A Thousand Sleepless Nights by Michael King

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Thousand Sleepless Nights Realms (October 16, 2012) by Michael King
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

When Mike Dellosso won a one-year battle with colon cancer he set out to help readers of his books discover it before they had to go through what he experienced.

“I want others to avoid what I had to go through,” he says. “It was an experience that taught me a lot about myself, others, and God, but one I wouldn’t want to repeat. If I can help even one person battling this disease, it would have been worth it.”

Mike set about writing a novel quite different from what his fan base had come to expect from him. Not a thriller, but a character-driven novel, so he wrote it under a pen name, Michael King, and entitled it A Thousand Sleepless Nights. His publisher, Charisma Media, went for it and the first copies went on sale in October.

Mike’s next step was to determine whether a partnership between him, Charisma Media, and the Colon Cancer Alliance was possible. This month both announced their cooperative fundraising venture, with Charisma Media making a significant contribution to CCA and Mike committing a portion of the proceeds from the book through December to CCA.

Speaking about A Thousand Sleepless Nights Mike says, “I want people to see colon cancer (and all the other cancers) for the monster it is, but also to show it does not need to defeat us. There is hope, there is strength, and there is courage and love. And though cancer may rob us of our physical vitality, it has no power over our spirit.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the 1970s, escaping a home where he knew nothing but violence and hate, Jim Harding found work, and love, on the largest horse ranch in Virginia. The object of his affections, Nena St. Claire, is the daughter of the owner—a man who ruled his ranch with an iron fist and would do whatever it took to keep Nena and Jim apart.

Against the wishes of her family, Nena marries Jim, and after her father dies, she sacrifices everything—including her family—to keep the ranch alive. Now their three grown children have lives of their own and want nothing to do with Nena. She was never the mother they needed.

When cancer strikes and Nena is given a devastating diagnosis, can Jim reconcile the family before it is too late?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Thousand Sleepless Nights, go HERE.

Around the Word in 60 seconds by Mary DeMuth

 Mary DeMuth has put together a beautiful book of devotions just for the middle schooler.  The devotionals are very short and just help the kids this age get into the habit of spending time daily in God's Word with the intent that as they make the habit they will also lengthen their time in the Word daily as well.  The devotionals are  based on issues and themes that pertain to the 12-14 year old age group.  there are 52 weeks included in the book so it is intended to take them a year to get through the book. Each week is divided into 6 day settings with intents of Monday being the first day where they will read a brief themed scenario/story with a scripture and a thought for the day.  Then the rest of the days follow up with a scripture and a provoking thought for the reader to think on and possibly act upon with an over the weekend being the 6th day.  This book can also be used as a journal/diary as there is enough room for the reader to add an entry each day of their thoughts on the matter being discussed.  I believe the issues are very age appropriate and that this book could be a very good item to help the teen start off a new year.  The cover is cool and very contemporary looking with this running throughout the book. Below you can see a copy of the table of contents. If you'd like to read an excerpt of the book head over to CBD  here and check out the free excerpt they have posted.  This book may be ordered from many of the online book sites such as CBD, Amazon, Barnes and Noble you may also view the book information and places to order the book on the Tyndale home page here.

You may visit Mary DeMuth's web site here.
 
A copy of this book was provided by the author and tyndale publishing in exchange for my honest review. 

Teaser Tuesday ~ A Texan's Choice

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Scout's hand trailed from her shoulder, past her elbow, finally curving around her hand in a secure clasp.  She loosened her fingers, letting his link through hers.

~ taken from p. 209 of Shelley Gray's A Texan's Choice

They'd been waiting five days for her father to die.  
Only a strong sense of duty drove Rosemarie back into the darkened room, where the scents of whiskey and sickness grabbed her the moment she crossed the threshold.  When she coughed, in a half-hearted attempt to adjust to the dim, thick air, six faces turned to her in surprise.  The seventh occupant was oblivious. 

~ taken from A Texan's Choice by Shelley Gray

Beyond the Storm bny Carolyn Zane

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Beyond the Storm Abingdon Press (October 2012) by Carolyn Zane
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author of 35 books, wife, mother and yes…hot (flasher) lives with her fabulous husband, Matt and their 5 children and 3 dogs in the scenic Willamette Valley in Oregon. When asked to describe her family, Carolyn likens her crowd to the Brangelia Bunch saying modestly, “Only we’re better looking.” Right now,Carolyn is back in the saddle with her new title: Beyond The Storm, coming out in October 2012! In the mean time, be sure to catch her on the critically acclaimed TOOHOTMAMAS Blog where Carolyn and Wendy tackle Marriage, motherhood and menopause: How to do all three and stay out of prison! They are hilarious! You'll wet yourself, guaranteed! Visit them at: www.toohotmamas.wordpress.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a tornado rips through her town, store owner Abigail comes across a piece of fabric from a wedding dress among the devastation. Abigail is moved to start collecting other swatches of fabric she finds – her neighbor’s kitchen curtains, a man’s necktie, a dog’s bed – which she stashes in shopping bags. As she pursues her seemingly absurd quest, horrible realities spark the question, “What kind of a God would allow such tragedy?”

As she struggles to reconcile her right to happiness amidst the destruction, Abigail begins piecing together a patchwork quilt from the salvaged fabric in hopes it will bring some peace. But a new relationship with Justin, a contractor, may require too much of her fragile heart. Will her pain and questions of faith give way to the courage to love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Beyond the Storm, go HERE.

Mailbox Monday ~ Oct. 29, 2012

 Join Mailbox Monday meme

@ The Printed Page

October's host is: 

here

(I will be hosting the whole month of May 2013 looking forward to hosting)

Adult Fiction

 Unexpected Christmas Hero by Kathi Macias
A Wild Goose Chase Christmas by Jennifer Ailee
Beside Two Rivers by Rita Gerlach
A Texan's Choice by Shelley Gray  

Non fiction

 When Your Parent Becomes Your Child by Ken Abraham
American Patriots by Rick Santorum

 Children's 

Morris the Village Voice by Doris Rueger

also posted @

A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story by Julie Lessman

Julie is one of my very favorite authors.  I have been following her since the beginning of her O'Connor series.  She is awesome.  While this book isn't your door stop  book as her other books, it still has the Julie punch.  It is a wonderfully sweet romance read.  I was so excited when Julie sent out requests for participating in this book blog tour.  This book setting comes before her daughters of Boston series.  Julie's passion still is alive in this Irish Christmas love story.  Because I've read A Passion most Pure I did know who Marcy ends up marrying; however, it was fun to see how the relationship twists and turns in A Light in the Window.  It is a stand alone no need to read the Daughters of Boston first.  By the way her husband designed the cover and the young lady on the cover is her daughter.  Beautiful cover.   Be sure to check out Julie's contest included in this tour.  Click on the icon below. 

An  ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Accidentally Amish by Olivia Newport

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Accidentally Amish Barbour Books (October 1, 2012) by Olivia Newport
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:

I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.

We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.

Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.

I’ve been married for over thirty years and have two twenty-something kids. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)

Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.

Thanks for stopping by my site, where conversations and adventures begin with a click. I hope we’ll run into each other often.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Escape the helter-skelter of the modern culture and join software creator Annie Friesen, hiding at the home of an Amishman. With her high-tech career in jeopardy, Annie runs from fast-paced Colorado Springs—and straight into the hospitality of San Luis Valley’s Amish community. There she meets cabinetmaker Rufus Beiler, and the more time she spends with him, the more attracted she becomes. When Annie finds she shares a common ancestor with Rufus, she feels both cultures colliding within her. But is her love for Rufus strong enough for her to give up the only life she’s ever known?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Accidentally Amish, go HERE.

Real Dogs Don't Whisper by Kelly Preston

Do you believe in second chances? Real Dogs Don't Whisper book is about second chances and miracles. Read about four rescue dogs that were ready to be given up on because they have special needs; they teach their human about life, love, and hope.

Kelly Preston, co-author of a newly published book, “Real Dogs Don’t Whisper”. Her co-author is Mr. MaGoo; he is a larger than life dog and has a lot to say.

Meet her family like no other: Kelly, Mr. MaGoo, Buffy, Carla Mae, and Betty Boop. A girl, her two Lhasa Apsos, one Cocker Spaniel, and one adorable mutt – each with their own challenging set of difficulties to overcome. One puppy has serious neurological disorders and is blind. Two were severely abused. All are on a journey of discovery. Together, learning love and patience along the way, perhaps none so much as Kelly.

Real Dogs Don’t Whisper: Life Lessons from a Larger than Life Dog! (and his Owner), is the true story of a remarkable family as told in a unique way by both Kelly, the owner of the household, and her spunky, hilarious, nine-year old Lhasa Apso, Mr. MaGoo. The narrative is at times tear-jerking, at times hysterical, and always enthralling.

puppy has serious neurological disorders and is blind. Two were severely abused. All are on a journey of discovery. Together, learning love and patience along the way, they have grown and thrived. Perhaps none so much as me.

Real Dogs Don’t Whisper: Life Lessons from a Larger than Life Dog! (and his Owner), is the true story of a remarkable family as told in a unique way by both myself, the owner of the household, and my spunky, hilarious, nine-year old Lhasa Apso, Mr. MaGoo. The narrative is at times tear-jerking, at times hysterical, and always enthralling.

Site: www.realdogsdontwhisper.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/realdogsdontwhisper

Twitter: @KellynMrMaGoo

Google+: +RealDogsDontWhisperpuppy has serious neurological disorders and is blind. Two were severely abused. All are on a journey of discovery. Together, learning love and patience along the way, they have grown and thrived. Perhaps none so much as me.

Real Dogs Don’t Whisper: Life Lessons from a Larger than Life Dog! (and his Owner), is the true story of a remarkable family as told in a unique way by both myself, the owner of the household, and my spunky, hilarious, nine-year old Lhasa Apso, Mr. MaGoo. The narrative is at times tear-jerking, at times hysterical, and always enthralling.

Kelly and Mr. MaGoo will donate a portion of their proceeds from the sale of this book to FACE Foundation. Established in 2006, The Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public charity, whose mission is to enhance and preserve the quality of life of animals by providing access to necessary medical care and education. Based on established criteria, FACE provides financial grants to animal owners who are unable to partially or fully cover the cost of their pet's emergency or critical care. Learn More: www.face4pets.org

Book Excerpt

Mr MaGoo’s excerpt:

It was at that very moment I realized Carla Mae was not just an angry, aggressive little cuss I taught to play and dance and cut loose. I saw Carla Mae for the first time as she really was—a scared puppy who learned to mistrust those around her and who learned self-preservation the only way she knew how—by biting first and asking questions later. She was a frightened little dog who eventually found a greater lesson in letting go and learning to laugh and play and yes, of course—dance. Carla Mae found unconditional love in our family and along the way, she learned to trust. Anyway, as for Dim-Bulb King, cooler heads prevailed that day and, lucky for him, his human finally dragged him away from us. But I sure learned something about my new sister that day.

Carla Mae turned out to be a competitive little tomboy and fair adversary. We love to play Kibble Attack—a game that involves her patiently planning preemptive Kibble invasions, only to be taken off guard by a MaGoo surprise maneuver, overrun and forever a close second only to me. She’s quite the copycat as well, often mimicking our moves. I’m not sure if she’s mocking us all, doing the “when in Rome thing”, or a little of both. What I do know is that I have learned to love Carla Mae and Carla Mae has learned to accept love and even try to nudge in on my petting time with the human and even with random human strangers in the house. She is loved and cared for and Carla Mae is no longer afraid… well, maybe a little afraid of King Crazy Dog, but who wouldn’t be? Other than me, of course.

Visit This book's tour site here

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

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.

Teaser Tuesday ~ Graceful

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

We have grown so comfortable in our girl-made hiding places that we forget the most important part of hide-and-seek:  the best part of hiding is being found. 

~taken from p. 13 of Graceful by Emily P. Freeman

The little white house on Gladstone Avenue had a driveway that ran the length of it on the right side.  The gravel popped and crackled under the weight of any car coming through, sending up gray billows of dust.  So we had some warning when Dad pulled his white Datsun up beside the house at the end of the day.  It was the automatic on your mark, get set signal to my sister and me.  We needed to get into position for a round of hide-and-seek. 

~first paragraph of Graceful by Emily P. Freeman

Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert

Be sure to read to end of post for giveaway details.

 Barrie Graeber has two great kids, a loving husband, and a respected job as the high school counselor in her close-knit community. Then, without warning, everything unravels when her teenage daughter, Pearl, is betrayed by friends and lashes out.

Barrie’s attempts to steer her daughter back on course fail. Nothing prepares this mother for the helplessness that follows when Pearl shuts her out . . . or when the unthinkable comes to light about her nemesis, the football coach.

MOTHER OF PEARL is a story that puts absolute truths and convictions to the test. It’s the emotionally riveting tale of a woman who finds she must recognize her own vulnerability and learn to trust in something much bigger.

“Turn around, quick.”

“Pearl—”

“Mom, please—” she pleads. “Just turn around. Hurry.”

I grip the wheel and check my mirrors. Finding the way clear, I whip my Acura around then glance back in Pearl’s direction. “What’s going on?”

She points at a pickup parked near the back of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant. “There.”
I slow the car and my eyes follow where she points to a guy letting a girl out of his truck–Craig’s truck. He bends and kisses her.

My eyes dart back to Pearl. She sees as well. With tears pooling, she barks, “Go! Don’t let them see us.”

I nod and quickly pull away. “Oh, honey . . .”

She holds her hand up. “Mom, stop. Don’t say anything. Not now.”

I watch helplessly while my daughter’s face crumbles and tears roll down her cheeks. I take a frail breath, wanting desperately to find the right words.

When she was little and fell off her bike, I knew how to bandage a scraped knee. And as her heart filled with disappointment in junior high when the principal awarded the coveted science fair prize to someone else, I knew how to salve her hurt feelings. But this time, a still voice deep inside my head warns me to do as she asked and remain quiet. At least for now.

Moms are supposed to run interference for their children, protect them from the hard things in life. Perhaps for the first time, I understand mothers can’t fix all things.

I press my foot on the accelerator and focus on the road ahead, silently driving my daughter and her broken heart home.

In August Kellie appeared on my blog with a featured interview visit here if you missed the interview. 

Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal who writes with a sympathetic, intimate knowledge of how people react under pressure. Kellie’s books tell emotionally poignant stories about women in life-changing circumstances. She writes about messy lives . . . and eternal hope.

 Kellie currently makes her home in Dallas, Texas. Her latest book is the Christian fiction, Mother of Pearl.

Visit her online at www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com.
Connect with her on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/#!/KCoatesGilbert
Like her at Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/kelliecoatesgilbert
Purchase your copy of Mother of Pearl at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Pearl-Kellie-Coates-Gilbert/dp/1426733437/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348334991&sr=8-2&keywords=mother+of+pearl
Pick up your copy of Mother of Pearl at the publisher’s website: http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?id=160&pageid=698
Purchase your copy of Mother of Pearl at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mother-of-pearl-kellie-coates-gilbert/1108857097

Now for the giveaway  I want to thank Dorothy and Pump up your Book tours for the chance to give a copy of Kellie Coates Gilbert's book Mother of Pearl to one of my readers.  This giveaway is open to US/Canada residents only please.  I will use rafflecopter to pick the winner so be sure to fill out the rafflecopter form.  This giveaway will remain open til Oct. 31st.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win a copy of this book visit the tour page for other blogs with giveaways.