Francine Rivers Giveaway!!

For a chance to win great books by my personal favorite author, Francine Rivers, visit Tyndale's website.  

Everyone can receive a free e-copy of Leota's Garden and enter to win more great prizes.  

Grand Prize is her complete collection...WOW!!
There are also 4 runner up prizes.  You could win a copy of each Her Mother's Hope and Her Daughter's Dream; a Mark of the Lion box set; a copy of Lineage of Grace; or a copy of Sons of Encouragement!

Contest is open until Monday, April 4.  

Waiting on Wednesday: March 23

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted byBreaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am really looking forward to reading J.M. Windle's Freedom Stand, the sequel to Veiled Freedom. I would definitely include Veiled Freedom in my list of favorite books from last year (see my review here).  When I read it I was really hoping for a follow up, and here it is.  It is due out in June of this year!  I can't wait.  

Here is the description found on Christianbook.com
Jamil renounced a life of jihad when he encountered the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, but villagers and authorities in the hills of Afghanistan respond with skepticism . . . and even violence.

Relief worker Amy Mallory is shocked by the changes in her organization-changes with dire implications for the women and children under her care. And concern for her former assistant, Jamil, weighs heavily on her heart.

Former Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson faces off against the riots and corruption of Kabul's upcoming election. He's looking for something that will give his life purpose but is confident that he won't find it in Afghanistan.All three are searching for love and freedom in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant. But when religious freedom becomes a matter of life and death, they discover that the cost of following Jesus may require the ultimate sacrifice.

The Pirate Queen

Saphora Warren has finally decided to run away from her idyllic-looking life.  After raising three children, she is about to leave her philandering husband when he comes home and announces that he is dying.  He asks her to move to their beach home with him(the very place she planned to retreat to alone).  As cancer works through him, they each grow and learn through the people they meet, discussions, and personal reflections and memories.  I loved the diverse characters and how each one uniquely added to the growth and development of the main characters.  At times, both heartwrenching and uplifting, it was really a character driven novel.  What is important is where they were at the beginning and where the Lord took them through their lives. I enjoyed this book.  It was an easy read, but it had such depth.  It is the first book I have read by Patricia Hickman, and I look forward to reading more by her.

Plain Jayne

Hillary Manton Lodge is a new a relative newcomer in the ever-growing genre of Amish fiction.  Plain Jayne is her debut novel, and it was an enjoyable read.  The story centers around journalist Jayne Tate.  After Jayne's father dies, her boss sends her on a mandatory vacation in which she pursues an idea for a story about the Amish community.  Finding a Amish carpenter in the phone book, Jayne enlists the help of Levi Burkholder.  She stays with his family and learns not only about the Amish, but also about herself.  This is both a coming of age story and a sweet romance.  It is a quick and fun read, with likable characters.  I would recommend this to fans of light romances and Amish fiction.