Book Giveaway!

Congrats to the winners of last week's giveaway. I emailed you. :)

This week, I'm doing what I did a few weeks ago and picking a winner and giving them some choices from their favorite genre. To enter to win, leave a comment about your favorite author. Get a second entry by following the blog and leaving a second comment saying you are a follower. Dee Henderson is one of my favorite authors, and I'm so excited she's coming out with a new book in October. Let the count-down begin!

As always, I can only ship to the US, and make sure you leave your email address in your comment.

Book Giveaway!

Congrats to Cheryl who won a book...not sure which one yet because I haven't looked at my pile. :)

Today, I'm giving away Kaleidoscope Eyes by Karen Ball and She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt. To enter to win, tell me about something...your favorite color, the color that looks best on you, the color that describes your personality...something. I'm so sleepy as I type this, y'all. We had a new instructor in spin class today, and I swear the Army needs to hire her to get secrets out of captured terrorists. They would confess just to get the class to stop. I'm so tired. I'm sure I'll feel more grateful tomorrow.

To get a second entry, leave a second comment letting me know you follow. My mom or sister will pick a random number next week....such a scientific way of picking a winner. :)

How about a third entry...leave a link to this giveaway on your blog or somewhere and leave a third comment leaving a link to where you left the link. :) I hope that's not as complicated as it sounds in my head. LOL!

I can only ship to the US.

Please leave your email address in one of your comments, especially if you are new to my blog. You gals who have won several times, I probably have it, but leave it just in case.

Downfall: A Review

In the final book of the Intervention series, Emily, who has been sober for two years, is still trying to convince herself and her family that she has put her drug use behind her. When she finds a bomb under her car, leaving her past behind gets a little harder, especially when people connected to her start dying….and Emily is blamed. Will her mom and Kent be able to find the killer before Emily is the next victim?

What I have enjoyed most about this series is that it realistically shows the struggle of a former addict to stay clean. Although most addicts don’t run from killers literally, the daily choice to stay clean is a difficult journey. Blackstock’s portrayal of addiction’s effect on everyone involved is poignant and real. As always with a Blackstock novel, there’s an adventurous ride towards finding the killer.

Fans of Blackstock will enjoy this conclusion to Covington family’s story. I recommend reading the books in order.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sunrise on the Battery: A Review

Slow Read with a Rushed Ending!

I know the title of my review sounds misleading, but that's how this book was for me.

Mary Lynn and her husband Jackson grew up with very little, and as a result, they feel they have to ensure their three daughters experience everything they never had: culture, college, influential friends, and social status. The pressure to measure up has a negative effect on their oldest daughter Catherine, so when Mary Lynn begins to go to church, she prays her family will come to know Jesus like she does. When Jackson finally accepts Christ, he dives in head-first, and Mary Lynn begins to wonder what exactly she prayed for.

The first three-fourths of the book dragged out...lots of reflection and old memories. The last part has so many character changes that it seems unbelievable. For example, Catherine just suddenly overcomes a serious problem without the parents finding out, and a minor character who was a supportive friend randomly wants more. I enjoy books told from different points of view, but I found myself skimming a lot of the book because I just didn't really care what happened because the characters weren't well-developed.

The storyline has a lot of potential, especially Catherine's struggle. The book just spent too much time with character's reflections instead of their growth or some action.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I can do all things?

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13 that reads, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I have quoted that encouragement so many times through the years when life seemed too hard.

Yesterday, I was being silly, and I told my mom, "Well, since God says I can do ALL things through Him, I'm going to start working on my basketball career tomorrow." We both had a good laugh, but it's got me thinking about the verse. Obviously, we aren't all called to do the same thing, but whatever He has called me to do, I CAN do it!

*But, be on the lookout for me on a basketball court near you. :)

Book Giveaway!

So, I have NO idea what book to give away, so I'll do this. Leave a comment about what genre you love most. I'll pick a book from the winner's favorite genre next Tuesday.
To get a second entry, leave a second comment letting me know you follow.
Please leave your email address.
My sister will pick a random number next week.
I can only ship to the US.

Mercy Come Morning: A Review

Krista thought she left her traumatic childhood behind when she fled Taos. Her mother’s impending death draws her back to town and back to the memories of her absent mother and her first love, Dane.

Although the book starts out rocky since Krista isn’t a very likeable character at the beginning, it builds to a beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness. As Krista sits by her estranged mother, who is slowly slipping away with congestive heart failure, she must confront her past and find a way to connect with her mom before it is too late.  Dane, her first love, is the owner of her mother’s nursing home, and having to deal with her mother and her ex-boyfriend is almost too much for the emotionally fragile thirty-seven year old.

Through her mother’s journals scribed in a book of Christmas carols, Krista sees her mother’s love for her, a love she never knew how to share and a love that was hidden by early-onset Alzheimer’s. Will a miracle give her a chance to feel her mother’s love?

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hand of Fate: A Review

When Jim Fate, a controversial talk show host, opens a package that contains poison, his death puts his town into a panic. As citizens fear a terrorist attack, Allison, Cassidy, and Nicole work together to find the person or group responsible for the death of Fate, who had made many enemies with his brash opinions. Will they find the person responsible before their own lives are in danger?

While the mystery aspect of the novel was interesting and fast-paced, my favorite part of the book was the character development. The three strong, independent women who were introduced in book one show more growth in this book as readers find out what happened in Nicole's past to make her so wary of men, the reason for Cassidy's insecurities, and the strength of Allison's faith as she is tested with tragedy.


The author's knowledge of the world of politics and media shines through again in this book. A funny addition to the book was the letters from popular radio hosts who thought the character of Jim Fate was based on them.

Fans of suspense/murder mysteries will enjoy this addition to the Triple Threat series. I definitely recommend reading them in order.

Book Giveaway: The Colonel's Lady

Today I'm giving away The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz. To enter to win, leave a comment with what time period in history interests you most. I love the WWII generation. They grew up in the Depression and then fought in a war that was such an important one (in my humble opinion).
To get a second entry, follow the blog and leave a second comment letting me know you follow.

I'll pick a winner next Tuesday. I can only ship to the US. :)

The Colonel's Lady: A Review

When Roxanna Rowan flees to the wild frontier of Kentucky to be reunited with her father, she is shocked to find he has passed away. His dying wish was for Colonel Cassius McLinn to protect Roxanna. Offering Roxanna a job, Cassius is determined to keep her safe and to keep his secret safe from her. Will they find  love or will the past come back to ruin their chance at happiness?

I had heard from several people what a great writer Laura Frantz is. I was told she brought history alive, and I found that to be true. I love the premise for the book, but I was a little bored and found myself putting it to the side multiple times. Roxanna wasn't a great character, and I am a character-driven reader. I loved Cassius and would have liked to see Roxanna developed as much as he was. I enjoyed the side characters, especially the little girl.
I think the author did a great job of portraying life on the frontier and the war. The hardness of the life and the struggle to cope with military life was authentic and insightful. Even though I wasn't crazy about this book, I will give Frantz's other books a try.

Like Sweet Potato Pie: A Review

I loved this book! While the first book in the series (Southern Fried Sushi) starts off slowly and builds to a fun read, this book hits its stride early. Shiloh is still a  funny, bumbling mess trying to figure out her place in the world. Like most Christians, especially new in their faith, she embraces Christ, but the past still calls her in the form of her ex-fiance and the dream of working as a reporter again.

Spinola's style of writing is fun and the characters seem to come alive in this book. Becky and Tim's struggle with conceiving a child is well-done and adds a serious balance to the funny episodes in which Shiloh finds herself. What I like most about this book is that the author has the characters endure real experiences and emotions. Shiloh's new walk with Christ and her struggle to figure out God's plan for her makes for an interesting read.

Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this book. I do recommend reading book one first.

I am eager to see what happens next!