"loving"--bailey chooses ...

Karen Kingsbury's Loving released today. I know lots of people out there are dying to know if Bailey chooses Cody or Brandon in the end. Well, I got my book today, and after wanting to throw it across the room multiple times in the first 30 pages, I decided to go ahead and "cheat"—I flipped to the end to find out.

If you really want to know, keep reading. Otherwise, get yourself out of here, because I'm about to tell you how it ends!

"song of my heart" by kim vogel sawyer

About the book (from the back cover): Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

Thad McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

My take: In Song of My Heart, Kim Vogel Sawyer has written a sweet romance ... but it's much more than that! At first, I had difficulty getting into the novel, but once Sadie got established in Goldtree, the pages flew by. I also really appreciated the author's writing style—she wrote from the perspectives of all four main characters (Sadie, Thad, Asa, and Sadie's cousin Sid) at various times, and I felt that enabled me to "get inside" the characters more than I would have otherwise. Additionally, as someone who has roots in Kansas, I liked reading about towns I know!

As I read the book, I struggled with Sadie's "stupidity." I couldn't understand why she wouldn't just tell Thad about Asa's illegal operation. But the more I thought about it, the more I saw myself reflected in Sadie. See, the heart of her problem was thinking she had to rely on herself to take care of her family, instead of trusting God to provide. She rationalized and justified her actions because she believed it was up to her to provide for her mother and siblings, and when her livelihood was threatened, she decided to do whatever it took to make sure they were taken care of ... even if her actions were wrong. How often do I do the same thing? True, I may not do anything illegal, but I am just as guilty as Sadie of relying on myself instead of trusting in God. Why is that such a hard lesson to learn?

I really enjoyed this book, and I'm grateful for the introspection it spurred, as well. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. If you'd like to see what other bloggers are saying, go here, or you can buy the book here.


About the author: Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of nineteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren.

She invites you to visit her Web site at www.kimvogelsawyer.com for more information.

About the giveaway:
Win a Nook Tablet from Kim Vogel Sawyer and RSVP for her "Song of My Heart" Facebook Party {3/29}! Celebrate with Kim by entering to win a Nook Tablet and connecting with her at the Book Chat Party on 3/29!

One "songbird" winner will receive:

• A Nook Tablet
• Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/28/12. Winner will be announced at Kim's Book Chat Facebook Party on 3/29. Kim will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and much more!

So grab your copy of Song of My Heart and join Kim and friends on the evening of March 29th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. 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." 

"sixty acres and a bride" by regina jennings

About the book (provided by Litfuse): She's Finally Found a Place to Call Home... How Far Will She Go to Save It?

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention.

Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future. Read an excerpt: http://ow.ly/9sK2C.

My take: Debut author Regina Jennings has crafted a wonderful story inspired by Boaz and Ruth. Though I knew how it would turn out—it is a romance, after all, plus it's based on a true story—Jennings went places I didn't expect in the journey to Rosa & Weston's "happily ever after."

I especially appreciated the cultural differences Jennings highlighted. There's one scene where Weston reacts negatively to a traditional Mexican dance, and then Rosa explains that the "American" dances like the waltz and square dancing would be considered scandalous in her village. As someone who works with people from other cultures, I thought the misunderstandings and different perspectives seemed quite realistic...and provided moments of genuine humor!

A heartwarming, well-written, believable story, Sixty Acres and a Bride is well worth your time, and I highly recommend it! I give it 4-1/2 out of 5 stars, and I can't wait to read what Jennings comes up with next!

See what other bloggers are saying or buy the book.

About the author:
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. Learn more about Regina by visiting her website, www.reginajennings.com.

About the giveaway: Win a Kindle Fire from @ReginaJennings in the Sixty Acres and a Bride Giveaway! RSVP for #Facebook Party on 3/27.

Celebrate with Regina by entering to win a Kindle Fire and coming to her Author Chat Party on 3/27!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/26/12. Winner will be announced at Regina's Author Chat Facebook Party on 3/27. Regina will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and some beautiful silver jewerly!

So grab your copy of Sixty Acres and a Bride and join Regina and friends on the evening of March 27th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. 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."

"city of prophecy" giveaway

I read and reviewed Peter Dudek's City of Prophecy last summer, and it made it onto my "Best Books of 2011" list. Peter just announced that he's giving away one copy (or two if there's enough interest) and a $10 Amazon gift card through a giveaway on his website. All you have to do to enter is "like" his post and leave a comment about a book you'd like to read. Simple!

Go here to enter by April 1. I'm sure you'll like the book! (And if you don't win, you can still buy the book—the Kindle version is only $2.99!)

a drive down memory lane

I judged at a district speech meet in Ansley, Nebraska, today. Ansley is about 90 miles northwest (more west than north) of here, and it's definitely in the Sandhills! On my drive this morning, I noticed a sign for Homeward Trail Bible Camp. Homeward Trail was the first sleepover camp I ever attended, and seeing the sign brought back a flood of memories.

Climbing the hill to the cross.
Getting nettles during a "find the counselor" hide-and-seek game.
Peeling potatoes as part of my morning work assignment.
Going into Ansley to swim at the town pool.
Learning "Singin' in the Rain"—not the movie version. (Here's the closest one I could find on YouTube ... apparently everyone does it differently!)
Being too chicken to try the zip line. (This I've regretted ever since!)

On my way home, I decided to drive by the camp, since it was only about five miles out of my way. It was kind of surreal to see the place again—it's definitely smaller that it seemed when I was eight! I would have loved to wander around, but the gate was locked, and since I'm a rule follower, trespassing didn't even cross my mind. I did snap a picture of the sign, though.

When I got home, I searched through my pictures for some from my camp days. Unfortunately, I could only find one ... and it's not too flattering. It does give you a good idea of how horrible my hair was in my upper elementary days, thanks to my mom.

My cousin Kate and me during our last week at Homeward Trail.
I think our cabin was Elm?

I'm really glad I drove by—what a fun trip down memory lane!

"blue moon promise" by colleen coble

About the book: Lucy Marsh is at her wit's end after her father's death and her step-mother's abandonment which left her with custody of her half-brother and sister. Once she loses her job due to layoffs, she doesn't know how she can possibly make ends meet. Then her father's friend Henry Stanton shows up with a proposal she can't refuse—he wants her to marry his son Nate by proxy and move with her siblings to the Stanton ranch in Texas.

When Nate first meets his new wife, he is furious. After all, he signed the proxy statement so his father could sell his cattle, not find him a wife! But her hard work and tenacity soon begin to win him over. However, his harsh words upon Lucy's arrival caused her to believe she could never become the wife he wanted. Can he convince her of his love before it's too late?

My take: Most of Colleen Coble's books combine intrigue and romance, and Blue Moon Promise is no exception. I enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Nate and Lucy, and the interplay between Henry and Lucy's sister was sweet. However, there was a twist near the end of the book that I just couldn't buy (the intrigue part I mentioned before)—based on what we'd seen earlier in the book, it didn't quite make sense. (Yes, I'm being intentionally vague here, but I don't want to spoil anything for you!)

This isn't my favorite of Coble's books (that would be Lonestar Secrets), but it's still pretty good. I give it 3-1/2 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free for review from Amazon.com through it's Vine reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

"i am second" by doug bender & dave sterrett

About the book (from the back cover): Countless stories. One incredible ending.

A major league baseball player. A Tennessee pastor. A reality TV star. A single mom. A multi-platinum rocker.

What do these people have in common?

They've all hit bottom.

And none of them stayed there.

Famous or unfamiliar, these are the stories of real people who reached the end of their strength, the end of their control, and found the most surprising truths.

It taught them not to rely on self or substance but to lean on the only completely reliable source of love, hope, and freedom: the God who created them. Shocking in their honesty, inspiring in their courage, these testimonies are critical reminders that no one is too far from God to find him.

Join these and thousands more who have discovered the life-changing power in putting God first and proclaiming, "I am second."

My take: The twenty people profiled in I am Second come from diverse backgrounds—some are famous (like Sam Bradford, Bethany Hamilton, and Michael W. Smith); some are people you've never heard of.  Each story is inspirational in its own way—it may be the story of an affair, drug abuse, criminal activity, or pride. But all the stories are ultimately about just one thing—choosing to place Christ first in your life.

This is essentially a companion book to go along with the videos on the iamsecond[dot]com website, and the end of each chapter lists the URL for the video that goes along with each story, as well as listing other videos that follow the same theme. (There are also QR codes for each video.)

Also, the gospel is clearly presented at the end of the book—a must for a book that talks about placing God first in your life!

While the videos are much more engaging than the written out stories in this book (nothing compares to hearing a person's story in his or her own words), I think one of the book's purposes is to make people aware of and drive people to the website—and that it accomplishes very well! I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Here's my favorite of all the "I am Second" videos I've watched ... and if you know my background, you'll know why! Scott Hamilton - I Am Second

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free for review from Amazon.com through it's Vine reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

"the maid of fairbourne hall" by julie klassen

About the book: Just months away from her 25th birthday, when she will receive a large inheritance, Margaret Macy must flee London. Her stepfather—a greedy, calculating man—has ordered his loathsome nephew to marry Margaret ... using whatever means necessary to convince her.

Armed only with her wits, a wig, and some borrowed clothing from her own maid, Margaret secures a position as an housemaid—unaware the position is at Fairbourne Hall, the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch, brothers who both courted her in the past.

As Margaret adjusts to working for the first time in her life, she also finds herself drawn to Nathaniel, whom she assumed to be the inferior of the two brothers. However, Nathaniel sees her as the maid "Nora," and Margaret knows that revealing herself would only enable her stepfather to find her. Whom can she trust, and will she be able to make it to her 25th birthday without being discovered?

My take: I loved this book! Though it is not a perfect book—the beginning (before Margaret leaves London) drags on a bit, and the threat of the Poet Pirate seems almost an afterthought—once I started reading, I couldn't stop! I'd read the first 50-or-so pages earlier in the week, and I picked up the book again at 10:00 last night to read a couple chapters before bed. The next time I looked at the clock, it was after midnight ... and I still wanted to keep reading. I read until I finished the last page at 2:30 a.m.! It has been a long time since I've done something so irresponsible when it comes to sleep. So I'm dragging today ... but I'm also happy to have read this fabulous book!

One thing that I loved about the book is the setting—an English manor. Though it takes place a full century before the events portrayed in Downton Abbey, the similarities in the running of the households are striking. (There's even a footman named Thomas ... though he's not quite as evil as Downton's Thomas, I pictured Rob James-Collier every time this Thomas made an appearance.) While I'm certain I would have enjoyed this book no matter what, I think I loved it all the more because of my love for Downton ... and when Klassen mentioned words like "dowager countess" and "lady's maid," I knew exactly what she was talking about!

I also loved the characters—especially Margaret and Nathaniel. The changes in Margaret from the beginning to the end of the story are striking yet believable. And what girl wouldn't want Nathaniel Upchurch to fall in love with her? The chemistry between the two is palpable, yet the romance doesn't hijack the plot. Klassen did a masterful job with this story!

This is easily the most engaging historical fiction I've read in a long time. I especially recommend it to Downton or regency romance fans, but I think any historical fiction or romance lover will enjoy it. 4-1/2 out of 5 stars!
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall


About the author: Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011), which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through their book reviewer program. 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."

free christian fiction for your kindle

Every day, I get two newsletters informing me of free or discounted Kindle books. The first, from eReaderIQ.com, lists the top 25 free Kindle books of the day. (I talked about this newsletter in August, so I won't rehash it here. I have some concerns about the service, which I mentioned in my post.) The second newsletter has proven to be the more helpful of the two. It's from inspiredreads.com, and it lists both free and discounted Christian titles. (You can sign up for the newsletter by following this link.)

Today, I was very excited to find the book Sixty Acres and a Bride on the list of free books. I'm on the Litfuse tour for the book, so I'll be posting about it in a few weeks. In the meantime, though, you can read the book, too! Here's the summary from the publisher:

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay. 

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside. She can’t help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable, and Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future.

It looks like a great book, and I'm excited to read it. I hope you enjoy it, too ... but hurry—sometimes books will be free one day and full price the next. Here's the link to the book on Amazon. And remember: you don't need a Kindle—you can read the book on your computer.

"not in the heart" by chris fabry

About the book (from the publisher): Truman Wiley used to report news stories from around the world, but now the most troubling headlines are his own. He's out of work, out of touch with his family, out of his home. But nothing dogs him more than his son's failing heart.

With mounting hospital bills and Truman's penchant for gambling his savings, the situation seems hopeless ... until his estranged wife throws him a lifeline—the chance to write the story of a death row inmate, a man convicted of murder who wants to donate his heart to Truman's son.

As the execution clock ticks down, Truman uncovers disturbing evidence that points to a different killer. For his son to live, must an innocent man die? Truman's investigation draws him down a path that will change his life, his family, and the destinies of two men forever.

My take: Every so often, a book comes along that grabs you and won't let go. Not in the Heart is one such book. I read it quickly, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. From the beginning, I assumed Terrelle (the death row inmate) was innocent, and as Truman came closer to the truth, I felt like I was searching for clues right along with him. And once I reached the epilogue, I read the sad-but-satisfying conclusion with tears running down my cheeks.

Truman Wiley is not your classic protagonist. An unemployed gambling addict who abandoned his family, he is certainly no hero—and he does things throughout the book that made me want to shake some sense into him. However, I found myself pulling for him, not in a "boy, he sure needs Jesus to fix his life" way but in an "I care about him so much that I wish he could see how much God loves him and get his life back together" way.

As I read the book, I thought a lot about Truman. We all know someone like him—someone whose addictions and fears control his or her life; someone we would desperately love to see trust in Christ. While no one close to me is a Truman, I do have friends and family members who have spent hours on their knees praying for their own Trumans. Reading this book reminded me again of the importance of prayer—praying for the Trumans who seem unreachable ... because no one is unreachable to God!

Rarely have I been so emotionally invested in a book that it brings me to tears. Not in the Heart is a fantastic book that I highly recommend with 5 out of 5 stars!

About the author: Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris' novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and Not in the Heart, have won two Christy Awards and an ECPA Christian Book Award, but it's his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more.

He has also published more than 65 other books, including nonfiction and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and The Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. RPM is his latest series for kids and explores the exciting world of NASCAR. Visit his website at www.chrisfabry.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from The B&B Media Group. 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."

goals for 2012: february update

Remember how high I was at the end of January? How well I was doing with all of my goals? Well, February was crash-and-burn month for me. I could blame my trip to Indiana, the cold/cough/ear infection (did you know adults get ear infections? I didn't ... until that's what my doctor told me I had) that has hung on for 10 days, or speech (my favorite whipping boy this time of the year) ... but really, the blame lies with me. My laziness. My complacency. Things are turning around, though, so I hope my March report will be much happier!

1. Read through the Bible. At the end of January, I was a little behind. At the end of February, I'm super behind! I'm still on track to finish well before the end of the year, but I need to keep focused. Sadly, this is the first thing to go when I'm feeling rushed or stressed or tired.
2. Exercise four times per week. I'm probably averaging three, and I really dropped off in the J-La-Sta 10,000 Steps Walking Challenge (I averaged 4,355 steps per day). I did exercise the last three days of February, though, thanks to my new diet. Since I'm committed to it through March 24 and it calls for exercise six days per week, I think my March stats will be better!
3. Lose 30 pounds. I ended February exactly where I began February ... which means I've been in a holding pattern for two months, as I also began and ended January in the same place. I have high hopes for this diet, though—I even bought myself an "I'm going on a diet" gift, the first two seasons of Monarch of the Glen (you may recall that I do love me some Monarch!), which I won't allow myself to watch until I've dropped the first 10 pounds. My first official weigh-in on the diet comes tomorrow morning ...
4. Travel somewhere new. I did go to Chicago and Indiana in February, but I'd been there before. Still thinking about where I want to travel this summer! (And I'm open to suggestions ...)
5. Complete one crafting project a month. Done! It wasn't a craft in the traditional sense of the word, but I'm pretty proud of my birdseed cakes. 
6. Learn to say "no." I actually didn't have much opportunity to do so in February. I passed on a couple reviewing opportunities, but those were ones I would have passed on even before this challenge.

How are your goals progressing two months into the new year? What has proven most difficult when it comes to meeting your goals?

i love aloe juice!

Yes, the title of my post is a lie. Let me explain ...

In my ESL class, we have a "question of the day" nearly every class period. Sometimes I choose the question, and sometimes a student chooses the question. Either way, we all take turns answering. A couple weeks ago, I asked: "What is the strangest food you've ever eaten?" I learned something that day: pig blood is considered a delicacy in Vietnam. They mix it with flour, cook it, slice it up, and eat it. But that's not the point of this post ... When it was my turn to answer, I couldn't think of anything. I mean, I've eaten my share of strange foods, but on the spot, I couldn't come up with anything. Except ... aloe juice.

A few years ago, one of my students gave me a bottle of aloe juice. Before that point, I didn't even know you could drink aloe ... my experience with it extended to my mom's aloe plant—she would use the pulp from it on burns. Well, aloe juice itself isn't bad—it has kind of a nondescript sweet flavor—but it contains that same pulp. Lots of it. I'm a girl who buys the pulp-free orange juice. So pulp-loaded aloe juice is not my cup of tea!

When I went to class on Tuesday, one of my students presented me with a bottle of aloe juice, amid much laughter. Then he asked me to post on facebook that I love aloe juice. I thought I'd do him one better ... Kyle, this post is for you!

See the lighter stuff in the bottle? That's the pulp.