Saturday, 14 August 2010

A bit of me~ Where would you go?



There'sABook hosts this fun meme that helps us get to know one another just a bit better :) If you want to join in on the fun go here Here's a bit more about it:

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: If you could travel anywhere in the world for 24 hours, where would you go?
(Logistically, this could be more than one place, so be creative!)




Italy ~

My husband and I would LOVE to go to Italy! Both of my parents have been and said the Food is to die for! Wouldn't it be a wonderful to ride in a Gondola under the moonlight??!!


Greece

Ok, I think If I was able to go to Greece that I may just STAY!! :) (If all of my family was with me of course!) The Beauty is just breathtaking. Take a bike ride and see the village in Zakynthos or visit Athens and see all the amazing Architecture and Greek gods. For me, I would love to take a stroll on ANY one of their Beautiful Beaches!


Canada

This one is for my Son! :) He wants to go to Canada SOOOO BADLY! He even celebrates Canada day LOL!!


Have a blessed weekend

Thursday, 12 August 2010

A Gathering Storm ~ Review

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


The Gathering Storm
Summerside Press (August 1, 2010)


by
Bodie and Brock Thoene






ABOUT THE AUTHORS:



Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 50 works of historical fiction. Over twenty million of these best-selling novels are in print. Eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirms what millions of readers have already discovered—the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.



Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.



Brock has often been described by Bodie as “an essential half of this writing team.” With degrees in both history and education, Brock has, in his role as researcher and story-line consultant, added the vital dimension of historical accuracy. Due to such careful research, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles series are recognized by the American Library Association, as well as Zionist libraries around the world, as classic historical novels and are used to teach history in college classrooms.



Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie—and seven grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.



Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.





ABOUT THE BOOK



As Nazi forces tighten the noose, Loralei Kepler, daughter of a German resistance leader, must flee her beloved Germany. But is any place safe from Adolf Hitler's evil grasp? Loralei's harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives, and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret.



Explore the romance, the passion, and the danger of the most anticipated series of the last twenty years.



Born from the highly acclaimed and best-loved novels of three generations of readers -- The Zion Covenant series and The Zion Chronicles series -- Zion Diaries ventures into the lives of the inspiring and intriguing characters who loved intensely, stood up for what was right, and fought boldly during Hitler's rise to power and the dark days of World War II.



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Gathering Storm, go HERE



My Review:

This is my first book from the Thoene's and I have to say.... WOW!! I am so thankful this is the first book in the Zion Series and I am anxiously awaiting the 2nd book but in the meantime I will most definitely be looking into other books by these two!

If you are a WWII lover or historical fiction this is a MUST READ for sure! You will not be disappointed!


Happy Reading

Monday, 9 August 2010

Goodness Gracious Green ~ Review & giveaway :)










Judy Christie, after working as a journalist for twenty-five years, left the daily news business to open a consulting firm that works with individuals, businesses, and churches on strategies for meaningful life and work, including goal-setting, living fully, and balancing personal and professional lives. She is the author of Gone to Green, the first in a three-part fiction series, Hurry Less, Worry Less; Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime; and co-author of Awesome Altars. Judy and her husband live in northwest Louisiana. You can learn more about her at: www.judychristie.com.


My Review:

Lois Barker decides to stay in Green, but did she make the right choice? As she begins her 2nd year in Green, she has come to love the people and the community! She really enjoys being the owner of the Paper and is really falling for her neighbor Chris! To say that Lois faces a few trials is not saying enough! Is someone trying to keep Lois from being successful in her business and home life? How many attempts will they make setting the Newspaper office on fire? Well, like any good investigator you will have to pick up Goodness Gracious Green to find out these answers and many more! You will fall in love with Lois and all of those who live in this wonderful community, Green!


The Wonderful people at Abingdon Press would love to share a complimentary copy with the first 5 followers who leave me a comment and tell my why you would like to read Goodness Gracious Green! Also, please leave your email so that I can contact you and find out how to get you your copy !!! Ok :)


For more information about Goodness Gracious Green or the first book in the Series or other Awesome books go here to visit Abingdon Press :) Thank you Abingdon for providing me with this complimentary copy in exchange for this review!


Thursday, 5 August 2010

Fatal Loyalty ~ Review

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Fatal Loyalty
Kregel Publications (April 23, 2010)


by


Sue Duffy






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. Her first novel Mortal Wounds was published in 2001 and she has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children. Find out more at www.sueduffybooks.com



ABOUT THE BOOK



Where do you run when you know you cannot hide?



Andie Ryborg has nowhere else to go. Her father's campaign for governor and his aggressive war on drugs has chased her from their family home. Drawn to Miami's exotic Coconut Grove, Andie hopes to find a quiet refuge where she can discover herself apart from the public eye. But even in that seclusion, even with an officer assigned to protect her, Andie's privacy has been violated. Someone is watching



Evan Markham's entire life has been a tug-of-war between what is and what could be. He is drawn to a life that is beyond his reach and emotions have clouded his judgment. Evan knows that earning someone's trust isn't easy, especially when he plans to break it. But in the secret corridors of the criminal underworld, he knows what must be done, and he is determined to see it through. Whatever the cost



When enemies close in, a sudden turn of events leaves them both questioning. Where is God in all of this? Who is this enigmatic stranger who offers to help? They both know their lives are in danger. But what about their hearts?



If you would like to read the Prologue of Fatal Loyalty, go HERE.


My Review:
This is my first for this author and I enjoyed it! It took a bit to get into it and grasp who was who but after that it was all good :)
It has all the makings of a great Movie ~ Romance, Politics, Drug traffiking etc. Evan and Andie are two very different people who both try to please their fathers! In what ways you ask? Who do the look too & are they successful in their ventures? Pick up Fatal Loyalty and find out!

Thanks CFBA for allowing me a complimentary copy for this honest review!

Heart of a Bookworm gives Fatal Loyalty ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥




Wednesday, 4 August 2010

The Bishop ~ Review






Revell Blog Tour is featuring the latest book from award-winning author STEVEN JAMES

The Bishop
by Steven James
Bestselling author Steven James delivers another high-octane, adrenaline-laced suspense thriller that his fans have been clamoring for.

This time, a congressman’s daughter is found dead—as her killers launch a spree of perfect murders in the Washington DC metro area. With nothing to link the crimes together, FBI special agent Patrick Bowers’ skills are pushed to the limit. Using his impeccable logic and innovative investigation techniques, Bowers is in a race against time to find the killers before they strike again, even as his personal life becomes more complicated than ever.

Although this is book 4 in The Bowers Files series, this book can be read as a stand-alone. Steven James’ masterful writing and mind-bending twists will have you on the edge of your seat!

WARNING: This book contains violence and graphic descriptions of disturbing crime scenes. It takes the reader inside the minds of psychopathic killers.

My Review:

Wow! I really can't say how awesome this book is! I could NOT put it down and although it is not the norm of what I read, Steven James has certainly changed that! His book are not for everyone in the Christian genre. It is full of suspense, and the situations of a serial killer are very real and at times explicit! While I am not an expert on Reviewing, nor on deciding what is and what is not a Christian book I did consider how best to share my review. I looked into Steven James and found he answered that very question. He shared with others on this subject, and decided it best to just include HIS LINK here I've gained a whole new respect for this author after reading this!

Patrick Bowers not only is a phenomenal agent but also a man who is trying to keep what is left of his family together! He lost his wife after a brief time with her and gained custody of her daughter. But now, her biological father is in the picture. Will Patrick lose her too? Will he be able to find the killers in time? Find out these answers and soooo much more!

I have already downloaded all of the previous books in this Series and cannot wait to read them!

Don't forget!! Tonite is the Facebook party with the Author of The Bishop ~ Steven James! There will be prizes and He will be answering questions :) Can't wait!! Join in on the fun!

Thank you Revell for providing this book complimentary to me in return for my honest review!

Tuesday, 3 August 2010

Final Touch ~ Review

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 authors are:


and the book:


Final Touch (Rayne Tour, The)

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:


Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California.

Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels.

Visit the Brandilyn's website.

Amberly Collins is a college student in Long Beach, California, majoring in marketing. She’s active in her Alphi Phi sorority and dotes on her Yorkie puppy, Bear.


Here's a video about the first book in the Rayne Series:



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071933X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719335

Press the browse button to view the first chapter:






***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

The day Shaley O'Conner has dreamed of all her life is shattered by a nightmare. On a lavish estate in California guarded from the media, Shaley's mom, rock star Rayne O'Connor, is marrying her teen sweetheart and Shaley's father, Gary Donovon. It's a dream come true for Shaley, who has always longed for the father she never knew. But minutes before the wedding, Shaley is kidnapped. Who is this man who has taken her-and why? As Rayne and Gary race against time to find their daughter, Shaley's abductor eludes the FBI at every turn. Fearing for her life, Shaley wills herself to stay strong. But as the days pass, she realizes that no one can save her but herself.

My Review:
I LOVED this book! This is the 3rd and Final book in the RAYNE Series but I was not confused nor did I feel lost in anyway! That is a great author! I was captivated from the first chapter and did not want to put it down. I even had my Son read to me as we drove to town one day. After reading a couple of chapters to me, he looked at me and said "Great! Now I am hooked and will have to read it!!"

The characters are very public figures and have the paparazzi after them at all times and they have all just recently found the Lord. I appreciate their honestly in their struggles yet they hold on tight to the Lord and grow in HIM with each step they take.
The suspense keeps you reading and time just flies by! Most of the time, it is every childs wish to have her parents together and in this case the dream is about to become a reality until Shaley is kidnapped! The journey with her kidnapper and the pain her parents suffer while she is away is written so well that you will feel as if you are in the room waiting for the next phone call!

I enjoyed this book and have downloaded books 1 and 2 onto my Kindle and look very forward to reading them!

Heart of a Bookworm gives Final Touch ♥ &hearts ♥ ♥ ♥ FOR SURE!!

Monday, 2 August 2010

Twilights Serenade Review ~ by Jenna

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Twilight's Serenade
Bethany House (August 1, 2010)


by
Tracie Peterson






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.



In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.



She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.



Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.



Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books




ABOUT THE BOOK



Britta Lindquist left Sitka six years ago in an attempt to distance herself from the love of her life, Yuri Belikov. Upon her return, she finds Yuri absent and his wife about to deliver a child. When tragic circumstances ensue, Britta suddenly finds herself caring for Yuri's children--and her life intertwining with the man she's tried so hard to forget.



But Britta's other great love is for the violin, and her talent is recognized by Brenton Maltese, a conductor from England. He proposes she accept the coveted first chair position in his orchestra...and also his hand in marriage. At a crossroads, Britta must determine what her heart truly longs for--and if she's willing to fight for it.



At a Crossroads, Britta must determine what her heart truly longs for─and if she's willing to fight for it.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Twilight's Serenade, go HERE.

My review:

Britta is a violin player. She is also a caring 'mother'. But let's rewind a little bit. She leaves Sitka six years before this to be away from the love of her life, Yuri. Which is difficult in itself, but then returning back to her home she finds her love absent and his wife about to deliver a child! UM HELLO? That's one disaster, but to top it off another comes quickly which puts Britta in the place of caring for the child. So now not only is she back in the same town as this man, BUT she's taking care of his kids. Amazing woman right? Right. Anyway. Her talent is discovered by an infamous conductor from England. She could have her dream of playing the violin for thousands to hear. But what does she choose? To take care of Yuri's children, or play her violin?

Guess you'll have to find out....!

This is a great end to this series and one that is definitely encouraging of seeking the Lord for your future!

AMAZING BOOK!