Tree Swing Reading

Alphabet Soup Giveaway: Letter U

Alphabet Soup Giveaway is back!

Here are the rules:

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: U is for unique. What are three things that are unique about you that you would like to share today?

1. I don't like to travel. I would rather stay home and be in my own bed.

2. I love to play video games on the xbox and Wii. Nothing violent, just Mario or tennis, etc. When I am stressed they help me forget about my worries!

3. I used to pick strawberries as a job in the summers from when I was 7 years old until 16.

c. Enter on or before August 19, winner will be drawn August 20.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

I don't have an author with a "U" last name, so I picked a book that started with U. Today's book is Unspoken by Angela Hunt.

Description:

A regular Dr. Dolittle, Glee Granger adores animals. For the past eight years she's taught and loved a young gorilla named Sema. Now the zoo that owns the creature wants custody, and Glee must surrender Sema to a captive environment. But this will change both their lives in unspeakable ways . . . won't it?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book! Hunt is one of my favorite authors and this book was a delight. I enjoyed Sema and the relationship with Glee, even though her proctectiveness drove me crazy sometimes. For Glee, Sema was like her child and she thought she knew the best thing for her, but she was in for a surprise.

A wonderful story that will appeal to animal lovers especially! I loved seeing how God spoke to Glee through Sema in a remarkable way!

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: U is for unique. What are three things that are unique about you that you would like to share today?

1. I don't like to travel. I would rather stay home and be in my own bed.

2. I love to play video games on the xbox and Wii. Nothing violent, just Mario or tennis, etc. When I am stressed they help me forget about my worries!

3. I used to pick strawberries as a job in the summers from when I was 7 years old until 16.

c. Enter on or before August 19, winner will be drawn August 20.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

I don't have an author with a "U" last name, so I picked a book that started with U. Today's book is Unspoken by Angela Hunt.

Description:

A regular Dr. Dolittle, Glee Granger adores animals. For the past eight years she's taught and loved a young gorilla named Sema. Now the zoo that owns the creature wants custody, and Glee must surrender Sema to a captive environment. But this will change both their lives in unspeakable ways . . . won't it?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book! Hunt is one of my favorite authors and this book was a delight. I enjoyed Sema and the relationship with Glee, even though her proctectiveness drove me crazy sometimes. For Glee, Sema was like her child and she thought she knew the best thing for her, but she was in for a surprise.

A wonderful story that will appeal to animal lovers especially! I loved seeing how God spoke to Glee through Sema in a remarkable way!

Update on my husband's health

Thanks again for your prayers for my husband. We've had a difficult month. One day he woke up with mild ankle pain out of the blue and a couple of days later he couldn't walk from all the pain. It was very scarey!  Getting answers continues to be a long process as well. Though we are not 100% sure, it is believed he has a varient of sarcoidosis called Lofgren's syndrome. There's no cure per se, but over time the join pain and swollen lymph nodes should reduce. It may take a few years for him to return to normal, but fortunately the medicine he is on is really helping with the pain.

At this point we have a make a decision about whether to have a Mediastinoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and rule out lymphoma. The proceedure is somewhat invasive and there is a risk for infection with the medication lowering his immune system.  The doctor advises us to wait and recheck the chest xrays in a month and I think that is our plan for right now.  Please pray that if that is not the right course of action that God would place in on our hearts to change our minds.

I am finding I am much better at "nursing" my kids than I am my husband. Anyone else have this?  My heart bounces between fear that his symptoms will flare back up again to frustration at having to do everything by myself now.  I think these are normal emotions, but I feel guilty for being frustrated.

Thanks again for your prayers! I appreciate you!

Winner of "Redeeming Love"

Congrats to Jennifer at Quiverfull family! Your name was drawn to win this book.

Jennifer promised to scream if she won, so let's hear the scream! :)

Enjoy the book Jennifer!

Thanks for entering!

CFBA Blog Tour and My Review of "Night Watchman"

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Night Watchman
Multnomah Books (May 5, 2009)
by
Mark Mynheir

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Mark Mynheir was born and raised on the east coast of Central Florida. Like most boys growing up, Mark enjoyed sports, mainly football and martial arts.

In 1983, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went through basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After serving four years in the Marines, Mark changed gears and pursued a career in law enforcement.

During his career as a police officer, Mark has worked as a narcotics agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, and a homicide detective.

Over sixteen years ago, during a health crisis involving his oldest son, Mark gave his life to Jesus Christ. Shortly after his conversion, he felt God leading him in a new direction: writing. Now he balances dual careers as a police officer and novelist.

He has authored Rolling Thunder (The Truth Chasers Book One), From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Book Two), and The Void (The Truth Chasers Book Three).

Mark is married to the love of his life and has three fantastic children, and they all currently reside in Central Florida.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When everything is ripped away...

Eleven months ago, Ray Quinn was a tough, quick-witted Orlando homicide detective at the top of his game-until a barrage of bullets ended his career.and his partner's life.

Now medically retired with a painful handicap, Ray battles the haunting guilt for his partner's death. Numbing the pain with alcohol and attitude, Ray takes a job as a night watchman at a swanky Orlando condo community.

But when a pastor and an exotic dancer are found dead in one of the condos in an apparent murder-suicide, Ray can no longer linger in the shadows. The victim’s sister is convinced her brother was framed and begs Ray to take on an impossible case─to challenge the evidence and clear her brother’s name.

Ray reluctantly pulls the thread of this supposedly dead-end case only to unravel a murder investigation so deep that it threatens to turn the Orlando political landscape upside down and transform old friends into new enemies. As Ray chases down leads and interrogates suspects, someone is watching his every move, someone determined to keep him from ever finding out the truth─at any cost.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Night Watchman, go HERE

my Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book very much! Ray is a gruff likeable character. I enjoyed watching his character emerge out of a dark and difficult place and begin to express interest in people and projects again. I'm hoping this is part of a series so we'll get to see more of Ray!

Alphabet Soup Giveaway: letter T

Alphabet Soup Giveaway is back!

Here are the rules:

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: T is for time. What time do you usually wake up? Is it different on the weekends? Summer?  I usually get up at 6 during the school year weekdays. 7ish in summer/weekends.

c. Enter on or before August 16, winner will be drawn August 17.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

Today's book is Sky Blue by Travis Thrasher

Description:

Colin Scott is struggling. His job as a top literary agent for big name authors has become routine and aggravating, rather than being the culmination of all his dreams. He and his wife are trying to have a baby, with little success. All of his previous life decisions seem to be wrong. How could all of his carefully planned out choices lead to his present situation? Colin decides to take his wife on a much-needed Cancun getaway, where he receives the final straw.

 

Alphabet Soup Giveaway is back!

Here are the rules:

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: T is for time. What time do you usually wake up? Is it different on the weekends? Summer?  I usually get up at 6 during the school year weekdays. 7ish in summer/weekends.

c. Enter on or before August 16, winner will be drawn August 17.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

Today's book is Sky Blue by Travis Thrasher

Description:

Colin Scott is struggling. His job as a top literary agent for big name authors has become routine and aggravating, rather than being the culmination of all his dreams. He and his wife are trying to have a baby, with little success. All of his previous life decisions seem to be wrong. How could all of his carefully planned out choices lead to his present situation? Colin decides to take his wife on a much-needed Cancun getaway, where he receives the final straw.

 

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: T is for time. What time do you usually wake up? Is it different on the weekends? Summer?  I usually get up at 6 during the school year weekdays. 7ish in summer/weekends.

c. Enter on or before August 16, winner will be drawn August 17.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

Today's book is Sky Blue by Travis Thrasher

Description:

Colin Scott is struggling. His job as a top literary agent for big name authors has become routine and aggravating, rather than being the culmination of all his dreams. He and his wife are trying to have a baby, with little success. All of his previous life decisions seem to be wrong. How could all of his carefully planned out choices lead to his present situation? Colin decides to take his wife on a much-needed Cancun getaway, where he receives the final straw.

 

Alphabet Soup Giveaway: Letter S

Alphabet Soup Giveaway is back!

Here are the rules:

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: S is for singing. Do you think of yourself as a good singer? Do you like to sing?

I wish I had a good voice, but I am not a singer. I enjoy singing along to music in the car, but cannot carry a tune. I'm hoping I'll be a good singer in heaven!

c. Enter on or before August 13, winner will be drawn August 14.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

Today's books are: Just as I am and Sincerely, Mayla by Virginia Smith

Description:

When purple-haired Mayla Strong struts down the center aisle of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church, the bug-eyed congregation strains to get a peek at her pierced nose and lip. But Pastor Paul welcomes her with a huge, infectious grin and baptizes her on the spot.

Determined to make her heavenly Father proud, Mayla's sincere and often hilarious attempts to let Him change her from the inside out takes her into some difficult places. Through it all she grows in faith and wisdom--sometimes through pain, sometimes through humor, but always in a way that is uniquely Mayla.

 Description:

Just as life is beginning to come together for spunky, purple-haired Mayla Strong, she loses her job and her boyfriend. When she escapes to sunny Florida, her problems only tag along. In this heartwarming sequel to Just As I Am, Mayla learns how to balance friends, family, and faith while living in a messed-up world.

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: S is for singing. Do you think of yourself as a good singer? Do you like to sing?

I wish I had a good voice, but I am not a singer. I enjoy singing along to music in the car, but cannot carry a tune. I'm hoping I'll be a good singer in heaven!

c. Enter on or before August 13, winner will be drawn August 14.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

Today's books are: Just as I am and Sincerely, Mayla by Virginia Smith

Description:

When purple-haired Mayla Strong struts down the center aisle of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church, the bug-eyed congregation strains to get a peek at her pierced nose and lip. But Pastor Paul welcomes her with a huge, infectious grin and baptizes her on the spot.

Waiting...

Some of you have been asking for an update on my husband. Unfortunately there's nothing new to report other than that we are still waiting for the blood test results.  Waiting is hard.  Every time the phone rings my heart jumps.

He is currently taking a high dose of prednisone which is helping with the inflamed joints, but has some yucky side effects. He will probably have to be on it (tapering the dose) for a long time. It seems like it is affecting his emotional health as well. Have any of you had any experience with that?

In the meantime, I am trying to wait on God and am reciting this verse over and over:

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)

 ¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
       do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
       I will strengthen you and help you;
       I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Alphabet Soup Giveaway: Letter R

Alphabet Soup Giveaway is back!

Here are the rules:

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: R is for Reeses', my favorite candy bar. What's your favorite candy bar/candy?

c. Enter on or before August 11, winner will be drawn August 12.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

Today's book is Redeeming Love by Francene Rivers.

Description:

Can God's Love Save Anyone? Bestselling author Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea in a tale set against the exciting backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine, Angel, is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel's life to draw her into the Savior's redeeming love. This remarkable novel has sold over half a million copies and is among the top twenty on the ECPA fiction bestsellers list for four years running.

My Take:

One of my favorite books of all time! The reminders of God's pursuing love are beautiful and profound. Every woman should read this book!

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the posts of the books you'd like to win. You can enter for as many of the books as you would like. Every 2-3 days the next letter's giveaway will be posted.

b. Answer the day's silly question for fun.

Today's question: R is for Reeses', my favorite candy bar. What's your favorite candy bar/candy?

c. Enter on or before August 11, winner will be drawn August 12.

d. Check back for the next giveaway!

Today's book is Redeeming Love by Francene Rivers.

Description:

Can God's Love Save Anyone? Bestselling author Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea in a tale set against the exciting backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine, Angel, is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel's life to draw her into the Savior's redeeming love. This remarkable novel has sold over half a million copies and is among the top twenty on the ECPA fiction bestsellers list for four years running.

My Take:

One of my favorite books of all time! The reminders of God's pursuing love are beautiful and profound. Every woman should read this book!

More winners

More winners from the Alphabet Soup Giveaway

winner of Fossil Hunter: Jennifer (knitting mom)

winner of Another Way Home: Alexia

winner of Elm Creek Quilts compilation: Stacy

Winners of Christy Award Nominees

Congratulations to the following winners from the giveaway. Thanks to everyone for entering!

Beyond the Night: NeepaNap2

Finding Stephanie: Deb Thompson

Zora and Nicky: Jennifer B.

Sisterchicks go Brit: Rebecca N.

Summer Snow: Pam R.

You Had Me at Goodbye: Pam

Dogwood: Katrina

Embrace Me: Sandra Jensen

Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon: Tarasview

Blue Hole Back Home: Cindi

Rain Song: Katie

Safe at Home: Sarah

Shadow of Colossus: MJ

Until We Reach Home: Janalyn

Washington's Lady: Carole

Calico Canyon: LuAnn

From a Distance: Lace

Moon in the Mango Tree: Word Lily

By Reason of Insanity: Angie L. Barbin

The Rook: Carol M.

Winter Haven: nfmgirl

Battle for Vast Dominion: Jennifer at Quiverfull family

Shade: Francesca

Vanish: Darby

Fruit of my Lipstick: Mocha with Linda

I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires: Marie

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Debbie F.