Thursday, August 30, 2012

THE HAVEN, by Suzanne Woods Fisher




Sadie Lapp is headed back home to Windmill Farm, after spending the winter with her sister, Julia, and her husband, Roman, get settled into their new home.  
Sadie has a surprise for her family, but she gets the first surprise, when everyone for miles around are at Windmill Farm, to see and hear about the commendation letter,  given to their father, to honor their brother, Menno, spotting the most rare birds in the state before his death. And now the game warden is there, telling them that another rare pair of birds is nesting in the area, and they will put Will Stoltz on the farm to supervise, to keep the birds safe until they fledge.
Sadie shows the family her surprise, and shocks everyone with an infant.  She finally makes them understand that the baby isn't hers, someone had left it while she was napping at a station waiting for her next ride..  But, gossip starts spreading that Sadie has had a baby.  Her old suiter, Gideon Smucker offers to marry her, even claiming he is the father, to save her reputation.

OK you now have to read the book to find the rest of the story.  As usual, Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a wonderful story, which draws you in, and makes you want to just keep reading.  She has me hooked, and any book she writes, will be in my collection.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.




Over the Edge by Mary Connealy

Callie and Seth were married when he was in the hospital, recovering from injuries suffered in a battle in the Civil War. A few weeks later, he disappears, and Callie doesn't know what happened to him. She finds herself pregnant, and has a beautiful baby boy. After losing her home, and her father, to a land grabbing rancher, she heads out to find her husband's family, hoping they will take her in. On the way, the stage coach is attacked, and she fends off the attackers, sending the other occupants to find help, and sending her son with them.

Who first shows up to help? Her no good husband, that's who, and she threatens to shoot his worthless hide. Then to complicate things more, a young cowboy named Heath shows up, wanting his part of the land his father had left. Seems their father had a secret life, and another child that none of them knew about.

This is just the beginning of this book. Seth and Callie have a long way to go, he doesn't remember much of anything about his time in the war, or the hospital. Callie goes home with him, to his brothers ranches, to get to know him, and decide if they have a chance.

Though westerns are not my favorite type of reading, this series has really held my interest. Callie is my type of heroine, strong but ladylike. I'm waiting for the author to write the story of Heath, the young half brother who shows up in the beginning of this story.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  I am not required to give a favorable review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

WHEN HOPE BLOSSOMS by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Amy Knackstedt has bought a home on farmland just outside Waverly KS, she felt it was time to move away from her father's home, and the town where her husband, Gabe, had died in a fall from a Silo.  She is Old Order Mennonite, and her new neighbor, Tim Roper, seems to be put off by their religion.  When her two youngest children, Parker and Adrianna wander into his apple orchard, and pick branches off the trees, damaging them, he takes them home and tells Amy she should keep better watch on her children.

Amy has a quilting business, Threads of Remembrance, and Tim is asked to help her set up a website where she can advertise.  Bekah, Amy's oldest, works out a deal to pay Tim back for his help, by cleaning his home.  Parker, the middle child, who was injured in an accident when he was 4, decides he can help Tim in the orchard, hoping that they will be able to get some apples to can and make applesauce in the fall.   Adrianna, the youngest child, at 5, doesn't remember her father, and both she and Parker become very attached to Tim.  He feels a pull toward Parker, because his child had also been disabled, born with Downs Syndrome.

Will Tim go back to his Mennonite roots?  Or will he let his disagreement with his father, years before, keep him angry and distant.  Will Amy stay on in Waverly, or will something make her move back to her hometown, even with it's bad memories?

This is a very interesting book, I've read a lot of Amish stories, but this is the first Mennonite story I've read.  Kim  Vogel Sawyer has brought everything together seamlessly, to make you feel you know these people.

I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.



















Monday, August 27, 2012

AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!!!!!!

The winners in the EBook give away of the copies of 
Deadly Image by Tamelia Tumlin are

Lavender Dreamer
Maple Lane

I need to know your preference, either PDF or PCR copies, and send your email address to the author who will fill your orders.

I want to say Thank you to all who entered, and to Diana for 
putting out the word about the give away.  
Isn't she a sweet heart?

And I also want to say Thank you to the author, Tamelia Tumlin, for writing a very interesting CHRISTIAN  story, and allowing me the privilege of reviewing it, and giving away these copies. 

Also, if you like Amish books, Cindy Woodsmall is giving away an autographed copy of her newest book,  A SEASON FOR TENDING on her blog, this week.  Here is a link to her blog:http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/2012/08/27/aug-27/

I'll be receiving a copy of the book to review in the next few days, so keep checking back, to read my review.



Saturday, August 25, 2012

Book Giveaway UPDATE

I have everyone's name printed out and numbered.  I'm awaiting a message from the author, before drawing the names. I want to make sure how she wants the information sent to her.

The book will be an electronic copy, either  a PDF copy, or a PCR copy, which can be downloaded to a kindle or other device is in PDF format, which is the way I got my copy.

So, Hopefully on Monday Afternoon, I'll be able to let you know who the 2 winners are.

Oh, and btw, I will be doing a 'home day spa' give away in a few weeks.  I make  Milk Bath, Goats Milk Soap, and Body Butter.  I plan on giving away a set sometime around the end of September, so check back for this too.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Vietnam Hero Home at Last


PFC James R. Maxwell

  • BORN: February 20, 1957
  • DIED: May 15, 1975
  • LOCATION: Center Ridge, Arkansas
James RMaxwell, age 18, passed away May 15, 1975 off the coast of Cambodia, while serving his country in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam Conflict. He was born February 20, 1957, in Memphis, Tennessee, a son of William "Lindbergh" and Ula Mae Louise Maxwell.
PFC Maxwell was involved in the "Mayaguez Incident" in 1975, in which a Marine Corp helicopter was shot down off the coast of Cambodia. After many years of extensive military effort, PFCMaxwell and others remains were located at various times over the past few months.
Current survivors include his brothers, Paul and Gary Maxwell and sisters Patricia Cates and Janie Estes, all four of Center Ridge.
Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 30th at Mt. View Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Woolverton Mountain Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, the 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Our local sheriff is asking that we line the streets to the funeral home on Tuesday when his remains arrive.  I hope to be standing beside the road with my right hand over my heart, to give homage to this young man and his family.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

RAIN DANCE by Joy DeKok

Jonica is at the doctor's office to tell him she doesn't want to do any more procedures trying to get pregnant. The costs are too high in both financial and emotional ways.
Stacie is at the same doctor to consult about an unwanted pregnancy, and get a reference to have an abortion.  A chance conversation in the waiting room, and a magazine that Jonica offers Stacie bring the two women together, when Stacie shows up on Jonica's doorstep, madder than the proverbial wet hen.  She accuses Jonica of trying to push her religion off on her, and she wants no part of it.

In spite of the differences in their lives, they are drawn together, and become friends.  Stacie grieves her decision to abort her baby, and Jonica grieves not being able to get pregnant.

This book goes through a year in the lives of these two women, as life
deals with them both in different ways.
Will Jonica find joy in other things, and accept the fact that she will not have children of her own?
Will Stacie ever accept the fact that God can forgive her for having the abortion, and accept him?

I really enjoyed reading this book, I liked both Stacie and Jonica, and could feel their pain. I think that any woman who has either struggled with the decision of unwanted pregnancy, or with knowing that they will never be able to have a child of their own, would get a lot out of this book

If you would like a copy of this book to read, you can find it on Amazon.com

I was given an electronic copy of this book to read and review, by the author.  No other compensation was given for this review.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.





Sunday, August 19, 2012

THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT by Sibella Giorello

Raleigh Harmon is threatened with suspension from the FBI because of not following the rules on her last case.  Offered a chance to partially redeem herself, she takes an undercover job posing as the niece of a wealthy stable owner.   Horses are winning, then suddenly they are not winning, and are ill, some are dying.
Her first night hidden in the barns, she is almost killed by a horse, when the barn catches fire at their stall.
Will she be able to solve this case without getting herself, or someone else killed?  Will she be able to keep her job with the FBI?  Is she sure she wants to marry her Fiance?

I enjoyed this book, but I think I should have read one of the earlier ones first, I think it would have helped me know what was going on, especially with her trouble with her job.

I was given a copy of this book by Litfuse, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.



Friday, August 17, 2012

DEADLY IMAGE by Tamelia Tumlin

 
I gave this book a 5 star rating on Amazon.com

Lexi has moved away from her family, with her 3 year old daughter, to try and relieve the stress of her minister husband's death in an auto accident.  Only 23, and a widow adds stress to her already stressful life.  Taking a day off work to redecorate her daughter's room, when she goes to pick up her daughter, they tell her she picked her up 2 1/2 hrs earlier, and had told them she wouldn't be there the rest of the week.

This is the beginning of a drama that keeps unfolding into a deeper mystery.  The police and FBI agent, Ace, believe she's done something with her daughter, only her parents seem to believe her.  Was the stress of the past year getting to her?  Had she really picked up her daughter, and then had no memory of it?

Some say the Christian aspect of this book was unnecessary, to me it was very necessary, it brought a lot to the story. The local church pulling together with Lexi to have a candlelight prayer vigil, and what it brought forth was a wonderful addition.

I was given a digital copy of this book by the author, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All my reviews are my own opinion, I'm not required to give favorable reviews.

I am giving away  two free copies of Deadly Image (PDF or PRC)  

Please respond to this post, and become a follower to be eligible.  Also, if you will mention my give away on your blog, and let me know, you'll receive an extra chance to win.  I'll do a random drawing in a few days to let you know the winner.


 www.tameliatumlin.com to enter to win one of two $10.00 Amazon gift cards Ishewill be giving away at the end of her  tour. Thanks so much!
Tamelia Tumlin
 
 
My Romance Books Available Through Steel Magnolia Press



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

SHORT STRAW BRIDE by Karen Witemeyer

When Hiram Ellis threw 10 year old Meredith Hayes lunch bucket onto the land owned by the reclusive Archer family, she had to go get it, even though the signs said KEEP OUT. When she got caught in a trap, and Travis Archer showed up and carried her home, she daydreamed about the handsome Archer brother from that day forward.
After her parents died, Meredith lived with her father's brother and his family. Limping because of the accident with the steel trap about 0 years earlier, they didn't think she had much chance of marriage, so when Roy Mitchell showed interest, and he was a well to do 'gentleman' they pushed the engagement. Overhearing him and another man talking of forcing the Archers from their land, Meredith set out to warn the Archer family.
Injured while trying to help them save their barn that was set on fire by the people trying to run them out, she was unable to go home, and when her uncle came looking for her, and found her in a home with 4 men, he gave them an ultimatum, they had ruined her reputation, so someone had to marry her. Travis and his brothers drew straws, and Travis got the short straw, so they were married the next day.

Would Travis ever love her? Would her cousin, Cassandra, marry Roy Mitchell, as her mother insists?

I enjoyed this book, it is a good fantasy and very entertaining.

I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House publishers to read and review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

THE CHOICE by Robert Whitlow

 Sandy Lincoln was 17 and a cheerleader in high school, when she found herself pregnant by her boyfriend, Brad Donnelly.  They considered running away, but had  differences of opinion, so they broke up, when he wanted her to have an abortion.  She moved to Atlanta, to live with her aunt, and finish school.  On the way to Atlanta, in a convenience store where she had stopped to get a drink and stretch her legs, an old woman looked at her, and told her that she was having twins, and that they should never be together or one of them would die.  Twin boys were born to her, one went to a couple in California, and one to a couple in Georgia.

The story picks up 33 years later, when Sandy is a teacher, who tries to help a young Mexican girl who finds hereself pregnant  She helps her find a lawyer, and imagine Sandy's surprise, when she sees a photo of the home he grew up in, and realizes he is one of her twin boys.

I could not put this book down, I finished it in two days, even with 3 grandkids visiting.  It is realistic, for the most part, and very gripping.  Having known a few young women who found themselves in this circumstance, it makes me know how hard the decisions were, especially in the 1970s.  If you want a good book, that will make you wish it didn't end, you'll want to read this book.
Thomas Nelson Publishing
418 pages


I was given a copy of this book to read and review, by Litfuse no other compensation was given.  I'm not required to give a positive review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Oh what a day it has been

I guess that I am getting old, and change isn't good.  We got a new internet service today.  After 14 years of trying, we finally got DSL.  A self install kit arrived yesterday, and dh was ready to install then, I told him it wouldn't be turned on until  sometime today.  At about 8:30, the technician called and told me he was coming out to check the lines, they'd discovered that we had static, and had to replace some of the connections in the outside box...

This morning, I was in the bathroom and the phone rang, I'd been looking for the 2nd handset for 2 days.  I could hear it ringing, but couldn't find it.  I moved everything in that area, and finally, 2 hrs later, found it had fallen in the bag that the bath tissue came in, between rolls.  Anyway, it had gotten turned on when it fell, so I ended up having to unhook the cordless phones, and use a corded one, until it was found

.My keyboard quit, it isn't the keyboard, it is the computer connection, and it comes and goes.  after trying 5 keyboards tonight, I finally got the 2nd one I tried to work....

I'm having a heck of a time keeping drinks around here, I buy several 2 liter bottles of soft drinks, and they end up empty, so I'm forever picking up bottles and telling the kids to drink water.. I fix kool aid and it disappears too.

On the good side, school starts on the 20th, and then I will have my days to myself.  I may still have to put them on the bus, and fix them a snack in the afternoons, but I'll have the day to do my stuff.
I love them dearly, but it has been a long hot summer, and I'm ready for cooler weather and calm around here.


Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Cats everywhere,

Once upon a time, several years ago, we were a one cat family.  
Then my Tom disappeared and 3 days later a Red Tabby female 
showed up in his place.  
Now, it is like a Red Tabby Haven around here.

Yesterday, we had them coming 


Out of the chairs.


And
sleeping in laps.

or
Sleeping on 
'Mom'
That is Fluff, who Skylar adopted a couple of weeks ago
Growing like a weed, 
both of them

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Win A NOOK!


Enter to Win a Nook Color from Robert Whitlow and RSVP for 8/28 Facebook Party!
 
Enter Today  - 8/7-8/27!


http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13527503/robertwhitlow">  Robert Whitlow The Choice Nook Color Giveawayhttp://g.virbcdn.com/_f/cdn_images/resize_1024x1365/9e/ContentImage-20-76737-TheChoicegiveaway300.png" height="150" width="170" />

What happens when

You decide to take a nap and the grand kids are around...
Skylar decorated his head with a cap,
and Stephen 
used his IPod to take his photo.
He was awake enough by this time to refuse the 
pink one.

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Quick throw together meal

On Tuesday evening, a phone call let our church know that it was our turn to feed the Doctors and Volunteers at the CC Christian Clinic which is free to low income with no medicaid or Insurance.  I received a frantic call, could I help with food and work delivering and serving on Thursday evening?  I said yes, and since I had purchased some unbleached flour, made 32 cinnamon rolls, and a large egg salad.
At 4:00pm we left the church and headed to the clinic.  We were all set up by 4:20pm, and found it would be 5:15 or so before the first came in to eat.    We served fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, egg salad, homemade rolls, and 2 cakes, an apple cobbler, and the cinnamon rolls.  Tea, coffee, lemonade, and water for drinks.  All the cobbler was eaten, the cakes were barely touched, cinnamon rolls, I came home with 3, but I did give some to the ladies that helped serve.

We serve twice this month, then our turn doesn't come around for about 2 1/2 years again.  I think we will be doing spaghetti and garlic bread for the next one, since we have a little notice on that one.