Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Nothing But Trouble

Tyndale House Publishers (May 1, 2009)

by

Susan May Warren




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. Her favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota is where she met her husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living.

The north woods easily became the foundation for her first series, The Deep Haven series, based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. Her first full-length book, Happily Ever After, became a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

As an award winning author, Susan returned home in 2004, to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods and the beautiful town that she always dreamed of living in.

You can sample a chapter of each and every one of Susan's novels, on her website, HERE.



ABOUT THE BOOK

PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

1) After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that's become her life, she needs a fresh start.

2) The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister's wedding is Boone-her former flame and the reason she left town.

3) Her best friend's husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg, Minnesota, has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn't know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she'll uncover much more than she bargained for-a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she's been longing for.

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her home town, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder—who also happens to be PJ's former flame—is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend’s husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right

If you would like to read the first chapter of Nothing But Trouble, go HERE

My Review: I have not received this book yet so no review. But I love this author and cannot wait to read this book. It has a pretty cool cover too. :)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Non-Fiction Five Reading Challenge 2009

Trish at Trish's Reading Nook is hosting the Non Fiction Five Reading Challenge this year.
http://trishsbooks.blogspot.com/2009/03/non-fiction-five-challenge-sign-ups.html
I participated last year and loved it. It really helped me finish some of the non fiction books I had on my TBR list. The challenge runs from May 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009.

My tentative list:

* This is Your Brain on Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin (DONE)
* The Lost City of Z by David Grann (DONE)
* The End of Overeating by David Kessler M.D. (DONE)
* My Cat Spit McGee by Willie Morris (DONE)
* The Noticer by Andy Andrews (DONE)
* Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
*Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World by Jessica Snyder Sachs

What's On Your Nightstand Tuesday Hosted by 5 Minutes for Books


My immediate TBR with deadlines.











More TBR some timeline some not.











Combination











My Library Stack:







Some days I feel a little overwhelmed. So many books so little time and I want to read them all. :)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Winner of Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate

The winner of Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate is

ThatstheBook

Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone that entered. :)

Here is your sequence: 1
2
5
8
9
6
12
7
4
3
11
10
Timestamp: 2009-04-28 01:59:55 UTC

A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Vote Of Confidence

Zondervan (April 2009)

by

Robin Lee Hatcher




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon


ABOUT THE BOOK

In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a “mans’ world.”

Guinevere Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life, For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?

But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she’s in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he’s building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Vote Of Confidence, go HERE

My Review:

This is another wonderful historical from Robin Lee Hatcher. The plot, characters, and setting are interesting and unique. I love the concept for this new series. My one complaint is it felt a little rushed and I wish it was longer. The bad guy was one dimensional while the others came alive. Overall it is a sweet light delectable historical. I can't wait to read Gwen's fraternal twin sister Cleo's story in Fit to be Tied. Robin Lee Hatcher is a talented novelist of both contemporary and historical novels. :)

The Noticer by Andy Andrews



Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But like all humans on the planet, the good folks of Orange Beach have their share of problems - marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, as well as the many other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.


Fortunately, when things look the darkest - a mysterious man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. An elderly man with white hair, of indiscriminate age and race, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and leather flip flops carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul. Communicating what he calls "a little perspective," Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. "Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely," he says. "Don't squander your words or your thoughts. Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyondmeasure…and they matter forever."


Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what we can do about it.


Like The Traveler's Gift, The Noticer is a unique narrative is a blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration. Gifted storyteller Andy Andrews helps us see how becoming a "noticer" just might change a person's life forever.

A Flickering Light and Aurora by Jane Kirkpatrick



Returning to her Midwest roots, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick draws a page from her grandmother’s photo album to capture the interplay between shadow and light, temptation and faith that marks a woman’s pursuit of her dreams.

She took exquisite photographs,
but her heart was the true image exposed.

Fifteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele loves nothing more than capturing a gorgeous Minnesota landscape when the sunlight casts its most mesmerizing shadows. So when F.J. Bauer hires her in 1907 to assist in his studio and darkroom, her dreams for a career in photography appear to find root in reality.

With the infamous hazards of the explosive powder used for lighting and the toxic darkroom chemicals, photography is considered a man’s profession. Yet Jessie shows remarkable talent in both the artistry and business of running a studio. She proves less skillful, however, at managing her growing attraction to the very married Mr. Bauer.

This luminous coming-of-age tale deftly exposes the intricate shadows that play across every dream worth pursuing—and the irresistible light that beckons the dreamer on.

My Review:
This is a wonderful well written historical based somewhat on the author's grandmother's life. There are interesting details about early photography spread throughout without being overwhelming. It is told mostly in third person from three different viewpoints including Mr. Bauer and Jessie which works well establishing the setting and mood. The plot is interesting and unique and I cannot wait to read book two and learn what happens to Jessie.




Wrap yourself in a fantastic journey, a remarkable commitment, and a spare and splendid story


Master storyteller Jane Kirkpatrick extols the beautiful treasures, unknown to a wider public, rediscovered in the Old Aurora Colony of Oregon ’s lush Willamette Valley . The people and legacy of Aurora, a utopian community founded in the mid-1800s, will stir your imagination, hopes, and dreams; and remind you that every life matters—that our lives are the stories other people read first.


~Featuring~
Unique and treasured quilt pattern variations
More than 100 photographs, many never-before published, from 1850 to today
Cherished stories from Aurora descendants
Rich images of fine crafts from the Aurora Colony and private collections
An introduction by renowned American artist John Houser

Aurora is about the difference every ordinary life can make—and a beautiful celebration of a time and place in which people expressed their most cherished beliefs through the work of their imagination and hands.

Wrap yourself in a fantastic journey, a remarkable commitment, and a spare and splendid story



Author Bio:
Jane Kirkpatrick is a best-selling, award-winning author whose previous historical novels include All Together in One Place and Christy Award finalist A Tendering in the Storm. An international keynote speaker, she has earned regional and national recognition for her stories based on the lives of actual people, including the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Hall of Fame. Jane is a Wisconsin native who since 1974 has lived in Eastern Oregon , where she and her husband, Jerry, ranch 160 rugged acres.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunday Salon April 26, 2009

The Sunday Salon.com

* Overall it was a good reading weekend. I also cleaned house some but not spotless. :)

* I read:

- A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson
- Tides of Hope by Irene Hannon
- The Baby Bond by Linda Goodnight
- The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

* Overall I liked all the books. My review for A Love to Last Forever went up yesterday. A Vote of Confidence will be up tomorrow night. It might take me a while to get the others up.

* I have a lot of review books that need to be read in the next month so lots of reading to be done on the weekend. Hopefully I can keep up.

* Tuesday I participate in something called What's On Your Nightstand sponsored by 5 Minutes for Books and I will have a picture of my TBR stack.

* I hope everyone has a great week! (and can fit some great books in)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0764201493
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches

Back Cover:

"Beth Gallatin has always wanted to settle down in one town, with one man, and raise a family. But with her father's roaming ways, she found solace in reading romances instead. The passing of her father, however, means that Beth and her sisters can, for the first time, dare to claim the rugged Montana frontier as their home.
Nick Lassiter has loved Beth since she first came to town, but she's always seemed to think of him more as a brother. Just when he finally gets Beth to consider him, an unexpected arrival from Nick's complicated past threatens the affection growing between them.
As a past fraught with unwise choices and guilt invades their world, will Nick and Beth find the courage to embrace love?"
"A Love to Last Forever" is the 2nd book in the Brides of Gallatin County series by Tracie Peterson.
My Review:
I enjoyed this historical romance novel. I read it in one afternoon. It is book two in a series. The first book focused more on Gwen Gallatin's story (A Promise to Believe In) while this one focused more on Bethany/Beth's story. The character's struggles and faith are woven into the story. There is also some suspense/intrigue in the book particularly regarding the way their father died which continues from book one. I read book one and I think it should be read in order as the characters are the same and some of the situations continue. I can't wait to read book three, Lacy's story, and see where the plot goes.
About the Author:
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 70 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Belgrade, Montana.
Link to Amazon:

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe by Larry Osborne (And Giveaway)

*** Leave a comment to be entered to win. Two copies available. Deadline is Tuesday April 28 at midnight.***


Just Because “Everyone Believes It”

Doesn’t Make It True


People don’t set out to build their faith upon myths and spiritual urban legends. But somehow such falsehoods keep showing up in the way that many Christians think about life and God. These goofy ideas and beliefs are assumed by millions to be rock-solid truth . . . until life proves they’re not. The sad result is often a spiritual disaster—confusion, feelings of betrayal, a distrust of Scripture, loss of faith, anger toward both the church and God.

But it doesn’t have to be so. In this delightfully personal and practical book, respected Bible teacher Larry Osborne confronts ten widely held beliefs that are both dumb and dangerous. Beliefs like these:

• Faith can fix anything
• Christians shouldn’t judge
• Forgiving means forgetting
• Everything happens for a reason
• A godly home guarantees good kids
…and more.

Buy on Amazon:

So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


So Not Happening (The Charmed Life)

Thomas Nelson (May 5, 2009)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Jenny B. Jones writes adult and YA Christian Fiction with equal parts wit, sass, and untamed hilarity. When she's not writing, she's living it up as a high school speech teacher in Arkansas.


Visit the author's website.



Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595545417
ISBN-13: 978-1595545411

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


One year ago my mom got traded in for a newer model.

And that’s when my life fell apart.

“Do you, Jillian Leigh Kirkwood . . .”

Standing by my mother’s side as she marries the man who is so not my dad, I suppress a sigh and try to wiggle my toes in these hideous shoes. The hideous shoes that match my hideous maid-of honor dress. I like to look at things on the bright side, but the only

positive thing about this frock is that I’ll never have to wear it again.

“. . . take Jacob Ralph Finley . . .”

Ralph? My new stepdad’s middle name is Ralph? Okay, do we need one more red flag here? My mom is marrying this guy, and I didn’t even know his middle name. Did she? I check her face for signs of revulsion, signs of doubt. Signs of “Hey, what am I thinking? I don’t want Jacob Ralph Finley to be my daughter’s new stepdad.”

I see none of these things twinkling in my mom’s crystal blue eyes. Only joy. Disgusting, unstoppable joy.

“Does anyone have an objection?” The pastor smiles and scans the small crowd in the Tulsa Fellowship Church. “Let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”

Oh my gosh. I totally object! I look to my right and lock eyes with Logan, the older of my two soon-to-be stepbrothers. In the six hours that I have been in Oklahoma preparing for this “blessed” event, Logan and I have not said five words to one another. Like we’ve mutually agreed to be enemies.

I stare him down.

His eyes laser into mine.

Do we dare?

He gives a slight nod, and my heart triples in beat.

“Then by the powers vested in me before God and the family and friends of—”

“No!”

The church gasps.

I throw my hands over my mouth, wishing the floor would swallow me.

I, Bella Kirkwood, just stopped my own mother’s wedding.

And I have no idea where to go from here. It’s not like I do this every day, okay? Can’t say I’ve stopped a lot of weddings in my sixteen years.

My mom swivels around, her big white dress making crunchy noises. She takes a step closer to me, still flashing her pearly veneers at the small crowd.

“What,” she hisses near my ear, “are you doing?”

I glance at Logan, whose red locks hang like a shade over his eyes. He nods again.

“Um . . . um . . . Mom, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you at all this week . . .” My voice is a tiny whisper. Sweat beads on my forehead.

“Honey, now is not exactly the best time to share our feelings and catch up.”

My eyes dart across the sanctuary, where one hundred and fifty people are perched on the edge of their seats. And it’s not because they’re anxious for the chicken platters coming their way after the ceremony.

“Mom, the dude’s middle name is Ralph.”

She leans in, and we’re nose to nose. “You just stopped my wedding and that’s what you wanted to tell me?”

Faint—that’s what I’ll do next time I need to halt a wedding.

“How well do you know Jake? You only met six months ago.”

Some of the heat leaves her expression. “I’ve known him long enough to know that I love him, Bella. I knew it immediately.”

“But what if you’re wrong?” I rush on, “I mean, I’ve only been around him a few times, and I’m not so sure. He could be a serial killer for all we know.” I can count on one hand the times I’ve been around Jake. My mom usually visited him when I was at my dad’s.

Her voice is low and hurried. “I understand this isn’t easy for you. But our lives have changed. It’s going to be an adventure, Bel.”

Adventure? You call meeting a man on the Internet and forcing me to move across the country to live with his family an adventure? An adventure is swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean. An adventure is touring the pyramids in Egypt. Or shopping at the Saks after-Thanksgiving sale with Dad’s credit card. This, I do believe, qualifies as a nightmare!

“You know I’ve prayed about this. Jake and I both have. We know this is God’s will for us. I need you to trust me, because I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

A single tear glides down Mom’s cheek, and I feel my heart constrict. This time last year my life was so normal. So happy. Can I just hit the reverse button and go back?

Slowly I nod. “Okay, Mom.” It’s kind of hard to argue with “God says this is right.” (Though I happen to think He’s wrong.)

The preacher clears his throat and lifts a bushy black brow.

“You can continue,” I say, knowing I’ve lost the battle. “She had something in her teeth.” Yes, that’s the best I've got.

I. Am. An. Idiot.

“And now, by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Finley. You may kiss your bride.”

Nope. Can’t watch.

I turn my head as the “Wedding March” starts. Logan walks to my side, and I link my arm in his. Though we’re both going to be juniors, he’s a head taller than me. It’s like we’re steptwins. He grabs his six-year-old brother, Robbie, with his other hand, and off we go

in time to the music. Robbie throws rose petals all around us, giggling with glee, oblivious to the fact that we just witnessed a ceremony marking the end of life as we know it.

“Good job stopping the wedding.” Logan smirks. “Very successful.”

I jab my elbow into his side. “At least I tried! You did nothing!”

“I just wanted to see if you had it in you. And you don’t.”

I snarl in his direction as the camera flashes, capturing this day for all eternity.

Last week I was living in Manhattan in a two-story apartment between Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Couric. I could hop a train to Macy’s and Bloomie’s. My friends and I could eat dinner at Tao and see who could count the most celebs. I had Broadway in my backyard

and Daddy’s MasterCard in my wallet.

Then my mom got married.

And I got a new life.

I should’ve paid that six-year-old to pull the fire alarm.

Isabella Kirkwood had it all: popularity at a prestigious private school in Manhattan, the latest fashions, and a life of privilege and luxury. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model.


When her mother starts over with her new husband, Bella is forced to pack up and leave all she knows to live with her new family in Oklahoma. Before her mother can even say "I do," Bella's life becomes a major "don't."


Can Bella survive her crazy new family? Will the school survive Bella? How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God gives her the total smackdown?

My Review:

I loved this book. IT is fantastic. Her first series featuring Katie Parker was great. This book is the first in a new series called The Charmed Life featuring Bella Kirkwood. Bella's parents get a divorce and she is forced to move to the boonies aka Oklahoma. At first she seems to fit in at school until she alienates almost everyone. She starts working with the school newspaper and realizes that everything may not be what it seems to be. So Not Happening is full of laugh out loud moments, a little romance, and a little mystery. Jenny B. Jones keeps getting better and better. Her real life experience working with teens on a daily basis as a teacher shows. I loved the humor she writes in her books that is a real part of her life/personality. I highly recommend this book for teens and adults. :)

Her blog is http://jennybjones.com/blog/ if you want to read more of what you find in the pages of her books.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate (And Giveaway)

*** Leave a comment to be entered to win a copy. Deadline is Sunday April 26 at midnight.***



Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.

“Spiritual environmentalism” did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?

Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.

Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.

My Review:
I am about halfway through this book and so far I love it. I keep stopping to write things down. I am going to update this post when I finish hopefully tomorrow night.


Author Bio:
A nationally recognized expert in “green” development strategies, Mike Abbaté is a founder of GreenWorks, an award-winning landscape architecture design firm. He frequently speaks to students and leaders about practical ways to minimize the impact of building and landscape design on natural resources. Abbaté’s work has been featured in national magazines such as Metropolis and Landscape Architecture and in many local newspapers and trade publications. He and his wife, Vicki, have two adult daughters and live near Portland , Oregon .

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307444998&ref=externallink_wbm_gardeningeden_sec_0309_01

Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Reluctant Cowgirl

Barbour Publishing (April 2009)

by

Christine Lynxwiler




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Chrisitine lives with her husband and two precious daughters in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in her home state of Arkansas. Her greatest earthly joy is her family and, aside from doing God’s will, spending time with them is her top priority.

She recently took a break from writing romance to pen a Christmas story with a twist. Her Mom Lit novella, My True Love Gave to Me, is part of a 2 in 1 anthology from Barbour entitled All Jingled Out. It’s also included in Simply Christmas, a 4 in 1 Barbour anthology. One of my holiday highlights was seeing Simply Christmas at Sam’s Club a few weeks before Christmas.

She has written two other novellas, both romance, which are included in Barbour anthologies, City Dreams, and Prairie County Fair and a serial for the Heartsong Presents book club newsletter – The Carousel Horse. The Carousel Horse can be read in its entirety on the Heartsong website, and you can read excerpts from all of her other books on her website, HERE

In 2003, Christine was honored by being voted #2 Favorite New Author by the Heartsong Presents Book Club members!



ABOUT THE BOOK

Actress Crytal McCord gave up the closeness of her big family in order to make a name for herself on the New York City stage. But when life in the Big Apple turns sour, she follows a country road back to her parents Arkansas ranch.

The last thing she expects to find in cowboy country is a new leading man. Still, she can't help but imagine handsome rancher Jeremy Buchanan in the role.

Unfortunately, Jeremy's been burned by Crystal's type before. Or has he? Every time he thinks he knows her, the multi-faceted woman surprises him. Will the reluctant pair allow their hearts to guide them, or will their common stubborn pride keep them miles apart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Reluctant Cowgirl, go HERE

My Review:

This is a really cute book about coming home and making peace with the past while dealing with present woes. Crystal is doing okay but not great in the big city trying to make it as an actress and when she catches her boyfriend cheating her she decides she needs a break and she is supposed to come home anyway for family.Also her play is stopped. She has not been back home but a few times since she left. She is reluctant to work on the ranch again but she has to help the family while her parents are gone. Thankfully the cute cowboy from next door is there to keep her company. There are many funny lines in it and the romance between Crystal and Jeremy is good. Definitely interesting setting and characters. The title fits the book perfectly. I have never been to Arkansas but I do live in the South. I recommend it for a light fun read. :)

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday Salon April 19, 2009

The Sunday Salon.com

* I read for the 24 hr. Read-a-thon Saturday.

* I read these books:
Murder at Eagle Summit by Virginia Smith
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
Killer Cargo by Dana Mentink
Part of A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson

* My total page count was 1075 and I read for a total of 662 mintues.

* I gave out at midnight so I did not finish the whole thing. Maybe in the fall I will make it all the way through. lol

* I am reading a great nonfiction book right now called Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate. I am halfway through but I have the post up tomorrow with a giveaway.

* I have a lot of blog tours coming up so I will hopefully be reading a lot too.

* I hope everyone has a great week!

24 Hour Read-a-thon April 2009 Wrap Up Post

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? 17 where I had to go to sleep because I could not keep my open and when I tried to read they crossed.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
No, it was great!

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The blog posts where the mini challenges were posted.

5. How many books did you read?4 and part of another

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Murder at Eagle Summit by Virginia Smith
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
Killer Cargo by Dana Mentink
Part of A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

8. Which did you enjoy least? Inkheart

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Only a reader

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Probably a reader

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Update Fourteen, Hour Seventeen

I am having trouble keeping my eyes open. When I read they cross. I think I am going to take a sleep break and start back in a few hours. I hate to do this again but I am not accomplishing much.

Title of book(s) read since last update:Finished Killer Cargo by Dana Mentink and started A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson
Number of books read since you started:4
Pages read since last update:53
Running total of pages read since you started:1075
Amount of time spent reading since last update:49
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 662
(keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed:2

Update Thirteen Hour Sixteen

Title of book(s) read since last update: Killer Cargo by Dana Mentik
Number of books read since you started:3
Pages read since last update:97
Running total of pages read since you started:1022
Amount of time spent reading since last update:54
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)613
Mini-challenges completed:2

Update Twelve, Hour 15

Title of book(s) read since last update:Killer Cargo by Dana Mentik
Number of books read since you started:3
Pages read since last update:90
Running total of pages read since you started:925
Amount of time spent reading since last update:52
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed:2

Update Eleven Hour 14

Title of book(s) read since last update: Finished So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones (freakin fantastic book)
Number of books read since you started:3
Pages read since last update:72
Running total of pages read since you started:835
Amount of time spent reading since last update:33
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 507
(keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed:2

Update Ten Hour 13

Title of book(s) read since last update:So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
Number of books read since you started:2
Pages read since last update:101
Running total of pages read since you started:763
Amount of time spent reading since last update:54
Running total of time spent reading since you started:474
(keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed:2

Update Nine Hour Twelve

Title of book(s) read since last update: So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update:75
Running total of pages read since you started:662
Amount of time spent reading since last update:51
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)420
Mini-challenges completed: 2

Update Nine Hour Eleven

Title of book(s) read since last update: So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update:77
Running total of pages read since you started:587
Amount of time spent reading since last update:49
Running total of time spent reading since you started:369
(keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed:2

Update Eight Hour Ten

Title of book(s) read since last update: Murder at Eagle Summit and Inkheart finished.
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 67
Running total of pages read since you started: 510
Amount of time spent reading since last update:49
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 320
(keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed: 2

Update Seven Hour Nine

Title of book(s) read since last update: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Number of books read since you started:1
Pages read since last update:72
Running total of pages read since you started:443
Amount of time spent reading since last update:50
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 271
(keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed 2

Update Six Hour Eight

Title of book(s) read since last update: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Number of books read since you started:1
Pages read since last update: 72
Running total of pages read since you started:371
Amount of time spent reading since last update:44 min.
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 221 min.
Mini-challenges completed 2

Update Five Hour Seven

I feel a lot better after a rest. I wish my cell phone would not have rung so many times interupting me. lol

Title of book(s) read since last update: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Number of books read since you started:1
Pages read since last update:42
Running total of pages read since you started:299
Amount of time spent reading since last update:23 min.
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)177 min.
Mini-challenges completed 2

Update Four

I am taking a short break to nap. I did not sleep well last night and I can't keep my eyes open.

Title of book(s) read since last update: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Number of books read since you started:1
Pages read since last update:29
Running total of pages read since you started:257
Amount of time spent reading since last update:17 min.
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)154
Mini-challenges completed 2

Update Three

Title of book(s) read since last update: Murder at Eagle Summit by Virginia Smith and I am reading some in Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Number of books read since you started:1
Pages read since last update:67
Running total of pages read since you started:228
Amount of time spent reading since last update:44 min.
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 137 min.
Mini-challenges completed: 2

Hour Two Update

Title of book(s) read since last update: Still reading Murder at Eagle Summit by Virginia Smith
Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update: 78
Running total of pages read since you started: 161
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 39 min.
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 93 min.
Mini-challenges completed: 1

Hour One Update

I have a good start going. I am following the advice on the intro post and am starting with a good easy read. I really like the book so far. It is one of my favorite authors Virginia Smith. I am reading Murder at Eagle Summit.

Title of book(s) read since last update: Murder at Eagle Summit
Number of books read since you started: I have not finished one yet.
Pages read since last update:83
Running total of pages read since you started:83
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 54 mint.
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 54 mint.
Mini-challenges completed: 1

Into Meme

Where are you reading from today? Mainly my bed. My cleaning adventures did not go as planned. :)

3 facts about me …
1. I read mainly Inspirational (Christian) fiction though since I have started blogging and reading other people's blogs I have added a lot of other books to the list. Most I have really liked.
2. I read more nonfiction now than ever besides school stuff.
3. I am a year out from graduating with my masters and I am still not using my degrees :(

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? Too many to count trust me. I feel overwhelmed looking at the stacks. lol

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? I do not have any real specific goals beyond getting my review books for next week read.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Move around some. My back did start hurting last year from the way I sat in my bed. :)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing


Boneman's Daughters

Center Street (April 14, 2009)

by

Ted Dekker




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), Obsessed, Renegade, and Chaos.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Would you kill an innocent man to save your daughter?

They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who’s abducted six young women. He’s the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan’s estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.


If your an avid Dekker fan, and would like wallpaper and counters for your blog, go HERE.

You can listen to an audio clip HERE

Watch the VIDEO:




If you would like to read the first chapter of Boneman's Daughters, go HERE

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

24 Hour Read-a-thon April 2009

Woo-Hoo

The 24 Hour Read-a-thon Spring Edition is this Saturday April 18. My time zone starts at 7:00 A.M. There is a time zone help at the main site along with the other important information.
http://24hourreadathon.com/

I loved this last year and I can't wait for Saturday! I have so many books I want to read. I am not making an official list because I have TBR stacks in my room staring at me. :) I have not stayed awake the whole 24 hours yet. I am a morning person not a late night person so we will see how long I will make it this year. I will be updating my blog every hour with my progress.

I need to clean the house and go grocery shopping before Saturday morning. I have not been in the reading mode this week so hopefully before Saturday morning I will feel like reading again. I have high hopes for this Saturday. :)

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Keys to Living Joyfully by Sheri Kaye Hoff





Paperback: 160 pages


Publisher: CreateSpace (August 20, 2008)


Language: English


ISBN-10: 1440403945


ISBN-13: 978-1440403941




About the Book:


Keys to Living Joyfully is an inspirational book on experiencing joy, peace, passion, and energy in daily life. It is designed to demonstrate the powerful roles of thoughts, action, and faith. The book is a merging of Sheri Kaye Hoff's spiritual life and lifelong interests in leadership and motivation.

The ideas presented in the book are techniques and processes that have worked for the author and clients. Foreword is written by Michele Caron, creator of MyLifeCoach.com


The book, Keys to Living Joyfully, was born out of a heartfelt desire to share the keys that lead to living a transformational life. Ms. Hoff is a personal and executive coach working with individuals, small businesses, and corporations. Her words on faith are derived from her own Christian walk and spiritual self-discoveries. Her action steps are a mix of faith. love, leadership skills, and management experience.


Chapters include topics such as: Is your heart thinking right? And how to tap into intrinsic motivation. This book, Keys to Living Joyfully, offers the techniques and insights that move people towards more peace, joy, energy, and passion in everyday life.

My Review:
How many of us live joyfully? There are many things that steal our joy like fear and worry. In this book Sheri Kaye Hoff shows us how to reclaim joy for our life. It is not preachy but I appreciate her spiritual journey and the role it plays in her life. I admire the role prayer and meditation play in her life every day. There are great questions to answer at the end of the sections to help you apply the material to your life. It is a very readable book and I think many people would benefit from it. :)




About the Author:


Sheri Kaye Hoff resides in Parker, CO with her husband and three children. She is a Life Coach and owner of the Sheri K Hoff International Coaching Company. She teaches college classes as an adjunct faculty member and has earned her Master of Arts in Organizational Management. Her new book, Keys to Living Joyfully, offers a way of living a meaningful, successful and joy filled life.Ms. Hoff is a personal and executive life coach.

Spirituality is a vital part of her life’s work. Prayer and meditation are integral pieces of her daily ritual, which enables her to pursue her life’s passions and live a truly joyful life.Her words on faith are derived from her own Christian walk and spiritual self-discoveries. Her action steps mix faith and years of leadership training, mentoring, and management.

Sheri Kaye Hoff suffered the tragic death of her younger brother when she was a teenager and struggled for years to rediscover the capacity to feel joy and to enjoy her successes. She has a heart felt desire to pass on her knowledge and discoveries that have led to a truly transformational life. Ms. Hoff publishes a free weekly inspiration newsletter, Coach Sheri’s Weekly Inspiration Tips.


You can visit her website at http://www.lifeisjoyful.org/

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Lost Hours by Karen White

About the Book:

When Piper Mills was twelve, she helped her grandfather bury a box that belonged to her grandmother in the backyard. For twelve years, it remained untouched.

Now a near fatal riding accident has shattered Piper’s dreams of Olympic glory. After her grandfather’s death, she inherits the house and all its secrets, including a key to a room that doesn’t exist—or does it? And after her grandmother is sent away to a nursing home, she remembers the box buried in the backyard. In it are torn pages from a scrapbook, a charm necklace—and a newspaper article from 1939 about the body of an infant found floating in the Savannah River. The necklace’s charms tell the story of three friends during the 1930s— each charm added during the three months each friend had the necklace and recorded her life in the scrapbook. Piper always dismissed her grandmother as not having had a story to tell. And now, too late, Piper finds she might have been wrong.

My Review:
I stayed up until 12:20 this morning finishing this book. This was a great southern fiction novel more character driven than plot though both are interesting. The first half of the book seemed to move slowly to me and not as much happened. The last half of the book the characters developed more and the plot moved along. The last part had me breathless turning the pages to see what happens. I loved the mystery with the diary pages and grandmother's secrets. The Lost Hours is a great title for it. I would love another novel with Piper, Helen, Tucker, and the girls. Overall I recommend this novel. This was my first Karen White novel. I am looking forward to reading more by her. :)

About the Author:

After playing hooky one day in the seventh grade to read Gone With the Wind, Karen White knew she wanted to be a writer-or become Scarlett O'Hara. In spite of these aspirations, Karen pursued a degree in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, after leaving the business world, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a writer and wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. This book was nominated for the prestigious RITA award in 2001 in two separate categories. Her books have since been nominated for numerous national contests including another RITA, the Georgia Author of the Year Award and in 2008 won the National Readers' Choice Award for Learning to Breathe.

Karen currently writes what she refers to as ‘grit lit'-southern women's fiction-and has recently expanded her horizons into writing a mystery series set in Charleston. Her tenth novel, The Lost Hours, will be released in trade paperback by New American Library, a division of Penguin Publishing Group, in April 2009.

Karen hails from a long line of Southerners but spent most of her growing up years in London, England and is a graduate of the American School in London. She currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two teenaged children, and a spoiled Havanese dog (who appears in several of her books), Quincy. When not writing, she spends her time reading, singing, playing piano, chauffeuring children and avoiding cooking.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Miss Match by Sara Mills

FBI agent Jack O'Connor receives a letter from Maggie, a woman he used to love, saying she's in trouble in Berlin. The FBI refuses to get involved, so Jack asks Allie Fortune to help him investigate. Allie and Jack pose as a missionary couple who want to bring orphans back to the United States.

A child finds important documents that everyone in the city-- Soviets and Allies alike -- want for themselves. Maggie refuses to tell Jack what the documents are, saying if things go wrong they are better off not knowing.

Through the course of the search Allie's past is brought back to her, half a world away from home.


My Review:
I read the first book in this series, Miss Fortune, last year and loved it. I could not wait for book two in the series to come out, Miss Match. It was definitely worth the wait. It is even better than book one. I read it this morning and could hardly put it down. One of the cool things about this series is the setting. It is set in the late 1940's after the war. One of the main characters is Allie short for Alexandra Fortune who is a private investigator in New York City. She meets Jack who is in the FBI in the first book. They are both pining for lost loves. Allie has spent 8 years trying to find David her fiance who never came home from the war but she does not believe to be dead. Jack has missed Maggie his childhood sweetheart ever since she told him she could not marry him and joined the war effort as nurse. Allie and Jack become good friends in the first but nothing else. In this book Jack gets a letter out of the blue from Maggie saying she is in Berlin and in great danger and needs his help. Allie being the good friend she is won't let him go alone or without a plan so she goes with him. The plot and characters are well developed and interesting. There is a sense of danger throughout the book and I felt like I was in the bleak Berlin after the war. The author loves film noir which comes through in the series without being too dark. The ending is abrupt and a major cliffhanger. I can't wait for book three to come out. This is going on my 2009 favorites list. I highly recommend the first book and this one. :)

A link to a great interview with the author:

http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/2009/04/interview-with-sara-mills.html

Link to Amazon to buy and or read the excerpt:

http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Match-Allie-Fortune-Mystery/dp/0802469272/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

About the author:
Sara Mills lives in Alberta, Canada in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. She is freelance writer, wife and mother of three.

Sara collects swords, raises Golden Retrievers and has a house full of hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles and puppies.

Aside from animals and swords, Sara loves film noir, Humphrey Bogart and The Maltese Falcon.

http://www.saramillsbooks.com/

Thursday, April 9, 2009

On My Own Now by Donna Lee Schillinger



About the book:


“Freedom! Finally, life on my own!”


Excited about making your mark on the world, living life on your own terms and eating ice cream for dinner if you want? Being on your own is so great, but when the decisions get a little more difficult than “Do I wash a black-and-white striped shirt with whites or colors?”, this little book will be invaluable.


On My Own Now shows you how to apply biblical wisdom of the ages to choosing everything from friends to underwear; exercising and exorcising (ooh, creepy); juggling commitments and balancing bills; taking mom and dad for all they’re worth (er, uh, we mean like taking their advice and stuff); and waiting, dating and maybe someday mating.


On My Own Now is about strengthening young women’s faith and preventing the screw-ups that can brand us for life. Donna Lee Schillinger draws on her eclectic past as a rebellious youth, Peace Corps volunteer, social worker, single mother, court mediator and executive director of a home for single young mothers.


She uses gender-reversed Proverbs with real-life applications to wave the red flag of caution for young women, warning against the pitfalls of a post-modern, sexually casual, consumer-is-king society that is indelibly scarring youth with cynicism, sexually transmitted diseases and bad credit.


This compact collection of quirky vignettes is great for daily devotions, affirmations, confessions, benedictions and many other religious “tions,” all with the goal of keeping you on the yellow brick road. After all, you’re not in Kansas anymore – you’re on your own now (unless you live in Kansas, then you would still be in Kansas…).


About the author:

A born and bred Texan, Donna Lee Schillinger has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a master’s in cultural anthropology. She served in the Peace Corps in Quito, Ecuador, and continued to work in social services for 10 years, serving several years as executive director of a homeless shelter for single, young mothers.In 2000, Donna “retired” from social work to take care of her elderly grandparents and homeschool her daughter. She soon began The Quilldriver, a custom publisher for nonprofit organizations and traditional publisher of inspirational nonfiction books.Award-winning editor and publisher, Donna makes her writing debut with On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women who Want to Remain Pure, Debt-free and Regret-free.She launched a nonprofit organization of the same name, with the mission to provide encouragement for young adults to maintain their Christian faith when they get out on their own.
Visit her Web site at http://www.onmyownnow.com/.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Light, the Dark, and Ember Between by J. W. Nicklaus

About the Book:
A collection of short stories, each a splinter’s reflection of the human condition, firmly centered upon our oft tenuous, sometimes tensile bond with Hope, and careening flirtation with Love.

Fifteen stories: From the wispy fog of a love lost at sea, to an orphaned child who delivers a present of her own during a war-torn Christmas. These stories are gentle reminders to each of us of what it is to be human, and certainly of our affinity for the slightest glint of Hope.
My Review:
This is an enchanting collection of short stories. Several are haunting and stay with you. The most touching to me was Winter Rose which is set overseas during wartime. The most interesting and longer is One Washington Diner. Broken is another one that stuck with me. The title is very fitting for the collection. There are some lighter stories and some darker in nature. All of them are filled with vivid descriptions. I am not much of a short story reader but for the most part I enjoyed this collection. :)



Buy it here now http://tinyurl.com/dyvzud


About the Author:
J.W. Nicklaus resides in a place not entirely fit for human habitation about five months of the year. No pets to speak of, only the apparitions from which all romantics suffer.

An Arizona native, he’s been from one coast to the other, and a few places in between. College brought an AA in Journalism with a minor in Photography, and a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications. His work experience has run the gamut from Creative Director for a small advertising firm in Tucson to a litigation support bureau in Phoenix (and assuredly some awkward stuff in the mix).

Snow has been featured prominently in his stories, perhaps because of the seasonless cli-mate he lives in. Nature was meant to be enjoyed and experienced, not hidden from the senses. So to that end, he hopes someday to live amongst those who are able to live through four true seasons, and not just blast furnace and warm.

He enjoys the occasional Arizona Diamondbacks game with his son, as well as watching him grow up. The experience of being a single dad has taught him far more about himself than he ever thought possible.

Within the expanse of every waking moment, he hopes his guardian angel keeps its arms open wide and heart ever watchful, for there but for one true Hope goes She.

For more about J.W. visit http://www.avomnia.com/.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

This month at 5 Minutes for Books the Classics Bookclub read Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. I was excited because I could not remember if I ever read it and I wanted to. FYI This was my first time reading it. It was great. I think it is a wonderful adventure story and I enjoyed all the places that they stopped at. The characters are interesting and to me Passepartout stands out the most. I highly recommend this book. :)
My favorite I also really liked is Journey to the Center of the Earth which I have reread several times.

The First Lines Which I loved:
Mr. Phileas Fogg lived, in 1872, at No. 7, Saville Row, Burlington Gardens, the house in which Sheridan died in 1814. He was one of the most noticeable members of the Reform Club, though he seemed always to avoid attracting attention; an enigmatical personage, about whom little was known, except that he was a polished man of the world.

Summary:
Phileas Fogg rashly bets his companions £20,000 that he can travel around the entire globe in just eighty days, and he is determined not to lose. Breaking the well-established routine of his daily life, the reserved Englishman immediately sets off for Dover, accompanied by his hot-blooded French manservant, Passepartout. Traveling by train, steamship, sailboat, sledge, and even elephant, they must overcome storms, kidnappings, natural disasters, Sioux attacks, and the dogged Inspector Fix of Scotland Yard to win the extraordinary wager. Combining exploration, adventure, and a thrilling race against time, Around the World in Eighty Days gripped audiences upon its publication and remains hugely popular to this day.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

March Reads in Review

In the month of March I read 23 books. I read some of my favorite books so far this year in the month of March. I am going to bold my absolute favorites. I liked all of the books I read this month though and would recommend any of them. :)

March
61. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Laura Willig
62. A Thousand Tomorrows by Karen Kingsbury
63. Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
64. Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury
65. The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano
66. Breach of Trust by Diann Mills
67. Juliet's Moon by Ann Rinaldi
68. The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
69. Turning the Paige by Laura Jensen Walker
70. The Hand-Me-Down Family by Winnie Griggs
71. Diary of a Teenage Girl: It's a Green Thing by Melody Carlson
72. A Silent Terror by Lynette Eason
73. The Rivers Run Dry by Sibello Giorello
74. Boo by Rene Gutteridge
75. The Negotiator by Dee Henderson (reread)
76. Boo Who by Renee Gutteridge
77. If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky
78. The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler
79. For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls by Nancy Mehl
80. Texas Ranger Dad by Debra Clopton
81. Healing Waters by Nancy Rue, Stephen Arterburn
82. Salty Like Blood by Harry Kraus M.D.
83. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
84. The Masque of the Black Tulip by Laura Willig

Ruby's Slippers by Leanna Ellis



Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805446982
ISBN-13: 978-0805446982
http://www.amazon.com/Rubys-Slippers-Leanna-Ellis/dp/0805446982/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238968086&sr=1-1

About the book:
Dottie Meyers, 35, is a real-life Dorothy Gale living with her little black dog on a small farm in Kansas that’s about to be hit by a tornado. Knocked unconscious by the storm, she awakes three months later at a recovery facility in California where her father, last seen when she was four, has left her a mysterious pair of ruby slippers.


But unlike The Wizard of Oz, this isn’t a dream, and the yellow brick road journey that Dottie and three friends are about to take from Los Angeles to Seattle in search of her dad will show the realities of a broken childhood. More importantly, everything connected to those sparkling red shoes will prove to Dottie that there’s only one true wonder worker behind the so-called curtain who can heal her wounds and prepare the heart for love.


My Review:
If you like the movie Wizard of Oz chances are you will like this book. When I was a child my mother said that was the first movie I ever sat through. I have not seen it in years though. For the most part the Wizard of Oz references are not over the top and the book is enjoyable. The characters are a little cardboard steorotype in the beginning but turn into quirky interesting characters. My favorite part is after Dottie's accident when she is in the recovery facility and she agrees on a roadtrip with an older lady named Sophie. Where they are going and why I will not tell you ;) This is a contemporary Christian fiction novel and I think most readers will like it. :)

About the Author :
Leanna Ellis, formerly known to readers as Leanna Wilson, sold more than one million romance books and won numerous awards before taking a new creative direction with her much-acclaimed 2007 novel, Elvis Takes a Back Seat. She lives with her family in Keller, Texas.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Winner of the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

The winner of The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven Scott is

L. Diane Wolfe

Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who entered. :)

Here is your sequence:
2
1
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4
Timestamp: 2009-04-01 23:29:32 UTC

Winner of If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky

The winner of If Tomorrow Never Comes is

Grateful Gramma!

Congratulations :)


Thank you to everyone who entered.


1
6
5
2
4
8
10
7
9
3
Timestamp: 2009-04-01 23:24:55 UTC

Faith and Honor by Robin Maderich



Although published in various genres of romance, both in print and electronic format, Robin Maderich's first novel was historical, released by Warner Books (before the big merger with Time) in 1989. Faith and Honor hs since been reprinted and the second in the trilogy released. Most recently Robin is enjoying an association with New Concepts Publishing and had a brief but satisfying association with Inara Press. She has also illustrated a children's e-book which was released last year.


The rural village in Pennsylvania where Robin resides with her husband and multiple pets has provided much of her recent inspiration. The fact her three sons are all grown has allowed her more time to pursue writing. As one might expect, Robin's feelings regarding that circumstance are mixed.
Robin's love of history, research, the intricacies of detail and stretching her imagination have aided her immensely through the ever-expanding process of learning her craft.


For more information please visit http://www.robinmaderich.com/

About the book:

Rescued from the harrassment of British officers in Colonial Boston by handsome, secretive Fletcher Irons, Faith Ashley's slumbering passions are ignited, until the discovery that Fletcher himself is an officer of the army she has come to despise, a man who is the enemy. Yet with persistence, Fletcher wins the fiery Faith's love. When the colonies erupt in Revolution, Faith refuses to choose between her loyalty to the cause and her love for the man who is far more than the color of his uniform. Will her honor be her undoing?


My Review:

I have not read this book yet. My copy is on the way. Review to come.

Classics Club Spin 18

My Classics Club Spin List for August This is a hodgepodge of books left on my list I made in 2017 for the Classics Club. Tomorrow the clu...