3/31/10
Things Worth Remembering GIVEAWAY
Winner #2
3/30/10
The Gladiator giveaway
- Please leave a comment with contact information.
- Leave additional comments for additional entries if you are a follower and/or if you grab my button for your own blog.
- Giveaway ends Wednesday night, March 31, at 11:59pm.
- Winner will be announced Thursday morning, April 1.
WINNER #1
3/29/10
A Cousin's Promise GIVEAWAY
3/28/10
SURPRISE: Home Another Way Giveaway!

I've decided to start the with a double giveaway, including a surprise title: Home Another Way by Christa Parrish. I will be giving it away with one of the Bible trivia books Connect the Thots.
In my Mailbox Monday: March 29
In Harm’s Way is the final book of the series, where FBI special agent Nick Bradley is confronted by Rachel Sutton: Nick has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau. But Rachel is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at the FBI office in St. Louis--until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll she found and tells him she thinks something is wrong because of a strange feeling of terror it gives her when she touches it. Nick dismisses her, only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted child, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections—and puts Rachel's life on the line.
Publishers Weekly praised the novel, calling it a “fast-paced crime drama with an aside of romance.” Filled with palpable suspense and a touch of romance, In Harm's Way is the final installment of Hannon’s thrilling Heroes of Quantico series.
My thoughts: I read book one and really enjoyed it. See my review here. I have book 2 waiting, so I'll read them both in time for the blog tour. I'm very excited about it!
"He" is teenager Prince Ellis, an exile from ALLON who faces trials to prove himself able to rule ALLON and return it to glory. Ultimately, Prince Ellis must defeat Marcellus and the power behind the throne before ALLON can be restored.
ALLON - a magical tale of adventure, destiny, and faith.
3/26/10
Did You Know?
Easter Week Giveaways!
- Open to US and Canada residents only
- You must comment on giveaway post with a way to contact you (email or blogsite).
- You can earn extra entries by becoming a follower or grabbing my button for your own sidebar.
- Please leave a separate comment for each entry.
- 2 Bible Trivia books
- ARC of A cousin's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter
- The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
- From Beholding to Becoming: praying through the life of Jesus by Kim Coleman Healy
3/24/10
Lone Star Blessings by Bonnie Winn
This Love Inspired novel is book 1 in the "Rosewood, Texas series." Rosewood is a small close-knit town that reminds me a bit of Mayberry! Everyone knows everyone; they have grown up together and go to church together, etc. One day Kate Lambert moves into town to take care of her father, who is recuperating from a fall. On the way into town, she is pulled over by the sheriff, Tucker Grey: the tall, handsome, and widowed sheriff. Kate is talked into teaching Sunday School and meets Tucker's daughter, Alyssa (who has been attending church by herself since her mother died). Having lost her own mother at a young age, the two bond quickly, and Tucker feels convicted.
3/23/10
Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
I was excited to read this book. It engaged me quickly, and I love this time period and theme. The faith in the persecuted church, their strength and witness is inspiring. The church grew like wild fire because of that faith in the face of horrible trials and death. We live in an age where we have relative freedom of sharing Christ with others, and yet we hold back because of various small consequences. The believers of that day and age literally faced swords, slavery, lions, and beasts before they would deny their Lord! WOW, we should be convicted by that.
3/22/10
In my Mailbox Monday...March 22
3/20/10
Night of Prayer
In the confession room, "Take it to the Cross," we were encouraged to write out our sins and burdens on a tissue and dip it in a basin of water situated at the foot of a cross. Once in the water, the writing disappears, just as Christ's sacrifice erases our sins when we repent! There was music playing in the background, and it was a wonderful thing to watch and know that I am forgiven.
- The thanksgiving room had paper all over the walls for us to write things we were thankful for, categories included God's creation, His provisions, His promises, our problems, for people, and for answered prayers. You walked in and were surrounded by things for which to thank Our Lord.
To Pray the Names of God, art supplies were provided and a list of many of the names of Jesus. We were encouraged to create a picture, painting, drawing symbolizing who He is to us: King of Kings, Healer, Beginning and End, the I AM. What a beautiful and unique way to give Him praise.
- To pray for our community, we were encouraged to highlight the the maps of the areas where we were committing to lift to God in prayer.
- In the request room, we could leave a personal prayer request or write encouragements and scripture on another's card, helping lower their burdens through the roof to Jesus.
- Praying God's Promises room gave us a list of Scriptural promises to claim.
In Soak in the Psalms, an audio of the psalms being read was played and we were encouraged to listen, pray, and or journal as the words washed over us.
- The nursery was set up to pray for children and families, and we were given a list of 40 ways to pray for our kids.
- The youth room was open for prayer for the teens.
- A room with pictures of our pastoral staff was set up to pray for them and the church.
Heavenly Father, Thank you! For such a glorious experience. For giving us a night to bask in You. I pray that you would lead others to seek such an experience. Lord, I want them to see You and feel You and know You better. I ask that you would give me gentle reminders when I start to drift, that I may stay close to You--always aware of You! Lord, "I want to burn with passion over You!" I thank You and praise You for loving and cherishing me! Help me show others Your love. Let me reflect Your glory. Each day I want less of me and more of You! You are an Awesome God, Lord, I love you!!
BOOK REVIEW: Her Inheritance Forever by Lyn Cote
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time. Psalm 37:18-19 KJV
3/18/10
My first Award!

Christina from Reading Extensively has given me the Beautiful Blogger Award! Thanks...it's my first award and I'm pretty psyched!
- I am a Princess...daughter of The King!!
- I love to dance!
- My favorite color is teal.
- I love Dr. Pepper/Diet Dr. Pepper, Cherry Dr. Pepper...whatever!
- I have a twin sister! (fraternal)
- I love dolphins and was able to scuba dive and snorkel with them in Eilat, Israel!
- I may be the most disorganized person that I know :)
- Operation Encourage an Author
- Relz Reviews--possibly the first book blog I visited!!
- Word-Vessel
- Seekerville
- ChristBlade
- The Attic Girl
- Writing for Christ
- What You Reading Now? (one of the first connections I made in the blogging world)
- A Fiction-Filled Life
- A Sequence of Continued Delights
- Christian Book Giveaways
- Kathi "Easy Writer" Macias
- Bright Eyes and Lullabies ( a new blog, by a wonderful young friend of mine!)
- After All...Tomorrow is Another day
- and Of Course Winning Readings, for which I am now a contributing author!!
3/16/10
BOOK REVIEW: Beautiful Things Happen When a woman trusts God by Sheila Walsh
Teaser Tuesday: Hunter's Moon
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- Share the title and author as well so that other readers can add the book to their wish lists if they are enticed!
Even CJ was beginning to realize the futility of continuing on. The truth was they couldn't travel as quickly as could their hunters.
3/15/10
BOOK REVIEW: The Secret by Beverly Lewis
3/14/10
In my Mailbox Monday...
In my Mailbox Monday originates from two blogs: The Printed Pageand The Story Siren. I am using it to highlight any books that come into my house the previous week, whether they are from the library, from a store, from a friend or actually in the mailbox.
3/12/10
BOOK REVIEW: Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell
In Stoneybrooke, Massachusetts, Susannah Phillips obeys the rules.
DRESS the right way.
BELIEVE the right things.
LIVE the right life.
But when love interferes, she faces a choice: FOLLOW THE RULES or FOLLOW HER HEART.
Susannah Phillips is the picture perfect Puritan woman, and more than one of the town's bachelors knows this. She has dreamed of the day when her John Prescotte will seek her hand; however, if the powerful Simeon Wright has anything to say about it, that will not happen. He wants her for his own.
Susannah knows that she is not the righteous individual everyone thinks her to be and struggles with her own sin nature. Then Daniel Holcombe moves into town to train the militia in defense against "savages." He introduces new ideas to Susannah about God and faith.
Throughout various trials that Susannah faces she learns who her true friends are. One is a great surprise. Small-Hope Smyth hides herself from everyone including her husband. She has a past that warrants this behavior, and in hiding she is able to observe the towns people with a keen eye. While most of the story is in Susannah's viewpoint, we get snippets from Small-Hope along the way. Susannah takes an inner journey toward God, toward faith, and toward love. Small-Hope also has an internal path to take; hers is toward healing, acceptance, and love.
(Before my thoughts, I will give a small warning: The ending may be a surprise and even a disappointment for some. I know a good friend of mine who would not like the sort of twist found here; however, it did not detract from the story for me. I felt the events fit the characters and plot-line and they led to inner resolution in Susannah's faith.)
I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh; it brought tears to my eyes. It made me curious; it made me wonder. The writing is skillful, and the imagery is vivid. The plot is steady and engaging. The romance is tender; the conflicts are tense. The historical detail is educating. The characters are three-dimensional and well thought out. I felt myself wanting to comfort the women and give insight to the men. Most of all, I loved the growth that the two main women experience.
I am thrilled that I have two more of Siri Mitchell's books in my TBR pile. Her latest novel, She Walks in Beauty, releases April 1 and is now in my "waiting on" list.
3/9/10
BOOK REVIEW: A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston
Amish fiction is one of the most popular sub-genres in Christian fiction. At the bookstore, we had women looking for them daily. I am not one of those avid followers that reads them all; however, I have read a few and will probably read a few more.
Teaser Tuesday: Love's Pursuit
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- Share the title and author as well so that other readers can add the book to their wish lists if they are enticed!
"I stood there for one moment, staring at the door, wishing I might let myself inside. My message was too important, the danger too great for Susannah not to hear it."
In the small Puritan community of Stoneybrooke, Massachusetts, Susannah Phillips stands out both for her character and beauty. She wants only a simple life but soon finds herself pursued by the town's wealthiest bachelor and by a roguish military captain sent to protect them. One is not what he seems and one is more than he seems.
In trying to discover true love's path, Susannah is helped by the most unlikely of allies, a wounded woman who lives invisible and ignored in their town. As the depth, passion, and sacrifice of love is revealed to Susannah, she begins to question the rules and regulations of her childhood faith. In a community where grace is unknown, what price will she pay for embracing love?
3/8/10
CFRB Tour: One Smooth Stone by Marcia Lee Laycock
One Smooth Stone
by Marcia Lee Laycock
Marcia's writing began in the attic of her parents' home where she wrote stories for her dolls. They didn't complain so she kept it up. God has blessed her with publication in magazines, newspapers, on radio and the web. Her work has garnered praise from notable writers Mark Buchanan, Sigmund Brouwer and Phil Callaway. Her first devotional book, The Spur of the Moment won an Award of Merit at Write Canada and her novel, One Smooth Stone, won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award in 2006. Marcia writes a weekly devotional column that goes out to over 4,000 people. Her devotionals have been published by The Upper Room and The Quiet Hour, among others, as well as in anthologies compiled by Multnomah and Thomas Nelson. Marcia is currently the Sunday devotional columnist for Novel Journey.com and was a contributor to Hot Apple Cider.