Scripture Sunday ~ 9/30/12

ABC's of a Godly Heart by Cassandra Martin




L


GOD is  "Light"

"This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you:  God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all."

I John 1:5

~~~~~~

I can "Learn"

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11:28-29

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A:  God is Able - Ephesians 3:20
      I can Abide - Psalm 91: 1-2

B:  God is Big - I Kings 8:27
      I can Believe - John 6:29

C:  God is the Creator - Isaiah 40: 26-28a
      I am the Clay - Isaiah 64:8

D:  God is the Deliverer - Psalm 32:7
      I can Depend - 1 John 4:16

E:  God is Eternal - Job 36:26
     I can Expect - Psalm 5:3

F:  God is Faithful - Psalm 33:4
      I will Follow - Matthew 4:19

G.  God is Gracious - Isaiah 30:18
      I will have Gratitude - I Thess 5:16-18

H.  God is Holy - Psalm 99:9
      I can be Holy - I Peter 1: 15-16

I.  God is Immanuel - Matthew 1:23
     I can have Integrity - I Chronicles 29:17a

J.  God is Judge - Isaiah 33:22
     I can have Joy - 1 Peter 1:8

K.  God is King - Psalm 47:7
      I can Kneel - Psalm 95:6

L.  God is Light - 1John 1:5
      I can Learn - Matthew 11:28-29
   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 9/29/12

All things bookish from the past week :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've recently started using Goodreads.  If you'd like to check out my page or become my friend (warm and fuzzies!) please click HERE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Book Corner Bookmarks!

Now in my shop for under $5 and FREE SHIPPING in the U.S.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Books new to my TBR pile:

"A Merry Little Christmas"
Series:  N/A
Author:  Anita Higman
Source:  Publisher for review

"Where the Trail Ends"

Series:  American Tapestries
Author:  Melanie Dobson

Source:  Publisher for Review

"Queen of the Waves"
Series:  American Tapestries
Author:  Janice Thompson
Source:  Publisher for Review

"Tall, Dark, and Determined"
Series:  Husbands for Hire Book 2
Author:  Kelly Eileen Hake
Source: Paperbackswap.com  



"No Safe Harbor"
Series:  Edge of Freedom Book 1
Author:  Elizabeth Ludwig
Source:  Publisher for Review




"Three Times Blessed"
Series:  Belles of Timber Creek Book 2
Author:  Lori Copeland
Source:  Paperbackswap.com




"Turtle Bay"
Series:  N/A
Author:  Helga Stipa Madland
Source:  Author for Review

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Week's Bookish Memes

Monday -Musing ~ Hobbies and Collections
Tuesday -Teaser Tuesday
Wednesday -Wishing and Waiting
Thursday -From the Review Pile
Friday -Book Blogger Hop


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reviews:


"Finally a Bride" by Vickie McDonough


"Fruit of My Spirit" by Deanna Nowadnick


"The Trouble With Cowboys" by Denise Hunter


"Twice Loved" by Lori Copeland

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaways:

Please see the top of my sidebar for current giveaways!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Winners:

(all have been contacted by email)

Highlander Giveaway Hop ~ Holly

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coming This Week:

Monday 10/1:  Bloggiesta Goal Results

Tuesday 10/2:  Fangs, Fur and Fey Giveaway Hop

Book Review:  "Sandwich With a Side of Romance" by Krista Phillips

Cook-Booking:  Oatmeal Cake

Wednesday 10/3:  "The Trouble With Cowboys" Drawing

 Thursday 10/4:  Book Review:  "Three Times Blessed" by Lori Copeland

Friday 10/5:  Book Review:  "One True Love" by Lori Copeland

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm linking up to Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday hosted this month by Mailbox Monday , The Sunday Post, The Sunday Salon and Showcase Sunday.


Lovely reading!

Dystopianesque TSMSS ~ The Proof of Your Love by For King and Country

I am sitting here in awe.  I have heard this song by "For King and Country" many times and actually almost bought the CD yesterday.  I'll be snatching it up next time I'm at the store.

But watching this video....I have goosebumps.  It is amazing.  The story behind it...man, you just have to watch it!

I know alot of my blog followers don't listen to Christian music, but if you like dystopian books, you'll love this video!




Enjoy! Have a blessed weekend!

 

Books Read by AUTHOR

(This list is a work-in-progress and only includes books I've read since I started blogging.  I will add links to reviews as time allows.  If you would like to see a certain review, please use the search link on my sidebar.)

A

Aiken, Ginny - Design on a Crime
Alexander, Tamera - The Inheritance
                                - Within My Heart
Allison, Ariel - Eye of the God

B

Bateman, Tracy - Defiant Heart
Bergren, Lisa T. - Waterfall
Boeshaar, Andrea - Love Finds You in Miracle Kentucky
Borchard, Therese - Beyond Blue
Brand, Irene - Love Finds You in Valentine Nebraska
Brant, Marilyn - A Summer in Europe
Brendan, Maggie - A Love of Her Own
                             - No Place for a Lady
Bricker, Sandra - Always the Baker Never the Bride
                           - Always the Wedding Planner Never the Bride
                           - Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
                           - Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida
                           - Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
Brooke, Barbara - Glimmers
Brouwer, Sigmund - The Orphan King
Bryant, Kathy - Texas Roads
Burrows, Grace - Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal

C

Cabot, Amanda - Paper Roses
                           - Scattered Petals
                           - Tomorrow's Garden
Carlson, Melody - Christmas at Harrington's
                             - Love Finds You in Sister, Oregon
                             - River's End
Cameron, Barbara - Heart in Hand
Caroll, Robin - In the Shadow of Evil
Carter, Mary - The Things I Do For You
Castle, Richard - Nikki Heat
Childs, Laura - Death by Darjeeling
                        - Gunpowder Green
                        - Shades of Earl Grey
Clark, Minda Starns - Secrets of Harmony Grove
                                  - Shadow of Lancaster County
Clipston, Amy - A Gift of Grace
Coble, Colleen - Blue Moon Promise
                        - Safe In His Arms
                        - Smitten
                        - Secretly Smitten
Collins, Suzanne - The Hunger Games
Connealy, Mary - Cowboy Christmas
                           - The Husband Tree
                           - Montana Rose
                           - Wildflower Bride
Conrad, Hy - Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You to Know
Copeland, Lori - Twice Loved
                          - Three Times Blessed
                          - One True Love
Cote, Lyn - Desires of Her Heart
                 - Her Abundant Jo
                 - Her Inheritance Forever
Coty, Debora M. - Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate
Cushman, Kathryn - Waiting for Daybreak

D

Dacus, Kaye - Art of Romance
                      - A Case for Love
                      - Menu for Romance
Daley, Margaret - Shattered Silence
Darlington, C.J. - Bound by Guilt
                           - Thicker Than Blood
Daughety, Annalisa - Love Finds You in Lancaster Co, PA
                                 - Love is a Battlefield
                                 - Love is Monumental
Davis, Susan Page - Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island Canada
Dobson, Melanie - The Healer's Apprentice
                              - Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa
                              - Where the Trail Ends
Doughty, Catherine - Breast Cancer!...You're kidding right?


E

Eakes, Laurie Alice - Lady in the Mist
Elkink, Deb - The Third Grace
Ellis, Mary - A Widow's Hope

F

Ferrell, Miralee - Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
                           - Love Finds You in Last Chance, California
                           - Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona
Fisher, Suzanne Woods - The Choice
                                        - The Waiting

G

Giammatteo, Giacomo - Murder Takes Time
Girardier, Marty - How Shall We Feed Them
Gist, Deanne - Beguiled
                      - Bride in the Bargain
                      - Love on the Line
                      - Maid to Match
Goyer, Tricia - LFYI Glacier Bay Alaska
                     - The Swiss Courier
Gray, Shelley Shepherd - Hidden
                                       - Wanted
Griffin, Pamela - Love Finds You in Hope, Kansas
Gruver, Marcia - Raider's Heart
Gunn, Robin Jones - Under a Maui Moon

H

Hake, Cathy Marie - Serendipity
Hake, Kelly Eileen - The Bride Backfire
                                - The Bride Blunder
                                - Rugged and Relentless
Hale, Shannon - Austenland
Hanna, Janice - Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee
                        - Love Finds You in Groom, Texas
                        - The Perfect Match
Hannon, Irene - Against All Odds
                        - An Eye for an Eye
Harris, Lisa - Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio
Harris, Yvonne - The Vigilante's Bride
Hatcher, Robin Lee - Belonging
                                 - Fit to Be Tied
                                 - A Matter of Character
                                 - A Vote of Confidence
                                 - When Love Blooms
Hauck, Rachel - Love Starts With Elle
Hechtman, Betty - Hooked on Murder
Hedlund, Jody - Unending Devotion
Heitzmann, Kristen - Indivisible
Higman, Anita - Love Finds You in Humble, Texas
                         - A Merry Little Christmas
Hodgson, Mona - Two Brides Too Many
Holle, Krista - The Lure of Shapinsay
Hunter, Denise - An Accidental Bride
                          - Cowboys Touch
                          - Driftwood Lane
                          - Finding Faith
                          - Mending Places
                          - Saving Grace
                          - Sweetwater Gap
                          - The Trouble With Cowboys

I

J

Jackson, Neta - The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down
James, Cara Lynn - Love on a Dime
Jensen, Laura - Becca By the Book
Jeschke, Melanie M. - Jillian Dare
John, Sally - After All These Years
                   - A Journey By Chance

K

Kent, Jillian - Secrets of the Heart
Kim, Penny - Desert Wedding
Kinnard, Deborah - Season's in the Mist
Klassen, Julie - The Apothecary's Daughter
                        - The Girl in the Gatehouse
                        - The Silent Governess
                        - The Tutor's Daughter
Kovic-Skow, Linda- French Illusions


L

Landis, Jill Marie - Heart of Stone
Leigh, Tamera - Leaving Carolina
Leon, Bonnie - Touching the Clouds
Lodge, Hillary Manton - Plain Jayne
                                       - Simply Sara
Long, Kelly - Sarah's Garden
Lough, Loree - Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska
                        - Love Finds You in Paradise PA
                        - A Man of Honor
Love, Dorothy - Every Perfect Gift
Ludwig, Elizabeth - Love Finds You in Calico California
                                - No Safe Harbor
Lynxwiler, Christine - Along Came a Cowboy
                                   - Cowgirl at Heart
                                   - The Reluctant Cowgirl

M

MacLaren, Sharlene - Abbie Ann
                                  - Hannah Grace
                                  - Maggie Rose
Macomber, Debbie - There's Something About Christmas
Mangum, Erynn - Match Point
                            - Miss Match
                            - Rematch
Mayne, Debbie - Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida
McDonough, Vickie - Anonymous Bride
                                   - Finally a Bride
McKinsey, R. - Sydney West
Mehl, Nancy - Inescapable
                     - Unbreakable
Messel, Greg - Last of the Seals
                      - Deadly Plunge
Mills, DiAnn - Attratcted to Fire
                       - Breach of Trust
                       - The Chase
                       - Sworn to Protect
                       - A Woman Called Sage
Mitchell, Siri - The Cubicle Next Door
                       - Kissing Adrien
                       - Moon Over Tokyo
Moceanu, Dominique - Off Balance
Mowery, Janelle - Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho
                            - When All My Dreams Come True
                            - When Love Gets In the Way
Murray, Tamela Hancock - Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina

N

Noble, Diane - The Last Storyteller
Nowadnick, Deanna - Fruit of My Spirit

O

O'Rourke, Sally Smith - The Maidenstone Lighthouse
                                      - The Man Who Loved Jane Austen

P

Palmer, Catherine - The Heart's Treasure
Parr, Delia - Hearts Awakening
                   - Love's First Bloom
Perkins, Stephanie - Anna and the French Kiss
Perry, Marta - Leah's Choice
Perry, Trish - Beach Dreams
                    - The Perfect Blend
Peterson, Tracie - Taming the Wind
Pettrey, Dani - Submerged
                       Shattered
Phillips, Krista - Sandwich With a Side of Romance

Q

Quinn, Julia - A Night Like This
                     - Ten Things I Love About You

R

Raney, Deborah - Remember to Forget
Richer, Lois - Shadowed Secrets
Rigler, Laurie Viera - Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
                                  - Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict
Roberts, Nora - The Last Boyfriend
                        - The Next Always
                        - The Perfect Hope
Rogers, Martha - Becoming Lucy

S

Sawyer, Kim Vogel - Courting Miss Amsel
                                  - A Hopeful Heart
                                  - A Promise for Spring
Shepherd, Kandy - Love is a Four-Legged Word
Smith, Lori - A Walk With Jane Austen
Smith, Debra White - First Impressions
                                  - Northpointe Chalet
                                  - Possibilities
Smith, Virginia - Stuck in the Middle
Soto, Samantha - Before Ever After
Sparks, Nicholas - The Lucky One

T

Tang, Camy - Sushi for One?
Thompson, Janice - Fools Rush In
                               - Queen of the Waves
Tyndall, MaryLu (M.L) - The Falcon and the Sparrow
                                       - Surrender the Heart

U

V

Vogt, Beth K. - Wish You Were Here
Vogts, Deborah - Seeds of Summer
                           - Snow Melts in Spring

W

Warren, Susan May - Double Trouble
                                 - Escape to Morning
                                 - Expect the Sunrise
                                 - Finding Stefanie
                                 - Flee the Night
                                 - Happily Ever After
                                 - The Perfect Match
                                 - Tying the Knot
                                 - You Don't Know Me
Weaver, Joanna - At the Feet of Jesus
Whitson, Stephanie Grace - A Claim of Her Own
Windsor, Linda - Healer
                           - For Pete's Sake
                           - Wedding Bell Blues
Wingate, Lisa - Talk of the Town
                        Firefly Island
Wiseman, Beth - Plain Perfect
                          - Plain Pursuit
Witemyer, Karen - A Tailor-Made Bride
Woodsmall, Cindy - The Hope of Refuge

X

Y

Y'barbo, Kathleen - The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper
Young, Pamela Samuels - Attorney-Client Privilege

Z

Book Blogger Hop ~ A Highlight~ 9/28/12

HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosting a giveaway? Tell us about it! Write a great discussion post this week? Promote it! This is the week to pick ONE POST from the past week to highlight for the Hop!





Bloggiesta Fall 2012 starts today!  Come check out my GOALS :)  One is to clean out my GFC list to make room for lots of new friends to follow.  Do you want to be one?  Let me know!

(You can also check out my giveaways on the sidebar.  Just sayin'! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a great day!

What's New With You? ~ 9/28/12

 

Won't you come meet Alissa (above), me and the girls for a coffee date,

or in my case, hot chocolate with whipped cream or maybe a chai tea?

 

This is what I'd tell you about my week, dear friends:

 

...It has been 3.5 weeks since my hysterectomy and I'm feeling the best I have yet!  I actually walked to the Post Office and store the other day, which totally wiped me out for the rest of the day, but it did feel good to get out by myself.  I've slowly been adding in my normal daily activities.  I never thought I'd be excited to fold clothes, do dishes and cook supper!  lol  Only a few more days, and I'm on the road again.  First order of business will be a mani/pedi :)

 

...I got the bill from the hospital for the above-mentioned surgery.  Apparently the total was a bit over $13,000!  We were "only" billed $1,100.  Thank God for Health Insurance and HSA's!

 

...We went Monday to the Orthodontist for the consultation about getting Kaylee braces.  He went over what they would be doing and gave us the price:  $3,300!  Our insurance will pay half and the rest is on payment plan.  She better be taking care of those toothers. I tell ya!  We go Monday to have them put on.  Pray for us.  Honestly.  She is a bit of a drama queen.  I can only imagine the whining that is going to take place.

 

...I have been super excited about the new shows starting.  I even devoted my "Its OK" post to them yesterday.  "Elementary" should be on my DVR as we "speak".  So excited!  I'm a TV geek so I will share the Fall TV schedule I found online so that you don't miss any of the awesome new shows that have previewed:  Fall 2012

 

...Have you ever heard of "Fried Apple Pie"?  I hadn't but I saw them mentioned on a blog this week and had to look them up.  They are like a turnover.  I found a recipe, by Paula Dean no less.  Fried Apple Pies!

 

...Speaking of apples, my mom and I usually go to one of the local orchards every fall and get a bushel of apples to make into applesauce, apple butter, and of course pies and dumplings.  Lately we've been getting Fugi's. Gotta get on that soon.  What is your favorite kind of apple?

 

...I'm so excited about all the books I've received for review lately.  I have lots of reading to do, so be on the lookout for some reviews and giveaways ;)

 

...I'm all caught up on my etsy orders for the moment.  So feel free to click on over to my shop and give me something to keep my hands occupied!  We added some great new items this week.  Santa Baby outfits, Angels and Scarecrows!  I still have a Cabbage Patch set to list, hopefully sometime today.

 

...We took the girls to Eat-n-Park Sunday.  Don't you just love their Smiley Cookies?  I think the adults should get one with their meal too.  Don't you?  Isn't that age discrimination?

 

...My BFF (since Kindergarten) called the other evening to check on me.  We debated the merits of Smiley Cookies and apples.

 

...Right now, Jasmine (our york-a-pom) is acting like a little mommy and giving Lilah (our black lab) a bath and kissing all over her face.  They are so silly and crack-me up sometimes, at least when they aren't driving me crazy!  Like, who chewed up the half-full bottle of water all over the couch last night?  Hmm?  Look!  I called it half-full instead of half-emtply.  Does that mean I'm an optimist?!?

 

...The hubby just got home from working night-shift.  I think I might crawl back in bed and snuggle with him for a bit to get warmed up.  It is starting to get really chilly here in the mornings and evenings.  That is Fall in PA for you!

 

...Tonight is Family Movie Night in our house.  Any recommendations?  I need one to watch with the kids and one for after they go to bed.

 

So, how was your week?  What's new with you?

 

  

 

Bloggiesta Fall 2012 ~ My Goals

Bloggiesta is back!

The Fall 2012 Bloggiesta will be taking place this weekend, Fri-Sun, September 28, 29 and 20th.

You can click on the logo above to head over to There's a Book to see what's happening!

My Bloggiesta Goals:

-To finish my "Archive" button by typing up my "Books Read by Author.

-Clean up my GFC list.

-I'd like a new header.  I have a few ideas and inquiries out.  Do more research.

-Participate in mini-challenges

-Learn how to be a better blogger ;)

This is my first time participating in Bloggiesta and I'm looking forward to a fun-filled weekend!

From the Review Pile ~ 9/27/12

From the Review Pile is hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.

The aim is to showcase books that you've received but haven't yet got around to reading.

"Shattered Silence"
Series:  The Men of the Texas Ranger Book 2
Author:  Margaret Daley
Pulisher:  Abingdon Press

Publication Date:  9/1/2012

A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders. While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn t what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana s faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Reading!

Its OK ~ Fall TV Edition ~ 9/27/12

Its OK

...to be REALLY excited that the new Fall TV shows have started!

...to have a huge DVR list!

...to warn you that there might be spoilers!

...to think Bones looks so much better with dark hair.

...that I liked the show better before Bones and Booth got together.

...that Castle and Beckett are together now too!

...to wonder where it will lead?

...to be so relieved that Ducky on NCIS didn't die!

...to have threatened never to watch NCIS again if Tony had died in the explosion!

...for me to think that Gibbs (Mark Harmon) is hot for an older guy :)

...that I was totally confused for almost the entire episode of NCIS LA.

...for me to have an "aha" moment when it was finally all explained!

...to still swoon over Chris O'Donnell.

...to also swoon over Alex O'Loughlin on Hawaii 5-0!

...that I might skip the housework today to watch Hawaii 5-0 and Revenge on my DVR!

...for Revenge to be my guilty pleasure :)

...to be SO excited for the premiere of Elementary tonight!!!

...that I'm a total TV junky!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a great Thursday!

Book Review ~ Twice Loved by Lori Copeland

*I received this book from www.paperbackswap.com .*

Title:  "Twice Loved"

Series:  Belles of Timber Creek

Author:  Lori Copeland

Publisher:  Avon Inspire

Publication Date:  8/1/2008

Pages:  288

Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Book Description (Goodreads):

Willow Madison and her friends Copper and Audrey taught school in neighboring Texas towns until the Yankees rode in and burned them out. In the midst of fear and chaos, survivors banded together to fight for what remained of their homes. Then word reached the people that the terrible war was over.

Now penniless but still hopeful, Willow vows she will take care of her friends, and her ailing uncle, in Thunder Ridge, Texas, even if it means having to marry wealthy Silas Sterling, a man thirty years her senior. But standing in her way is sawmill owner Tucker Gray, with his enticing eyes and infuriating headstrong manner--the man Willow cannot get out of her head . . . or her heart. Even though her friends beg her not to give up her dream of happiness, Willow is determined to do the right thing for those who are dearest to her. But which path does God want Willow to take: a life of duty and commitment . . . or a life of everlasting love?


My Overall Feeling of the Book:

I've had this book and the 3rd book of the series on my TBR shelf for quite a while.  I don't know why I didn't pick it up to read sooner because I really liked it.  In fact, I already order the second book so I can read rest of the series in order.

I found Thunder Ridge to be quite charming.  A town where it constantly thunders and lightnings but never rains.  Well, almost never :)

The book started with a bang and ended with a bang.  I can't wait to read more!


My Favorite Character:

Willow takes my favorite character spot just slightly over Tucker.  She is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure a future for her and her best friends from Timber Creek.  She's tough when she need to be and gentle when it is called for.

My Favorite Scene:

I think my favorite scene is when Willow first sees the schoolhouse that she is supposed to start teaching at in the fall.


My Favorite Sentence/Paragraph:

Uncle Wallace paused before a small, tin-covered building at the edge of town.  The shack had two windows, both with broken panes, and a door on each end.  The ground outside was cover with chicken feathers.  Rustic was too kind a word for this dilapidated hovel.  Willow knew a chicken pen when she saw it.

Page 61

It Would Have Been Better If:

I really can't think of anything that would make this book better.  Great characters, setting and writing.  I look forward to book 2 and 3:)



I Would Recommend This Book To:

Nieces, soldiers, best friends, survivors, teachers, church cleaners, Lori Copeland fans.


Rating

4/5

On to the next book,

Chats on the Porch ~ 9/26/12

This week's questions:

1. Please tell me a fond autumn memory. Or tell me something interesting you're doing now that fall is here.

Fall brings back memories of playing Volleyball in school, collecting leaves for Biology, crunching leaves while going for walks and of course, I got married in September so I always think of our "courting" days and the excitement of the wedding and honeymoon :)


2. What's your favorite kind of cheese?

I guess I would have to pick mozzarella as my favorite.  Can't go without my cheese sticks and extra cheese on pizza.  yummm....  :)


3. Have you ever been in a wedding, other than your own (if applicable)?

Yes, I have.  I was a bridesmaid for three of my best childhood friends, Jessica in 1998, Holly in 2003 and Erica in 2005.  Erica's anniversary was just this past Monday and Jessica's will be on October 8th.  These days 2 out of 3 ain't bad.


4. Did you ever do anything as a child to earn money? (Lemon aid stand, crafts, mother's helper, chores, etc.)

I had two jobs growing up.

As soon as I was old enough, I started babysitting my various cousins.

Also during the summer, I would work in my Mom, Aunts and Grandmother's craft shop.  I was running a factory size sewing machine from the time I was 12 year old.  When I was a bit older, I would sew in the evening after school.  I did this all the way through college and it was how I got my gas and spending money for school.


5. Do you wear a watch?

I do, but only when I leave the house.  I can't stand the feel of it when I'm typing or crocheting.  So, I put it on when I'm leaving the house and take it off as soon as I get back.  FYI, I have to wear the nylon kind of watches.  Anything else breaks me out.  My watch is black with a fun purple face :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, go check out Wendell's (a horse) answers.  They are hilarious!

Have a great day!

Wishing and Waiting ~ 9/26/12

These are two books, one released, one un-released that I can't wait to get my book-loving hands on!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper 
spotlights a book that has already been released and I can't wait to get my hands on.

"Fear No Evil"

Series: N/A
Author:  Robin Caroll

Published:  8/1/2010
Publisher:  B&H Books
Wishdate:  3/14/2011
Position on PBS:  #2

With his father in a nursing home and his mother needing support, former Great Smoky Mountains park ranger Lincoln Vailes moves to the bayou town of Eternal Springs, Louisiana, to become a police officer. Recent college graduate and eager social worker Jade Laurent has also moved there to try and right the wrongs of an abusive past. But someone is running her car off the road and pointing guns in her direction. As Lincoln investigates her case, he uncovers ties to big-city gang warfare up north that appears to be making its evil way down south.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

WOW hosted by Breaking the Spine spotlights

an up-coming release that I'm eagerly anticipating.

"To Whisper Her Name"

Series:  Belle Meade Plantation Book 1

Author:  Tamera Alexander

Release Date:  10/1/2012

Publisher:  Zondervan

Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a murdered carpetbagger, gratefully accepts an invitation from “Aunt” Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation and the dearest friend of Olivia’s late mother. Expecting to be the Harding’s housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned once again when she learns the real reason why Elizabeth’s husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Caring for an ill Aunt Elizabeth, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a southern-born son who—unbeknownst to her and everyone else—fought for the Union. Determined to learn “the gift” that Belle Meade’s head horse trainer, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him while harboring secrets that threaten his life. As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again…

Set within the remarkable history of Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, comes a story about enslavement and freedom, arrogance and humility, and the power of love to heal even the deepest of wounds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Wishing and Waiting until next Wednesday,

 

 

Book Review & Giveaway ~ The Trouble With Cowboys by Denise Hunter 5/5!

 
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  To see more about the book, author, and other reviews please click HERE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title:  "The Trouble With Cowboys"
Series:  Big Sky Romance Book 3

Author:  Denise Hunter
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Publication Date:  10/2/2012

Pages:  304

Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Book Description:

Only one pair of boots-and the cowboy wearing them-can get Annie out of the mess she's in. ""

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek's premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for "Montana Living." Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew.

When Annie's column is cancelled, she's given first shot at a new lovelorn column-and she can't afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie's never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town's smooth-talking ladies' man Dylan Taylor: She'll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he'll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can't risk getting hurt now.

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister's antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn't know what to trust-her head or her heart.

The trouble with "this" cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

This was such a great read!  I loved the characters, the plot, the setting and how well this book ended the Big Sky Romance series.

There is a strong storyline of faith and God which I enjoyed.  Too many times, I read what is considered Christian/Inspirational fiction that barely mentions God, prayer or going to Church.  Denise Hunter boldy proclaims through her writing the importance of our walk with Christ.

I enjoyed the theme throughout the book that God can ease our past hurts so that we can once again find the joy that He has planned for us.

Oh, and Denise also threw in a bit of Jane Austen!

My Favorite Character:

Other than the main characters, I have to mention Miss Lucy.  She made an appearance in each of the books of this series as a role model and mentor.  She's also a bit of her rocker!  She owns a doll shop and talks to and about her dolls as if they are living and insists others do too!  But her wisdom is amazing.

My Favorite Scene:

My favorite scene is when Annie is roped into helping Dylan wash his mud-caked truck.  It became an all-out water battle which may or may not have lead to other things :)

My Favorite Sentence/Paragraph:

A quick spray of water hit the top of her head.

"Hey!"  She looked thorugh the windows at Dylan's smirk.

He hiked a brow as another spray arced over the cab.

"You better watch yourself, buster."

His smile widened.  "Or else...?"

"I have a bucket over here, and I'm not afraid to use it."

Another spray of water hit the top of her head.  She sucked in a breath at his nerve, wiping the drizzle from her face.

Page 152  (the best part comes next.... :)

It Would Have Been Better If:

I really can't think of anything about this book that I'd change.  Sierra's attitude got on my nerves throughout the book but that really only added to my admiration of Annie's patience.

I Would Recommend This Book To:

Older sisters, aunts, horse lovers, girls with trucks, journalists, small-town dwellers, Jane Austen fans, all Denise Hunter fans.

Rating

5/5

Save the date for October 11th at 8pm EST!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, for the giveaway!

To enter for a chance to win my review copy of this book:

*Mandatory-  Please leave a comment telling me the last time you were in a water battle.  Come on!  It'll be fun :)

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you do :)

The giveaway will run until October 2, 2012 at 11:59pm.  The winner will be announced on October 3rd.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On to the next book,