned by his lack of faith. She can't deny their mutual affections, though. Will she win the struggle to maintain her focus on God and remain attuned to His guidance?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >My Thoughts:</span><br />This book was very well written. Being the second in the series, she gives you just enough information about the people in the first book, while making it a book of its own. Something that was refreshing to me was that while there was definitely a great love-story woven through the pages, the focus is on following God's call for your life. Maggie Rose left the comforts of home in the early 1900's for New York City to work in an orphanage, something considered rather surprising to many people in that day. Her heart was very tender to what God had for her life and she put that above all else. Sharlene also places a large focus on faith. Saving faith and sustaining faith. We all face difficult situations in our life and we all have a choice to make when we do. We either trust God to take care of us or turn our back to Him and try to take care of things on our own. This book gives a good lesson in the necessity of trusting God.<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=CD9AF1&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1603740759" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-80321942260746471692010-10-13T06:38:00.002-04:002011-01-15T11:45:18.267-05:00The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12b83008ba1c1a49&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 345px;" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f8ecf6e569&view=att&th=12b83008ba1c1a49&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Waiting<br />by: Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /></div><br /><br />About the Book:<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" >Book 2 in The Lancaster Secrets collection and hot on the heals of the best-selling <i><span style="font-style: italic;">The Choice</span></i>, The Waiting, a stand alone story, is a compelling page turner. Jorie King has been waiting for Benjamin Zook to return home to Lancaster County so they can marry. When news arrives that Ben has been killed, Jorie finds comfort in the friendship of his brother Caleb. That friendship ripens into love, and it seems that they are meant to be together. But when the unexpected happens, their worlds are turned upside down once more. Will Jorie trust God to lead her into the arms of a new man?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" > </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" >A multifaceted story about complex people living the simple life. Readers will find themselves transported into the world of the Amish and deeply invested in these wonderful characters.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">About the Author:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" >Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. Find out more about Suzanne at <a href="http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/" title="http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/" target="_blank">www.suzannewoodsfisher.com</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">My Thoughts:</p><p class="MsoNormal">Another great book by Suzanne!! This one will definitely pull at your heartstrings. So much loss and sorrow, but surrounded with so much love and compassion. She has an eye-opening portrayal of how one 'event' can change the lives of so many people. We so often selfishly go through life only considering our little bubble, but she shows over and over again in this book how to 'love thy neighbor as thyself' by putting others needs first. Her characters are so realistic that you really feel like you know them personally. I found myself talking to the book a couple of times. I highly recommend this book.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">To purchase the book click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Novel-Lancaster-County-Secrets/dp/080073386X?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20">here</a>.<br /></p>AND. . . A Great Giveaway!!<br /><br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Novel-Lancaster-County-Secrets/dp/080073386X?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Waiting</a></i><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=080073386X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></b>, book two in The Lancaster Secrets Collection. In <i><a href="http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/fiction"><b></b></a><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Novel-Lancaster-County-Secrets/dp/080073386X?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Waiting</a><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=080073386X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></b></i> Jorie finds herself caught be two loves and two lives in this compelling page turner about complex people living the simple life.<br /><div class="textElement"><br /><br /><b>A must read!</b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/the-waiting-blog-tour.html"><b>Visit the blog tour and find out what the reviewers are saying!</b></a><br /><b> </b><br /><b>Learn more about Suzanne and her books at <a href="http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/">www.suzannewoodsfisher.com</a>!</b></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><i><a href="http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/fiction"><b></b></a><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Novel-Lancaster-County-Secrets/dp/080073386X?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Waiting</a><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=080073386X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></b></i> is the next stand alone story in The Lancaster Secrets Collection and follows in the footsteps of the best-selling,<i><b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Choice-Lancaster-County-Secrets-Book/dp/B003UHU6JU?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Choice</a></b></i><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003UHU6JU" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" />. <b>The Waiting is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway.</b></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><b><br /></b></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165460740136351"><img src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/waiting_kindle_300x250.gif" border="0" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><b><br /></b></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><b>One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles and a Amazon.com gift certificate!</b> The Prize Pack (valued at over $185.00) includes:</div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><br />* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation<br /><br />* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />* The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />* A $15 dollar Amazon.com Gift Certificate<br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;"><br /></div><br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;"><br /><b> </b></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><br /><b>To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest.</b> Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on October 28th at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165460740136351"><b>Suzanne's Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party</b></a>.</div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/64950" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/email_button.png" title="Enter via E-mail" height="48" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/64950" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/Facebook_button.png" title="Enter via Facebook" height="48" width="48" /> </a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/64950" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" height="48" width="48" /></a></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /></div><br /><div class="textElement"><br /><br /><b>Join Suzanne for the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165460740136351">Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party</a> on October 28th!</b> She’ll be announcing the winner of the The Waiting <span class="caps">KINDLE</span> Giveaway, hosting a book club discussion of The Waiting and The Choice, and giving away copies of <i>both books </i>and <b>HEAPs of readerly prizes!</b> Be sure to join us on Thursday, October 28th at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST & 8 <span class="caps">EST)</span> at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165460740136351" target="_blank"><b>Suzanne’s Author Page</b></a>.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">This book was sent to me by Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">I was not influenced on how to write my review of this book.</span><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-35958143933521328152010-10-04T15:09:00.001-04:002011-01-06T15:19:03.912-05:00As you may remember, I recently partnered up with Making Work at Home Work as a blogger.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/aemcclane/Mary%20Byers/button.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 300px;" src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/aemcclane/Mary%20Byers/button.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">By Mary M. Byers<br /></div><br /><div align="left">Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who don't know why they are working. Most assume that they are working for money. But when I talk to people about the topic, I hear a lot of different reasons for work. Some work for the mental stimulation. Some to keep their skills up to date. Other work to support their scrapbooking habit or to be able to purchase cosmetics<br />at a discount.<p>There's a big difference between working to put food on the table vs.working for the "extras" such as summer camp or a vacation. Both are legitimate but it's essential to be honest about<br />your motivation. Knowing what drives you will help you keep your priorities in order. When my children were young, I worked for the extras. However, instead of stopping when I earned enough to help with vacation costs I kept right on going, becoming a workaholic in<br />the process. It didn't serve me or my family. When I recognized my error, I was able to cut back on work in order to create a healthier balance. Now that my children are school-age and I'm working to help cover orthodontia, tuition and retirement, I've increased my hours accordingly.<br /><br />Understanding why you are working makes it easier to make tough work-related decisions. Will you work on the weekends? Stay up late to get it all done? If you're working to put food on the table, the answer will more likely be yes. But if you're working for the fun of it, you may choose not to compromise family time by late night or weekend work. When you know why you are working, it gets easier to decide what kind of boundaries you'll adhere to. </p></div><div align="center"><br />~~<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><div align="left"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mary Byers<!-- span--> is the author of <span style="font-style: italic;">Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof</span>. You can learn more about making work at home work by subscribing to Mary’s free blog at <a href="http://www.makingworkathomework.com/">http://www.makingworkathomework.com/</a>.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interested in more articles like this? Join the blog ring <a href="http://%20www.makingworkathomework.com/2006/06/welcome-to-making-%20work-at-home-work.html">here</a>.</span></div></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-74425295659237414292010-08-21T06:47:00.001-04:002010-08-27T08:12:19.760-04:00Amish Proverbs by Suzanne Woods Fisher<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://icbbooks.com/a_products/140/B-449-530_140.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://icbbooks.com/a_products/140/B-449-530_140.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life<br />by: Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is a wonderful collection of Amish Proverbs. What I liked best about it was the story at the beginning of each section - something to help you apply to real life what you're reading about. My favorite proverb in the book is "Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." Another great feature of the book is the beautiful pictures - so vibrant and brilliant. I have always had a fascination with the Amish, having grown up less than 2 hours from Lancaster County, PA. It was great to have another window into their simple lives. Suzanne is an excellent author. If you haven't already, be sure to read <a href="http://onerainyafternoon.blogspot.com/search/label/Suzanne%20Woods%20Fisher">my review</a> of her 1st book in the Lancaster County Secrets Series, The Choice.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">About the Book:</span><br /><b><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" >Simplify your life with Amish wisdom</span></span></b> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" > </span></span></b><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" >Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" > Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.</span></span></p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">About the Author:</span><br /><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" >Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. Find out more about Suzanne at <a href="http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/" target="_blank">www.suzannewoodsfisher.com</a><br /></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Corbel;font-size:10pt;" ><br /></span></span></p>To Order the Book Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Proverbs-Words-Wisdom-Simple/dp/0800719530/ref=sprightly-20">Here</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Contest:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Suzanne's <i>Amish Proverbs</i> just hit the shelves. To celebrate she's giving away a<br />KINDLE and throwing a party! Let the fun begin. See below for info and links.</div><br /><br /><b>Find out more about the book, Suzanne and the blog tour </b><b><a href="http://%20www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/amish-proverbs-blog-tour-words-of-wisdom-from-%20the-simple-life.html">here</a>.</b><br /><br /><b>Enter Suzanne Woods Fisher's Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway!</b><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><img alt="Simple Wisdom giveaway=" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/%20wildfire_production/banners/336881/custom_banner_1280870277.png" title="Simple Wisdom giveaway" /></div><br /><br />One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher<br />titles. The Prize Pack (valued at over $205.00) includes:<br /><br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;"><br />* A brand new <span class="caps">KINDLE</span>, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation<!-- div--><br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;"><br />* Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher</div><br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;"><br />* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher</div><br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;"><br /><b><br /></b></div><br /><b></b><br /><b>To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or<br />more friends about the contest.</b><br /><br />Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 1st.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/51088" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/%20email_button.png" title="Enter via E-mail" height="48" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20/apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/51088" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/%20stories/Facebook_button.png" title="Enter via Facebook" height="48" width="48" /> </a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/51088" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/%20Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" height="48" width="48" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GXaRkh8W2oU/TFwvF4HZiSI/AAAAAAAAAgY/%205rWgKmGHLPQ/S350/party+button.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Sweet Kindle Giveaway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GXaRkh8W2oU/%20TFwvF4HZiSI/AAAAAAAAAgY/5rWgKmGHLPQ/S350/party+button.PNG" border="0" height="150" width="150" /></a><b> </b><br /><b>Join Suzanne for a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?%20eid=140502785980491">Wrap-up Party</a> on September 1st!</b><br /><br />She’ll be announcing the winner of the Simple Wisdom <span class="caps">KINDLE<!-- span--> Giveaway, chatting with readers, and giving away copies of <i>Amish Proverbs<br /></i>and <i>The Choice!</i> Be sure to join us on Wednesday , September 1st at 8PM<br /><span class="caps">EST</span> at Suzanne’s <a href="http://www.facebook.com/%20event.php?eid=14050278598049">Author Page</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to check out the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20/www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/licensed-for-trouble-blog-tour.html" style="font-weight: bold;">blog tour here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />or purchase a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Proverbs-%20Words-Wisdom-Simple/dp/0800719530?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-%2020&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life</a><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-%2020&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0800719%20530" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Giveaway:</span><br />You can also leave a comment here telling me about your favorite family tradition or words of wisdom to win your own copy of Amish Proverbs. Good Luck!<br /><br />Thank you for stopping by,<br /></span></div></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">This book was sent to my by the publisher for the purpose of review. I was not influenced on how to write my review of this book.</span><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-86658108160758709722010-04-19T13:22:00.001-04:002011-01-15T11:44:28.476-05:00A Distant Melody<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_NqUGVBCSVA54d-A5LNTuVk6agPRBHlIxvBMylP0G47ujthg-_oCGs70RLZYYWDNot3x-74kqoEFJZr_GAPe_hwjgYXkUWKHexWCvAOfh0y-3QsbQGDbdb0MUBB9dy_MtAGPqPX33eY/s1600/distantmelody.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_NqUGVBCSVA54d-A5LNTuVk6agPRBHlIxvBMylP0G47ujthg-_oCGs70RLZYYWDNot3x-74kqoEFJZr_GAPe_hwjgYXkUWKHexWCvAOfh0y-3QsbQGDbdb0MUBB9dy_MtAGPqPX33eY/s1600/distantmelody.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A Distant Melody<br />by: Sarah Sundin<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />My Thoughts:<br />I want to start out by saying that I cannot wait for her write more! I enjoyed this book so much, I just couldn't put it down. I love how she tied in some musical descriptions and her characters were great! The way she described the characters and the way she wrote for each of them was amazing. I love war stories and this was no exception. She did a good job of showing the realities of a relationship in that time frame and not just romanticizing it. Sarah Sundin has very much become one of my all time favorite authors. I highly recommend this book!<br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">About the Book:</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval--even marry <span>a</span> man she doesn't love. </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Lt. Walter Novak--fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women--takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at <span>a</span> wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin <span>a</span> correspondence that will change their lives. </span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >As letters fly between Walt's muddy bomber base in England and Allie's mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart? </span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><i><span>A</span> <span>Distant</span> <span>Melody</span></i> is the first book in the WINGS OF GLORY series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II.</span></p>About the Author:<br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Sarah Sundin is an on-call hospital pharmacist and holds <span>a</span> BS in chemistry from UCLA and <span>a</span> doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. This is her first novel. </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >For more info please visit her website at <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102891772015&s=1603&e=001pKcmHOGDoBraPLm3SJUgzeA3Gt1jvDCOmsDRvV7rMJQtRgqzcNCfRjTtP5HbAvvFpX1afvup1nzQlcVcL1ATCO3g7zLw0ZV0uJu0MCmFsPfVaBx_U3UQuQ==" shape="rect" target="_blank">www.sarahsundin.com!</a></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For some other great reviews of A Distant Melody click <a href="http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/a-distant-melody-by-sarah-sundin.html">here.</a></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">AND There's a CONTEST!!!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">THE CONTEST:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-style: italic;color:black;" >A Distant Melody</span></span></i></span><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">, Book 1 in Sarah Sundin’s exciting Wings of Glory series, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re offering one Grand Prize winner the chance to get NOSTALGIC!</span></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/27386/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.sarahsundin.com/images/blogbanner2.jpg" alt="Enter the Netflix and Nostalgia contest from author Sarah Sundin!" border="0" /></a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">THE PRIZE:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">The Winner of the ‘NETFLIX® & Nostalgia’ giveaway will receive a vintage prize package, including:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;"> *A 6 month NETFLIX® subscription</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*$25 Starbucks® gift card</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*A box of See’s Famous Old Time Chocolates®</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*A jar of homemade strawberry jam</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*A Big Band music CD</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*A Mini B-17 Model airplane</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*Vintage stationery and pen</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*British specialty tea</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;">*WWII style playing cards</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="color:black;"> To enter just click on the icon above! Contest will be live April 5th and run through April 25th!</span></span></p><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">This book was sent to me by Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">I was not influenced on how to write my review of this book.</span></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-73679800091151736862010-04-08T15:26:00.003-04:002010-04-08T16:15:48.344-04:00Kentucky Chances<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img2.fantasticfiction.co.uk/thumbs/c4/c21221.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 64px; height: 100px;" src="http://img2.fantasticfiction.co.uk/thumbs/c4/c21221.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kentucky Chances<br />By: Cathy Marie Hake and Kelly Eileen Hake<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My Thoughts:<br />I love the style of Cathy Marie Hake and it looks like her daughter, Kelly, is doing a fine job following in her mother's footsteps. This book will keep you turning pages as quick as you can say Salt Lick Holler. The characters have internal struggles that we can all relate to, making it easy to fall in love with them all. You find yourself wishing there were more brothers so you could be a part of the Chance clan. So, pick up a copy for yourself and find out what makes them such a great bunch of characters! I highly recommend this book to all.<br /><br /><br />Back of the Book:<br />All Love Need Is A Chance<br /><br />In Salt Lick Holler, Kentucky, three young women healing from past hurts aren't looking for love. . . but love comes looking for them.<br /><br />Lovejoy Spencer, widowed and wounded by the worst that marriage can offer, is trying to protect her sister from making the same mistakes. But will her determination to shelter others - and to return home to Salt Lick Holler - keep her from embracing her own Chance?<br /><br />Young, widowed, and content with her role as Salt Lick's healer, Hattie Thales thinks there's nothing more to add to her life. But in Reliable, California, Logan Chance feels life has barely begun. When he and his youngest brother, Bryce, leave to search for the Lord's plans, will two lives come together in an adventure they hadn't dreamed?<br /><br />Daisy Thales doesn't need any help. She'd prefer to heal from her losses and raise her palsied child on her own - without help or pity. But Bryce Chance, the last Chance bachelor, has a quiet way with her son - and with her heart. Will Daisy open her heart in time for all three of them to find their chance at love?<br /><br />Will faith in God's healing comfort take root? And will love have a chance to grow?<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=A85BDF&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1597893668" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Thanks for stopping by!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-88631558260105298662010-03-26T22:53:00.002-04:002010-03-26T23:50:38.928-04:00Texas Brides<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tamaratilley.com/images/100_texasbridesSM.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.tamaratilley.com/images/100_texasbridesSM.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Texas Brides<br />by: Cathy Marie Hake<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My Thoughts:<br />This was a very good book, but I must say I was a little bothered with how it began. Be prepared for a pretty large dose of reality on an uncomfortable subject. Once you get past that, the book is excellent! The Gregor brothers are characters that you fall in love with from the start. They meet some pretty hard-headed women, but they are able to break through the shells and discover the true beauties within. Cathy has a wonderful way of writing that draws you in and keeps your attention from page one to the end.<br /><br /><br />Back of the Book:<br />Equipped with their father's blessing and meager gifts of inheritance, three brothers from the hills of Scotland enter the land of possibilities and settle on the plains of Texas.<br /><br />Dr. Robert Gregor opens an office in town. Mere days before Mercy Stein is to be wed, her world falls apart. The doctor can tend her, but only God can heal a battered soul. Will Rob risk everything and place his mother's wedding bank on Mercy's hand?<br /><br />Duncan Gregor's quiet counsel and practical views draws people to the unassuming cobbler. Carmen Rodriquez wallows in loneliness, believing no one wants a crippled wife, so she resolves to be content serving others. The two neighbors ought to get along, but Duncan nettles her. Will the Bible his father bequeathed him bring the neighbors together. . . or drive them apart?<br /><br />The pocket watch his father left to him ticks off time for Christopher Gregor. Driven to capture the man who killed his friend, Chris becomes a Texas Ranger. The last thing he needs is to be sidetracked by a helpless woman. Kathryn regent finds almost everything she ever dreamed of with Christopher - but will her secret tear them apart?<br /><br />Can their father's gifts help these brothers lead the three hurting women to healing with faith and love?<br /></div></div><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=B776DD&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1597893706" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-15563388712040139032010-03-25T10:21:00.003-04:002010-03-26T22:47:54.145-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.triciagoyer.com/cmsimages/Songbird.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 237px;" src="http://www.triciagoyer.com/cmsimages/Songbird.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Songbird Under A German Moon<br />by: Tricia Goyer<br /></div><br />Loved this book! Part of it may because of how much I love to sing. I was immediately drawn into the world of the USO singers. Also, WWII is one of my favorite era's to learn about and the history in the book was educational. I love how Tricia portrayed the romance between Betty and Frank and that you were able to actually see them falling in love throughout the book, not just a quick -"Oh, by the way I just realized I love you" at the end of the book. The conflict in the book is very evident and mysterious. I couldn't wait to see how she pulled it all together. I highly recommend this book!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="background-color: rgb(162, 196, 201); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ABOUT <span>THE</span> BOOK:</b></span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><a name="1276e90b54fbf037_12763c85a8b4c918_125e6e28a8d07541_1257923086142f46_LETTER.BLOCK6"></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-size:100%;" >The year is 1945. The war is over and 21-year-old Betty Lake has been invited to Europe to sing in a USO tour for American soldiers who now occupy Hitler's Germany. The first nights performance is a hit. Betty becomes enthralled with the applause, the former Nazi-held mansion they're housed in and the attention of Frank Witt, the US Army Signal Corp Photographer. Yet the next night this </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-size:100%;" >songbird is ready to fly the coop when Betty's dear friend, Kat, turns up missing. Betty soon realizes Franks photographs could be the key to finding Kat. Betty and Frank team up against post-war Nazi influences and the two lovebirds' hearts may find the answers...in each other.<br />But will they have a chance for their romance to sing? The truth will be revealed under a German moon.</span><br /><b><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="background-color: rgb(162, 196, 201);">ABOUT <span>THE</span> AUTHOR:</span></span></b><br /><a name="1276e90b54fbf037_12763c85a8b4c918_125e6e28a8d07541_1257923086142f46_LETTER.BLOCK7"></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-size:100%;" >Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana. Find out more about her and her books at <a href="http://www.triciagoyer.com/" target="_blank">www.TriciaGoyer.com</a></span></span><br /><br />Check out the other blogs on the tour by clicking <a href="http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/songbird-under-a-german-moon.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">CONTEST!!!</span><br /><p style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Leave a comment on</span> <a href="http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2010/03/songbird-under-german-moon.html" target="_blank">Tricia’s blog</a> <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">or send an email through her website</span> <a href="http://triciagoyer.com/connect.html" target="_blank">CONNECT page</a> <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">and answer this question: </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">What era in history do you wish you'd lived in and why?</b></span></p><p style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Earn extra entries by </span><a href="http://triciagoyer.com/news.html" target="_blank">signing up for Tricia's newsletter here</a>, <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">becoming a</span> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tricia.goyer#%21/pages/Tricia-Goyer/115603375574?ref=ts" target="_blank">Fan on Facebook</a> <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">or Tweeting about the contest on Twitter (use hashtag #songbird)! </span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">You’ll be entered to win one of three signed copies of Songbird Under a German Moon. </span></b></span></p>Thanks for stopping by!!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This book was sent to me by Litfuse Publicity group in exchange for an honest review.<br />I was not influenced on how to write my review.<br /></span></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-66008926552761724082010-03-23T14:47:00.001-04:002011-01-06T15:09:35.965-05:00Making Work at Home Work - MarchAs you may remember, I recently partnered up with Making Work at Home Work as a blogger.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ZgEYp4IaSyO2nM:http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/aemcclane/Mary%20Byers/button.jpg&t=1"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 240px;" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ZgEYp4IaSyO2nM:http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/aemcclane/Mary%20Byers/button.jpg&t=1" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Find the Right Coach<br /><br />By Mary M. Byers</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In my last post I talked about working with a coach. This time, we'll address how to find the right coach for you. I suggest the following:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Referrals.</span> Ask friends and colleagues if they can recommend anyone to you. Listen to conversations. If you hear someone mention that they work with a coach, ask if they'd be willing to share the name and contact information. Referrals are by far the best way to find a coach.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Identify specifically what you need help with.</span> Do you need help increasing your income? Decreasing your expenses? Someone to brainstorm marketing ideas with? Or, do you have plenty of ideas but lack the follow through to do them? In this latter case, you'll want someone who can use a little tough love to hold you accountable for getting things done. The more specific you are regarding where you need help, the more likely you'll be to find a coach that's a good fit for you.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Search online.</span> Do a search for coaches online. You'll find plenty! Pick a few sites to go to, read about each coach and his or her philosophy, and watch the videos. You'll get a sense of who you might feel comfortable working with. Narrow the list to these possibilities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Request a complimentary introductory session.<!-- span--> This is THE most important step. I "met" by phone with several coaches</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> before finding mine. One coach spent the whole conversation talking about herself.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Another spent the entire time saying, "If you decide to work with me, then..." And a</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> third was not at all focused during our conversation, which led me to believe our</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> coaching sessions would be the same way--frustrating for me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Make the decision.</span> Know that your</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> coaching relationship won't last forever. This makes it easier to decide who you will</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> work with. Pick the coach you are most interested in. Then, ask if you can sign up for</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">a limited number of sessions (a minimum of three). You'll have a good sense of how</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">the relationship is working after several sessions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be willing to do the work.</span> When you</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> enter a coaching relationship, you're making a commitment to help your coach help</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> you. And you're making a commitment to doing homework between sessions as well</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">as to do the heavy thinking required to help take your business to the next level. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coaches see lots of people who are willing to pay for help, but fewer who are willing</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Your work with a coach only pays off if </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">you're invested and willing to sweat along with your coach.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good luck!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mary Byers</span> is the author of <span style="font-style: italic;">Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Business and a Family Under One Roof</span>. You can learn more about making</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">work at home work by subscribing to Mary’s free blog at <a href="http://%20www.makingworkathomework.com/">www.makingworkathomework.com</a>.</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Interested in more articles like this? Join the blog ring <a href="http://%20www.makingworkathomework.com/2006/06/welcome-to-making-work-at-home-%20work.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a></span></div></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-4105151043497064742010-03-22T14:40:00.001-04:002011-01-06T14:46:47.029-05:00Making Work at Home WorkI have decided to join a blog ring called 'Making Work at Home Work'. Once a month I will be posting a shared post from Mary M. Byers. Keep an eye out. . .<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-12425394643375744552010-03-10T02:58:00.005-05:002010-03-11T09:45:00.876-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.amazon.ca/images/I/51YP6puED9L._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://img.amazon.ca/images/I/51YP6puED9L._SL500_AA240_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sons of Thunder<br />by: Susan May Warren<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >About the Book:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Sophie Frangos is torn between the love of two men and the promise that binds them all together. Markos Stavros loves Sophie from afar while battling his thirst for vengeance and his hunger for honor. Dino, his quiet and intelligent brother, simply wants to forget the horror that drove them from their Greek island home to start a new life in America. One of these sons of thunder offers a future she longs for, the other the past she lost. From the sultry Chicago jazz clubs of the roaring twenties to the World War II battlefields of Europe to a final showdown in a Greek island village, they'll discover betrayal, sacrifice and finally redemption. Most of all, when Sophie is forced to make her choice, she'll learn that God honors the promises made by the </span><i style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Sons of Thunder</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" >About the Author:</span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep's Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota. Learn more about Susan here: </span><a href="http://www.susanmaywarren.com/" target="_blank">www.susanmaywarren.com </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" >A CONTEST!!!</span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Be sure to check out </span><a href="http://brothersinarms.susanmaywarren.com/" target="_blank">Susan's fun contest</a> <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">for the book's release: Each one of us has a wealth of stories from the past – while they might not all be as sweeping and dramatic as that of Sons of Thunder’s Sofia and the Stravos brothers (</span><i style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">swoon</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">), your family history is a treasure nonetheless.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Well – let’s hear them! Were your great-grandparents ‘fresh off the boat’? Was your great uncle a war hero? Did your grandmother make unbelievable sacrifices to help or protect the family? Did your father harbor a family secret until his death? Are you related to someone famous? Do you have a family treasure? Whatever it is that is unique in your family history – share your story</span> <a href="http://brothersinarms.susanmaywarren.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>! <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">(click on the SHARE button) </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">One grand prize winner will receive</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">• Memory Prize package containing a gift certificate to create your own hard cover photo book</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">• 6 month membership to Netflix (to satisfy that flick fix!)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">• Signed copy of Sons of Thunder!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">5 runners up will also win signed copies of Sons of Thunder!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">You can also be entered to win a copy of Sons of Thunder by helping us Spread the Word during the blog tour!</span></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: georgia;">TWEET THIS:</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: georgia;">(</span><i style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: georgia;">must use hashtag #SonsofThunder to be entered - no limit on entries! Tweet away!</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: georgia;">)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: arial;">Please RT! @susanmaywarren launches new Romantic Suspense #SonsofThunder. Share your story 2 win a fab prize pack!</span> <a href="http://ow.ly/1digM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/1digM</a><br /></span><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><br /><br /></span></b></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts:</span><br />Sons of Thunder is very well written and keeps you interested through the entire book. Markos and Dino's lives are full of tragedy and heartbreak as they both love the same woman. Susan keeps you guessing as to how the book will end, so much so that you just can't put it down. I love how she told different parts of the story through different characters lives, almost making it a collection of novellas.<br /><br />I love historical novels because you always seem to learn something new. This story gives you a great perspective from the streets of Chicago to WWII in Greece, a place affected by the war that you don't hear about too often.<br /><br />I definitely recommend reading Sons of Thunder. Pick it up for yourself and find out who Sofia ends up with.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=BC7EE1&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1935416677" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This book was sent to me by Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I was not influenced on how to write my review of this book.</span><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-76816321715073004262010-02-25T07:48:00.004-05:002010-02-25T08:14:46.683-05:00Love Your Heart by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas, Illustrated by Abigail Marble<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://booksneeze.com/art/_140_245_Book.142.cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 182px;" src="http://booksneeze.com/art/_140_245_Book.142.cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Love Your Heart<br />by: Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas<br />Illustrated by: Abigail Marble<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Love Your Heart is a children's book written for, I would say, 3-7 year olds. This is a great book of a father's affirmation. Katie is trying to decide what to do for the talent show. There are some very funny moments involving the family dog. In the end, Dad is so proud of his little girl for making a very selfless choice to help a friend at the talent show.<br /><br />I really enjoyed reading this book, especially with my daughter. Katie is such a fun character for kids to relate to. She's carefree, imaginative and puts others first. Also, I love books that highlight the daddy/daughter relationship. That is such a special relationship that is very well illustrated in this book. The message of the book is clearly depicted through Katie's selfless act during the talent show where she put her friend, Sophie, first and helped her with her talent. The illustrations are fun and whimsical with bright colors to attract kids. I would definitely recommend this book.<br /><br /></div></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=B780DF&t=oneraiaft-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1400314739" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This book was sent to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers for the purpose of reviewing the book.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">I was not influenced by them regarding how to write this review.</span></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-25099467090989050872010-02-09T14:06:00.001-05:002010-02-09T14:09:39.162-05:00<center><img src="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/40340000/40348896.JPG" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Forgiving Sean<br /><br />by Jessica Adriel</span></center><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This month, CFRB presents <i>Forgiving Sean</i> by Jessica Adriel.<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>About the Book:</u><br /><br />Marissa Gladstone has already buried her father and had one man walk out on her, so when her boyfriend Hawke Davies suddenly proposes, Marissa’s unsure things will last. Hoping that her quiet summer at home will give her time to think, Marissa forgets that her first love may be home for the summer. Before she can give Hawke an answer, she needs to find out why Sean disserted her. But when the competition heats up between the boys, Sean tries to win her back by making a staggering confession that links his former life to Hawke. Forgiving Sean may be the answer she has needed all along and allow her to choose the man she’s always loved.<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>About the Author:</u><br /><br />Jessica Adriel is a licensed minister, author, mother and speaker. She spends her days penning books, preparing talks and delving into the world of teenagers. Her gifts of communication and compassion were noticed early on when she composed over 800 poems during high school and yet spent a great deal of time with volunteer efforts. A native to New England, it was Jessica’s tragic stint of car accidents, assaults and a four year career in modeling, that inspired her to write ‘real life’ novels that impact teenagers. Today Jessica inspires and ignites teens to find their God given purpose through her books and challenging seminars. Her stories provide a bridge between today's generation and the pressures of media and peer pressure which lead teens in the wrong direction. Armed with a plethora of stories and a deep love for God, Jesus introduces her audience to Christ in unconventional, yet very powerful ways.</span><b><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></b><center><b><span style="font-size:180%;">Visit the <a href="http://jessicaadriel.com/">author's website</a> and<br /><br />check out the <a href="http://jessicaadriel.com/the_books1">Free Chapter Downloads</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br />Purchase <i>Forgiving Sean</i> at<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0970726295?ie=UTF8&tag=welctolato-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0970726295">Amazon</a>, or <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Forgiving-Sean/Jessica-Adriel/e/9780970726292/?itm=2">Barnes and Noble</a>.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.</span></b><br /><a href="http://cfrblog.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/cfvici/cfrb.jpg" /></a><a href="http://cathischatter.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/cfvici/cathi.jpg" /></a><a href="http://c-romance.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/cfvici/rae.jpg" /></a><a href="http://southernsassythings.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/cfvici/christy.jpg" /></a><a href="http://readingforchrist.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/cfvici/leroy.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.davidbrollier.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/cfvici/david.jpg" /></a></center><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-51450936198822350172010-02-05T11:56:00.000-05:002010-02-08T12:17:32.343-05:00The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.flipkart.com/bk_imgs/858/9780800733858.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="http://img.flipkart.com/bk_imgs/858/9780800733858.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Choice<br />by: Suzanne Woods Fisher<b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></b><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">About the Book:</span><span style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; font-weight: bold;"></span></b><br /><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; font-weight: bold;"></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" > </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" >One moment, Carrie Weaver is planning to elope with Lancaster Barnstormer Solomon Riehl, leaving their Amish community behind. <span>The</span> next, she is staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now Carrie faces a <span>choice</span>. An opportunity. But will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?</span><span style="font-size:8pt;"></span></span> <span style=";font-family:";" > <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />"Fisher kicks off a refreshing new series, Lancaster County Secrets, with characters that are strong, both in body and spirit. They also have weaknesses that develop into strengths with <span>the</span><br /> 4 stars, choices they make." </span><i><span style="font-size:100%;">Romantic Times</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Author:</span></span><br /></i></span><div><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" >Suzanne is a wife and mom, raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and an author of Christian books, both non-fiction and fiction.<br /><br />Her relatives on my mother's side are Old Order German Baptist Brethren, also known as Dunkards. That's where her interest in Anabaptist traditions began. Suzanne's grandfather was born into a family of 13 children, started his career as a teacher in a one-room school house in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and ended it as one of the very first publishers of Christianity Today. "We called him "Deardad" even though he was a very stern fellow. Still, Deardad's life inspired me to write."<br /><br />After college, Suzanne was a freelance writer for magazines and became a contributing editor to Christian Parenting Today. Her work has been featured in Today's Christian Woman, Marriage Partnership, Worldwide Challenge, among others. She took the plunge into books a few years ago and now she's hooked. To learn more about Suzanne, visit her website at <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/" target="_blank">www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.</a></span></span></div></div></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts:</span><br />I must admit, my first thought was along the lines of 'another Amish book. Hmm.' But Ms. Fisher does a great job of making it like no other Amish book you've read before. With many twists and turns and more tragedy than one heart should have to bear, Suzanne takes you on a journey with Carrie to the depths of her soul. Is it ever too late to turn to God? Of course not. Read this book and see how this family discovers that wonderful truth. Ms. Fisher has a wonderful writing style and you won't want to put this book down. I look forward to reading more books from this series.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/blog-tour-for-the-choice-by-suzanne-woods-fisher.html">here</a> to see more reviews of The Choice.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=260692196018%20"><img alt="Book Bomb and Author's Talk with Suzanne Woods Fisher" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/The_Choice_button.png" height="125" width="125" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=260692196018%20">Grab this button</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">This book was sent to my by the publisher for the purpose of review. I was not influenced on how to write my review of this book.</span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668661383233203652.post-18588649085444728502010-01-22T15:56:00.004-05:002010-01-22T16:21:58.657-05:00Healing Sands by Nancy rue & Stephen Arterburn<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://beckyworks.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/healing-sands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 214px;" src="http://beckyworks.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/healing-sands.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Healing Sands<br />by: Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Summary of the Book:</span><br />Ryan Coe's world just fell apart. While out on assignment for the local newspaper she sees through her camera lens that her son appears to have committed a horrible hate crime. In trying to deal with the stress of the situation and her anger she turns to Healing Choice Clinic and the famous Dr. Sullivan Crisp. While helping her work through her anger, Sully is dealing with his own skeletons in the closet. Sully is trying to find the woman that encouraged his wife to take her own life. Both situations come to a head at the same time. Two people convicted of crimes they didn't commit ~ how will they convince the justice-seeking Detective Baranovic that both are innocent?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts:</span><br />To be honest, at first I wasn't sure what I thought about the book especially starting book #3 in a series without reading 1 & 2. However, this book can easily stand on its own. The authors have a great writing style that grips you within the first couple of pages. You feel like you are the one looking through the camera and finding your own child in the driver's seat. The only problem I had with the book was that the spiritual talk is a little bit too emotion-based in my opinion. However it is a great mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. Overall I think it is a really good book.<br /></div></div><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/242/D457AD95841184AD9C95977493F86B10.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">This book was sent to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers for the purpose of reviewing the book.</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">I was not influenced by them regarding how to write this review.</span><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978586106035810804noreply@blogger.com0