Tree Swing Reading

Blog Friends' Favorites Giveaway

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. This giveaway will start next week!

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

Winner of "Green"

Congrats to Heather! Your name was drawn to win Green by Ted Dekker.

Thanks for entering!

Blog Name Changing...Please Bear with Me

IS NOW

Please keep www.creativetree.typepad.com in your blog reader or feed or however you keep track of my blog!

Hi! During Bloggiesta, I've chosen to re-evaluate some things about my blog. I have 2 blogs, but don't really keep up with my other blog. My other blog is about crafts. For convenience, I am merging the 2 together.

The url for this blog is: www.creativetree.typepad.com, with the "treeswingreading" behind a hash mark on the end as an optional pointer since this blog is my "home blog" with typepad.  So, that will remain the same. www.creativetree.typepad.com will continue to point to this blog. I'm just changing the "Tree Swing Reading" name to just be "Creative Tree."  This will help build the connection with my craft business too.

Don't worry though, most of the posts on this blog will be about books and about book giveaways and reviews.  I'll just be throwing in some of my craft stuff along the way.

Bloggiesta!

This is my first year joining the Bloggiesta, hosted by MAWBooks. Basically, it's a time to get a bunch of work done on your blog and set goals for the future. It runs through this weekend, though I'm not sure how much actually time I'll get to commit to it, with kids' activities, etc.

Pedro!!

Plan.  Edit.  Develop.  Review.  Organize.

My Goals for this Bloggiesta are:

1. Figure out a good way to categorize my review posts so they are easier to find by author, genre, etc.

2. Catch up my craft blog site and set goals for it:

3. Add Technorati tags to previous posts.

4. Make a plan for future book giveaways.

Simple goals, but time-consuming.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday's Hodge Podge on Thursday

I'm a day late with my Hodge Podge b/c my daughter is still sick and I was cooking for a crowd of 20 for a meeting at church yesterday.

1. Do you like your name? Were you named after someone? If you have children how did you settle on their names?

I'm not a huge fan of my name. No particular reason, I just never really liked it.

I picked my oldest daughter's name after my grandmother and my mom. My youngest daughter's name was picked b/c it's Dutch like my heritage, and we just liked it.

 

2. How do you define success?

Yikes! I'm not sure how to answer this one. It depends on the goal.  How's that for an evasive answer!

3. Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy?

I like Wheel of Fortune a lot more. Trivia questions are not my thing. My husband is really good at solving the puzzles, but we don't watch it much.

 

4. If you could own any single object that you don't now have, what would that object be?

An Ipad!

 

5. What is something that inspires you?

People who quietly serve...unselfish hearts make me want to do better.

6. Meatloaf-yay or nay? If its a yay how do you make yours?

Everytime I try to make it, it turns out crumbly.  My mom and my mother-in-law both make great meatloafs though.

 

7. Which is more admirable-the ability to organize and be methodical or the ability to adapt and make do?

I'm pretty methodical, but I wish I was more adaptable. It would be better not to feak out when plans change. But I can see the value of organization too.   

8. Insert your own random thought here-

I'm feeling worried b/c my blood pressure's been up lately. I need to figure out how to get it down.

Review of "Under the Cajun Moon" by Mindy Starns Clark

Description:

What Secrets Can Be Found by the Light of the Cajun Moon?

New Orleans may be the “Big Easy,” but nothing about it was ever easy for international business etiquette expert Chloe Ledet. She moved away years ago, leaving her parents and their famous French Quarter restaurant behind. But when she hears that her father has been shot, she races home to be by his side and to handle his affairs—only to learn a long-hidden secret that changes everything she knew to be true about herself and her family.

Framed for murder, Chloe and a handsome Cajun stranger must search for a priceless treasure, one whose roots weave through the very history of Louisiana itself. But can Chloe depend on the mysterious man leading her on this cat-and-mouse chase into the heart of Cajun country? Or by trusting him, has she gone from the frying pan into the fire?

Following up on her bestselling Gothic thriller, Whispers of the Bayou, and Amish romantic suspense, Shadows of Lancaster County, Mindy Starns Clark offers another exciting standalone novel, one full of Cajun mystery, hidden dangers, and the glow of God’s unending grace.

My Thoughts:

Once again I found great mystery from Mindy Starns Clark. I'm reading a series of mysteries right now, trying to find just the right mystery for our church book club to read. I give this one a big thumbs up. The plot was interesting and engaging. I found myself picturing what it would be like to be Chloe--framed for murder, with no idea what really happened, and unsure where to turn.  The plot had a nice pace of twists and turns.  I especially enjoyed the relationship between Chloe and Travis and his determination to teach her about God's grace. It was an excellent reminder for me as well!

I think that was my favorite part of the book. Chloe has a misconception about God and thinks that He won't love her unless she follows all the rules perfectly. Travis jumps right into God's Word to teach her about God's grace and love that flows freely to His children.  I struggle with this all the time, so it was good to be reminded!

Book Bullets

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: mystery
• Themes: God's grace
• Part of a Series: no
• Publication year: 2009
• Publisher: Harvest House
• Other books I've read by this author: Smart Chicks Mystery series, Whispers of the Bayou, A Penny for Your Thoughts
• Author's website: http://www.mindystarnsclark.com/

Review of "A Penny for Your Thoughts" by Mindy Starns Clark

Description:

Attorney Callie Webber's assignment is to go to Philadelphia and present Wendell Smythe, an old family friend of her boss, Tom, with a check for $250,000. Mr. Smythe heads a relief organization and needs immediate funds. When Callie goes to his office, check in hand, she discovers him dead on the floor. At Tom's request, Callie moves into Smythe's home and begins a murder investigation.

But it's a dangerous place to be, for the family has secrets they would rather not have uncovered.Callie's only hope is that God will help her use her investigative skills to discover the murderer and escape the web of deceit that surrounds her.

My Thoughts:

I've loved Mindy Starns Clark for a long time.  This book continues to confirm her ability to write a mystery that is just the right combination of suspense and story, with enjoyable characters and an ending that surprised me.  I really like the main character, Callie, and the depth of her strengths and weaknesses. I liked her confidence in her ability, but recognition of her own mistakes along the way too.

I find her relationship with her boss, Tom, to be interesting and look forward to reading more in the series to uncover the larger story that is lurking there.

A wonderful mystery!

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: mystery
• Themes: truth, trust
• Part of a Series: yes; book 1 of the Million Dollar Mysteries
• Publication year: 2002, repackaged 2011
• Publisher: Harvest House
• Other books I've read by this author: Smart Chicks Mystery series, Whispers of the Bayou
• Author's website: http://www.mindystarnsclark.com/

Book Winner

And the winner of The Knight by Steven James is....Stacy!

Thanks for entering!

Book Winner

Congratulations to Cindy W.--winner of She Walks in Beauty.

Thanks for entering!

Mellow Monday

Last week was the Monday blues.  Today it's Mellow Monday. 

My kids are home from school. My husband is home from work today. My youngest has a fever and cough. It's snowing bucketfulls of snow. We're playing games and reading.  Very mellow today.

How's your Monday?