Tree Swing Reading

Blog Friend Favorite Giveaway: "Nightshade" by Ronie Kendig

I love to read other book reviewers' blogs. I've even developed a wonderful group of friends from this shared blog land. Early in January there was a rush of my blog friends publishing their favorite reads from 2010. When I look over these lists I get inspired to read! Don't you?

My new giveaway will be featuring books from these lists. I've  picked 10-15 books from the blogs I frequent. Watch for me to feature those as giveaways over the next few months.

Can't wait to read the books my blog friends love!

Here are the giveaway rules:

A. Post a comment to this post to indicate you would like to be entered for this book.

B. Answer today's random "favorites" question for fun.

Today's question: what's your favorite color?

My answer: purple

C. If your name is drawn, I will send you an email to let you know. Please respond within 10 days or the winner will be redrawn.

D. Enter by February 14 for this book. Winner to be announced the following day.

E. Come back again soon for more giveaways!

Today's book: Nightshade by Ronie Kendig. Comes from the favorite of my friends Relz' blog: http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/2010/12/relz-top-10-of-2010.html

Description:

Soldiers all across the globe are returning home to their families after brutal tours of duty. They are discharged from the service. . .and on their own. Meet Max Jacobs, one of these discarded heroes, as he faces a wall of failure—in his career, his friendships, and his marriage. Failing again—this time to end his life—he is offered a thread of hope. Are covert government operations the answer for him, or will they only bring more danger and dissension upon his broken family?

My Thoughts:

Wow! I can see why this was a favorite! I think I actually inhaled the book. It's fast-paced, engaging, and takes your breath away. The suspense keeps moving without stopping and the characters are lovable but real. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I found a new favorite author! Fabulous!

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars plus a bonus star because I loved it!
• Genre: suspense
• Themes: healing, dealing with past, restoring faith
• Part of a Series: yes, Discarded Heroes book 1
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: Barbour
• Other books I've read by this author: this is the first
• Author's website: http://www.roniekendig.com/

Review of "Fatal Judgement" by Irene Hannon

Description:

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward Liz haven't warmed in the five years since she lost her husband--and Jake's best friend--to possible suicide. How can Jake be expected to care for the coldhearted workaholic who drove his friend to despair?

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, his feelings slowly start to change. When it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life--and his heart--are in mortal danger.

My Thoughts:

I really, really like Irene Hannon's books. Her books remind me of another of my favorite authors: Dee Henderson. They have a really nice combination of suspense and romance. I always love a hero, and Jake is definately a hero. I like how he treats Liz and how he stands by her even when he has misgivings about her. I grew to like Liz too. I liked her determination. A great read!  I hope that there is more to come about these characters, especially Jake's sister.

Book Bullets

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: suspense
• Themes: finding truth, faith
• Part of a Series: yes, Guardians of Justice book 1
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: Revell
• Author's website: http://irenehannon.com/

Book Winner

Congrats to Lovedandamazed! Your name was drawn to win Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr.

Thanks for entering!

Giveaway Delay...

Sorry to do this, but I need to delay the start of the giveaway until this weekend. I appear to be catching the fever and sore throat my kids have had.

Thanks for understanding!

Book Winner

And the winner of Sons of Thunder is Anita Yancey.

Thanks for entering!

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Will you watch the Super Bowl? If so, who will you cheer for? If you are not from the USA what is the 'big deal' sporting event in your own country?

Of course! The Super Bowl is huge for us because we are in WISCONSIN!  Go PACKERS! We are super (get it, super?) excited about our team being in the Super Bowl!

 

2. Is ignorance bliss?

Sometimes. I worry a lot. So sometimes it's easier not to know.  I usually avoid watching the news just for that reason.  And it's why I don't like Speculative fiction. Life is hard enough, without thinking about bad things that could happen someday.

 

3. Which of the seven dwarfs are you? (and just in case your Disney is a little bit rusty, here they are-Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy).

Sleepy today! For the past 10 days I've had at least one sick kid keeping me up at night with coughing and other sick-kid type things.

 

4. When you are riding in the car with another couple how do you organize seating? (Men up front? Women up front? Couples sit together?) And thanks to Lori at Mountain Woman at Heart for the question. Everyone go say hi to Lori.

Usually we sit men in front, women in back. So we can talk of course!

 

5. What is beauty?

I love people who are beautiful inside! Then they look beautiful outside too.

 

6. If someone asks you to bring an appetizer or a dessert to a party in their home, which would you choose?

I'm a dessert kind of girl!

 

7. What is your crowd pleasing go-to appetizer?

Warm artichoke dip, spinach dip, and a nacho dip I make. Yum!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am so tired! I can't think of anything! My family room looks like a hospital with bedding, medicine, wadded up kleenx, and a pile of movies. It's hard keeping them entertained when they're sick so long.

Review of "Exposure" by Brandilyn Collins

Description:

Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? In Kaycee’s newspaper column she’s known for writing of her paranoia and fears. Is the new danger real—or is she going crazy? In this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith, the startling questions pile high. But Kaycee’s descent to answers proves even more frightening.

My Thoughts:

I devoured this book! The excitement was non-stop. I couldn't wait to find out what was real and what wasn't and how the 2 storylines intersected.  I also really appreciated the message about overcoming our fears with faith and totally related to the author's concept of how these kinds of things can be passed down the generations.  I have a mom who worries about everything and now I have developed a very similar pattern.  The important thing for me is to not pass it along to my kids and to stop the pattern by stopping my own behavior.  Kaycee's mother had a real reason for fear, but without meaning to, she passed that fearful behavior to Kaycee in a way that was almost paralyzing for her daughter. 

I never guessed the way the story would come together.  I really enjoyed this book. Collins is outstanding with suspense!  The message of faith is subtle, so it makes a nice book to share with the general population as well.

Book Bullets

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: suspense
• Themes: overcoming fear, trust
• Part of a Series: no
• Publication year: 2009
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Other books I've read by this author: Crimson Eve, Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Deceit
• Author's website: http://www.brandilyncollins.com/

Book Winner

Congratulations to Julia! Your name was drawn to win Plain Paradise.

Thanks for entering!

Review of "Tomorrow We Die" by Shawn Grady

Description:

Jonathan Trestle is a paramedic who's spent the week a few steps behind the angel of death. When he responds to a call about a man sprawled on a downtown sidewalk, Trestle isn't about to lose another victim. CPR revives the man long enough for him to hand Trestle a crumpled piece of paper and say, "Give this to Martin," before being taken to the hospital. The note is a series of dashes and haphazard scribbles. Trestle tries to follow up with the patient later, but at the ICU he learns the man awoke, pulled out his IVs, and vanished, leaving only a single key behind. Jonathan tracks the key to a nearby motel where he finds the man again--this time not just dead but murdered. Unwilling to just let it drop, Jonathan is plunged into a mystery that soon threatens not only his dreams for the future but maybe even his life.

My Thoughts:

Loved it! A very exciting story with lots of twists and turns and a hint of romance. I found Jonathon Trestle to be a wonderful character--flawed, but trying to do his best to overcome obstacles like a drunk father who lives with him, an annoying and be-littling boss, and a r from his past.  Things are finally looking up for him when this mystery unfolds around him. Now everything is jeopardized!

I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to more by Shawn Grady.

Book Bullets

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: suspense
• Themes: doing what's right, letting go of past
• Part of a Series: no
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: Bethany House
• Other books I've read by this author: Through the Fire
• Author's website: http://www.shawngradybooks.com/

Knitting Project: Entrelac Scarf

I finished a knitting project! It's a scarf that I made for a friend--a late Christmas present. I'm so excited to give it to her today!

This kind of knitting is called "entrelac" and it's my favorite look for knitted scaves! I love how it looks woven and so colorful!  I found the instructions for entrelac knitting from here. So my thanks to the Knitty Otter for the tutorial!

The yarn is Noro Kureyon of various colors.