A SIster's Wish and An Amish Family Christmas Book Pack Giveaway!

Click on the link below for more details and your chance to win!

https://promosimple.com/ps/a725

A Sister's Wish and An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books free from the publisher through the LitFuse Publications book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

About the book: 

A Sister's Wish (Avon Inspire, September 2016)

In Shelley Shepard Gray's third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.

Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman---at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she's also harboring a secret: She's been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he's about as far from "perfect" as an Amish man could get . . . but that's exactly why she's so drawn to him.

Life hasn't been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he's determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past . . . unless it pertains to Amelia.

He's loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas---who just happens to be Simon's best friend---has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he's the only one who can truly make her happy.

But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together---and face their past mistakes. There's a chance for love . . . but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2e2XBTQ

About the book: 

An Amish Family Christmas (Avon Inspire, October 2016)

In Shelley Shepard Gray's fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles---and love.

Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can't help having doubts. There's something about Julia that doesn't ring quite true . . .

Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships---but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she's hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually . . . perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together . . . in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2dYRwqr

About the author:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Dynamic Uno here: I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the fictional people living in the Amish town of Charm, Ohio.   The first two books in the series: A Son's Vow and A Daughter's Dream were just the introduction to the Kinsinger family saga, with these two as the book-endings.

A Sister's Wish is book 3 in the series and focuses on Amelia, the sister who takes care of the home front while the other siblings are off either working, or in Levi's case, away from the family.  While she is by far the sweetest of the Kinsinger clan, I could see why she had a soft spot for the rough and tumble Simon.  (After all, isn't the stereotype that the good girls want the bad boys because they see a sense of adventure and daring that they wouldn't have otherwise?)  Thankfully, for Amelia's sake, Simon no longer lived the rough lifestyle that he grew up with and that carried over into part of his adult life.  

I enjoyed this book in the series because it reminds us all that no matter what we have done in our past, God still forgives and has redeemed us.  Something I know that I need to be reminded of on a regular basis.


Book 4, An Amish Family Christmas, was a great way to wrap up the series--although if it were up to me, it would have been waaaaayyyy longer because I don't want to say goodbye to the characters.  Levi has finally returned home after fleeing to Pinecraft, Florida after their father's death.  Rather than live in the large family home, he decides to rent a house in town.  There, he begins a friendship with his neighbor Julia and her daughter Penny.  Julia has her own issues and secrets, but after Levi befriends her, she begins to realize that she doesn't have to be ashamed of her past and her secrets no longer have to stay that way.

I think out of all four of the books in the series this one was my favorite.  All of the siblings found their life-match and despite the difficulties they had to endure, they were able to overcome them with the help of friends, family, and their faith in God.  

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this series.  The Kinsinger clan and the the other characters were realistically written and had to overcome many of the same struggles that you and I face each day.  It's nice to read an author who is not afraid to tackle these challenges in her writing and to portray them in such a way that hope and love are the remaining responses.

If you think the Amish have an idealistic life and that nothing bad ever happens to them, you're wrong.  They suffer from the same tragedies and heartaches that the rest of us face, but they rely on their faith, friends, and family to help them get by.  This is an excellent series and I can't wait to read more by this author!

Let me know what you think in the comments section and Happy Reading!

*******************************

BOOK GIVEAWAY TIME...

Click on the link below to enter to win the book pack giveaway!

https://promosimple.com/ps/a725

Book Giveaway Winner

It's officially noon on Saturday and I'm back to report the winners of the book giveaways.  Sadly, there was really only one entry, so the other books will be donated to my local church and public libraries. 

Congratulations to Kirsten! 

She is the winner of  Sisters, Ink by Rebeca Seitz!

Book Giveaways

I know. I know.  Where on earth have I been?  Well, if you've been following the weather here in Florida, you would know that it actually snowed in several areas close to Tampa Bay.  (Although, sadly, we did not get snow, so I have to go to work tomorrow.)  In any case, I have been reading up a storm with this cold weather and now it's time for you to benefit! 

  If you are interested in winning a copy of a book, please leave a comment in the comments section with the title of the book(s) you are interested in reading, and your email address so that I may contact you if you are chosen as the winner.  Winners will be drawn on Saturday, January 16, 2010, by noon EST!  (This is open to the US and Canada.)

I have one copy of each of the following books:


The Christopher Killer and The Angel of Death by Alane Ferguson--Books 1 and 2 in the Forensic Mystery series.  They are for young adults, but I must admit, I totally loved them!  That, and I got to meet the author last year when she came to Tampa for a visit!  Did I mention that they are signed by the author??  (These will be sent as a set.)








Prints Charming by Rebeca Seitz--If you love scrapbooking, then you're bound to love this book!  Not only is it a great chic-lit book about the search for Prince Charming, but it gives tips, tricks, and sample scrapbooking layouts in the back.












Sisters, Ink by Rebeca Seitz--if you guessed that this book was about scrapbooking, then you guessed correctly, but it is also about so much more!  It's about relationships and families, about making peace with your past and looking forward to your future.  This is book #1 in the Sisters, Ink series and let me tell you--they are fabulous!

Where Would Cows Hide? by D.C. Stewart--this book is for tweens and is a great start to the Adventure series by this author.  You see, Brad, Charlie, and Zoey's parents have planned a trip to Hawaii, but Zoey mentions that they would not be going there after all.  Zoey has mentioned things that have come true before, so they family decide to visit the grandparents instead.  What they find are missing cattle and an exciting new mystery to solve!

That's all for the Book Giveaways at this time.  Remember, leave your comment by noon EST on Saturday if you want to be considered!   Good Luck!

Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith by Eric Reinhold

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:

Eric Reinhold

and the book:

Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith

Creation House; 1st edition (May 5, 2009)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eric J. Reinhold is the president of Academy Wealth Management and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. His passion is to write youth fantasy novels that incorporate strong moral character and biblical values. Eric teaches Sunday school at First Baptist Sweetwater Church in Longwood, Florida, where he attends with his wife, Kim, and three children.

Visit the author's website and blog.

Product Details:

List Price: $19.99
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Creation House; 1st edition (May 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599796260
ISBN-13: 978-1599796260

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Into the Crypt

Echoes from unseen singers filled the cavernous space inside the United States Naval Academy Chapel. Row after row of precisely aligned dark wood benches were broken up by a single swath of navy blue carpet running the length of the church. The perfectly blended voices seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere in particular. Ryann, who had just celebrated his thirteenth birthday, was drawn into the melodic a cappella song.

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave.

Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep.

O hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

Goose bumps popped up along his arm in the silence that followed. He felt alone, yet he was one of the hundreds sitting stiffly upright in the ornately fashioned pews. Squirming in the hard seat, he tried to displace the chill running down his back. He peered forward over the unmoving heads packed into the hundreds of rows in front of them. The white shirts with black and gold shoulder boards, identifying the rank of each midshipman, dotted the otherwise drab congregation.

Focusing further ahead into the base of the circular, domed room, his eyes widened to capture the openness rising heavenward from the brown pulpit. Ryann jerked as blasts sounded from massive golden pipes shooting up from both sides of the altar, cracking the eerie silence. Windy bellows cascaded around the dome, two hundred feet up. The novelty of such an instrument held his attention until the rays of the early morning sun began illuminating the stained glass mural outlined by the pipes. The face of Jesus radiated with the morning glow as He walked calmly across the tossing blue-green waves. Above the stained glass were the words “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”

Without moving his head, Ryann glanced left down the pew. He had positioned himself perfectly, or so he thought, with his sister, Alison, next to him, followed by his brother, Henry Jr., and then his parents. To his right was an open aisle. As the white-robed pastor strode purposefully from his highback chair to the podium, Ryann’s hand crept along his pant leg with the stealth of a spider. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his cell phone, suppressing a smile as he silently congratulated himself on picking out one so small. He was grateful his parents had bought the phone but struggled with the rules that had come with it, like their prohibition against texting in church.

The sound of the pastor’s voice launching into the sermon provided the perfect diversion for him to slide the phone down the side of his leg. A quick glance provided the needed confidence to continue, and Ryann’s thumb moved with robotic precision to select his two best friends and then type out a quick message.

here in academy chapel. wuu2?

Ryann had received the phone as a gift for moving up to seventh grade. Liddy’s and Terell’s parents had quickly followed his parents’ lead, and now the three of them could get in touch with each other at any moment. Being scattered around the country for summer vacations didn’t seem quite so bad when they could quickly share moments with their best friends.

Ryann put his father in the category of “techie” and patiently sat through his instructions on all the features of the cell phone, but the real education came from his friends. He was going to be taking his first year of Spanish when classes began, and Ryann figured it would actually be his third language after English and texting. He smiled. Who would have known a month ago that wuu2 meant, “What are you up to?” Sliding the cell phone under his leg to keep it hidden, he shifted in the hard bench and sighed, waiting to see if there would be a response.




Bzzzzz…

Liddy’s back pocket buzzed as she followed her parents down the white marble stairs of the grand foyer. She slowly reached around to pull out the hot pink phone as her parents and other tourists listened to the tour director.

“The Breakers is the grandest of Newport’s summer cottages and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial preeminence in turn-of-the-century America. Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt established the family fortune in steamships and later in the New York Central Railroad, which was a pivotal development in the industrial growth of the nation during the late nineteenth century—”

Liddy rolled her eyes. Cottages? Who are they trying to kid? This is the biggest mansion I’ve ever seen. Flipping open her phone, she read Ryann’s message and quickly responded.

at huge mansion in rhode island. doin 3.5 mile hike along ocean cliff trail later today. cya

Liddy enjoyed the change of scenery as her family took their annual summer vacation to Rhode Island to stay with her grandparents. With the trip winding down, her parents had suggested a day trip to the famous Newport mansions. It sounded boring to Liddy until they mentioned the ocean cliff walk. Two-thirds of the trek was supposed to be fairly easy and scenic, but the last third was described as “treacherous” in the colorful brochure her parents had given her. Seventy-foot drops off the rocky shoreline into the turbulent ocean waves sounded exciting to her.

The abrupt silence of the tour guide erased her vision of the future, and Liddy’s thoughts turned to Terell. Her thumbs glided across the black keys, typing out a quick message.

wuu2? last few days cw2cu


* * *

Bzzzzz…

Terell jerked in his seat, his elbow jabbing his mother in the ribs. Glancing about, he ran his hands up and down the top of his pants, smoothing them out. His mother’s upturned palm came down on his leg.

Busted, Terell thought, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket and handing it to her.

Terell watched his mother flip it open so only she could view it. As he looked up into her face she mouthed the word later. He leaned back and tried to focus on the sermon. His mom was pretty consistent about quizzing him about the content later in the day.

“Terell, you know you’re not supposed to have your cell phone on during church,” his mother began as they headed out to their car. “It’s a distraction.”

“I know, Mom, but it’s probably important.”

“Well, when you become a doctor and you’re on call, then you can have it on during church. Otherwise keep it off or don’t bring it.”

Later as they reached the car, he asked, “Can I have it back now?”

His mother fumbled around in her purse, then handed it to him. “By the way, what does ‘cw2cu’ mean?”

“Mom! That’s ‘can’t wait to see you,’” Terell breathed exasperatedly while shaking his head.

“Watch it, Terell. A cell phone is a privilege, not a right.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he acknowledged while flipping open his cell to get the message.

He quickly scanned the text and typed back.

have fun. church is havin end of sumr dinner picnic at evans park. cul8r

* * *

Ryann strode hastily down the granite steps outside the chapel doors with Alison trying to keep up. Red brick walkways running parallel to orange and yellow flowerbeds greeted him. The famous Herndon Monument his father always spoke of towered off to the left.

The twenty-one-foot, gray-speckled obelisk sprouted out of the ground in stark contrast to the rich green grass and brown oak trees surrounding it. He tried to picture hundreds of sweaty midshipmen scaling the greased monument to replace the plebe “dixie-cup hat” on top with a midshipmen cover. This marked the official end of the difficult first year and an elevation from plebe to midshipman third class. As his father had recounted numerous times, legend held that whoever replaced the dixie cup hat was destined to be the first in his or her class to become an admiral, although in reality it had not yet occurred.

“Hey, Ryann!”

He turned in time to watch his older brother, Henry, race down the steps two at a time. “Dad’s talking to some old classmates of his and will be down in a few minutes. He’s got our schedule laid out for the whole day.”

“Really?” Ryann replied in mock sarcasm. “Who would have thought?”

“He wants us to check out John Paul Jones’ crypt before we go to lunch,” Henry said, ignoring Ryann’s comment.

“What’s a crypt?” Alison asked.

“It’s where his bones are buried,” Ryann said, widening his eyes and curling his fingers like monster claws.

“Oh, gross!” Alison replied, scrunching up her face and turning away.

“Where is it?” Ryann asked.

Henry turned to lead the way. “It’s underneath the chapel. Come on, let’s go! He said the entrance is around the side.”

The two boys raced along the narrow sidewalk outlining the left side of the chapel.

“Hey, guys! Wait for me,” Alison cried out from behind them.

Rushing down the steps, Henry and Ryann slapped the thick wooden doors with open palms, jolting the heavy entrance open. Pushing their way in, they stopped just inside at a sign with old typeface, pointing the way to the crypt.

“Hey!”

Both boys jumped as the high-pitched yelp echoed around the small foyer entrance.

“Shhh,” they whispered in unison, glaring at their sister.

“Sorry.” Alison shrugged her shoulders, the light dimming quickly as the bulky doors swung shut with a loud bang.

“Do you think it’s open to the public?” Henry whispered.

“The door wasn’t locked, so it must be, right?” Ryann hesitated momentarily. No one besides the three of them was in sight, but that made the exploration more intriguing. “Come on, this way.”

The small room’s walls hung with ornate religious symbols. A large black wooden door beside an altar caught Ryann’s attention, and he rushed to examine it.

“Well, Mr. Know-it-all, what next?” Alison asked in her snootiest voice.

“We go through the door, of course.” Pushing the door open, Ryann expected to be at their final destination, but instead the door’s echoing groans resounded through a hollow chamber. The catacombs of the chapel basement seemed unending, and the more up-to-date style of this room appeared nothing like a crypt.

“Are you both sure John Paul Jones is down here?” Alison continued with indignant pessimism.

Ryann’s and Henry’s eyes locked briefly, and Henry winked. “Sure, he’s just down the hallway here. C’mon.”

Another rustic black door with an ancient doorknob awaited them. Henry reached it first. He turned the ornate metal doorknob and pulled back firmly.

Creeeeaaaaaaak!

Ryann glanced over his shoulder and gave Alison a sinister grin, hoping to increase her anxiety. A dimly lit room of swirling black and white marble awaited them. He followed his brother into the room and nearly collided with him when Henry stopped. Pushing him aside, Ryann grinned at the sight. A massive, almost totally black coffin dominated the center of the room. The base, rising out of the white marble floor, was adorned with four dolphins leaping out from each corner. Eight thick swirled-marble columns surrounding the coffin held up an ornately carved, octagon-shaped ceiling. Glowing blue light formed a halo in the recession above the tomb, cascading down eerily over the marble casket of the immortalized John Paul Jones.

“Ahh!” Alison cried out. Her voice echoed across the marble floors.

Both boys jerked around in Alison’s direction. Standing at attention next to her like a suit of armor was a Marine guard Ryann hadn’t noticed upon entering. His immaculate dress uniform molded to him as if he never took it off, like a painted statue. Ryann scanned up from the dim light reflecting off the soldier’s polished black shoes, past the crisply pressed blue pants with red stripes down each side to his coat-like black top with gleaming gold buttons from neck to waist. His thick white belt with a highly polished Marine Corps emblazoned buckle, white gloved hands and white cover broke up the dark colors that had kept him hidden. He stared into the expressionless face of the guard to see if he could catch him blinking.

“Hey, kids, I see you made it down here!” their father said from the other side of the room as he walked over to join them. He didn’t try to conceal his smile. “Looks like you took the long way.”

“Kinda creepy, Dad,” Alison said, then whispered, “and there’s a guard over there.”

“Yeah, honey, the military posts uniformed guards at significant memorials to honor those who died in service to our country.”

“Dad, I’ve heard of Davey Jones from that pirate movie, but who’s John Paul Jones?” Henry asked.

Mr. Watters glanced at his watch. “We’ve got to meet some friends for lunch, but in short, he’s the father of the American Navy. All of the dimly lit, recessed alcoves down here have artifacts and details of his life. See there?” He pointed at the floor in front of the marbled coffin. “Etched into the floor, circling the sarcophagus—which by the way is made of twenty-one tons of Grand Pyrenees marble—are the names of the seven ships he commanded during his life.”

“Sarco who?” Henry asked, wrinkling up his brow.

“Sarcophagus. You know, a receptacle for a corpse carved from stone. As a plebe you have to memorize that type of important information.” Ryann’s father smiled.

“Yeah, right.” Henry rolled his eyes.

“Okay, gotta go, guys. And this time, let’s go out the right way,” Mr. Watters said as he led them around the room to the exit.

Ryann read off the names of the ships etched into the marble as they walked—Providence, Ariel, Ranger, Serapis, Alliance, Alfred—and some other name he couldn’t read as they went out the door. As they walked toward their car, he sent a text to Liddy.

just left wicked cool tomb of dead guy under the chapel…zup?

Dynamic Uno here: I don't think I've ever felt such joy while reading a book. The first book in the Annals of Aeliana series (Ryann Watters and the King's Sword) was wonderful, but book two--Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith is even better!

The tale continues as Ryann and his two friends, Liddy and Terell, are finishing their summer vacations with their families when each spies a pulsing blue light in their respective areas. Each teenager texts the other ones with this mysterious blue light sighting and they realize that Aeliana must want them to return for some reason. As they find another way back to the supernatural land, the three find that over 300 years have passed (even though it's only been a few months in their time) and not all is well. No longer do all of the creatures believe in the Word and a black unicorn named Narcissus has declared himself as King. As the trio begins walking through the changed land, they meet up with some very unexpected friends who still believe in the Word. They even meet a white unicorn by the name of Carwyn who expounds upon the wisdom of the Word.

Reading Carwyn's words as he expressed all of the stories about God's love from the Bible and demonstrated God's love for us to the members he called The Chosen, I was excited while I read the book. How awesome to finally have an author who can put God's word into such simplistic terms that even kids and the unsaved can understand them. (Too bad Mr. Reinhold wasn't my Sunday School teacher when I was younger because I probably would have paid attention more.) Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith is a fabulous book, although you'll definitely want to start with book one: Ryann Watters and the King's Sword.

To help you out, one lucky reader in the US or Canada will win a copy of Book 1 in the Annals of Aeliana series-Ryann Watters and the King's Sword by Eric Reinhold. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment about your favorite adventure as a kid by midnight EST next Friday (August 14) and I will announce the lucky winner in my post next Saturday. Good luck and Happy Reading!

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2008 Wrap-Up

I must admit--I failed miserably in the challenge to read all of the books on my list. I think the only books that I actually did read through were the ones for the blog tours I've done, or the blog tours that are coming up.

Here's my original list of books:

Florida Teen Reads Titles for 2008-2009:
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
Boot Camp by Todd Strasser
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Firestorm by David Klass
Incantation by Alice Hoffman
Life As We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti
Street Love by Walter Dean Myers
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr


From My TBR Pile:
Single Sashimi by Camy Tang
Forsaken by James David Jordan
Cathy's Book by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman

Here's what I actually (in no particular order) read during the challenge. (If there's a link, then I've posted my review there. Otherwise, I'll put out a few words below each title.)

Single Sashimi by Camy Tang

Forsaken by James David Jordan

Ripple Effect: Time Thriller Trilogy Book #1 by Paul McCusker

Infidel (Graphic Novel): The Lost Books volume 2 by Ted Dekker

Leave It to Chance by Sherri Sand

Eternity's Edge: Echoes From the Edge series book #2 by Bryan Davis

Carter House Girls #3: Homecoming Queen by Melody Carlson
Carter House Girls #4: Viva Vermont! by Melody Carlson
Both Carter House Girls books are very quick reads geared towards the teenaged set. They're a Christian version of Gossip Girl and the It Girl series of books out there. I loved both books--although you'll probably want to read the first two books in the series to get the back stories on the girls. However, I think you'll fall in love with the feisty DJ as her grandmother has "taken in" other girls from various backgrounds as a "finishing school." The girls must learn to live together despite their many differences.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
This book has been on my TBR list for quite some time, and I probably would not have read it except for the fact that our school book club decided to choose it as one of their books to read for the month. (That, and it's a Teens Read book this year, so I would have eventually sat down to read it.)

I'm glad that I did read it because it's a gripping and somewhat heartbreaking story about the life of a woman in the middle east. You get two ladies from very different backgrounds whose lives tie together in strange circumstances so that they must work together through their problems in life.

I must admit, I did enjoy this book--albeit a little slow in some places--once you realize how the two women's lives fit together you won't want to put it down. Reading this book has made me more aware of the cultural differences between the treatment of women (they're more like cattle than people, as opposed to my own ability to speak out about whatever I feel like. I would have probably been killed by the time I was 5 because I've always been outspoken.) If you've been on the fence about reading this book--get off of it and go buy it or check it out from the library!

Frontier Courtship by Valerie Hansen
A very quick read sent to me by Harlequin to read and answer a few survey questions about it. Obviously it takes place during the frontier times and it's a Christian romance novel. Faith and Charity have just lost everything--including their mother--to a tornado that has hit their home. Now venturing off across the wild frontier, they must fight to survive this perilous journey in search for their father who left to find gold in the gold mines. Unfortunately, the wagon train leader is out for money, which he thinks Faith and Charity will have plenty of when they find their father, and he's looking to score for himself. Funny how--his previous love interests have died or disappeared mysteriously.

The Journey Home by Linda Ford
Another quick read for me to review by Harlequin. This book is also a Christian romance and a work of historic fiction that takes place during the Dust Bowl era. Half-breed Kody Douglas stumbles upon Charlotte Porter purely by accident as he tries to escape the raging dust storm outside of what he thought was an abandoned house. Charlotte's brother and his family decided to find other lodgings and promised to send for her as soon as they were able--which was well over a week ago. With no place to go, Kody reluctantly decides to take Charlotte to his parents home--a place where Kody was trying to escape from forever. Why is Kody running from his past? Will Charlotte ever be reunited with her brother? You'll have to read it to find out!

Gatekeepers: Dreamhouse Kings Series Book #3 by Robert Liparulo
(Go read the first two books in the series because this is a definite must read! Review to be posted on January 2!)

The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson
At the time of this posting, I'm about a hundred pages out from the end of the story. This series is a cross of CSI and Nancy Drew. Cammie's father is the town of Silverton's coroner and Cammie wants to become a forensics pathologist--just like her dad. When he finally decides to hire her, a body of a young girl is found face down on a hiking trail in the woods. Cammie and her father rush right over, and the identity of the girl turns out to be someone that Cammie knows from town. Is this new death a result of the Christopher Killer? Is he killer still nearby or has he/she left town in search of a new victim? (After all, St. Christopher is supposed to be the saint of travelers.) You'll have to read the book to find out!

I will be doing a book tour for this book VERY soon so keep your eyes peeled for the tour. I'll also be giving away the first two books in her Forensic Mystery series: The Christopher Killer and The Angel of Death!

If you're interested in asking Ms. Ferguson questions about writing and her new books, please leave your questions in the comments area of this posting by midnight (EST) on December 27, 2008, and I'll post the answers when I post an interview with her during the book tour.


Well, I'm off to find out who the Christopher Killer might be--I have a couple of ideas! Let me know what you think about any of these books--or books you may have read for the challenge. And remember to post your questions for Alane Ferguson by next Saturday!! Happy Reading!

Fall In Reading 2008 Challenge

Can you believe it's finally here?! The challenge starts today (September 22) and ends December 20! It's not too late to sign up! Join Katrina over at Callapidder Days and the rest of us "reading" bloggers for this challenge, and the chance to win FREE books weekly through Bethany House Publishers!

If you've glanced through my lists in the past (Spring 2007; Fall 2007; Spring 2008), you'll notice that I tend to come up with a HUGE list of books to read for each challenge. I really can't help it--I LOVE to read and my TBR pile now takes up a room (!) so I have to aim high.



This Fall's list includes....

Florida Teen Reads Titles for 2008-2009:
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
Boot Camp by Todd Strasser
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Firestorm by David Klass
Incantation by Alice Hoffman
Life As We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti
Street Love by Walter Dean Myers
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr


From My TBR Pile:
Single Sashimi by Camy Tang
Forsaken by James David Jordan
Cathy's Book by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman



I'm sure I'll add others as we go along, but this is it so far. I can't wait to see the awesome reading lists that others have on their blogs! (I always get the best book ideas from them--especially Annie--who just happens to be one of the "younger" readers in the group.--She likes Nancy Drew too!)

Come join the fun! Let me know if you decide to participate...maybe we'll have some of the same books on our lists and we can read them together. Happy Reading!

Book Giveaway Results and Other Ramblings

Yet again--no winner for the book by Ann Rinaldi- The Coffin Quilt.



I guess that will be the last of the giveaways on my site for now. Unless readership picks up and more people start commenting... Oh well, it was worth a try!



Congratulations to The Lohrs--who will be receiving a copy of She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt. It's a great sequel to the first book, Doesn't She Look Natural? and I can't wait for book three to be published!

Through all of the computer drama over the past few months, I've kind of been letting things drop on the web side of things. I FINALLY broke down and had one of my students build a computer for me, and I'm still trying to get all of my files and pictures situated on the new machine. I know--mad4books--REALLY wants to see my VBS "angels." And I'm sure you all want to know about my parents' trip to Europe and what they brought me back, right?!

Well, my website bookmarks will have to be rebuilt because I haven't been able to get then switched--grrrr... and "my pictures" has disappeared somewhere. Yes, all 6,000 pictures are hiding somewhere on this new-fangled program. Grrr...VISTA...I WILL WIN in the end! Those missing pictures WILL be found, and then I can share them with you. Okay?

However, I AM thankful that my computer runs MUCH faster and I am able to finally load Photoshop. Now, I just need to figure out how to use it so I can start scrapbooking digitally. Anyone....? I also need to learn how to use Dreamweaver so that I can revamp our websites: Professional Horticultural Services and pH-Farms. I have all kinds of ideas on what I want to do, but when I opened up the program, most of the letters looked like gobbledy-gook. So, it's off to Borders to see if I can find books to show me how to use each of the programs. Have a great week!

Cheerio!

My parents are returning from their trip to Europe this evening. My brother, Adam (who took the picture you see above) , sent them plane tickets to spend part of the week in London with him, and the rest to go exploring. I am still really jealous about their whole trip (Where's my ticket?). Of course it didn't help that my Mom called me from Paris and begged me to guess what she was doing right then (midnight their time)---standing in front of the lit up Eiffel Tower. Grrrr......aside from Australia, France is the other place I would LOVE to go and possibly live. Of course I'd have to learn French, but it shouldn't be too hard...right????

Oohhh--sorry.. Didn't mean to make coffee shoot out your nose. Are you okay? Do you need a towel?

I'll have to update you on their adventures after I get the scoop this evening. That is, if their flight is on time.

In other news, I'm kind of disappointed that NO ONE signed up for a chance to win Angela Hunt's first two books in the Fairlawn Series. Did I not give enough time for people to comment for the book giveaways? Should I try again at a later date? Let me know what you think.

---- Disappointed in soggy Tampa

Spring Read Thing 2008 Wrap-Up

Summer is now here in full swing, complete with the afternoon showers and the hot and muggy weather. This Spring I had decided to read a whole slew of books for the Spring Read Thing 2008.

The Bully by Paul Langan (DONE!)

The Gun by Paul Langan (DONE!)

Until We Meet Again by Anne Schraff (DONE!)

Blood Is Thicker by Paul Langan and D.M. Blackwell (DONE!)

Brothers In Arms by Paul Langan and Ben Alirez (DONE!)

Summer of Secrets by Paul Langan (DONE!)

The Fallen by Paul Langan (DONE!)

Shattered by Paul Langan (DONE!)

Search for Safety by John Langan (DONE!)

Caitlin #1: Becoming Me by Melody Carlson

Caitlin#2: It's My Life by Melody Carlson

Caitlin#3: Who I Am by Melody Carlson

Caitlin#4: On My Own by Melody Carlson

Caitlin#5: I Do! by Melody Carlson

On the Loose by Jenny B. Jones

In Between by Jenny B. Jones

The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi (DONE!)

Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins (DONE!)

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck

The Restorer's Son by Sharon Hinck

The Restorer's Journey by Sharon Hinck

Unfortunately, time managed to get away from me and other reading commitments superseded this list. However, I am not beating myself up over not finishing like I did last year--which is quite an improvement!

Bluford Series:

The books by Paul Langan and Anne Scraff are part of what is called the Bluford Series. Right now it is a series of thirteen books about teens in an urban setting. Most of the characters are black or hispanic and come from "rough" backgrounds or lives. These books are great for reluctant or low-level readers, and are touted as low level-high interest books--which I can attest that they fit that category. In fact, we couldn't keep them on the shelves in my last school library--AND most of them disappeared without being checked out. Needless to say, with that much popularity, I just had to read them to find out what the big fuss what all about.

I will say that it is a series and that it has a definite order, but you can hop into the series at any time and still know what's going on. Anne Schraff's books seem to be a little more light-hearted and deal with family and relational issues. She even mentions God a few times and has undercurrents of faith in her storylines. Paul Langan's books have a little bit of faith through in them, but they are more rough and coarse for their readers. He has a lot of gang activity and fighting in his books, and most of his characters are males dealing with "teenage male issues." He also throws some profanity in, but not too much since it's written for teens. Each book is relatively short, and for a good reader--will take about thirty minutes to an hour to read. If you have reluctant readers--have them read some of these books. After all, they're only a dollar each from Townsend Press. :)

The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi

I realized after I started reading this book that I think I've read it before. However, it may be that I just know the story so well, that it only seems that way. You see, this book is about the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. I'm related to "Devil" Ance Hatfield and have heard many stories from my grandma about his life and "the feud."

It was kind of neat to read about a coffin quilt. (I think that part is the fictional part of the story because my grandmother didn't know anything about a quilt.) Basically, it's a quilt that has little coffins around the outer edge with the family members' names and birth dates embroidered on them. When that person dies, a death date is sewn on and the coffin is moved to the center of the quilt. It's kind of like a family tree through a blanket.

In any case, this quilt is a source of contention throughout the story, which is told by one of the teenaged McCoys. After all, it was her sister that ran away with that "awful" Hatfield boy and continued the feud between the families. (It actually started with pigs being "stolen," which is mentioned in the book, but most people talk about the two teens running away to elope as the source of the feud.) This is a great book if you're interested in reading a historical fiction book. Ann Rinaldi is known for the research she does before writing her books for teenagers.

If you leave a comment on this post between now and Sunday, June 29,2008, I will enter you to win my copy of this book! Right now I can only open this contest up to people in the US, but if you live elsewhere and are interested in giveaways, please let me know. I will post the winner on Monday, June 30, 2008.

Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins

This is the last book in her Kanner Lake Series, and I think it's one of the best! It includes all of the characters we've met in the series and they're meeting to celebrate with their very own about-to-be-published author. Unfortunately, evil invades the town again and sets this celebration on its end. Hostages are taken and shots are fired. You'll have to read the series and this book to find out who makes it out alive. It's a great ending to a wonderful series and I'm really sad to have to say goodbye to these characters. The writing has made me feel like I'm a part of Kanner Lake and now they're moving away. (Yes, I do tend to get wrapped up in books, but that just means the writing is superb!) Definitely grab a mug of tea and keep the doors locked while reading. You never know who's watching....

I will eventually get to the other books on my list because I want to add them to our school's library when we return in August, but there are a couple of other books that I want to finish between now and then as well.

I hope you had a wonderful time during the Spring Read Thing 2008. Let me know what you read!

WILD Card: She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt

It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!

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

Today's Wild Card author is:

Angela Hunt

and her book:

She Always Wore Red

Tyndale House Publishers (April 23, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children have reached their twenties, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her doctorate in 2008. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.


Visit her at her website.

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


Chapter One

The nameless cadaver on the cover of my anatomy textbook—a middle-aged man who is no longer black, white, or brown—would be counted among the orange in a census of the embalmed.

Someone should have adjusted the tint before they juiced him.

I flip the book open and study the color photographs of the cadaver’s aortic arch and brachiocephalic veins, then close my eyes and try to commit the multisyllable words to memory. Here I am, near the end of my first semester of mortuary school, and I’m still having trouble keeping my veins and arteries straight.

Behind me, an irate mother in the carpool line is honking, though we have a good three minutes before kindergarten dismissal. She probably has to pick up her child and get back to work before the end of her lunch hour. While I sympathize with her impatience, I wish she’d lay off the horn so I can concentrate.

I open one eye and examine the book propped on my steering wheel. The right internal jugular branches off the right and left brachiocephalic veins, which lie outside the brachiocephalic trunk. Brachiocephalic sounds like some kind of dinosaur. Bugs would like that word.

I turn the book sideways, but the photograph on the page looks nothing like a prehistoric animal. In fact, I find it hard to believe that anything like this jumble of tunnels and tubes exists in my body, but skin covers myriad mysteries.

I snap the book shut as the bell at Round lake elementary trills through the warm afternoon. The kindergarten classes troop out into the sunshine, their hands filled with lunch boxes and construction paper cutouts. The tired teachers stride to the curb and peer into various vehicles, then motion the appropriate children forward.

My spirits lift when my red-haired cherub catches my eye and waves. Bradley “Bugs” graham waits until his teacher calls his name and skips toward me.

“Hey, Mom.” He climbs into the backseat of the van as his teacher holds the door.

“Hey yourself, kiddo.” I check to make sure he’s snapped his seat belt before smiling my thanks at his teacher. “Did you have a good morning?”

“Yep.” He leans forward to peek into the front seat. “Do we hafta go home, or can we stop to get a snack?”

My thoughts veer toward the to-do list riding shotgun in the front passenger seat. I still have to run to the grocery store, swing by the dry cleaner’s to pick up gerald’s funeral suit, and stop to see if the bookstore has found a used copy of Introduction to Infectious Diseases, Second edition. Textbooks are usually pricey, but medical textbooks ought to come with fixed-rate mortgages. Still, I need to find that book if I’m going to complete my online course by the end of the semester.

“I’ll pull into a drive-through,” I tell Bugs, knowing he won’t mind. “You want McDonald’s?”

He nods, so I point the van toward Highway 441.

“Mr. gerald make any pickups today?” Bugs asks.

I ease onto the highway, amazed at how easily my children have accepted the ongoing work of the funeral home. “none today.”

“See this?”

I glance in the rearview mirror and see Bugs waving his construction paper creation. “Yes.”

“It’s a stegosaurus. Can I give it to gerald?”

“I think he’d like that.” I force a smile as an unexpected wave of grief rises within me. like a troublesome relative who doesn’t realize she’s worn out her welcome, sorrow often catches me by surprise. Gerald, the elderly embalmer at Fairlawn, has become a surrogate father for my sons. Thomas, my ex-husband and my children’s father, has been gone for months, but in some ways he’s never been closer. He lies in the Pine Forest Cemetery, less than two miles from our house, so we can’t help but think of him every time we drive by.

I get Bugs a vanilla ice cream cone at the McDonald’s drive-through, and then we run to the grocery store and the dry cleaner. I’ll call the bookstore later. no sense in going there when a simple phone call will suffice.

Finally we turn into the long driveway that leads to the Fairlawn Funeral Home.

Gerald has poured a new concrete pad next to the garage, and as I park on it, Bugs notices that the call car is gone. “uh-oh.” He looks at me. “Somebody bit the dust.”

I press my lips together. A couple of months ago I would have mumbled something about the old station wagon maybe needing a wash, but now I know there’s no reason to shield my children from the truth—we are in the death care industry. The squeamishness I felt when we first arrived vanished the day I walked into the prep room and gloved up to help gerald lay out my ex-husband.

“Come in the house,” I tell my son. “I’ll pour you a glass of milk.”

Dynamic Uno here: Angela Hunt is developing into one of my favorite authors. I had the chance to meet her during Spring Break at my local public library where she shared information about the writing process and her latest books--of which She Always Wore Red is one. I must admit, when I saw the cover for Doesn't She Look Natural, Book #1 in the Fairlawn series, I truly thought it was a typical "chic-lit" book. As I started reading, I realized that this book was SO much more! (When Ms. Hunt came to our library to speak, she mentioned that the covers were different because she didn't want to convey a different meaning for the series because it isn't your standard chic-lit book, which is what the first original cover shows.)

Doesn't She Look Natural (Book #1):

It's about Jennifer Graham, who is going through a divorce as she tries to raise her two young sons in today's world. Having no money, and now, no job, she is living with her mother as she weighs her options for income. One day she receives a phone call that completely changes her world--she has inherited a dilapidated funeral home in Mt. Dora, Florida! Thinking that this might be a blessing in disguise, Jennifer decides to check things out in this sleepy little town. The rest of the story is about how Jennifer must work through her own shortcomings and learn to forgive others, all while learning to trust in God. It's a great beginner to the series that continues to surprise me.

She Always Wore Red (Book #2):

Jennifer continues to try and fix-up Fairlawn while learning to adapt to a small town's life. There are a lot of surprises in this book, so I don't want to say too much more except--you HAVE to read it!

To help you out, I am giving away a copy of each "gently used" book (Doesn't She Look Natural and She Always Wore Red) to one person who comments on this posting between now and Sunday, June 22, 2008. I will announce the winner of the two books on Monday, June 23, 2008! Unfortunately, this contest is only open to people in the US, but if you live elsewhere and are interested in future give-aways, please let me know!

Good luck and Happy Reading!!