The Rules of Chocolate

THE RULES OF CHOCOLATE

~ If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

~ Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

~ The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

~ Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

~ A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

~ If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer.

~ But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

~ If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

~ If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other?

~ Money talks. Chocolate sings.

~ Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

~ Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous? A. Because no one wants to quit.

~ Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Love Your Heart by By Tim McGraw with Tom Douglas

You and your princess are going to love this book "Love Your Heart" by Tim McGraw & Tom Douglas. It is set for the littlest princess in your life, anywhere from ages 3-6 or 7. She will love this book. The pictures bounce off the page as Katie bounces into your heart. Katie shows what it truly means to put others before yourself and gain great joy in your heart. She doesn't think of herself but of her friend, Sophie. Sophie and in they end they both win. What a true picture of friendship. Let Katie dance into your little ones life and she won't be the same. I give this book two smiley faces from ear to ear.

For more information on this book click here.

A copy of this book was provided by Thomas Nelson for this review.

Ultimate Kiss Day # 6 ~ the big 5-0h!

Don't forget the Ultimate Kiss contest

Kiss scene taken from:

Sandra D. Bricker's book, the big 5-0h!, p. 82

Jared knew it was too soon, but he didn't allow himself a moment to think it through. Throwing caution to the wind he reached toward her and skimmed he line of her jaw with his finger, and then he drew her face toward his into a kiss. It was consciously soft at first, nothing pressing or too intrusive, just the momentary meeting of their lips. They parted for an instant, and then came together again. He wasn't sure if it was his doing or hers, but they both leaned into one another, a nonverbal agreement from both sides of a magnificent and tender kiss.


Read a chapter of this book here.



Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

The Ultimate # 5 ~ Love Finds you in Holiday, Florida

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss Scene taken from:
Sandra D. Bricker's book, Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida, p. 204 & 205

Richard surprised her by reaching over and taking her hand and then lifting it to his lips. He planted a soft and sincere kiss on her knuckles before guiding her hand to his face and nuzzling it gently.

"I don't want you to go."

She had absolutely nothing to say in reply. Not one single thing crossed her mind except to ask herself what she could say to ease his mind.

Nothing. There's no promise I can make, no hope to lay out there for either of us.

"I'm sorry," she managed.

"I'm sorry, too," he replied on a whisper, releasing her hand.

Cassie looked into Richard's eyes and felt stranded there, disoriented. She couldn't pull away from his gaze.

He's so handsome, she thought as she watched him.

The wind kicked up a blustery stream around them, and his chestnut hair feathered back from his face in sections. his blue eyes darkened like a night sky, and the parenthetical dimples that she loved so much were nowhere in sight. He would have had to smile for her to get a glimpse of them, and Richard wasn't smiling.

He lifted his hand and pressed it softly against her cheek. Then he guided her toward him with two fingers beneath her jaw. Cassie knew she had the choice to pull away, but she just couldn't mange it. She couldn't even entertain the idea.

When his soft lips touched hers, it was a tender kiss, as smooth as the flight of two soaring birds or a petal falling from a flower. They lingered in that kiss, both of them lost in the poetry of the circumstance.

The heavens rumbled faintly and then rain began to plummet, but Cassie and Richard were spellbound, absorbed in another and the perfect moment they'd been given. When they finally parted, Cassie felt as if she'd just been awakened from a deep and abiding sleep. Her eyelids were heavy, and her lips ached for more. It wasn't until Richard was on his feet and extending his hand toward her that she realized it had begun to rain.

Read this book's tour and a link to the first chapter here

Learn how you can win a copy of this book and others like it click here for details.

Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

Walking On Broken Glass by Christa Allen

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Walking on Broken Glass

Abingdon Press (February 2010)

by

Christa Allan





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Christa Allan, a true Southern woman who knows any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day, weaves stories of unscripted grace with threads of hope, humor, and heart.



The mother of five and grandmother of three, Christa teaches high school English. She and her husband, Ken live in Abita Springs, Louisiana where they play golf, dodge hurricanes, and anticipate retirement.







ABOUT THE BOOK

Leah Thornton's life, like her Southern Living home, has great curb appeal. But already sloshed from one-too-many drinks at a faculty party, Leah cruises the supermarket aisles in search of something tasty to enhance her Starbucks—Kahlua and a paralyzing encounter with a can of frozen apple juice shatters the facade, forcing her to admit that all is not as it appears.



When her best friend Molly gets in Leah's face about her refusal to deal with her life, Leah is forced to make a decision. Can this brand-conscious socialite walk away from the country club into 28 days of rehab? Leah is sitting in the office of the local rehab center facing an admissions counselor who fails to understand the most basic things, like the fact that apple juice is not a suitable cocktail mixer.



Rehab is no picnic, and being forced to experience and deal with the reality of her life isn’t Leah’s idea of fun. Can she leave what she has now to gain back what she needs? Joy, sadness, pain and a new strength converge, testing her marriage, her friendships and her faith.



But through the battle she finds a reservoir of courage she never knew she had, and the loving arms of a God she never quite believed existed.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Walking on Broken Glass, go HERE

Ultimate Kiss Day # 4 ~ A Passion Redeemed

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss scene taken from:
Julie Lessman's book, A Passion Redeemed, p. 92-94

Dear God, what was happening? It was as if he had no control over his hand as it strayed from the towel to the soft curve of her neck. A tilt of her head, the blush of her cheeks, and suddenly he was two different men. One whose every muscle, thought, and desire strained toward wanting her. The other, a distant voice of conscience and memory, quickly fading with every throb of his renegade pulse. Curse the effect of the wine! What else could explain this driving insanity pulsing through him right now? His fingers burned as they lingered, slowly tracing to the hollow of her throat. Against his will, Mitch fixated on her lips, lush and full, staggered at the heat they generated. What was he doing? He didn't want this.

Yes...he did.

All night he'd felt it mounting, a desire in his belly that grew tight at the sound of her laughter, the lift of her chin, the light in her eyes. A woman with cool confidence around everyone but him. Call it the wine. Or the fact he hadn't been this close to a woman for well over a year. Or the intoxicating awareness that his very presence seemed to unnerve her. Whatever name it bore, it had him by the throat, taking him places he'd vowed he'd never go.

She blinked up at him, eyes wide and wondering. He was taking her by surprise, and knew it. But no more so than him. He stared at her lips, feeling the draw and unwilling to fight it. His fingers moved up her throat to gently cup her chin, his eyes burning with intent. Slowly, carefully, he leaned forward, his mouth finally reached hers, his breathing ragged as he tasted her lips.

A soft mew left her throat, and the sound ignited him. He pulled her close, his mouth demanding hers. She moaned while he pressed her to the counter, holding her there as he deepened the kiss. With a deep groan, his arms swallowed her up, drawing her small frame tightly against his. He pressed his lips to her hair, allowing her scent to flood his senses...to consume him.

Just like before.

His heart sized.. What was he doing? The more he touched, the more he wanted. But she had ruined his life. Dashed his hopes. Destroyed his dreams. Dear God in heaven, he wanted her...but he didn't want her.

Charity stood in a daze, eyes closed and chin raised, every nerve in her body quivering. The sound of her own breathing vibrated in her ears, rasping through parted lips as she waited for more. She felt the heat of his fingers as he clutched her arms, and the silence between them overflowed with the pounding of blood in her brain. Joy surged inside like an adrenaline rush. Dear Lord, how she loved him!

All at once he dropped his hold Her eyes fluttered open, and his look chilled her more than the absence of his touch.

The heat in his eyes cooled to guarded, and his jaw turned to stone as he backed away. "Charity...I...please forgive me."

Fear squeezed in her stomach. "There's noting to forgive I love you-"

He groaned and began to pace, muttering under his breath. When he spoke out loud, his voice was a near grow. "You don't love me. I took advantage of you, plain and simple."

"No, you didn't. I want you, Mitch." She took a step forward. "And you want me. Because you love me."

He turned, his eyes piercing hers. "lust isn't love."...

To read this book's blog tour and first chapter click here.




Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Hunter's Moon

Bethany House (February 1, 2010)

by

Don Hoesel





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:







Don Hoesel was born and raised in Buffalo, NY but calls Spring Hill, TN home. He works as a Communications Department supervisor for a Medicare carrier in Nashville, TN. He has a BA in Mass Communication from Taylor University and has published short fiction in Relief Journal.



Don and hopes to one day sell enough books to just say that he's a writer. You can help with that by buying whatever his newest novel happens to be.



He lives in Spring Hill with his wife and two children.







ABOUT THE BOOK

Every family has secrets. Few will go as far as the Baxters to keep them. Bestselling novelist CJ Baxter has made a career out of writing hard-hitting stories ripped from his own life. Still there's one story from his past he's never told. One secret that's remained buried for decades. Now, seventeen years after swearing he'd never return, CJ is headed back to Adelia, NY. His life in Tennessee has fallen to pieces, his grandfather is dying, and CJ can no longer run from the past. With Graham Baxter, CJ's brother, running for Senate, a black sheep digging up old family secrets is the last thing the family and campaign can afford. CJ soon discovers that blood may be thicker than water, but it's no match for power and money. There are wounds even time cannot heal.





If you would like to read the first chapter of Hunter's Moon, go HERE

Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

Read to the end of the post as there is a drawing with this tour.

Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.

Today we have some interview questions for our author Lisa Wingate

1. How did you develop the initial story idea/plot line for this book?

Some book ideas you search for, and some just blow in on the wind. For the past several years, dating back to Hurricane Katrina, we in Central Texas have been the recipients of massive hurricane evacuations. These massive exoduses of people, pets, and belongings are frightening, frustrating, challenging, and at times oddly wonderful. When so many are on the road seeking shelter, the worst, but also the best qualities of humanity come to the surface. Hurricane evacuations truly provide times when we ask the question, "Am I my brother’s keeper?" In answering that question, we’ve enjoyed amazing moments of friendship and fellowship, family reunions, and chances to share a food and space with strangers from other parts of the country. We’ve traded stories and recipies, laughter and tears.

One thing we’ve learned about hurricanes, living here, is that the paths are never predictable. Storms waver, hesitate, speed up, slow down, and sometimes change course unexpectedly. Evacuations needs can change and develop quickly. What better way for the beauty shop girls to find their inner strength and to show Daily hospitality, than for their cruise plans to land them smack in the middle of a sudden and chaotic hurricane evacuation?

2. Almost every author puts a little of themselves into their stories—what did you put of yourself into this one? (personality traits, life events/jobs, settings, characters based on people you know, likes/dislikes, etc.)

There’s a bit of me in the setting, of course. I love Texas, in all its variety of cultures and landscapes, but, living in a small town, I have a particular affection for little bergs like Daily, where the coffee’s always hot, and a good slide of pecan pie can cure most ills. Having watched our little town mobilize to take in hurricane evacuees several times now, I’ve been reminded that sometimes the worst things that can happen bring out the best in people. Given the opportunity and faced with the need, regular people can rise to the occasion in amazing ways, as do the citizens of Daily in the book.

Some members of the Wingate family might also claim to recognize themselves among the citizens of Daily, Texas. I would offer the disclaimer that any resemblances are completely unintentional, but that would be a bald-faced lie. When you come from a family of great storytellers and colorful characters, there’s nothing to do but make use of what you’ve got.

3. Did you encounter any interesting challenges while writing/researching for this book? Please explain if so.

The most difficult part of working on Never Say Never was researching and reliving the devastation left behind on the Texas gulf coast last year after Hurricane Ike. While interviewing family members about their experiences during the evacuation and return, we shared laughter and quite a few tears. For those who have lived in southeast Texas all their lives, talking about familiar landmarks, heirlooms, and old family places that were washed away forever, knowing some things will never be the same, is both difficult and devastating. For those of us who have so many memories of family gatherings and vacations there, it’s hard to believe we’ll never visit the old places again.

4. Why is this book/story relevant today?

Despite our best-laid plans, we all experience storms in life—whether those storms be of a weather-related nature, or due to an illness, death, or in recent months, job loss and financial misfortune. When the parameters of life and our ability to control fate suddenly change, we’re confronted with our own helplessness and need to rely on other people and God. In a culture that values independence and self-sufficiency, it’s important to remember that we all have a common need and a common responsibility for each other and that without faith we really are alone in the storm.

Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, Talk of the Town, Drenched in Light, A Thousand Voices, and A Month of Summer. Her work was recently honored by the Americans for More Civility for promoting greater kindness and civility in American life. Lisa and her family live in central Texas.

How to Talk Texan

Road Trip Tutorial

A couple dozen phrases that'll keep you from lookin' like you don't know gee from haw. You can hang your hat on it!

Hey, y’all!

If you’re planning a road trip across Texas, well, my friend, you’d better get your trottin’ harness on, I’ll tell you that right now.

This state’s wider than a woodcutter’s pile. You’ll be so busy here, you’ll think you’re twins. You might even meet yourself comin’ and goin’ or travel so fast you’ll catch up to yesterday.

One thing’s for sure--there won’t be any grass growin’ under your feet, especially if it’s summer, because it’ll be hot as a nanny goat in a pepper patch. Don’t let that trouble your mind, though.

Seeing the whole state might seem about as easy as tryin’ to saddle up house flies or put socks on the rooster, but here’re a few phrases that’ll make your trip just as smooth as a calf’s ear. You’ll find this little bit of Texan talk just as handy as a pocket on a shirt. With these phrases, you’ll be right at home in jig time, and happy as a pig in sunshine, I promise.

Folks’ll think you’re just as fine as frog hair split four ways. Why, you might even find yourself a Texas gal who’s cute as a bug’s ear or a fella who catches your eye like a tin roof at noonday. Even if you don’t find love here, you’ll run across lots of folks who’re so friendly, they’ll add a cup of water to the soup and tell you to get your sittin’ britches on.

Some of them might be full of wind as a corn-eatin’ horse, but you’ll be welcome ‘till whenever you figure it’s time to put the chairs in the wagon and turkey-tail it toward home.

When you do, we’ll keep a light on and a hitch out for ya, just in case you miss us like a west Texas farmer misses rain. You’re welcome to darken our door any old time. Long as we got a biscuit, my friend, you got half, and if that ain’t a fact, well, then I’m hip high to a horned toad.

Y’all come back now, y’hear!

--Lisa Wingate (and the REST of the folks in Daily, Texas, too!)

For stories with Texas flavor

and fun, come see us at www.Lisawingate.com

Grandprize Drawing

Donetta and Imagene's Texas Road Trip Basket (approximate total value over $150)

Take a Texas road trip, without ever leaving home!

Featuring:

The Daily Texas Series by Lisa Wingate:

Talk Of the Town

Word Gets Around

Never Say Never

The Blue Sky Hills Series by Lisa Wingate:

A Month of Summer

The Summer

Kitchen

Beyond Summer (a special advance copy not available in stores until July 2010)

Road Trip Snacks (Straight from Texas, of course!)

Wrap it all up with a fuzzy, fleecy Texas throw blanket for those cold nights on the road (or curled up with your books!)

How to enter for the grand prize drawing: Leave a comment telling me if there was ever a time in your life when you said NEVER and ended up doing what you said NEVER? Grand drawing is open til Feb. 18th. Please leave a comment par rule above plus an e-mail address for contact purposes. US residents only please.

Extra bonus if you do above comment + leave a second comment telling me something you've never done before.

A copy of this book was provided for review by KCWC

Ultimate Kiss Day # 3 ~ A Lady Like Sarah

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss scene taken from:
Margaret Brownley's book A Lady Like Sarah, p 173.

He spread a blanket on the ground and lay Elizabeth on it. Then without warning, he spun around and crushed Sarah into his arms, sending her hat flying to the ground.

Oblivious to onlookers, he kissed her hard. His lips on hers made her heart pound till she could hardly breathe.

"Stay with me, Sarah," he said between kisses. "I won't let them hurt your, I won't. God will help us find a way. You have to believe that."

She was tempted-more tempted than she had ever been in her life-but her feelings for this man far outweighed any selfish notions she had.

She stared up at the face that she had come to know so well. Seeing the pain in his eyes was almost harder to bear than the anguish she felt.

"How would it look for a preacher to be hangin' out with a Prescott?"

The frown on his forehead deepened. Something seemed to die inside of him. "I don't know that I have much heart left for preaching, " he said, feathering kisses on her forehead.

"That's crazy talk," she said, adding in a quieter but no less firm voice, "Preachin' is your life, your work."

"It's God's work, and he deserves someone who can give heart and soul to the job."

"And that someone is you," she said. "Don't go thinkin' it's not, you hear?"

He shook his head sadly, like a man who had seen his last dream fade away. "My heart won't be in it, Sarah. Not if you're gone." He hesitated. "I'm not even sure I'm cut out for the work anymore."

"Don't say that, Justin. Look how you helped that poor man who lost his wife and child. You even made a believer out of me."

He smiled at that. "I think you always believed. You just need to learn to trust God."

I do trust Him," she said softly, "and I believe God means for you to be a preacher." ...

Visit this book's blog tour along with a link for the first chapter here.



Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

Teaser Tuesday ~ Third Time's a Charm

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!

He leaned toward her, his gaze locked onto hers. "Like I said earlier, I'm motivated."

A thrill shot through her at the hint of gravel in his voice. He seemed to have gotten past being tongue-tied in her presence and moved all the way into the realm of flirting. Well, she was no amateur at that field. She could totally handle herself there.

p. 93, Third Time's a Charm by Virginia Smith

See this book's tour with a giveaway here.

the Second-half Adventure by Kay Marshall Storm

This book I found to be one for the Baby Boomers, who are now thinking of retiring. It is a good inspiring book to lead them into what to do after retirement. They are now heading into their second-half life and want to finish life making a difference. Baby Boomers are reinventing what it really means to retire. They are still full of vigor and ambition. They are healthy and more educated and still want to make a difference. Many are turning to helping in a mission type ministry for their second-half adventure using the skills and knowledge they've developed.

This book let's you see the options that are available on finishing with a purpose for the generation that wants to make a difference. When I asked about review this book, I thought maybe it would be a good book for my mom in her 70s, but after reading it I found different. It is for me and my generation. I'm a late (1964) boomer, close to not being in that group. I thought this book was very interesting. Lots in it to chew on and mull over.

In this book the author shares:

• 10 questions to answer before stepping out on a second-half adventure as the one discussed in the book
• 6 Characteristics of Maturity
• 7 Barriers to serving in a mission ministry
• 6 ways to help disciple the next generation

Whoever you are, whatever your skills and experiences, you can use what you have gained in life to help change the world. In connection with The Finishers Project, The Second-Half Adventure will enable you to analyze where you have been, where you want to go in the second-half of your life, and how to start preparing today.

Through the stories of individuals and couples who have found meaningful involvements—from business people to housewives, from engineers to artists—this book will help you infuse your special God-given years with purpose and eternal significance. The best adventure is yet to come!

Kay Marshall Strom has written thirty-six published books, numerous magazine articles, and two screenplays. Four of her books have been chosen as book club selections, eleven have been translated into foreign languages, and one was optioned for a movie. Her writing is also included in numerous volumes and compilations, including the bestselling Conversations on Purpose for Women (Zondervan 2005) and various editions of the NIV Devotional Bibles.

In addition to her writing, Kay taught writing classes through the California State University system for ten years, and still teaches at writers conferences around the country. In 2008, she was invited to India to teach writing in order to give a voice to those not normally heard.

A sought-after speaker, Kay is in demand for retreats and special events throughout the US and around the world.

Kay and her husband Dan Kline make their home in the Pacific Northwest.

You can visit her website at www.kaystrom.com.

For more information about this book click here.

A copy of this book was provided for review by Virtual Book tours
Visit Virtual tours here

Ultimate Kiss Day # 2 ~ Plain Jayne

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss scene taken from:
Hillary Manton Lodge's Plain Jayne, p. 232

My thoughts concerning Levi were wildly conflicting. I hated the ideas of him selling the shop. I met him at the shop. I think I fell for him at the shop. I loved everything it stood for.

Without the shop, though, Levi was still Levi. He still smelled the same. His eyes still crinkled when he laughed. I knew he still cared about his family. I knew he still cared about me.

I knew this, because one of his hands was buried in my hair, the other nestled in the small of my back, holding me steady. His lips caressed mine, over and over.

We camp up for air a couple moments later. His eyes burned into mine as he stroked my hair. "I love you, " he said.

I froze. I knew I was crazy about him. I knew I didn't want to be without him. But love?

Love was a big deal.

Rather than answer, I kissed him.

Kissed him and hoped he didn't think too deeply about it...





Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.