Book giveaway....

Today is such a beautiful rainy day...it is a good DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) Day.  I thought I'd let you all know about a wonderful book giveaway I'm having over at my Scraps of Life blog.  Check it out.  It is an awesome kids book.  While you are there I have two good DVD giveaways going on also check them out. 

Pattern for Romance by Carla Gade

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Pattern for Romance Abingdon Press (August 20, 2013) by Carla Gade
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carla Olson Gade has been imaging stories most of her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing Inspirational Historical Romance. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Writers, and the Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers. She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.

Her publishing credits also include a variety of newspaper articles, newsletters, and web content. She also enjoys developing discipleship materials for women. She has been a book judge for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest (RWA), and ACFW's Genesis Contest.

In addition to writing, Carla is a freelance website designer and webhost and an advocate for adult literacy. An experienced event and program planner/promoter, Carla designs marketing materials for her writing group, women's ministry, and other functions. Carla has also spoken at several women's events and facilitated many workshops and classes through the years.

An autodidact, creative thinker, and avid reader, Carla also enjoys genealogy, web design, and photography. A native New Englander, she lives in beautiful rural Maine with her "hero" husband and two young adult sons, and a new grandson.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Honour Metcalf’s quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston Mantua-maker for whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager’s niece. A beautiful design emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own. When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton comes to her aid. As he risks his relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence, the two discover a grander plan—a design for love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Pattern for Romance, go HERE.

Mailbox Monday ~ Aug. 26, 2013

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Bermudaonion's Weblog

Adult

Threads of Chance by Jodi Barrows

Shades of Mercy by Anita Lustrea & Caryn Rivadeneira 

The One Year Sweet & Simple Moments with God devotional by Kim Newlen

Children's

The Funny Adventures of Little Nani by Cinta Garcia DeLaRosa

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Into the Whirlwind Baker Publishing Group (August 15, 2013) by Elizabeth Camden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Into the Whirlwind, go HERE.

The Lost Medallion by Bill Muir & Alex Kendrick

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Lost Medallion B&H Kids; Mti edition (June 1, 2013) by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bill Muir is a popular speaker, an international award winning film maker and a sought-after consultant.

Having completed his new novels The Lost Medallion and A Hidden Treasure, Bill has turned his creativity to his new Children’s novel, Howdy Neighbors.

When Bill isn’t writing a novel, he’s busy directing and producing movies. He recently spent four months in Thailand filming, The Lost Medallion: the adventures of Billy Stone. The movie will be in theaters this fall. When he isn’t working on movies, he’s having fun with his family working their farm.

Alex Kendrick is associate pastor of movie outreach for Sherwood Baptist Church. He is also an actor, writer, and director whose film credits include Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous. He and his wife, Christina, have six children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Archaeologist Dr. Michael Stone looked for the lost medallion his entire life, and now his son Billy has taken up the search. Amazingly, the medallion ends up in Billy's hands and a spontaneous wish in a precarious situation takes Billy and his best friend Allie, back 200 years to what they realize is a very different Aumakua Island. When Billy and his friends are not jumping off waterfalls, avoiding animal traps, crossing the ocean, sneaking through caves or escaping a prison they're facing their nemesis Cobra, who wants nothing more than for them all to disappear. With no other way to get home, and the well being of the entire island resting on his shoulders, Billy must discover the key to reclaiming the medallion and its tremendous power. One way or another, this adventure will change Billy, and life on the island, forever. Best-selling author and film director Alex Kendrick (The Love Dare, Courageous) and Youth for Christ veteran Bill Muir bring us this exciting novelization of The Lost Medallion movie.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lost Medallion, go HERE.

Scented Adventures of The Bouquet Sisters in Fairyland by Susan Liberty Hall

It's mystical, it's magical it's a land of fairies.  Scented Adventures of The Bouquet Sisters in Fairyland by Susan Liberty Hall will transport you right to the middle of fairyland as you experience a wonderful aroma scented adventure while you read.  It's the first book of its kind presents Young Living Essential Oils with aroma scents release feature.  Why not get started flying around the world with the Bouquet Sisters on a magic carpet today. It's a one-of-a kind book; a journey where you'll encounter fairies, elves and gnomes and learn how essential oils can help in healing. 

To learn more about this book visit the web site here

A copy of this book was provided by the author and Bostick Communications for the purpose of this review.

Designed for Relationship by TJ MacLeslie

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Mankind has always struggled with the big questions: Why are we here? What is life all about? The search for answers has led in many directions, not all of them helpful. In this age, we are inundated with information, but this flood of knowledge has not necessarily produced wisdom. We find answers to the really important questions as elusive as ever.

It really is all about relationship! This is the open secret, hidden in plain sight all along.

AMAZON

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T.J. MacLeslie has been involved in a variety of Christian ministries since 1990, including pastoring, church planting, leadership development, prayer, and spiritual formation. He currently lives in the UK with his wife and two children where he leads a team focused on prayer and spiritual formation. You’ll often find him walking the fields with his dog, reading a book, or enjoying a warm cup of coffee.

WEBSITE

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Visit Designed for Relationship Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule here

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Mailbox Monday ~ Aug. 19, 2013

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August's host is 

Bermudaonion's Weblog

Too Blessed to be Stressed:  2014 Planner by Debora M. Coty

Pattern for Romance by Carla Olson Gade

Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

My Father, Humming by Jonathan Gillman

Vinland Viking by Gary Doman

The novella Vinland Viking is an epic fantasy-adventure, set at the time of the conversion to Christianity of Iceland and Greenland, about a young Northman who longs to lead the storied life of the pagan Vikings. His opportunity comes with Leif Ericsson's exploration in North America, but his fortunes change in a way and by a means that he could never have anticipated, and which will thrill the reader.

The richly-textured narrative incorporates history, nature, and mythology, along with plenty of action. It is told from a Christian viewpoint, but can be enjoyed by a general audience, and, unlike so many other fiction stories, is acceptable reading for the young.

AMAZON paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Vinland-Viking-Gary-Doman-M-A/dp/1413763774/

AMAZON Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Vinland-Viking-Original-Doman-ebook/dp/B00AMV8KW2/ 

Gary L. Doman, whose (pen-)surname rhymes with "roman", the French word for "novel", was born in Syracuse (New York) and has spent the majority of his life in Connecticut. He has degrees from Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut. He has developed an interest in just about everything, especially history, geography, religion, language, and the natural world. He began writing as a child and has never really stopped, although he does periodically need to eat and sleep, and also devotes considerable time to his other creative and intellectual endeavors; these include his "weblog" the Doman Domain and one of the items of interest found there, namely, "The Best Comic Strip Ever!". Further, he has taught himself to sing and founded his own political philosophy. His greatest accomplishment may be remaining humble despite the preceding!

Visit Gary online at http://domandomain.blogspot.com/

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Visit Vinland Viking Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule here

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Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Rules of Murder Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2013) by Julianna Deering
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, 2014).

ABOUT THE BOOK

Downton Abbey Meets Agatha Christie in This Sparkling Mystery

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.

Soon, financial irregularities at Drew's stepfather's company come to light and it's clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this game.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rules of Murder, go HERE.

New Chapter in Life's Story....

I'm sorry that I've been AWOL on here of late...The last two weeks have been kind of a whirlwind around here.  A new chapter is starting to open up in my life and we're trying to get a handle on it.  I will blog as I can, but for awhile until the schedule gets worked out it may be sparse between posts. 

So what's the new chapter????..

Well glad you asked.  as you know my baby graduated this Spring and now we are opening up to a empty nest as she moves on guess that's the life of a mom...I've worked myself out of a job.  So this summer I've been trying to find my next direction.

For the past year and a half I've been heading in this directions trying to get everything in line.  Last week was a very busy week as I had four job interviews.  Today I had one of the jobs offered to me so....now this SAHM for the past 22 years is heading out to find her way in the work force.  I'm excited about the next chapter in my life's story...and I'll still be able to do what I've been doing the past 22+ years.  I'll be able to use my experience helping educate other people's children. 

I will post as I can and hopefully soon I'll be into a regular posting grove again.  Bear with me please and stop by often to see if I've posted something new.  subscribe to my blog in side bar and you won't miss a post. 

Mailbox Monday ~ Aug. 12, 2013

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August's host is 

Bermudaonion's Weblog

Rules of Murder by Juliaana Deering

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

Into the Whirlwind Elizabeth Camden

Seeds of Beauty by Lakeysha-Marie Green

How to Build a Better Relationship with Yourself

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s funny how we’ve spent our whole life with ourselves, but sometimes the person in the mirror can be the hardest one to get to know.  And it goes without saying that it’s difficult to truly appreciate something or someone you don’t understand. When building confidence and self-esteem, the single most important thing you can do is to rebuild the internal relationship that you have with yourself. Numbers speak volume and it’s difficult for negativity to go up against the positive power of Me, Myself and I.

Before diving into how to get to know yourself better and reconstructing self-trust, it’s important to begin by making a commitment to stand by the single person who has a hand in all of your decisions, you. Here is an Affirmation of Inner Beauty taken from The Seeds of Beauty, to remind you of the relationship you must continually build with yourself no matter what your stage in life.

[Speak Your Name],

To you, I will never be a fair weather friend.

When you are afraid, I will give you the courage to step forward,

If ever you make a mistake, I will never lose faith in you.

And when you begin to doubt how beautiful you are, I will remind you.

Today and every day I promise to always stand by you.

You are me. I am you.

I Love You.

Download and print this affirmation from http://www.theseedsofbeauty.com and post it in a visible place within your office or home.

It comes as no surprise that building a positive self-esteem starts with getting to know yourself again and this will require that you regularly devote some down-time to spend with yourself. What’s your favorite movie, place to visit or song to listen to?  Set aside time in your schedule to do these things. Fall in love with who you are by supporting yourself and bringing out the best in you through your interests.

What can action steps can I take to build a better relationship with myself?

When we’re on a date and getting to know someone, the first thing we do is ask questions. So why not do the same for yourself? Start by asking yourself the following:

·         What values are important to me?
·         What are my dreams for the future?
·         What makes me afraid?
·         What do I dislike?
·         How do I envision myself to be?
·         The thing that would mean the most to me right now is…

The key is to be honest in your answers. Pay attention to your likes/dislikes. What things are hardest for you to admit to yourself?

After letting myself down so many times in the past, I struggle with trusting myself. What can I do to reconnect?

Reconnecting to who you are and building a better relationship with yourself begins with forgiveness. We all make mistakes and if you hold your mistakes over your head like a guillotine ready to punish you the each time you make a mistake, you do yourself more harm than good. Take a blank sheet of paper and fill in the following sentence:

I forgive myself for….

List out every misstep that has made you angry, every mistake that has made you ashamed, and every mistake that has made you feel less than yourself. With the same kindness that you would show a friend, read each sentence aloud. As you read each sentence, allow yourself to gently let it go and ultimately heal.

A fashion stylist and former women’s fit technologist, author Lakeysha-Marie Green utilizes her experience in the fashion industry combined with her personal journey to self-discovery to help women transform their appearance from the inside out. Her first book, The Seeds of Beauty, tells an inspiring story of restoring unconditional self-love and genuinely radiating your beauty from within. Begin your own beautiful makeover at http://www.theseedsofbeauty.com

Pump Up Your Book and Lakeysha-Marie Green are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $100 Macy’s gift card and a $50 Sephora gift card! 

 Click here for details