Title: EVERY SECRET THING
Author: Ann Tatlock
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
October 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0005-4
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary women’s fiction
Beth Gunnar has accepted a position as English teacher at her old alma mater, a boarding school in Delaware. Beth is insecure in her new position, as she is facing memories, a mystery, and old love.
Beth’s old English teacher, Ted Dutton, a Vietnam Vet died during the year when Beth boarded at the school, and she and her friends discovered it. Beth has never quite forgotten him, and is surprised that her friends don’t recall.
Beth immediately pins a new student, Satchel Queen as her problem student for the year, but to her surprise, Satchel is a kindred spirit. But as Beth gets to know Satchel, an old mystery comes to light and she discovers that things she long believed are not truth.
EVERY SECRET THING is the first story I’ve read by talented story-teller, Ann Tatlock. The story is slow moving, allowing the reader to get to know the character, to soak in the setting, and to savor the events. I was able to put the book down between chapters, and pick it up later, very easily with this book, it is not one that keeps my attention for chapter after chapter.
Beth is a very real character, someone that probably every woman can identify with, and there are parts in the book that are laugh out loud funny. I enjoyed reading EVERY SECRET THING, and recommend this book. $13.99. 400 pages.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A Promise to Remember
Title: A PROMISE TO REMEMBER
Author: Kathryn Cushman
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
October 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0380-0
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction
Andie Phelps is mourning the death of her son, Chad. Chad had been trying to raise scholarship money and he wanted his mother to help with the posters. Andie is trying to work on the posters in her son’s memory, but her husband, Blair, suggests that the memory is too hard on her, so he donates a large amount in Chad’s name.
Melanie Johnston is a single mom who has just lost her only son, Jeff. Jeff’s life was snuffed out when Chad Phelps was driving with a suspended license. Jeff’s only legacy is a scrapbook Melanie is making in his honor—until she reads in the paper about the Phelps family donating a scholarship in Chad’s memory. Melanie is bitter and upset about a killer having a legacy, so she picks up the phone and calls a lawyer.
The accident has changed everything in these women’s lives, and now opposite worlds has collided. How are will these women go to fulfill A PROMISE TO REMEMBER?
A PROMISE TO REMEMBER is a strong, emotion-filled story reminiscent of Karen Kingsbury’s writing style. Don’t read this book without a box of tissue nearby. I instantly felt for Andie and Melanie, their circumstances, and their quests to remember their sons’ memories.
This is an absolutely amazing debut novel, and I will definitely look for more books by this talented author. The writing is tight, gripping, the story moving, and one that will stay with me for a long time. An excellent story of love, loss, and forgiveness. This book will touch the heart of the reader. $13.99. 316 pages.
Author: Kathryn Cushman
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
October 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0380-0
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction
Andie Phelps is mourning the death of her son, Chad. Chad had been trying to raise scholarship money and he wanted his mother to help with the posters. Andie is trying to work on the posters in her son’s memory, but her husband, Blair, suggests that the memory is too hard on her, so he donates a large amount in Chad’s name.
Melanie Johnston is a single mom who has just lost her only son, Jeff. Jeff’s life was snuffed out when Chad Phelps was driving with a suspended license. Jeff’s only legacy is a scrapbook Melanie is making in his honor—until she reads in the paper about the Phelps family donating a scholarship in Chad’s memory. Melanie is bitter and upset about a killer having a legacy, so she picks up the phone and calls a lawyer.
The accident has changed everything in these women’s lives, and now opposite worlds has collided. How are will these women go to fulfill A PROMISE TO REMEMBER?
A PROMISE TO REMEMBER is a strong, emotion-filled story reminiscent of Karen Kingsbury’s writing style. Don’t read this book without a box of tissue nearby. I instantly felt for Andie and Melanie, their circumstances, and their quests to remember their sons’ memories.
This is an absolutely amazing debut novel, and I will definitely look for more books by this talented author. The writing is tight, gripping, the story moving, and one that will stay with me for a long time. An excellent story of love, loss, and forgiveness. This book will touch the heart of the reader. $13.99. 316 pages.
Monday, May 26, 2008
My Soul to Keep
Title: MY SOUL TO KEEP
Author: Davis Bunn
Publisher: Bethany House
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0436-4
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary
Brent Stark is a falling star. His days in the Hollywood limelight ended when he was in a drug and alcohol induced accident. Now, after spending time behind bars, he is in AA trying to get his life back on track. The others in his AA meetings are very supportive of him, especially when they get wind that complete strangers are asking about Brent and checking into his background.
The strangers turn out to be lawyers from a huge west-coast law firm, and they are making sure that Brent is on the up-and-up before they approach him about a role in a film—which could possibly be the role of a lifetime.
Celia Breach has never forgiven Brent for the hurts in inflicted—and now she is asked to do the unthinkable, and trust Brent again—when she finds herself cast as Brett’s co-star.
Award winning author, Davis Bunn, has penned another page-turner, with MY SOUL TO KEEP. The writing is strong, with an opening paragraph that draws the reader into the story with a lot of questions about Brent Stark. The cast of secondary characters are strong, each with their own distinct personality.
I didn’t really grow to care for Brent—the Hollywood lifestyle is not something I’ve ever really been interested in—but the story is gripping, with an unlikely team, armed with faith and vision fighting the Hollywood bigwigs that want to see their venture fail. Don’t miss MY SOUL TO KEEP. $13.99. 395 pages.
Author: Davis Bunn
Publisher: Bethany House
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0436-4
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary
Brent Stark is a falling star. His days in the Hollywood limelight ended when he was in a drug and alcohol induced accident. Now, after spending time behind bars, he is in AA trying to get his life back on track. The others in his AA meetings are very supportive of him, especially when they get wind that complete strangers are asking about Brent and checking into his background.
The strangers turn out to be lawyers from a huge west-coast law firm, and they are making sure that Brent is on the up-and-up before they approach him about a role in a film—which could possibly be the role of a lifetime.
Celia Breach has never forgiven Brent for the hurts in inflicted—and now she is asked to do the unthinkable, and trust Brent again—when she finds herself cast as Brett’s co-star.
Award winning author, Davis Bunn, has penned another page-turner, with MY SOUL TO KEEP. The writing is strong, with an opening paragraph that draws the reader into the story with a lot of questions about Brent Stark. The cast of secondary characters are strong, each with their own distinct personality.
I didn’t really grow to care for Brent—the Hollywood lifestyle is not something I’ve ever really been interested in—but the story is gripping, with an unlikely team, armed with faith and vision fighting the Hollywood bigwigs that want to see their venture fail. Don’t miss MY SOUL TO KEEP. $13.99. 395 pages.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Najila
Title: NAJILA
Author: C. J. Illinik
Publisher: Kregel Publications
July 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8254-2907-1
Genre: Inspirational/historical/women’s fiction
Najila’s life has been defined by conflict from the day she was born. Her mother is a Muslim, who dies in childbirth when Najila is just a small child, and her father, a Greek Orthodox Byzantine ambassador does his best to pass on his Christian beliefs to his strong willed daughter.
When Najila is seventeen, her father dies in a tragic accident, and Najila finds herself the sole heir of her father’s estate, Hawks Hill in Constantinople, and something even more precious, his silver and amber cross that her father made for her mother. Najila decides to go to her father’s estate, where she finds many surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. Will Najila come to term with who she is, and what she believes?
NAJILA is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Illinik. There are some point of view issues and time-line issues that caused me to stumble as I read the book, but the story is unique enough that if one were interested in a historical about a young girl coming of age in a community where she’s torn between Christian and Muslim beliefs, then NAJILA would be the perfect book. The faith message is quite strong, and it is obvious that the author has done extensive research in writing this story.
However, I found the story moved rather slowly, and I never did get into it the way I would have liked. I couldn’t relate to Najila, and that caused some issues too. I really can’t highly recommend NAJILA, but there is plenty of conflict within its pages which does help to keep the pages turning. $13.99. 347 pages.
Author: C. J. Illinik
Publisher: Kregel Publications
July 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8254-2907-1
Genre: Inspirational/historical/women’s fiction
Najila’s life has been defined by conflict from the day she was born. Her mother is a Muslim, who dies in childbirth when Najila is just a small child, and her father, a Greek Orthodox Byzantine ambassador does his best to pass on his Christian beliefs to his strong willed daughter.
When Najila is seventeen, her father dies in a tragic accident, and Najila finds herself the sole heir of her father’s estate, Hawks Hill in Constantinople, and something even more precious, his silver and amber cross that her father made for her mother. Najila decides to go to her father’s estate, where she finds many surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. Will Najila come to term with who she is, and what she believes?
NAJILA is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Illinik. There are some point of view issues and time-line issues that caused me to stumble as I read the book, but the story is unique enough that if one were interested in a historical about a young girl coming of age in a community where she’s torn between Christian and Muslim beliefs, then NAJILA would be the perfect book. The faith message is quite strong, and it is obvious that the author has done extensive research in writing this story.
However, I found the story moved rather slowly, and I never did get into it the way I would have liked. I couldn’t relate to Najila, and that caused some issues too. I really can’t highly recommend NAJILA, but there is plenty of conflict within its pages which does help to keep the pages turning. $13.99. 347 pages.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Sweet Caroline - review, give away and more
Title: SWEET CAROLINE
Author: Rachel Hauck
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc
February 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59554-337-0
Genre: Inspirational/chick lit
Caroline Sweeney is a sweetie, and the whole town knows it. She’s always done the responsible, dependable thing. Caroline is hesitant to upset her life when her best friend offers her the opportunity of the lifetime. Working for a wealthy CEO in Barcelona, Spain. Caroline says “yes” to a new future. After all, it has to be better than continuing to work at the run-down failing café she’s worked at for the past two years.
But before the new job is official, the ownership of the run-down café falls in Caroline’s lap. And she has two choices. Refuse it, go to Barcelona, and the café is sold, money going to charity. However, that means that all the employees will be out of work. Or, keep the café and somehow try to get it from the red into the black.
And what about handsome Deputy Sheriff, J.D. Rand? And when Caroline’s first love, Mitch O’Neal comes to town, Caroline is faced with some hard choices.
SWEET CAROLINE is a wonderful chick lit/romance about a sweet Southern waitress who suddenly has more choices than she knows how to juggle. Caroline is a real character, the good girl who never got into trouble, and that all the grown-ups depended on to do the right thing. Life gets mixed up when the right thing isn’t completely clear, and Caroline isn’t sure whether to cut loose and make a living in Spain, or to help her work friends keep their jobs. Add a romance to the mix, and you’ve got a winner.
The faith message isn’t preachy, but expertly woven in. The setting is so developed, it is almost a character. And the secondary cast is strong, each with their own voice. The writing is impeccable. Don’t miss SWEET CAROLINE. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 318 pages.
Be sure to visit the other blogs on this tour: http://www.rachelhauck.com/2008/05/welcome-to-sweet-life-blog-tour.html
Contest: The Sweet Life contest! Enter to win a Scrumptious Baking Basket from Rachel. The basket contains a Super Cool Apron, a Low country cook book signed by PAT CONROY, rolling pin, and a pie plate! All you have to do to enter is sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: http://rachelhauck.com/newsletter.htm
And BONUS here's a recipe for Bubba's Buttery Biscuits!
3 cups self-rising flour 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled, plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for brushing the tops 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place the flour and chilled butter in a medium mixing bowl. Work the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingertips until the butter pieces are a little larger than an English pea, but not larger than a lima bean. If you are using your fingers, work quickly so that the heat of your hands won't melt the butter.
Pour in all of the buttermilk and, using light pressure, fold the mixture a few times with a plastic spatula until it holds together. Do not over mix. In order to make light biscuits, it is important to work the dough as little as possible.
Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead it quickly and gently 6 to 10 times or until it begins to be almost homogenized. There will be large pieces of butter throughout. Sprinkle a little flour under the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the rolling pin. Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness.
Cut the dough into 2-inch rounds, place on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes. I like the biscuits to be crispy and brown on the top and bottom, but not dry in the middle. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter. Serve right away. (recipe from Louis Osteen)
About the book:
Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny.
Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sheriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline's heart.
But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville , Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.
About Rachel:
I'm a forty-something, a child of the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's and '00's.
I roller skated through the '70's into the '80's with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero.
Born in Ohio , I lived several years in Oklahoma and Kentucky before my parents moved the family to Florida .
I graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism. As a member of Phi Mu sorority, I partied my way though the last few years of college.
But, the truth is, and always will be, I belong to Jesus. At the age of six, I knelt at the altar of a Tulsa Methodist church and gave my life to the One who loves me.
After graduation, hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, determined to see the world. And I did it without a laptop, a cell phone, an IPod or portable DVD player. Those were hard times.
But, I traveled to Ireland , Spain , Venezuela , Mexico , Australia , Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine . But, life on the road is difficult. Working twelve to fourteen hour days, one doesn't get to see many of the sites. In Ireland , our company's distributor drove me around at night so I could see something of Dublin .
I met Tony, my husband, in '87, at church, of all places. We got married in '92. Tony has been a pastor for twenty years. I've worked with him in eighteen of those twenty. Our heart is to see teens and adults passionate, radical and whole hearted for Jesus.
Tony and I don't have any children of our own, lots of kids-in-the-Lord and we love them all. However, we do have a very spoiled dog, and an even more spoiled cat.
I've always wanted to be a writer. My dad used to tell me, "You're a writer." I have letters he wrote me post college, exhorting me to write. In this, I believe he had the heart of God.
In '93, I started an epic WW2 novel with two plots. It was well rejected. After that ordeal, I took a break and put efforts into my job as a software project manager. But, I missed writing and in late ' 99, I took up the craft again.
With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ' 04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel. I love writing chick lit and romance. I love writing. What an honor.
Links:
Rachel's website: www.rachelhauck.com
Buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595543376?&camp=212361&creative=383841&linkCode=wss&tag=sprightly-20
Rachel's My Book Therapy ( a writing craft blog for writers): www.mybooktherapy.com
Author: Rachel Hauck
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc
February 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59554-337-0
Genre: Inspirational/chick lit
Caroline Sweeney is a sweetie, and the whole town knows it. She’s always done the responsible, dependable thing. Caroline is hesitant to upset her life when her best friend offers her the opportunity of the lifetime. Working for a wealthy CEO in Barcelona, Spain. Caroline says “yes” to a new future. After all, it has to be better than continuing to work at the run-down failing café she’s worked at for the past two years.
But before the new job is official, the ownership of the run-down café falls in Caroline’s lap. And she has two choices. Refuse it, go to Barcelona, and the café is sold, money going to charity. However, that means that all the employees will be out of work. Or, keep the café and somehow try to get it from the red into the black.
And what about handsome Deputy Sheriff, J.D. Rand? And when Caroline’s first love, Mitch O’Neal comes to town, Caroline is faced with some hard choices.
SWEET CAROLINE is a wonderful chick lit/romance about a sweet Southern waitress who suddenly has more choices than she knows how to juggle. Caroline is a real character, the good girl who never got into trouble, and that all the grown-ups depended on to do the right thing. Life gets mixed up when the right thing isn’t completely clear, and Caroline isn’t sure whether to cut loose and make a living in Spain, or to help her work friends keep their jobs. Add a romance to the mix, and you’ve got a winner.
The faith message isn’t preachy, but expertly woven in. The setting is so developed, it is almost a character. And the secondary cast is strong, each with their own voice. The writing is impeccable. Don’t miss SWEET CAROLINE. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 318 pages.
Be sure to visit the other blogs on this tour: http://www.rachelhauck.com/2008/05/welcome-to-sweet-life-blog-tour.html
Contest: The Sweet Life contest! Enter to win a Scrumptious Baking Basket from Rachel. The basket contains a Super Cool Apron, a Low country cook book signed by PAT CONROY, rolling pin, and a pie plate! All you have to do to enter is sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: http://rachelhauck.com/newsletter.htm
And BONUS here's a recipe for Bubba's Buttery Biscuits!
3 cups self-rising flour 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled, plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for brushing the tops 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place the flour and chilled butter in a medium mixing bowl. Work the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingertips until the butter pieces are a little larger than an English pea, but not larger than a lima bean. If you are using your fingers, work quickly so that the heat of your hands won't melt the butter.
Pour in all of the buttermilk and, using light pressure, fold the mixture a few times with a plastic spatula until it holds together. Do not over mix. In order to make light biscuits, it is important to work the dough as little as possible.
Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead it quickly and gently 6 to 10 times or until it begins to be almost homogenized. There will be large pieces of butter throughout. Sprinkle a little flour under the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the rolling pin. Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness.
Cut the dough into 2-inch rounds, place on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes. I like the biscuits to be crispy and brown on the top and bottom, but not dry in the middle. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter. Serve right away. (recipe from Louis Osteen)
About the book:
Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny.
Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sheriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline's heart.
But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville , Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.
About Rachel:
I'm a forty-something, a child of the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's and '00's.
I roller skated through the '70's into the '80's with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero.
Born in Ohio , I lived several years in Oklahoma and Kentucky before my parents moved the family to Florida .
I graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism. As a member of Phi Mu sorority, I partied my way though the last few years of college.
But, the truth is, and always will be, I belong to Jesus. At the age of six, I knelt at the altar of a Tulsa Methodist church and gave my life to the One who loves me.
After graduation, hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, determined to see the world. And I did it without a laptop, a cell phone, an IPod or portable DVD player. Those were hard times.
But, I traveled to Ireland , Spain , Venezuela , Mexico , Australia , Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine . But, life on the road is difficult. Working twelve to fourteen hour days, one doesn't get to see many of the sites. In Ireland , our company's distributor drove me around at night so I could see something of Dublin .
I met Tony, my husband, in '87, at church, of all places. We got married in '92. Tony has been a pastor for twenty years. I've worked with him in eighteen of those twenty. Our heart is to see teens and adults passionate, radical and whole hearted for Jesus.
Tony and I don't have any children of our own, lots of kids-in-the-Lord and we love them all. However, we do have a very spoiled dog, and an even more spoiled cat.
I've always wanted to be a writer. My dad used to tell me, "You're a writer." I have letters he wrote me post college, exhorting me to write. In this, I believe he had the heart of God.
In '93, I started an epic WW2 novel with two plots. It was well rejected. After that ordeal, I took a break and put efforts into my job as a software project manager. But, I missed writing and in late ' 99, I took up the craft again.
With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ' 04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel. I love writing chick lit and romance. I love writing. What an honor.
Links:
Rachel's website: www.rachelhauck.com
Buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595543376?&camp=212361&creative=383841&linkCode=wss&tag=sprightly-20
Rachel's My Book Therapy ( a writing craft blog for writers): www.mybooktherapy.com
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Leave it to Chance -- review and give away
Please leave a comment to win a chance to win this wonderful book by a great new author!
Title: LEAVE IT TO CHANCE
Author: Sherri Sand
Publisher: David C. Cook
May 2008
ISBN: 078-1-4347-9988-3
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction
Sierra Montgomery has recently suffered a divorce and is left an unemployed single mother of three. She’s desperate to find a new job, so she can stay in her own home, but things aren’t looking good, especially when her ex-husband isn’t paying child support.
Sierra is shocked and dismayed to learn that she’s inherited a horse. What is she, a woman terrified of horses, supposed to do with one, assuming she could even afford to keep it? Sierra decides to sell the horse, but her three children are excited about it, when their father disappoints them yet again, how can she hurt her children further by telling that keeping the horse is impossible?
Ross Morgan just happens to have an empty barn, a fenced in pasture—and an empty place in his heart for a few troubled children and their mother. But he is trying to run a landscaping business, and doesn’t have the time for a needy family of four. But Ross may be exactly what God has in mind to help bring Sierra past her fear, to a place of healing.
LEAVE IT TO CHANCE is the first book by this very talented new author. I’m looking forward to reading a lot more books by Ms. Sand. The writing is impeccable, and I instantly grew to care for Sierra and to relate to the struggles she went through as a single mother.
LEAVE IT TO CHANCE is a wonderful book, full of enough conflict to keep me reading (no small feat there!) and hoping for a happy ending for all the characters. This is a story that will stay with the reader for a long time. $13.99. 364 pages.
Also visit Sherri Sand's webpage: http://www.sherrisand.com and click here to buy your own copy, if you want: http://www.amazon.com/Leave-Chance-Sherri-Sand/dp/1434799883/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211486543&sr=8-2
Title: LEAVE IT TO CHANCE
Author: Sherri Sand
Publisher: David C. Cook
May 2008
ISBN: 078-1-4347-9988-3
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction
Sierra Montgomery has recently suffered a divorce and is left an unemployed single mother of three. She’s desperate to find a new job, so she can stay in her own home, but things aren’t looking good, especially when her ex-husband isn’t paying child support.
Sierra is shocked and dismayed to learn that she’s inherited a horse. What is she, a woman terrified of horses, supposed to do with one, assuming she could even afford to keep it? Sierra decides to sell the horse, but her three children are excited about it, when their father disappoints them yet again, how can she hurt her children further by telling that keeping the horse is impossible?
Ross Morgan just happens to have an empty barn, a fenced in pasture—and an empty place in his heart for a few troubled children and their mother. But he is trying to run a landscaping business, and doesn’t have the time for a needy family of four. But Ross may be exactly what God has in mind to help bring Sierra past her fear, to a place of healing.
LEAVE IT TO CHANCE is the first book by this very talented new author. I’m looking forward to reading a lot more books by Ms. Sand. The writing is impeccable, and I instantly grew to care for Sierra and to relate to the struggles she went through as a single mother.
LEAVE IT TO CHANCE is a wonderful book, full of enough conflict to keep me reading (no small feat there!) and hoping for a happy ending for all the characters. This is a story that will stay with the reader for a long time. $13.99. 364 pages.
Also visit Sherri Sand's webpage: http://www.sherrisand.com and click here to buy your own copy, if you want: http://www.amazon.com/Leave-Chance-Sherri-Sand/dp/1434799883/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211486543&sr=8-2
Just Jane
Title: JUST JANE (a novel about Jane Austen’s life)
Author: Nancy Moser
Publisher: Bethany House
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0356-5
Genre: Inspirational/historical/
Many of us read and loved Pride and Prejudice as required reading during high school. Now, for the first time, we can read a bio/fiction account of Jane Austen’s life.
Jane was one of many children in her pastor father’s household, and the book starts out with a family tree, listing all her siblings, their spouses, and their children. That alone is interesting reading, but even more so as you get to “meet” each future member of the family as they are introduced, and you realize how exactly they came to be there.
Jane, like the characters in her stories, never ventured far from home, yet like all young women in that time, she dreamed of the rich and famous hero to come riding up and carry her off into the sunset. But while she waited, she struggled to find her own place in life.
In JUST JANE, author Nancy Moser carefully researched family letters, historical writings, and used this method to transport readers of JUST JANE into the life that Jane Austen lived.
The next time you read (or reread) Pride and Prejudice, or view the DVD instead, make sure you pick up a copy of JUST JANE to go along with it. You will be impressed with how Jane wrote the story, about the whole story of her own life, and learn a lot more about the time period in the process. Excellent for homeschoolers, as well as historical readers. $13.99. 352 pages.
Author: Nancy Moser
Publisher: Bethany House
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0356-5
Genre: Inspirational/historical/
Many of us read and loved Pride and Prejudice as required reading during high school. Now, for the first time, we can read a bio/fiction account of Jane Austen’s life.
Jane was one of many children in her pastor father’s household, and the book starts out with a family tree, listing all her siblings, their spouses, and their children. That alone is interesting reading, but even more so as you get to “meet” each future member of the family as they are introduced, and you realize how exactly they came to be there.
Jane, like the characters in her stories, never ventured far from home, yet like all young women in that time, she dreamed of the rich and famous hero to come riding up and carry her off into the sunset. But while she waited, she struggled to find her own place in life.
In JUST JANE, author Nancy Moser carefully researched family letters, historical writings, and used this method to transport readers of JUST JANE into the life that Jane Austen lived.
The next time you read (or reread) Pride and Prejudice, or view the DVD instead, make sure you pick up a copy of JUST JANE to go along with it. You will be impressed with how Jane wrote the story, about the whole story of her own life, and learn a lot more about the time period in the process. Excellent for homeschoolers, as well as historical readers. $13.99. 352 pages.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Pride and Prejudice
Title: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Insight Edition)
Author: Jane Austen
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7652-0388-6
Genre: Classic/historical
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE have been enjoyed by women over the centuries, and even today is still routinely read. I haven’t read this book since I was in high school, but it was nice to revisit these timeless characters, and get reintroduced to the beloved Elizabeth Bennet, and the noble Mr. Darcy.
At first I wondered how this classic book could be redone. But with the release of the movie, there is a renewed interested in this story, so Bethany House has responded with a reissue of this beloved classic, complete with a forward by the editors, and little comments inserted through-out the pages, making the old-fashioned language so much easier for this modern world to understand what is happening in the story. I wish this edition had been available when I was in high school!
Bethany House has also released PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with a book by Nancy Moser, Just Jane, which is a kind of biography about Jane Austen’s life, written in fiction, story form.
Whether you’ve read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE years ago, as I did, or this is a story you’ve read fifty times, or maybe never, this is a classic that you will want on your bookshelves. Excellent for homeschoolers and history teachers. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. I’m real excited about this reissue, and can love the comments in the margins. $13.99. 360 pages.
Author: Jane Austen
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7652-0388-6
Genre: Classic/historical
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE have been enjoyed by women over the centuries, and even today is still routinely read. I haven’t read this book since I was in high school, but it was nice to revisit these timeless characters, and get reintroduced to the beloved Elizabeth Bennet, and the noble Mr. Darcy.
At first I wondered how this classic book could be redone. But with the release of the movie, there is a renewed interested in this story, so Bethany House has responded with a reissue of this beloved classic, complete with a forward by the editors, and little comments inserted through-out the pages, making the old-fashioned language so much easier for this modern world to understand what is happening in the story. I wish this edition had been available when I was in high school!
Bethany House has also released PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with a book by Nancy Moser, Just Jane, which is a kind of biography about Jane Austen’s life, written in fiction, story form.
Whether you’ve read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE years ago, as I did, or this is a story you’ve read fifty times, or maybe never, this is a classic that you will want on your bookshelves. Excellent for homeschoolers and history teachers. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. I’m real excited about this reissue, and can love the comments in the margins. $13.99. 360 pages.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tricia Goyer Whisper of Freedom review & giveaway!
Title: A WHISPER OF FREEDOM
Author: Tricia Goyer
Publisher: Moody Press
May 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8024-6769-0
Genre: Inspirational/historical
Sophie, Philip, and Walt hope to get the gold out of the country so Walt can sell it to collectors, but Michael has managed to get all possible ways of shipment blocked. So now Sophie and Walt are stuck in the mountains, trying to hide a truck-load of gold, and figure out a plan. The only thing they can come up with is to send Sophie back into enemy territory, right in the midst of their operations and have her smuggle information out.
This assignment is highly dangerous, and the possibilities of Sophie failing and being killed are extremely high. Yet she is hopeful that she will succeed in her assignment. Walt is finally honest about the whole operation, weaving a fascinating tale that stretched from historic days when Spanish conquered Central America, and of a treasure that is still hidden in Central America.
With many men from both sides of the war seeking the part of the treasure that Walt has in his possession, is there any hope of them leaving Spain alive?
Don’t miss this third and final book in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series. In A WHISPER OF FREEDOM, we are reintroduced to the main characters that we’ve known since book one and fallen in love with. Michael is still a charmer, and Sophie is still a source of frustration to the men who love her as she is quick to rush into danger without thinking things through first.
The faith message is expertly woven in and isn’t preachy. The setting is very much an important part of the story as the characters must learn to live and do their jobs in war-torn Spain, worrying about continuing attacks. I loved all the characters, and all the books in this series. Based on a real life war, the prequel to World War II, it is excellent for homeschoolers, and for those who love to read historical fiction. Ms. Goyer has done thorough research, and this war comes alive for modern day readers. Don’t miss A WHISPER OF FREEDOM. Readers will want to read the first two books in the series, A Valley of Betrayal and A Shadow of Treason, before hand as the stories all tie together. However, if you miss the first two books, there are brief summaries for each book included in A WHISPER OF FREEDOM. $12.99. 314 pages.
A contest!!!!
1. List three things you would do with a chest full of gold (assuming you got to keep it!)
I’d pay off my debts and save money for my children to go to college
I’d buy new vehicles to replace our old ones with lots of miles
I’d sell our house and buy on one of the Great Lakes in Michigan..
2. List three charities/missions/organizations you support (and why).
I support my church
I support Haven of Rest Ministries
I support Moody Bible Institute
3. List three ways you have volunteered your time/services.
I have no time to volunteer. It is completely taken up by family (five kids) and homeschooling, and our church4. List three things you keep "hidden" when company comes over.
I’m pretty much what you see is what you get. I don’t’ hide anything when company comes. Though when we visited people one time I had to laugh because the people we stayed with hid their television set in the closet when we were there!5. List the last three things you've lost.
My keys
My mind (don’t think I’ve found that yet)
My car (but I managed to find that. I think the car moved itself.)6. List the last three things you've found.
A DVD I didn’t think we had
A penny
A lazer pointer
Contest and give-away post info:
During the tour, you can enter to win one of FIVE signed copies of A Whisper of Freedom by signing up for Tricia's newsletter here!
****Three brave "players" will be selected at random to win their own lost gold (Gourmet chocolate coins and all three books in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series). To enter all you have to do is answer the MEME on your blog and then leave a comment on Tricia’s blog tour post here http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2008/03/whisper-of-freedom-meme-sticky-post.html that you’ve posted your MEME. Easy.
Author: Tricia Goyer
Publisher: Moody Press
May 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8024-6769-0
Genre: Inspirational/historical
Sophie, Philip, and Walt hope to get the gold out of the country so Walt can sell it to collectors, but Michael has managed to get all possible ways of shipment blocked. So now Sophie and Walt are stuck in the mountains, trying to hide a truck-load of gold, and figure out a plan. The only thing they can come up with is to send Sophie back into enemy territory, right in the midst of their operations and have her smuggle information out.
This assignment is highly dangerous, and the possibilities of Sophie failing and being killed are extremely high. Yet she is hopeful that she will succeed in her assignment. Walt is finally honest about the whole operation, weaving a fascinating tale that stretched from historic days when Spanish conquered Central America, and of a treasure that is still hidden in Central America.
With many men from both sides of the war seeking the part of the treasure that Walt has in his possession, is there any hope of them leaving Spain alive?
Don’t miss this third and final book in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series. In A WHISPER OF FREEDOM, we are reintroduced to the main characters that we’ve known since book one and fallen in love with. Michael is still a charmer, and Sophie is still a source of frustration to the men who love her as she is quick to rush into danger without thinking things through first.
The faith message is expertly woven in and isn’t preachy. The setting is very much an important part of the story as the characters must learn to live and do their jobs in war-torn Spain, worrying about continuing attacks. I loved all the characters, and all the books in this series. Based on a real life war, the prequel to World War II, it is excellent for homeschoolers, and for those who love to read historical fiction. Ms. Goyer has done thorough research, and this war comes alive for modern day readers. Don’t miss A WHISPER OF FREEDOM. Readers will want to read the first two books in the series, A Valley of Betrayal and A Shadow of Treason, before hand as the stories all tie together. However, if you miss the first two books, there are brief summaries for each book included in A WHISPER OF FREEDOM. $12.99. 314 pages.
A contest!!!!
1. List three things you would do with a chest full of gold (assuming you got to keep it!)
I’d pay off my debts and save money for my children to go to college
I’d buy new vehicles to replace our old ones with lots of miles
I’d sell our house and buy on one of the Great Lakes in Michigan..
2. List three charities/missions/organizations you support (and why).
I support my church
I support Haven of Rest Ministries
I support Moody Bible Institute
3. List three ways you have volunteered your time/services.
I have no time to volunteer. It is completely taken up by family (five kids) and homeschooling, and our church4. List three things you keep "hidden" when company comes over.
I’m pretty much what you see is what you get. I don’t’ hide anything when company comes. Though when we visited people one time I had to laugh because the people we stayed with hid their television set in the closet when we were there!5. List the last three things you've lost.
My keys
My mind (don’t think I’ve found that yet)
My car (but I managed to find that. I think the car moved itself.)6. List the last three things you've found.
A DVD I didn’t think we had
A penny
A lazer pointer
Contest and give-away post info:
During the tour, you can enter to win one of FIVE signed copies of A Whisper of Freedom by signing up for Tricia's newsletter here!
****Three brave "players" will be selected at random to win their own lost gold (Gourmet chocolate coins and all three books in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series). To enter all you have to do is answer the MEME on your blog and then leave a comment on Tricia’s blog tour post here http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2008/03/whisper-of-freedom-meme-sticky-post.html that you’ve posted your MEME. Easy.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Voice
Title: THE VOICE
Author: Bill Myers
Publisher: Faith Words
April 2008
ISBN: 978-0-446-69799-6
Genre: Inspirational/Sci Fi/Fantasy
What if the voice of God has been captured on tape?
What if it refutes the foundations of Judeo-Christian belief?
What if its power could dissolve the very reality it created?
Thirteen-year-old Jazmin’s parents have just been captured by radicals, and her uncle, burned-out Special Forces Agent, Charles Madison, is the only one who can save them. Apparently, while creating a computer program, Jazmin’s parents discovered and recorded the voice of God. Now the implications have shaken the world to its core…and some have taken action.
Charlie is forced out of retirement, and with the help of Jazmin, and the attractive and mysterious Lisa Harmon, the trio circle the globe, hunting for religious radicals. But complications occur. And far more is at stake than Charlie and Jazmin originally thought.
THE VOICE is the latest release by prolific author Bill Myer. I can’t say that this genre is my favorite kind to read, and I really never got into this story. Since I didn’t understand a lot of the implications and occurrences, so I’m really not the best person to review this book.
The story does have nonstop action and suspense, and it carries through to the end of the book. Definitely a cutting-edge story, THE VOICE is not a book that fans of Sci Fi or Fantasy will want to miss. The writing is impeccable. $13.99. 294 pages.
Author: Bill Myers
Publisher: Faith Words
April 2008
ISBN: 978-0-446-69799-6
Genre: Inspirational/Sci Fi/Fantasy
What if the voice of God has been captured on tape?
What if it refutes the foundations of Judeo-Christian belief?
What if its power could dissolve the very reality it created?
Thirteen-year-old Jazmin’s parents have just been captured by radicals, and her uncle, burned-out Special Forces Agent, Charles Madison, is the only one who can save them. Apparently, while creating a computer program, Jazmin’s parents discovered and recorded the voice of God. Now the implications have shaken the world to its core…and some have taken action.
Charlie is forced out of retirement, and with the help of Jazmin, and the attractive and mysterious Lisa Harmon, the trio circle the globe, hunting for religious radicals. But complications occur. And far more is at stake than Charlie and Jazmin originally thought.
THE VOICE is the latest release by prolific author Bill Myer. I can’t say that this genre is my favorite kind to read, and I really never got into this story. Since I didn’t understand a lot of the implications and occurrences, so I’m really not the best person to review this book.
The story does have nonstop action and suspense, and it carries through to the end of the book. Definitely a cutting-edge story, THE VOICE is not a book that fans of Sci Fi or Fantasy will want to miss. The writing is impeccable. $13.99. 294 pages.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sincerely, Mayla
Mayla Strong’s life has fallen apart just as she has finally developed a good relationship with God. Her boss has hired his niece to do Mayla’s job, and Mayla is out of a job. A friend, Lindsey, has threatened to run away from home and wants to stay with Mayla, and one wrong word has ruined any chances Mayla had with developing a relationship with Pastor Paul. Not to mention, her neighbor, Stuart, is angry with Mayla.
Desperate to get away from all her problems, Mayla decides to take the opportunity to visit her grandmother in Florida. But one by one, her problems literally follow. As Mayla tries to solve each problem, will she learn something about herself?
Sincerely, Mayla is the long awaited sequel to Just As I Am. Mayla is just as strong and as quirky a character as she was in the first book. I fell in love with her in Just As I Am and that love grew in Sincerely, Mayla. I hope to see another book starring this spunky heroine.
The faith message is strong, but is expertly woven in. There were a lot of good parts that I wish I could share with some people I know. Mayla is strong, and each of the secondary characters are so well developed that it seemed as though they were my dear friends and I loved every moment I spent with them. Sincerely, Mayla is a wonderful read that I highly recommend. Don’t miss it. Available at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825436923.
Desperate to get away from all her problems, Mayla decides to take the opportunity to visit her grandmother in Florida. But one by one, her problems literally follow. As Mayla tries to solve each problem, will she learn something about herself?
Sincerely, Mayla is the long awaited sequel to Just As I Am. Mayla is just as strong and as quirky a character as she was in the first book. I fell in love with her in Just As I Am and that love grew in Sincerely, Mayla. I hope to see another book starring this spunky heroine.
The faith message is strong, but is expertly woven in. There were a lot of good parts that I wish I could share with some people I know. Mayla is strong, and each of the secondary characters are so well developed that it seemed as though they were my dear friends and I loved every moment I spent with them. Sincerely, Mayla is a wonderful read that I highly recommend. Don’t miss it. Available at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825436923.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A Shadow of Treason
Title: A SHADOW OF TREASON
Author: Tricia Goyer
Publisher: Moody Press
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8024-6768-3
Genre: Inspirational/historical
After following her fiancé, Michael, to Spain, and then witnessing his death during the Spanish Civil War, Sophie has fallen in love with another man, Philip. But now Philip is being shipped off to the front lines of the war, and Sophie discovers that her first love, Michael, only staged his death—and not only that, but her ‘boss’, Walt, requests that she returns to Michael to get much needed information from him about a stolen shipment of gold.
Being with Michael again is torture. Her heart still loves him, even though they are on opposite sides of the war. And now she’s being asked to spy on the man she loved. Michael is devoted to Franco, and Sophie love’s Spain and its people.
Sophie has to keep her head in order to even have a hope of saving Spain, and she needs to get the information she discovers to Walt before it’s too late. The stakes are high, and could mean death, both for Sophie or for those she loves.
A SHADOW OF TREASON is the second book in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War trilogy. Based on a real war, the Spanish Civil War was the prequel to World War II. Based on actual historical events, this series, and A SHADOW OF TREASON is a wonderful historical reference book, excellent for homeschoolers, and those interested in world history, as well as being a fantastic historical fiction filled with intrigue, suspense, and romance.
Sophie, Michael, Philip and the other key characters all become real on the pages of this series. I felt for them, fell in love with them, mourned with them, and lived their lives with them. It broke my heart when Michael died in book one, A Valley of Betrayal, and was hopeful when hints appeared that Michael was still alive.
A SHADOW OF TREASON is a book, part of a series, that I really enjoyed reading. I have learned a lot about a war that I never knew occurred, but yet it was an important war that led directly into World War II. Don’t miss any of the books in this series. Book three, A Whisper of Freedom, will be available soon. $12.99. 288 pages.
Author: Tricia Goyer
Publisher: Moody Press
September 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8024-6768-3
Genre: Inspirational/historical
After following her fiancé, Michael, to Spain, and then witnessing his death during the Spanish Civil War, Sophie has fallen in love with another man, Philip. But now Philip is being shipped off to the front lines of the war, and Sophie discovers that her first love, Michael, only staged his death—and not only that, but her ‘boss’, Walt, requests that she returns to Michael to get much needed information from him about a stolen shipment of gold.
Being with Michael again is torture. Her heart still loves him, even though they are on opposite sides of the war. And now she’s being asked to spy on the man she loved. Michael is devoted to Franco, and Sophie love’s Spain and its people.
Sophie has to keep her head in order to even have a hope of saving Spain, and she needs to get the information she discovers to Walt before it’s too late. The stakes are high, and could mean death, both for Sophie or for those she loves.
A SHADOW OF TREASON is the second book in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War trilogy. Based on a real war, the Spanish Civil War was the prequel to World War II. Based on actual historical events, this series, and A SHADOW OF TREASON is a wonderful historical reference book, excellent for homeschoolers, and those interested in world history, as well as being a fantastic historical fiction filled with intrigue, suspense, and romance.
Sophie, Michael, Philip and the other key characters all become real on the pages of this series. I felt for them, fell in love with them, mourned with them, and lived their lives with them. It broke my heart when Michael died in book one, A Valley of Betrayal, and was hopeful when hints appeared that Michael was still alive.
A SHADOW OF TREASON is a book, part of a series, that I really enjoyed reading. I have learned a lot about a war that I never knew occurred, but yet it was an important war that led directly into World War II. Don’t miss any of the books in this series. Book three, A Whisper of Freedom, will be available soon. $12.99. 288 pages.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Surrender Bay
Title: SURRENDER BAY
Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc.
2007
ISBN: 978-1-59554-257-1
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance
Samantha Owens is struggling to raise her eleven-year-old daughter, Caden, alone. Finances are tight, and when Samantha receives word that her estranged step-father has died and she’s the heir, she’s thrilled with the idea of a cabin on Natucket—it would sell for a million dollars and her struggles would be over.
Veterinarian Landon Reed has always loved Sam. He was heartbroken when she rejected him and moved away to Boston. And even more so when Sam returns with a child. Yet he can’t seem to stay away from Sam, and despite his best friend’s warnings, is determined to win Sam’s love.
But Samantha is not prepared to face her past—or Landon Reed. Yet both are still there. The still past haunts her, and Landon still pursues her, in spite of multiple rejections. Will Landon learn that no means no, or will Samantha learn what true love means?
I have read all of Ms. Hunter’s books so far, and all are great. I can’t say that SURRENDER BAY is my favorite of her books, yet it was still good.
Samantha has been hurt multiple times by love, and has built up a thick wall around her heart. Landon has only loved Sam since he was an adolescent, and he’s determined to win her back. If I had been Landon, I would have counted her off as a loss after half as many rejections, but he hung on like a tenacious bulldog. One has to admire a man that dedicated.
Over all, I enjoyed SURRENDER BAY and I recommend it. This book would be excellent to add to your summer reading pile. The story will stay with you for a long time. Discussion questions and an excerpt from her newest book are included at the end. $14.99. 298 pages.
Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc.
2007
ISBN: 978-1-59554-257-1
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance
Samantha Owens is struggling to raise her eleven-year-old daughter, Caden, alone. Finances are tight, and when Samantha receives word that her estranged step-father has died and she’s the heir, she’s thrilled with the idea of a cabin on Natucket—it would sell for a million dollars and her struggles would be over.
Veterinarian Landon Reed has always loved Sam. He was heartbroken when she rejected him and moved away to Boston. And even more so when Sam returns with a child. Yet he can’t seem to stay away from Sam, and despite his best friend’s warnings, is determined to win Sam’s love.
But Samantha is not prepared to face her past—or Landon Reed. Yet both are still there. The still past haunts her, and Landon still pursues her, in spite of multiple rejections. Will Landon learn that no means no, or will Samantha learn what true love means?
I have read all of Ms. Hunter’s books so far, and all are great. I can’t say that SURRENDER BAY is my favorite of her books, yet it was still good.
Samantha has been hurt multiple times by love, and has built up a thick wall around her heart. Landon has only loved Sam since he was an adolescent, and he’s determined to win her back. If I had been Landon, I would have counted her off as a loss after half as many rejections, but he hung on like a tenacious bulldog. One has to admire a man that dedicated.
Over all, I enjoyed SURRENDER BAY and I recommend it. This book would be excellent to add to your summer reading pile. The story will stay with you for a long time. Discussion questions and an excerpt from her newest book are included at the end. $14.99. 298 pages.
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