The Offering by Angela Hunt

My Thoughts:

Children.  A precious gift, often taken for granted in the rush of life.  But, if you will, please pause a second and consider what you would do if you couldn't have a child?  Your dream of a little one just wasn't happening.  To what lengths would you go to to have a child?  To add a precious member to your family?  Adoption, fostering, or even...  hiring a surrogate?  The Offering ponders these questions and truly makes you look inside yourself.  The main character, Mandy, is intelligent, loving and motivated.  She longs to help her family financially and at the same time help another couple that is unable to conceive a child.  Becoming a surrogate seems like an answer to prayer.  I appreciated Mandy's position and enjoyed her as a main character, although I didn't always agree with all her choices.  Angela Hunt does a heartfelt and thorough job of representing both sides of the surrogate/parent relationship.  I actually became emotionally attached to the characters in this book.  About 3/4 of the way through the story (while at the salon) I was blindsided by an event I didn't anticipate and I actually gasped out loud!  The Offering is emotional and intense and portrays a fictional story that could very well become a reality.  The ending is still on my mind and I wonder what decision I would've made?   

About The Offering:

After growing up as an only child, Amanda Lisandra wants a big family. But since she and her soldier husband can't afford to have more children right away, Mandy decides to earn money as a gestational carrier for a childless couple. She loves being pregnant, and while carrying the child she dreams of having her own son and maybe another daughter. . .
Just when the nearly perfect pregnancy is about to conclude, unexpected tragedy enters Mandy's world and leaves her reeling. Devastated by grief, she surrenders the child she was carrying and struggles to regain her emotional equilibrium.

Two years later she studies a photograph of the baby she bore and wonders if the unthinkable has happened---could she have inadvertently given away her own biological child? Over the next few months Mandy struggles to decide between the desires of her grief-stricken heart and what's best for the little boy she has never known.

Meet Angela: 

With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than one hundred books, including "The Nativity Story". Hunt is one of the most sought-after collaborators in the publishing industry. Her nonfiction book "Don't Bet Against Me", written with Deanna Favre, spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Angela's novel "The Note" (with sales of over 141,000) was filmed as the Hallmark Channel's Christmas movie for 2007 and proved to be the highest rated television movie in the channel's history. Angela's novels have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RITA, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the Holt Medallion. She often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers' conferences, and she served as the keynote speaker at the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writers' national conference. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs. In 2001, one of her dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest dog in America.

Learn more at http://www.angelahuntbooks.com

Angela Hunt is celebrating the release of The Offering with a Nook HD Giveaway and an Author Chat Party on Facebook {6/5}.






One winner will receive:

• A Nook HD
  


• The Offering by Angela Hunt 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 4th. Winner will be announced at the "The Offering" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 5th. Connect with Angela for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Angela will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Offering and join Angela on the evening of June 5th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)





Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!


*I was given a copy of this book by Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

sunshine day and homemade detergent

Peonies- my absolute favorite flower.  By some miracle, they return each year to my garden.

This is my only flower this year and I smile every time I see it!  How dreamy it would be to have bushes full of them... 

The weather here has been unbelievably gorgeous since the horrible storms passed.  It feels like God is saying, "All will be well, dear ones."

My newest mission (do you have them, too?) is to eliminate some chemicals from our everyday life.  Sooo... the first item on my list was to make homemade laundry detergent.  Never thought I'd attempt this but... it was FUN!

Here's what we did- just in case you want to try it, too!

Step 1: Get our your cheese grater (Thanks, Alicia!)

Step 2: Pull out your ingredients- 20 Mule Team Borax, Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, 1 bar of natural soap and Baking Soda (not pictured).

Ivory soap is fine but we decided to splurge and purchase Dr. Bronner's.  They come in yummy scents of Peppermint, Almond, Lavender, etc.  We bought it at Fresh Market.

Grate the bar of soap.  Note: I was SO worried that my sweet pea would grate her finger.  (Insert lecture here.)  She did great (sorry for the pun!) and didn't get nicked even once!

The combination is as follows: 

1 part grated soap

 2 parts Super Washing Soda

 2 parts Borax

  a few teaspoons of baking soda

 Mix/Shake together in your container (We used a Tupperware cereal container) and you're done!  1/8 to 1/4 of a cup is all you need for a load of laundry.

**Note: We used 3 cups of grated soap, 6 cups of Borax and 6 cups of Washing Soda.**  

Later in the day, chalk made an appearance.  My driveway has never been happier!

Ah, the little artists at work.  I wonder if pilots can see this when they are taking off/landing?  Betcha they smile.:)

Became fast friends because they have the same first and middle names.  And, not only that, they are both ballerinas.  It was destiny.;)

Every year I think I should just trash this collection of bits and pieces.  And then we have days like today and I'm so glad I didn't.

Ruby does love apples.  It's no easy feat eating an apple that keeps rolling away from you!  She looks a bit deadly here, don't you think?

Oops.  Her apple rolled into the chalk and had to get rinsed off.  Look at that face!  I do believe she loves food more than I do.:)

There are No Orphans of God

Sunshine days are a joy and a blessing.

They give us precious memories for the season when only rain seems to fall.

As I sit here typing, the rain is falling steadily outside.

Storms are predicted for this afternoon, but for now I'll enjoy the comfort of being safe and dry in my cozy nest.

That's how life is sometimes.

We have to savor the sweetness and yet know that life has it's bitter moments, too.

We may not understand why bad things happen.

Why darkness can sometimes block out the light.

While attending the Teach them Diligently convention in Nashville last weekend, I heard more than one time that God loves our children more than we do.

Oh my, the tears did flow.

How is that even possible?

Look at the sacrifice God made for them- for all of us.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

My precious daughter's ballet performance beautifully illustrated God's love.

"There are no Orphans of God."

Each and every one of us is a child of God.

He will never leave you.

The days of sunshine are easy and carefree.

We may even think we can do it all on our own.

No worries, right?

And then comes the dark days, filled with rain. 

Fear and anxiety are a constant companion.

God is always there for you.

He loves us more than we can begin to comprehend.

Please know that God is in control, dear friends.

You are never alone.

There are no Orphans of God.:)

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

My Thoughts:

It Happened at the Fair, by Deeanne Gist, is a historical romance that takes place during the 1893 World's Fair.  Cullen McNamara is there to showcase his sprinkler system and Della Wentworth is a teacher of the deaf.  Fate brings them together when Cullen rescues Della as she's caught in the middle of a mob of people overly excited to see President Cleveland.  

History lovers will delight in this Christian romance that introduces the reader to famous people such as Grover Cleveland and Helen Keller.  Such an interesting twist combining factual and fictional characters!  It's clear that Deeanne Gist has thoroughly done her historical research- impressive!  I found the pictures of the Chicago World's Fair showcased at the beginning of each chapter to be an interesting touch.  Unfortunately, for much of the book, the main characters were a bit shallow and boring, in my opinion.  I found it difficult to connect with them and longed for more excitement than they could deliver.  My interest waned early on and it was hard for me to stay focused on the story.  It Happened at the Fair does have it's shining moments, though.  For example, the evening when Della thinks Cullen is lying about being a farmer and makes him "prove" it to her by taking off his shirt- gasp!  If history with a bit of romance is your cup of tea, this book should be on your wish list!

Back Cover:

A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair's Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.

The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?  

About the Author:

Deeanne Gist, known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee, has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary romances. Add to this three RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you've got one recipe for success.

To learn more visit  http://Iwantherbooks.com  

Deeanne Gist is celebrating the release of It Happened at the Fair with an iPad Mini Giveaway and a Live Author Chat Webcast event {5/22}!

 
One "fair" winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini


• A $25 iTunes gift card
  

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 21st. Winner will be announced at the "It Happened at the Fair" Live Webcast Event on May 22nd. Connect with Deeanne for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deeanne will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of It Happened at the Fair and join Deeanne and friends on the evening of May 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 22nd!




*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Pastors' Wives by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen




My Thoughts:

Pastors' Wives, written by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, is an intriguing peek into the lives of three fictional women.  The book is clever, revealing and often very humorous.  We're all human, and Pastors' Wives allows us a "what if" look into the hearts and minds of "super star" mega church leaders.  To be honest, I was put off a bit at the beginning of this book as it appeared that Mrs. Cullen was slightly critical of the topic of religion, but when I allowed myself to relax I really enjoyed what she had to say.  Her three main characters, Candace, Ginger and Ruthie are women just like you and me.  They have secrets, worries and all have a longing to be loved and accepted.  Lisa Takeuchi Cullen writes with a magnificent sharpness and intelligence that allows her readers to see and almost hear her characters. Ms. Cullen is quite the gifted writer!  For example...

 Here is the first "sight" of the Greenleaf Church:

"We stepped through the sliding glass doors into the lobby of the church.  I sniffed the air.  It smelled not unlike the lobby of a hotel in Manhattan where I'd once met Vivian for drinks.  Like new suits and Christmas.  Then, as if two fingers had hooked into my nostril and given them a yank, the smell of coffee invaded and obliterated all else.  I spied the source: a smoothie bar and cafe, it's line snaking in a neatly squashed M.  Next to it was the bookstore, a cozy Barnes & Noble-type shop with cherrywood shelves and stripy sofas.  At it's entrance stood a life-size cardboard cutout of Aaron and Candace Green, the same image from their latest book cover."

I felt like I was there!

I identified most with the Ginger as she struggles with forgiving herself due to past mistakes (although my past is not quite so interesting or "colorful"!) and speaking up for her needs.  I wish I looked a bit more like her, though!  "...Hair the color of a Miami sunrise, Julie Roberts smile, hand span waist and Barbie doll legs...".   She's a wonderful wife and mother but can't seem to to be able to find her place in the life.  At one point she even runs away from home.  Ginger's journey to discover her voice is both heartbreaking and inspiring.  I was beyond thrilled that Ginger was able to help her broken friend, CeeCee.  Beautiful.  (You'll must read the book to find out about Ginger and CeeCee.;) )

*Please note that Pastors' Wives is not considered to be Christian fiction.  It's rather an interesting and sympathetic look into the lives of women who are, in a way, married to men who are married to the church.  There are a few foul words and unsavory topics (pornography, infidelity, spousal abuse, etc.) but they are presented in a way that showcases forgiveness and fresh starts.  Life is not always Rated G! ;)*

More About Pastors' Wives:

What's it like when the man you married is already married to God? asks Pastors' Wives, an often surprising yet always emotionally true first novel set in a world most of us know only from the outside.

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen's debut novel Pastors' Wives follows three women whose lives converge and intertwine at a Southern evangelical megachurch. Ruthie follows her Wall Street husband from New York to Magnolia, a fictional suburb of Atlanta, when he hears a calling to serve at a megachurch called Greenleaf. Reeling from the death of her mother, Ruthie suffers a crisis of faith-in God, in her marriage, and in herself. Candace is Greenleaf's "First Lady," a force of nature who'll stop at nothing to protect her church and her superstar husband. Ginger, married to Candace's son, struggles to play dutiful wife and mother while burying her calamitous past. All their roads collide in one chaotic event that exposes their true selves. Inspired by Cullen's reporting as a staff writer for Time magazine, Pastors' Wives is a dramatic portrayal of the private lives of pastors' wives, caught between the demands of faith, marriage, duty, and love. 

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is celebrating the release of her debut novel, Pastors' Wives, with an iPad Mini Giveaway and connecting with readers on Facebook on May 23rd!







One winner will receive:

An iPad Mini

A $25 iTunes gift card

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Pastors' Wives" Author Chat Party on May 23rd. Connect with Lisa for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Lisa will also be giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.





So grab your copy of Pastors' Wives and join Lisa on the evening of May 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

The House that Love Built by Beth Wiseman

My Thoughts:

The House that Love Built  has been proudly placed on my list of most favorite books.  On our last family road trip I shared the story with my family and even read passages to them.  I couldn't help myself!  It would make a heartwarming family movie as the characters stay with you long after the last page.  The House that Love Built is a love story filled with second chances, beautifully flawed characters and a mystery just waiting to be solved!  Reading it is like a summer day at the beach- I never wanted it to end!  I particularly enjoy the way Beth Wiseman wove together the story lines of her characters.  Seemingly unconnected people touch the lives of others in a significant and wonderful way.  The relationship of one of the main characters, Owen, and Hunter, a troubled teenager, is an inspiring leap of faith that thoroughly touched my heart.  Brooke Holloway's parents storyline is filled with grace and forgiveness- a shining example of second chances.  Brooke and Owen, the main characters, are refreshing and, at times, laugh out loud hilarious together!  The passionate spark they share almost leaps off the pages of the book!  

The House that Love Built is filled with humor, love and loss, forgiveness and grace.  I absolutely and completely loved it!

About The House That Love Built:

Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?

In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret—maybe even a treasure—and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way?

Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again?

Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat—and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.

Purchase a copy here.

Beth is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends! BethWiseman.com

*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Hunt for the Devil's Dragon by Marianne Hering (The Imagination Station)

 

My Thoughts:

My 10 year old read Hunt for the Devil's Dragon to me.  She loved it!  In fact, as soon as she finished it, we went right to the library and requested more books from this series.  I enjoyed the story line, as well,  because it was pulse pounding (children being sacrificed to a dragon to save the town!) but also contained a message (finding courage to help others that are being bullied).  It begins and ends at Whit's End but what happens in between is thrilling and even a bit scary at times.  Perfect for keeping children's (and adult's!) attention!  The Imagination Station series is a bit like Magic Treehouse books in that there is mysterious travel to exotic and sometimes historical locations.  My daughter prefers the Imagination Station books as she feels that the main characters are "more fun and exciting" than the ones in Magic Treehouse books.  In fact, I had to give her Magic Treehouse books away last year with many of them unread!  I thought she had just outgrown them and yet she can't get enough of the Imagination Station books.  I know what she'll be reading this summer!

Oh, another thing my daughter really liked about Hunt for the Devil's Dragon was the end of the book. The story was really enjoyable but there was more!  At the back of the book there was a secret word puzzle.  Once she solved it, she went to TheImaginationStation.com and claimed her prize!  I won't tell you what it is as I hate to ruin surprises.  Read this book and see for yourself. ;)

In fact, Read the first chapter here.

Back Cover:

If you’re brave, follow cousins Beth and Patrick to Libya in the 13th century. The town of Silene is being terrorized by a vicious animal that is eating livestock. The townspeople believe it’s a dragon sent by the devil. In order to appease the beast, the people believe they must offer a human sacrifice—a young girl named Sabra. When Beth tries to help Sabra escape, she too is tied up as an offering for the dragon. Meanwhile, Patrick and a new friend named Hazi join Georgius, a Roman knight who is serving in Africa to keep peace. Georgius decides to find the dragon and kill it. Georgius’s plans go awry when Beth and Sabra beg him not to kill the dragon. The girls know the true secret of Silene—the dragon isn’t its worst enemy.

Marianne Hering

Marianne has written for children since 1987 when she joined the editorial staff of Focus on the Family Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. magazines. In the 1990s she wrote six children's mystery books and more than 40 Bible phonic readers (with co-author Margaret Wilber) for Cook Communications. Now a general book editor for Focus on the Family, she has turned her passion for children's fiction into developing a series for beginning readers who love adventure.

*I was given a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*