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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Giveaway Winners Unaccounted for...

jennafaugh
Kate
HollyMag 
uhzanaid
Lynn McCallum




~ Margaret (MJ) Chind of Georgia, now to be in Tennessee 
Enginerd's wife and Mama to AppleBlossom (July 2009 8 lbs 2.3oz) 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough, or a book long enough to suit me." -C.S. Lewis
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Creative Madness - Quilts & Reviews
cherryblossommj(at)gmail[dot]com






Giveaways to look forward to...

Hey there, Margaret here. I'm writing this from memory with no access to my lists or internet... so bare with me and forgive any misspellings on author names. 


 - international winners

The Red Siren & The Blue Enchantress by M.L. Tyndall - international winners
Look to the East by Maureen Lang - international winner

Audio CD: The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen - US, Canada, or UK only

TRUE BLUE by David Baldacci - US and Canada only
NINE DRAGONS by Michael Connelly - US and Canada only
WHAT THE DOG SAW by Malcom Gladwell - US and Canada only
LOCKED IN by Marcia Muller - US and Canada only
MIRACLE GIRLS #3: A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt - US and Canada only
TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE by Leila Cobo - US and Canada only

Ruby Among Us & Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner - US Only unless notified otherwise

All of the following from my mailbox to yours - US only:
Guardian of the Flame by T.L. Higley
My Everyday Promise Bible
A Cousin's Prayer by Wanda Brunstetter
The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake
Honor in the Dust by Gilbert Morris
Lost Mission 
Fear Not Tomorrow
The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived
The Fight of Your Life
Saints in Limbo
The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo
The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love by Beth Patillo
Love is a Battlefield by Annalisa Daughety
Emmy's Equal by Marcia Gruver 
Autographed: Illuminated & House of Wolves by Matt Bronleewe 

And more... *grin* Will that satisfy? 

~ Margaret (MJ) Chind of Georgia, now to be in Tennessee 
Enginerd's wife and Mama to AppleBlossom (July 2009 8 lbs 2.3oz) 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough, or a book long enough to suit me." -C.S. Lewis
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Creative Madness - Quilts & Reviews
cherryblossommj(at)gmail[dot]com






Review & CFBA: eye of the god

*Coming to you from the Arlington Public Library*

Sending from my phone did not translate the html, so here I am at the library to resend this on through.


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

eye of the god

Abingdon Press (October 1, 2009)

by

Ariel Allison



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Allison is a published author who lives in a small Texas town with her husband and three young sons. She is the co-author of Daddy Do You Love Me: a Daughter’s Journey of Faith and Restoration (New Leaf Press, 2006). Justin Case, the first of three children’s books will be published by Harvest House in June 2009. Ariel is a weekly contributor to www.ChristianDevotions.us and has written for Today’s Christian Woman. She ponders on life as a mother of all boys at www.themoabclub.blogspot.com and on her thoughts as a redeemed dreamer at www.arielallison.blogspot.com.


From Ariel:
I am the daughter of an acclaimed and eccentric artist, and given my “unconventional” childhood, had ample time to explore the intricacies of story telling. I was raised at the top of the Rocky Mountains with no running water or electricity (think Laura Ingles meets the Hippie Movement), and lived out the books I read while running barefoot through the sagebrush. My mother read to me by the light of a kerosene lantern for well over a decade, long after I could devour an entire novel in the course of a day. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, George MacDonald, and L.M. Montgomery were the first to capture my heart and I have
grown to love many others since.

ABOUT THE BOOK

eye of the god takes the fascinating history surrounding the Hope Diamond and weaves it together with a present-day plot to steal the jewel from the Smithsonian Institute.

We follow Alex and Isaac Weld, the most lucrative jewel thieves in the world, in their quest to steal the gem, which according to legend was once the eye of a Hindu idol named Rama Sita. When it was stolen in the 17th century, it is said that the idol cursed all those who would possess it. That won’t stop the brilliant and ruthless Weld brothers.

However, they are not prepared for Dr. Abigail Mitchell, the beautiful Smithsonian Director, who has her own connection to the Hope Diamond and a deadly secret to keep. Abby committed long ago that she would not serve a god made with human hands, and the “eye of the god” is no exception. Her desire is not for wealth, but for wisdom. She seeks not power, but restoration.

When the dust settles over the last great adventure of the Hope Diamond, readers will understand the “curse” that has haunted its legacy is nothing more than the greed of evil men who bring destruction upon themselves. No god chiseled from stone can direct the fates of humankind, nor can it change the course of God’s story.

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of eye of the god, go HERE

My review:
Awesome. The first word to enter my mind upon completing the premier novel of author Ariel Allison is awesome. Already, I can devotedly tell you I am a fan and cannot wait for more. You better believe that I am going to check out those side novels with the continuing stories of those of which their lives has been touched by the Hope Diamond. Starting this book, I was a little hesitant, and that is completely related to formatting. The font was a different one than I am used to and all was bold text, it was very distracting and I must admit profoundly that I was not a fan. Font and formatting aside. This was a great novel. Going back and forth between facets of history that intersect the life of, what we generally know as, the Hope Diamond and contemporary day to day of Abigail Mitchell. The transitions were incredible and desperately messed up my theory of "DH just let me finish this chapter." Not possible! I was so pulled in. When she would end one segment I was dying to know what would happen next, only to turn the page and find that she changed time periods and went to the other plot. WHAT!? No!! I was ridiculously hysterical and had to keep going.

With all that said, obviously I highly recommend the novel "eye of the god". I cannot wait for more!

*This book was provided for me to review thanks to Abingdon Press, part of Cokesbury.*





*Coming to you from the Arlington Public Library*


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Blogoversary Giveaway Winners

1. Cowboy Christmas - bluebelle0367 & jchoppes
2. Can God Be Trusted? - hull.margaret
3. A Climate for Change - Lynn McCallum
4. Wind of the Spirit - gcwhiskas
5. My Son John - uhzanaid
6. Rain Dance - alicedemskehansen
7. It's Not About Him - lelou2
8. The Case of the Mystified M.D. - reneetaylor
9. White Picket Fences - Hollymag
10. From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife - partymix25
11. The Sound of Sleigh Bells - Kate
Other Cindy Woodsmall novel - je2kids
12. Copper and Candles - sdeeth
Hearts and Harvests - ayancey
13. Cleopatra's Daughter - bashtree
14. A Forever Christmas - jennafaugh
15. The Jewel of His Heart - sundaisy920
16. A Passion Denied or other - nisethusfar
17. Out of His Hands - desertrose5173
18. A Silent Fury - worth2bepraised
19. June Bug - Amy K
20. Redemption - ladyufshalott
21. The Great Christmas Bowl - marcus802001
22. The Short List - desertrose5173
23. Lesson from San Quentin - orca0024
24. Your Life in Rhythm - desertrose5173
25. Eye of the God - zenrei57 (& FOUR MORE Winners TBA)
26. I Know Why the Angels Dance - saulpaugh.chelsea
27. Hero - writer_weaver
28. More than a Match - ABreading4fun & alicedemskehansen
29. What Women Don't Know - ABreading4fun
30. Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight - srfbluemama
31. Foolproofing Your Life - desertrose5173
32. About My Fahter's Business - ABreading4fun & desertrose 5173
33. Never the Bride - sugarandgrits
34. 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians BElieve - TeamOSM
35. Stealing Home - bekkie1820cb
36. Every Woman's Battle - gasweetheart211
37. Hearts in the Crosshairs - rsgrandinetti

Silent on the Moor - cherdon
Day of Evil Series - Norafindshope
A River Calling & A Place in Time - dcf_beth


If you see your name above, please email me your snail mail address. There are going to be a few more winners, as there are some doubles of books available that I have not listed here. Please get your address to me promptly so that I can get it when I have a moment to check my email. creativemadnessreviews (at) gmail [dot] com


No internet Update

*Coming to you from the Arlington Public Library.*

So, it's Tuesday, October 27th and I still have no internet. I have started notifying some of the winners so far of the blogoversary giveaways and I hope you all will continue to forgive my absence. I'm sure you know how frustrating this is for me as well. *sigh*

DH has started his new job, so for a first it is just AppleBlossom and me during the day. So far so good. I have read two books this week, and it's only Tuesday! I was unable to participate on-line in the 24-Hour-Read-a-Thon which was a real annoyance, but it was a joy to log on and find people had cheered for me anyway! That made my day. *grin* So, AppleBlossom is now about three months old. She is growing and going through another growth spurt, weee! We got out some pictures of me at age four last night, and she looks exactly like me! That's shocking, because before we could not really see it. I do not personally have in hand any photos of myself younger than age three, ultrasound not with standing, so I am bugging my mom to find some for me so that we can compare them.

I have been working on my computer offline and in addition to some FIRST tours, and various book reviews that I will start posting as soon as I have real internet (as AppleBlossom limits the amount of time we can spend in the library) you will get to see many new things. Some cloth diaper reviews from Kushies, Bambino Mio, Bummis and more as well as Glad Rags, Luna Pads, No Slippy Hair Clippy and Pediped too. There is also Smart Mom jewelry, Heart Strings, and others to come as well. And yes, of course, as promised more books to giveaway!

In the meantime, I plan to have some tours coming up in November from Waterbrook Multnomah as well including: Leaving Carolina, White Picket Fences, Faith & Fangs and a few CFBA tours like: Fit to Be Tied, The Prisoner of Versaille, and What the Bayou Saw. And of course many many tours from FIRST (if you are unaware, I post most all of FIRST tours as I am a FIRST Assistant Director...).

Once, again. Please forgive me!



*Coming to you from the Arlington Public Library.*

Friday, October 23, 2009

Blog Tour & Review: The Jewel of His Heart

*Coming to you live from the Germantown Public Library free Wi-Fi*

The Jewel of His Heart by Maggie Brendan.The Jewel of His Heart is a soft romance, set in 1890’s Montana and is Book 2 in Maggie’s Heart of the West series, but introduces new characters and reads well as a stand-alone.

It is here that Juliana calls home when she meets Josh McBride, a handsome, gentle sheepherder. When he discovers a rare kind of sapphire on his property and considers striking out on his own path in the world, he is forced to decide what’s most important to him: the world’s riches or the eternal value of love in a woman whose eyes rival the rarest of gems.

The Jewel of His Heart (Heart of the West #2)
Originally, in reading the first book in the Hearts of the West Series I had to say: Having a plot line that starts and grows with tragedy, this is a novel that grabs your heart and makes you silently or even sometimes verbally cheer on the heroine to succeed at her current goal. Maggie Brendan has done well with her first novel and I definitely look forward to more. This is easily one of those stories where you are screaming for the characters to see what you as a reader are seeing. There are times where I thought something would come out differently, but with the story coming to a close I could not have imagined anything better than the way it was itself. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

My review of the second in the series, The Jewel of His Heart: The romantic prose of Maggie Brendan is very visual and a reader can easily imagine what it was in Montana in the late period of the 1800s. The writing and characterization of the protagonist was good, I could tell, because they aggravated me to no end with the decisions and flip flops of emotions. A slight thing that threw me was some of the serious events that occurred in the lives of our main characters and how quickly the story just seemed to move forward without much time for the characters much less a reader to reflect. This is a sequel in continuing the life of main character Josh McBride from No Place for a Lady yet this story completely holds it's own as a stand-alone. Once a cattle-rancher's son, McBride is attempting to make his own as a sheepherder. The details of the life are intriguing and as a reader going along for the journey one routes for Josh to succeed. Juliana Brady has had it rough and has her pride, but with each day as she grows closer to Christ she learns a bit more of what He has in store. I definitely plan to read more titles to come from Maggie Brendan. This was a great story, I just did not personally mesh with the character's personalities and felt they were quick to jump and assume, but then that just hits a nerve. The romance is vivid and chill bumps present, this is one to read with imagination and time to reflect the lessons within as well as revel in the kisses stolen.


About the Author:
Brenda Lott A.k.a.Maggie Brendan
southernbellewriter.blogspot.com
www.BustlesAndSpurs.com Resident Blogger
Heart of the West Series, Revell
No Place For a Lady-4.5 Stars from Romantic Times!
The Jewel of His Heart, 4 Stars from Romantic Times!-October, 2009
A Love of Her Own, Book 3-June 2010

The Jewel of His Heart
by Maggie Brendan
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3350-6
$13.99, October 2009


“Available October 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”


*Special thanks to Donna at Revell Books of Baker Publishing Group for sending me a review copy.*



Margaret Chind
CreativeMadnessReviews(at)gmail.com
Creative Madness - Quilts & Reviews
http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com



*Coming to you live from the Germantown Public Library free Wi-Fi*

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Guest Post, Blog Tour & Giveaway: Holy Bible Mosaic

*Coming to you straight from the Arlington Public Library Wi-Fi... *




One day late, but none the less I'm here with a very interesting blog tour for Tyndale's new Holy Bible: Mosaic. http://www.holybiblemosaic.com Here today, I have a great guest post from editor and neat guy Keith Williams. And he was so nice to provide a video for us as well. *grin*


Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT (Meditations)


Using Holy Bible: Mosaic



If you haven’t had a chance to see a print copy of Holy Bible: Mosaic yet, I’d encourage you to take a look at either this interactive online sample or this pdf sample to help give you an idea of what I’m talking about in the video above.

Many people have asked me how I think they should use the weekly meditations in Holy Bible: Mosaic. I wrote a little bit about this in the User’s Guide on pages m11-12 in the Bible, but I didn’t have enough space to give a full explanation there. Besides, I think this Bible can be used in any number of different ways and still be profitable. After all, we are a Mosaic of believers in Christ, each contributing a unique piece to the picture. So the way I talk about using Mosaic in the video is one excellent way to do it, but I know you will probably think of your own excellent ways was well.

So what are your ideas? If you already have a copy, how have you been using Mosaic? If not, take a little bit of time to look through the samples I linked to above and throw out some ideas.


Keith Williams
Editor, Bible and Bible Reference
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Dr.
Carol Stream, IL 60188
(630) 784-5330
http://nltblog.com
http://twitter.com/keithwilliams


Thanks to the great publicists and blog tour opportunity from Tyndale House. I received a copy of the Holy Bible: Mosaic to read and review myself. Of course being a Bible, I have only barely started to scratch the surface of what is the awesome-ness of this new tool for study. My father, who is a big fan of Biblical History, Liturgy, and Bible Study looked it over and stated that he thought it would be a very interesting experience to use and a different idea for study, but that he was not sure if it was his type of study Bible, yet is curious to check it out. For myself, in the short time that I have been able to delve into the pages of this unique tool I have found it to be a different experience in study than I have ever had before and must tell you that I like it.


I cannot wait to have more time to tell you what I really think!

And of course, because I'm absolutely crazy right now, and because Tyndale is awesome to provide. I have one to GIVEAWAY!! After reading Keith's post and watching his video, in depth discuss with me through comments or feel free to email me just why you want your very own copy of this Holy Bible: Mosaic. Is it the liturgy? The International feel or what draws you? The winner (date TBD - let me get internet first!!) will get a certificate for a free Holy Bible: Mosaic. And of course, for more opportunities to win. Do some of those "other" things (see previous giveaway posts to know what I mean...)



*Coming to you straight from the Arlington Public Library Wi-Fi... *

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

are you kidding?!

The internet guy came... This house has never been set up with access before. Someone had cut the wires flush with the house and he has nothing to connect to.

Uh...

Now we have a call in to the rental maintenance company to run new wires..

Um. Blogger here! HELP!

-mj
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday, October 19, 2009

no internet yet

We should get internet tomorrow and I will announce the winners of more than 40 books then.

I apologize for the delay! Being without a computer-internet connection has really thrown a kink in things. By way of apology I will giveaway more than 40 MORE books in the weeks to come!!

-mj
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Friday, October 16, 2009

Blogoversary Giveaways 1-37 and then some

Blogoversary Giveaways so far, there is an opportunity to win the following books: (The following giveaways all end on October 18th)...

Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy
(Christmas Christian Historical Fiction)
A Forever Christmas by Missy Tippens (Christmas Christian Fiction)
The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren (Christmas Christian Contemporary Fiction)
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall (Christmas Christian Amish Fiction)

The Hope of Refuge or one of the Sisters of the Quilt Trilogy by Cindy Woodsmall (Christian Amish Fiction)

The Jewel of His Heart by Maggie Brendan (Christian Historical Fiction)
A Passion Denied or another Passion title by Julie Lessman (Christian Historical Fiction)

Wind of the Spirit by J.M. Hochstetler (Christian Historical Fiction)
Copper and Candles and/or Hearts and Harvest by Amber Stockton
(Christian Historical Fiction)
Stealing Home by Allison Pittman (Christian Historical Fiction)

White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner (Christian Contemporary Fiction)
My Son, John by Kathy Macias (Christian Contemporary Fiction)
Rain Dance by Joy DeKok (Christian Contemporary Fiction)

Out of His Hands by Megan DiMaria (Christian Contemporary Fiction)
June Bug by Chris Fabry (Christian Contemporary Fiction)
eye of the god by ariel allison (Christian Contemporary Fiction)
Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay (Christian Contemporary Fiction)

It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton (Christian YA Fiction)
The Case of the Mystified M.D. by A.K. Arenz (Christian Cozy Mystery Fiction)
A Silent Fury by Lynette Eason (Christian Contemporary Suspense Fiction)
Hearts in the Crosshairs by Susan Page Davis (Christian Contemporary Suspense Fiction)

The Short List by Bill Butterworth (Christian non Fiction)
Can God Be Trusted? by Thomas D. Williams (Christian non Fiction)
A Climate for Change by Katharine Hayhoe & Andrew Farley (Christian non Fiction)
From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife by Marla Taviano (Christian non Fiction/devo)
Lessons from San Quentin by Bill Dallas and George Barna (Christian non Fiction)
Your Life in Rhythm by Bruce Miller (Christian non Fiction)
Fool Proofing Your Life by Jan Silvious (Christian non Fiction)
About My Father's Business by Regi Campbell (Christian non Fiction)
Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Do by Larry Osborne (Christian non Fiction)
Every Woman's Battle by Shannon Etheridge (Christian non Fiction)

I Know Why the Angels Dance by Bryan Davis (Christian)
Hero by Fred Stoeker (Christian)
More than A Match by Smalley (Christian)
What Women Don't Know by Michael McKinney and Joel Brooks Jr. (Christian)
Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen (Christian)

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran (Historical Fiction)

Autographed:
Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn (Historical Mystery Fiction)
The Day of Evil Series by Melanie Wells (Christian Suspense Contemporary Fiction)
A Place in Time and A River Calling by Glenn Frontin (Christian Historical Fiction and Christian non Fiction)


AND there is plenty MORE to come!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

no internet

The internet was about to be set up, but due to a clerical error on the address from their end we have to start all over. Unknown as to when I will be online. In the meantime, check out The Sound of Sleigh Bells. I am half way thru and loving it! Thank you to GA author Cindy Woodsmall for such great Amish Fiction. -MJ
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Blogoversary Giveaway #37



Thanks to author Susan Page Davis, I have to offer a copy of Hearts in the Crosshairs. US only from my mailbox to yours. Winner will be chosen October 18th.

Hearts in the Crosshairs (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense)
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises, Limited. All rights reserved.

Hearts in the Crosshairs, by Susan Page Davis: Jillian Goff is Maine’s first female governor. She’s only been in office fifteen minutes when an attempt is made on her life. Is her stalker a political enemy, or someone from her past? The Executive Protection Unit sets out to keep Jillian safe to carry out her duties. Detective Dave Hutchins investigates, but the assassin eludes him. He and Jillian draw close as they determine to outplay the killer—but romance is forbidden between the governor and her protectors. When Dave’s boss hears a rumor, he removes Dave from the case and forbids him to see the governor. But Jillian knows she needs him. He’s called back into service when she opts for a wilderness vacation. Dave faces the hardest challenge of his life—keeping Jillian alive.



Why do you read Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense?

Good luck all! And for the fun of it, after your MANDATORY entry above, any of the following will get you additional entries...

  • Add my blog to your technorati favs (left sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (right sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Networked Blogs (right sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner (right sidebar)
  • Follow me on Twitter (right sidebar)
  • Tweet this giveaway (come back and leave your status link - find this by clicking on your time of tweet)
  • Join my Facebook Fan page
  • Comment on other non-giveaway posts
  • Blog about this giveaway
  • Grab my button and link to my blog (left sidebar)
  • Grab my giveaway button and link to my blog (right sidebar)


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Blogoversary Giveaway #36



Thanks to the fabulous team at Waterbrook Multnomah, I have bunches of good books to offer you. US only from my mailbox to yours. One of which is... Every Woman's Battle by Shannon Ethridge.

Every Woman's Battle: Discovering God's Plan for Sexual and Emotional Fulfillment (The Every Man Series)

When does an affair begin? Not with the first forbidden touch…but with the first forbidden thought. Unexpectedly, you find yourself enjoying a powerful emotional bond with another man. You feel like you matter to someone again. And the door you thought was locked so firmly–the door to sexual infidelity–is suddenly ajar.

The only way women can survive the intense struggle for sexual integrity is by guarding not just your body, but your mind and heart as well. Every Woman’s Battle can help you learn to do that. Using real-life stories and examples from her own struggle, Shannon Ethridge helps women like you–whether married, engaged, or planning to marry someday.

Tell me why you would benefit from this book?

Good luck all! And for the fun of it, after your MANDATORY entry above, any of the following will get you additional entries...

  • Add my blog to your technorati favs (left sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (right sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Networked Blogs (right sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner (right sidebar)
  • Follow me on Twitter (right sidebar)
  • Tweet this giveaway (come back and leave your status link - find this by clicking on your time of tweet)
  • Join my Facebook Fan page
  • Comment on other non-giveaway posts
  • Blog about this giveaway
  • Grab my button and link to my blog (left sidebar)
  • Grab my giveaway button and link to my blog (right sidebar)


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Blogoversary Giveaway #35



Thanks to the fabulous team at Waterbrook Multnomah, I have bunches of good books to offer you. US only from my mailbox to yours. One of which is... is a Christian Historical Fiction that I am really looking forward to reading. Stealing Home by Allison Pittman.

Stealing Home: A Novel

It’s 1905 and the Chicago Cubs are banking on superstar Donald “Duke” Dennison’s golden arm to help them win the pennant. Only one thing stands between Duke and an unprecedented ten thousand dollar contract: alcohol.

That’s when sportswriter David Voyant whisks Duke to the one-horse town of Picksville, Missouri, so he can sober up in anonymity. He bides his time flirting with Ellie Jane Voyant, his unofficial chaperone, who would rather hide herself in the railway station ticket booth than face the echoes of childhood taunts.

Ned Clovis, the feed store clerk, has secretly loved Ellie Jane since childhood, but he loves baseball and the Duke almost as much–until he notices Ellie Jane may be succumbing to the star’s charm.

Then there’s Morris, a twelve-year-old Negro boy, whose only dream is to break away from Picksville. When Duke discovers his innate talent for throwing a baseball, Morris might just have found his way out.

Four individuals, each living in haunted isolation, each harboring a secret passion. Providence brings them together. Tragedy threatens to tear them apart. Will love be enough to bring them home?

Why do you read Christian Historical Fiction?

Good luck all! And for the fun of it, after your MANDATORY entry above, any of the following will get you additional entries...

  • Add my blog to your technorati favs (left sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (right sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Networked Blogs (right sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner (right sidebar)
  • Follow me on Twitter (right sidebar)
  • Tweet this giveaway (come back and leave your status link - find this by clicking on your time of tweet)
  • Join my Facebook Fan page
  • Comment on other non-giveaway posts
  • Blog about this giveaway
  • Grab my button and link to my blog (left sidebar)
  • Grab my giveaway button and link to my blog (right sidebar)


Blog Tour: The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Go back to Blogoversary Giveaway #11 on 9/19 for a chance to win a copy for yourself of this and other Cindy Woodsmall titles. Contest ends October 18th.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells


Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.


purchase the book online:

  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 6, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307446530
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307446534

Monday, October 12, 2009

Moving tomorrow

I think I'm moving to a perfect place for me, but you tell me. Directly taken from the Town of Arlington's website.

Arlington has been called Shelby County’s best-kept secret and rightly so as it has remained a small quiet rural Town for two centuries. Despite its recent growth, the tranquility prevails in our neighborhoods while star-filled skies outshine street lamps.


First Settlement
Historical building

Settlers came in the area in the 1830’s and many of their descendants still live in Town. Originally known as Haysville, the Town was named after the original landowner, Samuel Jackson Hays, a nephew of President Andrew Jackson. The area began to grow with the development of the Memphis and Ohio railroad and the creation of Withe Depot within its boundaries. By 1856, about two hundred people called Haysville home, but growth ceased with the onset of the Civil War as our native sons joined The Cause, many never to return. Another nearby disaster, the outbreak of Yellow Fever in Memphis in 1878, also contributed to the stagnant population as the Town fathers quarantined this area, forbidding outsiders from entering the Town.


Historical building

In 1883, the name of the Town was changed to Arlington, a name suggested by Captain Henry Pitman. He had visited the national cemetery in Virginia and thought it was the most beautiful spot on the earth. Arlington is probably the only Town named for a cemetery!

The community received its charter from the State of Tennessee in December 1900, then with a population of slightly over 600. Like many small communities, Arlington suffered losses during the World Wars; the 1950 census shows only 465 residents, and the 1960 census lists 651. Arlington had 1,742 residents on its centennial. A special census conducted in early 2004 revealed that Arlington is currently home to over 5,000 people.


Community Development
Historical building

A real treat for the early citizens of Arlington was to board a westbound train for Memphis, sometimes becoming an overnight adventure in the big city. But, residents did not have a real need to visit the bigger city; the necessities of life could be found within its own Town square.

By the end of the 19th Century, the community boasted its own post office, physician, druggist, cotton gin, lumber store, several general stores, a blacksmith, a meat market, and an undertaker. The center of Town then, as it is today, was S.Y. Wilson & Co. In the early 1900’s, it furnished for its customers practically everything imaginable – meat, groceries, sewing notions, clothes, feed and seed. (Today it is primarily a hardware, feed and seed store.) Long-standing residents can attest to the changes that have been made.

This little historical town may no longer be a best-kept secret, but its people and its charm will continue to remind us all that we must preserve our past while planning our future.


Arlington Town Hall
5854 Airline Road
P.O. Box 507
Arlington, TN 38002
Phone: (901) 867-2620


Blogoversary Giveaway #34



Thanks to the fabulous team at Waterbrook Multnomah, I have bunches of good books to offer you. US only from my mailbox to yours. One of which is... Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe by Larry Osborne.

Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

People don’t set out to build their faith upon myths and spiritual urban legends. But somehow such falsehoods keep showing up in the way that many Christians think about life and God. These goofy ideas and beliefs are assumed by millions to be rock-solid truth . . . until life proves they’re not. The sad result is often a spiritual disaster–confusion, feelings of betrayal, a distrust of Scripture, loss of faith, anger toward both the church and God.

But it doesn’t have to be so. In this delightfully personal and practical book, respected Bible teacher Larry Osborne confronts ten widely held beliefs that are both dumb and dangerous. Beliefs like these:

• Faith can fix anything
• God brings good luck
• Forgiving means forgetting
• Everything happens for a reason
• A godly home guarantees good kids

…and more.

Get ready to be shocked, relieved, and inspired in the pages of Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe. Because the truth is meant to set us free . . . not hurt us.

What is something you thought was a Christian belief and later found out that it was not?

Good luck all! And for the fun of it, after your MANDATORY entry above, any of the following will get you additional entries...

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Sunday, October 11, 2009

CFBA: Things Worth Remembering


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Things Worth Remembering

Bethany House (October 1, 2009)

by

Jackina Stark



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jackina (pronounced with a long “i” to rhyme with China) Stark recently retired from teaching English at Ozark Christian College to spend more time writing and traveling.

Jackina says: "Although I loved my subjects and my students, I retired to do more writing and speaking, to spend more time with my family, and to travel with family and friends (including trips to encourage two missions in Cambodia). I have also spoken nationally and internationally at many retreats and seminars and enjoy running into many readers and former students. I have written frequently for both Christian Standard and Lookout, periodicals of Standard Publishing. Years ago I wrote two non-fiction books, published by College Press, but currently out of print. These days, I’m exploring fiction. My first novel, Tender Grace, was released by Bethany House January 30, 2009, and Things Worth Remembering, is the second. I’m working on new projects, including a third novel, as time permits. Whether speaking or writing, I love the opportunity to tell about Him whom Jesus called “Holy Father” and “the only true God.”

She has been married to her husband, Tony, for forty-two years. They live in Carl Junction, Missouri, and have two daughters and six grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kendy Laswell and her daughter, Maisey, used to do everything together--until one fateful summer when Maisey witnessed something she shouldn't have, and their relationship fractured. Now, Maisey is back home to get married and Kendy realizes this is her last chance to reconnect with her daughter. Will Kendy and Maisey be able to reclaim the bond they once shared?

Maisey asked for a bride doll the Christmas she was five, mesmerized by her aunt's wedding the fall before. Since then I've been dreaming of the day, or days, we would shop for her wedding dress. A mother helping her daughter find just the right creation for that momentous walk down the aisle strikes me as one of life's happiest endeavors. The night she called to tell us she'd bought her "dream of a gown," I sat beside Luke on the couch, a striking contrast to Maisey's exuberance.
My dejection seemed a tad inappropriate. "Being hurt because I wasn't included is silly, isn't it?" I asked.

"Not so silly," he said.

Will I ever quit longing for the Maisey who was once mine?


If you would like to read the first chapter of Things Worth Remembering , go HERE

I just got a copy of this thanks to Jim Hart of Bethany House and I plan to read and review it in the near future (after the move, of course).

Stars Step Out to Join pediped® footwear in Raising Funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®

Press Release made available by Hilary Abbott Communications, Inc.

Stars Step Out to Join pediped® footwear in Raising Funds

for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®

HENDERSON, Nev. (October 7, 2009) — More than 50 well-known entertainers and athletes will participate in Stars for a Wish, an online auction of autographed pediped® baby shoes to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The auction will run Oct. 25-Nov. 1 on Charity Buzz.

Celebrities who signed pediped® baby shoes for the auction include:

MOVIES
Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Pierce Brosnan, Andy Garcia, Molly Ringwald, Rachel Weisz

TELEVISION
Tim Allen, Courtney Cox Arquette, Marcia Cross, Jennie Garth, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Heidi Klum, Charlie Sheen, Jon Stewart

MUSIC
Clay Aiken, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Sugarland

SPORTS
Jerome Bettis, Anna Kournikova, Shaquille O’Neal, Mark Teixeira, J.D. Drew, David Ortiz



Bidding will start at $250 for the signed shoes. Recipients will receive the shoes attractively displayed in a cherry-finished shadow box or clear acrylic box complete with an engraved plaque.



The Stars for a Wish fundraiser has a minimum goal of $25,000, which will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. One-hundred percent of the funds raised through the auction will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.



“We were overwhelmed by the willingness of so many celebrities, many of them already familiar with our brand, to generously help us support this cause,” said Angela Edgeworth, President and Co-Founder of pediped® footwear. “Now it’s all up to the public to bid high for these shoes so they not only receive a beautifully presented keepsake from their favorite celebrity, but more importantly, so they will be helping children facing life-threatening medical conditions.”



To learn more about the Stars for a Wish fundraiser and to view a complete list of participating celebrities, visit www.pediped.com/stars.



About pediped®

Pediped® footwear was launched in 2004 by Angela and Brian Edgeworth in their quest for the perfect soft-soled shoe for their first daughter. Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort and distinctive styling have made the award winning company one of the fastest-growing children's footwear brands in the United States. Pediped® footwear is sold in over 2500 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between their two lines, Originals and Flex. Originals (soft-soled shoes for newborns to age 2+) and Flex (rubber-soled shoes for children 1-6 years) are available in EU sizes from 20 to 29. For more information, visit www.pediped.com or call 1-702-567-0311.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

# # #
Media Contact:

Hilary Abbott
Hilary Abbott Communications, Inc.

Thanks to Hilary Abbott Communications, AppleBlossom has a pair of pediped shoes that she is almost grown into. When she gets there, you'll get a review from us!

Blogoversary Giveaway #33



Thanks to the fabulous team at Waterbrook Multnomah, I have bunches of good books to offer you. US only from my mailbox to yours. One of which is... a novel that I absolutely loved! Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay. Click here to go back and read my review.

Never the Bride: A Novel


Eleven Bridesmaid Dresses Don’t Lie

Since she was just a little girl, Jessie Stone dreamed up hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled the romantic ideas in her journal with her treasured purple pen, and fantasized about wedding dresses and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid nearly a dozen times, waved numerous couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping for one key component of these countless proposals hasn't been quite as productive–a future husband. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that the Almighty has a better plan than one she’s already cooked up in her journals? Can she turn over her pen and trust someone else to craft a love story beyond her wildest dreams?


Cheryl McKay
is the screenwriter for the award-winning film The Ultimate Gift. She also wrote an episode of Gigi: God’s Little Princess, based on the book by Sheila Walsh, and Taylor’s Wall, a drama about high-school violence. She’s been writing since the tender age of five when she penned her first play. Cheryl is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and currently lives in Los Angeles.

Rene Gutteridge is a critically acclaimed comedy writer and novelist. She is the author of fifteen novels including the Boo series, My Life as a Doormat, the Occupational Hazards series, and the novelization of the motion picture The Ultimate Gift. She lives in Oklahoma with her family.

What would you do if God started appearing to just you to tell you to let Him write 'your' love story? One sentence answers are not going to cut it.

Good luck all! And for the fun of it, after your MANDATORY entry above, any of the following will get you additional entries...

  • Add my blog to your technorati favs (left sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (right sidebar)
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  • Tweet this giveaway (come back and leave your status link - find this by clicking on your time of tweet)
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  • Grab my button and link to my blog (left sidebar)
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Saturday, October 10, 2009

#ClothDiapers WoollyBums Review

When my friend Lindsey introduced me to Alicia, the creative mind behind WoollyBums Cloth Diapers I became really excited. This fall is the first introduction of Newborn/Small diapers to her stash of normally One Size fitted diapers. We were able to sample a Newborn Pucci Diamonds fitted diaper as well as a One Size Pink Chickadees and absolutely love them both! AppleBlossom is already on the out growing stage of the Newborn/Small diaper at 11lbs, but these are without a doubt ones that I plan to get the next child round. I like it even better than the Kissaluv's size 0!



Fabric is of premium quality and a fabulous choice of patterns and a bamboo inner layer. Here is a WoollyBums description of the Newborn/Small diaper.

Sweet little newborn bums will fit perfectly in this tiny diaper! If you're planning on having a baby and going with cloth from the get go, these are the perfect solution for your diapering needs. Made with the same bamboo velour as my one-size diapers, these have an inner of organic cotton sherpa so they are a little lighter weight. No snaps will touch baby's skin since they are all encased inside. They come with one lay in soaker (one layer of organic bamboo velour and one of organic cotton sherpa). My newborn diapers have two wing snaps on each side to prevent wing droop as well as a snap down rise to protect that delicate belly button while it heals.

The outer fabric on this diaper is adorable cotton interlock print. This diaper will fit from about 7-14+lbs.



Up to this point, my only experience with fitted diapers has been Kissaluvs size 0 Organic hemp, Kissaluvs size 1 unbleached, and Mother-ease Sandy's size small. (Reviews of these are to come...) Another experience has been a different WAHM fitted diaper. That diaper was the worst ever and really put me away from fitted diapers, plus we had some issues with the Kissaluvs size 0. So, when I was getting these two WoollyBums, I was both nervous and excited with anticipation. In the end I was more than pleasantly pleased.

A fitted diaper is fully made of a super absorbent material that snaps or velcros in place on it's own and then must be used with a water proof cover to prevent leaks. There is an extra step involved, but for the heavy wetter, or nights, or a long car ride these are really ideal. I have also heard that because of the extra absorbency, there is less incidence of diaper rash. Whenever AppleBlossom is sporting one of these WoollyBums as far as diapering is concerned she is all giggles and grins. I would definitely say she is very comfortable in them.



In most brands and types of diapers I have been hesitant to go for OS diapers because they just seem so large on my newborn. With the OS WoollyBums, I can see room for growth, but I have no fears of this diaper being too large on her even at 11lbs. The different layers of snaps make it work so well and be very adjustable. I just love the perfect overlay. Here is the WoollyBums description of the OS diaper that I was given to sample for review:

These diapers are so wonderfully soft and absorbant, you will be addicted the moment you hold one in your hands.

This particular diaper has a layer of cotton interlock knit on the outside in the popular chicks motif, a layer of extra heavy organic bamboo fleece (this is not the bamboo fleece you see everywhere else!) and finally a layer of buttery soft bamboo velour on the inside, they also come with two of my organic bamboo fleece/organic bamboo velour doublers to max out the absorbancy. The wonderful part of it all, is that the 6 layers of bamboo plus the layer of bamboo interlock on the outside will match a diaper that has many more layers in absorbancy but without the bulk! The materials and design provide for lots of stretch to ensure a great fit for any size or shape.

These diapers are made with natural materials that will shrink a tiny bit the first few times you wash them, even though they have been prewashed. No worries, this just means that they are becoming more absorbant!

The bottom soaker snaps into the front when the diaper is unfolded and the second soaker lays on top. For the infant setting, I suggest folding one soaker down and omitting the second one.

These are also designed to fit babies from 12 lbs. on up through potty training. Just fold the front over and snap away. These are what I trust my 2 year old in overnight and we have even been using them as trainers by taking the soakers out and setting the snaps loosely so we can pull it on and off (he's 35+lbs.).



Overall, I am very pleased with the diapers from WoollyBums in both the Newborn/Small fitted size as well as the OS. I look forward to adding more OS diapers to our stash, and for the next child the Newborn/Small size from WoollyBums will be my first choice without question!

My husband's thought: "They are absorbent, soft, love the fit, and they are easy to use."


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