Tree Swing Reading

Giving away "Symphony of Secrets"

What does this mean?  Well, I'm giving away a bunch of books of all kinds!  Some new releases, some that have been around a while...but are too good to miss.  Some fiction of all different genres, some non-fiction. 

My rules will be the same as usual. 

1) Post a comment to the blogs with the books you want to enter to win.  Answer the question that goes with that blog.

Today's question: Do you play a musical instrument?  If so, what?  I play piano and clarinet.

2) See if you win!

Winners are drawn 10 days after the giveaway is posted. 

Today's giveaway will be drawn on June 9.

I have 2 copies of Sharon Hinck's Symphony of Secrets to give away! 

Description:

Talented flutist Amy Johnsons dreams come true when she wins a spot with the Minneapolis Symphony. But this amateur sleuth has trouble concentrating on the notes as she begins to see devious motives behind her fellow musicians' many mishaps. Meanwhile, her musically talented daughter wants to give it all up for (gasp) the cheerleading squad! What's a musical mom to do? Can Amy fine-tune her investigation before the symphony is forced to close and she loses not only her dream job but her promising new relationship with its conductor?

What does balance look like?

One of the things I need to do this weekend is sit down and figure out some things.  I'm not doing a very good job of balancing my life right now.  Last night it came to a head and I kind of freaked out.  OK, I threw some hot pads and slammed some cupboards and sent myself to my room for a while. :)  I can't seem to get a handle on how much of "me" I should keep in this time of my life where I am mostly "mom."  Do you know what I mean? 

I am a very creative person.  Some parts of being a mom are just not that creative.  Driving them to different practices and games and activities doesn't require a lot of creative energy--though I suppose I could be creative with the route I take...  Folding laundry, making beds, putting lunches together, again, not very creative in the sense of the word that fills my tank.  I figured out a while ago that I needed to keep some creativity in my life. So I started adding creative things in my life.  I started making jewelry and knitting, which led to my craft business.  I did some graphic design work for my church which led to other clients.  I blog.  These things make me feel alive in a different way than being a mommy does, but they keep growing.  Please don't think I don't enjoy being a mommy, I'm just saying it doesn't fill that part of me.

Here's the delima.  How much of that creative stuff should I be doing?  What is the right amount of time to spend on my craft business verses playing Uno with the girls?  I know enough to know that my girls are more important, but does that mean I have to give up the craft business?  Do I have to put the graphic design stuff aside until they are 18?  Or only do it when they are in bed?  Then there's the other priorities too: quiet time, time for husband, cleaning, friends, church library volunteer...you get the idea.

This is the stuff I have to figure out soon.  All I know so far is that my current approach isn't working so I've got to reprioritize somewhat.  I need an operator's manual for this time in my life.  Is there a secret formula that I can punch some numbers into and get a solution?  X hours allowed on me, Y hours for husband, Z hours for kids: X+Y+Z=? 

Review of "Skid" by Rene Gutteridge

(Note: You can still win this series by posting a comment before June 6. Click on this link for the contest.)

Description: book 3 in the Occupational Hazards series

WaterBrook Press, May 20, 2008

Come Fly The Frenzied Skies!

Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a copilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage.

On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled inflight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of "What Would Oprah Do?" will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard, whose unusually polite but constant requests--prompted by his covert role as a spy for teh airline--test the limits of the crew's customer service.

But as Lucy and the crew discover, Hank's odd behavior is linked to a quiet faith that may play a key role in the fate of everyone on board. Especially when an unexpected traveler sets this already bumpy flight on a course toward the unfriendly skies.

check out Rene Gutteridge's website: http://www.renegutteridge.com

Author Bio:

Rene Gutteridge is the author of twelve novels, including the Boo series, the Storm series, and the novelization for The Ultimate Gift, as well as Scoop and Snitch, the first two Occupational Hazard novels. She lives with her husband, Sean, and their two children in

Oklahoma City

.

 

My Review:

FANTASTIC again!  This is my third book in this series in two days.  Loved it!  Funny....engaging...gripping.  You never know what crazy thing is going to happen next in this adventure that takes place almost entirely during one (unbelievably) eventful flight to Amersterdam.  (I love that they are going to the Netherlands on the flight!  All my grandparents are from there and I grew up in a predominantly Dutch community so it was cool for me!) 

What a crazy flight!  First there's a wacky captain with some legendary landing in the Bermuda Triangle.  There's a thief being escorted back to the Netherlands whose afraid someone on the plane is trying to kill him.  There's a woman with a personal assistant pet that's a pig.  There's a guy trying to hide the diamonds he's carrying back to his grandmother in the Netherlands and the guy who's trying to steal them.  There's a passenger who's dead...and then not dead. There's Lucy, a woman trying to live based on positive and negative energy while recovering from being dumped by a boyfriend who turns up on the same flight.  And then there's Hank Hazard.  Who in typical Hazard family fashion stands out in this crazy crowd, not because of any wacky behavior of his own, but because he is remarkably different in his peaceful handling of it.  All the Harzard siblings are like this.  They attract people who want what they have.

(Read about Hayden Hazard in my review here from Scoop. And read about Mack Hazard here in my review of Snitch.).

I think Gutteridge outdid herself with this cast of characters.  I laughed out loud at the antics of a pig who is a fussy eater. Grabbed my seat with suspense as Hank and another passenger have to land a plane without a pilot.  And was reminded again of the importance of having the kind of faith that shines like the Hazard family faith.  Everywhere they go, people around them are struck by their substance and peace.

To purchase your own copy: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400071593 

I hope we get to hear more from the Hazard family soon!

CFBA Blog Tour of "Ruby Among Us" by Tina Ann Forkner

Ruby Among Us by Tina Ann Forkner

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Ruby Among Us
(WaterBrook Press May 20, 2008)
by
Tina Ann Forkner

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:







Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. Originally from Oklahoma, she graduated with honors in English from CSU Sacramento before ultimately settling in the wide-open spaces of Wyoming where she now resides with her husband and their three children. Tina serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors and enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with her family, and works as a full-time writer.







ABOUT THE BOOK

Sometimes, the key that unlocks your future lies in someone else’s past...

In Ruby Among Us, Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art─but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty can shield her from the memory of the mother she can no longer remember. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as eager to hide from the past as Lucy is eager to find it.

From the streets of San Francisco and Sacramento, to the lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley, Lucy follows the thread of memory in search for a heritage that seems long-buried with her mother, Ruby.

What she finds is enigmatic and stirring in this redemptive tale about the power of faith and mother-daughter love.

“What an incredible story. As both mothers and daughters, Ruby Among Us struck a special cord in each of the four of us. Tina writes in a way that makes us feel like we’re there; from the first line, we were captivated and drawn into an intricate weaving of the precious and fragile relationships that define us.”
~Point of Grace~

“Reading is a passion of mine, and when I find myself identifying with the characters, anxious to get to the next page to find answers to my questions, I know I’m into a good book! The daughter-mother-grandmother theme in Ruby Among Us pulled me in. Wonderful story-telling.”
~Jordin Sparks~, 2007 winner of American Idol

“Highly recommended. If you’re a mother or daughter, you’re going to love Ruby Among Us. Forkner does an extraordinary job…. I look forward to more from this author.”
~Ane Mulligan~, Novel Journey

“Don’t miss this one! Tina Ann Forkner is a strong new voice in fiction and Ruby Among Us is an amazing story of trials, regrets, and, ultimately, redemption. Lucy and her family history in the historic wine country of Sonoma bring to life the Scriptures about the Vine and His branches.”
~Kristin Billerbeck~, author of The Trophy Wives Club

If you would like to read the first chapter go HERE.

To get your own copy: The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073588

My Thoughts:

I am part way into this book and am enjoying it very much.  There is something about Lucy that is really engaging and powerful.  I can't wait to finish reading!  Well-written and touching.  Almost poetic writing.

Review of "Snitch" by Rene Gutteridge

Description:

Keeping the streets safe can be murder on the knees.

Just shy of retirement and a well-earned pension, Las Vegas Police Department Sergeant Ron Yeager's definition of "active duty" involves shifting his bad leg into a more comfortabel position. But when he's requested from his mind-numbing desk job to head an undercover auto theft task force, the former narcotics officer determines to prove he's still got the right stuff. That is, until he meets his unlikely team of officers

As Yeager soon finds out, not all the crazies are on the street. An undercover rookie, the audaciously honest Mackenzie "Mack" Hazard sends Yeager's blood pressure skyrocketing by wearing her faith like an ever-present badge. Then there's Jesse Lunden, a maverick undercover officer who refuses to learn anything from an old guy with a cane. Can this tangle of egos and eccentrics be trained into a lean, mean, crime-fighting machine--even when they are being drawn into something much bigger and more dangerous than anyone imagined?

My Review:

Another winner from this series!  More likeable characters who make me laugh out loud.  More suspense than the first book in the series.  More unashamed-faith-proclaiming Hazard family members.  Mack is a little more "rough around the edges" than Hayden (from Scoop), but she is just as determined to be real and honest about her faith.  So take this honesty and determination to always speak freely about her beliefs and try imagining such a woman in an undercover cop position.  Not hard to see some sparks would fly as she ends up working with a cop like Jesse who does undercover with an edge and an attitude.  Throw in the experienced boss of Yeager who has to get them to work together and a pastor who maneuers himself into the case and you get a interesting and crazy adventure as they try to bring down a car-theft ring!

Again, Gutteridge does a fantastic job of telling the story through the eyes of the characters around Mack.  I couldn't put it down! 

Review of "Scoop" by Rene Gutteridge

Description:

Book one in the Occupational Hazard Series.

TV news producer Hugo Talley is desperate to boost ratings and attract a younger demographic. But an aging anchorwoman, a know-it-all weatherman, a reporter who shuns sensationalism, and young Hayden Hazard---an assistant who can't leave her faith outside the newsroom---are jeopardizing Hugo's dreams. Will Hayden's personal convictions destroy Channel 7's shot at success?

My Review:

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I love Rene Gutteridge!  She writes with humor and style and creates the most unusal characters and circumstances!  In the Occupational Hazard Series, she has created a family of homeschooled siblings who grew up working together in their parents' clown business.  When their parents die together in a freak accident, their brother decides it's time for them to do something different and he closes the family business.  Thus the series of Hazard siblings and their occupations is born!

In this first book, Hayden is working as an Assistant in a newsroom.  Little does she know that strange circumstances will bring her in front of the camera.  The irony is that Hayden has enough innocence and a childlike faith that will have her accept the position easily with pure trust that she can handle it because that's what God wants her to do. 

Gutteridge does a fascinating job of capturing the story of Hayden without using Hayden's voice for the story.  The story is told through the eyes of the people around her. And they are a quirky and strange bunch!  And the events in their lives are quirky enough to match them!  Very funny! 

So take some humor, throw in some suspense, and add a dash of romance for this terrific book by one of my favorite authors!  If you get a chance to read this series, you will be entertained and even challenged--in light-hearted, off-beat way--to see what childlike confidence in one's faith can look like in an adult.  Hayden reminds us all that we should never be ashamed of the gospel and should always have an answer when asked about what we believe in.

Great book!

Loving Rene Gutteridge! Giving Away "Occuational Hazard" series!

What does this mean?  Well, I'm giving away a bunch of books of all kinds!  Some new releases, some that have been around a while...but are too good to miss.  Some fiction of all different genres, some non-fiction. 

My rules will be the same as usual. 

1) Post a comment to the blogs with the books you want to enter to win.  Answer the question that goes with that blog.

Today's question: What's your favorite dessert?  I love warm chocolate chip cookies or brownies!  Can you tell I'm PMSing and craving chocolate today?  Is that too much information? :)

2) See if you win!

Winners are drawn 10 days after the giveaway is posted. 

Today's giveaway will be drawn on June 6.

So, I just finished reading the first book in the Occupational Hazard series by Rene Gutteridge.  I just love her writing!  If the first book is any indication, this series is totally a blast to read!  There's romance, there's suspense, and there's laughing all in one book!  What fun characters she has created.  Here's descriptions of the series books:

SCOOP WaterBrook Press, October 10th, 2006

Channel 7 News producer Hugo Talley dreams of working with first-class professionals. Instead he’s saddled with an aging anchorwoman who refuses to release her claw-like grip on the newsdesk, a conscience-stricken reporter who’s reluctant to focus on sensationalism, and a new assistant–former homeschool student Hayden Hazard–who can’t just seem to leave her faith outside the newsroom. When the Channel 7 News team inadvertently stumbles on a hot news story, Hugo is frantic to exploit this rare opportunity. But a series of crises–including a Botox disaster and the disappearance of a colleague–threatens to destroy his chance for ratings success and send him completely over the edge. With their oddball antics and all-too-real foibles, this lovable cast of characters offers a hilarious look at the sometimes unexpected effects of taking one’s faith boldly into the workplace.

SNITCH

WaterBrook Press, May 15th 2007

Keeping the streets safe can be murder on the knees.

Just shy of retirement and a well-earned pension, Las Vegas Police Department Sergeant Ron Yeager's definition of "active duty" involves shifting his bad leg into a more comfortabel position. But when he's requested from his mind-numbing desk job to head an undercover auto theft task force, the former narcotics officer determines to prove he's still got the right stuff. That is, until he meets his unlikely team of officers

As Yeager soon finds out, not all the crazies are on the street. An undercover rookie, the audaciously honest Mackenzie "Mack" Hazard sends Yeager's blood pressure skyrocketing by wearing her faith like an ever-present badge. Then there's Jesse Lunden, a maverick undercover officer who refuses to learn anything from an old guy with a cane. Can this tangle of egos and eccentrics be trained into a lean, mean, crime-fighting machine--even when they are being drawn into something much bigger and more dangerous than anyone imagined?

Skid
WaterBrook Press, May 20, 2008

Come Fly The Frenzied Skies!

Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a copilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage.

On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled inflight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of "What Would Oprah Do?" will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard, whose unusually polite but constant requests--prompted by his covert role as a spy for teh airline--test the limits of the crew's customer service.

But as Lucy and the crew discover, Hank's odd behavior is linked to a quiet faith that may play a key role in the fate of everyone on board. Especially when an unexpected traveler sets this already bumpy flight on a course toward the unfriendly skies. 

Got behind on announcing winners

Here are some winners!

Congrats to ALEXIA for winning the Yada Yada Series!

Congrats to Robin Grier for winning the Beth Moore book!

Congrats to Stampedwithgrace for winning the Restoration Series!

Sorry I got a little behind with the drawings.  Does anyone else find that May is a crazy busy month?  So many graduation parties and school programs and field trips and all the end-of-the-school-year craziness.  I'm also planning our church library's summer reading program.  We're doing "Wild About Reading" and I'm dressing up as a lion to promote it in a few weeks.  I can't believe I got talked into it!  I'll post pictures afterwards so you can see me!

Giving away "God Has a Dream For Your Life" by Sheila Walsh

What does this mean?  Well, I'm giving away a bunch of books of all kinds!  Some new releases, some that have been around a while...but are too good to miss.  Some fiction of all different genres, some non-fiction. 

My rules will be the same as usual. 

1) Post a comment to the blogs with the books you want to enter to win.  Answer the question that goes with that blog.

Today's question: What are you doing today?  I am preparing a bunch of food for a Memorial Day cook-out at our house tomorrow.  I am cleaning too, though hopefully we can be outside most of the time.

2) See if you win!

Winners are drawn 10 days after the giveaway is posted. 

Today's giveaway will be drawn on June 4.

Description from Sheila Walsh:

I believe that God wants to teach us how to dream again. I believe too that he wants to fulfill our dreams. It might not be in the way we anticipate, but if we are open to his heart, this great adventure will change us. It's a risky business to dream, for dreaming leaves us open to disappointment. But I think that when we stop dreaming, a part of us dies. So I say it's time to dream again, knowing that with God, nothing is impossible! Perhaps like Dorothy and Toto we might be in for the ride of our lives!"

Sheila uses stories from The Wizard of Oz, World Vision, her family, and the Bible to help women catch a vision for God's love for them and His desire to work through them, freeing them to dream again.

My Thoughts: I always love her books!  She writes with stories and examples and makes it real.

Giving Away "Fancy Pants" by Cathy Marie Hake

What does this mean?  Well, I'm giving away a bunch of books of all kinds!  Some new releases, some that have been around a while...but are too good to miss.  Some fiction of all different genres, some non-fiction. 

My rules will be the same as usual. 

1) Post a comment to the blogs with the books you want to enter to win.  Answer the question that goes with that blog.

Today's question: My lilac is finally blooming this year and it is one of my most favorite scents in the world. I also love the smell of brownies baking. What are your favorite smells?

2) See if you win!

Winners are drawn 10 days after the giveaway is posted. 

Today's giveaway will be drawn on June 1.

Description:

When "Big Tim" Creighton spies the mincing fop headed toward Forsaken Ranch, he is appalled. Thankful his boss isn't around to witness the arrival of his kin, Tim decides he'll turn "Fancy Pants" Hathwell into a man worthy of respect.

Lady Sydney Hathwell never intended to don men's attire, but when her uncle mistakenly assumed she was a male, the answer to her problems seemed clear. Her disguise as "Syd" was meant to be temporary…but the arranged marriage she's fleeing, her uncle's attitude toward the fairer sex--and her own pride--compel her to continue the guise far longer than she had intended.

When her deception is exposed, will she be forced to abandon her hopes for family….and true love?

My Review:

I enjoyed this book very much!  The interactions between Sydney and Tim are actually quite comical and fun to witness.  I grew to love Sydney and her determination and strength.  I also grew to love Tim and his abbrasive but loyal fierceness.  A very enjoyable book!