Tree Swing Reading

New Release Giveaway! Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

Now every Thursday will be a Giveaway Day! Not only that, but the weekly giveaways will be a new release! So, every Thursday one of the "100+ to Watch" New Release books will be served up for you to enter to win!

First some housekeeping. How to enter...

Here are the rules for the giveaway:

1. Post a comment below.

2. In the post include an answer to the random question of the week. Possibly something from the week's random Hodge Podge.

Today's Question: What's your favorite Springtime flower?

My Answer: Daffodils!  They are so happy!

3. Be sure to leave some way for me to reach you should you win (an email preferably).

4. Closing date to enter for this book is: April 4. Winner will be announced on April 5.

Today's Book is Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert!

Description:

Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
 
A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
                                     
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
 
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
 
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances.

New Suspense from Richard Mabry, M.D.: "Stress Test"

What would you do if you woke to find you’ve been charged with murder? And there’s no evidence to prove otherwise?

Title: Stress Test

Released:
March 2013

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Suspense Fiction

Series: no

Publisher's Description

 

They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.

Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt's only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he's being charged with murder.

Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can't walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.

Matt's career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he's a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

To find out more about Richard Maby, M.D., check out his website.

Taking Time to Disconnect

Here's the plain ugly truth.

I have too much on my plate for April and May and I don't have the foggiest idea what to do about it.

You ever been there? Looking at your calendar and the tasks that go with the items on the calendar and realizing you have, once again, bitten off more than you can chew?

I'm there. It's my own fault and I know it.  It's all great things, like my daughter's birthday party, designing a memory book for my daughter's class, dance competitions, recitals, sewing for sweet new babies, and so on.  So, what do I do?

I wonder lately, more and more, how Jesus felt about to-do lists. I mean, if anyone had pressure, it would be Him, right?  The Son of God has be a pretty high stress position, what with the salvation of the world on your shoulders and all, right?  I guess that's why He withdrew sometimes. He went away alone to pray. Makes me think that a time of prayer is in order for me too. 

I'm a techie junkie.  I like my smart phone and my ipad and my laptop.  I check Facebook way too much.  I social media myself to death sometimes.  I think I'm ready to disconnect for a bit.  Easter weekend seems like the perfect time to pull away from social media for a few days. Time to withdraw for a bit to restore my focus before I jump in to a busy spring.

How about you?  Do you ever disconnect?

New from Sandra Bricker, "Always the Baker, Finally the Bride"

Don't you want to read this book?  And eat the cake?  Can I read the book and have my cake too? 

Title: Always the Baker, Finally the Bride

Released:
March 2013

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Series: yes, Emma Rae Creations Series #4

Publisher's Description

In Always the Baker, Never the Bride, readers fell in love with Emma Rae and Jackson, and they’ve gotten more acquainted with them in the two books that followed.

But now it’s time for the diamond to meet the road as Jackson fields an offer to sell The Tanglewood, a move that will uproot this high-flying family act once and for all. Get reacquainted with all of the lovable and quirky characters from the first three books as your favorite diabetic baker figures out if she'll achieve her greatest goal of all: Will Emma, at last, become FINALLY the Bride?

 

To find out more about Sandra Bricker, check out her website.

Easter Hodge Podge

Here's the Easter edition of the random questions I answer each week on the Wednesday Hodge Podge!

1. What are your plans for Easter? Are you cooking a big lunch or dinner? Dyeing eggs? Attending a sunrise service? Eating too much chocolate?

This Easter is a lot quieter than usual, which is great!  My Mother-in-law is hosting a small group.  I'm sure we'll end up dyeing eggs at some point.  We still hide eggs with candy for our girls to find on Easter morning too. I enjoy the Reese's chocolate eggs very much! :)

2. What is something you feel too young to do?

Be this old!

3. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..."

Of the characteristics mentioned in the biblical definition of love which do you find most difficult to live out and why?

Yes...any of the above. I suppose the envy part is hard for me.  I too often feel jealous of other's body size or homes.  Not a pleasant thing to focus on. Facebook can make this worse for me.  Do you ever find that?  It's easy to compare when the best of other people's lives is posted all the time, you know?

4. What's a springtime flower you associate with your childhood?

TULIPS!  Being Dutch, the tulips are a pretty big deal!

5. Ever sung karaoke? If so, what's your go-to song? If not and you're given the opportunity, would you?

Nope. I'm a terrible singer!

6. What is something you keep in a basket?

School papers that my daughters bring home.

7. When was the last time you felt foolish?

Yesterday when I honked at a van that was cutting me off when it's lane ended only to discover that it was my neighbor!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I want to wish you a Happy Easter!

New Historical Romance From Sarah Ladd: "Heiress of Winterland"

"My kind of book! The premise grabbed my attention from the first lines and I eagerly returned to its pages. I think my readers will enjoy The Heiress of Winterwood."
--Julie Klassen, bestselling, award-winning author

Title: Heiress of Winterland

Released:
March 2013

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Historical Romance Fiction

Series: yes, Whispers on the Moors Series #1

Publisher's Description

 

Amelia Barrett gave her word. Keeping it could cost her everything.

Darbury, England, 1814

Amelia Barrett, heiress to an estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend’s baby. She'll risk everything to keep her word—even to the point of proposing to the child’s father—a sea captain she’s never met.

When the child vanishes with little more than an ominous ransom note hinting to her whereabouts, Amelia and Graham are driven to test the boundaries of their love for this little one.

Amelia’s detailed plans would normally see her through any trial, but now, desperate and shaken, she’s forced to examine her soul and face her one weakness: pride.

Graham’s strength and self-control have served him well and earned him much respect, but chasing perfection has kept him a prisoner of his own discipline. And away from the family he has sworn to love and protect.

Both must learn to accept God’s sovereignty and relinquish control so they can grasp the future He has for planned for them.

 

To find out more about Sarah Ladd, check out her website.

New Contemporary Fiction from Beth Wiseman: "The House That Love Built"

Beth Wiseman always captures my attention with her books!

Title: The House That Love Built

Released:
March 2013

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Series: no

Publisher's Description

Brooke has only loved one man. Owen’s heart is filled with bitterness. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?

In the small town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising six-year-old Meghan and ten-year-old Spencer on her own two years after her husband's death. Being a single-mom and running the family’s local hardware store keep her busy.

While Meghan longs for a daddy, Spencer has threatened to run away if Brooke even goes out on a date. But the last thing on Brooke’s mind is falling in love. When a stranger moves to town and buys a house with a mysterious past, Brooke can’t contain her curiosity. As she spends time with the new owner, she wonders if maybe God is giving her another chance at happiness.

Owen Saunders fled the big city to start over in a small, rural town famous for baking the world’s largest gingerbread man. Then he bought an old house to restore—for all the wrong reasons. If anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart in the aftermath of his failed marriage. With little hope and lost faith, Owen is tempted by happiness when he meets Brooke, but his heart remains sealed shut.

As they learn more about Owen’s house, one thing becomes obvious to both of them: God has put them together for a reason.

 

To find out more about Beth Wiseman, check out her website.

Thanks for praying!

Thanks for your prayers for my sweet dancing girl!  Poor Miss Anya had a fever through the whole dance competition, but she was so brave!  She danced her best and never complained once or even whined at all about how bad she was feeling.  I'm so proud of her! 

Now we are back to home and enjoying spring break!  It's not very springlike in the weather department here, but we are determined to have a nice relaxing staycation anyway. 

I'm not exactly sure how relaxing it will end up being...but it's nice not to have the usual lessons and stuff that keep me hopping during usual weeks.

Anyone else having spring?

Book winner, Bloglovin, and prayer request

Congratulations to AmandaSue!  Your name was drawn to win The Chance!  I hope you enjoy it and thanks for entering!

Some of you have asked about how I like Bloglovin.  I think it works as a replacement for Google Reader, but there are things I like better about Google Reader. The good part was that I easily imported all the blogs I follow.  The thing I don't love is the way I have to open each blog to actually read the post.  I liked being able to scroll through it right on Google Reader.  And, if I don't want to read a given post or posts, I have to select "mark blog as read" instead of just scrolling through them at a glance. So, what about you guys?  Any luck finding something else to use?

Finally, I would appreciate your prayers!  We have a dance competition for my girls this weekend and my youngest is funning a fever and feeling pretty lousy.  She will still have to compete, so I'd appreciate your prayers for Anya.  Also, I'd like for the rest of us to stay healthy! Especially going into spring break!  Thanks for praying!  I appreciate it!

 

Review of "Proof" by Jordyn Redwood

Description:

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?

Distraught by the turn of events, Lilly suffers a setback and is fired from her job shortly after discovering she is pregnant as a result of her attack. Blinded by her desire for revenge, Lilly vows she will seize her life back and bring her rapist to justice--and the first step is figuring out how her nefarious assailant could cheat the usually conclusive DNA test. Her search must unravel the mystery of his genetic fingerprint even if it forces Lilly to deal with her own past and shaky faith. But the rapist is watching Lilly's every move. Can she discover the truth before he ends her life--and the life of her unborn child?

My Thoughts:

Oh yeah!  I found another favorite author!  This was a well-written and fast-paced suspense that grabbed me from the first page and kept me glued to the book the whole time!  Very exciting!  If you like a good suspense, you gotta try this author.  I already downloaded the next book in the series to my kindle so I could start it right away. 

Hooray for finding a fantastic new author in my favorite genre!

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: Suspense Fiction
• Part of a Series: yes, book 1 of Bloodlines Series
  
• Publication year: 2012
• Publisher: Kregel Publications