Back-To-School Fiction Blog Tour

Kids headed back to school, and you have some quiet time at home? Starting homeschool and need an hour in your room to relax? Busy with school work and need a fun break? Here are three great stories to keep you company.

I grabbed the "Rose House" by Tina Ann Forkner to read first. I loved the title, and it just yearned to be read. The summary that was sent did a great job capturing the basics of this story:

A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope.
Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms.
She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.
What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.
A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life.

I would add that there is a bit of adventure in this book! A secret that kept me reading until very late at night to discover the truth. Whew! The only problem I had with this book was three or four kissing scenes. Not long, but just not needed. Simple kiss would have been fine. I don't like watching long kisses in movies, and I don't want to read about it either. I plan to black out those paragraphs so that my daughters can enjoy the book, "Rose House". I think they were drawn to the title and cover as well, because they asked me what it was about, and if I'd read it yet. :-)

We have been so busy lately - getting ready for school, cabin, annual gameathon - so I didn't get a chance to read the following books yet. I'm so looking forward to them. I enjoy reading a mix of genre: historical fiction, Bible studies, dangerous adventures, etc. These books I consider like candy. They are for fun times and made extra delightful with a great snack. I am grateful for authors who use the pen to create a delightful, sweet, serious, thought-provoking, and romansical tales.

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper

The future is clearly mapped out for New York socialite Eugenia “Gennie” Cooper, but she secretly longs to slip into the boots of her favorite dime-novel heroine and experience just one adventure before settling down. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to experience the Wild West, but her plans go awry when she is drawn into the lives of silver baron Daniel Beck and his daughter and finds herself caring for them more than is prudent–especially as she’s supposed to go back to New York and marry another man.

As Gennie adapts to the rough-and-tumble world of 1880s Colorado, she must decide whether her future lies with the enigmatic Daniel Beck or back home with the life planned for her since birth. The question is whether Daniel’s past–and disgruntled miners bent on revenge–will take that choice away from her.

The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love

Once a month, the six women of the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society gather to discuss books and share their knitting projects. Inspired by her recently-wedded bliss, group leader Eugenie chooses “Great Love Stories in Literature” as the theme for the year’s reading list–a risky selection for a group whose members span the spectrum of age and relationship status.
As the Knit Lit ladies read and discus classic romances like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice, each member is confronted with her own perception about love. Camille’s unexpected reunion with an old crush forces her to confront conflicting desires. Newly widowed Esther finds her role in Sweetgum changing and is surprised by two unlikely friends. Hannah isn’t sure she’s ready for the trials of first love. Newcomer Maria finds her life turned upside-down by increasing family obligations and a handsome, arrogant lawyer, and Eugenie and Merry are both asked to make sacrifices for their husbands that challenge their principles.
Even in a sleepy, southern town like Sweetgum, Tennessee, love isn’t easy. The Knit Lit ladies learn they can find strength and guidance in the novels they read, the love of their family, their community–and especially in each other.

Author Bios:
Tina Ann Forkner is the author of Ruby Among Us. Originally from Oklahoma, she now lives with her husband and three children in Wyoming, where she serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation’s board of directors.

Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than thirty novels, novellas, and young adult books, with more than a half-million in print. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she is currently a publicist with Books & Such literary agency.

RITA Award-winning Beth Patillo combines her love of knitting and books in her engaging Sweetgum series. Pattillo served churches in Missouri and Tennessee before founding Faith Leader, a spiritual leadership development program.

To learn more about or purchase these books, visit RandomHouse.com:

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper

The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love

Rose House

Happy Reading!! :-)

"Shall We Dance?"

The other night we watched "Shall We Dance?", a movie I've been wanting to see again, since I first saw it a year or so ago. I Love it. I feel it. I love the ballroom dancing. I adore the ending. The kids watched (we did a little screen cover up here and there). Afterwords, I had Dessert take a shower. Later, I was headed into my room and he was standing in his room with the towel wrapped around him. He looked at me through his water splattered glasses and said,
"Mom."
"Yes?"
"I like that movie." (said with feeling)
"Uh-Huh. Would you like to learn to dance?"
"Yep. I am already practicing!" (and he flung his left arm out to the side like in the movie)
I went to my room with a smile. :-)

Melt Down - A Book Review

"Melt Down" by Chuck Holton was interesting. Mr. Holton has a great adventure to share, with quite a thought-provoking message at the end. I was a bit overwhelmed by the multitude of characters in this book. Some chapters made me wonder what was going on, and why did I need to read this. The answer would always come clear before long, but I prefer knowing a little sooner. :-)

"The global war on terror has reached catastrophic proportions, leading the U.S. Special Operations EOD team—Task Force Valor—to Chernobyl, where ghosts of past disasters are nothing compared to the nuclear nightmare about to unfold. With CIA Agent Mary “Phoenix” Walker heading her first Special Ops mission and Master Sergeant Bobby Sweeney fighting demons on and off the battlefield, Task Force Valor races to stop a terrorist threat in the Ukraine before Europe is turned into a radioactive wasteland.

But when the terror reaches American shores, the team is powerless to help until they can save themselves. And when they finally track down the source of the chaos, what they find is worse than anything they could have imagined.

Author Bio: Chuck Holton has traveled the world, experienced combat, served in the Elite 75th Ranger Regiment, and is the author of six books, including Allah’s Fire, Island Inferno, Bulletproof, Stories From a Soldier’s Heart, and A More Elite Soldier. His journeys have taken him from the depths of the Atlantic, to the mountains of Burma, from the dogsleds of Alaska, to skies of Iraq. Chuck lives in Appalachia with his wife, Connie, and their five children."

To purchase the book online go to:

- www.Amazon.com <http://www.amazon.com/>

- www.ChristianBook.com <http://www.christianbook.com/>

- www.FamilyChristian.com <http://www.familychristian.com/>

Or comment below by August 24 for a chance to get your own copy!

North! Or Be Eaten - A Book Review

"North! Or Be Eaten" by Andrew Peterson was a gripping tale!! I can hardly wait to get book one, so that I can read it to the kids before I read this book to them. (Although it was just fine as a book by itself - but I'm also buying the sequel as soon as it comes out!! Not sure if there is one - but there sure should be!!) Boys or girls could love this story. This story had twists and turns everywhere. A great read aloud for the 7-10 year olds, and a fun book for any age who likes fantasy and adventure.

Only problem I found with this book, is that I wasn't crazy about the title or the cover art. I really wondered how good a story it would be. I'm glad I had the opportunity to review this book, because it is so interesting, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. I think everyone has different ideas of what is attractive, so I'm ok with what the author wants to do, but in my opinion, don't judge this book by its cover.

The main characters in this story are all part of the Igiby family:

• Grandfather Podo
• Mom Nia
• Three children: Janner, Tink, and Leeli
• Enormous Dog Nugget
• Artham Wingfeather alias Peet the Sock Man

Fleeing their home in Fingap Falls, the children struggle to grasp the new-found reality that they are royalty exiled from the far away land of Anniera. The wicked Fangs want them dead, so escape to the North Prairies is first on the priorities. The cold keeps the Fangs from traveling there. Then they will figure out how to get back to Anniera.
Tink discovers he is the Throne Warden. It is his job to protect his younger brother, Tink, the King of Anniera. This is proving to be quite a challenge considering who they are running from. In the meantime, Tink wonders whether he really wants to be King of Anniera.

"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."

'Andrew Peterson’s lovable characters create what FantasyBookCritic.com says made Book One “one of the best fantasy novels in a very long time,” and Book Two contains even more thrills, exploring “themes universal in nature, ranging from the classic good versus evil, to the importance of family, and burdens of responsibility.”'

Author Bio: Andrew Peterson is the author of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness 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 The Warren near Nashville, Tennessee. Visit Andrew’s websites: www.andrew-peterson.com and www.rabbitroom.com.

My copy is making the rounds in my family. Want your own copy to enjoy?!

Comment below by August 24. You'll be glad you did!!

Darling's Been Busy

This morning Darling was up early - 5:45am!! She nursed and tossed and turned until 7. I kept thinking she was back asleep, and then she would open her eyes again and squirm. Finally, I decided to just get her up. She was chatty and busy. She ate a little breakfast, trucked around, then gave her bunny, Pearl, a ride in her bike basket.








We tried out water painting the other day after seeing Sassy Frazz's blog, and discovered a new love. The paints have been used every day since. This morning she painted four pictures, then trucked around again.
Now she's down for a late morning nap. :-)

The Friends We Keep & 40 Minute Bible Studies - Book Reviews

"The Friends We Keep" is a book about making friends, being friends, falling away from friends, and coming back to friends. Sarah Zacharias Davis' subtitle is "A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship." "It is Sarah's thoughtful account of her own experiences and those of other women in navigating friendship."
My daughter, Joy, really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the different stories and some interesting analogies. The book says it addresses questions like: Why do we long for women friends? What causes cattiness, competition, and co-dependency in too many friendships? When is it time to let a friend go, and how do we do so? I found during most of the book it discussed the truth that these topics are real and found in many friendships. At the very end of the book, Sarah gives a summary of friendship and gives some answers to the questions she raised. Very good.

"The 40 Minute Bible Study series from beloved Bible teacher Kay Arthur and the teaching staff of Precept Ministries tackles important issues in brief, easy-to-grasp lessons you can use personally or for small-group discussion. Each book in the series includes six 40-minute studies designed to draw you into God’s Word through basic inductive Bible study. There are 16 titles in the series, with topics ranging from fasting and forgiveness to prayer and worship. With no homework required, everyone in the group can work through the lesson together at the same time. Let these respected Bible teachers lead you in a study that will transform your thinking—and your life."

Titles Include:
•The Essentials of Effective Prayer
•Being a Disciple: Counting the Cost
•Building a Marriage That Really Works
•Discovering What the Future Holds
•Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past
•Having a Real Relationship with God
•How Do You Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk?
•Living a Life of Real Worship
•How to Make Choices You Won’t Regret
•Living Victoriously in Difficult Times
•Money & Possessions: The Quest for Contentment
•Rising to the Call of Leadership
•How Do You Know God’s Your Father?
•Key Principles of Biblical Fasting
•A Man’s Strategy for Conquering Temptation
•What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

I thoroughly enjoyed the two books I received - "Rising to the Call of Leadership" and "Key Principles of Biblical Fasting." I thought the lay out for this set was excellent! They have the Bible verses along the wide margins of the books and the questions and comments set in the middle. I like the way they have a person underline and box words in the Scriptures. It was amazing to realize how many times the word was actually said, or the different contexts it was placed. I would agree that these are Bible studies, not just devotionals talking about verses. These books will help you discover Biblical truths and grown in your understanding of the Word of God. They are designed as 6 week small-group studies, but they would be very applicable for individual Bible studies set in your own time frame. Definitely a fun treat!

Author Bios:

Sarah Zacharias Davis is a senior advancement officer at Pepperdine University, having joined the university after working as vice president of marketing and development for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and in strategic marketing for CNN. The daughter of best-selling writer Ravi Zacharias, Davis is the author of the critically-acclaimed Confessions from an Honest Wife and Transparent: Getting Honest About Who We are and Who We Want to Be. She graduated from Covenant College with a degree in education and lives in Los Angeles, California.

Kay Arthur, executive vice president and cofounder of Precept Ministries International has worked with her teaching staff to create the powerful 40-Minute Bible Studies series. Kay is known around the world as a Bible teacher, author, conference speaker, and host of national radio and television programs.

To learn more about or purchase these books visit RandomHouse.com.

A Summer Update

I haven't been very good at taking pictures lately. One excuse is: My husband and children like to walk around with my camera and then I don't know where it is. Another, better one is: I've been too lazy, or busy. The bummer of it, is that I don't have a picture to put with my blog and memory.
When Dime gets home from camp, and I get a minute with the others, I'll have to take pictures of their BAC 2 One art projects! I was late registering this year. So late, they almost didn't make it in. PTL, they added a few spots so a number of us extras could join. They had a great time!! and did a number of great projects!! We got a mini video clip of Dime doing his boomwacking song. He did an impromtu dance movement with his buddy at the end, which had the audience laughing and loving it. (Hopefully the teacher was ok with it. :-) He was also in a play as an old man with a cane. Great story!
Dot's dance class did a great job performing. She survived the week of being a dance class teacher and a small group leader, and helping out in other classes. She brought busy to new heights. She was a little spacy and wore out by the end of the week. We took two cars to the program, so that she could stay, visit, and then help clean up, while we went to a birthday party. She was supposed to join us at the party. Instead, she got home and worried where we all were, til it finally clicked in.
Deer did a sewing project of a jean bag. It turned out so cute!
Drum helped out as a small group assistant, and then worked with different classes. He really enjoyed helping at the rap class. We so appreciated the way they helped them learn to be leaders.
Duke did a drawing class, watercolor, etc. It was great for him to try something new.

The birthday party was for my friend, Pam, and Darling's friend, Kassie. Together they turned 51! :-) Jeannie did a great blog of the party. Check it out. Darling's favorite reason to go to church is to see Kassie.

Saturday we headed north to two family reunions!! We mostly spent the time at our cabin with my mother's side of the family. We spent over an hour at my Dad's family reunion which was at another cabin at the same lake. It ended up being a pretty windy and chilly day by the lake, so not alot of swimming was done. More games and visiting. It was great to see family we haven't seen in a year. We brought up our four new bunnies. They were a big hit! I wasn't sure Darling's favorite cousin, Kyle, was going to let us take his adopted bunny home. So cute!! (Sorry, no pictures. The camera was in the bottom of Darling's backpack. Papa got some.)

Sunday we dropped Dime and his friend off at camp. They are having a blast this week, I'm sure. After more visiting, we headed home.

Monday we caught up with laundry, etc. My Aunt and Uncle stopped by on their way back to Kansas. It was so fun to get to see them and visit! Then Deer and I went to check out her special garden at Papa K's, plus she mowed lawn there. So nice to have an occasional paying summer project. PTL for grandparents!

Talking of summer projects - Papa W is putting a new metal roof on his house. Starting Tues. Drum, Duke, Dh, and Deer have been working on the roof taking off the shingles, and helping to put on the new one. They are probably a third of the way through the project. I've had alot more time with just Darling while the crew is up the hill. It takes a lot longer to get through dishes and chores with my big kids working. :-) I don't mind the quiet though. :-)

Last night, Deer, Dot, and I went out with a sweet friend of ours who is headed to college, and her sister. Boo-hoo for us that she is going, although we are excited for her. We had a great time visiting and talking about ballet memories. It will be fun to hear how college goes and the fun experiences she'll have there. Dot mentioned she wondered years ago what it would be like when she headed off to college and Dot would be driving and 16. Now she knows. Sad, fun, bittersweet. Our girls are growing up. Dot and I really, really want to visit her there. We'll see if that gets to happen. Papa K watched Dessert and Darling while we went out. They had such a great time and were so happy. Putting Darling to bed took about 3 minutes. Jammies on, sit in the rocking chair, say goodnight, out like a light!

Today I'm taking a break from running and instead catching up on blogging and eating leftover peanut butter m&m's. Mmmmm.. :-) I gotta get those kids rolling though for another day at work up the hill! Plus, Deer's having a scrap-booking friend over, and I have a shower to go to tonight. I also need to plan this school year, plus pay bills, my ironing pile is still there, and someone filled the laundry baskets last night and had snacks in the living room. During it all, people will ask what's to eat. Another busy day shapes up. :-)

The Hope of Refuge - A Book Review

Cindy Woodsmall is a fantastic author. I was delighted to get to review another of her stories in an Amish setting. The characters feel so real, one wants to go visit them.

Cara Moore is an orphan passed around in the foster care system. She struggles to make her own way, marrying to get rid of a stalker, but finding love in the process. Unfortunately, her brief marital happiness is cut short in the death of her first husband. When the stalker discovers she is alone, Cara and her sweet daughter begin life on the run, taking few belongings, but not leaving her precious mother's journal. The stalker again discovers her whereabouts, but this time figures out where her daughter is going to school. Desperate, Cara again remembers her one fond childhood memory of visiting a place with trees ... A place with love and security. Craving to recreate that for her daughter, and finding a hidden address in her mother's journal, Cara sets out to get as close as possible to those memories.

"She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life."

Will Cara discover who she really is in this closed Amish community? Will she leave never to know the love that was available? Why is Ephraim willing to help her?

"Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus." Ada comes up with a plan that helps Cara build hope, and rescues Deborah from despair. Will it work?

Author Bio: Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.Cindy was recently covered on ABC Nightline. To hear her interview, visit here.

You can purchase the book online at: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400073962

Or comment below by August 10th to win your own copy of "The Hope of Refuge".

New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall is on tour, and she may be coming to a city near you! Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Cindy and have her sign her newest title The Hope of Refuge at one of the following events.

Tuesday, August 11 7 – 8:30pm Barnes & Noble

5141 Peachtree Parkway, The Forum
Norcross, Georgia 30092
(770) 209-4244

Wednesday, August 12 7 – 8pm Barnes & Noble Opry Mills

515 Opry Mills Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
(615) 514-5000

Thursday, August 13 6 – 8pm Barnes & Noble

2540 Futura Pkwy. #135
Plainfield, Indiana 46168
(317) 838-7941

Friday, August 14 6 – 8pm Barnes & Noble

1550 West 75th
Downers Grove, Illinois 60516
(630) 663-0181

Saturday, August 15 1 – 3pm Baker Books

2768 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546-6139
(616) 957-3110

Sunday, August 16 2 – 4pm Barnes & Noble Booksellers

3700 Rivertown Parkway Ste. 2058
Grandville, Michigan 49418
(616) 531-1825

Monday, August 17 7 – 8:00pm Barnes & Noble Booksellers

1739 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 298-9516

Tuesday, August 18 7– 8:30pm Joseph Beth Booksellers

2705 E. Carson Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
(412) 381-3600

Wednesday, August 19 6 – 8pm Hackman’s Bible Book Store

1341 Mickley Road
Whitehall, Pennsylvania 18052-4610
(610) 264-8600

Thursday, August 20 1 – 3pm Rachel’s Country Store (Amish dry goods store)

6352 McClays Mill Road
Newburg, Pennsylvania 17240
(717) 530-9452

Can’t make the tour? You can still follow Cindy’s adventures on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. See you there!

Happy Reading!!