2007 April

Leave a comment between now and next Wednesday night if you’re interested in winning a book. Winners will be drawn Thursday morning. In your comment, please put the NUMBERS (not titles) of all the books from this current giveaway that you’re interested in. For example, your comment might say something like: “Put me in for #2, 7, and 9.” Include as many books as you’d like, and feel free to enter for all of them. Make sure that your comment includes an easy way for me to get in touch with you (email or your blog, etc.).

With each book listing, I’ve included where the author can ship. Please be sure to only enter for books that will ship to where you live. Thanks! (FYI: This week, it’s U.S. only.)

1. Uncharted
By Angela Hunt
Fiction
Ships: US

It was supposed to be an adventure. A little time off to honor the memory of a friend and complete a service project in the tropics. Do good deeds while getting a tan.

But when a storm rocks their plans, five long-time friends from college find themselves hurled onto a desolate island, and relief fades to fear. Here nature rules with a vengeance, and their lone shelter from raw conditions is a sinister cave.

Are they victims of a bizarre psychological experiment? Or could this godforsaken place have the power to maroon them forever?

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2. Ticket to Tomorrow
A Fair to Remember, Book One
By Carol Cox
Fiction
Ships: US

Annie Trenton’s life will change forever at the 1893 World’s Fair.

When Annie and Silas Crockett–her traveling companion and scatterbrained partner of her late husband–step off the train at Chicago’s Terminal Station, they walk straight into political intrigue. A stranger collides with Silas. . .and more than a satchel is unintentionally exchanged, drawing Annie, Silas, and a handsome rodeo rider into a world of deceptions and conspiracies. When Annie’s keen powers of observation threaten to expose devious plots, more than her exhibition plans hang in the balance. Will Annie lose her life before she has a chance to surrender her heart?

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3. In the Midst of Deceit
By Deborah Piccurelli
Fiction
Ships: US

What if you suddenly lost everything important to you? Like a modern-day Job, that’s what happens to Slade Mitchell. While skydiving with coworkers, Slade’s parachute malfunctions. He survives the fall, but is left permanently disabled, with no friends, no business, no girlfriend. Slade plunges into a deep state of depression, but his Christian neighbor, Stasi Courtland, to whom he has a reluctant attraction, provides a wellspring of strength and hope. They soon discover the incident was no accident. Can Slade and Stasi find out who wants him dead before it’s too late?

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4. Coldwater Revival
By Nancy Jo Jenkins
Fiction
Ships: US

Just three weeks before her wedding, Emma Grace Falin has returned to her hometown of Coldwater, Texas, consumed by a single, burning desire. She must confront the guilt and shame of a devastating event that has haunted her since childhood. Nancy Jo Jenkins has woven an unforgettable tale of shattering loss, desperate grief and despair, and one family’s amazing journey to restoration and forgiveness. A masterful debut, Coldwater Revival will forever be etched in your memories and upon your heart.

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5. Hope of Glory
By Nicole Patrino-Salter
Fiction
Ships: US

Hope Of Glory is a love story: an all encompassing story about the love of God for man, the love of man for a horse, the love of man for a woman, and, regrettably, the love of man for evil.

The world of a racetracker is composed of a seven-day-a-week workload. It is a demanding lifestyle, and it requires a tremendous commitment. Sometimes the stresses and strains that accompany that schedule can lead to the excesses of every kind. Few can escape the temptations.

Hope of Glory is about one season of horse racing where for several individuals the commitment to racing and the temptations they faced changed dramatically. Only God could cause a change like that . . . and only God did.

Note from the author: This book is for adult readers, since there are some fairly harsh situations in the novel, so it wouldn’t be considered “light” fare.

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6. The Bachelor Club
By Rhonda Gibson, Bev Huston, Janet Spaeth, & Kathleen Y’Barbo
Fiction (novella collection)
Ships: US

The game four young men started as children has turned into a competition to see who will wait the longest to get married-and collect a hefty chunk of invested money. Will Adam’s penchant for rescuing lost strays put an end to his membership in the club? Can Will give up dating and hide from love on the baseball diamond? When challenged out of his circumstances by a pretty game show hostess, can Isaac free himself to live again? Will Joseph’s lovely music teacher catch him in a web of deceit? Who will pick money over love?

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7. The Tender Scar
By Richard L. Mabry, MD
Non-fiction
Ships: US

Offering hope and healing for the broken-hearted, The Tender Scar addresses the heart-wrenching pain of losing a spouse. Dr. Richard Mabry uses his journal entries made after the death of his wife as a stepping-stone to a practical discussion of the grief process, offering help on such topics as:

• Finding a support group
• Resigning your commission
• Combating funeral flashbacks
• Reviewing the souvenirs of a lifetime
• Facing holidays
• Remembering an anniversary

Dr. Mabry connects with the reader in a way that makes them say, “Yes, I feel that way,” and “That might work for me—maybe I should try it.” He shares the emotions and situations he encountered, and acknowledges his own mistakes as well as his hard-won victories. />

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8. Cowboy
By Staci Stallings
Fiction
Ships: US

Life has done its best to knock Beth McCasland to the ground, and the truth
is: it’s done a pretty good job of keeping her there. Stuck in a minimum-wage job with a young daughter counting on her, Beth does her best to stay standing under the weight of it all because she knows God is on her side. Then one night she gets the chance to be an angel to another of life’s weary travelers. For once hope has never looked so real.

Cowboy is a grace-filled story about the power of giving everything to God and how a simple act of compassion can change lives forever. Emotional, soothing, and heart-wrenching, Cowboy is infused with the message that no matter who we are and no matter what life has thrown at us, we never have to walk alone.

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9. Lucky
By Staci Stallings
Fiction
Ships: US

Kalin Lane had his dream in hand. Then, on the cusp of mega-stardom, Kalin’s world crashed down around him in a hail of stupid choices. Five years later, Kalin is back, reaching for his dream once again; however, time hasn’t erased his past. Will the lessons of the past be enough to save him from himself this time around?

Danae Scott thought she was headed toward the future every girl wants.
However, in one night that belief is ripped into unrecognizable shreads.
Devastated and confused, Danae is an anguished mess when an angel trips over her. Does this angel have the answers she didn’t even know she needed?

One man,
One woman,
One night that changes everything.

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10. Stealing Adda
By Tamara Leigh
Fiction
Ships: US

Life for New York Times Best-Selling author and historical romance writer, Adda Sinclaire, reads more like a country song than a bodice-bursting, breathless affair. For starters, she has no actual romance life. That might have something to do with the fact that her husband–correction: EX-husband–ran off with Stick Woman, who everyone knew would never be more than a midlist author anyway. To add insult to injury, he not only took their dog, but gave it to the new woman. And if that weren’t enough, Adda’s come down with a horrible case of writer’s block and finds herself the unwitting target of a romance cover model’s misdirected amorous advances. Just when she catches her breath–and quite possibly the eye of a certain fabulously good-looking man–her arch-nemesis gives the pot one final stir. Are you there, God?

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11. Perfecting Kate
By Tamara Leigh
Fiction
Ships: US

Kate’s Creed: Thou shalt embrace singledom and be unbelievably, inconceivable happy.

Yeah, right.

Kate Meadows is a successful San Francisco artist looking for a nice, solid Christian man. So when not one, but two handsome bachelors enter her orbit in rapid succession, her head is spinning. Michael is a hunky makeup artist who actually seems to be flirting with her, rather than her physically flawless housemate. Trouble is, he keeps handing her business cards from various beauty professionals and plastic surgeons. Is he trying to stamp out every last bit of self-esteem she has?

Then there’s Dr. Clive Alexander who sends Kate’s pulse skittering every time he comes near. Too bad he’s only interested in her work–and doesn’t think she’s much to look at. It’s enough to send a girl running for her paint-splattered, relaxed-fit jeans and swearing off men altogether! But after undergoing a makeover from Michael’s staff, Kate can’t be oblivious to the admiring glances men throw her way. Maybe she should try contacts…consider some fancy dental work…and you know, that mole really could stand to go. The question now is, what kind of work will Kate do on herself? And who exactly is she trying to please?

Filed Under: Book giveaways 63 Comments

Apr 21, 2007

Am I still here?

written by katrina · 21 Comments

If you looked at my blog to see if there were any recent posts, without actually looking too carefully at those posts, you’d assume that I’m still here, plugging away at my posts, doing the bloggy thing. But you might be wrong. See, I haven’t actually written a post whose topic has originated in my brain since Monday. And that particular post was about being tired and needing some 3HS.

Why is this? Well, the truth is… I’ve gotten in over my head.

Too many commitments, and it’s taking its toll. Here’s what I have going on:

Give away approximately 120 books before June 21st. Put up posts about them, format the posts, include links in the posts, draw winners, contact winners, send addresses to authors, go to the post office to send out Bethany House books, answer questions about giveaways, keep track of my master spreadsheet of giveaways to make sure that I’m not giving the same book away twice or missing a book in the midst of all these posts.

Online writing class. I just started one. It’s six weeks long. With homework.

End-of-school projects. The current one being C.’s report on Alaska. And don’t you hate how school projects usually involve more work for the parent than the kid? I mean really, he’s supposed to take Rhubarb Crisp in as an example of an Alaskan governor’s favorite recipe. But is he going to make the Rhubarb Crisp from start to finish, or for that matter, figure out where to buy sufficient rhubarb in the northeast in April? I think not.

Book reviews. I’ve promised a number of authors that I would read and review their books. I’m working my way through the pile, but it’s slow going (see above items for reasons why).

Spring Reading Thing. People keep signing up (which is great). I keep visiting their lists (which I love). Lots of people are posting reviews. I’m checking them all out, though I admit I haven’t been commenting — there just isn’t enough time in the day to fit everything in!

And of course, the usual stuff — meetings, dentist appointments, laundry, doctor visits, changing diapers, etc.

I’m getting these things all done — slowly, but surely. But unfortunately, they don’t leave me much time to come up with creative, funny, serious, thought-provoking, or otherwise interesting posts.

I have no real point to this rambling. Other than to say, if you stop by here occasionally and wonder, “Does she ever do ‘real’ posts anymore? Or is it all about book giveaways and book reviews? What’s up with her kids these days? Where are the cute baby pictures?” fear not, I’ll be back. Eventually. I’ll try to throw in an occasional meme or amusing anecdote in the meantime. But the next two months or so will probably be more about getting through my commitments than being creative. It’s a season. It’ll pass.

And I’ve learned lots of lessons. Lessons which I’m sure I’ll blog about when I have more time.

Filed Under: General Ramblings 21 Comments

Apr 19, 2007

Book Giveaway: Praying with & for Your Kids

written by katrina · 32 Comments

The winner of last week’s book, In Search of Eden is Lauren S. Congrats! I’ve also listed the winners of the Books Galore #1 giveaway in a separate post. You can check it out Here.

Now it’s time for Bethany House book giveaway #3. If the book below appeals to you and you’d like to be eligible to win it, just leave a comment on this post and I’ll put your name in the virtual hat. This post will remain open for comments until I list the next book next Thursday. At that time, I’ll randomly pick a commenter and announce that person as the winner. Please make sure that when you leave a comment, there is an easy way to get in touch with you – via email or your own blog. This book is open to anyone in the U.S. or Canada.

And now, on to the book…

Praying with & for Your Kids
(The Pocket Guide for Parents)

As a parent, you have a great desire to make sure you give your children everything they need to succeed. One of the best ways you can do that is to pray for them regularly. Another great way is to teach them how to develop their own relationship with God through prayer. With this life skill, they will be able to navigate all the twists and turns that the future will surely bring their way!

The Pocket guide for Parents: Praying with & for Your Kids was designed to help you and your child in this task. You will gain valuable insights on prayer and learn various kinds of prayers, as well as attitudes necessary for effective praying, and possible pitfalls to avoid. You’ll also find sections of age-appropriate prayers for toddlers through teens. Some examples include: “A Prayer Before School,” “A Prayer for Safety,” and “A Prayer for Peace.” Another section includes prayers for your child’s specific needs, such as “A Prayer When There Is Fear and Anxiety,” “A Prayer When Dealing with Loneliness,” “A Prayer for Your Child’s Healthy Self-Image,” and many more.

You will be inspired and encouraged as you begin to pray these prayers with and for your children. There is no greater habit that you can cultivate in your child than to connect them with the God who loves and cherishes them!

You can take a peek inside the book on Amazon.com. Just click HERE.