Tree Swing Reading

Distant Heart by Tracey Bateman (Book 2 in the "Westward Hearts" Trilogy)

Distant Heart by Tracey Bateman

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Distant Heart
(Avon Inspire January 2, 2008)
by
Tracey BatemanWant this book?  The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061246344

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:








Tracey Bateman is the award-winning author of more than twenty-five books, including Defiant Heart, the First in the Westeard Hearts series. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and recently served on the board as President. She loves in Lebanon, Montana, with her husband and their four children.






ABOUT THE BOOK

In the second book in the Westward Hearts trilogy, will the promise of a new life out west heal the scars of Toni's past?

This series tells the stories of three strong women as they struggle to survive on the rough wagon train and lose their hearts to unlikely heroes along the way/ Thin Little House on the Prairie meets Francine river's Redeeming Love and you begin to get a sense of the riveting historical series that Tracey Bateman has created.

In this second installment, we follow Toni Rodden, a former prostitute who sought to escape her past and build a new life, and a new reputation, when she joined the wagon train. Despite much resentment and distrust from the other women, Toni has finally earned a place on the wagon train and found a surrogate family in Fannie Caldwell and her two siblings. For the first time in her life, Toni actually feels free.

But while Toni once harbored dreams that her new life might include a husband and family, she soon realizes the stigma that comes with her past is difficult to see beyond and that she'll never be truly loved or seen as worthy. As the trip out west begins to teach her to survive on her own, she resolves to make her own living as a seamstress when the train finally reaches Oregon.

But despite Toni's conviction that no man will be able to see beyond her marred past, Sam Two-feathers, the wagon scout and acting preacher for the train seems to know of a love that forgives sins and values much more than outward appearances. Will Sam have the confidence to declare his love? Will Toni be able to trust in a God that can forgive even the darkest past? Faith, love, and courage will be put to the test in Distant Heart.

Really Big Week of Giveaways! Day 6 "Unwrapping Christmas" and "The Judge Who Stole Christmas"

This drawing is now closed. Thank you for entering.

I'm in a Christmas gift-giving mood and will be giving away a different Christmas book everyday for the week of December 13-19!  Be sure to check the rules below. And good luck!

Today's giveaway: TWO BOOKS! Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland and The Judge Who Stole Christmas by Randy Singer. 

Here's the rules.

1. For each book drawing you wish to enter, post a comment on that day's post.

2. If you have a blog, please consider posting a like back to this giveaway. And put your blog link in your comment. Thanks.

3. Answer today's Christmas questions in your post.

Which book are you entering your name for? Or both?

Of the following Christmas goodies, which is your favorite?
Fudge
Sugar cookies
Candy Canes
PB cookies with the chocolate kiss in the middle (my favorite!)
Egg nog

4. Check back next week to see who won!  I will draw for all the books on the 19th and mail them that day.

Today's first book: The Judge Who Stole Christmas by Randy Singer

Description:

Yuletide free-for-all.

It starts innocently enough in the town square of Possum, Virginia. But it ends up as a spectacular national scandal: Can a federal judge outlaw Christmas?

Thomas Hammond and his wife play Joseph and Mary in the annual live nativity scene in their hometown. But a federal judge rules the display unconstitutional - and a Christmas showdown ensues. Thomas refuses to abide by the court order-and ends up in jail. From the courtrooms of Virginia to the talk shows of New York City, the battle escalates into a national media spectacle. Caught in the middle is law student Jasmine Woodfaulk - assigned to represent Thomas as part of her school�s legal aid clinic.

Whatever happened to peace on earth?

Only a surprising series of events - nearly as humbling and unexpected as the origins of the season itself - can reconcile a stubborn father, a crusading law student and a recalcitrant judge.

The Judge Who Stole Christmas, by acclaimed author Randy Singer, is a charming, warm, and thought-provoking Christmas tale that explores in a fresh way the real reason for the season.

And the second book is:

Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland

Description:

Product Description

With only the best of intentions, Rose masterminds a spectacular Christmas for her family, crowding out their true enjoyment of the holy season. When she's forced to slow down---in a most unexpected way---God provides her with the opportunity to discover the real meaning of giving. Will she rise to the occasion?

Day 7 of The 12 days of Christmas Devotionals from some great authors

Celebrating the true meaning of the Christmas season, GRPR is proud to introduce to you the twelve days of Christmas.  Twelve inspired devotional thoughts written by some of the best and brightest authors in the Christian industry.   On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.... The Gift of Uniqueness

God's Gift of Uniqueness by Tosca Lee I used to hate my name. “Tosca” was too unusual. “Moon,” my middle name, was just downright embarrassing. “Lee” was all right, though it still set me apart from the rest of the Caucasian kids in my school. In an era when Christy Brinkley graced the cover of every fashion magazine, I did not wish to accentuate my different-ness. The name I really wanted was Marie--probably because others had it and that meant I could at least buy one of those door plates for my bedroom door or license plates for my bike, which was my litmus test. As it was, they sure didn’t have plates for kids named “Tosca.” In junior high, my friends called me “Weird Tosca.” I didn’t like that so much. These days I teach about talent in my work as a consultant. I talk about the strange, quirky things that not only set people apart, but have the potential to make them great. A friend said to me once, “Stars have points.” He’s right. And when we blunt our points, we lose the defining characteristics of our unique mark in and contribution to this world. Opportunities work much the same. It’s the unique ones that seem to hold the greatest potential impact. When my main character, Clay, bumps up against the opportunity to hear the story of creation from the viewpoint of a Demon, he is terrified--intrigued, but terrified. And so he resists. While his reaction might be in keeping with any sane person’s, it’s also a human reaction to the unusual. But in this case, it’s the unusual that might just might save his soul. How has God revealed to you your uniquness?  And what, most importantly, is He telling you to do with it? Weird Tosca   “You need to know something more about Elohim: he is the ultimate force of creativity. He is the author of diversity.” --Lucian, Demon: A Memoir     Tosca Lee is the author of Demon: A Memoir and of the upcoming Havah: The Story of Eve. For more information visit www.demonamemoir.com

Day 6 of The 12 days of Christmas Devotionals from some great authors

Celebrating the true meaning of the Christmas season, GRPR is proud to introduce to you the twelve days of Christmas.  Twelve inspired devotional thoughts written by some of the best and brightest authors in the Christian industry.   On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.... The Gift of Unconditional Acceptance

God's Gift of Unconditional Acceptance by Lisa Samson   Clearly God Incarnate wasn't choosy. He wasn't born in a palace, but to a simple peasant woman bearing the stigma of a pregnancy conceived out of the bonds of matrimony. He wasn't even born in his own town, but endured a long ride to Bethlehem in his mother's womb only to be born in a stable among the livestock. Even after his ministry began he owned one robe and proclaimed himself homeless when He said, "Foxes have dens, birds have nest, but the Son of God has no place to lay His head." If we used some TV preachers' standards today, Jesus clearly wasn't blessed by God. He didn't have the finest clothes, transportation or housing. Even most of His disciples weren't exactly candidates for a PhD. Clearly He must not have had enough faith if that's all He was getting from His Father! But Christ isn't choosy and that is good news for us. For there isn't a single human being who can impress Him into shining His light of grace upon them. The stockbroker on Wall Street stands level with the illegal immigrant who picks strawberries. The evangelist in fine suits or sparkly dresses looks eye-to-eye with the busdriver. And the homeschool mom stands shoulder to shoulder with the prostitute. His love demands He looks above the good and the bad, and His arms are always open, ready to receive us when we are ready to receive Him. Sometimes we run back into His arms many times in one day and He doesn't care if we've showered or put on the latest fashions, He's only looking for a contrite heart. That's it. A heart that says, "I'm sorry." This Christmastime, rest in the fact that you can't impress Christ. He doesn't care about our beautiful cookies or the fact that our trees look designer coordinated. He isn't impressed we ran around to ten different stores to find the perfect present for Aunt Sue. He just wants us to love Him, just as we are, for when we do, we incarnate Him in the here and now, and there's no telling what He'll do through us.   Lisa Samson is the author of Hollywood Nobody (NavPress, 2007), For more information visit www.lisasamson.com

Really Big Week of Giveaways! Day 5 "The Red Gloves Collection" and "At Home for the Holidays"

This drawing is now closed. Thank you for entering.

I'm in a Christmas gift-giving mood and will be giving away a different Christmas book everyday for the week of December 13-19!  Be sure to check the rules below. And good luck!

Today's giveaway: TWO BOOKS! The Red Glove Collection by Karen Kingsbury and At Home for the Holidays by Meredith Efken. 

Here's the rules.

1. For each book drawing you wish to enter, post a comment on that day's post.

2. If you have a blog, please consider posting a like back to this giveaway. And put your blog link in your comment. Thanks.

3. Answer today's Christmas questions in your post.

Which book are you entering your name for? Or both?

Are you the one in your family who's impatient to get to opening the presents or do you like to wait and torture others in the family who can't wait?  I used to be the one who got tortured--my brothers are all over 12 years older than me--but now I have a sister-in-law who's the one who can't wait and gets teased about it!

4. Check back next week to see who won!  I will draw for all the books on the 19th and mail them that day.

Today's first book: @ Home for the Holidays

Synopsis

'Tis the season to be jolly?

Sitting by the fireside, humming carols and knitting mittens . . . not! For these stay-at-home moms, the weeks before Christmas are anything but mellow. How can you balance housework, home crises and the husband without losing your mind? Plug in your laptop!

Meet Dulcie, Zelia, Jocelyn, Rosalyn, Veronica and the rest of the women of SAHM I Am. An e-mail loop of stay-at-home moms, they've seen each other through months of domestic drama: babies who won't come, bills that won't leave, kids who won't listen and spouses who won't talk. Now, as the yuletide approaches, the SAHms are on hand once again, bearing gifts of sisterhood, sanity and the real Christmas spirit.

My Review: I am looking forward to reading this book this week--I have read GREAT reviews on it.  It is supposed to be quite funny.

The second book is a collection of some of my all-time favoriate Christmas stories: The Red Glove Collection by Karen Kingsbury

It contains the four novellas from Kingsbury's Red Glove series.

The first story is: Gideon's Gift.

When Big Earl Gibson's precious wife and daughter were taken from him one Christmas long ago, he abandoned his faith and became a homeless man with an angry heart. But then a 7-year-old leukemia patient reaches out to him. Will her persistent gift of friendship help heal Earl's lonely, broken life?

The second is: Sarah's Song

The ritual is the same every December: twelve handmade paper ornaments and a small plastic Christmas tree; twelve days for eighty-six-year-old Sarah Baldwin to remember her long-ago love; twelve chances for Sarah to sing her song once more, even just from her room in the lonely nursing home. Who will God bring to Sarah to share this tiny ritual of joy and His love?

The third story is: Maggie's Miracle

High-powered attorney Megan Wright grieves the loss of her husband and seeks a "big brother" for her lonely son. Across town, Casey Cummins applies to mentor a fatherless young boy. Neither is prepared for their first meeting---triggering precious, long-forgotten memories. Is the miracle Megan prayed for in childhood about to happen?

And the final is: Hannah's Hope

Fifteen-year-old Hannah Roberts remembers when her father was her closest friend. The image is hazy, though, pulled from distant childhood memories. Now her father is a cold and distant politician too busy to spend time with his daughter. Her mother isn't much better. Feeling orphaned, Hannah lives a lonely life with her wealthy, ailing grandmother.

But this year is to be different. As Christmas nears, Hannah learns the shocking truth: The man she believes is her father in not her parent after all. In an effort to find answers, she begins a desparate search for her real father--the one she remembers from her past.

My Review: The are all beautiful and sweet stories!  They are perfect for this time of year and remind of all  of the important aspects of Christmas--family, faith, love, kindness, hope, and generosity.

Still looking for "Sisters of the Quilt" series winners

Hi! Last week I drew names for Cindy Woodsmall's Sisters of the Quilt series books 1 and 2--2 winners and I haven't heard from them yet.  The winners were Kitty and Julie Donahue.  I don't have any other contact info for you, so please email me and I'll get them in the mail to you.

Thanks!

Really Big Week of Giveaways! Day 4 "Forever Christmas" and "Jamaican Me Crazy"

This drawing is now closed. Thank you for entering.

  I'm in a Christmas gift-giving mood and will be giving away a different Christmas book everyday for the week of December 13-19!  Be sure to check the rules below. And good luck!

Today's giveaway: TWO BOOKS! Forever Christmas by Christine Lynxwiler and Jamaican Me Crazy: A Christmas Escape by Debbie DiGiovanni. 

Here's the rules.

1. For each book drawing you wish to enter, post a comment on that day's post.

2. If you have a blog, please consider posting a like back to this giveaway. And put your blog link in your comment. Thanks.

3. Answer today's Christmas questions in your post.

Which book are you entering your name for? Or both?

And, do you send out "form letters" with your Christmas cards, hand write notes to your card list, or just a card with a short note?  How many cards do you send out?  (My answer, I do a form letter.  I know some people hate them, but I like getting them and I like trying to be creative with them.  I always send some kind of picture of our girls too.  Every year I say I'm not going to do a letter and then every year my mom talks me into it with the "everyone loves your cards" guilt trip.  I send out around 80 cards--I have a big family and we keep in touch with college friends who live around the world now.)

4. Check back next week to see who won!  I will draw for all the books on the 19th and mail them that day.

Today's books: Forever Christmas by Christine Lynxwiler

Description:

After two broken engagements, so-called runaway bride Kristianna Harrington is content to run her shop, Forever Christmas, in her little hometown of Jingle Bells, Arkansas, and forget about romance. She reluctantly agrees to be the maid of honor at her best friend's wedding, but making it down the aisle becomes the least of her worries when a handsome newcomer threatens her precious town. Kristianna vows to stop the striking lawyer hired to change the town name and turns to her childhood friends for help. But Ami is busy with wedding plans, and Garrett seems more interested in bowling than politics. Will Kristianna get the help she needs before both her town and her Christmas spirit are extinguished?

My Review:

This was a lovely story and perfect to read this time of year! Kristianna has inherited a gift shop from her grandmother and she has settled into the apartment above the story. Unfortunately the town of Jingle Bells, the Christmas-themed town in which the store is located, is struggling from lack of visitors and a new company wants to come in with a new business and a new name.  Kristianna is apalled at the thought of changing her beloved town's name.  Throughout the book Kristianna struggles to find a way to keep the town's name from changing, wrestles with her overbearing parents who want her to get out of Jingle Bells and return to law school, and battles to know her own heart when it comes to romance.  A very sweet story that reminds us that God is in control and will leave you a smile on your face.  I highly recommend it!

The second book today is: Jamaican Me Crazy: A Christmas Escape by Debbie DeGiovanni

Description:

What you wouldn't give to escape the madness of the holiday season, right? This is your chance. Take a trip, all expenses paid, with the ladies of the Lakeside Baptist Christmas Club as they trade the Christmas rush and icy slush for sun and sandy beaches. When putting together another "perfect" Christmas is just too much, the women of Lakeside rebel (as much as Baptists can) and buy five tickets to Jamaica. Trading their to-do lists for sunscreen and flip-flops, the ladies think they're going to have the time of their lives. Only their sunny holiday is not quite what they bargained for, and they get a cold dose of reality, sans sugarplums, for Christmas. With a sprinkle of laughter, a dash of suspense, and a splash of romance, this cast of characters is sure to amuse you. So don your best "island" jammies, turn off the phone, grab a cup of cocoa, and experience sunny Jamaica this Christmas. Bon voyage! "Stop the mad Christmas rush and spend some time in Jamaica. Jamaican Me Crazy is the perfect getaway from your holiday stress."-

My Review: I just started the book this morning, but am really enjoying it so far.  The humor is great and I can't wait to see what kind of crazy situations these women get into on their trip--I'm guessing it will be funny!

Be sure to answer the questions when you post and let me know which book/books you are entering to win.

Really Big Week of Giveaways! Day 3 "The Christmas Shoes"

This drawing is now closed. Thank you for entering.

  I'm in a Christmas gift-giving mood and will be giving away a different Christmas book everyday for the week of December 13-19!  Be sure to check the rules below. And good luck!

Today's giveaway: The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

Here's the rules.

1. For each book drawing you wish to enter, post a comment on that day's post.

2. If you have a blog, please consider posting a like back to this giveaway. And put your blog link in your comment. Thanks.'

3. Answer today's Christmas question in your post.

Do you prefer blinking lights or solid? Color or white?

4. Check back next week to see who won!  I will draw for all the books on the 19th and mail them that day.

Today's book is Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

Description:

Sometimes the things that can change you life will cross your path in one instance--and then, in a fleeting moment, they're gone. But if you open your eyes and watch carefully, you will believe... Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife Kate, their two daughters, and, ultimately, himself. Eight-year-old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life and struggling to hold on to every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Eve brings Robert and Nathan together--he is shopping for a family he hardly knows, and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson: Sometimes the smallest things can make all the difference. Based on the #1 single "The Christmas Shoes" by NewSong.

My Review:

I don't know what it is about this story that always gets to me, but it does!  I love this sweet little book and it's beautiful reminder about the important things in life. It makes me cry every time and it makes me appreciate my family all the more.

Really Big Week of Giveaways! Day 2

This drawing is now closed. Thank you for entering.

I'm in a Christmas gift-giving mood and will be giving away a different Christmas book everyday for the week of December 13-19!  Be sure to check the rules below. And good luck!

Today's giveaway: Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn

Description and Review:

Here's the rules.

1. For each book drawing you wish to enter, post a comment on that day's post.

2. If you have a blog, please consider posting a like back to this giveaway. And put your blog link in your comment. Thanks.

3. I'm taking away my "Live in U.S." requirements.  I like my Aussie friends and want them to have a chance to win too! :)

4. Answer today's Christmas question in your post.

1. What is the strangest grab bag (white elephant) type gift you've ever seen someone give? (My answer, someone gave a jar with all their baby teeth in it!  eeeew!)

5. Check back next week to see who won!  I will draw for all the books on the 19th and mail them that day.

Description: Finding Father Christmas, Robin brings readers a poignant Christmas novella about a woman, desperate for a place to belong, who travels to England a few days before Christmas, looking for the father she never knew.

Miranda Carson's search for her father takes a turn she never expected when she finds herself in London, with only a few feeble clues to who he might be.

Unexpectedly welcomed into a family that doesn't recognize her, and whom she's quickly coming to love, she faces a terrible decision. Should she reveal her true identity and destroy their idyllic image of her father? Or should she carry the truth home with her to San Francisco and remain alone in this world? Whatever choice she makes during this London Christmas will forever change the future for both herself and the family she can't bear to leave.

My Review:

I enjoyed this sweet and tender story of belonging. Who doesn't want to feel a sense of belonging, especially during holidays? Miranda hasn't had that feeling for a long time. Miranda was raised by a theater actress who combined wistful fantasies with reality in Miranda's childhood. All Miranda's questions to her about her father were resisted and an old photo discovered in her mother's purse is all the clues she has to his identity.

Now in her thirties, and her mom's death decades past, Miranda once again seeks the identity of her father. On a whim she follows the only clue of the photo to a phototgraphy studio in England. Unfortunately the photography studio has been closed, but a stop in a quaint storybook tea shop extends a tiny bit of hope in learning about her father through others at a play of A Christmas Carol. Miranda finds herself whisked away to enjoy comradiere and friendship with these actors and friends who invite her to join them for Christmas the next day. More surprises await her, the longer she stays with these kind and hospitable friends.

This is just the kind of book I like to read around the holidays! There is a sense of hope and good cheer about the people Gunn writes about. It makes me to want to invite them all over for Christmas dinner at my house! The theme of belonging is beautifully captured in Miranda's recognition that belonging to the family of God makes Christmas not just a holiday, but a state of mind.

Day 5 of The 12 days of Christmas Devotionals from some great authors

Celebrating the true meaning of the Christmas season, GRPR is proud to introduce to you the twelve days of Christmas.  Twelve inspired devotional thoughts written by some of the best and brightest authors in the Christian industry.   On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.... The Gift of Imagination

God's Gift of Imagination by Jack Cavanaugh     Christmas is a holiday for the imagination.     Angels and shepherds and wise men (oh my!), Tyrants and taxes and stars in the sky! No room for a bed As tidings were spread And the Father looked down from on high.     It’s no wonder the story of the nativity thrills our hearts year after year. It’s a wonderfully creative event orchestrated by a Deity who loves using His imagination. Take the temple priest’s robes for example. When the temple was first built God assembled all the skilled craftsmen and gave them instructions (Exodus 35:10). The craftsmen designing the priestly robes were told to adorn them with images of blue pomegranates (Exodus 39:24).   Blue?   There’s no such thing as a blue pomegranate! What was God thinking? If this kind of creativity were to catch on we could end up with Christmas cards with images of green angels, pink Christmas trees, and a plaid star over the manger!   If blue pomegranates bothers you…get over it! We have a wonderfully imaginative God who frequently colors outside the lines. Go, and do thou likewise.   Wishing you an imaginative Christmas season.   Jack Cavanaugh is the author of Hideous Beauty: Kingdom Wars #1 and countless other books.  For more information visit www.JackCavanaugh.com.