Book Review: A Friend in the Storm

We've all been in tight places. Those places where you feel constricted, pressured, even fearful.

It's hopeless...

Lonely...

You might even feel forsaken...

Throughout the storm God is there. That is the message from Cheryl Ricker in her new gift book A Friend in the Storm

This little green book is a salve for the soul and it's one that I plan on sending to friends who need a boost. Filled with beautiful poetry, quotes, and scripture A Friend in the Storm is sure to usher it's reader into the presence of the one who loves them best.

I loved the simple design of the book and the way each page featured a poem and scripture. Each page reminded me that we are never truly alone and there are those who have passed this way before. Better still is the strong and loving hand of God.

About Cheryl Ricker:

Cheryl Ricker has a degree in creative writing and has written columns and articles for various magazines and newspapers. She's been writing poetry all her life and her poems have won awards in fine arts and literary magazines. Cheryl lives with her husband and two sons in Rochester, Minnesota


Please check out Cheryl's amazing website for more information. www.cherylricker.com

Cheryl Ricker is hosting this great contest over at her website during the blog tour for A Friend in the Storm, Zondervan’s latest innovative gift book of quotes, Scripture and poetry that leads to lasting hope!Since this book covers matters of the heart, Cheryl wants to hear from YOUR heart! In the midst of any type of loss, grief or crisis, A Friend in the Storm takes you on a healing journey where you experience Christ’s love in a fresh, memorable way. Now she invites you to submit an original poem, story or snippet about a time when someone was a friend in your storm… and she's giving you the opportunity to win a KINDLE to do it!



Head on over to her Contest Page on her website to find out how to enter!

On October 3rd, she will randomly select one winner to receive a brand-new KINDLE! She's also choosing 5 more names at random to receive a signed copy of A Friend in the Storm! The winners will be announced at her Facebook Party on October 4th. The party will take place on Cheryl's Facebook "A Friend in the Storm" Page - go here for all the details.

The Facebook Party will be a blast!  Not only will she be announcing the

Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway winners, but she'll also be chatting with party goers, hosting fun trivia contests, and giving away even more prizes every 10 minutes – including signed copies of A Friend in the Storm, and gift certificates to Amazon.com and Starbucks.com!

Oh, and check this out - Cheryl is also giving away a $50 Amazon gift certificate! Simply help her spread the word about the contest; Facebook Party. Interested? It’s easy to enter! Here’s how:

Share this on FACEBOOK: Want to help someone who’s hurting? “A Friend in the Storm,” Zondervan’s latest gift book of quotes, Scripture and poetry, is helping thousands find lasting Hope! Go here http://ow.ly/2BYiN to enter to win a KINDLE!
Post this on TWITTER: A Friend in the Storm by @cherylricker heals hearts in tough times. Enter 2 win a KINDLE http://ow.ly/2BYiN here! #litfuse (You must use hashtag #litfuse to be entered.)
Share this as many times as you like – just email amy@litfusegroup.com by October 4th and let her know how many times you tweeted/shared on Facebook, twittered or blogged about the contest. Each ‘sharing’ represents one entry into the contest.
Another way to ‘share’ the contest is to add this button to your blog or website.  Adding the button is worth ten entries into the contest!
Simply copy and paste the code in the text box below into the html screen of your blog/website, then send Amy an email letting her know that you added it along with your URL and she’ll toss your extra entries into the pot.

<a href="http://www.cherylricker.com/contests/"><img alt="Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway" width="125" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/CherylRFBparty3_3.gif" height="125" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.cherylricker.com/contests/">Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway</a>

It's all a win/win really. A beautiful book, soothing words, and a great contest!

A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for my review.

Book Review: Sons of Thunder

SONS OF THUNDER
Written by Susan May Warren

If you've been around this blog for very long, you know that I am a lover of books. One of my favorite contemporary authors is Susan May Warren. I am honored to have been asked by Litfuse to review her most recent book, Sons of Thunder. I was sent a review copy by the publisher.

What's it All About?

Sophie Frangos is torn between the love of two men and the promise that binds them all together. Markos Stavros loves Sophie from afar while battling his thirst for vengeance and his hunger for honor. Dino, his quiet and intelligent brother, simply wants to forget the horror that drove them from their Greek island home to start a new life in America. One of these sons of thunder offers a future she longs for, the other the past she lost. From the sultry Chicago jazz clubs of the roaring twenties to the World War II battlefields of Europe to a final showdown in a Greek island village, they'll discover betrayal, sacrifice and finally redemption. Most of all, when Sophie is forced to make her choice, she'll learn that God honors the promises made by the Sons of Thunder. 



My Thoughts

I found Sons of Thunder to be different from some of the other books I've read by Susan May Warren. The lead female character isn't sinless, in fact, she's walked a very desperate path. Because of choices she's made, she often wonders if God even cares for her. I find her struggle to accept the forgiveness God offers refreshingly real.

The story itself is written from three separate points of view, leaving the reader feeling a closer connection to each one. I enjoyed the plot twists, of which there were several. The historical settings kept the story fresh and moving which often kept me up past my bedtime.

Over all I enjoyed the read, it pulled me through it and kept me wondering how each character would connect with each other and the Lord.

Susan May Warren



Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep's Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota. Learn more about Susan here:HERE.

Contest

Of course there is a contest and it's a great one!

Be sure to check out Susan's fun contest for the book's release: Each one of us has a wealth of stories from the past – while they might not all be as sweeping and dramatic as that of Sons of Thunder’s Sofia and the Stravos brothers (swoon), your family history is a treasure nonetheless.

Well – let’s hear them! Were your great-grandparents ‘fresh off the boat’? Was your great uncle a war hero? Did your grandmother make unbelievable sacrifices to help or protect the family? Did your father harbor a family secret until his death? Are you related to someone famous? Do you have a family treasure? Whatever it is that is unique in your family history – share your story HERE. One grand prize winner will receive:

• Memory Prize package containing a gift certificate to create your own hard cover photo book
• 6 month membership to Netflix (to satisfy that flick fix!)
• Signed copy of Sons of Thunder!

5 runners up will also win signed copies of Sons of Thunder!

Final Thoughts

I find books to be a great escape from the stresses of daily life. Sons of Thunder is the perfect book to wrap yourself up in on a wet spring day. Look for it on Amazon and everywhere good books are sold.

I'm a Fan!

Yep. I is.

I am a huge fan of Ree Drummond. You know who she is! Everyone knows! She was in People magazine for heaven's sake. She's traveled the country pitching her cookbook. She writes a fantabulous blog which you can visit HERE.

Why am I a fan? It's simple.

She loves to cook

I love to cook!

She homeschools her punks

I homeschooled my punks!

She lives on a ranch

I live...well...I live on a tiny farm with a handful of cattle and a couple dogs.

But I get her, I really do!

She's funny

Sometimes, I'm funny too!

Mainly, I love her for teaching me to make this:



And this (yes, I borrowed her picture because I keep forgetting to take a picture of mine when I make them!):



The other night I made this:



I try to skinny things up around here, so I often will replace butter with olive oil. I always use whole grain pasta, and seldom use salt.

But I have to admit that when I made the sandwich above, I didn't substitute anything. I followed the directions to the letter. I'm not a huge fan of beef, which is funny because that's what we raise, but Beloved was having a hard week.

Long hours and hard work make for a grumpy man. So, to boost his spirits I made Marlboro Man’s Favorite Sandwich (that's Ree's hubby). It made honey happy. It was tasty. That I promise you.

I begged requested a copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks for Christmas. It arrived days before Christmas and THEY WOULDN'T LET ME LOOK AT IT! Not even a peek. It's not like it was a big surprise! Geez!

Christmas morning came and I gleefully ripped open my carefully wrapped cookbook.

It's beautiful.

Great photography (by Ree of course), the same quirky writing that appears on her blog and scrumptious recipes sure to please the cowboy in every man.

You can purchase a copy of this awesome cookbook at Amazon or any number of other retailers.

Do it! It will make your tummy happy.

Book Review & Giveaway: The Swiss Courier

The Swiss Courier
Written by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey


She’s young. She’s beautiful. She’s also a spy. Meet Gabi Mueller, a young woman looking for a little adventure and trying to make a difference in her beloved Switzerland during WWII. Gabi will face danger she’s never known and meet the man of her dreams. Only, which man is it? And will she accept the most dangerous mission of all: to courier a young scientist out of Germany and into the Allies waiting arms?

About the Book

It is August 1944 and the Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich. When Joseph Engel, a German physicist working on the atomic bomb, finds that he is actually a Jew, adopted by Christian parents, he must flee for his life to neutral Switzerland. Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss-American woman working for the newly formed American Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) close to Nazi Germany. When she is asked to risk her life to safely "courier" Engel out of Germany, the fate of the world rests in her hands. If she can lead him to safety, she can keep the Germans from developing nuclear capabilities. But in a time of traitors and uncertainty, whom can she trust along the way? This fast-paced, suspenseful novel takes readers along treacherous twists and turns during a fascinating--and deadly--time in history.

About the Authors

Tricia Goyer is the author of several books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Montana. To find out more visit her website HERE

Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including the bestselling Every Man's Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California.To find out more visit his website: Here.

What I Liked About the Book

I like that fact that the book surprised me here and there. Although I had figured out one of the major plot twists, one or two others did surprise me. I like the descriptions of Switzerland and I even learned how the Swiss managed to stay out of the war. It was an interesting, pleasant read. This was an action packed story with well rounded characters and an electric setting.

Anything I Didn’t Like?

There were times when I questioned whether Gabi could really pull off her mission. She was a little naive at times, but considering what she was doing and her youth, that is to be expected. Over all, a nice read!

Visit the blog tour HERE!

Wanna Win a Copy?

The publisher was kind enough to provide an extra copy. So, if you'd like to win your own copy of The Swiss Courier just leave me a comment telling me what your grandparents where doing during WWII. We will choose a winner on Saturday, October 24th. Don't miss out on this great story!

A copy of The Swiss Courier was provided by LitFuse for my review. Thanks LitFuse!

Book Review: Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart

Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart
Book Three of The Knights of Arrethtrae
Written by Chuck Black

Finding family friendly literature can sometimes be a challenge. You want a book that will encourage your child, often times a son, to read, but you also want a hero who has a strong moral compass without being too preachy. Too many times Christian literature falls short. Sad, but true.

Which is why I am excited to tell you about Sir Dalton. This book has a hero with a shadow of doubt underneath his armor. He's got questions about who he is and what he believes. Just like real boys sometimes do. Sir Dalton is confronted with doubts and failure. He struggles with what he knows to be right and learns some important, and sometimes painful, lessons along the way. And of course he becomes the hero we all knew him to be!

Nice!

So...What's the Story?

Sir Dalton, a knight in training, seems to have everything going for him. Young, well-liked, and a natural leader, he has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow knights, and especially the beautiful Lady Brynn.

But something is amiss at the training camp. Their new trainer is popular but lacks the passion to inspire them to true service to the King and the Prince. Besides this, the knights are too busy enjoying a season of good times to be concerned with a disturbing report that many of their fellow Knights have mysteriously vanished.

When Sir Dalton is sent on a mission, he encounters strange attacks, especially when he is alone. As his commitment wanes, the attacks grow in intensity until he is captured by Lord Drox, a massive Shadow Warrior. Bruised and beaten, Dalton refuses to submit to evil and initiates a daring escape with only one of two outcomes—life or death. But what will become of the hundreds of knights he’ll leave behind? In a kingdom of peril, Dalton thinks he is on his own, but two faithful friends have not abandoned him, and neither has a strange old hermit who seems to know much about the Prince. But can Dalton face the evil Shadow Warrior again and survive?

Young adults will be inspired to strengthen their faith along with Sir Dalton, as they follow his exciting and action-packed journey to overcome his doubts and renew his commitment to the King and the Prince in this third installment of Chuck Black’s popular Knights of Arrethtrae series.

Meet the Author

Chuck Black traveled with the Air Force as a communications engineer and F-16 fighter pilot and began a career as a product design engineer. Chuck and his wife, Andrea, homeschool their six children and have a family music ministry that travels throughout the region. He is the author of nine novels, has been published in The Old Schoolhouse e-zine, and has received praise from parents across the country for his unique approach to telling biblical truths. Chuck and his family live in Williston, North Dakota.

Final Thoughts

Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart is a light, easy read. It is filled with medieval knights, swords, and battle all wrapped up in the form of an allegory. Mr. Black paints a strong portrait of important spiritual truths along with nice points about friendship, loyalty, and free-will. The suggested reading age is between nine and twelve-years-old, but I feel that many twelve-year-olds may not enjoy it as much as a younger boy.

Purchase this book and the others in The Knights of Arrethtrae series Here

Book Review: The Great Christmas Bowl

The Great Christmas Bowl
Written by Susan May Warren

I love Christmas.

I love my family.

But I don't love it when I get so caught up in the busy, busy that I forget the true meaning of the holiday. Gah! What is it with we women anyway?

The Great Christmas Bowl tells the amusing story of Marianne Wallace who is focused on two things this holiday season:planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s team in their bid for the state championship.

Mothers will go to great lengths to make things perfect...and sometimes it includes a trout costume, shaking up the traditional church tea, and making sure all your children are home for the perfect Christmas.

Yet, we all know that while a man woman will make her plans, sometimes God has a different idea.

What I liked about this book

I just couldn't get over the trout costume! The authors description of it and my own mental image painted a hysterical picture and I adored the fact that Marianne was willing to go that extra mile for her youngest son. I'm not sure I could have! Funny stuff.

Yet, more importantly, I saw myself in the same struggles with keeping the true meaning of Christmas in a season that often times gets out of control.

This is a sweet, short story that will make a perfect gift for your girlfriend, sister, and mother.

About the Author

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found HERE

CONTEST!

Be a part of the Great Christmas Bowl recipe exchange!

Susan loves getting recipes from friends, and sharing the delicious cookies, soups, breads and other fun fixings that go with celebrating the Christmas season. More than that, she loves the crazy stories about favorite Christmases – serious, touching, funny…whatever. Find the recipe contest HERE

Will you share your story and recipe with Susan and the readers of The Great Christmas Bowl? She will post your story and recipe on the FRONT PAGE of The Great Christmas Bowl website, and send you a link when it goes up so you can tell all your friends. Then, at The Great Christmas Bowl party (December 5th, 10am, online! Details TBA) she’ll make the entire cookbook available for download! For every recipe/story you submit (up to 3), you will be entered in a drawing to receive one of SMW’s collections (Noble Legacy, Team Hope,Heirs of Anton, Deep Haven Series, Josey series, or THE ADVANCED COPY of Sons of Thunder – Susie’s brand new epic World War 2 novel, due out in January 2010!)

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Want to read more reviews? Simply click HERE.

Final Thoughts

The Great Christmas Bowl is a sweet story that really gets to the heart of a mother. At some point in time, each of us will face our own empty nests and for many of us it will be a struggle. This short story reminded me that Christmas isn't really about the perfect dinner or cookie or gift, it's about the wonderful gift God gave us in His son, Jesus Christ.

Book Review: North! Or Be Eaten

Wild escapes…

A desperate journey…

And the ghastly Fangs of Dang!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you:




North! Or Be Eaten!
Written by Andrew Peterson

Each morning, just after the dawn had broken, you would find my two children curled up on the sofa, huddled in their blankets…waiting in eager anticipation. You see, nearly every morning during the week, before breakfast, before school, before chores, I read to them.

I read them ancient lit. They cut their teeth on classic works. Between us, we devoured good books, left and right. And now I sit here sorrowful. For you see, I’ve found a book that would have certainly become a family favorite.

North! Or Be Eaten!

So, What’s This All About?

Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they’re really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them.

Their escape brings readers to the very brink of Fingap Falls, over the Stony Mountains, and across the Ice Prairies, while villains galore try to stop the Igibys permanently. Fearsome toothy cows and horned hounds return, along with new dangers: a mad man running a fork factory, a den of rockroaches, and majestic talking sea dragons.

What I Love About this Book

It began as a simple, fun story. Janner, Tink, and Leeli; running from toothy cows, hiding from the evil Fangs of Dang, keeping up with their school work… But then, then it became something more. Rich characters, such as grandfather Podo, began to emerge. The landscape changed and I could smell the despair of Dugtown, and the terror of the Fork Factory.

Then the author, Andrew Peterson, twisted the plot...and I wondered if all had been lost for Anniera and it's heirs.

This is a GRAND book that will leave your children begging, yes begging, for another chapter.

And that my friend is the earmark of a wonderful piece of children’s literature.

Anything I Didn’t Like?

Honestly, not really. Sure there were some escapes that seemed impractical, but isn’t that the beauty of fiction? The impossible being possible? The hero becoming larger than life?

Who Is This Guy Anyway?





Andrew Peterson is the author of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Book One in the Wingfeather Saga, and The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats. He’s also the critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist of ten albums, including Resurrection Letters II. He and his wife, Jamie, live with their two sons and one daughter in a little house they call The Warren near Nashville, Tennessee.

Visit Andrew’s website HERE

I really enjoyed North! Or Be Eaten. I am only saddened that I have no elementary age children to share this fun story with.

I hope you do.

Book Review: Religion Saves + Nine Other misconceptions

Written by Mark Driscoll

When I was offered the opportunity to write a review of Religion Saves I jumped at the chance. If you know me, you know I've had a difficult time reading serious Christian writing for a while. So much of it either rubs me the wrong way or I simply don't understand what the writer is trying to convey.

Neither of these problems occured while I read Religion Saves.

Meet Pastor Mark Driscoll



Mark Driscoll is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, one of the fastest-growing churches in America. He is president of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and is the author of several books, including Vintage Jesus.

Pastor Mark preaches on Sunday, trains pastors, and writes curriculum. Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, Grace, and they enjoy raising their three sons and two daughters


Learn more about Pastor Mark and Mars Hill Church by copying this link:

http://blog.marshillchurch.org/

The Book

After 343,203 online votes on the Mars Hill Church website, nine questions for Pastor Mark Driscoll emerged as the ones most urgently calling for answers.

Inspired by 1 Corinthians, in which Paul answers a series of questions posed by the people in the Corinthian church, Pastor Mark Driscoll set out to determine the most controversial questions among visitors to the Mars Hill Church website. In the end, 893 questions were asked and after the vote, the top nine questions are now each answered in a chapter of Religion Saves.

After an introductory chapter devoted to the misconception that religion is what saves us, Driscoll tackles nine issues: birth control, humor, predestination, grace, sexual sin, faith and works, dating, the emerging church, and the regulative principle. Because the purpose of this book is to address commonly asked questions, all readers will find relevant, engaging material, written in Driscoll's distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style.

The Low Down

Nine questions, perhaps not the nine that I personally would ask, but interesting and thought provoking questions regardless. I admit that I did not read this book cover to cover. Instead, I read the introduction and then dove right into the chapters that interested me most, of course I read every chapter.

I started with question nine: Birth Control. It's a subject that I have struggled with for years. Do we? Should we? Are we bad Christians if we do? Are we bad Christians if we don't? It's a tough question with no easy answers and I was glad to find such concise and biblically sound thoughts on the subject from Pastor Mark.

I'll also admit to reading portions of it allowed and saying, "Boy would this tick so-and-so off!" But, I'm just snarky that way.

What I didn't expect was a history of birth control along with a pointed discussion of today's methodology. I agreed with everything I read, but more importantly, I felt that the author made a point of being real. Pastor Mark is a sincere man whose desire to follow God is evident in each word.

I moved on to the chapters on Predestination, Grace, Dating and The Emerging Church (a hot topic in my circle I assure you!). I cannot say that I agreed with every point, but that's good a thing. Pastor Mark made me think and think hard. Why do I believe what I believe and how do I apply this belief in my every-day life.

I found the chapter on Predestination to be one of the best explanations of the topic I've ever read. I read it twice, just to make sure I was certain I understood what Pastor Mark was saying. Thanks for clearing a few things up for me Pastor!

I could ramble on and on about Religion Saves. I liked the book and the topics that were addressed. I enjoyed Pastor Mark's obvious passion for the word of God and his many attempts at humor (although written humor sometimes falls short).

The time I spent reading this book was time well spent and I've added it to the list of books I believe each of my children should read before they get too long in the tooth.

I think you should read it also. You may not agree with every point made; I didn't, but I believe you will be challenged and better informed on a variety of topics.

To read more reviews of this book, please go here:

http://www.litfusegroup.com/latest/current-blog-tours/86-blog-tour-for-religion-saves-by-mark-driscoll

Book Review: Nothing but Trouble

Nothing but Trouble – a PJ Sugar novel
by Susan May Warren

I’m a lit freak. Ya’ll know that if you’ve hung around here very long. It was my great joy to co-own and operate a small publishing house several years ago and although I am no longer in the publishing industry, I do enjoy a good read.

One of my favorite authors is Susan May Warren. I’ve enjoyed her edgy work as well as her more light-hearted, fun filled books. If you haven’t read anything by her, you really should and now is an excellent time because this month she launches her new book, Nothing but Trouble.

About the book:

PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that’s become her life, she needs a fresh start.

The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister’s wedding is Boone—her former flame and the reason she left town.

Her best friend’s husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg, Minnesota, has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn’t know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she’ll uncover much more than she bargained for—a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she’s been longing for.

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her hometown, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder--who also happens to be PJ's former flame--is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend's husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right.

What I liked about PJ -

PJ spent ten years on her own, growing up and learning to be who God intended for her to be. She’s got a great sense of adventure, but when the chips are down, she’s your girl. I liked that even though she’d pretty much been run out on a rail, she returns home, ready to face her past…and her future. I also think she’s the auntie you always wanted, but never had. She’s the kind of girlfriend who’s got your back. Every time.



A note from Susan May Warren

Sometimes, do you feel like you just don’t fit in? You look around you and if anyone knew how difficult it was just to put yourself together, to smile when you feel completely overwhelmed, to even figure out what you were making for supper, they’d know what a mess you were. Maybe you totally relate to those words in 1 Peter – God’s elect, strangers and aliens in the world. Do you feel like when you look in the rear view mirror, all you see are your mistakes?

Maybe not. But if so, then PJ is your gal. I wanted to write a story about the person in so many of us who just wants to get it right…but can’t seem to stay out of trouble. My friend and I have what we call the “stupid mouth” club…and we report our weekly foibles (usually on Monday, after Sunday church!). PJ is our charter member. She’s the girl that changes her mind, always hopes for the best, is always discovering that she is just a little different than everyone else. PJ is us.

And that’s good news. Because God loves PJ. He loves her messiness, and her impulsiveness, her heart bent toward others, the hope that fuels her actions. And He has a plan for PJ – one that includes her weaknesses as well as her strengths.


Yep, I need to hear that – need to hear that I don’t have to be perfect for God to love me, use me, sing over me. Need to hear that although I don’t fit in, well, I’m not supposed to…in fact, I’m supposed to be a little…alien.

I wrote PJ for everyone who feels just a little messy, just a little like they can’t quite get it right. And who needs to hear that God loves them. Period. Full stop. Hallelujah.

Contest Anyone?

PJ Sugar's first novel - Nothing But Trouble is popping up all over the country!
Go Hunting for Trouble, and let me know where you see it. Send me the Name of the Bookstore where you found it (and the city, please), and we'll put your name in a drawing for a preview copy of The Great Christmas Bowl
my Christmas Novella, coming out this fall! (Promo coming soon!)

You'll also be eligible to win a cool SUGAR Personal SPA BASKET!!

(For all the PJ Sugars out there)

Send me a PHOTO of you and the book in the bookstore, and we'll add your name 5x!

Go....Hunt up Trouble!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Book Review: Every Sunrise

Sometimes what makes a good book is the sweetness of its characters and the real issues they face. This is true of Tricia Goyer’s new book Every Sunrise, part of the Heather Creek series from Guideposts.

Every Sunrise follows the lives of the Stevenson family. Charlotte is a wife, mother, and grandmother, who finds herself caring for her three grandchildren after their mother, Denise dies. It’s a real change of pace for Sam, Emily and Christopher as they begin new lives on the family farm in Nebraska, far away from the only home they’ve ever known in California. Time has passed and it seems that everyone is settling-in but Charlotte notes Sam’s quiet withdrawal from the family.

What I loved about the main character, Charlotte, is her need to fix things. She’s always putting everyone else ahead of herself, she cooks, she prays, she tries to set the past right, while still holding on to a brighter future. Her secret heartache nibbles at her mind, but she pushes forward, trying to provide the best home she and her husband, Bob, can for three hurting children. But when Sam disappears, Charlotte must confront the ghosts of her past, in order to begin anew with the sunrise.



About Tricia Goyer. Tricia is the author of eighteen fiction and non-fiction books, including Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. Tricia writes magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia also enjoys speaking. She and her family make their home in Montana.

About the Contest: Okay…this book is loaded with yummy food: strawberry cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, baked chicken with cornbread, chocolate cake, pancakes with homemade syrup, French onion soup, parmesan crusted chicken…well you get the idea! So the contest for this tour will be the EVERY FOODIE contest! Leave a comment on the blog tour post (http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2009/02/every-sunrise-blog-tour-and-contest.html) at Tricia’s site with your favorite meal and a recipe (feel free to post more than one recipe!)! She’ll choose the one that most tantalizes her taste buds to receive an entire set of the Home to Heather Creek series (books 1-7)! Five runner’s up will win a copy of Every Sunrise (or another Tricia Goyer book of their choice). Let the mouth-watering commence!

WAIT THERE'S MORE! You can win a copy of Every Sunrise from me as well! Just leave me a comment and I’ll draw one winner on Sunday, March 7.

Visit Tricia Goyer here.

Buy the book Here.

Book Review: A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Featuring the writings of Cathy Messecar, Trish Berg, Terra Hangen, Karen Robbins, Leslie Wilson and Brenda Nixon

When I think Christmas, I often think: Book.

I love books and what could be better than a book whose center theme is Christmas? Add beautiful stories, illustrations, recipes and scripture and you’ve got a winner under the tree all tied up in a striking hard bound treasure. A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts is easy on the eyes and you won’t be disappointed when you open its cover.

The layout is in scrapbook fashion (who doesn't love that?!) with nuggets of scripture, suggestions, traditions, and stories that will warm you heart. The ideas within the pages of this book are so simple, yet I personally had never thought of them! One of my favorites is featured on pg. 16 and suggests making chores “fun” by placing work chores inside blown up red or green balloons. After dinner, each person pulls a ribbon, pops the balloon, reads the note, and does what it says. I think this suggestion by Leslie Wilson, is brilliant. It would have made chore time a lot more fun!

As if all that wasn’t enough, there is even a Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts blog! Why not check it out and find some new ideas to add extra sparkle to your holiday season. You can find the blog HERE.


A gift book is a gift book, but this is so much more. A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts is the type of book I buy as a gift for a friend, then change my mind and keep it for myself. It's just that delicious! If you are not as greedy as I am, you'll purchase one for your friend, your sister, and yes, that young family across the street. It's the perfect gift to share the joy of Christmas.

I leave you with a little wisdom from page 21:

Dream big and wait – for nothing is impossible with God.


Christmas sock give away ends tomorrow! Have you commented this week for a chance to win?

Book Review: Finding Stefani

”Susan Warren writes with a fresh, new voice and creates characters that will delight her readers.” – Karen Kingsbury, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Finding Stephanie
By Susan May Warren

Stefanie Noble is a strong, independent young woman, whose passion for ranch life hides a tender heart that bares a deep wound. She put her dreams on hold to help run the family ranch but she’s in for a big surprise when those dreams show up in the form of Lincoln Cash.

Famous, big screen actor Lincoln has everything a man could want including a crippling secret that’s about to change his life forever. Will the rolling hills of eastern Montana help him to leave his mark on Hollywood and will the beautiful Stefanie ever stop scowling at him? It’s going to take more than striking good looks and money to woo this girl.

I enjoy Susan May Warren’s work and this latest addition to the Nobel Series, is no exception. Complex characters, deep seated fears and secrets, and a twist I didn’t see coming, impressed me. I enjoyed watching as each character struggled to resolve issues from the past and allow God to heal them.

It’s a story about second chances and who doesn’t love that?

About the Author



Award winning author Susan May Warren recently returned home to her native Minnesota after serving eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full-time.

Visit her website here. You can read a book excerpt from Finding Stefanie as well as learn about her many other books.

The Contest

Grab your magnifying glass and join me on a Fact-o-Find!

Answer these questions about the bloggers on the tour and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the movie theater of your choice. Email Amy your answers (amy@susanmaywarren.com)

Ready, get set, giddy-up!

1. Which blogger is adopting a girl from China?
2. This word 'featherbunkle' is found on which blog?
3. Which blogger is supporting the 'Pickens Plan'?
4. Which blog is "The Cutest Blog on the Block"?
5. Which blogger is a S@HM and also a wife, daughter, sister, friend, nursery director, and woman that is just trying to keep it all together?
6. Which blogger is taking the Southern Reading Challenge?
7. Which blog asks 'How may we serve you'?
8. Which blogger refers to her son as 'super good big guy'?
9. Which blogger is a self-proclaimed 'Starbucks Addict'?
10. Which blogger is a big Trekkie?

To find the answers to these question, makes sure to take the blog tour by visiting the following blogs:

Martha at Our Family’s Adventures
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha/

Trish at Books for Moms
http://www.booksformoms.blogspot.com/

Sunny at Life in the Estrogen Ocean
http://estrogen-ocean.blogspot.com/

Deborah at A Cup of Joy
http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/

Julie at Waves of Grace
http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/

Camy at Camy’s Loft
http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/

Amy at Amy’s Random Thoughts
http://amychristopher.blogspot.com/

Gina at Portrait of a Writer
http://portraitofawriter.ginaconroy.com

Lena a Christian Writer’s World
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Leticia at My Daily Trek
http://leticiasworld.blogspot.com/

Laura at Lighthouse Academy
http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com

Melissa at Breath of Life
http://breathoflifeministries.blogspot.com/

Lori at Laurel Wreath’s
http://laurelwreathsreflections.com/

Ronie at Supernatural Craving
http://www.supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com

Erica at On the Right Path
http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com/

Deborah at Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/

Heather at Fresh Sweet Peas
http://www.freshsweetpeas.blogspot.com

Christy at Christy’s Book Blog
http://christysbookblog.blogspot.com/

Beth at The Writing Road
http://thewritingroad.blogspot.com/

Cee Cee at Book Splurge
http://booksplurge.blogspot.com/

Kate at A Simple Walk
http://asimplewalk.blogspot.com/

Dineen at Kittens Come From Eggs
http://dineenmiller.blogspot.com

Joy at Five J's
http://fivejs.wordpress.com/

Paula at Grace Reign
http://www.gracereign.blogspot.com/

Rel at Relz Reviewz
http://www.relzreviewz.blogspot.com

Deena at A Peek At My Bookshelf
http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com

Patty at Girlfriends in God
http://patty-girlfriendsingod.blogspot.com

Peg at Sips & Cups Cafeteria
http://www.peggyblannphifer.blogspot.com

Cara at Cara’s Musings
http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/

Pattie at Fresh Brewed Writer
http://www.freshbrewedwriter.blogspot.com

Amy at My Friend Amy
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/

AnnMarie at More Than Just A Mom
http://afriedrick.blogspot.com

Joining the blog tour beginning 8/14 -

Janis at The Nearsighted Bookworm
http://thenearsightedbookworm.blogspot.com/

Kelli at The Zen of Motherhood
http://www.thezenofmotherhood.blogspot.com

Teresa at Joy In the Journey
http://www.teresaslack.blogspot.com

8/15
Lynetta at Open Book
http://www.lynetta.blogspot.com

Betsy at Betsy Ann…Writer At Large
http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com

Susan at His Reading List
http://hisreadinglist.blogspot.com/

8/16
Tiffany at A Fiction Filled Life
http://ambermillerauthor.blogspot.com/

Pamela at Pammer’s Ramblins
http://pammer.blogspot.com/

Lauren at Baseballs and Bows
http://baseballsandbows.blogspot.com

Brittanie at A book Lover Forever
http://abookloverforever.blogspot.com/

Book Review: Wiser than Serpents

I am a book lover.

L.O.V.E.R

Every once in awhile, I receive a book that grabs my attention, refusing to let go. Sometimes the book will have a remarkable (read: make you THINK about the world around you) message as well. Wiser than Serpents is one of them. Written by Susan May Warren, Wiser is an action packed thriller-romance that will keep you turning pages long after you should have gone to sleep (take my word for it!).

The Story

Her sister had vanished, trapped in a human slavery ring. To find her, FSB agent Yanna Andrevka, arranges her own kidnapping into Taiwan’s sex-trafficking trade. And found herself with no way out.

Gripping isn’t it? With a well developed plot & strong characters, this story could truly have been snatched from the headlines of any major newspaper. I enjoyed the mystery and the bravery of Yanna. She’s a strong woman; self-assured, in control, and just a wee bit head-strong. When she finds herself trapped and face to face with the kingpin of a major crime organization, it looks like there’s no way out. Until…

Well of course there’s a good guy! Of course he’ll be in the right place at the right time. But will Yanna except his help? Will she over come her past and let Delta Force captain David Curtiss into her heart? Will David be strong enough to follow God’s leading and not follow his own desires? This is one gripping read and I know (I KNOW) you’ll enjoy it as much as me and my daughter have.

The Author



Award winning and best selling author Susan May Warren and family served eight years as missionaries in Khabarovsk, Far East Russia. She now writes full-time in northern Minnesota. Currently she has over 500,000 books in print.

The inspiration for Wiser than Serpents came from a magazine article on the global slave trade. Susan knew she must do something. She found the International Justice Mission (IJM) and discovered the inspiration for her story, as well as a worthy cause to support. 15% of the royalties from Wiser will be donated to IJM and the rescue work they do to free slaves across the globe.

For more information or to donate to IJM please visit: www.IJM.org

The Contest

Susan is giving away not just a signed copy of this book, but the entire Mission Russia series. All you need to do is visit Scribbles: Susan May Warren’s website (click here) and leave her a comment telling her which mission organizations you support and why.

The highest compliment I can give is to say that when I finished reading Wiser I handed it to my daughter. That doesn't happen very often.

Book Review: Sweet Caroline

A Novel by Rachel Hauck

I just finished this great novel about a woman who always tries to do right by everyone. She’s the kind of girl who never wants to let anyone down. Caroline has put her life on hold so many times; she’s not sure where to begin. But God has a plan.

I loved the character of Caroline; a girl with her heart in the right place, but not too certain about all the ‘God’ stuff. She’s got two handsome fellows in her life, but only one heart to give - and then there’s the Frogmore Café, what on earth is she going to do about that?

The Book


Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny.

Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline's heart.

But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville, Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.

About Rachel




Rachel skated through the 70’s and 80’s with Farrah Fawcet hair (who didn’t?) and a three-speed orange Camero. She’s a graduate of Ohio State, a former software trainer, a world traveler, and a pastor’s wife. Most importantly she gave her heart to the One who loves her best many years ago. Rachel’s first book, Lambert’s Pride was published in 2004.

If you visit Rachel’s website HERE you can learn more about Rachel and enter to win a “scrumptious” basket giveaway. The basket contains a Super Cool Apron, a Low country cook book signed by PAT CONROY, rolling pin, and a pie plate! All you have to do to enter is sign up for Rachel's newsletter.

The Recipe

The Frogmore Café’s menu features some mighty fine sounding cookin’, but it is the description of the biscuits that made my mouth water. I love me a biscuit! So, for your munching pleasure, here is the recipe for Bubba's Buttery Biscuits:

3 cups self-rising flour
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled, plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for brushing the tops
1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the flour and chilled butter in a medium mixing bowl. Work the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingertips until the butter pieces are a little larger than an English pea, but not larger than a lima bean. If you are using your fingers, work quickly so that the heat of your hands won't melt the butter.

Pour in all of the buttermilk and, using light pressure, fold the mixture a few times with a plastic spatula until it holds together. Do not over mix. In order to make light biscuits, it is important to work the dough as little as possible.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead it quickly and gently 6 to 10 times or until it begins to be almost homogenized. There will be large pieces of butter throughout. Sprinkle a little flour under the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the rolling pin. Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness.

Cut the dough into 2-inch rounds, place on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes. I like the biscuits to be crispy and brown on the top and bottom, but not dry in the middle. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter. Serve right away. (recipe from Louis Osteen)

Links

Rachel's website: www.rachelhauck.com

Buy the book at my sidebar or through Rachel’s website.

Are you a writer? Why not check out Rachel’s writer’s craft group at My Book Therapy

Book Review: What Women Want

What Women Want: The Life You Crave and How God Satisfies
By Lisa T. Bergren and Rebecca Price


About the Book

The title of this book really, really intrigued me. Maybe it’s because I’m at a place in my life where I’m not sure what I want. I’m forty, my youngest child is 15-years-old, I’ve been married for just over twenty years and I’m not sure where to go from here. A book about what we as women want sounded pretty good to me.

And I wasn’t disappointed. Taken from a national survey, the authors, Lisa T. Bergren and Rebecca Price have delved into the hearts of women to find what’s important to us and better yet, how God completely satisfies our hearts.

I loved how the survey answers were interjected throughout each chapter; women sharing struggles as well as triumphs that were honest and heartfelt. Many times I found myself shaking my head in agreement, because I felt that way too. Transparent Christianity, you gotta love that! There are also exclusive interviews with Christian women from all walks of life. Women such as; Shaunti Feldhahn, Liz Curtis Higgs, Barbara Rainey and more!

What Women Want includes chapters about friendships, contentment, purpose, your relationship with God and others (as well as many other topics). I admit that two chapters shouted to me: Your Relationship with God and Body by God. Maybe it’s because of my own soul searching and new way of eating, but these two chapters made me think about what I am doing (or not doing) and why. The Bible study portion helped me to dig deeper and really (as it says at the end of each study) live it out!.

This book is perfect for a small group or woman’s Bible study. I adore the idea of a group of women, meeting, sharing, praying and really helping each other to grow in Christ. In our too busy world this book is an anchor to help women see what it is they really desire and how God Satisfies.


About the Authors



Lisa T. Bergren is the best-selling author of more than twenty-five books, including The Busy Mom’s Devotional and the best-selling children’s book God Gave Us You. Lisa lives with her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Rebecca Price has more than twenty-five years of experience in publishing and has helped start-up several book houses. She works as a consultant for a variety of publishers. Rebecca lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she is active in women’s ministry.

Contest Anyone?

Interested in a contest? Send Lisa Bergren and Rebecca Price an email telling them about your Sister of the Heart. You know who she is! She’s that woman who laughs with you, cries with you, babysits your kids so you can get away for a few hours. Your heart sister is the woman who really knows you and loves you anyway! Each entry will be posted on the authors site, www.satisfiedheart.com, and the one with the most comments will win a copy of What Woman Want and the sound track which includes music from Chris Tomlin, Margret Becker, and others. Plus your Heart Sister wins a copy of each too!

Send your email to amy@litfusegroup.com telling the authors who your best friend is and why!

As if that wasn’t enough, by posting a comment here on their blog you will be entered to win a $15.00 Starbucks card!

Want More?

Take the 5 minute survey




Read Chapter One: You, Fabulous You: A Phenomenal Creation by God




Visit the Satisfied Heart website

Sunday Update

Bio-mom and I spoke. I’m sorry, but I can’t help but get the feeling that she is dangling the girls like a carrot in front of me. I don’t like being teased and I certainly don’t like being manipulated. Frankly, I don’t know where it will go from here. We’ll just have to wait and see.

I haven’t spoken to my mother since the day before Easter. Which leaves me in an interesting dilemma: Do I send her a Mother’s Day card? Feel free to weigh in on this one, but understand, I have spent my entire life being emotional abused by this woman.

In case you are interested in winning a free copy of Read My Lips you can check out Teri’s blog for details.

The top fifteen photos for the $1000 Mother's Day Photo contest have been chosen. Hop on over and vote for your favorite here. Simple click on "contest" from the home page and look for the contest. (No, mine did not make the cut, sniffle, sniffle, sniffle).

Make sure and check back on Thursday when I post my first book review for litFUSE!

Read My Lips

Continued from yesterday: The Book

My BFF, Teri J. Brown, has been writing her entire life, but only for fame and fortune the last eight years. Her first book has become legend among a certain group of Christian homeschoolers, while her second book, Day Tripping gave parents new and innovative ideas about getting their children out of the house for some family adventure.

I am so very proud to announce that Teri’s first work of fiction will be hitting the bookshelves at the local book stores (of course you can pre-order online) on June 3rd. This young adult novel has all the great elements of teen lit: popularity, cute guys, gossip, and just a wee bit o’ mystery.

Meet Serena:

Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well-even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there’s no turning back.

What I liked about Read My Lips was how real the characters were. Serena has a real desire to fit in, just like we all did back in high school and sometimes that longing to be part of the crowd makes good choices kind of fuzzy. The mean girls did mean girl things, but they weren’t horrific. They were just kids, doing kid things. Then there was the description of Serena’s mom who does one thing that drives her crazy; the mother hover.

Helicopter parenting to the max!

Frankly, that sounds a little too much like me and I think I’ll have to have a word or two with Ms. Brown!

The book is a fun, light read. I’m excited for Teri and all the authors over at Class of 2K8. Why not check them out?

And of course you can pre-order Read My Lips from Teri's web page, teribrownwrites.com (click link above) or from my book store on the right hand side of this page. Don't forget you can also purchase it on June 3 at a bookstore near you!