The Professional

The professional by Rhonda Nelson was a quick, easy read. I think it was a bit too quick for me. I would have like to have seen more of the investigative side of things, more of the issues between Sophie and her family, which were a great side story,but if delved into more would have made a great main story line.

I did enjoy getting to know Jeb and Sophie and the eclectic bunch of folks surrounding them. Maybe some of the oldie but goodies could get a sequel to let us know how they are doing?

Not what I expected.

I recently received Covert Seduction by Callie Croix from Netgalley to review. It wasn't what I expected.

While I enjoyed Covert Seduction, it could have been better. I didn't find myself invested in the characters at all. Especially Becca. She was to self absorbed, caught up in why Reid hadn't contacted her and not keeping in mind that as the significant other, and not spouse of a Special OPS agent, that you go for weeks and months without a word. Her whining on and on about not hearing from him frankly got on my nerves, which made the book much less enjoyable for me.

Lord of Temptation

You all know I've had a rather rough couple of years, escalating to where life was pretty much only involving me laying down reading from the time I wake up until the time I slept. Nice life huh. Well the bright spot was, the reading, I got to read all sorts of books, and one of my favorite escape from reality during this time was Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath. I am rather new to reading "Regency Romance" novels, or "bodice rippers" as they are also known, and I have found that I love them! There is nothing like time traveling back to the days of dances, dinners, corsets, dresses that covered your ankles and wrists, but had your bosoms falling out! Lorraine Heath does a fantastic job of transporting her readers back to London and the Ton, immersing you in the life and times, making you feel as if you were right there wearing satin and crinolin! While reading Lord of Temptation, I wanted to go find my very own Captain Jack! About Lord of Temptation • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages • Publisher: Avon (September 25, 2012) Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright. Once upon a time, he was Lord Tristan Easton—now he is Crimson Jack, a notorious privateer beholden to none, whose only mistress is the sea. But all that will change when exquisite Lady Anne Hayworth hires his protection on a trip into danger and seduction. . . Desperation brought Anne to the bronzed, blue-eyed buccaneer. But after the Captain demands a kiss as his payment, desire will keep her at his side. She has never known temptation like this—but to protect her heart, she knows she must leave him behind. Yet Tristan cannot easily forget the beauty—and when they meet again in a London ballroom, he vows he won’t lose her a second time, as fiery passion reignited takes them into uncharted waters that could lead the second lost lord home. . . About Lorraine Heath When Lorraine Heath received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence; a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction; a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Americana as well as Best British Isle Set Historical; five Texas Gold Awards; the Golden Quill Award; the Rising Star Award; and many other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times. At the invitation of Laura Bush when she was the First Lady of Texas, Lorraine served on a romance panel at the Texas Book Festival in 1998. She gave a presentation at the Texas Library Association Conference in 1999. She also served on a panel during RWA’s 2001 Librarian Appreciation Day. She often speaks at local libraries, to writers’ groups, readers’ groups, and at small conferences. The author of more than 30 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers. Under the name Rachel Hawthorne, she writes popular contemporary romance for teens readers.

Finally an update!

As you can tell, I am starting to get into the swing of things again. Trying to at least.

I am still passing those stinking stone fragments, which means I am still basically passing stones, every day, for 3 weeks now. At my 2 week check, the Dr informed me I still have a long way to go to have them all passed. Yay.

BUT, the pain, the intense, constant pain that was keeping me in bed for the past couple of months, and keeping me from enjoying life for the past 2+ years.... IT IS GONE! It's not there. When they blasted that blasted stone, they blasted that pain right out the door!

For those who are wondering, I have had 5 children, all 5 were different labors. Some were intense, others were easy. Out of the 5 births, only one was more intense than passing kidney stones. And you get a cute snuggle bunny when you have a baby. All you get when you pass a stone, is a thorny, prickly porcupine type thing that cuts and rips and tears its way out of your body... oh wait, that is labor too! At least the cuts, rips and tears its way out part is.

At one point, the day after my surgery, I was laying in an extremely hot tub of water, trying to alleviate the pain, and help gravity help my stones to move, and I looked at Stud and said "I can't do this anymore" I remember saying those same words to him more than once while birthing our babies.

So, I am alive, I am pain free, more or less most of the time, and am passing stones like a champ.

Stud is still Stud,
Oldest got exposed to a chemical at work
Oldest's GF is looking for a job
Son2 moved to a new apartment
Son3 still won't go get his driver's license
Son4 would do almost anything for his driver's license, but we won't let him get it til he turns 18... he's 16.
Youngest is in puppy love.

That is our life these days summed up.

How about you?

No Safe Harbor

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing No Safe Harbor Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Ludwig

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Journey, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Janelle Mowery, earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year honors. This book was followed in 2009 by “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” part of a Christmas anthology collection called Christmas Homecoming, also from Barbour Publishing.

In 2010, her first full-length historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned Four Stars from the Romantic Times. Books two and three of Elizabeth’s mystery series, Died in the Wool (Barbour Publishing) and Inn Plain Sight (Spyglass Lane), respectively, released in 2011.

Coming in 2012 is Elizabeth’s newest historical series from Bethany House Publishers. No Safe Harbor, the first book in the Edge of Freedom Series, will release in October, with two more books following in 2013 and 2014.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, and often attends conferences and seminars, where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoyed a wide readership in its first full year, with more than 17,000 visitors in 2011. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in the great state of Texas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Thrill of Romantic Suspense Meets the Romance of 1800s America

Lured by a handful of scribbled words across a faded letter, Cara Hamilton sets off from 1896 Ireland on a quest to find the brother she'd thought dead. Her search lands her in America, amidst a houseful of strangers and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh.

Despite her brother's warning, Cara decides to trust Rourke and reveals the truth about her purpose in America. But he is not who he claims to be, and as rumors begin to circulate about an underground group of dangerous revolutionaries, Cara's desperation grows. Her questions lead her ever closer to her brother, but they also bring her closer to destruction as Rourke's true intentions come to light.

If you would like to read the first chapter of No Safe Harbor, go HERE.

Say it ain't so! Better Than Chocolate

I haven't had the opportunity to read this one yet, but as soon as I do, ya'll will be the first to know! Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they’re about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it? After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They’ll have a chocolate festival! Time’s running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town’s behind them, so everything’s bound to go smoothly…. Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother’s attempts to help aren’t helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It’s enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake’s also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there’s something even better than chocolate Sheila Roberts lives in the Pacific Northwest. She’s happily married and has three children. Her books have been printed in several different languages and have been chosen for book clubs such as Doubleday as well as for Readers Digest Condensed books. Her best-selling novel ON STRIKE FOR CHRISTMAS was made into a movie and appeared on the Lifetime Movie Network. Her novel ANGEL LANE was named one of Amazon’s Top Ten Romances for 2009. When she’s not making public appearances or playing with her friends, she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate. Her latest book is Better Than Chocolate.

The VERY best cookbook ever!

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Jerry and Tina Eicher

and the book:

The Amish Family Cookbook

Harvest House Publishers; Spi edition (October 1, 2012)

***Special thanks to Ginger Chen for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.

Tina Eicher was born and married in the Amish faith, surrounded by a mother and sisters who were great Amish cooks. At fellowship meals and family gatherings, Tina’s dishes receive high praise and usually return empty. She and her husband, Jerry Eicher, author of several bestselling Amish fiction titles, are the parents of four children and live in Virginia.


Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From bestselling author Jerry Eicher (more than 350,000 books sold) and his wife, Tina, comes this warm and inviting peek into an Amish kitchen, complete with recipes, Amish proverbs, and a dash of Amish humor. Readers will laugh, pray, and eat robustly with The Amish Family Cookbook at their side.

Product Details:
List Price: $ 14.99
Spiral-bound: 272 pages

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; Spi edition (October 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736943773
ISBN-13: 978-0736943772

AND NOW...A FEW RECIPES FOR YOU TO TRY (CLICK ON PICTURES TO SEE THEM LARGER):

Open letter to spam writes

Can't the folks who write spam be a little original? I clear out my comment spam every couple of days, and see the same thing repeated over and over.... "original site, I wish to be like you" yeppers, that makes me want to approve you. I mean come on, can't I get some original flattery, some, love the background pic, great writing, or something like that? sheesh. My kids could have done better than than when they were 2. Come on, give me some originality. Give me something that POPS!

At the Feet Of Jesus

Oh my. At The Feet Of Jesus by Joanna Weaver was the first book I picked up once I was clear headed enough after surgery to read and actually comprehend what I was reading. I turned to the page for my devotions for the day, and next thing I know, I was in tears. Literally, tears. That day's devotion hit me right between the eyes, in the center of my heart and knocked me to the floor. It.Was.Exactly.What.I.Needed. Period. I have continue with the devotions and am still as knocked down every day with the insight into the Word and how it applies to my life. I have honestly never had a book impact me so profoundly as At The Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver has. Thank you Ms Weaver for taking time to write what God gave you. I needed it. About At the Feet of Jesus: You were made for more than serving God; you were made to know Him. Intimacy with God-to know Him and be known by Him. It is what our hearts desperately need, but somehow life conspires to keep us busy and distracted. For anyone who struggles when it comes to daily devotions, At the Feet of Jesus extends an irresistible invitation to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that come from time alone with Him. Drawn from Joanna Weaver's beloved Bethany trilogy, each reading in this 365-day devotional includes a Bible reading passage and reflection question. All-new material and "Going Deeper" sidebars are also woven throughout. Discover for yourself the riches that come from spending a portion of each day alone with God. At the feet of Jesus-where true life begins! Includes a unique One-Year Bible Reading Guide. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/erC31 Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor's wife. Find out more about Joanna at http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/.

How Lucky You Are

Which friend are you? You know how it is, in each friendship circle, we have labels, whether we mean to or not, there is the pretty one, the drama queen, the loser, the easy one... we all have labels. In How Lucky You Are by Kristyn Kusek Lewis, we meet three friends that sometimes wonder why they are friends to begin with. Waverly is the center, she is the glue, the link that keeps them all together, yet she sees herself as the scattered one, the disposable one, the one that no one loves. Kate is the pretty one. She is the one that turns heads both male and female whereever she goes. Life has always been gilded with silver for Kate, will it always be so? Then we have Amy, the easy one. Not that kind of easy mind you, but easy as in, life and love has always been easy for Amy. Everything has went according to plan, she has her dream life all wrapped up in a pretty bow. The three friends have labeled themselves, and live up to their expectations, but each one's perception of each other is vastly different from how they see themselves. How lucky You Are takes us along for the ride with the three while they discover just how wrong labels can be, and what it takes to be a true friend. I loved, loved, loved How Lucky You Are by Kristyn Kusek Lewis. I could see bits of myself in each of the three women, and found myself thinking ... hrmmm... am I that one? Or am I this one? About each of the characters. The ladies are all three fleshed out, real live women who are adeptly captured in black an white printed word. What more can I say, I love it! In the tradition of Emily Giffin and Marisa de los Santos comes an engaging and moving novel about three women struggling with signs of strain in their longtime friendship. Waverly, who’s always been the group’s anchor, runs a cozy bakery but worries each month about her mounting debt. Kate is married to a man who’s on track to be the next governor of Virginia, but the larger questions brewing in their future are unsettling her. Stay-at-home mom Amy has a perfect life on paper, but as the horrific secret she’s keeping from her friends threatens to reveal itself, she panics. As life’s pressures build all around them, Waverly knows she has some big decisions to make. In doing so, she will discover that the lines between loyalty and betrayal can become blurred, happy endings aren’t always clear-cut, and sometimes you have to risk everything to gain the life you deserve. With its sensitive depiction of important issues, including spousal abuse, HOW LUCKY YOU ARE will spark interesting discussions among women’s reading groups and book clubs. Kristyn Kusek Lewis holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and has worked in magazines for over 15 years. She has written for the New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Glamour, Allure, Good Housekeeping, Self, More, and Redbook, among other publications. Buy the book at Amazon

Against the Tide

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Against the Tide Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Camden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Elizabeth:

I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.

I married relatively late in life, which turned out to be an odd kind of blessing. I had gotten very good at leading a solo life, and although I was not particularly content being alone, I had become reconciled to it. Most importantly, it taught me never to take my husband for granted. I give daily thanks for the blessing of being able to share a life with my favorite person on the planet.

As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Love and Lives are Threatened in Camden's Latest Offering

As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.

Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Against the Tide, go HERE.

All About the Mommies is celebrating!

All About the Mommies is celebrating their 10,000 Facebook fans and new website launch! To show appreciation to all of our great fans, we're going to have a $50 Paypal Cash Giveaway! Or maybe more?!?!

Blogger sign ups are starting now! Here are the details:

   

Bloggers get one free link (Facebook or Twitter) for posting an announcement post about the sign ups or you may pay $5 if you do not wish to publish. Here is a link to a pre-written announcement post for you to use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f1YDxllpnZBvB6fGBjrg7BK3sr6kI_kW5jfB_V2jw4A/edit

   

You may purchase additional links for $2 each. Links include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Reclip.It, RSS/Email, and Picket Fence.

   

Co-host spots are available. The co-host fee is $20. You get a backlink on all participating bloggers websites plus 2 additional free links on the RC ~ so 3 free links total!

   

Page host spots are also available. The page host spot fee is $5. You will host a page (not a blog post) with a list of the follows. You will get the additional page views associated with this giveaway. This option will be deleted from the sign up form when we have enough people hosting.

   

Blogger sign up dates: 9/20-10/17.

   

Giveaway dates are 10/22-11/12.

   

Open WW, 18+, void where prohibited.

   

The prize: minimum of $50 paypal cash. Depending on how many paying bloggers sign up, we will increase the prize amount or add additional prizes for multiple winners.

   

Blogger incentive: The blogger that drives the most entrants to the giveaway will get $20 Paypal cash! (There will be an entry on the RC to write what blog you are entering from.)

Ready to sign up? Click here!

My Big Bottom Blessings, and GIVEAWAY!

The first thing I noticed about My Big Bottom Blessing by Teasi Cannon, is her author pic. She looks like someone you would sit down and have coffee with, go shopping with, try on hats in the store, and just over all have a good time with. She just looks that happy and friendly. My Big Bottom Blessing is filled with things that make you sit back and think "hrmmmmm, how's she get in my head like that?", as well as things that make you ROFL. I loved reading Teasi's perspective, and how she made the journey to being comfortable in her own skin. I am doubly blessed to be able to offer a copy of My Big Bottom Blessing to one of my readers! The contest runs til June 15 at 11:59pm EST. To enter all you have to do is comment on this post telling me one thing you LOVE about yourself! It can be physical, personality based, or whatever! Just one thing you LOVE!!!!!!! Mine, I love my legs. I've always had nice legs! Well shaped, in proportion... the rest of my body... no so much! But hey, I'm working on it! My Big Bottom Blessing as described by Amazon: One woman's hilarious, yet totally honest battle with body image exposes the secret that loving the girl in the mirror isn't about changing how you look, but about changing what you see. Teasi Cannon's lifelong struggle with weight loss not only made her hate her body, but destroyed her marriage and led to an emotional breakdown. Today she's happy about her bottom, not because the size has changed, but because her perspective has. Her funny, gut-honest insights will inspire millions of women of all ages with body image issues to embrace their value and beauty. They'll learn to silence their own inner critics, debunk self-sabotaging lies, and get spiritually and emotionally happy. Her book includes an in-depth book club or small group study guide. About the Author Teasi Cannon Teasi (pronounced Tee See) is married to her best friend, Bill Cannon, and they have three awesome children: Carli, Ben, and Sam. Teasi has a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty Theological Seminary, and is a sought-after speaker who loves to help women remember who they are in Christ.