Gathering Shadows -- Book Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Gathering Shadows Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014) by Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary. Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life. If you'd like to read the first chapter of Gathering Shadows, go HERE.

Rise and Shine -- Book Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Rise and Shine River North; New Edition edition (May 1, 2014) by Sandra D. Bricker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The author says that it was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer. "I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost," she says. "So it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch the Love Finds You line."

Sandie's real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Spearheading a series of devotionals for Summerside Press (such as the popular His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not), the author has stipulated that a portion of each contributor's proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with raising funds for my pet projects ... and still pursue my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

And one of the author's pet projects is animal rescue, evidenced by the special bond she has created with one particular formerly-abandoned puppy -- a red-haired collie with "killer brown eyes and the heart of the class clown."

ABOUT THE BOOK

Shannon Malone thought she'd found her happy ending when she married Edmund Ridgeway, but a diving accident on their honeymoon left her in a coma. Waking up to the news that she's thirty years old would have been daunting enough . . . but she also learns that Edmund has lost his interim battle with cancer and the world has marched on without her. Her gorgeous doctor, Daniel Petros, seems to know everything about her and becomes Shannon's tour guide into a whole new world of madness where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone's life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cell phones! As Shannon struggles to navigate through the changes-both in the world and in her-she also must discern real memories from imagined ones. Did she really ever wear capris pants and entertain in her living room, or was that Laura Petrie from her favorite classic TV show? And where is her beloved dog, Freeway? Oh, wait! That was Jonathan and Jennifer Hart's dog, not hers. Shannon's three elderly aunts flit through her life in true Sleeping Beauty style with her well-being always a priority. And Edmund's sister Millicent descends like the Evil Queen she is, trying to extract Shannon from any claim on the Ridgeway family fortune. When a tornado moves through town and Shannon is knocked unconscious, will Daniel's kiss awaken her once and for all?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rise and Shine, go HERE.

Stripped to the Studs

The Mister and I are beginning a new journey in home remodeling (using a contractor, architect, etc. because between the two of us we work >80 hours per week.) In an effort to keep people up to date on this journy, I will be chronically the adventures here if you would like to read along and keep up with what's happening during this phase of our life.  And to not be too mean, here a sneak peak...

Lip Reading -- A Book Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Lip Reading David C. Cook (March 1, 2014) by Harry Kraus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself

She just needs a little longer. She’s really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than this latest revelation. Something she’s tried hard to cover up. There is a high cost to some things in medicine and it’s not always the patient who pays. Can Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Lip Reading, go HERE.

Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

The Mr. and I are packing up the kitchen so we can start a big remodel/overhaul of the space.  While the prospect of the new kitchen has me giddy with excitement (gas cooktop, double ovens, loads of quartz countertops) the process of getting to the end result means everything must be packed away.  We're turning an upstairs room into a makeshift kitchen (picture your college dorm room with a microwave on a desk) and we'll be utilizing the grill, crockpot, and electric griddle/panini press quite a bit from late April through June.  To ease the packing nightmare, I started boxing up the non-essentials a few weeks ago.  It's been fun seeing what we really don't use, what we can get by without, and holding onto the things we really do love and making do with those items.  As I use the few items that are left out, I thought I would highlight for the 3 of you who still read this blog 3 items I've picked up over the past year, which are still out and being used regularly.

Disclaimer: none of these are affiliate links, I won't get any rewards from Sur La Table or Pampered Chef, I just chose to link you directly to these items in case you want to procure them for yourself.  Each time you use them you can think kind thoughts of me and that is payment enough.

1. Chef's Planet Clip and Drain

 This handy gadget clips onto any size pot to drain pasta, water from hard boiled eggs, etc.  I love that you can just clip it on and don't have to try to hold the strainer and the pot which some models require.  A definite top purchase of the past year.  

2. Chef'n Garlic Zoom Chopper

This little bad boy will mince garlic or ginger in no time flat.  A bit of a pain to clean with the tiny blades inside, but worth the hassle for the ease of mincing garlic or ginger when a recipe calls for it.  You might even be able to chop a small batch of herbs in this bad boy.  I've seen these at several big box and department stores, so these are easy to grab many places.










3. Microwave Grips

Do not let the name fool you, these are good for everything from lifting bowls out of the microwave, to moving a pan around in the oven, to lifting the hot lid off a pot on the stove.  These sit right by our cooktop and are used several times a week.  The ability to pinch the edge of pan and lift it straight up will also come in handy once our new microwave is installed as it will be a drawer rather than a door.  I can't wait!!!!!




So there you have it.  3 things I absolutely love and am thankful that I splurged on each of them.  

My Hope is Built

My early life was spent in a small, country church listening to and singing the old hymns in a Cokesbury hymnal.  I love the words of the songs and how the resonate with our life.  Don't get me wrong, I love a modern praise song that quotes word for word from scripture, but I will never not find a place for a hymn to carry me through.  A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks.  Our company had to make some tough decisions and therefore I lost a handful of co-workers that I had grand hopes of working with for many years.  These were my people.  These are my people.  I enjoyed working with them professionally, I enjoyed chatting with them personally.  And as I work through the change I can't help but lean on some of those old hymns, and know the Truth that lives in them, is the Truth the lives in us.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

And for your enjoyment, a combo of an old hymn with a new twist.  I love how they change the refrain to "Cornerstone" to describe that not only is He a rock, He's the most important rock.

Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel -- A Book Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel B&H Publishing Group (April 30, 2013) by Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.





ABOUT THE BOOK

With high hopes, Dorothy Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dot passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Dorothy, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Dorothy only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dot’s cats.

And if Dorothy thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dot's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.

If you would liketo read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.