Congratulations to Krista! Winner of the book Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones.
Thanks for entering!
Book Giveaways!
My Mission with this blog
- It is my mission with this blog to introduce others to Christian fiction and all the things that reading a story can teach us about faith, hope, peace, love, and our Lord. Afterall, Jesus Himself often used stories to give powerful lessons. I also will be including some of my craft projects here as well.
January 28, 2012
January 26, 2012
Let it Snow Book Giveaway Day 7: "A House of Secrets" by Tracie Peterson
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
It seems much of the country is dealing with a lot of snow these days. We have certainly had a lot lately ourselves! For the most part, I am ok with it because I have my sewing projects and my books to read and, as long as I don't have to drive in it, I'm content to be home.
So, for me, winter is a great season for reading! And, in honor of that, I am having a week-long giveaway! Every day for this week, I will have a book to give away. I hope you will find something you would like to read!
Those rules again:
1.) To enter the drawing for a book, just answer my random question for the day in the comments of the post.
Today's question: Do you like to do any crafts? Do you find that you do more craft projects in the winter?
My Answer: I love to craft! And winter is an great time to tackle some big projects. I like to knit, crochet, sew, bead, anything crafty!
2.) Be reachable by email should you win, so I can let you know.
3.) Enter by February 2, a winner will be selected the following day.
4.) Come back again tomorrow!
Today's book:
A House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson
Description:
When her father orchestrates a surprise trip to the summer house of her childhood, Bailee Cooper is unprepared for what follows. What is intended to be a happy reunion for Bailee and her sisters, Geena and Piper, quickly becomes shrouded by memories from the past.
Together again, the three sisters sift through their recollections of fifteen years ago... of an ill mother, and of their father making a desperate choice. They vowed, as children, to be silent--but one sister believes the truth must now be revealed. Yet can they trust their memories?
My Thoughts:
I just finished this book today and I enjoyed it. It's not easy to read about other people's pain, and this family definately had it's share of secret pain. It was a powerful look at how mental illness can impact family members, but also how keeping secrets about it only exacerbates the problems. I like the faith lessons in it, though at times I felt like Mark was a bit "too perfect" in his patience and faith answers for Bailee.
January 25, 2012
Let it Snow Giveaway Day 6: "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
It seems much of the country is dealing with a lot of snow these days. We have certainly had a lot lately ourselves! For the most part, I am ok with it because I have my sewing projects and my books to read and, as long as I don't have to drive in it, I'm content to be home.
So, for me, winter is a great season for reading! And, in honor of that, I am having a week-long giveaway! Every day for this week, I will have a book to give away. I hope you will find something you would like to read!
Those rules again:
1.) To enter the drawing for a book, just answer my random question for the day in the comments of the post.
Today's question: What is your favorite comfort food(s)?
My Answer: I love all kinds of comfort food! My favorites are mashed potatoes with butter, warm bread, and chocolate chip cookies!
2.) Be reachable by email should you win, so I can let you know.
3.) Enter by February 1, a winner will be selected the following day.
4.) Come back again tomorrow!
Today's book:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Description:
Just like you, Ann Voskamp hungers to live her one life well. Forget the bucket lists that have us escaping our everyday lives for exotic experiences. 'How,' Ann wondered, 'do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long---and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?' In One Thousand Gifts, Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts. It's only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted ... a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved --- by God. Let Ann's beautiful, heart-aching stories of the everyday give you a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of being present to God that makes you deeply happy, and a way of living that is finally fully alive. Come live the best dare of all!
My Thoughts:
This book has had a big impact on my life! Voskamp writes with poetry and beautiful imagry. I feel called to gratitude after reading this and know that each day I can find ways to add thankfulness to my life. I love how she speaks with a voice that lets us in on her experiences as a mom and wife in a way that is genuine and real. I want to know her in person because I know she's the kind of person who would refresh my spirit just by sharing some coffee together.
I also love her blog: http://www.aholyexperience.com/. Check it out too!
January 24, 2012
Let it Snow Book Giveaway Day 5: "The Baker's Wife" by Erin Healy
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
It seems much of the country is dealing with a lot of snow these days. We have certainly had a lot lately ourselves! For the most part, I am ok with it because I have my sewing projects and my books to read and, as long as I don't have to drive in it, I'm content to be home.
So, for me, winter is a great season for reading! And, in honor of that, I am having a week-long giveaway! Every day for this week, I will have a book to give away. I hope you will find something you would like to read!
Those rules again:
1.) To enter the drawing for a book, just answer my random question for the day in the comments of the post.
Today's question: If you had to choose between being really hot or really cold, weatherwise, what would you pick and why?
My Answer: In Wisconsin we can often get a bit of both extremes! Neither are reallly my favorite, but I guess I would rather have the cold just because I am not a big fan of being overly warm and sweaty.
2.) Be reachable by email should you win, so I can let you know.
3.) Enter by January 31, a winner will be selected the following day.
4.) Come back again tomorrow!
Today's book:
The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy
Description:
Before Audrey was the baker's wife, she was the pastor's wife.
Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey.
Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey's car strikes something-or someone-at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there's no trace of a body.
Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield's wife, and he's certain that Audrey is behind Julie's disappearance.
But the case dead-ends and the detective spirals into madness. When he takes her family and some patrons hostage at the bakery, Audrey is left with a soul-damaged ex-con and a cynical teen to solve the mystery. And she'll never manage that unless she taps into something she would rather leave behind-her excruciating ability to feel other's pain.
My Thoughts:
Loved it! See review from earlier today here.
Review of "The Baker's Wife" by Erin Healy
Description:
Before Audrey was the baker's wife, she was the pastor's wife.
Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey.
Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey's car strikes something-or someone-at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there's no trace of a body.
Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield's wife, and he's certain that Audrey is behind Julie's disappearance.
My Thoughts:
This book is just what I needed to get me excited about reading again! I devoured in in 24 hours! I loved the imagry of the bread and the comfort that it brought. I loved the plot and flow of the story. I loved the characters, especially Audry and Geoff and their son. I love it when I find a book like this that satifsfies my cravings for both good characters and interesting suspense.
Book Bullets:
But the case dead-ends and the detective spirals into madness. When he takes her family and some patrons hostage at the bakery, Audrey is left with a soul-damaged ex-con and a cynical teen to solve the mystery. And she'll never manage that unless she taps into something she would rather leave behind-her excruciating ability to feel other's pain.
January 23, 2012
Let it Snow Book Giveaway Day 4: "Homeward Trilogy" by Lisa Bergren
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
It seems much of the country is dealing with a lot of snow these days. We have certainly had a lot lately ourselves! For the most part, I am ok with it because I have my sewing projects and my books to read and, as long as I don't have to drive in it, I'm content to be home.
So, for me, winter is a great season for reading! And, in honor of that, I am having a week-long giveaway! Every day for this week, I will have a book to give away. I hope you will find something you would like to read!
Those rules again:
1.) To enter the drawing for a book, just answer my random question for the day in the comments of the post.
Today's question: During what season do you find that you read the most?
My Answer: I would say winter and summer are the times when I read the most. In the spring and fall I often end up being busy with other tasks. It is especially nice to curl up with a good book when the weather is yucky outside!
2.) Be reachable by email should you win, so I can let you know.
3.) Enter by January 30, a winner will be selected the following day.
4.) Come back again tomorrow!
Today's books: Homeward Trilogy by Lisa T. Bergren
Descriptions:
Breathe:
Devastated by the loss of four sons to tuberculosis and his wife in childbirth, a Philadelphia patriarch sends his three living children west in 1883 to make a new life in the clean mountain air of Colorado Springs. Odessa is struggling to survive consumption; Moira is beautiful and dangerously headstrong; and pugnacious Dominic is charged with establishing a new arm of the family business--a business he doesn't want.
Sing:
Moira St. Clair has done exactly what her father forbade her to do—chased her dreams to sing on the stage. But even as her star rises, she becomes more vulnerable to those who wish to use her—or bring her down….
It is 1886, and the St. Clairs are living out their dreams in three very separate parts of the world—Paris, Brazil and Colorado. And while each has found a measure of success and joy, each is haunted by past sins and secrets.
Once home in Colorado, the St. Clairs struggle to learn what it means to sing praise to God—even in the face of tremendous loss—and trust Him in all things, even when forced to fight for their very lives.
Claim:
Sent west by their father to make a new life, the St. Clair siblings have done so-but hardly as he'd wished. Beautiful, headstrong Moira, after pursuing a stage career in Paris, has returned to Colorado-older, wiser, and much poorer-to see if there's anything left of an old relationship. Odessa and her husband, Bryce, are struggling to rebuild their ranch after a devastating winter. And then Nic turns up-broken, haunted, and sick about leaving his sisters.
At last the family is reunited. But Dominic is still at loose ends, seeking a peace that has always eluded him. In the satisfying conclusion of the Homeward Bound trilogy, Nic finally begins to understand how passionately he is loved-by God, his family, and a good woman.
My Thoughts:
I have come to LOVE Lisa Bergren as an author!
January 22, 2012
Let it Snow--Book Giveaway Day 3: "Forget Me Not" by Vicki Hinze
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
It seems much of the country is dealing with a lot of snow these days. We have certainly had a lot lately ourselves! For the most part, I am ok with it because I have my sewing projects and my books to read and, as long as I don't have to drive in it, I'm content to be home.
So, for me, winter is a great season for reading! And, in honor of that, I am having a week-long giveaway! Every day for this week, I will have a book to give away. I hope you will find something you would like to read!
Those rules again:
1.) To enter the drawing for a book, just answer my random question for the day in the comments of the post.
Today's question: Do you participate in any "winter-type" sports? (like skiing, ice fishing, ice skating, etc.)
My Answer: I am not really good at any winter sports. Someday I'd really like to try snow shoeing. The only winter sport I do is sledding with my family--but that can be really good exercise on the hill near us!
2.) Be reachable by email should you win, so I can let you know.
3.) Enter by January 29, a winner will be selected the following day.
4.) Come back again tomorrow!
Today's book:
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Description:
THEIR ELUSIVE ENEMIES TOOK EVERYTHING. NOW THEY WANT MORE.
Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family.
Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace.
The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?
My Thoughts:
Another exciting suspense that will keep you guessing until the end!
January 21, 2012
Let it Snow Book Giveaway Day 2: "A Heart Most Worthy" by Siri Mitchell
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
It seems much of the country is dealing with a lot of snow these days. We have certainly had a lot lately ourselves! For the most part, I am ok with it because I have my sewing projects and my books to read and, as long as I don't have to drive in it, I'm content to be home.
So, for me, winter is a great season for reading! And, in honor of that, I am having a week-long giveaway! Every day for this week, I will have a book to give away. I hope you will find something you would like to read!
Those rules again:
1.) To enter the drawing for a book, just answer my random question for the day in the comments of the post.
Today's question: What's your favorite hot beverage? Are you a coffee drinker? Tea? Hot Chocolate?
My Answer: Yes to them all! I love coffee with flavored cream or a specialty coffee drink like a Peppermint Mocha. I like tea in the afternoon, especially when my mom visits; chai tea is the BEST! I like hot chocolate, but I'm kind of a "snob" about it since I really only like it from scratch or a "melting chocolate" that is really rich, so I don't have it very often. I don't drink apple cider at all.
2.) Be reachable by email should you win, so I can let you know.
3.) Enter by January 28, a winner will be selected the following day.
4.) Come back again tomorrow!
Today's book:
A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell
Description:
The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream-and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times. Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client. Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?
My Thoughts:
Siri Mitchell is one of my favorite authors! I am not usually a big fan of historical fiction, but her books are wonderful and have the rich and strong characters that I love.
January 20, 2012
Review of "The Muir House" by Mary DeMuth
Description:
'You'll find home one day. Sure as sweet tea on a hot afternoon.' Words from Willa Muir's sketchy childhood haunt her dreams and color her days with longing, regret, and fear. What do the words mean? Willa is far from sure. When Hale Landon places a ring on her finger, Willa panics, feeling she can't possibly say yes when so much in her past is a mystery. Bent on sorting out her history, Willa returns to Rockwall, Texas, to the Muir House Bed and Breakfast, a former funeral home. But the old place holds her empty memory close to itself. Willa's mother utters unintelligible clues from her deathbed, and the caretaker of the house keeps coveted answers carefully protected. Throw in an old flame, and Willa careens farther away from ever knowing the truth. Set in a growing suburb of Texas, The Muir House explores trauma, healing, love new and old, and the life-changing choices people make to keep their reputations intact.
My Thoughts:
Mary DeMuth writes very powerful fiction. She doesn't hold back on the rawness of the emotions of her characters. I am always moved by the depth of the emotion of the writing. The only complaint I have is that sometimes this book depressed me. The depth of the darkness of Willa's emotions seemed a bit tedious for me sometimes. I wanted to shake her to have her see that she couldn't get so lost in the questions of her past or let it ruin her future. I wanted there to be some things that made her happy too. Some sense of hope for her future. That's just my take on it. The descriptions are very strong, but the plot was slow for me and I found Willa to be a bit too self-absorbed and depressing, though the other book reviews I've read make me question myself a bit on this since so many really, really liked the book. Sometimes my own emotions play a factor in my experience with a book and my own "funk" that I was in may have tainted my viewpoint. The writing is very emotive and good. Check it out and see what you think!
Book Bullets:
Let it Snow Book Giveaway! Day 1: "Just Between You and Me" by Jenny B. Jones
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
It seems much of the country is dealing with a lot of snow these days. We are getting up to 7 inches again today. For the most part, I am ok with it because I have my sewing projects and my books to read and, as long as I don't have to drive in it, I'm content to be home.
So, for me, winter is a great season for reading! And, in honor of that, I am having a week-long giveaway! Every day for the next week, I will have a book to give away. I hope you will find something you would like to read!
Those rules again:
1.) To enter the drawing for a book, just answer my random question for the day in the comments of the post.
Today's question: Are you getting lots of snow where you live? Do you like snow?
2.) Be reachable by email should you win, so I can let you know.
3.) Enter by January 27, a winner will be selected the following day.
4.) Come back again tomorrow!
Today's book:
Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones
Description:
A novel of losing fear and finding God.
Maggie lives life on the edge, seemingly unafraid of anything. But the image she so carefully constructed is coming undone.
Her job as a videographer takes her around the world. She tells people’s stories, especially those of impoverished children. That’s when she feels most alive, like she’s making the world better.
But when a secret from her past resurfaces, Maggie gets a call that sends her home. Her dad desperately needs her help. Her estranged sister has run off, leaving 8-year-old Riley in his care. She returns reluctantly, hoping to help her niece. There she reconnects with Cooper–a once awkward and shy, now handsome, veterinarian. Her feelings skyrocket when she’s with him, but she’s afraid if she shows him her true self, he’ll reject her.
An honest, hilarious journey that will transform Maggie–if she just learns to trust more and fear less.
My Thoughts:
It has been a few years since I read this book, but I remember well that it is a good book! Jenny B. Jones always delivers!
