Book Blog Hop

Jennifer at Crazy for Books hosts this awesome bloghop every week so go join HERE and meet others who share your love of reading and make some new friends!


ABOUT THE HOP:
In the spirit of the Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

The Heart Mender review and GIVEAWAY!

A unique blend of historical fact and engaging fiction showing the power of forgiveness.

In 1942, German subs are dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico to sink U.S. vessels carrying goods and fuel. While taking a late-night walk, Helen Mason—widowed by war—discovers the near-lifeless body of a German sailor. Enraged at the site of Josef Landermann's uniform, Helen is prepared to leave him to die when an unusual phrase, faintly uttered, changes her mind.

In The Heart Mender, a small town must prepare itself for the worst the world has to offer, and Josef and Helen must reconcile their pasts to create a future.

Back of the Book:

In the classic storytelling of The Noticer and The Travelers Gift, New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews now delivers an adventure set sharply against the warm waters and white sand of the Gulf of Mexico in WWII America.

Saddened and unable to abandon her resentment toward the nazi war machine that took her husband's life, the young and attractive Helen Mason is living a bitter, lonely existence. Betrayed and left for dead, German U-boat officer Lt. Josef Landermann washes ashore in a sleepy town along the northern gulf coast, looking to Helen for survival.

The Heart Mender is a story of life, loss, and reconciliation, reminding us of the power of forgiveness and the universal experience of letting go.


http://www.andyandrews.com/theheartmender/

My review:

I will be honest...At first, I did not know how I would like this book as it appears to be about WWII. I immediately told my son who is a WWII fan that he would love to read this book after I finished :) As the pages turned I began to get so involved in this story! Truly it is a story of hope and forgiveness. I found myself having so much compassion for the young Helen and her new found guest Josef as they had both lost so much and yet fought hard to lead a life placing one foot in front of the other no matter their circumstance. I love how Andy tells their tale and yet it is his story as well. Andy finds some treasures and sets forth to find out where in the world they came from.

The Heart Mender is a wonderful book that will encourage you and inspire you. I recommend it to those who love a good "love story" as well as those who enjoy history and World War II stories. I am so thankful to be able to give someone a copy!

To enter this giveaway, here is how you enter:

1) Be a follower of this blog and also leave your email in your comment
2) Leave me a comment letting me know you would like to read this book and why
3) refer a friend to be a follower of this blog and let them know to give me your name (this will give you 2 entries!)
4) blog or facebook the giveaway for 5 additional entries :)

I will close this giveaway May 23, 2010 @ 10 pm. The winner will be announce Monday the 24th!

This book was complimentary from Thomas Nelson. I received this for this honest review.

Bringing up Girls

Help your daughters meet the challenges that come their way and become the healthy, happy, and successful women you want them to be. Based on research done by Dr. James Dobson and written in his down-to-earth and good-humored style, Bringing Up Girls will do for parents of girls what Bringing Up Boys did for parents of boys. Hardcover. A Focus on the Family Recommendation.

Back of the book:

Peer pressure. Eating disorders. Decisions about love, romance, and sex. Academic demands. Life goals and how to achieve them. These are just some of the challenges that girls face today ~ and the age at which they encounter them is getting younger and younger. As a parent, how are you guiding your daughter on her journey to womanhood? Are you equipping her to make wise choices? Whether she's still playing with dolls or in the midst of the often-turbulent teen years, is she truly secure in her identity as your valued and loved daughter?

My Review:

As I expected this book is a phenomenal resource in raising daughters. The advice ranges from how we are made to cultural influences, the importance of the fathers role, and of course purity and puberty. I really appreciate the chapter on bullying as it is so important these days to look for those situations. All in all this book has a common denominator in all areas for me.
COMMUNICATION AND BEING ACTIVE IN YOUR CHILDS LIFE! Talking to them about what is going on...in their bodies, in their friendships, at school, their emotions ~ everything! Talk. Talk. Talk. No matter what type your family is we can always talk to our children! This book is a must for anyone participating in raising a daughter. Grandparents can benefit. Aunts, Day Care providers, they too can benefit. I recommend this book to every parent out there!

to read the first chapter go here
I received this book complimentary from Tyndale Publishers in return for this honest review. No compensation of any kind was given.

What's on your wishlist?

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here




Midnight Sun by Lisa Tawn Bergen is the final book in the Northern Lights series. I believe this whole series has been repackaged and this book has not yet been released in it's new cover so this is the old cover and still available through Amazon. The first books were "The Captains Bride" and then came "Deep Harbor"



KAATJE JANSSEN--Desperate to know if her missing husband still lives, Kaatje hires the rugged, yet tenderhearted James Walker to guide her through the perils of the Alaskan wilderness. What she finally discovers, however, is far from what she expected--and could well place her in the greatest danger of her life.

ELSA RAMSTAD--As captain of the Majestic and mother of Kristian and Eve, Elsa has sought to ease the ache of her lonely heart. Forever changed by loss, she accepts her fate of solitude. But when an old friend rekindles the spark of romance within her, will she allow the flames of love to burn again?

TORA ANDERS--Her foolish youth behind her, Tora looks forward to her wedding and a fresh start in life as the wife of her beloved, Trent Storm. But first she must confront, face-to-face, the terrible demons of her past--and her struggle to forgive the man who radically altered her future.

KARL MARTENSEN--Though he is widely admired, Captain Karl Martensen feels no depth of emotion for any of the women with whom his life becomes uncomfortably entangled. He has only tender memories of the love he once lost--a love that, by the grace of God, he just may find again--


From the fierce Alaskan wilderness to the gaiety of San Francisco society; the familiar peaks of Bergen, Norway, to the dark, churning waters of Cape Horn; witness the glorious conclusion of the Northern Lights family saga as four long-time friends journey out of the shadow of their darkest days into the bright future awaiting them in the land of the Midnight Sun.

Life in Defiance by Mary Demuth

This book is also book #3 in a series. The final book of the Daisy Chain novels.



Ouisie Pepper is haunted by a terrible secret: she knows who killed Daisy Chance. And she refuses to tell. As her children inch closer to identifying the murderer, Ouisie has to make a decision. Will she tell the truth to protect Jed and Sissy? Or will the anger she fears silence them all? 352 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

What are your reading habits?

My friend Heather @ Proud Book Nerd introduced me to this meme. I told her I am NOT stalking her but she shares these awesome meme's and I have to participate! :) Thanks Heather!

Do you snack while you read?
I don't normally snack but very often I will sit and read while I eat my lunch.

What is your favourite drink while reading?
Well, if it is during lunch I have an ICE COLD COKE otherwise it's Water w/lemon for me!

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
Ok ~ if it a self help book I will write all over it but if it is a fiction book I never write in them unless it is my Name so when I lend the book out they know who to return it to.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
Definitely dog ears because I lose bookmarks like crazy! I just don't know what happens to those things !!! Drives me crazy! :)

Fiction, non-fiction, or both?
Fiction. I very rarely read anything non-fiction. I want to relax and enjoy not have to think to deeply LOL

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I like to finish a chapter but honestly I can stop anywhere on the page and it doesn't bother me.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Throw a book??? Never. I may be caught screaming out loud "why oh why" OR "what the heck did they do that for?" but never.throw.a.book!

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
No. I can usually figure it out depending on what's happening in the book. But if I need to I will look it up!

What are you currently reading?
Just about to finish Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

What is the last book you bought?
Francine Rivers newest book titled "Her Mother's Hope"

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
I can read 5 books at a time and it drives my family CRAZY :~P

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
Nope, whenever I can but I LOVE going to a Barnes & Noble or a Coffee shop and just sitting with a cup of coffee and read and watch people.

Do you prefer series books or stand alones?
Before I began reviewing books I rarely read anyone other than Karen Kingsbury and I LOVE her series. I have to say I am soo Thankful to review because I have been so blessed to find some AMAZING authors!

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Yes. I usually recommend anything Karen Kingsbury or Francine Rivers but I will always recommend Ron hall and Denver Hall's "Same Kind of Different As Me" as well.

How do you organize your books? (by genre, title, author's last name, etc.)
Organize? What is that? HA. My dad shared my love of reading but HE listened to books on Tape. He has an amazing library and had them all according to genre, listed alphabetically and on his computer and backed up as well. This was something My husband was able to inherit and treasures immensely!

A review from my Son Jantzen

My friend Heather from Proud Book Nerd is sharing a meme today about supporting Childrens literature. What a great meme to be a part of! I love to see Children reading and honestly reading is something my Son and I share. It is one of our favorite things to do together. Besides spending a day at Barnes & Noble we love to sit outside or lay in bed and just read!!! It.is.heavenly!


So here he is giving you his first review:

Hey everyone! Call me Jantz. This book is The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins authored by Walter Dean Myers. I picked this book because I am a WWII fanatic. First all let me say, AMAZING BOOK. I could not put it down. I loved the action of this book. He shares the personal feelings of Scott and he describes the bloodthirstiness of war. The author held nothing back- it was brutal and truthful! Its about a young man in England in 1944 and his time in the army, day by day. His battles mentally and physically are very harsh, unmerciful, and rough. Fighting day after day takes a toll. As with any war story, getting attached to any of the characters is not wise. Very good read. VERY HIGHLY recommended. I do think you should at least read a little bit up on WWII. Some terms are used that you might not understand. Overall great book 6/5 stars!

Thank you Jantzen for sharing your opinion of this book! You did great!

You can purchase this book here at Amazon

Crossing Oceans ~ A Must Read

My Review:

In reading about this book I honestly did NOT know the content would be so close to what I had just walked through in this past year, if I had, I am not sure I would have requested this book. That being said ~ again I see Gods hand even in my requesting and reading this book.

This debut Novel, Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes is one of the BEST books I have read in a Long time and would highly recommend it to just about EVERYONE! You will laugh and cry, you will ponder your relationships and you learn about true deep UNCONDITIONAL Love. A Mothers' Love that is so selfless and strong and yet at times the daughter within her brings about forgiveness as well.

This story of Jenny Lucas and her precious daughter is one that will encourage you to live life to the fullest, to seek forgiveness and to always keep what is important as the priority but you will also see a woman grow in her Faith and live "on Purpose" while each day she plants seeds in her daughters life that will grow and flourish in the years to come no matter what lies ahead.


We all seek to be loved, to have healthy relationships, but we all also fail at times. Crossing Oceans is a book that will inspire you to Love with all you have, to seek the Lord no matter what life throws at you and in the end it is HIM that we all are truly seeking ~ for it is HIM that has all we will ever need!

This is a book I will read over and over again!

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Crossing Oceans Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2010)

by Gina Holmes



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in southern Virginia. To learn more about her, visit May 2010's issue of CFOM at Interview with Gina Holmes or Novel Journey.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Crossing Oceans, go HERE.



Watch the Video Book Trailer: